date

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has set a date for a hearing over Senegal’s appeal against being stripped of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title.

Hosts Morocco were declared the tournament winners after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned the result of the final in January, which Senegal won 1-0.

The Senegalese players walked off the field after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the match goalless.

Following a delay of about 17 minutes, the players returned and Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved before Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored an extra-time winner.

Senegal lodged their appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) on 25 March, seeking to set aside Caf’s decision and reinstate them as tournament winners.

Caf deemed that Senegal had forfeited the final and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory.

Caf and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) did not agree to expedite the procedure so there will now be a hearing on 8 October.

According to a Cas statement, that follows the standard timeline.

Caf and the FRMF did not request that the hearing is made public so it will take place behind closed doors at the Cas headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Cas cannot state when a final decision will be announced but it will not be on the day of the hearing.

Senegal given October date by CAS for appeal to regain AFCON title won in chaotic final against Morocco in January.

Senegal’s appeal to regain the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title it won in a chaotic final against host nation Morocco in January will be heard at sport’s highest court on October 8.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Friday the hearing will be held behind closed doors at its headquarters in Lausanne, with no target date set for a verdict.

CAS judges can typically take several months to announce their decision.

Preparing the appeal hearing was in process throughout the World Cup, where Morocco reached the quarterfinals and Senegal lost in the round of 32 against Belgium.

Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 after extra time in an extraordinary AFCON final in Rabat. Senegal players walked off the field and delayed play for 15 minutes when Morocco was awarded a stoppage-time penalty kick that was eventually saved.

Morocco was awarded the title several weeks later when appeal judges for the Confederation of African Football ruled Senegal had defaulted the game by leaving the field.

That ruling seemed to ignore the laws of football, which state the referee’s decision on the field of play is final.

OLIVIA Atwood and Pete Wicks are all loved-up on date night just days after going Instagram official.

The couple spent the evening together through to the early hours and sealed the deal with a steamy snog.

Love Island Alum Olivia and TV star Pete were spotted celebrating her new range with Tatti Lash launch in London this week. 

The pair couldn’t keep their hands off each other and looked as loved up as ever as they embraced each other. 

They even shared a steamy snog outside Pete’s favourite hotspot Stringfellows enjoying the night together. 

Olivia stunned in a pink number, which was emblazoned with sequins and featured a mesh shirt design which came into a fitted skirt, matching a pink bra seen through the garment.

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She pulled her blonde tresses into a tight ponytail and matched pink heels with the look.

Pete opted for an all black outfit pairing a shirt with trousers and carried a designer bag with him. 

It certainly seems the pair’s relationship is here to stay, with the couple trying to keep their relationship under wraps for months, but have still been pictured kissing, cuddling and on romantic dates. 

Just days ago Olivia and Pete made things Instagram official after jetting off to Ibiza together.

Pete flew out to visit Olivia in Ibiza as she filmed a new series of her show, Bad Boyfriends, and now he has shared snaps of them together for the first time.

In a perfect hard launch, he captioned the snaps: “I guess someone has to go first…IBIZA” followed by a black heart emoji.

The first black and white snap saw them lying together on a yacht while sailing across the water, and another showed Olivia lying in Pete’s lap as he kissed the top of her head.

His Staying Relevant co-star Sam Thompson was quick to comment: “Never thought I’d see the day YOU hard launch!! couldn’t be happier for you brother.”

Pete’s post came just hours after Olivia returned to her Olivia’s House podcast and said: “Just in the way that I don’t send the first good morning text, I’m not f***ing hard launching anyone first.”

Pete had commented on the post with the wide-eyed emoji, so clearly knew what he had to do.

The pair – who host a KISS FM radio show together – began dating back in February, following Olivia’s split from husband Bradley Dack.

A number of companies are bidding to offer services under the Channel Tunnel, and one start-up is looking to offer direct services to a variety of European cities, as well as opening up a former Eurostar route

Since its launch in 1994, Eurostar has held a near-monopoly over the Channel Tunnel route as the only high-speed rail operator that could offer services from London to European cities.

But that is set to change, with a number of rival companies now planning to offer their own services connecting with Europe, and one provider could be offering a range of new direct routes from 2030.

Gemini Trains, a start-up operator, has planned a number of new routes that would run from the capital, which would see direct trains from the UK to Germany for the first time. Its plans also include convenient links from London to Paris, with introductory fares reportedly starting at £59.

Initial planned services would include London to Paris Nord, Disneyland Paris, and Charles de Gaulle Airport. It’s also reportedly considering offering links to Brussels-Midi and Cologne, and then expanding to Frankfurt and Düsseldorf.

While Eurostar previously offered a direct route to Disneyland Paris, this was discontinued in 2023 due to the company focusing on its city destinations after the pandemic. Offering services direct to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport would mean travellers could also avoid having to take taxis or public transport from Gare du Nord for connections, which can take around half an hour and can be complicated during rush hour.

Gemini claims a London to Cologne route would take around four hours directly. Currently, it can take six hours with at least one change.

However, the trains would not run from St Pancras, due to pressures on capacity, and instead Gemini plans to create a hub at Stratford International, offering stops at Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International, which used to have Eurostar services. Kent locals have long campaigned for a return of its continental services since they were suspended in March 2020 due to Covid-19, only to never resume.

Gemini’s plans include leasing eight Siemens Velaro Novo trains, each one capable of carrying 550 passengers, and promising “comfortable seats, good wifi and mood lighting.” There will also be a business class available with privacy screens.

The start-up is not the only challenger to emerge against Eurostar. Virgin Trains has ordered 12 Alstom trains and secured access to Temple Mills, a depot in East London that’s the only site that can house cross-channel trains. Gemini did not manage to secure access to Temple Mills, but is looking at a potential depot in Ashford, or may base it in Belgium or Germany.

