Dozens gathered in Madrid for a vigil honouring the victims of Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon a day after a ceasefire was announced between the US and Iran. The strikes killed 357 people according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

BATMAN Begins and Dunkirk actor John Nolan has reportedly died age 87.

The star and uncle to famous director Christopher Nolan reportedly died today.

The British actor’s cause of death has not been revealed, according to local paper, the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald.

John was known for playing Wayne Enterprises board member Douglas Fredericks in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight Rises.

The theatre veteran appeared in several of his nephew’s blockbusters including the 1998 crime thriller Following and in Dunkirk.

In 2013 he starred as former MI6 agent John Greer in the second season of Person of Interest, created by his other nephew Jonathan.

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He later helped out behind the camera for the fifth and final season.

John featured in a variety of BBC series throughout the 1970s including Daniel Deronda and Doomwatch.

He also appeared in ITV‘s miniseries Shabby Tiger.

John’s last appearance was in a 2024 episode of American science fiction series Dune: Prophecy.

Before he got his break in film and TV, John spent two years with the Royal Shakespeare Company where he played roles in Julius Caesar and The Merry Wives of Windsor.

He played at the well-known Richmond Theatre and appeared on stage with the Royal Court Company.

John is survived by his wife, actress Kim Hartman, and their children Miranda and Tom.

Nneka Ogwumike is coming home in a strong endorsement of the Sparks’ vow to succeed during the upcoming season.

Ogwumike, a 10-time WNBA All-Star, spent the first 12 seasons of her career with the Sparks after she was drafted No. 1 overall by the franchise in 2012.

But Ogwumike left two seasons ago as the Sparks were struggling to win and signed with a Seattle Storm team with talent capable of pushing for a championship, a female coach and state-of-the-art facilities.

While she was gone, the Sparks replaced coach Curt Miller with Lynne Roberts, traded for All-Star guard Kelsey Plum and broke ground on a new practice facility in El Segundo.

Ogwumike posted a 45-second video on social media Friday morning that indicated her intention to return to the Sparks. Free agents are free to sign with new teams Saturday, when the Sparks are expected to officially announce her return.

“It was always ‘see you later,’ now I’ll see you soon,” Ogwumike wrote in the post.

She did not post any contract terms, and they have yet to be reported.

Chiney Ogwumike, an ESPN analyst, longtime Spark and Nneka’s sister, broke the news on X, posting: “10x WNBA All-Star and 2016 MVP Nneka Ogwumike intends to re-sign with the Los Angeles Sparks.

“She previously played 12 seasons in LA and ‘is looking forward to returning home.’”

The Sparks last made the playoffs in 2020, and while they showed some potential last year, going 21-23 but fizzling out in the second half of the season, adding the 35-year-old veteran bolsters their push to take a big step forward into the playoff mix.

Adding the appeal of some of the talent already on their roster and a new $150-million practice facility scheduled to open next year, the Sparks are positioning themselves for a return to their winning ways.

The Sparks are expected to trade 2024 first-round pick Rickea Jackson to Chicago this weekend for guard Ariel Atkins, according to reports. Atkins, who turns 30 in July, is a two-time All-Star and five-time all-defensive player who had an important role in the Washington Mystics’ 2019 championship.

Sparks players cheer as WNBA President Lisa Borders hands the championship trophy to team owner Magic Johnson in 2016. Nneka Ogwumike was on the team that won the Sparks’ most recent title.

(Hannah Foslien / Getty Images)

That leaves the Sparks with just three other players — Plum, who signed a core contract, Cameron Brink and Sania Feagin — under contract. The Sparks extended qualifying offers to Rae Burrell, Julie Vanloo and Alissa Pili this week, essentially retaining their rights.

But Ogwumike is the kind of player whom the Sparks could build a competitive campaign around, especially playing alongside Brink in a potent frontcourt. With Plum and likely Atkins in the fold, the Sparks could use an upgraded ball-handler, unless they go with Plum at point guard and focus on bringing in another forward.

Forward Azura Stevens announced on social media she is not returning. The Sparks also lost starting point guard Julie Allemand to Toronto in the expansion draft last week.

Forward Dearica Hamby remains unsigned. She started 84 games in the last two seasons and was an All-Star in 2024 but likely is behind Ogwumike and Brink on the Sparks’ depth chart and might push for a bigger role with another team.

The Sparks don’t have a first-round draft pick, so they will need to pursue talent on the robust free-agent market or make another trade to bolster their backcourt. If they elect to go with Plum at point guard, they could start Burrell as a small forward after her strong offseason in the Unrivaled three-on-three league, but they still need more depth.

During the next seven days, the Sparks will have a chance to make moves to support a veteran core of Ogwumike and Plum alongside a rising star in Brink as they push to build a team that can make the playoffs.

Last season in Seattle, Ogwumike averaged 18.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals. Her departure was somewhat expected after Noelle Quinn was fired as coach following the Storm’s first-round playoff exit.

The president of the players association, Ogwumike played an essential role in the historic collective bargaining agreement the league and players agreed to in March, which led to the salary cap being raised to $7 million per team.

Nneka Ogwumike, photographed in downtown Los Angeles in 2019, is returning to the Sparks after two seasons in Seattle.

(Christina House/Los Angeles Times)

On Wednesday, speculation was rampant that Ogwumike might end up in Minnesota after a balloon company shared a video of a balloon sign that read: “Welcome Nneka,” but the forward clarified on Instagram that it was just a greeting welcoming her to a meeting with the Lynx, not an indication she was signing there.

With the majority of the league’s players free agents, teams have an opportunity to reinvent themselves this offseason. It seems likely that Seattle, with Skylar Diggins-Smith and Gabby Williams as free agents, could take a step back.

The forecast for expansion clubs Portland and Toronto, meanwhile, won’t take shape until they finish building their rosters.

