Netflix is dropping a three-part docuseries that revisits Michael Jackson’s 2005 trial in which he was acquitted on charges of child molestation.

“Michael Jackson: The Verdict” drops June 3 and features archival footage and interviews with key players involved in the trial including jurors, figures from both the defense and the prosecution, journalists who were inside the courtroom and other eyewitnesses who saw the events unfold firsthand.

“It has been 20 years since the trial of Michael Jackson in which he was found not guilty. Yet, to this day, controversy still rages,” the filmmakers said. “No cameras were allowed in court, and so the public’s view of the facts at the time were filtered by commentators and presented piecemeal. It was time to take a forensic look at the trial as a whole.

“Anyone interested in the Michael Jackson story should feel this documentary gives them a window into what was largely a closed event and a chance to feel closer to what happened.”

The Santa Barbara Superior Court trial lasted 14 weeks, and the jury, which included eight women and four men, deliberated for more than 30 hours across seven days.

Jackson was acquitted on 10 felony charges: four counts of child molestation, four counts of plying a minor with alcohol in order to molest him, one count of attempted child molestation and one count of conspiracy to hold the boy and his family captive at the Neverland Ranch. He faced more than 20 years in prison.

Produced by Candle True Stories, the production company behind Netflix’s “Untold: The Liver King,” and directed by Nick Green, “Michael Jackson: The Verdict,” comes at a time of renewed interest in the “King of Pop.”

The Jackson-estate-approved biopic “Michael” hit theaters last month, and depicts the origin story of the hitmaker from childhood through his upward trajectory to superstar status in the 1980s. Notably, the movie omitted the slew of allegations that followed Jackson from the ’90s until his death in 2009.

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 30 points to inspire his side to a 122-113 victory against the San Antonio Spurs as the reigning NBA champions levelled the Western Conference final at 1-1.

Gilgeous-Alexander – who has won the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award for a second year in a row – also provided nine assists in their second home game of the best-of-seven series.

Spurs star Victor Wembanyama scored 41 points in the opening game but was limited to 21 in the second match.

“The guys brought it tonight, knowing what it would have meant if we lost this one,” said Gilgeous-Alexander.

“We brought the energy from the jump.”

The game was level at 31 apiece after the first quarter before Thunder moved into an 11-point lead at half-time.

The Spurs did level the match midway through the third and got to within two points of their rivals in the fourth quarter but Thunder pulled away each time on the way to victory.

“We got a W, it’s all you can ask for. Now we got to go on the road against a really good team and go get one,” said Gilgeous-Alexander.

Games three and four will take place in San Antonio on Friday and Sunday.

The New York Knicks lead the Cleveland Cavaliers 1-0 in the Eastern Conference final with game two in New York on Thursday.

141 UN member states voted in support of the ICJ’s finding climate change is an ‘existential threat’.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has voted to support a landmark ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which found states have a legal responsibility to act to prevent the climate crisis from worsening.

More than two-thirds of UN member states, 141, voted in favour of the resolution on Wednesday, with eight voting no and 28 abstaining.

Ralph Regenvanu, the minister for climate change from Vanuatu, which championed the case, described the vote as a victory for “communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis”.

“Today the international community affirmed that climate change is not only a political and economic challenge, but a matter of law, justice, and human rights,” Regenvanu said in a statement.

“For vulnerable countries like Vanuatu, this resolution is deeply significant because it confirms that no State is above its obligations to protect people, future generations, and our planet.”

The historic ruling from The Hague-based court in July last year found that states have a legal obligation to act on the “existential threat” of climate change.

The case was the biggest ever to be considered by the ICJ’s 15 judges, who reviewed tens of thousands of pages of written submissions and heard two weeks of oral arguments before delivering their verdict.

The case came to the court at the request of the UNGA after a resolution led by Vanuatu was adopted by consensus in March 2023.

Wednesday’s vote, by contrast, attracted a number of objections, with Belarus, Iran, Israel, Liberia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United States and Yemen voting no.

Al Jazeera reported in February that the US had sent a diplomatic cable urging UN member states not to support the resolution.

“We are strongly urging Vanuatu to immediately withdraw its draft resolution and cease attempting to wield the Court’s Advisory Opinion as a basis for creating an avenue to pursue any misguided claims of international legal obligations,” a copy of the cable seen by Al Jazeera stated.

