Texas Attorney General and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton claimed on Friday he secured a “major victory” in a lawsuit from the state over an LGBTQ+ pool party — even though the suit has been dropped without any apparent changes on the ground.
Last Thursday, Texas sued the city of Denton, located outside of Dallas-Fort Worth, over the planned rental of its Civic Center Pool for a private “Big Gay Swim Day” event. Paxton’s office alleged that city officials hadn’t done enough to ensure event organizers complied with state law barring gender-neutral changing rooms.
By the following week, however, the city and state had agreed to dismiss the suit, with Denton saying it hadn’t made any changes because it was already following the law in regards to sex-segregated spaces. Paxton nonetheless framed this outcome as a significant win.
“This is a major victory for the privacy and safety of women and children,” Paxton said in a statement on Friday. “The City of Denton has now agreed to follow the law and ensure that men are not allowed in women’s and girl’s changing areas. I will continue to ensure that every government entity in Texas complies with our laws protecting women and children.”
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The city of Denton, as well as the groups organizing the event, PRIDENTON and OUTreach Denton, said they were already complying with state bathroom rules before Paxton got involved.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton claimed to score a ‘major victory’ in a lawsuit over an LGBTQ+ pool party, even though the suit was dropped (Getty)
“The City of Denton has consistently maintained compliance with state law regarding the upcoming private rental of the Civic Center Pool by PRIDENTON,” Denton’s interim director of marketing and communications, Kayla Herrod, wrote in a statement on Friday. “Because the conditions sought by the Texas Office of the Attorney General reflected measures the City had proactively implemented before the lawsuit, the Denton City Council agreed to terms that were already in place to secure the dismissal of the lawsuit and avoid the unnecessary use of taxpayer resources on continued legal action.”
An exhibit in the lawsuit, dated May 21, noted that city rental policy already required keep all existing bathroom signage in place, and Herrod said city officials also met with the event planners to “communicate Denton’s requirements prohibiting both the covering or alteration of existing signs and the creation of gender-neutral changing areas.”
The Independent has contacted Paxton’s office,PRIDENTON and OUTreach Denton for comment.
The groups previously condemned the suit, writing in a joint statement on Monday that it was a “frivolous” attack and “waste of taxpayers’ time and money.”
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Paxton is running for U.S. Senate with Donald Trump’s endorsement (Reuters)
The groups said they were informed by city officials on May 21 that they were not permitted to have all-gender bathrooms as a result of Texas’s SB8 law. As a result, they struck any language about such facilities from posts and advertisements about the event, the groups said.
The organizers nonetheless argued the law is vague and “gives license to harass and surveil any person who does not present or conform within the narrow limitations of an oppressive gender binary.”
Denton‘s Big Gay Swim Day has taken place since 2022, and organizers wrote on social media that the party is “a beautiful event where invited community members can swim, dance, and exist without fear of judgement or harassment.”
Resident Evil Requiem – Capcom is certainly on a roll (Capcom)
Following major announcements for Resident Evil and Monster Hunter at Summer Game Fest, a reader explains why he thinks Capcom is doing so well at the moment.
I’ve just finished watching this year’s Summer Game Fest and the biggest takeaway I have is that Capcom’s run is not slowing down. They opened the show with Resident Evil Veronica and even by the end I think it was the most exciting thing shown. It wasn’t a bad show, with lots of interesting games, but thanks to leaks there were not many surprises and nothing was shown for long enough to really get a feel for it.
A remake of Code: Veronica leaked as well but nobody knew what it was going to be like, so it didn’t really matter. I didn’t even realise that’s what the trailer was for until they said the name Claire Redfield. I should’ve guessed though, not just because of the clues but the fact that their graphics have a certain look to them.
Even though Code: Veronica is a tricky game to remake, since it’s got lots of bits taken from the other games, I’m sure they’ll do a great job, given they’re not only on fire in general at the moment but doubly so when it comes to Resident Evil.
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Before I go any further, I’m well aware that companies are not your friend and the only thing Capcom is interested in is money. But there’s clearly a world of difference between how they make that money and someone like EA or Activision or even Xbox. Capcom’s current evil plan for world domination is to… make high quality games, give gamers what they want, and experiment with new IP. Also, they haven’t laid off anyone in any great number, as far as I’m aware.
