Month: January 2026

It was alumni day on Saturday at Harvard-Westlake’s O’Malley Family Field, and the Wolverines unveiled a new way to honor their nine former players who made it to the major leagues. They have posted jerseys of the players on the outfield walls. Let’s just say they might run out of room the way things are going.

“That’s a good problem,” coach Jared Halpert said.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty joined former major leaguers Nik Turley and Josh Satin in being honored before a winter baseball game.

Youth players were there seeking autographs, and lots of former Harvard-Westlake players showed up.

Jack Flaherty with his mother at O’Malley Family Field on Saturday.

(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)

Halpert said two more former Harvard-Westlake players are close to reaching the majors and first-round draft pick Bryce Rainer of the Tigers will surely see his jersey on the wall one day.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

Myanmar’s final stage of its disputed general election is under way despite the ongoing civil war. Al Jazeera speaks to rebel fighters who reject the process as illegitimate, while the UN is urging the world not to recognise the results.

Andy Burnham has been blocked from standing as a candidate for an upcoming parliamentary by-election in Gorton and Denton by Labour’s ruling body.

As a directly elected mayor, Burnham had to get approval from Labour’s national executive committee (NEC), after he applied to be a candidate on Saturday.

Labour sources have told the BBC lots of concerns were raised about the costs of an election to replace Burnham as Greater Manchester mayor and the “prospect of a divisive campaign”.

But allies of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer feared Burnham – a former cabinet minister – could mount a leadership challenge, should he return to Westminster.

The move is likely to infuriate Labour MPs and some ministers who said local party members should have had the option of choosing the Greater Manchester mayor as the candidate.

It is a big political gamble by allies of the prime minister and risks inflaming tensions within the party, which is consistently trailing Reform UK in national opinion polls.

One senior Labour source who had been supportive of Burnham’s candidacy said: “They’re gambling the PM’s whole premiership on winning a very hard by-election without their best candidate. It is madness.”

The decision was made by 10 members of the NEC, including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, party chair Ellie Reeves and the prime minister himself on Sunday morning.

NEC sources told the BBC the vote was 8-1 in favour of blocking Burnham’s candidacy.

The prime minister was among those who voted to block Burnham from standing.

Mahmood abstained as the chair, while Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell voted to allow him to stand.

Sir Keir’s allies say Burnham is doing “a very good job” as mayor of Greater Manchester, adding a mayoral by election “would cost the party hundreds of thousands of pounds” and “cost the country millions of pounds during a cost-of-living crisis”.

The prime minister’s supporters were worried Reform UK “would outspend us ten to one” during the by-election campaign.

The argument those who blocked Burnham intend to make publicly is that during a period of geopolitics dominating the headlines and deep concerns about the cost of living at home, there would be no appetite in the country for a “return to political psychodramas of the Tory years”.

There was “overwhelming support” in the meeting “for upholding clear Labour Party rules preventing mayors and PCCs standing in by-elections”, a source said.

Earlier, Mahmood told the BBC allowing elected mayors to run as candidates in parliamentary by-elections had “organisational implications” for the party.

A mayoral election in Greater Manchester could also be costly for the taxpayer, with the last one costing about £4.7m.

When he’s not busy slathering the White House in gold or recklessly sundering foreign alliances, President Trump loves to talk about voter fraud.

Although the incidence is rare — like, spotting-a-pangolin-in-the-wild rare — Trump persistently emits a gaseous cloud of false claims. About rigged voting machines, dead people casting ballots, mail-in votes being manipulated and other fevered figments of his overripe imagination.

Voting is the most elemental of democratic exercises, a virtuous act residing right up there alongside motherhood and apple pie. But Trump has treated it as a cudgel, something dark and sinister, fueling a partisan divide that has increasingly undermined faith in the accuracy and integrity of our elections.

One result is a batch of new laws making it harder to vote.

Since the 2020 presidential election — the most secure in American history, per the Trump administration’s own watchdogs — at least 30 states have enacted more than 100 restrictive laws, according to New York University’s Brennan Center and the Democracy Policy Lab at UC Berkeley, which keep a running tally.

Texas passed legislation allowing fewer polling places. Mississippi made it harder for people with disabilities to vote by mail. North Carolina shortened the window to return mail ballots.

In California, state Sen. Carl DeMaio and allies are working to qualify a November ballot measure that would require a government-issued ID to vote, a solution in desperate search of a problem.

“We have the lowest level of public trust and confidence in our elections that we have ever seen,” the San Diego Republican said in launching the effort, sounding the way someone would by lamenting the damage a fire has done while ignoring the arsonist spreading paint thinner all around.

Amid all the manufactured hysteria, there is a place that is unique in America, with no voter registration requirement whatsoever.

If you’re a U.S. citizen, 18 years or older and have lived in North Dakota for 30 days prior to election day, you’re eligible to vote. It’s been that way for more than 70 years, ever since voter registration was abolished in the state in 1951.

How’s it working?

Pretty darn well, according to those who’ve observed the system up close.

“It works excellent,” said Sandy McMerty, North Dakota’s deputy secretary of state.

“In general, I think most people are happy with this,” political scientist Mark Jendrysik agreed, “because it lowers the record-keeping burdens and saves money.”

Jendrysik, who teaches at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, said voter registration was abandoned at a time when the state — now redder than the side of a barn — had vigorous two-party competition and, with it, a bipartisan spirit of prairie populism.

“There was an idea we should make it easier to vote,” Jendrysik said. “We should open up things.”

What a concept.

Walk-up voting hasn’t made North Dakota a standout when it comes to casting ballots. In the last three elections, voter turnout has run close to the national average, which puts it in the middle of the pack among states.

But there also hasn’t been a high incidence of fraud. In 2022, a study by the state auditor’s office found it “exceptionally” unlikely an election in North Dakota could be fraudulently influenced. (Again, like the country as a whole.)

In fact, Jendrysik said he can’t recall a single case of election fraud being prosecuted in the 26 years he’s lived in North Dakota and followed its politics.

It’s not as though just anyone can show up and cast a ballot.

Voting in North Dakota requires a valid form of identification, such as a state-issued driver’s license, a tribal ID or a long-term care certificate. It must be presented each and every election.

By contrast, a California voter is not required to show identification at a polling place before casting their ballot — though they may be asked to do so if they are voting for the first time after registering to vote by mail and their application failed to include certain information. That includes a driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number.

Could North Dakota’s non-registration system be replicated elsewhere?

Jendrysik is dubious, especially in today’s political environment.

North Dakota is a sparsely populated state with hundreds of small communities where, seemingly, everyone knows everyone else. There are about 470,000 eligible voters, which is a lot more manageable number than, say, California’s 30 million adult-age residents. (California has more than a dozen counties with north of half a million registered voters.)

“It’s unique to this state,” Jendrysik said, “and I think if they hadn’t done it decades ago, it would have never happened.”

