rival

EasyJet announced this week that it will axe all its flights from Leeds Bradford Airport early next year – routes cut include Paris, Barcelona and Malaga

Ryanair is offering bargain rescue flights after a rival axed flights at a busy UK airport.

EasyJet announced this week that it will axe all its flights from Leeds Bradford Airport early next year. The last easyJet flight from the hub will be on from January 5, 2027. Routes cut include Paris, Barcelona and Malaga.

Ryanair has launched “rescue fares” for £29.99 following easyJet’s flight cancellations at the airport.

From Friday, August 21, Ryanair flights between Leeds Bradford and Malaga in Spain, will be £29.99.

Ryanair currently operates 10 weekly flights between Leeds and the Spanish tourist spot.

Travellers can book the rescue fares until the end of February 2027.

“While easyJet abandons Leeds Bradford, cutting its full schedule from 5 Jan 2027, Ryanair is saving the day with rescue fares from just £29.99 for affected passengers – particularly those booked to fly easyJet from Leeds Bradford to Malaga, who can now switch to one of Ryanair’s 10 Malaga services per week,” Ryanair’s Director of Comms, Jade Kirwan, said.

When easyJet made the announcement, a spokesperson said: “Following a review of our routes from Leeds Bradford Airport, we have made the decision to no longer operate flights from the airport after 5 January.

“Our focus is on maintaining and developing routes which prove most popular with customers.

“We value the relationship we have built with Leeds Bradford Airport and we always keep options for our network under review, with the aim of providing more choice and connectivity where we see demand.”

Werro’s triumph was all the more impressive given she suffered a nasty fall in her semi-final on Thursday, before later being reinstated into the final.

Replays showed the left hand of France’s Anais Bourgoin had clipped Werro’s right foot. But, clutching her chest in pain as she jogged across the line, she still faced a race against time to recover.

That drama led to a congested 10-athlete final – but, despite Briton Jemma Reekie’s best efforts, there only ever appeared three contenders for gold.

Hodgkinson had twice beaten Werro during the indoor season – including to win her first world title – but was stunned when the European under-23 champion surged past her at the Stockholm Diamond League this summer and produced the first sub-1:54 clocking since 1983.

Hodgkinson, who achieved the first major outdoor title of her career at the European Championships in 2022 before retaining the title in Rome two years ago, vowed not to allow that to happen again.

But Werro crashed her bid to become the first British woman to win three consecutive European titles in the same event, proving she will be a force to be reckoned with on athletics’ biggest stages over the coming years.

Hodgkinson can also expect Broeders-Bol, third in 1:55.54, to only improve with World Championship gold up for grabs next year, following the rapid progress made by the two-time world 400m hurdles champion since switching events this season.

NICE, France — Dutch rider Demi Vollering won the Women’s Tour de France for the second time and in style by winning Sunday’s ninth and final stage to extend her overall margin of victory.

The 2023 champion raised her bike in the air moments after crossing the finish line in Nice comfortably ahead of Polish rider Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney, the 2024 champion. Niewiadoma-Phinney started Sunday’s stage eight seconds behind Vollering, who got a time bonus for winning the stage.

Knowing that she was well clear of her rival, Vollering began to celebrate as the line approached, raising her arm in triumph and then tapping her head with her finger to show her mental strength.

She finished the stage 1 minute, 4 seconds ahead of Spaniard Paula Blasi Cairol and Niewiadoma-Phinney and, after collecting the time bonus, ended up 1:18 clear of Niewiadoma-Phinney overall.

Former Giro d’Italia champion Elisa Longo Borghini of Italy was third overall in the Tour — 4:29 behind — after Marlen Reusser lost valuable time after crashing going downhill after the second of the day’s four climbs.

Niewiadoma-Phinney had it all to do on the final climb, especially with her rival sitting on her wheel, and was unable to pressure Vollering.

Vollering attacked about 800 meters from the top and dropped Niewiadoma-Phinney — as she did when winning Saturday’s eighth stage to take the overall lead from her rival.

Two years ago, Vollering missed out on Tour victory after finishing an agonizing four seconds behind Niewiadoma-Phinney on the last stage.

She made full amends this time.

The 29-year-old Vollering has now won five Grand Tours, including two Spanish Vuelta titles and the Giro d’Italia secured in June to join countrywoman Annemiek van Vleuten as the only other female cyclist to have won all three Grand Tours.

Four climbs

Each of the first three climbs on Sunday was 7.7 kilometers long with a 5.9% average gradient. But the final ascent branched off onto a slightly different route which, even though it was shorter at 6 kilometers, had a steeper average gradient of 7.6% with one portion stretching to a grueling 12%.

It made little difference.

After winning Friday’s seventh stage with an impressive solo attack of her own up the iconic Mont Ventoux, Niewiadoma-Phinney seemed short of energy and Vollering’s lead was never under threat.

On July 10, almost exactly a year after the Pentagon announced it was becoming the largest shareholder in MP Materials, the International Energy Agency put a number on what that deal was designed to prevent: $6.5 trillion in global downstream production now sits exposed to China’s rare-earth export curbs — restrictions currently suspended under an October 2025 truce that lapses again around October 2026. In the year between those two dates, Washington did not simply subsidize its way out of dependency on Chinese processing. It bought in: $400 million for 15 percent of MP Materials, a decade-long price floor for neodymium-praseodymium set nearly double the market rate, and a ten-year promise to buy everything a new Texas magnet plant produces. The Pentagon is now, functionally, a mining shareholder. The interesting question is not whether that has worked — MP’s private financing round attracted $1 billion from J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs within weeks — but what it costs to win a state-capitalist contest by becoming a state capitalist.

The stakes are structural, not cyclical. China controls roughly 70 percent of the world’s rare-earth and critical-mineral refining capacity, a chokepoint built over three decades while Western producers treated minerals as ordinary commodities rather than strategic assets. Beijing’s October 2025 tariff-war truce with Washington postponed, rather than cancelled, an expanded licensing regime that already cut U.S. yttrium imports from 333 tonnes to 17 tonnes in eight months — a squeeze aerospace manufacturers say could force production pauses. Washington’s answer has three parts: Project Vault, a $12 billion public-private stockpile signed by executive order on February 2, 2026, covering all 60 minerals on the USGS critical list; a fast-growing portfolio of direct government equity stakes in miners and processors; and a parallel push to sign allied-supply agreements with eight partners, including Australia, Japan, the UK and the UAE. Europe, meanwhile, is running a different playbook: a €3 billion RESourceEU plan, a joint-purchasing platform, and a stockpiling pilot — procurement and coordination, not ownership.

