A reader asks Google what the most essential qualities are for making a good video game, and how it is that Zelda: Breath Of The Wild and Elden Ring get everything right.

I have just been sat in the garden enjoying the sunshine and a question popped into my musings. What is the perfect video game? An interesting and very subjective question.

To start answering this question I went to Google, to see what its AI answer would be. I was a tiny bit surprised by the answer it gave me. The top three were:

• Super Mario World
• The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
• Elden Ring

I suppose the surprise omission would be Zelda: Ocarina Of Time. The highest rated game of all time, according to Metacritic. Although this has been open to debate recently. But surely it would have featured in the AI response.

Having not much to do today I asked the next question to Google. What makes the perfect video game? This is the answer it gave:

• Great control: the game reacts fast and feels good to play.
• Clear rules: you always know what to do or how to learn.
• No wasted time: levels or worlds are fun to explore from start to end.
• Good style: the art, music, and sound fit the world.

It all seems so obvious. Why aren’t all games following this simple premise?

One of my biggest complaints about one of the most successful games, GTA 5 is the shocking controls. I don’t know how other people feel about them, they must be doing something right with them as it’s so successful, but to me the two main staples of the game are driving and combat and its awful. It does however get the last three right very well.

With the advent of the Soulslike genre, the whole games industry wants to hide the rules and leave it up to you to find out what to do. Some games get it very right, like the two games mentioned, but so many get it oh so wrong. This kind of bleeds into the next heading of no wasted time.

Before I cover that, a bit more on clear rules. Back in the day, we had game manuals. They covered all the controls and also laid out what you need to get on and learn new techniques. Very few companies make the effort to even put stuff on the game website, it’s all YouTube. Watch someone else show you how to proceed. Doesn’t that kind of take the fun away?

Over the winter I got into Path Of Exile 2. I had a lot of fun with that game. To me it really hit the no wasted time. I know it’s not a massive open world like Breath Of The Wild but it was filled to the brim with enemies and bosses, and it was fun to explore.

In comparison, something like Assassin’s Creed’s open worlds are behemoths that become overwhelming with all the map icons. The opening world is normally pretty small and tight, and is fun to explore, but by the end of the game your just worn out. Time is a very precious commodity. We don’t want to waste it riding a horse with dodgy controls for 10 minutes, talk to a character, then wander 10 minutes back.

Good style. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 anyone? That got it pretty right but I think lots of games get this aspect right. There are loads of games where even a small snippet of the music or a bit of artwork can bring back memories. As I read the Google answer, my answer to good style was WipEout. That really blew it out the water. But the games that get it wrong are long forgotten.

There you go gamers, give that some thought and see what conclusions you draw up. Do you agree with Google AI? Should Metacritic be the authority?

By reader Dirtystopout

The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot.

Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you won’t need to send an email.

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Here is your round-up of the key cases that were heard before Northern Ireland courts during the week of August 10-14

Cases before the courts this week in Northern Ireland include a man who was sparred jail despite being convicted of causing life-changing injuries to his three-week-old daughter.

Another case saw a man being accused of knocking his partner unconscious with a frying pan during a “jealous rage” which formed part of an alleged five year campaign of domestic abuse.

A 50-year-old Co Down man who was convicted of a violent hammer attack was bailed from prison in order to spend time with his sick father. This was despite 27 previous breaches and reports of reoffending.

Here is your round-up of the key cases that were heard before Northern Ireland courts during the week of August 10-14.

Man allegedly used frying pan to knock partner unconscious in jealous rage

Prosecutors claimed Mindaugas Morkevicius, 39, left a woman bleeding heavily from a serious head injury inflicted during a drunken assault last month. He is also accused of previously scarring her with a knife as part of a five-year campaign of domestic violence.

Morkevicius, of The Old Mill in Killyleagh, remains in custody on charges of causing grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence. He faces three further counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and a domestic abuse offence.

Police were alerted after the woman attended a shop in the village on July 24, wounded and carrying her young child.

“She was covered in blood, the back of her head was matted and it was dripping out of her hair,” Crown counsel said. The woman claimed Morkevicius had been drinking spirits at home but became angry and jealous when she had to leave for work.

“It then escalated and the applicant hit her over the head with a frying pan, causing a large laceration to the back of her head and knocking her temporarily unconscious,” the prosecutor submitted.

Read the full story here

Man who caused ‘life-changing’ injuries to three-week old spared jail

The defendant, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his now eight-year-old daughter, was handed a sentence of two years and ten months which was suspended for four years. He appeared at Belfast Crown Court where he was sentenced by Judge Mark Reel for causing grievous bodily harm to his baby daughter.

