Kim Jong-un's tank and Knights Templar: photos of the weekend
Women wear the traditional Black Forest costume with the 'Bollenhut' pompom hat during a festival Photograph: Steffen Schmidt/Reuters
Members of the RAF band unwind at Wellington Barracks after taking part in an overnight rehearsal for VE Day 80th anniversary procession. The UK kicks off four days of events on Monday marking 80 years since the end of the second world war in Europe Photograph: Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images
Zane Mathews of Keller, Texas, laughs as he holds his son, Hayes, in the third period in game seven of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche in Texas Photograph: Julio Cortez/AP
Participants run across the Charles Bridge as they take part in Prague's international marathon Photograph: Michal Čížek/AFP/Getty Images
Sovereignty #18, ridden by jockey Junior Alvarado, crosses the finish line to win the 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Photograph:Kim Jong-un inspects a tank factory at an undisclosed location Photograph: KCNA via KNS/AFP/Getty Images
A red kite hunts in Buckinghamshire Photograph: James Manning/PA
Lady Gaga performs at Copacabana Beach Photograph: Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Live Nation
A pilgrim group who are members of a contemporary Templar organisation and inspired by the medieval Knights Templar order walk towards St Peter's Basilica at St Peter's Square, before the conclave to elect the next pope Photograph: Stoyan Nenov/Reuters
Palestinian children and women hold out containers for donated food at a community kitchen Photograph: Abdel Kareem Hana/AP
Palestinian children head to a water distribution point to fill their containers amid a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip Photograph: Omar El Qattaa/AFP/Getty Images
An Israeli reserve soldier takes part in a protest as mothers of soldiers call for and end to the war in Gaza Photograph: Amir Cohen/Reuters
A purple sunbird perches on a flower stem in Rajasthan Photograph: Himanshu Sharma/AFP/Getty Images
Firefighters extinguish burning cars after a night-time drone attack, amid the Russian invation of Ukraine
Photograph: Ukrainian State Emergency Service/AFP/Getty Images
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BBC News
41 minutes ago
- BBC News
Wrexham gets ready to host 2025 National Eisteddfod
The city of Wrexham is ready to welcome thousands of visitors to the Eisteddfod, an annual celebration of Welsh language and culture. More than 150,000 people are expected to attend with 6,000 competitors showcasing the best Welsh language art, music, drama and is the first time since 2011 that the Eisteddfod has been held in the festival will take place in Isycoed from Saturday until 9 August. Organisers said Wrexham had a "strong Welsh feel" even though only about 12% of residents speak the it was announced in 2023, councillor Hugh Jones said it was a "fantastic opportunity to welcome people from far and wide to celebrate our language and culture". Eisteddfod chief executive Betsan Moses said Wrexham was "the place to be".Llinos Roberts, chair of the executive committee for the 2025 National Eisteddfod, said: "I think more people in Wrexham and the surrounding areas consider themselves to be 'Welsh' compared with other parts of north-east Wales. "We're trying to get lots of local people to visit the Eisteddfod."Once again thousands of local residents on lower incomes will be able to visit the event free of charge thanks to a grant of £200,000 from the Welsh government. What is the National Eisteddfod? The National Eisteddfod is an annual festival that celebrates the language and culture of festival has taken place each summer since 1861, with the location alternating between north and south is best known for its competitions - allowing people from across Wales to compete in various cultural contests - with actors, musicians and poets competing on the national main site, known as the maes, is the home of many of the eisteddfod's activities. Wrexham Football Club has gone from strength to strength since the Eisteddfod was last in town, returning to the Football League and being promoted to the club even has a full-time Welsh language tutor. Huw Birkhead has been teaching Welsh with a "football twist" to staff, players and fans from around the world for the past two club has joined forces with the National Centre for Learning Welsh and