days

May 29 (UPI) — One Laotian miner has been pulled from a cave in central Laos after being trapped for nine days underground, a Laotian rescue organization said.

Rescue Volunteer for the People said on social media that a person was removed at 8:37 p.m. local time Friday. The organization did not name the person, and it wasn’t clear how they brought him to safety.

Social media video showed a man looking disheveled and weak being propped up as he was brought up through a narrow crevice, NBC News reported. He was then taken to medical teams for evaluation and treatment.

Kengkard Bongkawong, president of the Thailand-based Metta Tham Association Rescue Unit, confirmed to NBC that one person had been rescued. He said there were four still inside and “are awaiting further assessment.”

Seven gold miners have been trapped in the cave since May 19 in the Xaysomboun province of central Laos. Five of them have been found alive, but this is the first person to have been reported rescued.

Bongkawong said Friday that the search for the two missing men “will continue tomorrow.”

The local men were on a hunting and gold prospecting trip when they were trapped in the cave by rising water after heavy rain, which also caused landslides that blocked the entrance.

Bongkawong said earlier this week that rescuers were challenged by a partly submerged 1,115-foot-long tunnel that is as narrow as 23 inches in some parts.

On Monday and Tuesday, the rescue teams pumped out as much water as possible and placed ropes inside for rescuers to follow after being forced back by rising water from Sunday’s torrential rains.

Monsoon season creates a “ticking clock,” lead diver Mikko Paasi told CBS. A trained team of divers takes about five hours to travel to the trapped men and back.

The Thai volunteers leading the search include a ‌diver who participated ⁠in the 2018 rescue of 12 boys and ⁠their soccer coach from a cave in northern Thailand.

Maggie Graham scored in stoppage time to lift host Houston past Angel City for the Dash’s first victory in 51 days.

Graham fired a shot from just outside the box after a series of one-touch passes up the middle of the field. Houston (4-5-2) ended a six-game winless streak.

Kat Rader put Houston on the board in the 17th minute. Angel City (4-5-1) tied it nine minutes later on Maiara Carolina Niehues’ penalty kick.

Houston was without goalkeeper Jane Campbell after she sustained a head injury Wednesday against San Diego. In her place, Caroline DeLisle made her first career NWSL start.

KATIE Price has said that she misses her husband nine days on from his disappearance after he failed to fly to the UK from Dubai.

Celebrating her 48th birthday alone, Katie took to Instagram to share her pain with fans over missing Lee Andrews.

Taking to her Instagram story and grid on Friday night, just hours after it was revealed her husband had followed a mystery woman online, Katie shared a moving video which saw photos of her and Lee flash past.

In the background, the former glamour model even crooned the hit Get Here.

“Missing my husband so much it breaks my heart knowing he is still missing so I did this song quick as words mean so much to the situation,” she penned in the caption.

“You can reach me by sailboat / Climb a tree and swing rope to rope / Take a sled and slide downslope.

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“You can jump on a speedy colt / Cross the border in a blaze of hope,” Katie croons in the song accompanying the post.

She continues to sing: “I don’t care how you get here / Just get here if you can.”

Reacting to Katie’s heartbreaking post, one fan penned: “This is sad as she genuinely fell in love with him.”

“Katie he doesn’t deserve you. you deserve so much better.. enjoy the rest of your birthday with people who love you,” said another.

While a third wrote: “I really feel for you.”

And a fourth said: “What a sweetheart bless you Kate. Look after yourself. So sorry this is being played out, you have lots of great people around you family is all you need.”

Katie previously revealed how Lee, 43, had “disappeared” last week, after he failed to fly back to the UK for a Good Morning Britain appearance.

Lee told Katie in a voicenote that he needed an “exit stamp” to leave Dubai when he was claiming to be coming back to the UK.

But after he failed to get on a plane, Katie sensationally claimed he had been kidnapped and that the last she’d heard from him, he was in the back of a van with cable ties on his arms.

Katie has since been left fearing for her husband and desperately trying to found out his whereabouts.

A source close to the ex glamour model told us earlier this week: “Lee is officially a missing person now.

At the weekend, Katie said: “I know there is all this speculation but something really serious has happened.”

Then, this week on her podcast, The Katie Price Show, the mum-of-five revealed she was giving up searching for her husband.

“There’s nothing I can do, nothing more that I can say.

“And the police are dealing with it. I’m just leaving it to the police.

“I’m not gonna talk about it anymore, I’m just staying quiet because it’s getting ridiculous now, people just taking the p**s out of everything”.

Katie added: “The police are now handling it, the British police, British consulate, the foreign office, Interpol they’re on the case looking for Lee.

“All I can do is just get on with my life.

“I’ve got lots of exciting things coming up, and I’m just waiting for a call.

“What am I supposed to do, sit here and cry and do nothing, stay in bed?”

She also said: “For my own sanity, I am taking a step back”.

Katie has now not heard from Lee for nine days now, with her husband failing to get in touch despite it being her 48th birthday.

MILLIONS of families will be able to enjoy discount meals and days out this summer, the Chancellor announced today.

From June 25 to September 1 the Government is temporarily cutting the VAT on attractions and children’s meals in restaurants from 20% to just 5%.

The cut will apply to theme parks, zoos, museums, soft play, fairs and even cinema tickets.

The full list of businesses participating has not yet been announced but several major firms including Merlin Entertainments and Odeon Cinema have confirmed they will be taking part.

If a business chooses to pass on the full benefit then the total saving for a family of two adults and two children could be: 

• £20 off the family’s tickets to a theme park  
• £2 off entry to soft play  
• £6 off the family’s tickets to a farm attraction 
• £17 off the family’s tickets to a wildlife park
• £1.50 off the children’s tickets to the cinema 
• £9 off the family’s tickets to the circus 
• £2 off the children’s meals on a lunch out 
• £11 off the family’s tickets to the aquarium

Read more on free days out

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YES YOU MAY

FREE and cheap family days out and activities across the UK for May half term

The Government said it expects qualifying businesses to pass these savings on to families by lowering the prices people pay on eligible children’s meals and tickets.

As a result, the VAT cut will be directly reflected at the till.

It added that passing on the full saving should help businesses attract more customers over the summer, which could increase footfall and support local economies.

The reduced rate will apply in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The plans are part of a package to help households with the cost of living.

Meanwhile, throughout August all children aged between five and 15 in England will be able to travel for free on any local bus service.

Among the attractions taking part are Alton Towers, Legoland Windsor, Warwick Castle and Cadbury World.

Fiona Eastwood, chief executive officer of Merlin Entertainments, said: “Merlin will be applying this VAT cut to both admission tickets and children’s meals, adding more value to days out and short breaks at our 20 UK attractions.”

Meanwhile, Mark Way, president AMC Europe & managing director at Odeon Cinema Groups, said: “We’re excited that our guests will be able to enjoy the big screen for less over this blockbuster summer.”

Married At First Sight USA Season 19 viewers have had their say just days into the new series

MAFS fans have all voiced the same grievance moments into this evening’s episode as the US show returned.

Married At First Sight USA has officially kicked off, with Season 19 landing on E4 in spectacular fashion. Already, audiences have watched five couples encounter each other for the very first time at the altar, exchanging vows with total strangers.

Yet the new series has already sparked controversy after viewers spotted a glaring difference compared to its Australian version. This evening’s episode (May 20) featured the final couple’s nuptials before the newlyweds departed for their honeymoon.

Within minutes of tonight’s broadcast, UK audiences were distracted by one particular detail during Belynda and Chad’s ceremony. Fans clocked the choice of location, reports OK!.

Taking to X, one viewer posted: “The same venue my god, i thought it was a total scrooge when it came to spending money nothing like the production team on.” (sic)

Another remarked: “I miss the different locations as they made the weddings a bit as they had stunning places but this hotel seems dull.”

A third contributed: “The couples meet ‘How was the venue?’ ‘Same as bl**** yours…and i hated it’. (sic)” A fourth quipped: “Another at the venue. Buy 1 get 5 free.”

A fifth observed: “Did they get a discount on the venue as it seems like all the weddings are in the same place.”

Another echoed: “Is the American economy really that bad that they could only have all the weddings in one place to save money?” One person asked: “Oh my god are they honeymooning in the same location same venue, same hotel, same honeymoon come on?” (sic)

Weddings for MAFS USA Season 19 were captured at Hotel Viata in Austin, Texas. The hotel’s website states: “Love is always in the air at Hotel Viata-but this year, it caught the attention of national television.

