The Cold War-era BBC series has been called a ‘masterpiece’ by critics and fans — and viewers are saying it may be the best spy thriller series out there.

Few things prove more thrilling to binge-watch than a superbly crafted spy series, and for years, ‘The Night Manager’ has remained the gold standard.

The small-screen adaptation of John le Carré’s 1993 novel features Tom Hiddleston delivering an equally charming and enigmatic lead performance – captivating audiences from the opening scene.

However, another espionage thriller is now being lauded as a genuine contender to ‘The Night Manager’, with some viewers even claiming it surpasses its rival.

‘The Game’ is a six-episode spy thriller created for television by Toby Whithouse, who penned the screenplay alongside Sarah Dollard and Debbie O’Malley.

The ‘outstanding’ programme stars Tom Hughes in the main role, supported by a formidable ensemble cast including Brian Cox, Paul Ritter, Shaun Dooley, Chloe Pirrie, Victoria Hamilton, and Jonathan Aris, reports the Express.

The series first aired in 2014 to considerable critical praise, though disappointment followed in 2015 when it was confirmed there would be no second season – leaving fans deeply frustrated.

Filmed across Birmingham, London, and Wales during August 2013, audiences continue to be captivated by this relatively under-the-radar spy thriller.

The official synopsis reads: “Tensions are high in 1972 London when the Soviets devise Operation Glass, a plot to bring down Britain, while the world’s superpowers engage in a war fought mainly by spies. A defecting KGB officer contacts MI5 with details of the plan. In response, MI5’s leader assembles a secret team, including enigmatic agent Joe Lambe, to investigate and stop the threat to Britain and the rest of the world.”

Boasting an impressive 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, The Game has been lauded as a ‘masterpiece’ by enthusiasts of the genre, with acclaim flooding in from numerous sources.

One critic said: “The Game is wonderfully atmospheric, stylish, and sexy.”

Another reviewer added: “The drama excels in the realms of atmosphere, tension and mood, and these are the vital things that a spy drama can’t get wrong.”

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A third critic said: “The Game is next-level entertainment, courtesy of smart scripts and a cast of finely drawn characters.”

While one reviewer wrote: “Plenty of twisty plotting, grim atmosphere and MI5 staff with a rich variety of psychological afflictions, in six parts.”

Viewers are similarly captivated by the series, with one fan saying: “Amazing! the best cold war thriller i have seen in ages.”

Meanwhile, another viewer said: “Another BBC masterpiece, with thrilling plot and solid ensemble cast.”

One IMDB user review said: “Superb BBC Quality. The Game is an absolutely first rate Cold War mini-series from the BBC set in the 1970’s. The plot is complex and intelligent with lots of twists and turns and will appeal to Le Carré fans. The acting is absolutely superb all round.”

While another viewer voiced their frustration over the series’ axing: “Left me speechless. Brilliant series. What a welcome return to television for this genre, cold war spy thriller, so popular back in the 1980’s and for many years criminally absent.

“The Game was an awesome five part series, incredibly written and scripted, it was dark, pacey, loaded with intrigue and thoroughly engaging. Utterly devastating that a second series wasn’t commissioned, the BBC missed a golden opportunity with both this and Banished. Nevertheless, The Game was a magnificent piece of drama, 10/10”

The Game is available to stream without charge on BBC iPlayer and UKTV.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is working overnight to pass legislation that would fund President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agencies as Democrats and some Republicans have tried to add language to permanently block Trump from creating a $1.776 billion settlement fund.

Earlier in the day, Republicans turned back a Democratic effort to block the fund, which would compensate the president’s allies who say they have been politically persecuted. But there were potentially more amendments to come overnight as Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana has said he will try again to block the settlement.

The amendments were a test of party unity and a threat to the immigration spending bill, as some Republicans have repeatedly voted to block the fund. The first vote on the settlement was held open for around three hours as several GOP senators decided whether to support it.

“I feel optimistic that we’ll get there in the end,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Thursday evening, while acknowledging he was not sure how the votes would turn out.

