You might have heard of the seven ancient wonders of the world, some of the planet’s most magnificent creations chosen and compiled into a list by Hellenic travellers passing through lands thousands of years ago.
The list, created as early as the fifth century BC, venerated landmarks like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in ancient Iraq, the domineering bronze statue of the Greek sun god Helios known as the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria, a magnificent navigational beacon for voyagers in ancient Egypt.
However, the passage of time was not kind to these wonders, with many damaged or destroyed by natural disasters or by humans. The only survivor on the list is the 4,600-year-old Great Pyramid of Giza, which once stood for thousands of years as the tallest manmade structure in the world.
While some of these wonders now only exist in history books and legends, a foundation called the New7Wonders sought to unite the world by honouring heritage across the globe and naming seven other sites the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’. More than 100 million votes were cast worldwide, and a new list was born.
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From the ancient Roman Colosseum in Italy to the grand and domineering presence of the Taj Mahal in India, the new seven wonders were chosen to become symbols that respect, honour, and celebrate the world’s cultural diversity.
Sometimes its harder to visit some sites than others. Conflict in the Middle East meant that for months, the UK government advised against non essential travel to Jordan, where the ancient settlement of Petra is found in the southwestern desert. A recent lifting of the travel advisory, however, means that travellers are free to visit this colossal structure once again.
To marvel at the seven wonders in the flesh, we have compiled the best travel tours to experience them for yourself.
The seven new wonders of the world and how to see them
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1. Roman Colosseum, Italy
The Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre ever built (Getty Images)
Found in the centre of Italy’s historic capital, Rome, the Colosseum remains one of the city’s most important monuments, representing thousands of years of history and a symbol of ancient Roman life and legacy. The Colosseum was built in the 1st century AD at the request of the Flavian dynasty emperors, becoming a venue for large spectacles, including animal hunts and gladiator battles. Like the games it used to hold, the amphitheatre remains a marvel that attracts droves of visitors from around the world every year.
How to do it
Trailfinders offers a four-day city break to Rome from £799 per person, depending on the departure date. The itinerary includes exploration of the city’s historic streets, piazzas and architectural wonders, visiting the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum and the Pantheon Roman temple. The tour offers private return transfers from the airport, three nights in four-star accommodation, three breakfasts and a street food tour in Trastevere.
Known as the ‘Rose City’, Petra is carved into the blush-coloured sandstone (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
One of Jordan’s most prized national treasures is the ancient city of Petra, a half-built, half-rock-carved settlement that was an important crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. An industrious Arab people called the Nabataeans resided in Petra more than 2,000 years ago, and it then became a settlement for the Romans and the Byzantines. Now Petra stands as one of the most famous archaeological sites on the planet, giving visitors a glimpse of ancient Eastern tradition and Hellenistic architecture.
How to do it
Intrepid runs an eight-day trip through Jordan, starting and ending in the capital Amman (full of ancient ruins itself), journeying over to the Dead Sea before heading down to Petra to explore the archaeological site for two entire days, including an optional visit to the wonder by night. The itinerary also includes a trip further south down to Wadi Rum, a protected desert wilderness famous for its red sand dunes, which have drawn many a science fiction film director due to its likeness to Mars. The package includes meals, hotel accommodation, and arrival airport transfer, and can be booked from £1,748.
Christ the Redeemer is the most recently created of the seven wonders (Getty Images)
This 98-foot symbol of Christ was completed in 1931, having taken nine years to construct. Over 93 years later, Christ the Redeemer has become one of the most recognisable statues in the world, a key emblem of Rio De Janeiro’s landscape and a cultural icon for Brazil. While ideas for a Christian symbol to be built in Rio had been floated previously, it was not until a push from the Catholic Circle of Rio that the plan was put into action. The statue, made out of reinforced concrete with a soapstone veneer, was created by French-Polish sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, in collaboration with French engineer Albert Caquot, while Brazilian artist Carlos Oswald also helped with the design. The statue sits atop Corcovado Mountain overlooking the bustling city below, as many visitors each year continue to make the pilgrimage up the mountain to see Christ the Redeemer up close in all its grandeur.
How to do it
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For a whistle-stop tour of some of the country’s best sights, Intrepid is offering an eight-day exploration of the best of Brazil. Starting in Rio De Janeiro, travellers will be able to soak up the lively atmosphere and breathtaking views this city has to offer, before moving on to three days of travelling around Paraty, traversing rainforest trails in the surrounding national park, heading out on a boat trip or visiting Trindade, which boasts some of Brazil’s best beaches. A trip to the largely untouched paradise of Ilha Grande is squeezed in before heading back to Rio de Janeiro for free time to hit up Copacabana beach, admire the peak of Sugarloaf Mountain and, of course, stand at the feet of Christ the Redeemer. This eight-day trip includes four breakfasts, hotel accommodations and transport. Prices start from £576.
The Taj Mahal was designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site for being ‘the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage’ (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
One of the most spectacular mausoleums in the world, the Taj Mahal was built over the course of 17 years by the order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to keep the memory alive of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Made out of white marble and recognisable for its pronounced arches and striking domes, the Taj Mahal is situated on the banks of the Yamuna River and is thought of as one of the greatest architectural achievements of Indo-Islamic architecture. With the mausoleum completed in 1648, the grand structure has stood for over 300 years.
