With so many natural spectacles packed into the U.S., planning sightseeing trips can be a conundrum — the choice is bewildering.
With this in mind, we’ve assembled a list of 10 must-visit-at-least-once landscapes that should be inked into your bucket list. These are places that have mesmerized tourists, stolen scenes in Hollywood movies and adorned millions of postcards — wild America at its most theatrical.
Our round-up includes a canyon in Arizona so vast that storms sometimes form inside it, a geothermal wonderland in Wyoming containing half the world’s geysers, a waterfall in New York that will leave you awe-struck (even if it does seem familiar) and a valley in California that’s home to some of the world’s most famous cliff faces.
Alaska claims two entries, thanks to an epic glacier and an extremely lofty mountain, while Oregon makes the cut thanks to a lake that’s surreally beautiful.
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In Hawaii, there’s the coastline that wowed Steven Spielberg and a bizarre monolithic rock that caught his attention in Wyoming.
In New Mexico is a jaw-dropping desert that looks like it’s covered in snow.
1. Grand Canyon, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and so deep it has its own weather systems (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
While there’s a postcard familiarity about the Grand Canyon, nothing beats experiencing the humbling majesty of the chasm in real life.
Carved by the Colorado River over millions of years (with rocks as old as two billion years old), the gorge, an uncontested entry on the seven natural wonders of the world list, has an immensity that’s almost difficult to comprehend.
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A mile deep and up to 18 miles wide, and stretching for 277 miles, it’s one of Earth’s most jaw-dropping landscapes, and so huge that storms sometimes form within it.
The South Rim offers one of the best ways to experience the Grand Canyon. It’s open year-round and is where you’ll find viewpoints such as Mather Point or Yavapai Observation Station. The canyon is also a popular day trip from Las Vegas by helicopter.
Great place to stay: El Tovar Hotel (rooms from $270) is set directly on the canyon rim and is imbued with historic charm. It was built in 1905 as a cross between a Swiss chalet and a Norwegian Villa.
2. Yellowstone’s geothermal drama — Wyoming/Montana/Idaho
Old Faithful, which shoots hot water around 180 feet into the air, is one of around 500-700 geysers in Yellowstone National Park (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Thanks to a vast supervolcano lurking beneath the surface and heating the groundwater, Yellowstone National Park — which spans Wyoming, Montana and Idaho — is a geothermal adventure land, with around 10,000 hydrothermal features making it seem as if the land itself is breathing.
The 3,472-square-mile park features brightly colored hot springs, mud pots, travertine terraces and between 500 and 700 geysers (roughly half of the world’s total).
The most famous of these is Old Faithful in Wyoming, which blasts water up to 180 feet in the air around 20 times a day.
One of the best ways to view the park’s theatrics is to walk the boardwalks around Wyoming’s Upper Geyser Basin, home to Old Faithful and around 150 other geysers.
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Great place to stay:Old Faithful Inn (rooms from $205, open May to October) oozes rustic simplicity — there’s no wifi or air conditioning, for example. But on the plus side, you’re within walking distance of the world’s most famous geyser.
Niagara Falls is a sight and sound you’ll never forget. Pictured is the epic Horseshoe Falls, which straddles the U.S./Canadia border. Goat Island, on the U.S. side, can be seen on the far left (Getty Images)
Around one million bathtubs of water pour over the edge of Niagara Falls every minute during peak flow. It’s a sight — and a thundering sound — that you’ll never forget.
Niagara comprises three waterfalls — the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, which are both in the U.S., and the vast Horseshoe Falls, which straddles the U.S./Canadian border.
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The best way to experience the spectacle from the U.S. side is from the close-up viewpoints on Goat Island, which sits with the American and Bridal falls on one side, and the Horseshoe Falls on the other.
For perhaps the most awe-inspiring encounter, board the Maid of the Mist electric boat tour, which will take you right into the mist of the falls.
Great place to stay:The Giacomo is set in a restored Art Deco tower just minutes by foot from Niagara Falls State Park and the bridge to Goat Island.
