Popular ITV presenter Charlotte Hawkins has moved channels as she’s been fronting Jeremy Vine’s show on Channel 5 – and fans have been rushing to comment following her debut.
Charlotte, who has been a regular face on Good Morning Britain since it launched in 2014, confirmed she’d be filling in for Jeremy on her social media last Friday (June 26) after she’d guest-hosted Matt Allwright’s show on the channel.
Now, the 51-year-old has been showered with support after fronting Jeremy’s show for the first time on Monday (June 29) as she shared a snap of herself in the studio alongside Joanna Jarjue and Mike Parry.
One person commented: “You looked amazing. Good job done.” Someone else added: “It went very well, very natural.”
Another fan wrote: “This works for you, good job.” While on X, one viewer shared: ” #Jeremyvine Oh Charlotte’s swapped the sofa on ITV’s Good Morning Britain to the Channel 5 desk and chair #ThisMorning #Gmb “
While someone else commented: “Great seeing @CharlotteHawkns on @JeremyVineOn5 this morning #Jeremyvine .”
Opening the show on Monday, Charlotte commented: “I’m Charlotte Hawkins, sitting in for Jeremy while he enjoys a holiday!”
Charlotte confirmed that she’d be back on the programme on Tuesday (June 30). During Monday’s episode she welcomed back Mike Parry to the panel after his recent treatment for skin cancer.
When asked how he’s doing, he replied: “I feel very well, thank you. I can’t thank The Royal Marsden Hospital enough for what they did for me last week.
“It was five consecutive days, a blast of radiation, once a day, a serious blast and then other procedures.
“But, I feel good at the end of it, I feel mentally very well. I know I was in the hands of some of the best people in the world.”
He also shared a warning to viewers as he highlighted the importance of keeping out of the sun following his diagnosis.
Mike added: “can I say to everybody, please, please, take the greatest precaution against that big yellow ball in the sky, the sun. It will get you; you have a chance to stop it.”
The Jeremy Vine show airs every weekday on Channel 5 from 9:15am.
This photo, taken Tuesday, shows the trading room of Hana Bank in Seoul as South Korean stocks rose by almost one percent as investors watched for a resumption of U.S.-Iran talks. Photo by Yonhap
South Korean stocks ended nearly 1 percent higher Tuesday, led by gains in technology shares, as investors watched for a possible resumption of U.S.-Iran talks in Qatar aimed at easing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 81.83 points, or 0.97 percent, to close at 8,476.47.
Investor sentiment improved after the United States and Iran were set to resume talks in Qatar aimed at easing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, alleviating concerns over a prolonged disruption to global oil supplies.
Overnight, Wall Street rebounded sharply as investors returned to tech stocks.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.59 percent to close at a record high, while the Nasdaq composite jumped 2.07 percent and the S&P 500 advanced 1.18 percent.
Crude prices rose modestly as investors monitored implementation of the U.S.-Iran peace framework.
Trade volume was moderate at 444.61 million shares worth 41.08 trillion won (US$26.51 billion), with losers outnumbering losers 621 to 261
Institutions and individuals bought a net 2.93 trillion won and 833.45 billion won worth of shares, respectively, while foreigners sold a net 3.79 trillion won.
“Investors scooped up semiconductor shares following recent losses, while IT infrastructure and electricity stocks rose on hopes for major investment in semiconductor infrastructure in the southwestern region announced by the government and chipmakers,” said Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities.
Tech shares lifted the overall market.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 3.41 percent to 334,000 won, and chip giant SK hynix gained 0.84 percent to 1.65 million won. SK Square, the parent of SK hynix, advanced 3.48 percent to 1.69 million won.
Chip components maker Samsung Electro-Mechanics jumped 7.16 percent to 1.18 million won after announcing a 454 billion-won supply deal for multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) for artificial intelligence servers to a U.S.-based customer.
Battery shares retreated on profit-taking after sharp gains the previous session.
LG Energy Solution plunged 9.61 percent to 362,000 won, and its smaller rival Samsung SDI sank 4.88 percent to 487,000 won.
The Korean won was quoted at 1,549.4 won per U.S. dollar as of 3:30 p.m., down 4.2 won from the previous session.
Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency prohibits its content from being redistributed or reprinted without consent, and forbids the content from being learned and used by artificial intelligence systems.
Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.
One of the U.S. Air Force’s B-2 bombers fired an AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) during a recent live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) in the Western Pacific. The stealthy LRASM was not previously known to be in the B-2’s arsenal. Integration of the AGM-158C offers a huge boost in capability for the B-2, creating a penetrating fleet-killing platform that could be especially valuable in a future high-end fight in the Pacific against China.
“The Pacific Air Forces successfully conducted a live-fire Sinking Exercise using the B-2 Spirit north of the Mariana Islands. The B-2 deployed the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, demonstrating enhanced ability to achieve strategic objectives within range of potential threats,” according to a press release today from Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). “With the deployment of the LRASM from the B-2 Spirit, the Pacific Air Forces takes a major step forward in countering maritime threats. This milestone showcased impressive high-end innovation reinforcing the US military’s commitment to safeguarding national interests and maintaining global security.”
Air Force personnel prepare to load an AGM-158C onto a waiting B-2 bomber. USAF
The release does not provide any further details about the SINKEX, but PACAF confirmed to TWZ directly that the B-2 fired the LRASM at the ex-USS Juneau, a decommissioned Austin class amphibious warfare ship, as part of Exercise Valiant Shield 2026. U.S. and allied forces taking part in the exercise pummeled the Juneau with various munitions this weekend, sending it to the bottom of the Pacific, roughly 200 nautical miles off the coast of Guam. An unnamed Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) submarine appears to have delivered the final blow with a heavyweight torpedo. The B-2’s involvement was not mentioned until today.
The ex-USS Juneau is hit by a torpedo from an unnamed Japanese submarine during the SINKEX during Exercise Valiant Shield on June 27, 2026. USN/Seaman Apprentice Anthony Vilardi
“Exercises like Valiant Shield allow U.S. Pacific Command the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service and with our allies to conduct precise, lethal, and overwhelming multi-domain effects that demonstrate the strength and versatility of the Joint Force and our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” a PACAF spokesperson told TWZ.
