Golden

DUA Lipa proves she is the golden girl of British pop as she soaks up the rays on holiday.

The Hotter Than Hell singer kicked back in a white two-piece with gold earrings and a studded bracelet.

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Dua, who will turn 30 later this month, shared the snaps on social media — but did not reveal where she was.

In another post, she wrote: “Resting meeee bones before I carry on dancing into my 30s!”

Dua recently posted pics from a trip on a boat off the coast of Sicily.

Actor fiancé Callum Turner, 35, was also beaming for a series of loved-up selfies on a day out to Palermo.

Callum has plenty to celebrate as he’s just become the favourite to take on the legendary role of James Bond.

According to new odds from Heart Bingo, it’s thought that Dua’s fiancé is being lined up as the next 007.

The actor claimed the highest share of positive posts with regards to becoming the next Bond.

Following his lead are stars James Norton, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Paul Mescal and former Superman Henry Cavill.

The Little League team from Honolulu has a chance to become a three-time world champion.

Winners of the Little League World Series in 2018 and 2022, the team from Hawaii earned a spot in this year’s World Series on Thursday night with a 4-1 win over Fullerton Golden Hill in San Bernardino. They will travel to Williamsport, Pa., where the World Series begins on Wednesday.

Golden Hill’s only two losses came from Honolulu, including a 1-0 loss to start the tournament. It was the first time in the league’s 69-year history that a team had advanced to the West Region final.

Pitcher Bronson Fermahin took advantage of his team scoring three runs in the first two innings by throwing lots of strikes. He had eight strikeouts through the first four innings and finished with 11 in 5 ⅔ innings before Golden Hill pushed across a run with two outs in the sixth.

Fullerton Golden Hill pitcher Lincoln Ploog struck out 10 in a loss.

(Craig Weston)

Lincoln Ploog of Golden Hill was brought in to pitch with two outs in the first inning. He hit three batters but finished with 10 strikeouts in 4 ⅓ innings.

Honolulu scored two runs in the first on an RBI single from Evan Crawford and a bases-loaded hit batter. An RBI double in the second by Kuana Payanal provided a 3-0 lead. Mason Mitani hit a home run in the fifth. Golden Hill scored a run in the sixth. Fermahin had to leave because of pitch count with two outs in the sixth. Mitani came in to get the final out, catching a broken-bat line drive.

Golden Hill showed off two future standouts in Ploog and infielder Gavin Janicke, who came in with four hits in eight at-bats. Janicke struck out 14 in a win on Wednesday and wasn’t eligible to pitch Thursday.

Scarborough, a picturesque seaside town in North Yorkshire, England, is renowned for its stunning coastline offering breathtaking views of the North Sea

As summer draws near, countless Brits are plotting their getaways. Yet there’s no need to travel abroad for a magnificent coastal break.

That is because the UK is not only home to some of the most beautiful seaside towns in the world, but it is also the home of the world’s premier coastal snack, fish and chips. And one place more than any other is an exponent of the delicious, deep-fried treat.

Scarborough, the charming seaside resort in North Yorkshire, England, is celebrated for its dramatic shoreline, providing spectacular vistas across the North Sea, and its embrace of the chippy tea.

The Yorkshire town has 85.35 chippies per 100,000 residents, meaning it blessed with by far the highest concentration of fryers in the country – beating East Lindsey and its 62.23/100,000 firmly into second place. This is according to a study by Suomikasinot.

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This classic seaside town has long drawn visitors with its harbour views, sandy beaches and love for proper fish and chips. With fresh North Sea catch on the doorstep and plenty of hungry tourists, Scarborough has a chip shop for nearly every 1,200 residents.

It has much else to offer. The town sits close to the North York Moors National Park and features towering cliffs, sandy shores, and Scarborough Castle, positioned atop a headland gazing out over the waters. In 2023, Time Out magazine declared it amongst Britain’s finest places to visit.

CN Traveller has also crowned it the “most beautiful seaside resort in England” thanks to its fascinating heritage.

The publication wrote: “The dramatic castle occupies the headland which separates the two main bays – steep cliffs stretching away in both directions. The old town ascends the slope to the castle in a maze of crooked streets, with buildings dating back to Tudor times.”

What distinguishes Scarborough are the distinctive experiences on offer whilst taking in the scenery. One essential stop is the colourful Scarborough Fair Collection, housing Europe’s most extensive array of vintage rides and transport.

This attraction delivers not just an unusual perspective on history but features dodgems, slot machines, a carousel and the opportunity to savour afternoon tea whilst enjoying a theatrical performance. Scarborough’s Rotunda Museum is a must-see, offering a journey back 65 million years with its impressive collection of fossils, dinosaur footprints and even a Speeton Plesiosaur skeleton.

Entry is free for under 18s and only £5 for adults, which also includes admission to the Scarborough Art Gallery. But no seaside holiday would be complete without a visit to the beach, and Scarborough boasts two stunning ones – North and South Bay.

South Bay Beach is ideal for a family day out. Loved since Victorian times, it still offers attractions like donkey rides and a bustling promenade brimming with activities. North Bay Beach, however, is a quieter spot perfect for relaxation or a leisurely stroll. With its rock pools and charming vintage beach huts set against a backdrop of beautiful hills and cliffs, it’s a dream for photographers.

The two beaches are separated by the ruins of the grand Scarborough Castle. This 12th-century castle has weathered Viking attacks and played a significant role as a royalist stronghold during the Civil War.

After a day of exploration, the Scarborough Castle Great Tea Room is a must-visit, boasting breathtaking views of both beaches and offering homemade cakes, jams, and other cosy treats.

Margate is known for its sandy beaches and charming seaside attractions – but it’s also a hotspot for celebrities and has one of the UK’s ‘coolest’ neighbourhoods

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect weekend getaway, then Margate is a hidden gem that ticks all the boxes. With its stunning beach, vibrant atmosphere, top-notch eateries and refreshing sea breeze, it’s an ideal spot for families or couples seeking a romantic mini-break.

