Get ready to blast off…

A new immersive experience from an acclaimed science museum is coming to Manchester with the chance to explore the cosmos.

Developed in collaboration with the pioneering Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) research centre, which was founded in 1890, Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience will allow visitors to witness the birth and death of stars, explore distant galaxies, and come face-to-face with a black hole.

Opening in the Northern Quarter on July 9, the free-roam attraction has drawn on decades of astronomical research to translate scientific data into a fully-interactive and walkable universe – all without leaving Earth.

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During the experience, guests will be able to explore some of humanity’s most powerful observatories, including the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the Chandra X‑ray Observatory, as well as deep into the cosmos.

Along the way, visitors will also encounter extreme exoplanets, witness the life cycle of stars and explore the immense scale of galaxies and black holes as they gain a deeper understanding of humanity’s place in the universe.

The one-hour VR experience, which is suitable for guests aged 10 and above, will also feature a race through the Milky Way and soaring close to the Sun to witness its immense energy. Tickets will be priced from £16 per person.

The attraction first premiered in Washington D.C. and recently made its UK debut at the Science Museum in London, with a landing at Transmission House, on Tib Street in the Northern Quarter, the next stop on its tour.

“Smithsonian Starstruck reflects years of thoughtful collaboration across the Smithsonian,” said Denise Elliott, Acting President of Smithsonian Enterprises. “By working closely with SAO and Fever, we’re extending Smithsonian science and storytelling into an immersive format that reaches new audiences while supporting our mission.”

“This project demonstrates how immersive experiences can make complex scientific ideas more tangible and engaging,” said Randall Smith, Associate Director for Science at the Center for Astrophysics at SAO. “It’s exciting to see astronomical data translated into an experience that encourages curiosity and exploration.”

“We’re proud to have developed this new immersive experience in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO,” Alex Winterbotham, Global Director of Production for VR at Fever, added. “This partnership has enabled us to ensure scientific accuracy down to the smallest detail to make the observatory’s incredible research within reach.”

People can sign up to the waitlist via Fever to be the first to get tickets when they go on sale from 10am on June 16. More details on the website.

A toddler dangled for at least nine minutes from a window ledge before being saved by a bystander.

The girl was spotted by onlookers clinging to a window on a flat above a pawnbroker’s on Ilford High Road, east London, on Tuesday afternoon.

Footage posted on social media showed bystanders screaming, ‘Hurry up,’ as a woman appears from a window below, calling and reaching out to her.

The youngster desperately tries to pull herself up as a police officer on a ledge below appears, looking helplessly at the girl.

A topless man joined the pair to rescue the girl just as her grip began to fail, as a passerby can be seen below carrying a step ladder.

The man and officer position themselves directly below the girl, the instant she falls, gasps ringing from the crowd.

The rugby stories making headlines on Thursday, June 11

Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, June 11.

Davidson criticised over ‘back chat’

Referee Hollie Davidson has come under rare fire for her handling of last weekend’s URC semi-final play-off between Leinster and Stormers.

The ill-tempered match saw players clash in a half-time tunnel tussle, while South African pundits and fans were unhappy with the officiating on show.

Davidson, who could now miss out on being in charge of the URC final, had to make a number of big calls during the match and was faced with frequent questioning from both teams during the match. JOIN OUR WALES RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE Latest news, analysis and much more

Former referee Owen Doyle called out what he saw as one key error after Davidson failed to issue a straight red to Ruan Ackermann for a violent clearout on Leinster hooker Rónan Kelleher. He also believes she should have stamped out the “backchat” she was receiving.

Doyle wrote in his Irish Times column: “Former South African referee Tappe Henning, now in charge of the URC referees, announced recently that backchat to referees would no longer be tolerated. It was a welcome statement. It came after all 18 rounds had been played, so it was overdue, but better late than never.

“Hollie Davidson needed to apply that zero-tolerance approach during Leinster v Stormers at the Aviva Stadium last Saturday. Instead, she unwisely permitted constant questioning of her decisions. It was unsettling and while the World Cup remains in her sights, she is not yet on the plane. There is work to be done.

“At about the hour mark, Davidson complained that her decisions were being frequently challenged. It was too little too late. The two skippers, Caelan Doris and Ruhan Nel, were also in her ear incessantly. All a referee should need to do is give a clear reason for a sanction, as in ‘the penalty was for your number three being offside’.”

