Cruise lines have their own private islands for guests to enjoy – take a look at four seriously bucket list-worthy destinations you’ll want on your radar
06:00, 01 Jun 2025Updated 12:38, 01 Jun 2025
Some cruise lines have their own private islands (Image: David Roark, photographer)
The appeal of cruise holidays has traditionally focused on visiting a wide variety of places. But an increasing number of firms are choosing to drop anchor at exclusive destinations in idyllic locations.
Private island stops are becoming a highlight of itineraries, with big players investing heavily in castaway cays reserved for their guests. Holland America Line, part of the Carnival Group, recently revealed a revamp of their popular Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.
A new pier will allow more ships to dock at the destination – soon to be named RelaxAway island, hinting at the investment planned for more laid back leisure facilities.
Other lines have equally big ideas. Expanding beyond The Bahamas – where most island escapes have been based to date – Royal Caribbean is hoping to develop a new Perfect Day project in Mexico (due to open in 2027), while MSC has announced plans for an Abu Dhabi private island experience in the Middle East. And why not? – discovering a secret island is, after all, the stuff of childhood dreams.
Here are some of the fantasy islands where it’s already possible to set sail.
Great Stirrup Cay, The Bahamas
Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre oasis(Image: Alamy/PA)
In 1977, this was the first island to be bought by a company solely for their guests. Norwegian Cruise Line has built a resort with bars and restaurants over the years and there are still more developments to come in the 268-acre tropical oasis.
You can book guided snorkelling tours around a marine sanctuary, or rent equipment for parasailing, kayaking, paddleboarding and jet skiing. For families, there’s an aqua park with inflatable water obstacles.
Labadee, Haiti
Royal Caribbean has invested in a private patch of a peninsula on the northern coast of Cuba’s neighbour, Haiti. Set against plunging coastal cliffs, a choice of beaches ranges from the peaceful Columbus Cove to the livelier Adrenaline Beach.
For thrill-seekers, there’s a chance to jump on a roller coaster or try the world’s longest overwater zip line. Unlike many private locations, interactions with local communities are possible at an artisan market and a cultural programme highlighting Haitian history and traditions is in the works.
Despite its popularity, the edgy destination is marred by unrest. Recently, stops were temporarily suspended due to “an abundance of caution” although it’s hoped they will resume in the future.
Castaway Cay, The Bahamas
Disney’s Castaway Cay is a dream destination(Image: PR HANDOUT)
Around 30 miles north of NCL’s private paradise is Disney’s answer to a magical far-flung tropical kingdom. Although there are currently no Pirates of the Caribbean in this Atlantic cay, secluded coves were once used by the likes of Blackbeard in the 18th century.
During the US Prohibition, the island served as a smuggling base and in the 1970s its airstrips were used by drug runners. A £18.5million investment transformed it in the mid-1990s, including a channel allowing ships to dock. Expect themed environments and areas dedicated to different age groups, including the adults-only Serenity Bay.
Amber Cove, Dominican Republic
Carnival Corporation invested £63million to develop this site near Puerto Plata on the Dominican Republic’s northern coast. Princess Cruises and Holland America guests can visit, following in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus who landed here in 1492. Extending from a hillside, zip lines traverse the port complex and there’s a 25,000 square-foot pool area with a swim-up bar, water slides, and private cabanas. The island is part of the mainland, but the private area has a big advantage over island escapes when it comes to exploring and interacting with communities.
Mersea Island, located in Essex, is a popular destination for holidays and family days out – but many visitors may miss out on the ‘hidden gems’ of the East side
06:00, 01 Jun 2025Updated 12:37, 01 Jun 2025
Mersea Island is located to the east of Colchester in north Essex(Image: Anna Willis)
Mersea Island, with its rich history, tranquil ambience and stunning views, is a favourite spot for holidays and family outings. Despite its small size, housing around 7,000 residents, visitors are often spoilt for choice on which part to explore.
The island is divided into East and West, with the latter traditionally attracting more tourists due to its well-developed infrastructure, including a variety of shops, pubs and restaurants. However, those in search of ‘hidden gems’ and willing to venture off the beaten path will find East Mersea a delight.
The stunning shoreline at West Mersea on Mersea Island(Image: Getty Images)
Located at the easternmost tip of the island, further from the mainland and the main road linking Mersea to the Essex coast, it feels more secluded.
This remoteness can make East Mersea seem less accessible than West Mersea, which is nearer to the causeway. But its limited amenities make it an attractive destination for those seeking a more secluded, nature-centric experience.
It’s home to Cudmore Grove Country Park, offering beach visits, wildlife spotting, and walking trails, reports Essex Live. East Mersea Flat Nature is a hit among adventurous walkers and explorers. Mind your step, and you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking scenes.
Additionally, East Mersea boasts the Essex Outdoors activity centre and the Mersea Island Vineyard, adding to its appeal.
Beautiful and multicoloured huts in Mersea(Image: Getty Images)
Mersea Boating Lake, nestled on the East side, is a hit with families. Lauren H shared her delightful experience on TripAdvisor this month: “We had an amazing day out.
“The staff are sooo friendly and helpful. Great fun! Thank you. We will be back…hopefully when the sun is shining.”
Dining options on the East side aren’t lacklustre either, with The Dog and Pheasant East Mersea, Mersea Barns Shop and Café Restaurant, and Starkfood beckoning patrons with their culinary delights.
Nedum Onuoha and Nicky Bandini praise the maturity shown by Desire Doue as the 19-year-old becomes the youngest player to score two goals in a Champions League final as Paris Saint-Germain defeat Inter Milan 5-0 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
A mixture of stories leads the front pages of Sunday’s newspapers, with a number of outlets teasing various defence-related threads ahead of Monday’s strategic defence review – which will set out the future of the Army, Navy and Air Force. The Sunday Telegraph reports that Defence Secretary John Healey will announce that the UK is to “be made ‘war-ready’ with £1.5bn for bomb factories”, and it will also commit to buying 7,000 long-range weapons after warnings that the UK “no longer has a fighting force”. Elsewhere, the paper spotlights the Tories accusing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of having “lost control” of the borders after an estimated 1,000 migrants crossed the Channel in a single day on small boats.
“British fighter jets to carry nuclear bombs” reads the front page of the Sunday Times, which reports that these airborne weapons will be the “biggest defence expansion since the Cold War”. Elsewhere the paper reports on the looming threat of junior doctors organising co-ordinated strikes this winter which they say could bring the NHS to a “standstill”. It comes after Health Secretary Wes Streeting refused to negotiate with the resident doctors, the paper says.
