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‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 is all gas, no breaks: review
Heads will roll.
For anyone who complained that not enough was happening on “House of the Dragon,” Season 3 feels like showrunner Ryan Condal and his writing team heard your feedback and cranked the dial up to, “a hundred things are happening at once.”
After two seasons of build-up to a war, the “Game of Thrones” prequel finally gets to the good part. Season 3 is all gas, no brakes.
It’s hard to keep track of how many beheadings there are, how many dragons spit fire, or how many big plot events happen.
Among the three shows in the “Game of Thrones” world (the original show, this show, and “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms“), “House of the Dragon” is the inferior offering.
That hasn’t changed – even though this is the best season yet.
There’s a lot of action. Much of it lacks depth, because the characters remain underdeveloped and the story is spread too thin across too many of them. But, this season flows better than the previous two, and it’s more entertaining.
If you can leave your brain at the door, Season 3 is the perfect summer show, full of spectacle, strong performances, and more levity than past seasons, in between the violence and tragedy. (The writers seem to have taken note that the lighter-toned “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” was a hit).
Set over a hundred years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” “House of the Dragon” follows a civil war between Daenerys (Emilia Clarke)’s ancestors: Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), and her half-brother Aegon (Tom Glynn Carney), fighting over who is the heir to the Iron Throne.
Rhaenyra has her uncle/ husband Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) on her side, as her fiercest fighter. The show still sidelines him too much. But, in an improvement over Season 2, at least he’s not forced to spend an entire season hallucinating sex with his mom (remember that?).
On Aegon’s side, he has his brother, the volatile, eye patch-wearing Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) as his most formidable warrior. The latter remains the show’s MVP.
Mitchell remains the cast member most attuned to what kind of show this really is: not a prestige drama, but a gnarly, operatic, absurd melodrama. His scenery-chewing continues stealing the show.
Aemond and Aegon’s mom Alicent (Olivia Cooke) is also a key schemer.
Last season, Aemond even tried to kill Aegon. He hurt the would-be king badly enough to sideline him. Aemond is now functionally in charge.
So, there’s infighting within the sides of this war, too. If that sounds convoluted, yes, it is. And, there’s more!
Not only does the plot jump around haphazardly between dozens of characters, but it also still can’t pick who to focus on. On top of that, it piles on a handful of new players.
Some of them are played by charming actors – such as “Sons of Anarchy” star Tommy Flanagan, who plays a grizzled Northern warrior fighting with the Starks, or “House of Guinness” star James Norton, who joins the cast as a haughty Hightower relative.
It’s spot-on casting, but you’re not sure whether to cheer or groan when they enter. The last thing this show needs is to keep expanding into more characters.
“Game of Thrones” had a vast cast, but it did a good job balancing the story, and focusing on a half-dozen main characters per episode.
“House of the Dragon’s” writing team hasn’t figured out how to do that well, and that issue is exacerbated in Season 3. The story is still unfocused.
“Game of Thrones” and “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” are both accessible to casual viewers. With “House of the Dragon,” if you haven’t read the books (or spent time Googling the lore), the show hangs you out to dry.
The battles are impressive if you didn’t watch “Game of Thrones” or “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.” The other shows do a better job at anchoring you in a character’s point of view during a fight.
“House of the Dragon” has a lot of action and chaos, but it whips around so jerkily between it all, it dulls the emotional impact. Random side characters get more screen time than people who are ostensibly the leads, like Daemon.
But, if you can turn off the part of your mind pointing all this out, it’s a good time, full of splashy action.
The third episode teases us with the better show that “House of the Dragon” should have been all along, honing in on Rhaenyra’s unreliable perspective. It’s too little, too late for the show to shift gears from a bird’s eye view of “what happened” to a close focus on subjective points of view.
But, when viewed in isolation, it’s a stand-out episode.
If you liked the first two seasons of “House of the Dragon,” you’ll like Season 3 more.
