Month: May 2026

WITHIN minutes of landing at Madeira’s Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport, we were picked up by . . . Ronaldo.  

No, not that one, but a taxi driver who said he was actually named after former US President Ronald Reagan, not the footballer. 

And he wasted no time in pointing out one of the island’s most famous landmarks, another Ronaldo.  

The bronze statue of the footballer outside the Pestana CR7 hotel in Funchal, the island’s main town, is certainly memorable — not necessarily for the reasons the sculptor intended.  

The two-metre, 800kg statue has a noticeably polished groin. Rubbing this delicate spot is meant to bring good luck, so it was obviously important I gave it a try.  

But Madeira — a Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic — isn’t just a shrine to football greatness, it’s been attracting Brits long before free kicks and trophies.  

GO SEA IT

The island nicknamed the ‘Greek Caribbean’ which is just a £29 flight away

HOLI-YAY

I’ve booked hundreds of holidays to the Spanish islands – here are the very best

According to our wonderfully knowledgeable guide, Graca Lopes, Victorians flocked here in the 19th Century for health reasons.  

Madeira’s mild, subtropical climate (16C to 22C year round) and pure air make it ideal for respiratory health. The wild volcanic views, lush forests and fresh sea air are great for mental health and longevity too. Anti- ageing and an escape from rainy Britain? Count me in!  

I’d heard Madeira described, slightly unfairly, as a haven for “energetic retirees with hiking poles”. And yes, there are plenty of older people and spectacular walks, but there’s definitely more on offer too. 

Madeira is surprisingly compact. At 35 miles long and 14 miles wide, it’s roughly the same size as Greater Manchester. 

The roads twist and climb at angles, often narrowing to only the width of a decent hallway. There is fun to be had on these winding roads on the island’s famous — and slightly bonkers — toboggan ride.  

It involves a wicker basket hurtling down steep streets from hilltop area Monte, steered by two men in straw hats using nothing but their shoes as brakes. It’s in equal parts terrifying and hilarious but in the 19th Century it was the quickest way to travel.  

There are plenty of other adventures to be had in Madeira. A Jeep safari along the rugged northeast coast, with AdventureLand tours, shows off the island at its most dramatic. 

One minute the open-sided truck is climbing steep, muddy tracks, the next you are looking out over sheer cliffs to the vast swathes of the Atlantic.  

The tour also includes a chance to admire the unique triangular-shaped houses at Santana with their traditional, red, white and blue paintwork and steep, thatched roofs. 

There’s whale and dolphin watching too. We spent the morning with Rota dos Cetaceos Tours. A marine biologist on board explained more about these incredible creatures. 

And for some of the most stunning beaches I’ve seen, take a day trip over to the neighbouring island of Porto Santo. It’s a two and a half hour ferry ride away but you’ll be rewarded with incredible beaches, including Calheta Beach, with its 9km of soft sands surrounded by unique rock formations. 

These adventures were complemented by our gorgeous base, The Vine, a sleek, stylish boutique hotel in the centre of Funchal. 

The interior design is inspired by wine. The furniture mimics twisted vines, there are grape-purple fabrics and the spa offers vinotherapy massages and facials.

The five-star hotel’s rooftop has a pool, Bali beds and bar, along with stunning views of the bay.

We took a walking tour of the town with guide Gracia. The cobbled streets lead to sea views and every corner seems to involve either food, history or both.  

One must-see is The Painted Doors of Rua de Santa Maria — where artists decorated 200 of the street’s doors as it rises to the church of Santa Maria Maior. 

In the picturesque fishing village of Câmara de Lobos we had lunch at the Restaurante Vila do Peixe. With incredible views, customers can choose fish fresh from the counter. The platter is around £35. 

Another traditional treat is the tipple ­poncha. According to locals it’s the answer to any problems life can throw at you. 

Got a cold? Poncha. Heartbreak? Poncha. Existential dread? Double poncha. 

By day two I was fairly certain it could also strip paint and power small machinery. 

We had dinners at various restaurants including the Three House Bake — a boutique hotel, restaurant and rooftop bar with a DJ and BBQ in Funchal town.  

The Jard.in Magnólia in Quinta Magnólia, a 19th Century estate with huge botanical gardens, served up a great steak and seabass with lime risotto, with prices from around £22 for a main.

But Avista, probably the poshest restaurant in Funchal, set on a clifftop, was sensational.

The staff were incredible and the food was too. We had a seven-course pairing menu that featured Algarve red prawns, black Angus steak tartare and a chocolate tangerine dessert. 

The tasting menu isn’t cheap, at around £80pp, but it’s definitely one for a special celebration.  

Our final day saw us exploring a levada walk — unique hiking experiences using Madeira’s 1,350miles of 15th Century irrigation channels that now double as scenic trails.  

There’s a huge variety of walks that promise strolls among lush forests, dramatic mountain scenery and stunning waterfalls. 

Among the most popular is the Levada das 25 Fontes, a popular trail near Rabaçal leading to a cascading waterfall lagoon. 