The plan is working better than they could ever have imagined and everyone is rushing to copy them. Oh no, wait… nobody is copying them at all. Well, that’s not quite true. Quite a few companies have got into remakes, because Capcom’s Resident Evil ones have been so successful. But things like Dead Space haven’t been as successful because the original game wasn’t as beloved and EA seemed to have expected it to sell a billion copies.
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When it didn’t they instantly lost interest and that was it. Needless to say, they didn’t suddenly try making new IP or put a new emphasis on quality, but they did start laying people off for no particular reason.
It’s been obvious for a while now that Japanese publishers are handling the current gen very different to American companies, but I don’t think any publisher, including Nintendo, has had such an obvious focus on quality. Capcom aren’t magic, as they’ve had problems with Monster Hunter Wilds and personally I didn’t particularly like Dragon’s Dogma 2 much, but in this case I think it really is the thought that counts.
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Capcom has realised they can make more money if their games are good, which you’d think was so obvious it’s pointless to say but I don’t think it’s obvious to some of these companies, especially the Americans one, at all. What do you think Activision started blaming when Call Of Duty sells started to drop?
All sorts of complicated excuses I expect, about targeting demographics and fine-tuning microtransaction prices. I’ll bet you anything no one just said, ‘Maybe we should just make sure the next one is good?
Unlike Capcom, I don’t think Nintendo is having a particularly good run at the moment, but their entire existence is down to one thing: they make good games. And no matter what happens in gaming, including them making dumb decisions or having dud consoles, that always ensures they survive.
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But the thing that really separates Capcom from Nintendo is that Capcom is much more interested in trying out new IP and not caring if it doesn’t work out. Dragon’s Dogma, Exoprimal, Kunitsu-Gami: Path Of The Goddess, Pragmata… only two of those were hits and yet they keep trying, whereas the only big budget new IP Nintendo has put out in the last generations is Splatoon.
Capcom is also a lot less nervous about bringing back old franchises that might not be popular. It takes Nintendo (or Sega or Bandai Namco, I’m not trying to single Nintendo out here but to me they’re the next closest to Capcom) ages to get around to bringing back an old series and when they do they make such a song and dance about it. Most companies would never bring back Onimusha, but Capcom is just getting on with it and doing it.
I don’t mean to glaze a company, and they’ll probably immediately prove me wrong and do something horrible now (I’m already worried about their attitude to AI) but this isn’t really about Capcom it’s about the idea that the best way to make money in gaming is to… make good games.
That’s been made to seem like a naïve and simplistic point of view, but Capcom is showing that it’s just good business sense.
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By reader Monson
Pragmata was quite a risk (Capcom)
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.
Employers are being urged to implement clear policies on staff time off, sickness absence, and flexible working as the World Cup approaches.
The conciliation service Acas has advised businesses to consider a more adaptable approach to allowing employees time off during the football tournament, which is set to kick off next Thursday.
Acas head of workplace advice Susan McGuigan said: “The World Cup is an exciting event for many football fans but staff should avoid getting a red card for unreasonable demands or behaviour in the workplace during this period.
“Many organisations need to maintain a certain staffing level to operate effectively. Bosses should have a set of simple workplace agreements in place before kick-off to help ensure their businesses remain productive whilst keeping staff on side too.”
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The World Cup takes place in Canada, Mexico and the USA between 11 June and 19 July.
Due to the time difference, match kick-offs in the UK will vary between 5pm and 5am, and Acas said workers may also be keen to watch or listen to the pre-match build-up.
The World Cup takes place in Canada, Mexico and the USA between 11 June and 19 JulY (Local Library)
Acas said employers may want to remind staff their sickness and attendance policies still apply during the World Cup.
Any unauthorised absence, patterns of absence or late attendance are likely to be investigated and could result in formal proceedings.
One option is to have a more flexible working day, Acas said, allowing employees to start later or finish earlier and agree to make up the time.
The two-day Tractor Fest roared into action at Newby Hall near Ripon today, Saturday, and continues tomorrow, Sunday, June 7.
Thousands flock to Tractor Fest at Newby Hall, Ripon. (Image: Submitted)
More than 3,000 exhibits are on display, with the show drawing exhibitors and enthusiasts from across the country. The annual fixture usually attracts more than 12,000 visitors each year.
