BBC’s acclaimed historical fantasy Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, originally released in 2015, is now streaming on Prime Video and viewers are hailing it as a ‘masterpiece’
Hannah McGreevy, Assistant Editor for Screen Time
13:00, 29 Jun 2026
Enthusiasts of period dramas may have just stumbled upon their latest binge-watch. A BBC miniseries that appears tailor-made for admirers of Downton Abbey or Penny Dreadful is presently available to stream.
The programme, which first broadcast in 2015, can now be found on Prime Video, with audiences praising it as a “masterpiece”. The BBC historical drama is also based on an internationally bestselling novel by Piranesi author Susanna Clarke.
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It commands an impressive 92% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes – exactly the same score as Downton Abbey on the review aggregator site.
The synopsis reads: “In an alternate history, during the time of real life Napoleonic Wars, two men of destiny, the gifted recluse Mr. Norrell and daring spellcasting novice Jonathan Strange, use magic to help England.”
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, adapted from Clarke’s debut novel of the same name, features a stellar British cast including Eddie Marsan, Marc Warren, Charlotte Riley and Bertie Carvel, reports the Mirror.
The costume drama runs for just seven episodes, following the “dangerous battle between two great minds”. It received glowing reviews upon release, with Digital Spy branding it an ‘epic’ drama and the Independent calling it a ‘real treat’.
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Over on IMDb, viewers described the series as ‘spellbinding’, with one writing: “Having anticipated this show for quite some years, I was anxious about what the BBC would make of my favourite book.
“However, I had no need to worry, as they captured the tone of Susanna Clarke’s masterpiece of a novel perfectly: dark and creepy, yet at the same time eerily beautiful.”
“Starts slow, but ultimately becomes a masterpiece,” another posted, while a third confessed: “This is one of the best series I have seen in a long time.”
One viewer described the show as ‘outstanding’, commenting: “This is BBC drama at its very best and a great showcase for why the licence fee is such good value. The quality of acting is superb with brilliant casting, lighting, costumes and direction.”
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Elsewhere, on Rotten Tomatoes, one enthusiast said: “This is an excellent show, everything you can ask for in a well acted, written, and filmed, old English fantasy that you only have to invest in a season for the whole story.”
A further reviewer agreed: “Truly original and incredibly well done. Once you get through the first episode you’ll be surprised by the incredible action sequences. Amazing, unexpected.”
Here’s what the stars have in store for your day (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
The Pisces Moon faces of with Venus in Virgo, creating an emotionally charged cosmic field. Give yourself grace today.
Sagittarius, Scorpio and Libra, it won’t harm to reflect on your sense of self. Take some time to mull over your identity, but don’t place too much weight on others’ perceptions.
Give yourself permission to slow down. You don’t need to be a hundred miles an hour at all times to max out productivity.
Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Sunday August 2, 2026.
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Aries
March 21 to April 20
Is it time for a gentle pause between being and doing? The Pisces Moon faces off with Venus in Virgo, so a part of you may want to get on with your to-do list, while another part might be ready to disappear into a daydream. It’s a good idea to balance both, as this will give you the inspiration needed to bring a wonderful creation to life while remaining very efficient.
Your personal hobbies call out to you, so if you’re in the mood to fashion something beautiful, this is the time to go ahead. Don’t let your talents go to waste. Whatever allows you to shine, be sure to share and express it today. Don’t forget your friends, though, as they’ll want a slice of you too. An invitation or get-together could introduce you to people you’ll feel at home with.
Your attention may be drawn to your public image and to your many accomplishments. You’ll also be very tuned into how other people feel about you, which could be very revealing. You might want to get some quiet time to think things through. Venus in your home zone encourages you to make this the highlight of the day, so enjoy some pampering.
Have a yearning to get away from it all and bask in a place of peace and renewal? Even so, Venus in your sector of talk and thought encourages you to attend to your tasks and responsibilities first. It’s best not to leave anything hanging in the air. Thinking of a quick getaway? Then prioritise those important jobs, so you can really relax when you get there.
