London, renowned for iconic sites like Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, and the legendary Sherlock Holmes, isn’t everyone’s ideal destination.

However, for those eager to immerse themselves in culture, indulge in top-tier theater, and explore a museum or two, it stands as one of the premier locations globally.

This year, London has earned the title of the world’s best city for culture.

Recently, the city of iconic double-decker buses and classic red phone booths was crowned the top spot in Time Out’s Best Cities for Culture 2026, surpassing cultural giants like Paris and Rome.

Time Out attributed this esteemed recognition to London’s vibrant mix of diverse communities, historic landmarks, and an array of world-class museums and galleries, many of which invite visitors to explore free of charge.

Following this news, the Daily Mail Travel team has shared their favourite places and cultural experiences across the UK capital.

Here’s the insider guide to some of London’s top cultural highlights…

The Photographer’s Gallery, Soho – Erin Deborah Waks, travel writer

The Photographer’s Gallery is a small exhibition space that is not to be missed

Harrowing snapshots taken in women’s prisons, intimate portraits from New York in the 1950s and 1960s, and everyday life captured on film are just some of the displays on offer at The Photographer’s Gallery, located just five minutes from Oxford Circus.

Given its central location, it’s hard to understand why so few people visit this gallery, and even for locals, it’s a win, staying open until 8pm on Thursdays and offering free entry on Fridays after 5pm.

Check out The Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize, currently on display, as well as other exhibits included with your ticket, such as the thoroughly modern Connection Established: Digital Folklore and Web Craft. 

Don’t forget to stop at the gift shop on the way out – it’s a real haven for artsy and creative types. 

Marianne North Gallery, Kew Gardens – Tom Chesshyre, travel writer

The Marianne North Gallery and walks, in Kew Gardens, are top of Tom’s list

Tucked away in a purpose-built gallery inside Kew Gardens, near the wall by the road to Richmond, are more than 800 exquisite, colourful botanical paintings by the Victorian biologist/artist Marianne North (1830-1890). 

They cover countries across the globe from Australia to the Americas, South Africa, Asia and across Europe. Entering is like going on a voyage of the imagination across the continents. 

Simply wonderful, yet many people who visit Kew Gardens fail to take a look at the tucked-away gallery. 

Royal Opera House bar – Joanna Tweedy, assistant lifestyle and travel editor

As well as being home to opera and ballet, the Royal Opera House’s bar is a real treat

You don’t need to know the difference between a plié and an arabesque to enjoy one of London’s most beautiful buildings – you can just pirouette (or walk) right in.

Beyond the opera and ballet that plays out in the brace of stages, the red velvet-draped Main Auditorium and the smaller, more modern Linbury Theatre, the real architectural showstopper is the 19th-century Floral Hall, now the Paul Hamlyn Hall. 

This glinting vision of glass and cast iron is the perfect spot for a cup of tea if you need a breather from sightseeing.

The plum spot in the evening? Wait for theatre-goers to take their seats and then push through the doors at ‘walk-ins only’ Bar Cicoria, which offers pizza by the slice, a decent Negroni, and a serene rooftop vantage point on Covent Garden’s tourist mêlée below.

A hidden picnic spot in the V&A Museum – Alesia Fiddler, travel writer

Alesia recommends a trip to the V&A Museum – especially if you fancy a picnic

The Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington has a central garden space that is the perfect spot to sit down in the sun and enjoy a picnic after exploring the exhibitions.

It even has an expansive water feature along the edge, which feels refreshing on a hot summer’s day. You can often find children splashing around in it.

The museum is free to enter, and sitting outside with its red brick walls as a backdrop makes for a great afternoon.

Warner Bros Studios Tour – Hayley Minn, deputy travel editor

Deputy travel editor Hayley Minn is pictured at the Warner Bros Studio Tour, just outside of London – which she says is perfect for Potterheads

While Watford is technically in Hertfordshire, it’s just a 20-minute train ride from Euston to Watford Junction station – and is worth it to witness the magic at the studios where they made the eight Harry Potter films. 

With almost every set you can think of – from the Great Hall and Gringotts to Privet Drive and Diagon Alley – it’s every Potterhead’s dream come true. 

