DAVID Beckham has shrugged off estranged son Brooklyn’s snub once again after celebrating his birthday with family. 

The former footballer, who has turned 51, enjoyed his day being ‘blessed’ and ‘spoiled’ by loved ones, despite being dealt another blow from Brooklyn and his daughter-in-law Nicola Peltz.

Taking to his Instagram, David shared two sweet snaps of him as a child and him present day smiling as he blew out his birthday candles. 

He added the caption: “I feel very lucky & blessed to have had a very special day today being spoilt by my wife, kids , family and friends from the moment I opened my eyes till now.

“And I just want to say thank you and I love you all so much @victoriabeckham & my beautiful family thank you (heart emoji).”

On the star’s birthday, David was met with a barrage of birthday shoutouts from the Beckham clan.

READ MORE ON THE BECKHAMS

bday bust up

Brooklyn Beckham snubs David’s birthday as Cruz’s girl brands him ‘best dad’

GOLDEN BOY

David Beckham poses in tiny speedos as Victoria shares gushing birthday tribute

Former Spice Girl Victoria led the birthday shoutouts for her husband and gushed over him by sharing a series of unseen private snaps including David on a boat in only a pair of tiny red shorts.

In the caption, the fashion designer penned: “You are our world, our everything. We love you so much!!!

“Happy birthday to the best husband, daddy, son, brother, and friend.”

Brooklyn’s brothers, Romeo and Cruz, also praised their dad by sharing photos of their younger selves with David. 

Cruz wished his father a happy birthday with Romeo penning the message: “Happy birthday dad love u so much. Thank u for everything you do.”

Eldest son Brooklyn chose to remain silent for the second year in a row, which comes as no surprise considering he and wife Nicola’s major fallout with the rest of his family.

Earlier this year Brooklyn had launched a nuclear attack on his family stating that he did “not want to reconcile” with his them, and accused his parents of “controlling” the narrative.

Last month Victoria broke her silence on her long-running feud with Brooklyn.

Speaking to The Wall Street Journal magazine, Victoria did not refer to Brooklyn by name when asked about the rift but discussed how she had only ever tried to “protect and love our children”.

The Spice Girls star said: “I think that we’ve always—we love our children so much. 

“We’ve always tried to be the best parents that we can be. And you know, we’ve been in the public eye for more than 30 years right now, and all we’ve ever tried to do is protect our children and love our children.

“And you know, that’s all I really want to say about it.”

Season series: 0-4

Nov. 12, 2025, in Oklahoma City
Thunder 121, Lakers 92
Neither team was at full strength with James sidelined because of sciatica and the Thunder without Luguentz Dort and Jalen Williams. Oklahoma City still dominated behind an effortless 30-point, nine-assist night from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It was the largest defeat of the season for the Lakers until April.

Feb. 9, in Los Angeles
Thunder 119, Lakers 110
Both teams were without their MVP candidates as Gilegous-Alexander sat because of a strained abdominal muscle and Doncic was sidelined by a hamstring injury. The Thunder proved their depth and chemistry by holding off the Lakers in the fourth quarter. This was one of just eight clutch-time losses for the Lakers during the regular season.

April 2, in Oklahoma City
Thunder 139, Lakers 96
The nightmare score wasn’t as scary for the Lakers as seeing their two leading scorers injured in the same game. Reaves played through what was later diagnosed as a Grade 2 oblique muscle strain, and Doncic left in the third quarter with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. The game was expected to be a major showdown between MVP candidates and a litmus test for the Lakers, who entered with 13 wins in their previous 14 games.

April 8, in Los Angeles
Thunder 123, Lakers 87
The Lakers were without four starters and still reeling from the regular season-ending injuries suffered by Doncic and Reaves the previous week. Matching up with the Thunder again only exacerbated the emotional hangover. Redick tried to inject some energy into the group by benching veterans Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt for small mistakes early, but the coach later admitted the tactic didn’t work.

It comes as the UK Government today, Sunday, May 3, introduced a rule change allowing airlines to group passengers from different flights together

Wizz Air has issued an update to passengers this Sunday afternoon confirming its flight plans. The airline’s latest statement follows new official measures unveiled today, Sunday, May 3, by the Government.

The Government has brought in a temporary rule change permitting airlines to consolidate passengers from different flights onto fewer aircraft as part of efforts to conserve fuel. This follows warnings of a potential jet fuel shortage ahead of the busy holiday season if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Asked this morning whether holidaymakers travelling abroad are likely to encounter difficulties this summer, Ms Alexander told Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: “I’ve spent every week of the last two months in close contact with airlines and airports.

“On Thursday of this week, airlines told me very clearly that they have good visibility over the next six to eight weeks of jet fuel supply. There is no current disruption to jet fuel supplies.

“We are, for example, importing more jet fuel from America. We have asked the refineries in the UK to maximise their production. We’ve got four refineries here, refineries in West Africa are also producing more.”

She continued: “The last thing I want is for people to turn up at a departure gate and have last minute cancellations. I am confident, sat here today on the basis of the information that I have available to me, that the majority of people who are travelling this summer will have a similar experience to that which they had last year.”

Her comments come as airlines worldwide take action in response to soaring jet fuel prices. These have been triggered by Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, blocking off one of the world’s crucial routes for jet fuel distribution to other countries.

Lufthansa recently revealed plans to axe 20,000 flights as it scales back capacity to cope with jet fuel shortages. UK carriers have also issued statements in a bid to put customers’ minds at ease.

Among them, Jet2 confirmed it will not impose surcharges on any existing flight or holiday bookings to offset rising costs, such as those for jet fuel. Now Wizz Air has released a fresh statement following the government’s latest proposals.

Speaking today, an airline spokesman said: “Wizz Air acknowledges today’s announcement by the UK government and would like to reassure customers that its operations remain fully stable and unaffected.

“The airline confirms that it plans continue to operate its full summer schedule, flying passengers safely and reliably to their destinations across its extensive network. Wizz Air is working closely with its partners to ensure seamless operations throughout the peak travel season.

“Customers can book with confidence on Wizz Air’s wide selection of routes from more than half a dozen airports across the UK, connecting travellers to popular destinations across Europe and beyond.”

New government rules amid jet fuel shortage fears

The Government’s airline rule change could result in passengers being switched from their originally booked service to a comparable one in order to cut down on wasted fuel from aircraft that haven’t sold out and may otherwise have been cancelled.

Consumer group Which? has hit out at the move, arguing that rules should not be “bent in favour of airlines”. Shadow transport secretary Richard Holden warned that families could find themselves “herded on to a different plane, at a time of the airline’s choosing”.

“The honest message is that Britain is exposed to fuel supply risks that a properly energy-secure country would not face,” he added. Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called for private jets to be grounded in a bid to conserve fuel.

“While ordinary people pay the price, the super rich are simply getting in their private jets at will – wasting huge amounts of jet fuel on unnecessary trips,” he said.

May 1 (UPI) — South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) reportedly decided Thursday to suspend the business operations of Lotte Card for 4 1/2 months over a data breach.

The financial watchdog is also reported to have finalized the disciplinary measure, including a $3.4 million penalty and a reprimand warning for its former CEO Cho Jwa-jin.

The FSS declined to confirm the reports, while Lotte Card acknowledged it.

“Imposing a business suspension over a hacking case would be an unprecedented level of sanction,” Lotte Card said in a statement.

“As follow-up procedures remain, including a resolution by the Financial Services Commission (FSC), we will fully explain our position regarding the severity of the punishment, as well as our post-incident response efforts,” it added.

