ITV is streaming a crime series that fans of Vera and Death in Paradise will love

A “cosy” crime series ideal for fans of programmes such as Death in Paradise and Vera is available to stream free, and viewers will be hooked.

Rosemary & Thyme, starring Felicity Kendal and Pam Ferris, proved enormously popular with murder mystery enthusiasts when it debuted over 20 years ago, and with episodes now accessible on ITVX, it awaits discovery by new audiences.

The programme centres on two passionate gardeners – former police officer Laura Thyme (Pam) and Rosemary Boxer (Felicity), who holds a doctorate in plant pathology and previously worked as a horticulture lecturer.

Their initial encounter occurs while investigating diseased trees, leading them to unravel something far more sinister. After forming a friendship while solving the case together, the duo subsequently collaborate on numerous mysteries linked to their horticultural work.

Advertisement

The programme launched in 2003, with a second series arriving a year later. A third series of the crime drama commenced in 2005 but it was subsequently axed, though the remaining episodes were broadcast in 2006 and 2007, reports the Express.

The programme has captivated audiences, with one viewer posting on IMDb.com that it was “the best series ever”. “I wish there were 100 more episodes in the series”, they went on.

Another described it as “just plain fun” while a different viewer said they were “devastated” by its cancellation, pleading: “Please make some more episodes.”

“If you enjoy good murder mysteries with a dash of clever fun, then this is a must for you to check out,” remarked another fan.

Another impressed viewer commented: “This show is addicting. It’s got everything you could possibly want: good scripts, drama, adventure, comedy, top notch guest stars, eccentric characters, beautiful locations, and great acting.”

“Of course I have grown up on Inspector Morse, Touch of Frost and Midsummer Murders, but Rosemary and Thyme so deserves to be up there with them,” remarked somebody else.

“I was highly entertained by this programme… I thought the fact that they were gardeners was a unique hook that gave them reasonable access to the nooks and crannies of the parks and residences they were investigating, as well as a somewhat plausible excuse for stumbling over so many bodies,” observed another viewer.

“If you dig deep enough, wide enough and in enough places, you’re bound to come up with something…”

Rosemary & Thyme is available on ITVX.

Former Love Island contestants Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury have announced the name of their second child.

Boxer Fury, 27, revealed that their baby son, who was born earlier this month, is called Midas when he entered the ring ahead of his fight with Eddie Hall in Manchester on Saturday night (13 June).

Fury’s shorts had the word “Midas” emblazoned on them, and the former reality star later wore an England shirt with the name and the number two written on the back.

“This was for my new baby son, Midas,” Fury told the crowd after beating Hall in his comeback fight. “Welcome to the world!”

The couple, who met on Love Island in 2019 and finished in second place, announced the birth of baby number two on 3 June, sharing a black and white photo on Instagram that showed the couple and their first child, three-year-old Bambi, greeting the newborn.

“… And then there were 4,” the caption read.

The name Midas is a reference to Greek and Roman mythology, in which King Midas wishes that everything he touches might turn to gold.

When he is given this gift, however, he soon learns that his dreams of unlimited wealth have a major downside, as everything from the food he eats to the people he loves turns into cold metal.

Influencer Hague, 27, previously hinted that their second child’s name was “definitely not as different as Bambi”, although she noted that she had only ever heard of one child with the same name.

“ I had this complex about people saying it wrong, and I’ve spelled it out, and then a few of my friends have said it completely wrong,” she explained in a YouTube video.

“It’s definitely not as different as Bambi, I wouldn’t say, but I have only ever heard one other child be called it and it’s not someone in the public eye,” she added. “It’s literally just someone I am connected to through a friend, someone they know, their child is called it.”

“But I just think it sounds so good with the surname Fury that is another reason why I love it so much,” she said.

Hague and Fury got engaged in 2023, but then split up the following year, before confirming that they had reconciled in 2025.

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.

The 14-year-old was left looking deflated after arriving at Brooklyn’s Los Angeles home

The ongoing rift within the Beckham family has intensified this weekend, with representatives for Brooklyn Beckham publicly accusing his family of orchestrating a media stunt involving his 14-year-old sister, Harper.

The confrontation unfolded shortly after David Beckham was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday. The Mirror reports that following the ceremony, Harper travelled unaccompanied to her eldest brother’s Los Angeles residence in what was initially reported as an “unannounced” attempt at reconciliation.

Still dressed in her formal gown from the event, the teenager was photographed hand-delivering a letter at the gates before leaving after finding no one home.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

However, a spokesperson for Brooklyn quickly dismissed the narrative of a spontaneous peace offering, pointing to the immediate presence of paparazzi at the private property.

