MANCHESTER, England — Andy Burnham, likely the next U.K. prime minister, pledged Monday to give away a chunk of his power by handing greater autonomy to local leaders in a “circuit-breaker” for the sclerotic British state.
The former mayor of Greater Manchester also said he would move part of the prime minister’s office from London’s 10 Downing St. to northwest England as part of “the biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen.”
“Growth cannot be ordered from the top down. Instead, it can only be nurtured from the bottom up,” Burnham said in a speech aimed at bringing voters, Labour Party colleagues and financial markets up to speed with his economic vision.
Burnham is the strong favorite to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation last week.
“If councils can’t fix potholes, what chance do they have of bringing forward major regeneration schemes to get growth going?” Burnham said. He set out a 10-year plan to get “good growth in every postcode,” in a country where wealth and power are concentrated in London and the south of England.
He said he would reverse almost two decades of low growth since the 2008 financial crisis through an approach dubbed “Manchesterism” — harnessing private and public money to invest in areas like transport, housing and infrastructure. He also pledged to create new industrial jobs and better educational opportunities, and to reform the U.K.’s inefficient and expensive privatized water and energy utilities.
During the speech at the People’s History Museum in the city where he spent nine years as mayor, Burnham said a new government office in Manchester – dubbed “No. 10 North” — would oversee regional development and become “the nerve center of a rewired Britain,” tasked with equalizing living standards across the country. Regional mayors would get more power over housing, welfare and education as part of his planned reforms.
Burnham’s rousing speech was short on specifics about where the government would find more money, and he didn’t take questions from journalists.
Burnham won praise for his role in revitalizing and regenerating Manchester, but he has not served in a U.K. government for almost two decades, and may struggle to replicate “Manchesterism” on a U.K.-wide scale.
The Institute for Public Policy Research, a left-leaning think tank, said Burnham is right to focus on “rebalancing Britain.”
“The U.K.’s concentration of power and opportunity in Westminster has held back growth, productivity and living standards for too long,” said IPPR Executive Director Harry Quilter-Pinner. “The real test now is delivery.”
Matthew Flinders, a politics professor at the University of Sheffield, said replicating Burnham’s Manchester approach on a national level would require “a fundamental shift” in the way politics is done in Britain.
“And at the heart of that would be moving from a very traditional, elitist, centralized model of politics toward something that is in many ways far more European, far more based on power-sharing in order to develop long-term policymaking capacity,” he said.
Burnham will be aware that Starmer also announced a 10-year mission — the equivalent of two full terms in government —- to transform Britain soon after he was elected in a landslide in July 2024. Starmer is leaving after two years in office marred by missteps and judgment errors that eroded his standing with his party and the public.
Burnham won a special election for a seat in Parliament on June 18 and was sworn in as a lawmaker on June 22, the same day Starmer announced that he will resign as soon as a successor is chosen.
Burnham is so far the only contender in the Labour Party leadership contest. If no one challenges him, he will become prime minister by July 20.
While Burnham is considered more charismatic than the stolid Starmer, he will face many of the same political and economic challenges, including a sluggish economy, tattered public services and a cost-of-living squeeze. He will also be constrained by the platform the center-left Labour Party was elected on in 2024, with its pledges not to increase taxes on working people.
And like other NATO countries, the U.K. is under pressure to dramatically increase defense spending to counter a more aggressive Russia and less reliable United States.
The government’s long-awaited defense investment plan — which sparked the resignation of Defense Secretary John Healey on June 11 — is expected to be published before a NATO summit in Turkey on July 7 and 8. Starmer’s successor will be expected to stick to the commitments in the plan.
“Andy Burnham’s big idea is to shuffle power between politicians,” said opposition Conservative Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake. “Not fix the welfare system. Not cut the taxes strangling working families and British business. Not fund the defense our country desperately needs.”
Grant and Lawless write for the Associated Press. Lawless reported from London. AP writer Brian Melley contributed to this report.
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.
On this date in history:
In 1829, English scientist James Smithson left a will that eventually funded the establishment of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington — in a country he never visited.
In 1844, Mormon founder Joseph Smith was slain by a mob at a jail in Carthage, Ill.
In 1847, the first telegraph wire links were established between New York City and Boston.
In 1859, Louisville, Ky., schoolteacher Mildred Hill composed a tune for her students and called it “Good Morning To You.” Her sister, Patty, who wrote the lyrics, later added a verse that began “Happy Birthday To You.”
In 1950, U.S. President Harry S. Truman ordered naval and air forces to help repel the North Korean invasion of South Korea.
UPI File Photo
In 1979, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled private employers could give special preferences to Black people to eliminate “manifest racial imbalance” in traditionally white-only jobs.
In 1991, Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall announced he was retiring from the U.S. Supreme Court. He was the first African American to sit on the high court.
In 1995, the space shuttle Atlantis was launched from Cape Canaveral, Fla., on a historic mission to dock with the Russian space station Mir. Docking occurred two days later.
In 2003, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission opened a long-awaited nationwide registry for people who want to block unwanted telemarketing calls.
In 2005, Dennis Rader, the so-called “BTK” (bind, torture, kill) killer, pleaded guilty to 10 slayings in the Wichita, Kan., area. He was sentenced to life in prison.
In 2007, Tony Blair officially stepped down after a decade as British prime minister, submitting his resignation to Queen Elizabeth II. Blair was succeeded by Gordon Brown and became Britain’s envoy to the Middle East.
File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI
In 2009, a top health official said the H1N1 virus, known as swine flu, killed 127 people of the more than 1 million infected in the United States. About 3,000 were reported hospitalized.
In 2011, a federal court jury in Chicago convicted former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on 17 felony corruption charges that included trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama after the 2008 presidential election. Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
In 2017, the FARC rebel group officially disarmed in a ceremony with the Colombian government.
In 2019, the Supreme Court ruled the federal government can’t include a question about citizenship in the U.S. census.
