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Journey to the Center of the Earth

On a quest to find out what happened to his missing brother, a scientist, his nephew and their mountain guide discover a fantastic and dangerous lost world in the center of the earth. On a quest to find out what happened to his missing brother, a scientist, his nephew and their mountain guide discover a fantastic and dangerous lost world in the center of the earth. On a quest to find out what happened to his missing brother, a scientist, his nephew and their mountain guide discover a fantastic and dangerous lost world in the center of the earth.

• Eric Brevig
• Michael D. Weiss
• Jennifer Flackett
• Brendan Fraser
• Josh Hutcherson
• Aníta Briem
• 270 User reviews
• 192 Critic reviews
• 57 Metascore
• 3 wins & 4 nominations

• Trevor Anderson

• Sean Anderson

• Hannah Ásgeirsson
• (as Anita Briem)

• Professor Alan Kitzens

• Max Anderson

• Gum-Chewing Girl

• Sigurbjörn Ásgeirsson
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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• Trivia When Trevor opens the box of stuff belonging to his lost brother, he pulls out an odd wooden item, says he doesn't know what it is, and sets it aside. The item is a Holmes Stereoscope, designed in 1861 by Oliver Wendell Holmes to look at stereocards. Similar to postcards, they show a left-view and right-view photograph mounted next to each other. When viewed through a stereoscope, the photographs merge into one 3-D image. The Holmes Stereoscope was a great source of entertainment in the Victorian era. The same process was later adopted for ViewMaster viewers and cards.
• Goofs (at around 1h 18 mins) When Trevor tries to ignite the magnesium with a flare, he claims that it's "...too wet...". Magnesium burns in water, producing magnesium oxide and hydrogen - in fact, pouring water on burning magnesium intensifies the fire; the most effective way to douse a magnesium fire is to cover it with sand or dry dirt.

Sean : [running from a dinosaur] Haven't you ever seen a dinosaur before?

Trevor : Not with skin on it!

• Crazy credits As the credits are rolling a stick of dynamite with a burning fuse sometimes falls past them. In the 3D version, it is sometimes in the background and sometimes the foreground. When the credits end the dynamite explodes.
• Connections Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Wanted/Finding Amanda/Journey to the Center of the Earth/WALL-E/Encounters at the End of the World (2008)

User reviews 270

• ccthemovieman-1
• Nov 1, 2008
• How long is Journey to the Center of the Earth? Powered by Alexa
• Is 'Journey to the Center of the Earth' based on a book?
• Is this film 3D only?
• Other than one being in 2D and one being in 3D, what is the difference between the two cuts of the film?
• July 11, 2008 (United States)
• United States
• Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D
• New Line Cinema
• Walden Media
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $60,000,000 (estimated)
• $101,704,370
• $21,018,141
• Jul 13, 2008
• $244,232,688

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 33 minutes
• Dolby Digital

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The Fourth Voyage of Christopher Columbus

The Famous Explorer's Final Voyage to the New World

• History Before Columbus
• Colonialism and Imperialism
• Caribbean History
• Central American History
• South American History
• Mexican History
• American History
• African American History
• African History
• Ancient History and Culture
• Asian History
• European History
• Medieval & Renaissance History
• Military History
• The 20th Century
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Before the Journey

• Hispaniola & the Hurricane

Across the Caribbean

Native encounters, central america to jamaica, a year on jamaica, importance of the fourth voyage.

• Ph.D., Spanish, Ohio State University
• M.A., Spanish, University of Montana
• B.A., Spanish, Penn State University

On May 11, 1502, Christopher Columbus set out on his fourth and final voyage to the New World with a fleet of four ships. His mission was to explore uncharted areas to the west of the Caribbean in hopes of finding a passage to the Orient. While Columbus did explore parts of southern Central America, his ships disintegrated during the voyage, leaving Columbus and his men stranded for nearly a year.

Much had happened since Columbus’ daring 1492 voyage of discovery . After that historic trip, Columbus was sent back to the New World to establish a colony. While a gifted sailor, Columbus was a terrible administrator, and the colony he founded on Hispaniola turned against him. After his third trip , ​Columbus was arrested and sent back to Spain in chains. Although he was quickly freed by the king and queen, his reputation was in shambles.

At 51, Columbus was increasingly being viewed as an eccentric by the members of the royal court, perhaps due to his belief that when Spain united the world under Christianity (which they would quickly accomplish with gold and wealth from the New World) that the world would end. He also tended to dress like a simple barefoot friar, rather than the wealthy man he had become.

Even so, the crown agreed to finance one last voyage of discovery. With royal backing, Columbus soon found four seaworthy vessels: the Capitana , Gallega , Vizcaína , and Santiago de Palos . His brothers, Diego and Bartholomew, and his son Fernando signed on as crew, as did some veterans of his earlier voyages.

Hispaniola & the Hurricane

Columbus was not welcome when he returned to the island of Hispaniola. Too many settlers remembered his cruel and ineffective administration . Nevertheless, after first visiting Martinique and Puerto Rico, he made Hispaniola his destination because had hopes of being able to swap the Santiago de Palos for a quicker ship while there. As he awaited an answer, Columbus realized a storm was approaching and sent word to the current governor, Nicolás de Ovando, that he should consider delaying the fleet that was set to depart for Spain.

Governor Ovando, resenting the interference, forced Columbus to anchor his ships in a nearby estuary. Ignoring the explorer's advice, he sent the fleet of 28 ships to Spain. A tremendous hurricane sank 24 of them: three returned and only one (Ironically, the one containing Columbus’ personal effects that he'd wished to send to Spain) arrived safely. Columbus’ own ships, all badly battered, nevertheless remained afloat.

After the hurricane passed, Columbus’ small fleet set out in search of a passage west, however, the storms did not abate and the journey became a living hell. The ships, already damaged by the forces of the hurricane, suffered substantially more abuse. Eventually, Columbus and his ships reached Central America, anchoring off the coast of Honduras on an island that many believe to be Guanaja, where they made what repairs they could and took on supplies.

While exploring Central America, Columbus had an encounter many consider to be the first with one of the major inland civilizations. Columbus’ fleet came in contact with a trading vessel, a very long, wide canoe full of goods and traders believed to be Mayan from the Yucatan. The traders carried copper tools and weapons, swords made of wood and flint, textiles, and a beerlike beverage made from fermented corn. Columbus, oddly enough, decided not to investigate the interesting trading civilization, and instead of turning north when he reached Central America, he went south.

Columbus continued exploring to the south along the coasts of present-day Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. While there, Columbus and his crew traded for food and gold whenever possible. They encountered several native cultures and observed stone structures as well as maize being cultivated on terraces.

By early 1503, the structure of the ships began to fail. In addition to the storm damage the vessels had endured, it was discovered they were also infested with termites. Columbus reluctantly set sail for Santo Domingo looking for aid—but the ships only made it as far as Santa Gloria (St. Ann’s Bay), Jamaica before they were incapacitated.

Columbus and his men did what they could, breaking the ships apart to make shelters and fortifications. They formed a relationship with the local natives who brought them food. Columbus was able to get word to Ovando of his predicament, but Ovando had neither the resources nor the inclination to help. Columbus and his men languished on Jamaica for a year, surviving storms, mutinies, and an uneasy peace with the natives. (With the help of one of his books, Columbus was able to impress the natives by correctly predicting an eclipse .)

In June 1504, two ships finally arrived to retrieve Columbus and his crew. Columbus returned to Spain only to learn that his beloved Queen Isabella was dying. Without her support, he would never again return to the New World.

Columbus’ final voyage is remarkable primarily for new exploration, mostly along the coast of Central America. It's also of interest to historians, who value the descriptions of the native cultures encountered by Columbus’ small fleet, particularly those sections concerning the Mayan traders. Some of the fourth voyage crew would go on to greater things: Cabin boy Antonio de Alaminos eventually piloted and explored much of the western Caribbean. Columbus’ son Fernando wrote a biography of his famous father.

Still, for the most part, the fourth voyage was a failure by almost any standard. Many of Columbus’ men died, his ships were lost, and no passage to the west was ever found. Columbus never sailed again and when he died in 1506, he was convinced that he'd found Asia—even if most of Europe already accepted the fact that the Americas were an unknown “New World." That said, the fourth voyage showcased more profoundly than any other Columbus’ sailing skills, his fortitude, and his resilience—the very attributes that allowed him to journey to the Americas in the first place.

• Thomas, Hugh. "Rivers of Gold: The Rise of the Spanish Empire, from Columbus to Magellan." Random House. New York. 2005.
• What Was the Age of Exploration?
• Biography of Christopher Columbus
• The Third Voyage of Christopher Columbus
• Biography of Christopher Columbus, Italian Explorer
• 10 Facts About Christopher Columbus
• The Truth About Christopher Columbus
• The Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus
• Where Are the Remains of Christopher Columbus?
• The First New World Voyage of Christopher Columbus (1492)
• Biography of Juan Ponce de León, Conquistador
• Amerigo Vespucci, Explorer and Navigator
• Amerigo Vespucci, Italian Explorer and Cartographer
• Biography and Legacy of Ferdinand Magellan
• Biography of Ferdinand Magellan, Explorer Circumnavigated the Earth
• La Navidad: First European Settlement in the Americas

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Journey: Freedom Tour 2023

Featuring: toto.

• Date Feb 14 , 2023
• Event Starts 7:30 PM
• Venue Rupp Arena
• On Sale On Sale Now

One of the most legendary rock bands of all time, JOURNEY , announces the continuation of their highly successful tour with the 50th Anniversary Celebration Freedom Tour 2023 featuring, very special guest TOTO. JOURNEY, Diamond-selling Rock & Roll Hall of Famers will take the stage in 38 cities across North America with their catalog of global chart-topping hits, including "Don't Stop Believin”, "Any Way You Want It", "Faithfully", "Lights" and more.