The court heard that whilst he has accepted he was the sole carer of his 22-day-old daughter when she sustained the injuries, he not provided an explanation for how the harm was caused.

On the afternoon of December 30, 2017, the baby’s mother had gone to the hairdresser and left the child with her partner. When the mother left her house, the baby had been fed, changed, was sleeping and was due a feed at around 2pm.

She received a text from her partner saying the baby had not woken for her bottle and she replying by telling her partner to change the nappy at this usually woke the baby up.

The defendant then told his partner that the baby was breathing funny which prompted her to leave the hairdressers early and return home. When she got home, the baby was in her father’s arms and her eyes started fluttering and her lips were smacking.

Read the full story here

Accused who attacked man with hammer and wrecked bar bailed to see sick dad

A Co Down man awaiting sentence for attacking another man with a hammer and wrecking bar has been granted bail to allow him to spend time with his ailing father. The 50-year-old from Jubilee Park in Dromore has admitted charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent dating back to August4, 2024 and is due to be sentenced next month.

Objecting to McCourt’s release, Crown barrister Kate McKay spoke of 27 previous breaches of bail and re-offending whilst on bail. Saying alcohol appeared to be a “major issue”, Ms McKay said McCourt’s most recent arrest was in Belfast in May after he tried to get into parked vehicles and caused criminal damage whilst intoxicated.

When Judge Reel asked about the incident in August 2024, he was told by a Constable from the PSNI it was a “sustained assault” upon the injured man who said he was beaten with a hammer and wrecking bar in a house in Banbridge.

The police officer also revealed the injured party suffered “considerable injuries” and added: “He is now deceased – not as a result of his injuries but he did pass away in the interim, before the matter was dealt with by way of a plea from Mr McCourt.”

Read the full story here

Man who sought bail for John George search denied bid to holiday in Alicante

Last January Gerald Verner was denied a bail variation sought to enable him to travel to Spain to help in the search for murdered Belfast man John George, whose remains were subsequently discovered on the outskirts of Alicante.

The 37-year old former soldier was back in court today where the application to vary his bail to allow him to go on a four-day holiday with his partner was made and refused.

From Inverary Avenue in Belfast, Verner is facing a number of offences including firearms and drugs charges. Asking for a variation of his client’s bail at Belfast Crown Court, a solicitor told Judge Mark Reel that Verner’s partner had booked a four-day trip to Alicante.

Providing details of the flight plans and the hotel, Verner’s solicitor said dates for the holiday were this Friday to next Monday.

Opposing the application, a Crown barrister raised several concerns including a risk of further offending.

Read the full story here

Four men remanded over alleged £1.7million cocaine bust in Belfast

Brian McMullan, 34, Lee McKee, 26, Michael Moyes, 27, and Abdullah Hassan, 33, were arrested following transportations from a city centre apartment block to two waiting vehicles on Monday evening. All four men appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on charges including possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

An investigating detective said police observed the suspected handovers at locations close to a block of flats on McAuley Street. McMullan, of Madrid Street in Belfast, allegedly left the complex with a large bag before carrying out separate interactions with his co-accused in the neighbourhood.

It was claimed that Moyes, of Stanhope Street in the city, received a package containing five blocks of cocaine while he waited in a Renault Clio car.

Mullan also passed a further three blocks into a Mercedes van jointly occupied by McKee, of Alexandra Terrace in Crumlin, and Hassan, from St James’ Crescent in Belfast, according to police.

Read the full story here

Dad-of-seven who carried out sex act in Belfast city centre is jailed

Petru Guti will not be freed from custody as he is expected to be deported back to his home country. The 53-year-old, formerly of Runnymede Parade, in the Malone Road area of south Belfast, appeared at Belfast Crown Court via video link from custody for an arraIgnment hearing before Judge Mark Reel.

He faced two counts of committing a solo sex act which was of a “lewd and disgusting nature and outraged public decency” on August 6, 2025, in Bedford Street. When the charge was put to him by the court clerk through a Romanian interpreter, Guti replied: “Guilty.”

Following his guilty plea, prosecution lawyer David McNeill told the court that the second count of committing a lewd sex act the following day in the same street was being “left on the books in the usual terms”.

Read the full story here

Mum admits causing death of 8-week-old son and attempted murder of daughter

A 34-year-old woman wept in the dock of Belfast Crown Court today (Thursday), where she admitted causing the death of her baby son and attempting to murder her daughter. The woman, who can’t be named due to a reporting restriction, will be sentenced for the two offences later this month.

She stood trial in 2023 on charges of murdering her eight-week-old son and attempting to murder his two-year-old sister. Both children sustained stab wounds inflicted by their mother in their home on July 27, 2021.