Elon Musk is “Ex” after his last day in office at the White House on Friday, the Observer reports, channelling the name of his social media platform X. The paper reports that a glum-looking Musk is leaving Washington with a “black eye” – which can be seen hidden just below his Doge cap.
“David Cameron behaved like a big man-baby” Sarah Vine, the former wife of Conservative MP Michael Gove, teases on the front page of the Mail. The excerpt, from her forthcoming political memoir, has reportedly left Westminster “quaking in its boots”. And an exclusive from the Mail splashes below, which details how a British businessman has been accused of spying for China. The 63-year-old was arrested at the request of the FBI in Serbia and is now awaiting extradition to the US, the paper reports.
“Dye do!” splashes the front page of the Sun on Sunday, showing a dashing Dani Dyer marrying English footballer Jarrod Bowen yesterday. TV star Dyer just recently landed a starring role in the new Strictly Come Dancing series, the paper reports.
“She’s Dan it” puns the Daily Mirror, which similarly uses a good portion of its front to congratulate newlyweds Dani Dyer and Jarrod Bowen in their marital bliss. Elsewhere, the paper reports that Boris Johnson’s government’s failure to “check the viability of PPE for up to two years” has cost the taxpayer £762m. The findings were uncovered as part of a year-long inquiry by Covid counter-fraud commissioner Tom Hayhoe.
It is not all sunshine and daises with the warmer weather over on the front page of the Daily Star, which dedicates nearly the entire front to “Pains in the grass” neighbours who find themselves getting into “bust-ups” over mowing on Sunday mornings. The “crack of dawn” chore has driven a wedge between some, to the point of a “turf war”, the paper reports.
The sun is a cause for celebration over on the front page of the Independent, which boasts with a playful picture about the “bliss” of the sunniest spring on record coming to a close. An exclusive about hip and knee surgery being rationed within the NHS in an effort to save costs splashes below the fold. One-third of NHS areas in England are blocking patient access based on their body mass index, the paper reports.
“Look Who’s back…” teases the front page of the Sunday Express with a picture of actress Billie Piper, who first appeared on the Doctor Who series as Rose Tyler, a companion to the Doctor, and was as a regular between 2005 and 2006. With the twist ending to this year’s series, the paper asks: could Piper be returning to the show, but this time as the Doctor?
It’s “Double trouble” over on the front page of the Sunday People, where Hollyoaks actress Jorgie Porter and Coronation Street’s Tina O’Brien turned up at the Soap awards on Saturday night donning nearly identical sparkly dresses. “And the twinner is…” unclear, but the paper reports the “awkward blunder” did no,t devolve into further embarrassment for either party, as the pair arrived 10 minutes apart.
The Sunday Times says the government has held “highly sensitive” talks about buying combat aircraft capable of firing tactical nuclear weapons. The paper calls it “the biggest development in the UK’s deterrent since the Cold War”. Sir Keir Starmer has told the Sun on Sunday that the moment has arrived to “transform” how Britain is defended. Writing in the paper, the prime minister says Monday’s defence review will restore war-fighting readiness as the central purpose of the armed forces.
The Sunday Telegraph highlights a “record-breaking” number of migrants who arrived in the UK in small boats on Saturday. It says the number of crossings so far this year is up more than 30% on the same period in 2024. According to the Mail on Sunday, the government’s pledge to tackle illegal immigration was left “in tatters” as French police officers “stood idly by” while people scrambled to board the dinghies. The Home Office says it is strengthening international partnerships to tackle criminal gangs.
The Sunday Mirror says Boris Johnson’s former government has been accused of wasting £762m of taxpayer money by the Covid counter-fraud commissioner. Tom Hayhoe is reported to have found that faulty Personal Protective Equipment bought during the pandemic was not checked before the warranties expired – meaning the costs must be written off. Former ministers have insisted that PPE helped save lives.
The shadow justice secretary, Robert Jenrick, has told the Sunday Express that prison officers must be armed to prevent their kidnap or murder by Islamist terrorists. He also calls for “secure armouries” of “lethal weapons” to be installed at high-security prisons – to help to tackle violent inmates.
A full-page image of Elon Musk is featured on the front of the Observer after the world’s richest man left his role as President Donald Trump’s efficiency tsar. Noting his black eye – said to be the result of a punch from his five-year-old son – the paper says Musk departed Washington with his reputation bruised after leading a “maniacal assault on American foreign aid and public service that cost tens of thousands of livelihoods in the US”.
My two-day trip to Paris – the city of love – was an eye-opener to say the least and made me realise one huge plus to travelling so spontaneously
05:30, 01 Jun 2025Updated 12:38, 01 Jun 2025
Reporter Ashley Bautista managed a 48-hour round-trip to Paris – and she has no regrets(Image: Reach plc)
2025 is the year of spontaneity, at least for me. I told myself that I’d say ‘yes’ to doing things that I usually wouldn’t agree to do – no overthinking and simply just doing it. Six months into the year, I have zero regrets.
When the opportunity for a spontaneous weekend trip to Paris came up, of course, I said yes. For a little context, out of nowhere, my parents decided to go on a weekend jaunt to celebrate Mother’s Day. Paris is known to be ‘the city of love’, and it’s not too far from home, so I decided to join them for a literal 48-hour trip. Leaving on Saturday early in the morning, we drove from London to Paris – yes, drove – and came back on Sunday, just past midnight.
London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. So, I thought, if I’m going to spend £100 on a night out, why not go abroad, instead? Plus, the weather in Paris was so much better and warmer than London, so that gave me the ultimate push.
Paris, dubbed ‘the city of love’, is one of the most visited cities in the world(Image: Getty Images)
When it comes to holidays, it’s hard to see and do everything in one trip. On average, UK travellers spend over a week on their holidays abroad. Thankfully, I had already been to Paris, so there wasn’t anything in particular that I wanted to see. Just be there and enjoy the moment.
My really good friend joined us on the trip, and funny enough, she had also been to Paris, but didn’t get the chance to see the Eiffel Tower. I mean, who could miss the 1,083ft tall structure the city is so famous for? So, we made it our mission to visit it – and it was probably the thing we ended up seeing the most, if not the only tourist attraction we beelined.
We walked around the city, sat in coffee shops, did some shopping, and even bar-hopped during the night to make the most of the ‘happy hour’. And honestly, excluding the accommodation and the travel expenses, I don’t think I’ve spent more than £100 – which it got me thinking, why am I not doing this more often?
Gustave Eiffel, the creator of the Eiffel Tower, originally submitted his design to Barcelona – but the city declined for aesthetic reasons(Image: Ashley Bautista)
We all know that things in 2025 have become much more expensive than they were 10, 20, and even 30 years ago. Going out during the weekend in London has become an occasional treat for many. Let’s be real – the price of drinks, public transport, club entries, taxis, cigarettes… You always end up spending outrageous amounts of money, so is it even worth it?