(Fun fact: North Dakota also has no parking meters on its public streets, owing to a state law passed in 1948, according to Jendrysik, who has published two academic papers on the subject.)

McMerty, of the secretary of state’s office, believes others could emulate North Dakota’s example.

It would require, she suggested, rigorous data-sharing and close coordination among various state agencies. “We’re updating our voter rolls daily — who’s obtained a driver’s license, births, deaths. That kind of thing,” McMerty said.

Again, that’s a much easier task in a state with the population the size of North Dakota’s. (About 800,000 at last count.)

And there’s no particular impetus for others to end their systems of voter registration — unless it could be proved to significantly boost turnout.

We should be doing all we can to get people to vote and invest in our beleaguered political system. Rather than wasting time chasing shadows and phantoms or indulging the delusions of a sore-loser president.

A straight-set win over American seed Tommy Paul takes world number one Carlos Alcaraz into a 14th Grand Slam quarter-final, surpassing the record for the most of any player in the Open era before turning 23.

READ MORE: Altered serve an ‘important weapon’ for Alcaraz

Available to UK users only. There is no commentary on this video.

FOR fun city breaks with bargain beers and cheap flights, check out these European destinations.

Airport transfers experts at hoppa has analysed dozens of European getaways to reveal the cheapest European getaways this winter.

Prague, Czech Republic

One of the most popular spots for budget breaks is the Czech Republic capital, Prague where the average price of a pint is £2.17.

Being the birthplace of Budweiser, Pilsner, a visit to a brewery is a great shout – or check out the new immersive beer experience called Pilsner: The Original Beer Experience.

For some culture, check out landmarks like Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square.

In January you can get flights from Bristol and Stansted Airport from as little as £15 with Ryanair.

GO SEA IT

£9.50 holiday spot with shipwrecks, seals offshore & horseshoe-shaped waterfalls

COAST IT

Fascinating UK holiday spot with 2 coasts, secret seaside pools & hidden beaches

You can also catch direct flights from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester.

Bansko, Bulgaria

Bansko is a small town at the foot of the Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria and is a very affordable place.

During the winter months, it’s a cheap skiing spot – during the summer visitors can explore the pretty Old Town or hike through the national park.

After all that hard work, sit down and get a beer which has a shockingly low average price of 90p.

To get to Bansko from the UK, you’ll have to fly to the nearest airport, Sofia.

One-way flights from both Bristol and Stansted Airport start from £16 with Ryanair. Other direct flights operate from Birmingham, Edinburgh and Liverpool.

Sofia, Bulgaria

The capital of Bulgaria has it all, culture, historical landmarks, vibrant city life and beers for an average price of £2.25.

Make sure to stop by the enormous Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which dominates the city’s skyline and is a must-visit.

For more on Sofia, check out what one traveller got up to on an extreme daytrip to the city from a self-guided tour to trying tasty traditional pastries.

One-way flights from both Bristol and Stansted Airport to Sofia start from £16 with Ryanair.

Budapest, Hungary

In Hungary‘s capital you can cruise along the Danube River, walk by the huge Buda Castle or Matthias Church and get citywide views from the Fisherman’s Bastion.

If you want to relax, head to Szechenyi Baths which is one of the best and biggest spa thermal baths in Europe.

It has 15 indoor baths and three grand outdoor pools, saunas, steam rooms.

Not to mention that if you fancy a drink while in Budapest, the average price of a pint is just £2.26.

In January, you can fly directly from Edinburgh to Budapest with flights with Ryanair from £15.

You can also fly directly from Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, London Luton, London Stansted, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle.

Tirana, Albania

The capital of Albania is where you’ll find lively cafe culture, dynamic nightlife or relax in the Grand Park by the lake.

For trendy bars, head to the Blloku area where drinks won’t cost a lot – in fact the average price of a pint in Tirana is £2.28

Check out Skanderbeg Square if you like exploring historic sites, or museums like Bunk’Art.

For what you can fit into a day, read more on what these two travellers got up to in Tirana from ziplining over the mountains to a private lake and city tour.

In January you can fly directly from London Stansted from £15 with Ryanair. Or head to London Luton to fly with Wizz Air from £20.

Belgrade, Serbia

Belgrade is the capital of Serbia and one of Europe’s oldest cities.

It has plenty of beautiful historical buildings like the fortress and royal palaces. Or head to Knez Mihailova Street for shops, bars and restaurants.

Sava Lake is where you can have a go at water sports as well as tennis and cycling, with restaurants and bars perched on the shore.

For what to do in Belgrade, check out what one Sun Reporter got up to when she headed to the city that’s ‘grand without the price’.

The average price of a pint in Belgrade is £2.63.

It’s easy to explore Belgrade and public transport is completely free too.

You can fly from London Luton with Wizz Air from £28 – and the flight takes just two hours 50 minutes.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava in Slovakia is fairly small for a European capital, but that doesn’t mean there’s any less to do.

From gazing at the pastel coloured buildings along small cobbled roads to ducking into a cafe or restaurant, or visit Bratislava castle which looks over the Danube River.

When you get thirsty after exploring, head to get a pint which costs £2.46 on average.

You can fly directly to Bratislava from Edinburgh from £15 with Ryanair in January.

Flights from Stansted Airport operated by Ryanair, and London Luton operated by Wizz Air both start from £18.

These are the cheapest European cities to fly to this year according to the experts – with loads of flights from £15.

And for more tips, here are nine ways to visit cities on the cheap from ‘alternative’ airports to staying in business hotels.

AN organ hums, a blaze of red lights dance across the venue and an enormous ruby-red object emerges from thick fog, creeping slowly towards the front of the stage.

Outside, Paris shivers under a smattering of snow, but inside the Accor Arena an audience is hot with anticipation.

Then, Lady Gaga suddenly appears among a blur of sequin-clad dancers and theatrical fire spurts, making the 20,000-seat arena buzz with energy.

But you may be shocked to learn that none of the people immediately around me have paid to attend this sell-out gig.

I was partying in a prime section of the stadium with Gaga lovers who had bagged their tickets through the ALL Accor scheme.

And gigs by some of music’s biggest names are just one of the many perks you can pick up for free as an ALL Accor customer.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

The loyalty scheme is a points-based system directly linked to your personal spend with Accor hotels, which includes budget brands such as Ibis as well as fancier ones Sofitel and Fairmont.

When you stay at an Accor site, you’ll accumulate points which can be redeemed in a number of countries, for gigs but also hotel stays and transport, including Eurostar.

Hotel chains Hilton, Marriott and IHG have similar schemes, too, and all save you a fair whack.

Recent research from consumer watchdog Which? found nine out of ten times it’s cheaper to book a hotel as a member, instead of through online sites such as Booking.com and Hotels.com.

I’ve written before about how I’m a big fan of loyalty programs, particularly when so many of us are strapped for cash.

Getting something for nothing – or just by spending what you do ordinarily – seems like a no-brainer.