While Margate has long been recognised as a seaside retreat, the town of today offers so much more. It’s home to a remarkable food scene and a bustling arts community. But fear not – while embracing modern trends, Margate hasn’t lost its classic coastal charm. Nowadays, it manages to blend being trendy and artistic with maintaining a traditional British holiday feel.

READ MORE: ‘I visited UK’s worst seaside town but was floored by what I found on arrival’

And we can’t forget about Margate Main Sands – boasting some of the softest, golden sands spread across 19 miles of breathtaking Kentish coastline. The town’s Cliftonville district has been dubbed one of the ‘coolest’ in the UK, and TimeOut has listed the town among the top places to visit.

It’s no surprise that Margate has become a hotspot for celebrities and Londoners, leading to a boom in property prices. Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot famous faces such as Lilly Allen, Sam Mendes, Olivia Coleman, and even some cast members from EastEnders.

For unique sights, Margate is the destination, with standout attractions including the Margate Museum, the quirky Crab Museum, the enchanting Shell Grotto, and the underground wonders of Margate Caves.

Margate Old Town serves as a charming centre for boutique museums and a diverse collection of shops ranging from vintage to contemporary. Staying true to its heritage as a coastal resort, Margate offers all the classic seaside attractions: plenty of fish and chip establishments, ice cream vendors dotting the seafront, beachside pubs, and opportunities for mini golf.

Dreamland, merely a brief stroll from the shore, stands as the retro theme park cherished by families. It boasts classic funfair attractions, stages musical performances, and houses the Scenic Railway – Britain’s most ancient wooden rollercoaster.

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For visitors wanting fish and chips following a beach day, Peter’s Fish Factory at 12 Royal York Mansions in Margate comes highly praised. Yet for those desiring a more upmarket meal, Margate also shines with venues like Angela’s and Bottega Caruso, plus emerging favourites including Sargasso and Fort Road Hotel.

Selecting standouts proves challenging, yet Sargasso distinguishes itself with its stunning ocean panoramas and recently earned recognition in SquareMeal’s Top 100 UK restaurants for 2023, a compilation highlighting the “highest calibre of restaurants” across the country.

Alternatively, you might be drawn to the authentic Italian atmosphere at Bottega Caruso, where you can not only relish cuisine from the proprietor’s native Italian village, but also buy fresh pasta, house-made tomato sauce, and other Italian delicacies. They also run pasta-making classes and organise Supper Club nights for a taste of Italy in Britain, reports Cambridgeshire Live.

Those seeking a cultural adventure should make the Turner Contemporary gallery a priority, featuring diverse art exhibitions that rival London’s cultural scene. Guests can join guided tours and activities or unwind in the café whilst taking in harbour vistas.

If you’re planning a weekend getaway, don’t miss Margate’s spectacular four-acre tidal pool, located just 1.4 miles from Margate Main Sands. The Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, beloved by swimmers and families year-round, is Britain’s largest and also boasts “fresh water springs rising from the beach” within its boundaries.

It’s an ideal spot to soak up the sea air and enjoy a dip or simply lounge beside the water.

Aberporth Beach in Ceredigion is an idyllic spot for a summer getaway and is home to two sandy beaches

Tucked away in the charming Welsh coastal village of Aberporth lies one of the UK’s best kept secret beaches, perfect for a summer visit.

As the mercury rises and schools prepare to close for the six-week holiday, families across the country are on the hunt for activities – and Aberporth Beach in Ceredigion should be high on their list.

Despite its singular name, Aberporth Beach is actually two separate beaches. The first, Dyffryn Beach, is located in the east, while Dolwen Beach can be found to the west.

Both are stunningly beautiful, incredibly sandy, and host an array of fantastic wildlife, attracting tourists from far and wide to this lesser-known haven.

Although it doesn’t currently hold Blue Flag status, it was awarded the honour in 2023, and its water quality remains rated as ‘good’, reports the Express.

The beach boasts sandy shores with a gentle slope into the water, making it a prime spot for swimmers and various other seaside pursuits.

Many believe it’s at its most beautiful at low tide, when rock pools appear, teeming with local wildlife.

Expect to see orcas, porpoises, sunfish and sharks as you explore the wonders of Aberporth Beach.

And let’s not forget the vast stretch of sand, providing the perfect canvas for those wishing to soak up the sun, work on their tan and unwind.

It’s a paradise for those who love to build sandcastles, with plenty of sand to spare.

A scenic clifftop walk to neighbouring Tresaith offers breathtaking sea views and the chance to spot bottlenose dolphins in Cardigan Bay.

Keep an eye out for the area’s prized dolphin statue, standing tall on the headland between Dolwen and Dyffryn beaches.

The maritime heritage of Aberporth is evident in its local restaurants and eateries, where visitors can indulge in freshly caught seafood from the coast, including Cardigan Bay lobster and crab – two of the most delicious local treats.

Beach amenities include a cafe, toilets, disabled facilities, a first-aid point, a shower and a slipway. Activities such as fishing, sailing, swimming, surfing, and windsurfing are also available.

When they say everyone is welcome at Aberporth Beach, they mean it – even your four-legged friends. Dogs are allowed all year round, although there are some restrictions on Dolwen Beach from September to June.

However, visitors are reminded to respect this peaceful holiday destination and protect the local ecosystem by keeping it clean and safe for everyone to enjoy, regardless of when they visit.

In a delicious twist, the return coincides with McIlroy ending his 11-year major drought by winning the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam. The Northern Irishman is here wearing the coveted Green Jacket.

No further hype needed. “Yeah, poor Rory, everyone seems to build up the pressure on him being the favourite,” Harrington said.

“But if you want to be at that level the pressure’s always going to be on you.

“Clearly, he knows Portrush very well, he’ll have the support and there’s no doubt we’d love to see an Irish winner.”

But Harrington says McIlroy should maintain some perspective for what could otherwise be an overwhelming week.

“Him going with the Masters’ jacket, I think it’s enough for him to just swan around and wave to the crowds,” said the three-time major winner.

“He doesn’t have to win. The people always want him to win the next major or whatever, but it doesn’t have to be this one.

“I know it would be nice to be Portrush, but he’ll win plenty more majors.”