They were rushed to the Accident and Emergency department at the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children. Whilst the young girl was successfully treated for a stab wound to her chest, her baby brother was pronounced dead at 9pm.

At the conclusion of the trial in March 2023, the woman was convicted by a jury on both charges, and the following month, she was handed a minimum 20-year sentence.

Read the full story here

Woman burgled house and dressed up in the owner’s clothes, court told

Angel-Louise Horner, 20, of Fairview Park, Articlave in Coleraine, has been in custody on charges of burglary, attempted theft, criminal damage and failing to provide a specimen.

Belfast Crown Court heard that on August 31, 2025, police received a report at 10.45am from the owner of a house on the Kilraughts Road in Ballymoney who said that when she arrived home she found a female in her property.

“The female was in the woman’s downstairs bathroom. Police arrived and spoke to the homeowner who said the female had entered the property through an upstairs bathroom and caused the room to flood,” said prosecution barrister Daniel McCarthy.

“This damaged the floorboards and brought down the ceiling in the kitchen below. The injured party told police the female was wearing the homeowner’s clothes and she found a number of her own belongings in an empty handbag.”

The attempted theft charge related to a vehicle log book, keys, costume jewellery and tobacco found in the handbag.

Read the full story here

Man breached Sexual Offences Prevention Order just days after release

A Co Fermanagh man who breached the terms of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order just days after being released from prison has been handed another custodial sentence. As he imposed a 12-month term upon Emmet Ryan Rice, which was divided equally between custody and licence, Judge Brian Sherrard warned that repeated breaches of court orders would lead to longer prison sentences.

Dungannon Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard that Rice was made the subject of a five-year SOPO imposed at Enniskillen Magistrates Court in October 2022.

The 28-year old breached that court order twice last December by having contact with both the mother of a victim of his previous offending and a vulnerable adult.

Police called to Rice’s address at Main Street in Maguiresbridge on December 8, 2025 to investigate claims there had been associations and interactions with a vulnerable female at the start of that month. Whilst at the flat, the mother of a victim of Rice’s was in the property with him.

Read the full story here

Man breached bail by drinking after woman fell off his boat and drowned

Craig Mark David Price, 37, of Ballybeen Square in Dundonald, is currently awaiting trial next month on charges of non-fatal strangulation or asphyxiation and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. He is further accused, and denies, a domestic abuse offence and threats to damage property.

Belfast Crown Court heard Price is awaiting sentence after pleading guilty to common assault and threatening and abusive behaviour to his ex-partner.

In relation to charges which Price is to stand trial on at Downpatrick Crown on September 28, 2026, prosecution barrister Breige Gilmore said there was an incident on January 1, 2025 in relation to the same female. She said Radius Housing informed police that there had been an activation of a domestic violence alarm relating to Price’s ex-partner.

“Once the alarm is activated it starts to record and operators said they could hear a male person threatening the injured party,” outlined Ms Gilmore.

“They heard the male say: ‘You’re going to get a bullet in the head’.”

Read the full story here

Man who admitted offences aggravated by domestic abuse gets Probation Order

Vincent Brian Francis Kane, who is 24 and from McArthur Avenue in Ballymoney, was told his offending “smacks of immature entitlement.” Dungannon Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard all the offences committed last August were aggravated by way of involving domestic abuse.

At 9am on Saturday August 30, 2025 the injured party, who at the time was Kane’s girlfriend of around two weeks, called police from her bedroom requesting Kane be removed from her property.

When officers arrived a short time later, Kane had left but they were informed he had broken into the property via a first-floor window and that the female occupant was frightened of him due to previous violence.

In a further statement, the injured party said she had entered into a relationship with Kane around the second week of August. She spoke of a number of different incidents before she called the PSNI to her home on August 30.

Kane subsequently pleaded guilty to a total of five offences he committed between August 14 and 30 – namely criminal damage, three counts of common assault and one count of domestic abuse.

Read the full story here

Chloe Mitchell’s family welcome judge’s push for murder trial to be listed

The family of Chloe Mitchell have welcomed a judge’s statement that he wants the trial of a man accused of murdering the Co Antrim woman to be listed “as soon as possible”. In a statement, Ms Mitchell’s family described it as a “big step forward”.

A barrister told Belfast Crown Court that the trial is expected to take four to five weeks. The case was mentioned on Friday, where legal teams discussed ongoing psychiatric evaluations of the accused, Brandon John Rainey.

Ms Mitchell, 21, was found dead in Ballymena, Co Antrim, days after going missing in June 2023.

Rainey, 29, formerly of James Street in Ballymena, has been charged with murdering Ms Mitchell and attempting to prevent the burial of her body. He pleaded not guilty to those charges at a hearing in 2024.