And then, just like that, it was time to leave. A final breakfast, a last look at the sea, and I’m back at the airport half expecting Ronaldo (either one) to wave me off.

Sadly, neither does. But Madeira has already done enough to win me over. 

The UNIFIL has faced a growing number of casualties as Israel continues air raids despite a ceasefire and Hezbollah has responded with rockets and drones.

China’s ambassador to the United Nations, Fu Cong, has said there is a need to re-examine the UN Security Council’s decision to terminate the mandate of the longstanding peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, which is due to end later this year.

Speaking to reporters on Friday at the UN headquarters in New York, Ambassador Fu expressed China’s deep concern about the situation in Lebanon as Beijing assumed the council’s rotating presidency for May.

He observed that a genuine ceasefire did not exist in Lebanon, describing the current state of conflict as merely a “lesser fire”.

“We do believe that we should revisit the decision, actually, to withdraw the UNIFIL,” Fu said, using the acronym for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon.

“I think at least the view of the overwhelming majority of the Security Council is that this is not the time to really, to withdraw the UNIFIL out of that part of the country,” Fu said.

China is waiting for a report from the UN secretariat, expected in June, “before we take our position”, he added.

Fu also said, “It is incumbent on Israel to stop this bombardment of Lebanon.”

Created to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops after the 1978 invasion, UNIFIL saw its mandate expanded after the 2006 war between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah and was responsible for a demilitarised buffer between the opposing sides.

However, the UNSC unanimously resolved last year to begin withdrawing the UNIFIL mission’s 10,800 international peacekeepers by December 2026.

According to Lebanese authorities, Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 have killed 2,618 people and forced more than one million to flee their homes.

The UNIFIL mission has also faced a growing number of casualties. According to UN officials, at least six peacekeepers have been killed and many others injured since Israel began its attack on March 2.

The deaths include soldiers from various contributing nations, including Indonesia and France, who have been caught in shelling incidents and roadside attacks.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned these incidents, noting that the UN’s “blue helmets” have come under fire while performing essential duties, such as clearing explosive ordnance and escorting logistics convoys.

Zanardi, who lost his legs in a racing crash, was credited with helping transform the perception of disability in Italy.

Alex Zanardi, the Italian Formula One driver who became a Paralympic cycling champion after losing both legs in an accident, has died aged 59, his family announced.

Zanardi, one of his country’s most loved and respected sportsmen, who was credited with helping transform the perception of disability in Italy, died on Friday evening.

In a statement issued on Saturday through the charity he founded, Obiettivo3, his family said he died “suddenly”, but also “peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family and friends”.

“The family would like to express ⁠their heartfelt thanks to all those who are showing their support at this time and ⁠asks that their grief and privacy be ⁠respected during this period of mourning.”

Zanardi’s death comes six years after the four-time Paralympic gold medal winner suffered a second horror crash in June 2020, when his handbike crashed into an oncoming truck during a race in Tuscany.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed Zanardi as “a great champion and an extraordinary man, capable of turning every trial of life into a lesson in courage, strength and dignity”.

Cordiano Dagnoni, head of the Italian Cycling Federation, said he “transformed the culture of our country, bringing joy and happiness to those fortunate enough to know him, and hope to so many in Italy and around the world”.

He said there would be a minute’s silence observed at this weekend’s races in tribute to the athlete.

Zanardi raced for Jordan, Minardi and Lotus in F1 in the early 1990s before switching to the CART championship in the United States where he was series champion in 1997 and 1998.

He returned to F1 with Williams in 1999 before heading back to CART.

Zanardi almost died in a horrific accident in 2001 at the Lausitzring track in Germany, after which he had both legs amputated.

His car had stalled in the middle of the track after a spin and was struck by another car at a speed of more than 300km/h (186mph).

Yet he went on to become one of the best-known figures in Paralympic sports, winning two gold medals at the 2012 London Games and two more in Rio de Janeiro, four years later.

In June 2020, he was involved in another terrible accident, this time in Tuscany. He suffered serious head injuries and only returned home 18 months later.

Zanardi, born in Bologna on October 23, 1966, leaves his wife Daniela and son Niccolo.

DAVID Beckham has posed in a pair of tiny speedos as his wife Victoria gushes over him in a sweet tribute to mark his 51st birthday.

The former professional footballer is celebrating his birthday today, and his wife Victoria has shared several sweet posts – including unseen photos and private family snaps.

One of the posts Victoria shared saw David posing on a boat in only a pair of tiny red shorts.

Showing off his incredible physique, David’s six pack and muscles were on full display.

Victoria accompanied the slew of snaps with a gushing tribute to her husband.

In the caption, the fashion designer penned: “You are our world, our everything. We love you so much!!!

posh’s privilege

David Beckham playfully mocks ‘working class’ Victoria on her birthday

FAMILY FIRST

Victoria Beckham addresses ‘publicly challenging year’ amid Brooklyn feud

“Happy birthday to the best husband, daddy, son, brother, and friend.