How to do it
Intrepid is running an eight-day tour of India’s Golden Triangle, a popular circuit that connects the cities of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. On this trip, you will be able to explore India’s Pink City, Jaipur, by visiting its bazaars and taking part in tours of the Palace of the Winds, the royal residence of City Palace, and Jantar Mantar, a giant stone observatory. The tour will then head to Agra, where travellers will be able to lay their eyes on the marvel that is the Taj Mahal, as well as a grand Mughal emperor’s marble tomb, Akbar’s Mausoleum. The tour will start and end with a trip around Delhi, visiting places such as Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India, and busy marketplaces like Chandni Chowk. The price includes transport in and between cities and seven nights’ accommodation. Prices start from £480 per person.
Macchu Picchu is a series of structures making up a religious, ceremonial, astronomical and agricultural centre (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
This 15th-century Incan citadel, situated high in the heart of a mountain forest, has established itself as one of the most familiar and lasting legacies of the Inca Empire. The citadel was abandoned only a century after the Spaniards conquered the empire and was not publicly promoted again until 1911. Machu Picchu is embedded in a powerful landscape where the Peruvian Andes meet the Amazon Basin, with its structure cut naturally into the rocky slope and diverse flora and fauna meandering throughout the remains. It’s still unclear how important the role of this magnificent blend of the natural and manmade world played for the Incas, but on average, the site receives thousands of visitors a day to experience this wonder of the world first-hand.
How to do it
Intrepid offers various opportunities to hike the Inca Trail, but if travelling by other modes is best for you, company holds a nine-day experience through Peru, touring ancient Inca sites. The trip starts in the capital city, Lima, before heading over to Cusco, a remarkable mix of ancient ruins, colonial architecture and natural beauty. From there you will head over to Machu Picchu for a guided visit of this astonishing Incan citadel, traversing the many temples, astronomical artefacts and living quarters. The trip will end back in Lima, but not before a two-day excursion to Puno, located on the edge of Lake Titicaca, known for its folk heritage and traditional customs. The trip will include some meals, transport, accommodation and the Machu Picchu guided tour. Prices start from £1,535 per person.
El Castillo served as a temple to the god Kukulkan (Getty Images)
The sacred site of Chichén Itzá dates back to pre-Hispanic America, standing for over 1,000 years, and is one of the most prominent lasting symbols of the Mesoamerican Mayan civilisations. One of its most famous surviving buildings is El Castillo, also known as the Temple of Kukulcan, a step pyramid that dominates the centre of the archaeological site and is the tallest, standing at 98 feet tall. Throughout the ancient city, remnants of the Maya and Toltec civilisations can be seen within the stone monuments, constructions and artistic works it has left behind.
How to do it
Hop onto a five-day tour with Trailfinders, meandering through Mexico’s most famous Mayan sites and spending a few days in the vibrant city of Merida that reflects various historic ages, from colonial-era churches to museums honouring Mayan culture. On day two, you will rise early for a morning tour of Chichén Itzá tucked away in a dense rainforest, allowing you to immerse yourself in the history and importance of these ancient ruins. The rest of the tour allows you to stop by the ancient city of Uxmal, the Palace of Masks at Kabah and the Celestún Biosphere, home to thousands of pink flamingos. The tour includes a private vehicle and driver, four breakfasts, three lunches and four nights in hotel accommodation. Prices start from £1,585 per person.
The entire wall measures 21,196 km (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Over 13,000 miles long, the Great Wall of China is the largest manmade project in the world that spans over two thousand years of Chinese history. The wall first came into being when sections of earlier fortifications were connected in 220 BC to create a large, unified defence system against invasions in the north. The wall is a representation of collisions and exchanges between the agricultural and nomadic civilisations that lived in ancient China. The political and military landscape and technological advances in architecture of the time are immortalised in this powerful, grand structure. Construction of the wall continued up to the Ming dynasty in the 17th century, and it now stands as one of China’s greatest cultural symbols, embodying the continued labour over hundreds of years through different dynasties and historical periods.
How to do it
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Intrepid runs a ‘China highlights’ trip over eight days starting in Shanghai and ending in Beijing, packing in some of the country’s most beautiful and culturally significant sites. During the trip there will be an walking tour of the Huishan Ancient Town Scenic Area, Xi’an, known for being the imperial centre and start of the Silk Road, before arriving in Beijing via high-speed train. Travellers will then stay at a family-run guesthouse right near the Great Wall, allowing them to go for a short hike to the wall for an incredible sunset scene. A whole day will also be dedicated to the Wall, where you can explore the ancient wonder, learn about its history and take in the sprawling landscapes that surround it. The trip includes three breakfasts, transport and accommodation. Prices start at £1,062.
Get ready for a new week (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Venus moves into Leo this week which, alongside Gemini season’s playful flirtiness, makes for one heck of a ‘relationship week’.
It’s all about attention, right? Whether you’re single or attached. We all crave to be seen — and love to see others too, no matter our age or status.