What a night out would cost you is a plane ticket to a European country, and the expenses are more likely to be less than London prices. Plus, if you want to go abroad without using your annual leave, weekends are the perfect time to do it.
In the end, it wasn’t just about saving a few extra pounds or going on a holiday. It was more about saying yes to things because some of the best memories come from impulsive decisions. Here’s to many more spontaneous last-minute trips that will cost me less than a London night out!
Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe in Florida has opened its doors – with five new worlds to explore within – so naturally I went along to sample the magical delights
Alison Graves Lifestyle and Features Editor
05:15, 01 Jun 2025Updated 12:39, 01 Jun 2025
Enjoy the thrills and spills in Orlando’s newest theme park with adventure around every corner(Image: PR HANDOUT)
Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, has changed the face of the landscape and what it means to enjoy a holiday full of thrills and spills.
The £7 billion theme park is an immersive, multisensory experience with storytelling at its core. The resort’s fourth theme park and the first to open in 25 years, it invites guests to “explore vibrant worlds filled with extraordinary adventures that go beyond their wildest imaginations” – and it really is magical.
With 50 awe-inspiring attractions,entertainment, dining and shopping experiences in its new park, the Universal parks make up a 700-acre resort space.
But it’s not just the stunning scenery, experiences and rides that blew me away – my entire group were wowed by the culinary experiences inside the park. Forget burgers, hotdogs and popcorn – although readily available if you fancy – I dined on exquisite seafood from scallops to King Oysters at Atlantic and freshly made Dim Sum and Ramen noodles at The Blue Dragon, both in Celestial Park.
I also found the best purple pizza called Pizza Lunare in Pizza Moon, complete with an Ube crust – the chunks of roasted garlic were to die for – and melt-in-the-mouth beef brisket at The Oak & Star Tavern.
Let’s explore the worlds a little closer for when you plan your first visit…
You’ll find five worlds ahead of you to explore once you step through the stunning Chronos(Image: PR HANDOUT)
Celestial Park
Step through the Chronos – the impressive first portal tower and entrance to the park that when ‘powered’ will align to open up five magical portals for visitors to explore.
I first enjoyed Celestial Park – the cosmic heart of Epic Universe and so much more than just a starting point. Local ‘Celestians’ who inhabit here tend to the lush, tree-lined walkways and I found myself whisked into a whimsical world of greenery, tropical flowers, fountains and ponds.
Everything here is connected heavily to astrology, from the first sight of Luna, goddess of the moon, who oversees the night’s luminescence by her Neptune Pools, to the far side of the park where Apollo, god of the sun, rests. Even the rides are well themed – I enjoyed a gentle sway on the Constellation Carousel and zipped at 62mph on Stardust Racers, a dual racing rollercoaster across 5,000ft of track, which is the park’s top thrill ride for speed and height.
Celestial Park interweaves the other worlds and acts as a calming decompression from the extremities of themes and music in each world. Grab a cocktail at Bar Zenith, watch the fountain show and marvel in the sheer beauty.
MUST DO Visit North Star Wintry Wonders, an all-year Christmas store where it really snows outside – even under the hot Florida sun.
Dark Universe
The storytelling continues as you move through this spooky portal and into monstrous Darkmoor Village. It makes sense – Universal is the pioneer of horror, after all.
Dr Victoria Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein’s great great-granddaughter, is the proud owner of this world’s central focus – Frankenstein Manor – and she has captured all the monsters but she’s having some trouble with Dracula. Ride Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment as you navigate the catacombs of the manor to “help” Victoria (you won’t help – but you will scream).
Can you escape the terrifying catacombs at Dr Victoria Frankenstein’s Manor? I did…. just!(Image: PR HANDOUT)
The ride’s technology is phenomenal and the animatronics are creative masterpieces. Fear not, it’s suitable for all ages.
Take time to explore the details. Look out for a little girl statue of Maria (a character from the 1931 Frankenstein film, who accidentally drowns), listen to sounds from beneath the vampire well and head to the Blazing Blade Tavern for a fiery sight to behold.
MUST DO Grab a bite to eat at Das Stakehouse. The theming is almost better than the food – and the food is delicious.
Super Nintendo World
Everything moves, spins, jumps and wobbles in Super Nintendo World. It’s a gaming world for everyone – even the big kids who are young at heart.
Providing one of the coolest portals (the walkway into each world), I entered via a Super Mario Warp Pipe and arrived inside Princess Peach’s Castle before exiting into a world of jaw-dropping colour and musical joy. Glistening golden coins, stomping Koombas, sliding 1-Up mushrooms and snapping Piranha Plants were everywhere as I looked across to Bowser’s Castle.
This is where I gave Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge a go and my dismal points were made up for by the fun and laughter I had hurtling turtle shells and banana peels at my friends (virtually, of course – the race car game, where we’re up against all the usual Super Mario bad guys, is played via a headset).
The character meet and greets here are sweet for youngsters – Toad is a rotund delight for toddlers, Mario and Luigi are cool for pre-teens and even the too-cool-for-school teenagers won’t be able to resist Donkey Kong.
Don’t miss the fabulous rollercoaster Minecart Madness – it’s a bumpy ride but the jumps over “missing” sections of the track are thrilling.
Prepare for a sensory sensation in Super Nintendo World – all ages will love it here
MUST DO Buy a $45 Power-Up wristband. It’s vital for playing the in-world mini games, collecting coins and banking some exclusive park stamps and badges, which connects to an app on your mobile phone and creates family friendly competition.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic
This world makes the Wizarding Worlds at Universal Orlando Resort a trio – also made up of Diagon Alley in Universal Studios and Hogsmeade in Islands Of Adventure.
Step inside the magical streets of 1920s Paris, where the likes of Newt Scamander hangs out. Known as Place Cachée, this world is a fan delight, merging the magic of Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them in Paris, with the wonders of Harry Potter.
I hopped on the Métro-Floo to the British Ministry Of Magic for Dolores Umbridge’s trial for her crimes against magic on the mesmerising dark ride, Battle At The Ministry. Expect magical creatures and spells galore – and make time for the show, Le Cirque Arcanus. The puppetry will leave you speechless.
MUST DO Try a Gigglewater in Le Gobelet Noir – a bar owned by Nicolas Flamel, the alchemist who created the Philosopher’s Stone.
How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk
The largest of all the worlds at Epic Universe,the Viking village of Berk is breathtaking. On entry, I was faced with two 40ft carved wooden statues, guarding the village. This world is set after the second film, where there’s peace and harmony between man and dragon.
