McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said: “With the benefit of hindsight, let’s say that considering the situation in corner one-two, it could have been better for Lando to just lift and make sure that he could keep the second position because the car, again, with the benefit of hindsight, we see that he was very fast and he would certainly have passed Max, like Oscar, and then later Lando was in condition to do.

“So I think like every situation in racing, you have to approach with the mindset of reviewing where the opportunities lie. And I think in this case, Lando could have been a little bit more patient.”

Norris was further delayed in racing Verstappen because he passed him at Turn 11 by going off track and had to give the place back, before regaining it for good the following lap.

Stella said he saw no difference in his two drivers’ approaches to racing Verstappen.

“Both drivers were approaching the overtaking in a way that had Lando not gone off by a few centimetres in corner 11, he would have completed the overtaking in what was a similar time. So I don’t think we should over-read too much into situations. I think it’s, like I said before, it’s a matter sometimes of a fraction of a second or a fraction of a metre.

“The big time loss came because of having to give back the position. So I think in terms of overtaking manoeuvre and precision and determination, I don’t see that there’s any difference between both drivers.”

Once he passed Verstappen, Norris closed on Piastri in the second stint, but ran out of time to close the gap.

May 4 (UPI) — An Israel-based Patriot air defense system is being moved to Ukraine to help in its ongoing battle against a three-year long Russian invasion, officials announced Sunday.

The system will be sent after it is refurbished, and Western allies have said Germany and Greece could also send an additional one.

The deployment of the Patriot system is a continuation of the previous administration’s commitment to send more defense weapons to Kyiv. In September, Former President Joe Biden arranged a deal with Israel to send the missile defense system to Ukraine, before Donald Trump was re-elected.

Trump administration officials said “it continues to provide equipment to Ukraine from previously authorized” agreements, The New York Times reported.

The Trump administration has said in recent weeks that it wants an end to the war in Ukraine but the chances of a quick resolution have taken a hit in recent weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a drone attack on key Ukrainian infrastructure on the eve of a proposed ceasefire.

Kyiv media reported that four people have been killed and at least 30 more injured in a barrage of drone attacks in recent days, including 11 children.

“Air defenses shot down 69 drones, while 80 vanished from radars — likely used as decoys to overwhelm Ukraine’s defenses,” the Kyiv Independent reported. “The assault was countered with electronic warfare units, aviation, anti-aircraft missile systems, and mobile fire groups.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said “a real ceasefire is necessary … to bring the war to an end.”

Russia is calling for a ceasefire on May 9, the Independent reported.

US president makes claim after Mexican leader says her country’s sovereignty ‘not for sale.’

United States President Donald Trump has claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum refused an offer to send US troops to the Latin American country due to her fear of drug cartels.

Trump on Sunday confirmed that he had suggested sending US troops to Mexico to combat drug trafficking, a day after Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country’s sovereignty was “not for sale”.

“If Mexico wanted help with the cartels, we would be honoured to go in and do it. I told her that,” Trump told reporters onboard Air Force One.

“I would be honoured to go in and do it. The cartels are trying to destroy our country.”

Asked if he was disappointed over Sheinbaum’s decision, Trump claimed that she had refused the offer because she is “so afraid of the cartels, she can’t walk”.

“I think she’s a lovely woman. The president of Mexico is a lovely woman, but she is so afraid of the cartels that she can’t even think straight,” Trump said without offering evidence to support his claim.

On Saturday, Sheinbaum told a public event that she had told the US president that Mexico would never accept the presence of US troops on its territory.

“I told him, No, President Trump, our territory is inviolable, our sovereignty is inviolable, our sovereignty is not for sale,’” she said.

Sheinbaum made her comments after The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported that the Trump administration was pressuring her government to allow “deeper US military involvement” in the fight against Mexican drug cartels.

Trump has often accused Mexico of not doing enough to halt the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs across the US southern border.

In one of the first salvoes of his wide-ranging trade war, Trump in February announced that he would impose across-the-board 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada over what he said was their failure to crack down on the influx of drugs and undocumented migrants.

Trump subsequently announced that he would suspend the tariffs on goods falling under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the three-way free trade deal that his first administration negotiated to succeed the North American Free Trade Agreement.

PUZZLE enthusiasts have been challenged to put their IQ to the test with this tricky spring brainteaser.

Everyone can see the gorgeous spring tulips, but only the most eagle-eyed will be able to spy the hidden pearl necklace in under 30 seconds.

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Whether you’re hoping to improve your problem solving skills or boost your memory, this puzzle is bound to be a challenge for many readers.

Put your observation skills to the test and figure out whether you have what it takes to spot the hidden pearl necklace in just a few seconds.

Make sure to set your stopwatch before undertaking this challenge, to make it extra hard for yourself.

If you can do it in under 30 seconds, you are said to have the eyes of a hawk.

At first glance, this image, provided by  F Hinds looks like just a beautiful painting of pink and purple tulips.

However, those with 20/20 vision will be able to immediately see this is not the case.

This puzzle works by tricking your eyes into thinking that there is nothing but tulips in the image.

But rest assured, hidden among the petals and stems is a string of pearls.

Unless you’re lucky enough to find the odd one out immediately, we recommend analysing the pattern very closely to spot the answer.

The visual deception of this image will have you scratching your head trying to solve it, but the payoff is worth it.

If you need a hint, we recommend focusing on the top half of the image.

The pearl necklace can be found on the left hand side of the painting.

If you’re looking for more of a challenge, this tricky puzzle asks readers to find the odd one out in a sea of TikTok logos.

If you need another tricky test, only the most eagle-eyed readers will be able to spot the six items that need tidying up in this spot the difference puzzle.

And if that’s not hard enough, only those with 20/20 vision will be able to spot the ‘impostor’ bee in this image.

Another tricky puzzle asks hawk-eyed readers to spot five tickets hidden amongst a sea of football fans.

If that’s still not hard enough for you, then have a go at spotting the hidden broom amongst the clothes in less than five seconds.

Coming back to our challenge, were you able to solve it in under 30 seconds?

For those struggling to locate it, we have marked the answer below.