This Yosemite Valley image was taken from Tunnel View, with El Capitan on the left, Half Dome in the distance (center) and Bridalveil Fall on the right (Getty Images)
Few would argue that Yosemite Valley delivers some of the USA’s most iconic scenery.
Within this seven-mile-long glacial valley, which sits within Yosemite National Park, monolithic El Capitan (3,000 feet) and Half Dome (4,700 feet) rise dramatically from the valley floor, and Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America, cascades 2,425 feet down a vast cliff face into Yosemite Creek.
One of the most breathtaking places to drink in the valley’s majesty is Tunnel View, just outside the Wawona Tunnel on State Highway 41.
It’s a vista made famous by the work of legendary photographer Ansel Adams, from where you can see El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall.
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Great place to stay:Yosemite Valley Lodge (rooms from $350) is in the heart of the valley, close to Yosemite Falls.
Denali, as seen from Reflection Pond in Denali National Park (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Denali (formerly Mount McKinley) is North America’s highest peak at 20,310 feet — but also one of the world’s great vertical ascents: from base to summit, the Alaskan behemoth measures 18,000 feet.
It’s a sight to behold, though famously elusive, with clouds often cloaking the summit.
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The mighty mountain sits around 90 miles from the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve, which is near the small town of Denali Park on the eastern edge.
As private cars are banned beyond the 15-mile mark, better views of Denali are offered by Denali National Park bus tours, which venture further in and feature a trained naturalist who both drives and provides narration.
Great place to stay:Grande Denali Lodge (rooms from $280) is about 1.5 miles from the park entrance and offers sweeping mountain views.
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S. — and has some of the clearest water in the world (Getty Images)
Behold America’s deepest, and most surreal, lake.
Crater Lake fills the caldera of a mammoth volcano that collapsed 7,700 years ago, and plunges to a depth of 1,943 feet. And the dazzling water is among the clearest on Earth. With no rivers in or out, it’s topped up only by rain and snow.
Adding to the otherworldly vibe is Wizard Island, a lone volcanic cinder cone at the west end that rises to 755 feet.
You’ll get the best photographs from the 33-mile road that loops the caldera, but taking to the water on a boat tour is also a must.
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Great place to stay:Crater Lake Lodge (rooms from $280) is perched dramatically on the rim of the caldera, with showstopping views as standard.
The Na Pali Coast — so dramatic it was used as a filming location in Jurassic Park (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
It’s no exaggeration to say that this landscape is truly cinematic — after all, it has the stamp of approval from Steven Spielberg.
The director used the serrated emerald cliffs of the Na Pali Coast as a stand-in for “Isla Nublar” in Jurassic Park.
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In the movie, we see a helicopter carrying Dr. John Hammond and guests flying towards the shoreline’s seemingly razor-sharp ridges — this part of the coastline is so steep that road-building is completely thwarted. A fact that’s helped to preserve its lush, primeval look.
A helicopter tour is the gold-standard way to see the cliffs, but you’ll also get a great view from the water. Ground-level views are available via the Kalalau Trail.
Great place to stay:Hanalei Colony Resort (rooms from $350) is set by the beach, just minutes from the Na Pali Coast.
Devils Tower gives one section of rural Wyoming a startling look (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Devils Tower is one of America’s most startling natural sights, an 867 foot-high rock monolith in a rural area near the Black Hills of Wyoming that will stop you in your tracks.
The formation, created around 50 million years ago when molten rock erupted from below and cooled into distinctive hexagonal columns, has long attracted tourists — it became America’s first national monument in 1906. However, most will know it from Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind, where it was used to striking effect as the point on Earth where aliens want to make contact with the human race.
For eye-popping up-close views, there’s a 1.3-mile trail that loops the base. Want to see what the view from the top is like? There are around 200 routes — but you’ll need to be an expert climber.
Great place to stay:Devils Tower Lodge (rooms from $200 per night) is just a few minutes from the monument’s base.
Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska is not just breathtaking, but easily accessible (Getty Images)
Mendenhall Glacier is vast — around 27 billion tons of ice stretching 13 miles from the mountainous Juneau Icefield to a lake dotted with icebergs. And it’s on the tourist trail, remarkable for being so easily accessible.