A B-2 bomber takes off from Andersen Air Force Base on Guam on a sortie as part of Exercise Valiant Shield 2026. USAF
As noted, the B-2’s ability to fire LRASM at all does not appear to have been previously disclosed. When reached for comment, Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) told TWZ that all details about the integration of the missile onto the B-2 were classified, as was whether or not the SINKEX represented any kind of first for the bomber.
A LRASM is seen under the wing of an F/A-18, with another missile in the foreground. USN
The Air Force previously highlighted other efforts to expand the B-2’s anti-ship capabilities in the form of Quicksink precision-guided anti-ship bombs, which leverage the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kit. You can read more about Quicksink here.
A B-2 bomber drops a Quicksink bomb during a test in cooperation with the Royal Norwegian Air Force in 2025. A Norwegian F-35A is seen flying alongside. Royal Norwegian Air Force
The AGM-158C is derived from the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) family of land-attack cruise missiles. The baseline AGM-158A JASSM and AGM-158B JASSM-Extended Range (JASSM-ER) are already known to be integrated onto the B-2. The B-2 is also known to be able to carry up to 16 AGM-158As, and is very likely capable of carrying the same number of JASSM-ERs and LRASMs, as all of these missiles have the same general form factor.
A B-2 drops a JASSM. USAF
In terms of its general mode of operation, LRASM uses GPS-assisted Inertial Navigation System (INS) guidance to navigate first to a designated target area. The missile is highly autonomous, thanks to a built-in route planning capability that is linked to an onboard electronic support measures (ESM) package. The missile has the ability to automatically change course in response to the sudden emergence of enemy defenses based on their radio-frequency emissions, as well as use those signals to better detect potential targets.
After arriving in the target area, the missile’s imaging infrared sensor in the nose takes over for the terminal phase of flight. Using a built-in threat target library database, the seeker searches for and categorizes targets autonomously. Information in that database also helps steer the missile to hit the target ship at its most vulnerable point. As a passive sensor, the infrared seeker does not send out radio-frequency signals that an enemy could detect. It is also immune to radio-frequency jamming.
Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM)
LRASM also has a datalink that allows it to get threat updates while in flight. It can also work cooperatively with other LRASMs during coordinated strikes. A C-3 variant is now in development that will feature a boost in maximum range, as well as “C++ software, [an] enhanced BLOS [beyond-line-of-sight] Weapons Data Link, [and] advanced survivability” capabilities, according to previously released Navy budget documents. The range of existing versions of the LRASM is not publicly disclosed, but is reported to be between 200 and 300 miles, in line with the AGM-158A JASSM. The C-3 version is expected to have the same reach as the JASSM-ER, which is reported to be around 600 miles.
“With the deployment of the LRASM from the B-2 Spirit, the Pacific Air Forces takes a major step forward in countering maritime threats,” according to today’s release from that command. “This milestone showcased impressive high-end innovation reinforcing the US military’s commitment to safeguarding national interests and maintaining global security.”
“The B-2’s impressive performance underscores the US military’s commitment to adaptability and flexibility in the face of emerging security challenges,” Air Force Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, head of PACAF, also said in a statement. “By prioritizing counter-maritime strike operations, we can maintain a decisive edge over adversaries, protect our national interests and ensure the free and open Pacific that underpin our global security.”
Another view of an LRASM being loaded onto a B-2 ahead of the Valiant Shield 2026 SINKEX. USAF
As we noted right up front in this story, pairing the highly survivable and hard-to-spot B-2 with LRASM presents a new penetrating anti-ship capability. Each one of the bombers could engage multiple ships simultaneously and use their other attributes to get within range of even the most high-value targets, such as the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) growing fleet of aircraft carriers and big deck amphibious assault ships. LRASM’s range means that the bombers only need to be in hundreds of miles of their targets. As mentioned, the missiles themselves offer a high degree of survivability, as well.
The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong, at left, and Liaoning, at right, sail together in the Pacific together with their escorts, as aircraft fly overhead. Chinese government
“LRASM plays a critical role in ensuring U.S. naval access to operate in both open-ocean and littoral environments due to its enhanced ability to discriminate between targets from long-range,” then-Lt. Col. Timothy Albrecht, said following B-1 training sorties over the Black Sea back in 2020. “With the increase of maritime threats and their improvement of anti-access/area-denial [A2/AD] environmental weapons, this stealthy anti-ship cruise missile provides reduced risk to strike assets by penetrating and defeating sophisticated enemy air-defense systems.”
A B-1 bomber drops an LRASM during a test. USAF
At that time, Albrecht was a member of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s (USAFE) 603rd Air Operations Center and the Bomber Task Force mission planner.
A pre-production B-21 Raider bomber seen from above during aerial refueling testing. USAF
What has been revealed already is that the Air Force now has a very capable, long-range, deep-penetrating delivery platform capable of delivering its most capable and hard-to-detect anti-ship missiles.
Unlike Jimmy Savile, Rolf Harris was caught before his death and was made to pay the price for his many years of criminal behaviour – but only in the UK
Rolf Harris’ victims felt he was so powerful they would not be believed (Image: Supplied)
Survivors of Rolf Harris have spoken out for the first time about his abusive behaviour, with one branding the late entertainer and artist as a “disgusting old man”.
The Australian star, who died in 2023, was jailed in the UK for five years and nine months for indecent assault in 2014. One of those who helped to convict him was the best friend of his daughter Bindi, known as Victim A, who was just 13 years old when his attacks started.
Now a new documentary features other women revealing what they went through, with one assaulted by Harris when she was a teenager on a Mediterranean holiday, another attacked while making a TV commercial and a third while on tour with her theatre group in London.
Sunny was 15 when she was filming a TV ad alongside Harris, who was the face of a brand called British Paints. She said the assault happened soon after he arrived on set and stood very close to her, “right in my face”. “That’s when he assaulted me, then walked off. The reason I am doing this is to say to him ‘you are a disgusting old man and you can’t get away with it any more’. Just f*** right off,” she says.
