It’s now been almost five years since Daniel Craig’s departure from the James Bond franchise in No Time To Die – and somehow there’s still been no confirmation of who will be succeeding him as 007.
As the 007 search continues, here are 21 stars who’ve all been rumoured for the job…
Who is he? The Australian actor has been a star on the rise ever since his break-out role in the teen drama Euphoria.
Following acclaim in films like Saltburn, Priscilla and The Narrow Road To The Deep North, Jacob landed his first Oscar nomination in 2026 for his performance as the creature in Frankenstein, the same year he also got everyone talking thanks to his work as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights.
Where did the rumour come from? Jacob’s name was first mentioned as a serious contender to play James Bond in the summer of 2025, when Variety suggested he was at the top of producers’ wishlists.
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Following this, World Of Reel claimed he’d met with director Denis Villeneuve, with the gossip site DeuxMoi suggesting shortly after Wuthering Heights’ release that he’d been offered the role of James Bond.
What’s he said? He previously told Extra of calls for him to play James Bond: “That’s beautiful… I just like that people maybe want to put me in their movies. That makes me really glad.”
Who is he? Callum Turner has been putting in the work for more than a decade now, but he’s enjoyed a real breakthrough in the last few years.
Some of his most recent projects include the Fantastic Beasts movies, in which he played Theseus Scamander, the sports drama The Boys In The Boat and the star-studded Apple TV+ series Masters Of The Air.
Where did the rumour come from? In December 2025, several news outlets spotted that betting odds had been suddenly slashed on Callum being cast as James Bond.
Since then, Callum’s name was mentioned in an article published by the Mail, suggesting he’d been “blabbing all over town” that he’d landed the coveted spy role.
What has he said? Despite the Mail’s reports about Callum’s loose-lipped approach to his Bond casting, he hasn’t said anything publicly yet.
Who is he? Until recently, Aaron has been widely considered as the frontrunner for the role of James for more than a year now. His past credits include the superhero comedy Kick-Ass, the John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy and Christopher Nolan’s Tenet.
Since then, he’s appeared in projects as varied as Marvel’s Kraven The Hunter, the arthouse horror flick Nosferatu and Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later.
Where did the rumour come from? In November 2022, Aaron supposedly met with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli (who has since left the franchise), with follow-up reports claiming the meeting “went well”.
Who is he? The James Bond rumour that’s being going around the longest time involved Idris Elba, whose acting credits include the Thor films, Beasts of No Nation, the Fast & Furious series and the BBC detective drama Luther.
Where did the rumour come from? Idris has been rumoured to be in the running to play 007 for more than a decade (since the speculation began in 2014, there’ve been three new films in the series released), with leaked emails from Sony executives suggesting he was a favourite for the part. Following this, then-Bond boss Barbara Broccoli said Idris has been “part of the conversation” about who the role goes to next.
However, in August 2022 it was reported that Idris had made the decision to take himself out of the running – and in the last few years his casting has seemed less and less likely… although we’d kind of love it if he got the opportunity to play Bond at least once, given just how long he was associated with the franchise.
What has he said?“James Bond is a hugely coveted, iconic, beloved character that takes audiences on this massive escapism journey. Of course, if someone said to me, ‘Do you want to play James Bond?,’ I’d be like, ‘Yeah!’. That’s fascinating to me.”
Who is he? Musical theatre fans might be familiar with Tom Francis’ work, following his Olivier win and Tony nomination for his performance opposite Nicole Scherzinger in the musical revival of Sunset Boulevard.
Tom does have some impressive screen credits to his name, too, notably the divisive TV series You and the George Clooney movie Jay Kelly.
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Where did the rumour come from? Days after it was revealed that casting was on for the next James Bond, Variety reported that the theatre star had popped in for an audition.
What has he said? Nothing at all, which – in the case of a story this big – is still something really, isn’t it?
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Who is he? A more recent addition to the list of rumoured potential 007s is another Aaron, this time fellow Brit Aaron Pierre.
As well as voicing the title character in Disney’s Mufasa, Aaron appeared in The Underground Railroad, played Malcolm X in the anthology series Genius and starred opposite Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal in the sci-fi dystopian drama Foe.
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Where did the rumour come from? The news appears to come from movie “insider” Daniel Richtman, who claimed in June 2025 that Aaron is “being considered” for the part.
What has he said?He told Chris Evans on Virgin Radio: “If that opportunity ever presented itself, that would be insane.”
Who is he? After getting his start in indies like Beach Rats and Triangle Of Sadness, British star Harris Dickinson’s profile has had a real boom in the last few years off the back of roles in Babygirl, The Iron Claw and A Murder At The End Of The World.
He’ll next be seen in action as John Lennon in Sam Mendes’ ambitious Beatles movie project – which, to be fair, means he may have too much on his plate to take on 007 too.
Where did the rumour come from? Variety’s piece on Amazon’s supposed “James Bond wishlist” in the summer 2025 that mentioned Jacob Elordi as a contender also included Harris (as well as Spider-Man himself, Tom Holland).