While many glacier visits require plane, helicopter or boat trips, followed by adventurous climbing, Mendenhall is an easy 12-mile drive from nearby Juneau city. Once there, tame trails lead to viewpoints with breathtaking vistas. You can even take to the water — guided kayak tours offer the chance to paddle among the icebergs.
There’s also the bonus of Nugget Falls, which plunges into the lake from a height of 377 feet, and the chance to spot wildlife, including black bears and eagles.
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Incorporate the Visitor Center into your visit to learn about the glacier’s dramatic retreat since the 18th century.
White Sands National Park is 275 square miles of ‘snowy’ sand (Getty Images)
Snow in the desert? At White Sands National Park, you’d be forgiven for thinking so.
The park, which sits within the northern part of the Chihuahuan Desert, is 275 square miles of brilliant white powdery gypsum sand, and looks for all the world like an Arctic landscape.
However, in the summer you can expect highs of 100F. Remarkably, because gypsum doesn’t absorb heat very efficiently, it’s possible to walk barefoot across the dunes even in strong sunshine.
The Dunes Drive loop, which begins just beyond the main park entrance off U.S. Route 70, between Las Cruces and Alamogordo, is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the spectacle, especially at sunset. It’s a paved route, and there are several parking areas from which you can step directly onto the snowy grains.
Great place to stay: Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces (rooms from $180) is around one-hour’s drive southwest of the park.
Pep Guardiola has said farewell to Manchester City and talk has now turned to how the club will fare without the legendary manager.
From returning club legends to a message from Neil Warnock, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City farewell threw up more than its fair share of surprises but was a fitting way to say goodbye to one of the greatest managers the Premier League has ever seen.
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With the ticker tape swept up and the bunting back in the cupboard, talk has already turned to what the post-Pep era will look like. Enzo Maresca is set to replace Guardiola in the Etihad hotseat as he seeks to continue the incredible success the Catalan coach has delivered over the past decade.
While City’s rivals are licking their lips in the hope of a United-esque drop-off following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, the set-up at the Etihad should ensure no such prediction comes to pass, although the task of following a manager who delivered 20 trophies in 10 years cannot be underestimated.
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Our City writers discussed the challenge facing Maresca in the latest episode of the Talking City podcast, with Chief Manchester City Writer Simon Bajkowski confident there will be enough motivation in the squad to prove they are not reliant on Guardiola to deliver success.
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“I think there’s going to be a sea change but Erling Haaland said at the after party ‘We want to win the biggest titles and we didn’t win them this year, we want to fight for those titles’. So the players that are still here will be determined to improve on last year,” he said.
“Everyone thinks there’s going to be a drop-off after Pep – it would be weird if there wasn’t – but you’ve got Enzo Maresca coming in who is determined there won’t be, and the players as well, they don’t want to be seen as players who are nothing without Pep.
“If we’re being honest, a lot of them want to win the World Cup and do as well as they can for their countries, but when they come back there will be a different level of motivation from them.”
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The rumoured line-up for Strictly 2026 is taking shape… (Picture: Shutterstock/AP/BBC)
As cha cha closer to Strictly Come Dancing season once more, speculation on who could be taking part is red hot.
Last series saw Lioness Karen Carney and professional partner Carlos Gu take home the trophy, and there will surely be a string of celebrities keen to replicate their success.
And to say the new cast will be joining Strictly at an important time would be an understatement, as there’ll have been plenty of big changes by the time the BBC flagship show returns to screens.
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So, as bosses look to fill the gaps and carry Strictly into a new era – hopefully free from scandals and internal investigations – let’s take a look at the rumoured line-up for 2026.
Lacey Turner
Might Lacey Turner be swapping Albert Square for the Strictly dance floor? (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
According to reports, the 38-year-old soap actress is looking to use her break from Albert Square to pursue new ventures, with a TV source spilling to The Sun: ‘Strictly bosses are delighted to snap Lacey up for the series, especially as she has such a huge fan base from her time on the soap.
