While the economic benefits have been welcomed there is concern that the county’s infrastructure is struggling under the strain. Of chief concern is the A1 after plans to dual the road were scrapped in 2024.

Campaigners have long called for the road to be dualled, and there is concern that the rising number of people visiting the area who are unfamiliar with the road could cause further accidents. Calls to reopen the case for the project have accelerated in recent days after five people were killed in two tragic collisions within the space of nine days.

According to a report which will go before the council’s cabinet on Tuesday, total visits rose to 11.13 million in 2025 – up from 10.46 million in 2024, an increase of 6.41%. This follows a 3.4% percentage increase the previous year, showing significant year-on-year growth.

The visitor economy is also worth £1.58 billion to the area, reaching a record high in 2025 and more than doubling in a decade. However, some senior councillors have raised concerns the county’s roads are creaking under the strain.

Cabinet member for tourism Coun Wendy Pattison said: “Of course the county needs tourism for our economic growth. I am ecstatic about the figures, they are tremendous – but I fully understand that some of our villages never foresaw they were going to get the volume of tourists when they were built.

“I do worry because I regularly have to travel on the A1. On Fridays, it is absolutely terrible – it’s nose to tail all the way up.

“The A1 is problematic, but if we didn’t have the tourists this county wouldn’t be as wonderful as it is. I don’t know what the answer is – unless the Government steps back in.”

The Northumberland Coast is arguably the main tourist draw in the county, thanks to its stunning beaches, pretty villages and iconic castles. However, popular destinations such as Warkworth, Druridge Bay, Beadnell and Bamburgh all require use of the A1 to visit.

Coun Guy Renner-Thompson, who represents the Bamburgh ward, said the area has never been as busy with visitors.

He said: “The argument we’re trying to make is we might not have the population, but we get hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. These are people who aren’t familiar with the junctions on the road.

“That makes it even more dangerous. We have these key junctions at Belford, Ellingham and Denwick that people use to access the coastal roads.

You see people stopping on the A1 and because there’s no central reservation people just drive into the back of them. The more visitors we get, the more this will happen.

“Last Bank Holiday – we have never seen anywhere on the coast as busy. If that carries on into the summer, there is going to be more accidents.”

Northumberland has a population of just 331,420 people. Its large size also makes it the sparsest populated county in England.

The Government pulled plans to dual 13 miles of the road between Morpeth and Ellingham in 2024 after costs ballooned to more than £500 million. Officials deemed this ‘poor value for money’.

But North East leaders are now calling on ministers to look at the decision again. Among them is Northumberland County Council leader Glen Sanderson, who co-signed a letter with North East Mayor Kim McGuinness this week calling for a meeting with the Transport Secretary to discuss the matter.

On the tourism figures, Coun Sanderson said: “I think it’s a great number and I’m really grateful to everybody involved to make this the best place in Britain to visit.

“However, increasing traffic on roads that aren’t up to it creates further problems for us. The key problem is the A1, which we know needs significant work to make it safe and allow the traffic to flow.

“We know that often, sections come to an absolute stop. Traffic also takes rat runs through villages and on the A697, which isn’t fit for the level of traffic either.

“The visitor numbers are a great achievement for everyone involved, but it does make it obvious for all to see that you can’t attract the level of visitors we are without looking at the infrastructure.”

Nestled in the iconic Rocky Mountains sits Aspen, Colorado – a holiday hotspot which attracts millions of tourists from all over the world each year, including the UK.

It’s home to one of the world’s best ski resorts, Aspen Snowmass, which regularly welcomes big-name celebrities, including Mariah Carey, Kate Hudson, Justin and Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, and the Kardashians.

While you can’t fly directly to Aspen/Pitkin County from Manchester, passengers can catch a connecting flight to the popular US destination.

US airport to close for 7 months with all flights cancelled

The main airport in the area is Aspen/Pitkin County, with around 700,000 passengers travelling through each year.

However, Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is set to close from April 4 until November 19, 2027, so “infrastructure improvement” work can be carried out.

This project will enhance the safety, access, efficiency, and long-term operational reliability at the Colorado hub.

