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June 6 (UPI) — Passenger train service in the U.S. Northeast was still not back to full capacity early Friday afternoon after crews worked overnight to repair a power outage in Connecticut.

Amtrak passenger trains were running between New York City and Westport, Conn., as of 1:30 p.m. EDT Friday, although buses were still providing local service.

MTA Metro-North Railroad service continued to experience delays and cancellations Friday morning.

“Following a partial service suspension caused by downed overhead wires near Westport, today’s morning commute includes cancellations and combined trains,” the suburban commuter rail service said on X Friday morning.

The railroad was still cautioning commuters to expect regular delays of up to 15 minutes Friday afternoon on the busy line between New York City and New Haven, Conn.

Amtrak said it was still experiencing delays Friday afternoon.

“All services operating between Stamford and New Haven are currently experiencing a delay due to an electrical system outage, resulting in heavy rail congestion and speed restrictions in the area,” the company said on X.

“Our rail partner’s track maintenance team is currently working to restore the electrical system. Once it’s restored, All service will resume at normal track speeds. We are dedicated to providing updates to you as soon as it becomes available. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”

All Amtrak trains and some Metro-North service was suspended Thursday evening after the power failure shut down all four commuter tracks. Crews managed to get one operational overnight with two back in service Friday morning.

Travelers to and from cities such as Boston, Stamford, Philadelphia and Springfield were all affected.

The cause of the outage remains under investigation.

The rail line known as the Northeast Corridor runs from Boston to Washington, D.C., and is the busiest stretch of rail in the country, seeing about 800,000 trips per day.

In 2023, then-President Joe Biden announced $16 billion in spending to upgrade rail infrastructure, including the Northeast Corridor.

Both Amtrak and Metro North use electric-powered locomotives in that part of the Northeast corridor, meaning a power outage can bring things to a standstill.

Amtrak does have dual-use locomotives that can be powered by diesel or electricity in the region but they are typically used only between Albany and New York,

Israeli military warns access roads to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s (GHF) aid distribution sites are now considered ‘combat zones’.

The United States- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) will suspend aid distribution in the war-torn territory on Wednesday, a day after Israeli forces again opened fire on Palestinian aid seekers near a GHF distribution site, killing at least 27 and injuring more than 100.

Israel’s military also said that approach roads to the aid distribution centres will be “considered combat zones” on Wednesday, and warned that people in Gaza should heed the GHF announcement to stay away.

“We confirm that travel is prohibited tomorrow on roads leading to the distribution centers … and entry to the distribution centers is strictly forbidden,” an Israeli military spokesperson said.

In a post on social media, GHF said the temporary suspension was necessary to allow for “renovation, reorganisation and efficiency improvement work”.

“Due to the ongoing updates, entry to the distribution centre areas is slowly prohibited! Please do not go to the site and follow general instructions. Operations will resume on Thursday. Please continue to follow updates,” the group said.

The temporary suspension of aid comes as more than 100 Palestinian people seeking aid have been reported killed by Israeli forces in the vicinity of GHF distribution centres since the organisation started operating in the enclave on May 27.

The killing of people desperately seeking food supplies has triggered mounting international outrage with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demanding an independent inquiry into the deaths and for “perpetrators to be held accountable”.

“It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food,” Guterres said.

The Israeli military has admitted it shot at aid seekers on Tuesday, but claimed that they opened fire when “suspects” deviated from a stipulated route as a crowd of Palestinians was making its way to the GHF distribution site in Gaza.

Israel’s military said it is looking into the incident and the reports of casualties.

On Tuesday, GHF named its new executive chairman as US evangelical Christian leader Reverend Dr Johnnie Moore.

Moore, who was an evangelical adviser to the White House during the first term of United States President Donald Trump, said in a statement that GHF was “demonstrating that it is possible to move vast quantities of food to people who need it most — safely, efficiently, and effectively”.

The UN and aid agencies have refused to work with the GHF, accusing the group of lacking neutrality and of being part of Israel’s militarisation of aid in Gaza. Israel has also been accused of “weaponising” hunger in Gaza, which has been brought about by a months-long Israeli blockade on food, medicine, water and other basic essentials entering the war-torn territory.

Moore’s appointment is likely to add to concerns regarding GHF’s operations in Gaza, given his support for the controversial proposal Trump floated in February for the US to take over Gaza, remove the Palestinian population, and focus on real estate development in the territory.

After Trump proposed the idea, Moore posted video of Trump’s remarks on X and wrote: “The USA will take full responsibility for future of Gaza, giving everyone hope & a future.”

Responding on social media to UN chief Guterres’s outrage following the killing of aid seekers in Gaza on Sunday, Moore said: “Mr Secretary-General, it was a lie… spread by terrorists & you’re still spreading it.

The GHF’s founding executive director, former US marine Jake Wood, resigned from his position before the Gaza operation began, questioning the organisation’s “impartiality” and “independence”.

Critics have accused GHF, which has not revealed where its funds come from, of facilitating the Israeli military’s goal of depopulating northern Gaza as it has concentrated aid distribution in the southern part of the territory, forcing thousands of desperate people to make the perilous journey to its locations to receive assistance.

The 32 teams are confirmed before the June 14 tournament start with Real Madrid, PSG and Inter Miami among the big names.

The revamped 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, to be held from June 14 to July 13 in the United States, features a record number of teams taking part.

Thirty-two clubs drawn from six FIFA confederations are allocated into eight groups of four, and each team will play three group stage matches in a round-robin format.

The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage, starting with the round of 16 and culminating with the final, to be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The last two champions of the tournament –  Manchester City (2023) and Real Madrid (2022) – headline a long list of top-flight clubs from around the globe incentivised by the record $1bn prize purse spread between the confederations and the clubs.

The club that emerges as champions could take home up to $125m.