‘She’s down to earth, and viewers will be excited to get to know her personality away from Albert Square.’
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They added: ‘She has loved having some quality time off screen to focus on parenting, but feels like now is the perfect time to learn to dance and try something different before she reprises her role in EastEnders.’
It wouldn’t be the first time an EastEnders icon has appeared on Strictly – who could forget Jake Wood (aka Max Branning) with his Mambo No. 5 salsa?
Josie Gibson
Josie Gibson is said to have been on the Strictly bosses’ wish list for a while (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
She rose to fame as a Big Brother winner and has since cemented herself as a British TV favourite.
Josie Gibson is now often seen presenting on This Morning, and, in 2023, she placed fourth in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
If reports are to be believed, though, she could be looking to at least earn herself a place on the podium by signing up to Strictly and wowing on the dance floor.
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‘Josie has been on the BBC’s radar for a while, and they’ve not given up their pursuit,’ said a source.
They added to The Sun that the ball is has already started: ‘They’re hoping this year is the year, and talks are progressing well.’
‘Bosses are convinced her down-to-earth charm will be the boost this year’s new-look show needs,’ the insider also claimed. ‘Warm and engaging, she’s just what they require right now and will be a sure-fire hit with fans.’
Josie, 41, certainly wouldn’t be the first ITV daytime star to tackle Strictly, with previous series signing up the likes of Alison Hammond, Ruth Langsford, Charlotte Hawkins, and, who could forget, Ed Balls.
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Delta Goodrem
Could Delta Goodrem succeed in both Eurovision and Strictly in the same year? (Picture: Shutterstock for IOMTV Malta)
Australian singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem has also reportedly been on the Strictly bosses’ wish list for ‘years’.
A source told the Daily Mail that her signing this time is ‘all but a done deal’.
‘They’ve been trying to get her for years. Obviously, she is a good name for the show.’
The 41-year-old is no stranger to live performances thanks to her music career, having been signed in the early 2000s and released a string of hits Down Under. Her debut album, Innocent Eyes, charted at number two in the UK.
Delta has also dabbled in acting, having played Nina Tucker in Neighbours.
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Having sold nine million records, Delta knows a thing or two about success – but could she add another accolade to her name and become a Strictly champion?
If she does ultimately sign on the dotted line, 2026 will prove to be a very busy year for her, as Delta represented her country in the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna with her song Eclipse, which saw her finish fourth.
Dani Dyer
Will Dani Dyer return to finish what she started? (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire)
Poor Dani Dyer had one of the briefest Strictly stints ever last year, as she was forced to withdraw shortly after the launch show due to an ankle fracture.
Partnered with Nikita Kuzmin, he went on to reach the final with Amber Davies, while Dani had to watch on from home while recovering.
The former Love Islander has already expressed interest in returning for a proper attempt, and it wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened, as Jamie Laing famously returned the following year after an injury early on made him pull out.
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Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show after her premature exit, Dani said she would ‘love to do’ Strictly again.
‘If they rang me, I’d answer the phone,’ she shared. ‘I was devastated.
‘It was hell for me when I hurt my foot; I was so sad.’
When contacted previously for comments, a BBC spokesperson told Metro that plans for the new series of Strictly will be confirmed ‘in due course’.
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Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC in September.
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Before their performance, the group described Clarkson as their “biggest cheerleader” and added they “couldn’t thank him enough”, while judge KSI, real name Olajide Olatunji, said he wanted to add their original song, This Is Home, to his Spotify playlist after they performed it.
Hannah Brooks, 37 and from Darcy Lever, dog Shadow died afrer he had swallowed a stone which got stuck in his intestine.
After anxious days and hours through the night, Shadow died with brain damage despite treatment. The bill was around £4,000, with her insurance taking a cushion of £1,000 for her.
Shadow the dog died from swallowing a stone. (Image: Hannah Brooks)
It leaves Mrs Brooks with £3,000 that her family are trying to raise, as her husband works, all while she’s caring after her son Elliott, who has neurodivergence.
She said: “It’s a massive hit and such a shock to lose a pet and all that money on top.