Presented by AEG Presents, JOURNEY Freedom Tour 2023 begins February 4 in Allentown, PA – making stops in Austin, Montreal, Memphis and more – before wrapping April 25 at the brand new Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, CA. The 2023 run includes rescheduled dates in Washington DC, Hartford, Toronto and Quebec that were postponed earlier this year due to covid.

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DOGSTAR COMING TO LEXINGTON OPERA HOUSE ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 11, 2024

KENTUCKY ALUM JAMES YOUNG TO JOIN LA FAMILIA ROSTER FOR TBT 2024 AT RUPP ARENA

KENTUCKY ALUM ANDREW HARRISON TO JOIN LA FAMILIA ROSTER FOR TBT 2024 AT RUPP ARENA

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'Journey to the Centre of the Earth' adaptation announced by 'Around the World in 80 Days' creators

'Journey to the Centre of the Earth' is the second Jules Verne adaptation from Slim Film and Federation Entertainment.

Journey to the Centre of the Earth is the latest Jules Verne novel to be adapted by Slim Film + Television and Federation Entertainment, with Ashley Pharoah on board as showrunner. 

The classic sci-fi story follows Professor Otto Lidenbrock, a German geology expert who launches an expedition to the Earth's core in search of its secrets. Along the way, his expedition faces everything from massive subterranean caves, subpolar tornadoes, dinosaurs, and plenty of other dangers.

Casting for Journey to the Centre of the Earth has not been announced, nor has a release date.

This announcement comes ahead of the release of Around the World in 80 Days (pictured above). This new drama has been developed by the same team, is an upcoming adaptation of Verne's beloved novel with David Tennant set to star as the lead adventurer, Phileas Fogg. Tennant appears alongside Ibrahim Koma as Passepartout and Leonie Benesch as Abigail Fix.

Slim Film + Television and Federation Entertainment are so confident in this upcoming series that they have already greenlit a second season ahead of the first's release. This second season will see the trio taking on another perilous globe-trotting challenge, and the primary cast is expected to return.

Simon Crawford Collins, who will produce both shows for Slim Film + Television, said in a statement: " We have loved working on the sequel to ' Around the World in 80 Days and now we are excited to also bring Ashley [Pharaoh]'s trademark blend of humour and emotion to Journey to the Centre of the Earth.

"Ashley has developed an ensemble of exciting new and updated characters to bring a fresh and modern take to another of Jules Verne's beloved novels", he added.

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Around the World in 80 Days ' first season is scheduled on PBS on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in the US. Currently, a UK release date has not been set for Around the World in 80 Days , although we do know the series will air on BBC1 as part of its Christmas TV line-up when it arrives.

• Best BBC dramas

Martin was a Staff Writer with WhatToWatch.com, where he produced a variety of articles focused on the latest and greatest films and TV shows. Now he works for our sister site Tom's Guide in the same role.

Some of his favorite shows are What We Do In The Shadows , Bridgerton , Gangs of London , The Witcher , Doctor Who , and Ghosts . When he’s not watching TV or at the movies, Martin’s probably still in front of a screen playing the latest video games, reading, or watching the NFL.

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⚾️ Baseball

🗓️ MCWS times & pairings announced

🐺 NC State snags final MCWS spot

Every winning moment from Supers

🫡 Saying goodbye to the Pac-12

NCAA.com | June 10, 2024

2024 ncaa baseball bracket: men's college world series scores, schedule.

The 2024 DI men's baseball tournament began with regionals on May 31 and will conclude in Omaha, Nebraska from June 22-23/24. North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, NC State, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Tennessee and Florida State won their respective Super Regionals, advancing to the Men's College World Series. These eight teams will compete in Omaha from June 14-23/24. Tournament selections were made  on Monday, May 27.

CONFERENCE TOURNAMENTS: Every conference tournament winner and automatic bid

The 2023 Men's College World Series came to a close when LSU routed Florida 18-4 in the decisive game of the finals to win its seventh national championship.

The complete NCAA regional, Super Regional, 2024 Men's College World Series schedules and results are below. 

• Selection show: Monday, May 27 at Noon ET | ESPN2/ESPNU
• Regionals: Friday-Monday,   May 31-June 3
• Super Regionals: Friday-Monday, June 7-10
• First day of MCWS games:  Start   Friday, June 14
• MCWS finals:  Saturday-Monday, June 22-23/24

2024 NCAA DI baseball tournament bracket

👉  Click or tap here for the interactive 2024 bracket  

Printable MCWS bracket  | Regional brackets  | 64-team bracket

2024 Men's College World Series schedule 

➡️ See the full MCWS schedule release

• Game 1: North Carolina vs. Virginia, 2 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 2:  Tennessee vs. Florida State, 7 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 3: Kentucky vs. NC State, 2 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 4:  Texas A&M vs. Florida, 7 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 5: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2, 2 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 6:  Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2, 7 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 7: Loser of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4, 2 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 8:  Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4, 7 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 9: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 10:  TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 11: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 12:  TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 13 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | TBD
• Game 14 (if necessary):  TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | TBD
• MCWS Final Game 1 : TBD vs. TBD, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
• MCWS Final Game 2 : TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ABC
• MCWS Final Game 3 (if necessary) : TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN

2024 DI baseball tournament super regionals schedule

Dates : Friday-Monday, June 7-10

All times in ET

Knoxville Super Regional

• Game 1: (1) Tennessee 11,  Evansville 6 
• Game 2: Evansville 10,  (1) Tennessee 8
• Game 3: (1) Tennessee 12, Evansville 1
• 🏆  Tennessee advances to the MCWS

Tallahassee Super Regional

• Game 1: (8) Florida State 24, UConn 4
• Game 2: (8) Florida State 10 , UConn 8 (12 innings)
• 🏆  Florida State advances to the MCWS

Charlottesville Super Regional

• Game 1: (12) Virginia 7 , Kansas State 4
• Game 2: (12) Virginia 10 , Kansas State 4
• 🏆 Virginia advances to the MCWS

Chapel Hill Super Regional

• Game 1: (4) North Carolina 8, West Virginia 6
• Game 2:   (4) North Carolina 2, West Virginia 1
• 🏆 North Carolina  advances to the MCWS

Lexington Super Regional

• Game 1: (2) Kentucky 10,  Oregon State 0
• Game 2: (2) Kentucky 3, Oregon State 2
• 🏆 Kentucky  advances to the MCWS

Athens Super Regional

• Game 1: (10) NC State 18 , (7) Georgia 1
• Game 2: (7) Georgia 11, (10) NC State 2
• Game 3: (10) NC State 8,  (7) Georgia 4
• 🏆 NC State  advances to the MCWS

Clemson Super Regional

• Game 1: Florida 10 , (6) Clemson 7
• Game 2: Florida 11,  (6) Clemson 10
• 🏆 Florida advances to the MCWS

Bryan-College Station Super Regional

• Game 1: (3) Texas A&M 10 , Oregon 6
• Game 2: (3) Texas A&M 15, Oregon 9
• 🏆 Texas A&M advances to the MCWS

2024 DI baseball tournament regionals schedule

Here are the regional schedules for Friday, May 31 through Monday, June 3:

Knoxville Regional

• Game 1: Indiana 10, Southern Miss 4
• Game 2:  Tennessee 9, Northern Kentucky 3
• Game 3: Southern Miss 6, Northern Kentucky 0
• Game 4:  Tennessee 12,  Indiana 6 
• Game 5:  Southern Miss 15,  Indiana 3  
• Game 6:  Tennessee 12,  Southern Miss 3

🏆 Tennessee advances

Lexington Regional

• Game 1 : Kentucky 10, Western Michigan 8 
• Game 2:  Illinois 4,  Indiana State 1
• Game 3:  Indiana State 6 , Western Michigan 4
• Game 4:  Kentucky 6,  Illinois 1
• Game 5:   Indiana State 13,  Illinois 2 
• Game 6:  Kentucky 5,  Indiana State 0

🏆 Kentucky advances

Bryan-College Station Regional

• Game 1:   Texas A&M 8, Grambling 0 
• Game 2:  Texas 12,  Louisiana 5
• Game 3:  Louisiana 12,  Grambling 5 
• Game 4:  Texas A&M 4, Texas 2
• Game 5 : Louisiana 10, Texas 2
• Game 6:   Texas A&M 9,  Louisiana 4

🏆 Texas A&M advances

Chapel Hill Regional

• Game 1: LSU 4, Wofford 3
• Game 2: North Carolina 11, LIU 8
• Game 3:  Wofford 5 , LIU 2
• Game 4:  North Carolina 6,  LSU 2
• Game 5:  LSU 13, Wofford 6 
• Game 6:  LSU 8, North Carolina 4
• Game 7:   North Carolina 4,  LSU 3  (10 inn)

🏆 North Carolina advances

Fayetteville Regional

• Game 1:  Arkansas 17, Southeast Missouri 9 
• Game 2:  Kansas State 19 , Louisiana Tech 4 
• Game 3:  Southeast Missouri 9, Louisiana Tech 3
• Game 4:  Kansas State 7, Arkansas 6
• Game 5: Southeast Missouri 6. Arkansas 3
• Game 6:   Kansas State 7,  Southeast Missouri 2

🏆 Kansas State advances

Clemson Regional

• Game 1: Coastal Carolina 13, Vanderbilt 3
• Game 2:  Clemson 4, High Point 3
• Game 3:  High Point 10 , Vanderbilt 9
• Game 4:  Clemson 4, Coastal Carolina 3
• Game 5:  Coastal Carolina 6, High Point 5
• Game 6:  Clemson 12,  Coastal Carolina 5

🏆 Clemson advances

Athens Regional

• Game 1: Georgia 8, Army 7
• Game 2:  UNC Willmington 9, Georgia Tech 0
• Game 3:  Georgia Tech 4 , Army 2
• Game 4:  Georgia 11,  UNC Wilmington 2
• Game 5: Georgia Tech 3, UNC Wilmington 1
• Game 6:  Georgia 8,  Georgia Tech 6  (10 Inn.)