“The hillside retreat was chosen as a filming location for Season 19 of Married at First Sight, with couples exchanging vows right here in our courtyard and overlooking the hills of West Lake.”

This detail varies considerably from the UK edition, where nuptials occur at various venues including stunning hotels and historic landmarks.

Meanwhile in tonight’s episode, audiences observed certain couples advancing their relationships in terms of physical closeness, with the newly-weds navigating their brand new partnerships.

British audiences might be taken aback to learn that MAFS USA participants genuinely enter into legally recognised marriages.

As reported by People magazine, the couples must sign a pre-nuptial agreement to provide them with certain safeguards and receive support with potential divorce expenses should their union fail.

Married At First Sight USA airs weekdays on E4 at 8pm.

TWO major English train stations are set to close as they undergo renovations.

The commuter hubs will be unavailable to the public for 22 days next month as part of the regeneration works.

Both Charing Cross Station and Waterloo East Station in London will not allow travel for a number of weeks over the summer.

The stations’ decades-old tracks and platforms will be given a revamp.

The closures will take place between Sunday, July 26, and Sunday, August 16, as well as on Sunday, May 31, and Sunday, June 7.

There will also be a full weekend closure from Saturday, August 22, to Sunday, August 23, – and again from Saturday, October 10, to Sunday, October 11.

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On these dates, no trains will stop at Charing Cross or Waterloo East, although the Southeastern services will continue throughout the closures.

Trains that usually terminate at Charing Cross will be diverted to London Victoria, London Blackfriars, London Cannon Street or London Bridge. Tickets will be accepted on these alternative routes.

Meanwhile the London Underground service from Charing Cross will run as normal.

The closures will allow a £20million engineering project to be completed, with almost two kilometres of 36-year-old track set to be replaced.

Sections of Charing Cross’s platforms will undergo repairs along with updates to the drainage systems on the tracks.

Structural repairs to the Waterloo East to London Waterloo pedestrian link bridge and the Hungerford Bridge are also required.

Scott Brightwell, train services director at Southeastern Railway, said: “The £20 million investment we are delivering will see 1990s track and platforms upgraded to make journeys safer and more reliable, and Victorian era structures strengthened to remain fit for the future.  

“By consolidating the work into 22‑day closure, supported by preparation and follow‑up weekends, we can complete the work more quickly and with less disruption overall than the alternative options of 60 weekend closures or four to five 9-day closures.”

Urging passengers to “plan ahead and check before they travel”, he added: “We have planned the closure for the summer, when passenger numbers are around 20 per cent lower and schools are closed, to help manage the impact on customers.”

I was lying on a bed with no trousers on. A young man helped me into some crotch-high boots and zipped them up. He turned the lights down low, put on some music, pressed a button and left the room. Argh! The boots started to slowly inflate from the toes up, like a giant blood-pressure cuff. As they clenched around my upper thighs, I started to panic. What if they just got tighter and tighter until my legs exploded? As I was about to shout for help, the pressure suddenly released, leaving my legs feeling deliciously light. I took a deep breath and submitted to another 19 minutes of this sweet torture.

I was at Siro Boka Place in Montenegro, having compression boot therapy, which is supposed to boost circulation and reduce swelling. “It’s especially effective on women over 35,” my youthful assistant had told me, helpfully. The hotel, which opened last year, is proud of its “state-of-the-art wellness facilities”. In most hotels that means a poky gym. At Siro the facilities are so good the Montenegrin Olympic team is training here ahead of Los Angeles 2028.

But more about the hotel later. First I was keen to get outside and explore. Siro is in Porto Montenegro, a swanky development on the edge of Tivat in the beautiful Bay of Kotor. My companions and I escaped the bling on a morning ebike tour around the bay, taking us from designer shops and luxury restaurants to charming old fishing villages. We cycled to the tip of the promontory to peer at the islet Our Lady of the Rocks, then biked right round the other side until we were facing Kotor’s triangular, red-roofed old town across the water. We cut inland to complete the loop via a switchback mountain road, where I was grateful for the electric assistance.

The next day we hit the Vrmac mountain trails on foot, hiking to Gornja Lastva, a half-abandoned village high above Tivat, and then on to tiny St Vid church, which stands alone on the peak. The panoramic views made it the perfect picnic stop. In the afternoon, we explored the calm waters of the bay by kayak. It was blissful just getting out on the sparkling water, but with more time it is possible to kayak round to the famed Blue Cave on the Luštica peninsula.

These trips can be booked through Siro, which has partnered with local activity companies. Guests can go running and rock climbing; canyoning in the Drenoštica or Nevidio canyons; paddleboarding on Skadar Lake; or try a host of watersports in the bay, from funtubing and efoiling to wakeboarding.

Back at the hotel, group classes are on offer in the fitness studios – there are about five sessions a day on weekdays and two at weekends. I tried yoga, pilates and mindful strength, while more high-octane options include run club, Hyrox and full body blitz. The gym – sorry, “fitness lab” – is enormous (1,600 sq m), and divided into cardio, weights and functional training zones. There is a lovely 25-metre outdoor pool on the third floor, with views over the marina.

All this exercise called for some more treatments in the spa, or “recovery lab”. During red light therapy, I had to lie in a coffin-like pod with the lid closed – not one for the claustrophobic. The near-infrared wavelengths are thought to help reduce inflammation, speed up muscle recovery and rejuvenate the skin. If nothing else, the gentle warmth was very relaxing, once I stopped thinking about being buried alive.

I was a little nervous about having a body composition analysis, but it was a simple procedure. You stand on a Seca Tru machine and hold the handles, and the results are sent to an app on your phone in about 30 seconds. It seems like sorcery, but actually uses “bioelectrical impedance analysis” to measure the resistance of electrical currents as they pass through the body, and is highly accurate when compared with an MRI or Dexa (bone density) scan. It was fascinating to pore over the results: muscle and fat mass, water levels, bone mineral content, basal metabolic rate (calories burned at rest) and, a new one on me, phase angle: “an indicator of overall health, metabolic activity and nutritional status”.

When I’d digested my results (88/100, not bad for a woman well over 35), I had a consultation with Hélène Boussiard, a French-trained clinical dietitian and fount of nutritional knowledge. We bonded over our vegan diets, but she was less happy with my late nights and alcohol intake. As I’ve been resolving to go to bed earlier and drink less for the past 25 years, it wasn’t exactly a revelation, but her written report did spur me on to try harder.

I cheered myself up with a massage or three. Two were conducted on a waterbed (well, Rivals has brought the 80s back into fashion), one involved stretching and all were utterly incredible. I could have tried cupping, dry needling, EMS therapy and percussive therapy as well, but there are only so many hours in the day.

Guests with any energy left can work out in their rooms, too – they are equipped with a Swedish ladder for pull-ups and dead hangs, a wellness ball to work the core even while sitting, plus weights, resistance bands and a yoga mat. A restful night’s sleep is aided by meditation playlists, temperature-controlled mattresses and sunrise alarm clocks.

As you might expect, the restaurant, Siro Table, serves healthy food. The breakfast buffet features ferments, nuts and seeds, with à la carte options such as avocado toast with poached eggs. At lunch and dinner, there are lots of vegetable-based dishes with protein add-ons “to achieve your desired macros” – I added chickpeas and tofu to courgette spaghetti, for example. But it’s not too abstemious: chips, desserts and wine are all on the menu too. The ground floor Refuel Bar serves smoothies and protein shakes, but there is an actual bar on the roof, with cocktails and Friday-night DJs.

After three days at Siro, I felt like an Olympic athlete myself. Now all I have to do is keep it up back home. I wonder how much a pair of compression boots would set me back?

HONG KONG — As President Trump left Beijing on Friday, Chinese social media resurfaced a familiar nickname for the president — flattering at first glance — declaring that Chuan Jianguo, the “Nation Builder,” had returned.

It was not meant as a compliment. The nation he is building, according to the Chinese, is not the United States but their own, through a series of inadvertent yet costly mistakes inflicted by Trump at home and abroad.

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If the Chinese government was self-assured entering Trump’s summit with Xi Jinping, then the results of the state visit, in which Beijing refused to offer Trump any meaningful deals or concessions, signal their unmistakable confidence in American decline.

Chinese government statements in local media stating as much made their way back to Trump as he was departing, aggravating the president, a U.S. official said. But the White House secured a clarification from the Chinese that seemed to placate Trump. America was only declining under President Biden, they said — not anymore.

