stands

Bizarre American town where the original London Bridge stands

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Red phone booth with the London Bridge in the background in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, Image 2 shows Fountain with lion statues in the Lake Havasu English Village, Image 3 shows A plaque on the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, Arizona

THERE are plenty of quirky places in the US, but did you know that one state has its very own miniature England?

It even has its own piece of the capital there as the original London Bridge was bought and reconstructed over the Bridgewater Channel Canal in Arizona.

The village has red telephone boxes and little English-looking shopsCredit: Go Lake Havasu Visitor Center
The English Village is on the outskirts of the original London BridgeCredit: Alamy

You’ll find all this in Lake Havasu City three hours outside of Phoenix, where there’s a miniature England, and it’s literally called ‘The English Village’.

The resort was built when the actual London Bridge was brought over from the UK.

Back in the 1830s, London Bridge was constructed in the UK. But years later in the 1960s, it was deemed unsuitable for modern traffic.

In 1968, London Bridge was bought by American entrepreneur Robert P. McCulloch.

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He had the exterior granite blocks from the original bridge cut and transported to the United States to construct a new bridge in Lake Havasu.

Robert was actually the founder or Lake Havasu City, and its English village tourist attraction was built in 1971 – to coincide with the instillation of London Bridge.

It wasn’t just the original bridge that made it across the water. Vintage lamps on the bridge are made from the melted-down cannons of Napoleon Bonaparte’s army.

The bridge has been used for movies too like Bridge Across Time also known as Terror at London Bridge, and Day of the Wolves.

The English Village was built like a Hollywood set with pretty shop fronts, all made to look quintessentially English.

The village even has a vintage gate from an English castle, and there are red telephone boxes scattered about.

In the middle is a fountain which is surrounded by four lion statues which strikes a resemblance to the one you’ll find in Trafalgar Square.

In previous years there were costume paradesCredit: Alamy
There’s even a fish and chip shop underneath London BridgeCredit: Alamy

It was anchored by Hog in Armour Pub and City of London Arms Restaurant and a cinema was later added – but sadly these have since changed.

One restaurant there today is The Chair which looks out at London Bridge and the village’s fountain which serves the British classic, fish and chips.

There’s also a pizza restaurant called Papa Leone’s Pizza as well as an ice cream parlour and fish and chip shop under London Bridge.

With average summer highs of 33C in Arizona, there’s plenty of outdoor seating and lots of boat tours along the canal.

In the middle of the village is a fountain surrounded by lionsCredit: Alamy
It has a resemblance to the one in Trafalgar Square – just a lot smallerCredit: Alamy

On Tripadvisor, one visitor wrote: “It’s iconic, it’s London Bridge. A great job has been done in integrating a piece of England into the desert 5000 miles away, in it is almost seamless.”

Another commented “Authentic fish and chips offered at a nearby restaurant and a bit of English kitsch”.

At Christmas, the area around London Bridge, including The English Village, is decorated for Christmas.

The area is lit up for the yearly Festival of Lights with one of the main events being the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights which takes place on the water under the bridge.

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 Read more on America adventures from one Travel Reporter who visited upstate New York and found hundreds of vineyards, NASCAR racing experiences & world famous waterfalls.

Plus, hear from another writer who lived in the US for 3 months – she discovered 12 bizarre from drive-through weddings to VIP service.

Lake Havasu has it’s own English Village with telephone boxes and London BridgeCredit: Alamy

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‘Can’t control’ US tariffs: Canada ‘stands ready’ to resume trade talks | Trade War

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Canadian PM Mark Carney says Ottawa “can’t control” US trade policy but will “stand ready” to resume talks “when the Americans are ready.” His remarks came after President Donald Trump halted negotiations and accused Canada of “cheating” over ads opposing US tariffs.

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Man visits ‘worst theme park in Europe’ but one ride stands out

Thrill-seeker Orson Bourne visited a theme park in Italy, but later outlined several complaints and branded it the ‘worst’ he’d visited – but people don’t agree with his assessment

A thrill-seeker has expressed his frustration by admitting he “felt so disappointed” after visiting one of the most popular theme parks in Europe. Orson Bourne travelled to Italy and headed to Gardaland – a park in Verona owned by Merlin Entertainments, which also operates Alton Towers, Legoland and dozens of other resorts and attractions.