The annual Tractor Fest usually attracts more than 12,000 visitors. (Image: Submitted)
Vintage and modern tractor marques are showcased alongside cars, lorries, stationary engines, commercial vehicles and motorcycles, creating one of the most extensive collections of agricultural and mechanical heritage in the UK.
One of the featured themes for 2026 is machinery made in Scotland, 80 years of Zetor tractors – a Czech manufacturer known for its durable and practical models – and motor rollers.
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A variety of machinery was on display at Tractor Fest 2026 at Newby Hall . (Image: Submitted)
Tractor Fest is organised by the Yorkshire Vintage Association (YVA) whose chairman Kevin Watson said: “The damp weather this morning did little to dent the enthusiasm of our exhibitors and visitors who join us at the show from as far afield as Scotland and Cornwall.
“Tomorrow’s weather is looking altogether brighter, and we hope to have a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota aircraft, so we hope visitors will join us for our biggest show yet.”
Among the highlights is the Zetor 6748, featured in the long-running TV series Emmerdale, which is on display at the event.
The celebrity vehicle is now owned by Mark Nicholson, chairman of the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club’s West Yorkshire Group and a committee member for Tractor Fest.
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Visitors can also expect a host of entertainment, crafts and food and drink stalls as well as a large variety of trade stands, offering everything from autojumble to sweets and clothes while they can also explore the award-winning gardens at Newby Hall.
Tractor Fest organisers are expecting strong visitor numbers throughout the weekend.
Get ready for a new week (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Venus moves into Leo this week which, alongside Gemini season’s playful flirtiness, makes for one heck of a ‘relationship week’.
It’s all about attention, right? Whether you’re single or attached. We all crave to be seen — and love to see others too, no matter our age or status.
We are social animals, we feel attraction strongly, we enjoy mingling and looking and being looked at.
So, this week, be out and about, be busy, be social. You might be falling (deeper) in love. Let’s see what the tarot predicts for your relationship realm this week ahead
Or, 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
Batten down the hatches and regroup this week (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Aries for this week: The Hermit
Meaning: Venus in Leo and Gemini season are both ‘attention seekers’, in a way, and Aries is kind of known for that too! So, weirdly, this week when everyone else is out showing off, you fee like going in the opposite direction and staying home, being in solitude, reflecting on your own selfhood, and keeping your own counsel.
This is a week to study, research, meditate, daydream, seek enlightenment, ask questions and find the answers. A major revelation or fresh spin on something is brewing, but you need peace and quiet to get there. And the journey will be as interesting as the final knowledgeable destination!
Meaning: Transformation and renewal is on your agenda this week; a glow-up, an overhaul, a relationship reset, a fresh start, a shift in the habits and dynamics that underpin your inner circle or social life or family ties.
You are ready to make a big change in your relationship realm and this is the week to put it into action, I guess as everyone else’s minds is focused on what folk think of them and how well they get along. You have their attention, so say your piece, and make your change… and then let it ripple out and take effect. Expect the unexpected.
Choose your own adventure (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Gemini for this week: The Chariot
Meaning: As ever, there is movement in your relationship realm. You are CEO of your inner circle and social life, and you get to make the choices. Accept people as they are but also place them where they therefore belong.
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Holidays, outings, trips and journeys are all means of getting closer to people, going on an adventure, seeing a new place together for the first time. Put some of that magic into the plans with folk you want to bond with. Go out together, explore, have a mini adventure. Be mindful and purposeful about who you spend time with. You are in control of this.
Is it all give and no take in your relationship realm? (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Cancer for this week: Knight of Coins
Meaning: You get out what you put in. Relationships have to have balance. It can’t be one-sided or one way. Are there any bonds you’re upholding that feel unbalanced? You know what… they don’t deserve your efforts. Step back and see what happens. I bet nothing happens, because it was you doing all the work.
Put your efforts into people who return the energy. Those who comfort, check in, support, inspire, cheer you. Work hard at your relationships but pick the right ones. You’re shrewd and intuitive and you know when something isn’t quite right.
Look out for Earth signs this week — Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo.