“That photographers were in place as the letter was hand-delivered says it all – this was choreographed for the cameras,” a representative for the 27-year-old said in a statement to Page Six.

Sources close to Brooklyn confirmed he was in New York City at the time of his family’s arrival in LA, subsequently posting evidence of a run on his social media accounts.

The latest clash highlights a severe breakdown in relations between the aspiring chef and his immediate family.

Earlier this year, Brooklyn publicly accused his parents of attempting to “ruin” his marriage to American actress Nicola Peltz. He has since blocked members of his family from contacting him, reportedly mandating that any future communications from his parents go through legal channels.

While insiders note that Brooklyn has previously attempted to shield his teenage sister from the fallout, the logistics of her living with his estranged parents have severely strained their relationship.

The escalation comes amid a milestone weekend for the family, which Brooklyn entirely skipped. When questioned by reporters ahead of Friday’s Walk of Fame induction, Sir David declined to comment on the widening divide.

“To be honest, I’m sorry to stop you there, but that’s a private matter,” the former footballer told Variety. “That’s the one thing that I don’t want to talk about.”

Representatives for David and Victoria Beckham have been approached for comment.

Parkinson’s UK is organising the walk on Sunday, June 21, at Drumpellier Country Park.

East Kilbride runner Alexandra Wilson will be among hundreds walking for Parkinson’s at Drumpellier Country Park next weekend.

The charity Parkinson’s UK is organising the walk on Sunday, June 21, to raise funds for better care for people living with the condition.

Alexandra, who works for the NHS, is a regular at Parkrun every Saturday.

It was her passion for running that led to Alexandra’s diagnosis with Parkinson’s in December last year.

“The first sign was a numbness in my foot,” explained Alexandra.

“I felt it mostly while running. I decided to get checked out when it didn’t get any better.”

It took many months and several tests and consultations before Alexandra got a diagnosis. Initially, doctors suspected she may have experienced a mini-stroke. However, after undergoing a specialist scan, Alexandra was told she had Parkinson’s just weeks before Christmas.

She said: “My sister was with me and she gasped. We both thought that Parkinson’s was something that only affected older people.”

Alexandra started taking Parkinson’s medication and within weeks she was back running again.

She added: “I might not have found out about my Parkinson’s if it wasn’t for my running. I could have ended up being diagnosed much later.

“I do have a small tremor on my right hand side, ever so slightly now and again, but the medication helps. I have no other symptoms though and can do my day quite normally.

“I’ve found and really want to make people aware that even though Parkinson’s is a chronic condition, what some might call a life sentence, you can still live your life. You can still keep going.”

Advertisement

That positive outlook has led Alexandra to Walk for Parkinson’s at Drumpellier Country Park.

The event will bring hundreds of people together on Sunday, June 21, to raise money to support specialist workers, like Parkinson’s nurses. But it’s also a chance for people living with the condition to get together and raise awareness.

Alexandra added: “I’m going along with some friends from Parkrun along with my nephew and sister, who’s going to be helping out at Walk for Parkinson’s.

“I’m eager to have a focus. Parkinson’s is not curable, but it is manageable. I’m determined to keep working and to carry on running. I think it’s important to show people that it’s possible to keep living your life.”

There’s more information about Walk for Parkinson’s on the Parkinson’s UK website .

Julie Ionta, community fundraiser for Parkinson’s UK in Scotland, said: “Parkinson’s is different for everyone and, in order to live well with the condition, people need specialist care.

“We’re delighted that Alexandra, along with her family and friends, will be walking with us and helping out.

“We want to be there for every Parkinson’s journey and we can go a long way by helping to provide the expert support that’s urgently needed. Taking part in one of our walks is a fantastic way to raise funds to support that effort.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Drumpellier Country Park on Sunday, June 21.”

Walk for Parkinson’s is the national community fundraising series of the charity Parkinson’s UK. Funds raised will support the charity’s Nurse Appeal, which aims to raise £9 million in three years to increase the Parkinson’s specialist workforce.

Parkinson’s is a complex brain condition which affects around 14,000 people in Scotland. There are more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety, and there is currently no cure.

* Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!

A medical examiner has ruled the death of a Haitian asylum seeker after being released from federal custody a homicide. An attorney representing her family said he expects her relatives to sue Immigration and Customs Enforcement in connection with her death.

Daphy Michel, 31, died March 2. She was found at a bus shelter in Pittsburgh. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office found her cause of death to be hypothermia and ruled the manner a homicide, “indicating the death was caused by the actions of another individual” and should not be interpreted as a declaration of criminal guilt, the office said in a statement. The office released its findings Friday.