Thune has been pushing GOP senators for weeks to keep the bill focused on the funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, which Democrats have blocked since early this year, and to avoid adding new provisions that could complicate its passage.

If an amendment limiting the settlement were to pass, Thune said, it would be “problematic” when they send the bill to the House. It could also mean a White House veto of the immigration spending bill, which has otherwise unified Trump and Republicans.

The last time the Senate abruptly changed a Homeland Security funding package, in March, the House simply refused to accept it and left town.

Settlement fund roils Senate GOP conference

Trump’s judgment fund, which was part of a settlement that resolves his lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns, has angered many Republican senators.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said this week that the fund would not move forward. But Trump, who has been at odds with Senate Republicans in recent weeks, raised new doubts about the settlement’s future Wednesday afternoon — just after the Senate had voted to start debate on the immigration bill — when he told reporters that the settlement is “very important” and said “I don’t know” whether it is dead or on hold.

“I’d have to ask the lawyers,” he said.

The Senate rejected a second amendment from Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina on Thursday that would also have banned the settlement fund but would have moved the money to a separate anti-fraud fund at the Department of Justice. Most Democrats voted against the amendment, guaranteeing its defeat, but more than 10 Republicans supported it.

Tillis said the settlement fund, some of which could potentially go to Trump supporters who beat police and attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is a political liability for the party.

“If Blanche says this is largely inoperative, why not use this moment to codify that?” Tillis said. “Otherwise, you’re exposing every one of our members who are in cycle to having to deal with this between today and Election Day, and that makes no sense for something that the DOJ says they’re not moving forward with.”

Amendments will be offered late into the night

It was unclear how Republicans would vote on additional amendments.

Cassidy, who lost re-election last month after Trump endorsed his primary opponent, said he still planned to offer an amendment to ban payouts from the settlement. He told reporters he may also offer an amendment to block a separate part of the settlement that would grant Trump and his family immunity from IRS audits.

Several Republican senators said they supported the idea but would have to see the final language before they decide. Sen. John Cornyn, who also lost reelection last month after Trump endorsed his opponent, said he agrees with the “thrust of it” but would wait to see the amendment. Republican Sen. John Curtis of Utah said the same.

Thune said he believes the final bill should pass without language to prohibit the settlement.

“This is about border funding,” Thune said. “It’s about law enforcement, it’s about ICE and CBP. So I’m trying to, you know, keep it about the main thing.”

Democrats continued to offer amendments through the night, including on Trump’s tariffs, his war with Iran and his immigration enforcement campaign.

“Amendment after amendment, vote after vote, Republicans are going to have to answer to the American people,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said at the beginning of the day.

ICE and Border Patrol money has been delayed for months

Passage of the roughly $70 billion bill to fund ICE and the Border Patrol would end the blockade by Democrats who demanded policy changes after the fatal shootings of two protesters by federal agents in January. The bill would fund the agencies for three years, through the end of Trump’s term.

Senate Republicans are using a complicated procedural maneuver to get around the filibuster and pass the budget legislation with no Democratic votes. But it has taken weeks to get the bill to the Senate floor as Republicans navigated various obstacles to passage created by Trump and the White House — including a $1 billion proposal for White House security and Trump’s ballroom that they eventually scrapped and the fierce bipartisan backlash to the settlement fund.

Democrats say any funding bill for the Homeland Security Department should place restraints on federal immigration authorities, including better identification for federal officers and more use of judicial warrants, among other asks.

After federal agents shot Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Trump agreed to a Democratic request that the Homeland Security bill be separated from a larger spending measure that became law. But bipartisan negotiations went nowhere, and the department funding lapsed in mid-February with no agreement on changes to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics.

Congress eventually funded the rest of the Homeland Security Department at the end of April with Democratic support, but ICE and Border Patrol remained without regular funding.

___

Associated Press writers Kevin Freking and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.