Regardless of whether Portrush can serve up another domestic fairytale, this will remain a golden period for golf on the island of Ireland. How does Harrington think the sport’s historians will reflect on it in years to come?

“Clearly it’s been unprecedented,” he said. “There’s been a lot of ‘how did we do it?’ You know, I don’t know if you can replicate things like that.

“Everybody’s been trying to find the formula, did we have something special in Ireland? I’m not sure.

“We gained some momentum. We did our thing. I think it’s good for us going forward that we will have players who will believe in themselves.”

They will do so while speculation grows that new ground will be broken by the R&A taking a future Open to Portmarnock in the the Republic of Ireland.

It is another indicator of how far and how quickly golf in this part of the world has moved. “Definitely, that’s a big step,” Harrington said.

“It’s tried for a long time to lose the tag as the British Open; it’s The Open,” Harrington said.

“And it represents everybody, not just the people in Britain, but it represents everybody around the world who plays golf.

“It’s everybody’s Open.” But this week with a discernible Irish hue.

The beach is less than a two-hour drive from London

A beach that stretches for miles of golden sand has been hailed “sensational” by a recent visitor. Bathed in sunshine that turns the sea into a sparkling sheet of diamonds, you’d be forgiven for mistaking Camber Sands near Rye in East Sussex for somewhere far-flung.

The beach has been likened to those in Australia, and with this weekend’s glorious weather a trip to the beach could be ideal. Camber Sands lies between the picturesque, historic town of Rye, known for its vibrant harbour and medieval charm, and Dungeness’s striking headland.

The beach sits at the confluence of the River Rother and Rye Bay, reports Kent Live. While the beach often attracts visitors from near and far on days like today, its vastness means you’ll still be able to carve out your own piece of heaven for a mini holiday.

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Government water quality checks reveal that Camber Sands holds a “good” bathing water profile, proud status it’s maintained since 2021, and the beach also boasts a rating of 4.3 stars out of a possible five on Tripadvisor, based on 1,984 reviews.

However, it’s important to remember the tragic incident in 2016 when five men tragically lost their lives after venturing into the sea at Camber Sands. An inquest concluded their unfortunate deaths as misadventure, suggesting they may have strayed too far towards a sandbar rather than being caught in a rip current.

In response to this tragedy, there are now RNLI lifeguards in place and it’s advised to stay within the red and yellow flag areas monitored by the guards when paddling or swimming. Also, be mindful of the fast-approaching tide, and avoid digging deep holes or tunnels in the sand, as advised by Rochester District on its website.

A recent Tripadvisor review of Camber Sands beach reads: “Such a beautiful place that looks like it’s stood still in time. Sensational Sandy beaches and delightful dunes to watch the sea and grab a life bite or a dip in the sea.

“It’s very simple here and great for picnics . It’s truly beautiful and one of the best beaches I have visited in the UK.” Another user wrote: “This beach was just WOW! Miles of perfect golden flat sands……so reminded us of beaches in Australia.”

Some visitors have complained about the parking costs, however, with summer rates as follows: up to an hour £6; one to three hours £12; three to six hours £24; over six hours: £30. Toilet facilities are available at Camber Sands.

On the eve of the FIFA Club World Cup final, the governing body’s president hails a ‘golden era’ for the club game.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino triumphantly declared the Club World Cup to be “the most successful club competition in the world” on Saturday before this weekend’s final between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

The first 32-team edition of the tournament faced criticism in the build-up for stretching demands on elite players and has been played out in baking temperatures in the United States that have raised concerns for the health of those involved.

There were also doubts about the level of interest the competition would generate among fans, but Infantino said he was satisfied with the attendance at matches, despite many games being far from sold out, and claimed it had been a major success financially.

“The golden age of club football has started. We can definitely say this FIFA Club World Cup has been a huge success,” Infantino told reporters at Trump Tower on New York City’s Fifth Avenue, where FIFA has just opened an office.

“We heard that financially it would not work, that nobody is interested, but I can say we generated almost $2.1bn in revenues, for 63 matches,” he said.

“That makes an average of $33m per match – no other club competition in the world comes close.

“It is already the most successful club competition in the world.”

Former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has been one of the leading voices against the tournament, calling it “the worst idea ever implemented in football” in a recent interview.

But the head of world football’s governing body dismissed suggestions that Klopp might be speaking for most observers in Europe.

“We shouldn’t say that the opinion of Europe on this is very bad because it is not true,” said Infantino, who was appearing on a stage alongside numerous footballing greats, including the Brazilian Ronaldo.

“All the teams who have come here have been happy – some teams who didn’t come here because they didn’t qualify were calling us to see how they could qualify.

“Of course, I would have liked to have Liverpool here, Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona, Tottenham, AC Milan, Napoli … but you have to qualify and there are different criteria.”

The next Club World Cup is due to take place in 2029, with Infantino refusing to commit when asked whether the tournament could be played every two years or be expanded to feature more teams.

“We created something new, something which is here to stay, something which is changing the landscape of club football,” he added.

EXCLUSIVE: BBC bosses are bringing back the game show Hole In The Wall after a successful pilot and have drafted in This Morning star Alison Hammond to present the reboot

BBC game show Hole In The Wall will be returning for a new series fronted by Alison Hammond. The Beeb has given it the green light after a successful pilot, we can reveal. Previously hosted by Dale Winton, with Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke later taking over, Alison has been drafted in to present the reboot. It originally aired from 2008 to 2009 and featured celebrities trying to fit through moving wall cut-outs to avoid being pushed into a pool of water. This Morning and Great British Bake Off star Alison, 50, impressed in the pilot. A source said: “Alison made a splash in the pilot so it was a no-brainer for bosses. “It’s the perfect fit for her. It’s fun, exciting and doesn’t take itself too seriously – just like Alison.”