The resort boasts numerous rides and ‘lands’ dedicated to a variety of well-known franchises, including Jumanji, Peppa Pig and Peter Pan – but Orson was clearly unimpressed as he revealed in a review shared to TikTok. “Gardaland takes the biscuit, it’s the worst theme park I’ve ever been to,” he said in a video.

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Orson he had to “penetrate a wall of Italian policing” prior to entry, such is the high level of security enforced by Gardaland’s owners.

He continued to complain, claiming that ropes had “cut off” half of the park on his arrival owing to their later opening times.

Orson’s first port of call was the Jumanji ride, however, he was clearly less than impressed. “All it was was screens, pitch-black corridors and emergency exit signs,” he said.

Next was the rollercoaster, Sharman, which again didn’t live up to it’s billing, according to Orson. “I spent 20 minutes queuing up, but found it actually opens at 12 – not 11, or at 10 when the park actually opened.”

Orson moved on to the newly remodelled Dragon Empire only to discover the China-themed area was also closed until 12pm.

Like its UK cousin, Alton Towers, meanwhile, Gardaland is also home to an Oblivion ride, which sees guests plummet vertically through a black hole underground. “Only a 40-minute queue to get into the queue – where you have to then queue for another 80 minutes,” Orson alleged, pointing that the park’s app only stated a 60-minute waiting time.

He added that whilst it is longer than the Oblivion back home, the Italian ride “lacked any forces”.

Orson gave another coaster – Blue Tornado – “a miss” due to its 120-minute waiting time, before slating the park’s policy on drinks – alleging staff prevented him from refilling his bottle with water. “Coffee machines at other kiosks we broken so I gave up and bought a Coke instead,” he added.

Hoping to cool off on a water ride, Orson was again put off by a “two-hour queue” on the Fuga da Atlantide log flume, before his second attempt to ride Sharman proved futile as the ride broke down an hour after he joined the queue.

Orson continued, moving on to the ‘wing coaster’, Raptor. “I waited 20 minutes in the single-rider line and it’s advertised at 80 [minutes],” he said. “It’s only one train though. It’s diabolical… one train for your main coaster.”

He closed: “I hate to be a grouch, but I think I’m going to leave. The park’s getting busier and it’s open until nine and I’m just not having fun, so what’s the point?”

Orson couldn’t resist riding steel rollercoaster, Mammut on his way out though – something that left him pleasantly surprised. “Credit where it’s due,” he praised. “A fantastic family coaster, though not so fantastic with the operations – I was told ‘no single riders’, but luckily I was able to squeeze on.”

He summed the day up in a caption: “Never has a park been so disappointing. Jumanji was so high on my bucket list for dark rides but the ride just wasn’t in a good state, it felt old and uncared for, 0 immersion and broke done frequently. As did most of the park, Its a shame as the park has the infrastructure to be an amazing place. I struggle to find a positive.”

Writing in response, however, others detailed their positive Gardaland experiences. “Love Gardaland, I live close by and go there each summer with the ticket from 6pm,” one person said. “Last time I did 11 rides (Shaman twice, Raptor, Oblivion, Jungle Rapids, Prezzemolo Magic House). I think parks in US are better, but for Italy it’s fine.”

Another praised: “You were just unlucky to go on a crowded day. I’ve always gone in October during the week and the longest I’ve waited for any attraction has been ten minutes. I love Gardaland, but you have to go when you know that children are at school and many are working.”

And a third TikTok user added: “I went to Gardaland multiple times. You went on a busy day without express so that explains the queues. In my later visits the operation were awesome and they were running all trains and everything was good. Raptor is pretty forceful in my opinion.”

One individual who agreed with Orson, hit out: “Happens when there is no alternative. There are only 2-3 big theme parks in the whole country with actual coasters, all of them are always so busy at the point that it isn’t possible to have fun.”

A Gardaland spokesperson said: “We truly value all feedback from our guests, as it helps us improve and offer the best possible experience at Gardaland Resort. We appreciate that this visitor’s experience did not meet his expectations, and we’re always committed to learning from such feedback to continue enhancing our guests’ enjoyment. Every season, we welcome millions of visitors who share very positive experiences, and we always strive to ensure that each guest leaves with great memories.

“Gardaland Resort welcomes around 3 million visitors every year and, in over 50 years of operation, has hosted more than 100 million people from all over the world. Our daily commitment is to offer memorable experiences to families and visitors of all ages, thanks to the quality of our attractions, food and beverage offerings, and the many dedicated services available.