Look out for The Untrainable Dragon live show, which has the most beautiful score, with singers and actors akin to the talent of a West End show. And be sure to try the mac and cheese cone at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel – it’s the novelty dish I never knew I needed.
MUST DO Look to the skies. Here you’ll find actual flying dragons – drones to us adults (don’t tell the kids), but they are very realistic.
HOW TO BOOK
Universal Orlando Resort
All Parks tickets are available through British Airways Holidays from £439 per person.
British Airways Holidays offers seven nights at Universal Stella Nova Resort from £829 per person, travelling on selected dates in January 2026. Book by 9 June. For reservations visit britishairways.com/en-gb/destinations/orlando/holidays-inorlando
The sculptor Robert Therrien had a deep connection with theBroad museum. He was among the first L.A. artists that founders Eli and Edythe Broad began collecting almost half a century ago, and the museum holds 18 of his works in its collection. Those pieces, along with more than 100 others, will go on view at the Broad beginning in November in “Robert Therrien: This Is a Story,” the largest-ever solo museum show of the artist’s work.
Therrien, who died of complications from cancer in 2019, is best-known for his monumental sculptures of everyday objects. His sculpture of a giant table and chairs, “Under the Table,” is among the Broad’s most photographed — and Instagrammed — pieces. Intimate work — drawings of birds, snowmen and chapels — will be on view, as will a reconstruction of Therrien’s downtown L.A. studio.
The Broad’s founding director Joanne Heyler once told The Times that Therrien’s studio was among the most fascinating she had ever visited. In an email shortly after Therrien’s death, she described the ground floor as “the ultimate tinkerer’s den, with endless tools, parts and found objects awaiting their role in his work, while upstairs were these perfectly composed galleries, every surface painted a warm, creamy white, including the floor, which charged the sculptures, paintings and drawings he’d install there with a dreamy, floating, hallucinogenic effect. That studio was his dreamland.”
An L.A. story
Like his studio, Therrien’s work exists in a liminal space — where memory fades into time. Standing beneath one of his giant tables evokes vague recollections of what it feels like to be a very small child in a world of legs and muffled adult activity above. A ruminative melancholy arises when viewing a precarious stack of white enamel plates. Therrien’s artistic voice is at once singular and universal — and specific to art history in L.A.
Robert Therrien, no title, (stacked plates, white), 1993.
(The Broad Art Foundation)
Exhibition curator Ed Schad summed up Therrien’s importance to this city in an email.
“Los Angeles is one of the most dynamic places in the world to make sculpture, and for 40 years, Robert Therrien was vital to that story while also hiding in plain sight,” Schad wrote. “From the spirit of experimentation and freedom in the 1970s, to the rise of fabrication and the expansion of scale in the 1980s and 1990, to Los Angeles’s ascendant presence on the global stage of contemporary art in recent decades, Therrien’s work has not only mirrored every shift but also has maintained a singular, unmistakable voice. This exhibition aims to show both the Therrien people know and love — his outsize sculptures, tables and chairs, and pots and pans, rooted in memory — and the Therrien that is less often seen: the brilliant draftsman, photographer, and thinker, whose work in these quieter forms is just as enchanting.”
I’m arts and culture writer Jessica Gelt, remembering the time I spent an entire meal hiding under a table in Nogales, Ariz., when I was five. Or was that a dream? Here’s this weekend’s arts headlines.
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Here come the Tony Awards
Director Michael Arden photographed in New York.
(The Tyler Twins / For The Times)
Times theater critic Charles McNulty sat down in New York City with the directing powerhouse Michael Arden, 42. In a wide-ranging profile, McNulty discusses Arden’s path to becoming among the most sought-after directors on Broadway — and why his latest Tony-nominated musical, “Maybe Happy Ending,” is the season’s “most surprising and heartwarming.” He also writes about Arden’s new company, At Rise Creative, which he founded with scenic designer Dane Laffrey. Their production of “Parade” begins performances at the Ahmanson Theatre on June 17.
McNulty also checks in withL.A. Theatre Works, which celebrated its 50th anniversary and has found fresh opportunities for its radio plays through the rise of podcasts and on-demand streaming. “Currently, LATW’s program airs weekly on KPFK 90.7 in Southern California and on station affiliates serving over 50 markets nationwide. But the heart and soul of the operation is the archive of play recordings,” writes McNulty. This archive has almost 600 titles that can be accessed via a recently launched monthly subscription service.
The SoCal scene
Times art critic Christopher Knight examines the curious case of the art museum that wasn’t. Despite having a social media presence and a webpage, the Joshua Tree Art Museum has not manifested as an actual space for art. This is because, writes Knight, “the charitable foundation sponsoring the project was issued a cease and desist order two years ago by the California attorney general’s office. All charitable activity was halted, a prohibition that has not been lifted.”
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“Forest Therapy Class” led by therapist Debra Wilbur at the Huntington.
(Yuri Hasegawa / For The Times)
Along with other organizations across the country, the Huntington recently lost its National Endowment for the Humanities grants. The money funded the Huntington’s research programs, and the institution is nonetheless determined to honor its awards to this year’s recipients. The Huntington will welcome more than 150 scholars from around the world this year and next, granting nearly $1.8 million in fellowships — a notable achievement in a climate of shrinking opportunity for research and innovation. “Supporting humanities scholars is central to the Huntington’s research mission. Here, scholars find the time, space, and resources to pursue ambitious questions across disciplines. The work that begins here continues to shape conversations in classrooms, publications, and public discourse for years to come,” Huntington President Karen R. Lawrence said in a statement.
Skirball Cultural Center has announced its 2025 season of Sunset Concerts. The popular series began in 1997 and takes place at the Skirball’s Taper Courtyard. This summer will feature two acts each night, including Brazilian singer-songwriter Rodrigo Amarante, the Colombia-based all-female trio La Perla and the Dominican band MULA. Click here for the full lineup and schedule.
The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles announced that it has acquiredCynthia Daignault’s “Twenty-Six Seconds.”The artwork is a series of frame-by-frame paintings based on Abraham Zapruder’s famous 26-second 8mm color film capturing the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Through 486 painted frames, Daignault’s work further interrogates the tragedy, imbuing it with modern context.
And last but not least
This past weekend I took my daughter to the Summer Corgi Nationals at Santa Anita Park. It was more adorable and more ridiculous than you could imagine — with the short-legged dogs racing for the finish line in a chaotic competition that sometimes found contenders chasing one another back to the starting line.