Airport director, Diane Jackson, said: “Our team is committed to coordinating with federal partners, airlines, general aviation partners, and the broader community as we prepare for this important project and the future of the airport.

“This project is a long-term investment in the safety, reliability, and future of Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, and we will continue to engage with our community every step of the way.”

Officials have warned that the project timeline remains subject to change due to weather and other variables.

What will change at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport?

The project will include a full runway reconstruction to bring Aspen/Pitkin in line with current Federal Aviation Administration standards.

Construction of a new terminal and Fixed Based Operator (FBO) facility is also set to begin during the closure period, with preparatory work scheduled for this year.

Services will continue to operate from the existing Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (once it reopens) until the new terminal is completed in 2029.

Aspen Snowmass is a popular spot for skiing and attracts celebrities such as Mariah Carey, Justin and Hailey Bieber and the Kardashians. (Image: Getty)

Nearest alternative airports

While the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport will be closed, there are some nearby options for passengers still wanting to visit the area.

The closest alternatives to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport are:

• Eagle County Regional Airport (around 113km away)
• Grand Junction Regional Airport (201 km)
• Denver International Airport (354 km)

How does this closure affect British travellers?

While there are no direct flights between the UK and Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, several major airports offer connecting flights to the tourist hotspot.

These airports include:

• London Heathrow
• Edinburgh
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Cardiff
• Glasgow
• Manchester
• Southampton

Your rights if your flight is cancelled or delayed

The major airlines that operate flights between the two include Lufthansa, United Express, Aer Lingus, and KLM.

All these flights will be cancelled for seven months from April 4 until November 19, 2027, while Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is closed, affecting thousands of Brits travelling to the US.

Are you travelling to the US in 2027? Tell us your travel plans in the comments below.

Residents of a Georgia townhome community say they are being forced to live with overflowing, foul-smelling garbage after what they describe as more than a decade of neglect by their homeowners’ association, turning their neighborhood into an ongoing health hazard.

Homeowners in the Reserve at Lake Ridge subdivision in Riverdale told Fox 5 Atlanta Thursday that a compactor system, which is meant to handle household trash for the townhome community, is broken, causing massive piles of garbage every month.

“It’s horrible, it’s gagging me, it’s making me sick to my stomach,” resident Patricia McCoy told the outlet.

Fellow resident Cheryl Caldwell added, “It’s all the trash and filth that’s over there every month, and sometimes it’s worse.”

Some residents claim they were told a replacement compactor had been promised months ago, but the problem has only worsened. A neighborhood trash supervisor, who allegedly claims to have a family connection to the HOA president, has said that a new unit is in place, according to residents.

Instead, the supervisor attributes the trash overflow to illegal dumping, including discarded furniture and other bulky items, which do not belong in the machine and added to the buildup.

Residents, however, argue that the lack of proper waste management and transparency from the HOA has allowed the situation to spiral out of control.

“We haven’t had an HOA meeting in over 12 years,” one unidentified female resident told the outlet.

The trash supervisor’s immediate focus Thursday was to load loose trash bags into the compactor to start cleaning up the site, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

The news stations added that code enforcement officers had just left the property when their crews arrived at the site Thursday. Shortly after, HOA workers began cleanup efforts, which ended later that day.

A later Fox 5 Atlanta broadcast showed the area appeared to be all clear.

The Independent attempted to contact the HOA for comment by email.

It was the least surprising of lessons to take. Harry Kane can score goals. After 61 this season for Bayern Munich, after 78 before in England’s colours, another came in Florida to defeat New Zealand. The problem is that such games, so close to a World Cup, are supposed to produce more meaningful conclusions.

And there weren’t too many. Some 22 players got a cap; a first in the case of Rio Ngumoha, although, barring an ill-timed injury to anyone else, the 17-year-old won’t be at the World Cup anyway. Few really enhanced their chances, and maybe only one in a way that might alter Thomas Tuchel’s thinking when it comes to his starting 11 against Croatia in Dallas.