“We understand that the guest’s visit took place during Gardaland Oktoberfest, one of our most popular seasonal events which – together with Gardaland Magic Halloween (currently underway) and Gardaland Magic Winter – has been attracting thousands of visitors for over 20 years, consistently receiving extremely positive feedback. As is the case in all major theme parks, waiting times can vary depending on attendance levels and attraction opening hours. An unfortunate single occurrence does not represent the experience that thousands of families enjoy at Gardaland every day, and we would be delighted to welcome this guest back to rediscover the magic of the Park.

“Confident that we will continue to offer magical and memorable experiences for all our guests, we remain available should the visitor wish to provide us with further details, so that we may look into this further.”

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‘Hidden gem’ just 3 hours from the UK is loved by solo travellers and ‘stands out’

There are plenty of great destinations to try out for solo travellers but there is one European country that stands out above the rest and even better it is only a three hour flight from the UK

A woman in Vilnius, Lithuania
Safety is important when it comes to travelling solo(Image: Zigres via Getty Images)

The prospect of solo travel can be intimidating for many, with the thought of a lengthy and uncomfortable journey often serving as a deterrent. There’s a common belief that an individual must venture far and wide to experience new flavours, immerse themselves in cultural activities, meet like-minded individuals, or delve into a country’s rich history.

However, it appears that these experiences can be found much closer to home – specifically, in Europe. Lithuania ticks all these boxes, and the best part is, travellers don’t have to endure a long-haul flight.

While embarking on a solo adventure to distant locations, like Australia or Thailand, is undoubtedly an extraordinary opportunity, planning such these trips can be time-consuming and the journey itself can be quite exhausting, especially when travelling alone.

On the other hand, hidden gems like Lithuania offer a significantly shorter travel time, with flights from the UK capital taking less than three hours, reports the Express.

Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Vilnius, Lithuania
Vilnius in Lithuania has a rich history and stunning architecture (Image: Getty)

What’s more, Vilnius Airport’s proximity to the city centre means it takes just half an hour to reach the number of hotels and hostels available, allowing solo travellers to maximise their time exploring the city’s heart.

Another crucial factor for those considering embarking on a solo travel adventure is ensuring the destination is safe and easily navigable.

In Lithuania, visitors can rest assured that they will feel secure, regardless of their chosen accommodation.

Based on the Institute for Economics & Peace 2023 Global Peace Index, Lithuania has surpassed its neighbouring countries Latvia, Estonia and Poland when it comes to overall safety.

Meanwhile in the 2024 study, Lithuania jumped six places to 31st in the rankings beating the likes of Poland, Italy and the UK.

For travellers keen to dive deep into Lithuanian culture and perhaps extend their stay for a more substantial visit, there are numerous options to explore.

Vilnius serves as Lithuania’s capital, and the historic old town stands out as the must-see attraction, earning praise from TripAdvisor users with an impressive 4.6-star rating.

One visitor enthused: “Loved walking around to see the charming old town and its establishments. My visit was in December during the Christmas season so the visit was extra special. Many good shops to visit and tasty food to try! Would definitely recommend it as there must be something for everyone.”

Another traveller said: “Vilnius old town is an architectural gem. There are many styles but the stand out is the Baroque period of building. It’s fascinating to go from medieval to Baroque in the street and to have such a rich cultural history laid before you. Also, the terrain is undulating with some steep hills which gives it an other dimension.”

A third visitor shared: “We explored the old town with a local expert, as part of an Insight Vacations ‘Northern Capitals’ tour. Lovely old buildings and so much history!

“Some of the shops are excellent for gifts etc, including amber. We had an excellent dinner at a local beer restaurant (also had other beverages) – most enjoyable!” The KGB Museum (Genocido Auku Muziejus) ranks as the second top-rated spot on the travel review platform.

This niche museum is devoted to documenting the 50-year Soviet rule over Lithuania.

A visitor remarked: “This is a fairly small museum but is packed with information exposing some of the horrors of Lithuania’s past right up to the 1980’s. The price to enter was six euros per person and we easily spent 2.5 hours there.

“So much to read & look at but if you prefer you can pay for an audio tour which I believe was around 20 euros. Included in the price you can visit the cells & outdoor yard space downstairs, there were far more than I was expecting which gave a grim but interesting insight into what took place here.”