🏆 Georgia advances

Tallahassee Regional

• Game 1: Florida State 7, Stetson 2
• Game 2:  UCF 8,  Alabama 7
• Game 3:  Stetson 4, Alabama  0
• Game 4:  Florida State 5, UCF 2
• Game 5:  UCF 5, Stetson 2 
• Game 6:  Florida State 12,  UCF 4

🏆 Florida State advances

Norman Regional

• Game 1: UConn 4, Duke 1
• Game 2:   Oklahoma 14, Oral Roberts 0 
• Game 3:  Duke 6,  Oral Roberts 2
• Game 4:  UConn 4, Oklahoma 1
• Game 5: Oklahoma 4, Duke 3
• Game 6:  Oklahoma 6, UConn 4
• Game 7:  UConn 7,  Oklahoma 1

🏆 UConn advances

Raleigh Regional

• Game 1:   South Carolina 8,  James Madison 7  
• Game 2:   NC State 9, Bryant 2 
• Game 3: James Madison 8 , Bryant 1
• Game 4:  NC State 6,  South Carolina 4
• Game 5:  James Madison 2,  South Carolina 0 
• Game 6:  NC State 5,  James Madison 3

🏆 NC State advances

Stillwater Regional

• Game 1:  Florida 5,  Nebraska 2 
• Game 2:  Oklahoma State 19, Niagra 7
• Game 3:  Nebraska 7,  Niagara 5
• Game 4:  Oklahoma State 7,  Florida 1
• Game 5 : Florida 17, Nebraska 11
• Game 6:  Florida 5, Oklahoma State 2
• Game 7:   Florida 4, Oklahoma State 2

🏆 Florida advances

Charlottesville Regional

• Game 1: Virginia 4, Penn 2
• Game 2:  Mississippi State 5, St. John’s 2 
• Game 3:   St. John's 10,  Penn 9
• Game 4:  Virginia 5,  Mississippi State 4
• Game 5:  Mississippi State 13, St. John's 5
• Game 6:   Virginia 9,  Mississippi State 2

🏆 Virginia advances

Tucson Regional

• Game 1: West Virginia 4,  DBU 1
• Game 2:  Grand Canyon 9,  Arizona 4
• Game 3:  DBU 7,  Arizona  0
• Game 4:  West Virginia 5, Grand Canyon 2
• Game 5 : Grand Canyon 12, DBU 10 
• Game 6:  West Virginia 10,  Grand Canyon 6

🏆 West Virginia advances

Santa Barbara Regional

• Game 1:  Oregon 5,  San Diego 4
• Game 2:  UC Santa Barbara 9, Fresno State 6
• Game 3:  San Diego 7,  Fresno State 5
• Game 4:   Oregon 2,  UC Santa Barbara 0
• Game 5 : UC Santa Barbara 4, San Diego 2
• Game 6:  Oregon 3,  UC Santa Barbara 0

🏆 Oregon advances

Corvallis Regional

• Game 1:  UC Irvine 13, Nicholls 12 
• Game 2:   Oregon State 10, Tulane 4 
• Game 3:  Tulane 3, Nicholls 0
• Game 4:  Oregon State 5, UC Irvine 3
• Game 5 : UC Irvine 17, Tulane 7
• Game 6 : Oregon State 11, UC Irvine 6

🏆 Oregon State advances

Greenville Regional

• Game 1: Evansville 4, East Carolina 1
• Game 2:  VCU 1,  Wake Forest 0 
• Game 3: East Carolina 7 , Wake Forest 6
• Game 4:  Evansville 17,  VCU 11
• Game 5: East Carolina 10, VCU 7
• Game 6:   East Carolina 19, Evansville 6
• Game 7: Evansville 6,  East Carolina 5

🏆 Evansville advances

Baseball  Championship: Future dates

MCWS HISTORY:  Winningest coaches  |  Most titles  |  Most appearances   |  Conferences most represented

Here is more on how the tournament works:

What is the difference between the Division I baseball tournament and the College World Series?

The NCAA Division I baseball tournament is a 64-team tournament that starts in May. After two rounds of play (which each consist of multiple games), there are just eight teams left. These eight teams then head to Omaha, Neb. for the College World Series. The CWS is the culmination of the DI tournament, where the teams compete in two brackets, with the winners of each meeting in the CWS finals, a best-of-three series to decide the NCAA champion.

When did the College World Series start?

The first-ever NCAA Division I baseball tournament was in 1947, and would barely be recognized as the same tournament nowadays. The 1947 tournament featured just eight teams, which were divided into two four-team, single-elimination brackets. The two winners — California and Yale — then met in a best-of-three final in Kalamazoo, Michigan. California would go undefeated through the inaugural CWS and beat Yale to capture the first title.

How are teams selected for the NCAA Division I baseball tournament?

Since 1954, the NCAA Division I baseball tournament field has been split into two qualifying groups: The automatic berths, and the at-large selections. Since 2014, that in a typical year split sees 31 conference champions receive automatic berths, and 33 teams receive at-large bids, decided by the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee. 

Men's College World Series champs since 1947

California defeated Yale in the first-ever Men's College World Series, the first of two played in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Texas put itself on the map as the first back-to-back champions in winning the only MCWS ever played in Wichita, Kansas in 1949. The following season Texas won its second championship, opening Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha.

Here's a complete list of all the College World Series finals in the 73-year history of the event. Ole Miss won the 2022 Men's College World Series in two games over Oklahoma.

*Indicates undefeated teams in College World Series play.

• Here's how often each seed makes the Men's College World Series

Pairings and game times set for 77th Men's College World Series

• The final curtain call on the Pac-12 — saying goodbye to the 'Conference of Champions'
• Championship Info
• Game Program

Men's College World Series

• 🗓️ 2024 schedule
• 🔮 Future dates
• 🤔 How the MCWS works
• 🏆 Programs with the most MCWS titles
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• ⚾ Every champion in tournament history

Everything you need to know about how the Men's College World Series works

Di baseball news.

• Every 2024 MCWS team's winning moment from super regionals
• Pairings and game times set for 77th MCWS
• Kentucky vs. Oregon State: 2024 NCAA baseball super regionals extended highlights

College baseball career home run leaders

Here are the baseball programs with the most Men's College World Series titles

The 7 longest home runs in MCWS history (that we know of)

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Christopher Columbus

By: History.com Editors

Updated: August 11, 2023 | Original: November 9, 2009

The explorer Christopher Columbus made four trips across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain: in 1492, 1493, 1498 and 1502. He was determined to find a direct water route west from Europe to Asia, but he never did. Instead, he stumbled upon the Americas. Though he did not “discover” the so-called New World—millions of people already lived there—his journeys marked the beginning of centuries of exploration and colonization of North and South America.

Christopher Columbus and the Age of Discovery

During the 15th and 16th centuries, leaders of several European nations sponsored expeditions abroad in the hope that explorers would find great wealth and vast undiscovered lands. The Portuguese were the earliest participants in this “ Age of Discovery ,” also known as “ Age of Exploration .”

Starting in about 1420, small Portuguese ships known as caravels zipped along the African coast, carrying spices, gold and other goods as well as enslaved people from Asia and Africa to Europe.

Did you know? Christopher Columbus was not the first person to propose that a person could reach Asia by sailing west from Europe. In fact, scholars argue that the idea is almost as old as the idea that the Earth is round. (That is, it dates back to early Rome.)

Other European nations, particularly Spain, were eager to share in the seemingly limitless riches of the “Far East.” By the end of the 15th century, Spain’s “ Reconquista ”—the expulsion of Jews and Muslims out of the kingdom after centuries of war—was complete, and the nation turned its attention to exploration and conquest in other areas of the world.

Early Life and Nationality 

Christopher Columbus, the son of a wool merchant, is believed to have been born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451. When he was still a teenager, he got a job on a merchant ship. He remained at sea until 1476, when pirates attacked his ship as it sailed north along the Portuguese coast.

The boat sank, but the young Columbus floated to shore on a scrap of wood and made his way to Lisbon, where he eventually studied mathematics, astronomy, cartography and navigation. He also began to hatch the plan that would change the world forever.

Christopher Columbus' First Voyage

At the end of the 15th century, it was nearly impossible to reach Asia from Europe by land. The route was long and arduous, and encounters with hostile armies were difficult to avoid. Portuguese explorers solved this problem by taking to the sea: They sailed south along the West African coast and around the Cape of Good Hope.

But Columbus had a different idea: Why not sail west across the Atlantic instead of around the massive African continent? The young navigator’s logic was sound, but his math was faulty. He argued (incorrectly) that the circumference of the Earth was much smaller than his contemporaries believed it was; accordingly, he believed that the journey by boat from Europe to Asia should be not only possible, but comparatively easy via an as-yet undiscovered Northwest Passage . 

He presented his plan to officials in Portugal and England, but it was not until 1492 that he found a sympathetic audience: the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile .

Columbus wanted fame and fortune. Ferdinand and Isabella wanted the same, along with the opportunity to export Catholicism to lands across the globe. (Columbus, a devout Catholic, was equally enthusiastic about this possibility.)

Columbus’ contract with the Spanish rulers promised that he could keep 10 percent of whatever riches he found, along with a noble title and the governorship of any lands he should encounter.

Where Did Columbus' Ships, Niña, Pinta and Santa Maria, Land?

On August 3, 1492, Columbus and his crew set sail from Spain in three ships: the Niña , the Pinta and the Santa Maria . On October 12, the ships made landfall—not in the East Indies, as Columbus assumed, but on one of the Bahamian islands, likely San Salvador.

For months, Columbus sailed from island to island in what we now know as the Caribbean, looking for the “pearls, precious stones, gold, silver, spices, and other objects and merchandise whatsoever” that he had promised to his Spanish patrons, but he did not find much. In January 1493, leaving several dozen men behind in a makeshift settlement on Hispaniola (present-day Haiti and the Dominican Republic), he left for Spain.