Say yes to fun in all its forms (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Leo for this week: Knight of Wands
Meaning: Venus in your sign means you’re centre stage and loving every moment. Flirtations, adventures and escapades are on the agenda. The Knight of Wands makes this a very spontaneous, larger than life, fun and dramatic week – a Leo masterclass in how to live well.
You juice every ounce of opportunity out of your days (and nights) and this week will bring you plenty of rewards. So, be the party starter, the initiator, the one who says yes and makes it happen. People never forget you, or how exciting you made their life feel. Go spread that magic!
Look out for other Fire signs this week — Leo, Aries, Sagittarius.
A devil may care attitude is needed here (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Virgo for this week: The Devil
Meaning: Venus in Leo week, alongside tricksy Gemini, spells dangerous liaisons, secrecy, irresistible attractions and naughty escapades. Virgo, you may look innocent and serene, but underneath you’re a passionate and intense lover. Let this side of you out to play!
The Devil advises you to do what you want to do, no matter what others may think. You are the one who lives your life and pays the price and takes the experiences in. You don’t answer to anyone but your own conscience… and if that is peaceful then get on with whatever it is that stokes your desires and imagination this week. To hell with everyone else.
Now’s the time to bury this issue (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Libra for this week: Five of Swords
Meaning: When passions run high, like in a Venus in Leo week, it can stir up suppressed emotions, issues or disgruntlements that were never fully settled. You might run into some of that this week, so get ready to face it head on, get to the bottom of it and lance the boil once and for all!
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Conflict and confrontation make you queasy but sometimes it has to be done. Don’t appease them, don’t fib to make it all better faster, don’t suppress your opinion or needs. Say your piece, listen to theirs, find common ground, work out a compromise or truce or even total resolution. You can do this.
Look out for other Air signs this week — Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.
You have a lot of wisdom to impart to others (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Scorpio for this week: Strength
Meaning: Strength shows that you have weathered your relationship issues and challenges well, extracted wisdom and life lessons from each tribulation, and stand now a much shrewder and wiser partner/friend/colleague/ally/family member etc.
Share your knowledge. Give good counsel. Show support. Encourage someone who’s struggling. And if there are any niggles in your own zone, then tackle them this week in the best way possible. You have all the charisma, compassion and patience to heal, repair and improve anything that has felt faded or broken this year. Invest in the repair work, it’s worth it. You are strong, powerful and merciful. You know how to make things right.
Love actually is everywhere (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Sagittarius for this week: Ace of Cups
Meaning: Feels like a very powerful and romantic week for you, Sagittarius, with the potential of a love at first sight moment! If you’re single then be social. Lock eyes with ‘the one’ and step towards them; what you feel is real, the chemistry is genuine and mutual. This love could blossom into something eternal. If you’re attached, then arrange a date night that reflects the unique nature and dynamic and theming of your relationship, something personal and special.
Alternatively, if you’re happily single, invest in your friendships, pets, creativity and enjoyment of nature. Wonder at the world! Be wide-eyed at the pleasure and fun available to you, on your doorstep, whenever you choose it.
Look out for Water signs this week — Cancer, Pisces, Scorpio.
Let this play out on its own (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Capricorn for this week: Nine of Wands
Meaning: You’ve felt worried about an issue in your relationship that feels a bit doom and gloom; maybe you’ve overthought it, maybe you’ve dwelt on the worst case scenarios. Capricorn, this is the week to address it. The Nine of Wands promises that this is not what you think and the resolution, or way through, is much swifter and easier than you fear.
A conversation is probably all it takes. A sharing of your worries and a genuine question of how they are doing. People have many other influences in their life, it’s likely nothing to do with you at all. So, ask the question, voice your fears, get this out of your head.
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Look out for Fire signs this week — Leo, Aries, Sagittarius.
It’s clearer out in the open (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Aquarius for this week: Ace of Swords
Meaning: Speak the truth. Say the words you’ve held back. Ask for honest feedback. Engage in direct dialogue and try to listen more than you speak. Seek to understand before doing anything.
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The truth is the theme tune of your relationship landscape this week, and you’re always a transparent, honest person, so it’s likely you’re seeking reassurance or honesty from someone else. You deserve it too. So, probe and validate and discuss. Get to the bottom of things. Don’t shy away from hard truths or spiky conversations… ride through it to the other side, which is shared understanding and a new era.
Look out for Air signs this week — Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.