The only downside of the tour is that it may just ruin Quidditch forever. 

Have a glass of wine and see a show at the National Theatre – Genie Harrison, executive travel editor

The National Theatre is another spot that should be missed in the theatre capital

While the West End is home to London’s myriad musicals, the National Theatre, on the Southbank, is an alternative Mecca for any theatre buffs visiting the capital. 

Reams of acclaimed actors have performed here over the years, including British greats Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren, and until August 1, you can see Sandra Oh take the stage in the French classic The Misanthrope. 

Before your show begins, head to Forza Wines for plates of burrata and aubergine caponata, washed down with the excellent selection of natural wines on offer. If you’re lucky with the weather, the outdoor terrace is a great spot for sitting and sipping while watching the River Thames and the world float by. 

Leighton House – Erin 

Leighton House is a historic house just around the corner from Holland Park

I used to volunteer at Leighton House during weekday mornings, and I will never understand why it’s not better known. Hidden on a sleepy Kensington street, the house looks entirely ordinary on the outside – but all that changes once you step through the front door.

The abode of the eminent painter and President of the Royal Academy, Frederic Leighton, highlights include the Arab Hall, which transports you straight to the Middle East.

Ceramic tiles, ornate colours and high ceilings punctuate every room, and waltzing through is a real journey back in time. 

ABBA Voyage – Hayley

Hayley enjoys dancing the night away at ABBA Voyage – and you should, too

The first time I went to see ABBA Voyage in Stratford, it absolutely blew my mind. It was as if Agnetha, Benny, Bjorn and Anni-Frid were actually right in front of me as their digital avatars danced across the stage. 

Despite being in the seated section, my auntie, mum, and I were all up on our feet, in tears of joy, as Dancing Queen echoed through the room. 

I then went to see it for a second time – this time in the standing area – and was still as awestruck as the previous time. What the creators of Abba Voyage have managed to do really is magical, and I’m still living in hope that a Queen version with Freddie Mercury is on its way.

The Charles Dickens Museum, 48 Doughty Street – Tom

The Charles Dickens Museum should also be added to travel itineraries in London

Dickens lived at this terraced townhouse from March 1837 to December 1839, and it contains a veritable curiosity shop of artefacts connected to the great Victorian novelist. 

There are original letters and manuscripts, plus a striking portrait of the author entitled ‘Dickens’s Dream’ by the artist RW Buss, one of his former suits (the only known item of his clothing still in existence) and old photographs. 

He finished off The Pickwick Papers and completed both Nicholas Nickleby and Oliver Twist at the house.

Avora, Hackney Road, East London – Jowena Riley, travel writer

Jowena recommends Avora’s cocktail experience for a fun night out

If you’re looking for an activity that’s both unique and immersive, I’d recommend booking an extra-terrestrial cocktail experience at Avora.

It’s a first-of-its-kind adventure that combines theatrical otherworldly sets, talented actors, and themed cocktails, plus plenty of tasks designed to get guests off their feet and show off their best skills.

After stepping through a ‘portal’, everyone is given a spacesuit to jump into and test-tube cocktails before being guided through mysterious alien worlds, where luminous drinks, magical ecosystems and futuristic laboratories await.

The task? To decide whether to save the planet’s natural beauty or join forces with a corporation attempting to mine it for its resources.

The entire experience lasts one hour and 45 minutes, with tickets around £45 – though this includes an array of unique cocktails along the way.

Clays – Jowena

A reimagined take on clay pigeon shooting at Clays is a top activity

At Clays, guests can experience a fun, modern take on a traditional English pastime: clay pigeon shooting. Behind the velvet drapes of a stunning 1930s Art Deco building in Soho is a world where vintage interiors meet the immersive sport of virtual clay pigeon shooting. Guests can choose between the open arcade area or a private Hide room to battle friends, using specialised gun props to shoot down targets on a huge screen as the challenge intensifies.

As a group of six, we decided to have a two-hour private session in the Hide, which can accommodate up to 35 guests in one space and provides ample seating, a Bluetooth surround-sound system and chargers for most smartphone devices. The best part? The Hide has a self-serve bar with an impressive range of drinks and extras, from soft drinks, wine and liquor, to ice, lime, and even flower petal garnishing.