He kept a detailed diary during his first voyage. Christopher Columbus’s journal was written between August 3, 1492, and November 6, 1492 and mentions everything from the wildlife he encountered, like dolphins and birds, to the weather to the moods of his crew. More troublingly, it also recorded his initial impressions of the local people and his argument for why they should be enslaved.

“They… brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things, which they exchanged for the glass beads and hawks’ bells," he wrote. "They willingly traded everything they owned… They were well-built, with good bodies and handsome features… They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance. They have no iron… They would make fine servants… With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.”

Columbus gifted the journal to Isabella upon his return.

Christopher Columbus's Later Voyages

About six months later, in September 1493, Columbus returned to the Americas. He found the Hispaniola settlement destroyed and left his brothers Bartolomeo and Diego Columbus behind to rebuild, along with part of his ships’ crew and hundreds of enslaved indigenous people.

Then he headed west to continue his mostly fruitless search for gold and other goods. His group now included a large number of indigenous people the Europeans had enslaved. In lieu of the material riches he had promised the Spanish monarchs, he sent some 500 enslaved people to Queen Isabella. The queen was horrified—she believed that any people Columbus “discovered” were Spanish subjects who could not be enslaved—and she promptly and sternly returned the explorer’s gift.

In May 1498, Columbus sailed west across the Atlantic for the third time. He visited Trinidad and the South American mainland before returning to the ill-fated Hispaniola settlement, where the colonists had staged a bloody revolt against the Columbus brothers’ mismanagement and brutality. Conditions were so bad that Spanish authorities had to send a new governor to take over.

Meanwhile, the native Taino population, forced to search for gold and to work on plantations, was decimated (within 60 years after Columbus landed, only a few hundred of what may have been 250,000 Taino were left on their island). Christopher Columbus was arrested and returned to Spain in chains.

In 1502, cleared of the most serious charges but stripped of his noble titles, the aging Columbus persuaded the Spanish crown to pay for one last trip across the Atlantic. This time, Columbus made it all the way to Panama—just miles from the Pacific Ocean—where he had to abandon two of his four ships after damage from storms and hostile natives. Empty-handed, the explorer returned to Spain, where he died in 1506.

Legacy of Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus did not “discover” the Americas, nor was he even the first European to visit the “New World.” (Viking explorer Leif Erikson had sailed to Greenland and Newfoundland in the 11th century.)

However, his journey kicked off centuries of exploration and exploitation on the American continents. The Columbian Exchange transferred people, animals, food and disease across cultures. Old World wheat became an American food staple. African coffee and Asian sugar cane became cash crops for Latin America, while American foods like corn, tomatoes and potatoes were introduced into European diets. 

Today, Columbus has a controversial legacy —he is remembered as a daring and path-breaking explorer who transformed the New World, yet his actions also unleashed changes that would eventually devastate the native populations he and his fellow explorers encountered.

HISTORY Vault: Columbus the Lost Voyage

Ten years after his 1492 voyage, Columbus, awaiting the gallows on criminal charges in a Caribbean prison, plotted a treacherous final voyage to restore his reputation.

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• Central Asian Journeys

Combine the best of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan on a multi-country Central Asian Journey built according to your interests.

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The legendary and ancient game of Buzkashi . L iterally “goat pulling” in Persian, it is a Central Asian sport in which horse-mounted players attempt to place a goat or calf carcass in a goal.

Background to Central Asian Journeys

Stretching from the Caspian Sea in the very west to China and Mongolia on its eastern boundaries, and from Afghanistan and Iran in the south to Russia in the north, Central Asia today is defined as the former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan.

For decades, Central Asia was an area that was very inaccessible to travelers. The last few years have brought changes and allowed for more travel. Historically and geographically, Central Asia remains an incredibly interesting region. Due to it’s location as a bridge between Europe and Asia, the region was home to the Great Silk Road, the ancient trading route that served to connect both continents for almost two millennia.

Nomadic culture has had a great influence on Central Asian identity and still plays a central role in understanding the region.

Voygr’s Central Asian itineraries cover Kyrgyzstan , Uzbekistan , and Tajikistan . While each country has several things in common such as incredible natural beauty, steppes, mountains, and phenomenal shared history, each is also distinct in its culture, ethnic groups, architecture, and way of life. A Central Asian Journey that links these countries is perhaps one of the world’s most iconic trips for the adventure minded traveler.

Off-the-beaten-path on a Central Asian Journey

Tourism infrastructure is expanding across the larger tourist destinations such as Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand, Bishkek, and Dushanbe, but the countryside remains rustic and filled with possibilities of true exploration.

We love Central Asia for this true exploration. Combine the stunningly beautiful Silk Road citadels of Bukhara, Samarkand, and Khiva in Uzbekistan with a journey cutting through Tajikistan on the legendary Pamir Highway amidst the towering peaks of the Wakhan Corridor that act as its frontier with Afghanistan and into the Tien Shan mountains of sublime Kyrgyzstan. You’ll follow a route similar to that of Marco Polo and a thousand caravans that connected the great nations of the ancient world.

Voygr creates bespoke itineraries for Central Asian Journeys that cater to your interests. There are too many package tours hauling large groups on itineraries no different from each other.

Our specialization is getting off the beaten path. Stopping in to visit communities far from the tour buses, riding on horseback alongside Kyrgyz nomads, watching a vigorous game of buzkashi , learning about the ancient ways of hunting with golden eagles with a Kazakh berkutchi , or eagle hunter, or simply enjoying the vaulted domed ceiling of the great emperor Tamerlane.

Truly, these journeys are epic.

A Central Asian Journey is Unlike Any Other

Imagine our LandCruiser pulling into a small hamlet above the roaring Panj river that divides Tajikistan from Afghanistan. You’re greeted as an honored guest. Green tea is put to boil and a soft naan , the archetypal Central Asian bread, is pulled out from the oven. Our host tears the naan into more manageable pieces, puts them in a bowl and places them in front of you. Smaller bowls filled with dried fruits, fresh apricots, mulberries, and nuts appear on the table. He doesn’t even know your name, or where you come from. All he knows is that you’re a traveler on the Great Road. With a broad smile, he urges you to eat and to rest.

This is breaking bread. This is hospitality. This is Central Asia.

We’ll explore the Great Game and the intrigue that surrounded British and Russian imperialism in the 19th century, learn about Alexander’s conquests, explore Tamerlane’s history, and discover the emperor Babur’s connections to the Ferghana Valley before he established the Mughal Empire in India.

Central Asia is the heart of Asia. Everything comes together here at the crossroads of empires.

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We don’t subcontract our tours to “local” companies. We are the local company. At Voygr, our expeditions aren’t planned by “specialists” that have visited a destination once on a familiarization trip, 4 years ago. Our experts live and work in the regions where we take our guests.

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Our singular mission when starting Voygr almost a decade ago was to put more money into remote communities. Controlling our own operations means that we can own our own infrastructure, hire our own local employees with exclusive contracts and ensure that your dollars actually end up where you’re traveling to instead of lining pockets in NYC or London.

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Environmental conservation and protecting endangered species are core values. Voygr commits 20% of our annual profits to the High Asia Habitat Fund . In addition, we support several environmental causes. Expeditions with Voygr are not just carbon neutral – they are Carbon Negative.

Read more about Voygr Expeditions to learn about our ethics, how giving back to the communities we travel to is part of our DNA, and what steps we take to actively preserve our planet.

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24 of the world’s most incredible train journeys

Jan 2, 2024 • 11 min read

As you cross the continental US aboard the California Zephyr, you’ll see prairies, deserts, mountains and canyons galore © Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock

From cutting through the countryside to connecting a country’s great cities, the world’s best railway journeys offer entirely new perspectives on a destination.

Train travel always delivers plenty of magic. Sometimes it’s in the cars, as you meet fellow travelers, or as you eat and sleep with the sound of wheels rolling on the steel rails beneath you. Sometimes it’s outside, in the landscape the train traverses – offering an adventure, an experience, an insight into the heart of a nation.

Our upcoming book,  Amazing Train Journeys ,  rounds up the world’s greatest railway rides. Pulled from its pages, these 24 train journeys are truly first-class.

1. The Reunification Express, Vietnam

Start:  Ho Chi Minh City End:  Hanoi Departs: Daily Distance:  1072 miles (1726km) Duration:  Two days

This is one of Southeast Asia ’s best-loved railways – and one of the  most epic overnight train journeys in the world . There is no more atmospheric way to haul into Vietnam ’s twin metropolises as this train rattles through historic cities and swooshes beside spectacular coastlines.

2. The California Zephyr, USA

Start:  Chicago End:   San Francisco Departs: Daily Distance:  2438 miles (3924km) Duration:   52hrs 40mins

For soaking up the scenic grandeur of the North American continent, nothing compares with Amtrak ’s California Zephyr , one of the US’ best train journeys . This classic three-day ride travels across prairies, deserts, the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada on its way from the Midwest to the West Coast.

3. The Lake Titicaca Train, Peru

Start:  Puno End:  Cuzco Departs: Three times a week Distance:  241 miles (388km) Duration:  10 hours

Traversing the Altiplano, from the shores of Lake Titicaca to the bustling heart of the ancient Incan empire, the railway from Puno to Cuzco cuts a ponderous but picturesque path through the snow-dusted peaks and voluptuous valleys of the Andes, across the epic Peruvian plains , passing hardy bowler-hatted llama farmers and traveling through remote towns and villages.

4. The Beijing-to-Lhasa Express, China

Start:   Beijing End:   Lhasa Departs: Daily Distance:  2330 miles (3750km) Duration:  40 hours

From the futuristic architecture and imperial wonders of Beijing, the Z21 train transports its passengers from the neon lights of urban China  across the Tibetan plateau , where it glides past grazing yaks, fluttering prayer flags, snow-capped mountains and boundless blue skies. At your destination, magenta-robed monks await. 