The MP Materials deal is the template, and its mechanics matter more than its headline. The Department of Defense’s July 2025 investment made it MP’s largest shareholder, attached a $150 million loan for expanding the Mountain Pass mine, and guaranteed a $110-per-kilogram floor price for NdPr oxide — a level industry analysts put at nearly double the prevailing market price — alongside a ten-year offtake covering the full output of a planned magnet facility in Fort Worth. Private capital followed the government’s signal almost immediately, which is precisely the point: Washington concluded that a guarantee was worth more to investors than a grant. That logic has since scaled. The administration has taken a $670 million stake in magnet producer Vulcan Elements, a 10 percent, $35.6 million position in Trilogy Metals, converted a renegotiated Energy Department loan into equity in Lithium Americas, and expanded the official critical-minerals list to include copper and metallurgical coal. Total direct equity commitments now exceed $1 billion, on top of Project Vault’s $12 billion stockpile.

The backlash has been immediate and specific, and it is worth taking seriously rather than waving off as sour grapes. Rival producers argue the price floor lets MP “undercut commercial bids, using federal subsidies to shield its margins,” while former White House and Pentagon officials warn the arrangement could “distort global NdPr pricing, crowd out innovation, and deter private investment in alternative supply chains” — in effect, recreating the very state-directed monopoly the policy exists to counter. That is the strongest objection, and it does not fully land: a government willing to take equity risk, rather than hand out grants, at least has an incentive to see the investment succeed and can in principle profit from the upside, which is the argument the Treasury and National Energy Dominance Council make for why this is smarter policy than Cold War-style stockpiling alone. But the objection identifies a real cost even if it doesn’t defeat the policy: an above-market, government-guaranteed price for one company makes every unsubsidized competitor in the same commodity harder to finance, which narrows rather than widens the eventual supplier base — the opposite of the diversification the strategy claims to deliver.

There is a second problem the price-floor logic obscures: capital committed is not the same as metal produced. The Center for Strategic and International Studies frames this as the difference between “distance” — how much progress has been announced — and “displacement” — how far supply chains have actually moved from their starting point. Japan’s experience with Lynas Rare Earths is the sobering comparison: fifteen years and $250 million of patient, low-drama investment before Lynas achieved the first commercial dysprosium production outside China, in 2025. Washington’s approach substitutes speed and scale for that patience, which may be the correct trade given the urgency, but it means the MP deal’s real test has not yet arrived — it arrives when the Fort Worth facility is supposed to reach full commercial output, not when Wall Street decides to match the Pentagon’s bet.

None of this is happening in a China-versus-America vacuum, either. The Democratic Republic of Congo has extended its cobalt export suspension specifically to tighten leverage over Chinese refiners, and Indonesia has repeatedly resisted pressure to loosen nickel export quotas, forcing processing onshore on its own terms. Producer states, not only the two superpowers, are now treating minerals as instruments of strategic leverage rather than commodities to be sold at whatever price clears the market. That reframes the whole contest: this is not simply Washington racing to catch Beijing, but a broader shift in which every government that sits on a mineral deposit is deciding whether to sell it or wield it.

Which is where Europe’s exposure becomes concrete. RESourceEU gives Brussels coordination and buying power, but no board seats and no offtake priority — and Chatham House’s own assessment is blunt that the UK and EU “cannot match the scale of what the US is attempting” and risk being “left behind” without equity of their own. That matters because Washington’s price floors do not stay domestic: a guaranteed $110/kg for MP’s output resets the benchmark every other buyer, including European manufacturers, has to price against, while offtake agreements tied to U.S. defense production can put European buyers behind the queue when supply tightens. The diversification Europe wants — away from dependence on Beijing — is real, but the replacement supply chain now runs increasingly through companies Washington part-owns and whose output is pre-committed to American industry first. Substituting one chokepoint for another is not the same as building a market.

What Happens Next

Base case (our estimate: roughly 55 percent probability). Washington’s equity-and-price-floor model extends to more minerals — copper and metallurgical coal are already on the list — and more companies, Project Vault’s stockpile builds through 2026–27, and the October 2025 China truce holds past its lapse date. Europe continues a purchasing-only strategy, remaining a price-taker on a benchmark increasingly set in Washington rather than Shanghai. This depends on Congress and private markets continuing to treat government equity as a credible signal rather than a fiscal liability, and on China preferring managed leverage over an open rupture.

Downside case. China allows the truce to lapse on schedule around October 2026 and resumes full licensing enforcement — already quietly restarting, according to recent customs-audit reports — before Vault-funded and MP-style projects reach meaningful output. Aerospace and defense manufacturers, already forced to ration yttrium and dysprosium at a fraction of pre-2025 volumes, face renewed production pauses in the exact window (2026–2028) when domestic capacity is still years from scale, exposing the gap between announced investment and actual tonnage.

Upside case. Government stakes prove to be a bridge rather than a permanent structure: MP, Vulcan Elements and Lithium Americas hit production targets on schedule, price floors become unnecessary as Japan’s Lynas eventually showed is possible after fifteen years of patient investment, and the eight-nation allied-supply framework matures into a genuinely plural, competitively priced market that Europe can buy into on equal terms rather than through Washington’s balance sheet.

The Pentagon’s bet on MP Materials shows that the fastest way to out-compete a state-directed rival was to become one — and by the only metric available so far, capital raised, that gamble is working. But capital raised is not resilience, and every mineral now being withheld or weaponized elsewhere, from Congolese cobalt to Indonesian nickel, shows the world’s supply chains are being redrawn along political lines everywhere, not simply rerouted away from Beijing.

Watch whether China lets its rare-earth export truce lapse on schedule around October 2026, and whether MP Materials’ Fort Worth magnet plant is producing at commercial scale when it does. If the truce holds and the plant delivers, Washington’s ownership model will keep expanding. If either fails, the U.S. will have discovered it bought a shareholding in a company, not a supply chain immune to the country it was built to out-manoeuvre.

PETE Tong has hit back at a rival DJ as they are embroiled in a row over a music collaboration gone wrong.

American DJ John Summit took to X in a rant where he claimed that the Radio 1 star had ‘promised’ to release his music together, but then decided to work with Dutch DJ Franky Rizardo instead and “jacked” John’s remix.

