Month: February 2026

People who fled attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan are enduring tough conditions at a displacement camp in the north where funding cuts are making life harder for its new residents. Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan is there.

They don’t make musicals like “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” anymore.

The ambition on display is awe-inspiring to an almost alarming degree. Consider the lyrical and orchestral complexity of Stephen Sondheim’s score, the way Hugh Wheeler’s book (from an adaptation by Christopher Bond) blends horror and comedy as if the two were natural bedmates and a production concept that views the material of a fiendish penny dreadful through a Brechtian lens.

Could the American theater ever again pull off such an outrageously brilliant musical experiment? Harold Prince’s 1979 Broadway premiere, starring Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury, seems like eons ago in terms of creative possibility.

This is the reason revivals, such as the solid one that opened Saturday at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts under the direction of Jason Alexander, are so important. They remind us not only of the richness of our theatrical past but they also challenge our artists and producers to dream bigger in the future.

Will Swenson stars as “Sweeney Todd” at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

(Jason Niedle / TETHOS)

Alexander, the beloved “Seinfeld” star who made his Broadway debut in Sondheim and George Furth’s “Merrily We Roll Along” in 1981, knows a thing or two about American musicals, having served for a time as the artistic director of L.A.’s bygone Reprise Theatre Company. His direction has grown in sophistication and ease since he staged Sondheim and James Lapine’s “Sunday in the Park With George” for Reprise in 2007.

Alexander’s production of “Sweeney Todd” has breadth and heft, but also intimacy and lightness. The scenic design by Paul Tate dePOO III savors the show’s Grand Guignol flavors while leaving plenty of flexibility for antic comedy.

The barber chair, the locus of Sweeney’s revenge on the heartless cruelty of a Victorian London that wrecked his life, isn’t the elaborate contraption of other productions. His murder victims don’t fall down a chute after their throats are slit during their shave and a haircut. They have to be tilted into a dumpster that is moved into position, but Alexander makes the comic most of these clumsier stage mechanics.

Will Swenson, the accomplished Broadway actor, offers an unusually sympathetic yet never sentimentalized Sweeney. He understands that Sweeney is first and foremost a victim. The lust for vengeance eventually gets the better of him, but Swenson leads us step by step to depravity through sorrow, injustice and humiliation.

Andrew Polec, right, with the company of “Sweeney Todd” at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

(Jason Niedle / TETHOS)

He’s man-made rather than a natural monster. The same could be said of Lesli Margherita’s Mrs. Lovett, the proprietor of a filthy and failing Fleet Street pie shop, but it’s a shakier case. She’s the one who gets the bright idea of putting all those corpses Sweeney is intent on piling up into culinary use. Meat is in short supply, and the taboo of cannibalism is no deterrent to a woman who has taken to heart the jungle law of 19th-century British society: Eat or be eaten.

Swenson and Margherita are singing marvels, but Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett’s numbers set up Olympian challenges, vocally as well as lyrically. Their comically macabre Act 1 showstopper, “A Little Priest,” in which they gleefully imagine the variety of human pies, needs a little more time in the oven. Margherita, who played Mrs. Wormwood in “Matilda the Musical” on Broadway, is a deft clown. Swenson may be a step slower in this regard, but he plays it perfectly by accentuating the delight Sweeney takes in the merriment of Mrs. Lovett’s perverse rhyming game.

Swenson, who starred in the Broadway premiere of “A Beautiful Noise, the Neil Diamond Musical,” has a lush baritone. But Sweeney’s descent into an even lower range produces a sound that emerges from unimaginable depths. Finding the beauty in that hellish croak — something that Josh Groban was able to do in the last Broadway revival — can prove exceptionally difficult. It’s Swenson’s detailed character work as a singer that impresses most. His handling of “By the Sea,” the Act 2 duet with Margherita, forensically details Sweeney’s growing distaste for the conjugal fantasies of his partner in crime.

Allison Sheppard and Chris Hunter star in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

(Jason Niedle / TETHOS)

The romantic element of Sondheim’s score is best captured in the gorgeous singing of Chris Hunter’s Anthony Hope, whose crooning of “Johanna” provokes an epidemic of goosebumps throughout La Mirada Theatre. Allison Sheppard’s Johanna, Sweeney’s daughter under the lock and key of the wicked Judge Turpin (Norman Large), warbles as melodiously as the caged birds that mirror her plight.

Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper’s Beadle Bamford, the judge’s henchman, has a malicious ebullience all his own. He’s not as unapologetically hammy as Andrew Polec’s Pirelli, the tonsorial con man who adopts a fake mustache and an even faker Italian accent, but he lends the musical a satiric gaiety.

Meghan Andrews’ Beggar Woman and Austyn Myers’ Tobias, giving voice to the downtrodden Dickensian masses, infuse the production with the charm of their singing. Myers makes the most of one of the musical’s most beloved numbers, “Not While I’m Around,” Tobias’ duet with Mrs. Lovett that both performers bring to poignant, demented life.

Austyn Myers, center, with the company of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

(Jason Niedle / TETHOS)

Alexander’s staging occasionally overdoes the comic exuberance. The ensemble-cum-chorus, burdened with overblown asylum imagery, is sometimes called upon to inject a circus-like atmosphere, complete with acrobatics. Lee Martino’s choreography, like the production as a whole, is at its best when observing decorous constraints.

If some of the more seductive colors of Sondheim’s score get lost in the acoustic shuffle, it may have more to do with the sound system than Darryl Archibald’s music direction. Unfortunately, the shattering beauty of the music is sometimes swallowed in the devilish din.

The stark visual panache of the production, however, is an impressive sight to behold. Jared A. Sayeg’s crepuscular lighting and Kate Bergh’s humanizing costumes lend contrast and texture to the world-building scenic design.

Hats off to this Southern California “Sweeney Todd” and to La Mirada Theatre for undertaking this Herculean feat. Sondheim and Wheeler’s haunted masterpiece doesn’t need perfection to live again.

Jordan Stolz will be trying to win multiple gold medals in speedskating the Milan Cortina Olympic Games.

(Morry Gash / Associated Press)

Since making his Olympic debut at 17, Stolz has become a star in international speedskating. He was the first man to win three world championships in one year in 2023 and repeated in the 500, 1,000 and 1,500 meters in 2024. He also competes in the team pursuit. U.S. speedskating has several medal contenders, including two-time Olympic bronze medalist Brittany Bowe and gold medalist Erin Jackson, who became the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Olympics in 2022.

Last month during the violent clashes between Kurdish forces and the Syrian army, the United States delivered a devastating message to Syria’s Kurds: Their partnership with Washington had “expired“. This was not merely a statement of shifting priorities – it was a clear signal that the US was siding with Damascus and abandoning the Kurds at their most vulnerable moment.

For the Kurds across the region watching events unfold, the implications were profound. The US is no longer perceived as a reliable partner or supporter of minorities.

This development is likely to have an impact not just on the Kurdish community in Syria but also those in Iraq, Turkiye and Iran.

Fears of repeat marginalisation in Syria

US support for Damascus under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa paves the way for a centralised Syrian state – an arrangement that Kurds throughout the region view with deep suspicion. Their wariness is rooted in bitter historical experience.

Centralised states in the Middle East have historically marginalised, excluded and assimilated Kurdish minorities. The prospect of such a system emerging in Syria, with US backing, represents a fundamental divergence from Kurdish hopes for the region’s future.

The approach the Assad regime to the Kurdish question was built on systematic denial. Kurds were not recognised as a distinct collective group within Syria’s national fabric; the state banned the public use of the Kurdish language and Kurdish names. Many Kurds were denied citizenship.

Al-Sharaa’s presidential decree of January 16 promised Kurds some rights while the January 30 agreement between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) included limited recognition of Kurdish collective identity, including acknowledgment of “Kurdish regions” – terminology conspicuously absent from Syria’s political vocabulary and government documents in the past.

These represent incremental gains, but they are unfolding within a transitional government structure that aims for centralisation as its ultimate objective. That is why Syrian Kurds remain suspicious of whether the promises made today will be upheld in the future.

While a consensus has emerged among the majority of Kurdish groups that armed resistance is not strategically viable at this stage, any future engagement with the US will be perceived with mistrust.