5. The TranzAlpine, New Zealand

Start:   Christchurch End:  Greymouth Departs: Daily Distance:   139 miles (223km) Duration:  4hrs 30mins

Under five hours, this journey is surely one the world’s finest and most scenic one-day train rides. Commence the TranzAlpine experience in Christchurch, before speeding along the Canterbury Plains and climbing quickly through the snow-capped mountains of the Southern Alps, then descend through a thrilling tunnel to emerge among the lakes, streams and rainforests of the South Island ’s West Coast. 

6. The Bergensbanen, Norway

Start:  Oslo End:   Bergen Departs: Four times a day Distance:  308 miles (496km) Duration:   6hrs 30mins

This astonishing train is one of Europe’s best railway rides  – and one of the least well known outside of Norway . It covers the spectrum of the Nordic country’s natural splendor: climbing canyons, crossing rivers, burrowing through mountainsides and traversing barren icescapes.

7. Tazara Railway, Tanzania and Zambia

Start:  Dar es Salaam End:  Kapiri Mposhi Departs: Twice a week Distance:  1160 miles (1860km) Duration:   46 hours

Few trains in the world offer the chance – and we should point out that it’s a chance rather than a guarantee – of spotting big game from your seat. The Tazara ( Tanzania and Zambia Railway Authority) does just that. The highlight, though, is the chance to spend two days watching everyday life out of the window, and enjoying the clamor and chaos when the train pulls to a halt – scheduled or unscheduled.

8. The Sunset Limited, USA 

Start:   New Orleans End: Los Angeles Departs: Three times per week  Distance: 1995 miles (3211km)  Duration:  Two days

The ultimate American railroad ride: east to west, coast to coast, clean through from the bars of New Orleans to the breakers of the Pacific Ocean. If you’ve always dreamed of crossing the States, but don’t much relish the prospect of two weeks spent cooped up in an automobile, then a ride on the Sunset Limited is the answer. Sit back and let America’s landscapes buzz by: from Louisiana’s bayous, past the high-rises of Houston, across the deserts of Texas and Arizona , over the Californian hills all the way to LA’s golden beaches. Saddle up, partner: it’s gonna be quite a ride.

9. The Caledonian Sleeper, UK

Start:  London (Euston) End:   Fort William Departs: Daily Distance:  509 miles (819km) Duration:  13hrs 30mins

Segueing from the sooty suburbs and crowded concrete-lined cul-de-sacs of central London to the crisp air and soaring vistas of the Scottish Highlands via one overnight train journey epitomizes the romance of rail travel. Enjoy the buffet-car banter, be lulled to sleep by the rhythm of the rails, then wake up to bedside views of towering granite peaks. 

10. Mombasa to Nairobi, Kenya

Start: Mombasa Ends:  Nairobi Departs: Daily Distance:  360 miles (579km) Duration:  5hrs 10mins

The Nairobi–Mombasa railway route is among Africa’s most legendary: it even helped foster the modern concept of safari. The rickety old railway has undergone a rebuild in recent years with smart new stations and a new track laid across the Kenyan savannah . What hasn’t changed is the spellbinding journey, with trains departing from Mombasa and passing in the shadow of Kilimanjaro to the cusp of the Great Rift Valley.

11. Tangier to Marrakesh, Morocco

Start:   Tangier End:  Marrakesh Departs: Daily Distance:  360 miles (580km) Duration:  5hrs 15mins

Nothing can fully prepare you for the magnificence Morocco ’s most evocative city – from the clamor and spectacle of the central square, Djemaa El Fna , to the primary colors of the Jardin Majorelle ; and from the peaceful madrassa of Medersa Ben Youssef to the mad profusion of alleyways. There’s no doubting that a railway journey down the spine of this North African nation is a profoundly uplifting experience.

12. The Rocky Mountaineer, Canada

Start:   Vancouver End:   Banff Departs: Twice a week Distance:  594 miles (957km) Duration:  37 hours

Clattering across the wild Rocky Mountains along a pioneering 19th-century railroad, this train journey is all at once a geological field trip, sightseeing adventure and wildlife safari. It promises cinematic views of Canada ’s quintessential mountain landscapes, plus a bevy of engineering marvels, from dizzying bridges to logic-defying tunnels. And with luck, you might even spy a bald eagle, moose or grizzly bear. 

13. Alexandria to Aswan, Egypt

Start:   Alexandria End:  Aswan Departs: Daily Distance:  670 miles (1100km) Duration:  16 hours

A ride from Alexandria to Aswan means you will travel the length of Egypt 's rail network – and also undertake an odyssey in the company of the great Nile River , with chances to disembark and explore the relics of empires along its banks . Do keep in mind that, for all their plus points, Egyptian trains are not always known for punctuality. 

14. The Serra Verde Express, Brazil

Start:   Curitiba End:  Morretes,  Paraná Departs: Daily Distance:  42 miles (68km) Duration:  3hrs 30mins

One of Brazil ’s most spectacular train journeys, the Serra Verde Express starts in the architecturally bold city of Curitiba and winds its way through dramatic mountain passes covered with tropical rainforest before it drops you in Morretes in the lush state of Paraná. The half-day trip takes in canyons, jagged mountain peaks and verdant lowlands, and the slow-going locomotive allows plenty of opportunities to photograph the cinematic backdrop while traversing some 30 bridges and chugging through 14 tunnels. Aside from the captivating scenery, the journey provides a fascinating glimpse into the past as it trundles through tiny stations dating back to the late 1800s.

15. The Darjeeling Toy Train, India

Start:   New Jalpaiguri End:   Darjeeling Departs: Daily Distance:  55 miles (88.5km) Duration:  7–8 hours

India ’s narrow-gauge steam railways are the stuff of legend, and the bottle-blue Darjeeling Toy Train is the nation’s lead engine. The ride from the Bengal plains to Darjeeling travels past emerald-green tea plantations and precariously balanced, tin-roofed townships, while clouds tumble down the looming massif of Mt Khangchendzonga. Steam engines are now only used for a small section of the route, yet this iconic mountain journey still serves up a sizable slice of history.

16. The Hokkaidō Shinkansen, Japan

Start:  Tokyo End:  Hakodate Departs: Daily Distance:  512 miles (824km) Duration:  4 hours

The Hokkaidō Shinkansen , one of Japan’s iconic bullet trains , takes you from Tokyo to Hakodate, the southern port of Hokkaidō . Along the way, it zooms past picturesque scenes of rural Japan , through mountains and under the sea. The route is only part of it, though: riding the shinkansen – with its food trolleys and staff who bow upon entering and exiting the train car – is a classic Japanese experience.

17. Colombo to Badulla, Sri Lanka

Start:  Colombo End:  Badulla Departs: Daily Distance:  181 miles (292km) Duration:  9–10 hours

One of many unforgettable things about Sri Lanka is the variety and intensity of the color green throughout the year . And for train aficionados, there is no better way to appreciate the country’s full, verdant spectrum than an all-day rail journey from Colombo’s urban gardens at sea level to tea plantations in the Hill Country , via brain-spinning sensory doses of jungle and forest, paddy field and palm tree, mountain and valley, national parks…and human habitation, too. Expect to move slowly – and enjoy one of the most scenic train trips in the world.

18. Bangkok to Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore

Start:   Bangkok End:  Singapore Departs: Weekly Distance:  1200 miles (1900km) Duration: Three days

A railway journey from Bangkok to Singapore spans three countries, three capital cities, and – without disembarking once – can be completed in under three days. But to go so fast would be to miss the point of this artery along the Malay Peninsula – a line suited to capricious roaming. You always have the option to hop off – to see tropical islands, to scale the cool heights of tea plantations, and to linger in a trio of metropolises that are each entirely different.

19. The Glacier Express, Switzerland

Start:  St Moritz End:  Zermatt Departs: Daily (in season) Distance:  180 miles (290km) Duration:  8 hours

Switzerland is a nation of rail fanatics . And if the Swiss could pick one definitive ride, the honor would surely go to the Glacier Express . This eight-hour journey from ritzy St Moritz to Matterhorn-topped Zermatt unzips the lovely Alpine terrain in the country’s south, corkscrewing up to wind-battered mountain passes, teetering across 291 bridges and rumbling through 91 tunnels. It intentionally moves at a snail’s pace so you take in those out-of-this-world views of meadows, forest, falls and mountains – all through panoramic windows. 

20. The Bernina Express, Switzerland & Italy

Start:   Chur End:  Tirano Departs: Daily Distance:  96 miles (156km) Duration:  4hrs 30mins

We can wax lyrical about the glacier-capped mountains, waterfall-draped ravines, jewel-colored lakes and endless spruce forests glimpsed through panoramic windows on Switzerland’s Bernina Express – but seeing is believing. Rolling from Chur in Graubünden to Tirano in northern Italy , this narrow-gauge train often tops polls of the world’s most beautiful rail journeys. The line has even made UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites – and with good reason.

21. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, England, France, Switzerland and Italy

Start:  London End:  Venice Departs: One to six times per month Distance:  1300 miles (2090km) Duration:  Two days

The promise of traveling from London to Venice cocooned in luxury while sitting in twinkly dining cars with fine china and silver cutlery is surely one that endures in the hearts of all rail enthusiasts. While the Orient Express’ various other 20th-century routes are sadly long gone, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers a tantalizing sample of the original on a trip that is surely the best journey back in time ever. But this route gained a new rival in 2023 with the Orient Express La Dolce Vita service  – and, in 2025, a new service on the original route is scheduled to hit the rails .