“The role of James Bond is interesting,” he said. “The circumstances of Bond are interesting. The character, the world, what he goes through, that’s interesting.”
He also praised director Denis Villeneuve, who will helm the upcoming 25th James Bond film.
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Who is he? He’s Tom Hardy! You may have seen him in films including Max Max: Fury Road, Dunkirk, Legend, The Dark Knight Rises, Inception or Venom.
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Where did the rumour come from? Like Idris Elba, speculation about Tom Hardy playing 007 goes way back.
Things hotted up in 2020, though, when the film blog The Vulcan Reporter claimed he’d done several auditions for the part and was “basically locked into the role”.
What has he said?“You know, there’s a saying amongst us in the fraternity of acting, and in the fellowship of my peer group, that if you talk about it you’re automatically out of the race. So I can’t possibly comment on that one! If I mention it, it’s gone.”
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Who is he? Probably best known for his role as Loki in the Marvel universe, Tom also won a Golden Globe for his performance in the drama The Night Manager.
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Where did the rumour come from? Around the time The Night Manager was airing, many viewers pointed out that the British actor might be a good James Bond, and he was soon spotted having a meeting with the franchise’s chief Barbara Broccoli.
What has he said?“What can I say that you don’t already know? It’s interesting in itself that I’ve suddenly become very aware of what I’m saying, is it not?
“Because there’s something about what I’m saying that becomes the story. Not for you, but the world outside. Whatever I say, I’ve found, generated more questions.”
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Who is he? After rising to fame in Game Of Thrones, the Scottish actor later won a Golden Globe for his leading role in Bodyguard.
Where did the rumour come from? The action-packed Bodyguard led to Richard being tipped to succeed Daniel Craig as Bond, with the Daily Mail reporting at the time that the drama had caught the eye of former 007 boss Barbara Broccoli.
Bodyguard’s producers even teased that a potential second series of the drama would depend on “what happens with James Bond”.
What has he said?“I’m more than flattered to be mentioned, for people to consider putting me in that role. I’m very flattered and thankful. It’s a really brilliant thing to be in.
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“I don’t want to curse anything by saying anything. I think that’s the curse of that. If you talk about it, you’ll curse it.”
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Who is he? James is perhaps best known for his TV roles, which have included Happy Valley, Grantchester, McMafia and The Trial Of Christine Keeler, though you may have also seen him in action in the recent big-screen adaptation of Little Women.
Where did the rumour come from? While many of the actors named as potential replacements for Daniel Craig are based on anonymous “insiders” and source quotes, the rumours about James seem to stem primarily from bookies’ odds.
What has he said? “It’s so weird and bemusing. But yet again, it’s based on pure speculation and it makes for a good little clickbait moment in the media. Other than that, it’s just fun and bemusing.”
Who is he? Jack Lowden has had a massive few years, scoring Bafta, Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for his work in Slow Horses and appearing with Nicole Kidman in the breezy Netflix mystery The Perfect Couple.
Where did the rumour come from? This is another story that’s based on bookies’ odds, with Jack’s name soaring towards the top of the list when Amazon acquired creative control of the spy franchise.
Who is he? The British star of films like Crazy, Rich Asians; A Simple Favour and the Guy Ritchie action film The Gentlemen.
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Where did the rumour come from? After Daniel Craig’s exit from the James Bond franchise was confirmed, fans began campaigning for Henry to take over the iconic spy role.
What has he said?“[The speculation] definitely [came] from Crazy Rich Asians, maybe the white suit coming out of the park. [And] because I’m Asian and everybody’s fighting for a diverse Bond – sorry, white guys.
“I don’t know. It’s an honour to even be in the conversation. It’s one of the greatest film roles ever, you’d be stupid to be like, ‘I don’t want to do that.’
“Isn’t it great that people are like, ’OK, now’s the time, why the hell can’t we have a black Bond, an Asian Bond, a mixed-race Bond, a non-distinct Bond?”
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Who is he? After appearing in Sunshine On Leith and Pride, George landed his biggest role to date when he took the lead in the Bafta-winning 1917, and he’s since appeared in Femme and The End.
Where did the rumour come from? According to a 2021 report in Page Six, Bond producers were hoping to reboot the franchise after No Time To Die, making the Bond character younger, which is where the idea to have George play a rather different 007 was reportedly born.
What has he said? “You’ve got to consider it for sure. I mean, it’s an amazing thing, but it would also be a massive thing. I don’t know if that’s a reality, but if it ever became one, of course, it would be a consideration. But be a careful one.”
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Who is he? Regé-Jean became an overnight sensation in 2020 thanks to his role as the main love interest in the Netflix period drama Bridgerton.
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Where did the rumour come from? Fans immediately began suggesting Regé-Jean as a potential Bond, and when he announced he wasn’t returning for the second season of Bridgerton, the rumour mill hotted up even further.