Possibility of renewed Shia-Kurdish alliance in Iraq

After years of power rivalries between Shia and Kurdish parties in Iraq, both groups are now observing developments in Syria and potential changes in Iran with a shared sense of threat and common interests. If in 2003, their alliance was driven by a shared past – the suffering under Saddam Hussein’s regime – today it is being guided by a shared future shaped by fears of being marginalised in the region.

At both the political and popular levels, Shia and Kurdish parties and communities have had much more in common over the past few weeks than in the past. This convergence is evident not only in elite political calculations but also in public sentiment across both communities.

For the first time in recent memory, both Kurdish elites and ordinary citizens in Iraq are no longer enthusiastic about regime change in Iran, a position that would have been unthinkable just a few weeks ago.

In addition, last month, Iraq’s Shia Coordination Framework, an alliance of its Shia political parties, nominated Nouri al-Maliki for prime minister, the most powerful position in the Iraqi government. Remarkably, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the dominant Kurdish political force, welcomed the nomination.

The KDP’s support for al-Maliki was not solely a reaction to anger over US policy in Syria. It was also rooted in Iraqi and Kurdish internal politics. The endorsement is part of an ongoing rivalry between the KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) over Iraq’s presidency, an office reserved for the Kurds. The KDP needs allies in Baghdad to ensure its candidate, rather than the PUK’s, secures the position.

However, Washington might see an alignment between the KDP-led Kurdistan Regional Government in northern Iraq and an al-Maliki-led government or a similar government in Baghdad as not conducive to its interests in Iraq, especially its efforts to curb Iranian influence.

Before casting blame, Washington should ask itself why the Kurds feels compelled to adopt this position. The Kurdish stance cannot be fully understood without factoring US policy in Syria into the discussion. From a Kurdish perspective, the US has not been a neutral arbiter in Syria.

The peace process in Turkiye

Over the past year, many believed that the sustainability of Turkiye’s peace process with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) hinged on a resolution of the Kurdish question in Syria and the fate of the SDF.

The violent clashes between Damascus, backed by Ankara and Washington, and the SDF threatened to close the door on negotiations. Remarkably, however, not all avenues have been shut.

It now appears the two issues are being treated as separate files. Negotiations with the PKK are likely to continue within Turkiye’s borders, and crucially, PKK leaders have not translated their disappointment over the weakening of the SDF into a definitive rejection of talks with Ankara.

What sustains this dynamic is that the SDF has not been entirely dismantled, leaving some breathing room for continued dialogue between Ankara and the PKK.

The Iranian Kurds

The Iranian Kurds, although farther away from Syria, have also observed events there and made their conclusions. The abandonment of the SDF reveals the unpredictable nature of US support for the region’s minorities.

In light of this and given continuing US incitement against the Iranian regime, it is quite significant that the Iranian Kurds collectively and deliberately decided not to be at the forefront of the recent protests or allow themselves to be instrumentalised by Western media.

The Kurdish community in Iran is not enthusiastic about a potential return of Reza Pahlavi, who clearly enjoys support from Washington, and the restoration of the shah’s legacy, which was also oppressive. Iranian opposition groups – many of them based in the West – have not offered a better prospect for the Kurdish question. There is widespread fear that the current regime could simply be replaced by another with no guarantee for Kurdish rights.

Some Iraq-based Iranian Kurdish armed groups did carry out attacks on Iranian positions near the Iran-Iraq border. But the main Iranian Kurdish armed actors chose not to engage directly or escalate militarily. Their calculations are based on the uncertainty about the endgame envisioned by Israel and the US and the reality that any escalation would provoke Iranian retaliation against Iraqi Kurds.

With each abandonment of its Kurdish allies, the US further erodes the foundation of trust upon which its local partnerships rest. Iraqi and Syrian Kurds have learned to live with American unreliability, but this arrangement may not endure indefinitely. When it fractures, the consequences for US influence in the region could be profound.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial policy.

Europeans first visited Mozambique during the voyages of the Portuguese explorer, Vasco Da Gama at the end of the fifteenth century. By 1530, Portugal had established a strong presence in the region effectively controlling the area.

In September 1964, growing unrest amongst many Mozambicans together with similar movements in other Portuguese territories led to the start of an armed guerrilla campaign against the Portuguese.

The anticolonial struggle was led by Eduardo Mondlane of the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo).

Frelimo launched a guerrilla war against targets in northern Mozambique, claiming to have established its own administrative, educational, and economic networks in the northern districts.

On February 3rd 1969, a bomb was planted in a book sent to Mondlane at the FRELIMO Headquarters in Dar es Salaam, Tanz … 

The Syrian army has deployed to the northeastern city of Hasakah, previously controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), implementing the first phase of a United States-backed ceasefire agreement.

A large convoy of military trucks entered Hasakah on Monday, hours after the SDF imposed a curfew. Syrian forces arrived as part of the newly brokered agreement between Damascus and the SDF announced last Friday.

The agreement aims to solidify the ceasefire that halted weeks of conflict during which the SDF lost substantial territory in northeastern Syria.

It establishes a framework for incorporating SDF fighters into Syria’s national army and police forces, while integrating civilian institutions controlled by the group into the central government structure.

Under the terms of the agreement, government forces will avoid entering Kurdish-majority areas. However, small Interior Ministry security units will take control of state institutions in Hasakah and Qamishli, including civil registries, passport offices and the airport.

Kurdish local police will continue security operations in both cities before eventually merging with the Interior Ministry.

The government forces’ entry into Hasakah occurred without incident and as scheduled.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – whose government has long viewed the SDF as an extension of the Kurdish-led armed rebellion in Turkiye – issued a stern warning to Kurdish forces.

“With the latest agreements, a new page has now been opened before the Syrian people,” Erdogan said in a televised address. “Whoever attempts to sabotage this, I say clearly and openly, will be crushed under it.”

Friday’s agreement includes provisions for establishing a military division incorporating three SDF brigades, plus an additional brigade for forces in the group-held town of Ain al-Arab, also known by its Kurdish name Kobane, which will operate under the state-controlled Aleppo governorate.

The arrangement also provides for the integration of governing bodies in SDF-held territories with state institutions.

According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, Interior Ministry forces began deploying in rural areas near Kobane on Monday.

Since the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad 14 months ago, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s efforts to unify the fractured nation under central authority have been hampered by deadly clashes with the SDF and other groups.

One UK city has four restaurants on SquareMeal’s prestigious top 100 UK restaurants list for 2026, with the rankings celebrating venues outside London

Britain’s top 100 restaurants have been unveiled, with one English city boasting four entries on the coveted list. An array of establishments have secured places on this prestigious ranking, spanning from budget-friendly options to truly extraordinary dining experiences.

The venues have been assessed according to their “performance, value and quality” by SquareMeal. Each establishment featured in the top 100 is deemed worthy of recognition amongst Britain’s premier restaurants.

The SquareMeal panel observed: “It’s no secret that the UK’s restaurant sector is facing formidable challenges. And yet, with each year that passes, hospitality pros continue to invest everything they have into projects for the love of what they do.”

Claiming the crown is Bristol’s Wilsons, which holds one Michelin star. Operated by Mary Wilson and Jan Ostle, the establishment is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, reports the Express.

Runner-up honours went to Manchester’s Skof, with Nottingham’s Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms securing third position. Whilst missing out on the podium places, Birmingham certainly has plenty to celebrate.

The West Midlands metropolis features four establishments on the 2026 rankings, which champion Britain’s finest offerings beyond the capital.

Birmingham’s top four restaurants

Opheem

Address: 65 Summer Row, Birmingham B3 1JJ.

Claiming the number 21 position, Opheem stands as Birmingham’s highest-rated restaurant. The venue is characterised as a “modern, plush eatery” delivering “elevated, modern Indian plates alongside shaken cocktails and wine”. Opheem holds a Michelin star and is operated by Aktar Islam. Their menu evolves with the seasons, being refreshed several times annually. Guests can choose between five or 10 courses based on their preferred dining duration.

The Wilderness

Address: 27 Warstone Ln, Birmingham B18 6JQ.

Discover fine dining at Alex Claridge’s establishment, which secured 51st position on the top 100 rankings. They present “provocative, playful tasting menus” showcasing seasonal produce. The Wilderness guarantees a distinctive culinary journey as the venue occupies a converted factory, “to the soundtrack of rock, punk and heavy metal.” They hold Michelin Guide Recommended status and boast 3 AA Rosettes.