Seatown beach in Dorset is a stunning spot with golden sands and clear waters – and the best part is you can park your car right on the beach before enjoying a drink at the nearby pub
05:00, 01 Jun 2025Updated 12:39, 01 Jun 2025
Seatown beach and the Anchor Inn pub(Image: Getty Images)
The sea might be a bit nippy, but the weather is still mild and a day trip to the beach is a cracking way to spend a sunny day. It’s even better if there’s a pub just a stone’s throw from the beach. Dorset is one part of the UK blessed with stunning beaches.
A short drive from Lyme Regis, you’ll find the charming village of Seatown which boasts a splendid beach where you can literally park your car right next to the sand. Once you’ve arrived, you can either head straight for the beach or take a stroll along one of the breathtaking cliffs that offer panoramic views over Golden Cap and beyond.
For those in need of a drink after a day on the beach, The Anchor Inn is a snug pub located right by the water’s edge. Famous for its seafood, visitors come here to enjoy a glass of wine and savour the fresh fish dishes whilst taking in the spectacular views.
Seatown is a mesmerising spot, especially during the height of summer when a pizza oven and a cafe shack serving top-quality coffee are set up directly on the beach.
It’s also incredibly handy with parking available near the beach, making it a perfect location for a family day out by the sea, reports Devon Live.
For those who fancy staying a bit longer, there’s a delightful campsite located right on the beach, complete with excellent picnic areas and its own grocery shop.
Alternatively, you could book a room at the pub and settle in for the night.
It was a statement, a reminder and a warning all wrapped into one.
The Dodgers might not have been playing their best baseball entering this weekend’s World Series rematch against the New York Yankees.
But in a ceaseless offensive onslaught in the opening two innings on Saturday, things seemed to suddenly, profoundly and perhaps permanently change.
The Dodgers didn’t just beat the Yankees in a nationally televised late-afternoon contest to clinch a weekend series win at Dodger Stadium. They executed a slaughter in broad daylight. Four runs scored in the first inning. Six more came around in the second. And by the end, their 18-2 victory did more than set up the chance for a sweep in Sunday’s series finale.
It sent a shot across the bow to the rest of the baseball world, signifying that for all the Dodgers’ shortcomings of late, they might finally be clicking into top gear.
Granted, the Dodgers haven’t exactly been struggling to hit the ball. Entering Saturday, they were second in the majors in runs scored, second in OPS and first in batting average. They had been getting monster production from Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández and Will Smith. And, largely on the strength of their lineup, they were leading the National League West, still on a near 100-win pace in their pursuit of a second consecutive World Series title.
Still, over much of the last month, it had felt as if something was missing.
The team’s injury-ravaged pitching staff had put a strain on their recent play, leading to an 11-12 slide entering this weekend’s marquee Yankees matchup.
And their offense was picking up only so much of the slack, weighed down by early slumps from Mookie Betts, Max Muncy and Michael Conforto, as well as inconsistent performances from other bottom-half hitters.
Michael Conforto, left, celebrates with Hyeseong Kim after scoring on an RBI double by Tommy Edman in the second inning Saturday.
(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
It led to a malaise epitomized by a lack of signature moments. Not since knocking off the Detroit Tigers at the start of the regular season had the Dodgers won a series against a legitimate title contender. They were just 10-9 overall against opponents with winning records.
Manager Dave Roberts downplayed that notion Friday.
“We know that we have a good ballclub, and I don’t think that us not winning series against X amount of teams with winning records is an indictment on our ballclub,” he said. “I don’t think we’re thinking too much about that.”
Then again, with the Yankees coming to town as winners of 16 of their previous 20 games, this still felt like something of a litmus test — even if Betts was out with a fractured toe and the pitching staff remained far less than full strength.
“We try to win each and every game, of course,” Ohtani said in Japanese on Friday night, “but I think it’s a special atmosphere.”
Two games in, it has produced a couple of special results.
After coming from behind to steal Friday night’s opener, the Dodgers (36-22) wasted no time Saturday putting their foot firmly on the Yankees’ neck.
In the bottom of the first, Ohtani, Freeman, Smith and Muncy all singled within the first five at-bats against rookie Yankees starter Will Warren, scoring two runs. Conforto later added a sacrifice fly, before Tommy Edman hit a hard ground ball that got past third baseman (and former Dodgers farmhand) Jorbit Vivas for a run-scoring double, punctuating an inning in which the Dodgers batted around.
In the second, the Dodgers sent all nine batters to the plate again. After walks from Hernández and Freeman, Muncy hit a three-run homer to right, chasing Warren from the game with his 200th career long ball. Edman doubled home another run with two outs. Then Hyeseong Kim got the Dodgers to double digits, hitting his second home run of the season
Max Muncy hits a three-run home run in the second inning for the Dodgers on Saturday.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
By the time the Yankees (35-22) recorded their first hit on Austin Wells’ leadoff single in the third, it was already 10-0.
As starting pitcher Landon Knack cruised through six strong innings with the big lead — he gave up his lone run on a fourth-inning solo blast from Aaron Judge, his first of two long balls on the day — the Dodgers kept adding on.
In the fifth, Freeman plated a run with his 525th career double, tying Willie Mays and Ted Williams for 46th most all-time.
Then, Muncy went deep again, continuing his recent surge by belting another three-run homer high off the right-field foul pole, tying a career-high with seven RBIs on the day.
Over his last 19 games, Muncy is now batting .300 with five home runs, 24 RBIs and a .991 OPS.
And he isn’t the only Dodgers hitter heating up. Edman snapped a recent cold streak with three hits. Kim also had three hits, plus two stellar defensive plays: doubling off a runner at second base with a diving effort from shortstop in the third inning, then throwing out Judge at second with a perfect throw from deep center after shifting to the outfield. Andy Pages maintained his strong form with a solo home run in the seventh. Dalton Rushing hit his first career home run in the eighth.
The Dodgers’ biggest stars, meanwhile, have continued to dominate.
Ohtani, coming off his second live batting practice as a pitcher before the game (he threw 29 pitches over two simulated innings), had two hits, moving his OPS to 1.062.
In the National League, only Freeman has a better mark in that category, finishing Saturday at 1.078 (to go along with his NL-leading .374 batting average) after his own two-hit showing.
Couple all that with the impending returns of pitchers such as Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Michael Kopech, Kirby Yates and Blake Treinen — all of whom could be back within the next month or two, and in some cases sooner — and the Dodgers are starting to look more like the juggernaut they were supposed to be all along.
ASEAN nations have been closely observing the trajectory of US-China relations and have expressed their apprehensions vis-à-vis the uncertainty arising out of Trump tariffs. Leaders of Singapore and Malaysia have been particularly vocal in expressing their apprehensions.