What has he said?“Ah, the B word. I think if you are British and do anything of note, that other people take notice of, then people will start talking about that.
“That’s fairly normal and I’m flattered to be in the category of Brits that people have noticed.”
Who is he? Charlie’s biggest acting credits include Green Street, Queer As Folk, Sons Of Anarchy and Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen. In 2025, he caused a stir when he was cast as Ed Gein in the third season of Ryan Murphy’s Monster.
He was also famously cast in the role of Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades Of Grey franchise, but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts, and was replaced by Jamie Dornan.
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Where did the rumour come from? Charlie’s name being linked with playing James Bond largely stems from his devoted fanbase, as well as bookies’ odds.
What has he said?“I would be so flattered and honoured to be considered to play James Bond as an Englishman. But my intuition tells me that I shouldn’t be waiting for that phone call to come. I think there are many people ahead of me on that list.
“It’s very flattering sort of fan dialogue. Nobody’s ever, on a professional level from within the industry, brought that up to me.
“As much as people want to talk about me playing James Bond – please continue. Maybe that’s the genesis of these things. Maybe fan chatter leads to industry people actually talking about it in a more serious way.”
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Who is he? Sam is best known for playing one of the lead roles in the historical drama Outlander.
Where did the rumour come from? Sam has actually been on Bond producers’ radars for a while, having previously auditioned to succeed Pierce Brosnan in Casino Royale, which would eventually become Daniel Craig’s first outing in the role.
What has he said?“I don’t know if there is a conversation being had apart from in the media, but I think it’s an incredible franchise and a great character, so of course I would jump at it.”
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Who is he? Henry is famous for playing Superman in the superhero’s most recent big-screen offerings, and also has the lead role in the Netflix adaptation of The Witcher.
Like Sam Heughan, Henry also auditioned for Casino Royale, back when he was just 21 years old.
What has he said?“I would absolutely jump at the opportunity. At this stage, it’s all up in the air. We’ll see what happens. But yes, I would love to play Bond, it would be very, very exciting.”
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Who is he? The chart-topping singer made a name for himself as a member of One Direction, before making a name for himself as a Grammy-winning solo artist.
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In addition to his music career, Harry also had a short-lived career as an actor, first appearing in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk before getting mixed-at-best reviews for his work in Eternals, Don’t Worry Darling and My Policeman.
Where did the rumour come from? This might sound like the work of over-excited Directioners, but in 2021, The Sun reported that Bond producers were hoping to take the character in a “new age” direction, and tipped Harry for the role.
What has he said?Harry’s reps said the rumours were “not even remotely true”. Too bad, tbh.
Who is he? Ted Lasso fans will recognise Phil from his Emmy-nominated performance as Jamie Tartt.
Where did the rumour come from? Interestingly, unlike most of the names on this list, this rumour comes straight from the horse’s mouth, with Phil confirming that a “conversation” was had about him playing Bond – albeit a short one.
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What’s he said? “There was a conversation one of my agents had but they quite firmly shut the door in their face.”
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Who is he? Another addition to the list of rumoured James Bond stars, Lucien Laviscount’s past credits include Coronation Street, Waterloo Road, Ryan Murphy’s Scream Queens and Emily In Paris.
Where did the rumour come from?The Daily Mail first reported in December 2022 that Lucien had caught the eye of James Bond producers, with an unnamed source claiming he “ticks all of the boxes” as a “super talented” and “extremely handsome” young actor.
However, it appears there’s one drawback.
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According to the Mail, Lucien’s reality TV past (after leaving Waterloo Road, he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, and was involved in a brief showmance with a certain Ms Katona) has put off some execs behind the scenes.
What has he said? Again, he’s yet to address the rumours directly, so make of that what you will.
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV called Monday for robust regulation of artificial intelligence and for its developers to work for the common good rather than profit, issuing a sweeping manifesto on safeguarding humankind as the technology impacts everything from work to war.
“Magnifica Humanitas” (Magnificent Humanity), Leo’s first encyclical, has been eagerly awaited ever since history’s first U.S.-born pope announced days after his election that he considered AI to be the biggest challenge facing humanity today.
In the text, Leo denounced the “culture of power” driving the AI race, especially in developing ever more sophisticated methods of remote warfare. He declared that it was “not permissible” to entrust irreversible, lethal decisions to AI systems, setting up another flash point between the American pope and the Trump administration, which has worked aggressively to deregulate AI development.
“Artificial Intelligence now demands to be disarmed, freed from logics that turn it into an instrument of domination, exclusion and death,″ the pope told a special Vatican presentation of the encyclical, one of the most authoritative types of teaching documents a pope can issue.
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Experts in the tech industry, academia and Catholic morality said the document will likely become a benchmark in the debate over AI, a point of reference for policymakers, researchers and ordinary folk alike. It comes as the near-daily developments in the technology trigger concerns over AI replacing human jobs and even human intelligence.