In 2023, producers of Wheel of Fortune announced Ryan Seacrest would succeed Pat Sajak as the host of the long-running game show. Sajak’s final episode aired June 7, 2024.
File Photo by James Atoa/UPI
Tom Sandoval’s girlfriend Victoria Lee Robinson was arrested after the two had an altercation that involved her father being pushed into a lit fire pit.
Sandoval, known for the cheating “Scandoval” that erupted on the reality television series “Vanderpump Rules,” filed a restraining order against the model and her father J. Will Robinson (who goes by Will) over a June 3 incident that was partially caught on video. He was granted a temporary restraining order and a subsequent hearing was set for July 16.
According to court documents obtained by The Times, the altercation involving Sandoval, Victoria Robinson and J. Will Robinson happened in the early morning hours after the couple returned home from a night out at a bar. Sandoval claimed in the petition that since the two became a couple in February 2024, Victoria Lee Robinson has been violent and attacked him physically, as well as changing the passwords on his phone and social media and tracking him using Airtags.
“The most recent physical incident occurred on June 3 when [she] punched my face and injured my neck and ear. During this same incident, Mr. Robinson, grabbed me and punched an approximately 12-inch hole in the door of my spare bedroom where I was barricading myself,” reads the petition.
In a video, obtained by TMZ, that captured part of the June 3 incident, Victoria Robinson and Will Robinson are seen sitting next to a lit fire pit on the patio when Sandoval and Will Robinson begin arguing. Sandoval is heard yelling at Will Robinson before he asks Victoria Robinson if she is recording and approaches her. Will Robinson stands and wraps his arms around Sandoval, seemingly to get him to back away from Victoria Robinson, and Sandoval turns and pushes Will Robinson, who falls backward into the lit fire pit.
After Will Robinson gets back up, he rushes after Sandoval into the home while Victoria Robinson screams for the men to stop.
According to the petition, the fight escalated, and Will Robinson phoned the police while Sandoval hid inside a spare bedroom. When police arrived, the petition claims that they initially put Sandoval in handcuffs, but after reviewing footage, Victoria Robinson was arrested for intimate partner battery with physical violence.
Robinson bonded out and was released the same day. The Los Angeles Police Department was not able to confirm the reason for Victoria Robinson’s arrest.
Representatives for Sandoval did not immediately respond to The Times’ request for comment. Victoria Robinson could not be reached for comment.
According to the petition, both Victoria Robinson and her father have lived in the Los Angeles rental home with Sandoval. According to the filing, the reality star hopped between hotels and friends’ houses after the June 3 incident.
Will Robinson told TMZ, “The DA did not file the case for a reason. I lifted Tom off of my daughter because he was overpowering and twisting her arm and trying to take her phone aggressively after yelling at us in a very aggressive and threatening manner.”
“This is my daughter’s home and we just want Tom as far away from us as possible and to keep his lies and drunken abuse away,” Robinson said.
Daizen Maeda’s smart finish to Japan’s team goal is cancelled out by Anthony Elanga’s long-range strike as Sweden fight back to earn a 1-1 draw, ensuring both sides progress to the World Cup knockout stages.
MATCH REPORT: Japan 1-1 Sweden – Group F
Available to UK users only.
Goals from Nilson Angulo and Gonzalo Plata help Ecuador come from behind to beat Germany 2-1 to qualify for the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup, as one of the top eight third-placed teams.
MATCH REPORT: Ecuador 2-1 Germany – Group E
Available to UK users only.
Two misdemeanor drug charges against U.S. alpine skiing great Bode Miller are set to be dropped, according to his attorney.
“No drugs were found on Bode’s person,” attorney Jeromy Stafford said in a statement emailed to The Times on Thursday morning. “After speaking with the Prosecuting Attorney for Fremont County Idaho, Lindsey Blake, she has agreed to dismiss all charges against Bode Miller.”
Blake has not announced the move and did not immediately respond to a message from The Times.
Miller was arrested June 6 in Fremont County. According to a probable cause statement by Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Hurt, the six-time Olympic medalist was in possession of a white dispensary bag containing 4.1 grams of psilocybin mushrooms.
Hurt said in his statement that Miller “knew that the Psilocybin mushrooms were illegal.” The 48-year-old former athlete was taken into custody and released the same day after posting a $5,000 bond. On June 11, Miller pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In a statement posted to Instagram on Tuesday, Miller gave a different account of what led to his arrest.
“I was pulled over for accelerating while passing another vehicle on a highway in Idaho,” Miller said. “My friend, who was traveling with me, had a small amount of cannabis and a cannabis pipe in his possession which I was unaware of. We fully cooperated with the officer. I am hopeful the misdemeanor charges will be dropped once the facts are reviewed.”
Online court records show the status of Miller’s case as “Active – Pending.” A pretrial hearing remains scheduled for July 29.
pabradyphoto
The Kansas City Composite Index came in at 11, compared to 8 in May, according to data from the district Federal Reserve bank released on Thursday.
The Manufacturing Index stood at 19, compared to 9 prior.
Developing… Check back for updates.
The UK has experienced its hottest June day on record after temperatures soared to 36.1C (97F) in Gosport, Hampshire, on Wednesday afternoon.
Hundreds of schools shut across England and Wales and transport has also been disrupted, with train passengers advised to avoid all non-essential travel.
The heatwave is forecast to continue into Friday, with a further high of about 38C possible, the Met Office said.
A red extreme heat warning issued by the Met Office across parts of south and central England and south Wales remains in place until 23:59 BST on Thursday.
Wednesday’s high came between 15:00 and 16:00, breaking the previous June record of 35.6C recorded in Southampton in 1976 and Camden in 1957.
This new record is described as “provisional” by the Met Office, which now has to conduct checks to ensure the measurement is reliable.