22. Nova Gorica to Jesenice, Slovenia

Start:  Nova Gorica End:   Jesenice Departs:  Daily Distance:  55 miles (89km) Duration:  Two hours

Here is a near-perfect railway adventure that most people have never heard of. The Bohinj Railway connects two places whose significance can be lost to modern travelers. An unassuming regional train rattling out of a faded-grandeur halt on the Italy– Slovenia border doesn’t even hint at what’s to come. The journey is a spectacular tour of Slovenia’s upland highlights from Nova Gorica, climbing through mountain towns and villages along the Soča River , passing through superb Alpine scenery close to Lake Bohinj , and on past world-famous Lake Bled to Jesenice.

23. The Ghan, Australia

Start:   Adelaide End:  Darwin Departs: Twice a week Distance:   1851 miles (2979km) Duration:  54 hours

Cutting vertically across the Outback heart of Australia , straight through the desolate deserts of the Red Centre, the Ghan is one of the southern hemisphere’s most unforgettable train journeys. This cross-country train service has provided a vital link between Australia’s north and south coasts, traveling north across the country from well-to-do, orderly Adelaide to the tropical, croc-filled creeks of Darwin. Luxurious and legendary, it’s Australia’s elegant version of the Orient Express.

24. Cannes to Menton, France

Start:   Cannes End:  Menton Departs: Daily Distance:  34 miles (55km) Duration:  1hr 20mins

It’s the stuff that travel dreams are made of: a slow train skirting the French Mediterranean coast, through towns whose very names resonate with glamour – Cannes, Antibes , Monaco . On one side of the tracks lies that sparkling sea; on the other, dramatic cliffs interspersed with the gorgeous coastal towns of the French Riviera . You can make a long day of this short trip, hopping on and off to explore a street market, linger at an outdoor terrace, take a breath of history and get a taste of luxury.

This article was first published Aug 5, 2019 and updated Jan 2, 2024.

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Central Cities Navigation Center to support clients in ‘journeys to stability and independence’

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The wait is over for the communities of Fountain Valley, Garden Grove and Westminster, as the Central Cities Navigation Center is ready to address the needs of their unhoused populations.

A partnership between the cities and the county of Orange, the facility will provide a total of 85 shelter beds. It has a capacity to accommodate up to 100 beds.

Local officials gathered to celebrate the completion of the project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday.

Tours were given of the facility, which is located at 13871 West St. in Garden Grove. It sits on a lot of 18,166 square feet, the primary structure covering 11,363 square feet of the property.

“The Central Cities Navigation Center is the shining star of Garden Grove’s many extraordinary efforts to overcome homelessness,” Garden Grove Mayor Steve Jones said. “This new 100-bed facility provides crucial resources for those seeking the stability of housing, gaining employment and personal health and wellness.”

Volunteers of America Los Angeles will serve as operators of the center, which will operate at all hours. Those who enter the shelter may stay for up to 120 days. It is open exclusively to adults, with accommodations for men, women and couples.

An individual may enter the shelter with a referral from a designated police department division or through the cities’ street outreach service providers, as no walk-ins will be accepted. There is also a bed reservation system. Clients must have homelessness verification and ties to one of the cities with dedicated beds.

Garden Grove will have access to 58 beds, followed by Westminster with 22 beds, and then Fountain Valley with 13 beds. There are 55 beds in the men’s dormitory, 22 beds for women, and six beds for couples.

Orange County released its Point-In-Time Count in May, the numbers showing that the county had a total of 7,322 individuals experiencing homelessness. The count included 4,173 unsheltered individuals.

“The opening of the center will support the 565 individuals counted during the 2024 Point-In-Time Count within these three cities,” O.C. Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento said. “The county of Orange is a proud partner and provided over $11 million to assist in the construction of the shelter and operational funding for the first 10 years of the center’s operations.

“The creation of this navigation center is a significant step in our collective efforts that not only benefits the tri-cities, but also has a profound impact on central Orange County by relieving the regional navigation center, Yale, which is housed in Santa Ana.”

Individuals sheltered at the center will receive three meals per day, the food being provided by Bracken’s Kitchen . The center has laundry facilities and storage space for two bags of each individual’s personal belongings. Clients may also bring a support animal upon intake, dependent on capacity.

Drugs and weapons are not permitted on the premises.

Among the services provided at the center, individuals may receive case management, mental health and substance use stabilization, and education and employment assistance.

Fountain Valley provides homeless update as construction continues on Central Cities Navigation Center

City officials back City Net outreach and engagement services in update, await Fountain Valley’s first dedicated shelter beds when Central Cities Navigation Center opens.

Nov. 11, 2023

“To those who will be served by the center, know that you’re not alone,” Fountain Valley Mayor Glenn Grandis said. “Our community stands with you, ready to support you on your journeys to stability and independence. We believe in your strength and your resilience, and we’ll be with you on your journey to self-sufficiency.”

Westminster Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen called the new shelter “a symbol of collaboration, compassion, empathy and determination.” He further called for a recognition of all parties that played a part in making the shelter a reality.

“Even though the county, the Board of Supervisors, we support these navigation centers, the hard work is with the cities,” O.C. Supervisor Andrew Do said. “It is to locate these navigation centers, to win over your neighborhood, your neighbors, and then to get collaboration — to work with law enforcement, to work out an operational plan, complex issues that have to be worked out.

“[It is] more than just money. That’s just something that makes it easier to achieve, but the hard work is with cities. ... I applaud the work of all of the three cities, especially the city of Garden Grove to step up, take the lead, and say, ‘We don’t mind having it here in our city.’”

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Andrew Turner is a sports reporter for the Daily Pilot. Before joining the Pilot in October 2016, he covered prep sports as a freelancer for the Orange County Register for four years. His work also has been used by the Associated Press and California Rubber Hockey Magazine. While attending Long Beach State, he wrote for the college newspaper, The Daily 49er. He graduated with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and history. (714) 966-4611

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COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

U.S. Temporarily Shuts Down Mexico Border and What It Means for Migrants

Costa rica’s june gardening secrets: from lush lawns to bountiful harvests, costa rica’s central bank rejects industrial sectors’ economic demands, bus catches fire in costa rica, exposing passenger safety concerns, costa rican president accused of offering bribes to congress president, costa rica secures 3-0 victory over grenada in world cup qualifier.

Costa Rica produced a clinical 3-0 victory away to Grenada at the Kirani James Stadium on Sunday evening thanks to goals from Manfred Ugalde, Álvaro Zamora, and Gerald Taylor.

The result means that Costa Rica are top of the World Cup Qualification group, two points clear of Trinidad and Tobago with two wins out of two games.

In team news, Head Coach Gustavo Alfaro made three changes from Thursday’s 4-0 victory over Saint Kitts and Nevis, with Gerald Taylor, Brandon Aguilera, and Josimar Alcócer replacing Haxzel Quirós, Brandon Aguilera, and Warren Madrigal. In terms of formation, Alfaro retained a 3-5-3 in attack and a 5-2-3 formation in defense.

In front of a sparse Grenadian crowd, La Sele took the lead after just 9 minutes when Manfred Ugalde coolly put away Brandon Aguilera’s precise through ball.

However, after a bright start from Los Tico’s, they turned complacent, and Grenada nearly equalized halfway through the first half when midfielder Keishon Clarke shot just wide. Seconds later, Darius Johnson should have also leveled, somehow missing the ball from just a yard out when it looked easier to score. Two real warnings to remind the Costa Rican players that this wasn’t a foregone conclusion.

In the 34th minute, La Sele breathed a sigh of relief when winger Álvaro Zamora scored his first senior international goal, as his shot deflected off of Clarke, wrong-footing goalkeeper Grandian goalkeeper Jason Belfon, and slowly crept over the goal line.

The second half was played at a slower tempo as the contest became increasingly disjointed; credit also has to go to The Spice Boys, who produced a spirited display that frustrated Los Ticos for much of the game.

With 20 minutes to go, Costa Rica added a third goal, when Ugalde took the ball around the keeper, being taken out in the process by Belfon, with Taylor emphatically slotting the loose ball home.

Another three points for Los Ticos, but it was a relatively poor display and tie, largely due to the pitch’s poor condition, with its unpredictable movement and bounces making for an ugly affair. Here are my players ratings:

23) Patrick Sequeira – 7/10

3) Jeyland Mitchell – 6.5/10

6) Julio Cascante – 7/10

15) Francisco Calvo (C) – 7/10

2) Gerald Taylor – 7/10

14) Orlando Galo – 6.5/10

10) Brandon Aguilera – 7/10

11) Ariel Lassiter – 6/10

21) Álvaro Zamora – 7/10

20) Josimar Alcócer – 6/10

9) Manfred Ugalde – 8/10 (MOTM)

Substitutes

17) Warren Madrigal (for Josimar Alcócer 64th minute) – 6/10

4) Juan Pablo Vargas (for Ariel Lassiter 64th minute) – 6/10

19) Kenneth Vargas (for Manfred Ugalde 74th minute) – N/A

22) Haxzel Quirós (for Gerald Taylor 74th minute) – N/A

12) Joel Campbell (for Álvaro Zamora 79th minute) – N/A

Gustavo Alfaro- 7/10

It was a convincing result, with three goals and a clean sheet, making it an impressive aggregate score of seven goals scored to nil conceded over the last two matches. However, it was a rather untidy performance (the scoreline flattered Costa Rica), with the players unable to string together possession or any meaningful passing patterns. This is illustrated in the statistic that Grenada had 61% possession, a concerning figure for La Sele against a nation ranked a lowly 174th.

Job done, but things must improve quickly ahead of the Copa América, where Los Ticos will face vastly superior opposition.

Costa Rica now turns their attention to the forthcoming Copa América tournament held in the USA. Their first fixture against Brazil takes place on June 24, with kick-off at 6:00 pm PDT (UTC−7).

Weekly Recap

Costa rica weekly recap news recap for june 9, 2024.