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“My son keeps asking for him back, and he just cries. He doesn’t understand that he’s dead.”
The family is trying to get the community together to raise the funds, as they said they couldn’t be able to do it on their own. So far, they’ve raised £100.
Shadow the dog, 2. (Image: Hannah Brooks)
Shadow was only two years old and woke up poorly last Monday, 25 May and died later that week.
Elliott was Shadow’s best friend. (Image: Hannah Brooks)
Mrs Brooks said the hardest challenge is trying to raise money, while just trying to grieve their family pet, and much loved dog by her son Elliott.
He is also getting to perform infront of some of his family for the first time in Galway this summer
20:45, 31 May 2026Updated 20:45, 31 May 2026
An NI student who found his feet during lockdown is now performing on one of London’s most prestigious stages.
Patrick Adair is celebrating a major milestone in his training, having only taken up formal dance training when he was 18 years old.
Growing up in Dunmurry, he had always loved music and appeared in amateur musical theatre productions but it was only when the world was faced by a global pandemic that he began following his passion.
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He said: “When the pandemic stopped the world, I found myself dancing.”
He went on to study musical theatre at Performers College in Essex, where he trained in ballet, tap, jazz, singing and acting. During his studies, he developed a passion for contemporary dance after seeing Message In A Bottle by ZooNation.
“The narrative spoke to me without needing words,” he explained.
“It showed me how movement could tell such a compelling story.”
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Encouraged by his teachers, Patrick successfully auditioned to join the BA programme at London Contemporary Dance School, where he is now completing his training.
This summer, he will perform in Colossus at the Southbank Centre, a large-scale production featuring his entire graduating cohort and created in collaboration with the renowned Australian Stephanie Lake Company.
Patrick added: “Finishing my time at The Place by performing at the Southbank Centre is pretty next level.”
Patrick is also excited that the production will tour to Galway as part of the Galway Arts Festival, marking his first major performance on home soil.
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“My family are coming to see me, and for a lot of them it will be their first time seeing me dance – that’s both exciting and nerve-wracking.
“As I’ve grown, I’ve realised my family just want me to be happy
“And dancing makes me happy.”
Reflecting on his journey, Patrick hopes other young people from Northern Ireland will feel encouraged to pursue ambitious creative goals.
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“You’re not defined by where you’re from,” he said. “You can make your own story, but be proud of where you’ve come from and what you carry with you.”
She was among three York and North Yorkshire motorists who did not reply to the court warning that they were facing prosecution for traffic offences.
All three cases went ahead in their absence. A fourth motorist who did respond to the court summons was banned from driving.
Ryan Bartholomew, 32, of Northfield Terrace, Church Fenton, was convicted in his absence by Bradford magistrates of breaking a 30 mph speed limit near Wakefield. He was fined £92, ordered to pay £130 prosecution costs and given three penalty points.
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Harrogate magistrates dealt with three cases.
Callum Buck, 37, of Cornwood Way, Haxby, was convicted in his absence of careless driving and driving without insurance in York. He was given six penalty points, fined £660 and ordered to pay £130 prosecution costs and a £264 statutory surcharge.
Jay Clarke, 29, of Hillam Road, Gateforth near Selby, pleaded guilty to driving without insurance. He was banned from driving for six months, fined £646 and ordered to pay £120 prosecution costs and a £258 statutory surcharge.
Maria Sotelino, 41, of Admiral Way, Sherburn-in-Elmet, was convicted in her absence of failure to tell police who was driving her car when it allegedly committed a traffic offence. She was banned from driving for six months, fined £660 and ordered to pay £120 prosecution costs and a £264 statutory surcharge.
Mercury in Cancer pushes you to gaze beyond past emotional stories, reminding you that even the smallest flame lights the darkest room. Today encourages gentle self-forgiveness and clarity. Listen to your feelings, my friend.
Taurus (April 21st – May 21st)
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Words carry weight under Mercury in Cancer, and the Sagittarius Moon urges honesty in all you value. Patience grows the strongest roots, my friend, so allow yourself to feel before acting. Conversations can bring clarity and comfort.