Taylor Black, a Microsoft AI executive and director of Catholic University of America’s AI institute, said the document would prompt people “at the forefront of these tools” to ask questions such as “What does it mean to be human?”
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Pope Leo XIV attends the presentation of his first encyclical, “Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence,” at the Vatican, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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Pope Leo XIV attends the presentation of his first encyclical, “Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence,” at the Vatican, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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Pope calls out AI companies even as he hosts Anthropic
The Vatican launch also included remarks by the co-founder of Anthropic, which is currently locked in a legal battle with the Trump administration over access to its AI technology. The Vatican decided to involve Anthropic as part of its decade-long effort to engage Silicon Valley in dialogue over the human cost of AI.
And yet in his text, Leo repeatedly blasted the concentration of power and data in the hands of so few people in the private sector as a danger, especially to children and the most vulnerable, and called for external regulation of their work.
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“It is not enough to invoke ethics in the abstract; robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users and a political system that does not abdicate its responsibility are required,” he wrote. “A more moral AI is not enough if that morality is determined by a few.”
Leo appealed to AI developers and political leaders responsible for regulating them to slow down and reflect on what they are doing. He urged them to use ethical and spiritual guidelines to make the choice to work not for their own profit or power, but the betterment of humanity.
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Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah speaks during the presentation of Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, “Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence,” at the Vatican, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah speaks during the presentation of Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, “Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence,” at the Vatican, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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AI competitors OpenAI and Anthropic are the second- and third-most valuable U.S. private companies, each valued at hundreds of billions of dollars, more than the GDP of many nations. Both companies are heading toward near-trillion dollar IPOs.
Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah welcomed Leo’s criticism and concern. He said such external checks were fundamental to the technology “going well” for humankind since there is so much at stake — “a real possibility that AI will displace human labor at a very large scale.”
“We need more of the world — religious communities, civil society, scholars, governments — to do what His Holiness has done here: to take this seriously, to look closely, and to push events in a better direction,” Olah said. “We need moral voices that the incentives cannot bend.”
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Experts say the text will become a benchmark
In a methodical text, the math major pope traced the history of the Catholic Church’s social teaching and applied its core concepts — justice, solidarity, the dignity of work and the universal destination of resources — to the digital revolution.
“I am convinced that this will prove to be a defining document for our era, a profound and prophetic document,” said Paolo Carozza, law professor at Notre Dame Law School and chair of the Meta Oversight Board.
“Pope Leo is offering a clear, comprehensive, and coherent voice urging us to take responsibility for constructing a world in which technology will serve humans rather than degrade them,” he said.
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Pope Leo XIV, left, attends the presentation of his first encyclical, “Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence,” at the Vatican, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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Pope Leo XIV, left, attends the presentation of his first encyclical, “Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence,” at the Vatican, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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In its strongest chapters, Leo denounced how AI had helped accelerate the “normalization of war” by desensitizing people to its cost. He didn’t name specific conflicts, but cited “opposing imperialisms, between powers that wish to preserve their supremacy, and those that aspire to seize that supremacy.”
He demanded transparency and accountability by AI developers so that the chain of decision-making command in ordering strikes with AI weaponry is always known. He declared that the Catholic Church’s “just war” theory, which provides specific criteria for when force can be justified, was now “outdated” given the technological advances of warfare.
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A text in the church’s social justice tradition
Leo signed the text May 15, the 135th anniversary of the publication of “Rerum Novarum” (Of New Things), the most important teaching document of Leo’s hero and namesake, Pope Leo XIII. That document addressed workers’ rights, the limits of capitalism, and the obligations that states and employers owed workers as the Industrial Revolution was underway.
It became the foundation of modern Catholic social thought, and the current pope cited it at the start of his pontificate in relation to the AI revolution, which he believes poses the same existential questions that the Industrial Revolution posed over a century ago. “Magnifica Humanitas” thus becomes the latest chapter in a century-long history of popes adapting “Rerum Novarum” to the social questions of their times, often dwelling on the dignity of work for human flourishing.
AI is evoking both existential fears and utopian vision amid an intensifying debate on whether it will become a catalyst that enriches humanity or a technological toxin that dulls human intelligence while wiping out millions of high-paying jobs.
“The pursuit of greater profits cannot justify choices that systematically sacrifice jobs, because the human person is an end, not a means, and the economic order must remain subordinate to human dignity and the common good,” Leo wrote.
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Leo extended his concern for upholding human dignity in labor to issue the first-ever papal apology for the Holy See’s own role in legitimizing slavery by giving European sovereigns explicit authority to subjugate and enslave “infidels.”
Pope Leo XIV, left, attends the presentation of his first encyclical, “Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence,” at the Vatican, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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Pope Leo XIV, left, attends the presentation of his first encyclical, “Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence,” at the Vatican, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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A decade-long dialogue with Silicon Valley
Vatican officials declined to say who contributed to Leo’s encyclical. But Vatican and church officials have been engaged in a dialogue with Silicon Valley tech firms for a decade.