While speaking at the opening of the 46th ASEAN Summit held at Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian PM, Anwar Ibrahim, referred to the imposition of tariffs by US President Donald Trump. Said the Malaysian PM:
‘Indeed, a transition in the geopolitical order is underway, and the global trading system is under further strain with the recent imposition of US unilateral tariffs,’
How ASEAN countries have benefited from the China+1 strategy
Here it would be pertinent to point out that ASEAN nations have also benefitted from the China+1 strategy of Western companies. Through this strategy, Western companies have been keen to reduce their dependence upon China and have been shifting to several ASEAN countries. Companies have moved from China not just to Vietnam but to other ASEAN nations like Indonesia and Malaysia as well.
Impact of China-US thaw on ASEAN
While many would have thought that ASEAN countries would heave a sigh of relief after the China-US agreement signed in Geneva, via which the US reduced tariffs against China from 145 percent to 30 percent. There has been a mixed reaction to the same, given the possibility of companies redrawing their China+1 plans.
Malaysia’s interest in BRICS+
Another important impact of Trump’s policies has been ASEAN countries seeking entry into multilateral organizations. Indonesia entered BRICS as a member in January 2025.
Malaysia, which entered BRICS as a partner country in October 2024, has also applied for full membership. Two other ASEAN countries, Vietnam and Thailand, also entered BRICS.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, while commenting on the ASEAN nation’s interest in joining BRICS:
‘Malaysia’s desire to join BRICS represents its effort to uphold policies and identity as an independent and neutral country, striking a balance with great powers and opening up new business and investment opportunities,’
Malaysia shares close economic ties with China as well as the US and the EU. Malaysia’s bilateral trade with China in 2024 exceeded $200 billion ($212.04 billion). The ASEAN nation’s trade with the US was estimated at $80.2 billion in 2024.
The Malaysian PM, Anwar Ibrahim, had earlier proposed an ‘Asian Monetary Fund’ as an alternative to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In recent years, Malaysia has been pushing for “de-dollarization,” or trade in non-dollar currencies, with several countries.
Anwar Ibrahim’s Russia visit and discussion of BRICS+
Apart from several other bilateral issues, the role of Malaysia in BRICS+ was also discussed during the recent meeting between Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the former’s Russia visit. The Malaysian PM thanked Putin for his role in facilitating Malaysia’s entry into BRICS+. The Russian president, on his part, welcomed the entry of Malaysia and other ASEAN nations as partner countries into BRICS+ during Russia’s chairmanship of BRICS+ in 2024.
During the meeting of Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during the former’s Indonesia visit, one of the issues that was discussed was Indonesia’s entry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and OECD. The CPTPP—earlier the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)—was initially conceived by former US President Barack Obama. During US President Donald Trump’s earlier presidency, the US had pulled out of TPP. While the organization did face a setback after the US exit from the CPTPP — members like Japan and Australia, which are wary of China’s growing clout in the Indo-Pacific, have been playing a key role in giving a push to economic linkages. Two other ASEAN countries—Malaysia and Vietnam—are already members of the CPTPP.
The Indonesian president thanked Australia for its support for Indonesian into the CPTPP.
The Australian PM, while commenting on his support for Indonesia’s entry into CPTPP:
‘I assure you, Mr. President, of Australia’s support for your joining the OECD as well as your accession to the CPTPP.’
The Australian PM also reiterated Indonesia’s strategic importance in the context of the Indo-Pacific.
Indonesia’s important role on the global stage
Indonesia has robust ties with both China and the US and seeks to use multilateral platforms for further enhancing its clout, as several middle powers have done in recent years. Indonesia has sought to present itself as an important voice of the Global South and as an important link between the G7 and G20.
ASEAN-China-GCC
On the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, the first ASEAN-China-GCC Summit was held for the first time. The Malaysian PM dubbed this as extraordinary. Anwar Ibrahim also said:
‘I am confident that ASEAN, the GCC, and China can draw upon our unique attributes and shape a future that is more connected, more resilient, and more prosperous.’
Conclusion
In conclusion, the interest of countries like Malaysia and Indonesia in entering multilateral organizations is driven by the changing geopolitical situation in ASEAN and beyond. These nations need to be deft and nimble and can not afford to have a zero-sum approach towards the same. The recent ASEAN Summit is a strong illustration of how ASEAN member states are seeking to diversify their relationships by seeking entry into important multilateral blocs. Apart from this, one point that is evident from the recent ASEAN summit was that ASEAN as a grouping is also seeking to strengthen ties with groups like the GCC.
Fiona Whitty took a trip to Dundee, the fourth largest city in Scotland which was once known for its jute, jam and journalism, but is now home to the V&A and the RRS Discovery, Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s Antarctic exploration ship
EXCLUSIVE: EastEnders actor Shane Richie has hinted at a major new storyline on the cards for Alfie Moon and Kat Slater amid a wedding for the pair, with the reports Zoe Slater is returning
22:34, 31 May 2025Updated 22:37, 31 May 2025
EastEnders actor Shane Richie has hinted at a major new storyline on the cards for Alfie Moon and Kat Slater (Image: Getty Images)
Alfie Moon actor Shane Richie may have shared hints at the rumoured EastEndersreturn of Zoe Slater. Speaking exclusively to The Mirror at The British Soap Awards 2025, the Walford legend revealed there were huge scenes on the way. He promised a massive new storyline that would top the soap’s 40th anniversary.
Not only that, but he revealed the storyline would run for months, continuing into next year. He remained coy over what and who the storyline involved, but teased “fireworks”.
He hinted it would involve Alfie and Kat, amid reports Kat’s daughter Zoe will finally make her return to the show after decades. Michelle Ryan is tipped to reprise her role for the first time since 2005, so perhaps this is what Shane was referring to.
Teasing all, Shane revealed new producer Ben Wadey had huge things planned for the show. The actor told us: “He has told me some things. I said let me sit down.
“There’s fireworks, there’s Kat and Alfie. There is a story that is about to kick in, which will carry on through to after Christmas. Honestly it’s a big story. If you thought the 40th was big wait until you see this story. That’s all I’m saying.”
Alfie Moon actor Shane Richie may have shared hints at the rumoured EastEnders return of Zoe Slater(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Shane also told us about his hopes for a Spencer Moon return. Spencer was mentioned recently on the show after his partner Vicki Fowler made her own comeback after more than 20 years away.
Now, Shane is hoping Alfie will be reunited with his brother but maybe not too soon. He explained: “I would like him to come back. One of my sons keeps in touch with Christopher [Parker], but he’s a lawyer now.
“He flies between LA and London. I would love to think that one day they might bring back Spencer, but so much is going on at the moment. Alfie could probably do without that.”
