Universal said its new Wizarding World of Harry Potter park in Florida will open on June 18, and gave new details of the rides based on Rowling’s fantasy novels about the boy wizard.

The seven wildly popular books have sold more than 400million copies worldwide and spawned a movie franchise that has earned billions of pounds.

In the books and movies, the founders of the Hogwarts houses of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin are referenced but are long deceased. At the park, the characters will come to life.

Rowling was consulted throughout the development of the eight-hectare park and signed off on the details, the designers said.

Universal said the park fused filmed scenes, live action and advanced robotic technology to envelop guests in a fictional world.

The signature ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, starts in Hogwarts, where visitors travel through Professor Dumbledore’s office, the Gryffindor common room and the defence against the dark arts classroom. Riding what appears to be an old Gothic bench, they soar over the castle grounds and meet creatures such as the Hungarian Horntail dragon, vicious Dementors and the gigantic Whomping Willow. Universal said it developed a new way of projecting and using film to simulate the feeling of flying.

— Daily Mail

Tennis ace Serena Williams holds court at Miami beach

Tennis star Serena Williams put her champion figure on show as she hit Miami beach in Florida on Thursday.

The 28-year-old frolicked in the surf in a brightly coloured swimsuit that flaunted her incredibly toned physique. She cooled off in the sea and also took a spin on a jet ski with a friend during her day in the sun.

Serena certainly looked in good spirits which comes as no surprise– just 24 hours earlier she was given the 2009 WTA Tour Player of the Year award. It’s the third time she has won the honour after claiming it in 2002 and 2008. She was also awarded Doubles Team of the year with her sister Venus Williams.

Serena won the Australian Open and Wimbledon last year, was a semifinalist at the US Open and a quarterfinalist at the French Open.

— Daily Mail

Angelina Jolie shows bella bambina Vivienne Venice from palazzo balcony

Angelina Jolie enjoyed a spot of bonding with her daughter Vivienne on Thursday during a break from filming her new movie, The Tourist.

The pair oohed and aahed as they took in the sites of Venice from the balcony of the 15th century palazzo the family are renting during their extended stay in Italy.

The adorable 20-month-old clutched a bottle as she soaked up the view and at one point, Angelina leaned in to plant a kiss on her cherub cheek.

The entire Jolie-Pitt brood are currently in Italy, including the Hollywood couple’s other children Vivienne’s twin Knox, Maddox, 8, Pax, 6, Zahara, 5, and Shiloh, 3.

— Daily Mail