Pamela was on holiday with her boyfriend and another couple in Malta in 1970. “I was 18, everything was fun,” she remembers, until they ran into Harris in a bar and he took her into another room to show her “more of his art”. “He just pushed me against the wall and he put his hands on my breast. He kissed me which was not very nice, very horrible,” she says. “And then he put his hands in my pants, up my dress. And then he said ‘I’m sorry’, and then he cuddled me.”
She believes she knows why his mood changed suddenly. “I really thought he was going to rape me – I had my period at the time. I think that’s why he stopped.”
Although the paedophile and serial sex offender had made the UK his home, he travelled regularly back to native Australia. Another victim, called Nina, said that she was 14 in 1984 when Harris came in to a motel where she was staying with her family because of her dad’s job.
“Rolf Harris started to touch me in quite an imposing way. He was rubbing himself up against me and putting his hands over my shoulders and touching my chest. I just didn’t know how to make him stop,” she recalls. “He was reciting a poem while he was groping me, rhythmically, groping my breasts in time to his little nursery rhyme. Obviously for him this was funny and this was how he was treating a child.”
Nina reported him to police at the time but the programme finds that New South Wales authorities have no record of her complaint. She now feels angry that they ignored what she told them. ‘They were looking at their watches, yawning. By disregarding it, this behaviour is escalated. He’s repeated it over and over again with children, and all those children have been damaged by him. The police could have addressed that in 1984 and they just didn’t choose to. The whole thing leaves you feeling isolated. It’s hard to describe the impact that has on your development and confidence.”
One of the most disturbing elements of the two-part documentary is how many people knew what he was up to but did nothing to stop him as he hung out with pals including Jimmy Savile. Investigative reporter Meirion Jones describes how his wife was warned about Harris while working at the BBC. He says an executive told her not to get into a lift with him on her own or walk up the stairs in front of him. “Management knew Rolf Harris was in the habit of groping, and they were trying to transfer that problem to the people around him, saying to women, ‘don’t put yourself in a position where he might attack you’.”
The first episode also features Cathy, who had come to London on a six week tour with her theatre group in 1986, when she was 15. She was told that Rolf Harris was going to come and watch their final performance to give feedback. “He said to me ‘come and sit on my lap’ and he was telling me how talented he thought I was and that I should keep going,” she remembers, growing tearful. “
He started to put his hand on my legs and going under my skirt. This is all happening while we’re all singing and talking and laughing. It was so bizarre, no one knew anything was going on. I just went really quiet and was in shock, I just thought ‘I wish my Mum was here’. I went to the bathroom and I started to cry, I wasn’t sure if it had really happened. I composed myself and walked out and when I did he was right by the door – with a big smile on his face. That’s when he assaulted me. He put his fingers inside me and assaulted me and then he just walked away.”
She said the assault has had a lasting impact on her and she never returned to the theatre group. “For that one moment of whatever he got from it – it destroys people’s lives. Not just six months or a year, your whole life. Nothing is the same.”
Ben Markham, Detective Inspector with the Metropolitan Police who worked on Operation Yewtree, said Victim A was motivated to come forward after seeing Harris appear on screen at one particular event in 2012. “The turning point came with the Queen’s jubilee,” he explains. “It was like a dam bursting, she just felt ‘this is enough’.
Rolf Harris: Primetime Predator is streaming now on AmazonPrime Video.
June 30 (UPI) — President Donald Trump has nominated Keith Sonderling to be the U.S. secretary of labor, a position the attorney has held on the interim basis since Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned in April.
Trump announced his nomination of Sonderling to the post permanently on Monday in a statement, describing Sonderling as a man who has throughout his career “proven his dedication to delivering strong results for the Hardworking People of our Country, and I know he will do an incredible job in his new role.”
Sonderling served as deputy and acting administrator of the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division during Trump’s first term, and as deputy secretary — the department’s chief operating officer — during Trump’s second.
The 43-year-old was made interim head of the department on April 20, replacing Chavez-DeRemer, who had resigned as she faced a series of allegations of professional misconduct.
She stepped down as a Labor Department inspector general’s investigation was examining allegations that she kept a stash of alcohol in her office, maintained a relationship with a member of her security team and used agency resources for a variety of personal activities.
In a statement Monday, Sonderling said he was “deeply grateful to President Trump for his trust and confidence.”
“Serving in both President Trump’s administrations has been the greatest honor of my life,” he said on social media.
“If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to continuing that service as secretary of labor and advancing the president’s agenda on behalf of America’s workers, families, unions and job creators.”
Following Trump’s announcement, a number of Republicans congratulated Sonderling on his nomination.
“Congratulations to Keith Sonderling on his nomination to be secretary of labor,” Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said online.
“He is the kind of pro-worker leader that Americans deserve.”
The earthquake flattened more than 100 buildings in La Guaira. (Agencia Zero)
Mérida, June 29, 2026 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Venezuelan and international rescue teams continue to search for survivors under collapsed buildings following last Wednesday’s back-to-back earthquakes.
The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude tremors caused widespread destruction, primarily in the coastal state of La Guaira, which has been described as “ground zero.” Geological services have registered more than 500 aftershocks since the original earthquakes.
On Monday, Venezuelan officials reported that there have been 1,719 people killed, 5,034 injured, and more than 15 thousand displaced. According to the country’s authorities, 855 buildings have been damaged, including 189 totally collapsed, along with damage to 38 hospitals and 1,645 road structures.
“We are in critical and crucial hours to continue saving lives,” National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez stated during a Monday press conference. He confirmed that over 25,000 rescue workers, including military personnel, police, firefighters, and civil protection units, are currently deployed, supported by 3,319 international rescuers from 25 nations and 137 specialized canines.
Rodríguez added that 90% of electricity service has been restored in La Guaira State, and that a special hotline remains active to provide psychological support to relatives of the victims, displaced people, and those suffering from post-traumatic stress following the earthquakes.
Earlier on Monday, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez celebrated the rescue of 21-year-old Aaron Levi Cantillo, who was pulled alive from the rubble in La Guaira after being trapped for 106 hours. The rescue was the result of 43 hours of intense, coordinated work by Venezuelan Civil Protection and brigades from Mexico, Chile, and Argentina. Emergency workers have warned that, as time passes, the probability of still finding survivors drastically decreases.