President Trump and President Xi Jinping tour Zhongnanhai Garden on Friday in Beijing.

(Evan Vucci / Pool via Getty Images)

The Trump administration argues the trip was a success, having secured the display of conciliation and partnership the president had sought after years of increasingly dangerous acrimony.

Foreign policy hawks on China will be displeased with his new direction of friendship and cooperation with a government they view as openly hostile to the United States. But Trump seems to have reached a similar conclusion as past administrations, that China might require a relationship in pursuit of, as Xi put it, “constructive strategic stability.”

Trump was notably out of character throughout his stay here, deferential to his host, marveling at displays of Chinese power and reticent to speak with the press.

Five times over two days, Trump referred to Xi as his friend, taking every public opportunity to offer his compliments and pats on the back. None of it was reciprocated. The Chinese leader, Trump told Fox News in an interview, was “all business” in private, as well, apparently uninterested in his overtures of personal goodwill.

Presidents Xi and Trump tour Zhongnanhai Garden on Friday.

(Evan Vucci—Pool/Getty Images)

The summit may ultimately be remembered as the moment when Trump recognized a shifting power dynamic, where an American president had the rare and uncomfortable experience of entering a meeting clearly overmatched.

“I think the most important thing is relationship,” Trump said in the interview, describing the summit as “historic.”

“It’s all about relationship,” he added. “I have a very good relationship with President Xi.”

Taiwan was discussed ‘the whole night’

Little of substance was accomplished over two days of talks. But Chinese officials expected no less after warning Trump’s team before the summit that its minimal preparation had failed to lay the groundwork for diplomatic agreements.

Still, the lack of breakthroughs may come as a relief to some in Washington. Trump appears to have held to a long-standing U.S. line on Taiwan, for now, refusing to provide Xi with clarity on whether the United States would defend the self-ruled island if China tries to reclaim it by force.

The two men discussed the matter “the whole night,” Trump told Fox.

If China attacked, “they would be met harshly, and bad things will happen,” Trump said. Yet within the same answer, he questioned Taiwan’s “odds” against China if war were to break out, even with U.S. help, noting its proximity to the Chinese mainland and its vast distance away from the United States.

Whether Trump will proceed with arms sales to Taiwan — passed by Congress and obligated by law under the Taiwan Relations Act — is still an open question.

“If you kept it the way it is, I think China is going to be OK with that,” Trump said, referencing an ambiguous status quo around Taiwan’s status, “but we’re not looking to have somebody say, ‘Let’s go independent because the United States is backing us.’ ”

“Taiwan would be very smart to cool it a little bit,” he added. “China would be smart to cool it a little bit. They ought to both cool it.”

President Trump departs as President Xi looks on after a visit to Zhongnanhai Garden on Friday.

(Evan Vucci/ Pool via Getty Images)

Curious company

Trump’s choice of company in the U.S. delegation left the Chinese with questions over the purpose of the trip.

Lara Trump, a Fox News host and the president’s daughter-in-law, attended alongside her husband, Eric Trump, whose presence as a private citizen running the Trump Organization was a direct appeal to Beijing to treat the administration like a family business. Brett Ratner, director of the “Rush Hour” series and a documentary on the first lady that bombed at the box office, was given prime placement along with America’s top business leaders.

The last time a secretary of Defense attended a presidential state visit to China was on Richard Nixon’s famous trip in 1972. Chinese officials were unsure what to make of Pete Hegseth’s presence — whether it was meant to convey a softer stance, a hardening one, or simply an ignorance of basic diplomatic protocol.

Trump said he felt personally honored by the lavish welcome he received on the edge of Tiananmen Square, outside the Great Hall of the People, where China hosts all visiting dignitaries.

Before a lunch at Zhongnanhai, the secretive headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party, Trump asked Xi if he was special for getting to visit the compound. He was the fourth U.S. president to do so.

While the Trump administration offered itself glowing reviews of the outcome of the summit, the Chinese government offered little to say as he departed. And Chinese media highlighted Beijing’s resolute stance on American priorities — from trade to the Iran war — as evidence of Chinese confidence and American decline.

But all that business wasn’t the point of the trip, Trump told Fox’s Bret Baier. For the president, it was all personal.

“I want to thank President Xi, my friend, for this magnificent welcome,” Trump said in his toast at the state banquet, repeating the personal overture. “The American and Chinese people share much in common. We value hard work. We value courage and achievement. We love our families and we love our countries.

“Together, we have the chance to draw on these values to create a future of greater prosperity, cooperation and happiness and peace for our children,” Trump added. “We love our children. This region and the world — it’s a special world, with the two of us united and together.”

Military police in Bolivia arrested demonstrators, and used tear gas to try and disrupt road blockades after 11 days of protests. Rallies over fuel shortages, due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, blocked roads, even after a deal was signed on Friday between protesters and the government.

YOU don’t have to spend hundreds on theme park tickets or overpriced attractions to have a great family day out this half term.

May half term is nearly here, and we’ve found plenty of days out that will cost you only a couple of pounds – and plenty more that are completely free.

Whether you’re a family of mini history buffs, budding astronauts or future artists, we’ve found hands-on activities to suit all interests.

From the north of Scotland down to the coast of Devon, here’s our pick of free and cheap family days out all across Britain for May half term.

North of England

Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos at the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester – £10

Step into a world of Cosmic Chaos at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum, where the cast of BBC’s Horrible Science lead you on a bizarre adventure through the planets.

Much like the hit children’s TV show, this experience is packed with weird facts and wacky experiments that make learning surprisingly fun.

Designed for families with children aged 7 and up, the exhibition lets you get hands-on with outer space – from inspecting space toilets, to programming your own rover and analysing moon rocks.

You’ll even get to journey through a wormhole before ending the trip with a dance on an alien disco planet.

The exhibition is open from now until January 2027, costing £10 per person with under 3’s going free. Make sure to book your tickets online in advance.

Room on the Broom trail at Hamsterley Forest, Durham – £4

This interactive woodland trail follows the theme of Julia Donaldson’s famous picture book through the trees of Hamsterley Forest.

Expect interactive activity points, forest facts and even a Dragon on your journey, which ends with a lovely photo op.

Purchase a trail pack from reception for just £4, which includes colouring, a lanyard, stickers and a pop-out magic wand.

National Railway Museum, York – free

Train geeks young and old will love a day out to the National Railway Museum in York.

You can stand face-to-face with Mallard (the world’s fastest steam locomotive) and climb aboard a Japanese Bullet Train, the only one of its kind outside Japan.

Plus their May half term event sees a free family trail, The Great Object Hunt, which will have you thoroughly searching each collection.

The museum is free to visit and open daily from 10am – 5pm. Make sure to book your free tickets in advance to secure your slot.

Interactive Big Art, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool – free

Looking for a creative afternoon out in Liverpool? Head to the Walker Art Gallery to discover Big Art, a space specifically for mini artists aged 0–5.

Your little ones can dive into a huge selection of toys and games, explore the dress-up area, or get stuck in at the craft table, which features a brand-new theme every single week.

Session times vary between 11am – 3pm. Check their website for details.

Bolton Museum and Little Lever Library, Greater Manchester – free

Step into hands-on history and nature at Bolton Museum.

Here families can walk through a stunning Ancient Egypt gallery or visit Greater Manchester’s only public aquarium.

Head over to the Little Lever Library for weekly Toddler Tales storytelling sessions.

For older kids, the Create and Craft sessions offer the perfect chance to get hands-on with free arts and crafts activities.

The museum is open daily from 9am – 5pm, and open from 10am – 4pm on Sundays.

Central and East of England

Heroes of The Air at the RAF Museum: Midlands – £3

From 23 – 31 May, the Royal Air Force Museum are running an exciting Hero Trail.

Families can pick up an activity sheet and work their way through the attraction, looking for clues in the collections as you learn about historic aviation heroes.

There will also be a free screening of the BBC documentary series WWII: I Was There for older history fans running daily from 25 – 29 May.

The museum opens daily from 10am with last admission at 4:30pm.

Downs Banks, Staffordshire – free

Get out and about in nature this May half term and visit Down Banks in Staffordshire.

There’s plenty of trails to walk or cycle through as a family, plus you could plan to bring a picnic or else stop by in the cafe and farm shop.

Down Banks is a National Trust site that is free to enter.

Planet Parade city-wide trail, Leicester – free

From now until 31 May, families can take part in this free city-wide, space-themed fun trail in Leicester.