Getting something for nothing – or just by spending what you do ordinarily – seems like a no-brainer

And with travellers ever savvier with their spend, hotel loyalty schemes are likely to grow and grow.

My trip to Paris could have been paid for almost entirely with ALL points.

From 15,000 points per night, ALL Accor customers can stay at the same fancy hotel as I did, the 4H Pullman Paris Eiffel Tower – where many rooms look on to the landmark.

A return Eurostar train fare from London to Paris would cost just over 13,000 ALL Accor points.

Gigs are a little more complicated to calculate, with a bidding system in place for tickets – although winning bids for concerts at the Paris Accor Stadium start at 20,000 points (around 400 euros) for two tickets.

You can earn ALL Accor points at 4,200 hotels globally – and not just by booking a stay.

Dining in an Accor hotel restaurant, booking a spa treatment and spending on your in-room TV, phone or mini bar all earn you points.

Easiest of all, if you “skip the clean”, meaning you ditch the housekeeping and towel changes for your room, you can earn up to 100 points a day.

With ALL Accor, points earned vary according to your status (Classic, Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond) and the brand you spend on.

But if you’re a loyal spender, do check out what’s on offer.

You could be stomping your feet at a Lady Gaga gig in no time.

Aryna Sabalenka has extended her reign ‌as tiebreak queen to book a fourth successive appearance in the Australian Open quarterfinals before Carlos Alcaraz reached the ‍last eight with a Tommy ‍Paul takedown.

Third-seeded Coco Gauff also advanced to her third quarterfinals in a row on Sunday with a pulsating 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 win over crafty Czech Karolina Muchova in a late-afternoon match at Margaret Court Arena.

The day’s biggest upset was veteran Daniil Medvedev’s straight-sets exit at the hands of Learner Tien.

A day after blistering heat caused mayhem and meltdowns at Melbourne Park, normal service resumed as a cool change brought relief for players, ⁠fans and tournament schedulers.

Two-time champion and title favourite Sabalenka was first out, seeing off Canada’s 19-year-old talent Victoria Mboko 6-1, ​7-6(1) in a match of two halves.

The Belarusian was at her irrepressible best as she crushed the teen ‍in a 31-minute opening set and raced to a 4-1 lead in the second before Mboko produced a thrilling fightback.

Breaking Sabalenka twice on the way to a 6-5 lead, Mboko then hit a brick wall as the Belarusian raised her game to notch a 20th successive tiebreak win at Grand Slams.

“It’s incredible ‍to see these kids ⁠coming up on tour,” said world number one Sabalenka, who has now booked 13 successive Grand Slam quarterfinals.

“She pushed me really hard today.”

Having taken down one young gun, Sabalenka gets a shot at another in the quarters against 18-year-old American Iva Jovic, who thrashed Kazakh veteran Yulia Putintseva 6-0, 6-1 at John Cain Arena, two days after dumping out seventh-seeded Jasmine Paolini.

Jovic is the youngest player to reach the women’s quarterfinals at the Australian Open without dropping a set since Venus Williams in 1998.

The men’s tournament has seen few surprises of the magnitude of Mboko and Jovic with the last 16 shut out by seeded players for the first time at any Grand Slam in the professional era.

Top-seeded Alcaraz did his bit ​in preserving the status quo despite facing arguably his toughest test of this tournament against 19th-seeded ‌Paul, a semifinalist in 2023.

For all of Paul’s credentials, Alcaraz appeared in cruise control in a 7-6(6), 6-4, 7-5 win in the afternoon sun at Rod Laver Arena.

Once a stubborn matchup for Alcaraz, Paul has now lost on three Grand Slam surfaces to the Spaniard after last year’s quarterfinal thrashing at the French Open ‌and his 2024 loss at Wimbledon.

“I guess the way that I would describe it is, you know, he kind of, like, suffocates you in a way,” Paul said of Alcaraz.

“He makes you feel ‌like you have no time.”

Two-time Grand Slam champion Gauff saw three match points slip through her fingers before prevailing in a proper scrap against 19th-seeded Muchova, a former semifinalist.

Gauff emerged the winner with a 6-1, 3-6, ‍6-3 scoreline.

“She definitely elevated her game, and I thought I was ‌sometimes a bit passive,” said Gauff, who will meet the winner of the match between Elina Svitolina and Mirra Andreeva in the quarters.

“I am really happy to get through this one today.

“I think today I didn’t panic. … I knew I just had to capitalise on those chances in the ‍third set, and I did that.”

Later in the day, last ‌year’s runner-up Alexander Zverev stayed on track in his bid for ‍an elusive maiden Grand ‍Slam title, beating Francisco Cerundolo 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals.

The 28-year-old German has lost all three Grand Slam title clashes he has contested, including last year’s final to Jannik Sinner at ⁠Melbourne Park, and has flown under the radar this time as he seeks another opportunity.

“I’m ​very happy with the match and the performance. Really happy to be ‍back in the quarterfinals,” Zverev said on court, dodging a question on whether he is playing his best tennis.

“I don’t want to jinx it. I’ll keep my mouth shut. But you have to play at ‍a high level ⁠to reach the quarterfinals. I hope to continue the same way.”

Zverev will face American Tien, who overcame a nosebleed ‍in the ‍opening set to school Medvedev 6-4, 6-0, 6-3 in a late session.

Tien ‍upset Medvedev in the second round at the Australian Open last year in an epic five-setter that lasted ‍nearly five ⁠hours, but this time, he wrapped up the contest in just an hour and 42 minutes on Margaret Court Arena.

Tien took a medical timeout 10 minutes into the fourth-round encounter as ​he stuffed tissues up his ‌nose, but that did little to stop his dominance on court as he left Medvedev looking utterly lost ‌on numerous rallies.

Medvedev had said he did not like playing ‌Tien after a trilogy of ⁠matches that went the distance last year, and the 20-year-old proved him right with a clinical performance ‌that included 33 winners.

BBC/Sarah Louise Bennett

Zayn Khalid Majeed/TikTok

Zayn Khalid Majeed

‘It’s mind-boggling’

Samantha Rizzo

Keelin Moncrieff

NUUK, Greenland — The notion that Denmark alone, or Europe together, could defend Greenland against an American force had become the source of relentless mockery within the White House. The Danish were dismissed as “irrelevant,” while Europe was portrayed as a shadow of its former self. If President Trump chose to take control of this Arctic island, the administration said, it would be his for the taking.

And yet, Europe did defend Greenland last week. Plans for a forceful economic response from the European Union spooked U.S. markets. Trump backed down from his years-long pursuit to take over the territory — and little Denmark succeeded, securing relief from an American pressure campaign that had challenged its basic sovereignty.

“We’ll get by with a little help from our friends,” Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, wrote in a guest book at Chequers on Thursday, referencing the Beatles lyric while visiting her British counterpart.