The next highest temperatures of the day were all recorded in southern England, including Wisley, Surrey, on 36C, Wiggonholt, West Sussex, on 35.9C, and Charlwood, Surrey, on 35.7C. And Wales had its hottest day of the year so far, with a high of 33.3C at Cardiff Bute Park.
A searing European heatwave continues to cause deaths and disruption, with France recording its hottest day since records began in 1947, and the temperature in Paris and other areas above 40C.
Richard Montoya of Culture Clash doesn’t mince words when it comes to politics, current events or the state of mainstream Hollywood. But he does sugarcoat his technological limitations as a 67-year-old comic in the dreaded age of video calls with a punchy Chicano twist.
“I’m a low-tech Aztec,” he writes via email when requesting a Zoom link to our Monday interview.
Culture Clash — which includes members Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Sigüenza — arrived on the scene as a guerrilla sketch theater group from the San Francisco Mission District in 1984. By that time, the Chicano movement had reached its peak, thanks to the United Farm Workers labor movement, as well as student activist organizations like Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA), which advocated for Chicano unity, political empowerment and educational access.
Luis Valdez, founder of El Teatro Campesino — who began putting on social justice-oriented plays for the striking Delano farmworkers in 1965 — backed the slapstick satire troupe, considering the trio “the cutting edge of fresh, new Latino comic genius.”
Culture Clash stood out in a time when Chicanos became more vocal and visible — and its members challenged an entertainment industry that has historically lacked Latino representation. Between 1993 and 1996, Culture Clash hosted its own self-titled TV show on the syndicated Fox network. The show, which was filmed at the Mayan Theater in downtown Los Angeles, is widely considered the first Latino sketch comedy to air on American television.
Throughout the last four decades, Culture Clash has parodied nearly every prominent Latino figure in history, including Che Guevara, Frida Kahlo, Ritchie Valens, Rita Moreno, Edward James Olmos and others. Its members have mocked hard-shell cholos and gangsters, often by placing them in funny scenarios. For instance, take this clip, in which the trio take on cholo characters and reimagine what it would be like to surf on the Southern California shore.
But they’ve also taken on more serious topics in their classic “Chavez Ravine” play, which looks into one of the darkest chapters in L.A. history: the forceful removal and displacement of families, mostly Mexican, in the 1950s under eminent domain. Recently Montoya attended a live reading adapted by Somos El Teatro, led by Xolo Maridueña, Mariana da Silva and Angel Villalobos at Elysian Park.
“It gives us so much life that people are finding the issues of swindlers, whether it’s gentrification, the taking over of settlements,” says Montoya. “The generational trauma of losing your home in L.A. has never gone away.”
But not every Culture Clash joke or skit has been safe from criticism. Montoya still remembers how a conservative pundit chastised the group for using light humor to discuss the 1992 riots, when LAPD officers were acquitted for using excessive force in the arrest and beating of Rodney King.
“By looking at it and treating it as dynamite, exploding it and then by bringing some levity and a whole lot of seriousness to the Rodney King matter allows us a moment, a fraction of time to look at the issues a little bit differently,” says Montoya. “That laugh allows us a moment to examine it differently.”
On June 27, Culture Clash will return to Grand Performances, a free summer concert series at California Plaza in downtown L.A., with comedic sketches colored by political and social satire. The show, titled “American Payasos! Culture Clash’s End Times Cabaret” will be co-presented with De Los.
While their 40-year-plus legacy might merit a show reminiscent of old goofball skits — like their early 1989 show “The Mission” that poked fun at the problematic Spanish Franciscan missionary Junipero Serra — this will not be an “oldies but goodies show,” as Montoya put it. “We are highly pissed off about a lot of stuff right now.”
“ We’re thinking a lot about the Mexican American patriarchy, Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and it’s time to address some of these things,” says Montoya. “ We want to look at the service workers of Los Angeles, the people that sell cotton candy in MacArthur Park, the people that sell ice cream in Echo Park and the people working the World Cup.”
For the veteran comic, son of the late Chicano poet Jose Montoya, it is also impossible to ignore the immigration enforcement raids that have rattled Los Angeles communities in recent years.
“This is a very strange moment for satirists,” says Montoya. “We have a responsibility to use those tools to say what’s going on in our city and country and provide these moments where we can do a little bit closer examination because the people in power aren’t telling us what’s going on.”
In the last five years, Montoya has fiddled around with digital media, creating sporadic videos featuring old clips of the troupe, as well as videos of Latino media, to connect with technologically diverse audiences of all ages. (One example is a video calling on people to get out the vote, that features clips of Speedy Gonzales and honors political figures like Huerta.)
Although Montoya believes Culture Clash is nearing the end of its career, there’s a question lingering inside his mind: What does a graceful exit look like for a group like Culture Clash, which has never been fully integrated into mainstream Hollywood and still left such a profound legacy in the world of Latino entertainment?
The answer to that might still be unknown, but like any Culture Clash project, it will likely be wickedly satirical and punchy. Says Montoya: “We’re ready to go out with a huge, loud bang that can say something against the power structure.”
Culture Clash will take center stage on June 27 at Grand Performances, in partnership with De Los. Also performing is the retro cumbia-quebradita musician É Arenas (bassist of Chicano Batman), the cumbia-fusion, luchador-masked cumbia group La Nueva Ola de Cumbia, as well as DJ Dali.
U.S. alpine skiing great Bode Miller is facing two misdemeanor drug charges following his arrest in Idaho earlier this month.
The actual drug involved and who possessed it isn’t clear, with Miller and the arresting officer providing different accounts of those details from the June 6 arrest in Fremont County.
The six-time Olympic medalist has implied he was arrested because, unbeknownst to him, his friend was carrying cannabis and a pipe while riding in a car Miller was driving. While legal in several states for recreation or medical use, cannabis remains illegal in Idaho.
“I was pulled over for accelerating while passing another vehicle on a highway in Idaho,” Miller, 48, said in a statement posted Tuesday on Instagram. “My friend, who was traveling with me, had a small amount of cannabis and a cannabis pipe in his possession which I was unaware of. We fully cooperated with the officer.”
Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Hurt wrote in a probable cause statement that he found Miller with a white dispensary bag containing 4.1 grams of psilocybin mushrooms (a.k.a. magic mushrooms or shrooms).
While illegal under federal law, psilocybin has been decriminalized in Colorado and Oregon for treatments, with some health advocates saying it can help ease anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
On June 12, Miller pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for July 29.
“I am hopeful the misdemeanor charges will be dropped once the facts are reviewed,” Miller said in his Instagram statement.
A five-time Olympic participant, Miller has won more medals than any other U.S. skier, including gold in the super combined at the 2010 Vancouver Games. He was the overall World Cup champion in 2005 and 2008 and won six World Cup discipline titles (three in combined, two in super-G, one in giant slalom).
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Southern California Independent Bookstore Bestsellers list for Sunday, June 28, 2026, including hardcover and paperback fiction and nonfiction.
Source link
The TWZ Newsletter
Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.
Here’s TWZ’s weekly carrier tracker monitoring America’s flattop fleet, including deployed Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) and Amphibious Ready Groups (ARG), using publicly available open-source information. Check out last week’s report here.
The United States lifted its naval blockade of Iranian ports, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Friday, following the execution of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding in Versailles. While the blockade is over, the fate of the blockade forces – and future U.S. force posture in the region – remains unclear. The “plan is to keep the current force posture” during negotiations, a U.S. official said on background, but “the agreement contemplates the reduction in military forces in the region upon the agreement of a final deal.”
Major U.S. naval assets, including two aircraft carriers, continue operating “in the general area to support freedom of navigation,” according to a press release from CENTCOM. “U.S. forces remain present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force and effect.” USS Abraham Lincoln, now deployed for more than seven months, was conducting flight ops in the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR) as of June 21, and USS George H.W. Bush was last spotted on June 20.
A U.S. Sailor oversees flight operations from the tower aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as the aircraft carrier continues to operate in the Arabian Sea. pic.twitter.com/upff7YF7Hh
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 21, 2026
USS Nimitz arrived at Naval Station Mayport in Florida on June 16, marking the completion of her participation in Southern Seas 2026. “This year’s deployment marked the 11th iteration of the Southern Seas exercise since 2007, demonstrating the United States’ enduring commitment to the Western Hemisphere. Southern Seas 2026 highlighted unprecedented diplomatic and military integration, recording the highest number of Latin American leadership visits in the exercise’s history, with approximately 339 distinguished visitors embarking and 3,100 guests hosted during port visits.” Nimitz is on the final leg of a homeport shift to Naval Station Norfolk after the Navy announced a service life extension into 2027.
USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Nimitz-class aircraft carrier coming into Mayport, Florida – June 16, 2026 SRC: FB- Naval Station Mayport pic.twitter.com/DgPsu6R1lG
— WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) June 16, 2026
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower departed Norfolk on June 17 for Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications (FRS-CQ) and is underway in the Virginia Capes Operating Area, according to publicly available AIS data. Eisenhower is not scheduled to deploy this year, and is preparing for a deployment in early 2027, TWZ has learned.
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Nimitz-class aircraft carrier leaving Norfolk, Virginia – June 17, 2026 SRC: FB- Sean Tuttle pic.twitter.com/1lYOX670Ot
— WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) June 18, 2026
USS Theodore Roosevelt got underway on June 15 and is conducting exercises off the west coast in the U.S. 3rd Fleet AOR. The drills are meant to “bolster strike group readiness and capability” and the crew was spotted participating in firefighting drills, barricade drills, and crash and salvage training on the flight deck. While the upcoming deployment date is unknown, Roosevelt is the next carrier slated to deploy.
Power for Peace 🔱
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) sails through the Pacific Ocean while conducting exercises to enhance strike group capability.
Our visible demonstration of warfighting readiness through operational competence is the high standard we hold ourselves to. pic.twitter.com/B88XO04n1R
— U.S. Pacific Fleet (@USPacificFleet) June 22, 2026
USS Carl Vinson is moored at Berth Lima at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. Over the weekend, Vinson was the centerpiece of NASCAR’s “Race the Base” event at Naval Base Coronado. “The event marked a historic collaboration between the U.S. Navy and NASCAR while celebrating the service’s enduring connection to the American people. It provided attendees opportunities to engage directly with Sailors, explore Navy capabilities, and learn about the Navy’s role in defending the nation around the globe.”
USS George Washington moored in Apra Harbor, Guam, from June 16-20, and then participated in a PHOTOEX to kick off exercise Valiant Shield 2026. Washington was pictured alongside cruiser USS Robert Smalls, destroyers USS Shoup and USS Benfold, fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, including JS Kaga, JS Fuyuzuki, and JS Jingei. “Valiant Shield is a biennial, multilateral field training exercise conducted by the U.S. Armed Forces and partner nations in the Western Pacific focusing on joint, cross-combatant integration operating seamlessly across sea, air, land, and cyberspace.”
Lethal Joint Force. US Navy aircraft with CVW-5 & @USAF F-35As fly over the USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Group and @JMSDF_PAO units during Valiant Shield 2026 in the Philippine Sea, demonstrating multi-domain Combat Readiness.
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/wzT5KHWx71— U.S. Pacific Fleet (@USPacificFleet) June 22, 2026
Note: Positions are general approximations. Non-deployed LHA/LHD amphibious warships are not shown.
Contact the author: ian.ellis-jones@teamrecurrent.io
Kylian Mbappe marks his 100th international cap for France with a brace, moving him second on the all-time World Cup goal scoring list with 16 goals. His performance spearheaded a dominant 3-0 victory over Iraq, securing France’s spot in the last 32 after a two-hour storm delay.
MATCH REPORT: France 3-0 Iraq
Available to UK users only.
Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room equals the record for most saves in a World Cup match, as Dick Advocaat’s side earn their first ever point in the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador at the Kansas City Stadium.