Set off on an adventure through space-themed art made by local children and artists at multiple venues throughout the city, including visiting the Sun at the National Space Centre.

Download the My Leicester app for access to the free trail, or find more information on their website.

Titanosaur at Peterborough Cathedral – £6

Until May 31, visitors to Peterborough Cathedral can meet the Titanosaur – a huge model of Patagotitan Mayorum, one of the largest dinosaurs ever discovered.

The model is a sight to behold, loaned from the Natural History Museum and displayed in the epic Peterborough Cathedral – perfect for any dinosaur fans in the family.

There’s also educational activities set up in the cathedral to complete your visit.

Entry costs £6 per person, and visiting slots can be pre-booked online.

Play outdoors at Great Notley Country Park, Essex – free

This outdoor space in Essex has a near mile-long trim trail for kids to tackle.

Children can take on tyre swings, a giant see-saw, slides, climbers and more in Essex’s longest play trail.

Here you’ll also find Sky Ropes, a family-friendly high ropes course which costs just £13.50 per person, a much cheaper alternative to other treetop adventure sites such as Go Ape.

South and West England

May half term activities at The Box, Plymouth – free

The Box in Plymouth is the ideal attraction for a budget-friendly morning.

You can hunt for hidden treasures with a family trail sheet, or meet the famous Mildred the Mammoth statue.

The museum are running family-friendly activities during the May half term, including a picnic-themed arts and crafts session where you can make fun foods from clay for ages 4 – 11.

The museum is open daily from 10am – 5pm.

The Gruffalo Orienteering Trail, Exeter – £1.50

Haldon Forest Park in Devon has endless walking and cycling trails that are perfect to explore as the weather warms up.

Head to the Info Pod in the forest park to grab a Gruffalo Orienteering Trail sheet for an interactive quest through the woods.

Your journey leads you through the forest and finishes at the park’s play area, where you can snap a photo with the giant Gruffalo sculpture.

The trail costs £1.50 and leads you through twelve interactive stations.

Explore the outdoors at Bristol Walk Fest – free

From 1 – 31 May, Bristol Walk Fest is taking over the city, providing the perfect way for families to explore the city’s parks, streets, and hidden corners on foot.

Over 7,500 attend the city-wide festival each year, and it features a huge range of self-guided and guided walks led by local experts.

You can choose from street art discovery tours and historical walks, to gentle strolls through nature or even dress-up costume events.

There’s options available to suit all ages and fitness levels.

Most of the walks are free – check the event website for details.

Spring Family Fun at London Southbank – free and low-cost activities

Until May 31, the Southbank Centre in London are hosting a Spring Family Fun festival. There are both free and paid events available.

Highlights include a huge 80th birthday bash for legendary children’s poet Michael Rosen on May 23, followed by the high-energy DanceDanceDiscoPartyFunShow on May 30.

Families can also dive into creative workshops like textile quilting or grab a map for the interactive Architecture Explorers trail.

Make sure to check the festival website for specific events, and to pre-book your place.

Uber Boat London Audio Guide – £2.50 (+ admission ticket)

The Thames Clippers Uber Boat audio guide is an underrated way to explore London as a family from the water.

Hop aboard the boat and you can buy a London audio guide for £2.50 each, where a tour narrated by Rory Bremner teaches you fun facts all about the River Thames.

You can choose from two guides: a historical tour about the River Thames, or a guide to all the famous film and TV locations.

Once you grab the guide, simply download onto your smartphone, and make sure to bring your own headphones to listen along.

Note that the audio guide is a £2.50 add-on to a standard Uber Boat ticket. Tickets start from £6.20 for a single adult journey, with child tickets at 50% off the full adult price. Children 4 and under go free.

Scotland

Adventure Planet and Imagine Zone, National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh – free

The National Museum of Scotland houses two dedicated zones specifically designed for younger explorers.

Inside Adventure Planet, children can get hands-on with the museum‘s collections through digital challenges, puzzles, and a dress-up area.

The Imagine gallery features a giant musical floor, wobbly mirrors and a quiet reading corner, perfect for a chilled break with a book.

The National Museum of Scotland, including the Adventure and Imagine zones, are free to enter. The museum is open from 10am – 5pm daily.

The Wee Hub, Edinburgh

This unique attraction acts as a completely hands-on museum, where objects are displayed without glass casing, designed for families to pick up and interact with.

You can find the Wee Hub in the Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, where there are also often crafts sessions and art exhibitions taking place.

The Wee Hub is open from 11am – 3pm, Wednesday – Sunday.

Riverside Museum, Glasgow – free

This museum in Glasgow will transport you to the early 20th century via walk-through exhibits.

The standout feature is Main Street, a recreation of Glasgow from 1895 – 1930.

You can walk through an old-fashion street, popping into traditional shops with authentic interiors that make you feel like you’re in the past century.

Elsewhere, the floor is packed with transport marvels including the towering South African Loco 3007, life-size vintage buses, and detailed boat models that celebrate the city’s shipbuilding heritage.

The museum is open from 10am – 5pm daily, opening at 11am on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Family fun craft workshops at Art Gallery, Aberdeen – free

Every Saturday, Aberdeen Art Gallery hosts free, themed craft workshops designed for families with children aged 5 – 12.

These creative sessions let kids experiment with different art styles, from building intricate paper sculptures, to decorating treasure boxes and sketching portraits.

The workshops are set up as relaxed drop-in sessions, so there’s no need to book ahead – simply show up and start creating.

The Art Gallery is free to visit and open from 10am – 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am – 4pm on Sunday.

Wales and Northern Ireland

St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff – free

Walk straight into scenes from the past at St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff.

Inside you’ll find live demonstrations from skilled craftsmen, interactive galleries, as well as farming displays and rare breed farm animals outdoors.

You can also visit St Fagans Castle whilst you’re there, a pretty Elizabethan mansion.

Admission is free, with the museum open from 10am – 5pm daily.

The National Waterfront Museum, Swansea – free

This free-admission museum in Swansea is full of nautical and industrial artefacts, perfect for any budding historians.

If you visit between the 26 – 28 May, you can join in a free drop-in Holiday Make and Take session, where kids can create their own crafts to take home.

The museum is open from 10am – 5pm daily.

Geocaching in Snowdonia – free

Did you know Snowdonia is one of the most popular parts of the UK for geocaching?

Geocaching is an exciting adventure activity for all ages – it is essentially a huge outdoors treasure hunt, and it’s totally free!

Tucked away in nooks of the National Park you’ll find stashes of hidden items and letters known as caches, left by previous participants.

Simply sign up for a geocaching website, and follow the clues to find your hidden item – signing your name once you find the hidden cache to prove that you were there.

Ulster Museum, Belfast – free

The Ulster Museum is a treasure chest of artefacts and activities, where you can come face-to-face with everything from Egyptian mummies and dinosaurs to Spanish Armada gold.

The galleries include deep dives into topics like Inclusive Global Histories and fascinating science in the Elements exhibition.

For kids, the real action is in the Discovery Centres (located on Levels 1, 3, and 5).

These are hands-on zones where they can design their own dinosaurs, crawl inside a massive sensory tree, or raid the costume trunks for a bit of dress-up.

The Ulster Museum and Discovery Centre are free-entry and open from 10am – 5pm, from Tuesday – Sunday.

Urban Farm, Carrickfergus – free

This community-run farm in Carrickfergus is a hidden gem where you can get up close with pigs, goats, chickens, and ponies without spending a penny on entry.

It’s an underrated spot where families can meet the resident small pets and enjoy the County Antrim fresh air.

The site is also home to the Dancing Goat, a non-profit café serving up hot soups, sandwiches, tea, coffee and more.

The best part is that all the proceeds from the café are reinvested directly into the local area.

The farm is open from 9:30am – 4pm daily however it closes on Sundays.

May 14 (Asia Today) — CJ Olive Young said its wellness curation platform Olive Better has attracted 1.8 million new members within 100 days of launch, underscoring growing global demand for South Korea’s expanding K-wellness market.

The company said Wednesday that foreign customers now account for nearly half of sales at some key Olive Better locations, signaling rising international interest beyond traditional K-beauty products.

Olive Better, launched Jan. 30, currently features about 560 brands and roughly 13,000 products, according to the company.

Foreign customer sales initially accounted for about 7% of revenue after launch but have recently climbed to nearly 50% at some stores.