Critically acclaimed FX series Snowfall – streaming free on BBC iPlayer – could be the gripping crime drama you’ve been searching for, as many viewers have argued it beats Netflix’s Breaking Bad.

I was among the millions of viewers completely captivated by Netflix‘s Breaking Bad, which chronicles chemistry teacher Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston) and his venture into the crystal meth business. Since the programme reached its dramatic finale in 2013, I’d been searching for a crime drama equally engrossing and worthy of a binge-watching session.

Thankfully, a friend recommended Snowfall. It wasn’t long before I was hooked. It seems I wasn’t alone, as many viewers have taken to Reddit to praise the series, with one admitting: “Snowfall had me staying up watching episodes til 5 am”, while another, who insisted “Snowfall is better” than Breaking Bad, added: “The real life story that Snowfall tells is unbeatable”.

The riveting series, which initially aired on FX in 2017 with its concluding episode broadcast in 2023, is now available for streaming on both BBC iPlayer and Disney+. It features Nigerian-British actor Damson Idris as Franklin Saint, a teenage entrepreneur chasing wealth and power in 1980s Los Angeles.

The critically acclaimed programme boasts a 92% overall Rotten Tomatoes score, with four separate seasons securing a perfect 100%. While Breaking Bad and Snowfall have both succeeded in mesmerising audiences globally, there are numerous reasons why I consider the latter to be the better watch.

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Historical elements

Unlike Breaking Bad, which can feel somewhat unrealistic given Walter’s sudden and dramatic descent into criminality, Snowfall is more relatable. The first season immediately gripped me with its gritty storyline rooted in real-world events, lending it considerably more credibility.

The show centres on a CIA operative seeking to fund the Contras through profits derived from Franklin and his family’s street-level narcotics enterprise. This draws on genuine controversy surrounding allegations that the CIA facilitated Nicaragua’s drug trafficking for geopolitical gain.

Snowfall is also poignantly set during the early stages of the crack cocaine epidemic, which ravaged real American neighbourhoods — most notably South Central Los Angeles — throughout the 1980s.

Over six seasons, Franklin grapples with the life-changing fortune he can gain from producing and selling the drug, even as it simultaneously destroys his community and tears apart his closest relationships.

A compelling ensemble of supporting characters

For me personally, having genuine emotional investment in every character is essential, and Snowfall’s exceptional ensemble truly drives the story forward, whereas Breaking Bad relies too heavily on Walter and his former student-turned-accomplice Jesse Pinkman (played by Aaron Paul). Damson Idris, who recently starred opposite Brad Pitt in 2025’s blockbuster F1, brings the extraordinary emotional range needed to convincingly depict Franklin’s journey from a naive, family-oriented teenager into a ruthless drug lord.

While Damson certainly dominates the screen as the lead, his compelling performance as Franklin wouldn’t succeed without the show’s ensemble cast. The main antagonist, Teddy McDonald, a CIA agent with hidden agendas (superbly played by Carter Hudson), together with Franklin’s loyal uncle Jerome Saint (Amin Joseph), a fan favourite overseeing his nephew’s ground-level dealings alongside his partner Louie (Angela Lewis), all play vital roles in Franklin’s character development.

Gail Bean offers another outstanding turn as Wanda Bell, a troubled crack cocaine user whose moving path towards recovery, supported by Franklin’s best mate Leon Simmons (played by Isaiah John), gives the show emotional weight while exposing the catastrophic consequences of the lead character’s actions.

In comparison, Breaking Bad’s ensemble, including some members of Walter’s extended family, feels less memorable, sometimes becoming tedious to watch as subplots struggle to rival the power of the central story.

No dull episodes

Breaking Bad occasionally loses its way, most notably in the third series’ infamous Fly episode, in which Walter and Jesse spend an entire instalment attempting to rid their lab of a single insect — a far cry from the gripping drama that fans had come to expect from the show.

While Snowfall’s debut series takes a handful of episodes to properly bed in its characters, each one serves a vital role without ever derailing the story’s momentum.