Nearly 3 million Lotte Card customers had their personal information compromised last year. The state-run Personal Information Protection Commission has already imposed a $64 million fine on the firm over the incident.

Following the FSS decision, the FSC is expected to make the final call in the coming months.

In 2019, South Korea’s leading private equity company, MBK Partners, teamed up with Woori Bank to acquire a 79.8% stake in Lotte Card for about $1 billion. MBK took 59.8%, and Woori held the remaining 20%.

MBK Partners sought to sell its stake in Lotte Card in 2023 but failed to find a buyer, and a similar effort last year also yielded limited results.

Lotte Card is not publicly listed.

The pope urged the rememberance of journalists who lost their lives pursuing the truth, particularly in conflict areas.

Pope Leo has marked World Press Freedom Day ⁠by condemning ⁠violations of media freedom around the world and paying tribute to journalists killed while reporting in ⁠conflict zones.

At the end of his weekly Sunday prayer in a sunny Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican, the pontiff ⁠said the day highlighted both the importance of independent journalism and the growing threats faced by reporters.

“Today we celebrate World Press Freedom Day … unfortunately, this right is often violated, sometimes in blatant ‌ways, sometimes in more hidden forms,” he said.

World Press Freedom Day, ⁠sponsored by the UN cultural agency UNESCO is intended to show support for media organisations that come under ⁠pressure or censorship. It is also an opportunity to commemorate journalists who have been killed at work.

The Roman Catholic leader urged the faithful to remember journalists and reporters who have lost their lives pursuing the truth, particularly in conflict areas.

“We remember the many journalists and reporters who have been victims of war and violence,” ⁠the pope said.

A report last month by the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs’ Costs of War project found that Israel’s war on Gaza was the deadliest conflict for media workers ever recorded, with Israeli forces having killed 232 Palestinian journalists since October 2023.

More journalists have been killed in Gaza than in both world wars, the Vietnam War, the wars in Yugoslavia, and the United States war in Afghanistan combined, the report found.

In past speeches, the ⁠leader of the Catholic Church has described journalism as a pillar of society and democracy, and information as a public good that must be safeguarded ‌and defended.

The pontiff has often thanked reporters for sharing the truth, saying that doing their job could never be ‌considered ‌a crime, and frequently calling for the release of journalists who have been unfairly detained or prosecuted.

Last week, the leading Paris-based press freedom NGO, Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF), or Reporters Without Borders, found that freedom of the press around the world has fallen to its lowest level in a quarter of a century.

For the first time since RSF started producing the index in 2002, it said more than half of the world’s countries fall into the “difficult” or “very serious” categories for press freedom – “a clear sign that journalism is increasingly criminalised worldwide”.

In 1995, when the L.A. Metro system was in its most nascent stage, Ken Karagozian — then an amateur photographer in an Owens Valley, Calif., workshop — found his way underground to document the subterranean marriage between downtown L.A. and Westlake through Metro’s Red Line, now called the B Line.

From that came a feature in Life magazine, but more importantly, a driving principle: Karagozian believed that the construction workers, engineers and electricians who were subject to the whims of a city indecisive on the subway project were deserving of intimate documentation. The invisible many who built the pyramids and New York’s skyline never got that chance, he said, but the people who contributed to the historically controversial Metro D Line from Koreatown to Westwood would, if he had a say.

“When I did take photography workshops, they always said, ‘Do a project close to your home,’” Karagozian said on a call from his Agoura Hills residence. “I wrote a letter to [L.A. Metro], which said, ‘How can I get permission to photograph?’”

Days before the fires ravaged L.A. in 2025, Altadena-based historian and author India Mandelkern had a phone call with Karagozian, who was interested in collaborating on a project about the D Line. After publishing a book on the art and politics of street lighting in Los Angeles, Mandelkern worked on the L.A. Metro blog, soliciting interviews from Angelenos who seemed desperate for a line to the Westside.

A Karagozian photo shows a group of workers during the Section 2 breakthrough during the underground construction of the Metro D Line.

(Ken Karagozian)

A photo by Karagozian shows sunlight filtering underground into the Wilshire/Fairfax site during construction.

(Ken Karagozian)

After Mandelkern connected with Karagozian, their project had solid form: a photo book, titled “Wilshire Subway: The Making of the D Line Subway Extension,” about the history, conflict and people behind the scenes and underground ahead of the May 8 opening of the subway expansion along Wilshire Boulevard. (New stations will be added at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax and Wilshire/La Cienega. In the future, stations in Beverly Hills, Century City and Westwood will open.)

A related photo exhibition, “Wilshire Subway: Photographed by Ken Karagozian,” is on view through May 14 at the 1301PE art gallery on Wilshire Boulevard.

This week, we chatted more with Karagozian and Mandelkern about their project.

After writing a book about the social history of street lighting, what brought you underground?

Mandelkern: Well, a couple different reasons. First, I was very interested in Metro just because I had worked there as the blog editor, and in that role, I got to explore so many different stories. I thought Wilshire Boulevard was one of the most interesting places, the stories of this rail-building ambition that persisted for so many different years, and what that says about Angelenos. Second, I think that we talk about L.A. as a horizontal city, and that’s certainly true. If you go somewhere like Tokyo, you instantly see that this is what a vertical city is, but I wanted to bring a little bit of that to L.A. There is so much history buried beneath the ground that we seem to forget, and once you start tunneling, you realize that it’s always been there and it hasn’t disappeared. It’s just pushed beneath us.

In support of their new project, writer India Mendelkern, left, and photographer Ken Karagozian appear at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books in April.

(Ken Karagozian)

Of all the people you spoke to for this book, which one most influenced the way you understood what the D Line could provide for the city?

Karagozian: This was a joint venture between three contractors, and they each had their specialty. It was Skanska, Traylor [Bros.] and Shea. With Traylor, they were brothers and they were doing the tunneling. Richard McLane [chief mechanical engineer of Traylor Bros.] was very helpful in telling me a little bit about the history of Wilshire Boulevard and facts of tunneling. … All these different contractors impacted the project in some way.

Mandelkern: I always say Ken is one of the best construction photographers out there, but his specialty is really people. When I interviewed some of these individual workers, a whole different story came to light, and I realized that many of these workers came to L.A., started at the bottom of the totem pole, and through working on the subway have risen through the ranks, gotten promotions, become leaders, and their kids now work in construction. … It’s just so amazing that so many of these individuals are doing all this work behind the scenes that creates infrastructure that connects all of us.

1

2

1. Carpenter Jenna Dorough poses for a portrait by Karagozian during the underground construction of the Metro D Line. 2. A concrete supervisor photographed by Karagozian at the La Cienega Boulevard station. (Ken Karagozian)

There are many portraits in the book of the builders who created the D Line. India referred to the short lifespans of the workers compared to the marvelous structures they craft: Was it intentional that you documented most of the D Line’s visual history through the people who built it?

Karagozian: When I go down underground and after the stations are completed, to me, it’s the people that built it that should tell the story. I didn’t just want to get a shot of them from behind. I really like to photograph their faces. … When I photographed the workers from the Red Line, some of these workers from the middle ’90s are still working on the Purple Line. I’ve known them for years, and now their children are working in construction; it becomes a family issue. … Going down and photographing the tunnels with that lighting in that perspective, it’s always been so interesting.

Mandelkern: That just reminded me of one of the quotes in the book from John Yen, who is the VP of operations at Skanska. He said, “In construction, we work ourselves out of a job.” I always found it really interesting that, as we build, the whole point is to kind of disappear. It reminded me of one of my favorite quotes in the essay, when James [Rojas] writes [that] when the stations are open, they’ll be shiny and new, but that will kind of erase all the memories and all the work of the people who’ve been doing this for all this time. This book really became a way to sort of remember all of these different people that have been working on these projects for decades and decades, even if they’re not really remembered in the official record.