The specter of conflict has not disappeared. In Nuuk on Friday, after visiting with local leaders at a government office on the main boulevard of Greenland’s capital, Frederiksen embraced locals fearful of an imperialist United States. She declined to answer questions on whether tensions had been defused with Washington.

The Greenland crisis has proved to be an inflection point for U.S. allies, whose leaders, gathered last week in Davos, Switzerland, shed the pretense that all is well with Washington as they confront a new order. “The middle powers must act together,” said Mark Carney, Canada’s prime minister, in a speech widely shared in foreign capitals, “because if we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu.”

Within Europe, disagreements still persist on how to handle Trump on an interpersonal basis. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have bristled at French President Emmanuel Macron’s diplomatic dualities, standing up to Trump in public while courting him in private with obsequious texts.

But they all agreed that a firm stance against a U.S. ploy to seize Greenland was required to prevent disastrous escalation — even at risk of jeopardizing the NATO alliance itself.

Markets rallied after Trump reversed course, rebounding to previous highs. U.S. relations with its partners will take longer to recover, experts said.

“Trump’s retreat, and the skillful European handling of him, avoided an immediate crisis, but not the longer-term damage,” said Elliott Abrams, a veteran diplomat who served under Presidents Reagan and George W. Bush, as well as under Trump in his first term. “An unpredictable and unfriendly United States threatening to use force against a fellow NATO ally was unthinkable. Now it is thinkable — because it just happened.”

“Leaders of allies will be pondering this for the next three years and figuring out what works with Trump, whom he listens to, and how much of the problem is Trump,” Abrams added, “as opposed to deeper currents in American politics that will outlast him.”

Over the course of just a week, allied leaders who for the last year hadn’t dared criticize Trump began returning fire. “There’s no point in being soft anymore,” Belgium’s prime minister told the local press.

After Trump falsely said Thursday that North Atlantic Treaty Organization partners had “stayed a little back, off the front lines” in Afghanistan, despite losing more than 1,000 troops in the war there, Keir Starmer, the British prime minister, called his remarks “insulting and, frankly, appalling.”

Peter Kastor, chair of the history department at Washington University in St. Louis and an expert on the history of U.S. land acquisitions, said that Trump’s efforts to ram through a U.S. acquisition of Greenland were dramatic in the United States — but “traumatic in Europe.”

“The issue in this case is the consequences of this roller-coaster ride are so profound,” Kastor said. “Even if Trump does in fact establish a U.S. military presence, with little difference from what the United States is already entitled to do through prior treaty agreements, the damage to U.S.-European relations are real and potentially long-lasting.”

Carney’s speech in Davos struck with particular poignance among foreign leaders — including Trump, who went off-script in his own remarks to castigate the Canadian leader.

“When we only negotiate bilaterally with a hegemon, we negotiate from weakness. We accept what’s offered. We compete with each other to be the most accommodating,” Carney said. “This is not sovereignty. It’s the performance of sovereignty while accepting subordination.

“In a world of great power rivalry, the countries in between have a choice — compete with each other for favor, or to combine to create a third path with impact,” he added.

On Friday, Trump disinvited Carney from joining his “Board of Peace,” an organization that Trump founded primarily to assist in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. No European nation, other than Hungary, had agreed to join.

Permanent membership on the board required a $1-billion check. Canada declined, Carney explained in Davos, because he questioned where the money would go.

Sisters Alyssa and Gisele Thompson have played soccer together their entire lives, teammates throughout their amateur and professional careers. Alyssa turned pro in 2023 at age 18 when she signed with Angel City FC, and Gisele followed.

Now, Alyssa is continuing her career in Europe with Chelsea FC, having transferred in September on a $1.3-million deal, while Gisele is preparing for her third season with Angel City. At just 20 years old, Gisele will face her first full season without her sister, on a professional — and personal — path that has been far from conventional.

Instead of taking a break in January, as many young women her age do before entering college, Gisele was at training camp with the U.S. senior team and played in a 6-0 win over Paraguay on Saturday in a friendly at Dignity Health Sports Park. Gisele, a defender known for her speed on the wings, next will join preseason training with Angel City; she signed a four-year contract extension in September.

Alyssa and Gisele played together the last two NWSL seasons and competed for the national team, becoming the third pair of sisters to play together for the U.S. They handled constant public scrutiny, the expectations to perform at a high level, the pressure to produce better results for Angel City, and the challenging competition at the national team level.

Now they have to work independently.

Gisele Thompson, controlling the ball for the U.S. against Ireland during a friendly last June, is an offensive-minded defender.

(David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

“They’ve played together their whole lives and have always been each other’s emotional support,” their mother, Karen Thompson, said.

As the older sister, Alyssa was important in supporting Gisele during her first NWSL season in 2024. Thanks to that support, Gisele developed into one of the best offensive-minded defenders in the league.

“Gisele was also able to see firsthand how Alyssa responded in a professional environment, without having to be in that environment herself,” Karen said. “She was prepared in a way that Alyssa may not have been. I think that was very helpful for Gisele. I think it was a huge advantage.”

Both are very young and still defining their identities, not only as players but also as adults.

“We are two different people and we are both incredible players but we each have a different path,” Gisele said.

Off the pitch, Gisele is known for her jokes, but also for her composure and professionalism.

“She tries to control her feelings very well, and I think that’s also one of her strengths,” her mother said.

Alyssa Thompson, left, and Gisele Thompson had been teammates their whole lives.

(Anne M. Peterson / Associated Press)

Alyssa is a little more expressive and emotional, which is reflected in her goal celebrations.

During the U.S. camp, Gisele is looking to stay healthy and focus on her own path.

“It’s her time to discover who she is, as a player, as a person, individually,” Karen said. “Gisele is a very impactful player, and I feel that, in general, defenders don’t always get the same attention as others, and I just hope she takes advantage of this opportunity to show what she’s worth.”

Alyssa and Gisele share not only their speed and aggression when entering the opponent’s area, but also the same work ethic. In May they became the first sisters to combine to score a goal in the NWSL: Gisele ran down the wing and crossed to Alyssa, who slotted home the shot against Washington. It was a goal celebrated by the entire Thompson family and a reward for all the hard work the sisters put in on the field.

“In my opinion she is one of the most promising players in the world,” Angel City coach Alexander Straus said of Gisele.

When Gisele just wants to just be a 20-year-old, she focuses on her favorite hobbies, such as cooking and spending time with friends from her old school, Harvard-Westlake.

Angel City coach Alexander Straus says of Gisele Thompson: “We have to keep her fit so she can stay on the field and play even more minutes than last year.”

(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)

“I have friends outside of soccer, so I love going to the beach. I have different hobbies, such as cooking and baking. That separates my soccer mindset from my everyday life and allows me to connect with my family,” Gisele explained. “I think it’s very important to maintain a balance between soccer and normal life.”

Straus said Angel City is working to help Gisele grow steadily. She played 15 games in 2024 and 23 games last year.