“To the kindest most generous soul. We will spoil you all day!!!!

“Nobody deserves it more than you xxx.”

Commenting on the post, one person penned: “Happy birthday!! Please stay together forever.”

A second person swooned: “He ages like a fine wine.”

“We all love your husband as much as you do,” added a third.

While a fourth said: “Happy Birthday David!! He just gets better and better.”

And a fifth wrote: “Happy birthday Sir David .. and Lady Victoria that was beautifully written. Have a fabulous day.”

She also shared a selection of images from a night out where David blew candles out on top of a birthday cake.

David was seen posing with his mum and dad, as well as other family members.

Victoria then shared some sweet photos of her and her hubby posing on a yacht.

David’s doting wife is not the only person to wish him a happy birthday on his big day.

Romeo Beckham took to Instagram to share several sweet posts in honour of his dad where he dubbed him as his “best mate”.

Cruz also shared two snaps of him and his dad, wishing him a happy day.

His girlfriend Jackie Apostel has thanked David for being a role model to her boyfriend in a sweet post.

And as the family feud rumbles on after Brooklyn launched a nuclear attack on his family earlier this year, he is of course yet to wish his father a happy birthday publicly.

Brooklyn said at the start of the year that he did “not want to reconcile” with his family, and accused his parents of “controlling” the narrative.

The challengers say Hernandez has failed to making meaningful headway on homeless encampments in Chinatown, Lincoln Heights and other parts of the district.

“People feel they do not have safe and walkable streets,” Robledo said. “People are disappointed, and I am too.”

Robledo, 67, wants to shut down the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, the city-county agency that oversees social services at the city’s hotels, motels and other interim housing.

Hernandez touts a $6.3-million state grant she helped secure to house homeless people living in or near the Arroyo Seco riverbed. She’s bringing a new 65-bed interim housing facility to Cypress Park and has worked to beef up services near MacArthur Park.

“I’m not focused on what folks are saying about us not delivering the services,” Hernandez said. “I know in my district we’re doing the work.”

Hernandez supports Mayor Karen Bass’ Inside Safe program, which has cleared encampments across the city, but wants greater transparency on how its money is spent.

Grande and Robledo also favor Inside Safe but say it is too expensive and needs to be reworked. Claros is the only candidate in the race who outright opposes the program, saying he would vote against any additional funds to keep it going.

“When we look at it now and we just do the numbers, it’s been a failure,” Claros said. “We’ve got to completely course correct and get away from that.”

Calanche, 57, supports Inside Safe but believes it isn’t addressing the root causes of homelessness, particularly mental health and drug addiction. Those issues are the responsibility of county government, which has its own public health and mental health agencies, she said.

To make real progress on those issues, the city should create its own public health department, similar to those found in Long Beach and Pasadena, Calanche said.

“There needs to be a different vision to address this issue,” she said.

Calanche, Claros, Grande and Robledo support Municipal Code 41.18, which prohibits homeless encampments within 500 feet of schools and daycare centers. That law allows the council to create 41.18 zones around “sensitive use” locations, such as public libraries and freeway overpasses.

Hernandez is a longtime opponent of 41.18, calling it ineffective and inhumane. She has voted against dozens of 41.18 zones that were created by her colleagues in the San Fernando Valley, the Westside and South Los Angeles.

Lakers advance

From Broderick Turner: LeBron James knew what was at stake in this first-round playoff series and that it was on his shoulders to meet the moment and have his teammates follow his lead.

James simply elevated his play like he has so many times over his illustrious 23-year NBA career, playing with a purpose and willing the Lakers to a 98-78 win over the Houston Rockets on Friday night at Toyota Center.

His 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds is why the Lakers won the best-of-seven series, 4-2, over the Rockets and why L.A. will meet the defending NBA champion Thunder on Tuesday night in Oklahoma City in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.

James and the Lakers had been on the verge of collapsing in these playoffs, their commanding 3-0 lead cut to 3-2.

But the Lakers and James let the Rockets know they were going to stay the course in Game 6 by building a 25-point lead in the third quarter.

Rui Hachimura let James and the Lakers know he had come to play, scoring 21 points on eight-for-15 shooting and a sizzling five for seven on three-pointers. Hachimura also had six rebounds.

James began to assert himself in the second quarter, scoring 14 points on five-for-eight shooting and two-for-three on three-pointers. He outscored the Rockets by himself in the second (14-13) and it was his effort that put the Lakers in front for good, helping them build a 19-point lead that was never in jeopardy.

James was being a leader by example for the Lakers, something that increased on April 2 once Luka Doncic (Grade 2 left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (Grade 2 left oblique muscle strain) got injured in Oklahoma City.

