The couple were notably absent from a crucial episode
One couple was absent from the final commitment ceremony(Image: Channel 4 )
The final stretch is nearly here for this year’s Married at First Sight UK couples, who tied the knot with complete strangers just weeks ago.
Recent episodes on E4 have shown some pairs flourishing as they’ve built connections, whilst others have endured emotional breakdowns, startling revelations and fierce rows.
With final vows looming, the remaining participants faced a crucial decision at Tuesday evening’s (November 4) final commitment ceremony about whether to remain in the experiment.
But in an unexpected twist, one couple failed to show up, prompting expert Mel Schilling to address the assembled group.
She said: “It’s been incredible to see all your journeys unfold with your time with us. This is the last time that you get to bring your marriage to the couch and share with us where you’re at at this pivotal stage in the experiment and make that final decision on whether to stay or leave”, reports OK!
“Before we begin, obviously you’ll all notice that Grace and Ashley are not with us today, they’ve had a rocky couple of weeks and as a result, felt they needed more time to reflect and they won’t be joining us today.”
The pair – who spent homestays week apart – had both been contemplating their future together, with Ashley removing his wedding band when audiences last saw him.
He admitted that he and Grace might be “too different”, whilst she became tearful and claimed she’d witnessed a side of Ashley that nobody else had seen. She also accused him of making her feel like she was the “problem” and that their marriage was “doomed”.
Grace referred back to earlier rows they’d had over Ashley wanting her to wear a dress for a particular dinner and offering to get her nails done, disputing the way she recalled those conversations.
“I would sit on that couch, hear him twisting things to be more positive and favourable to him, sometimes I take issue with him about something, and he’d be like, no I didn’t, and I’d be like, well how do I argue with you now?” she said.
“I felt really isolated,” she continued, becoming emotional as she spoke about her self-doubt and questioned whether she’d misunderstood their relationship.
“Why am I the only person that sees him this way? No, he is doing this, he wants me to feel apologetic, contrived, he wants to be begged for forgiveness so he can feel in control. It’s the self-doubt that’s getting me down,” she cried. “I’ve had enough.”
Meanwhile, Ashley confessed that he and Grace weren’t “in the best place”, adding: “We’ve both put so much into this, I don’t know what to do, every relationship takes compromise, but we’ve both compromised and now we’re at a stage where she’s now what I need and I’m not what she needs.
“I do have feelings for her, and I do care for her, but I need Grace to be a different person, and I feel like she needs me to be a different person.”
Taking off his wedding ring and expressing his feeling of being “out of options”, Ashley added: “I can’t physically do any more to prove to her who I am as a person.”
Netflix fans do not have long left to wait for a brand new season of Squid Game: The Challenge.
456 players will take part in Squid Game: The Challenge season two competing for a huge £4.56 million prize. (Image: NETFLIX)
Squid Game fans have just two days left until a brand new season of a high stakes reality game returns to Netflix screens.
Once again, 456 players will take on a series of brutal games in the hopes of winning a staggering $4.56 million cash prize for season two of Squid Game: The Challenge.
The hit Netflix reality show, based on the popular Korean thriller Squid Game, was a huge success when it first hit screens back in 2023. Another series was announced earlier this year, with it now being just days away.
Unlike the original phenomenon where players are killed if they lose, there will still be devastating impacts as contestant will miss out on winning the life-changing amount of money. Despite the full cast remaining under wraps, Netflix has already announced some huge names, including familiar faces from Selling Sunset and Big Brother.
Episode release schedule explained
Squid Game: The Challenge season 2 will return to screens on November 4. However, not all episodes will be released straight away.
Instead, fans will have to wait a week for different instalments for the three week run.
On November 4, fans will be treated to four episodes as a group of brand new players are introduced to the game.
November 11 will then see the next three episodes aired.
But fans will have to wait until November 18 for the remaining episodes in the huge season finale.
Squid Game The Challenge games
With subtle nods to various games, executive producer Nicola Brown told Tudum: “Those little Easter eggs are important for both the viewers at home and the players.
“The first thing they do when they walk into the dorm is look at the walls and try to figure out what the new games might be.”
Here are some games fans can look forward to:
The count – a brand new game that will determine how the competition continues
Six-Legged Pentathlon – teams race head to head, with legs tied together with mini games thrown in
Catch – a brand new game which games designer Ben Norman teases is not as simple as it sounds
Mingle – players on a carousel must gather in groups consisting of a number called out and walk into an adjoining room
Marbles – with the same rules as season 1 players again partner up and given a bag of marbles and 30 minutes
Slides and Ladders – a new game that turns the familiar board game into something high stakes and “oversized”
Circle of Trust – blindfolded at desks in a circle, the player who received a gift box must guess who gave it to them
Finale game – Remains a mystery for now
Is there a season 3?
With season 2 just days away, Netflix has already geared up for another season of the hit reality show. Anyone wishing to take part can apply online for a chance to compete.
However, according to Tudum, there is another way to get on the show. Tudum hints: “Player recruitment for Season 3 is also now taking place through Squid Game: The Experience inboth New York and London.
“Winners at the immersive, IRL experience will receive priority in the casting process, though this does not guarantee they will be selected to take part in Season 3.”
Squid Game: The Challenge season 2 premieres Tuesday, November 4 on Netflix.
For the first time in seven years, Lily Allen is back with a new album. It’s intimate, raw and autofictional.
Last week, the “Smile” singer shared a 14-track breakup record, “West End Girl.” Amid her split with “Stranger Things” actor David Harbour, Allen provides an in-depth look into a broken relationship where the line between being open and being unfaithful is thin, where dating apps are on the table and where heartbreak seems inevitable.
The album, which was written in 10 days last December, begins with Allen’s move to New York. The singer relocated to the East Coast in 2020 with her two daughters and then-husband, following the couple’s whirlwind wedding in Las Vegas. When Allen started dating Harbour in 2019, she had just finalized her divorce from Sam Cooper, with whom she shares her children.
On “West End Girl’s” opening track, she sings about receiving an offer to be in a West End production in London. In 2021, Allen made her debut in the supernatural play “2:22 — A Ghost Story.” From that moment on, tensions and distance only continued to build between the pair. Toward the end of the title track, Allen includes her end of a call where her partner is seemingly asking to open up the marriage.
As the pop melodies continue to ebb and flow, Allen reveals accusations of infidelity, the complications of being in an open marriage and mentions a pseudonym for a mistress on a track named “Madeline.” She doesn’t stray away from details, especially when it comes to finding boxes of sex toys, love letters from other women and calling her partner a “sex addict” on “P— Palace.”
By the end of the record, she makes it clear that the relationship is irreparable. The pair announced their separation last February after four years of marriage. Since the project’s release last Friday, critics have been quick to fawn over Allen’s return to music and Allen has been sure to let the press know the album is not fully based in fact.
In an interview with The Times, the U.K.’s oldest national daily newspaper, she says, “I don’t think I could say it’s all true — I have artistic license. … But yes, there are definitely things I experienced within my relationship that have ended up on this album.”
She similarly told Perfect Magazine that the work can be considered “autofiction” and that an “alter ego” is singing. When sitting down with British Vogue, she clarified that the album is inspired by what went on in the relationship between, but “that’s not to say that it’s all gospel,”
Harbour has yet to directly speak out about their relationship and has strayed away from the public eye, disabling comments on his Instagram page.
In an interview with GQ in April, he said, “There’s no use in that form of engaging [with tabloid news] because it’s all based on hysterical hyperbole.”
The highly anticipated final season of Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” where Harbour plays the role of police chief Jim Hopper, will be released Nov. 27.
The United States has imposed multiple sanctions on Chinese companies for assisting the Russian military-industrial complex in its war against Ukraine. The US Department of Commerce and the Treasury alleged that several Chinese companies evaded US sanctions by selling sensitive technology needed by Russia to manufacture military weapons. One of these Chinese companies subject to US sanctions and its military dealings with Russia is “Sino Electronics Chinese Company,” which is considered as a part of a network of companies that has allegedly sent shipments worth approximately $200 million to Russia since the Chinese company was placed on the US sanctions list in September 2022. The shipments sent by the “Chinese Sino Network” to Russia included several microchips, cameras, and navigation equipment, technologies critical to Russian weapons used in its war with Ukraine, according to US accusations against Beijing.