If you thought the first two seasons were just okay, Season 3 probably won’t change that. But, at least it’s not boring. The explosive part of the plot is here, at last.
“House of the Dragon” Season 3 premieres Sunday, June 21 on HBO at 9 p.m.
Baby elephant ‘plays football’ in time for World Cup
This is the moment a cute baby elephant celebrates the World Cup – by “playing football.”
The male Asian elephant calf was delivered at Whipsnade Zoo, in Bedfordshire, on Monday (June 8), weighing 110kg (243lb) and measuring 1m (3.3ft) tall.
He is the first Asian elephant to be born at the zoo since 2022, following a 22-month pregnancy.
But within 10 minutes of being born, the as-yet unnamed animal had risen to his feet and made his first wobbly steps.
The recording, taken on June 10, shows the football-obsessed elephant kicking around a red ball.
It had been put into the youngster’s pen to play with – although he is still finding his feet and often trips over the toy.
The calf was born to mother Donna, who has been seen guarding the calf protectively as he naps.
According to keepers, the calf is an important addition to the European breeding programme of Asian elephants.
It comes as there are fewer than 52,000 of them left in the wild, and they are listed as an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
Whipsnade Zoo’s section manager of elephants, Stefan Groeneveld, said: “The excitement we’re feeling at the arrival of this calf is almost impossible to put into words.
“It’s an amazing success for Donna, and our herd at Whipsnade Zoo, and mum and calf are both doing brilliantly, which is exactly what we hoped for.
“Donna has been an exceptional mother from the moment her calf arrived; she’s clearly learnt from her experience raising his sister Nang Phaya, and she’ll be setting a really important example for when Phaya eventually has her own calf.
“With Asian elephants facing so many challenges in the wild, this calf represents real hope for the future of the species.”
The new calf arrived on the 200th anniversary year of the Zoological Society of London, which runs Whipsnade Zoo, so the team has invited the public to help pick a name for the calf in celebration.
Ridiculous restoration job turns religious statues into googly-eyed caricatures
A disastrous restoration job on religious statues in Brazil left the Holy Family looking like ridiculous cartoons — and the botched spruce-up was so bad that it became an instant tourist attraction.
The absurd changes turned Jesus, Mary and the other religious figures in the public square in Carmo do Cajuru into googly-eyed caricatures with thick, arched eyebrows and bright red lips, outraging locals who found the spectacle disrespectful, according to Jam Press.
But out-of-towners flocked to the town, with about 250,000 of them there to laugh or pray around the site.
The ridiculous alterations to the Passion of Christ figures have since been removed.
Worshippers in the Nossa Senhora do Carmo Parish, which commissioned the work, had decried the altered statues as a “depredation” and “an eyesore.”
The parish council eventually admitted the changes “caused discomfort to many faithful and residents” and ordered the paint be removed, returning the sculptures to their original white finish.
“The facial features were painted on in an entirely mistaken fashion, which is why we acted immediately to reverse it,” church officials said, without revealing who was behind the bashed paint job.
The parish has since been searching for a new artist to do a proper restoration on the weathered statues.
In 2012, an amateur Spanish artist made worldwide headlines for her infamous restoration of a prized painting of Jesus — earning it the nickname “Monkey Christ.”
Cecilia Gimenez, who died at the age of 94 in December, became a viral sensation when she restored “Ecce Homo,” a deteriorating fresco by Elias Garcia Martinez that had hung at the Sanctuary of Mercy Church near Zaragoza for almost 100 years.
Costco introduces new tech to shorten checkout line wait
They’re teching things up a notch.
Costco, known for offering its warehouse club members decent deals on bulk buys sans the bells and whistles of digital devices, is now introducing scanning technology and digital membership cards to improve customer experience.
It’s an automated miracle.
While a little late to the gadgets game, Costco joins a slew of retailers — from NYC-area supermarkets such as ShopRite, which recently rolled out a fleet of AI-powered shopping carts, to nationwide hubs like Sam’s Club, where sophisticated systems have streamlined its once-bottlenecked exit-checks process — in robotizing for the shopper’s benefit.