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The entrance to the Michigan Central Station is seen, Monday, May 13, 2024 in Detroit. A once hulking scavenger-ravaged monolith that symbolized Detroit’s decline reopens this week after a massive six-year multimillion dollar renovation by Ford Motor Co., which restored the Michigan Central Station to its past grandeur with a focus squarely on the future of mobility. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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FILE- The abandoned Michigan Central Station is seen, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010 in Detroit. A once hulking scavenger-ravaged monolith that symbolized Detroit’s decline reopens this week after a massive six-year multimillion dollar renovation by Ford Motor Co., which restored the Michigan Central Station to its past grandeur with a focus squarely on the future of mobility. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio_File)

The interior of the Michigan Central Station is seen, Monday, May 13, 2024 in Detroit. A once hulking scavenger-ravaged monolith that symbolized Detroit’s decline reopens this week after a massive six-year multimillion dollar renovation by Ford Motor Co., which restored the Michigan Central Station to its past grandeur with a focus squarely on the future of mobility. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Michigan Central Station Head of Place Melissa Dittmer, left, and CEO Josh Sirefman give a tour of the train station, Monday, May 13, 2024 in Detroit. A once hulking scavenger-ravaged monolith that symbolized Detroit’s decline reopens this week after a massive six-year multimillion dollar renovation by Ford Motor Co., which restored the Michigan Central Station to its past grandeur with a focus squarely on the future of mobility. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

A photograph showing the scavenger-ravaged ticket booth area is displayed at the Michigan Central Station, Monday, May 13, 2024 in Detroit. A once hulking scavenger-ravaged monolith that symbolized Detroit’s decline reopens this week after a massive six-year multimillion dollar renovation by Ford Motor Co., which restored the Michigan Central Station to its past grandeur with a focus squarely on the future of mobility. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

A newly crafted clock above the former ticket windows at the Michigan Central Station is seen, Monday, May 13, 2024 in Detroit. A once hulking scavenger-ravaged monolith that symbolized Detroit’s decline reopens this week after a massive six-year multimillion dollar renovation by Ford Motor Co., which restored the Michigan Central Station to its past grandeur with a focus squarely on the future of mobility. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Michigan Central Station Head of Place Melissa Dittmer, right, and CEO Josh Sirefman give a tour of the train station, Monday, May 13, 2024 in Detroit. A once hulking scavenger-ravaged monolith that symbolized Detroit’s decline reopens this week after a massive six-year multimillion dollar renovation by Ford Motor Co., which restored the Michigan Central Station to its past grandeur with a focus squarely on the future of mobility. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The ceiling of the Michigan Central Station is seen, Monday, May 13, 2024 in Detroit. A once hulking scavenger-ravaged monolith that symbolized Detroit’s decline reopens this week after a massive six-year multimillion dollar renovation by Ford Motor Co., which restored the Michigan Central Station to its past grandeur with a focus squarely on the future of mobility. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The interior of the Michigan Central Station is seen, Wednesday, May 15, 2024 in Detroit. A once hulking scavenger-ravaged monolith that symbolized Detroit’s decline reopens this week after a massive six-year multimillion dollar renovation by Ford Motor Co., which restored the Michigan Central Station to its past grandeur with a focus squarely on the future of mobility. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

FILE- The interior of the Michigan Central Station is seen, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010 in Detroit. A once hulking scavenger-ravaged monolith that symbolized Detroit’s decline reopens this week after a massive six-year multimillion dollar renovation by Ford Motor Co., which restored the Michigan Central Station to its past grandeur with a focus squarely on the future of mobility. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio_File)

FILE- The exterior of the Michigan Central Station is seen, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010 in Detroit. A once hulking scavenger-ravaged monolith that symbolized Detroit’s decline reopens this week after a massive six-year multimillion dollar renovation by Ford Motor Co., which restored the Michigan Central Station to its past grandeur with a focus squarely on the future of mobility. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio_File)

FILE- The exterior of the Michigan Central Station is seen, July 13, 2023 in Detroit. A once hulking scavenger-ravaged monolith that symbolized Detroit’s decline reopens this week after a massive six-year multimillion dollar renovation by Ford Motor Co., which restored the Michigan Central Station to its past grandeur with a focus squarely on the future of mobility. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio_File)

FILE- The interior of the Michigan Central Station is seen, Saturday, July 18, 2013 in Detroit. A once hulking scavenger-ravaged monolith that symbolized Detroit’s decline reopens this week after a massive six-year multimillion dollar renovation by Ford Motor Co., which restored the Michigan Central Station to its past grandeur with a focus squarely on the future of mobility. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio_File)

Ford Motor Co., executive chairman Bill Ford is interviewed at the Michigan Central Station, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Detroit. A once hulking scavenger-ravaged monolith that symbolized Detroit’s decline reopens this week after a massive six-year multimillion dollar renovation by Ford Motor Co., which restored the Michigan Central Station to its past grandeur with a focus squarely on the future of mobility. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Ford Motor Co., executive chairman Bill Ford is photographed at the Michigan Central Station, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Detroit. A once hulking scavenger-ravaged monolith that symbolized Detroit’s decline reopens this week after a massive six-year multimillion dollar renovation by Ford Motor Co., which restored the Michigan Central Station to its past grandeur with a focus squarely on the future of mobility. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

DETROIT (AP) — The once-blighted monolithic Michigan Central train station — for decades a symbol of Detroit’s decline — has new life following a massive six-year, multimillion-dollar renovation to create a hub for mobility projects in the rebirth of the Motor City.

The hulking, scavenger-ravaged structure that ominously shadowed the city’s Corktown neighborhood is now home to Ford Motor Co. and the centerpiece of a sprawling 30-acre (12-hectare) mobility innovation district.

The building’s first tenant, Google’s Code Next Detroit computer science education program, is expected to move in by late June. Grand opening ceremonies include an outdoor concert on Thursday, with tours for the public starting Friday.

“The train station ... it is perhaps the most powerful story in Michigan of the power of historic renovation,” Detroit Regional Chamber President and Chief Executive Sandy Baruah said. “To turn something that was blight into something that is hugely attractive and is an anchor as opposed to a deficit is huge.”

The restoration effort — part of the automaker’s more than $900 million project to create a place where new transportation and mobility ideas are nurtured and developed — was just as massive as the size of the more than century-old, 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) building.

In numbers:

__ More than 3,100 workers spent about 1.7 million hours of labor on the station and its surrounding public spaces

__ 29,000 Gustavino tiles were restored in its Grand Hall

__ 8.6 million miles (13.8 million kilometers) of new grout was laid across the 21,000-square-foot (1,951 square-meter) ceiling

__ 8 million bricks, 23,000 square feet (2,138 square meters) of marble flooring and 90,000 square feet (8,361 square meters) of decorative plaster were restored or replicated

__ 3.5 million gallons (13.2 million liters) of water was pumped from the basement

__ Installation of 300 miles (482 kilometers) of electrical cable and wiring and 5.6 miles (9 kilometers) of plumbing

“It was always my hope that this project would be a catalyst for moving the city and our industry together into the future,” Bill Ford, the automaker’s executive chair and great-grandson of its legendary founder, Henry Ford, told The Associated Press last week. “It’s always the future. We’re just getting started, now. Took a long time for us to get here and a lot of hard work and a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get to this point.”

The train station’s history reflects the city’s fortunes during its heyday as the world’s car capital and later misfortunes as thousands of auto workers and other residents fled Detroit for life in the suburbs.

Michigan Central Railroad started purchasing land around 1908 in Corktown, the city’s oldest neighborhood, for the new train station, according to HistoricDetroit.org . The depot opened in late 1913. But as traveling by train gave way to commuter air travel and as more Americans chose to use the nation’s interstates, the numbers of people coming through Michigan Central steadily dropped.

The last train pulled out in 1988 and for years after the building fell into disrepair, neglect and abandonment. It became a destination for the curious and urban adventurers seeking out such places. Other buildings in Detroit, particularly factories, suffered the same or similar fate, but due to Michigan Central’s size it became a symbol of the city’s decline.

Michigan Central Station Head of Place Melissa Dittmer, right, and CEO Josh Sirefman give a tour of the train station, Monday, May 13, 2024 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Redevelopment by its former owner never materialized. Then in 2018, Ford announced it was buying the 18-story building and adjacent structures as part of its plans for a more than 1 million square foot campus focusing on autonomous vehicles.

“There’s a lot of innovation going on here,” said Jim Farley, Ford chief executive. “Very much the future of the company is going to be housed here and on the campus. It represents our future revenues.”

The project is expected to bring with it thousands of tech-related jobs. Restaurants, new hotels and other service-industry businesses already are moving into and near Corktown.

In December, state officials announced three proposed housing development efforts intended to meet housing needs around Michigan Central and the innovation district.

Michigan Central and several other efforts around Detroit are expected to accelerate southeastern Michigan’s innovation economy, said Baruah, who added that the building and the surrounding campus will help draw the best and most innovative minds to the area.

“It’s really an attraction play. It’s about talent,” he said.

The reopening of the train station also comes as Detroit apparently has turned the corner from national joke to national attraction. Nearly a decade from exiting its embarrassing bankruptcy, the motor city has stabilized its finances, improved city services, staunched the population losses that saw more than a million people leave since the 1950s, and made inroads in cleaning up blight across its 139 square miles.

Detroit now is a destination for conventions and meetings. Last month, Detroit set an attendance record for the NFL draft after more than 775,000 fans poured into downtown last month for the three-day event.

The buzz about Detroit “is very different nationally,” Bill Ford said.

“I think when people see a project like this it’ll really put an exclamation on that,” he added. “And when we’re trying to recruit people from around the country and around the world, wouldn’t you say to them then ’come to Detroit and let me show you where you can work and play and live, and also live affordably.’”

FILE- The exterior of the Michigan Central Station is seen, July 13, 2023 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio_File)

The significance of Michigan Central’s rebirth is not lost on Mayor Mike Duggan, whose administration has guided Detroit back to respectability since the city’s 2014 exit from the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.

“I’ve been waiting 40 years for this day and so have all long-time to Detroiters, so it’s going to be very special,” Duggan said last week. “It’ll be a very emotional day.”