How did you do?

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President Trump said he plans to reopen the notorious Alcatraz prison to house the “most ruthless and violent” criminals on land that has been a Bay Area tourist attraction and national recreation area for decades.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social site Sunday that, “For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering. When we were a more serious Nation, in times past, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.”

“That is why, today, I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office suggested Trump’s announcement was a ploy to draw attention away from his actions as president.

“Looks like it’s distraction day again in Washington, D.C.,” said Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokesperson for Newsom. “Trump is pledging to reopen Alcatraz as American consumers feel the financial pinch of his unpopular tariffs and he continues to tussle with the courts over mass deportations of immigrants.”

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said on the social media site X that “the President’s proposal is not a serious one.”

The history of Alcatraz Island as a detention center dates back to 1868 when the U.S. military created a disciplinary barrack on site. The famous prison building known as the Rock was built in 1912 and transferred to the Department of Justice in 1933 for use as a federal prison.

The prison closed in 1963, and Alcatraz Island is currently operated as a tourist site by the National Park Service. Visitors to the island learn about famous prisoners like Al Capone, escape attempts and the occupation by a group of Native American activists that lasted from 1969 to 1971.

John Martini, an Alcatraz historian, said the prison was closed in part because it was built with bad construction methods, was decaying and “would be such a money pit to bring it up to standards … that it was easier to build a new penitentiary.”

“It’s nowhere near what you’d consider to be modern standards for housing incarcerated people,” he said, adding it would be challenging to reopen it as a prison.

Last year, the National Park Service awarded a nearly $50-million contract to “address deterioration and structural deficiencies associated with the Alcatraz Main Prison Building,” according to a news release.

The contractor, Tutor Perini Corp., said the work would include the “abatement of hazardous materials” and be substantially completed by summer 2027, so as to “provide a safe facility for the 1.4 million annual visitors.”

The order to return the island to a prison comes as Trump has been clashing with the courts as he tries to send accused gang members to a notorious prison in El Salvador without due process. Trump has also talked about wanting to send American citizens there and to other foreign prisons.

In Trump’s post Sunday, the president said “we will no longer be held hostage to criminals, thugs, and Judges that are afraid to do their job and allow us to remove criminals, who came into our Country illegally.”

In the United States, judges have the ability to rule whether a president has violated the law and at times have ruled Trump has overstepped his authority since returning to office.

State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) called the order “unhinged.” But he said that doesn’t mean he is dismissing what Trump said on social media.

“It’s an absurd idea,” Wiener said in an interview Sunday evening. “But on the other hand, we’ve learned that when Donald Trump says something, he means it. … He specifically refers to the judges who won’t let him deport people without due process, so it looks like he wants to open a gulag here in the U.S.”

Martini, the historian, said the news took his breath away.

“It’s been preserved by the National Park Service to tell multiple stories, including incarceration, crime in America, rehabilitation and stories like the Native American takeover in 1969,” Martini said. “If this was to happen, what happens to all the history?”

Los Angeles Times reporter Melody Gutierrez and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

ATLANTA — Dustin May knew how key his sweeper would be this season.

“It’s going to be huge,” the Dodgers right-hander said earlier this spring. “Being able to land that is probably going to be my biggest thing for the whole year.”

Lately, however, he’s learning there’s a flip side to that coin, as well.

For as good as May’s Frisbee-esque breaking ball looked, when he returned from a nearly two-year absence by giving up just two earned runs in his first three starts, the pitch has been more inconsistent in the three outings since, dragging May’s overall performance down with it.

In a 4-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Sunday at Truist Park, it was two bad sweepers — both to Braves slugger Austin Riley — that sank May on a night the Dodgers saw their seven-game winning streak stopped.

In the first inning, May had two strikes against Riley before throwing a sweeper up and over the plate. Riley launched it to left for a two-run homer.

In the third, May tried his sweeper again against Riley, throwing it over the outer edge of the plate in a 1-and-1 count. But Riley was on it once more, belting another two-run blast that gave the Braves an early 4-0 lead.

Outside of those pitches, May was mostly effective. He got through 5 ⅔ innings. He struck out six batters. He didn’t give up any other runs.

But for this new version of May — who, in search of better health after two major elbow surgeries, has dialed back on his fastball velocity and drastically dropped the arm angle of his already somewhat side-arm delivery — even a couple of misplaced mistakes can spell trouble.

The Dodgers (23-11) didn’t give May much support.

With Braves starter Bryce Elder painting the corners of the strike zone, their recently streaking offense went cold. Max Muncy supplied their lone early RBIs, plating one run on a fourth-inning double and another on a sixth-inning groundout.

Miguel Rojas came off the bench in the sixth inning as a pinch-hitter for ice-cold outfielder Michael Conforto — who struck out twice and is six for 73 going back to early April — and hit a home run off left-handed reliever Dylan Lee to cut the deficit to 4-3.

Teoscar Hernández hits a single in the third inning for the Dodgers against the Braves on Sunday.

(Mike Stewart / Associated Press)

But that was as close as the Dodgers would come against the Atlanta bullpen. In the eighth, they were twice robbed of hits by diving plays from the Braves’ defense. In the ninth, they stranded Hyeseong Kim at third after he stole second as a pinch-runner for Andy Pages and advanced to third on a dropped third strike.

Still, for a banged-up Dodgers rotation looking for someone else to step up alongside staff ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, May’s recent regression has been the bigger disappointment.

In his last three outings, the 27-year-old has yielded 14 runs in 16 innings.

And each time, an inability to consistently land his sweeper has served as a source of frustration.

Two weeks ago, when an overall lack of command led to May getting knocked around at Wrigley Field by the Chicago Cubs, he was asked how difficult it is to be successful when that pitch isn’t working.

“I think you can see how important it is,” he said that night.

May remained dissatisfied after giving up three runs to the Miami Marlins last Monday.

“I still wasn’t executing very well at all,” he said then. “I just got away with some stuff.”

On Sunday against the Braves, it was a similar story, May looking frustrated with himself as Riley took his two trots around the bases, bemoaning poorly executed sweepers again.