Focus on your own journey (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Pisces for this week: Eight of Swords
Meaning: Okay, the Eight of Swords is the card of projection and assumption. Seeing the world through a distorted lens. You’re thinking that you know what they’re thinking… but you are wrong. So stop trying to second guess your other half, or BFF, or ally, or inner circle, or boss.
You don’t know what they think and maybe never will! Either way, it’s not your issue. All you can do is focus on you. Let them be them. When you take this pressure off your shoulders, you will feel so so much better. Stop worrying about their opinions or unmet needs or issues. That’s on them.
Look out for Air signs this week — Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.
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.
Cáoileánn Conway describes living with constant rumination, fear and exhaustion from over-thinking – planning for worstcase scenarios before they happened, managing panic before simple interactions, and feeling drained by the constant anxiety
When Cáoileánn Conway picked up her phone and called Lifeline in the early hours of the morning, she didn’t know what to say – she just knew she couldn’t cope.
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For a long time when growing up Caoileann, who is now a performance dietitian and social media personality, didn’t have the language to explain how she was feeling.
“When I was younger, mental health just wasn’t really a thing,” she says. “It wasn’t something we were even aware of or spoke about.”
At the time, Cáoileánn was 19 and struggling silently through her first year of university. What had started as feelings of anxiety in her teens had intensified, turning everyday interactions into overwhelming challenges.
“I would describe it as starting with anxiety and then moving more into a combination with depression, where I would feel numb but constantly worried at the same time,” she explains. “With anxiety you’re constantly worrying, constantly thinking ahead about all the worst possible scenarios – how am I going to get through today?”
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She describes living with constant rumination, fear and exhaustion from over-thinking – planning for worstcase scenarios before they happened, managing panic before simple interactions, and feeling drained by the constant anxiety.
“I’d get into the car at the end of the day by myself and just feel absolutely exhausted. It was affecting absolutely everything – I didn’t want to go to uni, see friends, go to football training. I didn’t want to socialise much because I was trying to be a different person for each situation, but I didn’t even know who I actually was. It’s really exhausting when you’re constantly just troubleshooting. Which is probably hard to believe considering what I do for work now.
“I just wanted the thoughts to stop. I wasn’t suicidal, and I’m always really clear about that, as I’m so aware people go through much worse. I just knew I couldn’t keep living like this every day.”
For years, Cáoileánn tried to manage these feelings largely on her own, but the night she called Lifeline was a turning point.
“It must have been about half twelve or one in the morning and I was scrolling through social media,” she recalls. “I was sitting in the middle of my bed, I couldn’t breathe and my thoughts were spiralling. I had never had a panic attack before and I didn’t know what to do. I just typed ‘Lifeline’ into Google and rang the number.”
Lifeline – available on 0808 808 8000 – is Northern Ireland’s crisis response helpline. Trained counsellors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering free, confidential support to anyone in Northern Ireland feeling overwhelmed, distressed or unable to cope. Lifeline counsellors are experienced in working with suicide, self- harm, abuse, trauma, depression, anxiety and many other issues.
Cáoileánn remembers the moment the call connected: “This man answered. He had a really deep voice, and he was just so kind. He didn’t push me to explain anything. He just helped me breathe. He told me that in that moment, I was safe. That nothing was going to harm me right now. All I had to do was stay on the phone.”
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For Cáoileánn, that reassurance made all the difference.
“When he asked what was wrong, I just kept saying ‘I don’t know how to make the thoughts stop.’ And that’s when he started giving me direction. For the first time, I felt like – oh my God – there are things I can do. There are solutions here.
“That was my catalyst to start getting more professional help. If I hadn’t got that help at that time, I would be a completely different person today.”
Kathy Owens from the Public Health Agency, who commissions the Lifeline service, says: “When someone phones Lifeline, they speak directly to a trained counsellor who introduces themselves and creates a calm, supportive space. Many callers don’t know exactly why they’ve called – and that’s okay.
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“Lifeline uses a compassionate approach aimed at providing support and finding positive solutions, helping callers make sense of what they’re feeling and identify next steps.
“Cáoileánn’s experience highlights the power of just lifting the phone and starting a conversation, and shows that talking really helps.”