Fans of Pete and Franky were excited when the DJs revealed they were releasing a new remix of Everything But The Girl’s Missing earlier this year, but ran into controversy when John made the public claims that he was meant to be involved too.

John wrote online: “hey @petetong thanks for promising to release my missing remix with u (while doing nothing in terms of production)

“Then jacking my remix to release with franky rizardo release class act you are. to think i actually looked up to u too.”

John then went on to claim that there was ‘proof’ and said: “Also i ended up doing the whole orchestral version myself which im premiering this weekend, thanks for the zero help”.

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Pete hit back in a video, as he claimed discussions of working with John were simply that and never came to fruition, and that the project with Franky was an ‘independent’ one.

In a video, Pete said: “I’m disappointed. I don’t like being accused of things that aren’t true. If you’ve got a problem, pick up the phone – that’s certainly what I would preach.”

Going on to say that he had tried to call and text John with no avail, Pete claimed: “I think we acted correctly, we laid out the scenario to his team, for one reason or another, it wasn’t to be.

“They never got back to us, we carried on making the other version with Franky. And that’s it.”

Pete later explained: “We had positive conversations on text about doing a new version of his remix and at the same time I was talking to Franky.

“It’s quite normal when releasing a song to have different versions of the same song.

“I started the conversation with both of them, I got into it with John because he was particularly interested in the orchestra because he wanted to perform the song with an orchestra himself.”

Pete then said his management took over communication and told John they were also working on a version with Franky.

He claimed how his team then failed to hear back from John and chased him “multiple times” but never heard back.

Pete did hear back from Franky, he says, and they continued to work on their planned track.

Following John’s very public claims, Franky announced he was withdrawing from the release – saying it “no longer feels right”.

A number of companies are bidding to offer services under the Channel Tunnel, and one start-up is looking to offer direct services to a variety of European cities, as well as opening up a former Eurostar route

Since its launch in 1994, Eurostar has held a near-monopoly over the Channel Tunnel route as the only high-speed rail operator that could offer services from London to European cities.

But that is set to change, with a number of rival companies now planning to offer their own services connecting with Europe, and one provider could be offering a range of new direct routes from 2030.

Gemini Trains, a start-up operator, has planned a number of new routes that would run from the capital, which would see direct trains from the UK to Germany for the first time. Its plans also include convenient links from London to Paris, with introductory fares reportedly starting at £59.

Initial planned services would include London to Paris Nord, Disneyland Paris, and Charles de Gaulle Airport. It’s also reportedly considering offering links to Brussels-Midi and Cologne, and then expanding to Frankfurt and Düsseldorf.

While Eurostar previously offered a direct route to Disneyland Paris, this was discontinued in 2023 due to the company focusing on its city destinations after the pandemic. Offering services direct to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport would mean travellers could also avoid having to take taxis or public transport from Gare du Nord for connections, which can take around half an hour and can be complicated during rush hour.

Gemini claims a London to Cologne route would take around four hours directly. Currently, it can take six hours with at least one change.

However, the trains would not run from St Pancras, due to pressures on capacity, and instead Gemini plans to create a hub at Stratford International, offering stops at Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International, which used to have Eurostar services. Kent locals have long campaigned for a return of its continental services since they were suspended in March 2020 due to Covid-19, only to never resume.

Gemini’s plans include leasing eight Siemens Velaro Novo trains, each one capable of carrying 550 passengers, and promising “comfortable seats, good wifi and mood lighting.” There will also be a business class available with privacy screens.

The start-up is not the only challenger to emerge against Eurostar. Virgin Trains has ordered 12 Alstom trains and secured access to Temple Mills, a depot in East London that’s the only site that can house cross-channel trains. Gemini did not manage to secure access to Temple Mills, but is looking at a potential depot in Ashford, or may base it in Belgium or Germany.

Trenitalia, the Italian rail operator, and a Spanish start-up called Evolyn, are said to be mulling over plans to offer cross-channel services.

Adrian Quine, CEO of Gemini Trains, said: “The forecast growth through the Channel Tunnel is enormous, yet only 50 per cent of the slots on the track are currently used. Eurostar, a monopoly operator, has become lackluster and very expensive. We will shake things up by offering new routes, new stations, new trains, new interiors, new cheaper fares and encouraging people to shift from plane to train.

“For too long, there has been no choice but Eurostar, which in 32 years has opened up virtually no new routes and in fact has cut some.”

However, Eurostar is reportedly fighting back against its new raft of rivals, investing £1.7 billion into 50 new double-decker trains, and plans to launch direct services to Geneva and Frankfurt, via Cologne, with an estimated start date of 2031.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

Emmerdale star Shebz Miah arrived in the village in 2025. Here’s everything you need to know about the actor.

Shebz Miah’s real age recently left Emmerdale fans surprised, as they thought the actor was much younger.

In March 2025, actor Shebz arrived in the village as Kammy Hadiq and caused a stir by stealing a quad bike from Moira Dingle’s (Natalie J Robb) land, with Ross Barton (Mike Parr) being blamed for the theft.

This incident introduced Kammy as a bad boy, and he soon caught Sarah Sugden’s (Katie Hill) attention when she found him struggling to start the stolen vehicle by the roadside.

Kammy was soon caught up in a love triangle with Sarah and Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) as both men tried to win her over. As fans know, Sarah and Jacob rekindled their romance, and have since gotten married and are surrogate parents to baby Leyla.

Meanwhile, Kammy caught the affection of close pal Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson), whom he had to gently let down, but revealed his true caring and loyal nature following Vinny’s violent attack.

In a devastating twist, Kammy recently confessed to being homeless, a revelation that left viewers in tears. He was living in a barn and explained that his family estrangement was directly linked to the difficult path his life had taken after tragedy struck in his family years ago.

“My dad died. Unexpected,” he told Belle. “I took it really bad, I didn’t look after my mum how I should have done”. Struggling to cope with his grief, Kammy started mixing with the wrong crowd and became involved in stealing cars.

This led Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) to welcome the mechanic into the family as his romance with Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) blossomed.

Taking to Instagram earlier this year, Shebz, from Bradford in West Yorkshire, shared snippets for his time on the ITV soap so far and wrote: “One year bringing Kammy to life. Grateful for the journey, the incredible people behind the scenes, and everyone who’s welcomed the character into their homes…We’re only just getting started… “

Before his stint in the Dales, eagle-eyed fans might recognise Shebz from his cameo in a 2024 episode of Casualty, where he portrayed Noor Din, and from popping up in Doctors in 2023 as Reece Shaw.