Proceedings in the case had already been delayed in March this year when Rainey parted company with his legal representatives.

Read the full story here

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Islam Makhachev retained the UFC welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry on Saturday, and the victory marked a major piece of history.

As Makhachev outpointed the divisive Irish star in the main event of UFC 330, he reached a record-breaking 17th consecutive win in the promotion.

In doing so, he went clear of the legendary Anderson Silva, although there were moments when victory looked far from assured.

Makhachev, the UFC’s pound-for-pound No 1 fighter, was largely able to avoid tense striking exchanges with Machado Garry in the first two rounds, using his supreme wrestling to control the challenger.

In fact, Makhachev surprisingly dropped Machado Garry with a head kick in round two, as the pair separated after a spell of wrestling against the fence.

But Machado Garry, 28, bounced back well to deny Makhachev, 34, a takedown in round three and seemingly steal the frame with some varied striking late on. What ensued was a crucial round, which Makhachev appeared to win as he was able to take down Machado Garry again, despite looking exhausted throughout.

Machado Garry did manage to damage Makhachev with close-range strikes while defending the Russian’s grappling, but it was not enough to win him the necessary rounds.

The scorecards ultimately read 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 in Makhachev’s favour. With that, his first defence at welterweight was successful, after his record-breaking four defences at lightweight, where he outdid his childhood friend Khabib Nurmagomedov.

“Ian is a great fighter, he gave me a hard time, but I prove [myself] every fight,” Makhachev told Joe Rogan in the cage after the fight in Philadelphia, where the fans were vocally anti-Machado Garry.

“Oh, let’s see [if it’s the most-difficult fight I’ve had]. Maybe the first one in Australia [against Alexander Volkanovski], it was also very hard.

“I feel the guys have more power [at 170lb], very hard to submit them, but still my game is working. I take down all my opponents and give them a hard time there.”

“Nothing surprised me,” Machado Garry added. “I have nothing but respect for Islam.

“I believed in my heart and in my soul I was better than him tonight; he won, I have no complaints, no excuses. This was the best camp of my life.

“I love my wife, my little boy, I fight to make them happy. I’m 28 years of age, I have a decade of domination in this sport [ahead]. This man won today, that’s okay. I’m as f***ing bulletproof as I could be up here [mentally].

“To all the fans that doubt me, I’ll be back. I don’t need any of you, so go f*** yourselves!”

In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern retained the women’s strawweight title, outpointing Gillian Robertson.

By DOLLY BUSBY, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER

Published: 22:07 BST, 15 August 2026 | Updated: 05:45 BST, 16 August 2026

If you’re trying to piece together who will be the next James Bond, there are plenty of clues – they just all point to different actors.

The true answer to the conundrum may be imminent, however, as The Mail on Sunday can confirm the final round of auditions is taking place this month.

The spy franchise’s casting director, Nina Gold, is said to be whittling down the shortlist of would-be 007s in London.

While the names are shrouded in secrecy, sources have claimed the number of actors in the running is between ‘five to seven’ at this late stage. 

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Top contenders are said to include Master Of The Air star Callum Turner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson of Marvel fame, Bridgerton‘s Jonathan Bailey and – most recently – Slow Horses’ Jack Lowden.

But could a flurry of sponsorship deals offer fans vital leads as to who will replace Daniel Craig in the tuxedo? Several of the actors named in connection to the role have taken on deals to front brands associated with 007.

Experts say the deal British actor Turner, 36 – who wed pop star Dua Lipa this summer – signed to front the spy’s preferred whisky, Johnnie Walker, is a hint. In the last Bond film, 2021’s No Time To Die, a bottle of Johnnie Walker was visible in the spy’s Jamaican villa.

Meanwhile, Taylor-Johnson has recently become global ambassador for Omega, the watchmaker whose time-pieces have appeared in nine Bond films. And Bailey has signed a deal with Martini, the tipple 007 orders shaken not stirred.

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Media expert, Mark Borkowski, told The Mail on Sunday: ‘What we’re seeing is a string of calculated PR moves. None of these brands have signed the actors by accident, they know they could be the future 007.

Join the discussion

Should brands influence who becomes the next James Bond or should casting be purely about talent?

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Experts say the deal British actor Turner, 36 – who wed pop star Dua Lipa this summer – signed to front the spy’s preferred whisky, Johnnie Walker, is a hint

Jonathan Bailey has signed a deal with Martini, the tipple 007 orders shaken not stirred

Aaron Taylor-Johnson has recently become global ambassador for Omega, the watchmaker whose time-pieces have appeared in nine Bond films

Jack Lowden of Slow Horses’ is also said to be a top contender for the role

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‘The question of who might be the next Bond creates massive speculation, and betting is always hot, but if you are a brand and you have managed to do a deal with a potential Bond, and that Bond gets chosen, it’s quids in. It’s a punt for companies but if they get it right, Christmas has come early.