Riverine Rabbit

Address: 1464 Pershore Rd, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2NT.

Claiming 87th spot nationally is Riverine Rabbit, which originally launched in Cape Town, South Africa. It represents the vision of Ash and her partner Erin, who prioritises building relationships with farmers and sourcing sustainable produce. Ash secured Michelin Young Chef of the Year 2025 and the Rabbit earned Michelin Guide recognition with a Bib Gourmand last year. Riverine Rabbit presents two daily menus, which vary from day to day.

670 Grams

Address: 4 Gibb St, Deritend, Birmingham B9 4AA.

Completing Birmingham’s remarkable selection of eateries on the list is 670 Grams, at number 87. Situated in a former custard factory, the culinary team say they draw inspiration from “the diverse culture that’s within the heart of the country”. 670 Grams serves up a tasting menu that is “globally influenced” and hopes the eatery will be “approachable to everyone”.

The UK’s Top 100 Restaurants (outside London)

1. Wilsons (Bristol)

2. Skof (Manchester)

3. Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms (Nottingham)

4. Vraic (Guensey)

5. L’Enclume (Westmorland and Furness)

6. Grace & Savour (Solihull)

7. The Greyhound Beaconsfield (Buckinghamshire)

8. JÖRO (Sheffield)

9. Pine (Northumberland)

10. Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms (West Lancashire)

11. Ynyshir (Ceredigion)

12. Restaurant 22 (Cambridge)

13. Lyla (City of Edinburgh)

14. Woven by Adam Smith (Windsor and Maidenhead)

15. Upstairs at Landrace (Bath and North East Somerset)

16. Myse (North Yorkshire)

17. Updown Farmhouse (Dover)

18. Osip (Somerset)

19. The Little Chartroom (City of Edinburgh)

20. The Kinneuchar Inn (Fife)

21. Opheem (Birmingham)

22. The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant (Perth and Kinross)

23. The Old Stamp House (Westmorland and Furness)

24. Lark (West Suffolk)

25. Tallow (Tunbridge Wells)

26. The Angel at Hetton (North Yorkshire)

27. Alchemilla Nottingham (Nottingham)

28. Dogstar Edinburgh (City of Edinburgh)

29. Heft (Westmorland and Furness)

30. Argoe Newlyn (Cornwall)

31. Stow (Manchester)

32. Juliet (Stroud)

33. Bavette (Leeds)

34. Paul Ainsworth at No 6 (Cornwall)

35. Hansom (North Yorkshire)

36. Vetch (Liverpool)

37. Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall (North Yorkshire)

38. The Sportsman (Canterbury)

39. The Shed (Swansea)

40. The Parkers Arms (Ribble Valley)

41. Higher Ground (Manchester)

42. Moss (City of Edinburgh)

43. Meadowsweet (North Norfolk)

44. The Pony Chew Valley (Bath and North East Somerset)

45. Dongnae (Bristol)

46. Gorse Cardiff (Cardiff)

47. The Barn at Moor Hall (West Lancashire)

48. Fish Shop Ballater (Aberdeenshire)

49. OTHER (Bristol)

50. Winsome (Manchester)

51. The Wilderness (Birmingham)

52. Restaurant Interlude (Horsham)

53. The Pass at South Lodge (Horsham)

54. Furna (Brighton and Hove)

55. Big Counter (Glasgow City)

56. Roots York (York)

57. The Swine Bistro (Leeds)

58. Seasonality (Windsor and Maidenhead)

59. The Muddlers Club (Belfast)

60. The Abbey Inn Byland (North Yorkshire)

61. The Forest Side (Westmorland and Furness)

62. The Cottage in the Wood (Cumberland)

63. The Greyhound Inn – Pettistree (East Suffolk)

64. Root Bath (Bath and North East Somerset)

65. Upstairs by Tom Shepherd (Lichfield)

66. Forge at Middleton Lodge (North Yorkshire)

67. Maré by Rafael Cagali (Brighton and Hove)

68. Waterman Bistro (Belfast)

69. Gwen (Powys)

70. Bybrook Restaurant at The Manor House (Wiltshire)

71. Wild at Bull Burford (West Oxfordshire)

72. The Black Swan at Oldstead (North Yorkshire)

73. Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai (Cumberland)

74. Long Friday (Newcastle upon Tyne)

75. Aven (Preston)

76. Olive Tree Bath (Bath and North East Somerset)

77. Emilia (Teignbridge)

78. The Jackdaw Conwy (Conwy)

79. Manifest (Liverpool)

80. Shwen Shwen (Sevenoaks)

81. Catch at The Old Fish Market (Dorset)

82. Riverine Rabbit (Birmingham)

83. Amari (Brighton and Hove)

84. Ardfern (City of Edinburgh)

85. The Blue Pelican (Dover)

86. Skosh (York)

87. 670 Grams (Birmingham)

88. The Coach Marlow (Buckinghamshire)

89. Gloriosa (Glasgow City)

90. Cardinal Edinburgh (City of Edinburgh)

91. The Victoria Oxshott (Elmbridge)

92. Briar (Somerset)

93. Bench Sheffield (Sheffield)

94. Henrock at Linthwaite House (Westmorland and Furness)

95. Lapin Restaurant Bristol (Bristol)

96. The Suffolk (East Suffolk)

97. Tharavadu (Leeds)

98. Belzan Liverpool (Liverpool)

99. The Oarsman (Buckinghamshire)

100. Legacy at The Grand, York (York)

MILLIE Mackintosh got in contact with her ex-husband Professor Green before splitting from Hugo Taylor, the rapper has revealed.

Yesterday, it was reported that Millie, 36, and her husband Hugo Taylor have split following seven years of marriage.

While it’s been a decade since their split, Professor Green – real name Stephen Manderson – admitted that the pair have recently been in contact.

Appearing on Jamie Laing’s Great Company podcast in October, he dubbed Millie “beautiful” while sharing that the pair have bonded over both being diagnosed with ADHD in recent years.

“It was really recently that we spoke actually about our mutual diagnosis and, you know, our kids,” said the music star, 42.

He added that the pair were toxic for one another at the time of their marriage, describing it as a “trauma bond”.

FORMER FLAMES

All the signs Millie Mackintosh and Hugo Taylor had split up

it’s over

Millie Mackintosh and Hugo Taylor SPLIT after seven years of marriage

Back in October, a source told The Sun that Millie and her ex were on good terms, sharing: “They have started speaking again, and they are on better terms than they have been in a decade.

“Both being parents has played a huge part, and they have both grown up a lot. They have also both given up booze, which was a huge issue when they were together.”

Millie shares two daughters with Hugo; Sienna and Aurelia.

Professor Green has been single since he split from fiancée Karima McAdams in 2024 after welcoming son Slimane three years prior.

The rapper is set to appear on this year’s Celebs Go Dating alongside the likes of Coleen Nolan and Love Island’s Gabby Allen.

Millie married Professor Green in 2013 after a failed relationship with Hugo.

But, following their divorce in 2016, Millie and Hugo got back together before tying the knot themselves two years later.

According to the Daily Mail, Millie and Hugo, 39, went their separate ways after a series of discussions in the New Year.

An insider told the publication: “Millie and Hugo are currently going through a separation and have sadly decided to split. 

“They have known each other for many years, and in recent weeks, have had serious conversations about their future, ultimately deciding it’s better for them both to part ways.

“Their main priority remains their children and family life, and separating is not something they ever hoped would happen.

“At present, they are considering what living apart might look like and how they plan to navigate co-parenting their young children.

“It’s been an incredibly difficult start to the year, and one they hope to continue managing in private.”

The flash sale launches today and offers up to 20% off peak date ski trips for 2026/27

Ski fans and families looking to hit the slopes for the 2026/27 season can get ready to bag some big deals, as Club Med has announced its highly anticipated Winter 2027 sale. Short but sweet: the sale will run from today until February 6, 2026.

The promotional deal offers up to 20% off all Ski Resorts for stays between three and 28 nights. Those looking for a bit of luxury can bag 20% off premium rooms (including deluxe rooms, suites, and villas), while standard superior rooms are discounted by up to 15%.

With a travel window running from November 14, 2026, to May 5, 2027, this three-day flash sale offers plenty of flexibility for shoppers. Crucially for parents, the discounts also apply to peak dates, meaning half-term and Christmas holidays are also included.