Every subplot, including the Villanueva Cartel’s deepening involvement in Franklin’s drugs operation, contributes to the show’s relentless pace and keeps viewers thoroughly entertained.

Relationships and crime family dynamic

The relationship between Walter and Jesse remains one of the most intricate and compelling partnerships ever seen on television, yet Snowfall’s portrayal of Franklin and Teddy’s alliance — which swiftly unravels with devastating consequences — proves even more engrossing.

Their fractious partnership directly accelerates the Saint family’s downfall, acting as the catalyst for their rapid transformation from a small-scale cannabis operation into a crack cocaine empire.

The fraught yet deeply co-dependent mother-son relationship between Franklin and Cissy Saint (Michael Hyatt) provides an equally compelling central storyline, building towards a dramatic conclusion that is certain to leave any Snowfall viewer utterly stunned.

If, like me, Breaking Bad left you yearning for more plot twists within a story that stays with you long after the credits roll, Snowfall will exceed all expectations.

In a victory for nature, more than 2,300 miles of waterways were reconnected in Europe last year, as a record number of dams were removed across the continent.  

A new report by Dam Removal Europe, an environmental group, found that 603 river barriers were taken down across the continent last year – up significantly on the 542 removed in 2024. Sweden led the way, with 173 removals, followed by Finland (143) and Spain (109). Iceland and Macedonia, meanwhile, pulled down their first river barriers.

According to the report, the record breaking year saw Europe’s dam busters reconnect around 2,300 miles of waterways in 2025, improving river habitats and reopening migratory routes for fish. 

Biodiversity gains have already been reported in some places, including along the River Lee in north Wales (pictured), where sightings of sea lamprey nests have surged since Eribstock Weir was removed. 

“Seeing these [nests] is genuinely exciting,” said Joel Rees-Jones, who led the project. “By reconnecting habitats and removing barriers like Erbistock Weir, we’re giving iconic species such as lamprey and Atlantic salmon a fighting chance to thrive.”  

However, obstacles remain. “With more than 150,000 obsolete barriers fragmenting European rivers, there is still a lot of work to be done,” said Dam Removal Europe. “But momentum is really building.” 

Image: Christian Björling

Charles Hanson, star of Bargain Hunt, Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip, is coming to Helmsley as part of his UK-wide valuation day tours.

The 48-year-old is based at Hansons Auctioneers’ HQ at Etwall, near Derby – one of 11 salerooms across the country.

He also the host of the new TV show called Secrets of the Auction House, which sees Charles and his team unearth forgotten antiques around the UK.

Charles said he believed the historic Ryedale area – famed for its country houses, farming heritage and generations of family ownership – could produce some fascinating discoveries.

He said: “Helmsley is exactly the sort of place where exciting antiques can still emerge. Across North Yorkshire you find wonderful country house pieces, traditional oak and pine furniture, silver, clocks, militaria and agricultural bygones tucked away in family homes.

“With beautiful historic estates nearby and such a strong heritage culture in the area, I wouldn’t be surprised if we uncover one or two real surprises.”

Charles added: “But we’re not just looking for local antiques. With the price of gold the highest it has been since the 1970s, jewellery tucked away in trinket boxes is currently making huge amounts.

“When people bring in what they think are worthless bits of costume jewellery their jaws drop when I tell them that it could be worth thousands. “I always say every house has one great valuable squirrelled away and nothing gives me more pleasure than unearthing them.”

Charles said: “No appointment is necessary, just turn up with your hidden treasures and, who knows, you could discover you are sitting on a goldmine.”

” At one walk-in valuation in Birmingham a blue and white Chinese pot, known to the family simply as “Aunt Beryl’s vase”, went on to sell for £800,000.”

Members of the public are invited to take their treasures for expert advice and free auction valuations to Helmsley Arts Centre on June 16, from 11am to 1pm.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to consign items for future Hanson’s auctions.