“I mean, I’ve done it throughout my career for the majority of my career, but they still have to accept it,” James said. “I would say we were a totally different team before April 2 and for them to accept the fact to allow me to lead them and kind of command them in a way that I think I saw fit, being an extension of our coaching staff on the floor, like I said, it means a lot to me. So, I’m happy I was able to do some things out there to make them understand that I guess I know what I’m doing at times and those guys, they were great in this series.”

Continue reading here

Lakers box score

NBA playoffs schedule

Lakers playoff schedule

First round
All times Pacific

at Lakers 107, Houston 98 (box score)
at Lakers 101, Houston 94 (box score)
Lakers 112, at Houston 108 (box score)
at Houston 115, Lakers 96 (box score)
Houston 99, at Lakers 93 (box score)
Lakers 98, at Houston 78 (box score)

Dodgers lose again

From Maddie Lee: Andy Pages tapped the top of his helmet as plate umpire Chris Guccione wound up to punch him out, taking one final stab at extending the Dodgers’ scoring opportunity in the eighth inning.

The Busch Stadium scoreboard lit up with a graphic of the strike zone. The ball flew in, touching the top of the rectangle and turning it red. The call was confirmed. Strike three.

In a 7-2 loss to the Cardinals on Friday, that was one of six at-bats the Dodgers had with runners in scoring position. They didn’t record a hit in any of them.

Instead, the Dodgers (20-12) only scored on Max Muncy’s double with a runner on first in the second inning, and Kyle Tucker’s bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the sixth. It marked their third straight loss, scoring two or fewer runs in each.

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Dodgers box score

MLB standings

Angels lose again

Ronny Mauricio hit a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning and the New York Mets rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Angels on Friday night in the opener of a nine-game trip.

The win — just the Mets’ fourth in their last 21 games — came a few hours after president of baseball operations David Stearns gave manager Carlos Mendoza a vote of confidence. New York has the majors’ worst record at 11-21.

Marcus Semien hit a tying two-run single in the Mets’ three-run sixth inning, which also included an RBI single by Francisco Alvarez. New York retired the final 21 Angels hitters.

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Angels box score

MLB standings

Nico Iamaleava’s redemption tour begins now

From Mirjam Swanson: Tennessee told Nico Iamaleava to go fly a kite, so UCLA said come fly it here.

That alleviated some homesickness, but it didn’t get Iamaleava’s career up off the ground. Of course, the conditions in Westwood last season weren’t ideal for takeoff.

But now they are.

Here comes Bob Chesney’s rebuild. And Iamaleava’s redemption. An exceptional head coach and an exciting quarterback, with the wind at their backs, racing toward a relatively breezy schedule?

Sky’s the limit, man.

Watch them dip and dance and make defenders miss all the way to New York. Watch the cautionary tale about the perils of the transfer portal turn into a fairy-tale comeback.

No, that’s not me building castles in the sky.

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SoFi Stadium workers could strike if ICE is at World Cup

From Kevin Baxter: Isaac Martinez has been as a cook at SoFi Stadium for four years. He’s worked dozens of events including NFL games, a Super Bowl, Taylor Swift concerts, Wrestlemania and the college football national championship game.

And he’s never been afraid to come to work. Until now.

He’s not alone. With the World Cup kicking off at the Inglewood venue next month, Martinez says he and many of the people who work in food services and other jobs at the stadium won’t feel safe if federal immigration agents are present during the tournament.

“Most of the workers are afraid. They fear for their safety,” Martinez said in Spanish. “This is also about the fans. People come from everywhere, even from Iran. So we’re concerned about their safety.”

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D.J. Smith could have interim tag removed

Interim head coach D.J. Smith will be among the candidates for the Kings’ full-time job when general manager Ken Holland conducts his coaching search this month.

Smith took over March 1 when Holland fired Jim Hiller with the Kings at 24-21-14 and out of the playoff picture. The former Ottawa head coach rallied the Kings to an 11-6-6 finish to claim the last wild-card spot in the Western Conference, but the Kings were swept by the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche in their fifth consecutive first-round postseason exit.

“D.J. did a great job,” Holland said Friday. “The team responded to him, so he’s a candidate. … I don’t want to talk to 20 people. I’d like to talk to probably five to eight people, and then make a decision. Some with experience, some maybe assistants, and some who haven’t been a head coach.”

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This day in sports history

1903 — 29th Kentucky Derby: Hal Booker riding Judge Himes wins in 2:09.

1904 — Laska Durnell becomes the first woman to own a Kentucky Derby starter and winner when longshot Elwood wins the 30th Run for the Roses. Elwood is also the first Derby winner whose breeder is a woman, Mrs. J.B. Prather.

1906 — 32nd Kentucky Derby: Roscoe Troxler aboard Sir Huon wins in 2:08.8.

1953 — Dark Star, a 25-1 longshot, wins the Kentucky Derby, beating 7-10 favorite Native Dancer by a head. It’s Native Dancer’s first defeat after 11 straight wins and the only defeat in 22 career starts.

1964 — Northern Dancer, ridden by Bill Hartack, wins the Kentucky Derby by a neck over Hill Rise in a race record 2:00.