READ MORE:

The travel experts at Club Med are promising a “worry-free” winter by locking in all-inclusive prices now. Premium mountain getaways start from £1,085 per person, including several “hidden extras” that usually send ski budgets racing downhill.

Club Med offers families a way to hit the slopes, with children under 4 staying for free and bookings secured with a £150 per person deposit. Their premium all-inclusive packages eliminate hidden costs by covering dining, drinks and a range of sports and activities, and Kids Clubs are included for those aged four to 17, with additional childcare services also available.

Save 20% on deluxe rooms, suites and villas at all Club Med Ski resorts

Prices vary

Club Med

Book Here

Kids under 4 stay free, with bookings secured from £150pp, and guests can enjoy a premium all-inclusive experience with food, drinks, sports, activities and Kids’ Clubs (extra cost for under-4s).

A spokesperson for Club Med said: “With our upcoming Winter 2027 sale, we are offering our best deals of the season across all dates. By booking during this window, guests can secure their dream room and preferred peak dates at a price that simply won’t be beaten later in the year.”

For those looking to hit the French or Italian Alps, several top-tier resorts are expected to be popular next winter. Nestled at 1,460 metres behind spruce trees, Club Med Valmorel features architecture inspired by traditional Beaufortain mansions with stone roofs and colourful facades.

The resort offers plenty of activities ranging from sledding and skiing in the Grand Domaine to snowshoeing through the Aigueblanche valley and relaxing in the indoor pool. Guests can upgrade to the “Le Lodge” Exclusive Collection space to enjoy elegant suites, private ski rooms and luxury perks like champagne service from 6pm.

Elsewhere at Club Med Alpe d’Huez in the Savoie ski area, serious skiers can enjoy direct ski-in/ski-out access to a vast 250km domain featuring Europe’s longest black run. The resort is designed for all generations and abilities though, with the “Happy Lounge” and indoor pool with adult-only sanctuaries such as “La Bulle” and the PAYOT spa.

Guests can enjoy panoramic mountain views from private balconies or take part in unique alpine experiences including dog sledding and vibrant après-ski at the lobby bar. For a real touch of luxury, Club Med Val d’Isère is the only Exclusive Collection Resort in the French mountains, offering a stylish blend of stone and wooden chalets nestled in a legendary alpine valley.

The resort caters to ski enthusiasts and wellness seekers alike with world-class slopes, yoga and a luxury spa, all within a setting designed for privacy and relaxation. A highly regarded resort for upscale skiers who appreciate the finer things in life, guests can enjoy enhanced premium services, including a dedicated concierge to cater to every need and a private shuttle service to the village centre.

Another choice is the Club Med La Rosière, perched 1,900 metres high with 180° south-facing views in the Haute-Tarentaise Valley. Families can explore the Espace San Bernardo – a cross-border ski domain once traversed by Hannibal – or enjoy the village’s famous Saint Bernards and freestyle competitions. For ultimate luxury, the Exclusive Collection space offers premium balconies overlooking the Tarentaise Valley in the shadow of Mont Blanc.

If the Italian slopes are calling, Club Med Pragelato Vialattea is a charming Piedmont resort designed like a traditional Italian hamlet, featuring clusters of cosy chalets set around a village fountain at 1,600 metres. The resort provides direct access to the Olympic slopes of the Via Lattea and Sestriere domains, complemented by alpine activities such as snowshoeing through pine forests and relaxing in a Finnish sauna. Families can experience the authentic Italian mountain lifestyle, pairing days on the slopes with après-ski treats like Genovese focaccia and evenings in the resort’s lounge.

Alternatively, Club Med Saint-Moritz Roi Soleil provides a glamorous Swiss Alps experience at 1,750 metres, just a short distance from the prestigious lake and high-end boutiques of St Moritz. The resort offers access to 350km of slopes that have hosted the Winter Olympics and World Championships, with activities including cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing through the Engadine valley.

Families can enjoy mountain-top lunches, horse-drawn carriage rides, and traditional Swiss fondue dinners, all included alongside premium amenities like a heated indoor pool and sauna. For skiers who are looking to go further afield, Club Med’s first North American mountain resort – Club Med Quebec Charlevoix – offers a unique “sea meets peaks” experience with contemporary Canadian architecture and sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River.

Located in the Charlevoix region, experienced skiers can tackle challenging slopes with direct ski-in/ski-out access, while year-round trails provide diverse opportunities for both winter sports and summer hiking. The resort is designed to immerse guests in an unspoiled natural landscape, blending premium all-inclusive comfort with the raw beauty of a UNESCO-designated biosphere.

Club Med’s ski holidays offer a fully all-inclusive getaway that most ski operators don’t match. But for ski fans looking for something different, TUI offers a range of ski holidays across Europe. Offering a range of hotels and self-catering accommodation, guests can book ski and lift passes, equipment passes and more before they travel.

Alternatively, British Airways has some European deals worth considering, including ski holidays in Bulgaria. As one of Europe’s best value resorts, Sofia is a good choice for skiers on a budget.

Ski fans who have already hit the piste with Club Med have left thousands of glowing reviews on TripAdvisor. One traveller who stayed at Val d’Isère left a five-star review, saying: “Stayed here recently and would certainly recommend.

“Such a good location, with pistes from the door, which is rare in Val d’Isere. Easy walk to town too if you fancy it. Bus stops at the front door too, if you don’t want the walk. Catering was the usual Club Med quality buffet, with loads of choice and variety every day.”

Another who visited Club Med La Rosière, was also delighted, sharing: “Club Med, all included and you don’t want for anything. It makes things very simple. The hotel is beautifully presented, looks very classy and modern, yet still comfortable. It was spotlessly clean and a comfortable temperature throughout. Staff are very friendly and always say hello and are very helpful if you have a query.”

However, a visitor who stayed at the Alpe d’Huez resort was less impressed, noting: “Everything is perfect except the noisy dining room. Lots of people, but the fact that the tables are very close exacerbates the problem.”

While another visitor at the same resort was bowled over, adding: “Of all the rest of the network that I have hosted, in fact, the ClubMed Alpe D’Huez is the best. The offer of services, the party climate and especially the team of ski teachers, plus an amazing piste made – at least for me – the best choice among the hotels of this network for a family looking to enjoy the trip with friends, have fun and even improve their skill in skiing.”

In the old days, during the 1980s and 1990s, when the Notre Dame-Crespi basketball rivalry was in peak form, it would get so hot in Notre Dame’s sold-out gym that they’d have to open windows from high above or sweat would be everywhere. Then came the invention of air conditioning, but Friday’s Mission League tournament semifinals were also super hot in terms of intensity and top performances.

Notre Dame (20-6) was able to pull out an 82-78 victory over Crespi on the strength of four consecutive pressure free throws made by standout junior guard NaVorro Bowman Jr. in the final 14 seconds to earn the Knights a championship game appearance against host Sierra Canyon on Wednesday night.

Crespi (19-11), which went on the road to upset Harvard-Westlake on Saturday, gave the Knights plenty to sweat about. The Celts held a 70-67 lead with 4:46 left until a Josiah Nance three tied the score and started a 10-0 Notre Dame run. A three by sophomore Zion Lanier off an assist from Bowman with 1:10 left put the Knights on top 77-70. The Celts were forced to foul and never got closer than two points.

Notre Dame has produced some outstanding high school guards in the past five years, from Dusty Stromer to Mercy Miller to Angelino Mark, who’s a freshman at Rutgers and showed up Monday night to root for his former teammates. But Bowman is headed to rarefied air. From making threes to powering his way through defenders to converting layups to making a seemingly impossible off-balance shot Monday, he has been in a class by himself.

He’s averaging 23 points and finished with 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

“He’s a special player,” Notre Dame coach Matt Sargeant said. “He shows up in big moments. He’s super mentally tough.”

His father was an NFL player, and Bowman has the family genes to perform at his best when the team needs him the most. Crespi was trying to cover him closely in the first half. Notre Dame players kept setting him screens, but Bowman was a little bit off, missing six shots. In the second half, he couldn’t be stopped.

“I had to lock in,” Bowman said.

The game was briefly halted early in the second quarter when the officials gave a warning to Sargeant and Crespi coach Derek Fisher to stay in their coaching boxes. Adding to the drama, Fisher’s wife was asked to leave the gym by Notre Dame officials. Both teams plowed through the distractions to put on a terrific second half that went back and forth.