The decision to include Anthropic at the Vatican launch was criticized by some who considered it a papal stamp of approval of the AI firm, which is currently suing the Trump administration after it ordered all U.S. agencies to stop using Anthropic’s technology for its refusal to allow the U.S. military unrestricted use of it.
Brian Boyd, U.S. faith liaison for the nonprofit Future of Life Institute, read the inclusion of Anthropic’s co-founder Olah as a recognition of its prominence in the field and as similar to a papal audience with a head of state: not an endorsement.
Anthropic is an “enormous corporation that is taking onto itself an enormous risk and responsibility,” Boyd said, adding that the company has “demonstrated genuine goodwill and integrity and interest in dialogue.”
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Winfield reported from Middletown, Connecticut, and Huamani reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writers Kelvin Chan in London and Colleen Barry in Milan contributed to this report.
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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
England had threatened to blow away New Zealand in the second T20 when they reduced the tourists to 11-4.
On that occasion, Sophie Devine and Maddy Green diligently weathered the storm before they took the game to England’s bowlers in a fifth-wicket stand of 159 which laid the platform for a 14-run victory.
This time around England were ruthless when they got themselves into a strong position, their spinners building dot-ball pressure and the lack of scoring opportunities scrambling the minds of the Kiwi batters.
The key New Zealand wicket was Devine, and when she tamely chipped Gibson to mid-off for a five-ball duck England’s joy was obvious.
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Devine was the fourth wicket to fall as the White Ferns’ middle order melted quicker than an ice cream in the 27C heat, collapsing from 29-1 to 33-6.
For a while New Zealand’s lowest total in T20 internationals – 60 all out against England in Whangarei in February 2015 – looked under threat.
Jess Kerr ensured that batting nadir was avoided before she was snared by Issy Wong, but in truth it was England’s spinners who appear key for what is to come later this summer.
According to CricViz, 47% of deliveries bowled by their spinners were hitting the stumps as their 11.1 overs claimed six wickets for 39 runs.
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Linsey Smith was particularly difficult to get away at the start en route to 2-15 while Dean took 3-13 and Sophie Ecclestone snared 1-11.
There are sterner tests to come for this attack, but this was encouraging.
Irish television and radio presenter Miriam O’Callaghan is now favourite to become the next host of RTE flagship programme, The Late Late Show.
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Odds for O’Callaghan, 66, taking over from current host Patrick Kielty have been slashed over the last few days to 2/1.
This could be the perfect timing for the Prime Time and Sunday With Miriam host to add a Friday night entertainment show to her books, according to the Irish Mirror.
The shift in odds comes after Jennifer Zamparelli ruled herself out of contention. Zamparelli effectively ended speculation that she could step into the coveted presenting role.
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It’s also worth noting that Miriam has presented The Late Late Show a few times in the past.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “Miriam O’Callaghan is the clear favourite with punters, and it looks like we’ve reached a point where it really is time to have the first female host of the Late Late Show!”
There is the possibility that Patrick Kielty may make a return to the show, but it is still unclear. RTÉ and Mr Kielty entered into a three year contract in 2023 worth €250,000 per season.
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However, in recent weeks it was revealed Kielty was in fact paid €266,323 in 2025 and €257,657 in 2024.
The national broadcaster noted that this was because it “required” Patrick Kielty to present more programmes “beyond his standard contract.”
RTÉ’s Director General, Kevin Bakhurst has said he would “love” to keep Patrick Kielty as the host of The Late Late Show and has defended extra payments to the star.
This wartime sitcom was very popular in the 1960s and 1970s
Many places across the UK have been used for backdrops to some of people’s favourite TV shows. Any fan of a show loves to go visit the locations where they were filmed, and act just as if they are in the fictional universe they watch.
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Not far from Cambridge and only a 51-minute drive is Thetford in Norfolk, and this was the set of a popular British sitcom from the 1960s and 1970s. During its nine-year run, Thetford became the fictional town of Walmington-on-Sea, the home of Dad’s Army.
Many of the town’s outside locations were used in the BBC sitcom. For example, Thetford Guildhall acted as Walmington-on-Sea’s town hall.
Nether Row, which is a row of cottages, featured in several episodes of the programme, as well as Mill Lane which was a backdrop for many of the show’s comedic scenes. There was also the Palace Cinema that doubled as a cinema in the show, and it was also the real-life spot where the cast and crew used to watch weekly films.
Today, there is a museum dedicated to Dad’s Army in Thetford. It was opened in 2007 by the show’s creator David Croft.
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Inside, there is a reconstruction of Captain Mainwaring’s church hall office, several display areas, a shop and the Marigold Tea Room. There is also a host of historic photographs on show, alongside other memorabilia.
As well as being the centre of all things Dad’s Army, Thetford has much more on offer. The town is dubbed a “historic gem” by Thetford Town Council, and was also previously the ancient capital of East Anglia.