Another added: “What an experience. We didn’t really know much about the history of Lithuania and the Soviet Union and this was very informative and disturbing.”

A user said: “We booked an English tour beforehand. We were so glad we did. The tour was just for the two of us and the guide was excellent. He answered all our questions and gave us a really comprehensive explanation of how the building was used by the KGB.”

View of the Old Town of Vilnius, Lithuania
There are plenty of hotels to stay in Lithuania no matter what your budget is(Image: Getty)

Where to stay in Lithuania?

Securing an apartment or even a whole cottage is straightforward, and luxury five-star hotels begin at a mere €150 (£130) per night. Additionally, Lithuania boasts a selection of hostels for those on a budget.

The sun isn’t the only source of radiant positivity during Lithuania’s summer. The locals exude such a cheerful vibe that Lithuania clinched the top spot for individuals under 30 in the annual World Happiness Report, ranking 16th overall.

Lithuanians are immensely proud of this accolade and are eager to share their warmth and joy with solo travellers keen to explore the marvels of Lithuania and its rich culture.

How to reach Lithuania?

Numerous UK airports offer flights to Lithuania. From London, you can jet off to Vilnius, Kaunas, and Palanga.

These direct flights take approximately two hours and 45 minutes. On average, these flights are priced at £57, with budget airlines like Wizz Air and Ryanair offering services to Lithuania.

For those in Manchester, Belfast, Birmingham, and Edinburgh, you’ll need to catch a connecting flight via London before heading to the Balkan nation.

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Fan who fell from stands at Pirates game: ‘I don’t know how I’m alive’

Kavan Markwood wakes up in pain every day and has no feeling in two of his fingers.

Still, the 20-year-old McKeesport, Pa., resident knows it could be much worse.

“I don’t know how I’m alive,” Markwood told “Inside Edition” this week, more than four months after he fell 21 feet from the stands to the field at PNC Park in Pittsburgh during a game between the Pirates and Chicago Cubs.

Video footage from the April 30 game shows Markwood falling headfirst over the railing above the Clemente Wall in right field. He appears to flip head over heals multiple times before landing on the warning track.

Play was stopped for several minutes as the training staffs for both teams tended to Markwood. He eventually was carted off and taken to Allegheny General Hospital in critical condition. According to “Inside Edition,” Markwood broke his back, neck, every rib and punctured a lung.

“I’m doing better than what I was, that’s for sure,” said Markwood, who was shown during the interview walking around outside PNC Park wearing a cast on his left forearm.

Markwood told “Inside Edition” that he had jumped out of his seat to cheer and came down awkwardly on the railing and careened off of it. Although Pittsburgh Public Safety has labeled the incident an accident, 21-year-old McKeesport resident Ethan Kirkwood has been arrested for allegedly providing alcohol to Markwood at the game.

Kirkwood faces two misdemeanor counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Sept. 29. A police report viewed by WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh indicates that Markwood’s girlfriend told police that he hadn’t had anything to drink before arriving to the stadium and had two beers while there.

“I feel terrible because it wasn’t his fault,” Markwood said of Kirkwood, who can be seen on the footage from the accident climbing over the railing from a section closer to field level and jumping onto the ground to help his friend.

Markwood added that alcohol had nothing to do with what happened. It was, he said, “a tragic accident.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Namnai Bridge Stands Between Life and Death in Taraba

The Namnai River has become a graveyard. Where an old bridge once carried farmers, traders, and travellers across with ease, fragile boats now wobble under desperate crowds. Each crossing is a risk, and for three members of Badaru Badawi’s family, that risk ended in death.

That evening on July 25, Bara’atu Bala, Yusuf Badawi, a heavily pregnant Aisha Rilwanu, two other relatives of theirs, alongside other travellers, paid ₦500 each to board a locally made boat at the Namnai river bank in Gassol Local Government Area, Taraba State, in northeastern Nigeria

Midway across, the boat capsized. Some passengers struggled to get ashore, but Bara’atu, Yusuf, and Aisha never made it. They drowned in the river. 

For Badaru, the grief is unrelenting. All three were close to him: Yusuf, his son; Bara’atu, his elder sister; and Aisha, his sister-in-law. 

His wife and mother survived the accident by swimming to safety. But his family’s search for the missing three lasted all night, combing the waters by canoe. By dawn, they recovered only Bara’atu’s body. To this day, Yusuf and Aisha remain unaccounted for.