Former Springboks coach Nick Mallett was also critical of some of the decisions, saying: “A critical one was the lineout where they jump across the lineout and interfere with the Stormers in the 22 at 13-11.

“I think that should have been picked up and that should definitely have been a penalty to the Stormers.

“And had they got that penalty, they could have kicked it in the corner, and they’ve got a devastating maul, which would most likely have scored a try because I think they [Leinster] were really huffing and puffing in those last 12 minutes at 13-11. They were struggling.

“So, you know, I don’t think some of the decisions were correct. If you play away from home, that’s what you’re going to get.”

Sacked Fiji coach hits back at false health claims

Axed Fiji coach Mick Byrne has hit back at his exit from their national team, pointing to misplaced fears over his health.

Back in April, the Fijian Rugby Union announced they had “mutually agreed to part ways” with the Australian. Given the widely respected coach had a long list of achievements during his time in charge, including a first win over Wales in Cardiff, his departure came as a surprise.

Fiji’s chair John Sunday reportedly told local media that Byrne’s health had been a factor – leading the coach to receive well-wishes and messages.

However, Byrne – who has managed prostate cancer in the past – told Nine.com.au he has since been cleared and insists there are no health problems that would stop him doing the job.

“I just want to clear the air on my situation, I didn’t resign, and I do not have any ongoing health issues,” Byrne told the Australian outlet.

“The chairman coming out, he was respectful in what he said but he was just incorrect. I don’t have any ongoing health battles, and they knew that.

“It’s challenged me around future earnings. I don’t want to harp on it too much because it just fuels a bit of that fire, and I want to continue working.”

Nine.com.au say they have seen Byrne’s medical report, which reportedly says “there are no medical concerns that would reasonably interfere with his ability to continue performing his current professional duties”.

Byrne ultimately reached a settlement to leave the FRU, with the governing body on the lookout for a new coach for the national team and their Super Rugby franchise Fijian Drua at the moment.

“I was just disappointed that it was mentioned that I resigned because of ongoing health issues,” Byrne said. “That’s not the case at all.

“I was removed from my role so that Fiji Rugby could move in a new direction.”

He added: “What was disappointing when I went to the Highlanders game in Ba, there was a great number of people who came up to me and were very sympathetic towards me and basically saying, ‘We’re praying for you coach, we hope everything’s well and we wish you all the best, we know you’re not well.’

“I felt like a bit of an imposter telling them there was nothing wrong with me. I didn’t want to sound unappreciative when I was talking to them. But it was difficult because I’m trying to let them know that I’m actually 100 per cent good.”

Wales star signs on at Cardiff

Cardiff Rugby have announced Wales international Sam Wainwright has signed a new deal to remain at the club.

The tight-head prop joined the Blue & Blacks on a one-year deal from the Scarlets last summer but has now extended his stay in the capital. The man from north Wales made 10 appearances during his debut season at the Arms Park.

Cardiff Rugby head coach Corniel van Zyl said: “Sam has really impressed us this year. He is a big man with a lot of potential and is nearing his prime as a tight-head prop.

“Day to day he is all in. It doesn’t matter whether he is in the match-day 23 or helping the squad prepare, he is exactly the same, bringing intensity, energy and commitment. He gives his all to the team and his peers.

“He has done well for us this year and that has been reflected in his inclusion in the Wales Six Nations squad and again this summer.

“I am pleased he is staying and look forward to seeing what he can bring moving forward. He is competing with two other internationals and we are confident they can push each other onto greater heights, raising standards and team performance.”

Wainwright, now 28, joined the Scarlets from Saracens in December 2022, having progressed through Rhyl and District RFC, and RGC 1404.

Wainwright said: “Myself and my family are over the moon to sign for another two years at Cardiff.

“This is a special club with special players, people and supporters and it is exciting to see where we can go as a team.

“Moving to the Arms Park has been like a breath of fresh air for me. It has really challenged me on the pitch and the competition for places is driving me to be a better player and person.

“We have a brilliant group and I have so much gratitude for the opportunity to continue playing here. After the progress we made during the past season, I am really excited for the future and I’m hugely motivated to play my part.”

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He admitted nine counts of theft from a shop as well as the theft of a Land Rover

A thief has been jailed after he was caught on camera stealing from a shop and then driving away in a stolen car. Thomas Smiley, 36, was captured on CCTV entering the Co-op in Eye Road, Eye, near Peterborough, on April 30.