Gemini (May 22nd – June 21st)
A shift from thinking to feeling asks you to nurture yourself gently. Mercury in Cancer encourages tenderness, while the Sagittarius Moon brings perspective, teaching that patience is your new best friend. Trust subtle signs and quiet realisations.
Cancer (June 22nd – July 23rd)
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Mercury in your sign shines a light on emotional reflection and reminds you growth comes through experience. Even the river bends around the stones it meets, my friend. Honour your sensitivity and speak from the heart. It’s how your personal life will fall into place.
Leo (July 24th – August 23rd)
Memories surface to be understood, not to trouble you. Mercury in Cancer supports inner healing, while the Sagittarius Moon rekindles hope, showing that the sun returns after the longest night. Let yourself feel and speak with courage today.
Virgo (August 24th – September 23rd)
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Friendships and plans take on emotional depth. Mercury in Cancer helps you see who truly supports you, while the Sagittarius Moon encourages perspective. Growth does not always announce itself loudly. Notice subtle shifts.
Libra (September 24th – October 23rd)
Your public path feels more personal now. Mercury in Cancer brings emotional investment into ambitions, and encourages courage, showing that the tallest tree grows from patient soil. Lead with heart, not perfection.
Scorpio (October 24th – November 22nd)
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Your hunger for meaning grows. Mercury in Cancer supports honesty, while the Sagittarius Moon widens your perspective. The quietest voice often carries the clearest truth, my friend. Let compassion replace suspicion.
Sagittarius (November 23rd – December 21st)
The Moon in your sign raises those ignored feelings, yet Mercury in Cancer asks you to go deeper, not faster. Even the strongest bow must bend to hold its string. Honour your vulnerability.
Capricorn (December 22nd – January 20th)
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Relationships soften and not a moment too soon. Mercury in Cancer highlights emotional exchange, and urges reflection. Remember the bridge is strongest where it bends, my friend. Let your guard lower.
Aquarius (January 21st – February 19th)
Daily routines become emotional touchstones. Mercury in Cancer invites care for wellbeing, while lifting renewed hope in those around you, reminding that the smallest spark can ignite warmth for many.
Pisces (February 20th – March 20th)
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Creativity flows from the heart. Mercury in Cancer awakens sensitivity and helps fuel belief in possibility instead of restrictions. The butterfly only learns to fly when it leaves the cocoon, my friend. Follow what delights you.
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Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says it has targeted a US air base that has been used for launching attacks on a telecoms tower on Sirik Island in southern Iran.
The statement comes after the US a short while ago claimed it conducted strikes on Iranian radar and command and control sites for drones in Iran’s Goruk and Qeshm Islands over the weekend.
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar1 June 2026 04:49
Breaking: US troops struck Iranian air defence sites over the weekend, says central command
US forces have struck Iranian air defence sites, a ground control station and brought down two one-way attack drones over the weekend, the central command said this morning.
It claimed that the strikes were in response to “aggressive Iranian actions”, including the downing of a US MQ-1 drone that was operating over international waters.
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“No American service members were harmed,” it said.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar1 June 2026 04:33
Breaking: Kuwaiti air defences intercept missile, drone attacks
Kuwait’s air defences were intercepting missile and drone attacks this morning as sirens sounded across the country, the state news agency KUNA reported.
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It was unclear where the missiles and drones were coming from.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar1 June 2026 04:23
Oil prices still below $90 a barrel
Oil prices rose more than 2 per cent in early trading after Israel ordered troops to move further into Lebanon in the battle with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group, despite a ceasefire announced more than six weeks ago.
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US crude futures rose $2.37 or 2.71 per cent to $89.73 a barrel. Brent futures rose $2.16 or 2.37 per cent to $93.28 a barrel.
The Israel-Lebanon conflict has been the broadest spillover of the Iran war. It started on 2 March when Hezbollah began firing rockets and drones across the border into Israel to back its ally Iran.