“Even if they were destined to die that day, it shouldn’t have been through such a means,” he told HumAngle. 

Their loss is part of a wider tragedy that began a year earlier, when the Namnai bridge collapsed after torrential flooding. Since then, the community has been forced to rely on makeshift ferries, canoes, and fragile boats. Accidents have become routine, claiming lives and wrecking livelihoods.

HumAngle learnt that these crossings have led to recurring mishaps, claiming lives and destroying property valued in the hundreds of thousands of naira.

“Most of the mishaps were due to overcrowding in the boats. Apart from the properties that were lost, people also lost their lives,” Ibrahim Isa, a boat operator in the community, said. 

Until August 2024, the Namnai bridge was a major transit route connecting Taraba to other parts of the North East, North Central, and the country’s South. Farmers used it to reach their fields, traders to sell their goods, and commuters to travel for work and family. Its sudden collapse severed all of that. 

A concrete bridge spans a wide, calm river under a cloudy sky.
The Namnai bridge links Taraba and other parts of the North East to North Central and the country’s South. Photo: Photo courtesy of Abdulbasid Dantsoho

“We have a waterfall around the area, which usually empties itself into the river. I think the water flow was so intense that day, and coupled with the flood, the river could not contain it, so the bridge broke,” Ibrahim recounted. “When the bridge broke, livelihood came to a standstill because people could no longer access their farms or the market for days.”

In the days that followed, residents were stranded. Those with canoes on the River Benue quickly brought them to Namnai, offering a temporary solution. But demand soon overwhelmed supply. With only two motorboats and a handful of canoes available, passengers waited anxiously, scrambled for places, or boarded the overcrowded ones.

Ibrahim had started working as a boat operator since the collapse of the bridge, drawing on his experience in rowing. “We started using the canoes to help people and their belongings cross to the other side before one member from the house of representatives representing our constituents brought a boat, and a week later, a senator deployed another boat to the riverbank,” he said.   

“Boats and canoes were never designed to carry large crowds or heavy loads, but people were desperate to access farm lands, markets, and places of work,” Ibrahim noted. 

He further explained that as the mishaps reoccurred, people started abandoning their farms due to fear. Traders could no longer cross to the other side to buy and sell, and the flow of goods into Namnai slowed. 

“The situation impacted the community and its environs negatively, especially traders and farmers,” Ibrahim emphasised, adding that the prices of food items in the community have gone up since then. 

Unfulfilled promises

In November 2024, after the floodwaters receded, Agbu Kefas, the Taraba State governor, visited the site to assess the damage. 

“He assured us that they were going to fix the bridge. He even promised to expand the bridge, saying that money would be approved soon,” Ibrahim said. 

But nearly a year later, nothing has changed. Commuters continue to take the risk through fragile canoes and small boats to reach their destination. 

For others, it is an opportunity to make money, as commercial boat operators have deployed locally-made ferries that carry both vehicles and passengers at the riverbank. 

“They charge between ₦3,000 and ₦4,000 per car, depending on its size, and ₦500 per passenger,” Ibrahim said. This means anyone crossing with a vehicle pays a total of ₦6,000 to ₦8,000 for a round trip. 

As one of the boat operators, he said they sometimes take pity on residents who cannot afford the full fare, accepting as little as ₦300 or even ₦200.

In April 2025, Uba Maigari, Minister of State for Regional Development, announced that the federal government had listed the Namnai bridge among eleven slated for repair in the North East, assuring that “in a week” the bridge will be fixed. 

Residents’ hopes were briefly reignited, but work has yet to begin. 

Meanwhile, each rainy season makes crossings deadlier. Cars ferried across, sometimes sinking into the swollen waters.

‘We are waiting’

On Aug. 18, tragedy struck again. A commercial bus operated by the Adamawa Express transport agency plunged into the Namnai River while attempting to cross the collapsed bridge. Several lives and properties were lost, reinforcing fears that the broken crossing remains a constant danger.

For Badaru, whose family is still grieving, the government’s inaction is unbearable. “I  don’t think I have to call on the government. They swore an oath after assuming office to cater to the people, so I’m sure they know their duties to the people. I don’t think we have to beg them when it comes to matters like this,” he said, sounding frustrated. 