“We have to keep her fit so she can stay on the field and play even more minutes than last year,” said Straus, who took over as coach last season. “Developing all those physical parameters is also very important, but she’s still very young, so we would never pressure her to do so.”

Gisele also received support from retired New Zealand defender Ali Riley, whom she considers part of her family, and Angel City hopes to foster a culture of developing players that will eliminate the need for them to emigrate to European soccer, as Alyssa and others have done.

“Gisele can do whatever she wants. She has the potential to be whatever she wants to be, one of the best in the world. I think she’s the best in her position, and of course, I’ll always put her very high, because she’s my player,” Straus said. “I hope she stays in Los Angeles for a long time to come.”

For now, Gisele hopes to make more appearances with the U.S. team, seeking the consistency needed to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

“It’s good for her to come and be exposed to that level and that quality, but it’s also very good for us that she brings that level to our environment,” Straus said.

Gisele, who played for Southern California teams such as Total Futbol Academy, Real So Cal, and Santa Clarita Blue Heat, also issued a warning: Keep an eye on her 14-year-old sister, Zoe.

“Honestly, I think she’s going to be better than us,” Gisele said of her sister, a midfielder who plays for the Tudela team and already represented the U.S. in the younger divisions.

“It’s clear that she admires us both, and I hope she can be better than us and that we can motivate her to be the best.”

In a highly competitive selection process, making the team for the World Cup or Olympics will not be easy for Gisele and Alyssa, but as these sisters have shown, there are no limits to achieving their dreams.

This article first appeared in Spanish via L.A. Times en Español.

Syrians in the northeast of the country have welcomed an extended ceasefire of 15 more days between the military and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a day after its announcement.

Government troops have seized large swaths of northern and eastern territory in recent weeks from the SDF in a rapid turn of events that has consolidated President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s rule, as Syria seeks internal stability and secures the external lifeline of reintegration into the international fold and the economic revival that comes with it. The eruption of fighting has rocked a nation trying to recover from nearly 14 years of ruinous civil war.

The truce extension has offered a respite amid mounting tensions as the government’s army closed in on the last SDF strongholds last week. Al-Sharaa abruptly announced the ceasefire on Saturday, giving the SDF until that night to lay down arms and come up with a plan to integrate with the army or to resume fighting.

The extension gives the SDF more time for such a plan.

Al Jazeera’s Zein Basravi, reporting from Raqqa, said the ceasefire extension has been received positively in the region. “The news certainly lifted the mood of the residents here in Raqqa,” he said.

He added that locals said they want long-term stability with schools, which “have not been operational in a meaningful manner in a decade”, reopening in the region.

Basravi said the government aims to use the coming two weeks to “cement a long-term ceasefire and focus on reconstruction efforts”.

Extension after truce expired

An hour before midnight – hours after the four-day truce expired – the Defence Ministry announced that its forces would cease military operations for a further 15 days to support an ongoing US operation to transfer ISIL (ISIS) detainees from Syria to Iraq.

“The extension of the ceasefire comes in support of the American operation to transfer Islamic State detainees from SDF prisons to Iraq,” the statement said.

The SDF confirmed the extension, saying it was reached “through international mediation, while dialogue with Damascus continues”.

“Our forces affirm their commitment to the agreement and their dedication to respecting it, which contributes to de-escalation, the protection of civilians, and the creation of the necessary conditions for stability,” it said in a statement.

Al Jazeera’s Basravi said people have been celebrating not only the extended truce but also the release of minors from al-Aqtan prison, among other people, held imprisoned on unjust charges, according to locals.

“So, the Syrian administration here is going through all of those case logs and looking for anyone who is underage or unjustly accused,” Basravi said. “They are separating dangerous detainees, particularly the ISIL ones, from everyone else.”

The Kurdish authorities, who previously managed al-Aqtan prison, said in a statement on Saturday that a section of it hosted juveniles “who were involved in crimes” as well as “others, who had fallen victim to recruitment and exploitation by ISIS”.

“Due to security circumstances, the Prisons Administration transferred these juveniles approximately three months ago from the juvenile detention centre to al-Aqtan Prison,” it said, adding that they received special treatment in accordance with international standards during their time there.

Fraught Syria government-SDF talks

Al-Sharaa, whose forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in a lightning offensive in late 2024, has promised to bring all of Syria under state control, including SDF-held areas in the northeast.

But Kurdish authorities, who have run autonomous civilian and military institutions there for the last decade, have resisted joining with state and military institutions.

After a yearend deadline for the merger passed with little progress, Syrian troops launched the offensive this month.

They swiftly captured two key Arab-majority provinces from the SDF, bringing key oilfields, hydroelectric dams and some facilities holding ISIL fighters and affiliated civilians under government control.

ISIL swept across Syria and Iraq in 2014, taking over vast swaths of both countries and declaring Raqqa its de facto capital, committing massacres and other heinous atrocities before ultimately being vanquished by the SDF and a United States-led coalition.

There have been concerns of a regional ISIL resurgence, especially in Syria, where the group has carried out deadly attacks on Syrian and US forces.

Former captain Babar Azam has returned to Pakistan’s squad for the Twenty20 World ‍Cup, a ‍day after their cricket board chief cast doubt over the team’s participation in the global showpiece, which begins on February 7.

T20 regular Haris Rauf was dropped from the 15-man squad, led by Salman Ali Agha. It was announced on Saturday despite the uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s plans for the World Cup.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, also the country’s interior ⁠minister, said the PCB was awaiting the ​government’s permission before confirming the team’s participation after the International Cricket Council (ICC) kicked out Bangladesh over their refusal to play in India.

Hours later, the PCB announced its squad for the tournament

However, chief selector Aaqib Javed said the Pakistani government would make ‍a final call on whether the team would travel to Sri Lanka.

“Our job is to pick the team,” Javed said after naming the squad in Lahore, Pakistan. “We’ve announced the team very close to the deadline.

“The government will decide on our participation, so I can say nothing on that front. That’s what the chairman has said too, so we’ll wait for their decision.”

India will ​host the majority of the T20 World Cup ‌matches, but Pakistan will play exclusively in Sri Lanka because of the fraught political relations between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Bangladesh have been replaced by Scotland for their refusal ‌to tour India due to safety concerns, which the ICC rejected last week.

In addition to Babar, spin-bowling all-rounder Shadab ⁠Khan and fast bowler Naseem Shah have also returned, but there was no place for wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan.

Pakistan’s selectors excluded fast bowler Mohammad Wasim from the 16-member squad announced for next week’s three-match T20 series against Australia in Lahore.

They also continued to ignore Rauf, who hasn’t played since competing in the Asia Cup in September but kept faith with struggling Babar, who scored 202 runs at a strike rate of 103.06 in 11 Big Bash League games while opening the batting for Sydney Sixers.

“We don’t see him opening the batting [at the World Cup],” head coach Mike Hesson said. “He hasn’t opened the batting for us because the ability to attack in the powerplay is very important.”