The two sides reached a ceasefire in mid-April but have continued to trade fire.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar1 June 2026 04:18
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US proposes new plan to ease Israel-Lebanon tensions
US secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken with both Lebanese president Joseph Aoun and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the diplomatic negotiations between Israel and Lebanon and proposed a plan to allow for “gradual de-escalation”, a US official said.
The US has proposed that as a first step, the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group would stop all attacks on Israel and in return Israel would refrain from escalation in Beirut, the official told Reuters.
“This would create space for gradual de-escalation and an effective cessation of hostilities,” according to the official.
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They added that Aoun tried to advance the proposal and secure an agreement.
However, Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who claimed to “guarantee” Hezbollah’s commitment to a ceasefire, placed the burden on Israel to stop “shooting first”.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar1 June 2026 04:17
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As the Pentagon pushes for battlefield AI, some military leaders urge caution
The Trump administration is pushing to unleash the power of artificial intelligence for the U.S. military while facing calls to put up guardrails around the rapidly developing technology from some companies — and even notes of caution from top leaders in uniform.
Adm. Frank Bradley, head of U.S. Special Operations Command, told attendees of a recent annual special forces conference in Tampa, Florida, that troops “have to be very careful about how we come to (AI’s) employment and its inspiration into the delivery of lethality.”
Bradley said he can see a future where AI determines what targets to hit but that “we, as humans, have to have the confidence that … it’s going to deliver violence only where we intend it to be delivered.”
Alex Croft1 June 2026 03:00
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UK special relationship with US ‘meaningless’ unless it boosts defence, Hegseth warns
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports…
Britain’s special relationship with the United States is “meaningless” unless it “locks arms and shields” with the US and matches its military capabilities, Donald Trump’s war secretary has warned.
Giving a speech in Singapore, Pete Hegseth said that “model allies” who comply with US demands will benefit from arms sales and access to intelligence, while those seen to be “freeloading” on US capabilities will be penalised.
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Referring to conversations with the UK defence secretary, the politician said: “As my friends, Mr [Richard] Marles [the Australian defence minister] and John Healey know, I’m probably the most blunt with our closest friends about what our capabilities are and where they need to be to ensure that we’re locking arms and shields, considering the threats of the world.”
He continued: “You can’t just say, ‘Oh, we’ve been friends for a long time, so let’s work together.’ It’s: ‘We’ve been friends for a long time, so you better have the same capabilities we do, because if we don’t, our alliance is meaningless.’”
Mr Hegseth also vowed to move allies who step up their military capabilities to “the front of the line” when it comes to closer ties, praising countries such as South Korea, Japan and Vietnam.
Alex Croft1 June 2026 02:01
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Iranian commander warns of ‘more forceful’ retaliation
Iran has warned that any new attack on its territory would trigger a stronger military response, as tensions remain high despite ongoing discussions over a possible ceasefire extension.
Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, Iran’s deputy army commander for coordination, said the country’s armed forces were prepared to respond to further military action.
“The enemy should know that any aggression against the country’s territory will be met with a response even more forceful than before,” he said, per Al Jazeera.
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“Today, the army of the Islamic Republic stands firmly and resolutely against any hostile move by the enemy,” Sayyari added.
The warning comes as the US and Iran remain divided over a proposed agreement covering Tehran’s nuclear programme and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Alex Croft1 June 2026 01:01
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Recap: Iran does not trust any promises made by the US, says Tehran
We heard earlier from Iran’s top negotiator and parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Ghalibaf.
He says no agreement with the US will be accepted until Iran’s rights are secured, according to Tehran’s IRNA state news agency.
The Iranian government does not trust promises made by the US side, he said, adding that only objective results matter.
It comes after Donald Trump reportedly asked for changes to the proposed Iran agreement negotiated by US envoys, triggering another round of talks with Tehran.
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“At the turn of the week, we hope to have something,” a senior administration official said.
Alex Croft1 June 2026 00:00
Watch: Tehran-based photographer Tahmineh Monzavi captures the lives of Generation Z in Iran
Tehran-based photographer Tahmineh Monzavi captures the lives of Generation Z in Iran
The proposed changes will apply to those living in social housing (Picture: John Keeble/Getty Images)
A new law being brought to parliament today aims to close a loophole which has meant domestic abuse victims living in social housing feel forced to stay in harm’s way – or risk homelessness.