How old is Shebz Miah?

Shebz recently celebrated his 29th birthday, which left fans ‘floored’ as they assumed he was much younger. One fan wrote on Facebook: “Happy 29th birthday to Shebz, who plays Kammy”, as another replied: “29!!! I’m shocked.”

A third chimed in: “I thought he was about 20!!”, as another echoed the sentiment: “Happy birthday, I thought he was only 20 years old, he doesn’t look 29.”

“I didn’t think he was 29, he doesn’t look it. Happy birthday,” exclaimed one person as another simply asked, “29?”

Soap star Shabz tends to keep his private life away from the spotlight and has yet to confirm a romance off-screen.

Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX

WORK will start in September on a new mega airport which will take on major hubs like London Heathrow and Dubai.

When fully operational, it’s expected to have as many as 60million passengers every year.

The airport called Port Polska, formerly Centralny Port Komunikacyjny, will be one one of the biggest in Europe once fully built.

Designs for the Polish terminal by Foster + Partners (behind projects such as Crossrail Place Canary Wharf and other major airports) and and Buro Happold were accepted in late-2025.

Now, Budimex has been contracted to start the work on its foundations which will start in September of this year.

This initial work is expected to be completed in 2027 at the cost of £28.6million.

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The entire project is expected to be built for £27billion.

It’s been said that the ‘infrastructure will make it the most modern airport in Central Europe‘.

Port Polska is scheduled to open in 2032 with two runways and capacity for more than 300,000 flights each year.

It will have just one passenger terminal which will cover 450,000m².

This means it will be almost three times the size of nearby Warsaw Chopin Airport’s passenger terminal.

The terminal at Port Polska will be across three levels.

Level two will be where travellers will find the ticket and baggage check-in, security control, arrivals and departures for the Schengen zone.

Level one will be where most of the arrivals and departures for the Non-Schengen zone, transfer centres and passport control.

Level zero will have coach gates for both Schengen and non-Schengen zones, baggage reclaim and an arrivals hall.

Initially, it will have two runways, but there are plans to expand with a third runway in the future, and even a fourth.

The project includes plans for over a thousand miles of new high-speed railway.

According to the schedule, the airport’s railway station will be completed by 2029.

In its first stage, Port Polska Airport is expected to handle up to 11,000 passengers per hour, and up to 34million per year.

By 2040, the airport could see over 60million passengers per year.

In comparison, 84.5million passengers travel through London Heathrow Airport each year.

Meanwhile, Dubai International Airport (DXB) handled a record-breaking 95.2 million passengers last year.

The airport was initially set to be called Centralny Port Komunikacyjny, or CPK.

In December last year, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the name had been changed: “We won’t be using a name that our predecessors discredited.

“Everyone who lands there, everyone who uses this airport, everyone who shops there should know: yes—this is the heart of Europe, yes—this is Port Polska.”

Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club, said Apollo was focusing on EasyJet’s potential.

“While the carrier has been buffeted recently by higher fuel costs and geopolitical turbulence, it has built a resilient European network, a strong balance sheet and, crucially, a fast-growing holidays business. That’s likely to be one of Apollo’s biggest attractions.”

“Package holidays generate higher margins and more predictable revenues than airline tickets alone,” she added.

“For passengers, it’s very much business as usual for now, with flights, bookings and loyalty schemes unaffected while any deal works its way through the regulatory process.”

The latest statement from EasyJet does not mean a deal has been confirmed. Apollo has been set a deadline of 17:00 on 7 August to either make a firm bid for EasyJet or walk away. Castlelake’s deadline to make a firm offer is 3 August.

Apollo’s move came after Castlelake had made a series of offers for EasyJet, which had initially been rebuffed by the carrier after it accused the US firm of trying to buy it “on the cheap”.

However, on Sunday, EasyJet said it had reached an agreement in principle with Castlelake, a US investment firm, over a potential takeover offer worth around £5.2bn.

One significant regulatory hurdle to any EasyJet takeover is that European Union regulations stipulate the carrier must be majority-owned by EU citizens.

Castlelake had proposed going into partnership with two EU nationals, businessmen Peter Bellew and Mark Breen. They would own an EU-based company that would have majority control of the airline.

Apollo said it will take “all necessary steps” to meet any EU conditions surrounding the deal.

EasyJet said the offer from Apollo represented an 81% increase from its share price of £3.94 on 28 May, the last day of trading before the takeover interest from Castlelake was made public.

Until EasyJet reached agreement with Castlelake, it had accused the US firm of being “highly opportunistic” with its bids, arguing that its share price had been “temporarily depressed” partly due to the impact of Iran war on the travel sector.

THINK family fun, adrenaline- seeking and a Stateside holiday – and Orlando is most likely to spring to mind.

But the Florida tourist favourite is now being given a run for its money by the Texan city of San Antonio. 

Sure, there’s no destination with more theme parks than Orlando — which has ten to choose from, including big-ticket names Disney and Universal — but San Antonio’s four are unique.  

And, best of all, they are significantly less hard on the wallet. 

First stop on my theme park crawl of the city was Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first ultra-accessible theme park and a prime example of what makes San Antonio so special for this type of holiday. 

The thinking behind the 25-acre park’s “inclusive” billing is that there are genuinely rides for everybody to enjoy — families can truly participate together and have fun with one another.  

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Then there’s SeaWorld which, while also plying its trade in Orlando, provides a much more immersive and educational experience in Texas — really shining at a time when many are questioning the ethics around zoos and aquariums.  

On my visit, I was hugely impressed by the knowledge and passion that staff brought to our animal encounters, and by the lack of showiness around these — the sense was that we were there to observe, not that the marine life was there to perform.  

Adrenaline seekers are not forgotten about in San Antonio, either.  

They can get their kicks at Six Flags — a site of more than 200 acres with 11 roller- coasters and a waterpark.

The rides may not be as dramatic or heavily themed as those at Walt Disney World, but they will certainly impress even the biggest coaster buffs.  

Meanwhile, those travelling with younger children can avoid the heaving tourist crowds that you will likely encounter on a holiday to Orlando.  

But what also makes San Antonio a sure hit for parents, compared with Orlando, is that you can save mega-bucks on entry.  

On average, you’re looking at spending around US$50-$100 per adult here, compared to US$99-$147 in Florida — a huge difference if paying for an entire family.  

Theme parks aside, San Antonio is a marvel in itself, too. 