Industry analysts say Olive Young is broadening its consumer base from cosmetics into health and wellness products as global consumers increasingly seek Korean lifestyle and wellness trends.

Wellness products reorganized by lifestyle use

Olive Better reorganizes health products based on consumption methods and wellness goals to improve accessibility for consumers.

The platform offers “wellness shots” designed for quick consumption as well as gummy-type health supplements sold individually, expanding product flexibility and customer choice.

As of late April, more than half of the top 30 best-selling products in stores came from those categories, the company said.

Olive Young added that smaller wellness brands are also expanding product lines after joining the platform, helping them broaden consumer reach within the growing market.

The retailer recently launched a new private-label wellness brand called “All the Better,” offering about 50 products at relatively affordable prices to lower barriers for first-time wellness consumers.

Expansion planned in major shopping districts

Olive Young said it plans to strengthen wellness-focused curation across both online and offline channels.

Its online platform will be redesigned to help consumers search products more easily by function and purpose, while offline expansion will focus on major commercial districts with heavy tourist and younger consumer traffic, including Myeong-dong and Seongsu in Seoul.

The company plans to open 10 additional wellness-focused stores within the year and is also reviewing plans for hybrid stores combining Olive Young and Olive Better concepts.

An Olive Young official said the company was applying operational experience built through K-beauty expansion to the wellness sector while confirming global growth potential.

“K-wellness competitiveness will continue to grow through discovery of emerging domestic brands and market innovation,” the official said.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260514010003820

A UNUSUAL temporary ban is being rolled out in days at a popular vacation hotspot.

The law will impact all residents, tourists, and even cruise lines.

Alcohol sales will be completely banned across all islands in the Bahamas due to the general election, officials have confirmed.

Polls open on May 12 and between the hours of 8am and 6pm, no alcohol will be available for purchase, per a government notice.

This includes even on private islands that are owned by cruise lines.

Royal Caribbean said it will be abiding by the local laws at Coco Cay, it’s private island in the Bahamas.

“Royal Caribbean is respecting and complying with all local laws and regulations, as we do with every destination we visit,” a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told PEOPLE.

Both the Wonder of the Seas and the Oasis of the Seas ships will be visiting the island on that day.

It’s beach bars Perfect Day and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will still be open, the cruise line confirmed, and noted that passengers will still be able to get alcohol on board the ships.

Despite this, passengers are fuming about the sudden announcement.

“We scheduled a trip with stops in the Bahamas for our 40th anniversary,” one customer wrote on X.

“We are going with 26 of our friends. Planned activities at CocoCay and Nassau.

“The general election has banned all alcohol for the two days we are there. And we find out only two days before we leave? Not a way to treat customers who cruise four times a year.”

A FAMOUS seaside town is getting a £50million rail link as part of a major upgrade.

Described as the “best service since the steam days”, the change will make it easier for tourists to visit “Britain’s Magaluf”.

New and improved rail services will launch in Newquay on May 17, enhancing travel links for the Cornish coastal town.

Locals have hailed this project as “the best service since the steam days”, making rail transport a genuine option for commuting around the area.

The Mid Cornwall Metro, operated by Great Western Rail, has transformed every aspect of their service.

This comes after they received a £56.8million investment from the government, Cornwall Council and the rail sector.

FINAL CALL

All of the airlines that have been forced to close this year

GROUNDED

Major airline scraps two popular flight routes until next year

Now, an hourly train will run between Newquay and Par, locations which are over 20 miles apart.

The journey will also extend to popular destinations such as St Austell, Truro, Penryn and Falmouth.

A convenient “tap in, tap out” system has been extended to cover the whole of Cornwall, letting passengers use a pay as you go scheme.

Trains will run seven days a week and all year round, with Mid Cornwall Metro hoping to offer 700,000 seats each way for passengers travelling between Newquay and Par.

The improvements have come in multiple forms, such as building new passing loops, replacing metres of tracks and installing new signal boxes.

Back in November, a second platform opened at Newquay station for the first time in 40 years, having shut due to a signal box closure in 1987.

As part of the £50million investment, the station was transformed with a completely rebuilt platform and brand-new track.

Now, commuters will be able to travel all around Cornwall in just over a week’s time.

The presidential office said Tuesday it will likely take several days to determine the cause of an explosion and fire aboard a Panama-flagged bulk carrier operated by South Korea’s HMM Co. in the Strait of Hormuz.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung made the remarks in a written briefing after senior presidential officials, including presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, held a meeting to discuss the response to the fire.

“It is expected to take several days to analyze the cause,” the spokesperson said. “The government will brief the public transparently after swiftly and accurately determining the cause of the incident.”

The spokesperson said the vessel will be towed to a nearby port using a tugboat for investigation, with investigators from the Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal and the National Fire Agency to be dispatched.

The explosion occurred at about 8:40 p.m. Monday (Korean time), while the HMM Namu was anchored in waters off the United Arab Emirates (UAE), HMM said. The fire began in the engine room, and crew members used carbon dioxide to fight the blaze for about four hours. No injuries were reported, the company said Tuesday.

HMM said security camera footage showed the fire had been put out and said it would later inspect the engine room to assess the damage.

The freighter had 24 crew members on board — six South Koreans and 18 foreign nationals.

The cause of the explosion and fire, as well as the extent of the damage, is currently under investigation.

“It remains unclear whether the incident was caused by an external attack or an internal malfunction,” an HMM official said.

HMM said it plans to tow the freighter to Dubai, a process expected to take several days.

The spokesperson said South Korea is sharing relevant information with the United States, Iran and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

She said the oceans ministry and the Cheonghae naval unit operating in the Gulf of Aden are in communication with the HMM Namu, adding the government is in daily contact with the 26 South Korean ships anchored in the strait.

In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that Iran has taken shots at a South Korean cargo ship and other targets as he called on Seoul to participate in a mission to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

The presidential office separately said it is reviewing Trump’s proposal by considering the readiness posture on the Korean Peninsula and domestic legal procedures.

“(We) are actively taking part in multiple international efforts for the swift stabilization, recovery and normalization of the global maritime logistics network.” it said. “In this context, (we) are paying attention to President Trump’s remarks.”

Industry officials said South Korean-operated ships in waters off the UAE were moving toward Qatar in line with government measures to steer clear of the Strait of Hormuz for safety.

The incident came after the U.S. launched an operation, called Project Freedom, this week to guide commercial vessels stranded by the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran out of the waterway.

HMM operates five vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including one container ship and two oil tankers.

Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency prohibits its content from being redistributed or reprinted without consent, and forbids the content from being learned and used by artificial intelligence systems.

An overlooked European city, just two hours from the UK, warrants a visit, thanks to its balmy rays of sunshine 300 days out of the year and affordable flights that start from £29

Just two hours from the UK is a beautiful Mediterranean city that basks in a remarkable 300 days of glorious sunshine every year, and flights start from just £28.99 with easyJet.

Montpellier, in southern France, is often bypassed in favour of tourist hotspots such as Paris, but it definitely deserves a place on your travel list. The charming city offers a scenic escape from busy crowds, with a laid-back atmosphere amid its medieval architecture, bustling squares and delightful cafés.

You won’t be short of sun-soaked rays here, as Montpellier is widely considered one of France’s sunniest locations, with an average of 300 days of sunshine every year and summer daylight extending to around 10 hours. Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, it enjoys mild winters and hot, dry summers, so rainfall is rarely an issue, with temperatures reaching around 17C in May and 22C in June.

READ MORE: Europe’s ‘sunniest city’ with 3,300 hours of annual sunshine has £16 flights and £2.50 pintsREAD MORE: Europe’s ‘most beautiful beach’ with pristine sands is just 3 hours from UK with £28 flights

A spring escape couldn’t come at a better time as easyJet launched a new route from Manchester Airport to the sun-kissed city of Montpellier earlier this year. The first flight departed at the start of April this year, with services scheduled to operate twice-weekly on Mondays and Fridays throughout the summer season.

One-way direct tickets can be booked from £28.99, with the journey taking just over two hours from Manchester – meaning you’ll be basking in those southern rays in no time. If you needed another excuse to experience the Mediterranean lifestyle in Montpellier, you’ll be pleased to hear that it has an impressive selection of sights and attractions.

There’s the historic city centre to wander through, with the stunning Place de la Comédie, the historic Promenade du Peyrou, and the Gothic Saint-Pierre Cathedral. And a visit to the city isn’t complete without exploring its pedestrian-friendly Old Town, with winding medieval streets, chic boutiques, and lively squares filled with cafés, restaurants, and hidden courtyards.