Trenitalia, the Italian rail operator, and a Spanish start-up called Evolyn, are said to be mulling over plans to offer cross-channel services.

Adrian Quine, CEO of Gemini Trains, said: “The forecast growth through the Channel Tunnel is enormous, yet only 50 per cent of the slots on the track are currently used. Eurostar, a monopoly operator, has become lackluster and very expensive. We will shake things up by offering new routes, new stations, new trains, new interiors, new cheaper fares and encouraging people to shift from plane to train.

“For too long, there has been no choice but Eurostar, which in 32 years has opened up virtually no new routes and in fact has cut some.”

However, Eurostar is reportedly fighting back against its new raft of rivals, investing £1.7 billion into 50 new double-decker trains, and plans to launch direct services to Geneva and Frankfurt, via Cologne, with an estimated start date of 2031.

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

Hold the Bat Signal — “The Batman Part II” has been delayed yet again.

The DC Studios film is now set to hit theaters Feb. 18, 2028. The sequel to Matt Reeves’ 2022 reboot “The Batman” was previously slated to bow Oct. 1, 2027 after it was pushed back from its original release date of Oct. 3, 2025.

Reeves took to social media Wednesday to share the new date along with camera test footage from the film. The video, the first proper look at Robert Pattinson’s return as the Caped Crusader, shows him in a new Batsuit, turning toward the camera as what appears to be snow falls around him. There are also some flashing lights in the background.

The filmmaker has previously shared “The Batman Part II” casting news as well as a glimpse of the Batmobile in social media posts.

Many details about “The Batman Part II” have been kept under wraps, but here is everything we know about the upcoming sequel.

Which characters are returning?

In addition to Pattinson’s return as Bruce Wayne, “The Batman” alumni Jeffrey Wright, Andy Serkis and Colin Farrell will reprise their roles as James Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth and Oz Cobb (a.k.a. the Penguin), respectively. Zoë Kravitz is not expected to return as Selina Kyle/Catwoman.

Other actors confirmed to come back include Jayme Lawson as Gotham’s mayor, Bella Reál, and Gil Perez-Abraham as Gotham City Police Dept. officer Martinez.

Barry Keoghan, whose character was briefly teased at the end of “The Batman,” is also reportedly likely to return as the Joker.

Who are the new cast members?

The newcomers venturing into Gotham for this next installment include Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson, Charles Dance, Sebastian Koch and Brian Tyree Henry.

While their roles have yet to be confirmed, a number of outlets have reported that Stan is expected to portray Harvey Dent, a Gotham district attorney who is perhaps better known as the villain Two-Face, while other rumors say the Marvel star will play the sadistic killer Victor Zsasz. According to other rumors, fellow Marvel alum Johansson could be playing Gilda Dent — Harvey’s wife — or Poison Ivy.

What is ‘The Batman Part II’ about?

Details around the sequel’s plot have yet to be revealed, but the movie is expected to take place after the events of the HBO series “The Penguin,” which was set after “The Batman.” A number of Reeves’ social media teases have included glimpses of snow.

Over the years, the director has mentioned that the sequel will see the young Dark Knight struggling with his understanding that the world is more morally gray than his previous worldview, and that the film’s big villain will be someone who hasn’t appeared on the big screen before.

The Grand Tour is back for its seventh series, but it has a brand new trio of presenters – and one you might recognise as a famous trainspotter from Instagram

The Grand Tour will return to screens later this year, it has been confirmed. But there are three new hosts replacing Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

In a huge shake up to the presenting line-up, fans might be surprised to know that all the new stars are online influencers – and one of them isn’t even known for his content about cars.

Taking over the reigns from Clarkson and his clan are James Engelsman and Thomas Holland, creators of the YouTube phenomenon Throttle House, which sees the pair take on track tests, car reviews and go on epic adventures.

But one face fans might be a little surprised to see – as his car knowledge is yet to be tested – is trainspotting Instagram icon Francis Bourgeois.

Though 26-year-old Francis has won legions of fans on social media with his hilarious go-pro videos when trains go past and boasts 2.7million followers on Instagram alone, he’s only recently began to post the odd bit of car content.

Though in a hilarious post on Tuesday, the self-professed railway enthusiast and mechanical engineer posted a photo of his head on a gear stick and captioned it: “Same show. New knobs,” in a promo for the new Grand Tour show, which is set to air on Amazon Prime from September 4.

The new line-up has divided fans who are yet to tune into the new six-part series. One wrote: “Hoping they do a sort of ‘passing the torch’ episode. I’ll give the new show a shot. Love the train dude lol.”

Another said: “The throttle guys are awesome too. They may have actually cooked with this trio.” A follower joked: “They should film the segments around Chipping Norton and have Clarkson kicking off at them in his tractor!”

But other fans were less convinced, with one saying: “Thanks, I’ll continue to rewatch Hammond, Clarkson and May on my Plex server.” a social media user chimed in: “No one is going to be better than Clarkson, Hammond and May… No chance.”

“It’s not Top Gear or The Grand Tour without Clarkson, Hammond and May. Stop trying to reinvent the wheel. The format isn’t the show, those three ARE the show,” said a third. While a fourth added: “Yes, they should never make The Grand Tour or Top Gear again. Make something else.”

Speaking in 2024, when all three previous presenters retired from the show, Clarkson – who is now 66 – said: “My advice to Amazon would be – and I’ve given this to them already – for heaven’s sake, do not get well known people who ‘like’ cars. Because when you do that show it has to be your life.”

The Clarkson’s Farm star added: “I would get three complete unknowns. Start small, like we did. They’ve got to be absolute petrolheads.