It predates Orlando by around 150 years so has more of a story to tell, having played a significant part in The Texan Revolution.  

You can learn all about this at the fabulous Alamo heritage site. 

Visitors can view the preserved Catholic mission where the Battle of Alamo was fought in 1836, between a small number of plucky Texan defenders and the mighty Mexican army.  

It’s rare to see anybody, let alone a proud US state, celebrate a fight they lost. But this two-week conflict, where the Texans ultimately met with defeat, has become synonymous with bravery and resistance.  

Touring the historic site, which includes a chapel and barracks, I was struck by the overarching message that comes across: it’s not about winning but about trying. And at $48 entry for a family of four, it’s great value for money.

San Antonio also has an impressive zoo, in Brackenridge Park — but if your holiday aim is to do things you’d not easily be able to do back home, then take a short stroll through the park to the Witte Museum.  

It is somewhat akin to London’s Natural History Museum in terms of being brilliantly kid-friendly.  

It’s also fascinating — to the extent that little ones will barely even clock how much local and historical knowledge they’re soaking up.  

Naturally, the Dinosaur Hall is a draw, but the Texas Wild Gallery and McNay Family Global Gallery are each special.  

Wildlife habitats in the former, and tales of how locals lived in ancient times in the latter, combine in a way that’s compelling for visitors both young and old. 

Do note, however, that some attractions in San Antonio are closed in winter, or operate on a limited schedule. Six Flags, for instance, opens only on weekends. 

In summer, meanwhile, beware the heat — which can near 40C. But there is welcome air-con at museums such as the Witte, and the very child-friendly DoSeum — a hands-on, learn-through-play space. 

Outdoors, the San Antonio Botanic Garden has a water-play feature, and boat rides along the San Antonio river are shady and cool, plus a load of fun for families.  

San Antonio serves up great food, too. While “family friendly” can mean highly processed hot dogs and chicken nuggets, it’s a different story here — where barbecue, Tex Mex dishes and celebratory decor make for fun and flavourful dining.  

In particular, do eat at local institution Mi Tierra, which is festooned with colourful paper banners and wandered through by traditional Mexican mariachi musicians.  

The Tejas Rodeo is unmissable, too, bringing people of all ages together for an evening of bull and horse riding, as well as barrel racing, against a backdrop of Western music and steakhouse aromas.  

Even littlies get in on the action, with “mutton bustin’” — trying to stay on the back of a bucking sheep.  

You’re not likely to find that in Orlando.  

THE White House has shared its own Taylor Swift-inspired post ahead of the popstar’s lavish wedding to Travis Kelce.

The official White House Instagram account shared a photo of “America’s Eras Tour” in the same style as Taylor’s iconic Eras Tour poster.

The image showed President Donald Trump in the middle with his fist raised, surrounded by ten photos depicting moments in American history.

The post included two additional photos of Trump in addition to Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

There were other images showing a hockey game, the moon landing, and a photo from the end of World War II showing a US Navy sailor kissing a woman in Times Square.

“It’s been a long time coming…” the caption read, a nod to Taylor’s lyrics.

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WEDDING TAY!

Taylor Swift’s bullet-proof SUV at MSG as rumors swirl she’s ALREADY married

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Adam Sandler at MSG before Taylor Swift wedding as Selena Gomez shares glam pic

The timing of the post appeared to throw some shade toward Taylor, whose wedding extravaganza is taking place around the Fourth of July weekend and the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

Trump and Taylor have had a longtime feud, where the president blasted the singer as “no longer hot” in a Truth Social post from 2025.

“Has anyone noticed that, since I said ‘I hate Taylor Swift,’ she’s no longer ‘hot?’” he wrote.

He also called out Taylor in his speech congratulating the Philadelphia Eagles on their Super Bowl win in 2025, noting how she was booed on the jumbotron at the Caesars Superdome as she cheered on Travis at the big game.

“The only one that had a tougher night than the Kansas City Chiefs was Taylor Swift,” he wrote on Truth Social after making history as the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl.

Despite the comments, after Trump learned the news that the pair were engaged, he told reporters, “I wish them a lot of luck.”

“He’s a great player and she’s a terrific person.”

The White House’s post on Thursday came as around 100 guests are expected to be attending Taylor and Travis’ rehearsal dinner.

Several A-List celebrities were spotted in New York City ahead of the couple’s big day, including Adam Sandler and his family, who arrived outside of Madison Square Garden on Thursday afternoon.

Jack Antonoff, who recently worked with Taylor on The Tortured Poets Department album, was also spotted in formal attire alongside his sister.

Supermodel Gigi Hadid and actor Bradley Cooper were seen heading to the rehearsal dinner in photos obtained by Page Six.

The rehearsal dinner reportedly began around 6:30pm with fresh lobster possibly on the menu.

MEXICO CITY — Mexico advances to the second round of the World Cup backed by its strong record in the group stage and a formidable fortress — Azteca Stadium — where it will host Ecuador on Tuesday at 6 p.m. PDT in a knockout match airing on Fox and Telemundo.

El Tri became the first Mexican team to win all three of its group stage matches at a World Cup — a perfect finish accompanied by fan support rarely seen before, with more than 80,000 packing Azteca Stadium for two of its games and more than 800,000 surrounding El Ángel de la Independencia statue to celebrate wins.

Coach Javier Aguirre’s third stint leading the national team, which began in 2024 amid skepticism, has sparked World Cup fever in the streets of Mexico City, which have filled with fans wearing green jerseys, along with their dogs, cats and even ducks decked out in the national team colors.

“We’re motivated, but nothing is decided yet,” Mexico forward Armando González said. “Earning points is useless because now comes the important part — do-or-die matches. We’re focused on that.”

Mexico’s Armando González controls the ball in front of South Africa’s Ime Okon during on a World Cup match on June 11 at Azteca Stadium.

(Eduardo Verdugo / Ap Photo/eduardo Verdugo)

The winner of the match will face the winner of the contest between England and Congo on July 5 at Azteca Stadium.

Mexico has also been solid on defense, keeping three clean sheets while scoring six goals.

“We respect all our opponents,” said Mexico defender Jesús Gallardo, who sat out the last group stage match against Czechia. “We know this is the World Cup and every team is playing to win. We’ve won our three matches, and we’re proud of that. But we haven’t won anything yet. Ecuador has played well. We know they’re a very dynamic, very strong team.”