Hesson said Babar could come in handy on slow pitches in Sri Lanka, where Pakistan are scheduled to play all their games, including the playoffs if they advance in the tournament.

“He [Babar] certainly has the skill to control the middle overs if required and then to feed the strike to certain players,” Hesson said. “If we’re chasing a lower score, he certainly has that ability to control a chase. … The conditions in Australia are significantly different than what we’re going to face in Sri Lanka, so we factored all those things in.”

Hesson said the selectors preferred the three fast bowlers – Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza and Naseem Shah – after taking into account their abilities to bowl in all three T20 phases.

With the wickets likely to suit spinners, Pakistan included four spinners: Mohammad Nawaz, Khan, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq.

Pakistan play their opening Group A match against the Netherlands on February 7, followed by matches against the United States (February 10), India (February 15) and Namibia (February 18).

Pakistan squad: Salman Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, ‍Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq

“IT’S on your left,” I hear someone say, muffled through the water.

I spin round and barely a foot away is a beautiful greenback turtle, lazily coming up for air next to me.

Normally this would have been the highlight of my holiday.

But it was just one of the amazing, up-close animal experiences on my trip along the lesser-visited south of Costa Rica.

Despite its small size, the country holds half a million different species.

And some of the very best are found at Corcovado, the largest of Costa Rica’s 30 National Parks.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

To embrace the true jungle life, I spent the night at the Wilderness Lodge, a 30-room hotel tucked into the forest with huts overlooking the ocean.

It was an adventure from the start, having to take two boats and a “limo” (a tractor with a LIMO 1 plate) to get there.

My treehouse room attracted animals aplenty, with barking howler monkeys becoming my natural alarm clock.

And on one late night walk back from the bar, I was greeted by herds of wild coatis and cheeky spider monkey babies, blinking at me through the branches.

The hotel hosts guided walks through the National Park, with guides very much recommended.

A few minutes into the tour, I was greeted by the smell of wine. Did I have one too many at the bar last night?

Thankfully not — the smell was in fact from the fermented jobo lining the path, a small pitted fruit thrown to the ground by monkeys wanting them for their leaves.

The discarded fruit also attracts another animal, which is why we bumped into a young tapir greedily gobbling them up.

With its bear-like ears, long trunk and squeaks, I wondered why there hasn’t been a Disney film about one yet.

Mind you, this was before I was told how dangerous they can be, should one decide to charge at you.

Having failed to spot some of the other much-anticipated animals in the park, such as sloths and pumas, the cooling ocean was calling my name.

I ditched my hiking boots for a life vest, and headed to nearby Isla del Caño, a biological reserve.

Leaping straight into the water, I felt like an explorer discovering a luscious island for the first time, snorkelling without a soul in sight.

I spent what felt like hours exploring the waters, watching turtles and bright blue fish nibbling the coral.

It was as we started to return to land that we spotted a mum and baby humpback whale in the distance.

We waited in bated silence as their fins broke the surface, wanting to see them leap out of the water.

Moments went by before the huge creature backflipped, showing off her stripy underbelly to our happy cries.

Almost as if she had been shy before, she continued leaping for us until my driver said we had to continue our journey back to the hotel.

But my ecstasy turned into fear that same night.

The jungle quickly reminded me how terrifying nature could be, woken at 4am by a ferocious thunderstorm that made my bed rattle.

Wandering over to breakfast bleary-eyed and wobbly-legged just a few hours later, I expected staff to be just as concerned.

But no — all I heard was “Pura Vida,” the way locals say hello, as well as meaning ‘way of life’.

Dolphins and whales

Safe to say that night was enough for me, and I needed some quieter time outside of the jungle.

Further down the coast is Kunken Lodge — an eight-villa boutique hotel overlooking the Golfo Dulce.

The gulf is often dubbed an animal nursery, where dolphins and whales come to have their babies.

And the hotel was a much calmer affair, the loud sounds of the forest replaced with silence, bar a few cawing birds.

After all that animal hunting, I was extremely glad for my massive portions of Costa Rican breakfast every day.

Plates of gallo pinto — rice and beans — alongside eggs and tortillas were always chased by fresh mango and watermelon.

And, of course, a steaming hot fresh cup of coffee from locally brewed beans.

As a caffeine enthusiast, I could hardly resist a trip to a local coffee farm.

Some of the best is found in San Vito, a town near the border of Panama with an Italian influence.

The coffee farm I visited even supplies the famous Illy instant coffee to Italy, as well as my daily cup while in the area.

I thought I would wind away my afternoon drinking cup after cup while relaxing outside.

Yet I found myself persuaded to visit a local ranch, testing out their new horse trekking tours before getting soaked climbing a waterfall.

“That’s the good thing about Costa Rica — everything is unexpected,” my guide Juan Carlos (nicknamed JC) told me later.

As I boarded my tiny plane, waving goodbye to the locals after trekking a jungle, being left fearing for my life during a thunderstorm and nearly trampled by a tapir, it was clear.

JC couldn’t be more right.

Protesters have taken to the streets in Minneapolis, in the state of Minnesota, after a United States Border Patrol agent killed a US citizen, heightening tensions in a city already shaken by a deadly shooting just weeks earlier of a mother of three.

Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara told reporters that a 37-year-old man, a Minneapolis resident, died in hospital on Saturday after being shot multiple times.

Family members identified him as Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse who had previously protested against President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in the city.

After the shooting, an angry crowd gathered, and protesters clashed with federal officers, who wielded batons and deployed flashbang grenades.

The Minnesota National Guard was assisting local police at the direction of Governor Tim Walz, officials said. Guard troops were sent to the site of the shooting and to a federal building where officers have been facing off with demonstrators on a daily basis.

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that federal officers had been conducting an operation and fired “defensive shots” after a man with a handgun approached them and “violently resisted” when they tried to disarm him.

In bystander videos of the shooting that emerged soon afterwards, Pretti is seen holding a mobile phone, but none appears to show him with a visible weapon.

Pretti was shot about 1 mile (1.6km) from the spot where an ICE officer killed 37-year-old Renee Good on January 7, which led to widespread protests.

Family members have identified Alex Jeffrey Pretti as the person who was shot dead by federal agents in the United States during an immigration raid in Minneapolis, the largest city in the state of Minnesota.

The shooting of Pretti, a 37-year-old US citizen, came as the city continues to mourn the death of another American, Renee Good, who was killed earlier this month when a federal agent fired into her vehicle.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz condemned Pretti’s killing as part of a “campaign of organised brutality”, while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged the Trump administration to end its immigration crackdown there.

The Department of Homeland Security, however, characterised the incident as an attack, saying a Border Patrol agent fired in self-defence after a man approached with a handgun and violently resisted attempts to disarm him.

Witnesses and Pretti’s family reject that claim, while bystander videos from the scene also appear to contradict the account.