May 4 (UPI) — While the divided and dysfunctional South Korean political system is preparing for the June 3 election of a new president after the impeachment of President Seok-yeol Yoon, Korean citizen activists are looking beyond that event.

They are promoting a new politics with a broader sense of national purpose that rises above current party politics. This was the message Inteck Seo, co-chair of Action for Korea United (AKU) in South Korea brought to a gathering of representatives of Korean-American organizations in the DC Metro area at the Capitol Visitors’ Center on Saturday.

AKU is the largest coalition of civil society groups in South Korea promoting reunification. The event was held to mark the 80thyear of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule.

Seo argued that the three pillars on which the North Korean regime had stood – management of the entire economy, ideological control, and the politics of fear – were all crumbling. “The regime is on the brink of collapse,” he said, “and we have to prepare for that future.”

“North Korea recognizes that it can no longer compete with the South,” he said. As a result it abandoned the long-standing goal of Korean reunification led by the North earlier this year.

Seo cited the U.S. Declaration of Independence which laid out the foundational principle that “all men are created equal and endowed by the Creator” with fundamental rights and freedoms, before listing the particular complaints against the British Crown. The movement for Korean reunification, likewise, needed to begin with a vision and principles that Koreans in the South could unite around before considering methods and processes.

The roots of that vision that he called the Korean Dream were to be found in Korea’s ancient, pre-division culture, he suggested. In particular the principle of Hongikingan, living to “broadly benefit all mankind “connected Koreans with their past and with the ideals of the Korean Independence movement of the early 20th century.

He proposed that a new, unified Korea should be a model liberal democracy with a system of checks and balances; a moral free market economy; a free press; an educational system that cultivated ethical character and a spirit of public service; and freedom of religion and conscience.

The examples of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King showed the power of citizens’ movements to spark major cultural and political change. Seo noted that German unification was not a top-down process but was initiated from the bottom-up. Change in Korea would be launched in the same way. He urged Korean-American civil society groups to support the work of AKU in advancing reunification.

Fellow keynote speaker Morse Tan, former U.S. Ambassador for Global Criminal Justice, noted that in that role he had dealt with terrible atrocities in many countries but North Korea was by far the worst. It had a history of “sadness, oppression, and injustice.”

“Many of North Korea’s problems could be solved through reunification,” he added, mentioning human rights and freedoms, and military and nuclear issues.

Dr. Suzanne Scholte, President of the North Korean Freedom Foundation, urged a human rights upfront policy towards North Korea by the U.S. government. Her organization engages with people in North Koreat through information broadcast by Free North Korean Radio, staffed by North Korean escapees. It also smuggles in flash drives, SD cards, and radios.

David Maxwell, former U.S. Special Forces Colonel who served in Korea, and regular UPI contributor, noted that 30 years of U.S. diplomacy focused on North Korean denuclearization had totally failed in its goal. He proposed the motto “unification first, the denuclearization.” Unification policy should be pursued through a focus on human rights and a campaign to flow information into North Korea.

The event was organized by Alliance for Korea United-USA and the Congressional host was Rep. Young Kim, CA. Seo now travels to the West coast where he will meet with leaders of Korea organizations in the Seattle area.

US President Donald Trump says he will hit movies made in foreign countries with 100% tariffs, as he ramps up trade disputes with nations around the world.

Trump said he was authorising the US Trade Representative to start the process to impose the levy because America’s movie industry was dying “a very fast death”.

He blamed a “concerted effort” by other countries that offer incentives to attract filmmakers and studios, which he described as a “National Security threat”.

“It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!” Trump said on his Truth Social platform. “WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has imposed tariffs on countries around the world.

He argues tariffs will boost US manufacturers and protect jobs – but the global economy has been thrown into chaos as a result, and prices on goods around the world are expected to rise.

Ahead of his inauguration, Trump appointed three film stars – Jon Voight, Mel Gibson and Sylvester Stallone – to be special ambassadors tasked with promoting business opportunities in Hollywood, which he described as a “great but very troubled place”.

“They will serve as Special Envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost much business over the last four years to Foreign Countries, BACK—BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!” Trump wrote at the time.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick responded to the latest announcement, saying “We’re on it”.

The US remains a major film production hub globally despite challenges, according to movie industry research firm ProdPro.

Its most recent annual report shows the country saw $14.54bn (£10.94bn) of production spending last year. That was down by 26% since 2022, though.

Countries that have attracted an increase in spending over the same period include Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the UK, according to the report.

Even before this most recent announcement, the US movie industry had been impacted by the fallout from Trump’s trade policies.

In April, China said it was reducing its quota of American films allowed into the country.

“The wrong action of the US government to abuse tariffs on China will inevitably further reduce the domestic audience’s favourability towards American films,” the China Film Administration said.

“We will follow the market rules, respect the audience’s choice, and moderately reduce the number of American films imported.”

Trump has hit China hardest with his tariffs salvo, imposing import taxes of up to 145% on goods from there.

His administration said last month that when the new tariffs are added on to existing ones, the levies on some Chinese goods could reach 245%.

Beijing has hit back with a 125% import duty on goods from the US.

Other countries currently face a blanket US tariff of 10% until a pause on higher levies expires in July.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said he was meeting with many countries, including China, on trade deals.

He added, however, that he had no plans to speak with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping this week – despite previous reports that Washington had approached Beijing about holding trade talks.

Asked if any trade agreements would be announced this week, Trump said that could “very well be”, but gave no details.

Earlier, Trump signalled he may be willing to lower tariffs on China.

“At some point, I’m going to lower them, because otherwise, you could never do business with them, and they want to do business very much,” he said in an interview that aired Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press.

Spain’s hidden gem, Altea, is making moves as one of the newest holiday hotspots with its vibrant atmosphere and beautiful beaches, perfect for those looking for a break from the city.

Spain will forever remain a firm favourite for holidaying Brits every year – despite the ongoing unrest over tourist saturation in key towns and cities.

Just nine miles away from the ever-popular Benidorm, Altea is a city and municipality in the Valencian community. It’s a beautiful and charming coastal town on the Costa Blanca, known for its vibrant culture, beautiful beaches and less busy than other destinations, whilst still providing Hispanic beauty.