Ibrahim, too, is losing faith. “People from [nearby] Ardo Karla used to farm in Namnai, but since the bridge broke, some people abandoned their farms. I know someone who vowed never to set foot on his farm since the bridge broke because of the tussle of going back and forth on water that is unsafe,” Ibrahim said, adding that the community recently learnt that the Federal Executive Council has approved the repair of the bridge.

 “We are still waiting for it to commence,” he said.  

As residents wait for bulldozers and builders, Badaru continues to search for the bodies of his son and sister-in-law. He admits, however, that he may one day have to surrender to fate.

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Why the effort to stop the Olympic Games stands little chance

If you browse through social media, it’s easy to find commentary about canceling the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

There are Angelenos who lack confidence in the city and county’s ability to roll out the red carpet due to perceived failures during the Palisades and Altadena fires.

Others believe construction will lead to the displacement of the homeless or that the Games won’t make money.

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One syndicated columnist pleaded with L.A. not to work with “a lawless U.S. regime,” while sportswriter and author Jeff Pearlman wondered if Latin American athletes would feel safe in the U.S. due to the Trump administration’s current deportations.

There are pushes from some, but how possible is it that the Games will be canceled?

My colleague Thuc Nhi Nugyen wrote about that issue and dispelled the notion any cancellation was likely.

Let’s dive into her work.

Why is backing out difficult? We’re three years away

Host cities and host country national organizing committees (in this country, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee) sign a host city contract (HCC) after the International Olympic Committee officially awards the Games.

The contract for the 2028 Games, signed by then-Mayor Eric Garcetti and then-City Council President Herb Wesson in September 2017, includes procedures for termination from the IOC’s perspective but doesn’t leave the same option for the host city or the national organizing committee.

“While one cannot foreclose all potential theories, it is hard to imagine a scenario where Los Angeles could terminate the HCC without facing substantial legal issues,” Nathan O’Malley, an international arbitration lawyer and a partner at Musick, Peeler & Garrett, wrote in an email. “Especially if the reason for ending the contract was a political disagreement between the federal, state and local branches of government.”

When even COVID-19 didn’t stop the Games

After an initial one-year delay of the Tokyo Games, medical professionals pleaded to cancel amid rising COVID-19 cases.

Public sentiment soured drastically, with protests in the streets. A March 2021 poll by Asahi Shimbun, one of the most prominent newspapers in Japan, found 83% of voters believed that the Olympics set to take place that summer should be postponed or canceled.

But, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said, only “the IOC has the authority to decide.”

Breaching the contract could have put Tokyo in danger of being sued by the IOC for $4-5 billion, economist Andrew Zimbalist told Yahoo Sports in 2021. The Nomura Research Institute estimated the total cost of cancellation to be 1.8 trillion yen — about $12.3 billion.

What influence will President Trump have?

LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman has emphasized that he has assurances from the federal government that the United States will be open, despite recent travel bans and tighter scrutiny of international travelers arriving in the U.S.

Trump’s June proclamation includes exemptions for athletes, team personnel or immediate relatives entering the country for the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics or other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State.

But in the two months since the ban, visas have been denied for athletes, including the Cuban women’s volleyball team traveling for a tournament in Puerto Rico, a baseball team from Venezuela that qualified to play in the Senior Baseball World Series and Senegal’s women’s basketball team preparing for a training camp.

One final outlook

If any city should be ready to host the biggest Olympics in history, it should be L.A. Not only because of the existing venues, but because of the unprecedented 11-year planning time after the IOC awarded the Games in 2017.

Now with less than three years remaining, relocating to a city that would likely have to build new venues would be unrealistic for the IOC.

“For Los Angeles, a city whose identity is partly predicated on staging the Olympics twice, and now having a third time,” said Mark Dyreson, a sports historian at Penn State University, “I think it would be really, really difficult for L.A. to give up the Olympics.”

For more, check out the full story.

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Watch moment Prince Harry stands up surfing a wave in new clip shared by Meghan set to iconic tune

THIS is the incredible moment that Prince Harry cruised over a wave on his surfboard. 

Footage of his surfing skills was uploaded to social media by his wife Meghan Markle, accompanied by an iconic 90s track.

Prince Harry surfing.

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Harry cruised over the waves on his surfboardCredit: Instagram
Prince Harry surfing.

