including

The strike in Deir el-Balah is the latest Israeli attack amid ongoing ‘ceasefire’ violations.

At least three people have been killed in an Israeli air strike in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, health authorities say.

An eight-year-old and two men were killed in Monday’s attack, and several people were wounded, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital said.

The strike occurred near Wadi Salqa Bridge on al-Baraka Street. The Palestinian news agency Wafa named those killed as Ali Fayez Isbaitan, Hassan Salman al-Hanajra and eight-year-old Malik Wael Abu Shaweesh.

Israeli military vehicles also advanced on Salah al-Din Street in the Nuseirat refugee camp, also in the central Gaza Strip, amid gunfire and shelling, Turkiye’s Anadolu news agency reported. Two people were reported injured by shelling in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza.

Despite the “ceasefire” that came into effect in October, Israeli forces continue to carry out strikes on the enclave.

Israeli attacks killed at least four Palestinians in Gaza on Sunday, including a 13-year-old girl, and wounded several.

Ongoing violations

Gaza’s Government Media Office reported that 1,045 Palestinians have been killed since the “ceasefire” took effect and 3,380 have been injured. It has documented 3,465 Israeli violations of the agreement.

“We strongly condemn the occupation’s systematic policies of targeting and destroying the Palestinian people,” it said.

It called on the mediators and parties sponsoring the “ceasefire” to compel Israel to implement all of its terms and “immediately cease its ongoing violations”.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Sunday that a total of 73,054 Palestinians have been confirmed killed and 173,480 injured since Israel launched its genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza in October 2023.

Also during the “ceasefire”, the Israeli military is continuing to expand the area it is occupying inside the Strip and to issue forced displacement orders. It says Palestinians are not allowed to approach the Israeli-occupied area beyond the “Yellow Line”, which encompassed 53 percent of Gaza’s territory at the start of the ceasefire and had increased to 64 percent by March.

Anadolu reported that Israeli military vehicles have moved the “Yellow Line” markers about 150 metres (165 yards) to the west in central Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for Israeli forces to occupy 70 percent of the Strip.

Twenty-four days after the polls closed on election day, Los Angeles County officials have certified the results from the 2,227,461 ballots cast. Despite questions raised about the pace of the vote count, a Times analysis found ballots this June were tallied faster than in previous cycles.

California is known to have a slow vote count, partially because of the state’s grace period for mail-in ballots. This year, counties were required to report most of the ballots by June 15, with some exceptions, including for mail-in ballots received within seven days of election day and ballots requiring additional verification such as signature curing. The process has spurred baseless claims of fraud from President Trump and others, leading the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a case on whether mail-in ballots must be received by election day to count.

The state has reported 9.4 million processed ballots. Officials estimate about 5 ballots remain to be counted and 17,650 are waiting to cure a missing or mismatched signature.

Compared with the last time both governor and Los Angeles mayor were on the ballot, county election officials counted more ballots, and tallied them faster than in 2022, The Times found.

In Los Angeles County, turnout jumped from 28% of eligible voters in the 2022 primary to 38% this June, according to the county registrar. Meanwhile, the share of vote-by-mail ballots dropped about 3 percentage points to 82%, indicating a rise in in-person voting.

Statewide, early results show 41% of registered voters turned up for the June election, up from 33% in 2022, according to the secretary of state. County elections officials must report their final results by July 3, giving state officials a week to certify all election results.

The Los Angeles Times reports election results from the county clerk as well as from the Associated Press. The AP provides ballot counts, a calculation of the expected vote and race calls for statewide and national races.

The expected vote percentage, or EEVP, is an estimate of the total number of votes that will eventually be certified. That number can be adjusted based on new information over time.

“Before counting begins in California, our estimates are primarily informed by turnout in past similar elections plus pre-election data on ballot returns, with projections based on what percentage of ballots had already been received at the same point in past elections,” AP director of election analytics Emily Swanson said in an email.

In the gubernatorial and mayoral races, more than half of the votes were counted by the end of election day, EEVP data show.

Swanson’s team also observed a faster vote count this year than in the 2022 and 2024 primaries.

In January 2024, L.A. County consolidated its election operations into a new ballot processing center in the City of Industry. Dean Logan, head of the L.A. County registrar-recorder/county clerk’s office, told The Times earlier this month that the facility, which is open to observers, is designed for transparency, security and efficiency.

“It doesn’t take long to count. The counting process is very fast,” Logan said ahead of election day. “What extends the time period is those options that are provided under California law for voters — to allow everyone the opportunity to vote up until election day, and then allowing us the time to process those with the same level of security and integrity that we did the ballots that were received two weeks before the election.”

Despite the faster count, the Associated Press took longer to call winners, suggesting these races were more competitive. The AP makes such declarations by determining whether there is an opportunity for a trailing candidate to catch up to the race leader. It has been calling races for nearly 180 years.

Both the gubernatorial and Los Angeles mayoral race saw a 30% increase in votes from 2022. The governor’s race received more than 9.2 million votes compared with 7 million in 2022. The Los Angeles mayor’s race received more than 850,000 votes, an increase from nearly 650,000 in 2022.

The vote counting process for California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Alaska may change for the November midterm election, depending on which way the U.S. Supreme Court rules.

Data and graphics assistant editor Sean Greene contributed to this report.

Our Yorkshire Farm star Amanda Owen has been a firm favourite on our screens for years

Amanda Owen rose to prominence on the much-loved series Our Yorkshire Farm.

The Channel 5 programme launched in 2018, chronicling Amanda’s experiences at Ravenseat Farm alongside her ex-husband Clive and their nine children. The show has since become one of the broadcaster’s most-watched offerings.

Channel 4 subsequently commissioned a ten-part series titled Our Farm Next Door, which documents the family as they renovate a 200-year-old farmhouse in the Yorkshire Dales.

The third series broadcast earlier this year, with a further instalment on the way.

As Our Farm Next Door prepares to air a repeat episode this evening (Friday, June 26), here’s everything you need to know about Amanda Owen’s life beyond the cameras, reports Yorkshire Live.

Heartbreaking losses

Amanda and her family have endured several painful losses at the farm. In 2022, the Owens bid farewell to their cherished dog, Kate, who died peacefully in her sleep.

In a series of tweets at the time, Amanda said she was “mourning” her “faithful workmate, companion, colleague and friend,” adding: “I miss her”.

Additionally, an emotional Amanda supported her children through the loss of their treasured horse, Little Joe. “Eventually, all life will come to an end, right? Anything can die; life is a truly fragile thing,” she noted.

In a previous episode of Our Farm Next Door, Amanda also battled to contain her emotions after discovering that their family dog, Chalky, had passed away.

When reflecting on the moment she learned the news, the mother of nine said: “It was really clear and obvious that Chalky was fading away. When the children came running out of the house saying that Chalky had passed away, they were absolutely bereft, and they knew it was coming, and I knew it was coming.”

Health struggles

The Yorkshire Shepherdess has spoken candidly about her struggle with an eating disorder that left her fearing for her life.

Amanda previously told Daily Mail: “I just shut down. Physical and mental health are intertwined and anxiety, depression, paranoia, agoraphobia and an eating disorder were all smooshed into one.”

She added: “I remember sitting in the sheep pens in the dark, just hiding. It’s the price you pay for living your life in the open, for being observed. It’s like having a post mortem before you’re dead.”

The television star revealed that she was repeatedly in and out of hospital during what she described as a “critical time”, with her former partner, Clive, even worrying that Amanda might not make it through to the following morning.

Amanda has since reassured her followers with the welcome news that she is “out of the woods”.

More recently, Amanda found herself back at hospital after her son, Miles, suffered a medical emergency on the farm due to his type one diabetes.

“It’s been a hard few days but we’re all here to tell the tale. I’m super proud of you @milesowen86,” the star wrote on Instagram, prompting an outpouring of support from her devoted fans.

Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids is available to stream on Channel 4

Casablanca court delivers landmark verdict in ‘Escobar of the Sahara’ case: up to 12 years for top figures.

A Moroccan court has handed prison sentences of up to 12 years to 29 individuals – including prominent politicians and sports figures – concluding a major international drug trafficking and corruption trial.

The verdicts, delivered late on Thursday in Casablanca following a two-year trial, mark one of the largest anti-corruption operations in Morocco’s history.

Among those convicted were Abdennebi Bioui, a construction tycoon and former regional council president, Said Naciri, former president of Casablanca’s Wydad AC football and sports club and former MP Belkacem Mir – all senior members of the governing PAM party. Naciri received 10 years, Bioui 12 and Mir 10.

Besides the three main defendants, sentences for the remaining ranged from two to nine years, depending on their individual role in the network.

The wide-ranging case was triggered by courtroom testimony from El Hadj Ahmed Ben Brahim, a notorious Malian drug trafficker nicknamed the “Pablo Escobar of the Sahara”.

Currently serving a 10-year sentence in Morocco, Ben Brahim told judicial investigators that his former Moroccan political and business associates had betrayed him, seizing millions of dollars worth of his luxury real estate and vehicles following his arrest in 2019.

The trial involved more than 20 defendants, 18 witnesses and two civil parties which centred on a sophisticated network that transported tonnes of Moroccan cannabis resin across North Africa to Europe, alongside Latin American cocaine shipments.

Defendants were convicted on charges including drug and gold trafficking, corruption, forgery and money laundering.

The court also ordered the seizure of assets and levied hundreds of millions of dollars in customs and exchange fines against the principal ringleaders.

Moroccan media reported that families of the convicted, present without legal representation due to a lawyers’ strike, were left in shock, with some collapsing in the courthouse.

The scandal reached the highest levels of state, prompting King Mohammed VI to demand a legally binding code of ethics aimed at “moralising” parliamentary life.

The biggest hotel guest faux pas have been revealed – including jumping the breakfast buffet queue and stealing from rooms.

Frowned upon acts when staying in a hotel include reserving pool chairs with towels for long periods, leaving rooms excessively messy and being loud in the hallways late at night. Other divisive acts include hanging damp laundry on the balcony, not leaving a review after staying and being rude to hotel staff.

Smoking or vaping in hotel rooms is also considered a no-no, as are putting the incorrect number of guests on the reservation and leaving alarms or phones to ring for long periods of time without turning them off. While not reading reviews when booking and not collecting or cashing in rewards points are also viewed unfavourably.

In response to a survey of 2000 people who have ever stayed in a hotel, Hotels.com, which commissioned the research, is offering holidaymakers £100 in ‘Hotels.comCash’ for future trips after staying for 10 eligible nights through its rewards programme.

Melanie Fish, travel expert and spokesperson for the global marketplace, which has also teamed up with William Hanson for a ‘Grand Etiquette Hotel’ guide, said: “Small tweaks can make a world of a difference.

“Taking the time to check reviews or making the most of rewards can turn a good trip into a great one, and help your travel budget stretch further, too.”

Researchers found the vast majority (90%) consider themselves to be considerate guests – although 39% think residents have become less respectful in recent years.

Sneaking extra guests in and constant public displays of affection around the pool are also frowned upon by hotel guests.

Those polled were also asked which nationalities they consider to be the gold standard for politeness – and which ones they think tend to be rudest.

Japanese tourists were ranked as the most considerate, followed by Sweden in second place, with U.K. respondents placing themselves third.

At the other end of the scale, Americans are regarded as the most impolite.

They ranked just beneath those from Germany, according to Hotels.com research conducted through OnePoll.

William Hanson said: “Better hotel etiquette doesn’t just benefit others, it can directly enhance your own stay.

“At the heart of my guide is the idea that small, thoughtful behaviours add up to big rewards: from a better night’s sleep and improved service to savings on future trips.”

WE AREN’T all lucky enough to be close to the coast, so when it comes to hot weather days, it can be hard to find a spot to enjoy the sun.

Yet across the country there are a number of inland beaches you can head to – so we’ve rounded up the best across the country.

Cotswold Country Park & Beach

The UK’s largest inland beach can be found in the Cotswolds at Cotswold Country Park and Beach, where you can head to the Main Beach for some swimming or dip in the Paddling Lagoon.

The beach is then backed by a grassy area, ideal for picnics.

But don’t worry if you haven’t brought your own food as there is the Beach Shack serving light bites as well as an Ice Cream Hut.

Admission varies depending on the time of year, but during peak season pedestrians and cyclists can access the park from £5 per person and a car of up to five people costs from £18.18 (around £3.64 each).

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Ruislip Lido Beach, London

Ruislip Lido Beach in Hillingdon, West London, is a long stretch of sand with its own palm trees.

Even though you aren’t allowed to swim at the beach, you can sunbathe making it the ideal spot for city dwellers to escape to.

There’s plenty to keep kids occupied though, including a pirate ship play area and a splash pad.

Entry to the beach, splash pad and play area is free.

Loch Morlich, Scotland

Loch Morlich Beach can be found in the Cairngorms National Park, near Aviemore, in Scotland.

The unique beach sits 300 metres above sea level in Glenmore Forest Park and while sunbathing on the beach you can even see the snow-topped Cairngorm mountains.

When it comes to the water, it is one of the cleanest freshwater beaches in the UK where you can rent paddleboards and kayaks if you fancy.

The beach is free to visit.

Wallingford Beach, Oxfordshire

Found close to Wallingford Bridge, you can head to Wallingford Beach which stretches 35 metres long.

The Thames-side beach is backed by grass too which is ideal for a picnic.

Despite being a river spot, the water tends to have little to no current during the peak season but is also a designated swimming spot, so the water is tested regularly.

The spot is free to visit.

Rutland Water Beach, East Midlands

In the East Midlands, you can head to Rutland Water Beach which stretches 140 metres.

The spot is the first bathing location in England to achieve both a Blue Flag and Seaside Award for its water quality.

While the beach is open all year round, you can only swim in the water in the summer months from May to September, with opening hours varying from 10am to 6pm.

Access to the beach is free.

St Andrews Lakes, Kent

Close to Rochester, St Andrews Lakes has not one but two beaches with sunloungers and pretty blue waters to swim in.

There’s also a Nordic-inspired wellness centre with a hot tub and wood-fired sauna.

You can even stay at the lakes too in overwater lodges that look like ones in the Maldives.

Entry starts from £7.50 per person.

Hemsworth Water Park, West Yorkshire

Hemsworth Water Park in West Yorkshire has not one but two lakes.

Even though you can’t swim in the lakes, the sandy beaches are the ideal place to chill out in the sunshine.

There’s also Playworld by the beach, which is an outdoor adventure playground with a tower slide and climbing frames.

The attraction is free to visit but if you want to go to Playworld, it costs £3 per person.

River Dart Country Park, Devon

Near Dartmoor in Devon, you can head to River Dart Country Park which is home to a beach at the edge of a lake.

In the middle of the lake you will also find a partially sunken pirate ship.

There’s also a desert island with sand and faux palm trees.

Admission costs between £10 and £14.95 per person depending on whether you visit on a weekday or at the weekend.

Church Stretton Reservoir, Shropshire

Located at National Trust‘s Carding Mill Valley, Church Stretton Reservoir has a man-made beach ideal for a day in the sun.

While on the beach you can look out to Long Mynd as well.

You can swim in the reservoir as well.

The spot is free to visit and there are a number of nice walks in the area too.

Gaddings Dam, West Yorkshire

Famous for having England’s highest beach, you can head to Gaddings Dam in West Yorkshire.

In addition to the beach, you can swim in the dam which has previously been described by visitors as a “wild swimmer’s paradise”.