“In digital, we’re making meaningful strides to deliver a more seamless and convenient experience for our members across the warehouse and online,” said Ron Vachris, Costco CEO, during the company’s third-quarter earnings call.
The newly implemented scanning technology enables staffers to pre-scan a guest’s cart while they’re waiting in line, getting them through checkout and out of the door in record time. Its new Scan & Pay feature, too, allows shoppers to scan and pay for items through the Costco app.
The time-saving upgrades comes as a boon to Costco members, who’ve consistently highlighted “checkout speed” as a top frustration with the chain, according to RetailWire.
“The warehouses that are first to adopt this pre-scan technology have shown checkout speed improvements of up to 20%,” Vachris revealed. “And across our US warehouses overall, we achieved record levels of checkout productivity in the final weeks of the quarter.”
The membership club, which has long-required folks to prove their patronage by brandishing a physical card for entry inside its stores, is also transitioning to virtual vouchers accessible via the Costco app, and is making much-needed improvement to its in-app mobile wallet.
“As a result of our investments in technology and the commitment from our employees to use this technology to deliver a great member experience, we’re seeing a significant improvement in the speed of checkout,” said Vachris.
Costco has, too, debuted a same-day delivery service, powered by our third-party partners, including Instacart, which has become “a highly effective way to deliver more convenience to our members,” the CEO added.
“Average same-day delivery time in the U.S. is now less than 45 minutes, and the average member satisfaction rating is 4.8 out of 5.”
Costco reportedly plans to offer more tech-positive updates across high-density clubs in 2026, starting with California, Texas, and the Northeast corridor. And the enhancements are expected to payoff in spades
“For Costco, the upside is twofold,” said insiders for Retailwire. “First, faster turnover frees up parking spaces and increases transaction capacity during weekend peaks without requiring the construction of new square footage.”
“Second, richer first-party data on basket composition and trip frequency arms buyers and marketers with insights they can’t glean from anonymous cash sales,” the noted. “In other words, every scan is also a data point.”
Cesar Peixoto: Portuguese named as new Wolverhampton Wanderers boss
Wolverhampton Wanderers have appointed Cesar Peixoto as their new head coach on a two-year deal.
The 46-year-old arrives from Portuguese top-flight club Gil Vicente and replaces Rob Edwards who was sacked last week.
Peixoto takes charge of a Wolves side who will play in the Championship for the first time since 2018 after they finished bottom of the Premier League last season.
It will be Peixoto’s first job outside of Portugal having led Gil Vicente to a sixth-placed finish in the Primeira Liga in 2025-26.
His last job was the first time in his seven years as a manager that he completed an entire season in charge at one club.
“Throughout our discussions with him, it became clear very quickly that he possesses many of the qualities we believe are important for the future of this football club,” Wolves executive chairman Nathan Shi said.
“We wanted clear identity, strong leadership qualities and a real hunger to succeed. Cesar demonstrated all of those characteristics, but what impressed me most was his mentality, his work ethic and his willingness to embrace the challenge in front of him.
“He is young, energetic and ambitious, but he is also thoughtful, accountable and willing to challenge himself and those around him in pursuit of improvement.
“We believe he will be an excellent fit for the culture and vision we are building at Wolves.”
Belgium vs. Egypt prediction: World Cup picks, odds, best bets
Expectations are relatively tepid for Belgium at the 2026 World Cup.
We’re now eight years removed from the “Golden Generation” making it to the semifinals at Russia 2018, and the most recent major tournaments have ended in disappointment for The Red Devils, so there isn’t much support for Rudi Garcia’s side this summer.
Belgium is 40/1 to lift the trophy, putting them in the same range as Norway and Colombia.
That said, there are reasons to be optimistic about Belgium’s chances in this tournament. They’re still bursting with talent, they’ve got a cushy draw, and they won’t be feeling the burden of expectation.