The 32 teams heading to the #FIFACWC 🔜

— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 1, 2025

FIFA Club World Cup 2025 – 32 qualified teams:

⚽ Group A:

Palmeiras (Brazil)
Porto (Portugal)
Al Ahly (Egypt)
Inter Miami (US)

⚽ Group B:

Paris Saint-Germain (France)
Atletico Madrid (Spain)
Botafogo (Brazil)
Seattle Sounders (US)

⚽ Group C:

Bayern Munich (Germany)
Auckland City (New Zealand)
Boca Juniors (Argentina)
Benfica (Portugal)

⚽ Group D:

Flamengo (Brazil)
ES Tunis (Tunisia)
Chelsea (United Kingdom)
LAFC (US)

⚽ Group E:

River Plate (Argentina)
Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
Monterrey (Mexico)
Inter Milan (Italy)

⚽ Group F:

Fluminense (Brazil)
Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
Ulsan HD FC (South Korea)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

⚽ Group G:

Manchester City (UK)
Wydad (Morocco)
Al Ain (United Arab Emirates)
Juventus (Italy)

⚽ Group H:

Real Madrid (Spain)
Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Pachuca (Mexico)
FC Salzburg (Austria)

MABEL scrapped an entire album before making her new self-titled mixtape – after being “crippled” by the expectations.

The singer, whose previous album About Last Night came out in 2022, said she felt pressure to live up to her debut, High Expectations.

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It won her a Brit Award for British Female Solo Artist.

Mabel said on TikTok: “I did scrap an album.

“I kept waiting for this moment like, ‘Now’s the time to put out an album’, but inevitably you change, you grow, and the music you made last year or the year before, you’ve kind of outgrown it.”

She added: “People expect you to do certain things and get certain accolades again like it’s easy.

“But that has been crippling, mentally and creatively, for me for years.”

Cardi’s love boat

CARDI B put the boot into her ex-husband Offset by going Instagram official with American football player Stefon Diggs.

The WAP rapper has been rowing with the Migos musician for weeks, with him seeking spousal support from her in their divorce, which she is arguing against.

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But Cardi made it clear he’s the last thing on her mind as she confirmed her romance with Stefon in sexy snaps on a yacht.

Good for her.

SAM IN THE KIT PARADE

SAM FENDER is out on the Toon as the star of an ad to launch Newcastle United’s new third kit.

I revealed last week how the Geordie singer had signed a massive deal with Adidas, as part of a tie-in with his beloved Magpies.

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My exclusive pictures show Sam on set at the Tyneside Irish Centre, just over the road from St James’ Park, as he filmed the new ad with more than 100 extras.

My source said: “As well as the Adidas ad tying in to Sam’s massive People Watching tour which kicks off in London on Friday, it will be used to launch Newcastle’s new third kit.

“He arrived at 3pm and filmed for five hours with loads of extras. Sam was decked out head to toe in Adidas and played his guitar. He was on top form and everyone who met him said he was absolutely lovely.

“It was a long shoot but everyone who took part got to take home a pair of brand new trainers as a treat.

“Sam is really pleased with how the ad looks and so are the big cheeses at Newcastle United.”

Since his debut album Hypersonic Missiles, which went straight to No1 in 2019, Sam has been on the most incredible rise.

I’ve no doubt the journey is going to get even more exciting for Sam in the years to come.

And now he’s got some lovely new clobber to wear while he’s doing it.

MILEY CYRUS is battling it out with Garbage to score her third No1 album on Friday.

Her album Something Beautiful is in the lead to top the charts.

But just behind her is Garbage’s new record Let All That We Imagine Be The Light.

They may face opposition from Taylor Swift, whose album Reputation is at No8 in midweek figures.

NADINE TO TELL ALL IN MEMOIR

NADINE COYLE has risked falling out with her Girls Aloud mates again with a memoir that promises to “tell all” on their career, including notorious “bust-ups”.

She reunited with Cheryl Tweedy, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh last summer for a successful UK tour after patching up their differences.

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But I imagine they might be more than a little worried about what Nadine has written in the book, called Loud: Diary Of A Derry Girl.

It is due to be released in time for Christmas, with details about it leaking online after Amazon put up a pre-order link early, seemingly by accident.

A description said it will be “an intimate tell-all account” of her life.
It added: “This is her story, a story full of friendships, a lot of laughs,

some bust-ups and just a whole lot of pop.”

It’s also likely to touch on her close friendship with bandmate Sarah Harding, who died from cancer in 2021, so I’m sure it will be an emotional read.

RADIO 2 In The Park is heading to Chelmsford, Essex, for three days from September 5-7.

The annual music festival will take place in Hylands Park, with tickets going on sale at 8.30am tomorrow.

That will follow the line-up announcement during Scott Mills’ breakfast show this morning.

JOJO: HEAD OVER HEELS FOR CHRIS

JOJO SIWA has finally confirmed her romance with reality no-mark Chris Hughes, two months after meeting in the Celebrity Big Brother house.

Jojo split with her partner hours after leaving the ITV show in April.

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She said in a new interview: “It’s not platonic any more.

“It’s been a beautiful development, a beautiful connection, and I’m absolutely head over heels for him and he’s the same way.”

Hitting back at critics, she added: “Anyone who suggests the relationship is a PR stunt is only telling on themselves.

“Clearly, you’ve never been around us.

“I won’t ever speak for him, but for me personally, the happiness in my life just radiates off of me right now.”

Alexandra vamps it up

ALEXANDRA BURKE looks incredible as she prepares to take on the role of Morticia in The Addams Family musical comedy.

She got into character ahead of the UK tour which starts in Birmingham on July 10.

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The production will tour other spots including Leicester, Salford, Canterbury and Blackpool.

But while Alexandra has made a name for herself as a stage actress, she will return to music.

On taking a break to have her two children, Alexandra said: “Babies happened. One planned. Another baby happened . . .  wasn’t planned.

“But the plan is music. I’m hopefully coming back, I promise.”

Alexandra, whose last album The Truth Is came out in 2018, added: “Life just happened and I’m so grateful for my gorgeous children. It’s slowed me down, it’s made me realise the most important things in life.”

In April, Nandy said the 68-year-old sports media rights executive was the “outstanding candidate” to fill the position, despite not being on the original three-person shortlist.

She has now removed herself from the final decision, delegating responsibility to the Sports Minister.

Last month, Kogan told MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee (CMS) during a pre-appointment hearing that he was being “utterly transparent” by declaring his donations.