Isaiah Barnes finished with 24 points and Cayman Martin had 20 points. Ilan Nikolov helped out Notre Dame with 19 points.

“This has been a rivalry for years,” Bowman said. “It feels good to win twice.”

Wednesday’s Mission League tournament final will also decide league MVP honors. The league champion gets to pick who the MVP is, so if Notre Dame wins, it surely will be Bowman.

Sierra Canyon 103, Loyola 74: The Trailblazers (22-1) received 30 points from Brandon McCoy and 23 points from Maxi Adams, both of whom were selected for the McDonald’s All-American Game in an announcement on Monday.

Mater Dei 92, Orange Lutheran 65: Luke Barnett scored 31 points to lead Mater Dei in an opening game of the Trinity League tournament.

JSerra 78, Servite 53: Ryan Doane had 16 points for the Lions.

Cleveland 61, Chatsworth 56: Harout Posheyan had 14 points and Charlie Adams 13 for Cleveland, which clinched the West Valley League championship. Aaron Krueger had 13 points for Chatsworth.

Brentwood 71, Viewpoint 56: Ethan Hill had 24 points and 20 rebounds for Brentwood.

Los Alamitos 68, Edison 61: Tyler Lopez led the way with 17 points.

Former Real Madrid teammate and current SPL rival Karim Benzema’s move has upset Cristiano Ronaldo, reports say.

Two of the most popular footballers in the world have caused a stir in Saudi football on the final day of the midyear transfer window.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and French football icon Karim Benzema, both of whom play in the Saudi Pro League (SPL), were in the news on Monday for their off-field actions.

Star forward Benzema moved from Al-Ittihad to Al Hilal, with the transfer confirmed hours after Ronaldo was not named for Al-Nassr’s SPL game against Al Riyadh.

Here’s a breakdown of what happened on transfer deadline day in the SPL:

Why did Benzema move from Al-Ittihad to Al Hilal?

The former Ballon d’Or winner’s move is seen as an ambitious one, as Al Hilal are the most successful club in Saudi football and the current league leaders.

Despite winning the SPL with Al-Ittihad last year, the 38-year-old wanted to join the club that has won 21 league titles and four Asian Championships.

Coached by two-time Champions League finalist Simone Inzaghi, they stunned Manchester City at last year’s FIFA Club World Cup 4-3, knocking out Pep Guardiola’s team.

Benzema’s arrival was announced with fanfare by the record Saudi champions on social media.

Why did Ronaldo miss Al-Nassr’s game on Monday?

Ronaldo was absent from Al-Nassr’s SPL match against Al-Riyadh amid reports he is unhappy about the transfer situation at his club.

Ronaldo has scored 17 goals for the club this season.

Portuguese media outlet A Bola reported that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is unhappy that Al-Nassr have not strengthened their squad as they challenge for the league title.

The Portuguese superstar forward decided to recuse himself ⁠from head coach Jorge Jesus’ squad because Al-Nassr, the ​second-place team in the SPL ‍table, had not made a significant addition before the closure of the transfer window.

Heading into the game, Al-Nassr were second behind Al Hilal, which is also backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and has been linked with Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema.

How is Benzema’s move linked to Ronaldo?

Benzema’s transfer from the previous SPL champions to the most successful club is seen as a major threat to Ronaldo’s hopes of being crowned league champion, despite prompting a wave of top football players – including Benzema – to move to the Saudi league.

Ronaldo, who turns 41 on Thursday, has scored 91 goals ‌in 95 league matches for Al-Nassr since he arrived in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, ‍in January 2023.

SPL leaders Al Hilal are one point ahead of Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.

The former Real Madrid striker, a teammate of Ronaldo’s at the Spanish giant, led Al-Ittihad to the title last year, as well as the King’s Cup.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo is still waiting for his first league title since moving to Saudi Arabia in 2022, and has seen his main rival strengthen with the addition of five-time Champions League winner Benzema.

What have Al-Nassr said about Ronaldo, and could he leave the club?

Al-Nassr CEO Jose Semedo declined to comment, according to Saudi media.

Ronaldo is not injured, ill or out of favour ​with Jesus, ESPN reported.

Neither does ‌he intend to leave Al-Nassr, who signed him to a lucrative two-year contract extension in June 2025.

According to CBS Sports, ‌senior club officials understand Ronaldo’s vexation with the PIF, ‌the Saudi Arabian sovereign ⁠wealth fund that owns Al-Nassr, Al Hilal and two other Pro League sides.

Could Al-Nassr still sign more players to placate Ronaldo?

Saudi football’s transfer window closed on Monday night, pushing any hopes for the next transfer activity until the end of the current season.

Amsterdam has long been the go-to destination for a final night of freedom, but research has shown that a new city has emerged as the top spot, while another destination is fast catching up

Amsterdam may have been dethroned as the king of stag do destinations. According to research analysing search trends, the number of people searching for information on stag dos in the Netherlands’ capital has plummeted by 77% since 2023.

Party organisers, Sofia Stag Do, put together a list of Europe’s top ten stag destinations based on the number of searches over the past two years. Its rankings saw Amsterdam plummet from being the top destination in 2023, to number six in 2026.

Unsurprisingly, Prague took the top spot. While interest was down slightly in this Eastern European city, its combination of lively nightlife, cheap pints, and a beautiful Old Town kept it at number one. However, at number two is a city that has seen a steady increase in interest, and may not be the first location that springs to mind when planning a stag party.

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Riga in Latvia is becoming increasingly popular among stag parties, and there’s likely a combination of factors that have pushed it up the charts. Firstly, it is easy to get to from the UK. Flights take as little as two and a half hours, and Ryanair flies to Riga International Airport from East Midlands, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, London-Stansted, and Manchester, with fares from as little as £14.99 one way.

Riga’s compact size is also ideal for groups who want to enjoy a bar crawl or go for a night out without needing to get expensive taxis home. The liveliest nightlife can be found in Old Riga, an area full of historic buildings, town squares, and cobbled streets. You’ll find a huge number of bars tucked away, from stylish spots to fun themed places with drink deals.

Some spots to look out for include Secret Event, an underground bar set in a former monastery, and the Tiki Bar Riga, where you can enjoy colourful cocktails. If you’re doing fancy dress, head to Clayton McNamaras Drinking Emporium, a superhero-themed bar full of retro memorabilia that offers a range of shots named after comic characters.

Many bars open until the small hours, but for those who don’t want to head to bed just yet, weekends see a range of nightclubs opening their doors until dawn. Poseidon’s Club comes highly recommended for fans of EDM and stays open until 5am on Friday and Saturday nights. Teritorija has two rooms offering house and techno, while Bacio Riga offers a range of DJ sets and drink deals.

One thing potential stag parties always want to know is the cost of a pint. Riga can’t quite compare with the cheap beer prices of Prague, where you can often find pints for under £2. Pints generally cost £3-4 in the old town, but you can often find drink deals which bring down the prices.

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Riga also tends to offer cheaper accommodation than Prague, and it’s walkable, so you may find that overall a stag do in Latvia could work out cheaper than going to Prague.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

TV star Olivia Attwood has opened up on the surprising Love Islander she’d date after removing her wedding ring and telling pals she’s going to divorce Bradley Dack.

The 34-year-old recently revealed who she would pursue if she was on this season of Love Island All Stars.

Just last week, the presenter addressed her marriage breakdown saying she cries herself to sleep and wants both her and footballer Brad to be happy.

But now putting on a brave face Olivia sat down to chat with her pal Pete Wicks, 37, on their Sunday Roast podcast.

The duo then asked each other which islander they would pick out of the line up.

ITV‘s Olivia gobsmacked fans by opting for Curtis Pritchard.

Read more on Olivia Attwood

NO GOING DACK

Olivia Attwood ‘to divorce’ Bradley Dack and removes wedding ring

dog house

Olivia Attwood and ex Bradley Dack locked in battle over their dogs after split

She said: “I don’t know any of the boys names.”

And Pete replied: “Well you know one. Curtis. He’s a big lad, tall. I think you’d be a real power couple.”

Olivia surprisingly agreed, she said: “I would probably go for Curtis.”