We are social animals, we feel attraction strongly, we enjoy mingling and looking and being looked at.
So, this week, be out and about, be busy, be social. You might be falling (deeper) in love. Let’s see what the tarot predicts for your relationship realm this week ahead
Or, come join my magical, mystical tarot club, free for a whole month when you sign up using this link.
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Aries
March 21 to April 20
Batten down the hatches and regroup this week (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Aries for this week: The Hermit
Meaning: Venus in Leo and Gemini season are both ‘attention seekers’, in a way, and Aries is kind of known for that too! So, weirdly, this week when everyone else is out showing off, you fee like going in the opposite direction and staying home, being in solitude, reflecting on your own selfhood, and keeping your own counsel.
This is a week to study, research, meditate, daydream, seek enlightenment, ask questions and find the answers. A major revelation or fresh spin on something is brewing, but you need peace and quiet to get there. And the journey will be as interesting as the final knowledgeable destination!
Meaning: Transformation and renewal is on your agenda this week; a glow-up, an overhaul, a relationship reset, a fresh start, a shift in the habits and dynamics that underpin your inner circle or social life or family ties.
You are ready to make a big change in your relationship realm and this is the week to put it into action, I guess as everyone else’s minds is focused on what folk think of them and how well they get along. You have their attention, so say your piece, and make your change… and then let it ripple out and take effect. Expect the unexpected.
Choose your own adventure (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Gemini for this week: The Chariot
Meaning: As ever, there is movement in your relationship realm. You are CEO of your inner circle and social life, and you get to make the choices. Accept people as they are but also place them where they therefore belong.
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Holidays, outings, trips and journeys are all means of getting closer to people, going on an adventure, seeing a new place together for the first time. Put some of that magic into the plans with folk you want to bond with. Go out together, explore, have a mini adventure. Be mindful and purposeful about who you spend time with. You are in control of this.
Is it all give and no take in your relationship realm? (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Cancer for this week: Knight of Coins
Meaning: You get out what you put in. Relationships have to have balance. It can’t be one-sided or one way. Are there any bonds you’re upholding that feel unbalanced? You know what… they don’t deserve your efforts. Step back and see what happens. I bet nothing happens, because it was you doing all the work.
Put your efforts into people who return the energy. Those who comfort, check in, support, inspire, cheer you. Work hard at your relationships but pick the right ones. You’re shrewd and intuitive and you know when something isn’t quite right.
Look out for Earth signs this week — Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo.
Say yes to fun in all its forms (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Leo for this week: Knight of Wands
Meaning: Venus in your sign means you’re centre stage and loving every moment. Flirtations, adventures and escapades are on the agenda. The Knight of Wands makes this a very spontaneous, larger than life, fun and dramatic week – a Leo masterclass in how to live well.
You juice every ounce of opportunity out of your days (and nights) and this week will bring you plenty of rewards. So, be the party starter, the initiator, the one who says yes and makes it happen. People never forget you, or how exciting you made their life feel. Go spread that magic!
Look out for other Fire signs this week — Leo, Aries, Sagittarius.
A devil may care attitude is needed here (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Virgo for this week: The Devil
Meaning: Venus in Leo week, alongside tricksy Gemini, spells dangerous liaisons, secrecy, irresistible attractions and naughty escapades. Virgo, you may look innocent and serene, but underneath you’re a passionate and intense lover. Let this side of you out to play!
The Devil advises you to do what you want to do, no matter what others may think. You are the one who lives your life and pays the price and takes the experiences in. You don’t answer to anyone but your own conscience… and if that is peaceful then get on with whatever it is that stokes your desires and imagination this week. To hell with everyone else.
Now’s the time to bury this issue (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Libra for this week: Five of Swords
Meaning: When passions run high, like in a Venus in Leo week, it can stir up suppressed emotions, issues or disgruntlements that were never fully settled. You might run into some of that this week, so get ready to face it head on, get to the bottom of it and lance the boil once and for all!
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Conflict and confrontation make you queasy but sometimes it has to be done. Don’t appease them, don’t fib to make it all better faster, don’t suppress your opinion or needs. Say your piece, listen to theirs, find common ground, work out a compromise or truce or even total resolution. You can do this.
Look out for other Air signs this week — Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.
You have a lot of wisdom to impart to others (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Scorpio for this week: Strength
Meaning: Strength shows that you have weathered your relationship issues and challenges well, extracted wisdom and life lessons from each tribulation, and stand now a much shrewder and wiser partner/friend/colleague/ally/family member etc.
Share your knowledge. Give good counsel. Show support. Encourage someone who’s struggling. And if there are any niggles in your own zone, then tackle them this week in the best way possible. You have all the charisma, compassion and patience to heal, repair and improve anything that has felt faded or broken this year. Invest in the repair work, it’s worth it. You are strong, powerful and merciful. You know how to make things right.
Love actually is everywhere (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Sagittarius for this week: Ace of Cups
Meaning: Feels like a very powerful and romantic week for you, Sagittarius, with the potential of a love at first sight moment! If you’re single then be social. Lock eyes with ‘the one’ and step towards them; what you feel is real, the chemistry is genuine and mutual. This love could blossom into something eternal. If you’re attached, then arrange a date night that reflects the unique nature and dynamic and theming of your relationship, something personal and special.