These measures include broad US sanctions in 2024 and 2025 targeting entities in China and several other countries that support Russia’s war efforts. In October 2024, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on two Chinese drone companies, accusing them of participating in the production and supply of long-range attack drones to the Russian Air Force. Immediately following, in May 2024, US sanctions targeted Chinese companies and companies in several other countries for allegedly supplying electronic components and chemicals used in the manufacture of Russian weapons and missiles. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also warned that “the United States will take action against any Chinese companies that assist Russia in its efforts to obtain military supplies.” As a result of these US sanctions, Chinese banks have become more cautious in dealing with Russia, leading to a slowdown in trade between the two countries during 2024.
Since July 2025, the United States has threatened to impose secondary sanctions on any entity that continues to cooperate with Russia in an attempt to isolate Moscow by striking its cross-border trade networks, particularly with China. Secondary sanctions target third parties that deal with the directly sanctioned country, Russia in particular. The sanctions are not imposed because of the actions of the third party, but rather because of its economic ties to the sanctioned entity. Washington uses these sanctions to deter any entity that might indirectly contribute to supporting the sanctioned regime or helping it circumvent sanctions. In 2018, the United States imposed sanctions on a Chinese bank for allegedly conducting financial transactions with North Korea, even though the bank itself had not previously been subject to any sanctions.
A series of US sanctions on China have been imposed, alleging its military cooperation with Russia in its war against Ukraine. In July 2025, US intelligence reports alleged that Chinese companies were shipping engines to the Russian arms company IEMZ Kupol by mislabeling them to evade sanctions.
The US Department of Commerce expanded its blacklist of Chinese companies and state-owned entities, alleging their cooperation with Russia and supporting it in its war against Ukraine. The US Department of Commerce added several Chinese companies to the US blacklist, including Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics, which was added to the US list of banned Chinese companies for supplying technology to the Russian military sector. Washington also imposed controls on the Chinese export sector, expanding export control restrictions to include Chinese companies that are 50% or more state-owned, as well as entities on the US blacklist.
Here, China has rejected all US accusations regarding its dealings with Russian military companies in its war against Ukraine. Beijing has repeatedly denied US accusations of providing military support to Russia. China has also taken several countermeasures, such as imposing sanctions on US companies, in a move to escalate trade tensions between the two countries. Regarding China’s response to US sanctions, China has publicly rejected all these accusations. At the same time, these US sanctions have raised concerns among Chinese banks and companies about secondary sanctions, which may indicate that these US measures are having an impact on trade relations between China and Russia.
As for China’s official response to the US sanctions imposed on it for its dealings with Russia, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed in an official statement that the United States, by demanding that countries stop purchasing Russian oil, is participating in threatening and undermining international trade. In response to Trump’s threats regarding the purchase of Russian oil, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that “China will take decisive countermeasures if its legitimate rights and interests are harmed, and that China opposes the United States using Beijing as a pretext to impose illegal unilateral sanctions on the Russian side.” The Chinese Foreign Ministry also stressed that “China has lodged a protest with Britain regarding the inclusion of Chinese companies on the sanctions list against Russia. Cooperation between Russian and Chinese companies should not be subject to interference or influence.” The Chinese Foreign Ministry also commented on the British sanctions imposed on it for allegedly dealing with Russian companies and entities, saying that “Beijing will take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”
China has categorically rejected all unilateral US sanctions against it, and the punitive tariffs imposed by Trump have angered Beijing. However, unlike Europe or other countries, China has shown confidence, with official Chinese authorities declaring that “it will fight to the end.” An official statement issued by China on October 13, 2025, stated that “threatening to impose high tariffs is not the right way to negotiate with China. The United States must adjust its position.” Beijing has already responded by imposing counter-tariffs and restrictions on US exports, including rare earths.
As for the nature of the sanctions directed against Russia in 2025, these new US sanctions focus on indirectly strangling the Russian economy by pressuring countries and companies that deal with Moscow in strategic sectors such as energy, metals, and technology. In July 2025, US President Donald Trump announced a 50-day deadline for reaching a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine; otherwise, tariffs of up to 100% would be imposed on countries importing Russian oil or gas. Meanwhile, the US Congress is discussing a bill that would impose tariffs of up to 500% on Russian exports, including secondary sanctions on financing or transporting entities. Trump warned that all companies dealing with Russia, especially Chinese companies, entities, and institutions, particularly those operating in the technology and metals sectors, could be barred from entering the US market or using the international financial system.
Finally, regarding the impact of these unilateral US sanctions on China and other countries for allegedly dealing with Russian companies, I believe these US threats will not go unchallenged, as they could undermine confidence in the global economic system and raise questions about who has the right to punish whom and under what international legitimacy? Applying this to Russia, we find that Moscow is linked to extensive trade networks with major economies in strategic sectors such as energy, minerals, and food. These Russian entanglements with global economies make attempts to isolate Moscow a test not only of Washington’s ability but also of the ability of the entire global system to bear the cost of confrontation.
Get ready to enter the Grid: “Tron: Ares” has finally hit theaters.
Directed by Joachim Rønning, “Tron: Ares” is the third installment of the classic sci-fi franchise that kicked off with the 1982 film “Tron.” And like many modern movies that are part of an expansive Hollywood franchise, “Tron: Ares” makes sure to leave the door open for future storytelling.
“Tron: Ares” does so in the closing moments of the movie’s main story as well as in a stinger that plays after the credits start to roll.
The film, which picks up sometime after the events of “Tron: Legacy” (2010), stars Jared Leto as an advanced AI program named Ares created by Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters), a programmer and rising CEO of a tech corporation. Greta Lee portrays Eve Kim, also a programmer and the CEO of the tech company once led by original “Tron” hero Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges).
Although extensive knowledge of the previous films is not necessarily required to understand “Tron: Ares,” fans of “Tron” and “Legacy” will be the first to recognize the significance of the doors that the film leaves open. (Turn back now if you want to avoid spoilers.)
Evan Peters as Julian Dillinger in “Tron: Ares.”
(Leah Gallo / Disney)
The mid-credits scene is a callback to ‘Tron’
“Tron: Ares” ends with Julian — the grandson of Flynn’s original “Tron” rival, Edward Dillinger — escaping into Dillinger Corp.’s Grid.
The mid-credits scene shows Julian taking in the wreckage of his digital world before noticing and activating his identity disc. After taking ahold of the glowing circular object, his digital suit starts to form in a familiar silhouette.
Those who have seen “Tron” will recognize that Julian’s suit resembles that of Sark, the villainous program written by Ed Dillinger, who led the original film’s Master Control Program army. In “Tron,” Sark was played by David Warner, who also portrayed Ed.
The scene further cements Julian as the successor to his grandfather’s legacy and leaves the possibility open for his return as a villain in a future “Tron” installment.
Jared Leto as Ares in “Tron: Ares.”
(Leah Gallo / Disney)
‘Tron: Ares’ ends by teasing a future link-up with ‘Tron: Legacy’
The new “Tron” movie ends by hinting that Ares’ story is not quite over, either. In the final moments of the film, Ares is shown looking at images of Quorra, a character portrayed by Olivia Wilde in “Tron: Legacy.”
Quorra, like Ares, started her existence in the Grid and eventually made her way out into the real world. But Quorra isn’t a man-made program; she is an “isomorphic algorithm,” or a digital being who spontaneously came into existence in the Grid. She was introduced in “Legacy” as Flynn’s charge who was learning about humanity from him.
Could a meeting between Ares and Quorra be in the “Tron” franchise’s future? Only time (and likely “Tron: Ares’” box office returns) will tell.