Here’s what we know about Pretti and the circumstances of his death.

What happened in Minneapolis?

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told reporters Pretti had attacked agents during the shooting, while federal officials posted an image of the gun they say the victim was carrying at the time of the shooting.

“He wasn’t there to ‌peacefully protest. He was there to perpetuate violence,” Noem said at a news conference.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commander, Gregory Bovino, said Pretti wanted to do “maximum damage and massacre law enforcement”, while Trump’s deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, described the victim as “a would-be assassin”.

But bystander videos verified by the Reuters news agency showed Pretti, holding a mobile phone in his hand, not a gun, as he ⁠tries to help other protesters who have been pushed to the ground by agents.

As the videos begin, Pretti can be seen filming as a federal agent pushes away one woman and shoves another ​to the ground. Pretti moves between the agent and the women, then raises his left arm to shield himself as the agent pepper-sprays him.

Several agents then take ‍hold of Pretti – who struggles with them – and force him onto his hands and knees. As the agents pin down Pretti, someone shouts what sounds like a warning about the presence of a gun. Video footage then appears to show one of the agents removing a gun from Pretti and stepping away from the group with it.

Moments later, an officer points his handgun at Pretti’s back and fires four shots at him in quick succession. Several more shots ‍are then heard as another agent also appears to fire at Pretti.

The agents initially all back away from Pretti’s body on the road. Some agents then seem to offer medical assistance to Pretti as he lies on the ground, as other agents keep bystanders back.

Meanwhile, two witnesses who immediately filed sworn statements before the US District Court of Minnesota said Pretti did not brandish a gun during the incident. According to the court documents, one of the witnesses, a doctor, said Pretti sustained at least three gunshot wounds in his back.

Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara later said Pretti was a lawful gun owner with no criminal record other than traffic violations.

Who was Alex Pretti?

Anguished family members described Pretti as a compassionate and dedicated healthcare worker who had been angered by the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

Pretti was working as an intensive care nurse at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis at the time of his death.

“We are heartbroken, but also very angry. Alex was a kind soul who cared deeply for his family and friends, and also the American veterans who he cared for as an ICU nurse,” his parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, said in a statement released to the media.

Michael Pretti told The Associated Press news agency that his son “was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States” with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and had taken part in the protests against the immigration raids.

“He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong, so he did participate in protests,” the elder Pretti said.

The family told the AP that Pretti studied at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, society and the environment. They said he worked as a research scientist before returning to school to become a registered nurse.

As of Saturday evening, the family said they had still not heard from anyone at a federal law enforcement agency about their son’s death.

In their statement, the family lambasted the Trump administration’s claim that their son had attacked the officers who shot him. “The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting,” they said.

The family added that videos showed Pretti was not holding a gun when federal agents tackled him, but holding his phone with one hand and using the other to shield a woman who was being pepper-sprayed.

“Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man,” they said.

Meanwhile, the federal employees’ labour union AFGE said it was “deeply stricken by this tragedy” while its president, Everett Kelley, paid tribute to Pretti, saying he “dedicated his life to serving American veterans”.

“This tragedy did not happen in a vacuum. It is the direct result of an administration that has chosen reckless policy, inflammatory rhetoric, and manufactured crisis over responsible leadership and de-escalation,” Kelley said.

The American Nurses Association also said it was “deeply disturbed and saddened” by the killing, and called for a “full, unencumbered investigation” into the case. Pretti’s colleague, Dr Dmitri Drekonja, told ABC News that it was “galling and enraging” to hear the way federal officials were portraying the victim.

What’s driving the tensions in Minneapolis?

Under Trump, the Republican administration launched immigration crackdowns last year, targeting Democrat-led states and cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, saying the militarised operations were necessary to remove criminals from the US.

The crackdown in Minneapolis is the largest federal immigration enforcement operation ever carried out, according to officials, with some 3,000 agents deployed. The operation began in November, with officials tying it in part to allegations of fraud involving residents of Somali origin.

In addition to the deaths of Pretti and Good, the surge has also pitted city and state officials against the federal government and prompted daily clashes between activists and immigration officers. Amid the tensions, children are skipping school or learning remotely, families are avoiding religious services and many businesses, especially in immigrant neighbourhoods, have closed temporarily, according to media reports.

Pretti is at least the sixth person to die during ICE enforcement efforts since last year, the AP reported, and the incident was one of at least five shootings in January involving federal agents conducting anti-immigration operations, according to Reuters.

At least six people have also died in ICE detention centres since the start of 2026, following at least 30 deaths in its custody last year, a two-decade high.

Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone who likes developing long-term relationships with TV shows.

For many, that show is ABC’s popular police procedural “The Rookie,” which returned for its eighth season earlier this month and brought some international intrigue to its routine, high-stakes Los Angeles police work. Eric Winter, who stars as Tim Bradford, stopped by Guest Spot to discuss his character’s career and personal growth.

Also in this week’s Screen Gab, our viewing recommendations are two shows that feature some cool and determined women: One centers on an expert interrogator, the other on a group of menopausal women in Northern England who form a punk band. Don’t they sound like the perfect companions for a chill weekend?

ICYMI

Must-read stories you might have missed

“Sinners” and “One Battle After Another” lead the field of 2026 Oscar nominees with 16 and 13 nominations each, respectively.

(Photo illustration by Avery Fox / Los Angeles Times; Photos from A24; Focus Features; Getty; Netflix; Victor Juca; Warner Bros. Pictures)

2026 Oscar nominations: The complete list of nominees: The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards were announced this week, with “Sinners” leading the field with 16 total nominations.

The 10 movies we’re most excited to see at the Sundance Film Festival: For its final edition in Park City, Utah, the preeminent indie showcase promises a slate of features that, to judge from prior years, should get audiences talking.

How ‘Heated Rivalry’ became a joyful community: ‘It gave us a reason to dance’: The hit TV series about a queer hockey romance has spurred fans to create dance parties and show-themed merch.

‘Waiting to Exhale’ to ‘Set It Off’: At these Black film screenings, the soundtrack reigns: From ‘Waiting to Exhale,’ ‘Boomerang’ and ‘The Wood,’ this L.A. event celebrates classic Black films and the iconic soundtracks that help bring them to life.

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Recommendations from the film and TV experts at The Times

Kyra Sedgwick in an episode of “The Closer.”