As the D Line prepares to open, does it somehow feel like the end of a journey?

Mandelkern: This just [started] so many other things for me. Afterwards, I decided I really want to learn about the geology of L.A., and I found an interest in paleontology, too. I hope with any book that it just gets people curious, and it gets them to start asking questions. I think that “Wilshire Subway” does accomplish that. L.A. is just this bowl with all these different salad layers, and as we penetrate down, we learn more and more about our history.

Karagozian: It does a little bit. With May 8 being the grand opening, and as the stations are complete and they’re testing the trains underground, it almost feels like it’s graduation time. Time to celebrate the journey of going through high school, college, whatever. I am still continuing to photograph the [Purple Line extension], which is Rodeo or Beverly [Hills] station … Now it’s just the accomplishment of celebrating all the work that I’ve put into this project and going down almost once a week and photographing the process for so many years.

For Blake Bowen and his JSerra High baseball teammates, their final week of the high school baseball season could not have gone any better.

The 6-foot-4 senior hit three home runs during a three-game sweep of Santa Margarita. But the Lions finished their season on Friday with an 11-17 record, which means there will be no postseason.

“Too little, too late,” coach Brett Kay said.

Bowen came on strong, finishing with nine home runs and a .360 batting average. His ability to hit the ball hard and far should make him a high draft pick this summer.

“It’s the best power I’ve ever seen for a high school player,” Kay said.

Bowen is a former football player who began focusing only on baseball after transferring to JSerra from Riverside King. He plays baseball like he did in football — with an aggressiveness.

“Once he comes into his own, he’s going to be special,” Kay said.

The Lions had a young team that was hurt by injuries. One of the impressive young players was freshman Joey Koenig, who showed he can hit and will get a chance to pitch in the future.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

WE’VE all been there, desperately trying to lure the kids away from their devices.

But I’ve found the solution — head to all-inclusive activity specialists Club Med and there will be so much for them to do, the problem will be fitting it all in.

There’s nowhere better to tempt the kids away from tech than the golden sands of France’s Atlantic coast.

Sat somewhere between a 20-mile stretch of rugged coastline and the lush La Coubre forest, the world-class Club Med La Palmyre Atlantique is pure “Ooh La La”.

The resort itself looks a little like a chic oyster-farming village, with colourful bungalows scattered between lush trees and distant views of an old lighthouse atop a cliff.

Whether you’re keen to hire bikes and explore the nearby World War II bunker, or just stroll the beach to watch the famous Atlantic rollers with a book, holidays here can be taken at your pace.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

I was visiting with my wife Emma and two children Corben, 11, and Piper, nine, and we switched instantly into holiday mode on arrival.

The whole vibe was uber laid-back, despite being an action-packed resort full of families with kids.

And this is where Club Med truly earns its stripes.

Kids’ clubs here cater to all ages, offering arts and crafts, archery and table tennis — although they should be prepared that the resort is heavily French-speaking.

But the perk means they may pick up some Franglais.

There’s also a professional circus school where little ones can channel their inner Greatest Showman, as well as off-site horse riding.

Piper loved taking her horse Jacques on a ride into the woods.

The G.O.s (Gentils Organisateurs — meaning Kind Organisers) took her and a group of others to the ocean for a beach walk and sailing experience.

Meanwhile, my son Corben headed to the resort pitch to join the football camp hosted by Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, and exclusive to Club Med.

Each day, the Wolves coaches ran sessions on dribbling, passing, ball control and shooting, followed by a series of mini games.

The Wolves academy split into age groups from four to 17-years-old from all levels, and my football-mad son loved every minute.

The relaxed vibe meant it didn’t matter whether your child was destined to be the next João Gomes or just loved a kickabout.

And at the end of the week, the young players were congratulated with an awards ceremony.

Best of all, this was included in Club Med’s all-inclusive package and didn’t cost a penny extra.

While the kids are kept busy, adults can kick back by the pool or play a round at the Golf de Palmyre nine-hole course just next door to the resort.

The 2,992-metre course is set around 93 acres of pine wood with water obstacles, large bunkers and rolling fairways.

Some holes boast ocean views and the course is ideal for beginners, offering group or private lessons from age 11.

If you’d rather stick together as a family, however, there’s group tennis, archery, sailing and windsurfing, too.

Even the spa offers treatments you can enjoy with the children so we booked in for a family massage beside the beach.

After action-packed days, we would spend an hour or so relaxing ahead of dinner.

Our rooms were in The Dunes area, an upscale space for those who want a bit of extra luxury, and came with a small lounge area and pine forest views.

Then it was time to feast.

The main restaurant, L’Atlantique, offers an impressive buffet which includes fresh seafood, local oysters, steaks, salads and a huge dessert table.

The kids were horrified when I explained what escargot is and how foie gras is made but at least it wasn’t nuggets and chips.

For something a bit more upmarket, The Belle Époque speciality restaurant is perfect for a “date night” while the kids are at a supervised pyjama party.

This gourmet lounge serves up local Charentais wines and seafood with a view of the lighthouse.

And because it’s Club Med, the “all-inclusive” tag means exactly that.

Premium booze, cocktails, and snacks are all included.

Most nights a band played in the main bar and music went on ’til late but like most holidays with kids, Mum and Dad were shattered by 10pm.

Outside of the resort there’s plenty to do if you fancy exploring the region.

From the Île de Ré to the Île d’Oléron, from La Rochelle to Royan, the Atlantic coastline has tons to offer.

Book your family a ticket on “Le Train des Mouettes”, the 19th-century steam train, or climb to the top of the Phare de Cordouan, the lighthouse listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

It’s rare to find a resort that genuinely caters to every generation without feeling like a theme park.

But La Palmyre Atlantique manages to stay stylish and very French.

We returned home with a suntan, a slightly tighter waistband and kids who, for a second, forgot what an iPad is.

This European carrier serves regionally inspired dishes at 35,000ft

A Greek airline boasting a fleet of 83 aircraft has been named the top carrier for in-flight dining, beating major rivals including Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways, and British Airways. A study by Canstar Travel Insurance analysed passenger reviews and meals from the world’s top 100 airlines, concluding that Greek carrier AEGEAN serves up the finest food, earning an impressive score of 7.82 out of 10.

AEGEAN treats passengers to authentic Greek cuisine and regionally inspired dishes, while in business class, meals are lovingly prepared by acclaimed Greek chefs and sommeliers. The airline’s culinary philosophy is rooted in the concept of filema, which champions “love and kindness through food”. Other carriers delivering exceptional onboard dining include Qatar, Asiana Airlines and EVA Air.

On Tripadvisor, one traveller who recently flew with Aegean wrote: “Aegean Airlines is simply amazing! The level of service is very high, and it is incredibly easy to reach their call centre whenever you need help or extra information. On board, they offer food and drinks, and everything was delicious.”

A second passenger added: “I have used British, Virgin, easyJet, Ryanair… but no one is better, always on time and sometimes even earlier at the destination than Aegean Airlines.

“Although I’m Italian, I use it instead of Alitalia when I’m travelling to my country. Warm and delicious food and choices of wines and a particular menu for any kind of dietary or religious needs.”

