Writer Julia Donaldson, Clyde 1 staple George Bowie and Hoops legend Lou Macari have all been recognised.
22:30, 12 Jun 2026Updated 22:40, 12 Jun 2026
Several Scots have been named in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours, including The Gruffalo author, a radio DJ and former Celtic star.
Writer Julia Donaldson, Clyde 1 staple George Bowie and Hoops legend Lou Macari have all been recognized for their extraordinary achievements and/or community service to the British public in the list.
The Glasgow-based author who has written more than 200 books including The Snail And The Whale, Room On The Broom, Zog, Stick Man, Tiddler, The Scarecrows’ Wedding and The Highway Rat, is made a dame in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to literature.
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Dame Julia, 77, has sold more than 50 million books worldwide and last year supplanted Harry Potter writer JK Rowling as the UK’s all-time top author in terms of units sold. She said she owes much of her success to her childhood library and the librarian who fostered her love of reading.
“Receiving this honour has been a very happy surprise,” Dame Julia said. “It’s really gratifying to have children’s books recognised in this way.
“I’m so grateful for all the enthusiastic support I’ve had during my career from people in the book world – those in the very many libraries, schools and bookshops I’ve visited over the years, my wonderful illustrators, the publishers and literacy charities I’ve been involved with, and of course my readers.
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“Going back further, perhaps my biggest debt of all is to the library which was in walking distance of my childhood home and the librarian who helped me discover the books and authors that I came to love.
“Without that place and person I probably would never have become a children’s writer – let alone a dame.
“So I’m making a plea to the Government for more libraries and more librarians in our communities and schools, so that the current generation of children can enjoy all the benefits that reading brings.”
Radio presenter George Bowie, who has hosted a breakfast show for nearly three decades, has said he is “delighted” to become a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to radio and charity in the west of Scotland.
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Bowie At Breakfast has long been a fixture on Clyde 1 and next April will mark 30 years of the DJ presenting the show live.
The 58-year-old famed for the GBX has long attended charity events across Scotland without accepting any fee. He has done high-profile work with the charity Cash For Kids and has helped social groups receive more than £1 million in grants.
Born in Greenock, Bowie first began working in radio in the late 1980s. He said: “Everybody got their own radio show apart from me, so that made me all the more determined. I’ve been doing it ever since.”
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His breakfast show means he gets up at 4am daily, though the presenter says his programme “doesn’t feel like work”.
He continued: “I had my time going out clubbing when I was younger. Now I have an excuse to leave early – I’m going on the radio. I’m lucky enough to work with a great group of people.”
Bowie first became involved in charity work as his younger brother is severely disabled. He currently does around 50 charity gigs a year for various causes.
Reflecting on the MBE, he said his 88-year-old mother Betty was overjoyed to hear of his nomination, adding: “I can’t describe what this means to her.”
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He said the honour is “amazing” even if others are more deserving, saying: “I’m delighted to receive it.”
Ex-Celtic player Lou Macari has also received an MBE for services to football and fighting homelessness.
He set up the Macari Foundation to help combat homelessness in Stoke-on-Trent in 2016.
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The former Manchester United and Scotland star established the Macari Foundation after recognising the scale of the housing problem in the town.
Following a playing career that peaked with spells at Celtic and Old Trafford as well as a place in Scotland’s 1978 World Cup squad, Macari went on to manage Stoke in two spells between 1991 and 1997, and made his home in the town.
Macari told the Press Association: “It all started when I saw six homeless people in a doorway in Stoke on a cold winter’s night and went over to speak to them.
“I told them I would try to help them, I went to the council, got the keys to a property they had repossessed, and quite simply that was the start of it all.
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“I had no idea where it was going to go from there. Hopefully this honour will help increase awareness because although we are still trying and having some success, none of us have found a way to get rid of the problem.”
Lucina Hackman, professor of forensic anthropology at the University of Dundee, said she is “honoured” to have been given a damehood in the King’s Birthday Honours. And Professor Andrew Morris of the University of Edinburgh praised the “extraordinary strength of medical science” as he is honoured with a knighthood.
Legendary actress Dame Helen Mirren has also been made a Companion of Honour for services to drama in the King’s Birthday Honours. The rare accolade recognises service of national importance and is limited to just 65 people at any one time.
Also receiving awards are two-time Ryder Cup winning captain Luke Donald, snooker World Championship finalist Shaun Murphy and DJ Carl Cox, who got OBEs. Television presenter Anneka Rice received an MBE.
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On June 13, Venus (the planet of love and pleasure) moves into Leo (the sign of drama, passion and self confidence), so expect your love life to heat up a lot.
This is all about attracting and giving attention. If you’re single, now is the phase to get out and about and catch someone’s eye that you feel chemistry with.
If you’re attached, then sizzle and schmooze! Date nights, intimate moments, escapades, and paying each other all the compliments (ideally with gifts and grand gestures thrown in too) is the order of the day.
Venus in Leo is the perfect start to 2026’s ‘summer of love’.
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Let’s see what you need to acknowledge and express with my Zodiac Love Match oracle deck, which uses a unique colour-coded system to give you a full and frank love forecast covering everything you need to know.
Looking for deeper insight about your love life?
Come join my magical, mystical tarot club, free for a whole month when you sign up using this link.