The Sparks gave up the most points per game last season, 88.2, a flaw they hope to address with Ogwumike, the expected addition of Atkins and a full season of Brink, who has been limited by injuries to 34 games in her first two seasons after being drafted No. 2 in 2024.

The Sparks promised fans they would complete their rebuild and become title contenders again. Ogwumike’s return suggests she believes in the plan.

April 11 (UPI) — Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., who is running for California governor, is facing several allegations of sexual misconduct and assault.

CNN reported that four women have made allegations against him, including one woman who claims he raped her.

Swalwell denies any wrongdoing.

“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” Swalwell said in a statement. “For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women. I will defend myself with the facts and, where necessary, bring legal action. My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.”

The latest woman to make an allegation told CNN that Swalwell raped her when she was drunk and left her bruised and bleeding in 2024.

“I was pushing him off of me, saying no,” the woman told CNN. “He didn’t stop.”

She said another incident happened in 2019. She woke up naked in a hotel room with him after a night of drinking with no memory of what happened. She said she could feel physically that they had sexual contact.

On Thursday, Swalwell’s attorney sent the woman a cease-and-desist letter alleging that she “made false statements accusing Mr. Swalwell of sexual assault and nonconsensual sexual encounter.” The letter threatened to sue her, The San Francisco Chronicle reported. CNN reported another woman got a similar letter.

The attorney letters said the claims were “undermined” by their “voluntary and cooperative relationship with Mr. Swalwell over the course of many years” after the alleged incidents.

The attorney also sent CNN a letter saying that Swalwell has never had nonconsensual sex with any woman or had sex with any staff member.

Swalwell, 43, is married and has three young children. He was elected to Congress in 2012.

On Friday afternoon, Swalwell allies, including California Democratic Reps. Jimmy Gomez and Adam Gray, withdrew their endorsements and called on him to drop out of the race, The Chronicle reported. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., also called on him to leave the race, as well as Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif.

On Saturday, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., announced on X: “I am filing a motion to expel Eric Swalwell from Congress.”

She created several more posts against Swalwell.

“I am extending a call to any Swalwell victims to contact my office with information,” she posted. “All victims deserve to be heard. I will be bringing a vote to expel Rep. Swalwell from Congress next week, will Democrats vote to protect this corruption? I am not going to serve with these sexual deviants, that is not what Congress is about.”

One woman said she met Swalwell online because she was interested in Democratic politics, CNN reported. She said she ended up extremely drunk inside his hotel room after a night out and didn’t remember what had happened. She said earlier in the evening he had kissed her and put his hand on her leg without consent.

Social media creator Ally Sammarco said she received unsolicited nude images from Swalwell, CNN reported. She had met him on Twitter to talk about politics.

Several organizations, unions and donors have rescinded their endorsements following the allegations.

Whatever the result, this was a poor performance by Arsenal, who looked jaded compared to a fresh Bournemouth side who had not played for three weeks.

This was the 53rd game of the Gunners’ season as they have attempted to win trophies in multiple competitions.

However, defeats in the Carabao Cup final, FA Cup quarter-finals and now against the Cherries means they have lost three of their last four in all competitions.

Arsenal were without Bukayo Saka, captain Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber through injury, while Myles Lewis-Skelly was making just his second start of the season at left-back with Riccardo Calafiori also unavailable.

“I thought the result in Lisbon in midweek would have helped them massively, just to get a little bit of momentum and confidence after the two cup defeats,” added Shearer.

“But there was nothing I saw today that would give me confidence that they’re going to go and win the league.”

There was a nervous atmosphere inside the stadium, with loose passes met by groans from the home supporters as it was clear that the Gunners were not at their best.

Arteta had asked the fans to turn up early to create an intimidating atmosphere – but the Gunners boss does not think that the expectation is getting to his side.

“I don’t think there is pressure,” Arteta told BBC Match of the Day. “We have been coping with a lot of pressure since the beginning of the season.

“Today there were some actions that are very far from the level that we have shown and that shocks the system.

“We ask a lot from our crowd and today we didn’t respond to those standards and we have to apologise, take it on the chin and move on.”

LAURA Anderson left fans stunned as she shared sizzling snaps from a luxury getaway — and appeared to have a dig at her footballer ex-boyfriend.

The former Love Island star donned her teeniest shorts as she posed for selfies at a posh hotel.

Laura treated herself to a stay at Scotland’s five-star Gleneagles and made sure to show it off.

Smiling and laughing, she oozed confidence in a chic white blazer paired with barely-there satin shorts.

Laura shared the snaps with the caption: “@thegleneagleshotel is always a good idea.”

And it’s safe to say the post appears to send a “look what you’re missing” message after her split from Dundee footballer Clark Robertson just weeks ago.

CRYPTIC QUOTE

Laura Anderson shares cryptic ‘cheating’ post – weeks after split from ex

tough time

Laura Anderson admits she’s ‘struggling, big time’ after love split

The pair called time on their relationship last month after 18 months together.

The star later shared a post listing the self-help mantras she is buying into following the split.

The list was seen by some fans as a thinly veiled swipe at her ex, with several of the phrases linked to breakups and moving on.

References to a “small circle” and the “Let Them theory” hint at cutting ties, while “always trust your intuition” suggests ignored red flags.

While lines such as “being mean isn’t cool” and “energy doesn’t lie” could be seen as comments about past behaviour.

Last week, the 36-year-old ramped up speculation about the split when she shared a cryptic post about cheating.

The ITV star took to her Instagram Stories to reshare a post that read: “Why do people cheat on queens for clowns?

“Because a palace has rules but the circus is free for all.”

The Sun exclusively revealed news of their split in March after a year and a half together.

A source said: “Laura and Clark have called time on their relationship.

“It was a difficult decision. They both have a lot of love for each other but realised it wasn’t working.”

The split may not come as a huge surprise as Laura and Clark, 32, had become increasingly absent from each other’s lives.