Over the weekend, the Venezuelan government has likewise ramped up efforts to tend to displaced families, with 15 temporary shelters set up in La Guaira and a further 50 in Caracas.
Other areas beyond La Guaira have also been severely impacted. Local residents reported structural damage and service failures in Morón, Carabobo state, close to the earthquakes’ epicenters. Similarly, in Tucacas, Falcón state, residents called for assistance from authorities as they face interrupted electricity or water services.
As part of its response to the crisis, the acting Rodríguez government restricted access to the state of La Guaira, the hardest-hit area. The measure aims to prevent traffic congestion and prioritize the movement of emergency vehicles and heavy machinery. Venezuelan officials have urged the public to avoid traveling to the area to ensure that rescue efforts are not impeded.
At the same time, authorities have sought to organize volunteer brigades, both for search and rescue operations and to tend to temporary shelters, via a registration center at the Poliedro complex in Caracas.
As of June 29, 10,834 volunteers had registered, and they have been categorized according to their area of expertise: survivor rescue, medical care, logistics at temporary camps, and other essential tasks.
Following the double earthquake, the United States government has ramped up its presence in the Caribbean nation. The US Department of State has deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and specialized urban search and rescue units.
The Department of War has sent an expeditionary airfield management team to repair and reopen the damaged Simón Bolívar International Airport, which is now serving as the primary hub for international relief flights. The US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has stated that it is currently “managing tower and ground operations” at the country’s most important airport.
SOUTHCOM is also assessing conditions at the port of La Guaira and has docked the USS Fort Lauderdale warship to coordinate maritime deliveries. Various aircraft, including C-17 Globemaster, C-130 Hercules, MV-22 Ospreys, and helicopters, have conducted aerial surveys and transported rescue teams and supplies.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez personally thanked President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for US support following the natural disaster. In a social media message, the acting president said she was “deeply grateful for this gesture of friendship and cooperation.”
The Trump administration announced that humanitarian assistance to Venezuela has been increased to over $300 million. However, Washington has not offered any relief from widespread economic sanctions, only issuing a time-limited license allowing earthquake relief-related transactions.
The White House also retains control over Venezuelan oil export revenues, with the disbursement timings and amounts left at US officials’ discretion.
BBC viewers shared the same complaint about the coverage of the tennis championship
Viewers shared the same complaint about the coverage of the tennis(Image: BBC screengrab)
BBC viewers have hit out at the broadcaster’s coverage of Wimbledon.
The tennis tournament got underway on Monday (June 29), with the BBC switching between BBC One and BBC Two to bring viewers all the action from SW19, as well as showing games on the iPlayer.
But several fans were left fuming during the evening coverage and claimed they missed a vital moment because of a channel change, with some calling it “a joke”.
Former Wimbledon winner Novak Djokovic was playing Wu Yibing on Centre Court when the coverage swapped channels, leading many fans to post messages on X saying that it had caused disruption as Wu was about to win the second set.
One person posted on the platform, which was formerly Twitter: “They didn’t just miss that Wu set win because they were changing channel. Oh wait… they did. Shambles.”
Another viewer said it “spoiled the tension”, as someone else exclaimed: “Channel change at set point @BBCSport – really!!”
“Shocking from @BBCSport to leave the channel at such a crucial point to switch channels and it’s not even on there!!” posted somebody else.
Another person said it was “appalling”, and one remarked: “Fed up of BBC coverage of #wimbledon only just started and already there is constant channel hopping, and missing crucial stages of the match as a result is unacceptable.”
“Shocking #Wimbledon coverage from BBC there,” commented somebody else.
“Djokovic serving to stay in the set, they switch channel with both showing an advert, then come back to the game with the set over. What’s the point watching for hours then missing a key moment!”
“Would have been nice to watch that set point live @BBC but instead you switched from BBC One to BBC Two with no great hurry… missed the set point and now they’re closing the roof so there’s a delay anyway – Could you not have waited one minute?!” asked another viewer.
“The BBC coverage of Wimbledon truly is a joke,” posted somebody else. “An absolute disgrace. If you’re going to follow a match live, then don’t keep switching channels halfway through. Either dedicate yourself to the tournament, or let it go.”
Coverage of Wimbledon will air on BBC One and BBC Two, as well as being available to stream on BBC iPlayer
Shops reopened and public transport services partially resumed in Pakistan-administered Kashmir after weeks of deadly clashes between police and protesters, who demanded economic and governance reforms.
President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia will continue its efforts to fully capture four Ukrainian regions, dismissing Ukraine’s recent proposal to ease hostilities in the ongoing war. In a televised interview, he emphasized the need to enhance Russia’s air defense to respond to increased Ukrainian drone attacks targeting its oil industry. Despite acknowledging fuel shortages due to Ukrainian strikes, he asserted that Russia is managing these challenges effectively.
Putin claimed that Ukraine’s suggestion for a mutual halt to long-range strikes was merely a tactic to relieve pressure on its forces along the extensive front line. He expressed confidence in Russia’s military success, stating that their offensive actions are significantly more impactful and destructive. He rejected the idea of saving the Ukrainian government as part of Russia’s plans.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who had proposed a meeting with Putin, received no response from the Russian leader. Putin described Ukraine’s attacks as attempts to distract Russia from achieving its goals of fully liberating the Donbas and other strategically important regions. He reiterated that Ukraine must relinquish its remaining positions in Donetsk as a crucial condition for any peace agreement, following Russia’s annexation of the four regions seven months after its invasion.
In addressing the drone attacks, Putin called for a rapid increase in the production of necessary air defense systems, claiming that the attacks would not affect the overall combat situation. He anticipated renewed U. S.-led diplomatic efforts to end the war, following the resolution of the U. S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. Furthermore, he indicated that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko could play a role in peace talks, without acknowledging Ukraine’s concerns regarding Belarus’s involvement in the conflict.
Gray Atkins has made a return to EastEnders as Toby-Alexander Smith reprises his iconic villainous role. He was last seen in the Square back in 2022
Gray Atkins has made a return to EastEnders(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Gray Atkins has made a return to EastEnders as Toby-Alexander Smith reprises his iconic villainous role.