‘As for the actors, they get visibility and are seen to fit the bill which entices directors towards them. Casting directors don’t have to picture them in the role anymore, it’s right there for them.’

One Bond hopeful who may have dented his chances is Lowden, 36. The Slow Horses star fronted an ad campaign for Mini Cooper last summer – a marque some way removed from 007’s Aston Martin.

The next Bond is expected to be confirmed by the end of the year, which would allow Amazon MGM, which now controls the Bond franchise, to start filming the next movie in 2027. Confirming that the audition process was reaching an end, Bond producer Amy Pascal has said: ‘I would say the end of the year is a good bet.’

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Casting director Ms Gold is understood to have been meeting with candidates since June. Other names in the mix include Happy Valley star James Norton, Spider-Man actor Tom Holland and The Gentlemen’s Theo James.

Operation Coronation was launched last May on the Thornbank Estate off Deane Road in Deane after repeated reports of drug crime and vulnerable people being exploited.

Police say that by working with Bolton Council and housing provider Be One Homes, they have cut crime by nearly 30 per cent and incidents by nearly half.

Sergeant Oliver Cooper from Greater Manchester Police’s Neighbourhood Team in Bolton said: “This operation has been significant in increasing public confidence and safety.

“Ensuring people feel safe amongst their own homes and communities is the main focus of neighbourhood policing, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see the impact this operation has had for residents and overall community well-being.

The policing team on the estate (Image: GMP)

“I’m truly proud of my officers and teams for the immense work they’ve put in for this operation.

“Their commitment and dedication to this work has had visible results and had an extremely positive impact amongst the public.

“The operation has transformed a high-demand estate, protected vulnerable people, disrupted crime, and most importantly, delivered meaningful and lasting change.”

The operation was rounded off this week (Image: GMP)

There were two closure orders for flats in the area that were linked to crimes and drugs, while another three were closed through tenancy action or voluntary surrender.

The operation was rounded off this week with the opening of a new UCAN centre.

Bolton Council Leader Cllr Akhtar Zaman said: “This is a great example of partnership working to ensure residents of the Thornbank Estate can live in a safe and secure community that they can be proud of.

Officers helping clean up the estate (Image: GMP)

“The success of Operation Coronation lies in the right mix of engagement and cooperation while also taking tough direct action where necessary.

“The support available at the UCAN centre will ensure this positive work will continue into the future.”

Officers say they hope the opening of the UCAN centre will mark the end of Operation Coronation but the start of a new initiative to have a base of operations in the community.

Officers helped clear up the estate (Image: GMP)

Visiting the new centre earlier in the week, Cllr Ayyub Patel, of Rumworth, said: “The new UCAN hub will make a tangible difference to people’s lives.

“It brings support directly onto the estate, meaning residents no longer have to travel or struggle to access help with housing, money matters, employment, wellbeing, or community development.

“For many families, having this support on their doorstep is the difference between coping and falling behind.”

The operation focused on the Thornbank Estate (Image: GMP)

Police say their work disrupted organised crime, displaced suspects, and created a safer and more welcoming area for residents.

Stop searches have also increased since previous years, highlighting a proactive approach to tackling crime while arrests increased mid-operation, and have since decreased.

Officers say this shows how they have cut crime on the estate and moved to a more preventative approach.

A special day was held to mark the end of the operation (Image: Public)

Be One Homes enforcement manager Gemma Hotchkiss said: “We’re committed to working in partnership to address antisocial behaviour and improve the quality of life for our residents.

“The progress made through Operation Coronation shows what can be achieved when organisations work together, alongside residents, to tackle issues that matter to local communities.

“We’ll continue to support residents and work closely with Greater Manchester Police and Bolton Council to ensure neighbourhoods remain safe and welcoming places to live.”

The Miami Marine Stadium, considered a masterpiece of midcentury Brutalist architecture with its massive cantilevered roof and a stunning view of the city, opened in 1963 as the nation’s only race venue for powerboats, a major symbol of South Florida.

The historic gem designed by a Cuban refugee was the backdrop of Elvis Presley’s 1967 film “Clambake” and a beloved venue of Gloria Estefan and the late Jimmy Buffett, who performed on a movable, floating stage.

But since closing in 1992 after suffering serious damage during Hurricane Andrew, the 6,500-seat venue has fallen into disarray and today is fenced off and covered in graffiti despite being listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

On Tuesday, voters will decide whether to allow the city to partner with a private company to return the unique stadium situated on Virginia Key across the water from downtown Miami to its former glory.