The venue also has a full bar on the basement level, as well as a dining space. I’d recommend the Triple Cheese Croquettes, Sweetcorn Ribs and Pizzette.

Just weeks away from welcoming her third child, Grace Drexel finds herself in Washington, D.C., discussing a matter close to her heart: the plight of her father, Pastor Ezra Jin. Her children have scarcely known their grandfather, as he remains detained in China. Drexel is hopeful that President Donald Trump might intervene to secure his release.

Pastor Jin has been held for seven months, swept up alongside dozens of other Christian leaders in what is being described by advocates as a significant crackdown on a major underground Protestant church in China.

With President Trump scheduled to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, Drexel and her family are holding onto a glimmer of hope. Trump has declared his intention to address Pastor Jin’s detention directly with Xi during his visit.

Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, the head pastor of the Zion Church, was photographed in Beijing on September 12, 2018, shortly after officials shut down one of the country’s largest underground Protestant churches.

When questioned by a reporter about his intentions to discuss the pastor’s situation during his trip, Trump responded affirmatively, saying, “I’ll bring it up.”

“It’s such a tremendous honor,” Drexel told Fox News Digital. “To have one of the most powerful men in the world know my father by name and mention his case to General Secretary Xi Jinping.”

White House spokesperson Olivia Wales told Fox News Digital, “There is no greater champion for religious freedom around the world than President Trump.”

For Drexel, this could end years of suffering. Her family has been separated for almost a decade — her mother and younger brothers fled China in 2018 after authorities shut down Zion Church’s physical sanctuary in Beijing, fearing they could become collateral targets in the growing crackdown on Christians.

Pastor Jin chose to stay behind with his community.

“My father actually had many opportunities to apply for a green card,” Drexel said. “He felt the calling for China.”

Drexel herself has not seen her father in person since 2020.

Ezra Jin with his daughter, Grace Drexel, before Chinese authorities detained the pastor during a crackdown on independent Christian churches. (Family photo) (Fox News)

Now pregnant with her third child, she says all she wants is for her father to finally reunite with his family.

“We would really, really love for our children to also experience and learn from their Grandpa,” she said.

Drexel described her father not as a political dissident, but as a pastor whose only mission was to remain faithful to Christianity outside Communist Party control.

“My father is a pastor in China and like Christians everywhere, he believed that the church should only have one God and serve one God,” she told Fox News Digital.

She described Zion Church as independent from government oversight and deeply rooted in Scripture and community service.

 U.S. President Donald Trump reviews an honor guard with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. President Trump is meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing to address the Iran conflict, trade imbalances, and the Taiwan situation while establishing new bilateral boards for economic and AI oversight. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

“We helped with the society and the community around us, love our neighbors, and to love God,” she said.

But beyond the role of pastor, Drexel says she simply knew her father as a gentle man devoted to those around him.

“Ultimately, I know my father as just a very gentle and kind man,” she said. “He is not very confrontational generally. He just loved everyone around him.”

“He never even criticized anyone, including his children, much as we were growing up,” she added.

Drexel tearfully said that relatives learned that her father had been handcuffed, his head shaved, and that he was struggling to receive medication while in detention.

“And this kind and gentle man is now in prison,” she said. “All because he was just leading a church.”

The crackdown against Zion Church began years before Pastor Jin’s arrest.

According to Drexel, the pressure intensified around 2016 and 2017 after Xi Jinping rewrote China’s religious regulations and formally advanced the policy known as the “Sinicization” of religion, an effort critics say forces religious groups to align with Communist Party ideology.

Around that time, Zion Church became one of many churches targeted by the authorities.

Initially, Drexel says government officials demanded the church install facial-recognition cameras inside the sanctuary to monitor worshipers.

Ezra Jin leads a service at Zion Church in China before authorities shut down the independent congregation amid a broader crackdown on Christian churches. (Family photo)

“We told them all our services are public. You can come and view anytime,” she said. “But we didn’t feel that we wanted to put an extra amount of surveillance or control on our congregation.”

After the church refused, Drexel says authorities installed surveillance cameras in the building’s lobby instead and began systematically targeting church members.