The villain was last seen in Albert Square in 2022 when he was sent to prison for murdering Chantelle Atkins, Kush Kazemi and Tina Carter. The serial killer has not been seen since, with Toby-Alexander Smith now reprising his role for a short stint.
Speaking about his return, he said: “It’s been very surreal returning to EastEnders and stepping back into Gray’s shoes.
“He’s one of the most complex characters I’ve had the opportunity to play and revisiting him after several years has been an exciting challenge to get my teeth into. Exploring who Gray is now has been, fascinating, and I’m excited for the audience to see this version of him and watch the storyline play out.”
Gray is currently serving a life sentence in prison but needs the help of his grandmother Sheila (Sheila Ruskins) to get close to ex-wife Chelsea Fox after Jordan’s harrowing accident.
With motives still unclear, there’s trouble ahead but what does Gray want?
Ben Wadey, EastEnders Executive Producer, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Toby-Alexander Smith back to the role of Gray Atkins. Although his character remains in prison, it will soon become apparent to viewers that Gray’s physical separation from Walford is no match for his levels of manipulation.”
However, some fans have been left puzzled by his return and connection to Sheila.
“It’s weird to me how they made it seem like Sheila was still in contact with gray with the way she was stroking his photo in her wallet like she kept in contact with him even though he murdered 3 people. But then when we actually see gray he says she hasn’t visited him in the 4 years he’s been locked up,” one fan wrote.
A second added: “I was a bit confused by this. I thought they would be building toward a story where she’s a bit obsessed and thinks that he’s done nothing wrong. Maybe under his spell, doing what he wants, and maybe seeing him in Jordan. Instead, it seems more like she just wants her grandkid and is going to use him to help her along.”
A third shared: “This confused me too. The impression I got is that they were always in contact and maybe she was going to try and convince Chelsea to let Gray his child. Sheila trying to get Gray to get Chelsea to let her see the kid is strange.”
Ukrainian oligarch reported to be among injured in explosion at residential building in the Mediterranean principality.
Published On 30 Jun 202630 Jun 2026
Police in Monaco and neighbouring France are hunting for a man suspected of detonating a makeshift bomb in the centre of the wealthy Mediterranean principality, which seriously injured several people, officials said.
Three people, including a teenager, were hurt in the explosion that struck at about 9pm local time (19:00 GMT) on Monday in a residential building in Monaco, according to authorities in the micro-state on the French Riviera, known as a haven for billionaires and their luxury yachts.
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According to the AFP news agency, Ukrainian oligarch Vadym Yermolaiev was one of those wounded.
Monaco’s Minister of State Christophe Mirmand initially told AFP that the blast appeared to be “an attack”, but later dropped the term, describing it as a “deliberate explosion”.
A couple in their 50s or 60s suffered life-threatening conditions, while a 13-year-old who was “very likely related to the couple” suffered less serious injuries, Mirmand said, without disclosing their identities.
The explosive device apparently contained bolts and buckshot, Mirmand said.
“This is the first time in history, to my knowledge, that such an act has taken place in the principality,” he said.
A source close to the investigation who asked not to be named told AFP that one of those wounded was Yermolaiev.
Yermolaiev, a multimillionaire Monaco resident, has been subject to sanctions from Kyiv since December 2023, which Ukrainian security services reportedly said stemmed from his alcohol business activity in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Monaco’s public prosecutor, Stephane Thibault, said a suspect had left a bag or package in the building’s lobby before leaving.
French newspaper Le Figaro said video surveillance images showed a man dropping a backpack at the entrance of a residential building shortly before the explosion.
Monaco’s Prince Albert II described the incident as a “heinous crime” and “a shock to the entire Monegasque community”.
An aide to French Minister of the Interior Laurent Nunez said police were working “to find the perpetrator, who has fled”.
An AFP photographer at the scene saw a heavy police presence with access to the area cordoned off, while a helicopter circled overhead.
Students at Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, were preparing to sit for their National Examinations Council (NECO) Biology paper on the morning of Monday, June 29, when terrorists stormed the school, killing at least one teacher, abducting staff and students, and forcing another disruption to education in a community still reeling from a school abduction barely a month ago.
The attackers struck shortly before 9 a.m., according to school officials and residents, arriving on more than 40 motorcycles, many dressed in military camouflage and armed with AK-47 rifles. Witnesses said the assault lasted about 20 minutes before security personnel pursued the attackers into nearby bushland.
The exact number of abducted students remains unclear as authorities and school officials continue compiling names.
Imperiju Mamza, the school’s examinations officer, told HumAngle that the senior students had assembled for their Biology paper, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., when the attackers arrived. “They invaded the school some minutes to 9 a.m.,” he said.
“Only one student who is sitting for the exams was abducted. She came very early and was, unfortunately, abducted alongside the other students who were from other classes. The others are safe and are currently writing their paper,” he said.
The ongoing NECO examinations began on June 23. According to Mamza, 243 candidates registered for the examination. “Apart from the one abducted, 242 are currently writing their exams,” he said. “I am trying to compile names of those abducted and cannot yet confirm how many were taken.”
Following the attack, candidates were relocated under armed protection to Government Girls Secondary School, Lassa, where the Biology examination continued.
The Hakimi Girema Ptil Madu Shopping Complex at the Lassa Central Market. The Government Day Secondary School, where the abduction happened, sits a few kilometres away. Photo: James Lucky.
Teachers killed, others abducted
Residents who witnessed the aftermath said the attackers appeared to target the school directly rather than the wider community.
Timothy Apagu, whose shop is located near the school, said the community had received reports as early as 7 a.m. that armed men had been sighted around Muthalavu village on the outskirts of Lassa. Community vigilantes were deployed towards the Dille axis after residents raised the alarm, believing the gunmen were approaching from that direction.
“Unfortunately, another team of terrorists followed a different route and attacked the community,” he said.
Apagu said the attackers went straight into the school. “They did not enter the community. I suspect it was a targeted attack.”
He said more than 40 motorcycles participated in the raid. “Most were wearing military camouflage. Others were wearing black trousers. Some wore boots while others wore bathroom slippers. From afar, you would know they were terrorists.”