Coleg Cambria to promote the said: "It's to help staff feel comfortable using the Welsh language around the place and to give the staff the opportunity to grow in confidence to use some Welsh in their work but also in their private lives as well."Megan Buckley, who works for the club's youth foundation, is looking forward to practising her new Welsh-speaking skills at the said: "There's a bit more buzz around it and all the kids obviously doing stuff around the Eisteddfod in schools so we get to hear a lot about it so to be involved this year is going to be really fun." Wrexham may be hosting a major arts and culture festival but it already has its own space dedicated to local craftspeople - Ty combined market and arts hub has brought together various craft groups to make a large display to mark the was the brainchild of trader Wendy Scott, who said: "There's loads of different groups within Wrexham that are crafting and they're all kind of isolated so we wanted them all to join together to make crocheted or knitted flowers to use up those small amounts of yarn that they might have in their stash and it stops it going into landfill." Sue Allen, who was among the contributors and is performing at the festival as part of a choir, said she believed the popularity of the documentary Welcome to Wrexham about the football club and its celebrity co-chairmen Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney could draw even more attention to the said: "I'm really glad that Wrexham's got the Eisteddfod again. "I've just come back from America and everybody's heard of Wrexham because of the programme."But Welcome to Wrexham is not just the name of a TV show, it is the message of the week ahead, in the hope that the Eisteddfod will create a growing community of regular visitors.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
I visited UK's largest Viking festival with fierce battle re-enactments, fire dancing and walking on hot coals
WITH an almighty roar, a war-painted Viking swings an axe above his head and a shield maiden takes the ultimate test of courage – shattering an arrow with her neck. Meanwhile, several people are preparing to march across hot coals to show their allegiance to Odin and the Norse gods. 8 8 8 But in their daily life, these warriors are actually income recovery specialists from Eastleigh, Hants, and a medical researcher from Cheshire. For the weekend they have shed the shackles of normal life to become Viking warriors. Medical researcher Andy Thurstan, 48, told The Sun: 'I saw the festival online and thought it looked like great fun. One thing led to another and suddenly I'm here in full Viking dress wearing proper Icelandic sheep's wool around my neck. 'It's a nice escape from normal life, and despite the reputation of Northmen, everyone is really friendly.' Welcome to the UK's largest Viking festival, Valhalla, now in its fifth year, which attracts 5,000 people to Drummer Down Farm in Basingstoke, Hants, for a weekend of boozing, fight training and connecting with the old Norse gods. Andy and pal Ken Hurley, 42, a caterer from Cheshire, have driven down for the 72-hour event, which offers everything from fierce battle reenactments to willow weaving. The pair amble off to get themselves some mead, with wooden axes attached to their backs and swords strapped to their hips. 'The bones are from a KFC we had a few weeks ago' While some attendees used Vinted and the internet to get costumes, other raiders have made them by hand. Among the latter camp are Simon Jones and Helen Jones, both 54, who have upped the ante for their third year at the historical extravaganza. Among the latter camp are Simon Jones and Helen Jones, both 54, who have upped the ante for their third year at the historical extravaganza. Simon, from Bath, said: 'We've made our costumes. Some of the bones Helen is wearing are from a KFC we had a few weeks ago. Can't waste anything! 'Coming here is such a great experience. As a kid I used to go to Durdle Door Beach to make massive fires and cook meat. 'Here we can do that again with the loveliest people. 'Plus I can wave my axe when I want more ale during the feast.' On Friday, the Vikings were welcomed with a special ceremony in the woodlands where all the different Norse gods blessed the festival. As the chanting started and the drums began to beat, the wind picked up suddenly and a Northman dropped to one knee to propose. Gareth Van De Merwe, 42, created a special axe with a wolf-shaped ring attached for Sarah Paul, 37, from Horncastle, Lincs. As the onlookers cheer, she shouts out 'Yes', causing horns to be blown and shields banged. 