Belgium opens its tournament as a -160 favorite over Egypt on Monday.
Belgium vs. Egypt odds, prediction
Kevin De Bruyne is still the heartbeat of Belgium’s lineup, but their main threat going forward is Jeremy Doku. The Manchester City winger is in a class of his own when it comes to beating defenders in 1-on-1 situations, and he gives this attack a dimension that few others in this tournament can offer. It’s not just Doku’s ability to beat players, but it’s the attention he attracts, which opens things up for Belgium’s other playmakers.
There are questions about whether or not Belgium’s strikers are good enough to go on a deep run, but against Egypt, it shouldn’t be a massive problem.
Egypt’s two best players, Mo Salah and Omar Marmoush, are forwards and can win matches on their own, but The Pharoahs don’t play a style that allows them to flourish. Salah and Marmoush will be at the tip of the spear, but the rest of their teammates will sit deep for most of the game and do everything they can to frustrate their opponents.
Get the lowdown on the Best USA Sports Betting Sites and Apps
Sitting deep in a 5-4-1 is not a bad strategy when you’re a massive underdog, and it’s going to be a common tactic in this tournament since goal difference will play a monumental role, but Belgium is built to pick apart a defense that digs in.
De Bruyne is a master at pulling defenses out of their shape with a pinpoint pass, and Doku’s ability on the ball will keep this defense on its heels.
The threat of Salah and Marmoush is real, but Belgium’s versatile attack should have a field day with this defense.
The Play: Belgium -1.5 goals (+168, FanDuel)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
How to watch Belgium vs. Egypt live for free in World Cup 2026
All eyes will be on Seattle’s Lumen Field today.
At 3 p.m. ET, Kevin De Bruyne’s Belgium will take on Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in both countries’ first Group stage matches of the 2026 World Cup.
Belgium comes into this year’s tourney with a bit of a chip on their shoulder. In ’22,
Roberto Martinez’s “Golden Generation” club started strong but couldn’t advance out of the Group stage after besting Canada, losing to Morocco and tying mighty Croatia.
This time around, the Red Devils are the favorite against Egypt — 99% of bets favor Belgium to be exact, according to Odds Shark — but Hossam Hassan’s squad shouldn’t totally be counted out.
They’re looking to move past the group stage for the first time in the country’s history.
Belgium vs. Egypt: what to know
- What: FIFA World Cup 2026, Group stage
- When: June 15, 3 p.m. ET
- Where: Lumen Field (Seattle, Washington)
- Channel: FOX
- Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)
And that’s exactly why all eyes will be glued to the pitch in the Emerald City. Don’t miss this one.
For more information, here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 Belgium vs. Egypt World Cup match.
Belgium vs. Egypt time
The FIFA World Cup match between Belgium and Egypt is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. ET today.
Belgium vs. Egypt channel
Belgium vs. Egypt will air on FOX in the United States. American viewers can also stream the match in Spanish on Telemundo.
How to watch Belgium vs. Egypt for free
If you don’t have cable or an antenna, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the World Cup for free.
DIRECTV is our favorite service for watching sports live for free. Right now, you can take advantage of a five-day free trial before saving $30 on your first month. We recommend the Choice plan, which includes FOX and FS1 as part of its 90+ channels.
Sling TV is another affordable way to stream soccer live; its Select plan includes FOX and starts at $19.99/month.