According to Apagu, one teacher died at the scene while another, who sustained gunshot injuries, later died at the Lassa General Hospital.
He said two teachers, a male Vice Principal identified as Mr Paul and a female teacher popularly known as Madam Angelina, were initially abducted alongside students. The Vice Principal was later rescued after security personnel pursued the attackers, while the female teacher remained in captivity at the time of reporting.
The corpse of the teacher killed at the scene is covered in leaves. Photo: James Lucky.
Another resident, Andrew Adamu, gave a similar account, saying security personnel rescued one teacher and five students during the pursuit and recovered six motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing gunmen.
He added that one female student escaped with gunshot injuries. HumAngle could not independently verify these rescue figures.
Security response
The military and local vigilantes immediately pursued the attackers into nearby bushland, residents said. Adamu said one soldier and one vigilante were killed during the pursuit.
Residents said the military and local vigilantes immediately pursued the attackers into nearby bushland, rescuing the vice principal and six students. Photo: James Lucky.
“There is a military base here, but the soldiers are few. They are not more than 50,” he said. “The school and the military base are less than a kilometre apart.”
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the attack but said the number of abducted students remained unverified. Nahum Kenneth Daso, the Police Public Relations Officer, said the Area Commander for Askira-Uba had deployed to the scene alongside other officers.
Asked what security measures had been introduced after last month’s abduction of more than 40 schoolchildren in nearby Mussa, Daso said police deployments around schools in the area had been increased.
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“The challenge we had in Lassa is that the school does not have a fence,” he said. “When the invasion happened, they took advantage of that.”
The school vice principal, Mr Paul, and six students who were rescued by security operatives.
Mamza said school authorities had repeatedly raised concerns about the absence of perimeter fencing following the Mussa attack. “The Government Day Secondary School has no fence, and we have complained to the government following the Mussa incident,” he said. He explained that the school is located about a kilometre from the town centre and shares a boundary with the Lassa Vocational Training Centre.
When contacted, Mada Saidu, the Chairperson of Askira-Uba LGA, declined to discuss the attack, saying he was channelling his time and efforts into coordinating the emergency response, which he felt was more important than speaking to journalists.
The latest attack comes barely a month after dozens of schoolchildren were abducted in neighbouring Mussa, also in Askira-Uba LGA, renewing fears over the security of schools across southern Borno despite assurances that protective measures had been strengthened.
Terrorists attacked the Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, northeastern Nigeria, killing at least one teacher and abducting others, causing a significant disruption to the students who were preparing for their NECO Biology exams.
The assault involved approximately 40 armed men on motorcycles and targeted the school specifically, leading to the abduction of students and staff, including the Vice Principal, who was later rescued.
In response, security forces, including the military and local vigilantes, pursued the attackers, with some casualties on both sides. Authorities could not confirm the exact number of abducted students, but following the attack, surviving students continued their exams under increased security at a different location. Residents and officials have raised concerns about the lack of perimeter fencing at the school, an issue highlighted in previous incidents, as local security efforts have been increased following similar abductions in the nearby area.
She captioned the post: “Straight men are automatically on thin ice,” seemingly giving fans a glimpse at what the upcoming series might entail.
Fans rushed to the comments to swoon over Olivia’s stunning snaps.
“Omg this look!!!!! You get better and better each time! Unbelievable,” penned one.
“Side boob summer,” said another.
“The fittest woman to ever exist,” wrote a third.
It comes after Olivia revealed the romantic gift she’d been sent by her boyfriend Pete Wicks.
Taking to Instagram, Olivia showed off the sweet and very romantic gift that Pete sent her.
He sent her some red roses to show he was thinking of her while they are apart.
She showed off the massive bouquet of red roses sent by Pete, along with a text he sent saying they were to “make her feel better” as she battled a hangover.
This all comes after Pete publicly opened up about his relationship with Olivia for the first time.
Joking about the loved-up snaps, where Olivia and Pete were seen smooching in a pool, Sam asked: “Question, if you don’t mind, why have I never been locked in an embrace with you in a pool?
“I’ve never been in that position with you before. You looked so comfortable and relaxed.”
Deliberately dodging the question, Pete replied: “I had a very, very lovely holiday.”
He added: “It was delightful. Switched off from the world as much as I could.
“We had lots of plans, we had lots of different things going on, we had a whole itinerary.”
Pete and Olivia are believed to have been dating since the presenter split from footballer husband Bradley Dack in January.
June 29 (UPI) — The Archdiocese of San Francisco has reached a $395 million settlement with hundreds of survivors of childhood sexual abuse allegedly committed by members of the clergy, lawyers for the victims and the archbishop announced Monday.
The agreement in principle, which follows three years of bankruptcy proceedings and extensive negotiations between the archdiocese and lawyers representing the victims, affects some 530 survivors, according to lawyer Jeff Anderson, who is among the claimants’ litigation team.
During a press conference streamed live online Monday afternoon, Anderson described the agreement as “a real settlement that provides for a significant measure of accountability, required transparency and an authentic reckoning by those that allowed these indelible horrors to be inflicted upon so many for so long.”
The archdiocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2023, after hundreds of clergy sexual abuse civil cases were filed against it, which put a stop to all litigation and forced the survivors to reorganize into a committee that was represented by nine claimants.
Those nine claimants then negotiated the settlement on behalf of all of the survivors, according to Anderson, who said the agreement reached also includes a 14-point plan to protect future children from similar abuses and empower survivors.
“This is unprecedented, and this gives me hope and it is the courage of these survivors that has caused it to happen,” he said.
In a letter addressed to members of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone said that they believe “this proposal offers a path toward fair compensation for survivors who have carried the burden of this abuse for a lifetime.”
“We accept the responsibility for the failures that allowed this harm to occur,” he said.
“I sincerely apologize to all those who have suffered because of those failures.”
The lawsuits that prompted the archdiocese to file for bankruptcy were filed after California enacted legislation that opened a three-year window from Jan. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2022, lifting the statute of limitations on allegations of childhood sexual assault so victims of crimes even decades old could seek a civil, monetary resolution from their perpetrators.