Meanwhile, the botanical gardens, Jardin des Plantes – the oldest in France – provide a tranquil escape, boasting an impressive collection of plants and peaceful walkways. The Peyrou Promenade, on the other hand, offers stunning panoramic views across the city and the surrounding countryside, ideal for taking in the atmosphere of this overlooked European gem.

Following the launch of the new flights to Montpellier, Kevin Doyle, easyJet’s UK country manager, said: “We are really pleased to be celebrating our inaugural flights to the fantastic city of Montpellier, just a stone’s throw from the Mediterranean coast. By introducing new connections from Manchester on our unrivaled leisure network, customers from across the northwest can now enjoy even more choice this summer to book and travel with ease.

“We’re continuing to provide our customers with even more choice and connectivity at fantastic fares, and we look forward to welcoming them onboard.”

Stephen Turner, chief commercial officer at Manchester Airport, added: “We are proud to connect the people of the North with more destinations than any other airport in the country outside London, so it’s fantastic to be celebrating this inaugural flight today.

“Montpellier is not currently served by any other airline so passengers planning a holiday to the south of France this summer will have even more choice of destinations when flying from Manchester. We’re sure this new route will prove extremely popular.”

For more information, or to book easyJet flights, visit their website.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

PATRICK Muldoon’s tragic cause of death has been confirmed after the soap star’s sudden collapse at the age of 57.

The Days Of Our Lives and Melrose Place actor died from a heart attack, according to official records, with several underlying health conditions also revealed.

New details show Muldoon suffered a myocardial infarction – more commonly known as a heart attack – on April 19, as confirmed by his death certificate.

The document, released by the County of Los Angeles’ Department of Public Health, also listed contributing factors to his death.

These included a hereditary coagulopathy disorder, which affects blood clotting, and a pulmonary embolism – a dangerous blood clot that travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow.

The actor was cremated on Tuesday, with his occupation listed as both actor and producer.

Read more on Celebrity Deaths

SOAP STAR TRAGEDY

Days Of Our Lives & Melrose Place actor dies ‘suddenly’ at 57

RIDE OVER

Country singer David Allen Coe who penned Take This Job and Shove It dies at 86

His sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, had earlier shared that he died of a heart attack, posting a touching tribute alongside a final video sent to family just hours before his death.

In the clip, Muldoon is seen joking while showing a painting at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

“As always, he jokes… and yet profoundly brings all things into one moment,” she wrote.

“The joke-ster, the artist, the football player, and the intensely spiritually connected, Jesuit educated, incredible being that is Patrick Muldoon. My best friend. The best brother/son/uncle/anyone could ever possibly ask for.”

“I will have so much more to share as I know he loves this earthly realm and all he created within it,” she continued, “including all of the love and light his spirit is now receiving through all of you…. Surrounding you in light.”

Tributes also poured in from friends and co-stars, including actress Barbara Eden.

“Patrick was a sweet man who was very personable,” she said.

“I enjoyed the time we spent between takes and just enjoying each other’s company in general during the production of the film. He made the experience even more fun.”

“While the passing of a loved one is never easy,” she added, “it is especially difficult when it’s unexpected and sudden as I understand Patrick’s was. My thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends.”

Born in San Pedro, California, Patrick Muldoon shot to fame in the 1990s after launching his career while studying in the University of Southern California, where he also played football.

He first appeared on Who’s the Boss? before landing a role on Saved By the Bell after graduating in 1991.

His big break came as Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives, a role he originated between 1992 and 1995 before returning years later.

Muldoon later played villain Richard Hart on Melrose Place and starred in a string of TV movies.

On the big screen, he was known for playing Zander Barcalow in the 1997 sci-fi hit Starship Troopers.

His final film, Dirty Hands, is due for release later this year.

Away from the spotlight, Muldoon worked behind the scenes as an executive producer on a number of films and was also passionate about music, performing as lead singer of The Sleeping Masses.

Known as “Bobo” to loved ones, Muldoon is survived by his partner Miriam Rothbart, his parents, his sister and extended family.

April 25 (UPI) — An Egyptian family of six that was released from custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement days ago was rearrested on Saturday and may be headed for a quick deportation, their lawyer said.

After an emergency appeal earlier in the day, U.S. District Court Judge Fred Biery said the family’s immediate deportation should be paused, The Guardian and The Texas Tribune reported.

Hayam El Gamal and her five children had been held in the Dilley detention center outside San Antonio, Texas, which has been criticized for lack of medical care and food, for ten months.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Chestney on Thursday ruled that the family, which came to the United States in 2022 on a tourist visa and applied for asylum, should be freed while they wait for a decision on their case.

After the family was arrested again on Saturday morning, El Gamal’s attorney, Eric Lee, posted on X that the family had already been put on a flight to Michigan, where they are expected to be deported to Egypt.

Calling the agency’s actions “an absolutely brazen violation of separation of powers,” Lee said the flight “constitutionally” should not be permitted to take off, posting “stop this travesty of justice from taking place.”

The family was arrested in June after El Gamal’s husband, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, allegedly threw Molotov cocktails into a crowd rallying in support of Israeli hostages being held in Gaza.

A judge already had temporarily halted their deportation in June after their arrest.

Former New Zealand all-rounder Doug Bracewell has admitted using cocaine after the first day of Essex’s final County Championship match last year.

Bracewell returned the positive test on 25 September – the second day of the match against Somerset at Chelmsford.

He was notified by the Cricket Regulator in November and responded on 8 December, confirming he had used cocaine after the first day of the fixture, into the early hours of the following morning.

Bracewell, who signed for Essex for the final three Championship matches of the season, opened the bowling on day one, claiming two wickets as Somerset moved to 339-6. He was not required to bat on day two and Essex eventually won the match by seven wickets.

After being notified of the positive test, Bracewell then retired from cricket on 28 December. The Regulator has still issued him with a two-year ban.

Part of a famous New Zealand cricketing family – his uncle John Bracewell played 28 Tests and cousin Michael is a current Black Cap – Doug played 69 international matches across formats.

He also previously served a one-month ban for cocaine use in 2024.

Bracewell has accepted the sanction, while Essex will not face punishment.

“Essex can confirm that Doug Bracewell failed a routine drugs test in September 2025,” said a club statement.

“The club supports the Cricket Regulator’s decision to impose a period of ineligibility of two years. All employees are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct.

“While the club does not condone Bracewell’s behaviour, we are committed to supporting him through rehabilitation in line with our policies and procedures.”

Ninety-five years ago next month, Aurelio Manrique Jr. landed a job as a mild-mannered L.A. Times columnist. But the resume this native of the central Mexico state of San Luis Potosí brought to the paper was that of a firebrand.

Medical student turned political prisoner. Fought in the Mexican Revolution. Governor of his home state. Trusted advisor of general-turned-president Álvaro Obregón. Founder of a left-wing political party. Mexican legislator. He even took to the floor of Mexico’s congress to denounce former president Plutarco Elías Calles as a farsante — a phony — and then pull a gun on a rival who took issue with his vitriol.

Tall, with round wire glasses and a shock of black hair that was the inverse of his Moses-like beard, Manrique cut an exciting figure in Latino L.A. when he arrived as a political exile in 1929 after the so-called Escobar rebellion, which was an attempt to overthrow the Mexican government. A Oct. 28, 1929 Times dispatch noted that “it is not uncommon to find among the shabby, shuffling street venders [sic] of Sonoratown” former Mexican bigwigs “offering sweetmeats and trinkets from trays” in an effort to survive.

Finding a home in L.A.

They, like so many other political refugees before and since, made L.A. a home but also a place to fight for the freedom of their homeland.

Manrique, on the other hand, was hailed as the “intellectual head” of his fellow Mexican refugee politicos and an “accomplished linguist” who spoke Spanish, English, French and German.

“He stands in my memory as a pillar of fire because, at all times, he has never been afraid to do or say what he considered to be right, regardless of his own personal or political fate,” an admirer would recall decades later in the Virginia Quarterly Review.

The revolutionary found welcome audiences across the Southland with lectures and Spanish-language radio show appearances to talk about what was going on in his home country. He participated in Mexican Independence Day and Cinco de Mayo festivities and even found work in Hollywood films as everything from a British lord to an Arab sheikh.