8 8 At night, nearly 1,000 flock to a mead hall fit for a jarl — a Norse chieftain — to tear into platters of meat, cheese and bread while downing ale and mead. Looking forward to the evening's festivities are sisters Debbie Burns, 34, and Vicki Hayes, 36, who are wearing hand-made feather headdresses that make them look like ancient priestesses. Mental health worker Debbie, from Battle, East Sussex, told The Sun: 'This is my first time at the festival in this little fantasy world and I'm loving it. 'We've had our runes read and every single stall we've been to is really passionate about the craft they are showcasing or teaching. 'It's a weekend where you can just lose yourself.' Support worker Vicki has met up with a friend she made here last year, Portuguese bar worker Adriana Ribeiro, 35. She said: 'It's so lovely that you make friends that you can meet up with year after year and it never feels like any time has passed.' Just behind the ladies, a queue is forming for the archery lessons. To the right, screams ring out as wannabe Vikings hurl an axe at a target with all the strength they can muster. Many miss the target, and those that hit it struggle to throw it hard enough for it to stay embedded. But the main attraction for many who have flown or driven to the event is the firewalking session, which trains participants to place their bare feet on hot coals. John Young, 56, is a fifth-generation Northumbria farmer who discovered firewalking at a low point in his life — and claims it helped him heal. Now, as an instructor, he brings the skill to other people to help them overcome their fears. Before being able to walk the burning embers, those taking part are taught how to break an arrow by just stepping forward. The bolt is placed tip first into the participant's neck, the end held in place with a wooden board. The warrior then takes two breaths and on the third steps forward causing the arrow to shatter. 'It's a chance to let go of the modern world' Income recovery specialist Chrissie Blomley, 35, from Eastleigh, said: 'I didn't think I'd be able to do it. 'But I told myself 'f*** it' and stepped forward. 'Valhalla has been the best day out I've ever been on. It's so refreshing to see people being themselves. I've made friends for life today.' Fellow arrow-breaker Lee Byrne, 52, from Gosport, Hants, said: 'You can feel the pressure from the tip of the arrow in your neck, but snapping it feels amazing when you take that step forward.' Once the bolt has been shattered, it is time to trot over the glowing coals — and many people who walked the fire claimed they barely felt the heat. For those who aren't ready to put their life — or their feet — on the line, they can watch others show off in the battle re-enactments which take place in the main arena. 8 8 8 As two rival clans face up to each other, crowds can be heard whooping and hollering as they bay for blood. In this case, it's a tiny cut to Kevin McPhail's cheek suffered mid-battle. Leading Clan Magnus, the 35-year-old Northern Irish fighter and his team are putting on a show for the baying spectators. They use a mix of axes, swords and pikes to recreate what a real battle would look like. The clan even has an archer in the form of photocopier repair man Paul Sykes, 62, who is part of Peterborough's Wodens Hearth re- enactment group. Also performing is James Parrish, 48, a tree surgeon from Lincs, but instead of taking part in the fake battle he is helping out with the firedancing by jumping though a flaming hoop. During the day, though, he's teaching archery to Viking hopefuls with his son Brandon, 18, and welder Lee Hammond, 62, from Lincs. Those after something more spiritual are catered for as well with hand-fasting — a pagan wedding ritual — and naming ceremonies. And to close? What else but a Viking boat burning. A fireshow leads the way to the symbolic torching, and offerings are placed into the miniature version of a Viking longboat before it is set ablaze. Reflecting on the weekend, Tarmac specialist Kyle Lette, 33, from Ipswich, tells The Sun: 'I've never felt more relaxed than when I'm here. 'It's a beautiful place and a chance to let go of the modern world. 'The second I step into Valhalla, my head clears. And I've not checked my phone once!'