That was Marcus Rashford who, at the risk of damning him with faint praise, was livelier than most; his skill during a staccato run on the left led to a Kane chance. He whipped in two shots in a minute, though neither was on target. It wasn’t spectacular, but at least it ranked as encouraging.

Rashford had arrived earlier in Florida to get himself into prime physical condition, training at Inter Miami with a private coach. He had missed Euro 2024; he was not even culled in the final cut. So, besides having a place to win, he may have a point to prove.

He lingers in limbo after Barcelona preferred to buy Anthony Gordon instead of Rashford. This could bring a role reversal on the international stage. The Manchester United returnee – seemingly, anyway – may be nudging ahead of the Merseysider in Tuchel’s thinking. Left wing appears one of the most open of positions. Gordon played the second half, his first appearance in almost two months, without having the same impact as Rashford. But then his game relies on sharpness; maybe an outing against Costa Rica on Wednesday will give him that.

Not for the first time, though, England’s only incision came from Kane. Now only nine men have more international goals, even if he shares 10th place with Neymar. His goal was also a moment for Djed Spence to savour, with his cross finding Kane. The Tottenham man tends to be better at the defensive part of his game, stronger at the physical than the technical. He may have shown hidden depths to his game.

The presumption is nevertheless that Spence will not be starting in Dallas, even if, as Tuchel made 11 changes at half-time, there was an illogical element to some of his choices.

Arguably the best English left-back, Nico O’Reilly, spent the second half in midfield. It felt odd if the intention is for the Manchester City man to appear in defence against Croatia. Instead, first Spence and then Tino Livramento occupied that role.

And when the teams arrived, the temptation was to think that Spence is about the fifth best English left-back, Jarell Quansah is about the fifth best English right-back, Ollie Watkins not even the fifth best English right winger, in part because he isn’t a right winger anyway. He owed his selection to the absence of Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, a consequence of Arsenal’s participation in the Champions League final, but Watkins was ineffective.

But there is a broader theme. Versatility helps in selecting a squad but Tuchel may have put too great an emphasis on it; with 26 players, he could have opted for more specialists. Trent Alexander-Arnold may think so, when he sees Quansah operating at right-back.

Along with swapping everyone over, it gave an international the feel of a training session. If Tuchel’s plan was to put the warm into the World Cup warm-up, England’s performance was more tepid than sizzling. Perhaps that was inevitable, though, with combination of the climate, the fatigue resulting from an exhausting club season and the general ennui of international friendlies, even those five days before a tournament begins. It was scarcely played with Premier League intensity; but then few England matches are.

Arguably, though, it was a second England match of the day against New Zealand that was affected by the weather, though they had a different kind of hydration break at Lord’s. The football had more play, though it is a moot point if that was a good thing.

But a couple of elements may have had a significance. Jude Bellingham was the captain in second half; a sign the man Tuchel omitted in October has been reintegrated, perhaps, or simply because none of Kane, Jordan Henderson, John Stones and Declan Rice was on the pitch.

And Ngumoha, who scarcely looked overawed, showed some bright touches. It bodes well for the long term, but now England’s focus is on the next few weeks, so he may have been an entertaining irrelevance.

BBC Casualty viewers have been left stunned after the latest episode finally uncovered the secret from Flynn Byron’s past and emotional final scenes between Flynn and Stevie Nash

The conclusion of the most recent episode of Casualty has left BBC audiences all expressing the same sentiment.

Saturday’s (June 6) edition of the medical drama ultimately unveiled the fatal secret from Flynn Byron’s (Olly Rix) past, which clarifies his enigmatic and strained relationship with his former military instructor, Colonel Jack Bard (Mark Womack).

In the current boxset entitled Lethal Legacy, the clinical lead has grown worried about the wellbeing of one of Bard’s soldiers, Rory Dickson (Gwïon Morris Jones).

Following the observation of multiple injuries on the young man, Flynn has attempted to contact Rory on several occasions, but has been shut down by Bard each time, arousing suspicions.

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In the most recent episode, Flynn dashed to hospital during the early hours to see Rory, who was admitted after being discovered intoxicated on a busy road. Rory underwent a mental health evaluation before being discharged but Flynn remained convinced that he was at risk of self-harm, reports the Mirror.