The pair had been quiet about their relationship, failing to share snaps of each other in recent months.

Laura’s last post with the Dundee player came on February 21 following a spa break.

She previously opened up about the “tricky and emotional” ups and downs of planning Christmas with a blended family.

Laura shares daughter Bonnie with ex-partner Gary, while Clark has two children from a previous relationship.

She told The Sun in December: “I mean, obviously, Clark’s got two kids and then I’m not with Bonnie’s dad and different things like that. So it can be an emotional, tricky time.

“I think blended families sort of bring hardship.”

The two began dating in 2024 after she finally responded to a DM he sent her three years earlier.

Laura shot to fame on the fourth series of Love Island in 2018, where she finished runner-up alongside Paul Knops.

The pair dated for just two months after the show before calling time on their relationship.

Good morning, and welcome to L.A. on the Record — our City Hall newsletter. It’s Alene Tchekmedyian, with an assist from Rebecca Ellis, giving you the latest on all things local government.

Last summer, the Los Angeles Fire Department enlisted a public relations firm to help shape the narrative around its response to the Palisades fire as it geared up to release its long-awaited after-action report.

The optics around the devastating fire hadn’t been good.

A Times investigation revealed that top LAFD officials failed to pre-deploy engines in Pacific Palisades, despite forecasts of dangerously high winds. Mayor Karen Bass ousted the fire chief. The thousands of residents who lost their homes were growing increasingly angry. City and LAFD officials were concerned about how the report, which was intended to examine what mistakes the department made and how to avoid repeating them, would land.

“While we have a section that deals with press inquiries, media, and interview requests, they are not equipped to deal with what I call a ‘Crisis,’” LAFD Deputy Chief Kairi Brown wrote to the Lede Company in July.

The Times obtained the email and other materials this week through the California Public Records Act. Brown wrote in the email that his brother, Jay Brown, who co-founded the entertainment company Roc Nation with Jay-Z, recommended the firm.

At the time, LAFD’s public information director position was vacant, but a staff roster shows that two captains and four firefighters were assigned to the Community Liaison Office. The captains, Erik Scott and Adam Van Gerpen, each made more than $200,000 in overtime alone last year, on top of their roughly $200,000 base salaries, payroll data show.

Scott and Van Gerpen did not immediately respond to a question about what the overtime was for.

Fire officials also met with and considered another PR firm called Cielo Strategic Communications, but ultimately selected Lede for the job. Lede bills itself as a “full-service strategy, communications and social impact consulting firm,” with high-profile celebrity clients like Kerry Washington and Emma Stone, according to its website.

The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, which calls itself “the official nonprofit arm of the LAFD” that provides “vital equipment and funds critical programs to help the LAFD save lives,” took care of the $65,000 bill.

The Times has described efforts by Bass and others to water down the after-action report. Lede’s role, according to internal documents, was to shield the LAFD and the mayor’s office from “reputational harm” associated with the report’s release.

Bass also was involved in media spin, with Scott writing in an Oct. 9 email that “any additional interviews with the Fire Chief would likely depend on the Mayor’s guidance.”

The documents obtained by The Times this week reveal that Lede embarked on “Media 101” training for interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva, including basic tips such as: “While reporters aren’t always out to get you, they’re not your friends either.”

“Tricks” that reporters use to get people talking, according to a Lede slideshow, include: “Speculate,” “Stir the pot,” “The long pause/silence” and “Act like your friend.”

Other advice from Lede: “Stay on message and don’t volunteer information that is not asked.” Don’t “offer information to fill the silence (this is a reporter tactic).”

The Lede Company previously declined to comment on its work for the LAFD, citing client confidentiality. An LAFD spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

Other records previously released show that Lede also analyzed news articles before and after the Palisades fire — the goal was to get a sort of vibe check of LAFD from the public — and found criticism of department leadership as well as support for the rank and file.

And a communications plan developed in the event that the after-action report was leaked to reporters involved convening an “emergency briefing between LAFD, Lede, and the Mayor’s Office within 60 minutes of discovery,” as well as embargoed briefings within a day “to control the narrative and reinforce lessons learned and key actions coming out of the LAFD.”

Lede worked with the LAFD until about mid-November, when Jaime Moore took over as fire chief. A couple of months later, the agency hired a public information director, Stephanie Bishop, to lead the Community Liaison Office.

State of play

— SB CANDIDATE: Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt acknowledged this week that he’s living in Santa Barbara County after the Palisades fire destroyed his home. He’s allowed to use his Palisades address to vote and run for office, as long as he intends to return, election officials said.

— BASS BUCKS: Bass and City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado say they want to allot more than $360 million to developers and nonprofits creating affordable housing. The money, which comes largely from the “mansion tax,” would fund 80 projects.

— REVOLVING DOOR: A Times analysis found the longer the mayor’s signature program to battle homelessness exists, the worse its metrics are. As Inside Safe finished its third year in December, roughly 40% of the people who had gone indoors were back on the street.

— CHANGE AGENT: Everyone running for L.A. mayor wants to be a champion of change. As her first term comes to an end, Bass is campaigning on change, vowing to tackle decades-old problems. So is City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who says her decision to run was based on “a sense of urgency that things needed to change.”

—FIGHT FLOP: More than a year after California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta charged 30 probation officers with facilitating so-called “gladiator fights” among youths inside the county’s juvenile halls, almost half of the criminal cases are falling apart. State prosecutors dismissed charges against one-third of the officers, and four more entered into plea deals Tuesday that will end with their cases dropped.

— BADGE BREACH: Sensitive police records, including personnel files, were seized by hackers in a breach involving the L.A. city attorney’s office. A group known for conducting ransomware attacks on large entities took credit for the hack, which involves 337,000 files.