President Richard Nixon and Sammy Davis Jr. appeared together at the stadium during a 1972 campaign rally to support Nixon’s reelection bid. And residents would gather for Easter sunrise services, as well as celebrate Our Lady of Charity, a representation of the Virgin Mary honored by many Cubans and Cuban Americans.

“It encapsulated a time period in Miami that’s incredibly unique with an incredible story that touches all Miamians,” Miami Commissioner Damian Pardo said. “So this is really a place that connects with Miami at a very deep and personal level.”

The stadium has a rich history in Miami

Hilario Candela was in his late 20s and a recent refugee from the Cuban Revolution when he designed the structure. He spent decades designing buildings around Miami and led community efforts to restore the marine stadium until his death in 2022.

When it was added to the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places in 2018, then-Secretary of State Ken Detzner called the stadium “one of the state of Florida’s most unique architectural and historic resources,” and “an ambitious example of mid-century Modernist architecture” that represented the “multi-cultural influences evolving in the city of Miami during the 1960s.”

The year before his 2023 passing, Buffett wrote a letter to Miami officials, urging them to save the “little cathedral of musical fun.” The Mayor of Margaritaville described a 1985 concert at the marine stadium that ended with him jumping off the floating stage into the surrounding water, joining cheering swimmers and boaters.

“Those were the ‘Miami Vice’ days, and Don Johnson introduced us,” Buffett wrote of the actor in the popular 1980s television crime drama. “WITCO Desperadoes from Trinidad opened the show, and the Coral Reefer Band finished the night with what I think was one of the most fun shows, for band and fans, that I have ever done.”

Buffett’s daughter, Savannah, continues to work with Restore Miami Marine Stadium. The group’s co-founder, Donald Worth, began a mission to save the stadium in 2008, shortly after city officials at the time announced plans to tear it down.

“The architecture gives it the wow, the history gives it its soul,” Worth said. “It’s just a special, magical place, and so many people in Miami have had such memorable experiences there.”

Voters will help decide the stadium’s future

Breakwater Hospitality Group co-founder Emi Guerra, who’s working with the company selected to partner with the city, said the stadium’s view of the city skyline and its location right off Biscayne Bay could make it an entertainment destination that rivals Denver’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre, an open-air venue built into the side of a mountain.

“There’s just something here that can’t be duplicated, and that’s the view,” Guerra said of the marine stadium.

Guerra said he can understand the cynicism felt by some voters, but he points out that this isn’t a developer land grab to build more condos. The city of Miami will retain complete ownership of the stadium and surrounding area, and the management company will be stewards of the city’s vision, Guerra said.

“When it’s something that’s historic, you have two options: restore it or let it rot,” Guerra said.

Ernesto Cuesta, head of the Brickell Homeowners Association, sees another option.

He said the group supports the preservation of a historical landmark, but members are worried about how noise and traffic from a large-scale event space will affect residents across the bay and nearby wildlife. He said he’d prefer a park with more green spaces.

Restoration plans aim to honor the stadium’s past

Despite sitting unused for more than three decades, multiple studies have shown that the stadium remains structurally safe.

Project architect Richard Heisenbottle, who has previously worked to restore other Miami landmarks, said he hopes reviving the marine stadium will honor its original architect.

He said renovations will have to include modern amenities and accessibility requirements, but the galvanized steel rebar used to reinforce the concrete during its original construction has protected the stadium from serious deterioration. Completed construction documents for the restorations have already been permitted by the city of Miami, he said.

Miami Commissioner Pardo said a significant hurdle to reopening the stadium previously has been the city government simply not having the capacity to properly run a major event space.

The referendum going before Miami voters on Tuesday would allow the city to enter into a management agreement.

The private company would develop the stadium’s large parking area into a flex park that includes public recreational facilities and a special events space. The city would collect revenue from events to fund the stadium repairs and upgrades, while paying the company a management fee. The total cost of the project hasn’t been determined, but Pardo insisted it will not be borne by taxpayers at all.

“It’s the right time to finally do this,” Pardo said.

Hedgehogs are a beloved symbol of British wildlife and are often welcomed into gardens for their natural pest control abilities — here’s how to encourage them with two simple household items

Many people adore hedgehogs for their endearing appearance, placid temperament and standing as an iconic emblem of British wildlife, with the overwhelming majority of gardeners warmly welcoming them into their outdoor spaces. Long regarded as “the gardener’s friend,” these prickly creatures are highly coveted visitors owing to the natural, environmentally friendly pest control they provide.