The Moon in an intense zone can stir up feelings that you may have been trying to ignore. It’s better to acknowledge them and even embrace them, as it will be so much easier to let them go. You’ll feel much better too. As it faces Venus in your personal money zone, you may be tempted to buy something special for yourself. A treat could leave you feeling especially upbeat.
You may be torn between attending to your own needs and helping someone else. While it’s natural for you to do what you can to make others’ lives easier, you’re encouraged to put yourself first today. Do what’s necessary to make yourself comfortable and happy. Yet this is also an opportunity for a heartfelt conversation that can heal and resolve any issues.
Cosmic messages for Cosmic messages for Virgo today
Libra
September 24 to October 23
A dream may need some deciphering, and there’s a sense that it could be very important in helping you know what to do about a situation or relationship. Don’t let your work take over; push it to one side. Your inner wisdom is trying to give you a message, so take time today to consider what it’s trying to tell you. The insights will be revealing and inspire change too.
Sometimes it’s nice to potter around doing your own thing in a relaxed way, but friends may have other ideas and could be quite determined that you’ll join them for a social occasion. In this case, it could be good for you to make the effort, as an encounter or conversation could clear up a matter that’s been bothering you. A friend’s expert advice might open the way.
Venus in your sector of public image means her presence can help you present a polished appearance that can’t fail to impress. As the Moon faces off with this sociable planet today, a desire to totally relax may conflict with a need to give your best performance. Make allowances for both situations, as a chance to refuel can help you make the best impression.
The wisest people are often those who keep learning, and you’ll have a reminder of this today, as a local encounter could be the reason you decide to expand your outlook. An idea or suggestion might lead you to look abroad for new travel experiences or to study as a way to increase your knowledge. Zeroing in on local developments can also fire you up.
It’s time to pay attention to what nourishes you, and the current Moon-Venus aspect can give you a clue. Yet it might not be what you think. Yearning for something that can help you to feel better? Tempted to rush out to buy something? Pause, as it might be something deeper, such as connecting with someone you haven’t heard from for a while or healing a lingering rift.
The Moon in your sign makes you aware of your needs, while its tie with Venus in Virgo can find others drawn to you because you leave them feeling better. You’ll want to accommodate them too, but don’t leave yourself overwhelmed by others’ demands. Carve out some time to do your own thing and give yourself the respite you deserve. You won’t regret it, Pisces.
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Astonishing first-hand account of the family who SURVIVED Hiroshima… then went on This Is Your Life to meet the desperately repentant US airman who dropped the bomb that killed tens of thousands and changed the world
Astonishing first-hand account of the family who SURVIVED Hiroshima… then went on This Is Your Life to meet the desperately repentant US airman who dropped the bomb that killed tens of thousands and changed the world | Daily Mail Online
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Astonishing first-hand account of the family who SURVIVED Hiroshima… then went on This Is Your Life to meet the desperately repentant US airman who dropped the bomb that killed tens of thousands and changed the world
Chancellor John Healey says he won’t let supermarkets rip off Britons – but admits ‘we can’t completely stop the squeeze that families and businesses will feel’
Chancellor John Healey has vowed not to let supermarkets ‘take the public for a ride’ as the Iran war continues to cripple drivers at the petrol pumps.
The former defence minister insisted he would be closely watching in a bid to protect the public from price gouging at the pumps.
However, he also conceded that he could not ‘completely stop the squeeze’ on families and businesses amid the Iranian conflict.
It comes as the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham promised to give families and businesses ‘breathing room’ following a cost-of-living crisis that has lasted years.
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Fuel costs skyrocketed earlier this year after Iran cut off access to the Strait of Hormuz, which carries around 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas supplies.
Petrol prices are now at their most expensive since 2022, with unleaded having reached 160p per litre, according to the RAC.
Meanwhile, Mr Healey signalled he would be ready to intervene to protect consumers from unfair price rises at home.
‘We’ll be watching closely for any suggestions that customers are being taken for a ride at the pump or the till,’ he said.