Curtis found himself in the limelight after appearing on Love Island series five, but he didn’t stop there returning for Love Island games in 2023 and now this season of All Stars.

While Olivia picked the dancer, Pete was certain he would couple up with Belle Hassan.

Loose Women panellist Olivia also appeared on Love Island back in 2017 on series 3.

She finished in third place alongside Chris Hughes but they later split as she got back together with her long-time love Bradley Dack, 32.

The Sun previously revealed the split was down to what was called a “breach of trust” on his part.

A source close to the star told us: “Olivia is already talking about divorce because it is feeling very final and over for her.

“She’s worked too hard on her career to let it fall apart because of her relationship going south.”

Olivia was spotted last Friday on Loose Women without her £200,000 engagement ring meanwhile Bradley was snapped leaving football training still wearing his wedding band.

The couple are already locked in a tug of love over their dogs.

Carpathian/German shepherd mix Lola and rottweiler Stitch, both rescue dogs, are staying with Olivia in South London as they sort out their care.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
MONDAY’S RESULTS

BOYS
CITY SECTION
Angelou 86, Diego Rivera 46
Animo Robinson 59, Animo City of Champions 57
Bell 56, South Gate 38
Birmingham 74, Granada Hills 59
Crenshaw 52, Dorsey 47
Downtown Magnets 94, Central City Value 62
El Camino Real 66, Taft 60
Fairfax 62, Westchester 44
Fulton 50, Panorama 45
Garfield 34, Legacy 26
Grant 78, Monroe 55
Jefferson 71, West Adams 65
Lakeview Charter 51, Valley Oaks CES 25
LA Roosevelt 57, Huntington Park 42
Los Angeles 67, Manual Arts 26
Marquez 94, Maywood Academy 44
Maywood CES 43, Elizabeth 38
North Hollywood 78, Chavez 24
Orthopaedic 52, USC-MAE 22
Palisades 82, LA Hamilton 45
Simon Tech 48, Brio College Prep 46
SOCES 54, Hollywood 49
Sotomayor 42, Torres 38
Sun Valley Poly 60, Verdugo Hills 58
Van Nuys 69, Canoga Park 51
View Park 52, Harbor Teacher 33
Washington Prep 61, LA Jordan 52

SOUTHERN SECTION
Acaciawood 69, Southlands Christian 58
AGBU 63, de Toledo 53
Aliso Niguel 57, El Toro 46
Animo Leadership 39, AHSA 20
Animo Robinson 59, Animo City of Champions 57
Apple Valley 71, Sultana 50
Arlington 56, Riverside North 46
Arroyo 53, Rosemead 49
Azusa 52, Garey 40
Big Bear 84, California Lutheran 65
Bishop Montgomery 74, Bishop Amat 67
Bonita 70, Ayala 53
Brentwood 71, Viewpoint 56
Cantwell-Sacred Heart 67, St. Genevieve 51
Channel Islands 69, Nordhoff 46
Chino 73, Don Lugo 54
Citrus Hill 67, Vista del Lago 57
Citrus Valley 60, Beaumont 56
Colony 67, South Hills 54
Corona del Mar 59, Newport Harbor 51
Covina 61, Northview 49
CSDR 71, University Prep 66
Crossroads 62, Campbell Hall 60
Desert Chapel 56, Mesa Grande 50
Diamond Ranch 71, Chaffey 56
Dominguez 79, Compton Early College 24
Dos Pueblos 59, Buena 56
Duarte 71, Baldwin Park 34
Eastside 79, Palmdale 56
Edgewood 70, Pomona 13
Fairmont Prep 70, Capistrano Valley Christian 40
Faith Baptist 81, Valley Torah 65
Gabrielino 69, Pasadena Marshall 43
Garden Grove 75, Costa Mesa 44
Glendora 80, Walnut 58
Golden Valley 50, Saugus 28
Hacienda Heights Wilson 51, West Covina 44
Hawthorne MSA 53, Geffen Academy 46
Hemet 83, Perris 55
Heritage 64, Canyon Springs 50
Highland 71, Lancaster 36
Holy Martyrs Armenian 63, Le Lycee 49
Indian Springs 83, Miller 49
Indio 79, Yucca Valley 49
JSerra 78, Servite 53
Keppel 71, Bell Gardens 38
Laguna Hills 65, Godinez 55
Lancaster Baptist 62, PACS 48
La Palma Kennedy 61, Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 55
La Puente 54, Workman 32
La Salle 76, Paraclete 30
La Serna 51, Whittier 45
Legacy College Prep 69, Downey Calvary Chapel 41
Long Beach Poly 57, Millikan 66
Los Alamitos 68, Edison 61
Los Altos 83, San Dimas 64
Malibu 81, Fillmore 42
Marina 76, Huntington Beach 72
Mary Star of the Sea 54, Salesian 53
Mater Dei 92, Orange Lutheran 65
Mesrobian 55, Samueli Academy 52
Milken 59, YULA 50
Millikan 66, Long Beach Poly 57
Moreno Valley 62, Valley View 35
Newbury Park Adventist 55, Glendale Adventist 33
Norte Vista 93, Jurupa Valley 58
Ocean View 63, Katella 52
Ontario 63, Montclair 61
Orange Vista 64, Liberty 59
Palmdale Aerospace 75, Trinity Classical Academy 66
Palm Desert 95, La Quinta 32
Palm Valley 56, Joshua Springs Christian 36
Paloma Valley 59, Lakeside 49
Pilgrim 78, Summit View 38
Placentia Valencia 60, Fullerton 43
Quartz Hill 66, Antelope Valley 50
Ramona 94, Patriot 47
Redlands East Valley 83, Yucaipa 55
Rio Hondo Prep 77, EF Academy 39
River Springs Magnolia 65, Temecula River Springs 33
Rubidoux 51, La Sierra 34
San Bernardino 65, Buena Park 53
San Clemente 69, Tesoro 64
San Fernando Valley Academy 51, Highland Hall 39
San Gabriel Academy 62, Newport Beach Pacifica Christian 53
San Marcos 67, Oxnard Pacifica 46
Santa Barbara 71, Rio Mesa 46
Santa Clarita Christian 67, St. Monica Academy 65
Santa Fe 68, California 58
Santa Paula 92, Carpinteria 48
Santa Rosa Academy 63, Warner 46
San Jacinto Valley Academy 51, Nuview Bridge 25
Segerstrom 66, Westminster 25
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 82, Crespi 78
Sierra Canyon 103, Loyola 74
Sierra Vista 69, Nogales 53
Silverado 68, Victor Valley 28
Southwestern Academy 32, Waverly 27
St. Anthony 75, St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy 68
St. Bernard 80, St. Paul 65
St. Bonaventure 60, Cate 47
Trabuco Hills 56, Mission Viejo 52
United Christian Academy 65, Anza Hamilton 47
Valencia 67, Canyon Country Canyon 64
Verbum Dei 53, Gardena Serra 50
Westmark 49, Lighthouse Christian 18
West Torrance 74, SEED: LA 42
Woodcrest Christian 74, Desert Hot Springs 26

INTERSECTIONAL
Compton 82, South East 36
Santa Maria Valley Christian 51, Maricopa 44

GIRLS
CITY SECTION
Angelou 31, Diego Rivera 24
Animo Robinson 67, Animo City of Champions 11
Bell 66, South Gate 20
Birmingham 61, Granada Hills 57
Central City Value 56, Downtown Magnets 9
Cleveland 58, Chatsworth 30
Crenshaw 65, Dorsey 21
Eagle Rock 37, Arleta 31
East Valley 24, Fulton 22
El Camino Real 59, Taft 41
Garfield 86, Legacy 23
Grant 72, Monroe 5
Harbor Teacher 68, Hawkins 27
Huntington Park 33, LA Roosevelt 19
LA Hamilton 86, Palisades 83
Los Angeles 40, Manual Arts 26
Marquez 55, Maywood Academy 16
Maywood CES 52, Elizabeth 11
North Hollywood 65, Chavez 16
Northridge Academy 75, Vaughn 13
Santee 61, New West Charter 22
Sotomayor 35, Torres 22
USC-MAE 38, Orthopaedic 15
Venice 75, LACES 37
Verdugo Hills 75, Sun Valley Poly 16
Washington Prep 57, LA Jordan 20
West Adams 59, Jefferson 15
Westchester d. Fairfax, forfeit