1967 — The Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-1 to win the Stanley Cup in six games.

1968 — 22nd NBA Championship: Boston Celtics beat Lakers, 4 games to 2.

1970 — Diane Crump becomes the first female jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby. Her mount, Fathom, finishes 15th in a field of 17. Dust Commander, with Mike Manganello aboard, wins the race.

1978 — 1978 NFL Draft: Earl Campbell from University of Texas first pick by Houston Oilers.

1999 — John Elway announces his retirement from the NFL.

2001 — James Hylton, a construction worker from Keizer, Ore., bowls the fifth perfect 900 series in the 106-year history of the sport.

2002 — Patrick Lalime becomes the 14th goalie in NHL history to record four shutouts in one postseason with his 27-save performance in Ottawa’s 5-0 defeat of Toronto.

2009 — Mine That Bird, a 50-1 shot ridden by Calvin Borel, wins the Kentucky Derby with a dynamic stretch run through the mud. Borel finds room along the rail and pulls away in one of the biggest upsets in the 135-year history of the race.

2010 — Ryo Ishikawa shoots a 12-under 58 — the lowest score on a major tour — to win The Crowns in Togo, Japan. The 18-year-old Ishikawa has 12 birdies in his bogey-free round on the 6,545-yard Nagoya Golf Club course.

2010 — Cleveland’s LeBron James becomes the 10th player in NBA history to win consecutive MVP awards.

2012 — Barcelona football player Lionel Messi breaks the European goal-scoring record with 68 goals.

2015 — American Pharoah rallies in the stretch to beat Firing Line by a length for trainer Bob Baffert’s first Kentucky Derby victory since 2002. Sent off as the 5-2 favorite by the record crowd of 170,513, American Pharoah is ridden by Victor Espinoza.

2015 — Floyd Mayweather Jr. uses his reach and his jab to frustrate Manny Pacquiao for a unanimous decision in their welterweight title bout. Mayweather remains unbeaten in 48 fights, cementing his legacy as the best of his generation.

2016 — Leicester City win the English Premier League title after starting the season at 5,000-1 odds.

2017 — Isaiah Thomas scores 53 points — the second-highest total in Celtics playoff history — to help Boston beat the Washington Wizards 129-119 in overtime and take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals.

Compiled by the Associated Press

This day in baseball history

1917 — Fred Toney of the Cincinnati Reds and Hippo Vaughn of the Chicago Cubs pitched a double no-hitter for nine innings, but the Reds won 1-0 on two hits in the 10th. Jim Thorpe drove in the winning run.

1923 — Walter Johnson recorded his first shutout of the season and the 100th of his major league record 113 career shutouts as the Washington Senators defeated the New York Yankees 3-0. Yankees shortstop Everett Scott received a medal from the American League for playing in his 1,000th consecutive game.

1927 — Babe Ruth becomes the highest-paid player in major league history when the Yankees announce he will earn $70,000 per season for the next three years.

1939 — Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees did not play against the Detroit Tigers at Briggs Stadium, ending at 2,130 his streak of consecutive games. Gehrig never played again. Babe Dahlgren took his place at first base. The Yankees didn’t miss his bat, however, beating the Tigers 22-2.

1954 — Stan Musial hit five home runs in a doubleheader split with the New York Giants at St. Louis. The Cardinals won the first game 10-6 but lost the second 9-7. His fifth home run, off Hoyt Wilhelm, went over the roof in right center.

1959 — Frank Robinson of Cincinnati hit for the cycle and drove in five runs to lead the Reds to a 16-4 rout of the Dodgers.

1964 — The Minnesota Twins became the third team in major league history to hit four consecutive home runs in an inning. Tony Oliva, Bob Allison and Jimmie Hall connected off Dan Pfister and Harmon Killebrew went deep off Vern Handrahan in the top of the 11th inning for a 7-3 win at Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium.

1992 — The highest-paid player tag now belongs to Ryne Sandberg of the Chicago Cubs. The All-Star second baseman signs a four-year contract extension worth $7.1 million per season.

2000 — Atlanta became the first NL team in 49 years to win 15 straight games by defeating the Dodgers 5-3.

2002 — Mike Cameron hit four homers and came close to a record-setting fifth in leading the Seattle Mariners to a 15-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox. He became the 13th major leaguer to homer four times in a game. Cameron connected in his first four at-bats in just five innings. He joined Bret Boone as the first teammates to each hit two home runs in the same inning. They connected back-to-back twice in a 10-run first.

2005 — Thirty-two years after his death, Jackie Robinson receives the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, the highest honor Congress can bestow.

2005 — Jim Edmonds hit a three-run homer off closer Danny Graves, and John Mabry added a two-run shot that completed the greatest ninth-inning comeback in St. Louis Cardinals history. The Cardinals sent 12 batters to the plate and scored seven runs in the top of the ninth to beat Cincinnati 10-9.