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In footage uploaded by Meghan, he was seen carefully balancing while the wave built up behind himCredit: Instagram
Surfer on a wave at a surf park.

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Eventually, the Prince managed to stand up on his boardCredit: Instagram

In the 18-second video, the Duke of Sussex can be seen flying over the waves.

Wearing a baseball cap backwards, a long-sleeve top and shorts, Harry crouches down as a wave forms behind him.

Able to stay stable on the board, the Prince can be seen lifting his hands above his head and cheering. 

And, then, Harry managed to stand up by himself while floating over the water on the surfboard.

Throughout the video, Salt-N-Pepa’s mega-hit Whatta Man, featuring En Vogue, can be heard. 

Meghan chose the chorus of the song to play during the footage, including the lyrics: “What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man.”

She captioned her Instagram post: “We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you this important message.”

The Duchess topped off her caption with a fox emoji.

Meghan made headlines in 2020, when she bought her husband surfing lessons for his birthday.

At the time, a source told Page Six: “Harry’s loving Montecito, Meghan bought him surfing lessons for his birthday and he’s having the best time.”

Princess Diana documentary on long list of shows Netflix could produce with Harry and Meghan as part of new deal

The Prince showed off his skills in 2024, when he was videoed at Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in Leemore.

The latest surfing video comes after the couple announced a new deal with Netflix, which gives the streaming giant first refusal over their suggestions for new programmes. 

Their original deal was worth £100 million and ran out this year. 

Reportedly, the pair are planning to create a documentary about the late Princess of Wales and Harry’s mother – Princess Diana. 

The show would mark the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death, after she tragically died in Paris on August 31, 1997. 

An industry source said: “If Harry wants to do it then Netflix will bite his hand off.”

The Prince has spoken candidly about losing his mother in the press, as well as in his autobiography Spare.

In the book, Harry also revealed he had visited a medium, who told him that “your mother is with you”.

The psychic said: “Your mother says, ‘You’re living the life she couldn’t. 

“You’re living the life she wanted for you’.”

Harry gave his daughter Lilibet – named after the late Queen Elizabeth II – the middle name Diana in a reference to his mother.

Meghan Markle’s ventures after stepping down as a working royal

THE Duchess of Sussex has kept busy since stepping down as a senior working royal in 2020 and relocating to California. Here are some of her business ventures…

  • Archewell Foundation – A nonprofit supporting charitable initiatives.
  • Netflix Deal – Producing content like Harry & Meghan and With Love, Meghan.
  • Archetypes Podcast – Former Spotify show on female stereotypes.
  • Clevr Blends – Investment in a women-owned wellness latte brand.
  • Cesta Collective – Minority stake in a handbag brand supporting Rwandan artisans.
  • As Ever – Previously known as American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand selling jam.
  • ShopMy Page – Online store featuring her curated fashion and beauty items.
  • New PodcastConfessions of a Female Founder focusing on entrepreneurship.

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Ex-Liverpool star Javier Mascherano forced to manage Inter Miami on his PHONE from stands after being sent off

JAVIER MASCHERANO reverted to managing Inter Miami from his PHONE in the stands after being sent off against Tigres.

The former Liverpool midfielder was incensed after stoppage time in the first half of the Leagues Cup quarter-finals went over five minutes long.

Screenshot of a man on a phone call during a Leagues Cup quarterfinal match.

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Javier Mascherano using his mobile in the stands to manage Inter Miami
Screenshot of a soccer coach looking at his phone during a Leagues Cup quarterfinal.

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He was talking to assistant manager Lucas Rodriguez Pagano
Referee showing a red card during a soccer game.

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Mascherano was shown red by referee Mario Escobar

Anfield great Luis Suarez had opened the scoring in Fort Lauderdale from the penalty spot after 23 minutes but only after a lengthy VAR check.

Referee Mario Escobar added the time on before the break – leaving Miami boss Mascherano fuming.

As a result, he was given his marching orders and forced to watch the second half from the stands.

But cameras revealed the ex-Barcelona man talking tactics to his assistant Lucas Rodriguez Pagano on his mobile phone.

The 41-year-old – who retired in 2020 before moving into management with Argentina’s youth sides two years later – also barked orders from his seat.

Mascherano was breaking the rules by doing so – with his ejection meant to prohibit any contact with his team.

Angel Correa levelled the scoring in the cup on the 67th minute.

But once again Suarez – who joined former Barca team-mates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to Miami last year – came to the rescue.

