July 4 (UPI) — American tariffs on dozens of countries will come into effect next Wednesday as scheduled, although several deals could still be worked out before then, President Donald Trump confirmed Friday.
“They’ll range in value from maybe 60% or 70% tariffs to 10% and 20% tariffs, but they’re going to be starting to go out sometime tomorrow. We’ve done the final form, and it’s basically going to explain what the countries are going to be paying in tariffs,” Trump told reporters after landing at Joint Base Andrews.
Trump first announced the so-called reciprocal tariffs of different sizes in April before issuing a 90-day pause which expires on July 9. The levies are separate from a 10% “baseline” U.S. tariff on all countries.
Earlier this week, Trump announced a deal with Vietnam that will see the Southeast Asian country pay a 20% tariff on “any and all goods.” He also said a deal with Japan seems “unlikely” at this point.
Malaysia, India and the European Union are among the more than 50 nations that have so far failed to reach an agreement with American negotiators.
Trump said Friday, his administration will start sending letters immediately to every country that has yet to make a deal with the United States, informing it of the exact percentage it will pay when the tariffs kick in. Letters will continue until the pause ends next week.
The tariffs are calculated using a formula that takes into account the trade imbalance between the trading partner and the United States.
India faces a 26% tariff, while South Korea’s rate is 25%. Japan’s rate is slightly lower at 24% and European 20% against the 27 member states making up the European Union.
Trump said Friday, smaller countries could expect to see their U.S. tariffs kick in last, with first payments scheduled for the start of August.
“It’s a lot of money for the country, but we’re giving them a bargain,” Trump told reporters Friday.
European Union officials said this week they are not hopeful of reaching a comprehensive deal before the deadline.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called reaching such a deal over a short 90-day period “impossible.”
“What we are aiming at is an agreement in principle,” Von der Leyen told reporters earlier this week, adding a framework deal was the best thing to aim for with less than a week remaining before the deadline.
An insatiably popular city on the French Riviera has revealed it is clamping down on over-tourism with a bold cap on cruise passengers – in a huge blow to UK holidaymakers
The city is serious about tackling over-tourism(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
A popular EU hotspot is clamping down on over-tourism after unveiling a brutal visitor cap.
Every year, around three million tourists flock to the ultra-chic city of Cannes, lured in by its golden sandy beaches, designer shops, and A-list-studded film festival. The influx is largely attributed to cruise passengers travelling through the French Riviera, who get dropped off in huge crowds for day-trips.
In fact, in 2024, a staggering 460,000 cruise passengers flocked to Cannes – resulting in concerns of pollution and overcrowding, as well as straining local amenities for permanent residents. However, in a major crackdown confirmed by the council – this could all soon change.
Cannes has long been a popular tourist destination – especially among celebs(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Starting next year, a maximum of 6,000 cruise passengers will be allowed to disembark in Cannes per day. The number of mega ships carrying more than 5,000 passengers will also be cut by 48 per cent, with a long-term aim of banning all vessels carrying more than 1,300 people by 2030.
The harsh limit follows in the footsteps of the nearby city of Nice, which vowed to ban ships more than 190m long and with a capacity of more than 900 passengers from docking in its port, as well as the neighbouring Villefranche-sur-Mer from next summer. However, authorities have since backtracked on the ruling, now permitting ships carrying up to 2,500 people to dock in Villefranche-sur-Mer, but only one at a time, with a cap of 65 per year.
The city hosts one of the biggest film festivals in the world(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
According to EuroNews, cruise operators have criticised the move in Cannes – arguing such restrictions are ‘damaging’ to tourist destinations and holidaymakers. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) says such a strict cap ‘imposes unjustified restrictions on a sector that enables millions of people to discover the world’.
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The company argued that cruises ‘actively contribute to the vitality of port cities’ by bringing in income to the area. However, Mayor David Lisnard was quick to defend the decision and double down on the cap.
Boulevard de la Croisette is one of the most popular sights in the city(Image: AP)
“Cannes has become a major cruise ship destination, with real economic benefits,” the politician said in a statement. “It’s not about banning cruise ships, but about regulating, organising, setting guidelines for their navigation.”
As reported by the Express, Mayor Lisnard has already imposed an environmental charter on cruise companies back in 2019. Back then, he threatened to block passenger excursions if they failed to comply.
Other popular cities including Venice, Barcelona and Amsterdam have also capped cruise ships in recent years – following a string of anti-tourist protests that have erupted across the continent. While it puts the future of Brits’ cruise holiday into jeopardy – it’s likely the move will be well received by fed-up locals, who have long demonstrated against overcrowding and spikes in holiday rentals.
What do you think of the tourist cap? Let us know in the comments section below
Emmerdale will be waving goodbye to a character this week for at least a month, as their mystery and worrying new storyline takes a turn, amid fears it’s health related
20:04, 30 Jun 2025Updated 20:05, 30 Jun 2025
Emmerdale will be waving goodbye to a character this week for at least a month(Image: ITV)
There was some news in the latest episode of Emmerdale that confirms an exit for one character.
One character will seemingly leave the show imminently, announcing their plans to be out of the village by the end of the week. Bosses had confirmed a departure would be on the cards temporarily as part of the mystery new storyline.
Amid fears for Bear in a secretive storyline that has seen his personality change and him displaying concerning behaviour, the character will flee the village for around a month if not longer. When he returns, he will spark concern with characters and viewers as there’s clearly something not right with him.
He will be different, with his loved ones and pals set to miss the signs of what’s really going on. Bear will exit the soap for a while and won’t be onscreen for weeks, and it’s this brief exit that was confirmed on Monday night.
He told his son Paddy Kirk after yet another run-in that he was going to stay with a friend in Ireland. He confirmed he would be leaving this coming Friday, meaning the scenes will likely air on Tuesday or Wednesday this week.
There was some news in the latest episode of Emmerdale that confirms an exit for one character(Image: ITV)
It’s not known if we will see or hear from Bear in his absence, but it’s thought he will be AWOL and not in contact with Paddy or anyone. When he returns, more about what’s going on with him will be revealed until we finally find out what”s happened.
It’s been tipped to be something health related, with concerns from fans suggesting it could be a physical or mental health issue. Paddy was seen confiding in Gabby Thomas and Marlon Dingle that he was worried his dad may have dementia.
Some fans are worried it might be a brain or head injury from his wrestling days, or he may be diagnosed with a tumour. Other health conditions were also suggested, after “symptoms” in recent scenes included confusion, forgetfulness and Bear lashing out.
He’s been physically and verbally aggressive, pinning Paddy up against a wall and attacking Kammy too. He’s been seen with a temper, and on Monday after Paddy was seriously injured in a dog attack, the character slammed his own son saying he let people walk all over him.
One character will seemingly leave the show imminently(Image: ITV)
Trashing his son’s character he left Paddy heartbroken, before he fumed about Paddy’s wife Mandy Dingle too in a judgmental way. He’s acting very out of character, and the aggression and his recent funny turn, which saw him nearly collapse, and the fact he’s angry one moment and then completely calm the next, has left fans fearing the worst.
One viewer speculated: “Brilliant performance from Joshua Richards in tonight’s #Emmerdale. Could bear have a tumour, Alzheimer’s disease, depression or something totally different.” A newer theory saw fans predicting he was suffering with a brain condition called Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), thought to be linked to repeated head injuries.
Fans and former contestants have shared their outcry after Australian Survivor presenter Jonathan LaPaglia confirmed he has been axed from the show
Australian Survivor host confirms brutal firing after 10 years(Image: NETWORK 10)
Australian Survivor fans are devastated as decade-long host Jonathan LaPaglia announced he will no longer be at the helm.