For those still looking for a holiday that’s not too far away from home and isn’t overcrowded with tourists, this beautiful Spanish seaside city is one of the best places to visit – and the flights are cheap.

READ MORE: UK’s most travel-obsessed city revealed as average Brit visits seven countries

The closest airport to Altera is Alicante. In the month of May, flight prices start from £50 from Bristol, Birmingham, London Luton, Newquay, Exeter, Leeds, and Norwich. Nonetheless, prices are subject to change depending on the time of purchase, season, and demand.

According to a survey conducted by Which? Travel, it was named Spain’s best coastal destination, scoring high points for attractiveness, safety and friendliness. The site said: “Because it’s the Costa Blanca that travel snobs who deride the region don’t know, the historic, villagey one where blue-tiled church domes glitter above a hill of sugar-cube houses.”

“The one whose romantic setting – a wall of mountains on one side, the Mediterranean on the other – attracted artists, kickstarting tourism along this coast in the late 50s.”

With Altea having a 3.7 mile long coastline with pebble beaches and crystal clear waters, they added: “When day-trippers leave by late afternoon, a lucky few get to revel in a pipsqueak beach resort.”

Altea’s gastronomy is heavily influenced by its location in the Costa Blanca with fresh seafood, paella, black rice, fideua (which is similar to paella) and the Nougat of Altea being the most known dishes. Restaurants in Altea offer a range of different culinary experiences, from traditional to modern, showcasing its local flavours.

READ MORE: Spanish holiday hotspot is a ‘timebomb waiting to explode’ as Brits issued warning

Things to do in Altea

Despite not being as well known as other Spanish destinations, Altea has a lot to offer to locals and visitors alike. From indoor to outdoor activities, you will never run out of things to do – and among the best ones are:

• The Church Square
• Mirador de los Cronistas
• Portal Vell
• Castell de L’Olla
• Casco Antiguo de Altea
• Mercadillo de Altea
• Paseo Maritimo Joaquin Planell ded Altea
• Altea Beach

Altea is also known for its relaxed atmosphere. Therefore, visitors won’t find late-night clubs or party areas. Nonetheless, there are tons of bars, restaurants and music venues for visitors to enjoy. But don’t worry, party areas like Benidorm are just a short car ride away, or taking the Line 9 tram, which will take you there in less than 15 minutes.

If you’re looking for a relaxed holiday away from the hustle and bustle of busy city life, look no further: Altea is for you.

This story contains spoilers for “Day One,” Episode 4 of “The Last of Us” Season 2.

One of the first places Ellie and Dina explore when they reach Seattle is Capitol Hill.

“What’s up with all the rainbows,” asks Dina, played by Isabela Merced, as the pair make their way through a desolate neighborhood decorated with tattered LGBTQ+ Pride flags on horseback.

“I don’t know, maybe they were all optimists,” responds Bella Ramsey’s Ellie as they pass by a mural of a rainbow heart.

It’s an early tease of how Ellie and Dina’s relationship will progress in Sunday’s episode of “The Last of Us.” The two of them have been dancing around each other — physically and emotionally — since sharing a kiss in the first episode that has constantly been played off as drunken antics. (Despite some viewers believing they were protesting a bit too much for it to not have meant anything.)

But after surviving harrowing encounters with an armed militia and a horde of infected — and revealing some personal secrets — the couple finally gets together and consummates their romance in “Day One,” the fourth episode of the HBO post-apocalyptic drama’s second season.

“We wanted the audience to be very worried at the beginning of that scene, right up until the kiss,” says Kate Herron, the episode’s director, during a recent video call. Before said kiss, Dina is holding Ellie at gunpoint, convinced she will have to kill her not-quite-girlfriend after being bitten by a fungal zombie. And while Herron wondered if audiences would be angry about all the changes around Ellie and Dina’s relationship from the game, “I love that [showrunner] Craig [Mazin] moved this [moment] to later in the series. I think it’s more impactful and more surprising because not everyone watching will know [they’re together] in the game,” she says.

Herron describes herself as “a massive fan” of “The Last of Us” games, which she played back-to-back after buying a PlayStation console during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

“It just blew my mind in terms of what a video game could be in terms of storytelling [and] how it commented on empathy,” she says. “I think it’s one of the best stories about empathy ever made. I was obsessed with it.”

Ellie (Bella Ramsey) finds a guitar and plays “Take On Me” in “The Last of Us.”

(Liane Hentscher / HBO)

The British filmmaker is no stranger to massive franchises. She’s familiar with bringing moments that recognize queer characters of these popular shows onscreen in different ways. Herron was the director and executive producer on Marvel Studios series “Loki” when the eponymous god of mischief confirmed his bisexuality during a conversation with Sylvie. She also co-wrote a 2024 episode British sci-fi staple “Doctor Who,” in which the show’s titular Time Lord falls in love with a bounty hunter.

“It’s a massive privilege to get to tell these stories,” says Herron. “It’s not lost on me that in general mainstream pop culture, we don’t see many stories like this. So there is definitely a sense of responsibility, but also massive gratefulness, in getting to tell these stories.”

While she had no clue which episode she would be directing when she landed “The Last of Us” job, she suspects how much she talked to co-creators Neil Druckmann and Mazin about Ellie and Dina contributed to the assignment.

“I didn’t ask for this episode, it was given to me,” says the queer filmmaker. “But I was so excited when I read it. The story was very meaningful, and I knew if it was meaningful for me, it would have to be meaningful for lots of other people.”

“ ‘The Last of Us’ story and the world is very harrowing,” she adds. “That’s why we really loved this episode because at least for this one hour, we get to see Ellie and Dina happy together.”

Herron, in a conversation edited for length and clarity, discusses Ellie and Dina’s relationship, filming the “Take on Me” scene and getting to tackle horror.

What were your thoughts on how Ellie and Dina‘s relationship had been progressing over the course of the season so far?

