The final season of The Bear begins with a rupture. A torrential storm floods the restaurant. Money is short. Deliveries are slashed. The building itself is under threat. The brigade are trying to hold the restaurant together while pursuing a Michelin star.

Throughout its run, The Bear has been fascinated by the painful romance of self-sacrifice: the idea that suffering, discipline and emotional damage could somehow be converted into culinary excellence. In its fifth and final season, the show returns to that question with greater force. But this time, it asks something even more unsettling: what happens when the fight for survival is no longer just economic?

Richie’s (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) self-loathing sets the tone early, as he looks in the mirror and tells himself: “Nobody likes you. Everybody hates you. You’re gonna lose.” The battle is no longer only about food. It is about trust, ownership, infrastructure and whether this group can hold together.

The Bear exposes the hidden labour behind extraordinary culinary experiences. Restaurants do not simply sell food. They sell atmosphere, timing, care, sensory pleasure and the illusion of effortlessness.

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The Bear gets the suffering and self-sacrifice of a top-flight kitchen just right

Season five pushes that labour into the body of the restaurant itself. The restaurant is like an organism under attack: wounded, depleted and fighting to survive. The fight becomes literal when an inspector warns: “You’ve got active criminal occupation, combustible hazardous storage, unresolvable code violations … lastly, just by looking at this drain I can almost guarantee you that this entire property is sitting on a sinkhole.”

The decline is economic, but the suffering is almost anatomical. Thunder rumbles overhead, while inside, bursting pipes make the restaurant haemorrhage. Brown, pink-tinged water spills over the team as they mop, patch and contain the damage, like medics tending a body that will not clot.

The building weakens; its structure giving way as one member of the team falls through the roof. At the same time, the restaurant is starved of the supplies needed to sustain itself, even as demand intensifies with three back-to-back sittings booked. This is a war of attrition – the slow violence of survival.

The season also shows how brutality can become normal. Brutalisation describes what happens when harm stops being treated as exceptional and becomes part of how a community functions. In The Bear, this harm is also built into the structures surrounding the restaurant: debt, competition, unstable supply chains, family obligation and the notion that service must always go on.

Brutalisation lands in a wider cultural moment. Recent scandals around elite restaurants such as Noma in Denmark have punctured the romance of fine dining by drawing attention to the painful realities behind culinary prestige. The Bear asks us to stop separating the beauty of the plate from the conditions that produce it.

Perhaps the most powerful message of The Bear is this: passion may start the fire, but it cannot keep the kitchen alive on its own. The show, and its flawed but lovable cast, reminds viewers that institutions are never their buildings, brands or accolades. They are the people who choose to stay when leaving would be easier.

Pistachio cereal, pistachio coffee, pistachio doughnuts – it was always going to be a natural evolution of the trend to try pairing it with cheesecake. The flavour that goes well with anything combined with the dessert that works with everything.

It seems like it would be a safe bet. It is.

(Image: Dan Dougherty)

A particularly decadent and delicious variety of pistachio cheesecake happens to be available right now at Provenance Food Hall, Westhoughton.

First of all, the cheesecake base. It’s of the ‘burnt Basque’ variety, which, as every dessert lover knows, is pretty much the apex of all the available cheesecake variants.

Sweet, tart, and rich as velvet, burnt Basque cheesecake features a hard-ish, slightly burned exterior that gives way to a mellow yellow softness underneath.

The pistachio burnt Basque cheesecake with other cheesecakes at Provenance (Image: Provenance Food Hall)

So that’s five stars for the cheesecake itself, but what about its adornments? The first thing that any customer will notice is that this is a particularly luxurious cheesecake offering. The pistachio sauce is spread so thickly atop the cheesecake base that it almost looks like a wedding cake. Dollops of rich whipped cream are piped into the corner of each slice.

Then – in a continuation of the wedding theme – there is the rose petals. I don’t know what possessed the baker to add rose petals to a cheesecake. I don’t know if this is common, I don’t know if this is rare. Is it inspiration, or divine madness? Either way, it works extremely well – the sharpness providing a wonderful counterpoint to the rich, creamy, dairy heavy dessert.

