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After 4 million tickets sold and maybe a million more headaches, the Olympic ticket booth opens again this week.

LA28 sold a record number of tickets during its first drop in April, signaling unprecedented interest in the Olympics as they return to Southern California for the first time since 1984. High prices, service fees and unavailable seats frustrated fans but did not deter them. In fact, interest in the Games has only grown since April’s first drop.

LA28 announced Wednesday that more than 12 million people from more than 200 countries have registered for tickets, a dramatic increase from the 5 million registrants the organizing committee boasted in late February before the first ticket drop.

Sports from the traditional standbys (artistic gymnastics) to the newest additions (flag football, lacrosse and squash) all sold through their first-drop availability. The second drop that begins Wednesday offers “refreshed inventory across all Olympic sports,” LA28 said.

Here’s what to know about the next ticketing phase:

Universal Studios has issued a stern warning after an unauthorized copy of its hit film “The Odyssey” was leaked over the weekend.

“We became aware of the unauthorized posting of the film and immediately initiated takedown protocols,” the studio said in a statement. “We take copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all appropriate remedies to protect our content and intellectual property rights.”

The studio was responding to a post on X that shared a high-quality copy of the Christopher Nolan film. The post was viewed more than 2.1 million times before a takedown notice replaced the copy of the film.

The post was shared Saturday on X at 2:25 p.m. Pacific, and the account was suspended within three hours, according to Variety.

“The Odyssey” continues to be a top attraction for filmgoers, drawing huge crowds on its second weekend. Demand for advance tickets caused AMC’s app to crash in June. At the time, users on social media said wait times had reached an hour.

The film in its second weekend pulled in $87 million, acccording to Rentrak, a data analytics company that tracks box office sales.

WILDCARD Arthur Fery captured the nation’s hearts when he powered his way to the Wimbledon semi-finals.

And now it seems he is looking for the perfect match off-court after signing up to celebrity dating app Raya.

Arthur has made sure his sporting prowess is front and centre on his profile and lists his job as a professional tennis player.

The British singles No1 also added a snap of him shaking hands with Kate Middleton on the day of the men’s final.

Arthur even offered to coach Prince George and Princess Charlotte, saying: “If you guys want to hit some balls any time, just let me know; that would be great.”

However, he has chosen to crop the Princess of Wales out of the frame on his dating profile.

THANKS FERY MUCH

Arthur Fery gets birthday gift from Princess Kate after Wimbledon run

FERY TRIP

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A source said: “Arthur became a household name in a matter of days after reaching the Wimbledon semi-final as a wildcard entry.

“He is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Andy Murray, who made history when he won at Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016. Arthur has also become a heartthrob among Gen-Z and his professional sports background makes him a catch.”

On Raya, the tennis ace has included a snap of him waving to the crowd on Wimbledon’s Centre Court following his crushing semi-final defeat to Germany’s Alexander Zverev earlier this month.

He has also added a pic showing him in action on the famous grass court along with a post-match interview during the tournament.

Meanwhile, Arthur mentioned he was educated at prestigious Stanford University in the US, where he studied science, technology and society on a tennis scholarship.

The French-born player has linked his profile to We Are The People by Australian electronic music duo Empire of the Sun.

Speaking about his music taste, Arthur previously said: “I like [Aussie dance music act] Rufus Du Sol. It gets me in the zone.

“I like British rappers as well. Dave, Central Cee.”

Arthur was thought to be dating former schoolmate Honor Millard, a foodie influencer known online as The Honorable Chef.

But it definitely seems he is searching for a new doubles partner.

Who says love means nothing in tennis?

ANYONE KNOW A GOOD TYLA?

TYLA looks cappy-go-lucky, as she performs on US telly.

The South African singer wore the leopard-print hat with a metallic bralette for her set on NBC’s Today show at New York’s Rockefeller Plaza.

It came as she released her second studio album, A*Pop, which includes hot tracks That Girl and Kiss.

Meanwhile, fans can also snap up a £63 Tyla Bratz doll, decked out in the same dress Tyla wore to the Met Gala in New York in May.

Oh, and I’ve been told the singer will be making her way to London this week.

If you fancy a cuppa, Tyla, you know where to find us.

LIL BIT OF HAPPINESS FOR JESSIE

JESSIE J announced her split from former basketball player Chanan Colman this week – but hopefully a catch-up with her showbiz pal Lily Allen gave her reason to Smile.

The pair were seen putting the world to rights just days before Price Tag singer Jessie confirmed the end of her four-year relationship.

They were deep in conversation at London’s Royal Albert Hall, where they attended the Silver Clef Awards and were both recognised for their contribution to music.

Earlier in the night, Jessie told Biz on Sunday’s Emily that she is “living in the moment”.