It is free to visit, but you’ll need to hike for around 30 minutes to get to the spot.

The discount chain claims this bag is ‘approved by over 30 airlines’ around the world

A ‘compact’ yet ‘stylish’ travel bag is available at Home Bargains, which the store says could help take the stress and worry of overpacking out of holidaymakers‘ minds this summer. It has been approved to comply with the luggage dimension rules of up to 30 airlines worldwide.

People can pick up the Bordlite Under Seat Cabin Bag in an online sale, down from £14.99 to £5.99 (a 60% saving). Shoppers can choose between black and navy for the same price at Home Bargains.

Describing the travel bag online, the store said: “The Bordlite Under Seat Cabin Bag is a lightweight and compact travel essential, approved by over 30 airlines. With three external pockets and a long shoulder strap, it keeps your journey organised and hassle-free.”

According to the Home Bargains website, the bag measures in at “approximately” 40 x 30 x 20cm. Using the provided dimensions, shoppers can confidently pack and use this underseat bag on a variety of airlines.

Home Bargains claims that “over 30” will approve this for travel, including Ryanair, Wizz Air, EasyJet, Jet2 and British Airways. Because the bag fits in with some of the strictest size guides, it automatically works for airlines that offer slightly larger allowances.

Below is a full list of the 30 airlines which accept this size (or bigger) when booking. In most cases, airlines include a free personal or underseat item within the ticket price – but always double-check with the airline itself before getting caught out with an extra airport fee.

For more Home Bargains deals, click here. Some are online-only, meaning shoppers who shop only at their local store could miss out on certain major deals.

What airlines accept this size bag?

UK & Europe:

1. Ryanair (Up to 40 x 25 x 20cm)
2. Wizz Air (40 x 30 x 20cm exactly)
3. FlyOne (40 x 30 x 20cm exactly)
4. easyJet (Up to 45 x 36 x 20cm)
5. Jet2 (Up to 45 x 36 x 20cm)
6. British Airways (Allows a large cabin bag up to 56 x 45 x 25cm for free)
7. Lufthansa (Up to 40 x 30 x 10cm for personal item, but easily fits their free overhead limit of 55 x 40 x 23cm)
8. Air France / KLM (Up to 40 x 30 x 15cm for personal item, but easily fits their free overhead limit of 55 x 35 x 25cm)
9. Norwegian Air (Up to 38 x 30 x 20cm)
10. Iberia (Up to 40 x 30 x 15cm for personal item / 56 x 45 x 25cm for overhead)
11. TAP Air Portugal (Up to 40 x 30 x 15cm for personal item / 55 x 40 x 20cm for overhead)
12. Aegean Airlines (Up to 40 x 30 x 25cm)
13. Vueling (Up to 40 x 30 x 20cm)
14. Eurowings (Up to 40 x 30 x 25cm)
15. Pegasus Airlines (Up to 40 x 30 x 15cm for personal item / 55 x 40 x 20cm for overhead)
16. SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) (Up to 40 x 30 x 15cm for personal item / 55 x 40 x 23cm for overhead)
17. Swiss International Air Lines (Up to 40 x 30 x 10cm for personal item / 55 x 40 x 23cm for overhead)

Middle East and Asia

1. Emirates (Allows an overhead bag up to 55 x 38 x 20cm for free on all tickets).
2. Qatar Airways (Allows a cabin bag up to 50 x 37 x 25cm for free).
3. Etihad Airways (Allows a cabin bag up to 56 x 36 x 23cm for free).
4. Singapore Airlines (Allows a personal item up to 40 x 30 x 10cm or a main cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 20cm)
5. Turkish Airlines (Allows a personal item up to 40 x 30 x 15cm or a main cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 23cm)

American and Transatlantic

1. Delta Air Lines (no specific personal item dimensions, must fit under the seat)
2. United Airlines (Up to 43 x 25 x 22cm)
3. American Airlines (Up to 45 x 35 x 20cm)
4. Air Canada (Up to 43 x 33 x 16cm for personal item / 55 x 40 x 23cm for overhead)
5. JetBlue (Up to 43 x 33 x 20cm)
6. Spirit Airlines (Up to 45 x 35 x 20cm)
7. Frontier Airlines (Up to 45 x 35 x 20cm)
8. WestJet (Up to 41 x 33 x 15cm for personal item / 53 x 38 x 23cm for overhead)

China has added 10 United States-based companies to its export control list and barred government procurement from nearly 50 US companies two weeks after the Pentagon blacklisted some of China’s best-known companies for their alleged ties to the Chinese military.

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced the export order on Monday, barring Chinese companies from exporting “dual-use” items that can be used for civilian or military purposes to the US firms.

The list of companies includes rare-earth mine operator MP Materials Corp, rare-earth magnet maker USA Rare Earths, and US defence contractors specialising in fields such as aerospace, drones, synthetic-aperture radar, and shipbuilding and repairs.

Under the order, “foreign institutions and individuals worldwide are also prohibited from transferring or providing Chinese dual-use goods to them” while ongoing export transactions must be suspended immediately.

The Commerce Ministry said the export ban had been issued to “safeguard national security and interests and fulfil international obligations such as non-proliferation”.

China’s Ministry of Finance on Monday separately barred Chinese government procurement from 46 companies, including subsidiaries of major US defence contractors like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Atomics and General Dynamics. US-funded, locally registered companies, however, have been given an exemption by the ministry.

Experts described Beijing’s orders as a retaliation, albeit a largely symbolic one, against the US after the Pentagon in early June added about 80 Chinese companies and their subsidiaries to its list of “Entities Identified as Chinese Military Companies Operating in the United States”.

The designation means the Pentagon either believes the companies are owned or controlled by the Chinese military or they are “military-civil fusion contributors”, a term for commercial companies that contribute to China’s military development despite their civilian status.

The updated list includes Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Holdings, search engine giant Baidu and electric automaker BYD, some of China’s largest and best-known companies.

While the order does not bar US companies from doing business with them, it does impact US defence contractors and their future supply chains.

“We can interpret this as a tit-for-tat response, and that fits into China’s playbook any time we’ve seen escalation from the US side in terms of trade and investment tools,” said Nick Marro, global trade lead analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit.

China-based supply chain consultant Cameron Johnson said the Commerce Ministry’s order mirrors US semiconductor export controls designed to keep the most advanced chips out of Chinese hands.

“They basically say it doesn’t matter where or who you are, you are bound by this regardless of circumstance,” said Johnson, who is also a senior partner at the Shanghai consultancy Tidal Wave Solutions. “Organisations or individuals in any country or region are prohibited from transferring dual-use materials that originated in China.”

He said Beijing’s orders in practice may be hard to enforce and many of the companies named in those orders have already moved their supply chains out of China or begun to “de-risk” their operations there.

Johnson said the wide scope of companies included in Washington’s and Beijing’s directives could be a sign of more to come and may signal a new front in the US-China trade war.

“This is probably just the beginning of the back and forth,” he said. Last year, after returning to the White House for a second term, US President Donald Trump reignited the US-China trade war, leading Washington and Beijing to impose escalating rounds of tariffs on each other.

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to a trade truce in October, which was extended during a summit between the two leaders in Beijing in May.

Despite promises to “enhance economic cooperation” during the meeting, observers like Singapore-based geopolitical analyst Steve Okun predicted the goodwill may be short-lived.

“The US’s recent closure of chip export loopholes and China’s continuing addition to its export bans show the national security lane remains active in both capitals regardless of the diplomatic niceties at the recent Trump-Xi summit,” Okun told Al Jazeera.

“There is no ‘truce’ in the US-China trade war. Expect further actions from both sides as well on export controls and investment restrictions,” he said.

EastEnders Elaine Peacock star Harriet isn’t the only member of her family to star on the BBC soap

EastEnders star Harriet Thorpe is the sister of a well-known television actress.