Alternatively, if you’re happily single, invest in your friendships, pets, creativity and enjoyment of nature. Wonder at the world! Be wide-eyed at the pleasure and fun available to you, on your doorstep, whenever you choose it.
Look out for Water signs this week — Cancer, Pisces, Scorpio.
Let this play out on its own (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Capricorn for this week: Nine of Wands
Meaning: You’ve felt worried about an issue in your relationship that feels a bit doom and gloom; maybe you’ve overthought it, maybe you’ve dwelt on the worst case scenarios. Capricorn, this is the week to address it. The Nine of Wands promises that this is not what you think and the resolution, or way through, is much swifter and easier than you fear.
A conversation is probably all it takes. A sharing of your worries and a genuine question of how they are doing. People have many other influences in their life, it’s likely nothing to do with you at all. So, ask the question, voice your fears, get this out of your head.
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Look out for Fire signs this week — Leo, Aries, Sagittarius.
It’s clearer out in the open (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Aquarius for this week: Ace of Swords
Meaning: Speak the truth. Say the words you’ve held back. Ask for honest feedback. Engage in direct dialogue and try to listen more than you speak. Seek to understand before doing anything.
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The truth is the theme tune of your relationship landscape this week, and you’re always a transparent, honest person, so it’s likely you’re seeking reassurance or honesty from someone else. You deserve it too. So, probe and validate and discuss. Get to the bottom of things. Don’t shy away from hard truths or spiky conversations… ride through it to the other side, which is shared understanding and a new era.
Look out for Air signs this week — Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.
Focus on your own journey (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Pisces for this week: Eight of Swords
Meaning: Okay, the Eight of Swords is the card of projection and assumption. Seeing the world through a distorted lens. You’re thinking that you know what they’re thinking… but you are wrong. So stop trying to second guess your other half, or BFF, or ally, or inner circle, or boss.
You don’t know what they think and maybe never will! Either way, it’s not your issue. All you can do is focus on you. Let them be them. When you take this pressure off your shoulders, you will feel so so much better. Stop worrying about their opinions or unmet needs or issues. That’s on them.
Look out for Air signs this week — Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.
Kerry King has been reading, teaching and creating tarot for 30 years. Join her magical, exclusive Tarot Club for forecasts, predictions, lessons and readings straight to your inbox. Enjoy one month free for all Metro readers (no lock-in or commitment) over on Patreon.
Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.
Cáoileánn Conway describes living with constant rumination, fear and exhaustion from over-thinking – planning for worstcase scenarios before they happened, managing panic before simple interactions, and feeling drained by the constant anxiety
When Cáoileánn Conway picked up her phone and called Lifeline in the early hours of the morning, she didn’t know what to say – she just knew she couldn’t cope.
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For a long time when growing up Caoileann, who is now a performance dietitian and social media personality, didn’t have the language to explain how she was feeling.
“When I was younger, mental health just wasn’t really a thing,” she says. “It wasn’t something we were even aware of or spoke about.”
At the time, Cáoileánn was 19 and struggling silently through her first year of university. What had started as feelings of anxiety in her teens had intensified, turning everyday interactions into overwhelming challenges.
“I would describe it as starting with anxiety and then moving more into a combination with depression, where I would feel numb but constantly worried at the same time,” she explains. “With anxiety you’re constantly worrying, constantly thinking ahead about all the worst possible scenarios – how am I going to get through today?”
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She describes living with constant rumination, fear and exhaustion from over-thinking – planning for worstcase scenarios before they happened, managing panic before simple interactions, and feeling drained by the constant anxiety.
“I’d get into the car at the end of the day by myself and just feel absolutely exhausted. It was affecting absolutely everything – I didn’t want to go to uni, see friends, go to football training. I didn’t want to socialise much because I was trying to be a different person for each situation, but I didn’t even know who I actually was. It’s really exhausting when you’re constantly just troubleshooting. Which is probably hard to believe considering what I do for work now.
“I just wanted the thoughts to stop. I wasn’t suicidal, and I’m always really clear about that, as I’m so aware people go through much worse. I just knew I couldn’t keep living like this every day.”
For years, Cáoileánn tried to manage these feelings largely on her own, but the night she called Lifeline was a turning point.
“It must have been about half twelve or one in the morning and I was scrolling through social media,” she recalls. “I was sitting in the middle of my bed, I couldn’t breathe and my thoughts were spiralling. I had never had a panic attack before and I didn’t know what to do. I just typed ‘Lifeline’ into Google and rang the number.”
Lifeline – available on 0808 808 8000 – is Northern Ireland’s crisis response helpline. Trained counsellors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering free, confidential support to anyone in Northern Ireland feeling overwhelmed, distressed or unable to cope. Lifeline counsellors are experienced in working with suicide, self- harm, abuse, trauma, depression, anxiety and many other issues.