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He described the willingness of firms to work with him amid the ongoing crisis as positive, and said there was no ‘significant evidence’ of supposed ‘price gouging’.
But he reassured the public that regulators will have the powers to ‘clamp down on it if it happens’.
Chancellor John Healey (left) and Prime Minister Andy Burnham right attending a family centre in Sheffield on July 31, 2026 in Sheffield
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John Healey (pictured on July 21) vowed not to let supermarkets ‘take the public for a ride’ as the Iran war continues to cripple drivers at the petrol pumps
It comes as Mr Healey said he had spoken to international counterparts in his first days as chancellor about their joint economic response to the ongoing war in Iran.
‘Being frank, we can’t completely stop the squeeze that families and businesses will feel with a global shock of this scale,’ he added.
He said the government would be ‘active’ and ‘hands on’, adding that they would put ‘British interests firsts’ and allow breathing space to those feeling the financial crunch.
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He added that they would make the country ‘more resilient so we can better weather these shocks in the future’.
Mr Burnham has announced a succession of measures aimed at alleviating cost-of-living pressures, such as a cut in VAT on energy bills and capping bus fares at £2 throughout 2027 since taking office.
The Prime Minister reiterated on Sunday that he would like to take further action to bring down utility bills and rail fares.
‘I think rail fares are too high, outrageously so in some instances. So that’s something that’s in my sights.
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‘I mentioned VAT and electricity bills. It’s a short-term measure at this moment, but let’s see where we can go with that,’ he told the Sunday Mirror.
The raft of measures Mr Burnham has unveiled, including cutting business rates for pubs and an expansion of technical training in schools, are likely to require additional spending.
Mr Healey promised that his first budget would be ‘built on fiscal discipline’ as he revealed this week that it would take place on October 28.
Officials have said Mr Burnham and Mr Healey agreed the Budget must have a built-in £23.6billion buffer against the Government’s self-imposed borrowing rules, the Financial Times reported.
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He and the Prime Minister have written to the Cabinet to make clear there is no new money coming for the fresh pledges, he told The Times.
Departments need to be ready to ‘shift funding away from unproductive or legacy programmes that no longer reflect this administration’s priorities,’ he wrote in the letter.
Earlier this year, the previous Chancellor Rachel Reeves tried to put pressure on retailers to cap food prices in a bid to limit inflation as the Iran war raged on.
She received backlash for the proposals from supermarket bosses, which saw Ms Reeves abandon the idea.
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M&S chief executive Stuart Machin branded the proposals ‘preposterous’, meanwhile, Andrew Bailey, the Governor of the Bank of England, described the idea as ‘unsustainable’.
The explosion occurred close to a restaurant terrace on Kudrinskaya Square in Moscow on Saturday evening at approximately 8:10pm (6:10pm BST), killing three and injuring 21, the Interior Ministry confirmed
Peter Hennessy UK & World News Editor and Laura Zilincanova
00:09, 02 Aug 2026
Three individuals have lost their lives and 21 others have been wounded after an explosion near a Moscow restaurant, police have confirmed.
The blast took place adjacent to a restaurant terrace on Kudrinskaya Square in Moscow on Saturday evening at around 8:10pm (6:10pm BST), with the Interior Ministry releasing a statement on Russian social media platform Max.
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Officials told state news agency Ria Novosti that the incident led to “three deaths and 15 injured, of varying degrees of seriousness”. The committee later revised the injury figure upwards from 15 to 21 people, taking the overall casualty toll to at least 24.
The injured were undergoing medical care.
Among the dead were “a security guard who prevented an unknown woman suspected of trying to carry the explosive device into the restaurant, the unknown woman and one of the visitors,” a committee statement cited by the Tass news agency revealed.
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Video footage published by the agency showed heavily armed police officers at the scene, which had been sealed off from members of the public, the BBC reports.
While the cause remains uncertain, the Baza Telegram channel suggested it happened within the restaurant’s kitchen area.
An eyewitness told the channel that a wedding reception with approximately 50 attendees was taking place at the premises, stating they saw bloodied individuals being carried out in the aftermath of the explosion. Dozens of cyclists who had gathered in the vicinity for an evening ride through the city saw their plans abandoned.