The miniseries features an impressive cast including Toni Collette as Evelyn Wade and John Daniel as Rory, a student at Tall Pines Academy.
Set in the fictional town of Tall Pines in Vermont, the plot revolves around two teenagers and a local police officer who uncover the town’s hidden secrets.
Leila (portrayed by Alyvia Alyn Lind) and Abbie (Sydney Topliffe) are the teenagers at the heart of the story, with Rory forming a friendship with Abbie, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Viewers are eager to find out if Rory, among other characters, meets his end in the series.
In the series finale, Leila and Abbie, along with Rory, execute their plan to escape from Tall Pines.
Despite successfully hiding themselves on a bus, their disappearance triggers alarm bells and they find themselves trapped.
Leila, tired of running, decides to stay behind while Abbie and Rory press on.
Unfortunately, they end up cornered, with Rory making the ultimate sacrifice so that Abbie can flee to the getaway car.
His fate remains uncertain – at the very least, he would have been recaptured by the school.
Who dies in Wayward?
Dwayne Andrews (Brandon Jay McLaren) is killed by Alex (Martin), who bludgeons him with a rock.
Martin revealed to Variety that the pair’s relationship was “all a front” and he never liked Alex.
The star revealed: “Maybe for a second he would entertain that this could be a new friendship, but I think he was a pretty territorial guy and it was always a front.”
Leila also confessed to killing her older sister Jess (Devin Cecchetto) during a flashback scene.
It emerged that Evelyn had persuaded Leila to confess she “hated” Jess, leading to Leila pushing her into the pool in a fit of rage, watching as her sister drowned from the sidelines.
Riley (Gage Munroe), despite being popular among the students of Tall Pines, was desperate to escape the school.
Tragically, he was accidentally killed by Alex at the start of the series in an act of self-defence, after Riley lunged at Alex with a kitchen knife.
Lastly, Maurice, the father of a former Tall Pines student, (Mark McKinney) met his demise at the hands of Dwayne, who made his death appear as a suicide.
Does Evelyn die in Wayward?
In the series finale, Evelyn was injected with her own poison by Alex and Rabbit (Tattiawna Jones) and was transported into a dream-like state.
She envisioned herself and a door at the back of her imagined self’s throat, with the doors continuing to multiply.
As Rabbit recited the mantra to Evelyn, her body lay lifeless in the water, but Martin told Variety Evelyn may not be dead yet.
When asked if she was definitely dead, the actor said: “I don’t think so. I think she’s a vegetable and, yeah, I’d be curious to see if she could ever come out of it, but she’s definitely a vegetable.”
Does the dog die in Wayward?
Viewers are also eager to find out if Toast – the dog belonging to Alex and Laura (Sarah Gadon) – survives until the end of the series. Thankfully, he does.
The Girlfriend has just dropped on Prime Video and the ending of the series has left fans with their jaws on the floor as they discover what Cherry is really capable of
Daniel (Laurie Davidson) with girlfriend Cherry(Image: PRIME VIDEO)
The Girlfriend, a new addition to Prime Video’s roster, centres around successful businesswoman, wife and mother, Laura, portrayed by Robin Wright.
Her idyllic life is thrown into chaos when her son Daniel (Laurie Davidson), the apple of her eye, introduces his new girlfriend, Cherry (Olivia Cooke).
Adapted from Michelle Frances’ novel of the same name, the series sees Laura growing increasingly suspicious of Cherry – but is she just being overly cautious?
Viewers are presented with two contrasting narratives – Laura’s and Cherry’s – both starkly different, but which one holds the truth?
Here’s everything you need to know about the shocking conclusion of The Girlfriend as fans uncover Cherry’s true colours.
In the series finale, Daniel pops the question to Cherry after regaining some of his memory post-accident.
While Daniel prefers to keep the engagement under wraps, Cherry insists on celebrating, persuading Daniel to throw a party.
Just as things start looking up for the couple, the relationship between Howard (Waleed Zuaiter) and Laura reaches breaking point, with Howard unable to tolerate his wife’s unsettling behaviour any longer.
Determined not to let go of her suspicions, Laura pays a visit to Cherry’s father at his care home, discovering that he had survived a fall from a building while working on a construction site.
Seeking more answers, Laura paid a visit to Cherry’s mum, Tracey (Karen Henthorn), who revealed that her husband had left both herself and Cherry in debt.
Laura tried to play Cherry at her own game(Image: PRIME VIDEO)
Cherry had managed to find her father in the hope of persuading him to return, but in a fit of anger she had pushed him from the building.
Laura, having recorded the conversation as evidence for Daniel, arranged a meeting to explain everything to her son.
In the meantime, Cherry vandalised Laura’s gallery after discovering what she had done, leaving Laura’s lover Lilith (Anna Chancellor) devastated.
Cherry was arrested at her engagement party for criminal damage, but her mum bailed her out, although she vowed not to keep Cherry’s secret about what she did to her dad any longer.
Back at Laura’s home, Daniel confronted his mother and vented his frustration about her controlling behaviour.
Wanting him to know the truth, Laura slipped sleeping pills into Daniel’s drink so he wouldn’t try to escape when she showed him the evidence.
Daniel and Laura had a close relationship(Image: PRIME VIDEO)
However, Cherry managed to break into the house and a fight broke out between Cherry and Laura, resulting in them both falling into the swimming pool.
As Daniel saw his mother trying to drown Cherry, he jumped in to rescue his fiancée and began holding his mother’s head under the water.
Cherry screamed for him to stop, but by then it was too late and Laura had drowned.
A flash forward revealed that Cherry and Daniel had gone ahead with their wedding and Cherry was expecting a baby.
In a chilling twist, Daniel stumbled upon Laura’s misplaced phone under the sideboard, revealing a recorded conversation with Cherry’s mum.
Upon hearing the shocking truth about Cherry’s violent tendencies, Daniel was forced to accept that his mother had been correct all along.
THE SLOTS section of any online casino is always the busiest area of the platform, and that highlights the popularity of these games. There is always a vast choice, and although there are new releases regularly, some established titles continue to attract interest.
Released in 2006, Mega Moolah remains hugely popular, and that’s largely due to its jackpot potential. This Mega Moolah slot review will look at possible payouts along with all the other aspects of this game in closer detail.
Mega Moolah slot quick overview
Here’s a quick summary of what Mega Moolah offers:
👨💻 Software Provider
NetEnt
🎰 Slot Type
Games Global
💫 Reels
5×3
💰 Paylines
25
💸 RTP
88.12%
🔥 Volatility
Medium
🤑 Max Win Potential
Progressive jackpot
🎞️ Theme
Cartoon Animals
🎉 Bonus Features
Free spins, four progressive jackpots
📉 Min Bet
£0.26
📈 Max Bet
£6.25
📅 Release Date
November 2006
Mega Moolah slot features overview
4
Since its release in 2006, Mega Moolah has captured more media attention than most slot games. It has provided some of the biggest wins, and while it should be remembered that the big prizes are extremely rare, this is clearly a big part of its appeal.
Despite its low RTP, Mega Moolah has a medium variance, so wins can be more frequent than in other jackpot games. It can suit all players, but it’s largely one of the best online slots for experienced players whose main goal is to target jackpots.
👍 Pros
Four progressive jackpots
Free spins round
Medium variance
👎 Cons:
Low RTP
High minimum stake
Mega Moolah slot graphics, sound & gameplay mechanics
4
This game was released in 2006, so we shouldn’t expect to see state-of-the-art graphics. The game reflects the type of design that was in place back then, but it’s a colourful game, and the cartoon animals offer charming imagery.
The soundtrack aims to conjure the feel of an African safari, and it certainly hits the mark. It has been updated to work on mobile, so there should be no loss of functionality if you switch from a static device to playing on the go.
How to play Mega Moolah slot
Follow these steps if you want to play Mega Moolah at the best online slots sites in the UK:
Find a casino that hosts the game: All of the best online slots sites host this title, so it shouldn’t take long to find an outlet.