The star, who has three-year-old son Sky with Chanan, announced she was cancer-free in May after her diagnosis with early-stage breast cancer last year.

She said: “There is always a risk of it coming back, so I want to celebrate every day that I don’t have it. I would love to learn how to ride a bike – I can’t, which is sad, isn’t it? I want to learn Danish and how to play the piano.

“Living in the moment and having a bit of perspective – my son is the core of my world so everything stems from him.”

Jessie also told how she loves touring, adding: “My touring family . . . get through whatever challenges we have.”

LOTTIE’S IN HER HOLISTIC PHASE

LOTTIE MOSS is following in the footsteps of Gwyneth Paltrow by setting up her own wellness brand.

I can reveal that the younger sister of supermodel Kate Moss has set up a holistic community that will offer sound baths, yoga and breathwork events.

US actress Gwynnie has made millions from her wellness and lifestyle brand Goop, which she set up in 2008.

I am told Lottie has also taken inspiration from actress Pamela Anderson and wants to “strip back” her image after she started modelling at 16.

The brand – Phase II – has recently set up an Instagram page and promises, “a wellness concept for discovering the next phase of your life”.

A source said: “Lottie wants to create a community that has wellness at the core.

“She wants it to be accessible for everyone and wants to help people find balance in their life. A lot of wellness challenges set unrealistic expectations and that is what Lottie wants to avoid.

“Her main message is that she wants people to have fun and go out but also enjoy yoga on the weekend.

“It does not need to be one or the other.”

It comes after her sister Kate closed down her wellness and beauty brand Cosmoss last June after three years.

It sold products including a £125 Sacred Mist perfume and £95 pots of face cream.

Lottie, who is currently dating art dealer Themy Kalaitzis, has previously opened up about her battle with addiction and how the toxic culture of the modelling industry affected her mental health.

Sounds like she is stepping into this next chapter of her life with a yoga mat in hand.

IT’S ALL CHA-CHA-CHANGE

STRICTLY Come Dancing bosses have unveiled the five new professional dancers that will be hitting the dancefloor this autumn.

Ukranian dancer Aleksandra Isaeva is ranked in the world’s top 21 Latin dancers.

She has been dubbed the new Nadiya Bychkova as the blonde pair both hail from the same country.

Speaking about her new BBC role, Aleksandra said: “I’ve been living and breathing dance for as long as I can remember, so joining the Strictly family is a true honour.”

She will be joined by her Italian dancer partner Cristian Priori, who has revealed that he is “excited to begin this new chapter”.

South African Latin Champion Lethabo Monametsi – who has been on stage with Diana Ross and composer Hans Zimmer – also joins the line-up after starring on The Masked Singer SA.

And Canadian champ Mark Karmalita and Bournemouth-born Maddie Ingoldsby will make their debut on the show this September, too.

I bet they can’t wait to hit the ballroom in their sequins.

PRICE OF FAME FOR PRINCESS

KATIE PRICE’s love life has been nothing short of a soap opera.

But that has not stopped the former glamour model – who, in January, married conman Lee Andrews ten days after she met him in Dubai – from giving her kids some dating advice.

Katie stars on ITV2 series The Princess Diaries alongside her daughter Princess and son Junior who she shares with her ex-husband, Peter Andre.

In scenes set to air, Katie says: “When you are in the public eye and you meet someone and want a relationship with them, you’re so proud to be with them but try to keep it as private as you can for as long as you can.

“Because there will be a point where someone will get a picture or something like that and I find that hard.”

Princess added: “If I was seeing someone, I would want to make sure it was a long-term thing before I make it known.

“My mum’s love life has been all over everywhere and yeah, I probably wouldn’t want mine to be like that.”

The third series of The Princess Diaries airs is due to air on July 28.

RACHEL BAGS GIFT FOR TOUR

RACHEL CHINOURIRI has revealed that Sabrina Carpenter bought her a designer handbag to say thanks for joining her on the road.

The British singer-songwriter supported the Manchild hitmaker on the UK and European leg of her Short n’ Sweet Tour last year.

Speaking to Biz on Sunday’s Emily at the Silver Clef Awards, Rachel said: “She did get me a gift. I got her one then she got me one.”

Rachel remained tight-lipped on the brand but said: “She got me a handbag. It was on the wishlist. It was so iconic.”

She admitted: “I haven’t used it yet and it is perched on the side because I don’t want anything to happen to it.”

We all need a friend like Sabrina . . . 

MAYAN GOLD

MAYA JAMA looks a gem – as she reveals her newly golden hair.

The Love Island host posted the shot of her highlights ahead of the dating show’s grand final in Majorca tomorrow night.

She showed off her figure in a white tank top and snakeskin trousers, and playfully teased in the caption: “Who is she.”