Officers and emergency crews rushed to the location, with officials confirming an investigation into what triggered the blast.
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According to Russian media outlets, traffic in the area surrounding the square has been suspended temporarily, while access points to Barrikadnaya metro station have been closed.
But work on the road has stalled in recent years, delayed by ‘ongoing legal issues‘.
The crucial link road has still not been opened to the public (Image: Newsquest)
The link road from Crown Lane through to Aspinall Way behind Middlebrook at the Rivington Chase housing scheme has been much debated, delayed and discussed in recent times.
Bolton Council stated: “Rivington Chase remains one of Bolton Council’s highest priority regeneration projects and represents one of the borough’s most significant long-term investments.
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“The wider masterplan will deliver approximately 1,700 new homes together with supporting mixed-use development, transforming the former Horwich Loco Works into a sustainable community with new homes, employment opportunities, community facilities and extensive public open space.
“Significant progress has already been made across the site through the successful delivery of new homes and key infrastructure. The completion of the Spine Road alongside the development will provide an important road link from Horwich to Middlebrook with a new bus route and pedestrian and cycle-friendly paths. This will address existing and future highways issues and congestion in the area.
The road will be crucial to helping to reduce traffic (Image: Office of Phil Brickell MP)
“The council remains committed to securing the completion and opening of the Rivington Chase Spine Road as soon as practicably possible.
“Over recent months, efforts have been made to reach agreement with the owners of the remaining land interests required to complete the final section of the road. Those discussions have not resulted in terms that could be progressed.
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“The council’s preference remains to reach agreement with the landowners, and will seek to continue discussions to this end, but will need to consider all available options to facilitate the completion of the link road.”
Chris Green MP on site at the new road (Image: Office of Chris Green MP)
It was reported in May 2024 that the spine road was ‘nearing completion‘, though since then, little progress has been made.
“It should be completed in August,” said then-MP Chris Green, “but it may take a little longer than that to open to the public.”
The £262M Rivington Chase masterplan aims to regenerate the Horwich Loco Works site with around 1,700 new homes built across four phases.
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The site wide masterplan was agreed by Bolton Council’s planning committee back in 2017, after a supplementary planning document was put forward in 2012.
Multiple people have been injured and carried out on stretchers after a ‘stampede’ at a family-friendly festival in north London as too many people turned up.
The organisers of Ghana Party in the Park were forced to end the event ‘abruptly’ at Copthall Playing Fields in Barnet on Saturday after it became ‘overcrowded’, police and organisers said.
Several festivalgoers have suffered ‘non-life threatening injuries’ following the crush and footage from the event shows dozens of emergency vehicles, including air ambulances, present.
Witnesses saw injured people being carried away on stretchers as medics attended the scene.
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One 18-year-old described the incident as ‘very chaotic’, adding that the festival was ‘very poorly organised’.
Another said: ‘Ghana Party in the Park, aka ShattaFest, has had a stampede, with people seriously injured.
‘Two air ambulances (helicopters) have flown in to take some of the injured away.
‘People have been unable to get into the event since 2pm. There are probably 1,000 people outside right now.’
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Multiple people were left with non-life threatening injuries after a ‘stampede’ due to overcrowding
Witnesses saw injured people being carried away on stretchers as medics attended the scene
It has also been reported that ‘several fans passed out due to overcrowding’ on the playing fields.
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Pictures from the festival, also billed as ShattaFest UK, show rows of ambulances and fire engines at the scene on Saturday afternoon.
And footage from elsewhere at the event shows police officers reassuring huge crowds of people standing next to a large barrier, which could possibly be the entrance to the festival.
Ghana Party in the Park is an annual outdoor festival for the Ghanaian diaspora in London which has been running since 2005.
It attracts more than 8,000 people, according to the London Assembly website, making it the largest Ghanaian event outside of Ghana.
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The event’s website describes it as a ‘cultural festival celebrating the very best of Ghanaian music, culture, food, fashion and community’.