2006 — Bret Boone retires at the New York Mets training camp, the culmination of a swift decline for a player who was one of baseball’s best second basemen only a few years ago.

2012 — Jered Weaver pitched the second no-hitter in the majors in less than two weeks, completely overmatching Minnesota and leading the Angels to a 9-0 win over the Twins. The Twins never came close to getting a hit against Weaver, who struck out nine and walked one.

2025 — Riley Greene becomes the first player ever to homer twice in the ninth inning when he does so for the Tigers against the Angels.

Compiled by the Associated Press

Until next time…

That concludes today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email me at houston.mitchell@latimes.com. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.

GOING on holiday to Greece this year just became a whole lot easier.

If you dream of lazing on white sand beaches and gazing at turquoise waters with a Mythos beer in hand, you’re in luck.

Getting to Greece is set to be a breeze, as the country has ditched the new European border control systems for Brits that have resulted in three-hour queues as holidaymakers arrive at their destinations.

On April 18, the Greek Embassy stated that Brits entering the country will not have to enrol in the new EU border biometrics system, EES.

This means British holidaymakers visiting Greece can skip the fingerprint scanning and questioning that comes with enrolling in the Entry/Exit System.

Not only can you skip the queues in time for your Greek summer holiday, but if you’re yet to book something abroad, you still have time to nab an affordable break.

Insiders at Travel Supermarket have tipped Sun Travel off about the country’s most affordable destinations – plus we’ve found last-minute deals you can bag for cheap.

Here are the trusted travel company’s top five cheapest Greek island destinations, based on the average price per person for a 7-night stay.

*Prices correct at time of publication

5. Crete

Crete is one of the most affordable Greek holiday destinations, with an average holiday price per person of £718 for a week away (though we’ve found a steal of a deal for £235pp).

Chania on the west coast offers some of the island’s most beautiful natural landscapes, where you can hike Samaria Gorge or laze on the pinkish sands of Elafonisi Beach.

Lasithi on the east coast is home to lots of upscale resorts, which may bring the average holiday price up compared to the other islands.

Heraklion in the centre houses the island’s fascinating historical artefacts.

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is well worth an afternoon’s visit, and the coastal city of Rethymno has a historic Old Town.

4. Santorini

Given that sunny Santorini is an A-lister hotspot, it may come as a surprise that it’s made the list of the cheapest Greek islands to book for Brits.

The average price per person for a week’s holiday here is just £621, which feels like a bargain considering its status.

Santorini is a picture-perfect Greek island, with bright white buildings that tumble down hills towards the Aegean Sea.

Visit Oia Village to spot blue-domed churches and to find the best viewpoints for the island’s spectacular sunsets, or sail off on a catamaran cruise to look back at the island from afar.

3. Rhodes

Rhodes remains a popular choice for British holidaymakers, and comes in joint-second place for the most affordable of the Greek islands.

Think picturesque whitewashed villages, cobbled narrow streets and endless blue horizon.

Not only are there plenty of beautiful beaches, like the emerald cove of Anthony Quinn Bay or beach-bar-lined Tsambika Beach, but there’s plenty of history here, too.

Wander the UNESCO-listed Medieval Old Town to its massive 14th-century castle, or walk the preserved Street of the Knights.

2. Lefkas

At an average cost of £599pp, Lefkas, or Lefkada, is the second-most affordable Greek island according to data from Travel Supermarket.

This lesser-known island has plenty of picturesque traditional villages and beautiful white limestone cliffs.

It’s worth visiting this quiet island before more people catch on to its beauty. Top beaches include the unspoiled Milos Beach and the crystal-clear waters of Agiofilli Beach.

Take a visit to the island’s traditional fishing resorts like Nidri, where its pretty harbour faces electric-blue waters.

This island also connects to mainland Greece via a bridge, making it one of the only islands you can drive to if you’re not a fan of travelling by boat.

1. Kefalonia

Kefalaonia was revealed as the most affordable Greek island, with the average week-long holiday costing just £554pp.

As the largest Ionian island, Kefalonia has plenty to offer.

This beautiful island is full of white sand beaches and hidden coves to explore, such as the Blue Flag-listed Antisamos Beach and the crescent-shaped Myrtos Beach.

Plus, this is a great island to escape to for pure relaxation, as it offers a much more relaxed feel in comparison to the nightlife of its buzzy neighbours, Corfu and Zakynthos.

With so many affordable holidays to pick from, which Greek island destination would you go for?

Chris Webber, Head of holidays and deals at Travel Supermarket, suggests ticking off celeb-favourite Santorini.

He says: “Rhodes has been our most booked Greek island so far this year, but it’s only our third cheapest and fifth in terms of price drops — which shows there are real bargains out there for holidaymakers willing to look beyond the usual suspects.”

“The biggest surprise is Santorini. It has a reputation as a pricey, aspirational destination, but it’s had the largest price drop of any
Greek island we track, down more than £200 per person on the same time last year.”

“If Santorini has ever been on your list, now is clearly the moment to go.”