I haven’t been in an apocalypse like they have, but I found the situation very relatable. Is this person into me? Are they not into me? Are they queer? Are they not queer? Me and a lot of my friends have had similar experiences to this. But the thing I always came back to, beyond my own experience and what connected to me, is making sure it felt authentic and just making sure their love story felt earned. We wanted that moment in the theater to feel like a big moment. For me, it was just making sure to keep up the flirtation, but also the questioning around is it going to go in that direction, or is it not going to go in that direction. I think a lot of the time it can be like that when you’re first falling in love with someone and I was always trying to emotionally track it across the story.

Dina (Isabela Merced) watches as Ellie plays a guitar in “The Last of Us.”

(Liane Hentscher / HBO)

I appreciate that even in a scary mushroom zombie apocalypse, young people still get to experience the queer rite of passage of questioning what kind of feelings you have for a friend.

I think that’s what’s so important in a good genre story anyway. If you take everything away from a good genre story, what is it really about? I was always thinking about that with the episode. Yes, they’re in this terrible situation and thrust into this kind of revenge mission, essentially, on Ellie’s part. But I always wanted to make sure that the love story was about these two young people realizing, “Oh, actually, I think I’m in love with my friend” and that meaning something a bit deeper. The stories I love watching when they’re genre related are relatable stories embedded in those fantastical worlds. That’s the stuff that really hooks me in.

Their relationship plays out differently on the show than in the game.

That’s the joy with the TV episode of it all. Getting to focus on their relationship here, we really get to take our time so it does feel really earned by the time they kiss in the theater. Obviously, they’ve kissed before and it was very romantic and it was lovely, but then you are thrown into thinking maybe Dina was just having fun or that it didn’t mean anything. I loved that in this one you see, no, it kind of meant everything. Look, I’m queer. I didn’t ask for this episode. It was given to me. But I was so excited when I read it. The story was very meaningful, and I knew that if it was meaningful for me, it would have to be meaningful for lots of other people.

Capitol Hill is a location from the game, but it was fun to see Ellie and Dina exploring the neighborhood and not recognizing symbols of an LGBTQ+ community.

To us, obviously, the symbolism of the rainbow flag, it means something very specific. But to these two young people in the apocalypse, they don’t necessarily know what that meant and what Seattle meant. And that was the knowing nod and fun from us in making this story. Yes, we’re going to give you a relatable, emotional story, but just a reminder that these are not characters that are in our current day. I love that they’re talking about that because it sets you up for where our story is going to take you. But you’re still wondering, is that all we’re going to talk about in relation to that or is it actually building up to something that’s more meaningful? Hopefully by the later scene, when she’s serenading her, you’re like, “Oh, OK, maybe this is gonna be romantic.”

Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Dina (Isabela Merced) in “The Last of Us.”

(HBO)

Since you mention the serenading, can you talk a little bit about your approach to the “Take on Me” scene?

Because the scripts are so brilliantly written, it was about honoring the script. And I love that moment in the game. We did a lot of different takes of it — we got some where she was listening to it, and she was really into the song. Some where it was a little bit more tentative from Ellie. I remember we did a take where I spoke to Bella and was like, “Let’s do one where you just make no eye contact.” Obviously we don’t use that take for the entire scene, but it’s interesting to have levels and see what felt best to us. It starts off as a private moment, Ellie’s playing guitar and then is interrupted. But I just love that scene because when I watch it, I can see Dina is in love with Ellie. This is not just a crush or being drunk, this is a real emotional thing for them both.

It really important to remind the audience that these are young people, and despite everything, they still can find romance in this backdrop of horror. That was always the balancing act for us, making sure that the danger never felt too far away, but also giving enough space for them to fall in love.

It’s also a nice reminder that despite everything, creativity and music can endure.

Since the dawn of time, when you see someone you like, you’re going to find a way to impress them. Whether that’s drawing or music or — I know I wrote fanfics for people to try and impress them. When you see someone who has a really good creative skill and they’re doing it really well, what is not attractive about that?

I asked if we could get a caterpillar for the scene and I was so thrilled when Craig said yes. Because I remember in the game, it’s that beautiful backdrop behind Ellie, and I wanted to have this overgrown garden sense to it, like the Earth taking back over, which is across all the designs of “The Last of Us.” But I wanted them to feel for just a moment in their own private space and isolated, because I think they had to be for it to have that moment of connectivity, and for it to be as impactful as it is when she sings to her.

It’s a big contrast to their moment later in the theater.

I loved how it played out because you’re coming out of this big adrenaline ride of going through the subway with them and you’re kind of in the same space with them. You also know that Dina does not know that Ellie is immune, and I think that’s such a crucial thing. They go into the theater, and you have this breath of relief, and then the adrenaline is right back up again because now Ellie could be in serious danger. And it’s even worse, because you’re thinking that can’t be what happens, she can’t get killed by Dina. I remember talking to Bella about it. We wanted people to feel complete tension up to the point they kissed. That was really important.

For Dina, clearly, there’s something deeper than friendship going on there, which we established with “Take On Me.” But so much happens between that point and the theater that you are a little bit on the fence about whether these two characters are going to get together. So it was making sure that the tension and the drama felt high enough so the kiss was like a relief, but also enough of a surprise.

Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Dina (Isabela Merced) trying to escape a militia and a horde of infected in “The Last of Us.”

(Liane Hentscher / HBO)

We also get Dina’s coming out story afterwards.

I came out in my 30s, so I found that speech very relatable and beautiful. Some people don’t come out until much, much later in life and I think the more we hear these stories, the better. I know for me, it would have made me feel brave if I’d seen a character who I thought was kick ass on TV and saw “Oh, she feels like I feel.”

I remember when I first came out, I worked on the show “Sex Education,” and that definitely helped me work out what was going on with me. Because I was getting to tell these stories, and I thought, “these feel sort of connected to me, but I have to work out why.” When I was growing up, I didn’t get stories like this very often. I do think if I’d seen something like that, I would have just felt less alone. For me, that’s so important as a director. If I can tell stories that help people feel a little bit less alone, why would I not do that?