Set your preferred stake: The game may default to a high stake, so use the tool to change it if you prefer.
Press spin to play: The spin button will be clearly marked.
Look for high-paying combinations: Check our Mega Moolah slot review and follow the paytable for high-paying combos.
Bonus rounds: These will activate automatically when triggered.
Monitor your bankroll: Play responsibly and don’t use all your bankroll in one session. Ideally, play with up to a maximum of 10% of your balance.
Mega Moolah slot symbols
4
Mega Moolah features a range of themed symbols split into high- and low-paying categories. The high-paying symbols include safari animals such as elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and antelope, each offering bigger rewards when landing in combinations. The low-paying symbols are the classic playing cards from A to 10, which appear more frequently but offer smaller payouts.
The lion is the wild symbol – it substitutes for all regular symbols and doubles the payout when part of a winning combination. The monkey serves as the scatter, and landing three or more triggers 15 free spins, where all wins are boosted by a 3x multiplier. These special symbols bring extra value to the base game and create opportunities for bigger wins during regular spins.
Mega Moolah slot RTP, payout & volatility
The RTP of 88.12% is low and means that, on average, £88.12 will be paid out for every £100 wagered, over time. Results between players will vary, but those independently verified stats are worth keeping in mind.
For players who get involved with Mega Moolah, it’s all about aiming for the jackpot. It’s rare to land the truly big payouts, but it’s that possibility that keeps players engaged. The slot has a medium volatility, and in general, payouts will be less frequent but they may be higher when they come in.
Mega Moolah bonus features & free spins
4
We’ve already seen that the lion is the wild symbol and the monkey is the scatter in Mega Moolah. The lion is a conventional wild icon that replicates all others as it looks to find a matching combination. If it does find a winning match, it will double any payout.
To activate the free spins section, at least three of the monkey scatters must fall into view. When this happens, players are rewarded with 15 additional spins.
The progressive jackpotscan be triggered at random at any point. There are no special symbols to look out for, and the four jackpots in question are labelled Mini, Minor, Major and Mega. Any of these can be activated randomly during the base game.
Where to play Mega Moolah slot in the UK
As one of the most popular games online, the best UK online casinos all host Mega Moolah. Use the search bar at your favourite casino to check, but it’s almost certain that it will be on the listing.
Two recommended options for players in the UK are Dream Vegas and bet365. Both are well-known brands, but more importantly, they are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, they promote responsible gambling, and both offer a good choice of secure funding providers.
If you are looking for one of the best online slots sites, you need to find a platform that covers all of those points.
Another trusted option is Casumo. This has customer support around the clock, as well as secure payment options and a mobile-friendly casino interface.
Key takeaway
Undoubtedly, it’s those progressive jackpots that have made Mega Moolah so popular with slots players over the years. The game is among the titles with the biggest payouts in history, and it continues to attract attention for that reason alone.
That said, those wins are rare, and it’s always important to play responsibly. With its straightforward gameplay, familiar safari theme and the chance to land life-changing prizes, Mega Moolah is a solid pick for UK players who enjoy classic slots with big potential. Try it out at a trusted, UK-licensed online casino.
🔎 More slot reviews
About the author
James Anderson
James Anderson is a Betting & Gaming Writer at The Sun. He is an expert in sports betting and online casinos, and joined the company in November 2020 to work closely with leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to curate content in all areas of sports betting. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter and Head of Live Blogs/Events at the Daily Express and Daily Star, covering football, cricket, snooker, F1 and horse racing.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
France has been mired in political instability since President Emmanuel Macron’s snap parliamentary elections in 2024 left the National Assembly fragmented. His ruling alliance lost ground while the far-right National Rally gained dominance. The weakened government faces growing fiscal pressures, with France’s debt now at 113.9% of GDP and the deficit almost double the EU’s 3% limit. Prime Minister François Bayrou Macron’s fourth PM since 2022 introduced tough austerity measures, triggering backlash.
What Happened:
According to Reuters (Sept 5), Bayrou has called a confidence vote for September 8 on his fiscal strategy, including €44 billion in cuts. Opposition parties have united against him, making his defeat highly likely. If he loses, Bayrou will be required to resign.
Why It Matters:
The crisis threatens the eurozone’s second-largest economy at a time of financial fragility. Political paralysis may undermine investor confidence, complicate debt management, and risk further credit rating downgrades. Regionally, instability in Paris weakens EU leadership at a critical juncture for European security and economic stability.
Stakeholder Reactions:
Opposition parties branded Bayrou’s confidence vote “political suicide” and pledged to remove him.
Macron has ruled out fresh elections but faces pressure from the far-right and left to dissolve parliament.
Government insiders indicated possible successors include Finance Minister Eric Lombard and former Socialist PM Bernard Cazeneuve.
Grassroots movements such as Bloquons Tout are planning nationwide protests, reflecting deepening social unrest.
What’s Next:
Sept 8: Assembly vote outcome expected by 1800 GMT.
Sept 10: Major protests expected nationwide.
Sept 12:Fitch reviews France’s credit rating a downgrade looms.
Sept 18: Trade unions plan strikes and demonstrations.
If Bayrou falls, Macron must swiftly appoint a new PM to stabilize governance, potentially from the centre-left or a technocratic figure.
Michelle Ryan’s Zoe Slater is at the centre of many iconic moments on Albert Square
Zoe Slater has an iconic past on EastEnders(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)
Zoe Slater is officially back in Walford. Michelle Ryan and her iconic character returned to EastEnders permanently this week and her storyline is already of to a dramatic start, complete with dark secrets, arguments outside the Vic and a shocking shooting.
The character’s return was hotly anticipated by fans ever since she briefly appeared in three episodes earlier this year. Her reunion with mum Kat Slater aired on Tuesday night (2 September) and fans have flocked to the internet to share their theories around where her storyline might go.
Zoe is fan favourite on EastEnders thanks to her involvement in many of the show’s iconic moments and characters. Here we take a look at her past, from her reason for leaving Walford to one of the show’s most quoted arguments…
Zoe first arrived in Walford in 2000(Image: BBC)
Arriving in Walford
Twenty five years ago, The Slater family first burst onto the BBC soap. A teenage Zoe moved to Albert Square with her sisters, Kat, Lynne and Little Mo, father Charlie and grandmother Mo Harris.
Later, her cousin Stacey would arrive and become one the core members of the family, but at the start, Zoe was the youngest Slater and described by the BBC as “bolshy and defiant”. Though her family had just moved to Walford, she was intent on getting away and joining her Uncle Harry in Spain – something Kat was not willing to let happen.
Zoe and Kat’s argument is one of EastEnders’ most iconic fights(Image: Press Association Images)
Finding out who her mother is
Less than a year after she arrived, Zoe wanted to leave Walford to join Harry Slater, her uncle, in Spain. Her sister Kat is not willing to let that happen and orders Zoe not to go.
In a fight outside the Vic, Zoe yells the first half of one EastEnders’ most iconic quotes: “You can’t tell me what to do, you ain’t my mother!”
“Yes, I am!” Kat responds.
She explains that she was 13 when she had Zoe and that she got pregnant after being raped by Harry. The argument leads Kat to attempt suicide, and Zoe, unable to process what she’s learned, runs away.
The twist has affected Kat for the rest of her time on the show and even led to a spin-off called Kat & Alfie: Redwater, in which she goes looking for Luke, her long-lost son and Zoe’s twin brother.
During her first time away from Walford, Zoe is found on the streets by Roxy Drake, a pimp who forces her into sex work. Thankfully, Kat tracks her daughter down and is able to take her home after head-butting Roxy.
Zoe and Kat were once in a love triangle(Image: BBC)
Love triangle with Kat
Eagle-eyed fans may have noticed a weird look Zoe gave to Anthony Trueman when she entered the Vic on Tuesday’s episode. This is because the two used to be in a relationship.