MATCH REPORT: Ecuador 0-0 Curacao
Available to UK users only.
PHILADELPHIA — Kyle Schwarber launched two long home runs in Philadelphia’s eight-run third inning and Bryce Harper became the 11th player in franchise history to hit for the cycle, leading the Phillies to a 15-3 victory over the New York Mets on Saturday night.
Schwarber led off the Phillies’ huge inning with a solo homer off Mets starter Freddy Peralta, sending the ball 456 feet into the second deck in right field.
Later in the inning, Schwarber hit a three-run shot off Cionel Perez into nearly the same spot, 457 feet away.
Schwarber is the 67th player in major league history to hit two home runs in an inning and the second this season, joining Houston’s Yordan Alvarez, who accomplished the feat on June 12. He’s the fourth Phillies player to do so, along with Trea Turner (Aug. 19, 2023), Von Hayes (June 11, 1985) and Andy Seminick (June 2, 1949).
Schwarber hit his third homer of the game — giving him a major league-leading 28 — in the seventh, a two-run shot off Tobias Myers. He finished four for five with six RBIs and scored four runs.
Harper completed his first career cycle by the fifth inning. He hit a solo home run in the first, his 16th of the season. He doubled and scored on an error in the third, then singled after Schwarber’s second home run.
In the fifth, Harper lined a ball into the gap in left-center field and motored around to third base for a two-run triple. He’s the first Phillies player to hit for the cycle since Weston Wilson on Aug. 15, 2024. Harper finished four for five with three RBIs and two runs.
Harper is the second player this season — and this week — to hit for the cycle, joining the Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong, who accomplished the feat Monday night in a 5-4 win over Colorado.
Scotland concede after 71 seconds and fall to a World Cup defeat against a classy Morocco, but their hopes of a historic knock-out place remain in their own hands with one group game to go.
MATCH REPORT: Scotland 0-1 Morocco
Available to UK users only.
Daiki Kaneko had only 24 hours before his World Cup journey took him to Dallas, where his home country’s squad will take on Sweden.
The Japanese soccer fan was making the most of it on Tuesday in Inglewood, snapping pictures of SoFi Stadium before taking in a different kind of monument: a space-age, two-story branch of the chicken chain Raising Cane’s, complete with a 308-square-foot screen, a mirrored dog sculpture and a massive halo hovering around the exterior.
For Kaneko, 25, who lives in the Tokyo suburbs, it was the perfect encapsulation of American grandeur.
“All this for chicken,” he said. “I love America.”
Inglewood is already diverse — most residents are Latino or Black, and nearly a third are immigrants. But during the World Cup, it’s looking more like the United Nations. English, Japanese, Swiss, Iranians, Paraguayans, Bosnians, Belgians and others are flocking to the city of about 102,000, where eight matches are being played at SoFi Stadium.
Though visitors from abroad may not have heard of Inglewood until now, they’re soaking up the vibes of a city that has long been a major sports and entertainment hub, home to venues such as the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome, and a crucible of Black culture, immortalized in hip-hop songs by artists such as Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre.
“We’re an international city now,” Mayor James Butts said.
Butts said locals were already proud of what the city has become, but the World Cup has put the celebratory feelings over the top.
“We have people from so many different countries migrating to Inglewood, and there’s an explosive sense of community pride,” he said.
Bartender Elijah Gonzalez, left, mixes a drink at the Nile Bar in Inglewood while customers watch a World Cup soccer preview.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
City officials are doing everything they can to embrace the spirit of the tournament, including speeding up permits so small businesses and neighborhoods can hold World Cup gatherings and watch parties, Butts said. During the U.S.’s opening match against Paraguay on June 12, the city hosted the Wood Cup, a block party on Market Street that brought in more than 5,000 people.
Businesses across the city are embracing the tournament as well, vying for a piece of the roughly $17 million the city expects to haul in. For a few weeks, concerns about skyrocketing housing costs and gentrification, brought on by the city’s increasing popularity as a place to settle down, are taking a back seat to the sheer fun of international soccer.
The supersized Raising Cane’s had its grand opening on June 11, the first day of the tournament. During the USMNT’s opening match, Cinepolis, a luxury movie theater down the road from SoFi Stadium, turned into a global sports hub, according to CEO Luis Olloqui.
Maddy Daversa, a bartender at the Meeting Spot, a restaurant near the stadium, said 2,000 people poured in when the Americans played Paraguay.
“I was selling beers for five hours straight,” she said. “It was crazy.”
Daversa said the restaurant is usually closed on Mondays but opened in hopes of getting some spillover fans from the Iran-New Zealand game at SoFi.
“Every table was full,” she said. “We’re taking advantage.”
Tuesday was an off day for Inglewood, with no games at SoFi. But the energy was still palpable, with locals sporting soccer jerseys and tourists popping up across the city.
“I just want to be where the fans are,” said David Meier, a Swiss fan in town for his home country’s match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday.
Meier, 45, plans to explore L.A. via bars, restaurants and watch parties, taking in every game that his schedule will allow before heading north of the border to Vancouver, where Switzerland will face Canada on June 24.
“Everyone has been so kind,” he said. “Soccer and beer turns strangers into friends.”
Flags from countries competing in the World Cup are on display at Manchester Boulevard and South Market Street in Inglewood.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The energy carried over to Market Street, a historic shopping district about a mile from SoFi Stadium. Businesses set up signs, posters and international flags to lure locals and tourists alike, while the Miracle Theater hosted a watch party for the match between France and Senegal.
Owen Smith, who co-owns the theater with his wife, Mariana, said a Senegalese friend who grew up in France asked if he would be willing to show the game on the big screen. A day later, fans of both teams assembled inside, snapping photos in front of a giant inflatable World Cup trophy in the lobby.
“The Miracle is a cultural event theater. It’s about accommodating the community,” Smith said.