Michel was a native of Haiti who was seeking asylum in the U.S. after arriving at the southern border in 2022, said Joseph Patrick Murphy, her family’s attorney. She was granted humanitarian parole based on urgent humanitarian need, but she did not live to see a hearing scheduled for two weeks after she died, he said.

The medical examiner’s office said Michel was a vulnerable adult “suffering from untreated severe mental health issues and a significant language barrier” at the time of her release on Feb. 27, the office said.

She was arrested last summer for yelling at imaginary people due to her psychiatric challenges, Murphy said. She spent six months in Washington County Jail, where she underwent multiple psychiatric examinations as she awaited her first hearing, he said.

A magistrate said he could not hold her for trial for threatening imaginary people, Murphy said. Afterward, ICE arrested her in her cell, put an ankle monitor on her and took her 25 miles (40 kilometers) away to Pittsburgh, where she sat at a bus shelter for days in winter, he said.

“She was in September clothes and it was February, and the weather overwhelmed her and she went into hypothermia,” Murphy said.

The medical examiner’s finding of homicide is different from a criminal charge, meaning “somebody did or failed to do something that brought about her demise,” Murphy said. He said he expects Michel’s family to file a lawsuit against ICE in connection with her death.

ICE is no longer reporting the deaths of detainees within 30 days of their release from custody, ending a 2021 Biden-era policy. Health experts say the change will reflect fewer deaths than actually occur without addressing issues in medical care.

___

Dura reported from Bismarck, North Dakota.

Russian oil tanker Smyrtos, which has been sanctioned following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was boarded by British forces.

British armed forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Channel in the early hours of Sunday, the Prime Minister said. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Royal Marine commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency boarded a sanctioned oil tanker during a six-hour operation – the first UK-led operation of its kind.

The vessel Smyrtos will be provisionally moved to an anchorage off the south coast of England and be monitored for any environmental or safety concerns. According to the MoD, the operation was supported by aircraft from the Maritime Air Group (Chinooks, Merlin Mk4 and Wildcat), an RAF P-8 aircraft, and HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.

Sir Keir Starmer said in a statement: “This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling (President Vladimir) Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide. I want to pay tribute to all those involved, including our armed forces and law enforcement officers who keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said: “Operations like this require skill, professionalism and courage. I pay tribute to our armed forces personnel and all those involved. Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin’s illegal war.”

Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in exclusive offer to celebrate the world cup. Click HERE.

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.

The US military launched strikes against Iran on June 9 in response to the downing of a US Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz a day earlier. These strikes, which the US military called “a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression”, came after Donald Trump claimed he was in the “final throes of what will be a very, very good deal” to end the war.

Iran swiftly carried out retaliatory attacks of its own. The powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps branch of Iran’s armed forces says it has struck US bases in Bahrain and Jordan. And it has warned of “even more severe attacks” if the US repeats its strikes.

This episode took place days after Israel and Iran had briefly returned to direct conflict. Triggered by Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, where a ceasefire was supposedly in effect, both sides launched various rounds of tit-for-tat strikes before announcing they would halt hostilities.

At first glance, these incidents appear contradictory. Diplomacy is supposed to be the alternative to war and ceasefires are supposed to reduce violence. Yet with the US, Israel and Iran once again exchanging attacks, and as military operations continue in Lebanon despite ceasefire arrangements, diplomacy and conflict increasingly seem to be unfolding simultaneously.

For decades, policymakers assumed that war and diplomacy were distinct phases of international politics. States negotiated until talks broke down, and fighting followed. Eventually, battlefield realities or international pressure pushed adversaries back to the negotiating table. Diplomacy then functioned as an exit ramp from conflict.

The aftermath of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war exemplified this model. Sustained diplomatic efforts following the conflict culminated in the 1978 Camp David accords, which laid the groundwork for a definitive peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. This treaty was signed the following year and remains in effect to this day.

However, this model is becoming difficult to recognise, with the Middle East nowadays characterised by a different dynamic. Negotiations between warring parties continue during military confrontations, ceasefires coexist with airstrikes and mediators shuttle between capitals even as threats escalate.

The problem is not that diplomacy is failing. Instead, it is that diplomacy is no longer serving its traditional purpose. Rather than ending conflicts, diplomacy is helping to manage them – a distinction that matters because a conflict that is managed is not necessarily a conflict that is resolved.