Airlines with the best food

1. AEGEAN Airlines
2. Qatar Airways
3. Asiana Airlines
4. EVA Air
5. Singapore Airlines
6. Korean Air
7. All Nippon Airways (ANA)
8. Japan Airlines
9. Kuwait Airways
10. Garuda Indonesia

Holidaymakers will be banned from ordering more than six drinks in their package deals each day under new ‘Responsible Tourism’ rules introduced in Majorca, Magaluf and Ibiza

British tourists heading to popular destinations on package holidays will be limited to only six drinks per day under new rules designed to stamp out anti-social behaviour.

The limit is now in effect across a number of Spain‘s Balearic Islands – including Majorca, Magaluf and Ibiza – after locals complained that unruly behaviour was making their lives ‘hell’ during the peak holiday season.

Under the Responsible Tourism rules, hotels will be banned more than six alcoholic drinks to guests in package deals each day, with additional alcoholic beverages sold separately.

READ MORE: Jet2 announces major ‘first’ for airline in huge boost to British holidaymakersREAD MORE: Spain holiday warning as Brit tourists limited to six drinks

A £2,600 fine is also being imposed on anyone caught drinking alcohol on the street.

Executive director of John Mason International, Simon Hood, told the Mirror: “In response to recent overtourism protests, the islands of Majorca and Ibiza have implemented Responsible Tourism rules following some understandable concern from local residents.

“These laws were first introduced in 2024, however, new amendments have recently been proposed that many Brits are unaware of.

“Be careful you’re not caught out taking alcoholic drinks onto the street and spilling them. Being overly loud and drawing attention to yourself will also land you in trouble quicker.

“Holiday-goers planning on booking all-inclusive packages or bar crawls are also affected by these laws. For example, limits on all-inclusive drinks have been introduced in the party resorts of Magaluf, Playa de Palma, and San Antonio.

“If you have booked an all-inclusive package, you’re only allowed a maximum of six alcoholic drinks per day, and these must be split between your lunch and evening meal.

“Make sure you’re not going over your allowance and trying to cheat hotel staff. Hotels are allowed to charge you more money for breaking all-inclusive rules.”

He added that the ban “doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a few pina coladas by the pool”, but that tourists “need to be cautious of your surroundings.”

He added: “These rules may seem strict, but they’re trying to promote harmony between local residents who want to go about their lives and tourists enjoying their holidays. If I can provide one piece of advice, it’s have fun.”

Tickets for the cohosts’ opening game in Los Angeles are available for prices ranging between $1,120 and $6,050.

With under 40 days to go until the World Cup, tournament organisers continue to struggle with ticket sales as seats remain available for most group-stage games, albeit at exorbitant prices.

Home fans can find tickets for tournament cohost United States’ (USA) opener against Paraguay, with prices starting at $1,120 and going as high as $4,105, with many tickets priced around $2,000 for the June 12 match in Los Angeles. Seats in the hospitality package groupings go as high as $6,050 per seat.

Tickets are still available on FIFA’s official website through its “last-minute sales” section.

Football fans are already outraged by exorbitant match prices — the most expensive ticket for the final costs nearly $11,000 — since the first phase of ticket sales in December. Late last month, FIFA announced yet another “last-minute ticket phase” with tickets for all 104 matches available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The stagnant sales contradict FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s assertion in January that demand for tickets for this year’s tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico would be the equivalent of “1,000 years of World Cups at once”.

Experts attribute dynamic pricing and greed as key factors, with fans saying they have been “priced out” by FIFA.

While many in the US are accustomed to the pricing model commonly adopted at the Super Bowl, fans from around the world are not used to dynamic pricing and legal profiting from ticket resales, sports executive Peter Moore told Al Jazeera in a recent interview.

“FIFA taking a 30 percent cut of dynamic pricing is outrageous,” the former Liverpool chief executive said.

“FIFA is taking advantage of the unique commercial opportunities in the US, dynamic pricing and the secondary market being legal here, to make money. Infantino has said [he expects] FIFA revenues from the World Cup to exceed] $11bn. Why not make it more reasonable and accessible and make, maybe, $8bn?”

Last month, four seats for the World Cup final were listed at just under $2m each on FIFA’s official resale site.

A total of seven group-stage games still have general sale tickets available for $380, including Austria vs Jordan, New Zealand vs Egypt, Jordan vs Algeria, Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia, Algeria vs Austria, Congo DR vs Uzbekistan and Curacao vs Ivory Coast.

The USA vs Paraguay opener is the most expensive group game, followed by Argentina vs Austria ($2,925), Ecuador vs Germany ($2,550), Uruguay vs Spain ($2,520) and England vs Croatia ($2,505).

According to FIFA’s website, a total of 17 group-stage games are sold out, including the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on June 11.

Seven games staged in Mexico are sold out, including the cohosts’ two other matches against South Korea in Guadalajara and the Czech Republic in Mexico City.

Turkiye vs USA in Los Angeles, Brazil vs Morocco in New York/New Jersey and Scotland vs Brazil in Miami are among other sold-out games.

Spirit Airlines, a budget carrier in the United States, has begun winding down operations, cancelling all flights, after talks with the Trump administration to secure a $500m bailout failed. Experts say a spike in aviation fuel prices from the US-Israel war on Iran dealt the final blow to the struggling airline that pioneered the ultralow-cost carrier model.

The airline’s shutdown after 34 years has left some 17,000 staff members unemployed, many passengers stranded, and raised doubts about the future of budget air travel.

How did Spirit Airlines reach this point? Did the US-Israel war on Iran deliver the final blow?

Here’s what we know:

What has Spirit Airlines said?

On Saturday, Spirit Aviation Holdings, the airline’s parent company, said the company had started to wind down operations.

“Spirit Aviation Holdings, Inc … today regretfully announced that the Company has started an orderly wind-down of operations, effective immediately. All Spirit flights have been cancelled, and Spirit Guests should not go to the airport,” the company said in a statement on Saturday.

The statement added that, despite its efforts, “the recent material increase in oil prices and other pressures on the business have significantly impacted Spirit’s financial outlook”.

Spirit Airlines, whose airfares were lower compared with other US airlines, had 4,119 domestic flights scheduled between May 1 and May 15, offering 809,638 seats, according to the latest data from Cirium, an aviation analytics firm.

The carrier’s parent firm started as a long-haul trucking company in 1964. It shifted to aviation around 1983. The carrier rebranded from Charter One Airlines to Spirit in 1992.

How did Spirit Airlines reach this point?

The airline had been struggling financially for years and had filed for bankruptcy twice – in November 2024 and then in August 2025 – due to continued losses, high debt, and intense competition from other airlines.

According to a May 2 report by the Reuters news agency, Spirit had recently reached a deal with its lenders that would have helped it emerge from its second bankruptcy by late spring or early summer.

But the war on Iran, which led to a significant increase in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, added to Spirit’s financial struggles and complicated its bankruptcy exit.

Spirit’s restructuring plan assumed ATF costs of about $2.24 a gallon in 2026 and $2.14 in 2027, but prices had climbed to about $4.51 a gallon by the end of April, leaving the carrier unable to survive without new financing.

A Spirit board meeting ended without an agreement to rescue the company, a person close to the discussions told Reuters late on Friday.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Reuters he tried to get many airlines to buy Spirit but found no takers. “What would someone buy?” Duffy asked. “If no one else wants to buy them, why would we buy them?”

US President Donald Trump also said he had tried to bail out the airline with a $500m financing package.

“If we can help them, we will, but we have to come first,” Trump told reporters. “If we could do it, we’d do it, but only if it’s a good deal.”

However, a creditor close to the deal told Reuters, “The Trump administration made an extraordinary effort to try and save Spirit, but you can’t breathe life into a corpse. Given that, the company should make its intentions clear for the sake of its customers and employees.”