Summer tends to be an especially hectic period for hedgehogs as they forage for food, protect their territory and build up reserves ahead of the colder months to come. With this in mind, Hampshire-based Fareham Borough Council has outlined a number of ways you can support hedgehogs during summer and entice them to pay your garden a visit.

Leave out food

The first recommendation is to leave out food. Suitable options include dry cat or dog food, or specialist hedgehog food, which is particularly ideal.

However, the council cautioned against fish-based food, as hedgehogs possess an exceptionally keen sense of smell and experts note they are frequently deterred by the powerful odour of fish.

Fish protein also passes through a hedgehog’s short digestive system remarkably rapidly and, while not harmful, can result in noticeably pungent, fishy-smelling droppings.

The council further advises never to offer hedgehogs milk. Hedgehogs are severely lactose intolerant, lacking the enzyme required to process lactose, meaning that consuming milk triggers acute stomach cramps and severe diarrhoea.

For a small mammal, rapid fluid loss resulting from diarrhoea can cause severe dehydration, which frequently proves fatal.

Provide fresh water

Rather than milk, the council advises leaving out a shallow dish of clean water, which “can be a lifeline” to hedgehogs during warm weather.

Specialists recommend positioning the water bowl close to their food source, particularly during hot summer nights or prolonged dry periods.

Check before you trim or mow your lawn

The post urged people to thoroughly inspect long grass, shrubs and undergrowth prior to operating any garden machinery.

Hedgehogs do not flee from danger; instead, they curl into a tight ball. This instinctive defence mechanism renders them entirely vulnerable to rotating metal blades and nylon lines, resulting in severe, frequently fatal lacerations and wounds.

Given that hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, they spend daylight hours sleeping in precisely the spots people tend to want to clear — such as long grass, dense undergrowth, bramble patches and beneath hedgerows.

Water plants wisely

Watering plants thoughtfully helps maintain moist soil so that earthworms, beetles and insects remain active near the surface. This provides foraging hedgehogs with a crucial food supply during dry spells, when hardened ground makes hunting particularly challenging.

It also serves as a useful reminder to top up any shallow water dishes positioned around the garden.

Prince Harry wants to visit Britain ‘every few months’ over the next year after his reunion with King Charles last month, according to sources close to him.

The Duke of Sussex, 41, is set to return ‘more and more’ to the UK following his visit last month that left him ‘buoyed’, ‘very happy’ and ‘really energised’.

Harry will return in September for around a week, when he will take on a series of engagements for the Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham next summer, and WellChild, the charity supporting seriously ill children.

It has not yet been decided whether the Duchess of Sussex, 45, or their children Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, will join Harry next month.

During their visit to the UK last month, King Charles secretly hosted Harry, Meghan and their two children at Highgrove in a long-awaited meeting.

Queen Camilla, 79, was also present at the Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire when father and son exchanged words in what was the first public in-person meeting in four years. 

Charles had not seen his youngest grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, since 2022, when they were just three and one. 

Meghan posted a photograph online of Harry and their children in Althorp’s gardens carrying bouquets of flowers. They were believed to be making their way to lay the blooms at Diana’s grave.

King Charles and Queen Camilla secretly hosted Harry, Meghan and their two children at Highgrove in July 

Prince Harry pictured with Meghan and their children Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five

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It is understood Harry wants to spend more time in the UK so he can see his father and wider family more often, and as he feels he can support his UK-based charities with more in-person meetings. 

A source close to Harry told The Times: ‘The template for his visits has been working well, so the frequency of trips will increase, especially in the run-up to Invictus which he’s determined to make the best games yet. So he’ll be coming back and forth a lot more, every few months.

‘The way the wind is blowing, he’s going to want to be here more and more. He’s happy these trips can now have more focus on the patronages and be less obscured by the other nonsense. 

‘He wants more of a foothold here, more trips back, less courtroom drama. And he always loves seeing his family.’

It is not known whether the King and Harry will meet when the latter returns next month, as Charles is expected to be at Balmoral in Scotland on his summer break

Sources claim that no decision has been made on whether Harry will reside at Buckingham Palace during the visit.

Harry is also understood to be hoping to return to Ukraine in the coming months, having visited the war-torn country twice in the past two years. 

Earlier this month it was reported that Harry is believed to want his father to stand alongside him at next summer’s Invictus Games.

King Charles has reportedly received an olive branch from his son in the form of an invitation to the multi-sport event, held in Birmingham.

One source told the Mirror: ‘Next year is a big deal for Harry. He is determined the Birmingham Games will be the best ever. It would mean the world to him to have his father there.’

Harry and Meghan, who quit as senior royals in 2020 and moved to California, have also recently spoken about their wish to introduce their children to their British roots.

