Universal Studios Hollywood is almost ready to properly open its new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster. The high-speed thrill ride, which has been operating in technical rehearsals since late July, has an opening date: Sept. 16.
The coaster has essentially been in an extended testing phase. By giving the ride an official opening date, the theme park is announcing that the attraction is ready for daily operations.
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Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, which seats riders in expertly designed mini-vehicles designed to reference real automobiles, has long been circled as the most important theme park attraction of 2026, a feat of engineering nestled on a steep hill between the park’s upper and lower lots that was 10 years in the making.
The ride — designed by Universal, manufactured by Intamin — has already changed the look and feel of Universal Studios, giving the park its first major outdoor thrill ride. Once known primarily as a studio tour park, Universal has been undergoing a large-scale overhaul throughout the last decade-plus, adding immersive lands such as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World.
Now it has a coaster that feels akin to taking a joyride, complete with authentic engine and brake sounds. So if you’re thinking of taking Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift for a spin, here’s what you need to know.
The view of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift from Universal Studios Hollywood’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
(Todd Martens / Los Angeles Times)
Is the ride included with Universal Studios admission?
Yes. A daily ticket starts at $109.95, although prices vary by day and expect to pay in the $150 range for a weekend date. Unlike Disneyland, Universal does not require reservations, but it is recommended to buy in advance.
Are express passes available?
Universal Studios will sell front-of-the-line access as an add-on to a daily ticket — but not yet. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will not be included in express pass offerings at launch, according to a Universal spokesperson. That means all guests will have to wait in the same line. Express access is expected to be offered at a later date.
So, how long should I expect to wait in line?
A while. During technical rehearsals, afternoon waits routinely topped two hours, with some waiting longer than three and closer to four, although the last was rare. Expect operations to run a little smoother thanks to the soft open phase, but come prepared to be patient.
Is the ride included with Halloween Horror Nights?
The short answer is no. The longer answer: Those who spring for what Universal calls the R.I.P. Tour, however, will be able to ride. A guided experience, that ticket is $479 per person. (The fine print: Earlier this summer Universal did promise Hollywood Drift access with some tickets, but has since removed that option. The park has stated it will honor the terms of those who purchased the tickets before access was removed, and those buyers should have received instructions from Universal.)
The Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster features multiple inversions.
(Todd Martens / Los Angeles Times)
Tell me about the ride. How intense is it?
The ride reaches speeds of 72 mph, the fastest coaster in Universal’s global portfolio, while traversing 4,100 feet of track, two towering inverted loops and a pretzel loop. There are four individual launch points, and the coaster cars have the ability to rotate 360 degrees. It’s intense, but it’s also incredibly smooth, which helps it feel more approachable.
Wait, 360 degrees? Will I get motion sick?
Individual results will vary, of course, but for reference I am someone who can’t do extreme coasters — Magic Mountain’s Wonder Woman Flight of Courage is too much for me — and struggle on attractions that spin, such as Walt Disney World’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Yet I’ve been completely fine on multiple rides of Hollywood Drift. The spinning isn’t gratuitous, as the cars turn and drift with the flow of the track, so the movement feels aligned with direction.
Can I request a specific car?
You can! But be kind and patient with Universal staffers, who may not always be able to grant such requests due to crowding. If you have a specific concern, however, raise it with the coaster staff, and they will likely accommodate.
One of the ride vehicles of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift.
(Todd Martens / Los Angeles Times)
What’s the ‘easiest’ car for those who are nervous?
The middle cars, although not by much. All rotate, all experience the same speed and inversions. There are four vehicles, and the first provides the most striking views, including of the track’s drops, so the squeamish are advised to aim for the middle two cars, as it will provide a better sense of where the coaster train is heading. I’ve been told by some at Universal that the last row of the last car — each car seats four — can feel a little more riveting as it will heighten some of the speed and lift sensations. But I’ve sat in the front and the last car, and still don’t know if any differences were in my head or not.
Is there a height requirement/maximum?
Yes, you must be at least 51 inches tall to experience the coaster. There is no listed height or weight maximum, but guests are encouraged to sit in a test vehicle outside the attraction before getting in line. Riders must be seated completely inside the vehicle, which uses a pull-down lap bar, and be fitted against the headrest.
How accessible is it?