Erik Lira, Raúl Jiménez and Brian Gutiérrez will join Gallardo returning to the lineup after sitting out Mexico’s last match. Gutiérrez had a yellow card and was held out against Czechia to avoid a second yellow card and suspension. Gilberto Mora, 17, started in place of Gutiérrez and had a tremendous performance.

“We have to focus on what we do on the field; we want the fans to cheer us on,” Gallardo said. “We want to bring them a lot of joy.”

Following the convincing 3-0 victory over Czechia while resting some starters, the atmosphere on the Mexican team has been very relaxed, with several videos showing the players joking around with each other. Some of them have been training together for nearly two months because Aguirre arranged a monthlong training camp ahead of the World Cup.

“That’s why these past few months have gone by so quickly. Even though they’re always joking around, we know that we have a brother right beside us who would give his life for us,” González said.

On the other side, Ecuador arrives after advancing as one of the best third-place finishers, having closing Group E competition with four points — a stark contrast to its performance in the South American qualifiers, where Ecuador finished second only to world champion Argentina.

At the World Cup, Ecuador began the tournament with a tough last-minute loss to Ivory Coast and then failed to score against debutant Curacao. But when Ecuador had its back against the wall and needed to beat Germany in the final group-stage match, it pulled off a stunning upset, defeating the German team 2-1 to secure its spot in the next round.

That inconsistency makes Ecuador a wild card.

Mexico’s Luis Romo celebrates with Jesus Gallardo, Erik Lira and Johan Vasquez after scoring against South Korea during a World Cup match at Guadalajara Stadium on June 18.

(Silvia Izquierdo / Ap Photo/silvia Izquierdo)

“That’s what life is all about — having faith, having confidence. The team is very united,” said Sebastián Beccacece, Ecuador’s Argentine coach. “We’ve always remained calm and cautious in the face of adversity.

“The team is united, obviously full of enthusiasm and energy — like all national teams — but also tired, especially due to the schedule. Still, that’s no excuse. We’re driven by enthusiasm and the desire to make history; we’ll build our efforts on these foundations.”

Ecuador has also had to move quickly to plan for the match against Mexico. Following Thursday’s victory, Ecuador didn’t know it would be facing Mexico until Saturday morning. The team tried to travel to Mexico City on Sunday, but it ran into logistical problems and had to do so on Monday.

“Traveling to the Azteca Stadium is going to be a bit of a challenge,” Agustín Delgado, the all-time leading scorer for the Ecuadorian national team, said in an interview with Claro Sports. “That ultimately takes its toll in a match of this magnitude.

“This generation has what it takes for this World Cup and another one after that. They’re very young players. They haven’t reached their full potential yet; they have a lot to give.”

Unlike the game against Czechia, altitude won’t be as big a factor, since the Ecuadorian national team plays its home games in Quito, which sits at an elevation of 9,350 feet — making it the second-highest capital city in the world and more than 2,000 feet higher than Mexico City. It also has players who compete for clubs accustomed to playing at Mexican altitudes, such as Pedro Vite of Pumas and Enner Valencia of Pachuca.

Ecuador boasts proven talent such as Moisés Caicedo of Chelsea in England; William Pacho of Paris Saint-Germain in France; Piero Hincapié of Arsenal; and Joel Ordóñez of Club Brugge in Belgium.

“It’s a close match; there are star players on both teams,” said Álex Aguinaga, a former Ecuadorian player and Liga MX legend who is now a commentator for Fox Sports. “Ecuador’s defense is much more solid; it has players who handle the defensive zone very well.

Mexico fans cheer during a World Cup game against Czechia at Azteca Stadium on June 24.

(Alex Slitz / Getty Images)

“It’s so close, but I think it’s going to come down to a single goal.”

Ecuador will also try to capitalize on the pressure stemming from the fact that Mexico has won only one match in its entire history in knockout rounds — in 1986 when it played at home against Bulgaria and won 2-0. Between 1994 and 2018, Mexico was eliminated in the second round of the World Cup on each of the last seven occasions it reached that stage.

Mexico has never lost a match at Azteca Stadium in a World Cup, and its last defeat in an official match was against Honduras in a qualifying match in 2013.

“I think right now all the opponents are going to be tough; none of them will be easy,” said Obed Vargas, an Atlético Madrid player who has come off the bench for Mexico. “We’re taking it one game at a time, but for me, we have to make it to the final.”

SHE’s a singer, songwriter and actress – but Charli XCX is yet to achieve her original life goal.

The Rock Music singer, whose new song Wink Wink is out now, said: “When I was younger, I thought it would be fun if my job was being a fairy or something.

“I had a pink princess dress, a puffed out sparkly kid’s dress that I just absolutely loved.

“It was probably some sort of Toys R Us situation, the peak of fashion, you know. And it came with these little lacy white gloves.

“I remember being really, really into that when I was younger and always wanting to wear it.”

That’s a far cry from the grungy aesthetic of her new album Music, Fashion, Film – which is out next month.

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In an interview with Bella Freud on her Fashion Neurosis podcast, Charli also opened up about the envy she has for other artists including Lorde, who she collaborated with on the 2024 song Girl, So Confusing.

Quizzed on whether she gets attacks of “competitive jealousy,” she said: “Of course. I think I’ve said this to Lorde before, I was so jealous when I heard Royals for the first time.

“I was like, ‘I’m so jealous. I wish that I could have written that song.’

“I thought it was so spectacular…it really defined a time, that song.”

SIR ROD’S BACK AT FULL GAS

SIR ROD STEWART proved he’s back at the top of his game as he headlined the Rock In Rio festival in Portugal – just days after he was seen needing oxygen during a US gig.

For 100 minutes he barely paused for breath, belting out hit after hit while strutting across the stage – which marked his first Rock in Rio appearance in 18 years.

Sir Rod also used his set to make a political point, shouting “F**k Putin,” as he dedicated Rhythm Of My Heart to the people of Ukraine and their president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, much to the appreciation of the crowd.

Rod also had the Portuguese fans eating out of the palm of his hand as he asked: “Are Portugal going to win the World Cup?

“Fingers crossed, guys, fingers crossed.”

Sadly they’ve got a far better chance than his beloved Scotland, who are already heading home.

MILLIE BOBBY BROWN admits married life didn’t get off to the best start – she was stung by a bee as her husband said his vows.

The Stranger Things actress, who wed model Jake Bongiovi in 2024, explained: “As I was getting married, and my husband was saying his vows, there was a bee under my veil.

“I heard it and I was like, ‘Oh god.’ It started flapping under my veil.