Benyam Woldegiorgis, who co-owns the Nile Bar on Market Street, is showing every single World Cup match — all 104 of them.
“It brings in business,” he said. “Usually it’s just football, basketball and baseball, but now we’re adding soccer to the mix.”
Dionte Johnson, owner of the streetwear store Kingsrowe, partnered with Adidas to hold a watch party for the U.S. team’s opener and said the turnout was massive, bringing in loads of Mexico fans who are local residents, even though their team had already won their opener the day before.
“The downside of the World Cup is that tickets are so expensive, so a lot of locals can’t go check out the games themselves. That’s why we’re hosting events,” Johnson said. “The games are in our backyard, so this is something people have had on their calendar for a long time.”
Homeowners are cashing in as well, with some renting out their places on Airbnb for a small fortune, figuring that crashing on a friend’s couch or booking a hotel room elsewhere is well worth the lofty payouts brought by World Cup demand.
Across L.A., hotel demand lagged compared with initial expectations, but short-term rental prices still jumped 56% compared with typical rates, and more than 70% of rentals were booked by December 2025.
In Inglewood — especially for rentals walkable to SoFi Stadium — prices became dizzying.
David Orenstein and his wife, Peggy, run an Airbnb across the street from SoFi Stadium. It usually rents for $400 per night, but for the U.S. team’s opening game, it went for $3,000.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Peggy Orenstein and her husband, David, own a home steps from the stadium that typically rents for $400 a night on Airbnb. For the U.S. team’s opener, the nightly rate shot up to $3,000.
For other matches, the four-bedroom house is going for $1,200 to $1,500 a night. Orenstein said the high demand and international crowds are a teaser for what’s to come.
“Next up is the Olympics,” she said. “This is a great learning lesson for what we can expect.”
On this date in history:
In 1846, two amateur baseball teams played under new rules at Hoboken, N.J., planting the first seeds of organized baseball. The New York Nine beat the Knickerbockers, 23-1.
In 1856, the first Republican national convention ended in Philadelphia with the nomination of explorer John Charles Fremont of California for president. James Buchanan, a Federalist nominated by the Democrats, was elected.
In 1864, the Union sloop-of-war USS Kearsarge sank the Confederate commerce raider CSS Alabama in the Battle of Cherbourg off the coast of France.
In 1865, nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, freedom from slavery was announced in Galveston, Texas, the most remote area of the country where slavery was still practiced. The day came to be celebrated annually as Juneteenth, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day and Liberation Day.
In 1867, Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, installed as emperor of Mexico by French Emperor Napoleon III in 1864, was executed on the orders of Benito Juarez, president of the Mexican Republic.
In 1905, Pittsburgh showman Harry Davis opened the world’s first nickelodeon, showing “The Great Train Robbery,” a silent Western film. The storefront theater had 96 seats, charged 5 cents and prompted the advent of movie houses across the United States.
In 1910, Spokane, Wash., had the first Father’s Day.
File Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI
In 1944, World War II’s Battle of the Philippine Sea began. Japanese forces tried unsuccessfully to prevent further Allied advancement in the South Pacific.
In 1953, convicted spies Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed by electric chair at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, N.Y.
In 1965, Nguyen Cao Ky became the prime minister of South Vietnam, the ninth leader within the past 20 months.
UPI File Photo
In 1972, Hurricane Agnes made landfall in the Florida Panhandle, going on to kill 128 people along the eastern U.S. seaboard.
In 1987, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a 1981 Louisiana law that required schools to teach the creationist theory of human origin espoused by fundamentalist Christians.
In 1991, Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar surrendered to police in Medellin in the wake of the assassination of Luis Carlos Galan. Authorities convinced him to give himself up in exchange for a lighter sentence for prior criminal activity — activity which continued after his imprisonment.
In 1999, horror novelist Stephen King was hit by a car and severely injured while out for a walk in rural Maine.
In 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that prayers led by students at public high school football games aren’t permitted under the constitutional separation of church and state. In 2022, the high court ruled, however, that a school district in Washington violated a coach’s First Amendment rights when they stopped him from publicly praying on the field after games.
In 2008, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, became the first candidate at that level to bypass public financing since the program was established.
In 2013, James Gandolfini, who starred in the gangster drama The Sopranos, died of a heart attack in Rome. He was 51.
In 2014, Felipe VI was proclaimed Spain’s new king after his father, King Juan Carlos, abdicated the throne.
In 2019, Joy Harjo was named the first Native American poet laureate of the United States.
In 2024, the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, concluded after at least 1,300 people died over the five-day trek. Officials blamed a lack of cooling centers, sleeping accommodations and other critical services as temperatures soared above 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
File Photo by Mohammad Kheirkhah/UPI
FANCY a last-minute getaway in June? You can still get one with plenty of one-way flights under £30 and to destinations that are over 25C.
Sun Travel reveals our favourite holiday spots with cheap flights in the next two weeks, from Greece to sunny European islands and pretty cities.
“It’s shocking that you can get to a Greek island for less than £30 and with Wizz Air, flights are as little as £18.
“Just over three hours away and you’ll reach the olive grove paradise of Corfu with beautiful blue bay beaches that in June averages at 30C.
“I love Greece mostly for the food and Corfu has lots of spots where you can indulge in a fresh feta salad with juicy tomatoes alongside a refreshing local Greek beer.
“Have a dip in the ocean at Faliraki, and make sure to pick up some locally made olive oil as a souvenir too.
“For anyone who loves history, head to the Holy Monastery of the Virgin Mary at Paleokastritsa. It’s quite the hike but the views from the top are unbeatable.
“If you can, take a day trip across to Paxi or Paxos, a tiny island seven miles south of Corfu with sea caves and white cobbles beaches.” – Travel Reporter, Alice Penwill
“Nice is an astonishingly short plane ride from the UK, given how exotic it feels. Just 2 hours and 5 minutes in the air, and you’re suddenly on the French Riviera – and flights in June are £18.