It will be filmed later this year and air in 2026. Hole In The Wall is based on a Japanese format and sees shiny lycra-clad celebrities try to squeeze through odd-shaped holes in a moving wall. The wall is activated by the presenter shouting: “Bring on the wall!” Each week, two teams of television personalities competed for £10,000 in prize money to be donated to their chosen charity. It’s the latest telly job for in demand star Alison. She became the new face of For the Love of Dogs following the death of Paul O’Grady and currently presents ITV ’s This Morning on a Friday with co-host Dermot O’Leary. She is also a team captain on Rob Beckett’s Smart TV for Sky. Alison is fast becoming the BBC’s golden girl with a number of shows on the channel. Earlier this year her new travel series: Florida Unpacked, went out on BBC Two. It saw her travel the US state with son Aidan, 20. She also fronted her own celebrity interview show, Alison Hammond’s Big Weekend, which saw her get under the skin of well known names like Lenny Henry, Little Mix ’s Perrie Edwards and Spice Girl Mel B.

This comes after Alison and her son Aidan made their debut on Celebrity Gogglebox last week, a few months after he revealed some heartbreaking details about his childhood. The 20-year-old DJ recalled he used to run away from home and seek solace at his nan’s house when things at home with his mum Alison, 50, got too much.

Alison and her ex-partner – Noureddine Boufaied, a taxi driver from Manchester – separated in 2014, when Aidan was nine, and the youngster spent most of his time living with his telly star mum in Birmingham. The mother-and-son duo now enjoy a close bond – and have worked together on BBC travelogue Alison Hammond ’s Florida Unpacked and now Channel 4 ’s Celebrity Gogglebox.

Earlier this year, Aidan revealed how much he and his mum benefited from having his maternal grandma, Maria, living close by, especially when things were difficult at home.

“She had a house pretty much opposite us, so we could literally leave and run across the road,” he said. “So when my mum was doing my head in, I’d just go to my nan’s.”

A few weeks after her death, Alison wrote a moving tribute on her Instagram page, which said, “Thank you, Mummy, for giving me the strength to move forward in the knowledge that you’re OK and with God in Heaven now. I will always remember you and try and make you proud. I love you, Mum.”

Aidan described himself, his mum and his nan as “a little trio”, and said they “were very close all the time”. While Alison is now loved-up with Russian massage therapist David Putman, some 20 years her junior, she has previously admitted she felt like she had “failed” when she broke up with Aidan’s father.

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If you’re struggling to find the perfect beach spot for summer 2025, look no further

With more than 1,000 beaches across the UK, choosing the ideal spot for a summer day can be challenging. However, one travel enthusiast’s recommendation may help you narrow down that list.

The TikTok creator, dubbed Lotteboo, joked that the stunning location had left her ‘flabbers truly gasted’ after a short trip earlier in the year. Featuring golden sands and a nostalgic pier, this spot is just under three hours from central London, making it the perfect choice for a day trip.

Speaking on the social media platform, she said: “The sun is shining, and do you know what that makes me want to do as a basic British girl? Go to the seaside and have f***ing ice cream. ‘Which seaside?’, I hear you ask.

“There are so many to choose from, we’re an island, after all. ‘Don’t say Cornwall, it’s too far away,’ Southwold. We’ll go to Southwold – a sandy beach with colourful, albeit very overpriced, beach huts dotted along the sand. Check.”

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Southwold is a quaint seaside town in Suffolk on the east coast of the UK. It not only boasts a golden sandy beach but an array of quintessentially British independent shops, cafes, and restaurants, too.

During her time in Southwold, Lotteboo also enjoyed the coastline’s ‘nostalgic’ pier filled with various arcade games suitable for all ages. She then visited the town’s lighthouse, which visitors can view from the inside if they wish.

“A nostalgic pier filled with arcade games and cute little plaques with love notes on. Check,” she continued. “A town filled with independent shops, gorgeous bakeries and its own brewery that you can do a tour of, and little galleries to browse at your own leisure. Check.”

She then joked: “If I am going to the seaside, I want a flipping lighthouse and a promenade. For me to wander like a Victorian lady who has been sent to the seaside for a change of scenery after declaring she might kill her husband.”

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If you’re keen to visit Southwold without a car, the nearest train stations are located in Darsham and Halesworth. These are roughly 10 miles away from Southwold, but bus services are available at each location.

However, the creator added: “If you live in London – I don’t know why I always say that I don’t even live in London – but if you do live in London, it is a bit spicy, but you can probably do it in a day. Like, I think the drive is about two hours [and] 40 minutes.

“So, you are going to be tired, but you are also going to be refreshed. So, maybe just do it!” Lotteboo’s video quickly garnered several comments from fans, many of whom appreciated her recommendation.

Among them, one person wrote: “I’m not great with heights but I went up the lighthouse. Great views.” Meanwhile, another added: “Looks lovely there, thanks,” as someone else wrote: “We are lucky that you share all these wonderful things to see and do.”

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.

Brits looking for hot and sunny holiday destinations won’t need to go far with Europe’s sunniest beach less than 5 hours away – and with plenty of cheap flights available

Brits looking for sun, sea and sand on their holidays may want to consider a trip to Europe’s ‘sunniest beach’ where they’ll find balmy temperatures of 32C and a daily average of 10h 26m of sunshine.

Ölüdeniz Beach in Fethiye, Turkey, has been crowned as the must-visit for sun-seekers, impressing not only with its weather but also its golden sands and swim-friendly waters. In fact, those azure shores are also home to the iconic ‘Blue Lagoon’ that you’ll no doubt have seen in your social media feeds.

The breathtaking coastal spot topped new rankings from the experts at Saga Holidays, who looked at factors such as sunshine hours and average temperatures across both high seasons and low seasons. (So whether or not you’re tied to the school holidays, you can enjoy a sun-soaked getaway!).

The nearest airport to the beach is Dalaman, which is about a 45-minute drive from Ölüdeniz Beach. The good news for Brits is that there are heaps of budget-friendly flights to Dalaman direct from the UK. For example, easyJet has flights from £17.99 each way, while Ryanair has one-way flights from £29.99 in August. In fact, you can find returns from £54 according to Skyscanner, although it’s worth noting that the cheapest rates often don’t include extra hand luggage allowance.

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It’s not just the sunshine that makes Ölüdeniz Beach a must-visit for the summer holidays. The Blue Flag beach boasts postcard-worthy turquoise waters, fine sandy shores, and a lush green backdrop that wouldn’t be out of place in a storybook. Of course a beautiful beach like this is always popular, so it’s worth noting that it can get quite busy during the peak summer months.