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Aries
March 21 to April 20
Reclaim that spark (Picture: Kerry King)
Tarot cards for Aries for Venus in Leo: Gemini, Power Couple, Set A Deadline
Meaning: Timing matters in all relationships — fledgling, new, mature or fading. We can all carry our feelings for a long time before the opportunity arises to do something about them. You will be presented such an opportunity this coming month. You can set that deadline!
What to do? Well, the Gemini and Power Couple cards ask you not to ‘settle’. You are a high energy partner and need someone who can keep up and even challenge you. You thrive on passion, curiosity, adventure and ambition. You want someone to build a secure, fun, successful, and exciting lifestyle with, so you’re never bored, never stagnated, never feeling low or like you don’t know what’s next.
Light the spark in your love life, see who can match you, trust that, within the month, the opportunity to (re)build that power couple vibe is coming your way. Don’t miss it!
Let the past stay in the past (Picture: Kerry King)
Tarot cards for Taurus for Venus in Leo: The Ex, Don’t Drink The Poison, Fading Feelings
Meaning: Your love life is going forwards, not backwards, and you might need to work on that consciously as tethers from your past try to curl around you again.
The truth is that all Taureans struggle to ever truly lose/give up on someone or someone they once loved. You have a possessive core. But you must give up on it, no matter what they’re saying to you now. The ex still has some kind of hold, even if it’s just lingering limiting self beliefs they left you with.
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Don’t drink this poison any longer! Put down the bottle of old feelings and memories, pour it down the drain, throw it in the bin. Your feelings and ties to this past situation or person will fade, they already have, so don’t stoke it all up again. The best is all yet to come. What you’re building now is worthwhile, don’t look back.
Tarot cards for Gemini for Venus in Leo: Free Spirit, Fun Fling, Say Goodbye
Meaning: This trio of cards absolutely spell: hot holiday romance. A summer fling! A casual encounter that reignites you in many ways… but is not meant to be a permanent fixture, it serves its purpose and then moves along, so let it be.
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Don’t chase what fades. Be free spirited, be yourself, be untethered. Even if you’re attached, take your space and create your own adventures… you’ll have more to talk about together!
A fun fling doesn’t have to be sexual or even romantic, maybe it’s with a certain place, friend, hobby, interest or pursuit. A temporary but intense fascination that you enjoy. Either way, learn to let it go when it’s delivered whatever it’s meant to. Life is full of ebb and flow, comings and goings, and you will feel that energy this Summer.
Tarot cards for Cancer for Venus in Leo: Libra, Spill the Tea, Stormy Weather
Meaning: You see and know everything! Nothing escapes your ‘spidey senses’ and yet you rarely let on what you know. You prefer to keep in all inside. However, you are going to spill the tea this Venus in Leo season.
Some stormy weather or drama will activate your desire to speak the truth, tell it how it is, show that you’re not being played or fooled, that you can see the true motivations in play. Tell them, Cancer!
I feel like it will clear the air. The Libra card promises harmony and peace, after a phase of conflict and revelation. Sometimes you have to break eggs if you want to make a delicious omelette and you’re getting busy in the kitchen!
Create the love life you want (Picture: Kerry King)
Tarot cards for Leo for Venus in Leo: Leo, Do The Groundwork, Smooth Sailing
Meaning: Venus moving into your sign makes it all about you, even more than usual! Be bold, be beautiful, shine and glow wherever you go and bask in the attention you receive; the Leo card grants you full permission to be centre stage and love it.
In love, in relationships, make sure you’re doing the groundwork. Talking, planning, sharing, discussing, building, creating, aligning. If it doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere and you’re not on the same page, then move along, it’s not for you.
You deserve harmony and bliss, a phase of smooth sailing, and if that’s not how it feels then question if this is where you belong. Your love life has the potential to be amazing and fulfilling right now.
You can’t run from your emotions (Picture: Kerry King)
Tarot cards for Virgo for Venus in Leo: Scorpio, Align Future Goals, Temptation
Meaning: Don’t bottle things up, play into keeping secrets, or suppress your true desires and feelings, Virgo. The Scorpio card is a warning that you’re protecting yourself by pretending you don’t feel a certain way or want a certain outcome. The truth will come out. Don’t prolong this limbo by pretending.
Align your future goals and focus. Know what you want from your love life and what you bring to it, and what suits you. You may be asking for commitment or clarity, that might make you feel vulnerable, but do it anyway. And, remember, that no answer is the answer…
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Avoid temptation, be that distraction so you don’t have to face this, or honey-coated words that don’t align to reality. Be clear-eyed and clear voiced. Speak your mind. Get clarity.
Tell them how you really feel (Picture: Kerry King)
Tarot cards for Libra for Venus in Leo: The Best Friend, Spill the Tea, Smooth Sailing
Meaning: Did you know that 80% of relationships come from initial friendships? We all like to take our time, and sometimes, we all benefit from getting to know someone before the attraction blossoms, because then it’s more than physical.
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The Best Friend card puts you in that position (even if it’s a re-evaluation of your partner and you’re thinking how much you like them as well as love them). Spill the tea! Tell them how you really feel. Venus in Leo is the time for the reveal. Secret admirer role soon to be relinquished…
I think it will go well. I think this revelation or even just warmer levels of flirting will be reciprocated and met with equal fervour. Nothing to lose, right? Flirting can always be scaled back, or put back in the box altogether, if the reaction is neutral. Go on. See if you can take this to the next level… it’s time.