Wesley Morgan, a fellow with the Climate Council, an Australian nonprofit, said the vote confirmed states had a legal duty to act on climate change.

“This landmark resolution is a massive victory for Vanuatu and the Pacific leaders who have spent decades fighting for survival on the frontlines of the climate crisis and a warning for Australian governments,” Morgan said in a statement.

“For far too long, fossil fuel heavyweights have treated climate action as a political choice, but the UN General Assembly has now confirmed it is a binding legal duty,” he added.

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz has announced a cabinet reshuffle and other measures as protests demanding his resignation continue. Paz said the government wants to build a collaborative government with broader participation from social and economic groups.

OLIVIA Attwood has shared a slew of snaps from a luxury countryside break, with several fans spotting a very clear sign Pete Wicks was with her.

Last week the lovebirds were spotted at Heathrow airport after Pete picked up his podcast co-host and rumoured love interest.

And lastmonth, Pete and ITV star Olivia flew to St Tropez on a secret holiday after they were spotted publicly snogging in a Soho bar.

The pair have now added fuel to the fire… literally, by sharing near-identical snaps from near-identical getaways.

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday night, Olivia shared a photo dump of a very plush stay at Estelle Manor – the same place Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton headed on a secret date weekend.

Among the photos Liv shared were snaps of her rescue dogs, stunning selfies, gym workout pics, and a close up snap of a rustic fireplace.

LIV’S CHAUFFEUR

Pete Wicks breaks silence on Olivia Attwood romance and holiday

loose lips

Awkward moment Pete Wicks shuts down pal Sam after he brings up Olivia Attwood

Fans were quick to spot how not long before Liv’s dump, Pete had shared a slew of snaps himself, with one of the photos being of the exact same fireplace.

Fans rushed to the comments section to speculate that Olivia and Pete had spent time together at the stunning manor house.

“I love the subtle you & Pete posting pics of the same fire. I love you two xxx,” penned one person.

“Interesting why you would lie on your stories about being there by yourself when it looks like the same fireplace on pete’s post,” added a second.

“@p_wicks01 has @olivia_attwood stolen your dog and your pad and pen??” asked a third.

“We need more @p_wicks01 content on here @olivia_attwood . I live and breathe for this shit on the daily! please give the people what they want,” pleaded a fourth.

“Ahhh Estelle Manor!!! What a place,” offered a fifth, while a sixth said: “If it’s good enough for Kim & Lewis….”

Meanwhile, on Pete’s post, one person wrote: “Waiting for your and livs pictures together………”

The talked-about pair reportedly begun their relationship at the Brit Awards on February 28.

A source close to the pair told us at the time that they were “dating and enjoying their time together.”

Their apparent romance heated up last month as they jetted off to St Tropez for a cosy holiday.

He was also spotted at her intimate birthday dinner earlier this month as they soft launched their relationship.

In a blink and you’ll miss it moment from one of Liv’s vlogs, Pete could be seen in the reflection in a mirror, smiling as Olivia celebrated her big day with her nearest and dearest.

She split from husband Bradley Dack back in January following a “breach of trust” on his part.

Olivia moved out of the marital home and into her own apartment in London.

Dutchman Verhoeven, 37, boasts an impressive kickboxing resume, reigning as Glory’s heavyweight champion for 11 years and making 13 successful defences, but has boxed just once professionally – in 2014.

But Usyk’s CV in boxing is just as eye-catching – if not more so.

After winning gold at the 2012 Olympics, the Ukrainian has established himself as one of the pound-for-pound greats by achieving undisputed status at cruiserweight and, twice, at heavyweight.

Usyk, 39, has brushed aside Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois – beating each of the Britons on two occasions – and, despite Verhoeven’s lack of boxing experience, is approaching this bout with the same mentality.

“The opponent might be different but my preparations are not different,” Usyk said.

“I work hard, I do a lot of work in sparring, conditioning and cardio.

“I train like I’m fighting Tyson Fury or Daniel Dubois, because for me it’s a serious fight. It’s not fake. For me it’s not a show, it’s a fight.”

The site is popular with tourists but is now sealed with fences, flags and warning signs

A beach popular with UK holidaymakers has closed again after mass bacteria levels were found in the water. The sunny spot popular with tourists has been fenced off from the public after being declared a no-swim zone.