The iconic actor and Survivor presenter has led the Australian version of the hit reality competition series on Network 10 since 2016.
On Monday (30th June), LaPaglia, affectionately known as ‘JLP’ by contestants and fans, took to Instagram to confirm the sad news.
“Australian Survivor has seen some of the most epic blindsides over the last 10 years, but this one might just be the craziest of them all….because it happened to me,” he shared.
“I received a call from the Network thanking me for all my hard work and dedication to the show but for next season they are ‘going in a different direction’.
“Ratings had dipped a bit recently and they wanted to do something drastic to shake things up. So for the first time ever this is not a tribe swap, but a HOST SWAP®️ Yes, you read that right.”
Fans and former contestants have slammed the decision(Image: NETWORK 10)
He went on to thank the cast and crew, as well as the show’s loyal legion of fans, for all their support over the past 10 years, calling the hosting gig “one of the greatest adventures of my career”.
Thankfully, there’s still one more season with JLP as host for fans to look forward to, Australian Survivor: Australia V The World, coming up later this year on Network 10.
“Probably our best season EVER!” he claimed, before adding an emotional sign-off: “(Ps. Whoever said a blindside is the most humane way to put someone down is an idiot. It hurts like a b***!)”
His post received an outpouring of support from fans and several former Survivor contestants.
Matt Tarrant, who competed in JLP’s first-ever season, replied: “Mate, this is genuinely devastating.
“One of my favourite memories of the game is you pulling out the beers from the crew fridges for us Season 1 Cast at the finale because no one else cared about us at that point, absolute gem of a bloke – good luck for whatever is next JLP.”
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And two-time competitor Flick Eddington wrote: “HUGE MISTAKE!!! It honestly won’t be the same without you!!! This news breaks my heart!”
She then cheekily suggested: “Maybe you can come back as a contestant and blindside everyone!”
Viewers have also slammed the decision on Reddit, where one user decried: “Ratings dipped a bit recently so they ditch the host? Aussie Survivor has its faults, but JLP wasn’t one of them.”
Someone else slammed the move: “Needless to say completely shocking news. Awful choice by production.”
“This is so damn stupid,” a third fan wrote. “Maybe if they wanted to save on costs they could make it shorter than 50 days lol.
“Worst decision they have ever made. Channel 10 has been going down for a while though.”
Survivor fans – will you continue watching once JLP officially steps down?
Australian Survivor is available on Network 10 and 10play and can be streamed on Prime Video in the UK.
The 80-year-old leader pledges economic growth from today’s GDP of $66bn to $500bn within the next five years.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has confirmed he will contest next year’s presidential election, setting the stage for a potential extension of his nearly 40-year rule.
The 80-year-old announced late on Saturday that he had expressed his interest “in running for … the position of presidential flag bearer” for his National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
Museveni seized power in 1986 after a five-year civil war and has ruled ever since.
The NRM has altered the constitution twice to remove term and age limits, clearing the way for Museveni to extend his tenure.
Rights groups accused him of using security forces and state patronage to suppress dissent and entrench his power – claims he denies.
Museveni said he seeks re-election to transform Uganda into a “$500bn economy in the next five years”. According to government data, the country’s current gross domestic product stands at just under $66bn.
Ugandans are due to vote in January to choose a president and members of parliament.
Challenger
Opposition leader Bobi Wine, a pop star-turned-politician whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has confirmed he will run again. Wine rejected the 2021 results, alleging widespread fraud, ballot tampering and intimidation by security forces.
Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine [File: Sumy Sadurni/AFP]
Tensions have risen in recent months after parliament passed a law allowing military courts to try civilians, a practice the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional in January.
The government insisted the change is necessary to tackle threats to national security, but rights organisations and opposition figures argued it is a tool to intimidate and silence critics.
Uganda for years has used military courts to prosecute opposition politicians and government critics.
In 2018, Wine was charged in a military court with illegal possession of firearms. The charges were later dropped.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticised Uganda’s military courts for failing to meet international standards of judicial independence and fairness.
Oryem Nyeko, senior Africa researcher at HRW, said this year: “The Ugandan authorities have for years misused military courts to crack down on opponents and critics.”
June 28 (UPI) — A notorious hacker group could reportedly be responsible for a recent cyberattack on Hawaiian Airlines that affected some of its IT systems.
That incident and other cyberattacks “recently observed” by the FBI bear a resemblance to previous ones carried out by the Scattered Spider group, TechCrunch reported, citing a statement from the federal investigative agency.
The airline confirmed the attack earlier this week but said neither its flights or passenger safety were affected.
“As we navigate the ongoing event, we remain in contact with the appropriate experts and federal authorities,” the airline said in its latest update.
Scattered Spider is a group of English-speaking young adults and teens believed to be living in the United States and Britain.
The group conducts large-scale phishing and ransomware operations in addition to other cyberattacks, usually against major corporations and their third-party IT contractors.
The FBI confirmed the group’s involvement in recent attacks, noting the airline industry remains vulnerable.
“Anyone in the airline ecosystem, including trusted vendors and contractors, could be at risk,” the FBI said in a statement to CNN.
“Once inside (a victim’s network), Scattered Spider actors steal sensitive data for extortion and often deploy ransomware.”
Earlier this month, a cyberattack targeting United Natural Foods Inc., caused a major disruption at Whole Foods. The Rhode-Island-based distributor is a major Whole Foods supplier, with the attack leading to empty grocery store shelves across the country.
A week after the Whole Foods incident, international insurance company Aflac confirmed data and Social Security numbers of its clients were stolen by a hacking group. The company, based in Columbus, Ga., said the techniques used in the cyber intrusion closely resemble those used by Scattered Spider in previous hacks.
Ukraine’s European allies pledged increased levels of military aid to Ukraine this year, making up for a United States aid freeze, as Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his ambition to absorb all of Ukraine into the Russian Federation.
“At this moment, the Europeans and the Canadians have pledged, for this year, $35bn in military support to Ukraine,” said NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte ahead of the alliance’s annual summit, which took place in The Hague on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 24-25.
“Last year, it was just over $50bn for the full year. Now, before we reach half year, it is already at $35bn. And there are even others saying it’s already close to $40bn,” he added.
The increase in European aid partly made up for the absence of any military aid offers so far from the Trump administration.
In April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered to buy the US Patriot air defence systems Ukraine needs to fend off daily missile and drone attacks.
The Trump administration made its first sale of weapons to Ukraine the following month, but only of F-16 aircraft parts.
At The Hague this week, Zelenskyy said he discussed those Patriot systems with Trump. At a news conference on Wednesday, Trump said: “We’re going to see if we can make some available,” referring to interceptors for existing Patriot systems in Ukraine. “They’re very hard to get. We need them too, and we’ve been supplying them to Israel,” he said.
Russia has made a ceasefire conditional on Ukraine’s allies stopping the flow of weapons to it and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov repeated that condition on Saturday.
On June 20, Vladimir Putin revealed that his ambition to annex all of Ukraine had not abated.
“I have said many times that the Russian and Ukrainian people are one nation, in fact. In this sense, all of Ukraine is ours,” he declared at a media conference to mark the opening of the Saint Petersburg Economic Forum on Friday, June 20.
“But you know we have an old parable, an old rule: wherever a Russian soldier steps, it is ours.”
“Wherever a Russian soldier steps, he brings only death, destruction, and devastation,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the next day.
In a post on the Telegram messaging platform on June 21, Zelenskyy wrote that Putin had “spoken completely openly”.
“Yes, he wants all of Ukraine,” he said. “He is also speaking about Belarus, the Baltic states, Moldova, the Caucasus, countries like Kazakhstan.”