Tarot cards for Scorpio for Venus in Leo: Virgo, Unlock New Insight, Uncharted Territory
Meaning: The route to the love life you yearn for is delivered in Virgo-type way; project-managed, planned, organised, seeking info and insight. How well you know someone will dictate how intimate and trusting you can be with them, so invest in unlocking new insight about your object of affection.
Ask weird questions, share something vulnerable about yourself to set the tone, brainstorm, play word associations, pick unusual themes for discussion, ask about their childhood, share a favourite memory- maybe show them or take them someplace. Make them a mix tape!
You’re heading into uncharted territory. The relationship you’re in, or about to enter, will go further, deeper than others, and will mean something new to you. This is exciting, go all in.
There’s a green-eyed monster in your midst (Picture: Kerry King)
Tarot cards for Sagittarius for Venus in Leo: Aries, Don’t Drink The Poison, Power Couple
Meaning: Jealousy is in the air. Don’t drink the poison that others are offering to you, maybe with sly digs or hints about your object of affection. Question them, validate what they’re saying or debunk it. Be like Aries- brave, direct, passionate, heart worn on sleeve.
Sometimes you have to fight to protect what you love, sometimes other people try to get involved just for drama, out of boredom, or because they are jealous. You have got real ‘power couple’ energy around you and it attracts the gaze and imagination of folk.
You actually quite like being centre stage and knowing people are talking about you both, but don’t stoke the fires or get into squabbles. Challenge the haters, get the facts, and then sidestep them for good. You don’t need negative interference in your love life right now.
Every setback is a learning experience (Picture: Kerry King)
Tarot cards for Capricorn for Venus in Leo: The Ex, Pause and Reflect, Spiritual Connection
Meaning: You know, life lessons occur to us at strange times and it’s often the case that the wisdom of an experience doesn’t become apparent until months or years later… when the emotions have faded and you can see look at it dispassionately.
The Ex and the Pause and Reflect card combine to bring you a fresh insight on an old relationship this Venus in Leo, and it’s a powerful one. Maybe the one that got away, the one that hurt you most, the one you never understood, the one that shocked you.
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Use it. Use that insight to impact your closest relationship now, even if it’s just to share your processing and new opinion. They will be surprised and may reveal something of their own past or life lesson collection. Spiritual connections come from sharing wisdom and experience and your survival and out-take from it. Live and learn, together.
Tarot cards for Aquarius for Venus in Leo: Capricorn, Take The Crown, Solitude
Meaning: Solitude is not an unwelcome state of affairs for Aquarius folk as you prize your independence, love space and freedom, and enjoy your own company. It can make for misunderstandings or tensions in close relationships and maybe you do need to take accountability for that right now.
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Take the Crown means owning your actions and the consequences (intended or not) of them. Acknowledge the impact your need for solitude has had. Explain it. Ask for understanding, share something of your inner workings.
The Capricorn card reveals that practical actions can totally resolve this tension. Committing to certain time/place/activities. Being clear how much time you need in a planned period of time. Not fibbing about where you’re at (only to avoid an argument, but somehow it always backfires). Tackle this healthy conflict head on. Put measures in place to reassure them and also give you your space. It can work!
Look out for a free spirit connection (Picture: Kerry King)
Tarot cards for Pisces for Venus in Leo: The Free Spirit, Pursue Passion, A Fun Fling
Meaning: Someone is due to enter your life during Venus in Leo that you find almost impossible to resist. Their presence may not be long-term, so if you’re happily attached then maybe this is a temptation you can ride out, so to speak.
But if you’re single, well, why not? They are a Free Spirit, a roving wanderer, a casual encounter. But the intensity of the chemistry between you is undeniable… and life is for living, right?
It will certainly be a fun fling, and maybe it has more potential, but for now it’s not something to bet your house on. That doesn’t mean it’s a waste of time. There is awakening energy to be drawn from this phase, and of course many happy memories to look back on. Don’t skip it… unless skipping it is the best thing to protect what you already have. Be shrewd.
Kerry King has been reading, teaching and creating tarot for 30 years. Join her magical, exclusive Tarot Club for forecasts, predictions, lessons and readings straight to your inbox. Enjoy one month free for all Metro readers (no lock-in or commitment) over on Patreon.
Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.
(left to right) Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Prince Louis, the Prince of Wales, Prince George, the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, to view the flypast following, the Trooping the Colour ceremony in central London, as King Charles III celebrates his official birthday. Picture date: Saturday June 14, 2025.
With the new set up in this extended 48-team World Cup, third place could be enough to extend our trip a little longer.
04:30, 13 Jun 2026
If the Scotland players need to find any motivation at all going into our crucial opener tonight, they just need to look at the efforts of Craig Ferguson.
The Paisley lad walked the length of America, raising over £1million for men’s mental health.
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After his gruelling walk from Hampden Park to Munich ahead of Euro 2024, it was hard to imagine what he could possibly do to top that feat.
But in a bid to mark our first World Cup in 28 years in style, the charity campaigner has truly outdone himself.