There are three sandy parts to the beach – one of which is free – but for the other two there’s a small entry fee if you want to visit, with some amenities available such as sunbeds you can hire, and a series of watersports to enjoy (again you’ll need to pay an extra fee if you want to hire equipment for the likes of paddleboarding or kayaking).

On Tripadvisor the beach gets a mixed bag of reviews. Although visitors all generally agree that it’s beautiful and the surrounding mountains make for a beautiful backdrop, because the beach has become so famous, some holidaymakers have slammed the beach for getting too crowded. If you want to check it out for yourself, then it’s well worth getting up early so you can enjoy the quieter moments of the day before the larger crowds arrive.

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Alternatively you could visit in low season between November and April when temperatures range around 19C – so while it may be a little chilly for getting into the water, you can still enjoy those breathtaking views while out on a scenic stroll.

It wasn’t the only beach to impress in Saga’s rankings. Anthony Quinn Bay on the Greek island of Rhodes came a close second with a three-minute difference in terms of hours of sunshine, and 32C temperatures during the peak summer months.

You can check out the full list of Europe’s top 10 sunniest beaches below:

1. Ölüdeniz Beach (Blue Lagoon), Fethiye
2. Anthony Quinn Bay, Rhodes
3. Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa
4. Playa de las Teresitas, Tenerife
5. Agia Fotia Beach, Crete
6. Playa de Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
7. Lay’s Mile Beach, Limassol
8. Elafonissi Beach, Crete
9. Tsamadou Beach, Samos
10. Praia do Barril, Tavira

Do you have a holiday story you want to share with us? Email us at [email protected].

Following the U.S. attack on Iran’s primary nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan, Tehran faces nothing but bad options. Militarily, Iran can escalate the conflict by attacking U.S. forces and allies in the region, as it did on Monday with missile attacks on U.S. bases in Qatar and Iraq. Iran could also close the Strait of Hormuz, withdraw from the nuclear nonproliferation treaty or even attempt a rapid “breakout” run to a bomb with its residual capabilities. Each of these options virtually assures an American military response that goes far beyond Iran’s nuclear program, possibly leading to a targeted campaign to topple the regime, the Islamic Republic’s greatest nightmare.

A more likely military response would therefore be for Iran to respond by continuing to attack Israel — as it did just hours after the U.S. strike — in an attempt to turn the conflict into a war of attrition that Israel can ill afford. Israel could escalate to try to end the war more swiftly and avoid prolonging losses.

Diplomatically, Iran can return to negotiations but rebuff President Trump’s demand for an “unconditional surrender,” whose terms he had not spelled out. In reality, these would likely include the complete dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and significant curbs to its regional role, along with long-term inspections and more. Should Tehran rebuff these demands, it would greatly increase the risk of further American military action, including against the regime itself — targeting military and civilian leaders and infrastructure, not just nuclear sites.

Alternatively, it can essentially accede to Trump’s demands, in which case it avoids direct American intervention and the war ends, but Iran loses its ultimate security guarantor — the nuclear capability — and virtually all of its leverage to seek any concessions in further international talks. The regime would also appear so weak that the probability of a domestic uprising would increase exponentially.

Whichever option Iran chooses, the very future of the Islamic Republic has never been in greater peril. Accordingly, the prospects for a dramatic positive transformation of the Middle Eastern strategic landscape have never been greater.

The decades-long American effort to establish a regional coalition of Arab states and Israel, to contain Iran, will be given a significant boost, as the former gains confidence to do so in the face of a greatly weakened Iran and resurgent U.S. in the region. The dangers of proliferation, at least in the Middle East, might be greatly reduced. Israel will have demonstrated — albeit this time only with critical American assistance — that the “Begin doctrine” (Israeli determination to take all means necessary to prevent a hostile regional state from developing nuclear weapons) still applies. Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the three most likely proliferators in the region after Iran, will have little reason to pursue nuclear weapons.

Russia’s and China’s inability to provide their Iranian ally with any practical backing during the war stands in stark contrast to the U.S. and Israel and is particularly galling for Iran because of its strong support for the Kremlin during Russia’s war in Ukraine. Moscow and Beijing will suffer a significant reduction in their regional standing, accruing to Washington’s benefit. The Middle East will once again be considered a clearly American-dominated region, in which Russia and China will have to tread more carefully.

There are some in the U.S. who fear Mideast conflicts distract American attention from the competition with China — the only nation approaching the economic influence of the U.S. today — and Russia. But taking a direct role in this Iran-Israel conflict has not diverted American focus from Moscow and Beijing. On the contrary, it has significantly strengthened Washington’s global stature compared with both countries. China will be more hesitant to attack Taiwan now that the U.S. has demonstrated willingness to bomb aggressors against American allies.

An Israel whose enemies have been dramatically weakened, and which no longer faces an existential threat from Iran, would be in a far better position to make progress on the Palestinian issue, beginning with an end to the war in Gaza. Indeed, it would not be far-fetched to assume that Trump, always transactional, may have made this a precondition for his support for Israel in the war. Saudi-Israeli normalization will be back on the table.

Netanyahu has prepared for this moment for 30 years, for the opportunity to put an end to the only existential threat Israel continues to face. From the reviled leader whose administration allowed the Oct. 7 fiasco and various outrages in domestic affairs, he now stands to be remembered as one of Israel’s great heroes. Moreover, a favorable outcome to the war may very well save him from what otherwise appears to have been a looming electoral defeat — which could have been followed by jail time, given the corruption charges he faces.

The bigger question is whether Netanyahu — whose deep understanding of Israel’s overall strategic circumstances no one has ever doubted — will wish to use this opportunity to crown his legacy not just with saving Israel from an existential military threat, but also from an almost equally severe demographic challenge to its own future as a Jewish and democratic state. Fordo may be gone; the Palestinians remain. He would truly cement his standing in history if he ended the Gaza war and paved the way to a resolution of the Palestinian issue.