For Cáoileánn, support continued beyond the initial call. Where appropriate, Lifeline can provide follow-up calls or short-term crisis counselling, or helps connect people to other services that may further support their needs.
Cáoileánn was offered a sixweek counselling programme.
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“Those six weeks were the start of everything,” she says. “It helped me realise I didn’t have to feel like that forever. That was the start.”
Now, Cáoileánn uses her platform ‘Be a Better You’ to talk not only about nutrition, but also openly about mental health. She believes mental wellbeing needs to be treated with the same care and consistency as physical health.
“I can teach you everything about nutrition, but if your mental health isn’t there, you will struggle to act on it. I always say mental health is like a muscle. The way I train five or six days a week physically, I have to do the same for my mental health. And if I stop, I could easily slip back into old ways.”
Her message to others is direct and grounded in experience.
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“There’s absolutely nothing to lose, because what you’ve been doing hasn’t worked,” she says. “Unless I called Lifeline that time, I would never have known there were solutions.”
Lifeline is available 24/7, free of charge on 0808 808 8000, for anyone in Northern Ireland who needs support. Talking really helps. For more information on Lifeline visit www.lifelinehelpline.info.
The reviewer raved that the food was ‘exceptional’
A Cambridge city restaurant has been described as serving “one of the most flavoursome meals” by a TikTok influencer. Little Petra, a traditional Jordanian restaurant in the Heart of Cambridge, has been highly commended by popular food reviewer, Alex Green.
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Alex Green, a food influencer with more than 920,000 followers on TikTok, recently visited Little Petra on Hills Road. In the caption of his review, Alex wrote: “Trying an award winning Jordanian restaurant for the first time in Cambridge.” He said that he wanted to find out “is Jordanian food incredible or is it forgettable?”
The restaurant’s journey began in a small restaurant on Mill Road in Cambridge in April 2019, serving “wholesome traditional Jordanian meals”, according to the Little Petra website. In February 2023, the restaurant relocated to Hills Road, a larger space, so the team could increase the menu and cater for private functions.
The menu offers a range of options including a Jordanian moussaka, green beans and lamb, and a lamb shank. Alex ordered the marinated chicken from the menu which comes with rice and salad alongside mixed nuts and pomegranate. This costs £18.90, according to the menu.
To drink, Alex delved into a fresh orange juice which is priced at £5.95 and a traditional Bedouin tea for £5. When taste-testing the refreshments, he said that the orange juice was “so incredibly fresh and refreshing” and how the flavours of spices really come through when sipping the tea.
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When Alex took his first bite into the meal, his eyes lit up as he said the flavours were “exceptional”. He added: “There is so much going on in my mouth”.
He continued: “The marinated chicken is unbelievable. The herbs, the spices, everything mixed together with that mixed nut on top. The flavours, I can’t even explain it. They are just tremendous.”
Mid-meal, the iconic food influencer said how this was “probably one of the most flavoursome meals I’ve ever had”. He ended the review by saying he “absolutely loves” trying new cuisines as “you never know what you can find”.
The Jordanian establishment has also received plenty of glowing reviews elsewhere. One customer wrote: “Wow, what a gem! The food was absolutely delicious, the portions were generous, and the service was warm.
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“We especially loved the hummus with chicken and lamb — it was so good, we finished the entire plate even though the portion was huge for us!”
Another Google reviewer said: “Wow – what an amazing experience! We saw this restaurant recommended on a food website for where to eat in Cambridge and we are so so glad that we gave it a go. You can tell it’s well loved by the locals because it was completely full on a Wednesday night!”
It comes after reports suggested the royal sisters were likely to skip the wedding amid ongoing family scandals
Jasmine Carey and Georgia Burns Trainee Trends, Showbiz and Lifestyle Writer
18:50, 06 Jun 2026
The nation has been left stunned after Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie made a surprise appearance at Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling’s royal wedding this afternoon, June 6. The York sisters looked elegant as they made their way into the church alongside their husbands, where they were greeted at the entrance by Mike and Zara Tindall.
Their attendance has come as a shock, given earlier reports suggesting that while both sisters had received invitations, they were unlikely to show up. It had been widely suggested that the pair were keen not to cast a shadow over the special day amid the ongoing controversies surrounding the York family -particularly following the publication of the royal properties investigation earlier this week.