He was greeted at Boston Common by delighted fans yesterday as the world’s media once again surrounded the Tartan Army superhero, desperate to get his reaction at the end of the mammoth trek.
The Scotland fan will now get some well-deserved downtime before getting to enjoy our opening match against Haiti at the Gillette Stadium – and no one deserves to see us pick up that vital win more than him.
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Elsewhere in the city fans are once again soaking up the glorious sunshine as they gave us their predictions ahead of the big match.
There is a real sense of anticipation. A feeling that this could be our time – our chance to finally get out of a group at a major tournament.
No one needs to be reminded that history isn’t kind to us when it comes to this sort of thing.
But the feeling across the pond is that things could – and should – be different this time.
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With the new set up in this extended 48-team World Cup, third place could be enough to extend our trip a little longer.
One huge performance could be enough – and no one who has made the long trip over here wants to see us go home early again.
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Fans who have made the long trip across to Boston are desperate for us not to blow it.
Is the hat going to the game? Scotland fans in Boston ahead of World Cup opener against Haiti
The Tartan Army have issued a rallying cry to the national team ahead of our crucial World Cup opener against Haiti as fans beg… don’t mess this up.
We can give our chances of progressing through the group stage of a major tournament for the first time ever a huge boost by seeing off the Caribbean outfit on Saturday night – and fans who have made the long trip across to Boston are desperate for us not to blow it.
After a night of partying as we celebrated our arrival back on the world’s biggest stage, supporters brushed off the hangovers and headed out early again on Friday.
Temperatures had dropped ever-so-slightly to around 30C, but many fans who still haven’t been able to adapt to this kind of heat were seen diving into air conditioned eateries and boozers for cover.
We can only hope the Scotland team, who arrived over in the States over a week ago, have had time to adjust as we prepare for the big match – and supporters heading to the match tomorrow are feeling confident we can do it.
John Mackay, 33, an engineer from the Highlands, told the Record: “We came up here from Virginia on Thursday morning. It’s my first time seeing Scottish people in years.
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“It’s been good catching up with some of the people from back home. When the draw came out, I was just praying for the east coast. It could have been anywhere, but Boston was perfect.
“We’ve got tickets for the Haiti game. We got them through resale, so we had to pay a huge amount for them.
“But it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity – we’ve waited all this time. It’s a bucket list item.
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“We kind of had our World Cup final in November when we beat Denmark to qualify. The euphoria of a nation.
“We will never experience that ever again – but we can’t waste this opportunity. I think we’re going to get a big win and finally get out of a group. 4-0 Scotland.”
Glasgow brothers Gary Collins, an operations manager who now lives in York, and Paul Flynn, a chef who now lives in Brisbane, linked up in Boston for the trip of a lifetime.
Gary, 53, told the Record: “We’ve already had a tremendous time, it’s been terrific.
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“It has really been magic, a great atmosphere. We’ve been made to feel at home. The Bostonians have been fabulous, really friendly.
“We’ve got tickets for the Haiti game and the Brazil match. We have to win on Saturday – but we know what history’s like. I think this group of players are different, though. I don’t think they’ll let us down.”
There’s been a family friendly atmosphere in the city with fans enjoying the American hospitality.
Donna Sweeney, a social worker from Gartcosh, and her son Murray, 12, have been stopped everywhere they’ve went with locals desperate to get a picture of the youngster in his Duke of Wellington style traffic cone hat.
Donna, 47, said: “The atmosphere’s amazing. It’s really family friendly. Everybody’s been talking to us. We’ve done loads of trips and we’re going to the game tomorrow.
“We’re really looking forward to that. I’m confident we are going to get the result we need. 3-0 Scotland!”
Murray added: “I’ve had so many people come up to me, random people saying oh, nice hat! It’s been crazy. I’m taking the hat with me to the game. Hopefully it brings us luck.”
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Kevin Findlay, 47, his wife Andrea, 45, and their son Aaron, 13, have travelled from St John’s in Canada.
Kevin, who is originally from Aberdeen, said: “We all live in Canada now and we travelled down yesterday and it’s been a blast ever since we landed here.
“As soon as I heard, we qualified we knew we couldn’t miss it for the world.
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“We’ve got tickets, the three of us, so we’re getting the trained down at 4 o’clock to start the party straight away.
“I don’t want to be overconfident but I think we’re gonna make it past this round. Definitely. No question.”
Andrea added: “We’re really excited about the game. We can’t wait to see all the Scotland fans. The vibe has been amazing, and we’re ready to go. Come on Scotland!”
It look Mark Batchelor, 37, his wife Michelle, 37, and their kids Lewis, 14 and Sophie, 10, two days to get to America from Airdrie – but now they’re here they just can’t wait for kick off.
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Michelle said; “I’s just been amazing. Just getting here, and the atmosphere – the train stations, airports, taxis, buses, it’s been a journey.
“But we’re here now and it’s the experience of a lifetime.”
Mark added: “Imagine getting to bring your kids to something like this. It’s really is once in a lifetime thing.
“The kids weren’t even born the last time we qualified but I can just the agony of France 98 – but it’s going to be differnet this time!”
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Jack Wattie, 37, an agricultural worker from Aberdeenshire, added: “The weather has been amazing – it’s been great.
“We came out here on Wednesday and we’re going home on Monday but we have tickets for the Haiti game. It’s going to be some buzz. It feels like this is our time. We won’t get a better opportunity than this.
“I fancy us to win 2-0. We need to play a 442, play two strikers up top and really go for it. That will put us in a really good position to get out of the group. Come on Scotland!”
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The Finest Hotel in Kabul: A People’s History of Afghanistan is about an institution tasked with the job of housing strangers – Kabul’s Intercontinental Hotel. Through this hotel, which sits high on a hill, and the people within it, seasoned BBC journalist and current foreign affairs editor, Lyse Doucet, attempts tell an immersive history of the sweeping changes that have faced Afghanistan since it opened in 1969.
The book has won the third ever Women’s prize in non-fiction. As an scholar of the region, I can tell you that the hotel is a useful lens through which to tell the recent history of Afghanistan.
The modern state of Afghanistan occupies an integral position in the Silk Road region. It was home to an expansive and historic civilisation in which commerce and hospitality had long been entwined with one another.
Inns, better known as caravanseries in the region, played a central role in the provision of security, the exchange of information, and the formation of identity for traders.
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Beyond caravanserais, caring for strangers occupied a critical place in the local moral universe of people in the region. In some contexts this took place in communal gathering places; in others, in villages or the guesthouses of the wealthy and powerful. Across the region, though, social institutions designed to receive, respect, and protect outsiders, from near and far, were a prominent feature of everyday life. While a very different sort of resting place, The Kabul Intercontinental sits within this rich history.
As with other bold architectural buildings of the 1960s, whose history is also tied up to a flow of western capital, the hotel stood for a vision of Afghanistan’s future – of modernity, development and international prestige. As the years passed, the reality ebbed and waned.
Its initial guests included Pan American Airlines flight crews and Afghan socialite and fashion designer Safia Tarzi, a scion of the country’s ruling royal family. People staying in its plush rooms enjoyed local delicacies like drinks from the Afghan-Clemd factory (a state-owned distillery) whose products included the rare taste of alcohol imported from Mongolia and others flavoured with the finest Afghan red raisins.
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This luxury, however, would change as the final decade of the cold war ripped Afghanistan and its families to shreds. This is when Doucet’s relationship with the hotel began as she first checked in on Christmas eve 1988.
In its walls she experienced the Soviet evacuation. She saw armed mujahideen commanders from the hills, internationally renowned terrorists, and Taliban leaders tear out the hotel’s bars and smash the bottles of brandy they discovered within. Gone was the glamour, along with the music and mixed-gendered dancing in the hotel’s ballroom.
After the events of 9/11, the international jetset did return. However, these guests were uniformed Nato officials, local elites, international journalists and the employees of aid organisations. They flocked to the hotel, but often pursued by Taliban fighters who tracked them down with ruthless and bloody efficiency.
So Kabul’s “finest hotel” became to be associated with the cloistered and security-cordoned lives of Afghan and international elites and their acolytes. But as Doucet emphasises throughout, it was ordinary people who kept the institution afloat. Responding to changes of personnel and ideological direction, they navigated the changing, violent and deeply unpredictable world around them with deftness and skill. Many losing their lives in the course of doing so.
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Around the world, similar hotels were built to demonstrate prestige and signal prosperous futures. However, while the Intercontinental’s doors never closed, others have either fallen into disrepair or come to be used for purposes quite different from those for which they were designed.
Take the Sevastopol Hotel in Moscow, which was built in 1979 to accommodate visitors for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. In the 1990s, it was transformed by Afghan merchants. Rooms built to house guests visiting for Olympics were transformed into commercial offices and retail shops; the hotel’s underground levels becoming warehouses packed full of Chinese-made toys, hardware items, and suitcases.
Doucet’s book is one of the few conventional journalistic accounts of Afghanistan that depicts the country’s ordinary people as rounded individuals seeking to lead respectable lives amid violence and unpredictability. It is a welcome corrective work and a worthy winner.
This article features references to books that have been included for editorial reasons, and may contain links to bookshop.org. If you click on one of the links and go on to buy something, The Conversation UK may earn a commission.
Construction workers have discovered the bodies of 29 unborn babies while digging at a family home in Lutory
20:22, 12 Jun 2026Updated 20:50, 12 Jun 2026
A total of 29 unborn babies have been discovered buried beneath a family home in Poland.
Construction workers made the horrifying discovery while they were digging through a driveway on private land when they discovered the bodies, which led to the arrest of a 52-year-old woman.
The suspect is now being investigated for desecration of a corpse and illegal disposal of hazardous waste, according to Polish news agency PAP. The offence could result in a jail sentence of between two and 12 years, The Mirror reports.
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According to the prosecutor’s office, “a significant amount of medical waste, mainly paraffin blocks and microscope slides,” were also found on the property, local media reported.
The current owners of the five acre plot, who were in the middle of renovations, alerted police to the discovery, local reports said.
It sparked a large emergency response, with police still digging the area and searches expected to last until next week.
Polish media outlet Interia Wydarzenia said “according to a statement from the District Prosecutor’s Office in Rzeszów, the first information about ‘the discovery of significant amounts of medical waste on the premises of one of the properties in Lutory’ was received by investigators on June 10.”
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It added: “The discovered waste also included a human fetus and other remains that could have been human fetuses in the early stages of development or their fragments.”
Medical experts were sent to the scene and “confirmed that the secured remains were those of human fetuses,” the report said.
The excavator used to dig up the remains is now being tested for DNA samples, while a specialist waterworks truck was also deployed, sparking fears that nearby drains and sewer systems could hold further evidence.
Local residents described the former owner of the property as unsettling and reclusive. She is believed to have bought the house two years ago before selling it to a young couple, who currently reside there, six months ago.
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“I don’t even know what this woman does. I knew her by sight,” one villager said.
Another said the woman, who had red hair, was “a bit strange.”
However, one man told local media a different story. “I remember that woman, but she hasn’t been here for about five years,” he said.. She supposedly performed some autopsy here, but I don’t know for sure.”
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By taking over Warner Bros, Paramount will become one of the most powerful forces in Hollywood, adding news network CNN, TV networks HBO, TBS, TNT, TCM, as well as studios DC Studios and New Line Cinema to its current stable of assets. Those include Paramount Pictures, CBS, Showtime and Nickelodeon.
Rugby league great Kevin Sinfield, actress Dame Helen Mirren and six of the European Championship-winning Lionesses lead the celebrities and famous faces featured in the King’s Birthday Honours.
King Charles III is again honouring those who have made a difference in many different areas of the country, with those getting the nods being revealed on Friday night (June 12) ahead of the monarch’s official birthday on Saturday (June 13).
As well as the ordinary people honoured for their services to the country, the list – which is released twice a year, at New Year and in June on the King’s official birthday – also recognises a whole host of famous faces and celebrities who have done the same – including actors, politicians, musicians and sportspeople.
Nearly 1,200 people from across the UK received honours in the latest list. Honours, including MBEs, OBEs, and CBEs, will be handed out to everyone from local community heroes and fundraising champions to stars of the stage, screen, and sporting field.
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Among the celebrities being recognised this year are, as already mentioned, Oldham rugby star Kevin Sinfield, who has been knighted, and iconic actress Dame Helen Mirren. Sir Kevin has completed six running challenges, having been inspired by former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow, who died in 2024 after living with motor neurone disease (MND) for four-and-a-half years.
The former England rugby league captain, who has so far raised more than £10 million for MND charities, received a knighthood for his services to the MND community, as well as for services to league and union rugby. He is taking on his seventh and final endurance challenge – all of which have been based around the number seven as it was the number Burrow wore in his playing days – in September.
Dame Helen, meanwhile, was made a Companion of Honour for services to drama. There are only 65 Companions of Honour at any one time.
They are joined byBlack Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, who became an MBE for his services to music and charity, and Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley, who received the same honour for her services to drama and her charity work.
Tony said: “What an unbelievable honour to receive an MBE. It’s been a privilege doing something I love and then to see that music connects with so many over the years.” Bury-born Lisa, who turns 50 in July, commented: “Wow, if this is not my best 50th birthday present, being awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list, I don’t know what is. To say I am humbled is an absolute understatement. Thank you so much, my heart is the warmest it could ever be.”
Broadcaster and musician Cerys Matthews became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to music. The Catatonia singer, who fronts a weekly show on BBC Radio 6 Music, was made an MBE in 2014.
DJ Judge Jules, who became an MBE, said the honour feels like “a reward for my industry” while TV presenter Anneka Rice was made an MBE for her services to charity and broadcasting. She took on various tasks in her show Challenge Anneka, which aired from 1989 to 1995 and was briefly revived in 2023, often to raise money for charity.
The Gruffalo writer Julia Donaldson and Noughts and Crosses author Malorie Blackman both received damehoods for their services to literature.
Dame Julia was the UK’s best-selling author last year, overtaking Harry Potter creator JK Rowling amid the Gruffalo’s continued popularity and the success of more recent characters like Zog the dragon.
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Businessman Dave Fishwick, who inspired Netflix’s Bank of Dave film, was made an OBE for services to finance, business and charity. He said that being made an OBE was “wonderful” and “unbelievable”.
Beauty entrepreneur and make-up artist to the stars, Charlotte Tilbury, was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). The 53-year-old founded her eponymous beauty brand in 2013 after working as a celebrity make-up artist for more than 20 years, having created looks for the likes of Kate Moss and Kim Kardashian.
In football, Chloe Kelly, who scored the winning penalty in last summer’s nail-biting Euros final, was one of the players to be made an MBE. At 20 years old, rising star forward Michelle Agyemang is the youngest recipient on the list. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, forwards Alessia Russo and Lauren James, and defender Jess Carter were also honoured.
This charming Welsh market town has indie shops, proper pubs and access to hiking trails.
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I’ll admit it, I’ve got to an age where I love a jaunt to a lovely market town for coffee and cake, boutique shops and picturesque walks. Sundays used to be for raging hangovers and existential dread, but now, I rise early and plan days out where there are ‘nice tea shops’. Nineteen-year-old me is judging so hard.
Thankfully, we have so many market towns to choose from in Wales, each with its own unique character and features, that you can fill many weekends with market town mini breaks. Marvellous.
One of my favourites has bagged several accolades over the years, including being named one of the UK’s best towns by the consumer watchdog Which? and previously named the ‘Best Place to Live’ in Wales by The Sunday Times.
Crickhowell is a charming market town in the Usk Valley, lying south of the Black Mountains and near the eastern range of Bannau Brycheiniog. It’s known for its indie shops, proper pubs and access to hiking trails.
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It’s not just the locals who adore it; even the celebs can’t resist. Carol Vorderman herself recently popped into the dog-friendly Coaching Inn, The Bear, after a hike and couldn’t resist telling the world about it on Instagram.
Naturally, if it’s good enough for Vorders, it’s good enough for me, so I started plotting my own adventure. Luckily, my hiking group (yes, I’m that person now) had a trip planned to this charming corner of Wales, so I leapt at the chance to stretch my legs and explore one of the best market towns in the UK.
While there are plenty of shops and cafes these days, Crickhowell’s roots go way back, all the way to the Iron Age, when settlers built a hillfort atop Crug Hywel (better known as Table Mountain, thanks to its satisfyingly flat top). Later, the Normans rolled in and added a motte-and-bailey castle, the remains of which still keep watch over the small town.
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Want to make a weekend of it? There are also plenty of cosy pubs in and around the town and the Black Mountains, like the Bear Hotel and the Dragon Inn. For a self-catering stay, Holiday Cottages has a whole host of lovely places to bunk down for the night.
With over 100 hand-picked holiday cottages, you can pick the perfect spot for your trip. They have a brilliant range of places, like a cosy hideaway for two, a family-friendly home, or a grand mansion that sleeps up to 19 for a big group getaway.
For hikers, one of the main draws of Crickhowell is that it’s an ideal base for countless walks into the surrounding hills and mountains.
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From here, you can head up Table Mountain, amble along the Brecon and Monmouth Canal, explore the Llangattock escarpment, or follow the River Usk through the Glanusk Estate.
Nearby peaks like Sugar Loaf, Allt yr Esgair, and Tor y Foel are all within easy reach and if you’re feeling ambitious, Pen y Fan, the highest summit in southern Britain, is just a short drive away.
The town’s Walkers are Welcome team has helpfully compiled a collection of routes from gentle strolls to heart-pounding hikes, all packaged into handy booklets available at the information centre or online.
Luckily for me, I had come with the competent We Hike Wales crew, and so we assembled to tackle one of the most accessible routes from the town centre – (Crug Hywel) Table Mountain.
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You can park in town, follow your hiking leaders or a trail on the AllTrails app, and strut through glorious countryside to reach the flat-topped summit, which features an ancient Iron Age hill fort and panoramic views.
From down in Crickhowell, Table Mountain looks like it’s had one too many at the pub, leaning ever so slightly, but still wildly photogenic.
There are several hiking routes from Crickhowell to Table Mountain, ranging from direct paths to longer circular routes that incorporate other peaks. Some routes offer a straightforward ascent, while others include longer walks along the ridges of the Black Mountains.
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After a lot of car parking faff and several pre-emptive dashes to the nearest loo, our hiking group finally set off on what Visit Brecon Beacons charmingly calls a “grade 4” walk – i.e., narrow paths, steep climbs, and enough mud and loose stones to remind you why you own hiking boots.
We followed a leafy path beside Cumbeth Brook until the trees gave way to an open hillside, and we were ambling along at a pleasant pace.
Soon we were skirting along the mountain wall toward the back of the ancient hillfort that crowns the top of Crug Hywel, or “Hywel’s fort,” which, fun fact, gave Crickhowell its name. Up here, you can still see the traces of the Iron Age defences, and there are plenty of spots to get a decent #MountainQueen selfie.
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Below stretches the wide Usk Valley, rolling towards Mynydd Llangatwg and, beyond that, the South Wales valleys. It’s an incredible view and worth pausing for a brew.
After a big hike, it was time to explore the cutesy town and sample some coffee and cake. In 2018, Crickhowell’s High Street was crowned the Best High Street in the UK, and it’s easy to see why. It’s full of indie boutiques, historic-looking pubs, and an outdoor shop, Crickhowell Adventure, for all your hiking needs.
Webbs of Crickhowell has been part of the town’s story for nearly a century; it first opened its doors back in 1936! This family-owned department store has truly stood the test of time.
Pop in, and you’ll find everything from stylish clothing to handy household goods, all with a delightful touch of local history woven in.
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Food-wise, you’ll be spoiled for choice with a range of indie ventures like Court Room Cafe in the market hall and Latte Da. This shabby-chic vintage-style cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and traditional afternoon tea.
There’s something heartwarming about seeing such a variety of indie businesses all in one place, from an old furniture shop to a bakery and the cafe-bookshop of my dreams.
With the motto ‘Books, conversation, and more’, Book-ish was founded in 2010 by Emma & Drew Corfield-Walters and began as a small venture, driven by a love of books. It’s also an award-winning literary haven, having bagged the Independent Bookshop of the Year in Wales several times.
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The competition celebrates bookshops that have really become part of the community. In November 2021, the Crickhowell community proved just how beloved the shop is by raising more than £25,000 in a week to help save it, with a big donation from Welsh icon Michael Sheen.
Owner, Emma Corfield-Walters, spoke to WalesOnline at that time: “It has been really heartening for my team and me to know that there is so much love for us,” she said. “To have had that acknowledgement and so many messages.
We’ve always tried to make sure Book.ish is at the centre of this community. I think this is confirmation for us that people know what we’re trying to achieve in the community and in the shop, and it’s great to know they don’t want that to go anywhere.”
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The store has a children’s reading room, the Snug, an in-house event venue, the Loft, and a cafe that sells local produce from the Beacons. Firmly part of the community, Book-ish holds book clubs, game nights, and quizzes and co-runs the Crickhowell literary festival.
The moment I stepped inside, I knew I’d found reading heaven. This indie shop had it all, shelves bursting with curated books, handwritten staff picks that read like love notes to literature, a selection of gifts and charming cards. There was even an events program that made me want to move in and never leave.
The on-site cafe is spread over two floors and features a light, airy loft, perfect for a brew and a book. The focus is on local produce here, with Welsh cakes and Bara Brith supplied by Baked by Natalie, and a rotating selection of cakes provided by Cake Head.
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I ordered a flat white and managed to snag the last caramel and chocolate brownie, which was utterly divine. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here
Coffee comes from Black Mountain Roast in Hay-on-Wye, an award-winning local roaster. All food is prepared fresh, and many of the meats are from Cashells, a family-run butcher in Crickhowell, and Black Mountain Smokery supplies smoked salmon.
For a cosy pint, head to the Bear. This 15th-century hotel in Powys has attracted stars such as Carol Vorderman, Robbie Williams, and Johnny Depp, and was named Inn of the Year in The Good Pub Guide.
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The Bear is right up there among the cosiest, most welcoming pubs in the country. A former coaching inn that has been welcoming guests for 500 years, it offers a choice of dining in the historic bar, with its oak beams, wooden floors, and roaring open fires, or in the restaurant.
Either way, you’ll be happy. The bar menu has a range of tasty dishes, including Potato gnocchi with butternut squash, slow-braised Welsh beef short rib, vegan burgers, and homemade lasagne.
The Historic Dragon Inn is another top spot for a proper pub visit. This family-run, Visit Wales 4-star inn sits right on Crickhowell’s charming High Street. Expect a warm Welsh welcome, lovely food, and a fantastic selection of beers, wines, and spirits.
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Microbrewery and taproom Antur Brew Co is worth a visit for its quality craft beers, ranging from hoppy pours to German ales and lagers.
Antur also hosts buzzing taproom pop-ups every weekend, featuring a rotating lineup of food trucks, including Malaysian street-style curries and BBQ eats.
Festival-goers can already start planning which acts they want to see.
TRNSMT festival is once again coming back to Glasgow Green for another high energy weekend of music. With a variety of stages and acts lined up for this year’s event, revellers will be wanting to lay out a plan of how to best get through the three-day festival.
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Taking place at a slightly earlier time this year, TRNSMT is set to begin on Friday, June 19, with the grand finale taking place on Sunday, June 21. This year’s line-up features a variety of popular artists, including Richard Ashcroft, Kasabian, Lewis Capaldi, Wolf Alice, Amy Macdonald and CMAT.
With thousands of Scottish fans set to travel to Glasgow next week for the festival, many people will want to go in with a game plan. Whether you have bagged tickets for all three days or have just chosen one for your favourite artists, many people will want to make the most of their ticket.
If fans have a couple of artists they want to see during the event but aren’t sure if they will clash, this stress can now be lessened as the full weekend stage times have been revealed. This means fans now have a week to figure out which stages they want to head to and when.
In order to make this task even easier, festival-goers are being encouraged to download this year’s TRNSMT app. Providing access to all of the full stage times across the weekend, the app also comes with a handy notification feature.
If there are a couple of artists that revellers want to make sure they see during the event, they can ‘like’ the stars in the app. They will then receive an alert 15 minutes before that artist is set to go on stage, which will ensure that they don’t miss out on the most anticipated acts of the weekend.
This means that if fans heading to TRNSMT on Friday, June 19, are wanting to see acts such as Wolf Alice, Becky Hill, and BBC Introducing group Soapbox, app users can ‘like’ each of these acts and then be notified in time to leg it to their stage before the set begins.
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Festival director Geoff Ellis said: “We’re counting down the days until another huge weekend at Glasgow Green. We have an incredible lineup of artists across four stages, and we can’t wait to welcome fans for what promises to be an unforgettable festival experience.
“To make the most of their weekend, we’d advise everyone to download the TRNSMT app. It has everything you need, from full stage times, the ability to build your own personal schedule, site map, food options and much more.”
On top of this, festival-goers can also use the TRNSMT app to explore the variety of food and drink options available at the event.
Over 40 stalls and vendors have been confirmed for the three-day event, which have been broken down into a variety of categories such as festival favourites, sweet treats, Chinese, fast food, Mexican, BBQ and pizza.
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As well as a £10 or less option for those on a budget this year, some vendors will also be selling veggie, vegan, gluten-free, and halal foods, which can be highlighted by adding dietary requirements into the app’s search filter.
All of the stalls can be found on the TRNSMT 2026 map, however revellers should note that TRNSMT is a cashless event, so you will need to pay with their card.
Additionally, TRNSMT has been granted a temporary public entertainment licence for June 19 so fans can watch the Scotland vs Morocco game which starts at 11pm GMT.
While some community councils objected to the festival screening the match, the curfew for the event has now been extended to 1am for the Friday night only.
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