“I’ve got to be able to show them a picture of a quarter of a door mirror from any car ever made, and they’ve got to know what it is. I’d go to motoring journalists. James, Richard and I are all motoring journalists. That would be my advice if you want to continue with it, and I would hope that Amazon do continue with it.” And it seems Amazon may well have listened…

*The Grand Tour returns to Amazon Prime on September 4

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EMINEM’S ex-wife Kim Mathers has been rushed to hospital after months of personal troubles.

The 51-year-old was pictured strapped to a gurney as paramedics wheeled her out of her home in Chesterfield, Michigan, per TMZ.

The 911 call came in around 8 pm on Tuesday for a person who was unconscious or fainting, according to a Chesterfield Fire/EMS report.

It lists the incident as “Hemorrhage/Laceration,” and says emergency workers responded along with the Chesterfield Police Department.

No further details have been released since the incident.

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The health scare comes after two warrants were issued for her arrest last month.

She was due in court for three hearings across two separate drunken driving cases — including a sentencing and bond violation hearing over a February hit-and-run crash, and a probable cause conference for a May OWI (operating while under the influence) arrest.

However, she failed to appear or contact the court, leading to the warrants being issued. The issue was later resolved.

Kim crashed her white Range Rover into a parked Dodge Ram pickup truck on February 16 near her home.

The impact was so severe it launched the truck 50 feet from where it was parked.

Officers who found her noted her slurred speech, glossy eyes, and a strong smell of alcohol.

Police also found empty and open alcohol containers in her vehicle.

In May, she pleaded no contest to operating while impaired and failure to stop after a collision.

Just two days later, Kim was arrested again after crashing into another parked car in Chesterfield Township.

Police body camera footage published by TMZ showed her slurring her speech heavily.

After claiming an oncoming vehicle’s high beams blinded her, she underwent field sobriety tests and blew a 0.20 per cent BAC on a breathalyzer — nearly three times the legal limit.

Kim’s recent hospital run also comes after her famous ex made a rare appearance on stage this week during one of Jay-Z’s concerts in New York.

The former couple, who are said to be on good terms after a messy past, have a daughter, Hailie Jade, 30, along with an adopted daughter, Alaina, 33.

Alaina’s mother, Dawn, is also Kim’s sister, who died of a drug overdose in 2016.

Kim is mom to Stevie Laine, 24, whose biological dad died, and was also raised by the rapper, 53.

The rapper’s ex also has a teenage son, Parker, from a more recent relationship but she is believed to be single.

Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, first married Kim in 1999, but the couple divorced just two years later.

The pair later reconciled and walked down the aisle for a second time in 2006, but their marriage once again ended in divorce.

Kim has spoken publicly about her struggles with substance abuse over the years and was believed to have maintained her sobriety following a stint in rehab in 2023.

Her turbulent relationship with Eminem, which was frequently referenced in his music — including graphic lyrics about their relationship — contributed to some of her darkest moments.

She has also battled depression and addiction throughout her adult life.

In more recent years, the former couple have appeared to be on better terms and have become grandparents, although they are not believed to have a close or regular relationship.

RICKY Gervais banked £16.2million from his sell-out 80-date live Mortality tour, accounts show.

The Brit comedy legend, 65, raked in £311,500 a week for the stint.

It meant the 2025-26 financial year was his best earner to date.

His firm, Red Lion 99, has £17.9million in assets and he has another £33.9million in his TV and film firms listed on Companies House.

Gervais will earn even more from a new nationwide tour, Legend, which starts this autumn.

Yet the Reading-born star is known to be disinterested in wealth.

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He once said: “People ask me why I dress like a tramp.

“And I say, ‘My clothes are clean and comfortable.

“Who am I trying to impress?’

“I don’t wear £50,000 watches. I don’t collect cars. I can’t drive.”

“Nothing gives me more of a buzz than to help an animal. I don’t get excited about things.

“I’m not a hippie or communist, I think money’s for the safety of your family and friends, and you can’t take it with you.”

Trying is back on Apple TV after a two-year hiatus.

Trying season five is arriving sooner than you might expect, continuing from that shocking cliffhanger.

Rafe Spall and Esther Smith return as couple Jason and Nikki, who have endured a rollercoaster fertility journey since the very beginning in the Apple TV and BBC comedy-drama.

At long last, they managed to adopt siblings Princess and Tyler, with the programme jumping forward to their teenage years where yet another twist emerged in season four’s closing moments.

As anticipation grows for its comeback, here’s everything you need to know before Trying season five.

Trying Season 5 release date

Trying season five debuts on Wednesday, July 8, on Apple TV with fresh episodes dropping every Wednesday.

The latest series will comprise eight episodes, with the finale scheduled to land on Wednesday, August 26.

An official BBC or BBC iPlayer release date is yet to be confirmed, though previous series have generally appeared roughly a year following its Apple TV launch.

What is Trying Season 5 about?

Trying Season 5 will pick up from the dramatic finale of series four when Princess and Tyler’s biological mother Kat turned up unexpectedly.

Her appearance throws a spanner in the works for their settled family life, with Jason and Nikki poised to confront even more fresh challenges as they navigate this enormous disruption.

Trying Season 5 cast

Under Salt Marsh star Rafe Spall and Cuckoo’s Esther Smith reprise their roles as couple Jason Ross and Nikki Newman.

They will be joined by Kat, Princess and Tyler’s biological mother, portrayed by actress Charlotte Riley, best known for her roles in Peaky Blinders, The Take and Wuthering Heights.

Newcomer to Trying for its fifth series is The Thursday Murder Club’s Celia Imrie, who takes on the role of Harriet, an “upper-class hoarder” whom Jason encounters while training for a new job.

The Paper’s Gbemisola Ikumelo steps in as Chrissy, a hard-pressed social worker, while Merlin and The Killing Kind’s Colin Morgan takes on the role of Kerry, Nikki’s easy-going colleague and confidante.