(DANNY FELD/WB/ TNT)

“The Closer” (Netflix)

Kyra Sedgwick stars as LAPD deputy chief Brenda Leigh Johnson in this immensely satisfying procedural-plus, which originally ran on TNT from 2005 to 2012 — ah, the great age of basic cable — and has recently arrived in its seven-season, 109-episode entirety on Netflix. Brenda, a sugarcoated, CIA-trained Southerner with a sweet tooth, has a “history”with nattily attired boss Will Pope (J.K. Simmons), and a talent for interrogation rivaled only by Andre Braugher‘s Frank Pembleton on “Homicide: Life on the Street” — though she’s more likely to catch flies with honey before she drops them in vinegar. (“Thank you, thank you so much” is her catch phrase). Like Helen Mirren‘s DCI Jane Tennison on “Prime Suspect,” an oblique influence, she has to face down the skepticism of the mostly male crew she’s been imported to run, and run them she will. (“Candice Renoir” fans will recognize that show as something of a “Closer” remake.) The cases are more focused on human behavior than clever methods of murder, and though dark and often sad in that regard, the show is also quite funny and lit in the the sunshine of the city, which it shows off to great effect. As FBI special agent Fritz Howard, Jon Tenney brings romantic heat and ironic commentary. — Robert Lloyd

Yvonne Vaux (Amelia Bullmore), from left, Kitty Eckersley (Rosalie Craig) and Holly Gaskell (Tamsin Greig) in “Riot Women.”

(Helen Williams/Britbox)

“Riot Women” (Britbox)

Sally Wainwright (“Happy Valley,” “Last Tango in Halifax”) is one of the best writers working in television today and her “Riot Women” is further, and completely delightful, proof. Five women staring down various midlife crises, including, but not limited to, menopause, decide to form a rock band, a move normally reserved for their male counterparts. It begins as a lark — Jess (Lorraine Ashbourne) wants to put together an act for a fundraiser at her grandkids’ school — and quickly becomes a lifeline, particularly for Beth (Joanna Scanlan), a divorced teacher who feels she has become so invisible that there’s no point in living anymore. Jess also wrangles in Holly (Tamsin Greig), who, having just retired from the police force, isn’t sure what to do next, and Holly’s sister Yvonne (Amelia Bullmore), a disenchanted midwife. But it’s Beth who pushes the group to take the band seriously, and make it punk; when she finds the very troubled and equally talented Kitty (Rosalie Craig) singing in a bar, the mission is clear. “Riot Women” is not going to be just a fundraising cover band; it’s going to become a voice and source of power for women conditioned to believe that their value comes from what they can give others and that, after a certain age, that value radically diminishes. The cast is perfection and Wainwright’s sharp writing is, as always, hilarious, clear-eyed and heartbreaking. “Riot Women” is aspirational, inspirational and absolutely fabulous. — Mary McNamara

Guest spot

A weekly chat with actors, writers, directors and more about what they’re working on — and what they’re watching

Eric Winter as Tim Bradford in “The Rookie.”

(Mike Taing/Disney)

As it settles into its eighth season — after a long hiatus — “The Rookie” (airing Tuesdays on ABC, next-day streaming on Hulu) isn’t skimping on the set of challenges it’s throwing at the team within the fictional Mid-Wilshire Division of the LAPD. But that hasn’t curtailed the career and personal achievements for Tim Bradford (played by Eric Winter). The formerly rigid, no-nonsense, out-in-the-trenches officer has transitioned into a watch commander trying to find work-life balance now that his relationship with colleague Lucy Chen is back on and they are living together. Winter stopped by Screen Gab to talk about how his character has evolved as a leader, what he’s watching and more. — Yvonne Villarreal

This season, Tim takes over for Grey as watch commander. At this stage in playing the character, what’s been your favorite part of watching him take on something new and settle into that role? Is there an ambition you have as an actor, or have for Tim as a character, that you still want to achieve?

It’s always fun for me to see Tim uncomfortable, which has happened a lot. He knows how to lead but this is a different scope and also dealing with a bit more of the politics in this position. He loves being in the action and impacting the streets so it’ll be fun to explore how he can still do that while also managing a desk job. As an actor, there is still so much I would love to accomplish in this industry. I am always wanting to get out of my comfort zone and explore different characters and it is the same for Tim. I love learning more about his past and finding ways for him to grow as a character which keeps the job fun after so many years.

A slow-burn romance is a favorite TV trope for many viewers. Tim and Lucy are back together this season and living together. We often hear from writers about whether fan reaction informs their writing. But as a performer, what’s it like on the other side — the fan anticipation, the intensity of that and figuring out when to lean into it? And what intrigues you about where Tim and Lucy are headed for the rest of the season?

It’s great to have so much incredible support for characters but definitely as an actor, there is a balance of when to lean in. This ship has taken on a mind of its own worldwide and with that, a lot of people can’t separate the characters from our personal reality, which comes with the territory though. The fans are anchors to the show’s success, and we always appreciate their commitment to our storytelling. This relationship was completely fan-driven and once the writers jumped in on it, they just elevated the storytelling to make it what it is today. It’s always interesting to see what they have in store next, to give the fans what they want while also keeping everyone guessing.

I’m intrigued to gauge the fan reaction to what our creator is building to and how we end the season. It will be great to see how Tim has grown and how he will manage this new setup and diving into some family time.

My colleague recently wrote about “The Rookie” being a surprise hit with teenagers. What’s the show you were obsessed with as a teen?

The youth support has been incredible. I love it! I was obsessed with shows like “Growing Pains,” “[The] Cosby Show,” “Who’s the Boss” and “Different Stokes.” They are all such great family comedies.

We know how active you are on TikTok. Please give me a sampling of what your algorithm is feeding you.

My algorithm is all over the map. I get a lot of trends because that’s what I post, but also history stuff, aliens and stand-up comedian clips. That’s what I listen to at the gym now.

What have you watched recently that you are recommending to everyone you know?

I often share comedy clips and also strange UFO/ancient phenomenon. I get so wrapped up in theories and want to get my wife’s opinion as well as friends.

What’s your go-to “comfort watch,” the movie or TV show you go back to again and again? (Please explain.)

I was excited to wrap up “Stranger Things” [Netflix] and now [I’m] obsessed with “Severance” [Apple TV]. My big comfort watch on the regular is documentaries. I am always looking for something in that space — sometimes true crime, but I love sports and history stuff too. Just watched a great one recently on AI called “The Thinking Game” [Prime Video].

The Lakers trailed by 15 points with seven minutes and 41 seconds remaining, but overturned the deficit to secure a third win in four games.

LeBron James scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, while Max Christie top scored for Dallas with 24 points.

“I think the biggest thing this year, he’s just more comfortable,” said James about Doncic., external

“Understanding the system, understanding the city, the city embracing him. Understanding it’s his team, and we’re all rallying around him.

“Obviously we know it’s emotional, a big game, to come back and play your former team. He showed who he is tonight.”

The result leaves the Lakers fifth in the Western Conference, while the Mavericks are 12th.

Elsewhere, Kevin Huerter made a three-pointer just before the buzzer to help the Chicago Bulls beat the Boston Celtics 114-111, while Bam Adebayo scored 26 points as the Miami Heat thrashed the Utah Jazz 147-116.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ home game against the Golden State Warriors was postponed until Sunday following federal immigration officers shooting and killing a man in Minneapolis.

“The decision was made to prioritise the safety and security of the Minneapolis community,” said an NBA statement.