The committee endorsed Kogan, but said he must work to “reassure the football community that he will act impartially and in a politically neutral way”. Committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage warned that Kogan’s “past donations to the Labour Party will inevitably leave him open to charges of political bias in a job where independence is paramount”.

Kogan said he had donated “very small sums” to the campaigns, as well as thousands of pounds to Labour MPs and candidates in recent years, but had “total personal independence from all of them” and pledged “total political impartiality” if appointed.

A DCMS spokesperson said: “We have received the letter from the Commissioner for Public Appointments and we look forward to co-operating fully with his office.

“The appointment is in the process of being ratified in the usual way.”

Kogan declined to comment.

It has also emerged that Nandy has written to the CMS Committee and told them: “I heard clearly the Committee’s comments regarding David’s transparency and candour regarding previous political donations that he had made and the need for him to take concrete steps to avoid the perception of any bias or lack of independence from government.

“As a first step to avoid any risk of this, I am writing to inform you that I have delegated the final decision on the chair’s appointment to the Minister for Sport.”

Conservative shadow sports minister Louie French has previously said the failure to disclose the donations when first put forward for the role was “a clear breach of the governance code on public appointments”.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister added Kogan had been appointed through a “fair and open competition”, and the BBC has been told his donations were below the threshold that requires declaring.

The Football Governance Bill, which is currently passing through Parliament after being reintroduced by the Labour government in October, will establish a first independent regulator for the professional men’s game in England.

The legislation will hand power to a body independent from government and football authorities to oversee clubs in England’s top five divisions.

Kogan – a former BBC journalist who also previously advised the Premier League, EFL and other leagues on broadcast rights – said he wants to put “fans at the heart of the regulator” and help the football pyramid.

The new series of Love Island is just days away and a whole host of sexy singletons are about to make their debut in the Spanish sun when the series starts next week

The class of Love Island 2025 has been revealed and judging by the lineup, we’re in for a treat! Fans can’t wait to see who waltzes into the villa next Monday when the new series, hosted by Maya Jama, starts up again.

This summer there looks like there’s going to be fireworks under the Spanish sun as hopefuls including a former fire breather and a Maura Higgins lookalike have all signed up for the series. So, as we wait for Monday to see who’s going to be bringing “more drama, more bombshells, more break-ups, more make-ups, and more twists”, here’s a look at this year’s Love Island lineup…

READ MORE: Maura Higgins lookalike signs up for Love Island as new series just days away

Megan Forte Clarke

Dubliner, Megan, 24, who recently starred as one of the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella, is sure to bring the drama under the Spanish sun. Talking to her TikTok followers, she compared herself to unlucky-in-love Bridget Jones, musing: “I am the modern day Bridget Jones. Can I hold a man down? Don’t be silly. Have I just been ghosted again? Absolutely. Am I still funny AF with great t*ts? Obvs.

Speaking to the Mail about the inevitable comparisons between Megan and Love Island O.G Maura, a TV source said: “Megan is a gorgeous girl, she’s funny, and right now, couldn’t be unluckier in love, making her the perfect Islander.

“Comparisons to Maura are inevitable and if anything, Megan will see it as a huge compliment.”

Tommy Bradley

Love Island casting agents have enlisted a “cheeky chappy” to take part in the latest series of the show. A gym enthusiast named Tommy Bradley will be strutting his stuff on the show next week.

The Londoner, who appears to be an avid fan of Tottenham Hotspur judging by his Instagram account, is said to have undergone a dramatic body transformation in preparation for his time in the villa, with a source telling The Sun: “Tommy seems to tick all the Love Island boxes as the cheeky chappy of this summer’s series.”

Sophie Lee

Former fire breather, Sophie Lee, who suffered horror burns and was left fighting for her life at the age of 22, is next on the list. The Manchester-based dancer, now 29, was involved in an accident when an air-conditioning unit blew flames back into her face.

Sophie is now an influencer and motivational speaker, has worked with Katie Piper’s foundation and released a book in February last year, titled In My Skin.

She wrote at the time on social media: “It’s been a difficult process being so open with the trauma I’ve faced and adversity I’ve had to overcome and to now be at a place of peace has not been easy.”

Harry Cooksley

Footballer Harry Cooksley is also looking for love in the villa. The midfielder, 29, has been branded Surrey’s answer to French legend, Zinadine Zidane, as a source told The Sun: “Harry’s got the full package – a great, athletic bod and great chat.

“Love Island’s ladies love a footballer and The Surrey Zidane will be sure to impress as he plays away.”

Dejon Noel Williams

Personal trainer Dejon is sure to get pulses racing the villa. The fitness fanatic, who is also a semi-professional footballer, has posted a slew of sweaty snaps of himself at the gym on Instagram.

His bio reads: “I go beyond the gym—helping you build Strength, Confidence & Discipline for life.”

Shakira Khan

Shakira, 22, is also set for Spain as she looks like she’s going to ruffle some feathers in the villa.

Sharing a string of saucy snaps from far-flung locations, including Dubai, she told her followers on Instagram: “Haiti cos u ain’t me” as she posed in a silver thong bikini.

Blu Chegini

Businessman Blu, who graduated from Oxford Brooks university, is based in London but also spends a lot of time in Marbella.

He works for a company in London’s swanky Fitzrovia, which is sure to impress some of the girls in the villa.

Alima Gagigo

Scot, Alima, is also hoping to set hearts a flutter in Spain. A graduate of Caledonian University, she often posts snaps from a number of jaunts, including Portugal, Greece and Spain.

Alima also loves a trip down south to London for a slap-up dinner and cocktails with her friends.

Kyle Ashman

Unlike the rest of the lineup, Kyle doesn’t have a string of photos on Instagram.

Posting just one photo of himself posed to perfection with a rippling six pack, it seems viewers will have to fill in the blanks when he makes his debut on the show next week.

Megan Moore

Megan is another girl who likes to travel and often posts snaps of herself in the sun on Instagram.

Not much is known about her, however one of her followers replied to a shot of her in a a gorgeous white top and skirt, posing in her her garden, gushing: “Stunning girl!”