Swimming has been banned by the local authorities after water samples were taken. La Pinta beach in Costa Adeje, Tenerife, has been shut since May 14. Adeje Town Hall has placed barriers on the seafront whilst the samples are reviewed.

Daily monitoring of the water detected signs of microbiological levels linked to enterococci bacteria. Exposure to contaminated water can lead to stomach illnesses as well as skin, eye and respiratory infections.

The beach is now covered with red flags, barriers and tape to deter holidaymakers from taking a swim. The picturesque spot usually features an inflatable assault course which is popular in the summer.

The beach will remain closed until the sample tests are cleared. Tourists were left fuming by the news.

One person said: “Again? This isn’t great.” Another added: “How sad.” One other person said: “Many tourists, many problems.”

One person said: “I was thinking yesterday, is the water clean? I had such a feeling.” Another person said: “It is at least good that it is tested to find these things out, but sad that something nasty was found.”

What is enterococci?

Enterococci are a large genus of lactic acid bacteria that can survive and grow whether oxygen is present or not. These bacteria are natural inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and other animals. In a healthy gut, they live harmoniously alongside other microbes and actually help maintain a balanced digestive system. They are also incredibly resilient organisms, capable of enduring extreme environments, high salt concentrations, and a wide range of temperatures.

While they are generally harmless in your gut, enterococci can turn into opportunistic pathogens if they escape the intestines and enter other parts of the body. This usually happens in hospital settings or in individuals with weakened immune systems. When they do cause trouble, they are notorious for triggering urinary tract infections (UTIs), blood stream infections (bacteremia), heart valve infections (endocarditis), and wound infections.

From a medical standpoint, two specific species cause the vast majority of human infections: Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. What makes enterococci particularly challenging for doctors is their natural resistance to many common antibiotics. Over the years, some strains have even developed resistance to vancomycin—one of the strongest antibiotics available—leading to a class of superbugs known as VRE (Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci). Because they are tough to kill and spread easily on medical equipment and hands, hospitals enforce strict hygiene protocols to keep them in check.

One thing unites the British more than anything else. It stands there in plain sight but is rarely spoken about. We may try to hide it; we may not admit it to ourselves; but under the surface, deep down, in the nicest possible way, we are all a little odd. Not in a sinister way, just eccentric, weird, unpredictable and downright wonderful. As a nation we have an artistic and creative zest and boffin-like inventiveness. In fields of innovation, we led the tech world with some of our brave and crazy inventions. Even our landscapes are damn weird, with some of the oldest, most mysterious and diverse geological oddities in Europe, and plentiful legends too. I spent years exploring the enchanting strangeness of Britain, discovering follies, eccentric public art, strange buildings, mysterious ruins and eerie landscapes for my Weird Guide, which features about 300 of these curiosities. Here are some of my favourites.

The Yoxman, Suffolk

In a field not far from the A12 in Yoxford, Suffolk, stands the Yoxman, an artwork of colossal proportions. At 8m (26ft) high and made from bronze, it took creator Laurence Edwards and his team four years to make. The figure is a personal tribute to Suffolk, the artist describing it as a visitor from the past, both from the land and of the land. The result, finished in 2021, is astounding – a fully grown adult barely makes it to the top of his shin, as the Yoxman dwarfs even some of the surrounding trees. From Yoxford village, take the path opposite the shop and follow it through the grounds of the hall to the statue.

Little Italy, Gwynedd

The late Mark Bourne, a chicken farmer, was obsessed by Italy, visiting as often as he could, filling notebooks with sketches of buildings and architecture. When he returned to his remote cottage on the Corris hillside in Gwynedd, Wales, he and his wife aimed to recreate what he had seen in their garden. Both worked on the creation, named Little Italy, well into their 80s, with models of everything from the Leaning Tower of Pisa to Florence’s Duomo. Although Bourne’s old garden is strictly off-limits to passersby, the surrounding wall is relatively low and the buildings are large enough to see from the path. From the Corris Institute, turn left up the hill along the lane then follow a footpath on the right after the youth hostel for about 100m.

