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A former Olympian has been named among the crew for Virgin Galactic’s first space tourism flight.

Jon Goodwin, who competed in canoeing at the 1972 Games in Munich, will also be only the second person with Parkinson’s disease to reach the edge of space.

The 80-year-old will make the journey on board VSS Unity next month, alongside a mother-daughter duo who will become the first astronauts from the Caribbean.

Keisha Schahaff, 46, and 18-year-old Anastatia Mayers, who is studying physics in Aberdeen, will also be the first mother and daughter to travel on a spaceflight together.

The trio won their seats in a prize draw to raise funds for Space for Humanity, a non-profit group that aims to send ordinary citizens into space to give them a “grander perspective” on the challenges facing Earth.

Unity will reach sub-orbital space, giving passengers a few minutes of weightlessness and spectacular views of our planet before they return to the surface.

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Virgin Galactic’s first commercial space flight

Crew’s excitement for ‘magical’ launch

Mr Goodwin, from Newcastle, described the opportunity as “completely magical”.

He said: “I hope this inspires all others facing adversity and shows them that challenges don’t have to inhibit or stop them from pursuing their dreams.”

Ms Schahaff said growing up in the Caribbean, she never thought going into space would be possible.

“I know I will be changed by my experience,” she said.

“I hope I will be able to share that energy and inspire the people around me – in my role as a life coach, a mother, and as an ambassador for our beautiful planet.”

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The mission, which is Virgin Galactic’s second commercial spaceflight and seventh overall, will be led by professional pilots and commanders, with an astronaut instructor also on board to assess the citizen crew.

It will launch from Spaceport America in New Mexico on 10 August.

It follows the launch of Galactic 01 from the same site in June, which saw two Italian air force colonels and an aerospace engineer taken to carry out scientific research experiments.

Virgin Galactic is aiming to carry out monthly private flights, with seats priced between $250,000 (£191,000) and $450,000 (£344,000).

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Pictures reveal inside of Bayesian sunken superyacht after it was resurfaced for full examination

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Pictures reveal inside of Bayesian sunken superyacht after it was resurfaced for full examination

The inside of the superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily almost a year ago has been seen for the first time after it was resurfaced.

British billionaire Mike Lynch, 59, his daughter Hannah, 18, and five others died after the 56-metre (184ft) Bayesian sank off Porticello on 19 August 2024.

Images reveal what the inside of the British-flagged vessel looks like now – after it was resurfaced and placed in a manufactured steel cradle in Termini Imerese.

In one picture, a lounge area can be seen, complete with sofas and other furniture, while another shows the hatch down to the lower deck.

Inside the Bayesian yacht after it was brought to the surface
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The tragedy last August claimed seven lives

Inside the Bayesian yacht after it was brought to the surface
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A full examination of the yacht is being carried out

Inside the Bayesian yacht after it was brought to the surface
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The incident has puzzled maritime experts

Read more
Who was on the superyacht?
Diver dies during work to recover yacht
How will the tragedy be investigated?

Now the boat is back on land, a balloon-like instrument will be used to lift its 72m (236ft) mast after it was cut off with a remote-controlled tool to rest on the seabed.

While salvage workers continue a “full sweep” of the ocean floor nearby, a full examination of the yacht will look at what could have been done to prevent the tragedy.

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) will then publish a report into its investigation.

Inside the Bayesian yacht after it was brought to the surface
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Salvage teams managed to raise the vessel and bring it ashore

Inside the Bayesian yacht after it was brought to the surface
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The boat had lain on the seabed at a depth of 50 metres

The family of the Bayesian chef Recaldo Thomas, who was among those who died, says “lessons need to be learned”.

In a statement through the Thomas family lawyers Keystone Law, they said they want the investigation to “establish the truth of what happened” and “bring those responsible to justice”.

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Bayesian superyacht raised from seabed

Simon Graves, an MAIB investigator, said of the investigation previously: “When the wreck is brought ashore, we’ll be completing a full examination of the wreck and we’ll be finding out all of the elements that might have contributed to the safety of the vessel.”

Things like the vessel’s “escape routes” will be included in the final report, Mr Graves added.

“Once we get access to the vessel we’ll be able to tell a fuller picture of activities on board and the sequence of events.”

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A UK inquest will look at the deaths of Mr Lynch, Miss Lynch, Morgan Stanley banker Jonathan Bloomer, 70, and his wife Judy, 71, who were all British nationals.

US lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda also died.

Fifteen people, including Mr Lynch’s wife Angela Bacares, were rescued.

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Riot police clash with protesters calling for end to Serbian president’s rule

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Riot police clash with protesters calling for end to Serbian president's rule

Serbian riot police have clashed with anti-government protesters calling for snap elections and an end to the 12-year rule of President Aleksandar Vucic.

The protest by tens of thousands of demonstrators was held in Belgrade on Saturday after months of persistent demonstrations led by Serbia‘s university students that have rattled Mr Vucic’s grip on power.

The crowd chanted “We want elections!” as they filled the capital’s central Slavija Square and several streets around it.

Students gave speeches. One, who didn’t give her name, said: “Elections are a clear way out of the social crisis caused by the deeds of the government, which is undoubtedly against the interests of their own people.

“Today, on June 28 2025, we declare the current authorities illegitimate.”

Anti-government protest in Belgrade. Pic: AP
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Tens of thousands joined the protest. Pic: AP

Riot police block anti-government protesters. Pic: AP
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Pic: AP

Tensions were high before and during the gathering.

Riot police had been deployed around government buildings, parliament and nearby Pionirski Park, where hundreds of Mr Vucic’s loyalists from across the country have been camping for months.

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As the protest ended in the evening, some demonstrators threw bottles, rocks and flares at the police who were preventing the crowd from approaching Pionirski Park and confronting Mr Vucic’s backers.

Skirmishes between riot officers and groups of protesters lasted for several hours, with police firing tear gas to disperse crowds in several locations across Belgrade’s city centre.

Law enforcement officers detain a demonstrator, during an anti-government protest. Pic: AP
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Police said they detained several dozen demonstrators. Pic: Reuters

Police detained several dozen protesters, while six officers were reported injured in the clashes, Dragan Vasiljevic, the director of police, told a news conference late on Saturday.

Responding to the violence, President Vucic said in an Instagram post: “Serbia always wins in the end.”

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University students have been a key force behind nationwide demonstrations that started after a renovated rail station canopy collapsed, killing 16 people in November last year.

Many blamed the concrete roof crash on government corruption and negligence in state infrastructure projects, leading to recurring protests.

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic. File pic: Reuters
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President Aleksandar Vucic. File pic: Reuters

President Vucic and his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party have repeatedly refused the demand for an early parliamentary vote and accused protesters of planning to spur violence on orders from abroad, which they have not specified.

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A former extreme nationalist, Mr Vucic has become increasingly authoritarian since coming to power more than a decade ago. He formally says he wants Serbia to join the European Union, but critics say he has stifled democratic freedoms and strengthened ties with Russia and China.

While demonstrations have shrunk in recent weeks, the large showing for Saturday’s rally suggested that the resolve persists, despite relentless pressure and after nearly eight months of almost daily protests.

People attend a major anti-government rally in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)
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The scene in Slavija Square. Pic: AP

A drone view of the huge protest. Pic: AP
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Pic: Reuters

Serbian police, who are tightly controlled by Mr Vucic’s government, said 36,000 people were present at the start of Saturday’s protest.

An independent monitoring group that records public gatherings said a total of around 140,000 people were in attendance.

Serbia’s presidential and parliamentary elections are due in 2027.

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Thousands defy ban to join Pride march in Budapest

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Thousands defy ban to join Pride march in Budapest

If Hungary’s authorities thought banning this year’s Pride march would keep people off the streets, they were wrong.

Thousands turned out in Budapest, defying a law which said LGBTQ+ events like this should be cancelled to protect children.

The crowd was determined to fight for their rights.

People hold a six-colour rainbow banner during the Budapest Pride March in Budapest, Hungary, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
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Rainbow flags were on display everywhere as people celebrated Pride. Pic: Reuters


People cross Elisabeth Bridge during the Budapest Pride March in Budapest, Hungary, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
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Huge crowds crossed the Elisabeth Bridge over the Danube. Pic: Reuters

“This is a special march, not just because it was the 30th, but also because it was banned,” said Orsi, who proudly wore a rainbow headband and waved a rainbow flag.

“I mean that’s all the more reason to go out on the street and show that Budapest and Hungary is a place where everybody is welcome, where love is equal,” she added.

Orsi - speaking at a pride march in Budapest, Hungary
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Orsi told Sky News that it was a special march and worth the risk of being fined

Attendees had been warned that just being there could mean a 500 euro fine or prison time for the organisers.

They were told police would use facial recognition cameras to identify them, but they didn’t care.

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Orsi said it was worth a fine.

Leonas had travelled from Poland to show his support and was also happy to take the risk.

“LGBT rights are attacked across the whole world, and we need to defend each other and work with each other,” he said.

Leonas who had travelled from Poland to join at a pride march in Budapest, Hungary.
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Leonas from Poland felt it was important to defend LGBTQ+ rights

Viktor Orban’s government has repeatedly pitched family values against LGBTQ+ rights.

“The mother is a woman, the father is a man and leave our kids alone,” he told conservative audiences in the past.

He says he is protecting Hungary’s Christian values, but critics say this is just part of a wider attack on democracy which has happened during his 15 years in control.

The Pride ban is just the latest targeting of LGBTQ+ communities.

A participant in the Pride march cheers in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Rudolf Karancsi)
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Budapest was transformed into a sea of bright colours, as marchers defied a ban. Pic: AP

People attend the Budapest Pride March in Budapest, Hungary, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner
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Pic: Reuters

In 2020, the country abolished its legal recognition of transgender people, and in 2021, politicians passed a law banning the depiction of homosexuality to under-18s.

While many were outraged by the attempt to cancel the Pride march, a small number of far-right activists organised demonstrations to show their support:

“Hungary and the Hungarian nation don’t want the aggressive LGBTQ+ propaganda. They are dangerous for our families, they are dangerous for our kids,” said Gabor Kelemen, a member of the 64 Counties Youth Movement.

Gabor Kelemen, a member of the 64 Counties Youth Movement - speaking at a pride march in Budapest, Hungary.
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Gabor Kelemen, from a far-right group, thinks Pride represents LGBTQ+ propaganda that is ‘dangerous for our families’


However, the packed streets showed many disagree.

At one point, as far as the eye could see, the march snaked through streets and across the city’s bridges. The sound of drums and whistles mixing with gay anthems blaring out of speakers.

The organisers said they believed this will be the largest Pride march ever in Budapest.

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The crowd was eclectic, with Hungarians from different communities joining a demonstration which many believe is now part of a fight for Hungary’s future.

“This is not only about the complexity of Pride, not only about love or equality… for Hungarians, it’s about sticking together, supporting each other, showing the government that we believe in a different kind of Hungary. We believe in freedom, we believe in democracy,” said activist Adam Kanicsar.

activist Adam Kanicsar speaking at a pride march in Budapest, Hungary
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Activist Adam Kanicsar believes the Pride march will send an important message to Hungary’s government

Despite the ban, today Pride attendees were celebrating a victory. But make no mistake, many in Hungary do not support the parade or what they see as an attack on traditional values.

Next year, the country will hold a general election, a vote which will expose how divided Hungary really is.

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