Cáoileánn remembers the moment the call connected: “This man answered. He had a really deep voice, and he was just so kind. He didn’t push me to explain anything. He just helped me breathe. He told me that in that moment, I was safe. That nothing was going to harm me right now. All I had to do was stay on the phone.”
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For Cáoileánn, that reassurance made all the difference.
“When he asked what was wrong, I just kept saying ‘I don’t know how to make the thoughts stop.’ And that’s when he started giving me direction. For the first time, I felt like – oh my God – there are things I can do. There are solutions here.
“That was my catalyst to start getting more professional help. If I hadn’t got that help at that time, I would be a completely different person today.”
Kathy Owens from the Public Health Agency, who commissions the Lifeline service, says: “When someone phones Lifeline, they speak directly to a trained counsellor who introduces themselves and creates a calm, supportive space. Many callers don’t know exactly why they’ve called – and that’s okay.
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“Lifeline uses a compassionate approach aimed at providing support and finding positive solutions, helping callers make sense of what they’re feeling and identify next steps.
“Cáoileánn’s experience highlights the power of just lifting the phone and starting a conversation, and shows that talking really helps.”
For Cáoileánn, support continued beyond the initial call. Where appropriate, Lifeline can provide follow-up calls or short-term crisis counselling, or helps connect people to other services that may further support their needs.
Cáoileánn was offered a sixweek counselling programme.
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“Those six weeks were the start of everything,” she says. “It helped me realise I didn’t have to feel like that forever. That was the start.”
Now, Cáoileánn uses her platform ‘Be a Better You’ to talk not only about nutrition, but also openly about mental health. She believes mental wellbeing needs to be treated with the same care and consistency as physical health.
“I can teach you everything about nutrition, but if your mental health isn’t there, you will struggle to act on it. I always say mental health is like a muscle. The way I train five or six days a week physically, I have to do the same for my mental health. And if I stop, I could easily slip back into old ways.”
Her message to others is direct and grounded in experience.
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“There’s absolutely nothing to lose, because what you’ve been doing hasn’t worked,” she says. “Unless I called Lifeline that time, I would never have known there were solutions.”
Lifeline is available 24/7, free of charge on 0808 808 8000, for anyone in Northern Ireland who needs support. Talking really helps. For more information on Lifeline visit www.lifelinehelpline.info.
The reviewer raved that the food was ‘exceptional’
A Cambridge city restaurant has been described as serving “one of the most flavoursome meals” by a TikTok influencer. Little Petra, a traditional Jordanian restaurant in the Heart of Cambridge, has been highly commended by popular food reviewer, Alex Green.
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Alex Green, a food influencer with more than 920,000 followers on TikTok, recently visited Little Petra on Hills Road. In the caption of his review, Alex wrote: “Trying an award winning Jordanian restaurant for the first time in Cambridge.” He said that he wanted to find out “is Jordanian food incredible or is it forgettable?”
The restaurant’s journey began in a small restaurant on Mill Road in Cambridge in April 2019, serving “wholesome traditional Jordanian meals”, according to the Little Petra website. In February 2023, the restaurant relocated to Hills Road, a larger space, so the team could increase the menu and cater for private functions.
The menu offers a range of options including a Jordanian moussaka, green beans and lamb, and a lamb shank. Alex ordered the marinated chicken from the menu which comes with rice and salad alongside mixed nuts and pomegranate. This costs £18.90, according to the menu.
To drink, Alex delved into a fresh orange juice which is priced at £5.95 and a traditional Bedouin tea for £5. When taste-testing the refreshments, he said that the orange juice was “so incredibly fresh and refreshing” and how the flavours of spices really come through when sipping the tea.
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When Alex took his first bite into the meal, his eyes lit up as he said the flavours were “exceptional”. He added: “There is so much going on in my mouth”.
He continued: “The marinated chicken is unbelievable. The herbs, the spices, everything mixed together with that mixed nut on top. The flavours, I can’t even explain it. They are just tremendous.”
Mid-meal, the iconic food influencer said how this was “probably one of the most flavoursome meals I’ve ever had”. He ended the review by saying he “absolutely loves” trying new cuisines as “you never know what you can find”.
The Jordanian establishment has also received plenty of glowing reviews elsewhere. One customer wrote: “Wow, what a gem! The food was absolutely delicious, the portions were generous, and the service was warm.
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“We especially loved the hummus with chicken and lamb — it was so good, we finished the entire plate even though the portion was huge for us!”
Another Google reviewer said: “Wow – what an amazing experience! We saw this restaurant recommended on a food website for where to eat in Cambridge and we are so so glad that we gave it a go. You can tell it’s well loved by the locals because it was completely full on a Wednesday night!”
It comes after reports suggested the royal sisters were likely to skip the wedding amid ongoing family scandals
Jasmine Carey and Georgia Burns Trainee Trends, Showbiz and Lifestyle Writer
18:50, 06 Jun 2026
The nation has been left stunned after Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie made a surprise appearance at Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling’s royal wedding this afternoon, June 6. The York sisters looked elegant as they made their way into the church alongside their husbands, where they were greeted at the entrance by Mike and Zara Tindall.