Anita Mendiratta, special adviser to the UN Tourism secretary-general, noted that while war and geopolitical instability may not have caused Spirit’s collapse, they likely delivered the final blow.

“Surging fuel costs exposed the vulnerability of airlines operating on thin margins with little room for shock absorption,” she told Al Jazeera.

“Spirit’s weaknesses were already there – it had already gone through two bankruptcy filings in the two years prior; global instability simply accelerated the inevitable. In today’s aviation market, volatility is no longer an exception; it is the operating environment,” Mendiratta said.

Are other airlines also under pressure due to the Iran war?

The war on Iran has disrupted global oil and gas prices, with Brent crude rising above $111 a barrel on Friday. The high crude oil prices have also caused ATF prices to rise, affecting budget airlines badly.

Across the globe, airlines have been increasing prices to reflect the high ATF prices, and some have also reduced their flight operations.

German airline Lufthansa said last month it cancelled 20,000 flights in a bid to protect itself from the soaring ATF costs.

On Friday, leading Indian carrier Air India said it has increased fuel surcharges on all flights, adding that it will reduce 100 flights a day across its domestic and international routes.

Mendiratta noted that the aviation industry is on alert as airlines carrying high debt, facing fuel cost volatility, labour cost pressures, fleet constraints, and sustained pricing pressure remain exposed [to the war], especially those operating through a low-cost carrier model.

“What happens next is a defining test of aviation leadership. The rapid response from rival airlines to protect stranded passengers reflects an industry that understands its most valuable asset is not aircraft or market share, it is customer trust [both traveller and cargo],” she said.

“Just as importantly, how airlines support displaced employees, reassure markets, and reinforce operational stability will shape confidence in the sector’s long-term recovery,” she added.

“Mr. Nobody Against Putin” filmmaker Pavel “Pasha” Talankin will soon be reunited with his Oscar statuette after it went missing amid his recent travels.

A spokesperson for European airline Lufthansa confirmed Friday in a statement shared with outlets that the coveted golden statuette has been located and is “safely in our care.” Lufthansa spoke on the missing Oscar after Talankin’s co-director Dave Borenstein raised the flag Thursday on social media. “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” won the documentary feature film category at the 98th Academy Awards in March.

According to Borenstein, Talankin arrived at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York “to fly home to Europe” and had the Oscar in tow as a carry-on. Airport security allegedly stopped Talankin from bringing the Oscar on board, citing concerns it could be used as a weapon. Borenstein said the film’s executive producer tried to smooth things but ultimately, “TSA put the Oscar in a box and sent it to the bottom of the plane” because Pavel did not have a check-in bag to place it in. He shared a photo of the cardboard box and Deadline published video of airport workers wrapping the statuette in bubble wrap and yellow tape.

Borenstein concluded his post noting the Oscar “never arrived” in Frankfurt, Germany, and speculated whether his co-director was on the receiving end of unfair treatment. “Would Pavel have been treated the same way if he were a famous actor? Or a fluent English speaker?” he wrote, tagging the Instagram account for the Transportation Security Administration. He also tagged Lufthansa and urged them to assist.

In response, Lufthansa commented on Borenstein’s post that it was on the missing Oscar case, and they are taking it “super serious.” Less than a day after their comment, the airline’s spokesperson said in their statement that it is “in direct contact with the guest to arrange its personal return as quickly as possible.”

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused and have apologized to the owner,” the spokesperson added.

Borenstein celebrated the development on Instagram, posting a clip of his interview with the BBC about the update and thanking a Lufthansa rep for their help and followers for spreading the word.

“Mr. Nobody Against Putin” features Talankin, a schoolteacher near the Ural Mountains, as he documents Russian propaganda efforts — from chants and songs — to energize young students around the war in Ukraine. During the Oscars in March, Talankin delivered a poignant message in Russian.

“In the name of our future, in the name of all of our children, stop all of these wars now,” he said through a translator.

There’s a tiny island in the Ionian Sea, just south of Paxos and off the coast of Corfu, that boasts some of Greece’s bluest waters – here’s how to get there and make the most of your visit

If you’re dreaming of crystal-clear, azure waters but aren’t keen on venturing beyond Europe, then this “little-known” Greek island could be just the ticket for your travels this year or next. You may not be able to base yourself on this island for your entire holiday, but a visit to soak up its breathtaking scenery is well worth it.

The Greece List revealed that this island boasts some of the “bluest water in Greece,” making it an absolute paradise for swimming enthusiasts and snorkelling fans alike. However, they caution that “getting there and doing it right makes all the difference,” which is why they’ve put together a handy guide to help visitors make the most of their time on the island.

The island in question is Antipaxos, a “tiny island just south of Paxos,” situated “off the coast of Corfu in the Ionian sea”. So, if you can’t actually stay there, how do you go about getting there and back? Fortunately, they’ve got that covered too.

They suggest joining a boat tour departing from either Paxos or Corfu, which is the most popular way to reach this stunning island.

When booking a boat tour, however, if you’re hoping to take a dip, ensure the excursion includes a dedicated swimming and exploration stop.

Alternatively, you could take the ferry to Paxos first, before hiring a small taxi boat in Gaios town.

Alternatively, for those with the budget, the “best option” is to hire a private boat or self-drive boat from Paxos, as it offers “full flexibility” and allows you to spend the day entirely on your own terms.

Once there, the must-see spots are the main beaches — Voutoumi Beach, and Vrika and Mesovrika Beach. Voutoumi is the “famous one” boasting “almost neon turquoise water”, while the other is “sandy, shallow, and easier for relaxing and swimming,” so it largely comes down to your preferences and how you wish to spend your time.

Visitors note that the “water is insanely clear,” though they caution that it becomes extremely crowded around midday when tour boats arrive in force, so it’s worth reserving sunbeds if you’re after a settled base for the day.

The ideal time to visit is either early morning or late afternoon, once the large tour boats have moved on.

There are a few other things worth bearing in mind — there are “beach clubs and taverns, but in the summer they fill up,” and while technically you can stay overnight on the island, accommodation options are limited and the island “lacks infrastructure”. So if a beach club is high on your agenda, arrive early or book well ahead.

Bear in mind that tour boats only stop for a short while, so if you’re eager to properly explore at your own pace, hiring your own boat is the way to go, and it means you can discover the “hidden coves” too.

In the comments section, others praised it as “amazing,” saying they “loved” it and declaring that “Greek islands are the best”.

One person enquired: “Which is the most WOW? Paxos or Antipaxos for beaches and for children? Which is less touristy?” The response came back: “Paxos is the one to stay at and then take trips to Antipaxos”.

ST. LOUIS — Still smarting from their election loss and scornful of their departing leaders, ranking Republicans met Thursday to select a new party chairman, eyeing five candidates who stress unity but whose links to opposing factions and presidential hopefuls mirror the party’s deep clefts.

On the surface, the three-day meeting of the 165-member Republican National Committee to pick a new leader opened Thursday with a collegial sense of purpose: All five men seeking the post are conservatives who talk of renewing the party at the grass-roots level and loosening ties to the Washington Establishment that called the shots for 12 years.

But the mounting heat produced by this campaign has burnished the differences between the candidates and exposed hints of their ties to the forces buffeting the party–presidential aspirants, religious and anti-abortion elements, even the tattered remains of George Bush’s reelection apparatus.