Trying Season 5 premieres on Wednesday, July 8, on Apple TV.

STACEY Solomon made it a real, er, family affair on Sunday as she headed to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix with her husband Joe Swash and her ex, Dean Cox.

The TV personality shares eldest son Zachary, 18, with Dean, whom she had a romance with as a teenager.

Before heading to the F1 event, Stacey told fans she was going on a ‘special date day’ with husband Joe.

And when they arrived to Silverstone, the star filmed herself walking in as she explained that the couple had also brought along her dad – a big racing fan – for the fun.

“It’s not a date day without bringing your dad,” laughed Stacey as she dubbed Joe a ‘third wheel’.

She then revealed that it wasn’t just her dad who was there, but her ex Dean, too.

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“Do you know who is really important to bring on a date day with your husband? Your last baby daddy and his wife,” said Stacey as she filmed herself with Dean.

Laughing, she panned the camera through the group and said: “Zach’s dad, Zach’s stepmum, my dad are all on this date with us.”

“Gooseberry,” said Joe as he interjected while laughing.

As well as Zach, Stacey is a mum to son Leighton from another previous relationship, and shares three children with Joe.

She has maintained a strong co-parenting relationship with Dean since they welcomed Zach as teenagers.

He even appeared on her TV show, Stacey & Joe, for a one-off as they discussed her teen pregnancy.

The racing reunion comes just days after Stacey revealed their son Zach has headed off to America for the summer.

The teenager has moved stateside to take part in Camp America, with his famous mum admitting it ‘hurt her heart’ to drop him off at the airport.

She said in an Instagram post: “It hurt my heart to drop you off this morning but I know you’re going to have the best time ever, and that camp is so lucky to have our Zachary in their lives for the summer.

“Good luck my darling boy. To the moon and stars and back again.

“Please tell me why I really wanted him to do this experience & I am so happy for him but also so my gut is in knots??”

Netflix’s comedy series Leanne is returning for Season 2 this summer and some huge names have joined the cast.

Fans of the beloved sitcom Leanne can gear up for another binge-fest soon.

Leanne Morgan’s bingeworthy comedy series, Leanne, is set to return for a second season this summer, with the star expressing how “so grateful” she feels about returning to Netflix. The Big Bang Theory producer, Chuck Lorre, who is behind the popular series that proved a massive hit with viewers, said of the show’s comeback: “Congrats to Leanne and the entire cast and crew.

“This has been an incredible journey that began with a visit to Knoxville, Tennessee. Leanne Morgan is the whole package. A comedic genius, a warm, loving human being, and an absolute joy to work with.”

Kristen Johnston, Celia Weston, Blake Clark, Ryan Stiles, Jayma Mays, Tim Daly, Graham Rogers, Hannah Pilkes, and Andrea Anders are all set to reprise their roles for the second season. Fresh faces are also joining Season 2 and here’s everything you need to know about the new series.

When is Leanne Season 2 out?

Leanne is making its Netflix comeback for a second season on August 27, with the sitcom’s latest run consisting of 10 episodes.

Fortunately for devotees, all 10 instalments will arrive simultaneously, allowing them to binge-watch to their hearts’ desire.

The second run is considerably more compact than the first, which featured 16 episodes, and it remains inspired by Leanne’s stand-up performances.

The sitcom chronicles Leanne’s journey as her world gets flipped upside down when her husband of 33 years unexpectedly walks out on her for another woman.

Throughout the series, “Leanne learns to embrace the chaos and finds strength, laughter, and hope in the most unexpected places”.

Who is joining the cast of Leanne Season 2?

Fresh faces include country music sensation and Yellowstone star Lainey Wilson.

The 34 year old country artist from Louisiana made her television debut in Yellowstone in 2022, taking on the role of Abbey.

She also has her own Netflix documentary chronicling her career, and made her big-screen debut in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel Reminders of Him.

Actress and model Jaime Pressly is also joining the cast, best recognised for her portrayal of Joy Turner in the NBC sitcom My Name Is Earl.

Actor and comedian Billy Gardell, famous for Mike & Molly, has similarly signed up for the series, alongside accomplished film and theatre actress Tyne Daly.

Leanne season 2 arrives on Netflix on August 27.

The Space Shuttle Endeavour is approaching its final mission. But this time, it won’t be blasting into a different atmosphere.

The California Science Center on Wednesday announced its Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will open to the public on Nov. 13. The $450-million, 200,000-square-foot addition will permanently house the Korean Air Aviation Gallery and the Kent Kresa Space Gallery. But its centerpiece will be the Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery, where the Space Shuttle Endeavour will be on permanent display in its vertical “ready-to-launch” position.

When it debuts, the gallery will be the only place in the world with a complete shuttle stack, including orbiter, solid rocket boosters and an external tank.

“I’ve been here a long time. We’ve done a lot of great stuff, but this just keeps getting better. Everybody on our team was so proud of it,” said Jeffrey Rudolph, the Science Center’s president and chief executive. “We are incredibly excited, and we actually think people are gonna come from all over the world to see this thing.”

The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will open to the public on Nov. 13. The $450-million, 200,000-square-foot space includes the Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery, where the Space Shuttle Endeavour will be on permanent display in launch position.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The Air and Space Center opening will mark the completion of the master plan adapted by the Science Center in 1993. One of three surviving space shuttles, the Endeavour made 25 successful missions into space between 1992 and 2011. In 2012, the shuttle arrived at LAX atop a modified Boeing 747 before being taken on a procession through the streets of Los Angeles to reach Exposition Park. Construction on the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, a sleek, 20-story building designed by ZGF Architects, finished in April.

“This shuttle really represents everything that my husband loved,” said Lynda Oschin, the widow of Samuel Oschin. “He was very involved in relativity, exploration, inspiration, children, math, science.”