As fans of the BBC soap will know, Harriet arrived in Walford as Elaine Peacock in May 2023 to reunite with her daughter Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).

The former Queen Vic landlord was soon revealed to be in a relationship with George Knight (Colin Salmon), Cindy Beale’s (Michelle Collins) former husband. Over the past three years, Elaine has gotten divorced, opened up her own Bed and Breakfast, and enjoyed a romance with Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt).

Away from EastEnders, the 69-year-old actress has starred in a number of other popular shows, and is famed for playing Carole Parkinson in the 1990s show The Brittas Empire.

She also worked with Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders many times over the years, from starring in eight episodes of their programme French and Saunders between 1987 and 2003 to portraying the recurring role of Fleur in Absolutely Fabulous from 1992 until 2012.

Harriet has held roles in Alexei Sayle’s Stuff, A Bit of Fry & Laurie, Casualty, Material Girl, Endeavour, Midsomer Murders, The Madame Blanc Mysteries, and The Bill.

Away from the small screen, Harriet has appeared in several films, including Calendar Girls, and has worked extensively on stage, with her acting in productions at the Royal National Theatre and in London’s West End.

Harriet previously opened up about her childhood and her relocation abroad with her family.

Appearing on Loose Women in 2024, Harriet discussed all things EastEnders and revealed that she has a famous sister who is an actress.

Talking about her childhood, where her family’s move to Los Angeles, Harriet said: “My sister and I, who is also an actress, Matilda Thorpe, we were little children at a normal state primary school. Do you remember the food? It was all sort of grey? Memories!

“Suddenly I was in Beverly Hills and we went to school and they had an ice cream machine. They had pizza and chocolate milk!”

Who is Harriet Thorpe’s famous sister?

Harriet’s sister, Matilda Thorpe, has certainly followed in her sibling’s footsteps and also has an impressive acting career.

Matilda is best known for her role as Mandy Mosgrove in Desmond’s from 1989 to 1994, before landing the roles of Mother in How to Be a Little Sod and Mandy in Porkpie.

More recent roles include Claire Glass in Sick Note, Nina in One Life, and Auntie Melody in Back to Black, a biographical film about Amy Winehouse.

However, in a coincidence, Matilda’s early career saw her land a role in EastEnders years before her sister Harriet’s debut. Matilda played Rachel Ford on the BBC One soap back in 1998.

Family life

Harriet and Matilda are the daughters of novelist Gillian Freeman, who penned The Leather Boys, and Edward Thorpe, an actor, novelist and the ballet critic of the Evening Standard.

Harriet welcomed two children, a son and a daughter, with her husband, Howard Baker, whom she reportedly married in 1989.

Her son, Jack Thorpe-Baker, previously acted and starred in The Brittas Empire, Life is Sweet, and Ballet Shoes, which also starred Emma Watson.

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer

EASYJET is launching 13 new routes from the UK including to lesser-known destinations.

The routes include the airline’s first international destination from a tiny UK airport.

EasyJet will launch a route between Newquay Airport in Cornwall and Geneva in Switzerland – which will be its first international route from the airport.

The route will launch on January 16, 2027 and operate once a week on Saturdays until February 27, 2027.

Among the 12 other routes being launched are new routes from London Luton to Kittila in Finland launching on November 24 and Strasbourg in France launching on November 29.

Flights to Kittila will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays whereas flights to Strasbourg will operate four times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

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London Southend will get new flights to Edinburgh, Scotland operating twice a week from October 25 on Thursdays and Sundays from £23.99 per person.

From Birmingham you will be able to fly to Copenhagen in Denmark, twice a week on Mondays and Fridays, launching on November 16 and costing from £31.99 per person.

Or if you live near Manchester, you can head to Cairo in Egypt from November 9 – the only direct route from Manchester to the ‘Sphinx’ airport.

The route will operate twice a week on Mondays and Fridays, with flights costing from £131.99 per person.

Liverpool will get two new routes including to Kittilä in Finland and Reykjavik in Iceland.

Flights to Kittila will start on November 25, departing twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays with tickets costing from £30.99 per person.

On the other hand, flights will head to Reykjavik from November 2, taking off on Mondays and Fridays, with flights costing from £43.99 per person.

And Newcastle will get several new destinations including Barcelona in Spain, Berlin in Germany, Copenhagen in Denmark, Hurghada in Egypt and Rovaniemi in Finland.

Flights to Barcelona will be the first to launch on October 25, operating twice a week on Fridays and Sundays and costing from £28.99 per person.

Hurghada flights will then start on October 27 twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays, costing from £121.99 per person.

Copenhagen flights will launch on November 5, followed by Berlin on November 20 and then Rovaniemi on November 25.

The Foreign Office has issued fresh travel advice for 14 countries following the announcement of a ‘memorandum of understanding’ between the US and Iran amid Middle East tensions

Significant travel updates have been released by the Foreign Office for 14 countries after the US and Iran revealed a ‘memorandum of understanding’, in the wake of the Middle East conflict.

The Foreign Office has now removed its travel ban to destinations including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, while also providing additional updates for 12 other nations. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) published new guidance on Thursday, 18 June, for the 14 countries amid “regional tensions”.

On the Foreign Office’s ‘warnings and insurance’ section for each nation, they confirmed: “The US and Iran have announced a memorandum of understanding in relation to the conflict in the Middle East.”

The complete list of nations receiving the updated guidance includes: Cyprus, Turkey, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, Yemen, Syria, Palestine, Israel, Iran and Kuwait, reports the Express.

While the FCDO has warned of regional tensions, it “no longer advises against all but essential travel to the UAE”. Since March, there had been a warning in place against all but essential travel to the UAE, but with the update today (June 18), it’s the first time it’s been waived.

In additional guidance, the FCDO outlined that should “hostilities resume”, Brits should take the following steps:

• Read if you’re affected by a crisis abroad – GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
• Sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
• Monitor local and international media for the latest information
• Sign up to local information alerts/resources and follow the instructions of the local authorities
• Keep your departure plans under review, and ensure your travel documents are up to date.

The Foreign Office has lifted its warning against travelling to the United Arab Emirates including Dubai and Abu Dhabi

The Foreign Office has lifted its travel ban to the United Arab Emirates.

The FCDO has had a warning against all but essential travel to the UAE in place since March, due to the Middle East war, but today (Thursday 18th June), it updated its advice and no longer warns against travel to the region. It has also issued updates for 14 countries including Cyprus and Turkey.

However, the government body still has a stark warning in place for Brits. As part of an update on ‘regional tensions’ it warns:

“The US and Iran have announced a memorandum of understanding in relation to the conflict in the Middle East. The situation remains unpredictable and attacks could resume at short notice.

“Should hostilities resume, British nationals should:

• read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad – GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
• follow advice from the local authorities
• sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
• monitor local and international media for the latest information
• stay away from areas around security or military facilities
• keep your departure plans under review, and ensure your travel documents are up to date
• if you are advised to take shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter. An interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may provide additional protection. The greatest risk is from falling debris caused by intercepts, and you are safest inside a secure structure

“Before the 8 April ceasefire, the Iranian regime had stated its intention to target locations in the Gulf associated with the US and Israel. This included US or Israeli-linked organisations, businesses, facilities and institutions. Iran has previously targeted civilian infrastructure across the region such as ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, oil production sites, water systems, and airports.”

A weekend BASE jumping accident in a Utah canyon killed two people, one of them a daredevil athlete best known for performing onstage with Madonna at the 2012 Super Bowl, authorities said.

The Sheriff’s Office in Grand County, Utah, confirmed one of the dead was Andy Lewis, an extreme athlete known for feats in BASE jumping, a dangerous sport that involves parachuting to the ground after jumping from a tall fixed object such as a building, a bridge or a desert cliff overlooking a deep canyon.