He was then seen stealing various items totalling £180. He was then caught driving away from the shop in a black Land Rover that had been taken from outside a house in Wordsworth Close, Walton, five days before.

At the time, Smiley was due to appear in court for two thefts from a shop, theft of a bank card and the theft of a red Toyota Yaris from a car park in Fletton Quays in January. Smiley was arrested by the spree offender team on May 27, but not before he had committed a further six shop thefts across the city, stealing up to £687 worth of items.

Smiley, of Lincoln Road, Walton, appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Friday, June 5. There, he was jailed for 20 weeks after admitting nine counts of theft from a shop, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, theft of a motor vehicle and theft from a motor vehicle.

He was also handed a 14-month driving ban and ordered to pay £50 in compensation. PC Jack Jenkins, from the northern spree offender team, said: “Smiley had a blatant disregard for the law as he continued to offend despite being subject to court proceedings, and was even brazen enough to commit a theft while using a stolen car.”

To celebrate the launch of their new Northern Explorer ticket, Northern are inviting 10 people to take part in The Great Race Across the North on Saturday, 25 July.

Starting in Manchester, competitors will race across the Northern network to see who can visit the most stations in one day.

At every stop, you’ll need to jump off, grab a photo at the station entrance and catch the next train.

The winner will enjoy a fantastic, free weekend away for two, including a one-night stay at The Midland Hotel, rum tasting at Salford Distillery, a meal at The Black Friar, and Tickets to The Cube.

The new Northern Explorer ticket gives unlimited travel across the North for just £35 a day.

Anyone interested can apply by visiting the Northern Rail website.

Entrants must be 18 years or older.

The volunteer-run Escrick Tea Shop, which meets once a month in the Escrick & Deighton Club, has celebrated its tenth anniversary with an afternoon of community spirit, entertainment and sweet treats.

More than 100 adults and children gathered for the special occasion at the Tea Shop, with a Junior Bake Off competition at the heart of the festivities.

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Pupils from Escrick Primary School added to the celebrations with performances by Year 1 and Year 4 children, who entertained the group with songs and poems inspired by the theme of cake.

Twenty young bakers from across the village also entered the Junior Bake Off, showcasing an array of talent. Winning creations included a lemon and elderflower cake, lemon and white chocolate sandwich biscuits, a chocolate Victoria sandwich, and an entry titled “Dr Paws and Kittens”.

Irene cuts the cake to mark Escrick Tea Shop’s ten-year anniversary. (Image: Submitted)

The community event has long provided a social space for older residents, bringing together people of all ages to foster community and friendship. Organisers say it is increasingly attracting younger families as well.

Anooj Kotecha, a volunteer, said: “It has been targeted at the older members of the community but now we are getting more families attending and we work closely with the primary school.

“The event was fantastic, with a great energy. The school had two young groups perform and the older members were captivated.

“We have older people in the village and families who send their children to the primary and Fulford School – they live in different time zones during the day so it was really nice to see them mix together.”

All cakes at the event are made by volunteers, with the tea shop typically offering five or six homemade bakes each month.

Judith Luscombe, a tea shop volunteer, said: “We have run the Tea Shop for 10 years as a valued community service. It was wonderful to see such a delicious array of cakes, muffins and biscuits produced by our junior bakers today. Here’s to the next 10 years.”

A highlight of the afternoon saw Irene, 93, the tea shop’s oldest regular attendee, cut the anniversary cake.

When Ireland played in the last World Cup to be hosted by the USA, security and visa controversies, and sky-high ticket prices weren’t an issue.

Terry Phelan has recalled how Ireland got through US airport security ahead of the 1994 World Cup with EIGHT kegs of Guinness in their luggage – and partied with U2 after the win against Italy.

One of the stars of Ireland’s campaign 32 years ago, Phelan fears this year’s tournament could be ruined by off-field controversies such as over-the-top security, ticket prices and visa problems.

Senegal and Uzbekistan players and staff were both subjected to unusually rigorous security protocols and searches as they arrived in North Carolina and New York respectively.

Somalian referee Omar Artan was sent home and told that he would not be able to officiate at this summer’s finals after US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) prevented him from entering the country.

Iran can only enter and leave the US on the days of their games, while Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was held for questioning for several hours at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.

Things ran a lot more smoothly the last time the World Cup was staged in the USA when Phelan was a member of the Jack Charlton side that beat Italy in the Giants Stadium.

Asked what he remembered about security around the 1994 finals, he said: “When you are bringing eight kegs of Guinness through with you, it’s okay, isn’t it?