— OLYMPIC OOPS: Los Angeles officials are worried that taxpayers could be on the hook for budget-busting costs to support the 2028 Olympic Games, if the profit promised by LA28 doesn’t materialize. City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto and Councilmember Monica Rodriguez both want a contract pledging that LA28 cover any future costs incurred by the city.

— VANISHING BLUES: Up for reelection and facing a budget deficit, Bass says she’s shifting from her original plan to grow the L.A. Police Department to the 9,500-officer force it once was. Her new goal: making sure the department doesn’t shrink from its current total of 8,677 officers, which is the lowest in nearly a quarter-century.

— PRICEY PROTESTS: A well-known LAPD critic and two attorneys are suing the LAPD after officers allegedly fired less-lethal rounds at them during a protest last summer. Activist Jason Reedy says he was shot in the groin after confronting an officer outside LAPD headquarters.

QUICK HITS

• Where is Inside Safe? The mayor’s signature homelessness program monitored 126 encampment sites across the city and visited an interim housing site.
• On the docket next week: L.A. County officials will unveil their budget for the upcoming fiscal year Monday, with the supervisors weighing in at their Tuesday board meeting.

Stay in touch

That’s it for this week! Send your questions, comments and gossip to LAontheRecord@latimes.com. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up here to get it in your inbox every Saturday morning.

From AAU games in Ohio to college gyms up and down the Atlantic Coast Conference to the NBA, Luke Kennard has always been met with the same warning.

“Shooter!”

LeBron James, however, knows better than to put Kennard in a box.

The Lakers superstar watched Kennard’s career grow since he was playing on James’ AAU team in Ohio, where, yes, Kennard shot the lights out, but he also displayed the same versatility that made him a fitting emergency point guard during the Lakers’ shorthanded late-season push.

“He’s just a ball player,” James said. “… People just kind of gave him the narrative of just being a shooter. But he does so many more things. He can handle the ball, he can rebound the ball, he can make plays. … And what we’re missing right now, we need it [from him]. We need it more and more than ever.”

Beyond being the league’s leading three-point shooter, Kennard has 31 assists in the last four games, stepping up his ball-handling responsibilities for the Lakers, who must finish the regular season Sunday against the Utah Jazz without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Kennard had three assists with 19 points in the Lakers’ 101-73 win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday that clinched home-court advantage in the first round.

The 29-year-old has averaged 2.3 assists per game in his NBA career and only 1.7 per game for the Lakers (52-29) since he joined in a midseason trade. But without Doncic and Reaves, the Lakers have relied on offense by committee. During the last four games, 77.3% of the Lakers’ made field goals have been assisted.

“Just being organized, controlling pace,” Kennard said of the team’s ability to share the ball in recent games. “Guys not overthinking too much, just playing within the flow of the game.”

Lakers guard Luke Kennard celebrates with LeBron James’ after James scored at Crypto.com Arena on Friday.

(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Kennard’s poise was been paramount for the team during an emotional week. The eight-year veteran who has cycled through five teams and been traded midseason twice provides steadiness, Lakers coach JJ Redick said.

“He’s a professional,” Redick said. “He comes to work, he’s a great teammate. He does what the team asks him to do. … No matter what you sort of give him, he’ll embrace it.”

Kennard was, in fact, a point guard in high school, he said proudly. While at Franklin High, he passed James on Ohio’s all-time scoring list. He solidified his status as a prolific shooter at Duke. Redick is familiar with that particular fate, he said with a wry smile.

Redick approached Kennard after Doncic and Reaves were injured against Oklahoma City last Thursday to discuss the contingency plan of him taking on more ball-handling responsibilities. The Lakers had one day of practice in Dallas, and the team walked through several plays with Kennard at different positions. It was the only practice day the Lakers have had since the season-altering injuries. The rest of Kennard’s learning has been through conversations with coaches, film study and instinctual play on the court.

He responded with his first career triple-double in the first game in his new role: 15 points, 11 assists and 16 rebounds in the Lakers’ loss to the Mavericks.

But Kennard is notoriously difficult on himself. He lamented Tuesday — after he scored 10 points with nine assists but missed both of his three-point attempts in a loss to Oklahoma City — that he wishes he was shooting better recently. During the first four games in April, he was just three-for-13 (23.1%) from three. He is still leading the league in three-point shooting at 47.8% this season.

Despite playing with a split on his left index finger after suffering an injury in the Lakers’ win over Golden State on Thursday, the left-handed Kennard made his first three-pointer Friday, getting fouled on the play to earn a four-point opportunity. He finished two-for-four from three against the Suns and six-for-12 from the floor. It was the first time he’d made multiple threes in a game since March 30 against Washington.

“We all feel like every time he shoots the ball, it’s gonna go in,” Redick said. “Whether that’s a floater, a midi, or a three I think he’s got a great deal of confidence and a lot of that comes from his preparation and his work. I think the biggest thing for us is, with our current group, having those other ball handlers so we can give him breaks from being on ball all the time.”

Getting Marcus Smart back from injury Friday helped ease the ball-handling burden on Kennard. Smart had missed nine games because of a lingering right ankle injury. Smart had six points and seven assists in his first game since March 21.

The Lakers waived guard Kobe Bufkin on Friday to open a roster spot for the postseason, possibly to add a veteran guard to bolster backcourt while Doncic and Reaves are out. The Lakers have until Sunday’s regular-season finale to sign any player waived by his former team before March 1 to standard contract.

James, playing for the second consecutive night Tuesday, had 12 assists with 28 points and six rebounds. In three appearances since the injuries to Doncic and Reaves, James has averaged 28 points, 12 assists and 5.8 rebounds on 60% shooting from the field.

Fitting James, Doncic and Reaves together came with growing pains, but pairing James and Kennard has felt simple. These two of the most prolific scorers in high school basketball history in Ohio are cut from the same cloth.

“It’s just because it’s two cerebral basketball players,” James said. “That’s why it’s seamless. He’s smart as hell. I’m smart as hell at this game.”