Follow @thesuntravel on Instagram on TikTok for more travel tips and inspiration

SPIRIT Airlines has confirmed it has officially shut down after all last-minutes attempts to save the company fell through.

Donald Trump on Friday had said he had offered a final proposal for a federal bailout.

But a deal was not made after talks hit a wall over a $500million rescue package.

American, United and Frontier Airlines have all offered to support any passengers left stranded by the closure.

It comes after the airline filed for bankruptcy for a second time.

“It is with great disappointment that on May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines started an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately,” the airline said in a statement on Saturday.

“All Spirit flights have been cancelled, and Spirit Guests should not go to the airport.

“We are proud of the impact of our ultra-low-cost model on the industry over the last 34 years and had hoped to serve our guests for many years to come.”

Spirit, like many other airlines, has been plagued with skyrocketing fuel costs as the Iran war continues, with some carriers raising fares and increasing checked bag fees.

“Unfortunately, despite the Company’s efforts, the recent material increase in oil prices and other pressures on the business have significantly impacted Spirit’s financial outlook,” it said.

Some other budget-friendly airlines have asked the government for help as they face jet fuel price spikes.

Spirit’s collapse just a day after it was still selling tickets to travelers has left thousands stranded as all flights have been canceled.

In addition to this, 17,000 workers are now out of work including 14,000 airline employees and thousands of contractors.

Passengers with Spirit tickets will be getting automatic refunds if they booked directly with the airline using a debit or credit card.

Those who have tickets from travel agents must “contact the travel agent directly to request a refund.”

The airline added that it will not be able to help passengers re-book their flights with another airline.

However, rival carriers have offered help, with JetBlue offering passengers $99 one-way fares for those who have proof of a Spirit itinerary for the same route of travel until May 6.

The airline has urged stranded passengers to call 1-800-JETBLUE for help getting where they need to go.

In addition to this, JetBlue has capped basic fares at $299 or less on certain non-stop routes.

Similar moves are being made by United, Delta, and Southewest, the Department of Transportation confirmed.

“The Trump Administration is committed to taking care of you and your family when you fly,” said US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

“In a matter of hours, we’ve activated our airline partners to ensure passengers are not stranded, communities maintain route access, fares do not skyrocket, and Spirit’s workforce is connected to new job opportunities.”

The department has outlined the ways that it and fellow airlines are assisting those affected by Spirit’s collapse from capped and reduced fares to refund advice and employee support.

Duffy has largely blamed former President Joe Biden for the airline’s collapse.

This is because a proposed merger between Spirit and JetBlue was blocked under the Biden administration in 2024 which Duffy called “a massive mistake” in a press conference on Saturday morning.

He added that President Trump was “like a dog with a bone” trying to find a deal to keep Spirit afloat but noted that the airline “was in dire straights long before the war in Iran.”

And it’s not just Spirit struggling financially, with The Association of Value Airlines seeking $2.5billion in federal help to keep discount airlines like Breeze and Frontier running amid high fuel prices.

Duffy has already rejected this level of funding and in his press conference, accused low-budget airlines of trying to piggyback on the generosity the Trump administration showed to save Spirit in trying to save it.

China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong says maintaining the ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz are “urgent” priorities, warning the issue will be high on the agenda if it remains closed during President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Beijing.

Takaichi signs six agreements with Vietnam, including on technology, agriculture and space, during a trip to Hanoi.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says the country will boost ties with Vietnam, with a focus on energy and critical minerals.

Takaichi met her Vietnamese counterpart, Le Minh Hung, on Saturday in Hanoi, where they signed six agreements on issues ranging from infrastructure to agriculture to space cooperation.

“The two sides identified economic security as a new priority area for bilateral ‌cooperation,” Takaichi told reporters after the meeting.

“With regard to critical minerals … both sides agreed to strengthen close coordination to ensure stable supplies and reinforce supply chains,” she added.

Hung said the two leaders also “reaffirmed the importance of resolving disputes in the South China Sea through peaceful means based on international law”.

Japan and Vietnam share concerns about China’s territorial claims in the East and South China Seas, and both have sought to hedge against United States-driven trade disruptions by broadening economic and security ties.

Crude oil supplies

The push for deeper cooperation between the two states comes after ⁠new investment in Vietnam from Japan, one of its largest foreign investors, fell about 75 percent year-on-year to $233m in the first quarter, even as bilateral trade rose 12.3 percent to $13.7bn over the same ⁠period, according to Vietnamese government and customs data.

Vietnam ⁠has been seeking support from Japan and other countries ⁠for oil supplies as conflict in the Middle East drives prices higher and disrupts supply chains.

Under the $10bn Power Asia Initiative to support Asian countries’ energy self-reliance, Japan will assist in arranging crude oil supplies ⁠for Vietnam’s Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, Hung said.

Takaichi was also set to meet President To Lam, who is also the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, on Saturday afternoon and deliver ⁠a keynote speech at Vietnam National University, marking a decade since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe introduced Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” strategy.