“It stung me and then it got out and probably died

“After we walked down the aisle I was like, ‘Babe, babe, did you see this bumblebee?’ It stung my back and it hurt so bad.”

Speaking on the Jake’s Takes YouTube series, she added: “My acting skills really had to come into play because I had to pretend everything was OK.”

MILLIE: I WAS WIFE TO-BEE…

BAD BUNNY had my beloved Tottenham Hotspur Stadium rocking to a pulsating Latin beat on Saturday night on the first of two sold-out shows.

The star-studded crowd included Adele, Lola Young, Joe Jonas and former Dr Who star Ncuti Gatwa, while tennis legend Novak Djokovic introduced a song.

Newly single Maya Jama was also there, and got on stage to dance with him as part of the brilliant concert.

DUBAI is currently building what will be the biggest, and possibly the most efficient, airport in the world.

Not only will it see millions of passengers through its doors – it also plans on eliminating queues altogether and will even have robot staff.

When Al Maktoum International Airport has been fully expanded and refurbished, it will be the biggest in the world – and it will have all the modcons too.

The airport which will cost £23.5billion and will serve 260million passengers every year is being designed to make travel as smooth as possible.

One of the ways it’s doing this is by creating a way that passengers won’t have to queue, which almost seems like a given in other airports.

At Al Maktoum International Airport, bags could be dropped off before travellers even reach the terminal.

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Passengers will then be able to move through the airport without the usual repeated stops for the likes of security and customs.

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths called this a “no red lights” concept while talking to Khaleej Times.

The airport is set to be huge, but travellers won’t have to worry about walking from one side to the other.

Instead, they will be able to use the ‘integrated underground Automated People Mover system’, which includes a multi-track train.

It will have 14 stations and will transport passengers from terminals to concourses.

It’s designed to help travellers get to their flights in the shortest and quickest route possible.

When it comes to collecting baggage, the new system will be able to process tens of thousands of bags in just one hour.

And better yet, bags are expected to be available within minutes – so there won’t be any standing about waiting for suitcases after a flight.

The airport is also going to be technologically advanced with automated travel systems, AI security check and robot staff.

The robots will be used for various tasks, including baggage handling and potentially customer service roles too.

The terminal isn’t completely new, as Al Maktoum International Airport is an expansion of Dubai World Central.

The nearby Dubai International Airport which is currently the main base in Dubai will close once the new runways are operational which is scheduled for 2032.

Al Maktoum International Airport is 23 miles south of Dubai and once fully up and running will be the largest in the world.

Currently, that title belongs to King Salman International Airport which is currently being constructed in Saudi Arabia.

In comparison Al Maktoum International Airport will be a whopping 70 square kilometres rather than 56.

It will have two passenger terminals, seven concourses and more than 430 aircraft stands.

Holly Willoughby is reportedly planning to relaunch her television career in the coming days on a show which could rival ITV’s This Morning, which she stepped down from in 2023

Holly Willoughby could be back on screens very soon. Since stepping down from ITV’s This Morning in 2023, the presenter has kept a relatively low profile, only appearing on two TV shows.

But according to reports, the 45-year-old has already participated in top-secret on-camera rehearsals for a new TV show, which could see her back on screens in no time. The new lifestyle series, which has recently been looking for staff ahead of its launch, will be titled Together.

And it comes as her This Morning replacement, Cat Deeley and co-star Ben Shephard are taking their summer break from the ITV magazine show. The firm behind the show, Hungry Bear, was recently advertising for a video editor, who would be required to work on “a new online series, producing high-performance, long-form content to be placed on YouTube“.

The hiring advert stated that the candidate would be required to start today or next Monday. The Daily Mail reports that the advert states: “Ideally starting Monday 22nd June (29/06 would be a possibility for the right candidate), the initial term will be four weeks, with the potential to extend to a year-long contract.”

Holly’s husband, Dan Baldwin’s firm, Hungry Bear Media, is behind the new show. She previously hinted at a return to work in a cryptic social media post. Sharing a snap on Instagram last week, Holly said: “Reunited with my absolute dream team today and my face, hair and outfit have never been more grateful.”

In her upload, she tagged make-up artist Patsy O’Neill, her stylist Danielle Whiteman, and hairdresser Ciler Perksah. She went on to add: “Nobody does it like the OGs. But honestly? The drive home might have won the day. My not so baby babies are waiting and that’s the only call time that really matters.”

The star has also filed trademark requests for a wide variety of products under the Together brand, indicating that Holly is keen to launch a spin-off, should the series become a success.

Holly stepped back from her telly roles with ITV in 2025, after appearing as a guest panellist on You Bet! Her time on This Morning came to an end in October 2023, after a plot to abduct her came to light. Since her departure, she has turned her attention to her lifestyle brand, Wylde Moon, which she launched five years ago.

Accounts for the firm from October 2024 show that current net assets amount to £4,831, a significant increase over the previous year’s £ 1,885. However, the company currently owes £733,485 to creditors, an increase from the £583,748 from the previous year. Creditors include HMRC with a £67,262 for Corporation Tax.

She later fronted Celebrity Bear Hunt with Bear Grylls, but the Netflix show was scrapped after just one season.

The Mirror has approached Holly’s spokesperson for comment.

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British heavyweight Moses Itauma will return to action on 29 August to face Filip Hrgovic at London’s O2 Arena.

Itauma claimed an impressive win over Jermaine Franklin in March to stretch his unbeaten record to 14-0 and retain the WBA International and WBO Inter-Continental titles.

That has earned the 21-year-old his first headline fight against Hrgovic, who won bronze for Croatia at the 2016 Olympics and now has a 21-1 professional record.

“This fight is the litmus test Moses is ready for and it is the one he wanted,” said promoter Frank Warren.

Hrgovic stopped Dave Allen in Doncaster last month and the 34-year-old then called for southpaw Itauma.

He and Hrgovic are first and second in the WBO rankings, respectively, and the winner at the O2 is set to be first in line for a shot at Daniel Dubois’ WBO belt.

Hrgovic’s only defeat came against Dubois in June 2024 and he has since beaten three British fighters – Joe Joyce, David Adeleye and Allen.

His bout with Itauma had been earmarked for 25 July, until compatriot Anthony Joshua arranged to face Kristian Prenga on that date.

The rival parties agreed Tuesday to conduct a 45-day parliamentary investigation into the National Election Commission (NEC) over ballot shortages reported during the recent local elections, party officials said.