Margie O’Driscoll, a survivor of clergy sexual assault and one of the nine committee members, said during the press conference that she was abused as a teenager by a priest at Marin Catholic High School nearly five decades ago.
She spoke directly to those who were similarly abused.
“I, like every survivor, have carried this pain and shame along like a ball and chain for a very, very long time — I see you and I know what you carry,” she said.
“So, while I want to say that today is a significant victory for everyone in the case … it’s really come at a significant cost to the 500 people sexually abused by priests and religious leaders.”
O’Driscoll said some of the victims had been abused more than 70 years ago, during which they carried the shame associated with the crime, while being scorned by the archdiocese and sometimes their accusations not believed by family and friends.
“And I think, today, shame is going to change sides,” she said.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of claims were filed after the passage of Assembly Bill 218, resulting in billions of dollars in settlements for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
In October 2024, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles reached an $880 million settlement with 1,353 survivors. In April 2025, Los Angeles County reached a $4 billion settlement resolving more than 6,800 claims of sexual abuse allegedly committed at probation department facilities and MacLaren Children’s Center.
Search and rescue operations continue in Caracas, Venezuela nearly five days after the devastating double earthquakes. Al Jazeera’s Noris Soto speaks with a family member who remains hopeful their loved one is still alive beneath the rubble.
BBC viewers paid tribute to Dame Penelope Keith, following her death aged 86, as the broadcaster aired a special episode of The Good Life.
The BBC aired an episode of The Good Life in tribute to the iconic actress(Image: BBC)
BBC viewers have been left “heartbroken” as they paid tribute to an iconic actress.
In a change to scheduled programming, the broadcaster made the decision to honour Dame Penelope Keith with a classic episode of The Good Life on Monday, June 29.
They said she “died peacefully whilst living with cancer at her home in Surrey”.
As fans mourned the To the Manor Born actress and friends paid tribute, the BBC confirmed the Margo Leadbetter actress would be remembered with the episode airing on BBC Two.
From the third series of The Good Life, it followed war breaking out between the Goods and the Leadbetters, “proving there is nothing like a good fight over the fence to cement relationships”.
Jon Petrie, Director of BBC Comedy said: “All of us at BBC Comedy are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dame Penelope Keith. She was one of the defining figures of British television comedy.
“Her iconic performance as Margo in The Good Life remains one of the nation’s most beloved sitcom roles and continues to delight audiences today.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and all of those who had the privilege of working with her.”
Watching the repeat episode, one person wrote on X: “Just watched #TheGoodLife on bbc as a tribute to Penelope Keith. Still very good!”
Another said: “Lovely to watch #thegoodlife. it brings back memories of when I was a kid. RIP Penelope Keith.”
A third wrote: “Genuinely had something in my eye as soon as the theme tune came on #TheGoodLife #DamePenelopeKeith Thank you BBC2.”
Someone else said: “I’m indulging in some pre-dinner #TheGoodLife on #BBCTwo in honour of #PenelopeKeith RIP.”
Paying their respects, one person said: “I am shocked and now, heartbroken. … Absolutely love this lady. I’ve watched #TheGoodLife so many times, over the years and it just becomes even more funny each time I watch it – seeing/hearing something that I’ve missed previously… I think another “binge-watch” of “The Good Life” is now due. In honour of the beloved #DamePenelopeKeith.”
Someone else wrote: “Pleasing to see BBC 2 scheduling an episode of The Good Life at 7 this evening, by way of tribute to the wonderfully talented Penelope Keith. Hopefully there will be more in the coming weeks. A Penelope Keith night on BBC 4?”
The statement from Dame Penelope’s family read: “We are deeply saddened to announce that Dame Penelope Keith died peacefully whilst living with cancer at her home in Surrey where she had lived for more than 50 years.
“The family is grateful for the care and support she received throughout her treatments, and ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”
The Good Life is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
The erector is lowered from the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-II (KSLV-II), also called Nuri, on the launch pad at Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, southwestern South Korea. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
June 29 (Asia Today) — South Korea’s space agency released guidelines Monday for private companies seeking to use the Naro Space Center, beginning preparations for the country’s first dedicated commercial launch facilities.
The Korea AeroSpace Administration said the guidelines outline a four-stage consultation and approval process, methods for calculating fees and safety and security requirements.
They also establish procedures and fee standards for private companies seeking to use testing facilities at the space center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province.
The government plans to open the commercial launch site in two stages, beginning in the third quarter of 2027 and expanding it in the first quarter of 2031.
The first stage will include a mobile launch platform, propellant supply systems and launch control equipment.
The second stage will add an assembly and testing facility where companies can prepare launch vehicles and test payloads.
The expanded infrastructure is expected to accommodate commercial launch vehicles and eventually support reusable launch systems.
Companies seeking to conduct a launch at Naro must apply at least four months before their proposed launch date.
They will then undergo four stages: preliminary consultation, review and authorization, launch operations and post-launch procedures.
The guidelines also establish a system for calculating usage fees based on each company’s launch requirements and the facilities and services it uses.
An agency official said the guidelines were prepared to help private companies use the center systematically before the commercial launch site opens and South Korea continues launches of its domestically developed Nuri rocket.
The official said the government will seek to simplify procedures based on companies’ needs and establish reasonable usage fees.
South Korean launch companies have relied on overseas spaceports and sea-based platforms because the country has lacked a land-based commercial launch site available to private operators.
Opening the Naro facilities could allow companies to conduct more of the development process in South Korea, from ground testing to commercial launches.
“Opening the Naro Space Center to private use goes beyond simply granting access to a government facility,” said Taeseog Oh, administrator of the Korea AeroSpace Administration.
“It is meaningful because it strengthens the support system for private companies in the space industry,” Oh said. “We will continue providing support so a private-sector-led commercial space ecosystem can take root in a stable manner.”
The Naro Space Center has primarily supported government launch programs, including the Naro rocket and Nuri, South Korea’s first domestically developed space launch vehicle.
Nuri’s fourth launch took place in November 2025, with private company Hanwha Aerospace assuming a larger role in rocket production and assembly under a government technology-transfer program.
The opening of the commercial facilities is expected to further shift South Korea’s space industry from a government-led model toward one in which private companies develop and operate launch services.