But reputation doesn’t pay the bills, so Manrique also offered translation and interpreter services from a small Bunker Hill office. He also held Spanish-language classes twice a week at the L.A. Central Library. Soon after, The Times — a paper that back then loathed leftists of all stripes — hired Manrique as a columnist in May 1931. He was to be in charge of its daily Spanish-language roundup of world and local events, which the paper had regularly published since 1922.

The revolutionary plays a more reserved role

I wish I could say that Manrique used his platform to inveigh against the mass roundups of Mexican Americans that kicked off that year and that would lead to the repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Mexican Americans, citizens and not, during the 1930s. Or that Manrique taught his Times bosses that Latinos were more than domestic help or a societal scourge. Or that he deserves a spot in the pantheon of legendary Times metro columnists like Jack Smith, Ruben Salazar and Steve Lopez.

Alas, it was not to be.

The daily columna was just a roundup of wire stories published in Spanish, part of The Times’ effort to teach the language of Cervantes to those interested. Every Monday, the 40-year-old Manrique also wrote Platicas de Los Lunes [Monday Lessons], a place for the professor to teach new words to readers via translations, poems and sample sentences.

Manrique’s last byline was April 25, 1932. In the hundreds of columnas he wrote for us, I found nothing even remotely hinting at the progressive lion that Mexicans in Southern California knew him as. But in an era in which Latino visibility in Anglo Southern California was nonexistent when it wasn’t heavily stereotyped, Manriquez’s brief tenure at The Times was an important step for future Latino writers at the paper, all of us whom owe a debt to the man.

He returned to Mexico in early 1933 after President Abelardo L. Rodríguez announced amnesty for him and other exiles. The former revolutionary spent the rest of his life working for the Mexican government, most notably as ambassador to Scandinavian countries from 1946 to 1956.

In 1962, the retired Manrique returned to his old L.A. stomping grounds one final time five years before his death for a lecture at the Alexandria Hotel.

“He finds Los Angeles completely changed,” La Opinión reported, “and told us, with a tone of barely concealed sadness, that many of those who knew him had disappeared.”

The fate of all Angelenos, alas.

Today’s top stories

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton speaks at a March 7 town hall in Mentone.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

A Trump-endorsed Republican could become California’s next governor

A second ticket drop for the Olympics

• A second ticket drop is set to open in August and will offer refreshed inventory across all sports at a range of prices.
• Those who registered but did not receive a slot in the first ticket drop or did not buy all 12 of their tickets will be enrolled in a lottery for a spot in the second ticket drop.

Court strikes down California mask law

California is getting 3 new state parks

• California will establish the new parks in the Central Valley, marking the state’s largest park expansion in decades and bringing the statewide total to 283 parks.
• The parks will serve historically underserved communities with recreation and historic preservation.

What else is going on

Commentary and opinions

This morning’s must-read

Other must-reads

For your downtime

The waffle with maple butter is the drive-across-town dish at celebrity-backed Max & Helen’s, the Larchmont diner opened by Phil Rosenthal and Nancy Silverton.

(Ron De Angelis / For The Times)

Going out

Staying in

A question for you: What’s your favorite California-themed book?

Marya says, “Hard Times in Paradise” by David and Micki Colfax.

Cristina says, “Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck.

Email us at essentialcalifornia@latimes.com, and your response might appear in the newsletter this week.

And finally … from our archives

On this day 21 years ago, “Me at the zoo” was the first video uploaded to YouTube, opening the door to a new medium of television.

For the 20th anniversary last year, The Times’ Wendy Lee wrote about the video sharing platform and how it changed TV as we know it.

Have a great day, from the Essential California team

Jim Rainey, staff reporter
Hugo Martín, assistant editor, fast break desk
Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor
Andrew Campa, weekend writer
Karim Doumar, head of newsletters

How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@latimes.com. Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on latimes.com.

EVERY few months you can grab free tickets to the races at racecourses like Doncaster and Ayr – but only if you’re a Sun Club member.

Once you sign up to Sun Club, you can benefit from a range of exclusive, members-only offers.

These include free darts tickets, 50% off West End shows, money off of London attraction tickets, plus early access to £9.50 holidays and more.

It’s really easy to sign up – simply click the button below to sign up to the £1.99 monthly membership, or bag a year for just £12.

Right now there’s a range of free race days for Sun Club members to make the most of, where you can bag four tickets for races every few months.

We’ve put together all of the race days coming up in the calendar for Sun Club members to pick from – plus the best things to do nearby, so you can make the most of your travels there.

HOLIDAY HACK

Little-known trick to get FREE days out including London Zoo and GoApe

BIG HERTS

My favourite English village is under an hour from London and a perfect day out

April Racedays

Gents Evening 2026 at Fontwell Park Racecourse, West Sussex
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 at 3:15pm

Fontwell Park describe this raceday as “The Ultimate Lads Day Out”, and ask guests to think Peaky Blinders and dress up dapper for a charmingly fun day.

Fontwell Park in West Sussex is also the only racecourse in the UK with a figure of eight-shaped steeplechase, which requires some amazing skill from the jockeys and is a joy to watch.

Make the most of dressing up posh and explore the Arundel Castle and Gardens, an 11th-century castle surrounded by 38 acres of gardens.

Saturday Evening – April Flat Racing 2026 at Doncaster Racecourse
Sat, 25 Apr 2026 at 2:35pm

This April Flat Turf Racing offers an exciting way to watch a straight mile sprint live, plus there’s even 50% off draught drinks and £10 off bottles of fizz for the first hour after the gates open.

Doncaster Racecourse offers fun for all the family, with live entertainment and food and drinks stalls to explore.

Doncaster Racecourse is one of the oldest in Britain, putting on world-class races since the 1500’s – and you could bag a historic day of fun there for free if you’re signed up to Sun Club.

Nearby top attractions include Yorkshire Wildlife Park and the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum, should you wish to make a day of it.

Country & Western Racenight 2026 at Southwell Racecourse
Sat, 25 Apr 2026 at 4:00pm

Yeehaw! Don your cowboy hat and boots for a country-themed night at the races with this last-minute racing night offer.

Expect live renditions of Dolly Parton classics by a tribute act, followed by a night of dancing to DJ tunes.

There’s plenty to do nearby too, like wandering The Workhouse, a popular National Trust site.

Four-Legged Friends Raceday at Nottingham Racecourse
Sun, 26 Apr 2026 at 12:15pm

No need to leave your furry friend at home with this dog-friendly race day at the esteemed Nottingham Racecourse.

You can even enter your pet in a range of competitions, which include Loveliest Lady and Best Rescue.

If you’re staying for the weekend, take your furry friend on a walk through the beautiful grounds of Wollaton Hall.

May Racedays

RSA Syndicate Evening Racing at Huntingdon Racecourse
Tue, 19 May 2026 at 4:30pm

Race days at Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire make for a spectacular day out.

The home of the Peterborough Chase offers other fun events throughout the year, such as their RSA Syndicate Evening Racing, where you can bag a free ticket this May as a Sun Club member.

Spend the day beforehand having a nosy in Cambs Lock Antiques or the Cromwell Museum.

Tennent’s Raceday at Ayr Racecourse
Wed, 20 May 2026 at 12:10pm

Ayr is Scotland’s premier racecourse, home to massive events like the Scottish Grand National and Ayr Gold Cup.

The Tennent’s Raceday is one of the venue’s biggest midweek racing events, with plenty of friendly competition and top-tier hospitality.

There’s plenty to do nearby too, like strolling the historic Auld Brig or visiting the town centre to pop in some traditional pubs.

Feel Good Friday Racing at Carlisle Racecourse
Fri, 29 May 2026 at 1:10pm

Thoroughbred horse racing venue Carlisle Racecourse are running a Feel Good Friday race day, where you can expect an afternoon packed with plenty of races and also music from a live DJ.

This is the only Friday in the racecourse’s racing calendar, so make sure to bag it whilst you can by signing up to Sun Club.

Stay the weekend and explore two mega historical sites: Carslisle Castle and the epic Hadrian’s Wall.

June Racedays

Virtus Property Race Night at Warwick Racecourse
Wed, 3 Jun 2026 at 4:30pm

The Virtus Property Race Night offers evening races under the lights, plus access to bars and the food market.

This evening also includes access to the Grandstand, winner’s enclosure, pre-parade and parade ring, too.

Spend the day beforehand at Warwick Castle, where you can see exciting shows from falconry to live jousting.