“I’ve spent many summers on that stunning stretch of coast, first on family holidays as a kid, then as a showbiz reporter at the Cannes Film Festival and most recently on family trips as a mum myself.
“It is easily one of my favourite places in Europe, thanks to the glorious scenery and the fantastic food.
“My best tip would be to avoid the pricey cab fares and stick to the many beautiful towns that run along the riviera train line.”
“For instance, Villefranche Sur Mer is a sleek, picturesque seaside village that has all of the beauty of its fancier neighbours, but less of the tourists.
“With a lovely sandy beach, a pretty harbour, and a quaint old town featuring 13-century cobbled streets, there is something for everyone.
“Grab a baguette, a bottle of wine and some stinky cheese from the supermarket for under 10 euros in total and enjoy a picnic on the sand or in the pine trails behind the village.
“This is a perfect spot to base yourself with Airbnbs from £86 a night, then you can take the train along the coast anywhere from Monaco and Nice, to Antibes and Cannes in under an hour.” – Head of Sun Travel (Digital), Caroline McGuire
“Sardinia is a beautiful Italian island that actually sits closer to Africa than the mainland.
“But when it comes to visiting the island, most will head to Olbia in the north – instead, I suggest venturing south to the capital Cagliari.
“This quiet and quaint city can easily be explored in a day, with colourful architecture and over 140 churches and religious buildings.
“The best thing to do in the city? Head on the Underground Cagliari tour with Viator, which will take you to three historic sites all underground, including passages used as bomb shelters under a school, a crypt and prison and uncovered Roman ruins (£26 per person).
“Wander around the city and you will also see several defensive towers marking the perimeter of the ancient city, with the most extravagant of them being Bastione de Saint Remy – a huge former military fortress.”
“One-way flights start from £28 in June.”- Travel Reporter, Cyann Fielding
“Rome is a city of passion. Whether that’s due to the fiery locals, who emphasise every word with a hand gesticulation, or because of its sordid history, the scars of which are still present today, who knows.
“But that passion is what gives the place its buzz and you can see it all on the cheap as flights start from £15.
“If you’re new to the city, I couldn’t recommend a Fiat 500 sightseeing tour enough (rome500exp.com).
“You’ll cruise around in vintage motors, ticking off all the key sights including the mighty colosseum and Gianicolo Hill where you can soak up one of the best views of the city.
“The Vatican is, of course, a must. But make sure to book one of the queue jump tours for first thing in the morning – it gets very busy, very quickly and unless you’re willing to stand and wait for hours, this is the only way.
“As for food… pizza, pasta, gelato, they’re all staples in the Roman diet.
If you’re near the Colosseum, try Zia Rosetta which serves mega sandwiches stuffed with traditional ham fillings.” – Assistant Travel Editor, Sophie Swietochowski
“If you want some (almost) guaranteed sun, Lanzarote is a safe bet for a June getaway.
“Daytime temperatures usually sit around 27C, rain is virtually non-existent, and a one-way flight is £18 with Ryanair – you can’t beat it really.
“On my visit, I stayed near Playa Blanca, which is Lanzarote’s southernmost resor,s scattered with beach bars, restaurants and small sandy bays.
“It can be busy, but if you carry on walking along the front, you’re bound to find a much quieter spot.
“You can’t beat sitting out at one of the sea-facing bars with a cheap beer, soaking up the sunshine with a glass of Dorada you can pick up for €3 (£2.59).” –Travel Reporter, Alice Penwill
“When I first visited Malta, several years ago, my only holiday demands were: guaranteed sunshine, decent food and flights that wouldn’t break the bank – and that’s exactly what I got.
“My girlfriends and I had booked a sweet little apartment overlooking St Julian’s Bay, an area littered with waterfront restaurants and a charming old-world feel to it.
“I remember the water being as clear and turquoise as the Caribbean Sea, with the dinky boats bobbing atop.
“At the weekend we caught the bus to Marsaxlokk where a traditional fishing market still operates every Sunday – get there in the early to mid morning to avoid the crowds.
“We came home with stacks of fresh prawns for only a few euros that we sizzled on the barbecue back at our apartment.
“Make sure to visit the capital Valletta while you’re here, too. The city is significant in British history and it became a hub for the Royal Navy in the 19th century.
“Pop into St. John’s Co-Cathedral, one of the most beautiful baroque structures I’ve ever laid eyes on.
“Flights to Valletta start from £18 in June“. – Assistant Travel Editor, Sophie Swietochowski
“There’s a reason why Paris is a dream destination for so many.
“Incredible food, glitzy nightlife, plus some of Europe’s top art galleries and museums.
“What’s great about Paris is that there’s so many types of trip you can take, making it the kind of city you can visit again and again.
“Spend a romantic weekend in the cobbled streets of Montmartre, where you can watch the sun set over the city from the highest point in Paris. Soak up the views from the steps of The Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
“Or spend a week with the family at Disneyland Paris, where you can explore their new World of Frozen – a new attraction we’re lucky to have right on our doorstep as Brits.
“My favourite way to visit Paris is as a girly holiday. Hit the Galeries Lafayette for world-famous shopping, then grab some boujee Instagram pictures together in the Palais Garnier.
“Make sure to go for brunch in Mon Crème, where dried flowers drape from the ceiling and candlesticks give the cosy restaurant a warm glow – plus I would fly over just to eat their Duck Confit again.
“With £28 return flights on Skyscanner, ticking off one of the world’s dreamiest capital cities can cost you less than going out for lunch.” – Travel Reporter, Jenna Stevens
“Let’s face it, Italy‘s Pisa is famous for its leaning tower in the city centre and you can see it for yourself for £15 with Ryanair.
“Before you get to the tower, take a leisurely stroll along the Arno River where there are lots of cafes and restaurants.
“I stopped into Bottega for a tasty strawberry and kiwi smoothie for €5 (£4.32) – the same price as a glass of wine, I might add.