“The abandoned train station was the national symbol of Detroit’s decline and bankruptcy,” he explained. “So the fact that not only has the city come back, but that the train station has come back in such a spectacular way and the place where we’re going to be designing the automobiles of the future. It’s now about the future, not about the past.”

Associated Press reporter Joey Cappelletti on Mackinac Island, Michigan, contributed to this story.

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Here’s How Israel’s Mission to Rescue Four Hostages Unfolded

The operation required weeks of planning and received the final go-ahead just a few minutes before it began, according to Israeli officials.

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By Ronen Bergman and Aaron Boxerman

• June 8, 2024

The Israeli military’s mission to rescue four hostages was a rare operation that required weeks of planning, and was given the final go-ahead just a few minutes before it commenced on Saturday morning, according to Israeli officials.

Israeli special forces, backed by the military, intelligence and air force, raided two buildings several hundred feet apart in a neighborhood in Nuseirat, in central Gaza. They brought home the four hostages — Noa Argamani, 26; Almog Meir Jan, 22; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 41 — alive and in good medical condition. One police officer, part of the force that led the raid, was killed.

Scores of Palestinians, including women and children, were killed during the rescue operation, according to local Gaza health officials. The Israeli military said it had targeted militants who had threatened its forces as they sought to extract the hostages. Neither the Israeli military nor Palestinian health officials provided a breakdown of civilians and combatants killed in the raid.

Israeli troops have swept through much of Gaza since their ground invasion began in late October. But they have managed to rescue only seven living hostages in three separate military operations, with roughly 120 captives remaining in Gaza. Several proposed rescue missions did not go forward for fear that the hostages or the forces would die in the process, according to two Israeli defense officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive operation.

In December, Israeli special forces tried to rescue a hostage from Hamas captivity, according to the two defense officials. Sahar Baruch, an Israeli hostage, was killed during the exchange of fire and two Israeli officers were seriously wounded.

According to one of the defense officials, Israeli intelligence first learned that Ms. Argamani was being held in an aboveground building near the market area of Nuseirat. More information received later indicated that three other hostages were in another building in the same section, the official added.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, Israel’s military spokesman, said Israeli officers had worked for weeks to assemble the necessary pieces for the mission. Israeli soldiers trained intensively based on models of the buildings where the hostages were believed to be held, he added.

“This was a mission in the heart of a civilian neighborhood, where Hamas had intentionally hidden among homes where there were civilians and armed terrorists guarding the hostages,” Admiral Hagari said. “And we must act in a way that brings those hostages home alive.”

Over the past three weeks, there were several occasions when it seemed possible to carry out the operation, but all of the attempts were canceled, before Israeli forces were set to launch the mission, the two Israeli defense officials said.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defense minister, met with senior defense officials again to discuss the operation’s risks and the possible scenarios, said a third Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The country’s leaders greenlit the rescue mission that night, the official said. But it still stood a chance of being canceled at the last minute, Admiral Hagari said.

On Saturday morning, Herzi Halevi, the military’s chief of staff, and Ronen Bar, the director of Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence service, both gave the final go-ahead just a few minutes before the operation started around 11 a.m., Admiral Hagari said.

He added that they chose to move in the daylight, bearing down on the two buildings in Nuseirat, in an attempt to catch Hamas off guard since the armed group might expect such an operation to take place at night.

The raid started simultaneously in both buildings, where the hostages were in locked rooms surrounded by armed guards, Admiral Hagari said. In one building — where Ms. Argamani was being held — the officers managed to take her Hamas captors by surprise, he said. In the other, Israeli forces engaged in a difficult firefight before reaching the remaining three hostages, he added.

As they recovered the captives, the officers announced by radio that “the diamonds are in our hands,” using an assigned code word, Admiral Hagari said.

They exited the buildings with Hamas militants shooting at them and firing rocket-propelled grenades, Admiral Hagari said. The officers shielded the hostages with their bodies to try to protect them, and Israeli aircraft struck in and around the area, targeting the militants, he added.

Khalil Daqran, a local official at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al Balah, told reporters that many Palestinians were killed and wounded during strikes near the Nuseirat market, which he said had been packed with passers-by.

Admiral Hagari said that he had been told the military was aware of Palestinian casualties resulting from the operation, and that he could not confirm how many were militants. He added that Hamas had sought to fire at Israeli forces from behind civilians.

He added that “the cynical way that Hamas is using the population also to fire at our forces” was “tragic.”

The hostages were taken by car to two awaiting helicopters, Admiral Hagari said. One carried Ms. Argamani and the special forces officers. The second ferried the three remaining hostages and an injured police commander, who would later die from his wounds.

Around 1:30 p.m., the Israeli government announced that the four hostages were home.

Ronen Bergman is a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, based in Tel Aviv. His latest book is “Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations,” published by Random House. More about Ronen Bergman

Aaron Boxerman is a Times reporting fellow with a focus on international news. More about Aaron Boxerman

Our Coverage of the Israel-Hamas War

News and Analysis

Benny Gantz, a key centrist figure in Israel’s war cabinet, quit the government  over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza. The resignation is likely to make Netanyahu more dependent on his right-wing partners .

The Israeli military rescued four hostages  from Gaza amid a heavy air and ground assault, resulting in a high death toll among Palestinians . The news was met with jubilation in Israel, but the euphoria may be fleeting .

An American-made, precision guided bomb  was used in airstrikes in Gaza that killed dozens of Palestinians, including women and children. The weapon was recently used in an attack at a former U.N. school .

The Other War:  The rescue of four hostages in Gaza in a ferocious assault offered a glimpse into an ambitious Israeli intelligence operation  aimed at bringing home those held by Hamas.

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Socceroos coach Graham Arnold believes a smooth path to the FIFA World Cup awaits Australia

The Socceroos will enter the Asian Football Confederation’s third-round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers full of confidence.

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Socceroos coach Graham Arnold is confident Australia’s journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be far less rocky than the path to the previous edition of the tournament due to his squad’s greater depth.

The Australians start the AFC third round of World Cup qualifiers in September, with 18 nations to be split in three groups of six who will play each other twice, home and away.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the World Cup.

It’s a direct path to the tournament – being held in the US, Canada and Mexico – that Arnold wants his team to achieve rather than needing a second, and possibly third, chance to qualify via another group stage or playoffs.

The Socceroos were forced to qualify for the 2022 World Cup through the intercontinental playoffs when the Asian Football Confederation was restricted to a maximum of five nations participating in the tournament.

With the World Cup expanding to 48 teams in 2026, at least eight, and possibly nine, AFC nations will qualify.

And while that suggests the Socceroos should comfortably reach the World Cup for a sixth successive time, Arnold will take nothing for granted and insist that Australia is one of the six teams to qualify from the third-round group stage.

“Last time, I know people look at it that it was a very hard qualifying phase for us, but I was having to build depth while I was trying to win World Cup qualifiers, but now I think that’s done,” the national coach said.

“This time I won’t have to do (increase depth) during the World Cup qualifiers and run the risk of results.

“We’ve got at least 30-odd players that are capable and ready. We’ve got some depth in the squad.

“It’s looking good, so it’s important that the group of 30-35 people keep going and we qualify directly for the next World Cup (from the third-round of qualifiers).”

Arnold said the Socceroos were at the stage were there was next to nothing between his first and second-choice teams.

“Probably when I first started six years ago, if you put the starting 11 against the reserves it could have been 2-0 or 3-0 for the starting 11, whereas these days the starting 11 against the subs, it’s 0-0. It’s a tough game because we’ve got good depth,” he said.

“The depth side of it is crucial because if you get one or two injuries, three injuries, and you don’t have the depth, then you can’t replace the players.” Arnold was also pleased that more Socceroos were set to play in top European leagues next season following the promotion of their clubs.

They include Cameron Burgess (Ipswich Town, English Premier League), Alessandro Circati (Parma. Italian Serie A) and Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe (both St. Pauli, German Bundesliga).

“Club is their job, the national team is the icing on the cake,” Arnold said.

“They get paid at club land and they’re working at club land every day, and if they’re doing well there then we get the benefits from it with the national team … and I truly believe that playing for the national team and getting the opportunity to play someone like Argentina, or England, that it doesn’t just build their skills, it builds their belief, and they believe they belong.”

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Central African Republic government suspends Chinese mining company for alleged ties to armed groups

The government of the Central African Republic has suspended a Chinese mining company’s operations in the country over alleged ties to armed militias

BANGUI, Central African Republic — The government of the Central African Republic suspended a Chinese mining company’s operations in the country, accusing it of cooperating with armed militias, a government decree said.

The country’s ministry of mines accused Daqing SARL, a Chinese gold and diamond mining company, of “intelligence with armed groups, illegal exploitation, illegal introduction of foreign subjects into mining areas, non-payment of taxes and lack of activity reports,” in the decree, which was made public Saturday.

Daqing SARL operated in Mingala, a town in the south of the Central African Republic that has been plagued by fighting between the country’s armed forces and the Coalition of Patriots for Change, an anti-government armed group.

The Central African Republic has been in conflict since 2013 , when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced the President Francois Bozize from office. Mostly Christian militias fought back.

A 2019 peace deal only lessened the fighting, and six of the 14 armed groups that signed later left the agreement. The Coalition of Patriots for Change was founded in 2020 in the aftermath of the agreement.

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The country remains one of the poorest in the world despite its vast mineral wealth of gold and diamonds among others. Rebel groups have operated with impunity across the embattled country over the past decade, thwarting mining exploration by foreign companies.

Many of those now operating in the country are Chinese-run and have faced security challenges. Last month, four workers were killed at a Chinese-run gold mine during an attack that the local government blamed on the Coalition of Patriots for Change. Last year, nine Chinese nationals were killed at another gold mine in the Central African Republic. The government blamed the attack on the same rebel alliance. In 2020, two Chinese nationals died when local residents led an uprising against a Chinese-operated mine in the south of the country.