Dennis R. Jenkins, project director at the California Science Center, estimated that at the height of construction, the team averaged about 400 construction workers a day. For Jenkins, who spent 30 years of his career as a NASA contractor working on space shuttles, seeing the Endeavour in its vertical position is “particularly special.”

“I walk in there 50 times a day, and 50 times a day it takes my breath away,” Jenkins said. “Especially when we have the theatrical lights on instead of the work lights, it is just so stunning to me. I’ve been around space shuttles for exactly 50 years now, and it still takes my breath away.”

Retired astronaut Barbara Morgan, who flew aboard Endeavour in 2007, said the shuttle will inspire space enthusiasts.

“This takes me back! I am right there again, strapped in, excited to launch,” Morgan said in a statement. “But this is even better, because here now is Endeavour for our future generations. She will launch big dreams.”

Jeff Rudolph, president and CEO of the California Science Center, gets a close-up view of the aft section and main engines of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, displayed in a vertical, launch-ready configuration at the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center at the California Science Center.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The gallery will open with a video of the shuttle’s history, produced by J.J. Abrams’ company, Bad Robot. The video ends with a simulated launch of the shuttle — complete with fog machines — before the walls retract, letting visitors take in the Endeavour in all its massive glory.

The Endeavour is visible from several angles. Visitors walking around the bend of the center’s second-floor gallery can peek inside the payload bay, which was used to transport cargo like satellites into space. Step downstairs, and viewers can walk underneath the shuttle’s massive engines. To catch a bird’s-eye perspective of the Endeavour, guests can take a glass elevator to the 20th story to look at the shuttle through a glass floor.

“You go up slowly, [the elevator] stops at different levels. You see inside where the payload is, and at every stop you see something else, and when you get to the top and you look down,” Oschin said, the view is just unbelievable. It’s breathtaking. I don’t know what other word I could use.”

Despite the grandeur of the Endeavour, the Science Center didn’t want to glorify it either. Rudolph explained that the tiles on the shuttle’s wings, which were part of its thermal protection system, show the damage on each launch. The shuttle reflects the physical toll space took on the vessel.

“This thing went 25 missions into space, and you can see,” Rudolph said. “When we first got [the Endeavour] at LAX and had it in the United hangar a couple of weeks before we moved it through the street, the United guy said, ‘Do you want us to paint it?’ and we said ‘No! We wouldn’t think of it.’”

Jeff Rudolph, president and CEO of the California Science Center, walks through a doorway toward the Space Shuttle Endeavour during a tour and preview of the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center at the California Science Center.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The center’s goal is to present the shuttle as close to mission-ready as possible. Rudolph explained that the exhibit’s hardware, including its bolts and nuts, are unique and extremely specialized. Since the space shuttle program concluded in 2011, many of Endeavour’s missing pieces are no longer produced. Jenkins spent years sourcing pieces of equipment.

However, the largest artifact of the exhibit was the most challenging to source. ET-94 — the exhibit’s ginormous, bright orange external fuel tank— was particularly difficult to get a hold of because it shouldn’t still exist.

“External tanks were only used once. … We jettisoned them on the way to orbit, and it burned up in the atmosphere before it hit Earth,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins explained that the ET-94 was built for a future Columbia Space Shuttle mission, but after the Columbia was destroyed, the fuel tank was used for research. To complete the Endeavour’s full shuttle stack, Jenkins persuaded NASA to donate the $65 million to the Science Center.

The Endeavour will not be alone in the gallery. Plans are in the works for a variety of unique, ancillary creations including a 15-second slide that mimics the path of reentry as a space shuttle descends back into Earth’s atmosphere. Visitors will start inside a dark slide that gives way to an orange glow followed by a double sonic boom. The slide finishes with an S turn, which the Endeavour executed to burn energy.

For Rudolph, the effort represents a giant leap toward the Science Center’s goal of making space exciting for “the next generation of scientists, engineers and explorers.”

“I just can’t wait to stand there and watch people come in, and kids especially. There are going to be a lot of tears looking at this, that I can tell you, happy tears,” Oschin said. “It’s something for children. Children are our future and our hopes for the future. This is going to be very inspiring for them and extremely exciting for them to see.”

EASYJET is launching a new international flight route from a UK airport for the first time.

The new route will begin operating flights in 2027.

EasyJet will launch its first international route out of Newquay Airport in Cornwall next year.

Flying between Newquay Airport and Geneva Airport in Switzerland, the route is expected to launch on January 16, 2027.

The seasonal route will then operate once a week on Saturdays until February 27, 2027.

Currently, EasyJet only provides regional and domestic flights from the coastal airport, so the new flight path will be the first international destination for the airline.

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A further 12 routes are also being launched by EasyJet over the next year, including new routes from London Luton to Kittilä in Finland, beginning on November 24, and from Strasbourg in France launching on November 29.

The airline will be operating flights to Kittilä twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and fly to Strasbourg four times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

New flights from London Southend to Edinburgh, Scotland, will launch on October 25 from £23.99 per person.

The flights will operate twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays between the two cities.

From Birmingham, travellers will be able to fly to Copenhagen, Denmark, from November 16.

Costing from £31.99 per person, the flights will head out twice a week on Mondays and Fridays.

Those living near Manchester can head to Cairo, Egypt from November 9 – the only direct route from the city to the ‘Sphinx’ airport.

Flights will set you back from £131.99 per person and the route operates twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays.

Two new routes are launching from Liverpool Airport to Kittilä in Finland and Reykjavik in Iceland.

Costing from £30.99 per person, flights to Kittilä will begin on November 25 and operate out of the airport twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Flights to Reykjavik will launch even earlier, starting on November 2 and will take off twice a week on Mondays and Fridays, costing from £43.99 per person.