Currently, there is no way for landlords to evict abusers before their victim has already left the home.
And in joint tenancies, victims who wish to leave the home they share with the perpetrator can only get out by ending the tenancy entirely.
According to government statistics, almost 40,000 households in the UK were forced to find a new home after losing their previous one due to domestic abuse in 2024/25.
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Part of the new Social Housing Bill, which returns to Parliament for its second reading today, will aim to give greater security to social renters at risk.
It will mean landlords and court can force perpetrators to leave without simultaneously threatening their victims with the same fate.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: ‘No victim of domestic abuse should face the awful choice between staying in danger or losing their home.
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‘This government is putting that right, so perpetrators are forced out and survivors and their children can stay safely in the homes and communities they know and love.’
The Bill will also close a loophole which allows domestic abusers to exploit the Notice to Quit.
These notices are used by tenants to inform landlords when they intend to end a rolling contract – but in the hands of perpetrators, they can be wielded to threaten their victim with homelessness.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed, who is leading the new bill (Picture: Dan Kitwood/PA Wire)
Under the Social Housing Bill, any Notice to Quit served by a perpetrator will not end the joint tenancy while the court proceedings are still going on.
Courts will also require landlords to provide suitable alternative accommodation if it is not appropriate for victims to stay.
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Veronica Oakeshott, the Head of External Affairs at Women’s Aid, said the new measures had long been a focus of campaigning by the organisation.
She added: ‘While ultimately we hope the measures will go further to enable more survivors to qualify, this is an important start.’
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said the current situation is a ‘moral failure’ which allowed abusers to use homes as a ‘weapon of control’.
He said: ‘Victims of domestic abuse have faced an impossible choice – stay in danger or make themselves homeless.
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‘This is a moral failure this government is determined to end and these changes are deeds not words that put victims first, give landlords the powers they need, and make sure perpetrators can no longer use housing as a weapon of control.’
The Social Housing Bill will also introduce reforms to the Right to Buy system in an effort to stem the flow of social homes into private hands while not stopping it entirely.
Renters will become eligible for the scheme after 10 years, rather than the current three, while newly built social homes will be protected for 35 years.
Back in March the 89-year-old actress Shirley Bassey underwent an operation on her hand after ebing in so much pain that she was struggling to reply to fan mail.
Back in March the 89-year-old underwent an operation on her hand after ebing in so much pain that she was struggling to reply to fan mail.
In a photo shared to her Instagram, she grinned and revealed her bandaged hand as she sat in a restaurant. The Love Story singer wrote: “Hello Everybody! I’m currently visiting Spain and am in one of Madrid’s famous restaurants, where they have given me a chair with my name on it! So very cool.
“Thank you so much for asking how my hand is after the operation – it’s coming along slowly. I still find it difficult to write, and eating with my left hand, which is not easy, but helps with my diet!m’m now off to spend time with my son and his family. Sending you lots of love and Best Wishes. Dame Shirley.”
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Fans flocked to her comment section and wrote: “Ah I’m so glad to see you safe and well. Looking spectacular as always.” Another wrote: “There should be a THRONE in every major city in the world just for YOU Dame Shirley,”
She recently celebrated 70 years in the business. In an Instagram post she wrote: “It has been an honour to sing and entertain my fans for over 70 years. Across seven decades (wow!), I have had the privilege to meet many of you, and receive fan mail from all around the world!”
But then she apologised to her loyal following: “I always loved seeing the different stamps and used to collect them in a book.Through letters shared, I have read of your celebrations, your losses, your achievements, memories, dreams and even how my music has brought 1978 generations of families together. I am truly humbled.
Continuing, the star said: “At this point in time, I’m sorry to say, that due to up-and-coming hand surgery, I will no longer be able to reply to fan mail. We kindly request for you to avoid sending vinyls, personal items and photographs, as we will be unable to post them back to you. Your support has been incredible.”
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