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The Uruguayan forward – who spent three seasons at Liverpool before joining Barca in 2014 – converted from the spot again.

Messi – out of the cup tie due to injury – celebrated from his pitchside box with his son and Suarez’s boy Benjamin.

Son Heung-min breaks down in tears as Tottenham legend bids emotional farewell before MLS transfer

Miami progress to the last four of the tournament and sit fifth in the Eastern Conference of the MLS.

Mascherano’s other assistant Javier Morales – holding the post-match press conference – was probed on the red card.

Morales said: “The referee added four minutes and we ended up playing six minutes. So we argued about the time.

“We’re human, we start to talk and the referee said Javier got a red card and that’s it. We didn’t have much information.

“We complained about the time, he said four minutes and next they’re playing six.”

Soccer player in pink uniform celebrating a goal.

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Luis Suarez scored twice from the spot to win Inter Miami the gameCredit: @intermiami

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Love Island’s Harrison addresses ‘viral condom moment’ and where he stands with Lauren

Love Island stars Lauren and Harrison have broken their silence following their emotional double exit during last night’s episode – as they open up on their future plans

It was an emotional night in Love Island last night as both Lauren and Harrison made their way out of the villa. The drama began when Lauren was booted out due to a new bombshell, Angel choosing her partner Ty, with an emotional Harrison deciding to leave with her the next night.

Despite recently rekindling things with Toni, the pair had gone their separate ways in prior episodes, as Harrison told the rest of the Islanders he had found a girlfriend in Lauren as he made an emotional exit.

Now, the pair have broken their silence ever since leaving, as they discuss their plans for the future. When asked what was next for himself and Lauren on the outside, Harrison said: “We’ll make the distance work! It will be no issue. We left on good terms, but the two days prior to leaving, we weren’t talking properly, so it would be good to have a conversation, get everything out in the open and hopefully move forward from there.”

Harrison and Lauren kissing
Harrison decided to leave following Lauren’s dumping(Image: ITV)

“I feel very strongly about the girl, I wouldn’t have left if I didn’t. I have no doubt in my mind that she’ll be my girlfriend one day. I’m buzzing to see her and reunite! She’s such a great girl.”

During their time in the villa, Lauren and Harrison left viewers in shock after Harry and Helena were seen passing a condom over to Harrison in the middle of the night. Asked on how he feels about his parents having witnessed him “have sex” on TV, the footballer said: “I hope they didn’t see!

“But listen, it was a natural thing. I don’t think I intended to have sex in the Villa but in there all the Islanders could tell we were so attracted to each other, naturally it was going to happen. The spark between us was crazy! I probably wasn’t thinking about my parents and them watching it but it naturally happened and I don’t regret it.”

Harrison and Toni hugging
Harrison had an emotional chat with Toni before his exit – as he says he’d like to remain friends(Image: ITV)

Elsewhere, Harrison said he hopes to be friends with Toni on the outside, but understands if she doesn’t feel the same way. “I’d like to think we could be friends. I did her wrong a few times in there so I understand if she doesn’t want to reciprocate that. The conversation prior to me leaving was a big moment for me and her,” he said.

“You could tell by me getting emotional, I was upset about how I’ve acted and upset about Toni being upset as well. Similarly, if someone treated my sister like I’d treated Toni in there obviously I’d be mortified. I wanted to apologise to her and I think she could see I was being genuine. I’m happy with how things were left.”

As for Lauren, she said she “100%” sees a future on the outside with Harrison. “I’d love to see where it could go,” she said before he left.

“I’m hoping that he comes out so that we can be together. I see myself being with him long term as I haven’t had a connection like that with someone in such a long time. I know what we had was real despite what everyone else thinks. He has done wrong and made stupid mistakes, but he knows that and believes it was the wrong thing to do.”

The pair seem loved up for now, but if there’s one thing Harrison would change – it’d be who he went to for advice. In the villa we saw him close to Harry and Dejon, but he now regrets going to Harry for advice.

“I went to Harry a few times asking for advice. On reflection, he was probably the worst person to go to for advice! He does have a serious side but if I was ever to get into the situation again, I probably wouldn’t go to him again, his advice was horrendous!” he exclaimed. “The trio was something special, the banter was flying, we were so close in there. I’m sad to leave them.”

Love Island continues tomorrow night at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX

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