Both Netanyahu and Trump deserve credit for taking daring action, and they must be prepared to continue doing so. This is not the time to be fainthearted but to continue pressing the advantage. They have engaged in a classic case of coercive diplomacy, the use of military force for diplomatic ends, and must see it through to the desired end: a diplomatic agreement with Iran that ensures, with an inspections regime of unprecedented intrusiveness, that it can never again develop nuclear capabilities for military purposes, puts severe limits on its missile capabilities and curtails its malign regional role.

Even with a tentative cease-fire now in place, achieving an agreement of this sort will not be easy. The Iranians are unlikely to fully accede to American demands unless they truly feel that they have their backs to the wall, and even then, they are unusually effective negotiators. Persistence, focus and attention for detail, not known to be Trump’s forte, will now be called for. A historic opening has been made; it must not be squandered.

Chuck Freilich, a former Israeli deputy national security advisor, is a senior fellow at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies. Colin P. Clarke is the director of research at the Soufan Group, a security and intelligence consulting firm based in New York City.

The row of brightly coloured houses on the beach promenade in Villajoyosa makes for the perfect photo opportunity, particularly next to the white cliffs, sandy beaches and turquoise waters

Often dubbed as Europe’s best-kept secret, Villajoyosa is a tranquil town brimming with attractions for tourists seeking an enjoyable Spanish retreat. Known as ‘The Joyful Town’, Villajoyosa is nestled in the Alicante region in eastern Spain and boasts a modest population of just under 34,000.

One of the town’s most striking features is the line of vividly painted houses adorning the beach promenade. Originally inhabited by fishermen, these slender yet towering homes were adorned in bright, contrasting hues to be easily spotted after a hard day’s work. Nowadays, they provide an ideal backdrop for photographs, especially when juxtaposed against the white cliffs, golden sands and azure waters.

READ MORE: Shoppers say ‘beautiful’ statement jewellery is a ‘compliment getter’

Visitors keen on delving into Villajoyosa’s history should consider a trip to the Valencian Chocolate Museum.

This attraction chronicles the evolution of chocolate production in the region from the 1600s to the present day, highlighting their unique take on this global delicacy, reports the Express.

Interestingly, the museum also houses a vast library filled with historical documents and photos pertaining to chocolate and cocoa.

Lastly, for the truly intrepid, a visit to Villajoyosa offers the chance to explore the remnants of the Bou Ferrer, situated approximately half a mile off the coast.

Discovered by two divers in 1999, the Bou Ferrer is the wreckage of a Roman merchant ship that dates back around 2,000 years.

While firms provide diving tours for those keen to explore the ship’s remnants, more laid-back tourists have the option to visit a museum displaying a variety of artefacts retrieved from the vessel.

As Europeans woke up to the joy of travel post-lockdown, it looked as though we were in store for a resurgence of continent-crossing night trains. Sleeper train fans hailed a “night train renaissance” and a “rail revolution”, combining some of the nostalgia for an old way of travelling with modern climate and sustainable transport concerns.

The long-distance European train journey might be slower than a short-haul flight, but it is surely better in terms of the environment and the traveller experience. For those on a budget, the prospect of saving on a night in a hotel appeals too.

But as anyone who has tried to plan a holiday train trip for this summer is likely to have found, night trains are still few and far between, especially in western Europe. And if there is a night train at all on a route, it will often be booked up months in advance. That’s not all: reliability and onboard service are often not up to scratch, with carriages on many routes pushing 50 years old.

The traditional behemoths of European rail – France’s SNCF, Germany’s Deutsche Bahn and Spain’s Renfe – have little or no interest in the night-train market, preferring more profitable high-speed daytime trains instead. Only Austria’s ÖBB has bucked the trend, ordering a fleet of 33 new trains for its Nightjet service. For comparison, Deutsche Bahn owns almost 300 high-speed daytime trains. Night services remain a drop in the ocean.

Now Nox, a Berlin-based private startup, has announced plans it claims will change all that and blow open the night-train market with a radical rethink of the passenger experience. No more old or secondhand carriages; Nox says it intends to build a new fleet. No more asking travellers to share with snoring strangers in couchettes either: the fleet will have only one- and two-person compartments, albeit rather small ones. Pilot services are due to start in 2027 and regular operations by the end of the decade.

This approach on the key question is right – the only way to offer more night-train routes is to build new trains. But Nox will not be the first newcomer to try to crack this market. Midnight Trains, a Paris-based startup, promised hotels on wheels in 2021, but investors were not convinced and the venture folded. Dutch operation GoVolta has been unable to turn a successful air-package travel business into the equivalent on rail. European Sleeper, which also launched in 2021, has done a little better – its motley collection of elderly carriages runs three times a week from Brussels via Amsterdam and Berlin to Prague, but without new carriages the company will remain tiny.

While Nox, like its predecessors, faces an uphill struggle, in a few ways it is different. Its plan to rethink the layout of a night-train carriage, making it more appealing to modern travellers – and safer for women – makes sense. Standardisation – all the carriages will be the same – keeps operations simple. One of the founders previously worked for FlixBus’s rail arm, FlixTrain, in Germany, so there is genuine railway experience. Either way, UK passengers should not hold their breath – night trains through the Channel Tunnel are not on the cards, being operationally too difficult to even contemplate.

Efforts by any private operator to solve the night-train puzzle are welcome, but the problem ultimately is political. And as most European countries are too small for national night trains, that means solving these issues EU wide. The European Commission, in a 2021 report , flagged a dozen routes where night trains would make economic sense but currently do not run. Yet, in the years since then, no action has been taken.

Brussels is steadily working to harmonise diverging national rules that make running international trains such a hassle. But night trains – locomotive hauled, medium speed and running at night when track capacity is easier to obtain – arguably face fewer hurdles than other train types.

It is time for the EU to provide financial guarantees for acquisitions of new night-train carriages, and make those guarantees available to both privately owned and state-owned companies. With at least half a dozen train manufacturers in the EU it could be a boon to European industry as well. And the requirement from the commission in return would be Europe-wide compatibility – that guarantees would only be for go-anywhere carriages that can be deployed anywhere from Barcelona to Bodø, Stockholm to Sofia.