The Provenance Food Hall cheesecakes are produced by Wigan-based baker ‘The Bascake’, who serves a range of fantastic cheesecakes at markets around the Wigan and Bolton area.

Queensland Police released a statement on Sunday June 28, revealing a 22-year-old man had been charged with the death of a baby which dates back more than two years ago

A man has been charged with murder and torture more than two years after a baby boy died in a Queensland hospital.

The baby was taken to Bundaberg Hospital at 5.18pm on February 24, 2024 before being airlifted to Queensland Children’s Hospital on February 27. He died a few days later on March 3.

Queensland Police have not yet identified the boy who died but they have released a statement on Sunday, revealing a 22-year-old man had been charged.

A Queensland Police spoksperson said: “Bundaberg Child Protection and Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man following investigations into the 2024 death of a baby in Bundaberg West.

“It will be alleged at 5.18pm on 24 February, 2024 a baby boy was transported to Bundaberg Hospital before being airlifted to the Queensland Children’s Hospital on February 27. The boy passed away in hospital on 3 March, 2024.

“Following extensive investigations police have charged a 22-year-old Bundaberg West (now Kalkie) man. The 22-year-old has been charged with one count each of murder (domestic violence) and torture (domestic violence).

“He is expected to appear in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Monday, 29 June.”

Investigations are ongoing.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting quoting this reference number: QP2400337491 . Alternatively, you can report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

U Tagghiu Anticu in Helmsley has been named the best bar in Yorkshire after previously winning the award in 2025.

The Muddy Stilettos awards have been announced with businesses across Yorkshire picking up prizes for a range of categories including best café, restaurant, and boutique stay.

The awards are voted for by the public after nominations have been shortlisted.

What is U Tagghiu Anticu?

The bar can be found in an old butcher’s shop and serves a range of Italian dishes from the morning through to late in the evening.

Alongside a coffee or rich Italian hot chocolate, you can enjoy a freshly baked pastry to get you prepared for the day.

If you need something a bit more substantial to eat, you can grab a sandwich packed with Italian ingredients or try out one of the sharing platters.

In terms of drinks, the bar has a variety of cocktails, Italian wines, and a “perfectly poured Guinness”.

On the award, the bar said: “We’re absolutely over the moon to share that we have won the Muddy Stilettos Award for Best Bar in Yorkshire for the second year running!

“To receive this recognition just five months after opening U Tagghiu Anticu makes it even more special.

“There have been endless long days, late nights and countless hours of hard work behind the scene but moments like this remind us both why we do what we do.

“We feel incredibly humbled and grateful for the support we’ve received from our wonderful customers, friends, family and community.

“Every visit, vote, recommendation and kind word has helped make this possible.

“Thank you for believing in us and supporting our journey.

“This award belongs to every single one of you as much as it does to us.

“Here’s to creating many more special memories together in our new home.

“With heartfelt thanks.”

What do visitors of U Tagghiu Anticu think?

One reviewer on Tripadvisor said: “What a fabulous tasteful, cozy and intimate bar and eatery.

“We’ve visited every day during our Helmsley get away.

“It helps that it’s a pet friendly establishment.

“Great coffee and local ales , enjoyed a fabulous sharing platter paired with some incredible wine on the recommendation of Salvo the owner.

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“Looking forward to visiting again.”

Others have praised the bar for its “excellent atmosphere” and “passion” from the owners that make visits “so special”.

Have you ever visited U Tagghiu Anticu? Let us know in the comments below.

England fans were desperate to see the national team get back on track against Panama at the 2026 World Cup, and they were given a boost when David Beckham was shown on the big screens at New York/New Jersey Stadium

Former England icon David Beckham helped lift the dampened spirits inside New York/New Jersey Stadium during the England Vs Panama match.

The anticipation was palpable ahead of kick-off, with England supporters commandeering a nearby shopping centre, festooning the railings with hundreds of flags.

Having beaten Croatia 4-2 before stumbling to a 0-0 stalemate with Ghana, England supporters were desperately eager to see their side get back to winning ways, though early signs were far from encouraging. The atmosphere shifted dramatically when England icon Beckham appeared on the big screens, prompting the loudest roar of the evening.