Party veterans say none of the five–retiring Missouri Gov. John Ashcroft, Mississippi lawyer and political consultant Haley Barbour, Republican Congressional Committee Co-Chairman L. Spencer Abraham, former Army Secretary Howard H. (Bo) Calloway and Oregon party Chairman Craig L. Berkman–appear to have enough support to muster a first-ballot victory this afternoon.

Party regulars described Barbour and Abraham as the perceived front-runners, with Ashcroft, who gained national exposure last fall as a Bush campaign speaker, not far behind. But arriving committee members said up to 40% of the voting members appeared uncommitted.

Committed or not, some of the arriving committee members projected a prickly impatience with the soothing promises made by consultants and cellular phone-wielding floor whips. After 12 years of taking orders from Administration officials, some party officials gleefully flexed their independence.

Outside one reception, a Midwestern committeeman poked a startled staffer in the chest and huffed: “You’re beginning to sound exactly like the dolts we had to endure for the last four years.”

Karen Hughes, the executive director of the Texas Republican Party, said a “strong anti-Washington Establishment” mood pervades the gathering. “I think the deciding factor in the vote is who the members believe will allow them to be part of the process,” she said. “You don’t mind being a rubber stamp body when you win. But when you lose . . . .”

As they lobbied near well-stocked buffet tables in Hyatt Regency hotel hospitality suites and in secluded speeches in spare meeting rooms, the five contestants tried to capitalize on that sense of frustration. They echoed a growing cadre of party regulars who think that Bush’s presidential campaign was fatally flawed by the party’s failure to project a “big tent” image to a diverse nation.

“The sense that the party needs to be inclusionary is playing pretty well here,” said Eddie Mahe, a Republican political consultant who flew in from Washington to lobby for Calloway.

That yearning for a broader, more tolerant Republican Party masks a fear among many stalwarts that they are in danger of a grass-roots takeover by the religious right.

Mary Alice Lair, a national committeewoman from the small southeast Kansas town of Piqua, worries about the “new people,” her hushed description of Christian right volunteers who have swelled party membership rolls in her Republican precinct.

“We need to find ways to show the new people that we’re OK and to teach them how to operate as one group,” Lair said. “We need a chairman who can show the precincts how to organize properly.”

But even as candidates talked earnestly about tinkering with the grass roots, listening to regulars outside the Washington Beltway and turning a deaf ear to well-heeled consultants, they were relying on time-tested Capitol contacts and imported consultants to sway uncommitted members.

And, as they promised a turn in the party’s fortunes by welcoming all of its embittered factions, the five candidates were busy attacking each other for their links to future presidential contenders as varied as former Vice President Dan Quayle and Texas Sen. Phil Gramm, to Christian fundamentalist leaders like Pat Robertson and even to CBS News.

Abraham, a Michigan Republican leader, is selling himself as a leading candidate for change based on his roles in revitalizing his state’s party, in paring consultants’ costs and, as chairman of the congressional campaign committee, in funneling more money last year to Republican House candidates. But his opponents have attacked him for being openly supported by Quayle, who employed him as an aide.

Barbour, one of the earliest to announce his candidacy, has been criticized for his close ties to Gramm–thought to be a presidential possibility–and for representing CBS News against the Bush Administration in a battle over a cable TV bill last year.

Ashcroft has emphasized his recent role as a party spokesman in his bid to do similar work as party chairman. But it is Ashcroft’s very influence that may have prevented him from gaining an edge. His prominence in drafting the party’s platform last year has hurt him, some moderates say. And, like Abraham, he is burdened by his links to some of the powerful influences aiding him. Current RNC Chairman Richard N. Bond is said to favor him, as are a number of influential Christian right figures impressed with his strong anti-abortion stance. That kind of backing hurts the former governor as much as it aids him, party regulars said.

Calloway, who runs a political action committee founded by Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), is beloved by many committee members. But he is believed to be a long shot because, at 67, “he’s just too old,” one Abraham backer said.

Berkman, an Oregon moderate who prefers that the party move away from its anti-abortion and anti-gay-rights planks, is said to be limited by his regional support.

Cullen and Leinster, who had comfortably cruised through the tournament last season, came under intense scrutiny after Northampton’s fast start saw them take a 12-point lead at half-time.

The four-time champions fought back and almost snatched the game at the death, with Cullen revisiting late refereeing decisions that cost his side in the 37-34 defeat last May.

A year on, he defended his side, who had previously never beaten three-time champions Toulon, and said he always expects a Champions Cup semi-final to “never go to script”.

“Naturally [in the last 10 minutes] you try and protect things, don’t you? Whereas the other team they don’t have protection and throw everything at it,” he added.

“We were sitting in this room this time last year. We were in that situation and we were throwing everything at Northampton. [Henry] Pollock gets a poach – it should have been a penalty.

“It’s clearly illegal, but nobody wants to report about it after. We should have had a penalty try and nobody wants to report about it. You just want to kick the boot into us, don’t you? But that’s the way it goes.

“Semi-finals come down to the tightest of margins. In 2012, Wesley Fofana knocked the ball over the tryline and that is how we [Leinster] got to the final.

“I would be kind to Toulon as they showed great spirit to the very end.”

Leinster will travel to Bilbao for the final on Saturday, 23 May, where they will face last year’s champions Bordeaux-Begles or Bath, who play on Sunday.

Cullen confirmed centre Robbie Henshaw and flanker Josh van der Flier, who left the field with head injuries, will undergo the graduated return-to-play protocol.

Flanker Jack Conan limped off and “will get checked”, with Tommy O’Brien said to be likely suffering from cramp.

All four are important players for Cullen as Leinster seek a fifth Champions Cup in three weeks’ time.

May 1 (Asia Today) — South Korean police have taken custody of a man suspected of supplying drugs to a major narcotics figure, following his arrest in Thailand, authorities said Friday.

The suspect, identified only by his surname Choi, 51, is accused of smuggling and distributing about 22 kilograms of methamphetamine, valued at roughly 10 billion won ($7.4 million), into South Korea since 2019.

Police said Choi, who allegedly operated under the aliases “Cheongdam” or “Cheongdam Boss” on the messaging app Telegram, was identified as a key supplier to drug trafficker Park Wang-yeol, often referred to as a “drug kingpin.”

The National Police Agency’s drug and organized crime unit said it received custody of Choi from Thai authorities and has launched a full investigation into his activities and connections.

Investigators began tracking Choi while probing Park, who was previously arrested in the Philippines. Authorities combined five outstanding cases involving Choi and designated the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency as the lead investigative body.

Although no official departure record for Choi had been found since 2018, police developed intelligence suggesting he was living in Thailand. Working through liaison officers stationed in both countries, South Korean and Thai police coordinated the operation.

Authorities located Choi in Samut Prakan province, about an hour from Bangkok, and conducted a three-day joint surveillance operation before arresting him on April 10 on charges of illegal stay.

Police said the suspect was apprehended within seven days of the formal request for cooperation, and repatriated to South Korea about three weeks later with assistance from the South Korean Embassy in Thailand and related agencies.

Items seized at the time of arrest, including a passport under another person’s name and electronic devices, will undergo digital forensic analysis to determine links to Park and to identify additional accomplices and distribution networks.

Police said the investigation will expand to include possible conspiracy with Park, violations of passport laws and broader drug trafficking activities. Authorities are also pursuing asset recovery tied to alleged criminal proceeds.

Acting National Police Commissioner Yoo Jae-sung said interagency cooperation – including coordination with customs, financial regulators, tax authorities, the food and drug safety agency and the National Intelligence Service – has been mobilized to track and dismantle transnational drug networks.