It comes amid The Sun reporting that Michelle Ryan would be reprising her role as Zoe, while the BBC soap have yet to confirm the news. According to the publication, a source claimed it was “the perfect moment” for the return and the timing “felt right”.
It comes amid reporting that Michelle Ryan would be reprising her role as Zoe(Image: Press Association Images)
They said: “Bosses have repeatedly reached out to Michelle over the years, but the timing has never been quite right. People are still talking about her character, so it’s a real coup to bring her back.
“She feels like now is the perfect moment — and there was an exciting script on the table.” It comes after other returns being teased in the coming weeks and months.
Max Branning has been teased to make a comeback, as well as his son Oscar Branning. When asked by The Mirror about this, EastEnders cast members including Jacqueline Jossa and Scott Maslen declined to comment.
Thomas Hitzelsperger and Nicky Bandini praise the work-rate of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who acts as the “first line of defence” for Paris Saint-Germain as the French champions beat Inter Milan 5-0 in the UEFA Champions League final at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Ukraine said Friday it will not send a delegation for peace talks to Istanbul Monday until Russia provides details of its ceasefire proposal. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of stalling in peace negotiations.
Zelensky (L) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pose for an official photo prior to their meeting in Ankara, Turkey, May 15. Photo courtesy of Turkish Presidential Office/EPA-EFE
May 30 (UPI) —Ukraine said it will not send a delegation for peace talks to Istanbul Monday until Russia provides details of its cease-fire proposal.
Ukraine accused Russia, which has said it will send a delegation to Istanbul for the talks, of stalling in peace negotiations.
“Russia is dragging out the war and doing everything to simply deceive countries that are still trying to influence Moscow with words, not pressure. Words with Moscow do not work. Even the so-called “memorandum” that they promised and supposedly prepared for more than a week has not yet been seen by anyone,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video posted to the presidential website.
During a joint press conference with Turkey’s foreign minister, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia must accept an unconditional cease-fire.
Ukraine has sent cease-fire proposal details to Russia.
“We are interested in seeing these meetings continue because we want the war to end this year,” Sybiha said.
The Monday Istanbul meeting will not include Zelensky or Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the Russian cease-fire proposal memo will be delivered at the Monday Istanbul meeting.
He said it will focus on overcoming what he termed the “root causes” of the war.
Lavrov proposed a second round of Istanbul talks for June 2. Ukraine has not yet committed to that proposed meeting.
“They are doing everything to make the meetings empty. And this is another reason to have sufficient sanctions – sufficient pressure on Russia,” Zelensky said of Russia.
The United States, France, Germany and Britain are all sending security advisors to the Monday Istanbul talks as Ukraine awaits details from Russia about its cease-fire proposal.
Ukraine’s position is that it must see details of the Russian cease-fire proposal before the next peace talks session happens.
The governor of Russia’s Bryansk, Alexander Bogomaz, said seven people were killed, and 30 were injured in a train derailment in the region bordering Ukraine. Moscow Railway said in a post on Telegram that the derailment and bridge collapse was a result of “illegal interference in transport operations”. Ukraine’s military did not immediately comment.
A Russian attack killed a child and wounded another person in the Ukrainian village of Dolynka in Zaporizhia, the region’s governor said.
A man was also killed by Russian shelling in Ukraine’s Kherson region, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin wrote on Telegram.
The Ukrainian Air Force said Russian forces launched an estimated 109 drones and five missiles across Ukraine on Friday and overnight. Ukrainian forces destroyed 42 of the drones, it added.
Russia’s military said it captured the Ukrainian village of Vodolahy in the Sumy region and Novopil in the Donetsk region.
The announcement came after Ukraine ordered the evacuation of 11 more villages in the Sumy region, saying Russia had amassed some 50,000 troops in the area.
Politics and diplomacy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia did not “look very serious” and had given “no clear information” on what it plans to achieve at peace talks in Istanbul, Turkiye, next week.
He did not comment on whether Ukraine would participate in the new round of negotiations, though Russia has said it would send a delegation led by Vladimir Medinsky, a former culture minister.
China’s embassy in Singapore criticised French President Emmanuel Macron for comparing the defence of Ukraine with the need to protect Taiwan from a Chinese invasion, saying that “the two are different in nature and not comparable at all”.
Russia’s war on Ukraine will be at the top of the agenda when German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meets with United States President Donald Trump on Thursday at the White House, according to a spokesman for the German government.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said new rules set to regulate foreign ships crossing Swedish territorial waters from July 1 come amid “a growing number of concerning incidents in the Baltic Sea”, as Russia’s so-called Shadow Fleet continues to run into problems.
Weapons
British Defence Secretary John Healey announces plans to build at least six new factories producing weapons and explosives, saying that “the hard-fought lessons from [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine show a military is only as strong as the industry that stands behind them.”
Hamas said: “This proposal aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire, (Israeli) withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and ensure the flow of aid to our people and families.”
There was no immediate response from Israel to the statement.
But PM Benjamin Netanyahu had last week told families of the hostages they had accepted the US proposals.
It comes as Gaza health officials said yesterday that 14 people had been killed and 284 injured in the past day.
Train veers off the tracks in Russia’s Bryansk region after ‘illegal interference’ caused a bridge to collapse, officials say.
A passenger train has derailed in Russia, killing at least seven people and injuring 30 others, after colliding with a bridge that collapsed because of what local officials described as “illegal interference”.
The incident took place late on Saturday in Russia’s Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine.
“Unfortunately, there are seven fatalities,” Bryansk Governor Alexander Bogomaz said in a post on Telegram.
“Thirty victims, including two children, were taken to medical facilities in the Bryansk Region,” Bogomaz said, adding that two were in serious condition.
The driver of the train was among those killed, according to Russian news agencies.
Rosavtodor, Russia’s federal road transportation agency, said the destroyed bridge passed above the railway tracks where the train was travelling.
The railway vehicle – which was going from the town of Klimov to the Russian capital, Moscow – veered off the tracks when it collided with the collapsed bridge near the village of Vygonichi, according to the RIA news agency.
The area lies some 100km (62 miles) from Russia’s border with Ukraine.
Rescuers were searching for passengers trapped inside the damaged train, while emergency accommodation was set up at a school in Vygonichi, RIA reported.
Moscow Railway, in a post on Telegram, said the bridge had collapsed “as a result of an illegal interference in the operation of transport”.
It did not elaborate further.
Russia’s Baza Telegram channel, which often publishes information from sources in the security services and law enforcement, reported, without providing evidence, that according to preliminary information, the bridge was blown up.
Explosions have derailed multiple trains, most of them freight trains, in Russian regions near Ukraine as fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues.
There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.