In BASE jumping circles, Lewis had a huge following and a reputation for pushing the envelope — leaping into tighter spaces or deploying his parachute later than his peers would dare, said John McEvoy, a BASE jumping instructor in Twin Falls, Idaho, who has jumped with Lewis.

“He had an incredible level of athleticism and skill that was developed over years of practice,” McEvoy said. “But then he would take an incredible amount of risk.”

Lewis’ other sport made him an overnight celebrity, thanks to Madonna

Lewis was also a prominent figure in the niche sports of slacklining and tricklining, which combine elements of high-wire walking with aerial acrobatics — sometimes at perilous heights.

Lewis went from obscure athlete to overnight celebrity when he appeared onstage in Madonna’s 2012 Super Bowl halftime show. Dressed in a Roman toga, Lewis bounced and executed tricks on his inch-wide line as though it was a trampoline while Madonna sang behind him.

“My phone actually rang itself to death three days in a row,” Lewis said soon afterward in an appearance on Conan O’Brien’s late-night show.

Emergency responders were dispatched Sunday to a report of people injured in a BASE jumping attempt at Mineral Bottom, a remote desert area near the Utah-Colorado line, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Lewis and an unidentified 50-year-old man died at the scene, the office said in a news release.

Sheriff’s Lt. Al Cymbaluk confirmed to the Associated Press that it was Lewis the extreme athlete who died. He said he had no further details on the fatal accident.

BASE jumping is far more dangerous than skydiving

Though there’s no official tally of BASE jumping deaths, a list compiled by the website BASEaddict.com shows 540 total fatalities worldwide since 1981 — including 30 people killed last year. Prominent deaths include BASE jumper Dean Potter and his climbing partner, Graham Hunt, who were killed in 2015 while attempting a wingsuit flight in Yosemite National Park.

A study focused on BASE jumping in Norway, published in a medical journal in 2007, estimated that BASE jumping carried risks of injury or death five to eight times greater than skydiving.

Lewis openly acknowledged the sport’s inherent danger.

“It’s weird to think about how many people are dead, because it’s like a normal thing,” Lewis told documentary filmmaker Ella Warnick in an interview published last year.

Lewis owned BASE Jump Moab, a business that offered excursions to inexperienced customers using tandem jumps, in which the customer was harnessed to a guide wearing the parachute.

Sheriff’s spokesperson Cymbaluk said he didn’t know whether Lewis and the other man killed were performing a tandem jump.

Tandem BASE jumping carries additional risk because it straps together two people, one of whom generally lacks experience, under a single parachute, McEvoy said. But because they involve novices, they also tend to be the most low-risk, basic types of jumps.

“Within BASE, it’s a very controversial topic,” McEvoy said. “There’s a lot of people who say it’s the stupidest thing in the world and others arguing, `No, we’re giving people the experience of their lives.’”

No one immediately returned phone, text and Facebook messages left Monday for BASE Jump Moab.

Lewis won four straight world championships in competitive slacklining from 2008 through 2011. Lewis set a Guinness World Record for slackline surfing, swaying his feet side to side in a rocking motion that mimics surfing, while keeping his balance above China’s Diaoshuilou waterfall in 2011.

In 2014, he walked a slackline suspended between two hot air balloons more than 4,000 feet above the Nevada desert.

Bynum writes for the Associated Press.

An award-winning crime drama that boasts a stellar cast including Sherdian Smith and Stephen Graham has been dubbed as ‘one of the best dramas around’

A gripping and compelling BBC crime series that has been dubbed “one of the best dramas around” is now available to watch online.

Originally airing in 2010, Accused includes 10 individual episodes spread across two series, each following a different character on trial and how they came to be accused.

The first series stars the likes of Christopher Eccleston, Mackenzie Crook, Coronation Street’s Tina O’Brien, Peter Capaldi, and Naomi Harris across six hard-hitting episodes.

It was followed by a second series in 2012, with Sean Bean, Stephen Graham, Olivia Colman, Sheridan Smith, and Anna Maxwell Martin among the stars joining the cast.

Created by Time writer Jimmy McGovern, Accused was a smash hit and bagged a BAFTA TV nomination for Best Drama Series in 2011, with Juliet Stevenson also receiving a nod for her performance in episode three.

Two years later, Olivia Coleman won Best Supporting Actress for her role in series two at the BAFTA TV Awards and also the Royal Television Society Programme Awards, while Sean Bean won Best Actor at the International Emmys.

The gripping anthology series, available to watch on ITVX, also received rave reviews from critics, earning a score of 7.9 out of 10 on IMDb. One viewer praised the show and said, “Blown away. I can’t believe it took me so long to find this series!!!

“This is what happens when top writers and some of Britain’s most impressive actors emotionally involve themselves in making great drama. What a theme! That on paper, through the courts, there is simply a charge and a decision, without the truth behind the whos, whats, whens, and whys. One of the best dramas to date!

Another agreed: “Absolutely outstanding. Can’t recommend this series highly enough. Each episode, bar one, is a separate story, and every one is outstanding, brilliantly acted, and scripted. Stellar cast under brilliant direction- you can’t go wrong. Trust me.”

A third penned: “Very well done. This is a very well-done show and at times difficult to watch because of how real it seems. The performances are incredible, as is the writing.

“You understand these characters in a way that is rare and sometimes disturbing. As I said, this is not easy viewing, but it’s certainly worthwhile.”

Watch all episodes of Accused on ITVX

New rules have come into force from June in the first update for three years

TUI Airways has officially updated its Flight Conditions of Carriage, with the new rules taking effect for bookings starting June 5, 2026. ^{If you booked your getaway before this date, the previous rules (from March 2023) still apply to your trip.}

The update streamlines legal language, tightens health policy provisions, and explicitly outlines fees for amendments. The TUI Conditions of Carriage is the official legal contract between you and TUI Airways when you buy a flight. ^{The rules apply to every single passenger flying on a TUI Airways aircraft. This includes people who bought a “Flight Only” ticket and people who booked a TUI package holiday (where the flight is included).}

It is a dense legal document split into distinct “Articles” (usually around 15–20 pages if printed). Because nobody reads the full text while packing, it is designed to protect both the airline’s operations and outline your consumer rights. In short, they state: “We promise to fly you and your bags to your destination, provided you show up on time, behave yourself, bring valid legal documents, and don’t pack anything dangerous.”

It covers rules around baggage size and weights, ticket validlty and banning passengers. The key updates and points of focus in the 2026 conditions include:

1. Health Requirements & Mask Policies (Article 1)

While daily travel has largely returned to normal, TUI has modernised its terms to give them a clear mandate for future public health scenarios:

• Conditional Mask Requirements: The rules specify that if a local government or health authority mandates them, you must wear an appropriate mask at the airport and on board. ^{Failing to comply can result in a refusal of carriage, and taking it off mid-flight will be treated under TUI’s disruptive passenger policy.}
• Health Statements : TUI retains the right to require you to fill out a health statement prior to flying out of or returning to a UK airport. ^{Passengers showing symptoms of a major health outbreak, epidemic, or pandemic will be denied boarding.}

2. Name Corrections vs. Substitutions

• Spelling Mistakes: You can still correct genuine typos or spelling mistakes on your ticket for free, as long as TUI can reasonably verify it is an honest mistake.
• Name Substitutions : If the change amounts to transferring the ticket to an entirely different person, it will not be treated as a free correction and will incur standard amendment/transfer fees.

3. Ticket Validity and Amendment Fees

• Validity Period: Tickets remain valid for exactly one year from the date of issue.
• Compassionate Exceptions: In the tragic event of a passenger passing away en route, or a death in a passenger’s immediate family after travel has started, TUI explicitly permits the tickets of the passenger and their accompanying immediate family to be changed so they can fly at a different time.
• Voluntary Amendments: If you decide to change your flight details (date, time, or destination) 29 days or more before departure, you will face a baseline amendment charge of £50 / €50 per passenger per booking, plus any difference in the fare price, taxes, or associated fees.