Hello, and welcome to WalesOnline’s live blog for Friday, June 5. We’ll be bringing you all of the latest news from across Wales – whether you’re on the move, at home or at work – as well as the latest traffic and travel.

We’ll also be keeping you informed of major news stories from the UK and overseas.

Contribute to the live blog by posting your comments below, or tweet us @WalesOnline to share the news that’s breaking in your area. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.

Asked about recent criticism of the UK’s diminished capabilities by the former defence secretary, Lord Robertson, and whether the government is willing to give the military the extra funding it has said it needs, Sir Richard said he was confident ministers are aware of the threats and are increasing spending.

The exercise, held at Catterick Garrison, involved soldiers from 11 EOD and Search Regiment Royal Logistic Corps and was designed to prepare them for the demands of modern conflict in urban environments.

Major Matthew Coleman, officer commanding, said: “Today is bringing us back to basics from our normal day job.

“Today is hugely important, the junior and senior members of the team are all working together and preparing themselves for what they would need to do in a real-life urban warfare situation.”

The training focused on squadron-level individual training requirements, including blank firing and building clearance drills.

Designed to ensure operational readiness and reinforce team cohesion, the exercise marked a return to core soldiering skills for a regiment best known for its specialist EOD expertise.

The regiment is made up of around 650 personnel, including ammunition technicians, Royal Signals specialists, Royal Engineers search teams, and intelligence operators.

The exercise assessed individual performance, team integration, and command and control under pressure.

Lance Corporal James Tunstall, who recently qualified as an instructor, said: “Today is about training the troop in urban tactics, making sure we’re all fully trained and everyone has an awareness of what urban training is.

“Learning it is very different to teaching it.

“Personally instructing is a lot more difficult.

“Today has given me the knowledge that I need to learn the drills better in order to know how to instruct them better.

“It benefits the whole team to try and work together in close proximity – it’s definitely beneficial to the whole team and individually too.”

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Lance Corporal Caitlin Donohue, an ammunition technician who joined the unit two weeks ago, described the experience as challenging but valuable.

She said: “It’s very daunting.

“Urban training is a completely new environment for me, it’s really interesting and fun to be a part of.

“I would definitely feel 100% more comfortable going into a real-life situation because of this exercise and training.”

The regiment operates across the UK and on overseas deployments.

For the men who delivered England’s greatest footballing triumph, glory came at a cost.

The Three Lions’ 1966 World Cup win against West Germany was an iconic moment. The match brought joy to millions, ignited chaotic street parties all over the nation and gave birth to the legendary phrase; “They think it’s all over – it is now.”

But following that historic victory, several members of the 1966 World Cup team, including Martin Peters, Ray Wilson, and Nobby Stiles, passed away from dementia. Jack and Bobby Charlton also suffered from the disease before their deaths.

We can never know for certain how much heading the ball can be blamed for these diagnoses.

60 years since England won the World Cup, Channel 4 will show the historic match in full technicolour glory on Saturday, to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s Society and the work the charity does to help over 100,000 people living with dementia in the UK.

Sir Geoff Hurst will introduce the broadcast, alongside comedian David Baddiel.

A prominent advocate for dementia research, Sir Geoff has pledged to posthumously donate his brain to medical science to help researchers study the impact of heading footballs, and he has strongly supported a ban on children heading the ball.

In the programme he pays tribute to his teammates lost to the disease and meets meets Adron, who attended the 1966 World Cup Final, and now lives with dementia.

Lifelong England fan David Baddiel, who co-wrote football anthem ‘Three Lions’, is also an advocate for neurological research after losing his own father, Colin, to Pick’s disease, a rare form of frontotemporal dementia. 

Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor for Sport, Joe Blake Turner, says, ‘As we approach a World Cup summer, there’s no better time to relive England’s one and only victory with this special broadcast that will also raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Society.’

Highlights of the match will include extra time, a controversial goal, the crowd running onto the pitch and Queen Elizabeth II presenting England’s captain, Bobby Moore, with the golden Jules Rimet trophy. Older fans will remember the moment he wiped his muddy hands on the velvet balustrade of the Royal Box so he wouldn’t get her white gloves dirty.