Their attendance has come as a shock, given earlier reports suggesting that while both sisters had received invitations, they were unlikely to show up. It had been widely suggested that the pair were keen not to cast a shadow over the special day amid the ongoing controversies surrounding the York family -particularly following the publication of the royal properties investigation earlier this week.
The damning document revealed that Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 36, pay no rent on their royal residences, with the bill instead being picked up by their uncle, the King – a revelation that has prompted considerable public backlash.
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Their unexpected appearance also follows months of controversy surrounding their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and their mother, Sarah Ferguson and their friendship with late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Those scandals have resulted in their divorced parents losing both their royal titles and their Royal Lodge residences, despite Andrew consistently denying any wrongdoing and accusations, the Express reports.
Whether Beatrice and Eugenie remain on speaking terms with their parents – who were notably absent from today’s guest list – remains unclear.
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Despite appearing visibly nervous, both sisters seemed genuinely pleased to be part of the happy family celebrations, with Beatrice seen holding hands with her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Eugenie, who is heavily pregnant with her third child, also looked radiant in her navy blue dress.
The sisters are understood to share a close bond with their cousin Peter, who would undoubtedly have been keen for them to be there.
It comes after their father Andrew, was spotted on Thursday, June 4, driving his Land Rover near his home of Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate where he was photographed with a big purple mark around is eye.
The bruise is thought to be the result of a “non-serious medical condition”. The former Duke of York was reportedly inside a car with another man and a dog, in one of his few public sightings since a recent security incident at the Sandringham estate.
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The situation is said to have taken place while Andrew was walking the late Queen’s corgis, which now remain in his care, when a stranger approached him near the estate shortly after 7.30pm on Wednesday, May 6, prompting alarm.
He is now expected to give evidence in court in July as part of proceedings against a man accused of threatening him close to his home on the Sandringham Estate. The defendant, Alex Jenkinson, 39, of no fixed address, faces two counts of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
Thomas Tuchel’s men began their preparations for the upcoming World Cup with a laboured performance, with Harry Kane’s header in first-half stoppage time one of few highlights on a baking evening at the Raymond James Stadium.
The German handed valuable minutes to 22 players as they build up to their opening Group L game against Croatia in less than two weeks’ time.
Some shone, others struggled in the Floridian heat, and England fans will be hoping for marked improvement when the tournament rolls around.
Tuchel takes opportunity to tinker
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The England boss emphasised the importance of versatility when he discussed some of his surprise selections in his World Cup squad last month, and he made a show of demonstrating as much here.
Ollie Watkins, called up to be Kane’s understudy up front, was fielded in an unfamiliar right-wing position in the first half, in the absence of Arsenal duo Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka, who will join up with their team-mates on Sunday.
Impressive: Ollie Watkins
Getty
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Jarrell Quansah was a surprise inclusion at right-back ahead of Tino Livramento and Reece James, while Livramento himself was shifted to left-back in the second period, with Nico O’Reilly, handed the No3 shirt this summer, was tucked into a midfield role alongside Elliot Anderson.
Livramento and O’Reilly were the ones that really showed their adeptness in unnatural positions, having played in their respective roles multiple times for their clubs, but Quansah, often fielded as a right-sided centre-back in a three at Bayer Leverkusen, was less sure of when to join in attacks and when to stay in the first half, and it showed.
Despite playing off the flank for the first time since his Brentford days, Watkins showed just why he Tuchel called him up.
His recent form for Aston Villa – eight goals in his last seven Premier League games – showed his goalscoring knack, but it was his pace in behind that was stood him apart from his competitors for a place on the plane.
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dominic Solanke and Danny Welbeck had all made strong cases to deputise for Kane at this tournament, but none of them have that willingness to stretch a game with a bursting run in behind the defensive line.
Despite being fielded out of position, Watkins was still able to drift infield and affect the game in central areas, contributing to neat interplay on the edge of the box while making the ball stick as he brought his team-mates into play.
Lethal link-up: Rio Ngumoha and Reece James
Getty
While this was an audition for some, it became more glaringly obvious after about ten minutes of the second half who would be Tuchel’s go-to guys when the tournament rolls around.
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The shirt numbers being confirmed was the first clue, but the drop-off and step-up in quality in some positions was greater than some may have initially thought.
Reece James brought immediate poise and calmness when he stepped into the right-back berth, inverting at appropriate times and showing great intelligence to do so.
Stand-in skipper: Jude Bellingham
PA
O’Reilly’s athleticism in the engine room and panache in possession has him as a shoo-in for the left-back position, despite Livramento’s impressive bursts on the overlap.
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Jude Bellingham was another who raised the levels in the No10 position. Morgan Rogers had been tasked with breaking the lines with his ball-carrying ability in the first period, but he was quiet throughout, while Bellingham, who sported the armband in Kane’s absence, led by example, running the channels, winning his duels, and playing forward at every opportunity.
Jordan Henderson was handed what should be a rare start, with Declan Rice primed and ready to slot in alongside Elliot Anderson in the double pivot when he returns on Sunday.
Patrick Godfrey, the actor known for The Bill, Doctor Who and Ever After: A Cinderella Story, has died peacefully at home aged 93, surrounded by his family
19:44, 06 Jun 2026Updated 19:53, 06 Jun 2026
The Bill and Doctor Who star Patrick Godfrey has passed away aged 93.