“Each and every member who came on Sunday [was] being harassed,” she said. Some worshipers lost jobs, others were forced out of apartments, while some families were threatened through their children’s education and even their parents’ retirement benefits.

“It was all possible under the Chinese Communist Party if they wanted you to stop doing something,” she said.

Authorities eventually confiscated the church’s property and shut down its physical worship space. Pastor Jin then moved services online and into smaller home gatherings, which led authorities to later accuse church leaders of the “illegal use of information networks” because of those online and decentralized worship activities.

But she says her father’s case is only one piece of a much larger crackdown unfolding across China.

The family of Ezra Jin, whose daughter Grace Drexel says they have been separated from him for years amid China’s crackdown on independent Christian churches. (Family photo)

“There are so many pastors and church leaders and churches being persecuted in China actively today,” she added. “We know that there are hundreds of pastors that are currently in prison or are in detention.”

“This is a very critical period in China,” Drexel said. “And it’s very disheartening and very scary for many Christians in China.”

The broader persecution campaign against Christians, Uyghur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, and Falun Gong practitioners is also documented in “China’s War on Faith,” the recently released book by former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback.

Brownback profiles believers imprisoned, tortured, and surveilled for practicing religion outside state-approved institutions and argues that the Chinese Communist Party increasingly sees independent faith itself as a threat to Party authority.

For Drexel, Trump’s decision to publicly mention her father’s name represents more than diplomacy.

“We hope that as the two leaders are meeting together that they will both have a softening of the hearts and will release my father and allow him to come to the U.S.,” she said.

In this photo taken Aug. 4, 2018, Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri leads a class on the basics of Christian beliefs at the Zion Church in Beijing, China. (Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said the Chinese government protects “freedom of religious belief in accordance with the law” and argued that people of all ethnic groups in China enjoy religious freedom. Liu pointed to official figures showing nearly 200 million religious believers in China, along with more than 380,000 clerical personnel, approximately 5,500 religious groups and more than 140,000 registered places of worship.

Liu said Beijing regulates religious affairs involving “national interests and the public interest” while opposing what it describes as illegal or criminal activities carried out under the guise of religion. He also accused foreign countries and media outlets of interfering in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of religious freedom and urged journalists to “respect the facts” and stop what he described as “attacking and smearing” China’s religious policies and religious freedom record.

A Chicago jury has granted a $49.5 million settlement to the family of a woman who perished in the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX crash in March 2019.

On Wednesday evening, the jury allocated $21 million to the family of Samya Stumo for the distress she endured during the flight, $16.5 million for the family’s loss of her companionship, and $12 million for their emotional suffering.

This marks the second jury decision related to this tragic incident. Previously, in November, a jury directed Boeing to compensate the family of a United Nations environmental worker over $28 million following the same 2019 crash.

Boeing has been embroiled in numerous legal battles after two catastrophic 737 MAX crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019, resulting in the loss of 346 lives.

Stumo, aged 24, was employed by the nonprofit ThinkWell and was traveling on the ill-fated flight from Ethiopia to Nairobi, Kenya.

Boeing did not contest liability and claims for punitive damages were dismissed against company executives and the plane component manufacturers.

Lawyers for the Stumo family are trying to get an appellate court to reinstate punitive damage claims.

The US planemaker has settled more than 90% of the dozens of civil lawsuits related to the two accidents, paying out billions of dollars in compensation through lawsuits, a non-prosecution agreement and other payments.

“While we have resolved nearly all of these claims through settlements, families are entitled to pursue their claims through the court process, and we respect their right to do so,” Boeing said on Thursday.

In March, a US appeals court upheld a ruling approving the ​Justice Department decision to dismiss a criminal case against Boeing, which ‌allowed the planemaker to avoid prosecution on a charge stemming from the two 737 MAX crashes.

Boeing had agreed to plead guilty in 2024 to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge.

After President Donald Trump took ​office, DOJ reversed ⁠course in May 2025 and dropped the demand for a guilty plea.

Under the deal, Boeing agreed to pay an additional $444.5 million ​into a crash victims fund, on top of a new $243.6 million fine and $455 million to strengthen the company’s compliance, safety, and quality programs.