The guidelines released Monday are scheduled to be submitted to the Korea Aerospace Research Institute’s board for approval on July 8 before being registered as internal operating rules.
Daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori says country is closer to ‘order and hope’ after prolonged vote count.
Published On 30 Jun 202630 Jun 2026
Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori is ahead in Peru’s presidential race as the country’s electoral authorities concluded their tally of the vote count after a contentious run-off, which her leftist rival has refused to recognise.
Fujimori said on Monday that she would continue to wait for an official announcement from Peru’s National Jury of Elections (JNE) after the ONPE electoral authority finished a review of contested ballots.
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“We are getting closer and closer to embarking on a path of order and hope for all Peruvians,” Fujimori said in a social media post.
Fujimori, the daughter of the late former President Alberto Fujimori – who was jailed for human rights abuses – has pledged to “unite the country” after the final tally showed her beating leftist rival Roberto Sanchez by 50.13 percent to his 49.86 percent, with 100 percent of the votes counted.
The JNE is scheduled to officially announce a winner on July 3, following a drawn-out vote count that has lasted for weeks.
But the results of the June 7 run-off are unlikely to bring an end to Peru’s years of political crisis, which have seen nine presidents take office in just 10 years before being voted out or removed from their post.
Sanchez has refused to recognise the results of the election, which he has said was marred by irregularities and fraud. He has not provided evidence for those claims, but has called for protests to “defend the vote” and said he will file a legal challenge to appeal the official proclamation.
Such claims have become common in Peru, whose political system has become increasingly chaotic amid declining voter trust in elections and government institutions in recent years.
Many voters expressed frustration after the first round of voting in April, when logistical issues delayed voting in parts of the capital, Lima.
Election monitors have cautioned that there was no evidence of widespread fraud but acknowledged voter frustrations.
Al Jazeera’s Mariana Sanchez, reporting from Peru’s capital Lima, said Fujimori has reacted to the result, saying she was very happy that the vote count has finished and would wait with “humility and prudence” until the official declaration of her victory.
“Keiko Fujimori is aware that she has just won by only 49,000 votes. She is not very popular in the country. She has lost three election bids,” Sanchez said.
Members of Fujimori’s party have said they now hope that her opponent, Roberto Sanchez, will recognise the results, she added.
CARA Delevingne has confirmed she dated actress Amber Heard in the midst of her messy divorce from Johnny Depp.
Supermodel Cara was linked to Amber back in 2016, the same year the latter filed for divorce from Pirates Of The Caribbean actor Johnny.
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Cara Delevingne has finally confirmed she dated Amber Heard a decade laterCredit: GettyThe romance was highly speculated but never confirmed by Cara nor AmberCredit: Getty
The rumours circulated amid Amber’s very public divorce from Johnny DeppCredit: GettyCara said that during their romance, Amber was also in ‘other entanglements’, including with former flame Elon Musk (pictured)Credit: Refer to CaptionAmber later went on to have a public court showdown with her ex Johnny after what was dubbed showbiz’s most toxic splitCara divulged the insight during a new episode of Louis Theroux’s podcastCredit: Spotify
As she agreed, he then expanded: “He was driven crazy by the idea that Amber might be sleeping with you.”
“Am I meant to comment?” replied Cara.
She continued: “It’s because we did a movie together, and it was called London Fields. He was also doing the movie.
“I think he was pretty driven crazy by jealousy. Nothing was happening at that point. Later, after they divorced, it had, I suppose.
“You suppose?” quizzed Louis.
Cara confirmed: “No, I don’t suppose. I know. Yeah.”
As Louis questioned whether the relationship was “an entanglement?”, Cara struggled to find the right words to describe the historic romance.
Louis expanded on the phrase entanglement as he said: “I think it means a relatively short-lived liaison or series of physical encounters.”
Cara confirmed: “We were close for a long time, and then when they were going through the divorce, yeah, we were entangled, I suppose.
“But she was also entangled with other people.”
“Well, with Elon,” interjected Louis as he referenced Amber’s on/off romance with Elon Musk, which is thought to have taken place from 2016 until 2018.
Cara confirmed: “There you go.”
Following her highly publicised legal disputes with ex-husband Johnny in 2022, Amber relocated to Spain for a more quiet life with her daughter, Oonagh Paige.
Two people were killed and several others were injured after an Israeli strike hit the Mawasi area of Khan Younis, a zone previously designated by Israel as a humanitarian area in the southern Gaza Strip. A total of five people were killed across Gaza on Monday.
The Inside Soap Awards are back and they have announced a major change to this years’ event to mark the 30th anniversary
The Inside Soap Awards are back!(Image: PA)
The Inside Soap Awards are back – and are making the move up North for the first time ever.
This year’s event will take place in Manchester and will be the only soap awards ceremony held this year.
Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks will all go head to head whilst Australian soap Home and Away has also been nominated as well as dramas like Casualty and Waterloo Road.
Up for nomination this year is the epic Coronation Street and Emmerdale crossover episode – Corriedale – as well as Nigel’s sad death in EastEnders, amongst other dramatic and heartbreaking scenes.
“The Inside Soap Awards are still going strong after 30 years, and we’re proud to be championing all the wonderful work the soaps produce day in, day out. Our readers are just as passionate and loyal now as they were back in 1996, with over 90,000 of them voting each year – and the Inside Soap Awards remain the only accolades of their kind to be voted for entirely by the true experts, the soap fans themselves,” Inside Soap magazine editor Sarah Ellis said.
To mark the awards’ 30th anniversary, there will be their very own Hall of Fame and the first inductee will be announced during the ceremony. She added: “The soap star who receives this prestigious accolade will be someone who’s been closely associated with the Inside Soap Awards since they began in 1996.
“In addition, fans will also be able to nominate their Soap Superstar of 2026, a person they feel has gone above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to providing entertainment.”
Voting opens midday on Tuesday 30 June, and the winners will be revealed in Manchester in September.
The full list of nominations are as follows:
Best Actress
Sue Devaney (Debbie Webster, Coronation Street )
Vicky Myers (Lisa Connor-Swain, Coronation Street )