It’s considered the perfect place for not only history buffs, but nature lovers as well. It’s surrounded by stunning landscapes waiting to be explored.
There is Thetford Forest, which is the UK’s biggest manmade lowland forest. It’s made up of pines, heathland and broadleaves, providing the “ideal setting for a great day out”, according to Forestry England.
Race organisers have now confirmed that a rider was injured and the collision also involved a number of spectators.
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“The session was immediately stopped and all racing activity around the Mountain Course was suspended to allow for serious incident response procedures to be enacted,” said the organisers in a statement.
“The incident occurred on the exit of Parliament Square, and involved a single competitor and a number of spectators. The competitor was taken to Nobles Hospital and is currently reported as conscious and talking with leg injuries, and continues to receive further treatment.
“Eight spectators were identified as requiring treatment. All were reported as conscious, and were transferred to Nobles Hospital for further assessment and treatment.
“To ensure the incident was managed as effectively as possible, the decision was made to suspend any further racing activity for the remainder of the day.
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In accordance with the event’s standard operating procedures, an investigative process is now underway involving race, medical and safety personnel.
“The Isle of Man TT Races would like to thank the marshals, medical teams, emergency services, Manx Care and all personnel that supported with the response to today’s incident, and our thoughts continue to be with those involved.”
It comes after the tragic death of a competitor during the Pre-TT Classic races on the Isle of Man this week.
Morning practice and qualifying take place on the Isle Of Man circuit on Monday, but the Classic bike races took place on Sunday.
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Southern 100 Road Races have confirmed that a 68-year-old rider died after an accident on the second lap of the classic race.
Lancashire man Alan Oversby crashed on the 400cc race on the Billown Circuit in the south of the island.
Curlew House is a dog-friendly luxury holiday home that can sleep up to eight guests and is located in one of Wales’ most loved tourist locations.
17:06, 25 May 2026Updated 17:07, 25 May 2026
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Wales offers some truly unforgettable places to stay and tucked away in Pembrokeshire is one spectacular retreat that proves exactly why a Welsh getaway is worth booking for your new getaway.
Available to book through Sykes Cottages, Curlew House in Cosheston is a stunning contemporary escape hidden within the timeless beauty of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The Curlew House is beautiful inside and out and the striking semi-circular property sits in an enviable position on the banks of an expansive tidal estuary, surrounded by oak and ash woodland and enjoying huge uninterrupted views across sky and water.
From the moment you arrive, Curlew House makes an impression. Facing south and west, the home has been carefully designed so guests can enjoy the spectacular scenery from almost every angle.
Inside, a dramatic staircase leads down to the ground floor, framed by a huge glass panel and double doors opening onto a spacious terrace beyond.
The upper level houses four beautifully designed bedrooms. The master suite enjoys fabulous double-aspect views from a super king-size bed, plus a private balcony and en-suite bathroom complete with both bath and separate shower. A second large bedroom sits at the opposite end of the house and offers equally impressive views from another terrace. Configurable as either a twin or super king room, it also includes its own en-suite with bath and shower.
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The remaining two bedrooms each feature king-size beds, generous storage and estuary views, alongside stylish en-suite shower rooms.
Downstairs, the holiday home opens into an expansive living space designed for families and groups to gather. A well-equipped kitchen with breakfast bar flows into a dining area centred around a beautiful oak table seating eight.
One of the standout spaces is the bright sunroom overlooking the pool area. Doubling as a second sitting room, it links effortlessly with the living and dining areas and includes a kitchenette and cosy wood-burning stove.
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Outside, Curlew House is every bit as striking as its interior. Large sliding doors lead onto an impressive terrace featuring a beautiful solar-heated swimming pool that instantly catches the eye. The pool creates a luxurious resort-style feel while complementing the spectacular surroundings.
Visitors who have stayed at Curlew House clearly found it just as memorable.
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One review reads: “Wonderful holiday had by all the family. Enjoyed the accommodation – stunning and very individual and very well equipped -views, pool and hot tub, together with exploring Pembrokeshire Hope to visit again.”
Another guest said: “We had a lovely time, thank you. Everyone enjoyed the pool . Delightful to open the curtains and see the views”
A third stayer added: “A very special place to unwind and relax with spectacular views over the estuary. Everything here to make a perfect holiday. Thank you so much.”
Elswhere, the Hay Barn in Powys is available to book on Luxury Cottages. It is dog-friendly and can sleep up to 10 guests.
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Also, the Cuddfan Cottage in Abergavenny is another standout cottage where guests can enjoy an indoor swimming pool.
The Whatuni Student Choice Awards are based on tens of thousands of independent student reviews
A Welsh university has been rated top in the UK for its halls and student’s career prospects. The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) is celebrating an” exceptional performance” in the 2026 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), achieving top rankings in several student experience categories.
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Four of Wales’ eight universities are ranked among the top 10 in the UK in a number of categories in the annual awards , which are based entirely on student reviews and experiences.