And in this story, it’s not like this utopia where they kiss in the first episode and everyone thinks it’s great. They do meet someone who’s being homophobic. He does apologize, but still. It’s not creating a fantasy world. It still shows that people have these obstacles. But it’s even more meaningful for me because you imagine this world they’re living in and they can still find some kind of joy in that and love. That always is going to give me hope, even though “The Last of Us” story and the world is very harrowing. That’s why we really loved this episode. Because at least for this one hour, we get to see Ellie and Dina happy together.

One of my favorite moments is after Dina tells Ellie she’s pregnant, Ellie says, “I’m going to be a dad.”

That’s how it was in the script and I just love it. I love that Ellie finds out and then immediately is “I’m all in.” I just found it so moving. A lot’s happened to them both. They needed just an hour to sit down and be still for a second and catch up. But that’s exactly how Craig wrote it. I love that line. It’s so sweet.

You’ve also been involved in other big queer moments in big franchises, like “Loki” and “Doctor Who.”

For me, it’s just a massive privilege to be honest. It’s been different with everything I’ve worked on. “Loki” was already a love story, and I asked when I was in my interview if we were going to acknowledge Loki’s sexuality in any way. They wanted to, so then that became part of the conversation as we worked on scripts. It’s just a moment in “Loki.” Whereas with “Doctor Who,” I was just pitching ideas to [showrunner] Russell [T Davies], because he asked if I would like to come write an episode. Because me and Russell spoke to each other initially about queer representation and queer romance in TV, I asked to do a story like that because this is how we’d become friends. And I love romance. With “Last of Us,” I didn’t know that I was going to get this script. I think I did talk a lot about Ellie and Dina, so they probably were like “give her Episode 4.” But it’s a massive privilege to get to tell these stories.

Jeffrey Wright reprises his video game role as Isaac in “The Last of Us” series.

(Liane Hentscher / HBO)

What were the moments that excited you when you read the script for this episode?

The love story. “Take on Me.” But the other bit I was excited about was the subway because I love horror. I wanted to really scare people. Like the train carriage, the first one they land in is in a weird angle and I remember hanging around in that surrounded by all these skeletons and I was so happy. I just feel like a lot of women, particularly in TV, will go meet for stuff and they won’t give you those episodes.

I wanted to capture how I felt when I was playing the game. Our story is slightly different but just that feeling of panic. I remember when I was planning it, I asked Craig if I could add a jump scare with a clicker. He said, “Sure.” When I was building out that with a previs artist, we added the jump scare, and Craig was really into it. I know that’s not all that makes a horror piece. It’s so much about tension and lots of other things, but getting to dip my toe into that genre, I was thrilled.

Something that was really fun that wasn’t planned was we didn’t know we’d have Josh [Peck] in the opening. Josh was someone that came up in our conversations, and he read for the role. He was fantastic and the best person. But I was also excited to get to do like a Drew Barrymore in “Scream” by having him in the opening. And what an interesting opening with Jeffrey Wright as well. Jeffrey, for me, is one of the best actors working. What we were filming together was very heavy, but it was such a joy to work with him on those scenes and be a part of that. This isn’t his first time in “The Last of Us” world. It felt like a massive privilege to be a part of launching Isaac on TV, so to speak.

On summer break from a PhD program, an international student at UC San Diego was planning a trip with a few friends to Hawaii. But after seeing international students across the United States stripped of their legal status, the student decided against it.

Any travel, even within the U.S., just didn’t seem worth the risk.

“I probably am going to skip that to … have as few interactions with governments as possible,” said the student, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of being targeted.

International students considering travel to see family, take a vacation or conduct research are thinking twice because of the Trump administration’s crackdown, which has added to a sense of vulnerability.

Even before students suddenly began losing permission to study in the U.S., some colleges were encouraging international students and faculty to postpone travel, citing government efforts to deport students involved in pro-Palestinian activism. As the scale of the status terminations emerged in recent weeks, more schools have cautioned against nonessential travel abroad for international students.

UC Berkeley, for one, issued an advisory last week saying upcoming international travel was risky due to “strict vetting and enforcement.”

At least 1,220 students at 187 colleges, universities and university systems have seen their visas revoked or legal status terminated since late March, according to an Associated Press review of university statements, correspondence with school officials and court records. That includes more than 120 in California, among them at least 20 at UCLA and dozens at other University of California and California State University campuses as of late April.

The number of affected students appears far higher, though. At least 4,736 international students’ visa records were terminated in a government database that maintains their legal status, according to an April 10 Immigration and Customs Enforcement response to inquiries from Congress.

Suddenly at risk for deportation, some students went into hiding while others left the country on their own. Many of the students said they had only minor infractions on their records or didn’t know why their records were removed.

After federal judges raised due process concerns in several students’ cases, the U.S. government reversed the terminations but then issued new guidance expanding the reasons international students can lose their legal status in the future.

Under the new policy, valid reasons for status termination include the revocation of the visas students used to enter the U.S. In the past, if a student’s visa was revoked, they generally could stay in the country to finish school, but they would not be able to reenter if they left.

The fast-evolving situation has left colleges struggling to advise students.

A Michigan college employee who helps international students navigate the visa process said they are inquiring more than ever about summer travel. The employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said he often has been unable to give sufficient answers.

Last year, the U.S. hosted about 1.1 million international students, a source of essential tuition revenue at many schools. Advocates say that number is likely to shrink as the crackdown hurts America’s image abroad.

Over the last few weeks, Rishi Oza’s immigration law firm in North Carolina has received calls about travel risks almost daily from people of varied immigration status, including international students.

“You kind of shake your head and say, ‘Is this the character of the country we want?’” Oza said. “It just seems that it’s a bit out of whack that people are fearful of leaving and whether they’ll be able to come back.”

Students in the U.S. with a visa need to decide whether their travels are crucial, he said.

When attempting reentry after leaving the country, they should bring immigration documents, school transcripts and even court documents if they were charged with a crime and the court dismissed the case. Ultimately, lawyers can’t foretell what will happen at the airport, Oza said.

The unpredictability has put one international student at the University of Illinois in distress. The student, who requested anonymity to avoid being targeted, has laid low since one of his classmates left the country after their legal status was terminated.

The student’s plan to travel to his home country in Asia in the summer causes feelings of panic, but he has nowhere else to stay. He bought his plane ticket and is committed to the trip. His anxiety over what could happen when he returns, however, remains.

“Right now,” he said, “I’m afraid I might not be able to come back.”

Seminera writes for the Associated Press. AP writer Christopher L. Keller in Albuquerque contributed to this report.

May 4 (UPI) — President Donald Trump Sunday announced plans to reopen Alcatraz, the notorious prison in San Francisco that housed some of the nation’s most infamous and dangerous criminals in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge.

“For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering,” Trump posted Sunday on Truth Social.

Trump said he has directed the federal Bureau of Prisons, the Justice Department, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to reopen a larger and rebuilt facility, equipping it to house the United States’ most violent offenders.

“The reopening of ALCATRAZ will serve as a symbol of Law, Order and JUSTICE,’ he continued in his social media post.

The prison was closed in 1963 not long after the June, 1962 high profile escape of Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin who slipped away on a raft, leaving fake heads they created in a crafts class in their cell beds to fool prison guards.

The men were never discovered, however, experts have said they likely drowned in the frigid waters of San Francisco Bay, though their bodies have never been found.

“Despite the odds, from 1934 until the prison was closed in 1963, 36 men tried 14 separate escapes,” the FBI said in a webpage about the history of the prison and the daring escape. “Nearly all were caught or didn’t survive the attempt.”

Despite the odds, from 1934 until the prison was closed in 1963, 36 men tried 14 separate escapes. Nearly all were caught or didn’t survive the attempt.

Since then, the former prison, isolated on a rocky island in San Francisco Bay, has been operated as a tourist site.

Trump’s announcement comes as the administration has been sending accused criminals to prisons in Guatemala and El Salvador, which has been fraught with logistical and diplomatic challenges.

The president has said he aims to send foreign nationals, as well as criminal U.S. citizens, to the newly revamped Alcatraz.

He did not release a timeline for construction or reopening.

US president claims that Hollywood is undergoing a ‘very fast death’ despite raking in $30bn in revenues in 2024.

United States President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 100 percent tariff on foreign films, claiming that Hollywood is undergoing a “very fast death” due to overseas competition.

In a social media post on Sunday, Trump said he had directed the US Department of Commerce and the US Trade Representative to immediately begin the process of imposing the tariff on “any and all” films produced in “foreign lands”.

“Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

“This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!”

Asked by reporters about the tariff later on Sunday, Trump claimed that the US was making “very few movies now.”

“Other nations, a lot of them, have stolen our movie industry,” he said. “If they are not willing to make a movie inside the United States, we should have a tariff on movies that come in.”

Trump did not elaborate on how such a tariff would work in practical terms, including whether it would be applied to Hollywood features that involve shooting and production across multiple countries.

Trump’s announcement follows his appointment in January of actors Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson and Jon Voight as “special ambassadors” tasked with bringing back business that Hollywood has lost to other countries.

At the time, Trump said the actors would be “my eyes and ears” as he set about instituting a “Golden Age of Hollywood”.

Hollywood has faced tough business conditions in recent years amid the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 actors’ and writers’ strike.

Hollywood studios grossed about $30bn worldwide last year, down about 7 percent from 2023, according to Gower Street Analytics.

While last year’s performance was an improvement on revenues in 2020, 2021 and 2022, it was still about 20 below the pre-pandemic average, according to Gower Street Analytics.

Emmerdale’s Joe Tate actor Ned Porteous has told The Mirror all about his character’s fate as he takes centre stage in a revenge-fuelled whodunnit this week on the ITV soap

There’s deadly scenes ahead for Joe Tate on Emmerdale, and actor Ned Porteous has spilled all on the revenge aimed at his villainous character.

Details are being kept under wraps on the specifics, but there’s unmissable episodes set to air this week. With Joe creating a number of enemies and his cruel actions and sick lies finally out in the open, it’s only a matter of time before one of those people he’s wronged takes a brutal revenge on him.

With soap boss Laura Shaw teasing “brilliant” twists and turns and likening the plot to a past stunt on the show, it’s safe to say fans won’t be disappointed. But does the brutal twist lead to the death and final comeuppance of villain Joe?

He’s stolen his own uncle’s kidney in a stabbing set-up, embarked on an affair with a married woman and even drugged his brother Noah Dingle, leading to a deadly car crash that claimed the lives of three village residents. He gets a taste of his own medicine though and it could prove fatal.

Teasing his future on the show, Joe actor Ned dropped some huge hints about the baddie’s fate and what could lie ahead if he survives. Teasing Joe could retaliate against his attacker in his own plan of payback, Ned suggested it might not be all over just yet.

READ MORE: Emmerdale summer spoilers: Dylan returns, Aidan ‘wakes up’ and sad Bear twist

Ned spilled to The Mirror and other press: “Somebody’s always got it in for Joe, he doesn’t have the easiest life. But then he kind of asks for it, I suppose.

“I think there’s a more tactful way to go around doing what he has to do. He’s put in quite tricky positions and you have to find a reason for motivating your character for what he’s doing.”

On whether the attack will lead to Joe taking revenge if he survives the ordeal, Ned said: “I’m sure he will. There will be some sort of vengeance. It’s not a nice thing to be pushed out of a window so I’m sure he’s quite miffed about that.”

With this teasing a survival for the character amid death fears from fans, he also addressed whether there was any redemption for Joe. He said: “Oh god! I’m not sure there’s too much charm and charisma you can give someone to get them to forgive you for all that. I’d like to think so.”

Ned had no idea the deadly whodunnit was coming when he returned to the ITV soap in a major Christmas twist in December. While he knew about Joe’s grim actions including the organ theft and other twists, bosses kept back the fact he could be leaving very soon.

He explained: “This particular storyline I didn’t know much about, it wasn’t part of the overriding arc when I came back to the show. There will be a similar hijink-type storyline around the corner that keeps it interesting and fresh. Or hopefully anyway.”

Once he knew the truth and found out who the culprit was, actor Ned found it very difficult to keep quiet. He confessed: “It was really, really hard. We filmed all of this two months ago and during that time we’ve been trying to create the whole tree of new interesting storylines and possible ‘whodunnits’.