But Zoe is not the only Slater that Anthony has been involved with. In fact, before he dated her, Anthony was dating Kat. Zoe disowned Kat for disapproving of the relationship but when Anthony reveals that he’s still in love with Kat, the relationship ends and Zoe runs away again.
Den persuaded Zoe to sleep with him and get pregnant(Image: BBC)
Sleeping with Den Watts
When Zoe returns again, she starts to date Dennis Rickman, the son of iconic EastEnders villain Den Watts. The relationship with Dennis was doomed from the start, as unbeknownst to Zoe, he was in love with his adoptive sister, Sharon Watts.
On Christmas Day 2005, Zoe learns of Dennis and Sharon’s affair and plan to run away together. Den convinces Zoe that the only way to keep Dennis is to say she is pregnant, as Sharon is believed to be infertile.
The plan works but Dennis refuses to sleep with Zoe again and she becomes desperate to get pregnant for real. At his suggestion, Zoe resorts to sleeping with Den.
After Dennis catches his girlfriend and his father in bed together, and realises Zoe wasn’t pregnant, he leaves to be with Sharon. But not before informing Den’s wife Chrissie of his affair with Zoe.
Zoe does get pregnant by Den and a vengeful Chrissie convinces her to terminate the pregnancy and team up to exact revenge on Den. Joined by Sam Mitchell, the three hatch a plan to reveal everything he has done to his beloved daughter Sharon.
Upon learning of the way Den used her infertility against her, Sharon disowns him. When Den realised this was Chrissie’s plan, he attacks her and a distressed Zoe panics and hits him with a metal doorstop. Den collapses and Zoe believes she has killed him.
But, after she leaves, Den wakes up and grabs Chrissie who hits him with the same doorstop. Zoe is led to believe she is the murderer, but is eventually told the truth by Sam. When she learns what really happened, Zoe punches Chrissie and decides to leave Walford.
Zoe left Walford for good in 2005
Leaving Walford
Before this year, the last time Zoe was seen on EastEnders was when she was leaving for Ibiza after finding out she wasn’t responsible for Den Watts’ murder. At the tube station, Zoe tearfully called Kat to say goodbye.
Kat races to meet Zoe at the station and gives her the hospital bracelet she had as a baby. Zoe replied: “I love you, Mum.”
The two parted on good terms, and Zoe wasn’t seen again on screen until this year, when she was revealed to be staying with Stacey Slater. However, as proven by her frosty reunion with Kat, something must have changed.
In 2015, Kat tells Mo and Stacey that she was planning to save some money to visit Zoe in Spain, but Mo tells Stacey that Zoe does not want to see Kat. Mo tries to contact Zoe to change her mind, but she refuses and tells Kat that she wants to move on from her and Walford. Kat then visits the convent where she gave birth to Zoe and finds out about her son, Luke.
Zoe first returned in June(Image: BBC)
Return to Walford
Zoe’s return to EastEnders got fully underway in the most recent episodes of the soap and fans have many theories about what she has been up to in the two decades since she left. Some have suggested she may be the real mother of Joel Marshall, one of the show’s current villains.
Others have guessed she is secretly be married to another returning favourite, Max Branning. If so, she would be the second Slater to be involved with him, as Stacey has been romantically linked to Max several times, including when she was still dating his son, Bradley.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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Daniil Medvedev reacts next to chair umpire Greg Allensworth after a photographer ran onto the court Sunday in New York.
(Adam Hunger / Associated Press)
The rematch initially appeared as if it was going to be a quicker upset than the first time around. Bonzi won the first two sets and was up 5-4 and serving for match point in the third … when all hell broke loose.
Bonzi missed on his first serve and was preparing for his second when he was interrupted. A photographer who apparently thought the match was over had stepped onto the court and was immediately reprimanded over the loudspeaker by chair umpire Greg Allensworth.
Allensworth then announced that Bonzi would be given another chance at his first serve “because of the delay caused by an outside interference.”
The decision appears to be based on a USTA tournament regulation which states that if there is a delay between the first and second serves, “the server gets two serves if the delay was caused by the receiver or if there was outside interference.”
The announcement drew a negative response from the crowd, which Medvedev encouraged by using arm gestures. He then started berating Allensworth, seeming to ask him, “Are you a man?” more than once before leaning into the microphone behind the chair to address the crowd.
“He wants to go home, guys,” Medvedev said. “He doesn’t like to be here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour.”
He also yelled, “What did Reilly Opelka say?” at least three times, in reference to the U.S. player who was fined by the ATP Tour earlier this year after referring to Allensworth as the “worst ump on tour. ”
Medvedev later told reporters that he was upset with Allensworth’s ruling because he didn’t think the photographer had caused enough of a delay to warrant a repeat first serve.
As he returned to the court, Medvedev continued to motion for the crowd to voice its displeasure. Many of the fans complied, with TV footage showing a lot of them appearing to be more amused than enraged by the situation.
After about two minutes, Allensworth asked for order so Bonzi could serve. When that didn’t work, Medvedev started motioning for the spectators to quiet down. They didn’t, and Medvedev appeared to enjoy the lengthy disruption, at one point blowing kisses toward the stands.
“I just expressed my emotions, my unhappiness with the decision,” Medvedev said later. “And then the crowd did what they did without me, without me asking them too much. And it was fun to witness.”
Bonzi appeared to be on the verge of serving several times before stopping because of the noise.
“Every time I went on the line to serve and every time I did that, everyone was booing. I felt I didn’t do anything bad in the match to, like, receive this treatment, and I didn’t want to serve in those conditions,” Bonzi said. “So I was waiting.”
After a delay of roughly six minutes, Bonzi finally served — and missed again, much to the audible delight of the crowd. He got the second serve over the net but lost the point after a lengthy volley.
Notting Hill carnival takes over the West London streets again this weekend, but with major tube closures and road blocks in place – here’s everything you need to know before commuting
Everything you need to know before carnival(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Notting Hill Carnival returns this weekend, bringing a burst of Caribbean culture to the streets of West London – and as always, millions are expected to turn up to enjoying the soca music and food.
But with road closures, station shutdowns and crowds packing out the area, it’s important to plan ahead. Whether you’re jumping on the tube, bus or walking in from nearby, here’s everything you need to know about the Notting Hill Carnival route and which transport options are still running.
There’s also a Notting Hill Carnival map available to help you visualise the road closures and walking routes – you can find this on the official carnival or TfL website.
There’s plenty of maps for people to follow(Image: TFL)
Latimer Road – Closes at 11.30pm, but may shut temporarily to manage crowds.
Notting Hill Gate – No entry from 11am to 6pm. District and Circle lines won’t stop, and no interchange with Central line all day. Expect temporary closures throughout.
Westbourne Park – No entry from 11am. Expect serious crowding during peak times.
Holland Park – No entry from 11am to 3pm. Fully shuts at 3pm.
Royal Oak – No entry from 11am to 6pm. Fully shuts at 6pm.
Shepherd’s Bush – Expect it to be extremely busy from the afternoon onwards.
Kensal Green – A queueing system will be in place when heading home.
With the large crowd its best to plan ahead(Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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Bus
Due to road closures, daytime and night buses will be diverted. Services will start from the Prince of Wales pub on Harrow Road (north) and Notting Hill Gate (south).
148X to Victoria – Runs between Shepherd’s Bush and Victoria (10am–5.30pm), then Notting Hill Gate to Victoria (until 10pm).
Stops: Shepherd’s Bush, Notting Hill Gate, Marble Arch, Victoria.
7X to Paddington – Runs between East Acton and Paddington (12pm–9.30pm).
Stops: East Acton to Wood Lane, then Shepherd’s Bush, Notting Hill Gate, Lancaster Gate, Paddington.
Expect something exciting from TFL(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Beyond the travel time table, TfL has partnered with Metroline and local community group Phoenix Rising to unveil a specially-wrapped Carnival bus. The bus will feature in the parade, with Metroline staff, TfL employees and live steel pan performances onboard.