SOUTHERN SECTION
AGBU 60, Buckley 33
Alemany 55, Notre Dame Academy 17
Animo Robinson 67, Animo City of Champions 11
Apple Valley 43, Sultana 29
Barstow 36, Granite Hills 17
Beaumont 63, Citrus Valley 55
Bonita 49, Ayala 38
Brentwood 63, Viewpoint 22
Cajon 31, Redlands 26
Calvary Baptist 64, Packinghouse Christian 41
Chaffey 47, Diamond Ranch 34
Chino 66, Don Lugo 25
Claremont 72, Diamond Bar 37
Crossroads 60, Campbell Hall 56
CSDR 50, University Prep 38
Duarte 47, Baldwin Park 40
Edgewood 47, Pomona 11
Gabrielino 39, Pasadena Marshall 19
Ganesha 34, Bassett 22
Glendora 57, Walnut 46
Hacienda Heights Wilson 60, West Covina 44
Hart 54, Castaic 14
Hawthorne 40, Animo Leadership 13
Hawthorne MSA 33, Geffen Academy 25
Heritage 59, Canyon Springs 21
Immaculate Heart 63, Flintridge Sacred Heart 34
Indian Springs 55, Miller 28
Jurupa Valley 34, Norte Vista 17
Keppel 67, Bell Gardens 13
Knight 60, Littlerock 15
Lancaster Baptist 44, PACS 36
La Puente 37, Workman 32
La Serna 71, Whittier 42
La Sierra 36, Rubidoux 4
Liberty 45, Lakerside 41
Los Alamitos 74, Edison 31
Louisville 47, Burbank Burroughs 21
Mater Dei 60, JSerra 46
Milken 58, Burbank Providence 21
Newbury Park Adventist 46, Glendale Adventist 21
Nogales 66, Sierra Vista 47
Northview 55, Covina 46
Oak Hills 69, Hesperia 38
Ojai Valley 38, Pilgrim 34
Ontario 37, Montclair 12
Orange Lutheran 48, Santa Margarita 44
Pacific 53, Entrepreneur 9
Palm Desert 52, La Quinta 40
Paloma Valley 60, Orange Vista 36
Pilibos 56, Shalhevet 51
Quartz Hill 59, Antelope Valley 35
Rancho Christian 105, Hemet 43
Ridgecrest Burroughs 40, Serrano 26
Riverside North 32, Arlington 27
Riverside Poly 74, Perris 10
Rosemead 47, Arroyo 18
Samueli Academy 54, Legacy College Prep 14
San Dimas 58, Los Altos 41
San Gabriel 40, Alhambra 37
San Jacinto Valley Academy 58, Nuview Bridge 32
Santa Clarita Christian 40, St. Monica Academy 34
Sante Fe 48, California 28
Santa Rosa Academy 44, Warner 35
Saugus 54, Golden Valley 36
Schurr 49, Montebello 36
Silverado 37, Victor Valley 32
South El Monte 30, El Monte 11
South Hills 41, Colony 20
Southwestern Academy 37, New Covenant Academy 22
St. Bonaventure 67, Thacher 22
St. Lucy’s 39, Mountain View 15
St. Mary’s Academy 48, Mesrobian 29
Trinity Classical Academy 92, Palmdale Aerospace 23
Twentynine Palms 61, Coachella Valley 22
Valencia 64, Canyon Country Canyon 46
Vista del Lago 37, Citrus Hill 34
Webb 50, First Baptist 17
Westridge 36, EF Academy 33
Windward 55, Archer 24
Woodcrest Christian 52, Desert Hot Springs 39
Yucaipa 90, Redlands East Valley 21
Yucca Valley 50, Indio 36
YULA 68, New Roads 6

INTERSECTIONAL
Panorama 39, Beverly Hills 36
Santa Maria Valley Christian 59, Maricopa 15

South Korean stocks shot up by the most in six years Tuesday, rebounding from the previous session’s deep trough, as investors brushed off concerns over the newly nominated Federal Reserve chair and went bargain hunting. The Korean won also rose against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) climbed 338.41 points, or 6.84 percent, to close at a new high of 5,288.08, a sharp upturn from the previous day’s plummet.

It marked the steepest daily increase since March 24, 2020, when the index rose by 8.6 percent, according to data provided by the Korea Exchange (KRX), South Korea’s main bourse operator.

Trade volume was heavy at 666.5 million shares worth 29.3 trillion won (US$20.3 billion). Winners outnumbered losers 825 to 75.

Strong buying demand triggered the KRX to temporarily suspend stock purchases in early trading.

The temporary halt in trading, also known as a “sidecar” in Korea, came a day after the bourse operator issued a sidecar for sell orders, with the KOSPI plunging by more than 5 percent.

The last time when the KRX consecutively issued a sell-side and a buy-side sidecar was on April 7 and 8, following U.S. President Donald Trump‘s announcement of sweeping tariffs, Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst from Daishin Securities, said.

“As there was no change in the market’s fundamentals, the benchmark index recovered on bargain hunting,” he said.

On a similar note, JP Morgan raised its target for the KOSPI to a range of 6,000 to 7,500 in a report released Tuesday, citing strong delivery in other sectors, such as defense and shipbuilding.

Foreign and Institutional investors turned net buyers, scooping up 703.3 billion won and 2.2 trillion won of equities, respectively. Retail investors sold off a net 2.9 trillion won.

Large-cap shares ended higher across the board.

Market top-cap Samsung Electronics soared 11.37 percent to 167,500 won, while its rival SK hynix advanced 9.28 percent to 907,000 won.

Defense giant Hanwha Aerospace rose 4.84 percent to 1,299,000 won, top carmaker Hyundai Motor added 2.82 percent 491,500 won, and major financial group KB Financial closed up 3.81 percent to 138,800 won.

The local currency was quoted at 1,445.4 won against the greenback at 3:30 p.m., up 18.9 won from the previous session.

Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency prohibits its content from being redistributed or reprinted without consent, and forbids the content from being learned and used by artificial intelligence systems.

Jordan on Monday became the latest Arab nation to proclaim that it won’t let its territory be used in a war against Iran. Last week, we noted that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also told the White House that their bases and airspace will be off limits for any attack on Iran. These decisions, if they hold, could greatly affect how the U.S. conducts any offensive actions against Iran. Meanwhile, reports have emerged that the U.S. and Iran might hold talks in Turkey on Friday. More on that later in this story.

“I held a phone call with His Excellency the Iranian Foreign Minister, Dr. Abbas Araghchi, discussing the situation in the region and the efforts being made to de-escalate tensions,” Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi explained on X. “I emphasized the necessity of adopting dialogue and diplomacy as the path to reaching a peaceful resolution for the nuclear issue and ending the tension. I also reaffirmed Jordan’s steadfast position on the necessity of respecting the sovereignty of states, and that Jordan will not be a battlefield for any party in any regional conflict, or a launchpad for any military action against Iran, and it will confront with all its capabilities any attempt to breach its airspace and threaten the safety of our citizens.”

Such a move could further limit Trump’s military options in the region. Muwaffaq Salti, in central Jordan, has been a critical base housing U.S. tactical jets and other aviation assets for years. F-15E Strike Eagles based there played a key role in defending against a massive Iranian missile and drone barrage on Israel in April 2024. Over the past few weeks, Muwaffaq Salti has also seen an influx of at least 12 additional F-15E Strike Eagles and air defense systems amid mounting pressures with Iran. These join F-15Es already there, as well as A-10 Thunderbolt II close support jets and possibly American F-16 Vipers. Taking these assets out of the fight, or not allowing overflights by other aircraft, reduces the U.S. and allies’ ability to strike targets in Iran. It is unlikely to factor into the possibility of defending against the large number of missiles and drones Iran could fire in retaliation for any attack.

There is also the possibility that his statements are for consumption by a home audience wary of war with Iran, especially if that means fighting on the side of the Israelis. It’s also possible that messaging is intended to keep them from being struck by Iran in a massive retaliatory strike, but U.S. access to basing and airspace may be clandestinely allowed, even if to a limited degree. We just don’t know. Regardless, these are possibilities we suggested after Saudi Arabia and UAE made their comments about not getting involved.

As we predicted, a flight of six E/A-18 Growlers landed at the Jordanian base on Jan. 31. They arrived after a journey from Puerto Rico, where they had taken part in the operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. You can read more about what the Growlers would bring to the table for any conflict with Iran here.