Fiver Friday Evening Racing at Market Rasen Racecourse
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 at 12:05pm

Head to Market Rasen Racecourse for a family-friendly evening packed with exciting races – plus under 18’s get to go for free.

Market Rasen Racecourse is a beautiful site in the Lincolnshire Wolds, which held its first race in 1924.

The Lincolnshire Wolds are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and offer plenty of scenic hiking and walking trails.

July Racedays

Family Sunday Raceday at Ayr Racecourse
Sun, 5 Jul 2026 at 12:00pm

The Family Sunday Raceday makes for a brilliant summer’s day out with the kids.

The day will include seven races, family-friendly entertainment, and even a mascot race where colourful characters will compete.

Turn the weekend into a family staycation and meet the animals at Ayr Farm Park or visit the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.

Glasgow Fair Family Raceday at Ayr Racecourse
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 at 12:00pm

The Glasgow Fair Family Raceday sees various owners and trainers put their horses to the test on the grounds.

There will be seven races, as well as free entertainment – plus kids go free.

Other things to do nearby include seeing the ruins of Greenan Castle or takig a stroll along Ayr Beach.

How to bag your free racing tickets

How to sign up to the Sun Club Membership Programme:

Step 1: To book your racing tickets join Sun Club now for just £1.99 a month.

Step 2: Then head to the Offers Hub Racing Page, select the ‘Four Free Racing Tickets’ tile, choose the racecourse you want to go to then click the ‘Book’ button.

Step 3: Confirm your details and then you will receive an email with your tickets.

Once tickets are all claimed, we will open up a limited waiting list for cancellations before showing it as ‘Fully booked’.

18+ Terms & Conditions apply, thesun.co.uk/club.

18+ UK only. Online access required. Four tickets every three month of active subscription. Racecourses and racedays vary subject to availability. Sun Club: 18+ UK only. New customer offer: £1.99 per month or £12 per per year unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. For full T&Cs, visit thesun.co.uk/club   

With 50 days to go until the World Cup kicks off, FIFA and the tournament’s host nations face criticism over wide-ranging social, political and logistical issues surrounding the global event.

Canada and Mexico will cohost the tournament with the United States, which, alongside Israel, launched a war on World Cup participant nation Iran on February 28. While the war is currently under a fragile temporary ceasefire, Iran’s participation in the tournament remains uncertain.

Fans across the three host countries are in uproar over exorbitant ticket prices, which have affected sales and interest in the world’s most popular quadrennial sporting event.

Local politicians and the public have also raised concerns over the hike in transport fares on routes connecting match venues in the US.

Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at the growing concerns in the run-up to the tournament, which begins on June 11 with the opening fixture between Mexico and South Africa:

What’s the latest on Iran’s participation in the World Cup?

Iran’s football team is preparing for the championship. However, officials say a final decision on the team’s participation will be taken by the government and the National Security Council after they review the players’ safety in the US.

Iran had said last month that it would not participate in the tournament amid the war, especially if the host nation could not guarantee players’ security. It followed a social media post from President Donald Trump, where he suggested that the Iranian team’s safety and security could not be guaranteed in the US, where Iranians are scheduled to play all their games.

The Iranian football federation then asked FIFA to relocate its games from the US to Mexico. FIFA rejected the request.

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino said last week that Iran “has to come” to the tournament.

Iran will play all their group stage matches on the US West Coast. Should they advance to the knockouts, the remaining games would also be held in the US.

Outrageous commuter fare prices in US host cities

Fans can expect to pay nearly 12 times the regular $12.90 fare for a round-trip train ride from Manhattan’s Penn Station to the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, venue of the World Cup final and seven other major fixtures.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and FIFA have chided each other on the $150 price tag for a roughly 15-minute, 14km (9-mile) ride; Sherrill said FIFA should bear the costs, while the global body hit back, saying it is not obligated to do so.

Train commutes to Gillette Stadium in Boston’s suburbs cost roughly four times the regular price ($20), while round-trip bus fares to Foxborough cost $95.

Host cities Los Angeles and Philadelphia have pledged to keep their transit fares unchanged, while Kansas City is offering a $15 round-trip fare to Arrowhead Stadium. Houston said it has added buses and train cars to serve fans but intends to keep fares at current levels: $1.25 for buses and light rail trains, and park-and-ride options ranging from $2 to $4.50.

High prices, low demand for match tickets

Sky-high ticket prices have left fans outraged at what they say is pricing that excludes supporters from the tournament. A lag in ticket sales for blockbuster matches, including hosts USA vs Paraguay, seems to be a testament to the high price tag.

FIFA put tickets on sale in December at prices ranging from $140 for Category 3 in the first round to $8,680 for the final. Later, it raised prices to as high as $10,990 when sales reopened on April 1.

The North American bid had initially promised tickets would be available for as little as $21; however, the cheapest ticket has been priced at $60. Most tickets cost at least $200 for matches involving higher-ranked teams.

FIFA announced another round of ticket sales on Wednesday to coincide with the 50-day countdown. Tickets will be available across categories 1 to 3 for all 104 matches on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pushback against immigration raids during World Cup matches

The Trump administration’s push for mass deportation and its efforts to tighten legal immigration pathways have spurred concerns about whether the World Cup’s international audience might be targeted by US immigration authorities.

Infantino was approached last week to pressure Trump to avoid immigration raids at this year’s tournament. Reporters suggested that agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) were present at last year’s FIFA Club World Cup matches, though the Trump administration denied conducting enforcement efforts.

A report by The Athletic explained that FIFA executives have framed the possibility of an immigration moratorium as a potential public relations boon for the Trump administration. It also indicated that the executives hoped Infantino would leverage his friendly relationship with Trump to assuage any immigration-related fears.

Violence in Mexico raises fears over tournament security

World Cup cohost Mexico is also under the spotlight due to concerns for fan safety after a lone attacker opened fire on tourists near the country’s capital on Monday.

The accused opened fire on top of one of the Teotihuacan pyramids — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Mexico’s most frequented tourist attractions — and killed one Canadian tourist and injured 13 others.

It raised questions about security protocols taken by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government in the run-up to the global football tournament.

Sheinbaum said Mexico will beef up security ahead of the World Cup.

“Our obligation as a government is to take the appropriate measures to ensure that a situation like this does not happen again. But clearly, we all know — Mexicans know — that this is something that had not previously taken place,” she said on Tuesday.

Patrick Muldoon, known for his roles on “Days of Our Lives,” “Melrose Place” and “Starship Troopers,” has died. He was 57.

The actor and producer reportedly died Sunday, his manager confirmed to Variety. According to Deadline, Muldoon died suddenly after a heart attack. The Times has reached out to Muldoon’s reps for comment.

Muldoon originated the role of Austin Reed on the daytime soap opera “Days of Our Lives.” He first portrayed the aspiring boxer and brother of Lisa Rinna‘s Billie Reed from 1992 to 1995, and returned to reprise the role from 2011 to 2012 (the character had since become a forensic accountant).

“Austin is a wonderful role,” Muldoon told The Times in 1995. The actor explained he took his “sweet time” mulling over whether to leave the show because “it was one hell of a decision to make.”

“I’m leaving for no other reason than why other people leave soaps,” Muldoon said at the time. “To take a shot at doing other things like nighttime, movies and other things. … I feel confident right now so I figured I better take the shot sooner than later. If I don’t, I’ll always wonder ‘what if.’ ”

He played the recurring villain Richard Hart on the primetime soap “Melrose Place” for three seasons beginning in 1995. Muldoon’s big-screen roles include Zander Barcalow, a pilot and rival of Casper Van Dien’s Johnny Rico, in Paul Verhoeven’s 1997 movie “Starship Troopers.”

Born September 27, 1968, in San Pedro, Muldoon’s early passions included football. He started playing at the age of 6 and would go on to play at Loyola High School and then at USC.

“I did fairly well for being a smaller tight end,” Muldoon told The Times in 2012, adding that getting run over during practice by USC teammate Junior Seau — the late linebacker who had a 20-year NFL career — was among the factors that led him to pursue acting instead. Muldoon began his acting career during the sport’s offseason, and his earliest roles were on shows such as “Who’s the Boss?” and “Saved by the Bell.”

In addition to acting, Muldoon was a producer with credits on films such as “Riff Raff” (2024), “Marlowe” (2022), “The Card Counter” (2021) and “The Comeback Trail” (2020). Most recently, he shared on Instagram his excitement of being among the executive producers for the upcoming film “Kockroach.”