Much of the conversation surrounding this World Cup has centred on the sweltering heat and the much-debated hydration break, which has been enforced regardless of conditions. It was hardly necessary in New Jersey, however, where heavy rain and temperatures cooler than those back in Britain made for rather different surroundings.

For England, the conditions felt far more familiar than a typical away fixture on American soil, yet that offered little boost to their performance. A dismal first half ended goalless, with already-eliminated Panama fashioning the better opportunities, reports the Mirror US.

Supporters had queued for hours before the gates opened, some wrapped in ponchos and coats while others were drenched throughout the afternoon. The bare minimum those fans demanded was passion and determination, yet England barely got out of the blocks.

A tepid second half followed, and it appeared England might find themselves finishing second in Group L. Yet just as England, Thomas Tuchel, and the supporters were desperately seeking a spark, Beckham suddenly appeared on the Jumbotron, sending the England faithful into raptures as though a goal had been scored.

In a remarkable coincidence, talismanic striker Harry Kane had England’s finest opportunity moments later, and the crowd suddenly rediscovered the drive and conviction they had been so desperately craving. Shortly afterwards, Jude Bellingham fired England into the lead, and a wave of sheer relief swept around the stadium.

The Three Lions will advance as group winners and turn their attention to the Round of 32 tie. All it took was Beckham’s presence to energise the crowd, underlining his enduring influence.

It wasn’t entirely smooth sailing for England, however, as Jarel Quansah suffered an injury scare and was forced off the pitch. Quansah had already been filling in for injured right-backs Tino Livramento and Reece James.

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic was left emotional as he watched Bosnia and Herzegovina reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time

Football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave an emotional reaction to watching Bosnia & Herzegovina’s reach the knockout stages of the World Cup. The former Sweden superstar became visibly emotional while working as a FOX pundit following Bosnia & Herzegovina’s 3-1 victory over Qatar, which saw them reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in their history.

Typically composed, he had a deeply personal stake in Bosnia’s triumph due to his father’s roots. Bosnia & Herzegovina will face co-hosts the United States in the round of 32 match in the World Cup, and Ibrahimovic gave an emotional reaction to watching the country qualify for the knockout stages.

“That’s what football is all about, bringing people together and especially for Bosnia. How much this country has suffered and to see this happiness makes me very emotional,” Ibrahimovic said on FOX Sports. “Gives me goosebumps because that’s my father’s roots.”

The Bosnian War during the 1990s resulted in more than 100,000 deaths. Prior to independence, Bosnian athletes competed for Yugoslavia, but following the formation of their own national side, Bosnia secured qualification for their first World Cup in 2014.

The conflict also led to many people losing their homes, including Ibrahimovic’s Bosnian father and Croatian mother, who relocated to Sweden before Yugoslavia’s dissolution. Bosnia was not recognised by FIFA until 1996.

After relocating to Sweden, Ibrahimovic embarked on a career that would see him become Sweden’s leading international goal-scorer.

Despite netting 62 international goals in 122 appearances, with 19 coming during World Cup qualifiers, Ibrahimovic finished his Sweden career without a single World Cup goal.

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“Just to see 70,000 singing, probably the Bosnian fans won already the World Cup and it makes me happy, very proud over them and see them also advance from the group stage,” Ibrahimovic continued.

“But the special moment is when the fans are singing, this is what makes me emotional, I cannot even express myself well now, but it’s a very emotional moment, and I’m just happy, I’m just happy.”

Ibrahimovic’s father, Sefik, was born in Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and relocated to Sweden in 1977, where Zlatan was raised. He was best known as “Kinko,” a folk singer who launched his career in his hometown in 1985.

While Zlatan opted to represent Sweden, he frequently speaks about the significance of his Bosnian heritage. Bosnia’s 3-1 victory over Qatar marked a turnaround following a 1-1 draw with Canada and a 4-1 defeat to Switzerland.

Under manager Sergej Barbarez and captain Edin Dzeko, the side secured third place in Group B and progressed to the Round of 32, surpassing their previous best World Cup group stage exit in 2014. Bosnia will face the United States at Levi’s Stadium on July 1 to kick off their knockout phase.