Helena Ford

Influencer Helena is friends with Love Island star, Zara McDermott, and looks set to make her grand entrance in the villa next week.

With a TikTok account in which she posts ‘Come with me’ videos as she jets off around the world, she looks like she’ll be one to watch.

Ben Holbrough

Model Ben is bound to make a splash when he rocks up in Spain next week. Sharing a slew of snaps of himself shirtless on Instagram, he says: “My main line of work is modelling, which I’ve been doing for about five or six years now.

“But when I’m not doing that, my hobbies are either going to the gym or playing football.”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

READ MORE: ‘Shark steam mop that leaves my floors gleaming is on sale and £400 less than Dyson’

Just 40 countries representing 3.5 percent of the world’s population respect all civil liberties, a new study has found, warning that “democracy and human rights are under attack worldwide in a way we have not seen for decades.”

The Atlas of Civil Society report published by the German relief organisation Brot fur die Welt (Bread for the World) on Monday said only 284 million people living in “open” countries – including Austria, Estonia, the Scandinavian countries, New Zealand and Jamaica – enjoy protection of unrestricted civil rights and liberties.

The nongovernmental organisation defines a country as “open” if it allows people to form associations “without legal or practical barriers, demonstrate in public spaces, receive information and are allowed to disseminate it”.

Forty-two countries making up 11.1 percent of the world’s population are listed in a second category in which civil rights are classified as “impaired”. These include Germany, Slovakia, Argentina and the United States.

In these countries, the rights to freedom of assembly and expression are largely respected, but there are recorded violations.

‘Restricted, suppressed or closed’

“In contrast, 85 percent of the world’s population lives in countries where civil society is restricted, suppressed, or closed. This affects almost seven billion people,” the report found.

“Their governments severely restrict civil liberties and harass, arrest, or kill critical voices. This applies to 115 of 197 countries,” it added.

Several European countries appear in the “restricted” category, including Greece, the United Kingdom, Hungary and Ukraine.

Civil society is considered “oppressed” in 51 countries, including Algeria, Mexico and Turkey. In these countries, governments monitor, imprison or kill critics, and exercise censorship, according to the data.

Finally, Russia and 28 other countries are classified as “closed” and
characterised by an “atmosphere of fear”. Criticism of the government
or regime in these countries is severely punished.

Brot fur die Welt drew on data collected by the Civicus network of civil society organisations worldwide for its annual report covering 197 countries and territories.

Nine countries improved their freedom of expression ratings last year, including Jamaica, Japan, Slovenia, Trinidad and Tobago, Botswana, Fiji, Liberia, Poland and Bangladesh.

However, nine countries were downgraded from the previous year, including Georgia, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Peru, Ethiopia, Eswatini, the Netherlands, Mongolia and the Palestinian territory.

Dagmar Pruin, president of Brot fur die Welt, warned that “the rule of law, the separation of powers and protection against state arbitrariness are under threat or no longer exist in more and more countries.”

This seaside town in Yorkshire is home to an award-winning beach and newly rebuilt promenade, though it is unfortunately overlooked by flashier resort towns

You may not have heard of this charming seaside town, but that’s exactly why it should be the setting of your next staycation. Often overlooked by Brits who beeline for destinations like Filey and Scarborough, this Yorkshire town is ideal for a quiet, cultural escape.

Withernsea has all the landmarks of a classic British seaside resort, except for the massive crowds. Travellers can peruse the local fish and chip shops and arcades without the long queues and exceptional mark-ups, and also enjoy an award-winning beach in peace.

Withernsea’s beach stretches for miles along the clear waters of the North Sea. The beach has managed to keep its Blue Flag status by maintaining exceptional water quality standards and shore cleanliness, going above and beyond to ensure its facilities are well managed.

READ MORE: Little-known UK seaside town with pristine sands and award-winning pier

The seaside town also recently redesigned and rebuilt its promenade and now boasts garden and play areas, as well as an open-air stage for summer entertainment. On the promenade, the Pier Towers are now the last surviving parts of the once-thriving 19th century pier.

Withernsea’s wide promenade reaches north and south from Pier Towers, the historic entrance to a once 1,200-foot long pier, built in 1877. The pier was continually reduced in length after consistent damage from ships before it was eventually removed in full.

While the pier is no longer there, the Pier Towers mark the place where it once stood and a model of the pier stands on the promenade close to the towers with plaques that describe its gradual demise. The Towers were fully restored in 2019 and are currently operated by the Withernsea Pier and Promenade Association.

The new Towers were opened to the public in June 2020 and contain several exhibitions and art and craft stalls. Within the structure, visitors can read the plans for the new Withernsea Pier, the Coastal Change Observatory, Windmills of Holderness and historic pictures of Withernsea.

Today, the Towers also represent the town’s maritime history, which can be explored at the museum located in the inland lighthouse. The famous lighthouse towers 127 feet above the beach and is the home of the Lighthouse Museum.

The distinct serenity of the area has made the town particularly popular with retirees looking to escape the chaos of the city. Though there are growing concerns among residents about the local economy with a high turnover of independent businesses on the high street.

Valley Gardens is a must-visit spot, defined by its beautifully landscaped open space with ample seating. The Valley Gardens is the venue for the popular annual Summertime Special, and throughout the season its a hub for events in Withernsea.

Another annual event to keep an eye out for is Withernsea’s Blue Light Weekend. The event pays tribute to the emergency services and safety forces with a host of demonstrations from emergency teams.

The festival also has live entertainment, interactive exhibitions, games and food stalls. In 2025, the festival will run from August 2 to August 3.

EastEnders and Emmerdale were the joint shows to beat at the 2025 British Soap Awards as both had an impressive 13 nominations over 12 categories each – but the BBC soap proved triumphant on the night

EastEnders were the big winners at tonight’s British Soap Awards, taking away the top gong. Named Best British Soap, they beat Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks to the coveted accolade.

Walking away with eight awards in total, Steve McFadden picked up Best Dramatic Performance and Best Single Episode for Phil Mitchell’s psychosis. It comes in the soap’s 40th anniversary year.