“Further into the city, there are shopping streets, some designer outlets and plenty of places to grab a souvenir too.
“I found it does get very busy once you get to the Leaning Tower of Pisa – and a trip is not complete without the mandatory photo outside pretending to push the building upright.
“It can take a while to get into the right position, but I discovered the biggest challenge is trying not to get too many other tourists doing exactly the same thing in the background.” Travel Reporter, Alice Penwill
“You can hop over to Crete for £18 each way – not a bad deal for a trip to the largest Greek island.
“Just an hour’s drive from Chania airport will land you in Rethymno, a coastal city with a sprawling Old Town full of surprises.
“Stroll along the Venetian Harbour to watch colourful fishing boats bob, overlooked by a charming stone lighthouse which was built in 1830.
“Then dip into your pick of tavernas to try some Dakos, a delicious Cretan bruschetta with some local wine.
“After an afternoon exploring the maze-like streets, come back for dinner to try one of the best burgers you’ll ever have.
“Mojo Burgers is a strikingly modern burger joint in the heart of the Old Town, serving up sloppy American-style burgers oozing with flavour.
“Make sure to sign your name on the wall once you’ve eaten to follow tradition.” – Travel Reporter, Jenna Stevens
*Prices correct at the time of publication
Now in its 40th iteration, Grand Performances will celebrate this milestone with dazzling performances all summer long at the California Plaza in downtown L.A.
The free concert series kicks off with a performance by the Latin hip-hop funk band Ozomatli on June 13. Tropicalia group Healing Gems and the Afro-Latin fusion band Jungle Fire will also make special appearances, all while DJ Liza Richardson keeps the groove going.
“For 40 years, Grand Performances has been a gathering place where Los Angeles comes alive through music, culture, and shared experience,” said Rafael González, president and CEO of Grand Performances, in a press release. “This year, we honor that legacy by continuing to open our stage, free and for everyone, so that every Angeleno can find themselves in the experience and feel part of something larger.”
On June 27, the Chicano troupe Culture Clash will return to the Grand Performances stage with comedic sketches colored by political and social satire. The trio — which includes Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Sigüenza — formed in 1984 in the San Francisco Mission District. Through its avant-garde live skits, the group has weighed in on topics like race, immigration and politics, including the 2016 election race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
Also joining the comedy show are retro cumbia-quebradita musician É Arenas (bassist of Chicano Batman) and the cumbia-fusion, luchador-masked cumbia group La Nueva Ola de Cumbia, as well as DJ Dali. (Editor’s note: De Los is co-presenting the Grand Performances on June 27.)
This summer will also pay tribute to a host of musical legends.
There will be an intergenerational dance party on July 18 with DJ Spinna on the booth, in honor of 76-year-old R&B-pop artist Stevie Wonder — who performed a memorable summer concert in 2013 alongside Ozomatli and La Santa Cecilia.
On Aug. 1, a 12-piece jazz ensemble will gather in tribute to the late Roy Ayers, the pioneering jazz-funk vibraphonist and godfather of neo soul.
Chicano trailblazer Ritchie Valens, best known for classic rock tracks “La Bamba,” “Donna” — will also get his due on Aug. 22, with a stacked program that features live music, narration and archival visuals honoring the late Pacoima legend. There will be performances by Nick Waterhouse, Shannon Shaw (of Shannon & the Clams), Joey Quiñones (Thee Sinseers), Bryan Ponce (The Altons), Denise Carlos & Hector Flores (Las Cafeteras), Angie Monroy (The McCharmlys), Irene Diaz and Jose Varela (Cutty Flam).
The season will wrap up on Aug. 29 with Mexico City cumbia punks Son Rompe Pera, joined by the all-femme percussion ensemble Bloco Obini and violinist Quetzal Guerrero, also known as QVLN (Q-Violin).
Grand Performances has hosted free outdoor performances annually since 1987. The organization’s focus is on giving a platform to both global and local performers, including previous headliners iLe, Adrian Quesada and Ana Tijoux. The full 2026 lineup can be found here.
14:45, 11 Jun 2026Updated 15:06, 11 Jun 2026
Jet2 is making its largest ever winter travel offer
Jet2 has announced the launch of a brand-new range of travel options for Brits seeking some winter warmth. The 2027/28 Winter Sun programme will be the largest ever offered by the leisure airline and tour operator.
It will see nearly 4.5million seats go on sale for the winter, flying to 17 destinations from airports including Belfast International, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool John Lennon, London Gatwick, London Stansted, London Luton, Manchester and Newcastle International.
The programme encompasses 181 routes, covering the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Palma, Mainland Spain (Alicante, Malaga), Balearics (Majorca), Portugal (Faro and Madeira), Turkey (Antalya), Malta, Morocco (Marrakech and Agadir), Cyprus (Paphos), and Egypt (Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada).
Jet2 says it is the first airline and tour operator to go on sale for the winter of 2027/28. In the coming weeks, the airline and tour operator will also unveil details of its Ski, City Breaks and Iceland programmes for Winter 27/28.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, said: “Our winter sun programme for 2027/28 is on sale nice and early, and we are very pleased to be giving customers and independent travel agents fantastic choice and flexibility.
“The launch of our biggest ever winter sun programme gives customers from across all 14 of our UK airport bases huge choice. We have designed the programme in direct response to demand, so as well as offering 4.5 million seats, this will be our first year of full winter season operations to Egypt. We are not done yet, with even more exciting announcements about our Winter 27/28 programme coming soon.”
Key Winter Sun highlights by base for Winter 27/28 include:
Belfast International Airport
Birmingham Airport
Bournemouth Airport
Bristol Airport
Edinburgh Airport
East Midlands Airport
Glasgow International Airport
Leeds Bradford Airport
London Gatwick Airport
Liverpool John Lennon Airport
London Luton Airport
Manchester Airport
Newcastle International Airport
London Stansted Airport