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Celebrating its 100th birthday this year Brynamman Cinema offers film lovers a magical journey back in time

In this day and age of streaming platforms and monthly subscriptions many people might not feel the need to head to the cinema for the latest film releases when they can enjoy from the comfort of their own lounge.

But one independent movie house in Wales continues to buck the trend by attracting film lovers far and wide thanks to its unique offering that makes you feel like we’re still living in the golden age of cinema.

It’s often said going to the movies isn’t what it used to be. But it might be if you’re heading to Brynamman Cinema, which is celebrating its 100th birthday.

To get the full story behind this wondrous old place, though, one has to go back further than 100 years. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here.

In 1915 a devastating fire tore through Brynamman. The community hall was razed to the ground, stripping the residents of this village of their cherished communal hub.

Less than a decade later, in 1924, as the nation attempted to find its footing following the end of World War One in 1918, that hub was reconstructed. Thanks to local miners who contributed a modest portion of their weekly wages not only to build it but also to sustain it Brynamman Public Hall was reborn.

It formally opened in 1926 and now, 100 years on, it remains – along with the charm that feels every bit as rich and genuine as it would have a century ago.

Pulling up outside the building there’s little to take your breath away at first glance. It resembles any other village hall – the sort of place you might pop into for a coffee morning – yet the interior tells an altogether different story.

Walking past the ticket booth, up the staircase, and beyond the small shop selling popcorn, with vintage film reels adorning the walls, the full spectacle reveals itself.

This is a truly unique cinema: beautiful, captivating, and steeped in history.

Standing in front of the huge screen one cannot help but be struck by the thought of generations of miners who sought respite here after punishing shifts underground or the countless families who have been entertained within these walls throughout much of the 20th century and into the 21st.

There’s no escaping the feeling that this place isn’t merely important – it’s absolutely essential. While this cinema aims to provide visitors with a window into history those running it understand the role it continues to play today.

The cinema doesn’t simply exist as a tribute to the past or a reminder of a golden age long gone – this is a fully operational modern cinema which has just welcomed more than 1,200 moviegoers during the opening few days of the Toy Story 5 release.

With tickets priced at just £5 per person at the door (£4.75 if booked in advance online) how does Brynamman Cinema manage to survive in this day and age of multiplex this and streaming that?

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The bulk of box office revenue immediately flows back out of the door. When two tickets are purchased for £10 then £6 of that sum goes directly to the studio distributing whichever blockbuster is being screened.

But this place is run by the community that surrounds it – mostly volunteers who dedicate themselves to it out of sheer passion. There are also nine part-time staff.

The world of cinema is changing and venues like this one need to change as well.

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“How busy we are depends on a few different things,” said Tom Smith, the manager at Brynamman Cinema. “The hot weather can have a say but also if the big studios don’t bring out anything major that can also cause admissions to drop.

“Numbers can be low at times but other times, like with last week’s release of Toy Story 5, we have over a thousand people through the door in the opening three or four days.

“A film needs to find its feet these days like if a film is part of a trend on TikTok.

“One challenge is the reality that people can get a streaming service at home for under £10 a month – that’s less than two cinema tickets. People can get unlimited access to films so they tend to treat going to the cinema as more of a luxury.”

Tom says the traditional blockbuster is more important now than it ever was. A routine release, which may have filled cinemas in decades past, can now often be watched as part of a subscription at home just weeks after its debut.

But with the big films the audience still enjoys being in an auditorium – especially one as grand and as impressive as this one.

“Cinema will always be here,” said Tom. “But I think the relationship between cinemas and distributors will need to be altered in some ways.

“The percentage we give back has always been about the same but that doesn’t make as much sense now because there is so much competition we have to contend with streaming.

“There needs to be a bigger push for that change to happen from a big company but that’s the ideal situation for the future.

“We are really lucky here because the experience we can give people is not something that every cinema can offer. Our cinema is very grand, it’s very beautiful, and we have such a dedicated audience and a big catchment area.

“As long as people keep going to the cinema they will keep coming to this cinema. The fluctuation we see in audience numbers is happening everywhere – that’s how audience habits have changed.”