During a visit to Warwickshire last month, Harry said: ‘I love being here, this is the highlight of my month. 

‘Actually probably the last few months. It’s very easy to sit in your grief, to sit in your stress but, guys, if you are feeling it, share it.’

Pregnant Anne Hathaway stepped out to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event on Friday wearing another one-of-a-kind ensemble that will surely provide fodder for the fashion critics.

Hathaway, 43, who announced she was expecting her third child in June, was draped in a glaringly red, ribbed halter dress with an asymmetrical ruffled hemline.

Underneath this eye-catching garment were a pair of wide-legged, cream-colored slacks that gave off some neutral relief.

Hathaway wore her long hair bundled in a top knot with side-swept curly bangs.

Her surprise appearance at Friday’s function in Anaheim, California was made in part to accept her induction as an official Disney Legend, but also to provide fans with news that production on The Princess Diaries 3 is moving forward.

However, Julie Andrews recently confirmed she will not be in it after announcing her retirement from acting.

The actress’ glaringly red halter dress with asymmetrical ruffles and wide-legged, cream-colored slacks will surely provide more fodder for the fashion critics

The massive, multi-day event is held every two years in anticipation of new releases, and headliners at this year’s celebration also included Kristen Bell, Josh Gad and Idina Menzel for Frozen 3; Robert Downey Jr and Chris Evans for Marvel projects; Queen Latifah and Denis Leary for Ice Age: Boiling Point; and the Jonas Brothers who were promoting Camp Rock.

But Hathaway and her protruding baby bump were hands down the star attraction.

Fans didn’t take kindly to the ‘ridiculous’ maternity outfit she wore while attending the Los Angeles premiere of her new film The End of Oak Street.

On that occasion, The Devil Wears Prada star was clothed in a sleeveless, baby-blue, red satin-lined cutaway top that showed off her growing bump in all its glory.

She paired the creation with wide-legged jeans and pointed red heels.

Celebrity watchers were quick to share their thoughts on social media and not all of them were favorable, with one expressing that the red-carpet get-up ‘looks ridiculous.’

‘It’s awful. She’s too pretty for this to happen,’ another opined.

‘Please let me UNSEE this,’ someone else begged.

One fan jotted down, ‘This one is so wrong sorry,’ as another fan let fly, ‘Jeans? JEANS?! That dazzling top deserves a better companion,’ while an X user commented, ‘The jeans make it worse.’

Hathaway’s surprise appearance at the Anaheim, California function was made in part to accept her induction as an official Disney Legend; pictured with Dana Walden, President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company

The Oscar winner was clearly thrilled to be the center of attention; pictured with Josh D’Amaro, CEO of The Walk Disney Company

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Hathaway told the crowd that production on The Princess Diaries 3 is actively moving forward

Over on Instagram, a fan sympathetically wrote, ‘I love her. I do not understand why her stylist did this to her.’

‘Ya no to her outfit,’ one penned, and another vented, ‘That’s very tacky.’

An Instagram follower chimed in, ‘Unflattering styling for a beautiful pregnant woman,’ and another said, ‘love her – outfit just No.’

Other fans were more flattering with one sharing on X, ‘She looks radiant…,’ as well as, ‘Anne hathaway [sic] at a world premiere is always a win, she looks stunning.’

Jersey Shore alum JWoww got in her two cents via Instagram, ‘I love her so much omg.’

Meanwhile, Hathaway knows if she’s having a boy or a girl, but she won’t be telling anyone else, as she revealed during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday night.

Guest host Anthony Anderson questioned her about the tot’s gender, saying: ‘I consider myself to be a baby whisperer. Now, this is my first time seeing you pregnant and what not. It looks like it’s a boy. Am I correct, or you’re waiting?’ 

‘We know [but] we’re not saying,’ Hathaway replied with a smile.

The star’s choice to show off her growing baby bump in midriff-revealing looks has sparked noisy online backlash; pictured left on August 9 and pictured right on August 10

Julie Andrews recently announced her retirement from acting and confirmed she won’t be returning for Princess Diary 3

The audience met the news with cheers, to which the actress admitted she always ‘feels bad’ for not revealing the baby’s sex when asked.

‘It always feels so rude saying that,’ she admitted.

The baby will be the third child for Hathaway and husband Adam Shulman, who are already parents to Jonathan, 10, and Jack, six.

The star did say that her older kids are more than a little excited to be getting another sibling: ‘[They’re] over the moon. It feels really beautiful. It feels like the family’s having a baby. I mean, it’ll feel like I’m having a baby while it’s happening, but the emotional feeling is that we’re all going to welcome this little one.’