The damning document revealed that Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 36, pay no rent on their royal residences, with the bill instead being picked up by their uncle, the King – a revelation that has prompted considerable public backlash.
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Their unexpected appearance also follows months of controversy surrounding their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and their mother, Sarah Ferguson and their friendship with late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Those scandals have resulted in their divorced parents losing both their royal titles and their Royal Lodge residences, despite Andrew consistently denying any wrongdoing and accusations, the Express reports.
Whether Beatrice and Eugenie remain on speaking terms with their parents – who were notably absent from today’s guest list – remains unclear.
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Despite appearing visibly nervous, both sisters seemed genuinely pleased to be part of the happy family celebrations, with Beatrice seen holding hands with her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Eugenie, who is heavily pregnant with her third child, also looked radiant in her navy blue dress.
The sisters are understood to share a close bond with their cousin Peter, who would undoubtedly have been keen for them to be there.
It comes after their father Andrew, was spotted on Thursday, June 4, driving his Land Rover near his home of Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate where he was photographed with a big purple mark around is eye.
The bruise is thought to be the result of a “non-serious medical condition”. The former Duke of York was reportedly inside a car with another man and a dog, in one of his few public sightings since a recent security incident at the Sandringham estate.
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The situation is said to have taken place while Andrew was walking the late Queen’s corgis, which now remain in his care, when a stranger approached him near the estate shortly after 7.30pm on Wednesday, May 6, prompting alarm.
He is now expected to give evidence in court in July as part of proceedings against a man accused of threatening him close to his home on the Sandringham Estate. The defendant, Alex Jenkinson, 39, of no fixed address, faces two counts of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
Thomas Tuchel’s men began their preparations for the upcoming World Cup with a laboured performance, with Harry Kane’s header in first-half stoppage time one of few highlights on a baking evening at the Raymond James Stadium.
The German handed valuable minutes to 22 players as they build up to their opening Group L game against Croatia in less than two weeks’ time.
Some shone, others struggled in the Floridian heat, and England fans will be hoping for marked improvement when the tournament rolls around.
Tuchel takes opportunity to tinker
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The England boss emphasised the importance of versatility when he discussed some of his surprise selections in his World Cup squad last month, and he made a show of demonstrating as much here.
Ollie Watkins, called up to be Kane’s understudy up front, was fielded in an unfamiliar right-wing position in the first half, in the absence of Arsenal duo Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka, who will join up with their team-mates on Sunday.
Impressive: Ollie Watkins
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Jarrell Quansah was a surprise inclusion at right-back ahead of Tino Livramento and Reece James, while Livramento himself was shifted to left-back in the second period, with Nico O’Reilly, handed the No3 shirt this summer, was tucked into a midfield role alongside Elliot Anderson.
Livramento and O’Reilly were the ones that really showed their adeptness in unnatural positions, having played in their respective roles multiple times for their clubs, but Quansah, often fielded as a right-sided centre-back in a three at Bayer Leverkusen, was less sure of when to join in attacks and when to stay in the first half, and it showed.
Despite playing off the flank for the first time since his Brentford days, Watkins showed just why he Tuchel called him up.
His recent form for Aston Villa – eight goals in his last seven Premier League games – showed his goalscoring knack, but it was his pace in behind that was stood him apart from his competitors for a place on the plane.
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dominic Solanke and Danny Welbeck had all made strong cases to deputise for Kane at this tournament, but none of them have that willingness to stretch a game with a bursting run in behind the defensive line.
Despite being fielded out of position, Watkins was still able to drift infield and affect the game in central areas, contributing to neat interplay on the edge of the box while making the ball stick as he brought his team-mates into play.
Lethal link-up: Rio Ngumoha and Reece James
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While this was an audition for some, it became more glaringly obvious after about ten minutes of the second half who would be Tuchel’s go-to guys when the tournament rolls around.
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The shirt numbers being confirmed was the first clue, but the drop-off and step-up in quality in some positions was greater than some may have initially thought.
Reece James brought immediate poise and calmness when he stepped into the right-back berth, inverting at appropriate times and showing great intelligence to do so.
Stand-in skipper: Jude Bellingham
PA
O’Reilly’s athleticism in the engine room and panache in possession has him as a shoo-in for the left-back position, despite Livramento’s impressive bursts on the overlap.