The performer – whose credits also include Ever After: A Cinderella Story alongside Drew Barrymore – died peacefully earlier this week. News of the actor’s death at home was confirmed by his representation, reports the Mirror.
Markham Froggatt and Irwin, his talent agency, released a statement saying: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm Patrick Godfrey passed away last night. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Paddy was an exceptionally talented actor and a remarkable individual, and we will miss him greatly.”
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A cause of death is yet to be revealed. Patrick is survived by his wife Amanda Walker, an actress known for her roles in 28 Weeks Later and Room With A View as well as appearances in TV staples like Heartbeat and Casualty.
They tied the knot in 1960 and went on to have children Kate, who is Head of Voice at the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Richard.
Born in Finsbury in 1933, Patrick rose to fame in the 1970s after making his debut in the film Miss Julie and went on to appear in a string of British classics including Clockwise, A Room With A View and Heat and Dust, both of which also featured his wife.
During his career, Richard shared the screen with acting icons like John Cleese, Dame Judi Dench and the late Maggie Smith amongst a host of others.
Residents were sharply critical of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit to France on Saturday to commemorate the anniversary of the D-Day landings during WWII.
“He has very warlike remarks, and it seems to us that he does not exactly share our values of democracy and freedom,” Sylvie Lamy Thepaut, a member of the local Langrune en Commun association, told the outlet BFM TV in French, The Daily Beast reports.
“What’s happening with the Trump administration isn’t business as usual. The fact that Pete Hegseth is challenging all the international organizations that emerged from the Second World War isn’t business as usual,” Chantal Richard, another member of the group, told the station, The Daily Beast reports. “The words must be spoken, he must be called out for who he is, for the values he represents: colonial, warmongering, racist, far-right values. Silence seems to us to be the worst thing we can do on these issues.”
Prior to Hegseth’s visit, the group put out a statement, originally in French, slamming Hegseth’s “anti-European remarks.”
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The Independent has contacted the Pentagon for comment.
Local protested Sec. Pete Hegseth’s visit to France to commemorate the anniversary of D-Day (AP)
Langrune-sur-Mer deputy mayor François-Xavier Palao told FranceInfo he hoped villagers could perhaps “set political considerations aside” around Hegseth’s visit and focus on those who fought and died during the war.
“It is not that we particularly like the man, but this is first and foremost a commemoration for the veterans,” he reportedly said.
Others reportedly complained about heightened security protocols that accompanied the U.S. official’s visit.
During his Normandy speech, Hegseth compared immigration to an “invasion” arriving on the shores of Europe.
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“Sadly, today, different European beaches are stormed by different, dangerous ideologies,” he said. “Beaches in Spain, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria, boats and men arrive.”
During his speech, Hegseth compared immigration to an ‘invasion’ arriving on European shores (AFP/Getty)
He also seemed to suggest U.S. allies were no longer doing enough to preserve global security.
“Each nation pulled its weight; each nation bled,” he said of WWII by comparison. “America will lead — and we must — but capable allies must be right there with us, shoulder to shoulder, in the breach, when it matters.”
“We forgot that freedom is not free,” he added. “We forgot that peace is not wished into being. It is bought with purpose, with honor and with strength. The men who landed on these beaches knew this; the question we ask ourselves is, do we?”
The Trump administration has been sharply critical of U.S. allies in NATO, alleging they don’t spend enough on Europe’s continental defense and that they let American forces down by largely declining to assist in the U.S. war against Iran.
It is Northern Ireland’s first remote control construction café, complete with traybakes, specialty coffee and a sandbox
20:18, 06 Jun 2026
Something new for Belfast is currently under construction in the east of the city.
After struggling to find rainy-day activities to enjoy with his daughter, estate agent Josh Fuller decided he wanted to open a space that would appeal to both children and adults alike.
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Joining forces with his friend Dan Ennis, who owns his own landscaping business, the pair are preparing to open Sandpit Coffee, Northern Ireland’s first remote control construction café.
Located on the Woodstock Road in East Belfast, it is a digger-themed cafe with an indoor sandbox and remote-controlled construction vehicles that customers can operate while enjoying coffee, traybakes and light bites.
With plans to open early this summer, Dan and Josh invited Belfast Live down to dig around the new coffee shop and hear more about what customers can expect from this interactive new venue.
Josh said: “I came up with this idea about a year and a half ago, when my daughter really needed something to do and there was a lack of interactive things – so this came to mind, diggers, coffee and me and Dan are both very passionate about coffee.
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“It seemed like the perfect idea. There is also a place which has recently started doing it in Indonesia and Dubai, and I saw they were successful, so I thought, ‘ok maybe that idea isn’t so crazy, let’s do it.”
With Dan knowing not only how to run a business but also his way around a digger as a landscaper, Josh approached him with the Sandpit Coffee concept, and the idea started to become a reality.
Dan explained: “This is something totally new to both of us. I own a landscape business, and he does property, so it’s our first time running any kind of business like this.