Though technically part of their package holiday booking terms rather than the Flight Conditions of Carriage, TUI also launched a highly publicized Price-Match Promise. ^{If you book a package holiday and find the exact same TUI-flight-inclusive deal cheaper elsewhere, you can claim a refund for the difference—but you must submit the claim within 72 hours of your original booking.}

Emmerdale’s Dr Todd, played by Caroline Harker, has been causing chaos in the village but the actress comes from a famous acting family

Dr Todd has caused nothing but chaos since her arrival on Emmerdale.

After bullying young trainee doctor Jacob Sugden (Joe-Warren Plant) at the hospital, Dr Todd, played by Caroline Harker, turned her attentions to Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins).

On Sunday night, Dr Todd sexually assaulted Charity after weeks of blackmailing her over the true parentage of baby Leyla.

Charity served as a surrogate for granddaughter Sarah Sugden and Sarah’s husband Jacob, giving birth to baby Leyla. However, Charity has failed to tell the new parents that she and Ross Barton are actually Leyla’s biological parents following a short fling together.

After Dr Todd discovered this secret, she demanded £100,000 from Charity, and things took a horrifying turn when Dr Todd sexually assaulted Charity on Sunday’s episode.

With Dr Todd currently dominating storylines on the ITV soap viewers may be interested to learn that actress Caroline, 60, hails from quite a distinguished acting family.

Who is Dr Todd star Caroline Harker’s family?

Away from the soap, it transpires that Dr Todd actress Caroline comes from quite a celebrated family. Her mother, Polly Adams, is an accomplished actress who has worked extensively across both the UK and the US.

She is perhaps best known for playing Mrs Brown in the 1990s television series Just William, with further TV credits including Kingdom and The Cinder Path.

In 1975, Polly made her Broadway debut in the award-nominated role of Grace Harkaway in a revival of London Assurance. However, Polly isn’t the only celebrated family member Caroline has.

Her sister is Susannah Harker, who has featured in hit BBC 1995 series Pride and Prejudice as Jane Bennet, alongside Jennifer Ehle, who played Elizabeth Bennet, and Colin Firth, who played Mr Darcy.

Other roles include Midsomer Murders and Grantchester. She also received a BAFTA TV Award nomination in 1990 for her portrayal of Mattie Storin in House of Cards.

Who is Dr Todd star Caroline Harker’s husband?

Caroline is wed to actor Anthony Calf, and together the couple have three daughters: Louise Emma Calf, Cecilia Ann L Calf, and Anemone Georgiana Calf.

The 66-year-old boasts an extensive acting career and is best known for his roles in The Madness of King George, Beau Geste, and I Came By, alongside his appearances in Lewis.

Between 2023 and 2025, Anthony portrayed Lord Brightlingsea in the costume drama The Buccaneers, and has also featured in the film A Teacher’s Gift (2025) and the series Insomnia (2024).

From 2005, Anthony spent a decade playing DAC Robert Strickland in New Tricks, having previously taken on the role of Michael Beauchamp in Holby City (2005 – 2006).

In 2019, Anthony stepped into the role of William Wickham in the hugely popular series Poldark, and also appeared in Doctor Who as Godsacre (2017) as well as Death in Paradise in 2021 as Phillip Carlton. His former brother-in-law is Game of Thrones star Iain Glen.

What else has Dr Todd star Caroline Harker been in?

Away from her work in the Dales, Caroline has cropped up in a host of productions, including Harry Enfield and Chums, Holding On, The Man Who Lost His Head with Martin Clunes, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Midsomer Murders, and Doctors.

In 2012, Caroline took on the role of Alicia Davenport for a brief stint in Coronation Street. She is also widely recognised for her portrayal of PC Hazel Wallace in A Touch of Frost, starring opposite Sir David Jason.

Her most recent roles include Julia in the Apple TV series Hijack, Bethany Hastings in The Stolen Girl, and Mrs. Taylor-Brown. Back in 2011, she made a one-off appearance in New Tricks, sharing the screen with her husband, portraying the character Tabitha Hall-Chalmers.

Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 8:00pm on ITV1 and ITVX

MADONNA has landed a host of A-listers to feature in cameos on her new music film.

Last night the Queen of Pop premiered the 13-minute Confessions II — featuring Hollywood’s Benedict Cumberbatch, supermodel Kate Moss and several other celebrities.

The film features six songs from her upcoming album.

During the one unreleased track, Danceteria, the singer slinks through a bathroom where Chelsea football aces Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro are at the urinal, while Richard E. Grant, Gwendoline Christie, Shygirl, Kate and Benedict rave in the toilet disco.

Sabrina Carpenter, who teamed up with Madge on the record’s lead single, the recently released Bring Your Love, also has a starring role.

Julia Garner, who was cast as Madonna in a yet-to-be-filmed biopic, appears in a scene where Madge flies over the crowd.

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The superstar’s ­daughter, Lourdes Leon, is in there too.

Other new tracks in the film are I Feel So Free, Good For The Soul, One Step Away and Read My Lips.

I first told in March how the superstar had enlisted her showbiz pals to be part of a four-day shoot at a West London studio for the video — and now she has proved it was worth the wait.

Her Confessions II collection is set to be released on July 3 — 21 years after her original Confessions On A Dancefloor album came out.

I revealed at the weekend that she is now eyeing up plans for potential concerts to celebrate the record’s release — but you are unlikely to see her follow in other stars’ footsteps with a Las Vegas residency.

Name-checking a state-of-the-art 20,000-capacity arena in Paradise,

Nevada, she said, during a Q&A: “Sphere seems cool, but I don’t want to wake up and look at Vegas every day.”

And she’s ready for fans to ditch their phones at any future gigs. She added: “Put your phones down, go out, and connect with people.

ABBA have hatched a scheme to take Mamma Mia! The Party to Manchester after it proved a hit in ­Stockholm and London.

Plans for a new entertainment venue next to the city’s Etihad Stadium have been recommended for approval by council planners.

The three-storey venue, set to be built beside Man City’s new North Stand and close to the Co-op Live, would offer a theatrical dining experience for up to 600 guests.

City have teamed up with entertainment giant Pophouse – founded by Abba’s Bjorn Ulvaeus – for the project, with bosses saying the city’s rich music heritage made it the perfect home for the production.

Pophouse chief executive Jessica Koravos said: “Manchester is known for its innovation in music and entertainment and we cannot think of anywhere better to bring one of the world’s most ­popular and ground breaking theatrical productions.”

TRAITOR STEPHEN’S MUSICAL

TRAITORS winner Stephen Libby fancies himself as the next Andrew Lloyd Webber.

I can reveal the Scottish fashionista has penned a musical that he hopes to bring to the West End in the not-too-distant future.

A source said: “Stephen has the musical all written and ready to go.

“He has always dreamed of his work making it to the West End.

“With The Traitors opening so many doors – both financially and in terms of connections – he feels like the time could be now.

“He’s been having various meetings and things are looking promising.”

Stephen and fellow Traitors winner Rachel Duffy split the hit BBC show’s £95,750 prize money earlier this year.

Since then he has been a regular on the showbiz circuit in London and even landed an ad hoc hosting job on ITV’s This Morning.

NIALL HORAN is on course to catch up with his One Direction bandmate Harry Styles this ­week by scoring his third No1 album.

The Irish singer released Dinner Party on Friday and it is ­currently in the lead to top the charts, after Sir Paul McCartney claimed pole position last week with The Boys Of ­Dungeon Lane.

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FORMER England ace Theo Walcott is getting into the World Cup spirit despite hanging up his footie boots.

The Arsenal legend has teamed up with EE to front its new Yes Boys campaign.