Modern roller coasters are not known for their accessibility, but Hollywood Drift is surprisingly accommodating for how intense it is. I am not small. I am 6-foot-2 and more than 210 pounds, and found Hollywood Drift to be one of the more comfortable coasters I have been on. There’s also plenty of leg room. I know a number of people significantly larger than me who have been able to ride successfully.
Where is the ride located in the park?
Across from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. But you can’t miss it, as you need to pass it to get to the park’s lower lot, and it’s viewable from pretty much anywhere.
Well, is it worth riding? What’s your verdict?
I think it’s a blast. I rode the coaster on its first day of technical rehearsals, and as I wrote in my review, it’s full of surprises, of wondering where and when a coaster vehicle will be spin, careen or accelerate. Every turn, twist, flip leaves you guessing. Some of the park’s Toluca Lake neighbors, however, may be less enamored with it.
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Described as an ‘outrageous social experiment’, the series follows a group of strangers who have completely opposite beliefs, opinions, lifestyles and habits as they’re handcuffed in pairs.
Being together 24/7, each duo needs to try and outlast the other competitors as they take part in the ‘ultimate test of survival’, which will see them win a huge cash prize if they become the last pair standing.
In series one, which had moments of high emotion, tension and heated arguments, Channel 4 viewers saw practical homemaker Charlie win the show with adult content creator Rob, and take home a collective £100,000.
Channel 4 Commissioning Editor Tim Hancock said: “Part of Channel 4’s job is to reflect every corner of Britain, and not just the loudest or most comfortable parts.
“Handcuffed does that better than almost anything else on our slate, and its return is a vote of confidence in formats built on genuine difference.”
The first series was a huge streaming success, as over 2 million views were recorded from episode one alone, with it doing particularly well with people aged between 16 and 34.
Tom Clarke, Executive Producer, 72 Films, a Fremantle Company added: “The first series of Handcuffed got the nation talking, especially in demographics we’re often told have left TV behind.
“We’re thrilled viewers enjoyed the high-octane thrills and spills of the competition, along with the oodles of heart our pairs delivered as they really got to know each other.”
People have had nothing but praise when speaking about the programme since it aired, with many calling it ‘brilliant’.
One person said: “Ch4 #handcuffed is brilliant, it needs a big launch next year, it’s basically big brother but handcuffed with no escape. Another wrote: “Well, @Channel4 #handcuffed was absolutely brilliant TV. What a journey!”
Someone else commented: “I really hope handcuffed gets more seasons i’ve been absolutely hooked on it #handcuffed .” While a fourth shared:” #handcuffed What a great show, I’m loving this.”
It’s not yet known when the second series of the Channel 4 show will air.
Handcuffed: Last Pair Standing is available to watch on Channel 4.
Leidos (LDOS) on Tuesday highlighted a Navy contract worth as much as $56.7 million to study psychological health and operational readiness among U.S. military personnel.
The award isn’t new. The Department of Defense originally announced it on July 10, 2025, identifying it
Strictly Come Dancing have announced Gavin and Stacey star Melanie Walters as the fifteenth star for this year’s series, completing the line-up
10:14, 12 Aug 2026Updated 10:14, 12 Aug 2026
Strictly Come Dancing have announced a Gavin and Stacey star for the series(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron)
Strictly Come Dancing have announced Gavin and Stacey star Melanie Walters as the final celebrity for this year’s series.
The BBC show is back this September with 15 more celebrities taking to the dancefloor. Gavin and Stacey actress Melanie is the fifteenth and final name to be confirmed for the Latin and ballroom competition.
Speaking about joining the show, she said: “Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.
“This year I am completely thrilled and happy to swap my fairy wand for sequinned dance shoes. I just hope I don’t follow Cinderella and leave one on the Ballroom stairs. I cannot wait to take part in this absolutely iconic show, it’s so exciting. See you in September!”
Melanie completes this year’s celebrity lineup alongside Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Graeme Hall, Lawrence Robb, Tabby Stoecker, and John Nellis in the 2026 Strictly Come Dancing line-up.
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The synopsis reads: “Britain looks almost normal, but the flags are different, the news is careful, and nobody says certain things out loud anymore. But everyone can feel it. Somewhere beneath the surface of ordinary life, something has gone terribly, quietly wrong.