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Jude Bellingham was another who raised the levels in the No10 position. Morgan Rogers had been tasked with breaking the lines with his ball-carrying ability in the first period, but he was quiet throughout, while Bellingham, who sported the armband in Kane’s absence, led by example, running the channels, winning his duels, and playing forward at every opportunity.
Jordan Henderson was handed what should be a rare start, with Declan Rice primed and ready to slot in alongside Elliot Anderson in the double pivot when he returns on Sunday.
Patrick Godfrey, the actor known for The Bill, Doctor Who and Ever After: A Cinderella Story, has died peacefully at home aged 93, surrounded by his family
19:44, 06 Jun 2026Updated 19:53, 06 Jun 2026
The Bill and Doctor Who star Patrick Godfrey has passed away aged 93.
The performer – whose credits also include Ever After: A Cinderella Story alongside Drew Barrymore – died peacefully earlier this week. News of the actor’s death at home was confirmed by his representation, reports the Mirror.
Markham Froggatt and Irwin, his talent agency, released a statement saying: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm Patrick Godfrey passed away last night. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Paddy was an exceptionally talented actor and a remarkable individual, and we will miss him greatly.”
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A cause of death is yet to be revealed. Patrick is survived by his wife Amanda Walker, an actress known for her roles in 28 Weeks Later and Room With A View as well as appearances in TV staples like Heartbeat and Casualty.
They tied the knot in 1960 and went on to have children Kate, who is Head of Voice at the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Richard.
Born in Finsbury in 1933, Patrick rose to fame in the 1970s after making his debut in the film Miss Julie and went on to appear in a string of British classics including Clockwise, A Room With A View and Heat and Dust, both of which also featured his wife.
During his career, Richard shared the screen with acting icons like John Cleese, Dame Judi Dench and the late Maggie Smith amongst a host of others.
Residents were sharply critical of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit to France on Saturday to commemorate the anniversary of the D-Day landings during WWII.
“He has very warlike remarks, and it seems to us that he does not exactly share our values of democracy and freedom,” Sylvie Lamy Thepaut, a member of the local Langrune en Commun association, told the outlet BFM TV in French, The Daily Beast reports.
“What’s happening with the Trump administration isn’t business as usual. The fact that Pete Hegseth is challenging all the international organizations that emerged from the Second World War isn’t business as usual,” Chantal Richard, another member of the group, told the station, The Daily Beast reports. “The words must be spoken, he must be called out for who he is, for the values he represents: colonial, warmongering, racist, far-right values. Silence seems to us to be the worst thing we can do on these issues.”
Prior to Hegseth’s visit, the group put out a statement, originally in French, slamming Hegseth’s “anti-European remarks.”
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The Independent has contacted the Pentagon for comment.
Local protested Sec. Pete Hegseth’s visit to France to commemorate the anniversary of D-Day (AP)
Langrune-sur-Mer deputy mayor François-Xavier Palao told FranceInfo he hoped villagers could perhaps “set political considerations aside” around Hegseth’s visit and focus on those who fought and died during the war.
“It is not that we particularly like the man, but this is first and foremost a commemoration for the veterans,” he reportedly said.
Others reportedly complained about heightened security protocols that accompanied the U.S. official’s visit.
During his Normandy speech, Hegseth compared immigration to an “invasion” arriving on the shores of Europe.
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“Sadly, today, different European beaches are stormed by different, dangerous ideologies,” he said. “Beaches in Spain, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria, boats and men arrive.”
During his speech, Hegseth compared immigration to an ‘invasion’ arriving on European shores (AFP/Getty)
He also seemed to suggest U.S. allies were no longer doing enough to preserve global security.
“Each nation pulled its weight; each nation bled,” he said of WWII by comparison. “America will lead — and we must — but capable allies must be right there with us, shoulder to shoulder, in the breach, when it matters.”
“We forgot that freedom is not free,” he added. “We forgot that peace is not wished into being. It is bought with purpose, with honor and with strength. The men who landed on these beaches knew this; the question we ask ourselves is, do we?”
The Trump administration has been sharply critical of U.S. allies in NATO, alleging they don’t spend enough on Europe’s continental defense and that they let American forces down by largely declining to assist in the U.S. war against Iran.
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