The Whatuni Student Choice Awards are widely recognised as one of the most important indicators of student satisfaction in UK higher education, as they draw on tens of thousands of independent student reviews. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.
UK rankings for Welsh universities in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2026:
Careers prospects
UWTSD – Best in UK ranked number 1
Judges said: “The University of Wales Trinity Saint David was commended for it supportive and knowledgeable lecturers, the modern facilities and its location in beautiful Swansea. Its students liked the small class sizes and the blend of natural beauty and city life that Swansea offers, resulting in a well-rounded university experience. The comprehensive support services for students were also highlighted as being brilliant.”
Wrexham – 10
Swansea 20
Cardiff Met 24
Bangor 34
University of South Wales 36
Cardiff University 42
University halls
UWTSD – best in UK ranked number 1
Judges said: “The University of Wales Trinity Saint David was commended for it supportive and knowledgeable lecturers, the modern facilities and its location in beautiful Swansea. Its students liked the small class sizes and the blend of natural beauty and city life that Swansea offers, resulting in a well-rounded university experience. The comprehensive support services for students were also highlighted as being brilliant.”
Wrexham University 3
Aberystwyth University 22
Bangor University 29
University of South Wales 55
Swansea University 60
Cardiff University 72
Lecturers and Teaching Quality
UWTSD 3
Wrexham 7
Bangor 28
Aberystywth 32
University of South Wales 36
Cardiff Metropolitan University 45
Swansea university 56
Cardiff University 80
International
UWTSD 3
Wrexham 12
Cardiff 38
Bangor 46
University of South Wales 61
Swansea 62
Student support
Wrexham 2
UWTSD 5
Cardiff Met 47
Bangor University 60
Aberystwyth University 63
Cardiff University 68
Swansea University 82
USW 87
Student life
Cardiff University 6
Aberystwyth University 10
UWTSD 21
Wrexham 39
Swansea 46
Cardiff Met 53
Bangor University 60
Students’ union
Cardiff University 3
Wrexham University 26
UWTSD 27
Bangor University 52
Aberystwyth University 61
Swansea 79
Cardiff Met 86
University of South Wales 91
Postgraduate support
UWTSD 10
Wrexham University 18
Cardiff University 34
Bangor University 56
USW 65
Swansea University 67
Professor Mirjam Plantinga, UWTSD’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, said: “These accolades are especially meaningful because they are voted for by our own students. They are a powerful endorsement of the student experience we strive to provide: one that is supportive, engaging and focused on real-world outcomes.
“We are particularly proud to have been ranked first for career prospects, which reflects our longstanding collaboration with industry and employers. Our courses are designed around employer needs to ensure that our graduates leave us equipped with the skills, experience, and confidence to succeed in their careers.
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“We are also delighted to rank third for lecturers and teaching quality, and fifth for student support. This is clear recognition of our commitment to delivering an excellent learning experience and supporting every student to achieve their full potential.”
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Six people were in the property at the time of the incident
A car has crashed into a property in Dorchester Park
Six people were inside a property in South Belfast owned by a disability charity when a car left the road and crashed into it.
The emergency services were called to a property on Dorchester Park at the junction with Malone Road after a Volkswagen Golf left the road at 3.45am on Monday, May 25, and smashed into it. The vehicle crashed through a wall before hitting a conservatory causing significant damage.
The property is owned by disability charity Sense and had five service users and a member of staff inside at the time of the incident. Police have said they were distressed by the ordeal. The charity has issued a statement saying everyone inside is safe and have moved to other suitable accomodation.
A Sense spokesperson said: “We can confirm that there was a serious incident at one of our services in the early hours of this morning, when a vehicle left the road and struck the property.
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“Thankfully, all the people we support at the service, along with staff on duty, are safe and receiving appropriate support. We are working closely with families, local partners and emergency services to ensure everyone affected has suitable temporary accommodation and ongoing care.
“The property has sustained significant damage and remains under assessment.
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“As this is now a police matter, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.”
A 21-year-old man and 33-year-old woman were arrested following the incident and have since been released on bail.
“A short time later, officers located two people suspected of being in the offending vehicle.
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“A man, aged 21, and a woman, aged 33, have been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, driving while unfit and a number of additional driving-related offences.”
Inspector Colhoun said: “Extensive damage was caused to the vehicle involved, the property and three other vehicles in the area.
“This is a shocking incident, and it’s only by sheer luck that we aren’t dealing with much more serious consequences this morning.
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“The residents of the property had to be moved in the middle of the night, which was an extremely distressing experience for them.
“We would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed this vehicle in the Milltown Road or Malone Road areas, especially those with dashcam or other footage, to contact our officers on 101, quoting reference 157 25/05/26.
A third person was arrested in Sheffield following the incident
17:43, 25 May 2026Updated 17:49, 25 May 2026
A man and a woman have been arrested in Stockport after a 30-year-old woman died following a shooting outside a bar in Sheffield city centre.