Belgium World Cup schedule
| Date and time | Opponent | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| June 15 3 p.m. ET |
Egypt (World Cup – Group G) |
FOX |
| June 21 12 p.m. ET |
Iran (World Cup – Group G) |
FS1 |
| June 26 8 p.m. ET |
New Zealand (World Cup – Group G) |
FOX |
Egypt World Cup schedule
| Date and time | Opponent | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| June 15 3 p.m. ET |
Belgium (World Cup – Group G) |
FOX |
| June 21 6 p.m. ET |
New Zealand (World Cup – Group G) |
FS1 |
| June 26 8 p.m. ET |
Iran (World Cup – Group G) |
FS1 |
Belgium World Cup roster
Goalkeepers:
- Thibaut Courtois
- Senne Lammens
- Mike Penders
Defenders:
- Timothy Castagne
- Zeno Debast
- Maxim De Cuyper
- Koni De Winter
- Brandon Mechele
- Thomas Meunier
- Nathan Ngoy
- Joaquin Seys
- Arthur Theate
Midfielders:
- Kevin De Bruyne
- Amadou Onana
- Nicolas Raskin
- Youri Tielemans
- Hans Vanaken
- Axel Witsel
Forwards:
- Charles De Ketelaere
- Jeremy Doku
- Matias Fernandez-Pardo
- Romelu Lukaku
- Dodi Lukebakio
- Diego Moreira
- Alexis Saelemekars
- Leandro Trossard
Egypt World Cup roster
Goalkeepers:
- Mohamed Alaa
- Mohamed El Shenawy
- Mostafa Shobeir
- El Mahdy Soliman
Defenders:
- Hossam Abdelmagid
- Mohamed Abdelmonem
- Tarek Alaa
- Ahmed Fatouh
- Karim Hafez
- Mohamed Hany
- Yasser Ibrahim
- Rami Rabia
Midfielders:
- Emam Ashour
- Marwan Attia
- Nabil Emad
- Hamdi Fathi
- Haitham Hassan
- Mohannad Lashin
- Mahmoud Saber
- Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet”
- Mostafa Zico
- Ahmed Sayed “Zizo”
Forwards:
- Hamza Abdulkarim
- Ibrahim Adel
- Omar Marmoush
- Mohamed Salah
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
Save $1300 and turn your home into a gym with this smart gear
What if you had a luxurious gym and an AI personal trainer all in one? And better yet, what if you never had to leave the comfort of your living room to use it?
That’s essentially the gist of what a Speediance setup offers: a compact, all-in-one fitness system that fits neatly into a corner of your home and comes with an AI-powered touchscreen that evaluates your needs and builds a personalized plan to help you reach your goals.
Speediance’s Gym Monster models combine multiple pieces of workout equipment, including a bench, barbells, adjustable ropes, hooks, a yoga mat and much more. And, ahead of Prime Day, shoppers can save up to $1,300 on this home gym system that has users leaving rave reviews.
“After trying several home gym solutions, this is by far the best, specifically because it bridges the gap between digital convenience and the ‘real feel’ of traditional lifting,” one user shared. “It’s perfect for turning a spare room into a full-functioning gym without permanently losing the room.
For a limited time, both the Gym Monster 1 Works Plus and Gym Monster 2 Works Plus also will come with rotating premium accessory gifts valued at around $400, including items such as Speediance’s Smart Scale, Skiing Handles and Smart Handles.
Post shoppers can score even more savings with the code NYPOST130 for an extra $130 off orders over $2,500. And those looking at the GM2 Works Plus can use NYPOST140 for an extra $140 off. Valid through June 30.
These limited-time Prime Day deals won’t last forever, so if you want to jumpstart your summer workout plan — now’s the time to save big.
The Gym Monster 1 Works Plus includes everything you need to kickstart your workout routine —including an adjustable barbell, barbell pad, adjustable bench, triceps rope, ankle straps and a yoga adapter. All of these components are neatly stored within the system, making it easy to switch between different exercises without needing separate machines.
An AI-powered integrated touchscreen can run a simple strength assessment to establish your baseline fitness level. Based on that data, it delivers guided workouts, coaching and training plans tailored to your goals — all with the help of four versatile resistance modes powered by a built-in motorized engine.
For individuals aiming to make gains over time, this all-in-one system provides a streamlined way to follow organized routines without needing separate trainers or complex programming.