Flynn requested Rory remain so he could treat his wounds in his office and Rory subsequently confessed that he’s being bullied by Bard, revealing various appalling incidents that he has endured at the barracks.

Nevertheless, after Flynn arranged Rory a placement at a recuperation facility, the soldier disappeared. A packet of medication also went missing and Flynn departed fearing the worst. Fortunately, Stevie located the drugs in the hospital. Flynn then received a call informing him that Rory was in a critical condition after being struck by a car. He rushed back to the ED to discover Rory in cardiac arrest, but against all odds, managed to revive him.

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Deeply shaken by the day’s events, Flynn headed out for a drink with Stevie Nash (Elinor Lawless) along the canal, where the pair had a candid conversation about her current difficulties before ducking into a bar to escape the rain.

Flynn confided in Stevie that he began basic military training at 17 alongside a boy named Adam, whose name had been referenced earlier in the boxset. Adam had also suffered bullying at the hands of Bard, an ordeal that ultimately led him to take his own life.

Out of fear, Flynn had signed a statement claiming Bard had no involvement in Adam’s death, but in an emotional exchange, he revealed that his determination to secure justice for Rory is partly driven by a desire to atone for past regrets.

Stevie sent Matty Linklaker (Aron Julius) a text to bring their secret affair to an end, before continuing to drink with Flynn. He initially opted against sharing a taxi with Stevie, but as he walked through the rain, he realised his true feelings for her.

He raced back to the bar only to be devastated to find he had arrived too late, with Stevie already having departed in a taxi — leaving viewers desperate for next week’s instalment. Writing on X, formerly Twitter, one viewer posted: “I am SCREAMING at today’s #Casualty I will simply never recover.” Another wrote: “Those final scenes between Flynn and Stevie in tonight’s #Casualty were [flame emoji].”

A third commented: “That end montage with Stevie and Flynn? It’s all probably going to go pear shaped though when he finds out about Matty.”

A fourth viewer remarked: “That ending had me literally jumping up and down, next week needs to hurry up already.” Someone else concurred: “Today’s episode was intense and full of emotion.”

Will romance blossom between the pair or has the moment passed for Flynn and Stevie?

Casualty airs on Saturday nights on BBC One and now streams first on BBC iPlayer at 6am on the day of transmission

For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website

Fuel prices here are set by factors including global oil costs, exchange rates, and local competition at forecourts

The price of petrol and diesel across Northern Ireland is continuing to fall. In the UK, the average price of a litre of petrol at forecourts reached 159.7p, the most expensive it has been since November 2022.

The Consumer Council’s Fuel Price Checker, which is updated weekly, shows the current average price for petrol in Northern Ireland is 151.9p per litre, down from 153.6p last week. The average price of diesel here is 172.2p, down from 174.1p last week.

The price of fuel varies depending on where you are in Northern Ireland, with some areas coming in below the regional average. Fuel prices here are set by independent retailers based on global oil costs, exchange rates, and local competition at forecourts.

In eight locations around Northern Ireland this week, petrol prices were 2p per litre cheaper than the regional average at 149.9p. This price was recorded in Ballycastle, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Bangor, Dungannon, Larne, Lisburn, and Newtownards.

The most expensive location to purchase petrol this week is Newry. Here, the average price comes in at 8p above the Northern Ireland average at 159.9p per litre.

The cheapest diesel price was recorded in three different spots this week. In Armagh, Ballymoney, and Strabane, the average price of diesel is 2.8p below the regional average at 169.4p per litre.

Meanwhile, Enniskillen is the most expensive place to buy diesel this week, with prices here coming in at an average of 175.5p per litre, 3.3p above the overall average.

The ongoing war between the US and Iran has led to higher petrol and diesel prices globally.

A report by competition watchdog the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) noted that the difference between the price retailers pay for fuel and the price at which they sell it, known as fuel margins, remained at “historically high levels” in April, at an average of 11.3p per litre.

The watchdog said it “would be concerned” if current high fuel prices “persist” amid recent easing of supply constraints.