The winning couple of the ITV2 dating show will get £50,000 – but we reckon Maya looks a million dollars.

HAIR’S TO YOU, LORENZO

LOVE ISLAND’S Lorenzo Alessi has become the stand-out star of this year’s ITV series.

The businessman, who has Italian and Turkish-Cypriot heritage, has already been inundated with offers from talent agencies – and he hasn’t even left the villa in Majorca yet.

I hear that agents are eyeing up Lorenzo, right, to attend Milan and London Fashion Week in September.

It comes after former UK Vogue editor Edward Enniful hinted he could be the next Molly-Mae Hague.

A source said: “Lorenzo is going to face a bidding war when he comes out of the villa.

“He has a great head of hair, which would make him perfect for a men’s haircare brand, and he ticks a lot of boxes in the style stakes.”

Lorenzo is also the favourite to take home the £50,000 prize in tomorrow night’s Love Island final, following his romance with Polish-born insurance broker Julia Majchrzak.

Sounds like he will be a winner whatever the outcome.

TRINNY Woodall has bitten the bullet and dipped her toe back into the dating pool.

The TV fashionista took to Instagram to document her first day on dating app Hinge – three years after splitting from ex Charles Saatchi.

The stylist, 62, filmed herself swiping through profiles of prospective suitors, declaring that she was having a blast doing so.

“I’ve just joined Hinge for the day to see what it’s like,” she told her followers, before asking: “What do Keir Starmer, Macron, the new leader of Hungary – I can’t remember his name, I’m sorry – and the chancellor of Germany all have in common? They’re all five foot seven!”

Trinny explained that as a taller woman she’d be “cool” dating a shorter man, but that she prefers a bit of height.

“I’m somebody who might be with a really short man and that’s cool, but because I’m five foot 10, it’s challenging,” she said, before reciting some of the blurbs of the men she was perusing.

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IT’S OVER

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“My love language is touch. Mmm, a bit creepy!” she said of one.

“The way to win me over is eggs in the morning – so he expects me to cook for him every morning? Eh, sorry, mate!” she said of another, swiping firmly off his profile.

Trinny then appeared to strike gold with a gentleman named Rupert.

“Rupert, oh, Rupert!” she squealed, before reciting his bio: “Dating me is like being treated properly and never being uncertain about where things stand.

“I won’t yoga but I will carry your mat. Probably pick you up and take you for coffee. Fun, honesty, food and warmth.”

Impressed with Rupert’s spiel, Trinny remarked: “That’s rather sweet. He lives in Kensington. I’m sorry, that’s interesting. Is anyone interested in Rupert yet?”

She was overjoyed to learn he was six foot seven.

During the video, Trinny’s daughter Lyla, 22, entered the room and scolded her mother.

“You actually can’t do that. You can’t be mean about people on the internet!” she berated her mum.

“I’m not being mean. We’re just having a girl’s chat,” Trinny insisted, before turning her attention back to Rupert.

“Should I just say ‘where would you take me for coffee?’” Trinny pondered, before typing her first message to Rupert and hitting send.

“I’ve done one! I’m in the game!” she exclaimed.

It comes three years after her last romance ended, with Trinny and her millionaire ex Charles together for 10 years.

Charles, 82, is an art collector and the former husband of TV chef Nigella Lawson. He was seen shortly after splitting from Trinny on a lunch date with model Lady Martha Sitwell, 45.

June 30 (UPI) — Britain is challenging Apple and Google for not allowing developers to pull users away from their app stores.

The Competition and Markets Authority said Tuesday that Google and Apple have an “effective duopoly” on mobile phones by not allowing developers to engage with users or make purchases outside of the app stores.

The CMA said at least 90% of mobile devices in the United Kingdom are running on Apple or Google platforms. It said allowing “steering” away from the platforms by developers would increase market competition.

Both companies now charge a commission of up to 30% on in-app purchases. Google said it has already made the changes.

CMA Executive Director Will Hayter said choice is important for competition and consumers.

“We think it is important to give both app developers and users more choice about how they communicate and how they transact,” Hayter said in a statement. “This is not only because choice is inherently valuable but also because we see this as the best way to introduce some competitive pressure in a vital part of the mobile ecosystem that is otherwise sorely lacking such pressure.”

Hayter said the CMA isn’t trying to take away fees altogether.

“While it is only fair for Apple and Google to be compensated for the services they provide, any fees they charge must be justified through a robust, evidence-led framework involving due reference to both cost and value,” he said.

Apple responded that steering will make users less protected from scams.

“When users are directed away from Apple’s trusted payment infrastructure, they lose the protections they rely on Apple to provide. We will continue to make our concerns clear in our ongoing dialogue with the CMA,” an Apple spokesperson told The Guardian.

Many Brits heading to the EU are dreading their journey through the airport due to the new European Entry/Exit System (EES), but many don’t realise there’s an app available to cut waiting times at certain destinations

Peak holiday season is upon us, and the launch of the European Entry/Exit System (EES) is reportedly causing queues at destinations such as Spain, Greece, and France.

Local media in Spain has warned that Brits could face six-hour queues, and there have been reports of passengers missing flights, with airports blaming “additional processing requirements”. All non-EU visitors to the European Union, including Brits, are now required to have biometric information such as facial images and fingerprints taken on arrival, and must also use the machines on departure to help the EU flag overstays.

One of the reasons why Brits often face longer queues at the airport is that, while EU passport holders have their own lanes, Brits have to queue alongside other non-EU nationalities. But for those going to Portugal or Sweden this summer, there is a way to speed up the process.

An official (but not very well-known) app could potentially get you through the airport quicker. At the moment, the Travel to Europe app is only available for visitors to two EU countries, but it could be rolled out to other destinations in the future, according to its developers.

Brits heading to these countries can download the app on the App Store or Google Play – making sure you download the right app and not a third-party one.

Create a new journey by selecting the country you’re arriving in or departing from, this can be done up to 72 hours before your travels begin. You can then add a border crossing point and your estimated time of arrival.

Travellers can then scan the personal details page and chip of their passport, take a selfie to confirm their identity, and answer a few questions about their plans. Normally, these steps would be done at the EES kiosks, so by doing them on the app at home, you can save time at the airport.

Families travelling together can also add other passengers before submitting their journey. Once registered, you’ll get confirmation that your journey has been accepted. Then you simply need to follow the signs at the airport to make your way through security. The app developers are careful to point out that using the app doesn’t guarantee border entry, and that anyone passing through the airport can still be flagged for additional checks.

But for the majority of holidaymakers, this could cut down on the time they spend queuing and waiting to enjoy the Portuguese sunshine.

Reviews of the app have been mixed so far. One user said: “Pointless to have an app that supports only one country – I understand it is optional for Member States to incorporate the app into their systems, but it doesn’t mean this couldn’t have been arranged better.” But there were success stories, with one user saying: “I went to Stockholm…. long queues for UK passports. I had already used the app, and used the pre-registered lane. Two people in front of me. The whole process took about three minutes. Very impressed!!”

Around 2.4 million British tourists visit Portugal every year, making up the majority of the country’s tourism, although this is a fraction of the 19 million British visitors Spain saw in 2025. Overall, foreign tourists contribute €5.2 billion a year to the country’s economy (about £4.5 billion), with Brits as the biggest spenders followed by Germans.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

Airbnb unveiled a new set of services for guests on Wednesday, adding car rentals, airport pickup and grocery delivery to its online marketplace that connects travelers with local hosts.

Customers can now get groceries delivered to their Airbnb through a partnership with Instacart and have a driver meet them at the airport with Airbnb’s Welcome Pickups. The app is also offering luggage storage in partnership with Bounce and will add in-app car rentals later this summer.

At the same time, Airbnb is ramping up its use of AI by adding AI-powered review summaries and lodging comparisons, the company said.

The company has been expanding beyond lodging since last year, when it introduced Airbnb Experiences & Services, giving guests the option to book private tours and chef-cooked meals through the app.

In an earnings call earlier this month, the company’s chief executive, Brian Chesky, said the company is at “the very, very beginning of how AI is going to change how we all do our jobs.”

The changes are coming in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in 16 cities across the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The company said it is offering exclusive World Cup experiences, such as watch parties and access to stadiums.

“In terms of what we’ve seen in cumulative bookings heading into the event, the World Cup is slated to be the largest event in Airbnb’s history,” the company’s chief financial officer, Ellie Mertz, said on the earnings call.

Airbnb gained popularity for offering travelers unique and homey stays on other people’s property, but it added boutique hotel bookings to its platform late last year. The move had some customers questioning if the app was straying too far from its original purpose.

In its announcement this week, the company said it is partnering with more independent hotels in 20 top destinations, including New York, London and Singapore. On the earnings call, Chesky said hotels on Airbnb could become a multibillion-dollar revenue business.

The San Francisco-based company was founded in 2007 and gave homeowners the opportunity to earn money by renting out their space to travelers seeking something different from a hotel. Airbnb bookings can range from private bedrooms in a shared home to luxury mansions and yachts.

The company’s revenue grew 18% year over year to $2.7 billion in the first quarter, while net income increased slightly to $160 million. Airbnb’s new services and offerings could transform it from a home-sharing platform to a holistic travel marketplace, analysts said.

Shares of the company have increased by 14% over the last six months and fell by less than 1% on Thursday.