“We’re the Irish, who’s going to stop the Irish from coming into the USA? Nobody.

“We finished a game in Ireland and Jack said, ‘Right guys, we’ve got to behave ourselves’. And we did behave ourselves.

“He said, ‘You can have a few Guinnesses on the way, on the plane, play your cards and do all that, and when you stop off you can have a few more, but when you get to the hotel you’ve got to finish the kegs of Guinness off and that’s it.

“So when you are talking about visas and certain people not getting in, we were totally fine.

“Then when you are meeting the heads of states and all that, it was absolutely brilliant. We had no problem at all.

“I think it just spoils it. When teams get in, or one or two players can’t get in, then the referee can’t get in, it just spoils the whole occasion.

“There was one player (Iraq’s Hussein), I think he was in an office for nine hours. He didn’t know what was going on, he was just there for nine hours.

“And when a team has to fly in on the same day, go and play, and then fly out again, it’s sad, isn’t it? You have teams (Iran) having to play a game, then get out of the country and go to Mexico, and go back in again.”

Phelan and his teammates had more freedom of movement in 1994 than players this time around can expect.

They even forged a friendship with some local cops while they were in Orlando for the game against Mexico.

“We’d pop out to a restaurant and everything was great, we had no problems,” he said.

“Even with the police around us, I remember two policemen saying, ‘Listen, we are going to the Everglades, would you like to come?’.

“So a couple of the lads, John Charlton (son of Jack) and a couple of the lads, we said yeah.

“They took us out all day to the Everglades, took us to a little hut and said, let’s crack open a few beers and we’ll do some fishing. It was absolutely brilliant.

“We were there in the Everglades and it was fantastic.

“These were police officers in the cars driving in front of the coach going to the games. We were getting out of the coach, after the game we had a couple of days off, and they turned and said, guys do you want to see anything.

“So some guys said, ‘We’d love to see the Everglades’.

“They said, ‘We’ll make that happen for you, be down in the morning and we’ll take you out’.

“So the next morning they put us in the cop car. I thought, sh*t, they’re taking us to jail! They put us in the car, took us out, we went to this little cottage, they cracked open the fridge.

“They said they came down every weekend.

“They said, ‘Right, we’ll get the boat out and take you down the Everglades’, and it was absolutely brilliant.

“We arrived in the Everglades at 10 o’clock in the morning and left around eight at night. It was absolutely brilliant.

“I’d love to know where those two policemen are now because they gave us a fantastic day, a proper day out.”

One of his fondest World Cup memories was the night out with U2 after the win against Italy.

“We had a bit of a knees-up after it. U2 were around the hotel and we went out with them, and it was absolutely brilliant,” he said.

“When we were in Orlando we went down, I think it was called Church Street. It was just like a carnival. It was brilliant, we had no hassle, there were all types of fans.

“It was my first World Cup. Obviously some of the guys had played in ‘88 and ‘90, so their experience was there.

“Talking to the guys like Andy Townsend, Ray Houghton, Steve Staunton, big Niall Quinn and Paul McGrath about what life was like, they just said it was intense. They said, ‘Just keep calm and enjoy yourself while you’re here, because you might never get to a World Cup again’.

“We had such fun.”

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Labour announced in the Autumn Budget 2025 that it would change the tax allowance rules

A major tax change is set to be introduced imminently that will impact certain state pensioners. The significant policy shift will alter the amount of tax some pensioners are obliged to pay.

Labour revealed in the Autumn Budget 2025 that it would modify the tax allowance regulations so that individuals receiving solely the state pension without additional increments will be exempt from paying income tax. This new provision was announced as the full new state pension is forecast to surpass the personal allowance threshold from next April, forcing those whose only income is the state pension into paying income tax.

At present, you can earn £12,570 per year without incurring income tax under the personal allowance. However, the full new state pension now delivers £241.30 weekly, or £12,547.60 annually.

The triple lock mechanism guarantees state pension payments rise each April in line with whichever is highest among three measures: average earnings growth, inflation or 2.5 per cent. As a result, the full new state pension will inevitably exceed the threshold and incur a tax liability following the April 2027 increase.

Nevertheless, the Government has yet to set out the complete details of how the new tax exemption will operate. Kate Smith, head of public affairs at investment platform Aegon UK, commented on the change: “State pensioners receive either the new or old basic state pension.