German army planners agreed about Putin’s expansionism, deeming Russia an “existential threat” in a new strategy paper 18 months in the making, leaked to Der Spiegel news magazine last week.
Moscow was preparing its military leadership and defence industries “specifically to meet the requirements for a large-scale conflict against NATO by the end of this decade”, the paper said.
“We in Germany ignored the warnings of our Baltic neighbours about Russia for too long. We have recognised this mistake,” said German chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday, highlighting the reason for an about-turn from his two predecessors’ refusal to spend more on defence.
“There is no going back from this realisation. We cannot expect the world around us to return to calmer times in the near future,” he added.
Germany, along with other European NATO allies, agreed on Wednesday to raise defence spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product by 2035.
It was a sign of the increasingly common threat perception from Russia, but also a big win for Trump, who had demanded that level of spending shortly after winning re-election as US president last year.
Of that, 1.5 percent is for military-related spending like dual-purpose infrastructure, emergency healthcare, cybersecurity and civic resilience.
Even Trump, who has previously expressed admiration for Putin, seemed to be souring on him.
“I consider him a person that’s, I think, been misguided,” he said after a moment’s thought at his NATO news conference. “I’m very surprised actually. I thought we would have had that settled easy,” referring to the conflict in Ukraine. “Vladimir Putin really has to end that war,” he said.
In the early weeks of his administration, Trump appeared to think it was up to Ukraine to end the war.
Putin continued his ground war during the week of the NATO summit, launching approximately 200 assaults each day, according to Ukraine’s General Staff – a high average.
Ukraine, itself, was fighting 695,000 Russian troops on its territory, said Zelenskyy on Saturday, with another 52,000 attempting to create a new front in Sumy, northeast Ukraine.
“This week they advanced 200 metres towards Sumy, and we pushed them back 200–400 metres,” he said, a battle description typical of the stagnation Russian troops face along the thousand-kilometre front.
(Al Jazeera)
Terror from the air
Russia continued its campaign of demoralisation among Ukrainian civilians, sending drones and missiles into Ukraine’s cities.
Russian drones and missiles killed 30 civilians and injured 172 in Kyiv on June 19.
“This morning I was at the scene of a Russian missile hitting a house in Kyiv,” said Zelenskyy. “An ordinary apartment building. The missile went through all the floors to the basement. Twenty-three people were killed by just one Russian strike.”
“There was no military sense in this strike, it added absolutely nothing to Russia militarily,” he said.
Overnight, Russia attacked Odesa, Kharkiv and their suburbs with more than 20 strike drones. At least 10 of the drones struck Odesa. A four-storey building engulfed in flames partly collapsed on top of rescue workers, injuring three firefighters.
A drone attack on Kyiv killed at least seven people on Monday this week. “There were 352 drones in total, and 16 missiles,” said Zelenskyy, including “ballistics from North Korea”.
A Russian drone strike on the Dnipropetrovsk region on Tuesday killed 20 people and injured nearly 300, according to the regional military administration.
(Al Jazeera)(Al Jazeera)
Ukraine focused on drone production
Ukraine, too, is focused on long-range weapons production. Five of its drones attacked the Shipunov Instrument Design Bureau in Tula on June 18 and 20. Shipunov is a key developer of high-precision weapons for the Russian armed forces, said Ukraine, and the strikes damaged the plant’s warehouses and administration building, causing it to halt production.
“Thousands of drones have been launched toward Moscow in recent months,” revealed Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin last week, adding that air defences had shot almost all of them down.
But Ukraine is constantly improving designs and increasing production.
On Monday, the United Kingdom announced that Ukraine would be providing its drone manufacturers with “technology datasets from Ukraine’s front line” to improve the design of British-made drones that would be shipped to Ukraine.
“Ukraine is the world leader in drone design and execution, with drone technology evolving, on average, every six weeks,” the announcement from Downing Street said.
On the same day, Norway said it would invert that relationship, to produce surface drones in Ukraine using Norwegian technology.
Zelenskyy said this Build with Ukraine programme, in which Ukraine and its allies share financing, technology and production capacity, would ultimately work for missile production in Ukraine as well.
His goal is ambitious. “We want 0.25 percent of the GDP of a particular partner state to be allocated for our defence industry for domestic production next year,” he said.
Among Ukraine’s projects is a domestically produced ballistic missile, the Sapsan, which can carry a 480kg warhead for a distance of 500km – enough to reach halfway to Moscow from Ukraine’s front line.
Asked whether the Sapsan could reach Moscow, Zelenskyy’s office director, Andriy Yermak, told the UK’s Times newspaper: “Things are moving very well. I think we will be able to surprise our enemies on many occasions.”
Trouble with club membership
Ukraine’s ambition to join NATO and the European Union, leaving Russian orbit, is what triggered this war, and Russia has said that giving up both those clubs is a condition of peace.
NATO first invited Ukraine to its 2008 Summit in Bucharest. But in February, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said NATO membership for Ukraine was not a “realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement”, and a “final” ceasefire offer from the White House on April 17 included a ban on NATO membership for Ukraine.
Despite this, on Wednesday, Rutte told Reuters: “The whole of NATO, including the United States, is totally committed to keep Ukraine in the fight.”
Earlier this month, Rutte told a discussion at the Chatham House think tank in London that a political commitment to Ukraine’s future membership of NATO remained unchanged, even if it was not explicitly mentioned in the final communique of the NATO summit.
“The irreversible path of Ukraine into NATO is there, and it is my assumption that it is still there after the summit,” Rutte said.
If that gave Ukrainians renewed hope, this was perhaps dashed by the European Union’s inability last week to open new chapters in its own membership negotiations.
That was because Slovakia decided to veto the move to do so in the European Council, the EU’s governing body. Slovakia also blocked an 18th sanctions package the EU was set to approve this week, because it would completely cut the EU off from Russian oil and gas imports.
Slovakia and Hungary have argued they need Russian energy because they are landlocked. Their leaders, Robert Fico and Viktor Orban, have been the only EU leaders to visit Moscow during the war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy has openly accused Fico of benefiting personally from energy imports from Russia.
In a week of disruptive politics from Bratislava, Slovakia also intimated it could leave NATO.
“In these nonsensical times of arms buildup, when arms companies are rubbing their hands … neutrality would benefit Slovakia very much,” Fico told a media conference shown online on June 17. He pointed out that this would require parliamentary approval.
Three days later, the independent Slovak newspaper Dennik N published an interview with Austria’s former defence minister, Werner Fasslabend, in which he said Slovakia’s departure from NATO might trigger Austria’s entry into the alliance.
“If Slovakia were to withdraw from NATO, it would worsen the security situation for Austria as well. It would certainly spark a major debate about Austria’s NATO membership and possible NATO accession,” Fasslabend said.
The government has confirmed it will make changes to its welfare bill following pressure from Labour rebels on its planned changes to benefits.
In a letter to MPs, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said claimants of the Personal Independence Payment (Pip) will continue to receive what they currently get, as will recipients of the health element of Universal Credit.Instead, planned cuts will only hit future claimants.
The concessions amount to a massive climbdown from the government, which was staring at the prospect of defeat if it failed to accommodate the demands of over 100 of its backbenchers.
In a statement, a No 10 spokesperson said: “We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system.
“This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system.
“Our reforms are underpinned by Labour values and our determination to deliver the change the country voted for last year.”
Ministers are also expected to fast-track a £1bn support plan originally scheduled for 2029.
It comes after Sir Keir Starmer spent Thursday making calls to shore up support among the 120 Labour MPs who backed an amendment to stop the government’s flagship welfare bill ahead of a Commons vote on Tuesday.