Newcastle is set to get several new destinations by the end of the year, including Barcelona in Spain, Berlin in Germany, Copenhagen in Denmark, Hurghada in Egypt and Rovaniemi in Finland.

First to launch will be the flights to Barcelona on October 25, costing from £28.99 per person and operating twice weekly on Fridays and Sundays.

On October 27, flights to Hurghada will launch heading out on Tuesdays and Saturdays and costing from £121.99 per person.

Copenhagen flights are set to begin on November 5, followed by Berlin on November 20 and finally Rovaniemi on November 25.

AMANDA Holden has slipped into a skin-tight gold catsuit for a very sexy Father’s Day date with her husband Chris Hughes.

Amanda, 55, took to Instagram to share snaps with her fans and captioned them: “The name’s Holden. Golden Holden. Licence to shimmer.”

She jokingly added: “Permission to be subtle: denied.”

Wearing a full‑body, metallic gold outfit, the BGT judge looked simply stunning as she posed for the cameras.

In the official shoot, Amanda is posed on all fours on a large, circular, cushioned platform.

In another, she was lying face‑down on a bed with her body angled slightly to one side.

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Amanda also wore matching gold high‑heeled shoes, which addded cinematic Bond vibes to the shoot as she stood beside her husband Chris.

The TV star also shared a video which showed her posing outdoors and having her make-up spritzed.

In full glam makeup and her blonde locks flowing loosely over her shoulders – Amanda also shimmied and danced in the clip.

Her followers flocked to comment and one wrote: “Straight out of a Bond movie.”

TV Presenter Lizzie Cundy wrote: “This is epic!” Towies Sam Faiers said: “The glam!”

Another fan wrote: “Love it! Channeling Shirley Eaton in Goldfinger.”

“Midas Touch,” wrote another.

While another said: “This is epic! Obsessed with your commitment to a theme.”

Sean “Diddy” Combs is expected to be released from federal prison earlier than expected in 2028.

The disgraced music and alcohol mogul, 56, is now set to be released from FCI Fort Dix, a low-security federal prison in New Jersey, on Feb. 23, 2028, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate database. Combs was sentenced in October 2025 to 50 months in prison after he was convicted of transporting prostitutes across state lines for drug-fueled sex performances known as “freak-offs.”

The updated release date shaves off even more prison time for Combs, who was initially projected to be freed in June 2028. Earlier this year, the producer’s release date was moved up to April 2028.

A legal representative for Combs did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. People reported that Combs is participating in a drug-abuse rehabilitation program in the federal prison. The outlet also reported that the musician’s legal team preferred Combs carry out his sentence at FCI Fort Dix because of its treatment program and proximity to his family.

Combs was sentenced last year after a lengthy and highly public legal saga involving damning allegations of sexual assault and other violence. Singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones were among the accusers who lodged civil complaints against Combs. Though he was found guilty in July on two counts of a prostitution-related charge, jurors cleared Combs on racketeering and sex trafficking.

“Mr. Combs has been given his life by this jury,” defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said at the time.

Earlier this month, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said it was investigating two sexual assault cases against the Bad Boy Records founder. A Florida music producer alleged last year that Combs sexually assaulted him in 2020 and 2021. When the claims first surfaced in 2025, Combs’ civil attorney dismissed them.

“Let me make it absolutely clear, Mr. Combs categorically denies as false and defamatory all claims that he sexually abused anyone,” attorney Jonathan Davis said at the time. “He looks forward to vindicating himself in court, where such matters are decided — and not in the media — based on admissible, material evidence, not rank speculation and unsubstantiated allegations.”

Times staff writers James Queally and Richard Winton contributed to this report.

June 14 (Asia Today) — South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Sunday that Seoul and Washington plan to recommend a target year for transferring wartime operational control of South Korean forces by the end of this year.

Ahn said during an appearance on KBS television that the allies would discuss verification of their full operational capability assessment at their annual Security Consultative Meeting in November.

“If we complete the full operational capability verification and make a recommendation to the presidents of both countries at the end of this year, we will be able to determine the target year for restoring wartime operational control,” Ahn said.

The United States has retained wartime operational control of South Korean forces since the 1950-53 Korean War. South Korea exercises control over its military during peacetime.

The allies have agreed that the transfer should be based on three conditions: South Korea’s military capabilities to lead the combined defense, the alliance’s ability to respond comprehensively to North Korean nuclear and missile threats and a regional security environment conducive to a stable transfer.

The first condition includes three stages of evaluating a future South Korea-led Combined Forces Command: initial operational capability, full operational capability and full mission capability.

Ahn said the full operational capability assessment has been completed. Verification expected by the end of the year would allow the allies to begin specifying a timetable for the transfer.

Responding to concerns that the transfer may be premature, Ahn said waiting for every condition to be perfectly satisfied could postpone the process indefinitely.

“New weapons emerge from one day to the next and the nature of the battlefield continues to change,” Ahn said. “If we keep treating the conditions this way, we could wait forever.”

Although warfare is shifting toward drones and other advanced systems, South Korea has sufficient capabilities to lead combined operations, he said.

Asked whether a future combined command led by a South Korean four-star general could impede coordinated operations or the deployment of U.S. strategic assets, Ahn said the issue had not been discussed.

Ahn acknowledged that Seoul and Washington may have different views on the timing of the transfer.

“Even children raised by the same parents can think differently,” he said. “How could two countries have identical views?”

Ahn also discussed the Jangbogo-N project, South Korea’s plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, describing it as part of the country’s transition from a tactical state to a strategic state.

“A tactical state operates within a framework designed by major powers,” he said. “A strategic state creates the framework and takes the lead in planning and designing its response during a war or another crisis.”