In a meeting of their deputy floor leaders at the National Assembly, the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) agreed to put the plan to a vote at a parliamentary plenary session on Thursday.

“We agreed to launch the parliamentary probe to swiftly uncover the truth behind the alleged infringement of voting rights of the citizens caused by the ballot shortages and to lay the groundwork for sweeping reforms of the NEC,” Rep. Cheon Jun-ho of the DP told reporters after the meeting.

According to officials from both parties, the special parliamentary committee will be chaired by the PPP and comprise 18 members — nine from the ruling party, seven from the PPP and two from non-negotiating parties.

Rep. Kim Seung-soo of the main opposition PPP said the rival parties agreed to set the investigation period at 45 days in an effort to conduct the probe as swiftly as possible, while leaving open the possibility of an extension if further investigation becomes necessary.

Ballot shortages were reported at more than a dozen polling stations in Seoul during the June 3 local elections, temporarily disrupting voting and prompting protests.

Last week, the DP and the PPP separately submitted requests for a parliamentary probe, though they differed over the scope of the investigation and the number of seats to be allotted to each party on the committee.

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One town has been hailed as the ‘most beautiful in the UK’ thanks to its stunning beaches and clear blue waters that rival the Greek islands

With sparkling azure waters, yachts, and a sweep of golden sand, you could easily mistake this stunning beach town for somewhere on a Greek island. Devon’s Dartmouth has been dubbed the UK’s answer to the Greek Isles, with its coastal beauty inviting comparisons to the Mediterranean.

Devon, renowned for its picture-perfect holiday spots, attracts countless tourists each year, yet Dartmouth stands out with its spectacular views and attractions. Travel enthusiast Sarah Hagan, who goes by sarahkhagan on TikTok, sang Dartmouth’s praises in a viral video, calling it the ‘most beautiful town in the UK’.

Her TikTok clip’s comment section brimmed with praise for Dartmouth’s distinctive appeal, with one user saying: “Most beautiful place in the UK I’ve ever been to.”

Another added: “Favourite view ever!”

Some viewers were so taken aback by Dartmouth’s splendour that they questioned its whereabouts, with one commenting: “THAT’S DEVON?! It looks like Greece in my opinion.”

Dartmouth effortlessly combines its coastal grandeur with a rich history, alongside its picture-perfect harbour, teeming with a mix of fishing vessels and sailing yachts, reports the Express.

When it comes to seaside trips, beaches are typically the first thing that springs to mind. A short distance from Dartmouth sits Blackpool Sands, a hidden gem of coastline.

However, this isn’t your typical seaside destination, providing visitors with the distinctive chance to relax in its Seaside Sauna. Switch between the refreshing salt water and the peaceful escape from the outside world’s chaos.

For those craving adventure, paddle boards or kayaks can be rented, or you can join a guided tour along the coastline.

Combining historic architecture with stunning river settings and the South Devon countryside, you’re transported to a completely different world. Dartmouth Castle ought to be among your initial destinations.

Commanding the harbour entrance, Dartmouth Castle may well claim the most picturesque location of any fortification in the UK. The castle saw action during the Civil War and remained operational right through to WWII.

If maritime and naval heritage captures your imagination, the town’s Royal Naval College, where navy officers have undergone training since 1863, is essential viewing. You can also spot HMS Britannia anchored in the River Dart.

A wander through the town will inevitably bring you to Dartmouth Harbour, the hub of the South Devon town, where as many as 3,000 moorings can be discovered during the autumn months. It’s also the perfect place to treat yourself to some classic fish and chips.

Located in the vibrant centre of the harbour, Rockfish is a treasure for seafood lovers, serving fresh local catches that have earned glowing reviews on TripAdvisor. Guests can savour their meals while taking in a scenic view of Bayard’s Cove, with the highly praised fish and chips takeaway option costing £11.95 for MSC Haddock and Chips.

For those who prefer eating inside, Rockfish features a restaurant with breath-taking views across the River Dart. Celebrity Masterchef viewers may recognise the venue’s head honcho, Mitch Tonks, who has previously appeared on the programme as a judge.

The menu showcases a selection of superb dishes, including a sumptuous Platter of “Fruits de Mer” for two at £37.50 per person, Grilled Brixham Cuttlefish at £19.95, and tempting Rockfish Tacos.

For a hint of elegance, the Michelin Guide recommends The Angel of Dartmouth, where Elly Wentworth, recognised from BBC’s Great British Menu, creates dishes with international flair. Standout options include Brixham Crab Risotto for £18, Devonshire Lamb served with asparagus, spring pea, and lamb jus for £37, and a delicious Clotted Cream Parfait at £9.50.

If you’re after a drink, Dartmouth’s most popular spot is Bar 1620, situated at the heart of the harbour. For a peaceful moment overlooking the town while enjoying a cocktail or two, head here.

Bar 1620 offers an extensive range of cocktails — including classics, hot cocktails and some creative 1620 originals — alongside a draft master keg system that serves up the freshest, coldest pints you’ll find anywhere.

Zuffa Boxing’s first show in the UK, featuring Chris Billam-Smith, appears set to go ahead on Saturday despite legal action from rival promoter Boxxer.

Former WBO cruiserweight champion Billam-Smith is scheduled to fight Canadian Ryan Rozicki at the Bournemouth International Centre as the headline bout, with fellow Britons Jack Massey and Sam Hickey both on the undercard.

The event is due to be shown on Sky Sports, but promoter Boxxer claims to have contractual rights involving fighters on the bill and says they are appearing without “consent or authorisation”.

BBC Sport understands that Zuffa does not accept the claims by Boxxer and plans to proceed with the event as planned.

“Boxxer can confirm it is seeking urgent injunctive relief against Zuffa Boxing and Sky Sports concerning the promotion and proposed participation of fighters who remain subject to binding contractual obligations to Boxxer,” said a statement from Boxxer.

“Boxxer have ensured that all parties involved are fully aware of the contractual obligations owed to Boxxer by the fighters being promoted for Saturday’s event. Despite this, those fighters continue to be advertised and promoted without Boxxer’s consent.

“As a result of the conduct it has witnessed in recent months, Boxxer has been left with no option but to seek further relief from the English courts.”

Zuffa Boxing, which was founded by UFC president Dana White and backed by Saudi Arabian funding, is looking to rival the sport’s established promoters.

Billam-Smith signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing in April after previously being promoted by Ben Shalom’s Boxxer.