The initiative aims to shine a light on the negative online influences shaping boys’ attitudes both on and off the pitch.

It comes as new data reveals 42 per cent of boys aged 11 to 16 encounter outdated phrases like “men shouldn’t show emotion” and “boys need to toughen up” every week.

Progress has been made over the years, but clearly there is still a long way to go.

DOLLS ASH: MY DANCE TRAUMA

PUSSYCAT DOLLS star Ashley Roberts has admitted she was so burned out when the group split in 2010 that even seeing people dance would make her cry.

The girls were known for their intense, choreographed routines but Ashley couldn’t bear to bust any moves after the break-up because of the trauma wrapped up in the group’s original run.

She said: “It was absolutely heartbreaking. I couldn’t even actually watch dancing because I would just be bursting into tears.

“When it first became my job, I was like, ‘Well, this is epic’.

“But then it got wrapped up in this bubble of a major pop group that was a global success.

“I got a bit on the other side and I was like, ‘Well, who am I actually outside of this, right?’

“I just felt very lost, very disconnected to the one thing that actually made me feel like it was like the essence of life to me.

“I just didn’t really recognise myself.

“And it was a really, really tough time.”

Thankfully Ashley has since healed herself, as well as her relationship with performing, and has reunited with Nicole Scherzinger and Kimberly Wyatt for a tour here this autumn.

On how she feels to be back, she told Fearne Cotton on her Happy Place podcast: “Everybody’s like, ‘No, you’re in shape – you got this’.

“I’m like, ‘No, this is a whole other beast’.

“It’s like running a marathon in heels.

“We’re like, ‘Screw it’. You never know when we’re going to be able to do this again.

“We’ve got to just do it – we’ve got to say yes and just go for it.”

Swissh look, Sam

SAM SMITH mixed business with glamour by pairing a shirt and tie with an eye-catching gold corset.

The Stay With Me singer’s snap has been released for the first time as part of a book called The Elegance Of Time, celebrating the 60th edition of Switzerland’s Montreux Jazz Festival.

Sam played at the event – held annually near Lake Geneva – in 2023, and this photo, along with 150 other intimate portraits of artists including Raye, Lionel Richie, Benson Boone and Pulp, will be included in the book, which is out tomorrow.

BBC bosses splashed out on therapy for UK Eurovision act Look Mum No Computer after he came last in the contest and was ridiculed online.

The performer, whose real name is Sam Battle, said the fallout from his quirky entry Eins, Zwei, Drei is ongoing, so he is still seeing a counsellor.

Sam told The Euro Trip podcast: “There was some sort of therapy stuff. The BBC got me a therapist, which is amazing.

“I’ve never really had one before. They were very accommodating. In fact, I’ve still got the therapist because obviously the fallout is another thing. They don’t just leave you.”

Now Sam reckons the only way forward for the UK at Eurovision is to send a hard rock band.

He said: “We went for ‘very good sensible pop songs’ and then for something ‘a little bit left field’. Still didn’t quite work.

“My tip? Metal. Do we have anything to lose?”

Netflix have updated their viewing figures and it makes for a compelling list of what you should binge next

If you’re looking for the next binge watch to see you through the weekend, Netflix already has you covered.

The streamer has updated its latest viewing figures and it pretty much reads as the new list of recommendations you need. So rather than scrolling through for hours on end, you can make your way through at least one of these titles and it will most likely only take you one sitting.

Not only that but there is something for everyone, including a sci-fi hit, a tense crime thriller and also a heart warming laugh out loud comedy.

The Boroughs

Website Collider call the series a ‘sci-fi masterpiece’ and compare it to a Steven Spielberg movie. They also report that the title managed to accumulate 15 million views in its first 10 days of being available.

It is the most watched Netflix series globally over the last couple of weeks and remains in the UK top 10 at the time of writing. It is set in the sun-drenched expanse of the New Mexico desert and a picturesque retirement community which promises its residents the time of their lives.

But for new arrival Sam Cooper, paradise feels more like a prison. Everything changes when a terrifying night time encounter reveals that something monstrous is stalking the manicured cul-de-sacs.

One review said it is “Stranger Things Meets Thursday Murder Club”. Meanwhile many viewers say they watch it in one sitting. A fan added it “has everything that your next binge-watch needs.”

Nemesis

Coming from the creator of Power, the eight-part series follows two rivals from opposite sides of the law who are at each other’s throats when a daring heist in Los Angeles opens up old wounds. What follows is an exhilarating game of cat-and-mouse as an LAPD cop desperately tries to hunt down a criminal mastermind behind a string of robberies.

One viewer claimed: “Kept me engaged and not sure whose side I was on. Binge watched twice. I need season 2.” Another said: ““Binged in one sitting- very authentic catchy story line. I hope there is a season two.”

While someone else contributed: “This was a masterpiece! The rollercoaster, amount of cliffhangers, and overall writing was top notch!” It has spent three weeks in the global top 10 charts also claiming more than 15 million views on the streamer.

The Four Seasons

One of the more recent additions, the series has just returned for its second season. Co-created by 30 Rock’s Tina Fey and based on the 1980s movie of the same name.

A group of married couples who regularly vacation together throughout the year reunite once again after one of the most difficult times in their relationships. They have new members of the group to contend with as well as some old problems.

It has immediately become the third most watched series across the world among Netflix users. Many fans admit to becoming ‘obsessed’ with it.

One person simply shared on social media: “The Four Seasons” is a must-watch series on Netflix.” Someone else added: “I binged it the day it came out with my man. We’re obsessed!” Another admitted: “I literally started it last night and I’m already on season two. I love it.”

The Witness

This is Netflix’s latest true crime thriller. While the platform have yet to release the official viewing figures, it has immediately surged to the number one spot among UK subscribers.

As a result, it’s expected to compete with the numbers of all the titles already mentioned. Consisting of only three episodes and based on a gripping but horrifying true story, it is bound to keep viewers captivated and watching all the way through in one go.

It follows the experiences of Alex and André Hanscombe as they deal with the devastating impact of a brutal act of violence. When Rachel Nickell was killed on Wimbledon Common in 1992, André became a single parent overnight. Putting his own grief to one side, he made his son Alex – the only eyewitness to the attack – the centre of his world.

This is the story of how a father and son moved through the aftermath of unimaginable tragedy, from darkness into light. Fans sharing their thoughts on the series include one who posted: “15 mins into The Witness on Netflix and I’m already broken.” Someone else said: “The Witness on Netflix will give you the chills.”

DECEASED Friends actor Matthew Perry has sold two original Banksy artworks for nearly £1million – including the iconic Girl with Balloon.

The star tragically died in October 2023 after accidentally drowning in a jacuzzi while high on ketamine, with 127 items from his estate having now been sold at auction.

A pair of iconic Banksy artworks, Girl with Balloon and Nola, that Perry owned have been sold for £975,000.

The Hollywood actor, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit TV sitcom Friends, died at the age of 54.

His estate has since been put up for auction with the money going to the Matthew Perry Foundation which helps substance users to recover.

The Girl with Balloon 2005 includes two spray-painted stencils on separate canvases of a child reaching for a red heart-shaped balloon.

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Following an intense bidding war, it sold for a massive £709,674.

After including the 25 per cent buyers premium, it sold for £887,093.

The other iconic artwork, Nola 2008, is a screen print in colours on wove paper of a young girl holding an umbrella while sheltering from the rain.

It was the first Banksy Perry ever bought, according to Heritage Auctions.

The monochrome picture fetched £70,967.

Including the 25 per cent buyers premium, it sold for £88,709.

Both artworks have Banksy’s signature on them.

Other items sold at the auction included signed Friends episode scripts, TV guide displays, and a custom Chandler bobble head.

It also sold Batman memorabilia like a custom ping pong table and The Dark Knight Rises watch.