Hollyoaks got three awards, Emmerdale got two and Coronation Street walked away with one – the Outstanding Achievement Award to David Neilson, who has played Roy Cropper for 30 years. The biggest names in soapland dazzled on the glitter carpet – with Hollyoaks actress Jorgie Porter and Corrie favourite Tina O’Brien both looking sensational in the same dress, a sparkly Oh Polly number.

Speaking before she was presented with the scene of the year award, EastEnders legend Anita Dobson said: “It was just perfect.” And asked if she could return again, she said: “I don’t think so, although I should say never say never, it would have to be something extra special.”

Gillian Taylforth, who plays Kathy Beale, added: “It was just brilliant, although none of us knew that she was coming back! We’ll need Ange back if anything ever happened to Kathy, not that I want it too.”

Hosted by Jane McDonald, telly favourites Sir David Jason and Larry Lamb presented awards at London’s Hackney Empire.

The awards were back after being cancelled last year. Watch the British Soap Awards 2025 on Thursday 5 June via ITV1 and ITVX at 8pm.

The British Soap Awards 2025 winners list in full;

BEST BRITISH SOAP

EastEnders

BEST LEADING PERFORMER

EastEnders: Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater)

VILLAIN OF THE YEAR

EastEnders: Navin Chowdhry (Nish Panesar)

BEST COMEDY PERFORMANCE

Coronation Street: Jack P. Shepherd (David Platt)

BEST FAMILY

Hollyoaks: The Osbornes

BEST DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE

EastEnders: Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell)

BEST SINGLE EPISODE

EastEnders: Phil’s Psychosis: The Mitchells In 1985

BEST ON-SCREEN PARTNERSHIP

EastEnders: Rudolph Walker & Angela Wynter (Patrick & Yolande Trueman)

BEST NEWCOMER

Hollyoaks: Isabelle Smith (Frankie Osborne)

BEST STORYLINE

Hollyoaks: Sibling Sexual Abuse

BEST YOUNG PERFORMER

Emmerdale: Amelia Flanagan (April Windsor)

SCENE OF THE YEAR

EastEnders: Angie Watts’ Shock Return

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

David Neilson presented by Julie Hesmondhalgh

THE TONY WARREN AWARD

Emmerdale – MIKE PLANT

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A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Myanmar in March 2025, devastating communities across the country. Al Jazeera was the only international broadcaster with a team on the ground to witness the unfolding crisis. What emerged was a story of survival against overwhelming odds.

From the capital Naypyidaw to the spiritual heart of Mandalay, our cameras captured the desperate search for survivors and the scale of destruction. At the epicentre, entire neighbourhoods lay in ruins as hundreds of thousands of people found themselves without shelter, clean water or food. Emergency services struggled to cope with the response required.

The disaster struck a nation already fractured by civil conflict, where a military government appeared ill-equipped to handle the crisis. Over seven days, Al Jazeera correspondent Tony Cheng documented not just the immediate aftermath, but how this natural catastrophe exposed deeper challenges facing the people of Myanmar during their darkest hour.

THE FULL list of finalists on Britain’s Got Talent has finally been revealed after a tense semi-final.

The last live show before the forthcoming ITV grand finale of the talent variety competition was filled with controversies.

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Ten acts have made it through to the highly-anticipated final show of Britain’s Got Talent.

For the first time, all of the performers will face the public vote after a number of Golden Buzzers sent contestants straight through.

The Blackouts, Olly Pearson, Jasmine Rice, Joseph Charm, and magician Harry Moulding were the acts to receive the five golden buzzers.

The acts who won each of the semi-final shows were Vinnie McKee, Stacey Leadbeatter, Ping Pong Pang and Hear Our Voice.

Eight-year-old singer Binita Chetry was the last artist announced to win the public vote.

This comes as the long-running variety competition was engulfed with controversy over the ‘biggest set up ever.‘

Harry Moulding claimed that he was “going to create a special moment of real magic for one person” at the start of his act.

The performance was full of incredible tricks which involved pop star references and predictions before the live show.

One contributor – who was also named Harry – appeared in a pre-recorded VT that was filmed in Paris.

His girlfriend Jess was sat in the audience and she was ‘randomly’ chosen by the magician to come onto the stage.

At the end of the clip, Harry miraculously appeared in front of Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli, Amanda Holden and KSI.

He got down on one knee and popped the question to his partner, who tearfully accepted.

After KSI chose to send the act straight through to the final with his Golden Buzzer, droves of viewers took to social media as they claimed the show was ‘rigged’.

Writing on X – formerly known as Twitter – one fan fumed: “Cowell said this boring idiot is the frontrunner – so if he wins (despite everyone watching losing the will to live) you’ll know that this trashy, s***** programme is fixed.”

A second claimed: “That was either an amazing magic trick or there was some absolute collusion going on there. Decent act but had to have been set up somehow.”

“What the f*** do they expect him to do for the final now?? Biggest fix ever, magic my bloody a***,” furiously wrote someone else.

As a fourth added: “Utterly rigged and the trick itself was too grand and ridiculous it shouldn’t even be called magic. I know exactly how he did it, it was rigged.”

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The final of Britain’s Got Talent will air on ITV1 and ITVX on Sunday, May 31.

The right-wing Noboa had defeated left-wing candidate Luisa Gonzalez amid allegations of electoral fraud.

Daniel Noboa, Ecuador’s youngest-ever president and heir to a prominent banana-exporting fortune, has been sworn in for his first full term in office, pledging to intensify his government’s battle against powerful drug gangs while reviving the struggling economy.

In a ceremony at the National Assembly in Quito on Saturday, the right-wing president was sworn in by Assembly President Niels Olsen Peet, who draped the presidential sash across his shoulders before the two raised clasped hands in a symbolic gesture of unity.

Noboa, 37, won the election in April’s, securing a new term after completing the final 18 months of his predecessor’s tenure, defeating left-wing candidate, Luisa Gonzalez, despite her allegations of electoral fraud.

Speaking to lawmakers, Noboa pledged to make a sharp reduction in violent crime a cornerstone of his administration.