“At £12,547 a year, the new state pension is edging closer to the standard annual personal allowance of £12.570, which is frozen until April 5, 2031. The Government has committed that no one receiving only the new or old state Pension, without increments, will have to pay income tax during this Parliament.”

Ms Smith offered her perspective on what putting the new tax policy into practice is likely to entail. She said: “We still have no details on how this will work in practice, but we expect there to be a new allowance for pensioners identified by HM Revenue and Customs as receiving only the state pension and having no other pension income.

“This will need to be updated annually to ensure it keeps pace with triple lock increases to the state pension.” Senior HMRC officials have previously indicated that legislation would likely need to be introduced to bring this into effect, and that this could form part of the autumn finance bill, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The Treasury was recently approached for an update on the tax change policy. An HM Treasury spokesperson said: “Anyone whose only income is the full new or basic state pension without any increments will not pay income tax and we are committed to that over this Parliament.

“By keeping the triple lock, 12 million pensioners will see their income rise by up to £470 this year, and they continue to benefit from the highest personal allowance in the G7.”

The department further confirmed that work on this policy is currently progressing, and that further details will be announced in due course. Chancellor Rachel Reeves was previously questioned about the policy amendment in March. She told the Treasury Committee: “We are working on how that will work at the moment, but we have been clear that, if your only income is from the new state pension, you will not be subject to income tax during the course of this Parliament. We will set out details later this year on how that will happen.”

Another major alteration to the state pension on the horizon relates to the age at which people become entitled to the DWP benefit, which is due to rise gradually. The qualifying age will climb in phases from 66 to 67, between April 2026 and April 2028.

Legislation is also already in place for a further increase from 67 to 68, planned to occur between 2044 and 2046. To verify how much state pension you are expected to receive, you can utilise the state pension forecast tool accessible on the Government website.

An individual typically requires 35 years of National Insurance contributions to receive the full new state pension. If there are shortfalls in your record, you may be permitted to make voluntary payments to address them. This can only be done for up to six tax years retrospectively.

Billionaire Bill Gates testified in a closed-door hearing before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and one of the world’s most prominent philanthropists, told members he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and that Epstein attempted to use information about his personal life to pressure him.

During his opening statement, Gates said he exercised poor judgement in meeting Epstein and was “one of many people who regret ever knowing him”.

The BBC’s Gary O’Donoghue breaks down the relationship between Gates and Epstein, and how lawmakers reacted to his testimony.

Ramside Estates, the company behind Hardwick Hall and Ramside Hall Hotel, has rebranded the airport lounge under the Ramside name as part of a wider partnership.

The New Ramside Lounge. (Image: Supplied)

The refreshed Ramside Lounge, open to booking by all passengers, features direct lounge to aircraft boarding for eligible SkyPriority KLM Royal Dutch Airlines passengers.

Phil Forster, managing director of Teesside International Airport, said: “It’s great to have the Ramside name featuring in our lounge and terminal – and have Teesside Airport appearing prominently at The Pin.

“The agreement really reflects the quality and the high calibre of partners we have.

“We look forward to forging a close relationship with John and Ramside Estates over the coming months and years – and we’d urge passengers to experience our brilliant lounge when they travel with us.”

The New Ramside Lounge. (Image: Supplied)

The new partnership also includes cross-promotion at both the airport and Ramside’s venues, encouraging leisure and business travellers to fly from Teesside to destinations such as Alicante, Faro, Majorca, Malaga, and Corfu, as well as connecting globally through Amsterdam Schiphol.

John Adamson, owner and managing director of Ramside Estates, said: “We’re very pleased to agree this partnership with Teesside Airport.

“It provides a key gateway to the world, and we’re proud to have opened the Ramside Lounge in our local airport.

“Like us, the airport has ambitions to grow, and I look forward to the prospect of more flights and destinations.

“Seeing the Ramside name featuring in Teesside Airport’s terminal is a point of pride, and we hope passengers enjoy the lounge and service it provides.”

The collaboration follows Ramside Estates’ long-lease of the former St George Hotel at the airport, with plans to develop a new conference and banqueting centre as part of its long-term vision for the site.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “The airport is on the up with more flights and more international companies coming to Teesside, doing business and expanding here.

“To have Ramside on board with the hotel, the lounge, and our wider terminal is another big boost – and I hope we have more exciting announcements to share in the future.”

Ramside Estates also operates The Impeccable Pig in Sedgefield, Bowburn Hall, and the newly launched entertainment venue The Pin.