Police were called to a shooting outside One Four One bar on the busy West Street at around 2.45am on Bank Holiday Monday where they found a woman with serious injuries who later died in hospital, South Yorkshire Police said.
A 30-year-old man and 32-year-old woman were arrested near Stockport during the early hours of Monday, while a 30-year-old man was arrested in Sheffield. All three remain in custody.
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Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane said: “This is a devastating incident which has resulted in the death of a young woman while on a night out during the bank holiday weekend in Sheffield.
“First and foremost, our thoughts are with her family and everyone who knew and loved her. Our investigation is being led by our Major Crime Team, and as part of our inquiries, three people have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
“A man and woman were arrested near Stockport in Greater Manchester early this morning and a further man has been detained here in Sheffield. Our officers have been working extremely hard to piece together the events surrounding the shooting.
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“While our investigation is in its early stages, we will continue to have a significant presence at the scene in the area today and in the coming days.”
He continued with a plea for anyone with information to come forward, adding that this can be done ‘completely anonymously’.
Constable McFarlane said: “Bank holidays are one of the busiest times of the year, and we know that there were people in the area around West Street and Eldon Street who saw what happened or know who is responsible. If this is you, please share what you know either directly to us, or completely anonymously via Crimestoppers. Now is not the time to stay silent.”
He added: “Gun crime causes unbearable tragedy and the victim and her family deserve answers. We will work tirelessly to provide these answers and to put those responsible before the courts.”
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A spokesperson for the force also said: “Please be aware that West Street in Sheffield city centre is currently closed between Mappin Street and Westfield Terrace. Eldon Street, Westhill Lane and part of Orange Street are also closed.
“The road closures are likely to remain in place for a number of hours as we investigate reports of a shooting in the early hours of this morning (May 25).”
Formal identification has yet to take place but the woman’s family have been informed and are being supported by officers.
Dubai businessman Lee Andrews has been missing for weeks
17:44, 25 May 2026Updated 17:44, 25 May 2026
Katie Price has revealed that her missing husband Lee Andrews possessed three mobile phones, claiming his alleged ‘kidnappers’ have seized two of them.
Price also shared a voice note that she sent to Lee’s dad after he vanished earlier this month, The Mirror reports.
The 48-year-old can be heard attempting to contact father-in-law Peter to update him on the businessman’s whereabouts in a clip she says gives a ‘unique insight in to how the first few hours played out’ after her man went missing.
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Lee has been at the centre of speculation for weeks after he mysteriously disappeared from social media. His wife has claimed he was taken, but sleuths have pointed out several holes in that story since. He has been absent from social media until Friday, when he appeared to follow another account on Instagram.
Previously, he had only followed the mum-of-five – but in a weird twist he now also follows a woman named Marisol. The reasoning behind his disappearance has become more unclear as the self-proclaimed billionaire appears to be ‘stealing’ a similar story from another victim.
In her new YouTube video, titled: ‘Katie Price Vlog: The morning after my husband goes MISSING.’ she let fans in on the aftermath. She claimed that Lee said that his “kidnappers” have taken two of his phones but he has a secret third one that he was using to contact her.
The video was filmed a day after Lee went missing. “Because last night, they said, ‘They’ve taken two of my phones. They don’t know I’m on this phone’. And so he said, ‘I’ll just let you know I’ve been arrested. If they ring you,’” she claims he told her.
“He wrote a text quick. I mean, I’m hope he’s all right, but I don’t know,” she continued, before showing herself leaving a voice note for her father-in-law, whose number Lee gave her just moments before he disappeared.
She wrote in the caption: “My head felt like it was about to explode with all the noise and the chaos so it was nice to be about to chill and zen out if only for a moment. It was only the day after he went missing and I was still trying to process it all whilst trying to keep myself busy.”
Since then, his dad has claimed that his son is not missing but is actually locked up in prison instead. He said over the weekend: “Lee is OK. He has not been kidnapped but he is under arrest. I don’t know on what charge. I’m not sure where he is being held. But he will call me later today.”
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The ‘kidnap’ story is reported to share striking parallels with that of British grandfather Albert Douglas, who lived in Dubai. He had been held for financial fraud in 2019 over a bounced cheque connected to his son’s collapsed wooden flooring business.
Family friend Rebecca, 45, told the Daily Mail that the family are “sick with worry,” slamming Katie’s decision to post public videos about the alleged kidnapping.
She said: “They are a very close family. Kelly (Lee’s sister) has taken the lead and is the one communicating with Katie and the Dubai police. She is trying to take the strain off her mother, Trisha, and I’m trying to support both of them through this worrying time.”
“The whole situation is so upsetting for them,” Rebecca added. “They are trying to stay off social media now. The lack of empathy and compassion in some of the online comments is honestly heartbreaking. Behind every post is a family hoping for answers. Seeing cruel jokes online only adds to their pain.”
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Lee and Katie met on social media, before she flew out to Dubai to cement their romance. Soon after that, they got engaged and tied the knot days later with just the two of them present.
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