The provided text commemorates Juan Santamaría Day, a significant national holiday in Costa Rica that honors the country’s most famous military hero. The article recounts the Battle of Rivasin 1856, where a young drummer boy sacrificed his life to set fire to a stronghold occupied by the forces of American filibuster William Walker. This courageous act forced the enemy to retreat and ultimately secured a vital Costa Rican victory. Today, Santamaría is immortalized through various monuments and landmarks, most notably the nation’s primary international airport. His legacy serves as a lasting symbol of patriotism and national identity for the Costa Rican people.

April 10 (UPI) — The crew of the Artemis II crew returned to Earth after a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean after travelling farther from Earth than any humans in history.

The Orion capsule carrying the four-person crew is expected to make a water landing just after 8:07 p.m. EDT on Friday evening, capping their 10-day mission to test NASA’s new spacecraft while taking the next steps to returning humans to the surface of the moon.

Thus far, the mission has been successful in most ways, but NASA engineers have noted that the most important part is the return to Earth.

“Every system we’ve demonstrated over the past nine days — life support, navigation, propulsion, communications — all of it depends on the final minutes of flight,” Amit Kshatriya, NASA’s associate administrator, told reporters on Thursday.

“We have confidence in the system, in the heat shield, and the parachutes and the recovery system that we’ve put together,” he said.

One of the main concerns after the Artemis I uncrewed launch was unexpected charring on the heat shield of the Orion capsule, which protects astronauts from the heat created as the spacecraft reenters Earth’s atmosphere at 40 times the speed of sound.

A combination of adjustments to the heat shield and late mission burns to adjust the angle that the capsule reenters the atmosphere is expected to resolve NASA’s concerns after the first flight of the Artemis Space Launch System and Orion crew capsule.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Congress versus the presidency

Experts like Tuesta argue that the last decade of political instability has all but rendered Peru’s executive branch a secondary power.

By contrast, its unicameral Congress has expanded its might, though its members are largely unpopular among Peruvians.

Part of its influence comes from its impeachment powers. Peru’s Congress can remove presidents for “moral incapacity”, a catch-all term that has been used to denounce anything from undisclosed meetings to security crises.

Paulo Vilca, a researcher at the Institute of Peruvian Studies, explained that the shifting power dynamics have made it difficult for presidents to remain in office.

“In the past, we used to elect presidents for five years. Now, what’s more likely is that they will not last five years,” said Vilca.

But Peru’s unicameral Congress will come to an end this year. On Sunday, Peruvians will vote for a second congressional chamber, a Senate, for the first time since 1990.

Vilca argues that the congressional election may be even more important than this year’s presidential race. But it will also likely deepen Peru’s ongoing political crisis, he added.

He predicts that Congress’s chambers will soon be in conflict with each other, as well as with the president, in a three-way battle for power.

“It is very likely that those who are elected deputies, for example, will not be very satisfied with having a subordinate position in front of the Senate,” Vilca said. “So we’re going to move from a crisis of two to a crisis of three.”

The Senate was eliminated in 1992 by the late President Fujimori, Keiko Fujimori’s father, after he dissolved Peru’s bicameral Congress and implemented military rule.

The younger Fujimori has sought to build on her father’s legacy, and her right-wing party, Fuerza Popular, has become a deciding force in the unicameral legislature.

Keiko Fujimori even pledged to use her party’s power to “govern from Congress” after her defeat in the 2016 presidential race.

Since then, analysts have argued that Fuerza Popular has led efforts to change governmental processes to maintain or expand its power, even at the expense of democratic participation.

One change that it championed and passed in 2025 requires parties to earn at least 5 percent of the overall vote and a minimum of seven seats in the lower chamber to maintain their official political registration. For the Senate, parties must get at least three seats and 5 percent of votes.

Critics have said the measure creates a nearly insurmountable threshold.

“This whole system has been designed by the parties that are currently in Congress. And in particular, the one that has controlled the Constitutional Committee all these years has been Fuerza Popular,” said Vilca.

“I think the purpose of designing this whole model has been to maintain a status quo, which the Fujimori wing has also created in the last five years.”

Vilca is not optimistic that a new Senate will resolve the erosion of power away from the presidency. If anything, he anticipates more conflicts to come.

“My most likely scenario is that the crisis continues,” he said, “that whoever is elected president will enter into confrontation with the Senate”.

Music. Art. Fashion. Fun. The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival returns to the Empire Polo Club in Indio for its 25th anniversary, with a sold-out crowd for its twin weekends and millions of people watching the livestream from home.

Our team is in the field to capture what it’s really like to be at Coachella, from the biggest stars on stage to the only-at-the-festival vibes of the field.

Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G headline, but there are more than 100 acts on the bill, including the Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize collaboration Nine Inch Noize, girl groups including Katseye and Bini, rock royalty like Iggy Pop and David Byrne and more.

We’ll be updating our gallery all weekend long with images of the performances, iconic art installations, the people, the fashion and more.

If you want to see what Coachella used to look like, take a trip down memory lane with our gallery of photos going back to 1999.

Sabrina Carpenter performs at the Coachella Stage.

Sabrina Carpenter performs at the Coachella Stage.

Fans watch Katseye perform at the Sahara stage.

Turnstile performs at the Outdoor Theatre.

Fans scream as BINI performs at the Mojave stage.

Brendan Yates, lead vocalist of Turnstile, performs during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Festival goers walk past tents blown down by the wind.

Ava Acuesta dances as DJ Fifi plays at the DoLab.

Dijon performs on the Outdoor Theatre.

Natalie Villegas, 27, from the District of Columbia, poses for a photos inside the SPECTRA.

Festival goers walk near the SPECTRA and Ferris Wheel.

Bob Baker Marionette performs at the Gobi Stage.

Festival goers react to Bob Baker Marionette’s performance.