So, this summer, as you stand in interminable queues at an airport, or stare at the bumper of the car ahead of you in a traffic jam, remember that all of this could be better. A night-train renaissance could get you to your holiday destination more comfortably and more sustainably.

The EU’s actions on international rail lag behind its rhetoric. Building more night-train carriages to run more services on tracks already there should be a no brainer.

UN Office on Drugs and Crime says ‘explosive growth’ in synthetic drug trade led to record seizures of methamphetamine in East and Southeast Asia in 2024.

Drug production and trafficking has surged in the infamous “Golden Triangle“, where the borders of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has warned in a new report on the scale of the regional trade in synthetic drugs.

The UNODC said a record 236 tonnes of methamphetamine were seized last year in the East and Southeast Asia regions, marking a 24 percent increase in the amount of the narcotic seized compared with the previous year.

While Thailand became the first country in the region to seize more than 100 tonnes of methamphetamine in a single year last year – interdicting a total of 130 tonnes – trafficking of the drug from Myanmar’s lawless Shan State is rapidly expanding in Laos and Cambodia, the UNODC said.

“The 236 tons represent only the amount seized; much more methamphetamine is actually reaching the market,” the UNODC’s acting regional representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Benedikt Hofmann, said in a statement.

“While these seizures reflect, in part, successful law enforcement efforts, we are clearly seeing unprecedented levels of methamphetamine production and trafficking from the Golden Triangle, in particular Shan State,” Hofmann said.

Transnational drug gangs operating in East and Southeast Asia are also showing “remarkable agility” in countering attempts by regional law enforcement to crack down on the booming trade in synthetic drugs.

Myanmar’s grinding civil war, which erupted in mid-2021, has also provided favourable conditions for an expansion of the drug trade.

“Since the military takeover in Myanmar in February 2021, flows of drugs from the country have surged across not only East and Southeast Asia, but also increasingly into South Asia, in particular Northeast India,” the report states.

The UNODC’s Inshik Sim, the lead analyst for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said countries neighbouring Myanmar are becoming key trafficking routes for drugs produced in the Golden Triangle.

“The trafficking route connecting Cambodia with Myanmar, primarily through Laos PDR, has been rapidly expanding,” Sim said, using the acronym that is part of Laos’s official name, the People’s Democratic Republic.

“Another increasingly significant corridor involves maritime trafficking routes linking Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, with Sabah in Malaysia serving as a key transit hub,” he said.

Evolving, cell-based transnational organized crime groups based in East and #SoutheastAsia are increasingly adopting technologies across the entire drug supply chain while converging with other organized crime activities.

Read more in our latest report: https://t.co/oL416cuZJ3 pic.twitter.com/pqUfX5FmnF

— UNODC Southeast Asia-Pacific (@UNODC_SEAP) May 28, 2025

The UNODC report also notes that while most countries in the region have reported an overall increase in the use of methamphetamine and ketamine – a powerful sedative – the number of drug users in the older age group has grown in some nations.

“Some countries in the region, such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, have reported consecutive increases in the number of older drug users, while the number of younger users has declined,” the UNODC report states, adding that the age trend needed to be studied further.

The UNODC’s Hofmann said the decline in the number of younger drug users admitted for treatment may be due to targeted drug use prevention campaigns.

“It will be key for the region to increase investment in both prevention and supply reduction strategies,” he added.

Trump’s latest comments come as China, North Korea, Russia say the Golden Dome missile defence system will create ‘space arms race’.

United States President Donald Trump says he has told Canada it will have to pay $61bn to be part of his proposed Gold Dome missile defence system “if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation”.

In a post on TruthSocial, Trump claimed Canada “very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System” and would gain free access if it joins with the US.

Participating in the proposed defence system would cost Canada “ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State”, Trump said, adding, “They are considering the offer!”

Trump’s post came just hours after Canada’s parliament hosted the UK’s King Charles III for a rare royal speech in which the monarch emphasised Canada’s sovereignty in “dangerous and uncertain” times, and amid the US president’s exhortations for the country to become part of the US.

Following the king’s speech, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told Canadian Public broadcaster CBC that he hopes Canada will join ReArm Europe by July 1, in an effort to reduce dependence on the US for weapons.

Canada did not immediately respond to Trump’s latest comment, but Carney has previously confirmed his country has held “high-level” talks on the defence system issue with the US.

Funding, timeline uncertain

In total, Trump has claimed the Golden Dome system will cost some $175bn and would be completed by the end of his current term in 2029, although defence industry experts have questioned the feasibility of this timeline and budget.

Trump is hoping to secure an initial $25bn funding for the system through the sweeping “Big, Beautiful Bill” which is next to go up for a vote in the Senate after narrowly passing the Republican-controlled US House of Representatives last week.

The bill boosts spending on the military and border enforcement while cutting funding for social programmes, including Medicaid and food assistance that helped tens of millions of low-income Americans.

The Golden Dome is modelled after Israel’s Iron Dome, which also receives significant funding from the US, including $500m per year for its upkeep.

It is unclear how Trump would scale up the Iron Dome to cover the entire US, since Israel is only about the size of New Jersey, one of the smaller states in the US.

The Iron Dome is also designed to target short-range missiles, with a range of 1,000km (about 620 miles), while the main threat to the US would likely come from long-range ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

Golden Dome will create ‘space arms race’

China, North Korea and Russia have all criticised Trump’s plan to put weapons in space, which the US president described in detail for the first time last week.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly responded, with spokeswoman Mao Ning saying the plan “heightens the risk of space becoming a battlefield, fuels an arms race, and undermines international security”.

“The United States puts its own interests first and is obsessed with seeking its own absolute security, which violates the principle that no country’s security should come at the expense of others,” Mao Ning said.

North Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also responded, saying the US is “hell-bent on the moves to militarise outer space”.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Tuesday that the Golden Dome project undermines the foundations of “strategic stability” as it involves the creation of a global missile defence system.

According to Russia’s state news agency TASS, Zakharova said developing the Golden Dome would also lead to development of the “means of pre-launch missile destruction and infrastructure that ensures their use”.