Mannakin, Lincolnshire

Mannakin Hall near Grantham feels like an eerie plastic graveyard. Situated down a narrow Lincolnshire lane, it was set up by Roz Edwards in 2008 when she realised that most mannequins were discarded after no more than five years of service, and began to acquire those destined for landfill. Once repaired or cleaned up, they are hired out and at any given time there are about 15,000 mannequins on site; most are unclothed, but some are dressed up in Halloween costumes or strange outfits. As a working business, Mannakin Hall isn’t open to the public on a walk-in basis but you can prebook and visit as a group, attend one of the regular open days or even stay overnight in your camper van!

White Scar, Yorkshire Dales

On the west side of the Ingleborough summit in North Yorkshire, just south of the ancient Roman road, lies one of the country’s most remarkable areas of limestone pavement, known as White Scar. This extraordinary landscape formed during and after the last ice age, as massive glaciers scraped away the surface. Millennia of weathering broke down the soft alkaline stone, revealing intricate miniature canyons, or grykes. These deep fissures have become like terrariums, providing a habitat for rare plants that are normally at home in dark woodlands.

Library, Isle of Arran

The woodland Library near Levencorroch on the Isle of Arran, Scotland, is a unique tourist attraction, a cabin with an interior resembling a 3D giant visitors’ book. Built by the woodland’s owner, Albert Holmes, using trees blown down in a storm, the cabin is covered with drawings, poems, messages, words of wisdom and notes from all over the world. Ranging from playful to profound, the papers, which are now about 25 layers deep, are stuck in every conceivable space, including the ceiling. It feels like entering something from a Michel Gondry film, or a strange nest left by a literary woodland creature. Pick up a map at the Eas Mor Ecology cafe, east of Levencorroch, and follow a steep gravel path to the waterfall and on to the library. It’s a 25-minute walk.

Sultan the Pit Pony, Mid-Glamorgan

Measuring close to 200 metres from his nose to the end of his tail, Sultan the Pit Pony sits on the site of the old Penallta colliery north of Caerphilly. Mike Petts used 60,000 tons of coal shale rock to create the sculpture, which he built in the late 1990s to honour the thousands of ponies put to work in British mines throughout the Industrial Revolution. It’s close to Parc Penallta Ponds, with its wonderful wildlife and walking trails.

Painshill Follies, Surrey

Inspired by the culture, paintings and architecture he experienced during his grand tour of Europe, aristocrat Charles Hamilton began transforming his country estate – Painshill in Cobham, Surrey – into something between a work of art and a garden in 1738. Alongside a temple, gothic tower and lake, he created one of the most spectacular follies in the country, employing grotto builder Joseph Lane to construct a semi-naturalistic cavern with sparkling stalactites made of minerals such as feldspar and quartz. The park fell into ruin in the 1940s, but the local authority acquired it in the late 1970s and though much has been restored, work continues. The crystal grotto was completed in 2013, with builders making every effort to make it look like the original, using paintings of the grotto.

Rock-cut tombs, Lancashire

There is a local legend that, after being shipwrecked, Saint Patrick was washed ashore and set up a chapel at Heysham, Lancashire, sometime in the fifth century. Considering Saint Patrick was also supposed to have been shipwrecked on Ynys Môn (Anglesey), there may be some doubt about this story! Regardless, during the eighth century a chapel was built in honour of the saint. The remains of this chapel still stand, along with eight rock-cut tombs in one group of six and another of two.

Blackchurch Rock, Devon

Around 320 million years ago, the great continent of Gondwana collided with Laurasia (present-day Europe, Russia, North America and parts of Asia). The force of the impact was so great that it pushed up the rocks of Blackchurch Rock near Clovelly, Devon, into its present formation (we know the date thanks to fossils found in the stone, including Goniatites). Over time, tidal seas shaped Blackchurch further, carving out the great arch. It’s a 30-minute walk north west along the coast path from Clovelly village.

The Tilted Globe, Highlands

Joe Smith, creator of The Tilted Globe at Knockan Crag in Assynt, north of Ullapool, first learned how to dry stone in 1961, at the tender age of 11. By the time he was 19, dry-stone walling had become his means of earning a living. Over time, he stopped seeing walls as only functional and instead recognised how the stacking of stones could be beautiful, appreciating their potential for creating artworks. He has collaborated with Andy Goldsworthy on a number of projects around the world, including Slate, Hole, Wall at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh. The Tilted Globe is an independent work made from moine schist local to Knockan Crag. The area is of geological importance, as the ancient rock has been moved through tectonic action about 43 miles (70km) west to remain above the line of the younger rocks. It’s a short walk on marked trails from the turf-roofed hexagonal visitor centre.