Victoria Aular, 29, from Miami takes photographs inside an art installation.

Katseye performs at the Sahara stage.

Katseye performs at the Sahara stage.

The gates are open at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Teddy Swims performs at the Coachella stage.

Festival goers climb up the SPECTRA.

ISLAMABAD — The United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations Saturday in Pakistan, days after a fragile, two-week ceasefire was announced, as the war that has killed thousands of people and shaken global markets entered its seventh week.

The White House confirmed the direct nature of the talks, a rare instance of high-level U.S. government engagement with the Iranian government.

Iran’s state-run news agency said three-party talks including Pakistan had begun after Iranian preconditions, including a reduction in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, were met, and after U.S. and Iranian officials met separately with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance and the Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf were discussing how to advance the ceasefire already threatened by deep disagreements and Israel’s continued attacks against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Since the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, the most direct U.S. contact had been in September 2013 when President Obama called newly elected President Hassan Rouhani to discuss Iran’s nuclear program. The recent highest-level meetings were between Secretary of State John Kerry and counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif during negotiations over the program.

Iran sets ‘red lines’ including compensation for strikes

Iran doubled down on parts of its earlier proposal, with its delegation telling Iranian state television it had presented some of the plan’s ideas as “red lines” in meetings with Sharif. Those included compensation for damage caused by the U.S.-Israeli strikes that launched the war on Feb. 28 and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.

The war has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, 1,953 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states, and caused lasting damage to infrastructure in half a dozen Middle Eastern countries. Iran’s chokehold on the vital Strait of Hormuz has largely cut off the Persian Gulf and its oil and gas exports from the global economy, sending energy prices soaring.

Reflecting the high stakes, officials from the region said Chinese, Egyptian, Saudi and Qatari officials were in Islamabad to indirectly facilitate the talks. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.

In Tehran, residents told the Associated Press they were skeptical yet hopeful about the talks after weeks of airstrikes left destruction across their country of some 93 million people. Some said the path to recovery would be long.

“Peace alone is not enough for our country, because we’ve been hit very hard, there have been huge costs,” 62-year-old Amir Razzai Far said.

Meanwhile, Israel pressed ahead with strikes in Lebanon after saying there is no ceasefire there. Iran and Pakistan have disagreed. The Lebanese state-run news agency reported at least three people killed.

Officials posture over key issues ahead of talks

Ahead of the talks, President Trump accused Iran of using the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy supplies, for extortion, and told reporters Friday it would be opened “with or without them.”

Iran’s closure of the strait has proved its biggest strategic advantage in the war. Around a fifth of the world’s traded oil had typically passed through on over 100 ships a day. Only 12 have been recorded transiting since the ceasefire.

Iran has floated the idea of charging ships, though the idea has been widely rejected by countries including the United States and Iran’s neighbor Oman.

On Saturday, Trump said on social media that the U.S. had begun “clearing out” the strait, but it was unclear whether he was referring to the reported use of mines there or Iran’s broader ability to control the area.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said Tehran was entering negotiations with “deep distrust” after strikes on Iran during previous rounds of talks. Araghchi, part of Iran’s delegation in Pakistan, said Saturday that his country was prepared to retaliate if attacked again.

Iran and the United States outlined competing proposals ahead of the talks.

Iran’s 10-point proposal called for a guaranteed end to the war and sought control over the Strait of Hormuz. It included ending fighting against Iran’s “regional allies,” explicitly calling for a halt to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah.

The United States’ 15-point proposal includes restricting Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the strait.

Israel and Lebanon will have direct negotiations

Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are expected to begin Tuesday in Washington, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s office said Friday, after Israel’s surprise announcement authorizing talks despite the countries lack of official relations.

Israel wants the Lebanese government to assume responsibility for disarming Hezbollah, much like was envisaged in a November 2024 ceasefire. But it is unclear whether Lebanon’s army can confiscate weapons from the militant group, which has survived efforts to curb its strength for decades.

Israel’s insistence that the ceasefire in Iran does not include a pause in its fighting with Hezbollah has threatened to sink the deal. The militant group joined the war in support of Iran in the opening days. Israel followed up with airstrikes and a ground invasion.

The day the Iran ceasefire deal was announced, Israel pounded Beirut with airstrikes, killing more than 300 people in the deadliest day in Lebanon since the war began, according to the country’s Health Ministry.

Energy pressures grow

The spot price of Brent crude, the international standard for oil prices, was above $94 on Saturday, up more than 30% since the war started.

And new pressures emerged in Europe for travelers.

The head of Airports Council International-Europe, Olivier Jankovec, warned the European Union that a ″systemic jet fuel shortage’’ could come within three weeks because of the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz.

Jankovec said in a letter obtained by the Associated Press that the crunch could impact the summer travel season and ″significantly harm the European economy.’′

Ahmed, Metz, Castillo and Magdy write for the Associated Press. Metz reported from Jerusalem, Castillo from Beijing and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press writer Josh Boak contributed to this report.

England: Kildunne; Breach, Jones (capt), Rowland, Moloney-MacDonald; Aitchison, L Packer; Clifford, Cokayne, Bern, Talling, Ives Campion, Feaunati, Kabeya, Matthews.

Replacements: Powell, Carson, Muir, Lutui, Burton, Hunt, Harrison, Sing.

Ireland: Flood; Parsons, Dalton, Higgins, Elmes Kinlan; O’Brien, Lane; Perry, Moloney-Macdonald, Djougang, Wall, Tuite, Hogan, King (capt), Wafer.

Replacements: Jones, O’Dowd, Cahill, Campbell, Moore, Whelan, McGillivray, McGann.

SMOKE dramatically billowing from the cake stand, you could be forgiven for thinking one of my children had accidentally set their menu on fire during our afternoon tea at the Ampersand Hotel in London.

But luckily for us, this was all part of the thrilling theatrical experience that is the Science Afternoon Tea.