“This is already a literal manifestation of the US’s highly dangerous doctrinal course toward delivering so-called preventive, but essentially first strikes,” she said, warning it would turn space into a “weaponised environment” and an “arena of armed confrontation”.

With 31 league goals and 62 points, Mbappe is European football’s top scorer this season.

Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe has ended his first season in Spain by collecting the European Golden Shoe award.

Mbappe, who also won the Pichichi Trophy for being the top goal scorer in La Liga, scored twice in Real’s final league game on Saturday to overtake Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres at the top of the weighted table, which counts only league goals.

Mbappe, 26, ended with 31 league goals and became the third Real Madrid player to win the award after Hugo Sanchez and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The last Frenchman to collect the Golden Shoe was Thierry Henry, who won it in 2004 and 2005 with Arsenal.

Mbappe could have been caught on Sunday while he was in Monaco watching the Formula One Grand Prix.

Mohamed Salah, who needed a hat-trick in English champions Liverpool’s last league game, scored once to finish third with 29 goals.

Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona, already certain to finish ahead of Real Madrid in the race for the Spanish league title, scored twice on Sunday at Bilbao. He achieved a total of 27 goals for fourth place in Europe and second in the Pichichi.

The Pole won the Golden Shoe twice with Bayern Munich and claimed the Pichichi in 2023.

Last year’s Golden Shoe winner, Harry Kane, finished fifth with 26 Bundesliga goals to go with his league champions medal at Bayern. Mateo Retegui with 25 for Atalanta was the top Serie A player in sixth place.

Gyokeres outscored Mbappe with 39 goals, but the table is weighted. Each goal in the “big five” European competitions – La Liga, Premier League, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A – is doubled. For the next 16 ranked leagues, goals are multiplied by 1.5.

Below that, a goal is just a goal.

In the final calculations, the top five in the rankings were as follows: Mbappe (62 points), Gyokeres (58.5), Salah (58), Robert Lewandowski (54) and Harry Kane (52).

Mbappe, the top scorer in the 2022 World Cup, hit 43 goals in all competitions for Real this season.

BGT fans have slammed the show after they say the wrong act was given the Golden Buzzer.

Fans of Britain’s Got Talent think that the show is “fix” after a magician, who had a “set-up” performance was awarded KSI’s Golden Buzzer – and nine-year-old gymnast, Binita.

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KSI was brought in as an extra judge on Saturday night for the semi-final alongside Simon Cowell, Bruno Tonioli, Alesha Dixon, and Amanda Holden.

He was given the power to press the infamous golden buzzer and send one act straight through to the show’s grand final.

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

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

His performance then ended with a lady being proposed to by her boyfriend, and KSI was so blown away that he pressed the Golden Buzzer.

But despite the judges being blown away by the performance, fans were quick to say it was a fix.

Fans took to X immediately, with one writing: “What the f*** do they expect him to do for the final now?? Biggest fix ever, magic my bloody a***.”

A second claimed: “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.”

And now fans have slammed the “biggest fix” and said that a different act deserved the Golden Buzzer over Harry.

Reacting to Harry getting the coveted Golden Buzzer over nine-year-old dancing sensation Binita, fans took to X to air their frustrations.

One person penned: “KSI gave a golden buzzer for this fake proposal while my little girl Binita was actually the star performer.”

Another said: “Binita was absolutely outstanding, unbelievable talent and only 9 years of age, simply incredible, wow. Definitely worthy of the golden buzzer, I hope she makes it to the final, she was sensational.”

“Binita should have had that golden buzzer,” fumed a third.

“Now BINITA deserved a golden buzzer!! Not that nonesense,” echoed a fourth.

Britain’s Got Talent’s biggest ‘fix’ rows

Britain’s Got Talent has been plagued with ‘fix’ rows over the years. How many of these do you remember?

Jasmine Elcock – 2016: Teenage singer Jasmine Elcock stunned the nation with her version of Cher’s Believe. But it then transpired she had already performed professionally in London’s West End. Jasmine, 14, admitted: “I’ve performed in Annie in the West End at about the age of nine or 10, but I really get nervous.”

IrShad Shaikh – 2017: BGT fans were left questioning the rule book when IrShad Shaikh auditioned. He got four red buzzers from the judges, which would usually mean an instant dismissal. Yet in a strange turn of events, they let him continue with his act…and put him through to the next round.

Colin Thackery – 2019: Elderly war veteran Colin won BGT in 2019, but there was an outcry over the final. He warbled his place to win with a version of We’ll Meet Again but fans were furious that escapologist Jonathan Goodwin didn’t even rank in the top three. Viewers felt Jonathan – who almost suffocated while being buried alive in a gravel pit – should have won.

Axel Blake – 2022: Comedian Axel Blake was given a Golden Buzzer in 2022 after making the judges laugh. But fans were fuming when they discovered Axel already had a show on worldwide streaming platform Amazon Prime. Despite this, Axel still went on to win the series.

Taryn Charles – 2024: Singer Taryn Charles is one of this year’s hopefuls lucky enough to receive the Golden Buzzer. Bruno Tonilio put her straight through to the semi-finals following her performance of (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin, but it has now come to light that she is no stranger to TV. Viewers recognised Taryn from an episode of ITV1’s Starstruck, where she impersonated Whitney Houston for judges Olly Murs, Sheridan Smith, Adam Lambert and Beverley Knight.

A fifth then wrote: “You can just tell the producers told KSI before the show to push the golden buzzer for the predictable magician act.

“Binita was the true star of the show and deserved the golden buzzer. Thank god the public voted her through.”

While a sixth said: “Little binita should have had that buzzer.”

And a seventh added: “And KSI golden buzzed a fake marriage proposal… 9 years old. Binita.”

Binita Chetry is just nine years of age and hails from Assam in India.

Showcasing her gymnastic skills on the hit talent show, Binita wowed the crowds during her audition has continued to do so throughout the competition.

Although she did not receive the last semi-final Golden Buzzer, she won the public vote, meaning she has sailed through to the grand finale.

Upon hearing the news of getting through to the final, Binita told hosts Ant and Dec how “thankful” she was.

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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.