Graziadaily
6 hours ago
- Graziadaily
While I Wait For That Zara Polka Dot Jacket To Return – Here's Other Windbreakers I Rate
Zara is killing it right now. It was only last week I was telling everyone about my quest to find that viral £50 satin lace cami dress, now, I'm frantically refreshing the site to find another item. This time, it's thepolka dot jacket that's been such a hit since launching a few days ago, it's already sold out online. But fear not, friends, as I'm here to tell you that there's still lots of sizes available in multiple stores around the UK. And while you can't buy it directly online from the link I'm about to share (sorry) you can use it to check if there's one in a store near you. If you're not keen for an IRL search, or simply can't face the thought of a queue, you'll also be pleased to know Zara head office have kindly let me know that it will be restocked very shortly. Vague, I know, and believe me, I wish I had an exact date and time it was dropping so I could add it to my basket before the other fashion girls do. 1. Zara Polka Dot Puffer Jacket Again, please don't be annoyed when you click on this link and see the dreaded 'out of stock' sign. Instead, be happy that you can use it for the 'check in-store availability' option where you'll be able to see if there's one to snap up near you IRL. We can basically thank Miu Miufor the revival of technical jackets. Seen on the spring/summer 2025 catwalk, fashion-meets-function zip-up styles were paired with everything from pleated skirts (as seen below) to bloomer micro shorts. And while I won't be wearing the latter, I am fully invested in these sporty jackets that work well juxtaposed with everyday pieces I already have in my wardrobe. Also, given the fact the weather forecast seems to be changing by the minute at the moment, I'm all for a light, throw-on-and-go layer that'll work for when it's hot, but unpredictable. And this is where the Zara style comes in. Not only is it in the print of the season (yes, there's no escaping all things spotty), it's also the perfect slightly oversized shape, and has a drawstring hem along with high funnel neck to keep out windy weather. PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 01: A model walks the runway during the Miu Miu Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2025 fashion show as part of the Paris Fashion Week on October 01, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) When it comes to how to style this polka dot windbreakerjacket, fashion people have all agreed it looks best worn zipped up as a top. So this basically solves any getting ready woes on your way to work. I also love how Elena Lenaro (below) has taken on that unlikely outfit formula rule by teaming the zip-up jacket with shorts, heels and a fancy bag. Who knew a sporty jacket could work so well for a dinner date? But if you want to know another reason why everyone is going wild for this jacket, it's also due to the fact it's a co-ord– yes, that's right, you can also get matching polka dot shorts. And we all know the joy of a matching set is that they need little effort to look put together. See how Stacey (below) has worn hers on TikTok with knee-high flat boots? This is a key styling hack when knowing what to wear when it's hot but rainy. While I wait not-so-patiently for the Zara polka dot version to come back online, I wanted to show you some of the other windbreaker styles I rate. And yes, of course it includes that other viral £50 style from Uniqlo that's also selling out super quick. 2. Uniqlo Windproof Blouson Jacket While the off-white style has been most popular with fashion insiders (there's still a few sizes left online, FYI) the black, navy and olive green are also so classic. Water-resistant and wind-proof, it's the lightweight style you'll be grabbing as you leave the house every day from now on. 3. ASOS DESIGN Funnel Neck Sports Shirt Price: $62 Although listed as a shirt, I would say this is very much a jacket and shirt hybrid. The funnel neck and drawstring waist is very similar to the Zara viral style, but I love how it has smarter buttons and a more tailored fit. And it's in the key colours this season – butter yellow + chocolate brown. 4. Ganni Leopard Print Nylon Jacket A different kind of spot, this leopard print Ganni jacket is firmly on my wish list. I fully appreciate the oversized fit on this one, perfect for layering later on in the year. Leopard not your thing? You can also get it in black or khaki. 5. Lululemon Always Effortless Classic-Fit Jacket Quite literally designed for those in-betweeny weather days we've been having, this clever jacket has an air vent at the back so you don't get sweaty, a packable hood in case it rains (it's also water-resistant) and a drawstring waist so you can keep out the wind. Plus, it comes in six different colors – genius. 6. Carter Check Water Resistant Shell Jacket Polka dots not your vibe? Then try checks instead. Grunge '90s style plaid prints were all over the catwalks for spring/summer 2025, so try out the trend with this shell jacket. The water-resistant style will also be wind-proof thanks to the hood, adjustable waist and stretch cuff sleeves. 7. H&M Water-Repellant Popover Jacket Removing the need to have to do it up (I'm all for a lazy item) this pull-over style from H&M in butter yellow is so dreamy. Another wind-proof and water-resistant style, it also has a hood that packs in on itself and comes in another colour, light brown. H&M wins again. 8. Monki Windbreaker Nylon Jacket Made from recycled nylon, this brown jacket is such a nice alternative to classic black. That hood will come in so handy with an unexpected downpour and I love how it looks cinched at the waist with a mini skirt. 9. Moncler Valencay Jacket If you're fully invested in the practical jacket trend and want a style you can love for years, Moncler is the destination to find it. That doesn't mean it has to be your typical everyday colour, though, I've fallen for this blush pink water-resistant style that's made to be super light – ideal to take on the morning commute.