Spencer Pratt has addressed rumors about his mayoral campaign being filmed for a reality TV series.

The 42-year-old, known for his time on television, recently drew attention by criticizing reports of his hotel residency during his campaign. Competing against Mayor Karen Bass and Councilwoman Nithya Raman, Pratt is actively involved in the race.

Speculation arose when TMZ and Deadline reported that the former The Hills star had committed to an unscripted series documenting his journey to potentially becoming L.A.’s next mayor.

Pratt’s mayoral aspirations became public in January, following a difficult year marked by the loss of his Pacific Palisades residence to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.

Despite the buzz, a representative for Pratt dismissed the reality show claims in a statement given to The Wrap on Thursday, firmly denying the reports.

‘This is inaccurate. There is no series in production and cameras have not been following the campaign.’

Spencer Pratt, 42, has broken silence on claims that his bid for Los Angeles mayor is being filmed for a reality TV show; seen in January in NYC 

‘This is inaccurate. There is no series in production and cameras have not been following the campaign,’ a spokesperson for Pratt said of the claims 

The spokesperson further stated that Pratt has not signed any contract to film a reality show that follows his run for L.A. mayor. 

‘He does not have any signed contract. No contract exists related to this because it isn’t true.’ 

Daily Mail has reached out to a rep for Pratt for comment, but did not immediately hear back. 

It comes shortly after sources claimed to TMZ that Pratt signed a contract with Los Angeles production company Boardwalk Pictures to follow him as he runs for mayor. 

The insider alleged that Pratt’s wife Heidi Montag, whom he married in 2008, as well as their two children would also be a part of the project. 

Sources also claimed that filming could possibly continue if the TV personality won the election later this year. But TMZ reported that Pratt’s main focus is currently on his campaign. 

Separate insiders also told Deadline that it is not clear if cameras would follow Pratt if he became L.A. mayor. 

‘It’s both familiar and uncharted territory, isn’t it? That’s part of Spencer and [wife] Heidi [Montag]’s appeal, right?’ 

The spokesperson further stated that Pratt has not signed any contract to film a reality show that follows his run for L.A. mayor; seen in January in NYC 

The insider alleged that Pratt’s wife Heidi Montag, whom he married in 2008, as well as their two children would also be a part of the project; seen in April in L.A. 

Pratt also responded to a report that he has been living in a Bel-Air hotel amid his campaign after previously claiming he had been residing inside a trailer after his home burned down last year. 

TMZ reported on Wednesday that the star was staying at Hotel Bel-Air while his wife and children are living in the town of Carpinteria. 

Pratt offered his response on X by penning, ‘Hey guys, why don’t they wanna talk about why I need a hotel in the first place?

‘Karen Bass let my home burn down. Also 6,000 of my neighbors. NBD.’

The former reality star also told TMZ that he has been living at the hotel for safety reasons after receiving death threats amid his bid for mayor. 

The trailer was not able to keep him safe and he explained the hotel has ‘its own armed security and that has become the only option.’ 

He referred to the supporters of his rivals as ‘Bassholes and Ramaniacs’ before sharing he has gotten death threats from ‘whackos.’

‘Since I destroyed them in the debate, and am surging in the polls, they are getting increasingly desperate and hostile. I can’t talk about specific threats, but that lot is unsafe now.’

Pratt offered his response on X by penning, ‘Hey guys, why don’t they wanna talk about why I need a hotel in the first place?’

The former reality star also told TMZ that he has been living at the hotel for safety reasons after receiving death threats amid his bid for mayor

Earlier this month, Pratt took part in a debate alongside Bass and Raman which resulted in his chances of winning surging afterwards. 

And he has also received support from his close friends and other celebrities. 

Last month, Kristin Cavallari and Brody Jenner stopped by Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen when Pratt’s mayoral run was brought up. 

‘I was shocked, obviously,’ Cavallari said. ‘But if you actually listen to him, he knows his stuff. He’s very well-spoken. Of course Brody is going to endorse him, that’s his best friend.’ 

Cavallari continued as Cohen and Jenner listened, ‘Unless you live in L.A., it’s kind of hard to have an opinion. 