“For many years Notting Hill Carnival has represented London’s diverse culture and strong Caribbean links – a community which is an integral part of TfL’s history,” said Emma Strain, TfL’s Customer Director.
“That’s why we’re excited to partner with Phoenix Rising to showcase Caribbean-inspired steel pan music on one of our iconic buses,” she added, “Stations around the Carnival are likely to get extremely busy, so please plan journeys in advance using the free TfL Go app or our dedicated travel advice page.”
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SMALL details can sometimes lead to the biggest headaches when it comes to air travel.
And when it comes to passenger names on a booking, getting these right is key if you want everything to go smoothly at the airport.
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Each airline has its own rules on name changesCredit: Getty
Airlines have a right to deny boarding to anyone who’s ticket doesn’t match their ID, and some travellers have been denied boarding for failing to correct this ahead of their flight.
So whether you need to correct a typo or transfer a ticket to a different person entirely – here are the name change rules for different airlines, made simple.
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Ryanair allows name changes up to two hours before if made at the airportCredit: AFP
Ryanair
Low-cost airline Ryanair allows changes to names up to 24 hours before a flight’s departure time if processed online, and two hours before if done at the airport desk.
Both of these options will incur a name change fee: £115 on the website and £160 through an agent.
read more on airline rules
If you notice a minor mistake within 48 hours booking you can correct up to three characters in a name free of charge – but more substantial or later changes will carry a price tag.
Maiden and married names are the exception here.
Ryanair will amend a name at no extra cost if your surname has changed on the document you are using for travel.
Editing a booking to be in someone else’s name is also possible, but not if one of the flights on the booking has already departed (for example, if you are already abroad and trying to make changes for your return flight).
Those name changes that fall within 48 hours of booking and over 24 hours before flying can be made on the Ryanair website or app by clicking ‘Manage this booking’ and selecting ‘Change a name’.
But if you’re already checked in, you’ll need to contact the airline and pay the slightly higher price.
easyJet
easyJet also allows name tweaks, letting passengers correct titles and spelling mistakes of up to three letters without any fee.
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easyJet name changes can be made for £60Credit: Alamy
The airline is slightly more lenient than Ryanair with this, as it does not have a time limit of 48 hours after booking.
You can do this on either its website or app under ‘View Bookings’.
Changes of more than three characters or a whole name can also be made, but a fee will be applied per passenger, per flight.
The cost is £60 for online amendments and £65 for going through the customer service team.
And in the event of needing a very last-minute change, easyJet gives you a little more time than Ryanair by allowing requests at the airport desk up to 90 minutes before departure.
Jet2
British airline Jet2 has a more restrictive policy when it comes to name changes.
Only the lead passenger can make edits and absolutely no changes are allowed after check-in.
It does have the same three letter rule as easyJet and Ryanair – allowing minor tweaks for free – but the fee that applies for more major changes can end up being higher.
While amendments made 14 days or more ahead of the flight time only cost £50, changes made after that will cost £150 plus any fare difference since the booking was made.
This means that if the price of your flight has gone up and you request changes just days before your trip, it could be significantly more costly than £150.
Jet2 also does not allow for any name changes within 48 hours of flying, so you have less flexibility.
If you are within the permitted window and wish to go ahead with a change it’s easy to do this through the ‘Manage My Booking’ function on its app or website.
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Some airlines will ask you to also pay the fare difference on top of a change feeCredit: Getty
Vueling
Vueling is fast becoming a popular choice for budget-friendly flights, with many European destinations on its roster.
It also offers different fare options from Basic to Flex.
Name change fees for Vueling are dependent on which you have purchased – if you have a Basic plane ticket, a full name swap will cost you €50 (roughly £43).
And similar to Jet2, you may also be charged the difference if the price of your flight has increased.
However, if you paid for a Flex ticket the total price might be lower as you will only be asked to pay the set change fee, not the fare difference.
Small spelling errors can be corrected at no extra cost up to two hours before flying providing none of the flights in the booking have already been taken.
Adding middle names or second surnames is also free of charge.
This is very important to check as some airlines don’t require middle names for a booking, but Vueling’s policy is that passenger tickets must match their identity documents exactly.
Wizz Air
Passengers can access their Wizz Account and go to ‘Make changes’ if they wish to change a name for their upcoming flight.
Typos of up to three letters are free, while ticket transfers to a new completely name cost €70 (around £61).
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Wizz Air passengers should access their Wizz Account to request changesCredit: AFP
This is allowed up to three hours before departure.
Wizz Air‘s call centre is also on hand for anyone who would prefer to make these changes by phone.
The airline is accommodating when it comes to changing surnames after marriage or divorce and will amend these for free for any passenger that provides the required documentation.
However, its website states that responses to such emails can take up to 30 days, so get in contact as soon as you can if you wish to request this.
British Airways
British Airways differs slightly compared to more budget airlines.
Its tickets are non-transferable, meaning passengers are not able to change an entire name on a booking and will instead need to cancel and re-book the ticket.
This will likely cost significantly more than any flat fee.
However, unlike other carriers, BA has a 24-hour grace period.
Customers have one day to completely cancel their flight free of charge, giving them the option to get a full refund and make a new booking in this time frame.
Free spelling corrections of up to three characters can be made by contacting the BA customer services team.
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Airlines require the names on your booking and identity documents to matchCredit: Alamy
With this year’s hurricane season under way, Al Jazeera visualises the differences between various storm systems.
Hurricane Erin became the Atlantic Ocean’s first hurricane of the season – which runs from June 1 to November 30 – rapidly intensifying to Category 5 on Saturday before weakening to Category 2 on Tuesday.
While the storm remained far out at sea, it still generated major waves along the United States East Coast. Officials in North Carolina’s Outer Banks warned of coastal flooding and issued evacuation orders.
On its path were the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the Turks and Caicos, with swells reaching the Bahamas, Bermuda, the US East Coast and Atlantic Canada.
The storm’s rapid intensification, reaching Category 5 in a short span, ranks it among the fastest-strengthening hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic. Scientists have linked such rapid intensification to climate change, as global warming increases atmospheric water vapour and ocean temperatures, providing hurricanes with more fuel to strengthen quickly and unleash heavier rainfall.
Storms that ramp up so quickly complicate forecasting and make it harder for government agencies to plan for emergencies.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) publishes an alphabetical list of names for upcoming tropical cyclones. These names are meant to be short, easy to pronounce, appropriate across languages and unique.
Erin was the fifth named storm of the season but became the first hurricane because the previous four storms never reached hurricane strength.
(Al Jazeera)
Are hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons the same thing?
When broken down to basics, yes, hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons are all essentially the same thing. The only thing that differs is where they originated from. All three are storm systems with winds exceeding 119km/h (74mph).
Hurricanes: Occur in the North Atlantic Ocean and Northeast Pacific, often affecting the United States East Coast, the Gulf, and the Caribbean. The strength of a hurricane is measured on a wind scale from 1 to 5. A Category 1 hurricane will bring with it sustained winds of 119-153km/h (74-95mph), whereas a Category 5 storm can exceed 252km/h (157mph).
Cyclones: Occur in the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean, often impacting countries from Australia all the way to Mozambique. Cyclone season typically runs from November to April.
Typhoons: Occur in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, frequently hitting the Philippines and Japan. Typhoon season is most common between May and October, but they can form year-round. The strength of a typhoon has various classification scales with the most severe storms named “super typhoons”.
(Al Jazeera)
How does a tropical storm form?
Tropical storms form over warm ocean waters near the equator. As this warm air rises, an area of lower air pressure is formed. As the air cools down again, it is pushed aside by more warm air rising below it. This cycle causes strong winds and rain.
When this cycle gains momentum and strengthens, it creates a tropical storm. As the storm system rotates ever faster, an eye forms in the centre. The eye of the storm is very calm and clear and has very low air pressure.
When winds reach speeds of 63km/h (39mph) the storm is called a tropical storm. When the wind speeds reach 119km/h (74mph) the storm becomes a tropical cyclone, typhoon or hurricane.
“7 a.m.,” the pilot episode of “The Pitt,” introduces viewers to the organized chaos of a Pittsburgh hospital emergency room and the doctors and nurses who spend their days going from medical crisis to medical crisis.
“At the center of that wheel with all the spokes” is Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, says Noah Wyle, who plays the caring and beleaguered chief attending physician. “You can identify who is who in the show by how Robby is treating them. Am I being deferential to their expertise and education, or do I assume that they don’t know s— and I have to babysit them?”
The episode, written by series creator and executive producer R. Scott Gemmill and directed by executive producer John Wells, also hints at story arcs that will play out over the 15-episode first season. “There’s all kinds of little Easter eggs in there if you go back and look,” Gemmill says.
The Envelope chatted with Wyle, who also serves as an executive producer on the series, Wells and Gemmill about how the Emmy-nominated “7 a.m.” establishes “The Pitt’s” core characters.
Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (Noah Wyle) “This is an emergency department. Not a Taco Bell.”
The series begins with Robby walking to work listening to “Baby” by Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise. “One of the things that you’re always trying to do is just tell the audience who you’re going to follow,” Wells says. “Who’s going to be your character that introduces you to this world?”
Robby is the only character viewers see arriving to work. “We really wanted our characters to be learned about through the exposition of their workplace environment,” Wyle says.
“It was a conscious and thoughtful decision to not wake up in his apartment, not get a sense of his home decor, what his diet is, who he sleeps with,” he adds. “Those were all defining things that would immediately take him from being an everyman to being a specific man.”
Nurse Dana Evans (Katherine LaNasa) “You sure you’re cool being here today?”
The first person Robby checks in with is Dana, the charge nurse, who Gemmill refers to as both the “den mother” and “air traffic controller” of the ER. “Robby’s relationship with Dana is very special,” he says.
Dana and Robby’s first conversation is about Dr. Jack Abbot (Shawn Hatosy), the ER doctor who works the night shift. Dana tells Robby that Abbot has gone to get “some air.” Her choice of words is significant because Abbot is actually standing on the hospital roof on the wrong side of the guardrail. “You know from the look on Robby’s face that he knows what ‘getting some air’ means,” Gemmill says. “There’s a lot of things that are not said but that are understood between these two characters.”
The creative team cut a scene from the pilot that revealed too much about the arc of Dr. Langdon, played by Patrick Ball.
(Warrick Page / HBO Max)
Dr. Frank Langdon (Patrick Ball) “If you need me, I’ll be saving lives.”
Immediately introduced as the cocky senior resident , Langdon is later revealed to be stealing prescription drugs. But they were cognizant of keeping Langdon’s story arc a secret from viewers. “There was one sequence where we showed him with a slightly shaking hand,” Wyle says. “We felt like it tipped a bit too much. We ended up taking it out.”
Dr. Cassie McKay (Fiona Dourif) “I’m a 42–year–old R2. So I have my own haters. Trust me.”
In the pilot, McKay, who is older than the other residents, gets involved with two cases. She immediately picks up that something isn’t right between a mother who has come in with her sullen adolescent son. She also instantly knows that the mother who burnt her hand on a Sterno is unhoused. “What she lacks in not having [started] at a younger age, she makes up for with life experience.” Gemmill says.
Isa Briones as Trinity Santos in “The Pitt.”
(Warrick Page / HBO Max)
Dr. Trinity Santos (Isa Briones) “I got 50 bucks says she doesn’t last through this shift.”
Intern Trinity Santos comes in hot with a palpable ambition. She openly mocks her fellow residents with derogatory nicknames, but her outward bravado belies her backstory. “She has a history of abuse and trauma that has made her want to wear a suit of armor and tell the world to go f— itself before she has a chance to be hurt again,” Wyle says. “And we peel that layer to the very end of the run when you find out about what happened to her. Her compassion and empathy really comes into the fore in the latter half of the season.”
Dr. Melissa King (Taylor Dearden) “I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here today.”
Nothing seems to get in the way of second-year resident Mel King’s outwardly cheerful demeanor. “She was a tricky one,” Gemmill says. “We walk a fine line with her. She’s fairly obviously neurodivergent, and I just wanted to really introduce a character like that and do it justice and do it properly, and Taylor has done a great job embodying that.”
Shabana Azeez and Gerran Howell in “The Pitt.” The latter’s Dr. Whittaker provides “comic relief” in the early episodes through the indignities he suffers.
(Warrick Page / HBO Max)
Dennis Whitaker (Gerran Howell) “I’ll be this lady’s age by the time I pay off my student loans.”
Fourth-year medical student Whitaker doesn’t start off well. His phone rings during a moment of silence for a deceased patient and he injures his finger moving a patient off a gurney.
“He’s very much the comic relief in the early episodes,” Wyle says. “He’s the guy that we put through a series of degradations and humiliations, but like the Energizer Bunny, he keeps coming back. By braving all of these things, he becomes extremely endearing.”
Dr. Victoria Javadi (Shabana Azeez) “I’ve earned the right to be here.”
Twenty-year-old prodigy Dr. Victoria Javadi is the daughter of two doctors. In the pilot, the third-year medical student faints the first time in the exam room and has painfully awkward exchanges with her peers. “You imagine that she was never with anyone her age,” Gemmill says. “Imagine a study group when she was in med school and she’s 14 or 15 years old. No one’s going to want to hang out with her. She becomes like a mascot to them. Her thing is to overcome that mascot image and become a person unto herself.”
Star of the show, Jenna Ortega, dazzled attendees with her striking appearance as she shared insights about the upcoming episodes, which she also had a hand in producing. The Tim Burton series has already hinted at some heart-wrenching developments, including the potential demise of Enid Sinclair (portrayed by Emma Myers).
Audiences are also eager to see new additions to the cast, including Billie Piper, Joanna Lumley and Steve Buscemi. Here’s everything you need to know about the episode release schedule for season two.
Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan.
This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Wednesday.
Emma Myers returns as Enid Sinclair(Image: (Image: NETFLIX))
Showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar discussed how season two broadens the world of Wednesday following the global success of its debut.
Millar expressed excitement about the new episodes, revealing: “We have a bigger scope. We had the confidence going in now knowing that people like the show.”
He elaborated on the creative process, saying: “We could explore more, and be more daring in terms of the storylines and the character arcs. The toy box got bigger, and we had the freedom to really do the show we always wanted to do.”
Wednesday season 2 part 1 airs on Netflix on August 6. Part 2 will air on September 3
This story contains spoilers for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
Marvel’s First Family has finally made its formal MCU debut, which means it’s time to engage in everyone’s favorite tradition: breaking down the movie’s post-credits teases to suss out what’s next.
Directed by “WandaVision” helmer Matt Shakman, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” introduces audiences to Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn). The movie, which officially opens Friday, pits the quartet of superpowered astronauts against Galactus (Ralph Ineson), a cosmic entity with an insatiable hunger for planets.
As the title teases, “First Steps” marks the beginning of Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which will culminate with a pair of massive “Avengers” crossover films.
Like most MCU installments, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” features multiple post-credits stingers. The first, which is shown midway through the end credits, sets up the superhero team’s next big adventure.
The mid-credits scene takes place four years after the Fantastic Four’s showdown with Galactus. It shows Sue sitting on a couch, reading a story to her and Reed’s son, Franklin Richards. After finishing the book, she steps away to grab another, turning down robo-assistant H.E.R.B.I.E.’s suggested title. Sensing something is wrong, Sue starts charging her powers. She rounds the corner to check on Franklin and finds a mysterious cloaked figure interacting with her child.
While his face is not shown, his green cloak and the mask he is holding make it clear to fans familiar with their Marvel lore that this is Doctor Doom.
This marks the first appearance of the iconic villain in the MCU. The character, also known as Victor von Doom, made his comic book debut in “Fantastic Four” No. 5 (1962) and has been a foe of Marvel’s First Family ever since. In the comics, the character is both a scientific genius and a sorcerer hailing from the fictional country of Latveria. (The name of the country is briefly shown in “Fantastic Four: First Steps.”)
Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) and her son, Franklin (Ada Scott), in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
(Marvel Studios)
Doom’s introduction into the MCU has been highly anticipated since Marvel Studios’ presentation last year at San Diego Comic-Con. Among the major announcements was that the fifth “Avengers” film had been retitled “Avengers: Doomsday” and that “Iron Man” actor Robert Downey Jr. would be returning to the franchise as Doctor Doom.
While Doom’s exact interest in Franklin is not revealed, it’s easy to assume that the child’s powers would be appealing to a supervillain. This encounter also hints at the reason why the Fantastic Four eventually make their way to the universe where the rest of the MCU heroes reside.
“First Steps” is set on Earth-828 — a tribute to “Fantastic Four” co-creator Jack Kirby, who was born Aug. 28, 1917 — a retrofuturistic world in a separate corner of the Marvel multiverse. But the “Thunderbolts*” post-credits scene shows the Fantastic Four’s spacecraft Excelsior appearing in their world on Earth-616. Could Doom have kidnapped young Franklin and taken him to an alternate universe? Whatever the reason, Samuel Sterns’ warning from the “Captain America: Brave New World” post-credits scene was apt: The multiverse is coming.
Fans might wonder how the “Fantastic Four” post-credits scene might have played out had the studio not altered its original plans to feature Kang the Conqueror as the franchise’s next big bad. In the comics Kang and Franklin are part of the same family tree so it’s easy to imagine him as the surprise interloper Sue sees. Either way, a magical nanny might have been helpful. (Marvel Studios pivoted from its original plan after Kang actor Jonathan Majors was convicted on assault and harassment charges in 2023.)
The second “Fantastic Four: First Steps” credits scene is shown after the full credits roll and serves more as a fun bonus and tribute to the eponymous superhero team’s animated past.
“Avengers: Doomsday,” hitting theaters Dec. 18, 2026, will be a massive MCU crossover featuring members of the Fantastic Four, the Thunderbolts/New Avengers and more. Confirmed “Doomsday” cast members include veteran “Avengers” stars Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Captain America), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes), Paul Rudd (Scott Lang/Ant-Man) and Tom Hiddleston (Loki), as well as Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), David Harbour (Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian), Lewis Pullman (Bob Reynolds), Wyatt Russell (John Walker) and Hannah John-Kamen (Ava Starr/Ghost).
Up next for the MCU is “Wonder Man,” a series starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II that will debut on Disney+ in December. The next Phase 6 film is Marvel and Sony’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” slated for a July 2026 release.
As Midsomer Murders continues to be a hit, some fans may be wondering why Daniel Casey left the show – but he is now set to return in a new role in a stage adaptation
John Nettles and Daniel Casey tackle a string of murder mysteries
ITV’s beloved series Midsomer Murders is treating fans to a nostalgic trip with reruns starring Daniel Casey, who became a household name as Gavin Troy, DCI Tom Barnaby’s (John Nettles) original sidekick.
He left the show in 2003 but made a brief return for Cully’s (Laura Howard) wedding in season 11.
Fans are still mourning his exit as he became one of the murder mystery show’s most iconic characters.
Speaking to Saga magazine, Casey revealed his departure was about seeking new challenges.
He said: “I was just aware I didn’t want to stay with the same thing for too long and I wanted to branch out.”
Despite moving on, he fondly remembers his time on the show, especially working with Nettles: “I had a fantastic time,” he reminisced.
“John and I got on really well, from the first day really.”
In a thrilling twist for fans, reports from May 2025 indicate that Casey will be returning to the world of Midsomer Murders, not on screen but on stage, in ‘The Killings at Badger’s Drift’, where he’ll intriguingly step into the shoes of Tom Barnaby, not as his former character Gavin Troy.
In a recent chat with Norwich Theatre, the actor shared his astonishment at returning to the Midsomer universe: “I never expected to revisit the world of Midsomer, with its weird and wonderful characters and all their dark, twisted secrets.”
Daniel Casey is returning to Midsomer Murders on the stage(Image: GETTY)
He expressed his excitement about taking on a new challenge: “So to be asked to play the iconic role of Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby in this new stage adaptation of The Killings at Badger’s Drift was a real surprise.”
Further reflecting on his past experiences, he added: “It has brought back some wonderful memories of such a happy time in my career playing Sgt Troy and the fantastic time I had working with the amazing John Nettles and to be stepping into his shoes as Barnaby is both a little daunting and incredibly exciting.”
India and Pakistan have been fighting over Kashmir for decades, and Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control, a de facto border that cuts Kashmir into two, are caught in the middle of it all.
Why do India and Pakistan fight over Kashmir? And what do Kashmiris want? #AJStartHere with Sandra Gathmann explains.
This episode features:
Sumantra Bose – Professor of international and comparative politics, Krea University
Hafsa Kanjwal – Associate professor of South Asian studies, Lafayette College
Amitabh Mattoo – Professor, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Special thanks to Alia Chughtai, senior producer at AJLabs, for helping and advising the Start Here team with this episode.
It was announced this week that Edinburgh and Birmingham airports have installed new scanners that allow bottles of up to two litres to be taken on board planes
10:33, 11 Jul 2025Updated 10:33, 11 Jul 2025
Different airports have different hand luggage rules(Image: Getty)
Holidaymakers have been urged to plan ahead and do their research before travelling abroad to avoid being caught out by hand luggage rules.
The Transport Secretary has told air passengers to assume the 100ml limit on liquids in hand luggage remains in place, after two airports changed their policies.
It was announced this week that Edinburgh and Birmingham airports have installed new scanners that allow bottles of up to two litres to be taken on board planes. However, other airports around the UK are at different stages of putting the technology in place, meaning the old rules still apply.
Heidi Alexander said: “You should work on the basis that it is 100ml at the moment unless you have heard from your airport otherwise.”
Mirror Travel has contacted the UK’s major airports to ask whether they have the new scanners in place and to get their latest advice for passengers.
Make sure you don’t get caught out(Image: izusek via Getty Images)
Gatwick
For the moment, passengers should come prepared for security at London Gatwick as normal and not bring liquids in containers of more than 100ml, the airport’s spokesperson said.
Heathrow
The vast majority of passengers are already using the new security lanes at the UK’s biggest airport, which is working with the DfT to complete the rollout.
However, as the rollout is not complete, passengers have been urged to prepare for security as normal, with liquids in containers up to 100ml.
Birmingham
A Birmingham Airport spokesperson said: “Birmingham Airport now allows passengers to travel with up to 2 litres of liquids, following a change in rules made by the Government. Passengers can now carry liquid, paste and gel bottles up to 2L each in their hand luggage, without the need to take them out of their bags.
“This change will enable faster and more efficient processing of hand luggage, following the £60m investment in equipment and infrastructure made last year. We are pleased passengers can now benefit from this change in ruling, made by the Government in time for the summer peak.”
“The limit at Bristol Airport is still 100ml and will be until the DfT advises us otherwise,” a spokesperson told the Mirror.
Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands
The Manchester Airport Group, which runs Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports, has the new scanners up and running.
A MAG spokesperson said: “New security technology is already in use across all three of MAG’s airports, and the majority of passengers are screened with the new equipment.
“In accordance with Department for Transport guidance, passengers should continue to arrive at the airport prepared and travel with liquids in containers no larger than 100ml in their hand baggage, unless advised otherwise.”
Liverpool John Lennon
“Here at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, passengers have been able to leave all liquids and large electrical items such as laptops and tablets in their hand luggage for a few months now, following the installation of the new security screening equipment. However, the 100ml liquid size limit currently remains,” the airport’s spokesperson said.
“We will move to higher liquid quantities when approved to do so, at which time we’ll communicate this to passengers.”
Edinburgh
“This week we announced that passengers can now keep liquids in their bags when going through security, and those liquid containers can now be up to two litres each,” the airport’s spokesperson said.