In a statement on Saturday night, organisers said: ‘Following the unfortunate incident at today’s event, we wish to provide an update regarding the abrupt closure of Ghana in the Park.
‘The decision to close the festival was made solely on the grounds of health and safety.
‘Officers from the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade responded to a major incident on site.
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‘Following discussions with the emergency services and our health and safety team, it was agreed that closing the festival was the safest option in order to protect all attendees.’
The statement came amid claims that there had been stabbings at the festival, however the organisers said nobody was attacked.
They added: ‘We would like to clarify that there were no incidents of stabbing and deaths as being speculated.’
Earlier the organisers had said the event was ‘temporarily paused’ due to a ‘major incident’ and asked festivalgoers to ‘stay away from the area’.
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The Met Police also said in a statement that reports of a ‘stabbing’ are inaccurate, and that the festival was closed due to overcrowding.
A spokesman said: ‘Officers are at Copthall Playing Fields where Ghana Party in the Park has been cancelled after an overcrowding issue at the entrance saw several people sustain non-life threatening injuries.
‘Speculation about a stabbing is inaccurate. Please help us by avoiding the area.’
A spokesman for Barnet Council said: ‘The Ghana Party in the Park event at Copthall Playing Fields has ended early this evening after an overcrowding issue at the entrance saw several people sustain non-life threatening injuries.
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‘The police and council officers are on site, please help us by avoiding the area.’
The Daily Mail has approached the organisers as well as the Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service for further comment.
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People injured and ‘carried out on stretchers’ after ‘stampede’ at family-friendly London festival when ‘too many people’ turned up
A plane carrying tourists crashed into a field in Peru on Saturday outside the city of Nazca killing 13 people, local authorities said.
In a statement on Facebook, Nazca’s municipal government said the plane was taking tourists on a sightseeing flight of the Nazca Lines, a group of extensive geoglyphs scraped into the desert around Nazca hundreds of years ago by Peru’s Indigenous inhabitants. The lines form images of animals that can only be fully appreciated from planes or viewing towers.
Nazca’s government said the plane departed from the nearby city of Ica and was operated by Peruvian company Aerodiana. On its website the airline says that it has offered scenic flights over the Nazca lines for the past 14 years, using Cessna Grand Caravan planes.
In a statement, Peru’s Ministry for Trade and Tourism said that 11 “foreign tourists” and two crew members were on the plane that crashed Saturday. State news agency Agencia Andina reported that two German, two Spanish and seven Italian tourists were on the plane.
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Peruvian authorities said the accident is under investigation. Aerodiana was not immediately available for comment.
Growing up, I thought there were two options: straight or lesbian (Picture: Taylor Palmer)
‘I already know,’ my husband said with a smile.
My nerves melted away instantly in the warm glow of his acceptance after I told him I was bisexual five years into our marriage.
A big coming out was never in my plans, yet the moment I understood that I was bisexual, at 28, I told the person I trusted the most, not knowing he was already fully aware.
But that realisation didn’t happen overnight – the pieces started to come together on my first visit to Europe. Three years before that fateful conversation.
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Growing up, I thought there were two options: straight or lesbian. I didn’t really have any queer role models in my life, so I mirrored what I saw around me.
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So, because I was attracted to men, I assumed that meant I was straight.
I didn’t expect was to stumble into one of the biggest Pride events in Europe (Picture: Taylor Palmer)
It wasn’t until meeting other bisexual women in my university years that I realised sexuality isn’t a simple tick box; there’s an entire spectrum.
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That understanding began to take shape during a German work trip.
I was at a new job, surrounded by new colleagues, traveling to Europe for the first time. The workdays were long, hot, and confined to an overcrowded indoor space.
It was a perfect July day; green, warm and alive, when, on an outing to escape the office, I wandered into one of the biggest Pride events in Europe.
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Berlin Pride was more than a celebration: it was freedom (Picture: Taylor Palmer)
That was Berlin Pride, which was the scene of an appalling attack last week, and seeing that just brought home how important the event was.