Two hours after the bridge collapse was reported, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that Ukraine’s air defence units were trying to repel a Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital.
Earlier on Saturday, Russian drone and missile attacks killed at least two people in Ukraine, officials said.
Since the start of Russia’s invasion three years ago, there have been continued cross-border shelling, drone strikes and covert raids from Ukraine into Russia’s Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod regions, which border Ukraine.
United States President Donald Trump has urged Moscow and Kyiv to work together on a deal to end the war, and Russia has proposed a second round of face-to-face talks with Ukrainian officials next week in Istanbul.
Ukraine is yet to commit to attending the talks on Monday, saying it first needs to see Russian proposals, while a leading US senator warned Moscow it would be “hit hard” by new US sanctions.
Addison Moorman could finally breathe. The senior pitcher couldn’t hold her emotions back. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she embraced her teammates on Cal State Northridge’s softball diamond.
A year ago, she struck out 19 batters — only to fall short 1-0 in14 innings. Two years previous, Granada Hills was one run away from City Section glory.
On Saturday in Northridge, so close to home, the City Section Open Division title, the program’s first since 1981, was Moorman’s — and the Highlanders — to celebrate in an 11-2 drubbing of archrival Carson. Moorman put the team on her back, striking out 11 while giving up just four hits and two earned runs across her complete-game performance.
“It feels so good to go out on top, especially against [Carson],” said Moorman, who signed with Lehigh in November. “To finally beat them, overcome that hurdle and then leave as a champion, feels really great.”
Carson held a 1-0 lead early in the game when Atiana Rodriguez and Letu’u Simi combined for back-to-back doubles in the second inning, but from the bottom of the second onward, it was all Granada Hills at the plate.
Addison Moorman delivers a pitch against Carson on Saturday.
(Craig Weston)
The Highlanders capitalized off of two Colts errors in the second inning. Second baseman Lainey Brown and right fielder Elysse Diaz singled home runs, while Giselle Merida tripled to bring home another.
“I’ve been waiting,” said Diaz who went two for four with two RBIs and a double. “It was just boiling and boiling and then here, [the offense] just exploded.”
By the time Moorman returned to the circle for her third inning of work, Granada Hills had scored seven runs on six hits against Carson pitcher Giselle Pantoja — who shut the Highlanders down in 2024 — building a cushion for its star pitcher to go out and do what she’d done all season: dominate.
“‘Every time a pitcher always feels that burden of carrying the team, and [Moorman] dealt with it well,” said Granada Hills coach Ivan Garcia. “Her character is greater than her talent, the way she handles her teammates, the way she leads by example. I mean, you wouldn’t know that she’s a star pitcher, the way she puts bases away, the way she cleans up.”
Moorman made just one big mistake on Saturday — leaving a pitch over the plate to Colts center fielder Rylee Gardner, who desposited the ball over the center-field wall for a solo home run (her eighth of the year) in the sixth inning.
Otherwise, Moorman kept Carson off balance all game. She set down 13 consecutive batters between the second and sixth innings, striking out her 11th batter of the game as the penultimate at-bat of her high school career.
Giselle Merida slides safety into the base for an RBI triple against Carson in the second inning Saturday.
(Craig Weston)
For Moorman, winning a CIF title just 10 minutes away from Granada Hills High, was a moment worth savoring, she said. For Garcia — who said he was happy to see his team goofing off and having fun at a pregame lunch, loosening up before the biggest game of his coaching career — he is looking forward to the 1981 title no longer lurking around his shoulders.
“Third time’s the charm,” he said.
Earlier in the day in Northridge, Taft won its first City Section title in the softball program’s history with an 8-3 victory over Marquez in the Division II final. Legacy made no doubt of its City Section Division I title triumph later Saturday afternoon, shutting out Port of Los Angeles 5-0.
This is a view in 2010 of Iranian nuclear power plant in Bushehr, southern Iran. File photo by Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA/EFE
May 31 (UPI) — Iran has increased production of highly enriched uranium, according to the United Nations nuclear watchdog, as the nation conducts talks with the United States on a nuclear deal.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said the Middle East country now possesses more than 408.6 kilograms, or 900 pounds, of uranium enriched to 60% purity as of May 17, according to a confidential report obtained by the BBC and Al Jazeera.
That’s a nearly 50% increase since February.
In December, the IAEA said Iran was rapidly moving closer to the 90% threshold needed for weapons-grade material.
This is enough for about 10 nuclear weapons if further refined.
Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed state producing uranium at this level.
“The significantly increased production and accumulation of highly enriched uranium by Iran … is of serious concern,” IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said.
IAEA concluded that Tehran conducted nuclear activities at three previously unknown sites: Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, Turquzabad.
And IAEA stated said it “cannot verify” the development of nuclear weapons, citing Iran’s refusal to grant access to senior inspectors and not answer questions about its nuclear history.
The IAEA board plans to meet in the coming days to discuss next steps.
Iran has long said its nuclear enrichment is for peaceful purposes.
“If the issue is nuclear weapons, yes, we too consider this type of weapon unacceptable,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a televised speech. “We agree with them on this issue.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday in a statement that Iran is “totally determined” to acquire nuclear weapons.
“Such a level of enrichment exists only in countries actively pursuing nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification whatsoever,” Netanyahu’s office said.
U.S. officials estimate Ian could produce weapons-grade material in less than two weeks and potentially build a bomb within months.
Since talks began in April, both sides have expressed optimism but are divided over key issues, including whether Iran can continue enrichment under any future agreement.
Two of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei‘s advisors — Ali Larijani and Kamal Kharazi — have suggested Iran might reconsider building nuclear weapons if international pressure mounts.
The IAEA findings could be a negotiation tool for Iran, Hamed Mousavi, professor of political science at Tehran University, told Al Jazeera.
“I think both sides are trying to build leverage against the other side,” he said. “From the Iranian perspective, an advancement in the nuclear program is going to bring them leverage at the negotiation table with the Americans.
“Enriching up to 60% – from the Iranian perspective – is a sort of leverage against the Americans to lift sanctions.”
He said the U.S. could threaten more sanctions and refer the situation to the U.N. Security Council for its breach of the 2006 non-proliferation agreement.
On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he sees a nuclear deal with Iran that would allow the destruction of labs and inspections. Iran has rejected inspections.
He said a deal is “very strong, where we can go in with inspectors. We can take whatever we want. We can blow up whatever we want. But nobody getting killed.”
In 2018, Trump unilaterally exited the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and reimposed harsh sanctions.
In 2015, Iran reached a deal with the U.S., Britain, Germany, France, Russia, China and the European Union.
Some sanctions on Iran were lifted for limits on its nuclear development program.