Controversial director Brett Ratner, whose documentary “Melania,” about the first lady, premiered last week, found himself in the headlines once again over his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

A photograph, part of the trove of files released Friday in the Department of Justice’s investigation into Epstein, shows Ratner sitting on a couch with his arms wrapped around a woman, whose identity is concealed. She is sitting next to Epstein and a second woman, who is also redacted in the photo and is sitting at the far end of the couch next to the disgraced financier. It is unclear where the photo was taken or when.

The filmmaker is among several prominent individuals from the worlds of entertainment, technology, politics and business — including L.A. Olympics boss Casey Wasserman — who have turned up among the millions of files that the Justice Department has released.

Epstein died by suicide in 2019 in Manhattan Correctional Center while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Ratner’s name also surfaces in a number of emails contained in the released files in which Epstein discusses his attempts to connect with the director and descriptions in which their social circles overlap.

It is not the first time Ratner turned up in Epstein’s orbit. In December, his photo appeared in an earlier batch of files the department released.

In the undated photograph, Ratner is seen seated, hugging a shirtless Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent and an Epstein associate.

Brunel died of an apparent suicide in 2022 in a French prison while awaiting trial on charges that he had raped a minor.

Ratner has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.

A spokesperson for the director did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

During a Monday appearance on “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” Ratner said that the recently released photograph was taken about 20 years ago. He said that the woman he is hugging was his then-fiancée, whom he declined to name, and that she had invited him to an event where the picture was taken.

“I’ve never been in contact with Jeffrey Epstein before that photo and never in contact with him after,” he said on the show.

Among the emails in which Ratner is mentioned, in December 2010, Epstein discusses a dinner he is having at “7:30” in which he says that he has invited Ratner but has not yet heard back.

In December 2010, it was widely reported that Epstein hosted a dinner at his Manhattan townhouse just months after he finished serving a prison sentence and house arrest for soliciting a minor for prostitution. The dinner was attended by a number of boldfaced names including Woody Allen and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew.

A year later, Epstein’s assistant appears to email Ratner saying, “Jeffrey would like to speak with you regarding [redacted] could you please give us a call.” It is unclear whether Ratner followed up.

In another heavily redacted email from 2018, Epstein writes to someone saying: “Hi I’m Jeffrey. brett Ratner thought we should meet.” He follows up with a second email asking whether Ratner had spoken to this person yet.

During the Cannes film festival in 2012, celebrity superpublicist and ubiquitous presence on the awards circuit Peggy Siegal emailed Epstein that she was sitting with Ratner about to watch a Roman Polanski documentary, adding that “Brett says ‘hi’ and he loves you!”

In other gossipy emails Siegal sent to Epstein, she cites Ratner in her listing of which power brokers and celebrities are in attendance at various parties and who is staying on whose yacht in St. Barts (Ratner, she wrote, was staying with his business partner, the Australian billionaire James Packer).

Siegal’s relationship with the convicted pedophile came under renewed scrutiny in 2019 after Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges, particularly as she helped facilitate his return to society following his prison sentence.

“Had I known that he had been accused of abusing underage girls, I would not have maintained a friendship with him,” she told the Hollywood Reporter.

Siegal could not be immediately reached for comment.

On Nov. 1, 2017 — the day The Times published its investigation in which six women accused Ratner of sexual misconduct — Epstein emailed lawyer Reid Weingarten: “brett ratner now oy.”

Ratner’s career was derailed nine years ago after The Times published detailed allegations against the director made by multiple women who accused him of harassment, groping and forced oral sex. Actor Olivia Munn claimed that Ratner masturbated in front of her when she delivered a meal to his trailer on the set of the 2004 film “After the Sunset.”

At the time, the director’s attorney Martin Singer rejected the women’s claims, saying that his client “vehemently denies the outrageous derogatory allegations that have been reported about him.”

Ratner’s agents at WME dropped him, as did his publicist, and projects were put on hold. Ratner parted ways with Warner Bros.

“I don’t want to have any possible negative impact to the studio until these personal issues are resolved,” he said in a statement.

In 2020, Ratner became embroiled in another Hollywood sex scandal, involving British actor Charlotte Kirk.

In a sworn court declaration, Kirk said she was victimized by then-Warner Bros. Chief Executive Kevin Tsujihara, Ratner, Packer and Millennium Films CEO Avi Lerner, stating that the men “coerced me into engaging in ‘commercial sex’ for them and their business associates.”

Singer, who represented the men, “categorically and vehemently” denied any wrongdoing on the part of his clients.

“Melania” is the first film Ratner has directed since he was largely exiled from Hollywood. The documentary has received harsh reviews from critics, who have also questioned the $75 million Amazon paid to distribute and market the movie. However, during its opening weekend, it grossed a better-than-expected $7.1 million at the box office.

Prop Jeremy Loughman will make his first Ireland appearance in two years against France in the opening game of the 2026 Six Nations on Thursday, but there is no place in the starting team for James Lowe, James Ryan or Tadhg Furlong.

With Ireland’s three first-choice loose-heads, Andrew Porter, Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle, all missing through injury for the game at the Stade de France (20:10 GMT), the 30-year-old Loughman will play at Test level for the first time since the Six Nations of 2024 and make his first international start since November 2022.

Loughman’s Munster team-mate Michael Milne, who won his only two previous caps against Georgia and Portugal in July, will be the loose-head back-up on the bench.

With Hugo Keenan missing because of the fractured hand he sustained in training last week, Jamie Osborne starts at full-back in what will be his first action since Ireland faced Japan in November.

Osborne had been expected to be in a straight shootout for the 15 jersey with Jacob Stockdale, but the Ulster player instead takes the place usually occupied by James Lowe on the left wing.

The exclusion of British and Irish Lion Lowe is not the only big call made by head coach Andy Farrell, with Connacht’s Cian Prendergast wearing six in the absence of Ryan Baird.

With Tadhg Beirne, who was another option to start at blind-side, joining Joe McCarthy in the second row, that means there is no place in the starting line-up for James Ryan who is one of six forwards on the bench.

SEOUL, Feb. 3 (UPI) — Hundreds of North Korean soldiers were seen practicing marching formations in preparation for a possible military parade ahead of the country’s long-anticipated Ninth Party Congress, according to a new report.

Recent commercial satellite imagery shows large formations of troops conducting drills at the Mirim Parade Training Ground in east Pyongyang, analysts at the Stimson Center-based 38 North said in an assessment published Monday.

The activity is “likely in preparation for a parade to mark the upcoming Ninth Party Congress,” the report said.

Imagery shows soldiers arranging themselves into shapes resembling the hammer, sickle and brush, the emblem of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea.

The party congress, held every five years, is where North Korea sets its domestic and foreign policy agenda. Leader Kim Jong Un is expected to unveil a new plan guiding political, economic and military priorities through 2031, the 38 North report noted.

While the official date for the Ninth Party Congress has not been announced, South Korean government officials and the National Intelligence Service have said they expect it to take place in early to mid-February.

Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday it has detected signs of parade preparations at the Mirim Airfield and Kim Il Sung Square, where similar events have been held in the past.

“It’s not yet clear whether a military parade will take place,” JCS spokesman Col. Lee Sung-jun said in a press briefing. “As I understand, preparations are currently being made as a civilian event.”

The apparent parade preparations come amid a string of public appearances by Kim Jong Un that underscore the regime’s push to demonstrate progress ahead of the congress.

Last week, Kim attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a regional development project in Unnyul County, part of a broader effort to modernize local industry and infrastructure. He has also intensified on-site inspections, recently dismissing a vice premier over construction delays at a major machinery plant.

A report by the state-funded Korea Institute for National Unification said the firing suggests the regime may be under mounting pressure to show tangible economic results, as sanctions and chronic shortages continue to constrain growth.

Military signaling has remained prominent as well. In late January, Kim oversaw the test-firing of an upgraded large-caliber multiple rocket launcher system and said plans to further bolster the country’s nuclear deterrent would be detailed at the congress.

Against that backdrop, 38 North said the timing of the congress could be influenced by whether Pyongyang plans additional public events ahead of the gathering.

“If there are more economic projects to showcase or weapons to test before the Party Congress commences, the event could take longer to open,” the report said.