Managing conflict

The latest escalations between Israel and Iran, and now Iran and the US, illustrate this dilemma. None of these parties appear to want a full-scale regional war, as the costs would be enormous and the consequences unpredictable. Yet each of them is unwilling to abandon what they see as vital security interests.

Israel views Hezbollah’s military capabilities as a major threat and therefore has a strong incentive to weaken the group. Iran, on the other hand, sees defending Hezbollah as critical to its security because the group serves as a key deterrent against Israel and extends Tehran’s regional influence. And the US struck Iran in an attempt to uphold deterrence and signal that attacks on US personnel and assets would carry consequences.

The result of this is a cycle of calibrated escalation. Military force is used not to secure decisive victory but to signal resolve to adversaries, reassure allies and domestic audiences, and persuade opposing leaders that the costs of further escalation outweigh the potential benefits. Diplomacy, meanwhile, works not to eliminate the underlying dispute but to prevent escalation from spiralling beyond control.

This creates a dangerous equilibrium. When diplomacy functions primarily as a mechanism for crisis management, leaders face less pressure to make the difficult compromises that lasting peace requires. Negotiations can continue indefinitely while violence persists, ceasefires become pauses rather than settlements and conflict becomes chronic.

The old distinction between war and peace is becoming blurred in the Middle East. Rival powers do not move neatly from diplomacy to conflict and back again. Instead, they are operating permanently in the space between the two. This should concern policymakers.

Much of contemporary diplomacy remains based on assumptions that no longer fully apply. Negotiations are often treated as evidence of deescalation, while ceasefires are assumed to signal progress towards peace. Yet neither necessarily tells us much about whether a conflict is actually moving closer to resolution.

The latest exchanges between the US and Iran, as well as Iran and Israel, therefore raise a troubling possibility. The greatest danger may not be that the Middle East slides back into a wider war. It may be that it settles into a condition of permanent confrontation in which violence periodically erupts, diplomacy periodically intervenes and neither fundamentally changes the underlying reality.

For decades, the central challenge of international politics has been how to move from war to peace. The challenge emerging today is different, with negotiators grappling with the much more difficult task of ending a conflict when war and peace are happening at the same time.

He played 42 games for the Championship club, scored four goals and made five to ensure he was selected for the World Cup.

Now he has created history for his country and in style, too. His finish was superb after he showed pace and power to create the opening in the 27th minute against Turkey in the Group D clash.

“It doesn’t matter what level of football you play at, in the park or World Cup, that is fantastic speed,” former Australia and Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou told ITV.

It meant he was the first player born outside of Australia to score a World Cup goal for the Socceroos.

He has in the past mimicked Michael Jackson in celebrating goals, even donning a white glove in March when he netted against Curacao.

This time he opted to copy former Australia and Everton midfielder Tim Cahill by giving the corner flag a couple of punches.

“Timmy Cahill is my biggest inspiration when it comes to football,” Irankunda said after the win over Turkey.

“Him and Lionel Messi. Tim Cahill, Australia’s greatest in my opinion. I just thought if I scored, I’ll do the same as him and I got to do it.”

Postecoglou believes the goal may have an impact on Irankunda’s future career.

“A massive moment,” added Postecoglou. “Sometimes in World Cups, you just need a good couple of weeks and your whole world can change. Let’s hope that is the start for him.”

These are extraordinary times we are living in, and we just have to savour every moment.

History has been made. Again.

First, we celebrated reaching our first World Cup in 28 years. Now we have our first win at the tournament since 1990.

These are extraordinary times we are living in, and we just have to savour every moment. The scenes at the Boston fan zone when the final whistle was blown on Saturday night will stay with me forever.

We have waited far too long to enjoy moments like these. And the Tartan Army don’t want them to end any time soon.

Fans have been making the most of every second out here in the States. On the morning of the opener, we met excited supporters heading off on a three-hour party boat cruise. More than 200 passionate foot soldiers boarded the vessel in the blazing sunshine, as stunned locals stopped to take pictures and videos of the chaotic scenes.

On Sunday, celebrating fans were then due to march to Fenway Park to watch the Boston Red Sox take on the Texas Rangers in baseball. This has been described as a “trip of a lifetime” by many of the dozens of supporters we have spoken to out here – and that’s exactly what it is.

Our fans were already on cloud nine just being able to travel across to watch us play football on the world’s biggest stage. Now we’re sitting top of our group after the first match.

It all feels surreal, and when this is over, we can only hope it won’t be another long wait until the next World Cup adventure comes along.

In the meantime, though, no one is taking anything for granted. Every single moment out here is being embraced – and not one single person wants to wake up from this glorious dream any time soon.

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.