Sarah Cardell, chief executive at the CMA, said: “We know prices at the pump are putting real pressure on drivers’ pockets.

“While our analysis shows the rise in wholesale prices is the main reason for higher fuel prices, we remain concerned about weak competition in the sector leaving drivers paying more.

“Retailers should be in no doubt that we are continuing to monitor prices and margins closely and expect any reductions in wholesale prices to be rapidly and fully passed on to drivers.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

WASHINGTON (AP) — After Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cut nine Navy officers, including all the women, from a promotion list, several female officers say they see the unusual intervention as a sign that their careers now have a ceiling and worry for the future generation of female military leaders.

The Navy had selected 31 sailors to promote from the rank of captain to one-star admiral, but Hegseth recently intervened to strike nine people from the list, including three women and two Black men, according to a defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss information not permitted to be released publicly.

As a result, the Navy is not promoting a single woman to the one-star admiral rank this year even though women make up about one-quarter of all Navy officers and nearly one-third of the sea service’s midgrade ranks, according to military data from 2024.

The Associated Press spoke with eight female Navy officers of varying ranks and time in service after Hegseth’s cuts, which were reported earlier by The New York Times, became public. They spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution from their superiors.

The more junior officers said they saw the development as a sign that their careers would become politicized if they rose too far in the ranks, and some said they felt they now had a limit on how far they could be promoted. Some said it made them feel less valued within the military and wondered whether that wasn’t part of the intent.

The Pentagon has not offered any rationale on why the women, or any of the other six people, were removed from the promotion list.

The order from Phelan, who later abruptly departed his post in April, said the board should consider an officer’s performance, competence and character, among other traits, as part of those qualifications.

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It also said that given China’s prominence in the Trump administration’s National Defense Strategy, “special consideration shall be given to officers who have excelled in their knowledge of the political military affairs and U.S. strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region, and operational contingency planning for Indo-Pacific war plans.”

Hegseth has long argued, without offering evidence, that women in the military benefit from preferential treatment and are not suited for combat roles.

“For too long, we’ve promoted too many uniformed leaders for the wrong reasons based on their race, based on gender quotas, based on historic so-called firsts,” Hegseth told hundreds of military leaders in September.

The approach, he asserted, made the Pentagon “less capable and less lethal.”

In addition to pulling the recent promotions of three women to admiral, Hegseth shortly after he took office fired Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the service’s top officer and the first woman to hold the job. He never explained his rationale.

Since then, he also has fired two other female three-star admirals without explanation.

Some of the officers who spoke to the AP said that while they were encouraging female sailors to stick with the Navy, they acknowledged that message is coming at a difficult time.

Kuzminski said the rhetoric and actions surrounding women in the military “affects individual service member decision-making and it also affects family unit decision-making,” including whether people make a career of the military.

Kuzminski said that following the monthslong hold on military promotions by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., during the Biden administration, surveys showed that partisan politics spilling into the day-to-day lives of troops affected their decision-making.

One officer said this impact was not confined to women.

In conversations with other sailors in her unit, she said that male sailors were hesitant to deal with what appears to be a growing politicization of simply following the orders of previous administrations.

Emergency services were called to Manchester Road, near the Bolton retail estate heading towards the town centre, at around 7.10pm on June 5.

Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) attended after the HGV rolled onto its side while turning onto Trinity Street.

Fire crews in attendance at the scene yesterday (Image: PHIL TAYLOR)

The incident led to the closure of Manchester Road inbound towards the town centre, with motorists urged to avoid the area and find alternative routes while emergency crews worked at the scene.

Firefighters used specialist equipment and oil absorbent pads to deal with a diesel spillage caused by the crash.

A spokesperson for GMFRS said: “At around 7.10pm this evening (Friday 5 June), two fire engines from Bolton Central station, the enhanced rescue unit from Leigh station and the environmental protection unit from Bury station attended an incident involving a lorry falling on its side while turning a corner on Manchester Road, Bolton.

“Crews arrived quickly and used oil absorbent pads and other specialist equipment to help clear the diesel spillage.

“Firefighters departed after roughly an hour in attendance.”

(Image: PHIL TAYLOR)

Witnesses at the scene reported a strong smell of diesel in the air as emergency services secured the area.

The lorry, which was carrying plasterboard, remained on its side for several hours while specialist recovery teams were brought in.

Witnesses said multiple heavy recovery vehicles were required due to the complexity of the operation.

The road was closed for several hours. (Image: PHIL TAYLOR)

One witness said: “One truck that can lift 75 tonnes is here. Another two trucks are on their way as it will be a complicated lift.”

Recovery work continued throughout the evening, with airbags placed beneath the trailer to assist in lifting the vehicle safely.

A lengthy recovery by Mansfield Group using heavy recovery vehicles. (Image: PHIL TAYLOR)

There has been no confirmation of any injuries and the cause of the collision has not been disclosed.

Manchester Road remained closed late into the evening while recovery teams worked to remove the overturned lorry.

The road is now open after recovery operations had been completed.

Here are all the real-life filming locations of the new Netflix film you could actually visit.

The Ted Lasso star’s latest Netflix romantic comedy makes use of numerous genuine locations that audiences could genuinely explore.

Office Romance arrived on the streaming service yesterday (June 5) and has already gained traction amongst viewers. It was co-written by and features comedian and actor Brett Goldstein, best recognised for his portrayal of Roy Kent in the Apple TV sitcom.

He now appears alongside pop icon Jennifer Lopez as the duo headline what has been billed as a risqué romantic comedy. The narrative centres on two career-obsessed individuals who encounter difficulties when emotions become involved.

Lopez portrays Jackie, a President and CEO of an airline who maintains strict control over her business, including an inflexible anti-fraternisation rule for all staff members. When an attractive new solicitor played by Goldstein joins her company, that rule faces serious challenges.

The production features sequences in upmarket corporate headquarters and an opulent holiday retreat amongst other settings. Filming utilised various authentic locations which enthusiasts might potentially explore should they choose, reports the Mirror.

So where was Office Romance filmed? Here’s what you need to know.

Where was Office Romance filmed?

According to Time Out, considerable filming occurred in and around New Jersey. Numerous outdoor sequences including the pair’s hot chocolate rendezvous and Jackie consulting with legal counsel at a food van were shot around Hoboken.

Production teams were observed along the downtown waterfront during filming in April 2025. The location sits on the Hudson River, directly across from Manhattan in New York City. Daniel’s flat was shot at the Cliffs Lofts building. The Air Cruz offices, meanwhile, were filmed in Kenilworth, New Jersey.

The structure supposedly housing the company is actually the Northeast Science and Technology Center, which in reality accommodates world-class laboratories. Jackie’s residence can also be found in New Jersey, particularly in Montclair.

The work retreat sequences took production crews to the Dominican Republic. The adjoining villas occupied by the pair are located at the Cayo Levantado Resort on Samana’s coastline. According to Trivago, rates begin at approximately £650 per night.

Visitors to the location will discover villas and suites offering personal butler services, all-inclusive meals, private beaches and activities including whale watching and wellness retreats.

Several sequences feature Daniel visiting his sister in custody. A genuine prison facility was utilised for these scenes, with the exterior of East Jersey State Prison serving as the backdrop. This prison previously featured as a filming location for the blockbuster heist thriller Ocean’s Eleven.

Office Romance is streaming on Netflix.

This could be the ex-pat World Cup.

There’s so many US-based England fans planning to come to games.

Around 1,500 England fans bought tickets through official channels but the FA are expecting only 1,350 of them to turn up. I didn’t see many outside when I arrived but they are filling up in numbers now.

That is incredible support. Thomas Tuchel said yesterday that he wanted to offer a “big thank you” to the fans who were coming. What an incredible effort.

The incentive is that the loyal “top cappers” get caps for this and the next friendly (Costa Rica in Orlando next Wednesday).

That entitles them to privileges like World Cup tickets (which don’t count as caps).

England fans are sensational. The best I see while covering international football. But I’m unashamedly biased.