Brilliant for kids, and an ideal treat for the school holidays, it is a tea like no other, where cake stands arrive festooned in smoke, courtesy of a clever dry-ice science trick.

My three children aged five, eight and 12 were captivated from the very first moment.

Even before tea arrives, a collection of scientific-looking glass beakers are brought to the table and everyone is invited to mix their own lemonade using sachets of fixing powder, syringes of sugar syrups and pipettes of delicious raspberry and blackcurrant flavourings.

The fun science lesson continues with the arrival of rocket-shaped cake stands for the kids.

FAMILY FUN

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Dainty jam sandwiches were cut in the shape of dinosaurs, the delicious cheese straw was a rocket and the tasty blackberry mousse cake was shaped like Saturn.

But my daughter’s favourite was the out-of-this-world planet-shaped cake pop, covered in sprinkles.

Grown-ups get to enjoy the fun too, with their adult cake stands also doused in dry-ice and featuring the same delicate blackberry cake.

But we also got a sophisticated mango, pistachio and almond moon cake topped with a coffee-and-chocolate astronaut –  a very cute touch.

There was a lighter-than-air macaroon, too, into which we were invited to inject our own raspberry filling via a syringe.

Then, both kids and adults alike are treated to a refreshing mandarin-and-redcurrant jelly served, of course, in a petri dish.

Kids are also invited to become palaeontologists by “excavating” a dino cookie buried in a tin of chocolate dust using a brush.

While adults can choose from a menu of teas – with the option to upgrade to champagne – children are brought steaming mugs of milk and asked to create their own hot chocolate using solid-chocolate lollies, marshmallows and crunchy chocolate pearls.

The whole experience is so playful.

It is the kind of culinary magic you might expect to find at Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck restaurant – but with young guests also in mind.

The unusual experience has been inspired by the hotel’s location next-door to London’s Science Museum – which is free to visit.

Fuelled by our rocket tea, we combined our visit with a trip to the museum’s fascinating galleries where we saw real-life astronaut suits, spacecraft and moon rock . . . not the edible kind.

GO: The Science Afternoon Tea is from £39.50 per child and £64.50 per adult.

See ampersandhotel.com.

TikTok travel influencer Luke Patrick described the city as “highly underrated”. He said: “It’s unfairly a bit overshadowed by Istanbul, but I’m here to change that.

While Turkey is already an incredibly popular holiday destination among Brits for its stunning beaches and the historic city of Istanbul, there’s another part of the country you might not have considered for your next break. And if you’re looking for somewhere a bit off the beaten track filled with history, culture, and great food, one travel influencer has you covered.

Luke Patrick, who regularly shines a light on lesser-known destinations in Eastern Europe and further afield on TikTok, where he has more than 22,000 followers, recently posted a video showcasing the city of Bursa. The city in north-west Turkey lies south of Istanbul, across the Sea of Marmara, and has a lot to offer.

Opening his video, Luke said: “I am in Bursa, one of the largest cities in Türkiye, and one of the former capitals of the Ottoman Empire. Here’s how to spend a day in this wonderful city.”

The Ottoman Empire spanned much of South East Europe, West Asia, and North Africa, with its heart in modern-day Turkey. It lasted more than 600 years, from the 14th century up to 1922.

Continuing, Luke said: “Bursa is one highly underrated city. It’s unfairly a bit overshadowed by Istanbul, but I’m here to change that.

“The first place you should visit is Tophane Park. It’s where the old Ottoman Sultans are buried, and here you can get the best views over the city.”

He continued by highlighting the cuisine on offer, saying: “Bursa is in my opinion the best food city in Türkiye. What you want to get is iskender and tahini bread with simit.” Iskender is a dish consisting of sliced lamb or chicken with hot tomato sauce over pieces of pita bread, topped with sheep’s milk butter and yoghurt, while simit is a ring-shaped bread which looks similar to a bagel.

Luke said: “You eat it by dipping the simit in the tahini. This is usually my go-to breakfast.”

Continuing, he said: “Another place you definitely want to visit in Bursa is Koza Han. A Han is basically an old rest stop for merchants and travellers. Here you can get the best Turkish coffee.

“And finally, you want to visit the Grand Bazaar. Here they sell everything, and it’s all much cheaper than at the one in Istanbul.”

One person in the comments added their own suggestion for people visiting the city. They said: “Bursa is also renowned for its skiing resort, and also the oldest Ottoman village, Cumalıkızık.”

How can I get to Bursa?

The closest airport to the city is Bursa Yenişehir Airport, which is about 30 miles east of the city itself. However, no airlines currently offer direct flights from the UK.

The most direct option is to fly to one of Istanbul’s two airports – Istanbul or Sabiha Gokcen. Direct flights to both are available from a number of UK airports. The flight takes around four hours.

From there, you can either hire a car, or travel by bus to Bursa. The journey takes around two hours.

April 10 (Asia Today) — This commentary is the Asia Today Editor’s Op-Ed.

U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering pulling American troops from NATO countries he sees as uncooperative during the Middle East war. The idea suggests he is again weighing a transactional approach to alliances, using troop deployments as leverage based on each country’s contribution to U.S. interests.

That possibility is drawing concern in South Korea as well as Japan. Trump has publicly criticized the muted response of non-NATO allies, and worries are growing that debate over troop movements in Europe could expand into discussions over U.S. Forces Korea and U.S. forces in Japan.

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Trump and his aides recently reviewed allied contributions and discussed shifting military assets depending on the level of cooperation. Under that idea, troops could be withdrawn from some NATO countries and moved to nations seen as more supportive of U.S. operations in the Middle East.

That differs from Trump’s earlier talk of fully leaving NATO during the controversy over Greenland. A complete withdrawal would face a far higher political and legal barrier in Washington.