“It’ll be very new to us both, but we’re hoping that both our qualities in each different area will be able to get us going well.
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“We’re preparing to open around the beginning of June. We’ve taken our time to do things slowly because we want to be done right.”
“When we combine our drive, we’re pretty unstoppable,” Josh added.
The duo want the cafe to be not only a place where parents can take their kids for a nice day out, but where everyone can enjoy the unique interactive experience while drinking good coffee, eating tasty traybakes and having even better craic.
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Dan continued: “It’s even great for like a date idea – taking her partner out, for something to do that’s different.
“I feel like in Northern Ireland you’re stuck, there’s not that much to do, and it’s not like the weather’s ever great, so it’s something to do while you’re out having a bite to eat or a cup of coffee.”
Sessions for the RC diggers and trucks can be booked online or when visiting. The Sandpit Coffee team hope that, when things take off, they will be able to expand to offer party options, corporate away-day sessions, and create an entirely unique offering for Belfast.
Designed by parents, Sandpit Coffee has a space to leave prams, construction-themed books and toys for the little ones who are just too small to play in the sandbox while still having a stylish and cool feel for a well-deserved coffee date.
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“Our hope is to bring something new and fun, because on rainy days, and especially Sundays, I think there’s really a lack of things to do,” Josh added.
“People love going out for a coffee and tea and tray bakes, and combining them both [the sandbox concept] is quite satisfying.
“We hope to bring something to the Woodstock Road because it’s a very busy area and it’s very up and coming, especially the Cregagh Road – there’s lots of new coffee shops, so we can hopefully all bounce off each other and have a good experience.”
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Dan concluded: “It’s just really exciting for us both to be trying something totally new, giving it a shot and see how we get on with it. Hopefully it turns out well.”
You can find out more about Sandpit Coffee and keep updated on when it opens here
The company received reports from customers who claimed they experienced adverse reactions after using the products, with symptoms including skin irritation, eye irritation and infections.
Parents are being urged to check their homes after a popular range of baby wipes was recalled over fears they could cause serious and potentially life-threatening infections.
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Target has voluntarily recalled several Up & Up baby wipe products after testing found traces of bacteria that may pose a health risk, particularly to newborns, infants and young children.
The recall affects both Up & Up Fragrance-Free Baby Wipes and Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes sold in stores across the US and online.
According to a notice issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 5, the products were pulled from shelves following customer complaints and testing that identified contamination with bacteria.
Customers reported symptoms including skin irritation, eye irritation and infections after using the wipes. Some also noticed discoloration in the products.
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The FDA warned that use of wipes contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia complex and Burkholderia gladioi could lead to serious illness.
“Use of products contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia complex and Burkholderia gladioi may result in serious and life-threatening infections,” the agency said.
The warning is particularly concerning because the wipes are primarily used on babies and young children, whose immune systems are still developing.
Health officials said there is an increased risk for immunocompromised people, including infants, with infections potentially spreading into the bloodstream and causing severe conditions such as sepsis or pneumonia.
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Target and manufacturer Sapro Temizlik Urunleri received reports from customers who claimed they experienced adverse reactions after using the products. The incidents remain under investigation.
In a statement, the FDA said: “These reports remain under investigation. Target is coordinating with the manufacturer and continues to investigate this matter.”
Anyone who has purchased the recalled wipes is being told to stop using them immediately and return them to any Target store for a full refund.
Customers with questions can contact Target Guest Relations on 1-800-440-0680.
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Recalled Up & Up baby wipes
Up & Up Fragrance-Free Baby Wipes
20-count pack – UPC: 085239265956
72-count pack – UPC: 085239265949
216-count pack – UPC: 085239265963
800-count pack – UPC: 085239266137
1200-count pack – UPC: 085239266090
Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes
72-count pack – UPC: 085239265970
216-count pack – UPC: 085239265994
800-count pack – UPC: 085239265987
Parents who have any of the affected products are advised to stop using them immediately and seek medical advice if a child experiences irritation or signs of infection after use.
Moore fled the incident on foot before leaving the county
An attacker who repeatedly stabbed a man after kicking a woman in the face has been jailed, despite attempting to evade police by fleeing the area and dyeing his hair.
When a man in his 30s confronted Moore over the attack, the confrontation escalated and Moore stabbed him several times with a four‑inch lock knife, according to SomersetLive.
The victim was taken to hospital with wounds to his body and arm, while Moore fled on foot. Officers searched the area but he had already disappeared.
Moore was found at a hotel in Petersfield, Hampshire on Thursday, October 2. Dorset Police said he had dyed his blond hair jet-black to try to hide his identity.
Moore, from Weymouth, was arrested and charged by officers and later found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and assault by beating at trial and was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday (June 5)
Detective Constable Emma Oram, of Dorset County CID, said: “This was a violent assault with a knife and, while it left the victim with significant injuries, the consequences could have been far worse and even fatal.
“We are committed to raising awareness of the dangers of knife crime and taking robust action against anyone responsible for offences of this nature.
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“Thanks to our comprehensive investigation, we were able to track down the defendant when he had left the county and ensure he was held to account for his crimes.”
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