This is an edited extract from Weird Guide by Dave Hamilton, published by Wild Things Publishing (£18.99). To support the Guardian, order your copy from guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply. Follow @davewildish

Cubans in Havana and Miami react to the US charges against former Cuban President Raul Castro over the 1996 downing of civilian planes. The charges against Castro mark a major escalation in pressure from the Trump administration against Cuba’s socialist government.

Hundreds marched in Buenos Aires against President Javier Milei’s austerity policies and cuts to Argentina’s healthcare system. Protesters said funding cuts and rising costs are worsening access to healthcare and medicines and pushing the public health system into crisis.

Laura Bayston has revealed a certain scene felt like a ‘punch in the gut’ as she portrays Kate McCann in a new drama surrounding the case of missing girl, Madeleine McCann

A brand new drama following the interrogation of Kate McCann over her missing daughter, Madeleine, in 2007 is to air on 5, and actress Laura Bayston has revealed the toughness of a particular scene.

The star portrays Kate in factual drama, Under Suspicion. The story begins three months into the search to find Madeleine. With Portuguese police showing no substantial leads, no real evidence, and having made no arrests in the hunt for the missing tot, Madeleine’s mother, Kate, is summoned for a meeting. And it’s soon apparent that she is now the one being accused.

And Laura admits that a certain scene was tough to digest. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Laura said it left her with a feeling like a “punch in the guts”.

READ MORE: Susanna Reid ‘didn’t sleep for two weeks’ after Madeleine McCann disappearanceREAD MORE: ‘I thought about Madeleine every day’ – actress speaks out on playing Kate McCann in new TV drama

She explained: “It’s the scene when Kate is presented with an offer by the police, which is to confess. As an actor having to respond to the dialog, it was very affecting, you know? In the way that it was a very claustrophobic environment.”

Laura said that while it felt very safe for her as an actor, it was “a very claustrophobic environment in terms of where we were at in the story and what was actually happening”. “And the enormity of it,” she went on.

“It was just a real, absolute, I can’t describe it any other way, it just felt like a massive punch in the guts when that was offered to Kate. It really even today it gets to me It was really shocking.”

While Laura says she was just doing a job and has taken on challenging roles previously, she admits this part will stick with her. “It’s been hard to switch off from this one,” she confessed.

“I will be honest with you, I think it sits just below the surface of my skin, and it always will. And yeah, leaves me with goose bumps thinking about it, you know. I just I think, because I was so invested in the case when it happened, because of my children.”

But she admits her decision to take on the role was not one she took lightly. She says she only did so after knowing the production was being made for the “right reasons”. “I mean it’s a big role…,” she said.

“It was emotionally challenging, but I’ve played emotionally challenging roles before.” She went on: “I think, as an actor, physicality and emotions, it all kind of becomes one thing, but to play a role like this, you have to remember that at the heart of it this is a real life case.

“This is a real woman who is still alive, who’s still with us. It’s still a story, and [you have] to be mindful of that throughout. The entirety was really important to me, and to be as respectful as possible.”

And in an emotional message to viewers, Laura wants those watching to remember “there’s always another side to the story”. She added: “You don’t always react and respond how you think you’re going to react and respond, and it seems to me there’s been a lot of knee-jerk reactions to this from day one, and people will make their opinions public, and whether we want them or not, but no one truly knows, and ultimately, you know, Madeline is still missing, and, and that’s it.

“This happened, and this is based on evidence and it’s based on the transcripts, and it was thoroughly researched, so people can take from it what they like, really, because what we’ve done is present a script as honestly as possible, as truthfully as possible.”

The drama looks at official statements and recorded testimony and depicts Kate’s interrogation, as Portuguese investigators face mounting pressure to deliver answers.

Madeleine vanished from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve, Portugal in May 2007. Kate and husband Gerry McCann were cleared of any wrongdoing in 2008 after they found themselves wrongly accused of a cover up.

Kate found herself trapped between co-operation and self-preservation as she was confronted by detectives facing hours and hours of questioning.

Under Suspicion: Kate McCann, airs Wednesday 20th May, 9pm on 5