Perry’s cause of death was determined to be the acute effects of ketamine with drowning as a contributing factor. 

A year after the celeb’s tragic passing, the street dealer who supplied the ketamine, Erik Fleming, was jailed for two years.

Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, was also jailed for more than three years after injecting the actor with the drug.

Both pleaded guilty to the charges during their court appearances.

THE biggest theme park in Spain is getting two exciting new family zones – and some are the first in Europe.

PortAventura World is home to more than just a theme park as it also has the Caribbean-themed waterpark Caribe Aquatic Park.

And it is set to open the new family zone Coral Bay, La Leyenda Perdida.

The pirate-themed 6,000m2 zone will include watercoaster Cyclone which is the second of its kind in the world and the first to open in Europe.

There will also be Bahia Pirata which they also claim is the “world’s first multi-adventure pool“.

A multi-slide tower called the Crab will let riders choose five different routes, while Splash Port will be a water splash zone for younger kids.

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El Bucanero will be the dining area offering snacks and drinks.

And it’s not just a new water attraction the park is getting, but a “jungle trek” adventure zone.

Called Makamanu Jungle, The Adventure Trek, it will change the current Polynesia area into a new tropical-themed land.

The 135-metre open-air attraction will have climbing structures that are inspired by volcanic quarries.

For all ages, the 18 treehouse cabins will have everything from rope tunnels and net ladders to slides.

Both are set to open this summer.

If you can’t wait, you could also visit Ferrari World, home to Europe’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster Red Force.

Or head to the main PortAdventura Park where there are six themed lands – Mediterranean, Polynesia, China, Mexico, the Far West, and SésamoAventura – and 40 rides to choose from.

To get to the park, the easiest way is to fly to Barcelona Reus Airport which as Ryanair flights, as it is around 15 minutes from there.

One mum who recently visited told Sun Travel: “Even my too-cool-for-school teens were wowed.

“While the big thrill rides understandably grab the headlines, younger families are well provided for with a huge schedule of themed entertainment shows at the park, tea cup rides, log flumes, and mini rollercoasters.

“By staying in one of the park hotels, we also got unlimited access to the park and a day at Ferrari Land.

“So unlike Disneyland which generally closes at 9pm, PortAventura stays open until 11pm so you really can wring the maximum out of your stay.”

THE best 100 beaches in the world have been named – and two can be found in the UK.

Announced by Corona, the 2026 Corona Beach 100 has revealed the best spots around the world from well-known spots to hidden coves.

Three criteria were analysed – Beachside Culture, Connection to Nature and Scenic Aesthetics.

A new entry on the list this year is Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire.

The first Welsh beach to make the list, it was praised for its “remote and dramatic landscape, as it is “accessible only by clifftop walk through a medieval archway.

It wrote: “Barafundle Bay feels hidden even when people talk about it.

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“Reached only by a clifftop walk along the Pembrokeshire coast, this crescent of pale sand sits tucked between limestone cliffs with nothing built around it.

“No road, no cafés, no signal, just seabirds overhead, cold clear water below, and the kind of quiet that makes you slow down without realising it.”

And returning to the list this year was Fistral Beach in Cornwall, praised for being a “social and cultural hotspot” by being the UK’s surfing capital after hosting the first British Surfing Championships in 1966.

It added: “Facing the full force of the Atlantic, it’s where you go to chase sets, drink tea with cold hands, and feel like you’re part of something.

“The beach delivers all year, with consistent swell, golden sands, and a surf scene that’s as seasoned as it is welcoming.

“From world-class comps to waist-high rollers, Fistral doesn’t need sunshine to shine — just wind, water, and the right kind of restlessness.”

Europe featured heavily on the list as well.

When it came to Greece, Agia Anna Beach in Naxos and the famous pink Elafonissi Beach in Crete made the cut, as well as Sarakiniko Beach on Milos.

For Spain, there was Aiguablava Beach, as well as Ibiza’s Casa Salada and Majorca’s Cala Mondragó.

Beaches across Italy, France and Croatia were also included, as well as other holiday spots such as Turkey, Morocco and Thailand.

The 2026 Corona Beach 100 list is part of it’s This Is Living campaign.

Full list of the 2026 Corona Beach 100

• Agia Anna Beach, Naxos
• Aiguablava Beach, Spain
• Alegria Beach, Philippines
• Anakena Beach, Chile
• Bahía Bustamante, Argentina
• Bahia do Sancho, Brazil
• Bahia de las Aguilas, Dominican Republic
• Baia Verde, Italy
• Banzai Pipeline, Hawaii
• Barafundle Bay, UK
• Boheme Beach, Turkey
• Boulders Beach, South Africa
• Cala Domestica, Sardinia
• Cala Mondragó, Majorca
• Cala Salada, Ibiza
• Calanque d’En-Vau, France
• Caleta Cóndor, Chile
• Camps Bay, South Africa
• Chepes Beach, Honduras
• Cloud 9 Beach, Philippines
• Copacabana, Brazil
• Corona Island, Columbia
• Cox Bay, Canada
• Crash Boat Beach, Puerto Rico
• Dune du Pilat, France
• Elafonissi Beach, Crete
• Fistral Beach, Cornwall
• Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico
• Grandes Playas de Corralejo, Fuertuventura
• Gulangyu Beach, China
• Hiriketiya Beach, Sri Lanka
• Huanchaco Beach, Peru
• Ilha do Amor, Brazil
• Isla Perro, Panama
• Jōdogahama Beach, Japan
• Koh Mak Island, Thailand
• Kraalbaai Beach, South Africa
• La Mina Pisco, Peru
• La Pelosa, Sardinia
• Legzira Beach, Morocco
• Little Corn Island, Nicaragua 
• Little Cove Beach, Canada
• Lucky Bay, Australia
• Madeiro Beach, Brazil
• Mancora, Peru
• Manu Bay, New Zealand
• McBean Lagoon, Colombia
• Nacpan Beach, Philippines 
• Nosy Iranja, Madagascar
• One Foot Island, Cook Islands
• Padar, Indonesia
• Palomino Beach, Colombia
• Pilar Beach, Cuba
• Pink Beach, Indonesia 
• Pipe Creek Sandbar, Bahamas
• Placencia Beach, Belize
• Plage de la Dune du Sud, Canada
• Playa Balandra, Mexico
• Playa Carrizalillo, Mexico
• Playa Cocles, Costa Rica
• Playa Conchal, Costa Rica
• Playa del Cabo, Colombia 
• Playa El Tunco, El Salvador
• Playa Ermitano, Dominican Republic
• Playa Escondida, Mexico
• Playa Los Barriles, Mexico
• Playa Mangos, Nicaragua 
• Playa Mansa, Uruguay
• Playa Ses Illetes, Majorca
• Playa Sur (Cabo Polonio), Uruguay
• Playa Uvita, Costa Rica
• Playa Venao, Panama
• Pori Beach, Greece
• Praia da Comporta, Portugal
• Praia da Engenhoca, Brazil
• Praia de Atins, Brazil
• Praia do Bonete, Brazil
• Praia do Rosa, Brazil
• Punta de Lobos, Chile
• Railway Beach, Thailand
• Riyue Beach, China
• Saco do Mamanguá, Brazil
• San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily
• São Miguel dos Milagres, Brazil
• Sarakiniko Beach, Milos
• Sea Me Beach, Turkey
• Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands
• Shroud Cay, Bahamas
• Soi Sim Beach, Vietnam
• Taipu de Fora, Brazil
• Tavarua Island, Fiji
• Tofo, Mozambique 
• Tortuga Bay, Ecuador
• Tulum Beach, Mexico
• Villa Tacul Beach, Argentina
• Warwick Long Bay, Bermuda
• Whitehaven Beach, Australia
• Wilderness Beach, South Africa
• Zlatni Rat, Croatia