Speaking in the Commons earlier, Sir Keir said he wanted to “see reform implemented with Labour values and fairness”.
Dame Meg Hillier, who had led the effort to block changes to disability benefits, said she would now support the government’s welfare bill.
“I’m going to be backing it now because it is a good step forward,” she said.
There had been a “big change since last week,” she said, which would “ensure the most vulnerable people are protected”.
Dame Meg said that she was pleased that the changes would mean “involving disabled people themselves in the future design” of benefits.
Broadly speaking the rebels have told the BBC their colleagues are happy with the concessions, meaning the bill is now likely to pass.
Peter Lamb, Labour MP for Crawley, posted on social media that he would still not support the bill – calling the changes “insufficient” and accusing ministers of ignoring better options.
Ministers had said the legislation, which aims to save £5bn a year by 2030, is crucial to slow down the increase in the number of people claiming benefits.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves had factored these cuts into her Spring Statement in March – designed to help meet her economic plans.
It is unclear how the new reforms will affect the government’s spending plans.
Working-age health-related benefit spending has increased from £36bn to £52bn in the five years between 2019 and 2024, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), a think tank.
It is expected to double to £66bn by 2029, without changes to the system.
But Labour MPs have criticised elements of government proposals, including plans to require Pip claimants to prove they need a higher degree of assistance with tasks such as preparing and eating food, communicating, washing and getting dressed.
The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill has its second reading on Tuesday, the first opportunity for MPs to support or reject it.
If the legislation clears its first hurdle, it will then face a few hours’ examination by all MPs the following week – rather than days or weeks in front of a committee tasked with looking at the Bill.
This is now the third government U-turn in a month, in a major blow to the prime minister’s authority.
The Tories described the concessions understood to have been offered to Labour rebels as “The latest in a growing list of screeching U-turns” from the government.
Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: “Under pressure from his own MPs Starmer has made another completely unfunded spending commitment.”
Speaking on BBC Newsnight, Natalie Amber, an actor and disability rights campaigner, who receives Pip but still stands to lose it next year, described the reported change to the government’s proposals as “disingenuous”.
Getty Images
Actor and disability rights campaigner Natalie Amber told BBC Newsnight that losing her Pip would have a “massive impact”
The government were “looking at saving their own reputation”, she added.
One of the rebels, Alex Sobel, the MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, also told the programme he was concerned the changes could create a “two-tier” system could exist in future.
One of the main co-ordinators behind the welfare amendment, who did not wish to be named, has told the BBC the winter fuel concessions had emboldened many of the rebels this time.
They told the BBC, MPs “all voted for winter fuel [cuts] and have taken so much grief in our constituencies, so colleagues think why should I take that on again?”.
It is understood that plans for the amendment began when Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall offered a partial olive branch to rebels by expanding the transition period for anyone losing Pip from four to 13 weeks.
Ryanair will implement a major boarding pass change this winter which will see scores of travellers forced to use digital alternatives to the traditional paper boarding passes
Ryanair’s new digital-only boarding pass policy is set to take effect in November 2025(Image: Hinterhaus Productions via Getty Images)
Like most British holidaymakers, you likely download your boarding pass onto your phone to avoid queuing at an airport kiosk or finding a printer.
While early check-in and digital boarding passes are convenient and eco-friendly, some passengers still prefer the tangible version. But Ryanair boss, Michael O’Leary, has announced that in 2025, the airline will fully transition to digital, with plans to phase out airport check-in desks altogether.
This means the company will no longer accept printed boarding passes, requiring passengers to have theirs ready for scanning on their phones.
Although this might irk those who aren’t tech-savvy, Ryanair states that 60% of its customers use digital boarding passes, with paper ones becoming less popular.
The new Ryanair policy will see the erasure of the carrier’s airport check-in desks(Image: Hinterhaus Productions via Getty Images)
At present, Ryanair also charges a hefty £55 to passengers who forget to check in and download their boarding passes before arriving at the airport. This change could potentially eliminate such hidden fees.
Ryanair confirmed that the move to mobile boarding passes will be pushed to November 3, 2025, after it was initially set to take effect by May 2025. In the lead up to the new measure, here are the boarding pass rules for the UK’s most popular airlines.
TUI
The boarding pass rules for TUI depend on whether you’re flying with them. Online check-in is available for all TUI customers travelling on TUI flights (those with flight numbers starting with TOM).
If you’ve booked through TUI but are flying with a different airline, you’ll need to check that specific airline’s website for their boarding pass regulations.
On the TUI website, passengers are informed: “To log into the airline website you will be asked for your flight reference number. Please note, this is not the same as your TUI booking reference. Your flight reference number will be a 6-character alpha-numeric code and can be found on your booking confirmation, e-ticket or in manage my booking on the TUI website.”
easyJet
easyJet promotes the use of their app for downloading mobile boarding passes to keep travel details at hand whilst also cutting down on paper waste. Nonetheless, easyJet acknowledges that some airports in their network are yet to accept mobile passes.
The comprehensive list of easyJet airport destinations requiring a printout of your boarding pass is detailed below:
ADB – Izmir
AGA – Agadir
AYT – Antalya
AQJ – Aqaba
BEG – Belgrade-Beograd
BJV – Milas Bodrum
DJE – Djerba
ESU – Essaouira
HRG – Hurghada
IVL – Ivalo
JSH – Sitia
LXR – Luxor
NBE – Enfidha-Hammamet
PRN – Pristina
RAK – Marrakech
RBA – Rabat Sale
RMF – Marsa Alam
SPX – Cairo Sphinx
SSH – Sharm El Sheikh
TIA – Tirana
TNG – Tangier Ibn Batouta
Passengers departing from these locations can still check-in online via www.easyJet.com but should remember to print out their boarding passes for flying. Additionally, note that a portion of these airports insists on a document check pre-security.
British Airways passengers can access their boarding pass view their Apple Watch(Image: Jam Press)
British Airways
British Airways gives travellers the flexibility to opt for either mobile or printed boarding passes and extends the convenience to Apple Watch users as well.
If you’ve got the British Airways app installed, it can alert you when your flight is ready for check-in. Once you’ve checked in and downloaded your boarding pass, you can access it offline on your Apple device.
Here’s how to get your boarding pass on your Apple Watch:
Download the British Airways app on your iPhone and Apple Watch.
Check in for your flight using your iPhone.
Download your boarding pass to your iPhone’s Passbook/Wallet via the British Airways app.
Scan your Passbook boarding pass at security and boarding gates.
Alternatively, you can print your boarding pass on regular paper, allowing you to bypass the kiosk and head straight through security. However, BA notes that this depends on your departure airport.
Wizz Air
Wizz Air allows passengers to present both online and printed boarding passes. To board your flight, ensure your complete the following steps:
Check in online on our website, using the WIZZ mobile app, or at the airport.
Stephen Mulhern has confirmed the future of his ITV game show Deal or No Deal after taking over from Noel Edmonds but it comes after a huge change for the presenter
Stephen Mulhern has made an exciting announcement regarding the return of his ITV game show Deal or No Deal(Image: (Image: ITV))
Stephen Mulhern has made an exciting announcement regarding the return of his ITV game show Deal or No Deal.
Eager fans have been clamouring for updates on when they might see new episodes following the conclusion of the recent series.
A fan implored on social media: “@ITV @StephenMulhern When is Deal or No Deal back?” while another expressed their anticipation: “Can’t wait for the new series. Have missed it!.”
A third fan humorously inquired: “Never mind the Banker. When’s Noel Edmonds coming back?”.
Responding to the outpouring of queries, Stephen took to Twitter with a response: “Hello mate, Deal or No Deal is back in September!