“The progressive reduction of homicides will be a non-negotiable goal,” Noboa declared. “We will maintain our fight against drug trafficking, seize illegal weapons, ammunition, and explosives, and exercise greater control at the country’s ports.”

Ecuador, once considered one of the more stable countries in the region, has in recent years faced a sharp rise in violence, with drug cartels, including the powerful from Mexico, exploiting porous borders and weak institutions to expand their influence.

Noboa has responded with militarised crackdowns, deploying the armed forces onto the streets and tightening security at key infrastructure hubs.

The president’s security strategy has drawn comparisons to El Salvador’s controversial anti-gang measures, which have been praised by some for reducing crime but condemned by rights groups over mass detentions and alleged abuses.

Noboa has cited El Salvador, as well as the United States and Israel, as strategic partners in Ecuador’s security overhaul.

His administration has also hired Erik Prince, founder of private military contractor Blackwater, to advise Ecuadorian security forces, a move that has raised alarm among opposition politicians and human rights advocates, who warn of creeping militarisation and lack of oversight.

While Noboa has claimed a 15 percent drop in violent deaths during 2024, government figures show a 58 percent increase in killings during the first four months of 2025 compared with the same period last year, with 3,094 recorded deaths.

May 20 (UPI) — The U.S. House Rules Committee, after 22 hours of proceedings, late Wednesday advanced President Donald Trump‘s legislative agenda that experts say would add $3 trillion to the federal deficit and negatively affect the poorest of Americans.

Debate on the full House floor began early Thursday.

The House Rules Committee adopted the bill in an 8-4 vote along party lines. They first met shortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday to consider the 1,116-page budget that is roughly $7 trillion

The Finance Committee late Sunday approved the legislation 17-16 along party lines with four Republicans who rejected the bill the first time on Friday voting present: Ralph Norman of Oklagoa, Chip Roy of Texas, Andrew Clyde of Georgia and Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma.

“What the hell are you guys so scared of, that you guys are holding this hearing at 1 in the morning?” Rules Committee Ranking Member Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said. “If Republicans are so proud of what is in this bill, then why are you trying to ram it through in the dead of the night?”

The full House must also vote to adopt the rule first before taking up the underlying bill. Republicans hope to move the House bill, with no support from Democrats, to the Senate by Memorial Day on Monday.

With the GOP holding a slim majority of 220-212, House Speaker Mike Johnson can afford to lose more than three GOP votes. Party hardliners and moderates from vulnerable districts have failed to agree on key issues that include Medicaid, federal clean energy programs and tax breaks to states.

Three House seats were held by Democrats who died, including Gerry Connolly of Virginia on Wednesday.

At least five House GOP members considered vulnerable in the 2026 midterm elections — including Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y. — have vowed to vote against the bill unless it ups the proposed state and local tax deduction from the current proposed $30,000.

The bill contains a massive overhaul of the tax code and deep spending cuts.

An amendment included speeding up work requirements for Medicaid to the end of 2026 rather than 2029.

It also tightens the definition of a “qualified alien” eligible for the program.

There is a new incentive for states that hadn’t expanded Medicaid under Obamacare. It allows those states to pay 110% of Medicare rates for state directed payments as a way to finance Medicaid.

The Center on Budget and Policies Priorities estimates 36 million Medicaid enrollees could be at risk of losing coverage because of potential work requirements and other factors.

In December, there were 78,532,341 on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP.

Also, the bill formalizes the so-called SALT cap, which would allow people to deduct state and local income taxes up to $40,000 for certain income groups. GOP leaders initially wanted cap of $30,000 but key New York, New Jersey and California Republicans vulnerable in the 2026 election, had refused to support it.

Republicans opted to phase out Biden energy tax credits sooner than planned. New projects must break ground within 60 days or be “in service” by the end of 2028 to qualify for the credits.

Earlier, Rep. Chip Roy of Texas,, a holdout, told CNN’s Manu Raju he was “still looking to review more provisions and have more conversations.”

“Yeah, I’m going to vote for it,” Rep. Andy Biggs ,of Arizona, told CNN.

Medicaid changes and a $4 trillion debt limit increase, among other provisions.

The bill includes a $4 trillion debt limit.

Budget plan’s analysis

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released data Tuesday that the House Republican’s budget proposal and its tax provisions would cut federal revenue by around 10% of America’s current national debt over the next decade.

The GOP bill proposal could cost American taxpayers $3.8 trillion over the next 10 years, according to a report this month by the Joint Committee on Taxation, which looked at the effect of tax policies versus spending cuts.

“This bill does not add to the deficit,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed Monday during a press briefing.

On Friday, Moody’s Ratings downgraded the U.S. debt citing the GOP proposal that Moody’s says will tack on $4 trillion to the national debt over the next 10 years.

As proposed, the bill would extend Trump’s tax cuts largely to the wealthiest Americans and cut personal income tax rates. It also establishes fresh tax reductions on tips, Social Security, overtime payments and loan interest on automobiles produced in the United States.

An analysis Monday by the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Wharton school projects that under the Republican plan, the lowest-income American citizens would end up paying more.

Leavitt said the Trump administration’s Council of Economic Advisers claim that there’s $1.6 trillion worth of savings in the GOP bill.

“That’s the largest saving for any legislation that has ever passed Capitol Hill in our nation’s history,” Leavitt continued.

On Tuesday, the president was on Capitol Hill to meet with Johnson and lawmakers in order to push his legislative agenda.

“While I respect President Trump and understand the importance of passing this legislation, I will not do so at the expense of my district,” Lawler posted on X Tuesday afternoon.

Lawler noted that his district was one of only three kept by a Republican that then-Vice President Kamala Harris had won in November’s presidential election in a heavily-taxed Congressional district.

“For over two years, I have been abundantly clear to everyone from the President to House Leadership about the importance of lifting the cap on SALT,” he said about state and local tax deduction caps.

JOSH TAYLOR takes on Ekow Essuman in a Scottish homecoming fight THIS Saturday!

Taylor is looking to rectify back-to-back defeats as he takes on 36-year-old Essuman.

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‘The Tartan Tornado’ Taylor comes into the clash off the back of two losses, having been beaten by Teofimo Lopez before losing his rematch to Jack Catterall in May 2024.

Ekow ‘The Engine’ Essuman comes into the bout with a record of 21-1-0, with eight of his 21 victories coming by KO.

Essuman’s only defeat came at the hands of Harry Scarff in 2023, losing by unanimous decision in Manchester, meaning Taylor will look to be the first man to KO Essuman to get back to form.

The Engine in turn looks to be the first man to KO Taylor, with both of his defeats coming by unanimous decision, with whoever can score the victory becoming the WBO international welterweight champion.

When is Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman?

• Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman is LIVE on Saturday, May 24.
• Coverage of the card starts at 7pm BST on DAZN.
• The fight takes place at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow.
• Ringwalks for Taylor vs Essuman are expected at around 10pm BST.
• Tickets are still available on Ticketmaster.

*Please note that StubHub and similar secondary ticket resale sites may list tickets above face value.

How to watch Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman and is there a live stream?

• The bout will come live to fans on DAZN to over 200 countries.
• An annual DAZN subscription costs £119.99 or £14.99 for monthly.
• There is also monthly flexible pass – which can be cancelled at any time – for £24.99.
• The broadcast is on DAZN TV or can be live streamed via the website or app.
• SunSport will blog all the action from the card as it happens.

Full card

• Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman; Welterweight
• Nathaniel Collins vs Lee McGregor; Featherweight
• Aloys Junior vs Davie Jamieson; Cruiserweight
• Moses Itauma vs Mike Balogun; Heavyweight
• Luke McCormack vs Samir Cuentas; Light welterweight
• Alex Arthur Jr vs Robbie Chapman; Super middleweight

TERRI Harper looks to continue her reign as WBO lightweight champion when she clashes Natalie Zimmermann.

Harper defends her title in her hometown of Doncaster on Friday, May 23.

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She is a multi-weight strap holder, and makes her first defence of her new title after beating Rhiannon Dixon for the title last September.

The 28-year-old puts her world title on the line at the stadium of Doncaster FC.

Her opponent, German Zimmermann, comes into the fight with a record of 12-0-0, with three wins coming by way of KO.

Harper has two losses to her name, but with a record of 15-2-2, with six wins coming by KO, she holds an experience advantage.

How to watch Terri Harper vs Natalie Zimmermann and is there a live stream?

• Terri Harper defends her WBO lightweight title against Natalie Zimmermann LIVE in the UK.
• The whole card will stream live via DAZN to over 200 countries.
• DAZN subscriptions start at £14.99 per month for an Annual Super Saver subscription, or £24.99 for a Monthly Flexible pass.

When does Terri Harper vs Natalie Zimmermann start?

• Terri Harper takes on Natalie Zimmermann on Friday, May 23.
• Coverage of the card starts at 6pm BST.
• Harper and Zimmerman are expected to make their ringwalks around 10pm BST.
• The full card will stream live from DAZN.

Full card

• Terri Harper vs Natalie Zimmermann; Lightweight, for the WBO title
• Maxi Hughes vs Archie Sharp; Lightweight
• Tysie Gallagher vs Ebonie Jones; Super bantamweight
• Reece Mould vs Lewis Sylvester; Lightweight
• Jimmy Joe Flint vs Haithem Laamouz; Super lightweight
• Stevi Levy vs Ellie Hellewell; Super bantamweight
• Joe Hayden vs Lewis Booth; Light middleweight

I was always told as a child that breakfast is the most important meal. It gives you the energy to keep going the whole day. And so, in my family, we would regularly eat a scrumptious breakfast.

That was in the past, of course. For weeks now, we have had hardly anything to eat. I myself have been dreaming of having a slice of cheese and a warm loaf of bread dipped in thyme and oil.

Instead, I start yet another day of genocide with a cup of tea and a tasteless, nearly expired “not-for-sale WFP fortified biscuit”, which I bought for $1.50.

I have been following the news recently and have started to feel that my wish for something other than a World Food Programme (WFP) biscuit may soon be fulfilled.

Apparently, the United States has grown tired of hearing Palestinians in Gaza say they are starving. So now, it has decided to end the hunger, or at least the annoying complaints about it.

And so, with unshakeable confidence and pride in its own ingenuity, the US government has announced a new mechanism for delivering food to Gaza. The “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation”, an extraordinary name now added to our genocide vocabulary of NGOs and charities, is supposedly set to restart food distribution by the end of May and hand out “300 million meals”. Israel, for its part, has volunteered to secure the “humanitarian” process, while maintaining its killing activities.

While this new feeding “mechanism” is being set up, the Israeli government, “under US pressure”, announced that it will let in “a basic quantity of food” in order to prevent “the development of a hunger crisis”, international media reported. The resumption will reportedly last only a week.

Here in Gaza, where the hunger crisis is already “well-developed”, we are hardly surprised by these announcements. We are well used to Israel – with foreign backing – turning on and off the “food button” as it pleases.

For years, we have been kept in a 365-square-kilometre prison, where our Israeli jailers control our food, rationing it so that we can never go too far beyond the level of survival. Long before this genocide, they openly declared to the world that they were keeping us on a diet, our calories carefully counted to ensure we did not die but just suffer. This was not a fleeting penalty; it was an official government policy.

Anyone driven by basic humanity who dared challenge the blockade from the outside was attacked, even killed.

Some say we should have been grateful that trucks were being allowed to enter at all. True, they were. But just as often, they weren’t, especially when we, the prisoners, were deemed to have misbehaved.

Countless times, I would find my neighbourhood bakery shut down because there was no cooking gas, or I would fail to find my favourite cheese because our jailers had decided it was a “dual-use” item and could not enter Gaza.

We were good at growing our own food, but we could not do much of that either because much of our fertile soil was near the prison fence, and hence out of reach. We loved fishing, but that too was closely monitored and restricted. Venture beyond the shore and you would get shot.

All of this humiliating, calculated blockade was taking place well before October 7, 2023.

After that day, the amount of food allowed into Gaza was drastically reduced. In the days that followed, I felt the shackles of the Israeli blockade on Gaza more tangible than ever, even though I had lived under it since I was born. For the first time, I found myself struggling to secure something as basic as bread. I remember thinking: surely the world will not allow this to last.

And yet here we are, 19 months later, 590 days in, the struggle has only gotten worse.

On March 2, Israel banned all food and other aid from entering Gaza. The situation since then has grown from bad to worse, leaving us nostalgic for previous phases of the crisis, when the suffering felt slightly more bearable.

A few weeks ago, for example, we could still have some tomatoes alongside our canned beans that rotted our stomachs. But now, vegetable vendors are nowhere to be found.

Bakeries have also closed, and flour has all but disappeared, leaving me wishing to re-experience the slight disgust at the sight of worms squirming through infested flour because it would mean my mother could make bread again. Now, finding non-expired fava beans is all I could realistically wish for.

I recognise that others still have it much worse than I do. For parents of young children, the struggle to find food is an agony.

Take my barber, for example. When I last went to him for a haircut two weeks ago, he looked exhausted.

“Can you imagine? I haven’t eaten bread in weeks. Whatever flour I manage to buy every few days, I save for my children. I eat just enough to survive, not to feel full. I just don’t understand why the world treats them like this. If we are not worthy of life in their eyes, then at least have mercy on our hungry children. It’s OK if they want to starve us — but not our children,” he told me.

This may seem like a cruel sacrifice, but it is what parenting has become here after 19 months of nonstop Israeli killing. Parents are consumed by fear, not just for their children’s safety, but for the possibility that their children might be bombed while hungry. This is the nightmare of every household and every tent-hold in Gaza.

In the few barely functioning hospitals, the landscape of famine is even more harrowing. Babies and children looking like skeletons lie on hospital beds; malnourished mothers sit by them.

It has become normal to see daily images of emaciated Palestinian children. We may ourselves be struggling to find food, but seeing them leaves our hearts shattered. We want to help. We think maybe a can of peas might make a difference. But what can peas do for an infant suffering from marasmus, for a child who looks like a fragile shell of skin and bones?

Meanwhile, the world sits in silence, watching Israel block aid and deliver bombs and asking questions in disbelief.

On May 7, the Israeli army bombed al-Wehda Street, one of the busiest in Gaza City. One missile hit an intersection full of street vendors, another – a functioning restaurant. At least 33 Palestinians were killed.

Images of a table with slices of pizza soaked in the blood of one of the victims appeared online. The scene of pizza in Gaza captivated world attention; the bloodbath did not. The world demanded answers: how can you be in a famine when you can order pizza?

Yes, there are vendors and restaurants amid genocidal famine. Vendors that sell a kilogramme of flour for $25 and a can of beans for $3. A restaurant where the smallest and most expensive pizza slice in the world is served — a piece of bad-quality dough, cheese, and the blood of those who craved it.

To this world, we are required to explain the presence of pizza in order to convince we are worthy of food. To this world, the outline of an abstract US plan to feed us sounds reasonable, all while tonnes of life-saving aid wait at the border crossings to be allowed in and distributed by already fully functional aid agencies.

We in Gaza have seen PR exercises masked as “humanitarian action” before. We remember the airdrops that were killing more people than they were feeding. We remember the $230m pier that barely got 500 truckfuls of aid into Gaza from the sea: a feat that could have been accomplished in half a day via an open land crossing.

We in Gaza are hungry, but we are no fools. We know that Israel can only starve and genocide us because the US allows it to. We know that stopping the genocide is not among Washington’s concerns. We know that we are hostages not just of Israel, but also of the US.

What haunts us isn’t just famine; it is also the fear of outsiders arriving under the guise of aid, only to start laying the foundations of colonisation. Even if the US plan is enforced and even if we are allowed to eat before Israel’s next bombing, I know my people will not be broken by the weaponisation of food.

Israel, the US, and the world should understand that we will not trade land for calories. We will liberate our homeland, even on an empty stomach.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.

SEOUL, May 14 (UPI) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised combined tactical drills of special operations forces and stressed “full preparations for war,” state media reported Wednesday.

Kim watched tactical drill demonstrations and a joint fire strike demonstration by tank units at an undisclosed location on Tuesday, Korean Central News Agency reported.

“Making full preparations for war is the most crucial task,” Kim said, according to KCNA.

The North’s combat training has evolved “in keeping with the developing patterns and changing trend of modern warfare, strengthening the integral system of organizing, judging and reviewing training, and putting main stress on the actual war drills,” he said.

North Korean troops have gained real-world combat experience on the battlefield in Russia, where they have been sent to aid Moscow in its war against Ukraine.

Pyongyang has deployed around 15,000 troops to Russia, Seoul’s spy agency said recently. Some 600 of the soldiers have been killed and another 4,100 injured, the National Intelligence Service told lawmakers in a briefing on April 30.

North Korea acknowledged sending the troops for the first time last month, claiming they helped recapture lost territory in Kursk Province from Ukrainian forces.

“Our involvement in the war was justifiable,” Kim said during a visit to the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang on Friday in honor of Moscow’s Victory Day holiday.

“If [Ukraine] had not committed a heinous crime of encroaching upon the Russian territory, the invaders could have avoided the fate of becoming dead souls, hit by our swords and spears,” he said, according to a KCNA report.

In addition to troops, Seoul and Washington accuse North Korea of supplying artillery and missiles to Russia. A launch of short-range ballistic missiles and long-range artillery last week may have been a test of weapons systems meant for export to Russia, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

In exchange, North Korea is believed to be receiving much-needed financial support and advanced military technology for its own weapons programs.

On Tuesday, the Pentagon warned that North Korea may have up to 50 intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads by 2035.

“North Korea has successfully tested ballistic missiles with sufficient range to reach the entire Homeland,” the Defense Intelligence Agency said in a report on current and future missile threats to the United States.

The agency defined an ICBM as “a ground-based missile with a range exceeding 5,500 km (3,417 miles) that flies on a ballistic trajectory and is typically armed with a nuclear warhead or warheads.”

Pyongyang is projected to increase its arsenal to 50 ICBMs from its current inventory of 10 or fewer, the DIA report said. China, Russia and Iran were also included in the threat assessment.