South Korea is preparing to build the first nuclear-powered submarine in the mid-2030s, Ahn said.

He said the country possesses the necessary conventional submarine construction capabilities, advanced nuclear technology and world-class shipyards but lacks access to nuclear fuel suitable for naval propulsion.

South Korea plans to seek U.S. cooperation in obtaining uranium enriched to less than 20%, he said.

Ahn said Seoul and Washington had not yet agreed on where the submarines would be built.

“Building nuclear-powered submarines in another country would be less efficient in terms of costs and technology,” he said. “The United States is also coming to understand that position.”

Ahn dismissed concerns in some U.S. circles that the project could contribute to nuclear proliferation.

“Low-enriched uranium below 20% cannot be converted easily for use in a nuclear weapon,” he said. “South Korea has been a model member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.”

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260614010004655

Brits heading to popular Spanish islands this summer may find themselves at the heart of anti-tourism protests, with a pressure group insisting that there will be a “historic turnout”

Spain’s anti-tourism protests could escalate this summer, as pressure group Menys Turisme Més Vida (Less Tourism More Life) announced plans for a major demonstration that it expects to have a “historic turnout”.

The news comes as sites in the Canary Islands have been daubed with anti-tourist graffiti, including reports from local news outlet Canarian Weekly of a ‘kill a tourist’ slogan being spotted in Tenerife. The graffiti was spotted by two expats hiking in Punta del Hidalgo, who then claimed they saw further disturbing graffiti during a walk to Bollullo Beach on the island’s north coast.

In a separate incident last week, five estate agents in Majorca with international names were daubed with graffiti including ‘guilty’ and ‘Guiris out!’ in an overnight attack. Guiri is a derogatory Spanish term used for tourists from Northern Europe.

Menys Turisme Més Vida announced a protest in Palma, a popular destination for Brits on the island of Majorca on July 26, which coincides with the start of the busiest school holiday season. Meanwhile there are protests planned in Menorca on June 13 with a similar anti-tourism sentiment.

In a statement on its website, the group said: “️We consider that the demands expressed during previous mobilisations have been ignored while problems such as the housing access crisis, tourist saturation, the destruction of the territory, the precariousness of living conditions and the pressure on public resources and services continue to worsen.

“Under the slogan ‘Majorca at the limit’, the call aims to once again demonstrate the strength of existing social unrest in the face of an economic model that continues to break tourism records while the living conditions of a growing part of the resident population worsen.”, it added.

The group claims that the protest has the support of 53 social , environmental, trade union, neighbourhood and cultural groups on the island, which sees nearly 13 million tourists annually, with Brits the second-largest percentage after Germany.

Majorca saw protests last June that organisers claim were attended by 30,000 people, although varying reports claim numbers from 5,000 to 8,000. This included reports of some people sitting on terraces being harassed by protestors. Another notable protest took place in Barcelona on June 15, 2025, in which smoke devices were used and tourists soaked with water pistols.

While there have been reports of a tourist slowdown in the Balearics and Canaries, anti-tourism protests do not seem to have a massive impact on visitor numbers. In April, the Canaries saw a drop in visitors of 8.3% compared to the year before, but this meant 1.2 million foreign tourists still visited the islands. It was also the first drop seen on the volcanic archipelago since the pandemic.

Over Easter, the Balearics reported a fall of nearly 20% in in-person tourist spending by card, despite an overall increase in spending across Spain as a whole, suggesting visitors were choosing to spend their money elsewhere.

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

Erin Patterson was found guilty of killing three family members as she served them a lunch laced with poisonous fungi.

An Australian court has confirmed that an appeal hearing for Erin Patterson, commonly referred to as the “mushroom murderer,” will be held in August.

The Supreme Court of Victoria announced on Friday that the hearing will take place on August 19 and 20. Patterson’s lawyers formally applied to appeal her life sentence in November, arguing that there had been a “substantial miscarriage of justice” during her trial.

Patterson was sentenced to life in prison in September after being found guilty of murdering three of her estranged husband’s relatives by serving them a lunch laced with poisonous fungi.

During the two-day hearing, the court will also consider an appeal from prosecutors, who argue that her sentence, which allows her to be considered for parole after 33 years, is “manifestly inadequate”.

Prosecutors unsuccessfully argued during the trial that her sentence should have been life imprisonment without parole.

In July, a jury found Patterson guilty of killing her estranged husband’s parents after serving them a lunch of beef Wellington laced with toxic mushrooms.

The case attracted worldwide attention, with more than 250 journalists registering for updates from the court, and the judge deciding to broadcast the sentencing live.

Both Gail Patterson and Donald Patterson died in August 2023. Patterson was also found guilty of murdering Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, who died that same month, and of attempting to kill Wilkinson’s husband, Ian. He spent seven weeks in hospital following the poisoning and received a liver transplant.

Patterson is appealing her conviction on seven grounds, including what her lawyers described as a “fundamental irregularity” relating to the sequestration of the jury, who stayed in the same hotel as key figures in the case, including a police witness and two prosecutors.

Patterson’s lawyers also argue that several pieces of evidence presented during the trial were either irrelevant or unfairly prejudicial, and that the prosecution’s cross-examination of her was “unfair and oppressive”.

Patterson maintains her innocence, arguing that the poisoning was accidental.

The prodigal “Daughter From Hell” returns: Gracie Abrams just announced her upcoming tour, and it includes four nights in her hometown of Los Angeles.

The 64-date Look at My Life tour hits arenas across North America and Europe starting Dec. 2 in Denver, before the singer lands in L.A. later that month. Abrams will take the stage at Inglewood’s Kia Forum for four nights: Dec. 14, 18, 19 and 20. The North American leg of the tour concludes in Brooklyn in March, and she kicks off the European leg in April.