Because this moment launched my journey towards embracing my sexual identity.
From then, I followed queer creators on social media, attended community events, and had open discussions with people close to me. It all gave me the confidence to explore a deeper understanding of who I have always been.
And so, I finally found who I was.
I finally found who I was (Picture: Taylor Palmer)
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But now, when I share with people that I’m bisexual, and that I came out after I was married, it’s often followed with: ‘but you’re married to a man?’
I chose my husband as my partner in this life 13 years ago because of who he is as a human, regardless of gender. Thankfully, he chose me too.
Even before I was out, I never felt something was missing between us – only that there was something missing within me.
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After hearing ‘I already know’ from my husband, we chatted about how I came to this realisation (Picture: Taylor Palmer)
After hearing ‘I already know’ from my husband, we chatted about how I came to this realisation and how he could support me in this journey.
The answer was immediate: Pride.
I wanted to experience it rather than accidentally observing.
Pride events in the US are often targets for harassment or worse, and the fact that LGBTQ+ people are five times more likely to be victims of violent crime in the US made the idea of attending more overwhelming than exciting.
Everything changed when my husband and I moved to Portugal (Picture: Taylor Palmer)
At my job, my superiors had previously joked about pansexuality and bisexuality being trends and that they’re ‘just a phase’ – so, I stayed under the radar and was out to my closest friends and family, living my not-so-secret-but-plausibly-deniable bisexual life.
But everything changed when my husband and I moved to Portugal, three years after I came out, to start our own business.
From the moment we arrived, something felt different – there was less pressure, less expectation. People lived more openly. I saw couples of all genders holding hands and showing each other affection in the streets.
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And for the first time, I was meeting people as my full self – a bisexual woman.
Within weeks, I got involved with local Pride events: supporting my new friends’ performances at queer open mic nights and working with local queer tour guides to promote gay-friendly bars and clubs.
This year at my first official Pride – Lagos Pride, in Portugal – I showed up fully.
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With rainbow freckles painted across my cheeks, vibrant purple hair, a bisexual flag proudly trailing behind me, I walked with my pride, and even had my husband and best friend cheering me on.
One thing I’ve learned throughout my journey is when living as only part of myself (Picture: Taylor Palmer)
I remember feeling something I’d never felt before: uninhibited authenticity.
We danced along the Algarve coast on a Pride boat cruise and even saw dolphins. It was a truly magical experience.
But what stood out the most was that there was no anxiety about being judged, and no pressure to explain myself.
One thing I’ve learned throughout my journey is when living as only part of myself, it was far more exhausting than I realised. Stepping into my full identity brought me a kind of joy that changed everything.
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And sometimes, a new start in a new place can give you the space to finally become the person you’ve always been.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto leader, in a phone call with President Donald Trump on Saturday raised concerns about the U.S. potentially escalating the conflict with Iran, according to a person familiar with the leaders’ discussion.
The discussion, which was first reported on by Axios, comes as Trump weighs whether to carry out new strikes on Iran.
The Saudis, according to the person briefed on the substance of the call but not authorized to comment publicly, are concerned that if the U.S. targets Iran’s energy infrastructure or carries out massive strikes on other key infrastructure that Tehran could respond by carrying out attacks on the kingdom’s and other Gulf countries’ energy infrastructure.
The crown prince during Saturday’s call sought clarity from Trump on what potential new action he’s weighing to take against Iran, the person said.
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The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Saturday’s call.
Saudi Arabia earlier this week joined the U.S. in striking multiple logistics and weapons sites used by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, but has been urging the U.S. and Iran to get back to the negotiating table to find an endgame to the five-month old conflict
The crown prince also dispatched his brother, Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, to Washington earlier this week for separate meetings with Trump and Vice President JD Vance to discuss Iran strategy.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly expressed concern to President Donald Trump over his plans to hit Iran with further airstrikes.
The leader of Saudi Arabia called the president on Saturday to voice his concerns and urge Trump not to carry out the strikes, two US officials and a third source told Axios.
One source told the outlet that Prince Salman urged Trump to deescalate the situation and to not launch further strikes.