“It’s always a game of ‘What do people know? What are we allowed to say?’ and I’m really bad with that. When you’ve managed to p**s off everyone in the village it makes for a very interesting ‘whodunnit’ storyline.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Looking to boost the production of Hollywood movies in the U.S., President Trump on Sunday announced a new 100% tariff applied on films produced overseas.

For more than two decades, major studios have shifted movie production to cheaper countries, including Canada, U.K., Bulgaria, New Zealand, Australia and other countries that offer generous tax benefits to build their local economies, luring films away from Hollywood.

The migration of high paying jobs has become a critical issue for Los Angeles, which has seen a dramatic loss in film production and jobs in recent years.

The industry hasn’t fully recovered from shutdowns due to the COVID pandemic, labor strikes and a retrenchment by legacy entertainment companies, many of which overspent to build streaming services to compete with Netflix.

“I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands,” Trump said late Sunday in a post on his Truth Social platform. “WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”

Details of the plans, as well as whether the tariffs would be imposed on U.S. based companies that shoot overseas, were not immediately available.

Movie executives on Sunday expressed bewilderment, wondering how a tariff would be imposed on a film, which, like a car, has components made in different countries while post-production often occurs in the U.S.

The Motion Picture Assn. wasn’t immediately available for comment.

Trump lamented how the “Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death.”

The president said countries that have offered “all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States.”

“Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated,” Trump wrote. “This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat.”

The call for U.S. production comes after Trump tapped a trio of actors — Jon Voight, Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson — to be his “special ambassadors” to Hollywood. In January, Trump unveiled the initiative, calling Hollywood “a great but very troubled place.”

The president at the time said he and his ambassadors would help Hollywood spring “back — bigger, better, and stronger than ever before!”

But the envoys have kept a low profile since their appointment and many in Hollywood say they have not heard from them.

Late last month, Bloomberg News reported that Voight and his manager, Steven Paul, were preparing to present Trump with some ideas aimed at bolstering U.S. production, including offering some national incentives to help win back offshore business.

“It’s important that we compete with what’s going on around the world so there needs to be some sort of federal tax incentives,” Paul said in an interview with Bloomberg.

Trey Sweeney and Kerry Carpenter each homered and had four hits, and they combined to drive in 11 runs as the Detroit Tigers pounded the Angels 13-1 on Sunday to win three of four in the series.

After Sweeney singled in the first run off Jack Kochanowicz (1-5) in the second inning, Carpenter made it 3-0 with a two-run double to the right-field wall that Jo Adell kept inside the park but couldn’t catch.

Carpenter’s eighth homer was a three-run shot off reliever Michael Darrell-Hicks for an 8-0 lead in the sixth. Sweeney homered off Jose Fermin with two on in the seventh and added a two-run single in the eighth off Touki Toussaint. Sweeney finished with six RBIs and Carpenter drove in five — both career highs.

Colt Keith hit a two-run homer, his third, for a 5-0 lead in the third.

Reese Olson (4-2) tossed 5 2/3 shutout innings, allowing three hits and three walks while striking out eight. Brenan Hanifee allowed a run in 1 1/3 innings. Beau Brieske and Will Vest closed it out.

Zach Neto had two hits and drove in the lone run for the Angels. Kochanowicz was tagged for five runs in five innings.

The Angels, last in the AL West, are 1-3 to begin a 10-game homestand.

Key moment: Carpenter’s fifth double this season ignited the AL Central-leading Tigers in the middle of a 10-game trip that saw them lose two of three to the Astros on the first stop.

Key stat: The Angels have scored five runs just twice in their last 21 games.

Up next for Angels: Host Toronto for three games beginning Tuesday night.

May 4 (UPI) — Nearly a million people in 17 states face losing healthcare coverage after Aetna’s parent company announced it would leave the federal insurance marketplace, created under the Affordable Care Act during the Obama administration.

Aetna, along with various other healthcare and insurance companies, is owned and operated by the pharmacy giant CVS, which announced Aetna’s withdrawal from the ACA, despite surpassing financial expectations.

ACA tax credits and other financial incentives, implemented by the Biden administration in 2021, are scheduled to expire next year leading to higher premium costs for people who enroll through the federal healthcare marketplace.

The end of the credits is partly what led to CVS’s decision to remove Aetna as an option through the ACA. The credits led to record enrollment in ACA programs this year to nearly 24 million people, Forbes reported.

CVS said Aetna is not a major player in the ACA marketplace compared with other health insurance plans, and added that it will still offer other options.

“The company is best able to serve members through its other health benefit solutions, which offer access to quality care, affordable health benefits and exceptional service,” CVS said in a statement.

“The company will continue delivering superior service and support to its individual exchange members through 2025 and residual activities in 2026,” it continued.

This is not the first time Aetna has been removed from the marketplace; it was unavailable in 2017 and 2018, but returned in 2021.

Their battle had allowed Norris to close up to them, after wasting little time passing the drivers between him and the leaders.

Norris passed Verstappen by diving around the outside into Turn 11 on lap 17, but he ran off track in doing it, and had to give the place back.

But a lap later, he made the move with ease, Verstappen this time appearing not to bother defending after sensing the game was up.

Verstappen quickly dropped back from the McLarens, losing nine seconds in as many laps before his pit stop.

The world champion’s day became worse when the virtual safety car (VSC) was deployed during the pit-stop period.

Russell, who was the only driver in the top 10 to start on the hard tyres like Hamilton, had not yet stopped and that VSC allowed him to pit for fresh tyres and rejoin still ahead of Verstappen.

For a while, Verstappen closed in on Russell but he could get no closer than about 1.8 seconds before failing to make any further progress. Russell has been summoned to report to the stewards after Red Bull protested that he failed to slow under yellow flags.

Norris closed on Piastri at the front, but after halving his deficit to four seconds, the Australian upped his pace to show he had time in hand and led comfortably to the end.

It is the first time a McLaren driver has won three races in a row since Mika Hakkinen over the 1997-98 seasons.

Piastri’s win extends his championship lead over Norris to 16 points, with Verstappen the same margin behind in third place.