The tour will follow the release of Abrams’ third studio album, “Daughter From Hell,” which drops July 17 via Interscope Records. Abrams took to Instagram to share her upcoming tour dates, teasing fans with the caption, “we’re baaaaaack.”

At the Kia Forum, Abrams will be supported by openers Rachel Chinouriri and Holly Humberstone, both popular British singer-songwriters. Fans can sign up on Abrams’ website for access to the June 2 pre-sale for all dates before tickets go on sale to the general public June 5.

Abrams most recently played in L.A. as part of a three-night residency at the Kia Forum in August 2025 for the Secret of Us Deluxe tour. There, she brought out surprise guest Audrey Hobert, Abrams’ longtime best friend and collaborator. Abrams’ other frequent collaborator, musician and producer Aaron Dessner, co-wrote and produced her latest single, “Hit the Wall,” which dropped in mid-May in advance of her new album.

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t tell either of them, so it makes it easy to be completely open when writing,” Abrams told The Times of Hobart and Dessner in 2024.

Her September 2024 shows at L.A.’s Greek Theater sold out so quickly that the singer-songwriter had to add two additional dates to meet demand. At the time, Abrams told The Times that she would keep performing if the fan support continued.

“As long as they’ll have me, I’ll do this,” she said.

Universal has finally shared an opening date for its highly-anticipated theme park complete with lands inspired by Shrek, Jurassic World and the Minions

Universal is set to open its huge new theme park later this year, with seven lands including attractions inspired by Shrek, Jurassic World, SpongeBob SquarePants and the Minions.

Universal Kids Resort will open this summer in Frisco, Texas, and the theme park giant has finally revealed its opening date; July 1, 2026. It’s the brand’s first ever ‘theme park specifically designed for kids’, and will be aimed at families with younger children, although there will likely be plenty that grown-ups can enjoy too.

The new theme park will be divided up into seven themed lands; DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp, Jurassic World Adventure Camp, Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom, Illumination’s Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club, DreamWorks’ TrollsFest, DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots Del Mar and the Isle of Curiosity featuring DreamWorks’ Gabby’s Dollhouse.

That also includes a brand new Universal Kids Resort Hotel complete with 300 rooms and suites, restaurants, an outdoor pool and “other family-friendly amenities” although the resort is remaining fairly tight-lipped about exactly what will be on offer.

You can already book tickets and hotel packages at universalkidsresort.com. For Brits who want to visit, the nearest airport is Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), with airlines including British Airways and Finnair both offering direct routes from London Heathrow. According to Skyscanner, you can find fares from £393 in July if you’re keen to be among the first to explore the new theme park!

Of course Universal already has some world-famous theme parks in the USA including Universal Studios Hollywood, and its Orlando resort with various theme parks, including the new Epic Universe offering. If you’re looking to visit on a budget, the likes of AttractionTix and FloridaTix both offer a series of deals including combo tickets if you’re also planning to visit Walt Disney World during your Florida getaway. You can also find out more at universalorlando.com.

There’s good news for Brits too, as plans for a UK theme park are on the way. The theme park, which will be located at the site of a former brickworks, is expected to employ around 8,000 people once complete, with around 20,000 construction jobs during the build, and is expected to represent a £50billion boost to the UK economy.

Last year, the UK government gave the go-ahead for the complex to be built in Kempston Hardwick in Bedfordshire. Universal has confirmed that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) had approved the plans.

At the time, Universal published a letter saying the update was an important milestone. The company said: “In the months ahead, we are committed to sharing progress as well as what to expect including job opportunities and how local businesses and suppliers can potentially work with us. The interest and support we’ve already seen from both local companies and residents has been incredibly encouraging.”

Over the summer, Universal said the theme park will be “unlike anything that exists in the UK” as it could feature the tallest rides in Europe – with height limits reaching up to 115m.

This “gripping” missing child thriller is brought to life by Slow Horses and Murders At White House Farm creators.

Crime thriller fans shouldn’t miss out on this “addictive” drama with an all-star cast.

Apple TV has given fans a first-look at its upcoming six-part drama Last Seen, based on Ryan David Jahn’s best-selling 2011 novel The Dispatcher.

The series follows Detective Ian Ridley (played by Patrick Brammall) whose life is turned upside down when his young daughter Maggie disappears.

Fast forward to the present day and Detective Ridley answers a call from a distressed teenage girl and becomes convinced it’s his daughter.

The official synopsis goes on to add that “he will stop at nothing to find her and reunite his broken family, whatever the cost.”

The Last Seen cast will be headed up by Glitch and Devil Wears Prada 2 star Patrick Brammall as Detective Ridley.

He will be joined by Shameless, The Village and Three Girls star Maxine Peake, as well as Dune: Prophecy actor Brendan Cowell, Mickey 17 Daniel Henshall and Mr Inbetween Jessica Wren.

Thankfully, the wait isn’t too long before Last Seen premieres with the six-part series coming out on Wednesday, September 9.

Only the first two episodes are going to be released on this initial release date with the remaining episodes coming out weekly until Wednesday, October 7.

It isn’t just about the cast that fans should be excited about either as Last Seen was written by The Murders at White House Farm creator Kris Mrksa.

He’s also backed by executive producers from Slow Horses and Down Cemetery Road.

Given that Last Seen is based on Jahn’s best-selling book The Dispatcher, the drama already has a fanbase ahead of its release.

Describing the series on Good Reads, someone called the novel an “adrenalin rush” as another shared: “When I sat down to start reading this book which has closer to 400 pages than 300, it was early in the morning and little did I know I would be in the same spot that evening tapping to the final pages of this addictive read.”

Meanwhile, a third commented: “This book is right up my alley- gritty, violent, brutal, psychologically thrilling and fast paced.”

Last Seen premieres on Wednesday, September 9, on Apple TV