“This case sends a clear message that drug criminals will be pursued and apprehended to the ends of the earth,” Yoo said.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260501010000003

In recent years, the evolution of women in Saudi Arabia has become one of the most scrutinized aspects of the kingdom’s reforms of recent times. These reforms have frequently served as proof of a broader transformation under Vision 2030, an ambitious pathway designed to modernize Saudi Arabia and decrease its reliance on oil revenues. However, behind these apparent advancements arises an intricate question: are these reforms a genuine move towards social emancipation or primarily a tactical element of state-led goals of economic diversification, modernization, and enhancing global reputation?

In 2016, Saudi Arabia introduced Vision 2030, launched and guided by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Muhammad bin Salman as a comprehensive and holistic strategy aimed to reform the country’s future. This initiative leverages the Kingdom’s strengths, including its pivotal role in the Arab and Islamic world, robust investment capabilities, and advantageous strategic position. The goal is to establish Saudi Arabia as a global leader while improving quality of life and broadening growth opportunities for citizens. At its essence, Vision 2030 seeks to reposition Saudi Arabia in the global economy by diversifying the non-oil sectors, drawing in foreign investment, and cultivating a dynamic workforce.

The women’s research compendium has gained significant attention from the government in alignment with the kingdom’s Vision 2030 and its associated programs. Consequently, relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, have allocated one of the visions’ goals to improve the public and private lives of Saudi women. From this perspective, the progress of Saudi women towards empowerment has condensed. This perspective of ministry is facilitated by numerous policies, legislations, and regulations that bolster the female’s status in society. In this context, women have become a pivotal component of reform. Enhancing female participation in the labor force is not just a social aspiration but also an economic imperative. By incorporating women into sectors like tourism, mass markets, and technology, the government intends to harness previously underutilized human capacity and accelerate economic growth. Hence, women’s empowerment is intricately aligned with the national development goals. It is important to acknowledge the considerable progress the country has made so far, such as the removal of the driving ban; increased employment; and enhanced public representation signify substantial changes in the everyday life of numerous women in Saudi Arabia.

Comparatively, these reforms demonstrate a prominent departure from more prudent norms of Saudi society and have formed new avenues for both personal and professional initiatives. Recognizing these developments is important for sustaining a fair and substantiated analysis. However, a deeper evaluation reveals that this empowerment is closely associated with the economic strategy and development. The consolidation of women in the workforce is consistently presented not just as a matter of rights but as a roadmap to enhance productivity and to boost the country’s GDP. This realistic perspective implies that empowerment is being pursued not just as a fundamental social objective but as a calculated countermove to fulfill economic demands. In this context, women are viewed not just as citizens, but also as economic assets that are essential to the success of Vision 2030.

In addition to the economic considerations, these reforms significantly contribute to the international image of Saudi Arabia. As the kingdom aims to enhance foreign investment and establish itself as a contemporary progressive nation, the advancement of women’s rights acts as a strong emblem of transformation. These developments are visible as a form of strategic liberalization, a deliberate opening intended to synchronize domestic policies with the international standards. Within this framework, women’s empowerment is integrated into a broader soft power strategy, boosting nations’ appealing image on the world stage. However, this transformation is still being meticulously overseen. Although new liberties have been introduced, they operate within a well-defined structure and are regulated by the state. The pace and scope of these structural initiatives are not propelled by grassroots institutions but are instead orchestrated by the governing bodies. This top-down approach limits the acceleration of the independent voices and limits the growth of a more autonomous civil society. Consequently, empowerment is allocated rather than asserted, therefore prompting the queries regarding its substantive nature and sustainability.

Therefore, this dynamic creates a striking paradox: “advancement without complete autonomy.” Currently, Saudi women experience enhanced mobility and visible participation in public life, but their capacity to independently shape the trajectory of reform is still constrained. The expansion of opportunities has not been accompanied by a similar increase in agency. This conflict highlights an important question: can empowerment truly exist in the absence of independent expression and participation in decision-making processes? However, the future prediction denotes that the sustainability of these reforms depends on their ability to progress beyond their strategic foundations. Women’s empowerment continues to be closely linked to economic and image-building objectives of the state; it risks being susceptible to shifts in governmental priorities and policies. On the other hand, lasting transformation necessitates more profound structural alterations that are way beyond mere participation to encompass genuine agency and proper representation.

In this context, the transformations unfolding under Vision 2030 are the embodiment of both advancement and limitation. They indicate a notable departure from the previous practices and traditional norms while also underscoring the constraints of government-driven modernization. Ultimately, the issue is not if change will lead to enduring empowerment, for true empowerment is not just about participation in the workforce or recognition in public spheres; it is about having the capacity to influence one’s own future. This aspect remains the most vital and a pending dimension of Saudi Arabia’s evolution.

In conclusion, the trajectory of advancing gender diversity as articulated in Vision 2030 demonstrates both meaningful advancements and fundamental structural limitations. Although reforms have undeniably broadened strategic growth indicators and transformed the social norms, they’re still closely intertwined with economic needs and strategic initiatives for international status. This top-down model of reform prompts essential inquiries regarding the depth, independence, and long-term durability of women’s empowerment. For Saudi Arabia, the operating complexities will be whether these transformations can progress beyond mere instrumental milestones to cultivate true agency and representation. Only then can women’s empowerment shift from being a facet of national strategy to a lasting anchoring principle of societal advancement.

The line-up for Celebrity Traitors season two was revealed on Saturday, with Ross Kemp joining his new co-stars for filming in Scotland

Ross Kemp is ready to bring some East End magic to the Celebrity Traitors castle after he was spotted landing in Scotland ahead of filming.

It was previously confirmed that the EastEnders icon, 61, was among the star-studded line-up for season two of the hit BBC game show, alongside Richard E. Grant, Michael Sheen, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Rob Beckett.

Hours after the castmates were revealed, they were seen making their way to the Scottish Highlands, with Jerry Hall, Bella Ramsey, Amol Rajan and Saltburn actor Richard photographed on their journey.

In new pictures, Ross appeared to be thrilled to join them, flashing a thumbs up at a camera before getting into a waiting car. Other snaps showed his fellow soap legend Julie Hesmondhalgh jetting to the area ahead of filming.

Teasing what led to the Grant Mitchell star deciding to take part, an insider told the Sun: “He loves Traitors and thinks it’s a programme on another level, which is why he really wanted to take part.

“Ross loved the mix of psychological intrigue paired with some of the very physical trials that the group have to complete – both suit him perfectly.”

He is also reportedly hoping to appeal to a younger generation of viewers, who could be less familiar with his career so far.

“Plus he knows The Celebrity Traitors won’t just be watched by people who are familiar with his work, but by younger viewers who may be less familiar with Ross, and this opens him up to a whole new audience. He’s also a very BBC name and this is another big BBC show,” they added.

Joanne McNally, James Acaster and Joe Lycett were also named in the line-up, alongside social media content creator King Kenny, Love Island presenter Maya Jama and Romesh Ranganathan.

Industry actress Myha’la and Professor Hannah Fry rounded out the cast with Sharon Rooney, James Blunt, Sebastian Croft and Sharon Rooney.

While the gang have been all smiles so far while heading to Scotland, things will get very tense once filming kicks off and suspicion over the game sets in. Shortly after filming, the 21 celebs will be sorted into “faithfuls” and “traitors” as they battle it out for the charity cash prize.

It will be up to those faithfuls to weed out the sneaky traitors, who have been tasked with secretly killing them off in nightly visits to the turret.

Following the huge success of the first season, where around 15million people tuned in to see Alan Carr win the competition as a Traitor, fans have been eagerly-awaiting news of a second series, and have already predicted Michael, Richard and Miranda could be this year’s “big dogs ”.