As well as featuring England captain Harry Kane and other England stars, the programme will include calls to action on dementia and encourage the audience to donate to Alzheimer’s Society.

The number of viewers on Saturday evening is predicted to exceed that of the live broadcast itself.

’60 years ago, 32 million people, the largest ever audience in UK history, watched England win the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final in black and white,’ says Neil Canetty-Clarke, the Executive Producer.

‘We hope millions more will watch it in colour on Channel 4 on June 6 to celebrate the anniversary and support Alzheimer’s Society.’

The programme will be produced by Whisper and Final Replay. Anton Sensky, the Producer and Director for Whisper, says the project is a ‘deeply personal’ mission.

‘As primary carer for my mother, it was both emotional and cathartic to share this journey with David Baddiel, Sir Geoff Hurst and the Alzheimer’s Society,’ he reflects.

Michelle Dyson CB, Chief Executive Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, adds:’It’s heartbreaking that many former players – and indeed fans – of the legendary 1966 World Cup team have been affected by dementia.

‘Their stories are a powerful reminder of why we must keep raising awareness and the funds needed to support people living with this devastating condition today while also working towards a better future.’

The 1966 FIFA World Cup Final In Colour, in partnership with SunLife, will air on Channel 4 at 4.45pm and Channel 4 Streaming on Saturday June 6.

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Some PIP claimants with stable or severe conditions will face reviews only every four or six years under updated award guidance, the DWP has confirmed

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that certain individuals receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) may only undergo reviews every four or six years following revised award guidance.

The modification was flagged by welfare rights website Rightsnet, which reports that the DWP stated new standard review periods will be “operationalised” as four and six year awards in practice. The DWP also clarified that extended review intervals are designed to function as minimum periods rather than fixed standards, meaning awards can still be adapted to individual circumstances.

Crucially for numerous long-term claimants, the Department also confirmed that 10-year ‘light touch’ awards will remain in place for individuals with the most severe or stable conditions, reports the Daily Record.

Ongoing awards with a ‘light touch’ review

A ‘light touch’ review is typically granted to claimants who have:

• Very stable needs which are unlikely to change over time
• High level needs which will either stay the same or get worse
• A planned award review date due on or at State Pension age
• A special rules for end of life claim due when of State Pension age

PIP is a disability benefit paid to more than 3.9 million individuals across England and Wales who require assistance with daily living activities or mobility requirements due to a long-term health condition or disability.

It’s vital to note that the benefit has been superseded in Scotland by Adult Disability Payment, which is managed by Social Security Scotland.

Existing DWP guidance already indicates that ‘light touch’ reviews are reserved for claimants with severe conditions or those whose needs are unlikely to change. The revised clarification is likely to provide comfort for numerous disabled individuals who are concerned about regular reassessments and repetitive paperwork.

Within the existing framework, PIP awards can differ considerably in duration based on a claimant’s medical condition and whether their situation is anticipated to alter.

According to PIP guidance on GOV.UK, awards undergo regular reviews to ensure claimants continue to receive appropriate levels of support.

Nevertheless, campaigners and welfare advisers have consistently maintained that individuals with lifelong or degenerative conditions should not be subjected to needless reassessments.

Rightsnet reports that the DWP’s clarification confirms extended review periods will remain integral to the department’s strategy for those with more stable medical conditions.

The UK Government had previously set out proposals for extended PIP award review periods as part of broader disability benefit reforms, though the most recent clarification offers greater insight into how the modifications are anticipated to operate practically.

The announcement arrives as the UK Government pursues wider reforms to disability benefits and assessments.

Individuals currently in receipt of PIP need not contact the DWP unless instructed to do so or their circumstances alter.

Claimants in Scotland already receiving Adult Disability Payment undergo assessment through a distinct system operated by Social Security Scotland, which has prioritised minimising unnecessary reviews for individuals with lifelong conditions.