“I can hear the Banker counting his money already!”
Eager fans have been clamouring for updates on when they might see new episodes(Image: Getty)
He also invited viewers to become contestants, saying: “You’ve cried at the heartbreak.
“You’ve cheered at the celebrations. Now it’s your chance to hold the box..”
This news comes amidst a significant change for Mulhern, who is set to conclude his £1million deal with Butlin’s this year.
The 48-year-old Dancing on Ice star has represented the holiday chain for three years but has decided not to renew his contract.
He started his career as a beloved Redcoat entertainer at Butlin’s, later gracing the stages in Minehead, Bognor Regis, and Skegness, delighting crowds with his lucrative contract performances.
Stephen Mulhern confirmed Deal or No Deal’s future(Image: Getty)
However, changes are on the horizon, as a spokesperson recently disclosed to The Mirror: “Stephen has absolutely loved being part of the Butlin’s family – performing his stage shows in front of thousands of holiday makers across the country and the relationship with Butlin’s remains hugely positive.”, reports the Express.
“This change allows Stephen to explore new opportunities in the family holiday space – something he’s incredibly passionate about.”
Butlin’s also shared their side, stating: “Stephen has been an incredible part of the Butlin’s experience and continues to be a valued member of the family.
“Stephen’s much-loved live show won’t return in 2026 after three fantastic years, but we’re thrilled to be working together on ongoing projects this autumn.”
Deal or No Deal episodes are available to watch on ITVX
EastEnders fans were left gutted when it was announced Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris) would be leaving the show – and next weeks spoilers have teased a possible exit storyline
21:16, 22 Jun 2025Updated 21:16, 22 Jun 2025
EastEnders ‘teases’ Bernie’s exit storyline in this weeks spoilers (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Last month, it was revealed that Clair Norris would be leaving EastEnders after playing the role of Bernie Taylor for eight years. Now, in spoilers for next week, the soap appears to have teased the star’s upcoming exit storyline.
Bernie arrived in Walford in 2017 alongside mum Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley) and late brother Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters).
However, she’s the last one of her family members left on the Square with her mum Karen leaving EastEnders in 2023, shortly followed by the murder of her brother Keanu on Christmas Day.
Lately, fans have noticed a lack of the character on their screens, but spoilers for next week reveal a huge storyline for the star – which could be teasing towards her exit.
Bernie will be leaving the soap after eight years (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
We’re revisiting The Six storyline once again at the start of the week. It starts when Bernie’s cousin Felix wants him to give Johnny her seal of approval, unaware that he helped cover up Keanu’s murder.
Denise then fears that if Johnny doesn’t win Bernie over, it could bring the past back to haunt them all.
However, that’s not Bernie’s only problem – as she’s tied up with the Panesars. Vicki notices some unusual invoices, although Bernie dismisses her concerns. However, Bernie isn’t getting away with things too quickly, as she’s later confronted by Ravi and Suki about the irregularities.
We know Bernie will be making her exit from the soap soon – but could next week’s dramatic storylines be leading to her departure?
EastEnders will see Bernie interacting with the Panesars over irregular invoices next week(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Following Bernie’s exit, an EastEnders spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Clair will be leaving EastEnders later this year and we wish her all the best for the future.” Clair remained silent on her departure for a couple of weeks, until she attended the British Soap Awards at the end of last month.
Taking to her Instagram to post a picture of herself all glammed up in a teal dress on the night, Clair penned: “My last @thebritishsoapawards with my EE family. We [broom emoji] up last night, 8 awards & I couldn’t be prouder to be apart of this team! What a way to end this amazing journey, head held high & beaming from ear to ear.”
Clair was supported by both fans as colleagues in her post, with James Farrar, who plays Zack Hudson writing: “Head held HIGH,” along with a number of red heart emojis.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Emmerdale will welcome back a familiar face to the ITV soap in the coming weeks, and now the actor playing the returning character has spoken about what’s ahead
21:33, 21 Jun 2025Updated 21:57, 21 Jun 2025
Emmerdale will welcome back a familiar face to the ITV soap in the coming weeks(Image: ITV)
One Emmerdale star has broken their silence on their big return to the ITV soap.
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, actor Fred Kettle confirmed he was returning as troubled teen Dylan Penders. April Windsor’s pal will now head back to the village, months on from him fleeing to rehab after debuting in huge scenes.
Dylan and actor Fred proved an instant hit with viewers, as he took centre stage in April’s big storyline when she ran away from home. His exit earlier this year left fans gutted but now it’s been confirmed he will soon be back on the show.
Soap boss Laura Shaw had told The Mirror the return was happening prior to our chat with actor Fred. Now, we’ve got the lowdown from Dylan himself, as Fred teased trouble on the way as he makes his comeback.
He spilled: “I am so glad to be back. It is going to be a nice journey for Dylan, given his experiences. But he is going to cause a bit of bother in the village.”
One Emmerdale star has broken their silence on their big return to the ITV soap(Image: ITV)
Fred also shared how happy he was to have the backing of fans, after the very welcoming response to his debut earlier in the year. Now he’s ready to come back to the show, with all kinds of trouble teased as he reunites with April.
The actor also confirmed there would be some new characters tied in to his return, as teased by Laura previously. But Fred remained coy over who they would be and how they would be linked to Dylan.
He shared: “Yeah, we’ll have to wait and see. Watch this space. I can’t wait for fans to see what happens. It will be interesting to see his return and how the plot develops. But we’ll just have to watch and find out.”
Actress Amelia Flanagan also had her say on the comeback, excited to film with her co-star again. The April actress told us what could be ahead too, with her wondering where this will leave April.
Fred Kettle confirmed he was returning as troubled teen Dylan Penders(Image: ITV)
She explained: “April has had an incredibly tough year with what she has been through, with the pregnancy and the homelessness storyline. Dylan didn’t leave on the best of terms with her but I think what is important is now he’s back.
“Who knows what will happen. It will be great to explore that relationship further. I think the fans want to see that which is great.” Emmerdale boss Laura had previously told us what’s ahead for Dylan.
She said: “The lovely Fred Kettle who played Dylan is coming back to the show. He is gonna be bringing his past back to the village with him and that’s going to cause huge problems for April and the family there.
“We’ve got a couple of exciting new castings who are gonna be joining us for that story, but I can’t tell you who they are yet but watch this space. It’s very exciting.”
Vera star Brenda Blethyn will be making an unexpected return to screens on Sunday night
Fans of ITV’s hit drama Vera can look forward to a Sunday night treat as Brenda Blethyn makes an unexpected return when the series airs a repeat.
The second episode of Vera’s twelfth series will be showcased on ITV at 8pm, with viewers set to reunite with Brenda’s character, DCI Stanhope, and her right-hand man, Aiden Healy, played by Kenny Doughty.
The storyline for this instalment centres on Lance Corporal Conn Burns, who has struggled to adjust to civilian life and ended up destitute on the streets of Newcastle, but who is determined to turn his fortunes around.
According to the episode synopsis: “Adapting to civilian life was not easy for Lance Corporal Conn Burns, and after a series of bad life choices, he found himself desolate, down and out on the streets of Newcastle.”
It continues: “Attempting to get his life back on track, Conn had recently been making moves that would see him repay old debts, rebuild relationships, and get him off the streets,” reports Wales Online.
As the tale unfolds, DCI Stanhope is brought into the investigation following the shocking discovery of Burns’ body, which leads to revelations of secrets from his past and current betrayals.
Brenda and Kenny will be back on screens(Image: ITV)
Brenda acknowledged earlier in the year that she was ready to retire her iconic hat and coat for good.