‘These people lost their homes [in the wildfires], they lost everything and so people are fired up and I have empathy [for] them. I’m here for it and I honestly could see him winning. People in California really are excited about him.’

Cohen stated that it ‘seems like he’s going to win’ before Cavallari agreed, ‘I think so, I think so.’

He continued, ‘Karen Bass, like, she does not have a lot of people going for her. I mean, he’s got a lot of momentum.’

Cavallari then noted how Rogan recently endorsed Pratt.

Earlier this month, Pratt took part in a debate alongside Bass and Raman which resulted in his chances of winning surging afterwards

‘I was shocked, obviously,’ Cavallari said. ‘But if you actually listen to him, he knows his stuff. He’s very well-spoken. Of course Brody is going to endorse him, that’s his best friend’; seen in March in Santa Monica 

‘Oh, Rogan, the great mind of the universe. Joe f***ing Rogan. What a f***ing idiot. Sorry,’ the Bravo host said.

When asked to explain his dislike of the UFC commentator, the TV personality said, ‘I listen to what he says, that’s all. I listen to what he says, I made my own opinion.’

David Foster and wife Katharine McPhee are doing ‘the best’ they can do raise money for Pratt’s Los Angeles mayoral campaign as they became the latest celebrities to back his attempted ousting of incumbent Bass. 

McPhee even serenaded the former reality TV star with her husband playing the keyboard at the event hosted in the backyard of the power couple’s Brentwood mansion on Monday.

In one of the clips posted on Instagram by One America News Network anchor Alicia Summers, McPhee played off of Tina Turner hit The Best as she changed the lyrics including boasting that Pratt is ‘better than Karen Bass and Nithya Raman,’ who are his two main opponents in the LA mayoral election.

However, during one of the choruses, McPhee actually called Raman ‘Cynthia’ instead of Nithya and reacted to her mistake by saying ‘I called her Cynthia’ to which Pratt shrugged.

Foster and McPhee had a star-studded guest list at the ‘Spencer Pratt for Mayor’ fundraiser including Hollywood megaproducer Brian Grazer – who is best known for Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, and The Da Vinci Code – according to Vanity Fair.

David Foster and wife Katharine McPhee are doing ‘the best’ they can do raise money for Pratt’s Los Angeles mayoral campaign as they became the latest celebrities to back his attempted ousting of incumbent Bass; Foster and McPhee seen in April 

The admiration seems mutual between Pratt and legendary composer Foster as the former reality star recalled in his recently released memoir – The Guy You Loved to Hate – frequently watching the musician perform while growing up as he called him the GOAT AKA greatest of all-time.

Meanwhile, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Mauricio Umansky also backed Pratt.

The Mexican real estate broker and estranged husband to Kyle Richards appeared on Fox News on Wednesday as he expressed his support for Pratt.

When asked why he is backing Pratt, Umansky replied: ‘He wants to make L.A. great, and make it what it used to be.’

Fellow reality stars, actors, musicians, powerful podcasters, daughters of former respected politicians, and, of course, his wife, Heidi Montag, have publicly backed the former reality star.

Fellow reality stars, actors, musicians, powerful podcasters, daughters of former respected politicians, and, of course, his wife, Heidi Montag, have publicly backed the former reality star

It comes at a good time as he has overtaken LA City Councilwoman Raman, who was previously considered the favorite according to regulated exchange and prediction market site Kalshi; Raman seen in March in L.A. 

Paris Hilton, Joe Rogan, and Meghan McCain are three of the most famous people who have supported Pratt along with his The Hills castmates Kristin Cavallari, Audrina Patridge, Brody Jenner, and Brandon Thomas Lee.

It comes at a good time as he has overtaken LA City Councilwoman Raman, who was previously considered the favorite according to regulated exchange and prediction market site Kalshi. 

As of Thursday, the market gives Pratt a 25 percent chance of capturing the mayoral office compared to Raman’s 18 percent, as incumbent Bass holds the lead with 59 percent.

Voters are just weeks away from casting their ballots on June 2, and Pratt appears to have timed his campaign blitz just in time, with his odds more than doubling in the past month.