“Out of the shadows emerges a former soldier known only as Berry, who starts building a secret resistance network. He knows one thing above all else: don’t act before you’re ready.”
An unlikely band of individuals, comprising a soldier, student, journalist and radiographer, gradually gathers around him as they conclude they can no longer turn a blind eye.
The synopsis continued: “Ordinary people, with ordinary lives, making an extraordinary and irreversible choice. Against them: a state with unlimited reach, a ruthless minister who’ll do whatever it takes to maintain “order”, and an American intelligence operative called Jessie, who is very, very good at her job.
“Army of Shadows is a tense, propulsive thriller about what resistance actually costs. If your country were occupied, what would you do?”
The broadcaster has confirmed that production has kicked off across Liverpool, Manchester, London and Paris.
Billed as ‘provocative’, Army of Shadows draws from Jean-Pierre Melville’s 1969 film and Joseph Kessel’s landmark novel of the same name.
Penned by Ronan Bennett, Army of Shadows charts how resistance begins to take hold in an occupied Great Britain during the Second World War, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Discussing the upcoming drama, Interim Head of Drama at Channel 4, Gwawr Lloyd, expressed their enthusiasm while applauding the ‘stellar cast’ signed up for the series.
They said: “Ronan Bennett has created a gripping, provocative and action-packed drama that feels both epic in scale and strikingly relevant. Army of Shadows asks powerful questions about freedom, resistance and the choices people make when democracy is under threat.
“With a stellar cast lined up under the direction of Lisa Gunning, this is exactly the kind of thought-provoking and high-stakes drama that Channel 4 looks to bring to our viewers.
“We’re delighted to partner with STUDIOCANAL and Two Cities Television on what promises to be an unmissable event series.”
Channel 4 has confirmed that additional information regarding the show’s broadcast date will be revealed in due course.
Teens aged 16 and 17 in Britain are set to be blocked from social media by default midnight through 6 a.m. under new proposed online safety regulations, but will be easily able switch it back on again. File photo by Sascha Steinbach/EPA-EFE
July 15 (UPI) — Britain announced plans Wednesday for a midnight social media curfew for older teens aimed at preventing them from staying up late into the night on apps such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, with the new measures expected to take effect in Spring 2027.
Targeted at 16- and 17-year-olds and following on from a full social media ban for children younger than 16 announced in June, the package of measures calls for a 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. curfew to be set by default within the apps and that other “addictive features” such as autoplay and customized feeds be automatically disabled, the government said in a news release.
However, unlike the total ban for under-16s, restrictions on the older teens will be discretionary, meaning they will be able to override them, or turn features back on again, at will.
The Science, Technology and Innovation Department said the move was designed to ease young people’s transition into the online world and ensure there was “no cliff edge” when the full social media restrictions they will have been under, in some cases for their entire life, were suddenly lifted when they turn 16.
It said the protections, which came out of a nationwide pilot that found they improved sleep and focus, struck a balance between protecting older teenagers while giving them age-appropriate independence to change the settings, trusting that they will make good choices.
“Our consultation provided a clear message from parents and teenagers alike — even as young people gain greater independence at 16, they should still be protected from the most addictive online features that can have a harmful impact on their wellbeing,” said Technology Secretary Liz Kendall.
“These measures will be crucial in helping young people get the sleep they need, focus on school and college, and spend more quality time with family and friends, all of which are fundamental to building a happy, healthy and fulfilling adult life,” she added.
The first set of regulations will be introduced to parliament by the end of this year, with measures expected to come into force in spring 2027, timed to coincide with when the social media ban for children younger than 16 comes into force.
The opposition Conservative Party’s shadow education secretary Laura Trott described the move as “absurd.”
“Either Labour think 16 & 17 year olds should be on social media or they don’t, but curfews they can switch off won’t achieve anything. They should stop tinkering and get on with getting u16s off social media,” she wrote in a post on X.
Ellen Roome, who alleges her 14-year-old son lost his life in an online dare that went awry in 2022, was also highly critical.
“I just think it’s not good enough really just to have a product you can switch off; it’s a bit like offering a 17-year-old a bottle of alcohol and then moving it slightly out of arm’s reach, they can just drag it back in, I really wish they could go stronger and harder on these things,” she told the BBC.
Kendall said measures were also in the pipeline to help children younger than 18 use AI chatbots safely, including regular breaks, and tackling bots or apps pushing “dangerous, misleading or unverified” mental health tips with ministers open to all solutions, including banning chatbots that put children at serious risk.
Wednesday’s development follows announcements in June giving Apple, Google and other tech firms three months to stop explicit images from being shot, shared or viewed on children’s mobile phones and in April on planned legislation to ban children from using smartphones in schools in England.
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin walks on the surface of the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission on July 20, 1969. Photo by NASA/UPI | License Photo
Whether you covet a golden statuette of your own or just want to see your favorite show sweep its categories, it’s time to start gearing up for the 2026 Emmy Awards.
The best way to stay in the know is to follow nominations as they’re revealed in real time Wednesday. It may have been a somewhat underwhelming year for television, but there are still a number of standout series to root for and races with the potential to surprise us.
Will Jean Smart win her fifth straight Emmy for “Hacks”? Will “Widow’s Bay” shoot to the top of the nominations list despite its late-season arrival? And which streamer will dominate the ceremony?
Read our predictions here, and find everything you need to know about this year’s nominations below.
When will Emmy nominations be announced?
Nominations for the 78th Emmys will be announced live Wednesday starting at 8:30 a.m. Pacific./11:30 a.m. Eastern. Emmy winners Liza Colón-Zayas (“The Bear”) and Jeff Hiller (“Somebody Somewhere”) will do the honors, along with Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego.
How can I watch?
You can livestream the announcement on the Television Academy’s website or Youtube channel. If social media is more your speed, you can also stream it on Facebook, TikTok or Instagram.
Who are the predicted nominees?
“Pluribus” and “The Pitt” are expected to lead in overall nominations, with the latter poised to shine in the acting categories.
Other top drama series likely to score a nomination include “Task,” “Paradise,” “Slow Horses” and “The Diplomat.”
In the comedy field, “Hacks” is once again considered the frontrunner on the heels of its fifth and final season. “Shrinking,” “Abbott Elementary,” “The Bear” and “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” are also strong contenders.
Among limited series, nominations are probable for “Beef,” “Half Man,” “DTF St. Louis” and “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.”
This year’s awards will honor programming that aired between June 2025 and May 2026, meaning summer releases are not eligible. Neither are foreign productions, which means the Canadian hockey romance “Heated Rivalry” is off the table.
When is the actual awards show?
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will take place Sept. 14 at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles. It will air live on NBC and stream on Peacock.
No host has been named yet. In January, the Television Academy announced that this year’s ceremony will include the first new major prize in almost 20 years: the Legacy Award, which will be “presented to television programs that have made a ‘profound and lasting impact’ on audiences and remain relevant to society, culture and the industry.”
The Creative Arts Emmy Awards, honoring artistic and technical achievements, will be held Sept. 5 and 6.
A MAJOR ferry operator has announced a raft of changes – with one major route set to close permanently.
This comes as the French carrier firm announced a substantial cost-cutting plan.
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The popular route is expected to be closed in the following monthsCredit: Alamy
Brittany Ferries is reportedly considering closing the Le Havre to Portsmouth route in Autumn this year, as the company faces financial pressures.
The popular route, which has operated as a “no-frills” service since 2014, offers one departure daily for passengers and vehicles.
By ceasing the service, French-outlet Le Marin reported that the company is expected to save more than €20million (£17million).
Two ships in its fleet will also be sold – the Barfleur, which travels between Poole to Cherbourg and the Cotentin, which runs from Cherbourg to Rosslare.
As a result, the Poole to Cherbourg route will be stopped, and replaced with a daily service from Portsmouth to Cherbourg.
The Cherbourg to Rosslare route will continue operating via other vessels.
Christophe Mathieu, CEO Brittany Ferries, told the Portsmouth News: “Brittany Ferries has a track record in adapting its business to long- and short-term challenges.
“But we have to be realistic. We need to adapt and that means a plan to secure a future that will continue to bring opportunities for all those who live and work in the regions we serve.
“We have informed our ports and will work with everyone affected on this plan for the future.”
The company’s financial trouble began following a loan taken out during the pandemic.
Although half the debt has already been paid off, the carrier company continues to face a £27 million bill, as the remaining debt has been further burdened by the EU’s Emission Trading System tax.