The air date has not yet been announced, but the hit show is expected to return to screens in autumn.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

For the next week or so, in homes all over California, ballots will be arriving for the June 2 primary.

Since 2020, a ballot has been mailed to every active registered voter in the state — more than 23 million, by last count. The time to choose is drawing nigh.

In addition to the race for governor, Californians will vote in contests for seven other statewide offices, the Board of Equalization — which oversees the property tax system — and a great many congressional, legislative and local races, including the primary for Los Angeles mayor.

What’s a voter to do?

If you’ve waited your entire life for a candidate like Republican Chad Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff running for governor, or you’ve been jonesing to cast a gubernatorial ballot for Democrat Katie Porter from the moment she whipped out her famous whiteboard, the choice is easy. Fill out that ballot and toss it in the mail, stat! No postage needed.

“Don’t mess around,” said Paul Maslin, a veteran Democratic campaign strategist. (His candidate for governor, Betty Yee, quit the race late last month, so he’s a neutral observer at this point.)

“If you have pretty good inkling what you want to do,” Maslin urged, “vote.”

But if, like many, you’re not wed to a particular candidate, what then? If you’re worried about mailing in your ballot and then having some awful, Eric Swalwell-like revelations surface, or if you fret about wasting your vote by supporting someone who drops out before June 2, then what?

There are no do-overs in a California election. Once you’ve cast your ballot, you’ve made your choice. That’s it, however sorry you may be.

Which is why Republican strategist Rob Stutzman, who’s worked in California politics for decades, urged voters not to mail their ballot too soon. Like Maslin, he’s unaffiliated with any of the gubernatorial campaigns.

“It’s a slow-developing race,” Stutzman said of the contest for governor, the marquee attraction on the June ballot. “These are still relatively little-known candidates. There’s going to be a lot more campaigning to go in the weeks ahead. [So] unless you feel really strongly about somebody, I’d hang on to that ballot and see what happens over the next several weeks.”

Then again, with all the talk of clamping down on mail-in ballots and concerns about processing delays by a stretched-thin Postal Service, is there a danger of waiting too long to vote? What if your ballot arrives past the deadline to be tallied?

In March, the U.S. Supreme Court strongly signaled a likelihood it would require mail ballots to be received by election day if they are to be counted as legal. As it stands, California accepts mail-in ballots that were cast before the end of election day, so long as they arrive no later than seven days after.

The court seems unlikely to issue its ruling before the June primary — but that’s not guaranteed.

So is there a sweet spot, somewhere between voting in haste and having your ballot go to waste?

The Official Voter Information Guide, produced by California’s secretary of state, urges those voting by mail to “return your ballot … as soon as you receive it.”

But Kim Alexander, head of the nonpartisan California Voter Foundation, falls into the wait-a-bit camp. “Don’t vote too early,” she counseled, “because this is a very dynamic election.”

Once you’ve made up your mind, her best advice is to mail your ballot at least a full week before election day, which is May 26, to ensure it arrives on time to be processed and counted. If someone wants to drop their ballot off in person, either at a vote center or secure drop box, Alexander suggests doing so by May 30, which is three days before the election.

“The good news,” she said, “is that under a new state law … all county election offices will be open at least six hours on Saturday, May 30, for voters to come vote in person or to turn in their vote-by-mail ballots.”

Voting in person is an option right up until 8 p.m. on election day, even if you received a ballot in the mail. That applies everywhere in California, save for three sparsely populated, rural counties — Alpine, Plumas and Sierra — which conduct their elections entirely by mail. Bring your unused vote-by-mail ballot to your local polling place and swap it for a polling-place ballot you can use instead.

For procrastinators or those wanting to wait until election day to mail their ballot, they run the risk that it won’t be postmarked until after June 2. That means it won’t be counted, regardless of when it arrives at their county elections office.

“Voters who want to hold out as long as possible … ought to be planning to turn their ballot into a drop box or a voting site and not use the mail at all,” Alexander said.

Having spent decades working to make voting easier and elections safer and smoother, Alexander knows that voting by mail has made many people miss “the election day experience.” (Things like bringing the kiddos into the voting booth, or posing for selfies with an “I Voted” sticker.)

Her suggestion is to find other ways to mark the occasion.

“Help somebody else go and vote,” Alexander suggested, “or volunteer to help with an organization” running a get-out-the-vote operation.

“If you want to help election officials get ahead on the vote count” — a source of repeated upset as the country awaits California’s lagging results — “you can be part of the solution by getting your own ballot in just a little bit earlier.”

All of which sound like fine ideas. That way you can celebrate election day and make sure your ballot isn’t cast for naught.

For teenagers dreaming of playing in the NFL, former Corona Centennial high defensive back Camryn Bynum has first-hand knowledge of what it takes. It involves more than a star ranking or posting videos on social media.

“It’s a simple formula to make it to where you want to go,” said Bynum, who recently signed a $60-million contract with the Indianapolis Colts and will be holding a youth camp at his alma mater on May 23.

“It’s just hard to stay on the right track and do every single thing to the best of your ability and consistently do everything the right way,” he said. “You play a few good years of high school ball, you’ll get a chance to play college ball. If you become a starter, maybe one or two years and play well enough, you’ll get a chance at the league, whether you get drafted in the first round, like everybody wants to, or you you’re an undrafted free agent. If you get your foot in the door, there’s hundreds of stories about people getting in.”

Bynum says there’s a big sacrifice that many teenagers are unwilling to accept. It’s called avoiding distractions at all costs. At least it worked for him. He didn’t start on varsity until his junior year. He became a four-year starter at Cal, was a fourth-round draft pick of the Vikings, who immediately told him he’s switching from cornerback to safety. He was ready for anything.

“I think the best way to reach the point where you want to go is to stay distraction free,” he said. “Stay working towards that goal and don’t let anything come in between. That’s been the biggest part of my journey, my faith, and being able to just trust that God will put me exactly where I need to be, but also putting in the work myself knowing that if I want to play college ball, I need to keep my grades up in high school, stay away from all the distractions, the parties, the drinking, the drugs, like a lot of people unfortunately fall into.”

His first major test was dealing with adversity. He started on JSerra’s freshman team, then transferred back home to Centennial. He said he was fifth string on the JV team. “I was literally not playing,” he said. He gave serious consideration to leaving. But Centennial coach Matt Logan and others made it clear he had to earn his playing time.

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum in 2024.

(Paul Sancya / Associated Press)

“Coach Logan, he’s like, ‘No, you gotta work. You gotta work, figure it out and grind. You’re good. You’re plenty good enough, but you have to earn your spot.’ And I remember a few other coaches telling me, ‘It’s all up to you, if you want to put the work in and you want to compete, This is a competitive program, you got to figure out how to earn your playing time.’”

Bynum went to a private coach and started training morning and night. He became stronger, faster and more confident. As a junior, he became a standout. He still uses that same private coach, Jordan Brown, in his training.

Bynum, born to a Filipino mother, now lives in the offseason with his Filipino wife and young daughter on the outskirts of Manila.

Asked if Manila traffic is worse than Los Angeles traffic, he said, “They’re both pretty bad. They’re just bad in different ways.”

His first youth camp will help raise funds for his foundation that is supporting causes such as teaching flag football in the Philippines. The camp will be for youth and high school-age players and provide a vehicle for exposure along with football development.

“We want it to be a learning environment and a competitive environment to help kids get recruited and be seen more,” Bynum said.

Just remember the path is simple but the road blocks are many to overcome.