A US official added: ‘The Saudis expressed concern and asked for clarity about the plan of action.’
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The White House on Friday signaled that Trump is weighing carrying out new strikes on Iran as the US presses for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
They are also calling on the nation to abide by terms set out in a truce agreement the two sides forged last month which quickly collapsed.
The President was bombastic at a televised meeting with his Cabinet at Camp David in which he vowed to hit the nation.
‘We will be hitting them very hard and you know at some point, they’re going to say, ‘We just can’t take it anymore.’
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Trump is seen here with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salmanin the Oval Office on November 18, 2025
Smoke is seen here rising following multiple US strikes hit the city of Ahvaz in the Khuzestan Province in Iran on Thursday
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed the US administration’s frustration anew, charging that Tehran last month signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. on a truce but then quickly ‘broke it, shot at commercial ships, and killed American soldiers.’
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‘President Trump is not going to stand by and allow this terrorist behavior to occur,’ Leavitt said in a statement on Friday evening.
‘Iran will continue to pay until they come to the table in, what President Trump deems, a meaningful way.’
Leavitt issued the fresh warning after Trump earlier on Friday told reporters that “we just want to win” in Iran and signaled that he expected US military action to continue for some time.
The Wall Street Journal claimed Trump has already given his approval for strikes that could begin this weekend and last a few days, citing several officials.
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Axios, on the other hand, reported that Trump ‘hasn’t given final orders to do it.’
A report from CBS News emerged on Friday which cited sources as saying that the US and Israel are preparing ‘one of the harshest bombing campaigns to date’ against Iran’s energy infrastructure.
While the president has not yet given the final green light, several insiders told the outlet that strikes could begin as soon as this weekend, with Israel already notified and coordinating with Washington.
‘The Department of War is locked and loaded, ready to execute the President’s directives at a moment’s notice,’ Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement, though refused to comment on intended targets.
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One source told Axios that Prince Salman urged Trump to deescalate the situation and to not launch further strikes, the pair are seen here last November
Smoke rises following explosion at an unknown location, during what U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) says are strikes on Iran
Both Iran and the United States plotted out new strikes after several days of back and fourth between the two nations
Meanwhile, an Israeli official told the outlet: ‘Israel is unaware of any decision to restart full military operations, nor has Israel been asked to join any military action against Iran.’
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A former US military official told CBS News that striking Iran’s energy infrastructure would aim to cripple the regime’s ability to support its military, provide services and maintain control.
A joint operation would see Israel return to the battlefield after pausing its attacks under the US-brokered truce. Iran has not struck Israel since the agreement fell apart and Washington restarted combat operations in early July.
A senior Iranian security official vowed Tehran has ‘the capacity and the will’ to retaliate against any US and Israeli strikes, claiming ‘extensive response plans’ are already prepared.
The unnamed official told Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency that potential US-Israeli attacks would amount to a ‘form of recklessness’ on their part.
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The Iranian official claimed the ‘comprehensive’ plan includes strikes on ‘the vital infrastructure of the Zionist regime and US energy infrastructure in the region.’
A joint operation would see Israel return to the battlefield after pausing its attacks under the US-brokered truce. Israeli soldiers are seen here in the Israeli-occupied West Bank
Trump’s comments come as the US demands Tehran reopen the Strait of Hormuz and honor a truce agreement that was forged last month but quickly fell apart
‘We are fully prepared to carry it out,’ the official added.
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Many believe that regardless of what Trump does, they want the operation complete by the time Wall Street opens for business on Monday to avoid any economic damage.
Iran fired drones at Kuwait, a Gulf country hosting US forces, and said it had also fired at oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil and gas shipments, which has been largely closed by the fighting.
Kuwait’s Defense Ministry said Friday its armed forces had shot down drones inside Kuwaiti airspace.
It said the Iranian attacks had targeted several vital military facilities, causing material damage from falling shrapnel but no casualties. It did not specify how many drones were intercepted.
The warning covers 10 countries: the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and, most recently, Egypt.
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