While acknowledging how hard it was to step away, Brenda shared her desire to reduce time spent apart from her loved ones.
Speaking at a Q&A, she disclosed: “It was a big decision because I love the job, I love the people I was working with, and I know they loved it too, so it was a little bit of an emotional responsibility as well because if I stop, it’s going to stop.
“I saw on the catering list one day, just on a typical day, there were 76 people, so that’s all those people. I console myself with the fact that there’s a big studio opening in Sunderland next yea,r so there will be lots of jobs available.”
She continued: “I was aware that people who would like to continue on it wouldn’t be able to and that made me feel sad but as much as I like my Newcastle family, I have a family at home and I hadn’t had a summer for 14 years and I thought, ‘Bren, go and have a summer. Go home’. So it was a difficult decision.”
Brenda as Vera and Kenny as Aiden(Image: ITV)
Brenda’s exit was not the only one to tug at viewers’ heartstrings, as Kenny Doughty announced his own departure from the series in 2023.
In the fifth instalment of the ITV drama, Aiden stepped in to fill the shoes left by Vera’s original partner, Joe Ashworth (David Leon).
Yet, come spring 2023, he shared his “difficult decision” to depart. His heartfelt thanks were shared on Instagram: “I want to thank everyone who’s made this amazing time so joyous, ITV, Silverprint, all the brilliant cast and crew BUT of course my buddy and inspiration Brenda Blethyn. The perfect leading star who I owe so much to. I feel lucky to have you as a friend, you make me howl with laughter and have been a rock for me over the years. I can’t thank you enough. Precious times.”
He ended his touching tribute by expressing gratitude to the show’s loyal following, saying: “And finally, the Vera fans: without you and your support, I would never have made so many films. You really are the best fans in the world. Thank you so much for your loyalty and love for the show.”
After Kenny Doughty’s exit, David Leon reprised his role as Joe on Vera until the series concluded.
Emmerdale fans think a reunion for Aaron Dingle and Robert Sugden is on the cards after tonight’s episode – as they spotted a huge hint the two could be rekindling their love
20:30, 19 Jun 2025Updated 20:53, 19 Jun 2025
Emmerdale fans think they’ve spotted a major clue Rob and Aaron will rekindle their love
It was another dramatic night in Emmerdale tonight, as Robert Sugden made his long awaited return to the village. Of course, he had to make a visit to see his ex Aaron and his brother John – and one huge clue has fans believing a Robron reunion is finally on its way.
Aaron and John were seen having a romantic night in, when they heard a knock at the door. To their surprise, it was none other than Aaron’s ex and John’s brother, Robert at the door. Having just been released from prison, Robert smugly asked the pair if he could join their night.
“This your gaffe? A bit pokey compared to where we used to live,” he continued, before Aaron asked: “What are you doing here?”
Robert paid a surprise visit to Aaron and John(Image: ITV)
Rob then told the pair he had just been released from prison, before saying: “Thought I’d spend some time with my family.” However, a less than impressed Aaron stood up and responded: “Well not here you’re not, get out.”
Robert didn’t put up a fight to stay, although he told Aaron he’d be seeing him soon. With a huge pause, he then ended the sentence by saying: “Family” and looking John straight in the eye.
However, it was Aaron’s face fans couldn’t look away from as they noticed a smirk when his ex-lover walked into the room. Despite pretending in front of husband John he wanted Robert gone, he wasn’t fooling fans.
Viewers noticed a smirk on Aaron’s face when Robert entered – as they think the pair will rekindle(Image: ITV)
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan said: “The way Aaron smirked when Robert walked through the door. Oh John you’re so done!”
A second commented: “The way both Aaron and John know they’re done for now, and both in completely different ways. “Aaron because he knows him and Rob are inevitable and John because he knows Robert will absolutely destroy him.”
Others were certain Rob would be the one to bring John down “I love Rob. he is going to taunt the hell out of John #emmerdale.”
Aaron and Robert recently shared a kiss during his wedding to John. Viewers recently saw John spiralling when he found out, making a dark threat to Robert suggesting he would hurt him if he went back to the village.
Coronation Street bosses have revealed that they will be tackling the difficult topic of drugs by showing how they can affect the lives of young people who indulge
The teens of Coronation Street are soon going to be hit with the consequences of taking drugs
Coronation Street is set to air a shocking new drug storyline next week, and the consequences for the youth of Weatherfield will leave viewers stunned.
In dramatic scenes set to air on Monday June 23, Aadi Alahan throws a wild party at number 7. What begins as a harmless midsummer bash quickly spirals into chaos with “disturbing” consequences.
When Bernie Winter calls the teens out for being boring, Aadi decided to get rid of his sensible image by inviting his friends over for a night to remember. However, this party takes a dark turn when troublemaker Brody Michaelis brings a bottle of LSD to the party in the hopes of making a quick profit.
Things take a dramatic turn when Aadi Alahan decides to throw a party for his friends
When Aadi catches him selling the drugs, he is furious and kicks Brody out. But the situation only escalates when Summer Spellman convinces Aadi and Nina Lucas to try it, claiming she took LSD while in America.
After this dangerous brush with peer pressure, Aadi divides the LSD into three drinks. Summer and Nina take theirs, but before Aadi can drink his, he’s distracted. When he returns, the drink has disappeared — and there’s a big possibility someone else gulped it down without knowing what was in it.
Meanwhile, Lauren Bolton flees the party after starting to feel unwell and soon finds herself in a terrifying situation. The exact details of her ordeal are being kept tightly under wraps, but a teaser from ITV describes it as a “nightmare” scenario.
The official promo trailer for the episode shows Summer and Nina breaking into Roy’s darkened café while high. When the sound of sirens fills the air, they huddle together in panic.
It’s clear something has gone horribly wrong, and the entire Weatherfield community will soon be facing the consequences of the teens’ actions.
This is not the first time Summer has found herself in a dangerous situation because of drugs. In 2017 she was dared to smoke Spice by Simon Barlow, and collapsed after going through with it.
That incident nearly cost the girl her life, and led to serious legal trouble for her the Barlow family and her legal guardians. Now it seems the teen has decided to risk it all for another hit, and this time is bringing Nina down with her.
Elsewhere on Coronation Street, DS Lisa Swain is set to become more protective of Kit Green after several clashes with him in the workplace. Actress Vicky Myers told The Mirror: “I think after what has happened with Tinker, Lisa really feels like she is this protector.
“She sees something in Kit that reminds her of herself but equally, she frustrates him and he does her. She knows not everything he does is above board and it doesn’t sit well with her.”
Emmerdale aired an unexpected twist for Vinny Dingle and his pal Kammy Hadiq on Friday night with a near kiss teasing one character’s big new storyline on the ITV soap
20:00, 13 Jun 2025Updated 20:06, 13 Jun 2025
Emmerdale aired an unexpected twist for Vinny Dingle and his pal Kammy Hadiq on Friday night(Image: ITV/Emmerdale)
There was an unexpected scene for one Emmerdale duo on Friday night, as Vinny Dingle tried to kiss his friend Kammy Hadiq.
The moment came as a shock to them both, with Vinny currently engaged to Gabby Thomas on the ITV soap. Vinny’s sexuality isn’t something that has been explored on the soap, but judging by his reaction he’s set to be left confused by his moment with Kammy.
Kammy didn’t make much of a deal out of it but when he did mock the situation a flustered Vinny begged him to stay quiet. Fearing Gabby’s reaction and seemingly trying to understand himself why he tried to kiss Kammy, the character was panicked and decided to act as if it did not happen.
Vinny will now be torn over what’s happened trying to understand his feelings and his sexuality, ahead of his wedding to fiancée Gabby. But Kammy actor Shebz Miah has told The Mirror that Vinny won’t be alone on this “journey” ahead, as Kammy vows to support his pal.