Spain and Germany have been mentioned as possible candidates for a reduced U.S. military presence. Spain is the only NATO member that has not indicated support for defense spending at around 5% of gross domestic product, and it refused to allow U.S. aircraft to cross its airspace during the Middle East war. In Germany, senior officials openly criticized U.S. military action, saying it was not their war.

By contrast, Poland, Romania, Lithuania and Greece have been seen as relatively supportive of operations against Iran. Those countries were among the first to back an international coalition to monitor the Strait of Hormuz. Romania in particular quickly approved the use of its air bases by the U.S. Air Force after the war began.

Still, moving more U.S. troops into Central and Eastern Europe could provoke Russia and create new strategic risks. What may look like a reward for friendly allies could become a double-edged sword.

South Korea cannot assume Trump’s frustration is limited to NATO. During the war, he repeatedly complained about allies that declined U.S. requests involving naval participation tied to the Strait of Hormuz, and he spoke of South Korea and Japan in terms suggesting ingratitude.

He also exaggerated the number of U.S. troops in South Korea while pressing the argument that allies should shoulder more of the burden. That matters because Trump has long viewed alliance commitments through the lens of cost-sharing and direct return.

The United States has already drawn on key air defense assets associated with U.S. Forces Korea, including the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system and Patriot interceptors, for use in the Middle East. Since Washington’s new National Defense Strategy earlier this year highlighted the role of U.S. forces in deterring China, signs of a broader mission shift have become more visible.

If Trump decides to use troop reductions or redeployment as pressure to demand higher defense payments from Seoul, South Korea could face a new round of security bargaining at an especially sensitive moment. The government should prepare accordingly and work to ensure that any review of U.S. force posture does not come at the expense of deterrence on the Korean Peninsula.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260409010002951

Welcome to Bunker Talk. This is a weekend open discussion post for the best commenting crew on the net, in which we can chat about all the stuff that went on this week that we didn’t cover. We can also talk about the stuff we did or whatever else grabs your interest. In other words, it’s an off-topic thread.

This week’s second caption reads:

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg receives a brief from U.S. Air Force Gen. John Hyten, commander of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), during an orientation of the command’s battle deck at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., April 6, 2018. During his visit, Stoltenberg toured the command’s global operations center and participated in discussions with Hyten, other senior leaders and subject matter experts on the continuing U.S. commitment to supporting NATO and allies. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Julie R. Matyascik)

Also, a reminder:

Prime Directives!

• If you want to talk politics, do so respectfully and know that there’s always somebody that isn’t going to agree with you. 
• If you have political differences, hash it out respectfully, stick to the facts, and no childish name-calling or personal attacks of any kind. If you can’t handle yourself in that manner, then please, discuss virtually anything else.
• No drive-by garbage political memes. No conspiracy theory rants. Links to crackpot sites will be axed, too. Trolling and shitposting will not be tolerated. No obsessive behavior about other users. Just don’t interact with folks you don’t like. 
• Do not be a sucker and feed trolls! That’s as much on you as on them. Use the mute button if you don’t like what you see.  
• So unless you have something of quality to say, know how to treat people with respect, understand that everyone isn’t going to subscribe to your exact same worldview, and have come to terms with the reality that there is no perfect solution when it comes to moderation of a community like this, it’s probably best to just move on. 
• Finally, as always, report offenders, please. This doesn’t mean reporting people who don’t share your political views, but we really need your help in this regard.

Fans of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa have to wait for the next episode as two new campmates arrive

I’m A Celebrity… South Africa won’t air this weekend.

Five episodes of the hit ITV reality show have already been broadcasted but fans will have to wait until Monday (April 13) for the next instalment.

The pre-recorded series was filmed in September 2025 with a host of famous faces returning to battle it out to be crowned I’m A Celebrity Legend.

Friday’s (April 10) episode played a teaser trailer confirming the arrival of former King of the Jungle Harry Redknapp and ex-contestant Jimmy Bullard.

Speaking to the group, hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly announced: “Camp life as you know it is about to change. It’s time to welcome two new campmates”

The group were then taken into a new area of the jungle to meet Harry and Jimmy.

Former Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas could heard be shouting: “Oh my God! What is going on?” before the show ended.

The second All Stars spin-off kicked off on Monday (April 6) and welcomed back fan favourites from throughout the ITV show’s history and like the first All-Stars series, which aired in 2023, it will Monday to Friday across three weeks.

From Gemma Collins and Sir Mo Farah to Scarlett Moffatt and Sinitta, they are all hoping to follow in the footsteps of season one winner Myleene Klass.

Tensions are already on the rise in camp with Coronation Street icon Beverley Callard taking a swipe at former professional boxer David Haye after he sent her to Savannah Scrub in the very first episode.

During the episode, Beverley threatened “to chin him” and later hit out at him again once the two camps were finally reunited.

It comes after the announcement that the live final will be split into two parts on Friday, April 24, meaning there’s just two weeks left.

The grande finale will be broadcast live from London with the first part airing from 7.30pm until 9pm and then returning at 10pm until 10.30pm for the winners’ announcement.

In the hour gap between 9pm and 10pm, Graham Norton’s new reality show The Neighbourhood will launch.

Whilst there will be two hours of I’m A Celebrity South Africa to enjoy, fans are not happy with how the scheduling shake-up.

Taking to social media, fans lashed out at ITV’s decision to split the finale in two with one fan wrtiting: “Seems kinda pointless imo, why not start I’m A Celebrity at half 8 and put Graham on before or end I’m a Celebrity 9.30.”

“They might want to rethink that… I’m A Celeb won’t add any viewers with its current figures,” another said.

However, there was some positivity surrounding the move. “Seems odd nowadays, but a part of me misses when some live shows used to be split into two parts with another programme airing in the middle. Never see it now with the likes of BGT and Big Brother. Made it feel more like an event,” one viewer said.

I’m A Celebrity… South Africa returns Monday, April 13 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX