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Las Vegas opens its doors to Formula 1 this week ahead of the inaugural race on the city strip – and anticipation is at fever pitch. After more than three years of planning and $500m spent on a state-of-the-art pit building facility, F1 is on the cusp of its ultimate moment in the American spotlight in the entertainment capital of the world. While the penultimate race of the 2023 season won’t have an impact at the top of the world championship standings, with Max Verstappen having already claimed the title last month in Qatar, the third US race of the year will be unique in the fact it takes place on Saturday night at 10pm local time (6am GMT, Sunday morning). There is also a lavish opening ceremony, planned for Wednesday evening. Former American racing driver Willy T Ribbs – who made history by becoming the first Black man to test an F1 car in 1986 – insists it will be the biggest race “in racing history.” “It is going to be mega – I would not be shocked if King Charles showed up,” Ribbs told The Independent. “I would not be shocked because the A-list is going to be insane. You’re going to be bumping into more celebrities and sports stars than you will fans. “Without any hyperbole, it will be the biggest race in racing history. That encompasses everything – the most talked about and the most glamorous. If you look at Las Vegas, it has a history of putting on the biggest event – whether it’s a boxing fight or an NFL game.” It is a huge week for Formula 1 who, unusually, is promoting the event themselves as opposed to outsourcing the promotion. F1 has a 10-year deal with Las Vegas for a race in Sin City, on the assumption all goes smoothly this week. However, preparations have not been plain sailing, with disruption in the city due to the mammoth construction projects leading to some anger among locals and tourists in recent months. But ultimately, F1 is confident the race will bring in more than $1 billion for local enterprises. “We’re going to bring in something like $1.7 billion of revenue to the area,” said Greg Maffei, CEO of F1’s parent company Liberty Media. “I want to apologise to all the Las Vegas residents and we appreciate that they have their forbearance and their willingness to tolerate us. “It’s not just for the benefit of fans who want to view. We hope this is a great economic benefit in Las Vegas. We hope this is the most difficult year with all the construction that went on and things will be easier in the future. “There will be 105,000 people so the sheer scale of it, even for Las Vegas, will be the largest event Las Vegas will have,” Temperatures are expected to drop to around 12C during sections of the race weekend, presenting a different challenge to the norm for the drivers and teams. There is also the possibility of rain for qualifying on Friday night. LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX - SCHEDULE Friday 17 November Free practice 1 - 4:30am Free practice 2 - 8am Saturday 18 November Free practice 3 - 4:30am Qualifying - 8am Sunday 19 November Race - 6am All times GMT F1 has raced in Vegas before, in the parking lot of the Caesars Palace hotel in 1981 and 1982. Yet this event, twisting around the city’s famous landmarks including the Bellagio Fountains and the new Sphere building, should take the razzmatazz up to the next level. “Vegas is all about show. When the drivers get on the track they’re going to put on a show,” Ribbs added. “For Max, he might have won the world championship – but he still has races to win. And he hasn’t won the most races in the history of F1, so there’s the incentive. It’s also just seeing who can knock him off. “Who’s going to be the team and the driver to win the first Las Vegas Grand Prix? If I was the promoter, that’s how I’d be promoting it. If I was talking to the drivers in the drivers’ meeting, that would be my message. The championship is decided, but you guys go knock it out anyway and put on the best show for the fans and for TV. “I think Vegas will knock it out of the park – and take Formula 1 in this country to the next level.” Read More F1 2023 season race schedule: When is the Las Vegas Grand Prix? Michael Schumacher fans set for rare insight into F1 legend’s life in new documentary F1 boss urges teams to improve and close gap after Max Verstappen dominance Martin Brundle predicts F1 sprint change to produce ‘thrilling’ Saturdays in 2024 Machine Gun Kelly defends bizarre clash with F1 presenter at Brazilian Grand Prix Las Vegas hospitality workers’ strike poised to derail F1 race

Prue Leith shared some amusing details about Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ visit to the set of Great British Bake Off. The 83-year-old TV presenter – who is a judge on the baking show alongside Paul Hollywood – opened up about seeing the famous couple during an interview with E! News. Reynolds and Lively first visited the two judges in June, who posed with the Deadpool star outside of the iconic Bake Off tent. Leith revealed that the actors’ visit wasn’t planned, recalling that it came after Reynolds realised that he was filming at the same studio as the baking show. “Blake is absolutely nuts about—well they both are, they’re both very keen on Bake Off,” she said. “When they heard we were filming in the same studio lot as Ryan was, he was making Deadpool, and so they both just turned up.” Leith said the visit was “so funny,” since usually, visitors aren’t necessarily allowed to be inside the tent. "Everybody keeps everybody out of the tent, you know. No strangers are allowed in the tent, absolutely, rule number one. I mean if my husband walked in without having cleared it all first he’d be just shown the door,” Leith quipped. However, she acknowledged that when the Green Lantern star and Gossip Girl star walked into the set, her co-workers were shocked, before welcoming them in with open arms. “But I’ll tell you what, when those two walked in, every cameraman, everybody, just stood there,” she added. “And of course we were absolutely thrilled to see them. All filming stopped while we all chatted to them.” She revealed when she was working in the studio at the same time as the Hollywood couple, she met with them on multiple occasions. “​​Because we were there at the same time as they were, you know, weeks on end, we got really friendly. So they came in a lot,” Leith added. The TV presenter highlighted how her and co-star’s friendship with the couple developed, as Hollywood did a commercial with Lively earlier this year for her newest alcohol brand, Betty Booze. In the advertisement, the Age of Adaline star even hilariously attempted – and failed – to get one of Hollywood’s signature handshakes. Speaking to E! News, Leith poked fun at that commercial, while expressing how much she’d loved the chance to work with Lively’s husband. “I was rather disappointed because I thought, you know, I’d do anything to do a commercial with Ryan," she quipped. “And [Paul] managed to do a commercial with Blake.” In June, Hollywood first went viral when he shared a post to Instagram of himself, Reynolds, and Leith, as they stood outside of the Bake Off tent. “Prue and I catching up with @vancityreynolds,” he wrote in the caption. “#legend.” He later shared a snap of himself and Lively in the tent, alongside a caption that quipped: “Sorry Prue, Blake (@blakelively) has taken your seat… welcome to cake corner Blake.” In the Betty Booze commercial, which aired in August, Lively hilariously and unexpectedly arrived at Hollywood’s home, with a case of Betty Booze cocktails in her hands. The ad continued with Hollywood giving his candid review of the drinks, saying: “I really like it. It is absolutely beautiful. I think really good.” After he praised the flavours in the drink, he reached his hand towards Lively - seemingly in an effort to shake her hand. While she then started to reach her hand towards his, she soon realised that Hollywood was actually just grabbing another can of Betty Booze. Read More Woman defends her $7,000 cheese board The symbolic foods eaten during the festival of Diwali How to get free nuggets at Wendy’s for the rest of the year Woman defends her $7,000 cheese board The symbolic foods eaten during the festival of Diwali How to get free nuggets at Wendy’s for the rest of the year

If you’re after a year-round holiday destination in the UK, the Isle of Wight is pocket-sized yet picturesque – and it’s only two hours from London. Once famous for being a bucket-and-spade, budget destination, the island – the second-most populous in England – has reinvented itself as a place for a stylish sojourn by the sea. It now offers an impressive array of food and drink spots (more than 50 independent producers, at the last count). Known for The Needles, beautiful beaches and pretty promenades – alongside gorgeous countryside and colourful gardens – there’s something for everyone. As for where to stay, several island hotels used lockdown to refurbish, clear out the mothballs and pull themselves out of their 1970s torpor with impeccable style. Some are swish and sleek, others ooze history and character. Wherever you’re planning to stay, from the north in Cowes to the west in Yarmouth, or Ventnor in the south, you’re sure to find the perfect place to stay. Here’s our round-up of the best hotels on the island, where you can enjoy a sundowner while drinking in the views. The best Isle of Wight hotels are: Best family hotel: Luccombe Hall Hotel Best retro hotel: The Northbank Hotel Best luxury hotel: Sentry Mead Hotel Best boutique hotel: Villa Rothsay Hotel Best hotel for sea views: The Wellington Hotel Best budget hotel: Ryde Castle Best hotel for couples: Shoreside Inn Best hotel in a historic town: One Holyrood Hotel Best hotel for foodies: The Seaview Hotel Best family hotel: Luccombe Hall Hotel Location: Shanklin Originally built in 1870 as the Summer Palace for the Bishop of Portsmouth, Luccombe Hall enjoys what its original incumbent must have deemed a heavenly location at the southern end of Sandown Bay (which is more than five miles long), with views all the way to the north end of the beach at Culver Down. The hotel has an indoor and outdoor pool, large gardens with a giant chess and draughts set, a mini putting green and an children’s outdoor play area, making it a great choice for families. Rooms are decorated tastefully with ocean-blue tongue-and-groove furnishings and many have balconies. For a treat, book a garden room with a hot tub and a view of the sea. There’s a short but excellent menu, which you can enjoy in the aptly monikered Grand View restaurant. Best retro hotel: The Northbank Hotel Location: Seaview Entered from a narrow lane off Seaview’s genteel high street, the Victorian-built Northbank Hotel stands above the shore, with the hotel’s stately lawns sloping to a gate that opens out onto the village promenade. The hotel may have been updated over the years but its heart lies defiantly in the 1960s. Run by the Shaw-Yates family since 1959, it combines modern facilities with yesteryear touches, such as retro telephones and even an original 1960s Sega fruit machine. Rooms are fitted with traditional decor (OK, chintz prevails), oak furniture and sash windows. Dinner is cooked on the Aga, and the restaurant places great emphasis on local produce, including vegetables grown on the family allotment. Price: Doubles from £160, including breakfast (note the hotel closes for winter from 1 November 2023 until late April 2024) Book now Best luxury hotel: Sentry Mead Hotel Location: Totland The Sentry Mead Hotel overlooks Totland Bay on the island’s west coast. A former country house topped with a turret, the hotel has recently undergone a major refurbishment and is now among the most serene and stylish places to stay on the Isle of Wight. Rooms have been painted in deep tones, decorated with local artwork and fitted with London-brick tiling in bathrooms. The accommodation is spread over two floors – if you want a sea view, just ask. There are spacious grounds, ideal for taking in the setting sun over the western reaches of the Solent, with a glass of island gin. Best boutique hotel: Villa Rothsay Hotel Location: Cowes Cowes is steeped in shipbuilding and seafaring traditions, and few places encapsulate this spirit as much as Villa Rothsay. A son of the original owners won a sailing gold medal in the 1908 Olympics, while the Morning Cloud suite – named after the yachts owned by former prime minister Edward Heath – offers a 180-degree view of the Solent. Located on a small rise above the water, the villa incorporates old and new – bay windows, wood panelling and the chance to sit by a sleek modern fireplace on a Georgian chair. Best hotel for sea views: The Wellington Hotel Location: Ventnor Looming over the main promenade in the Victorian town of Ventnor, the refurbished Wellington offers not only sea vistas from its filigree balconies but also the mildest of climates. That’s because this part of the island is typically 5C warmer than elsewhere, thanks to the sheltering influence of the hills on which the town is built. Rooms have been refitted with richly coloured fittings but retain the old-time ambience, with sleigh beds, delicate coving and wooden balconies. One of the most striking things here is just how tranquil it is – no shipping lanes cross your gaze and the bustle of the Solent seems a world away. Best budget hotel: Ryde Castle Location: Ryde The location of this hotel (which is part of a pub chain) makes it an excellent choice. History buffs may be interested to know the building’s original incarnation was as a castle built on the orders of Henry VIII, to deter Spanish and French incursions. Still boasting its parapets and battlements, the hotel takes its place on Ryde’s esplanade among a hotchpotch of traditional shop fronts, decorative stucco and Georgian townhouses. Rooms feature chandeliers and richly embroidered bed covers – some rooms even come with four-poster beds – while dark-wood flooring adds to the ambience. Food leans more towards classic pub fare, but of a high standard, while Ryde’s open spaces, public gardens, sandy beaches and seaside stalls are only a short promenade away. Best hotel for couples: Shoreside Inn Location: Shanklin The only real giveaway that this property was built in the 19th century is the stately, squat façade of the three storeys and bay windows. Inside, the owners have created a stylish boutique hotel (for adults only). All rooms have full or partial views of the sea and include feature walls – think exposed brickwork and designer mirrors – while you can relax in a roll-top bath or walk-in shower. Two ground-floor rooms have their own private sun terrace with a view over the English Channel. Best hotel in a historic town: One Holyrood Hotel Location: Newport Located in the heart of Newport, the island’s capital, this well-run, cosy hotel is much nearer the equator than the Scottish Parliament with which it shares its name. Like many older island buildings, the hotel makes good use of the small space it inherits from its medieval origins. Attic-style rooms include period features, such as exposed beams, pitched ceilings, walnut-wood beds and the more contemporary metallic textures of Zoffany wallpaper. There’s a pleasant flower-laden courtyard and pergola at the back – perfect on a warm summer or mild autumn evening. In the dark nights of winter, cosy up in the lounge/bar, where you can put your feet up, next to the fire. Best hotel for foodies: The Seaview Hotel Location: Seaview When it comes to charm, location and service, the Seaview Hotel, positioned just a few yards back from the village beach, is hard to beat. You’ll find swish modern decor (smartly decorated rooms and walk-in showers), with a generous nod to the sea, in the form of paintings and photographs of nautical vessels. The ground floor is home to two restaurants – go for the Michelin-recommended cuisine in the restaurant, or top-notch fish and chips in the friendly bar, which serves local ales, island gin and good wine. Accommodation is on the first and second floors, with a spacious family suite for five on the top floor. The hotel rents out electric bikes to guests (these are definitely worth considering when tackling the island’s downs). Read more of our UK hotel reviews: The UK’s best cosy hotels Best dog-friendly hotels Where to stay in the Cotswolds Read more about UK travel: The Isle of Wight: An island of 20th-century miracles Best things to do on the Isles of Scilly The best hotels in the New Forest Read More The UK’s best seaside hotels Best UK hotels: Where to stay for a luxury or affordable break Best hotels in Hampshire: Where to stay for family-friendly trips and city breaks Best beach hotels in Cornwall: Where to stay for sandy shores and sea views The best boutique hotels in the Lake District for family getaways and luxury escapes Best hotels in Europe 2023: Where to stay for a city, beach or retreat break

For Blizzard Entertainment senior technical artist Takki Thammawan, getting a job working on Overwatch 2 was a dream he didn’t realize could ever come true. He grew up in Thailand playing mostly Japanese video games with his brother, and when he moved to the US to pursue an arts career. Overwatch 1 was the first Blizzard game he played, resulting in him making jokes about one day getting involved with the franchise. Flash forward to 2021, and now he was working with some of the people he looked up to as a gaming fan.

Racegoers have descended on the first day of this year’s Royal Ascot after the grounds were hit by a deluge of rain this morning (Tuesday 20 June). But the torrential rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of those attending, with many bringing their best outfits to the racecourse. Fashion at Royal Ascot has always been a big deal, and this year is no different. Big, sculptural hats and bright, colourful fascinators are all the rage this year, with women seeming to compete against each other for who can wear the tallest headgear. When Ladies’ Day arrives on Friday (23 June), viewers will no doubt be treated to an even bigger spectacle. The race, which dates back to the 1790s, is a firm favourite among members of the royal family, as well as celebrities and public figures. The late Queen Elizabeth II was an ardent lover of the sporting event and attended nearly every year for seven decades throughout her reign. This year’s event marks the first time King Charles III and Queen Camilla have attended in their new roles. The royal couple, who were crowned last month, paid tribute to the late monarch in a joint foreword for the official programme. Aside from Charles and Camilla, other royals who were present today include the Princess Royal and her daughter, Zara Tindall. Princess Eugenie, the eldest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi also attended. Other famous faces on the racecourse were singer Natalie Rushdie, Made in Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo, sculptor Daniel Lismore, models Rosie Tapner, Eunice Olumide and Hana Cross, TV presenter Charlotte Hawkins, and The Only Way Is Essex star Lucy Mecklenburgh. Here are our favourite looks from the first day of Royal Ascot. Queen Camilla The Queen floated through the grounds in a cream coat dress, with a matching hat and gloves. She also wore the Queen Mother’s Shell Brooch on her lapel, alongisde a pair of dangly pearl earrings. Zara Tindall Tindall’s elegant midi dress features pale green florals with hints of pink. She accessorised the dress, which is by designer Leo Lin, with a straw boater, a nude clutch bag and nude Sauvereign shoes. Daniel Lismore The designer and sculptor, who has been named “England’s most eccentric dresser”, did not fail to live up to the expectations set for himself. Lismore attended the race in a red crushed velvet dress, with a matching cape covered in silver embellishments. He also wore a Union Jack-themed headpiece featuring a large feather installation rising from it. Georgia Toffolo The TV personality wore a bright orange ensemble, reflecting the colour of the season. Her floor-length dress featured a drop waist and a pleated skirt. She also wore a large ruffled headpiece and carried an embellished beige clutch. Eunice Olumide The model dressed elegantly in a pastel purple Zimmerman dress with yellow accents. The bottom of her swishy skirt depicted a busy scene from a beach. She also wore a bright yellow hat. Hana Cross The model, and former girlfriend of Brooklyn Beckham, wore a chic fitted white dress with a bow detail and chest cut-out. Her wide-brimmed hat featured a white veil that framed her face, and she wore black silver-tipped shoes and a black handbag. Silou-hat One racegoer wore an impressively crafty hat to the racecouse today. The blue headpiece featured silhouettes of horses circling the brim, as though they were racing against one another. Against the sun, the hat created a particularly striking effect. Butterfly batik One attendee wore a butterfly-themed hat with batik patterns decorating the wings, which matched the rest of her outfit. Reach for the sky A pair of racegoers wore purple and blue hats with floral features that sat high above their heads. The hats also included twisty twig-like tendrils that reached upwards towards the sky. Swirl of colour This racegoer’s unique pink and blue headpiece makes for a visually interesting design. Long, colourful attachments that surround it provide a festive feel. Read More I couldn’t climax, so I let ‘big testosterone’ take me for a ride Harry and Meghan ‘Duke and Duchess of Dior’ rumours untrue, report says ‘What in the wingardium leviosa?’: Emma Watson shocks fans with ‘levitating’ dress The wild and wonderful hats of Royal Ascot 2023 King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at first Royal Ascot in their new roles Toff: Drinking mindfully is a gift to yourself