The actor teased their relationship would “progress” while Vinny seemingly keeps what happened between them. As Vinny’s huge new storyline kicks off, we will see him turn to Kammy, while Shebz suggested that for now at least there was no romance planned for the pair.
There was an unexpected scene for one Emmerdale duo on Friday night(Image: ITV/Emmerdale)
He explained: “Kammy’s so relaxed with it and I think he’s so comfortable with himself it’s that, it doesn’t affect him. The only thing that does affect him is like, ‘you are getting married to Gabs, you need to understand the situation’. So Kammy isn’t bothered about the kiss, he more feels for him because now it’s opened up this different perspective on the relationship that Vinny has with people.
“Kammy’s trying to I guess, support him on his journey and trying to understand and make it easier for Vinny and help him and guide him as to what is going on because he is obviously in a position where he’d not entirely sure I guess.”
On what’s ahead, the star went on: “We start to see this journey that they go on, Kammy and Vinny and all these factors Kammy does sort of bring up and as their relationship progresses.
“We do talk about the elephant in the room. There’s conversations had and Kammy and Vinny do try to address it in whatever way that is which we’ll have to wait and find out I guess.
Kammy didn’t make much of a deal out of it but when he did mock the situation a flustered Vinny begged him to stay quiet(Image: ITV/Emmerdale)
“So yeah, Kammy’s initial reaction, it’s not about the kiss, it’s more about the repercussions of everything else from this kiss.” Shebz went on: “As we progress in the story, Kammy does address these different things and it does become an important talking point for the both of them but ultimately Kammy’s objective is just to support him whatever that is with this journey that we go on.”
On Kammy not liking Vinny the way his pal possibly likes him, he said: “Kammy doesn’t fancy him but they are very good friends. I think Kammy’s built this relationship with him.
“I think it’s beautiful because Kammy and Vinny’s dynamic is they’re so different, even physically when you look at them they’re very very different but Kammy does have a soft spot for him and he does really want to help him because he understand that from the kiss, it’s a big thing so Kammy does really want to support him on this journey however that is. So yeah, they’ve got a genuine friendship but I think it’s more that Kammy does want to help him out, he’s obviously going through a lot from everything that’s happening.”
The US and China are finalizing a trade agreement, according to US President Trump.
The deal is said to include the US being able to access Chinese rare earth minerals, while Chinese students can study in the United States.
“Our deal with China is done, subject to final approval from President Xi and me,” Trump wrote.
The US-China trade war tensions were one of several macroeconomic headwinds that have suppressed crypto prices in recent weeks. This new trade agreement could mark the beginning of a new chapter in which the world’s superpowers cooperate rather than oppose one another, thus bolstering economic prosperity.
US inflation data came in yesterday at a lower level than expected, providing another tailwind for crypto prices in the coming weeks.
As more of these catalysts stack up, the potential for crypto prices to explode amplifies. So, what is the best crypto by now?
Solaxy
During crypto growth phases, investors increasingly shift their focus to meme coins. Oftentimes, the place they go to trade meme coins is the Solana blockchain. It offers low fees, high speeds, and plenty of meme coin trading apps.
These characteristics make it the most popular blockchain by users, with over 104 million people interacting with the network this month.
However, this raises a pressing issue: congestion. During periods of peak network activity, wait times extend and transaction failure rates increase. That’s why Solaxy could be a smart buy. It’s the world’s first Solana layer 2 blockchain.
While Solana can compute 6,500 transactions per second (TPS), Solaxy aims for 10,000. This doesn’t just mean it’s faster; it’ll also be cheaper and more reliable than Solana.
The project is currently undergoing a presale and has raised $47 million to date.
With the market appearing ready for a breakout, Solaxy’s use case firmly positions $SOLX for big price growth. Visit Solaxy.
Snorter
Snorter is another project set to directly benefit from the bullish market conditions.
It’s an automated trading bot that enables users to capitalize on explosive projects, even while they sleep.
Snorter supports Solana, Ethereum, BSC, Base, and Polygon. It offers features such as automated token sniping, copy trading, honeypot detection, and dynamic stop-losses.
Imagine being able to outline trading parameters, and a bot monitors the market 24/7, buying and selling based on your requirements. Or imagine following the moves of the most successful on-chain traders. Or a tool that automatically detects scam tokens. It’s all possible with Snorter.
However, with a use case that helps users maximize their profit-making abilities, there’s every chance the $SNORT price will explode after it hits exchanges, especially considering the bullish market outlook. Visit Snorter.
SPX6900
SPX6900 is a multichain meme coin that has been on fire lately. Over the past month, most meme coins are close to breakeven, but SPX6900 has rallied 136%.
It now holds a market capitalization of $1.57 billion, making it the fifth-largest meme coin, only behind Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, Pepe, and OFFICIAL TRUMP.
What has enabled it to perform so well? Clear messaging that resonates deeply with investors.
The project offers a satirical alternative to the stock market index S&P 500, labelling it as “outdated” and underlining that 6900 is mathematically bigger than 500.
But scratch beneath the surface, and there’s a lot more to the project.
Young people feel increasingly marginalized in today’s society. Traditional assets are becoming unattainable due to inflation, there’s a rising loneliness epidemic, and technological accelerationism is creating unprecedented challenges.
According to SPX6900’s most famous proponent Murad, SPX6900 addresses these issues.
It offers an alternative path, filled with laughter, community, and huge potential for gains. That’s why it’s outperforming the market.
Uniswap
Uniswap is the top decentralized exchange (DEX) on Ethereum and the industry’s leading DEX coin by market cap.
While there’s no doubt that Solana leads the way in terms of active users, Ethereum remains the go-to chain for crypto whales.
It has a total value locked of $65 billion, over 7 times more than Solana. This is why Uniswap has real growth potential.
But Uniswap is more than a DEX; it also has its own crypto wallet app and even its own Ethereum layer 2 blockchain, Unichain.
It’s a multifunctional ecosystem built on top of Ethereum’s robust liquidity infrastructure. As the Ethereum ecosystem heats up in the bull market, Uniswap will likely soar.
Uniswap is also one of the better-performing altcoins this week, with a 26% gain.
Best Wallet Token
Best Wallet Token is the new cryptocurrency that powers Best Wallet. It offers trading fee discounts, higher staking yields, governance rights, and access to promotions on partner projects.
Best Wallet is quickly making a name for itself in the cryptocurrency industry, thanks to its comprehensive range of features and cross-chain functionality, with support for over 90 different blockchains.
Some of Best Wallet’s features include a cross-chain DEX, derivative trading, a crypto debit card, a presale aggregator, an NFT gallery, and much more.
In today’s quick video, learn how to import a token into your Best Wallet! ⚡
This is useful if you want to add a new or low market cap token to your token list in-app. 🤝
Check out our YouTube channel for more helpful videos.
It’s the first crypto wallet to boast such an extensive ecosystem, so it certainly has a lot of potential.
It is currently available to buy via a token presale, where it has raised over $13 million so far.
The project’s early stage, combined with the powerful use case, is a setup that could result in huge gains for $BEST.Visit Best Wallet.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide financial advice. Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile, and the market can be unpredictable. Always perform thorough research before making any cryptocurrency-related decisions.
The Rukban displacement camp, which opened and was cut off in the height of the civil war in 2014, housed thousands of people.
The notorious Rukban displacement camp in the Syrian desert, a dark emblem of the country’s civil war, has closed, with the last remaining families returning to their hometowns.
Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa said on Saturday on X that with the dismantlement of the camp, “a tragic and sorrowful chapter of displacement stories created by the bygone regime’s war machine comes to a close”.
“Rukban was not just a camp, it was the triangle of death that bore witness to the cruelty of siege and starvation, where the regime left people to face their painful fate in the barren desert,” he added.
The camp, established in 2014 at the height of the country’s ruinous civil war, was built in a deconfliction zone controlled by the United States-led coalition forces fighting against ISIL (ISIS).
The camp was used to house those fleeing ISIL fighters and bombardment by the then-government of President Bashar al-Assad, seeking refuge and hoping to eventually cross the border into Jordan.
But al-Assad’s regime rarely allowed aid to enter the camp as neighbouring countries also blocked access to the area, rendering Rukban isolated for years under a punishing siege.
About 8,000 people lived in the camp, staying in mud-brick houses with food and basic goods smuggled in at high prices.
But after al-Assad was toppled following a lightning offensive led by the current president of Syria’s interim government, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in December, families began leaving the camp and returning home.
Al-Sharaa has promised to unite Syria following the fall of al-Assad and rebuild the country at home and rejoin the international fold abroad.
Last month, al-Sharaa met with world leaders, including United States President Donald Trump, who announced that sanctions on Syria would be removed in a decision that would allow the country a “chance at greatness”. The European Union followed suit and also lifted sanctions. Both moves have given Syria a critical lifeline to economic recovery after nearly 14 years of war and economic devastation.
‘A castle in my eyes’
Yasmine al-Salah, who returned to her home after nine years of displacement in the Rukban camp and marked the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Adha, told The Associated Press news agency on Friday that her feelings are a “happiness that cannot be described”.
“Even though our house is destroyed, and we have no money, and we are hungry, and we have debts, and my husband is old and can’t work, and I have kids – still, it’s a castle in my eyes,” al-Salah said.
Her home in the town of al-Qaryatan in the eastern part of the Homs province was damaged during the war.
Syrian Minister for Emergency Situations and Disasters Raed al-Saleh said on X said the camp’s closure marks “the end of one of the harshest humanitarian tragedies faced by our displaced people”.
“We hope this step marks the beginning of a path that ends the suffering of the remaining camps and returns their residents to their homes with dignity and safety,” he added.
According to the International Organization for Migration, 1.87 million Syrians have returned to their homes since al-Assad’s fall.
Emmerdale’s April Windsor actress Amelia Flanagan told The Mirror at the British Soap Awards all about a return to the ITV soap, which had been announced by bosses a while back
Emmerdale’s April Windsor actress Amelia Flanagan told The Mirror at the British Soap Awards all about a return to the ITV soap(Image: WireImage)
One Emmerdale favourite’s return to the show could be imminent, with Amelia Flanagan who plays April Windsor spilling all.
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, the actress, who won the award for Best Young Performer at this year’s event, finally spoke out about the big news that a comeback was on the cards. The return had been announced by boss Laura Shaw months ago, but no details were given and no date was revealed either.
April star Amelia has spoken for the first time about the looming return of Dylan Penders, played by actor Fred Kettle. The character debuted earlier this year as part of the teen’s huge storyline that saw her living on the streets after running away from home.
Dylan ended up following April to the village but after an overdose, he went to rehab and appeared to leave the show. The character proved a hit with fans though, and bosses decided to bring him back.
It’s now thought he will cause trouble for April and will feature in a big storyline in the village. He appeared to be filming already too which means he could be back onscreen within weeks.
April star Amelia has spoken for the first time about the looming return of Dylan Penders(Image: WireImage)
Speaking to us about the return for the first some, Amelia shared she was thrilled and was excited to explore Dylan and April further. She also teased there was some “big” stuff ahead, while revealing all on growing up on the soap after more than 11 years in the role.
Amelia told us: “April has had an incredibly tough year with what she has been through, with the pregnancy and the homelessness storyline. April and Dylan didn’t leave things on the best terms, but I think what is important now is that he’s back.
“Who knows what will happen. It will be great to explore that relationship further, I think fans want to see that which is great.” Viewers have seen April having a tough time recently, struggling to adjust to life back in the village after the heartbreaking stillbirth if her daughter.
Her and her dad Marlon Dingle have been at each other’s throats for months, with Marlon struggling to get through to her and April trying to find her way. But there’s positive scenes ahead, with “big” storylines teased too.
Amelia told us: “I think hopefully the future is looking bright for all of them. They have been through so much with recent events. She’s been dealt a hard hand in life in the last year or so, and we’re gonna see more of April’s journey.
One Emmerdale favourite’s return to the show could be imminent(Image: ITV)
“She has been in the village for a long time now. She’s been growing as a person and it’s an incredible thing to explore with the show. I am excited for the bigger storylines to stick my teeth into.”
On her time on the show, she added: “I’ve been on the show for 11 and a half years now. It’s been a long time. With April’s journey, so much has happened, it’s important to remember what has led her to be the way she is now, as far back as Donna’s death. I think it’s brilliant exploring new things.”
Amelia also praised her co-star Mike Parr, who plays Ross Barton, for his support towards her. She said: “Ross is like a big brother to April and it’s very true to real life. I always say Mike is like a big brother. I love him to pieces, he’s incredible and we have the best time together. Hopefully we see more of them onscreen.”
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes confirms he rejected big-money Saudi move to stay at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes has confirmed he rejected a huge offer from Saudi Arabia and chose instead to stay at Manchester United, saying he wanted to “continue to play at the highest level”.
Speaking to media in a Portugal camp ahead of Wednesday’s Nations League semifinal against Germany in Munich, the football midfielder confirmed he received an “exciting offer” from Al-Hilal but wanted to be part of manager Ruben Amorim’s rebuild at Old Trafford.
Reports said Al-Hilal were willing to pay United up to 100 million British pounds ($135m) for the 30-year-old Portugal international.
“The president of Al-Hilal called me and asked me if I wanted to move there,” Fernandes confirmed, saying the club “waited for me to think about my future”.
“I talked to the gaffer and he asked me not to go,” Fernandes revealed, adding: “Man United said they didn’t want to sell me.
“They said if I wanted to go, I could, but they didn’t need the money.”
The player said a transfer would have been “easy” with several Portuguese players already in Saudi Arabia, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves, but added: “I want to play at the highest possible level.
“I want to play major competitions. I know I still can, and I want to be happy doing the thing I love the most.
“For better or worse, this is how I see football and I’m passionate about football and this is the decision I’ve made.”
Man United ‘need’ Fernandes
United endured their worst finish of the Premier League era, finishing 15th. They also lost the Europa League final to Tottenham.
United captain Fernandes was one of the few players to emerge with credit from a disastrous season, scoring 19 goals and making 19 assists across all competitions.
Former United captain Gary Neville, now a Sky Sports pundit, said the development was “significant”.
“I think that there was an element of this situation that meant United getting that level of money, for someone of Bruno’s age, obviously, you couldn’t say that it would have been a bad deal,” he said.
“But, on the other hand, Manchester United’s star player – only player, at times – for the last four, five, six years, has been Bruno Fernandes. He’s so important.”
Neville added: “To turn that money down at a point where Manchester United are at their lowest ebb and say, ‘No, I want to fight through this, I want to see it through the other side, I want to come out and achieve things,’ I think it says a lot about him as a person, as a character.
“The club needs people who are going to run through a brick wall for them.”
United are expected to be busy in the transfer market as Amorim reshapes his under-performing squad.
The club have already signed Brazil forward Matheus Cunha from Wolves and are being heavily linked with Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo.
Departures could include Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho.
Fernandes has made 290 appearances and scored 98 goals for United since his 47 million pounds ($63m) move from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020.