The Gym Monster 2 is said to “offer even more versatility and performance than ever before,” building on all of the Speediance Gym Monster tools introduced in Gym Monster 1. It boasts the full all-in-one setup while adding a smoother, quieter motor system and faster resistance response.
Reviewers often praise the upgraded version for its immersive, fluid feel during workouts, noting that movements feel more natural and controlled. It is also reported to offer improved stability during certain exercises, which can help users keep the correct form in real-time.
“Unlike other resistance machines that feel choppy or unnatural, the Gym Monster 2 is smooth,” one reviewer shared. “It really mimics using actual dumbbells and cables. The tension is consistent, and the digital weights feel solid, allowing me to lift heavy safely.”
As far as the software goes, the Gym Monster 2 Works Plus offers advanced AI coaching with improved accuracy and a more structrued workout progression that is meant to support users through their fitness journey.
This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Longevity Mix to the viral Oura Ring to Jennifer Aniston’s favorite workout platform – often with her adorable toddler by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.
Ukraine to start EU membership talks, ushering in years of reforms while fighting Russia’s war
BRUSSELS — Ukraine was due on Monday to officially begin European Union membership negotiations, launching a process that will require its government to commit to years of political reforms even as it continues to fight a Russian invasion.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka was to attend a so-called intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg, to open talks on a first group of policy areas that will help Kyiv align with EU laws, standards and values.
Ukraine sees EU membership as one “security guarantee” for a stable future once the war ends. Its best guarantee would be NATO membership, but the Trump administration insists that cannot happen, and others are wary of it joining while fighting continues.
Moldova was also due to officially launch its membership talks. Russia has long tried to keep the country within its orbit, and was last year accused of waging a major disinformation campaign driven by artificial intelligence during the elections.
Countries hoping to join the EU must complete negotiations in 35 policy areas, or chapters, from agriculture to taxation and energy to trade, a process which can take years.
Monday’s meeting was to open five key chapters — grouped together as “clusters” — that underpin the values and principles on which the bloc was founded, notably the rule of law, fundamental rights and the functioning of democratic institutions.
The chapters are judiciary and fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security, public procurement, statistics and financial control. This cluster is important for some EU countries that worry about Ukraine’s ability and willingness to fight corruption.
Last month, two national agencies fighting corruption named Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s former chief of staff as an official suspect in a major graft investigation, but they said the Ukrainian leader was not under suspicion in the case.
The talks come at a time when some European countries have been pushing to get Ukraine inside the bloc as quickly as possible. They see Ukraine as vital to Europe’s security, and have helped bolster its military.
Last month, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged his EU partners to consider offering Ukraine “associate membership” to help breathe new life into talks aimed at ending more than four years of war with Russia.
Other countries — France and the Netherlands among them — have suggested work-arounds to bring Ukraine into the fold more quickly but without the rights of full membership.
But EU officials, and other countries waiting in line to join the bloc, insist that it should be a merits-based process that leads to nothing less than full membership.
Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said that completing the full reform process is vital, and that membership is not simply about securing a “club card for the EU.”
What Ukrainians “truly are after is freedom, democracy and a transparent market economy without any corruption,” she told reporters in Luxembourg ahead of the ceremony.
Ukraine’s accession process was long stymied by Hungary, under stridently nationalist former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was considered Russia’s strongest ally in Europe and possible threat to the EU project.
Orbán routinely exploited voting rules that require all 27 member countries to agree on certain rules, sanctions and even political statements. Indeed, unanimous agreement is required for each negotiating chapter to be opened, and then again for it to be closed.
The European Commission froze billions of euros in funds for Hungary in response to democratic backsliding led by Orbán, and concern lingers about the damage that can be done when one unhappy government insists on wielding its veto.
“We need to be very cautious in the future and make sure that these are countries that really want to be a part of Europe, and a part of the European Union, and are willing to work with us,” Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said.
“In order for the EU to be really strong, we need to make sure that this doesn’t happen again,” she said.