Brynamman Cinema has applied for and received grants to modernise the more-than-a-century-old building to maintain and refurb what first opened as a public hall in 1926.

But it’s kept alive by its dedicated army of 20 or so volunteers and the thirst that still exists to watch the latest film releases in such an incredible and historic setting. It also now has a bar inside, and staff still bring round ice cream in trays, with every sale doing its own little bit to keep this cinema thriving.

Last year Brynamman Cinema won Best Cinema Experience at the Welsh Hospitality Awards, and it’s easy to see why.

“We will continue to adapt,” said Tom. “If something changes we try to change with it. But we will always be true to our heritage.”

Yoane Wissa scored twice as DR Congo came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 and progress to the round of 32 of the World Cup.

The African nation, who returned to the tournament after a 52-year absence, will now face England in the knockout stage on Wednesday after finishing third in Group K.

Uzbekistan’s Eldor Shomurodov opened the scoring in the 10th minute in Atlanta, converting from a tight angle after an Abbosbek Fayzullaev header into the box.DR Congo thought they had levelled minutes later when Nathanael Mbuku fired in a left-footed shot.

However, the goal was disallowed after a review, with the referee ruling that Mbuku had caught Sherzod Nasrullaev in the face with a flailing arm in the build-up.

DR Congo eventually levelled in the second half, when Newcastle United striker Wissa sent the Uzbekistan goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

They took the lead in the 68th minute when Fiston Mayele flicked the ball over the line before the goalkeeper could stop him.

Wissa sealed progression with a strike from the edge of the box into the bottom-right corner, completing DR Congo’s comeback win.

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President Trump has warned Iran will ‘no longer exist’ after the US launched retaliatory military strikes following Tehran’s alleged drone attack on an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, breaching the ceasefire agreement.

President Trump has warned he will ‘complete the job’ and ensure ‘Iran will no longer exist’ in a stark message following renewed strikes on Iran.

The US president issued the threat on his Truth Social platform on Saturday evening after a succession of strikes between the US and Iran.

“United States aircraft just struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN! It is very possible that they will never learn!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!”.

The warning follows the US Central Command’s announcement that it launched retaliatory strikes after Tehran allegedly attacked a commercial oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz using drones.

The US military confirmed Saturday it had hit 10 targets in Iran at President Trump’s direction.

The US Central Command, in a social media post, said that American military aircraft targeted Iranian military “surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities” following the attack on a merchant vessel early Saturday morning.

The wave of strikes in the Gulf underscores how, despite the interim agreement reached by the US and Iran, there remains a danger that the conflict could once more escalate beyond control.

The vessel targeted by Iran was a Panama-flagged tanker, M/T Kiku, which was transporting more than two million barrels of crude oil close to the strait.

The US military also carried out strikes on Friday following reports of a further attack on a cargo ship, the Singapore-flagged M/V Ever Lovely.

It stated that “Iran had a chance to honour the ceasefire agreement” but “elected not to” when its forces struck the Kiku.

Earlier this month, the two nations reached a ceasefire agreement and a memorandum of understanding ahead of a potential peace deal, yet the Strait of Hormuz has continued to remain a flashpoint.

Despite a rise in commercial traffic, normal shipping has not yet been fully reinstated owing to ongoing strikes.

Prior to Friday, Tehran had warned that attempts to navigate the strait along a route designated by the UN’s International Maritime Organization would be “unacceptable and completely dangerous” and that vessels were required to coordinate with Iran.

Emergency services were called to South Promenade in South Shields, South Tyneside just before 3.20pm today after what has been described as a road traffic incident.

Police remain at the scene and have blocked off a portion of Sea Road, by the Ocean Beach Pleasure Park.

Pictures show a number of officers inside the cordon as well as six police cars.

The circumstances of the incident are not yet known.

A North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) spokesperson said: “We received a call at 3.19pm on Saturday 27 June to reports of a road traffic incident on South Promenade in South Shields.

“We dispatched an ambulance crew, a specialist paramedic, a rapid response paramedic, and a clinical team leader to the scene.

“Two patients were taken to hospital for further treatment.”

Northumbria Police has been contacted for comment.