WASHINGTON — More than 60 days into his war with Iran, well past public deadlines he had set for its end, President Trump sat through a briefing from U.S. Central Command outlining yet another set of options for a fresh round of strikes.

On offer Thursday were unpalatable choices for a president eager to move on from the conflict he started. Renewed U.S. attacks risk inflaming the war beyond Trump’s control, undermining a fragile ceasefire for which American allies fought hard. But the very need for such a briefing underscored how difficult a position the president has found himself in.

A legal deadline for congressional authorization arrived Friday that threatens to increase pressure on the administration — and underscore lagging support for the most unpopular U.S. war in modern times. Global oil prices remain above $100 a barrel entering the midterm election season. And a diplomatic breakthrough with Tehran appears nowhere in sight.

Signs pointed to another U.S. military buildup in the region this week that could portend a fresh round of fighting. A U.S. Defense official familiar with the matter said the U.S. military has used the weeks-long pause to replenish its munitions. So, too, have the Iranians, who have reportedly increased their efforts to dig out stockpiles of missiles and drones buried by U.S. and Israeli strikes.

“Amateurs look at strategy; pros look at logistics,” said Robert Pape, a professor of international relations at the University of Chicago. “I have seen more buildup of force — actual firepower, with the addition of a third aircraft carrier, and logistics — than we’ve seen since the beginning of the war in February. So there’s been a notable change in the past week.”

The logistical surge appears to be a stream of Boeing C-17 military transport aircraft making their way to the region, alongside the addition of a third aircraft carrier. Only two carriers were in place when Trump first launched the war Feb. 28.

“That’s a pretty good sign that they’re mobilizing,” Pape added. “These are strategic and operational indicators. I would imagine they’re looking for a sharp knock.”

More than 10,000 Marines from expeditionary units are now in theater, giving Trump the option to launch limited ground operations, such as seizing a small stretch of coastline or initiating an assault on Kharg Island, the hub of Iran’s oil industry.

Occupying Iranian territory could provide the Trump administration with leverage in negotiations with Tehran. But it would also carry significant domestic political risks. A clear majority of Americans — including many Republicans — oppose a ground war.

More troops would be necessary to hold ground for any substantial period of time, experts said.

“I do have the impression, from some of the briefings that I have received as well as other sources, that an imminent military strike is very much on the table,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, told CNN.

Departing Washington for the weekend, Trump told reporters that a “very disjointed” Iranian government, torn internally over whether to agree to a nuclear deal with the Americans, had put his administration “in a bad position,” uncertain whom to negotiate with or whether any agreement it might strike would be enforced.

“Right now we have negotiations going on. They’re not getting there,” Trump said. “They want to make a deal, but I’m not satisfied with it. So we’ll see what happens.”

And yet, the longer talks continue, the more pain Americans can expect to feel as global energy and fertilizer prices continue to skyrocket over disrupted commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, affecting the costs of pocketbook items ranging from food and fuel to airfare.

Trump hopes a brief new round of powerful strikes, potentially targeting Iranian infrastructure, will force Iran’s hard-liners to support a negotiated settlement — a gambit that could backfire, after an inaugural volley of strikes in the war killed off the government’s moderate voices, empowering the militant leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

“Do we want to go and just blast the hell out of them and finish them forever, or do we want to try and make a deal?” Trump asked, speaking with reporters on the South Lawn. “I mean, those are the options.”

In a letter addressed to Congress, Trump dismissed a 60-day deadline for congressional authorization for the war set forth in the War Powers Act, claiming the ceasefire with Iran had effectively stopped the clock on the administration’s legal responsibilities. Democrats argue that an ongoing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports constitutes an act of war that, absent a formal diplomatic agreement, requires congressional approval.

Speaking with reporters, Trump offered a less nuanced explanation.

“It’s never been used, it’s never been adhered to,” Trump said of the act. “Every other president considered it totally unconstitutional, and we agree with that.”

The internal debate over resuming the war comes after Pentagon officials informed Congress this week that the conflict, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, had cost taxpayers $25 billion thus far.

Pete Hegseth, the president’s secretary of Defense, defended the effort at a congressional hearing Wednesday, telling lawmakers that the United States was “absolutely” winning the war.

“Militarily,” Hegseth said, “on the battlefield, it’s been an astounding military success.”

He declined to say whether he had advised the president to launch the war in the first place.

Zanardi returned to motorsport after his crash, winning four times for BMW in the World Touring Car Championship from 2005-09.

In addition to his handcycling success at the Paralympics, he became a 12-time world champion and won the men’s para-cycling race at the New York marathon in 2011.

Zanardi suffered serious head injuries in 2020 when he lost control of his handbike during a road race in Tuscany and crashed into an oncoming truck.

Formula 1’s governing body the FIA said, external Zanardi’s “journey from life-changing accident to Paralympics gold medallist made him one of sport’s most admired competitors and an enduring symbol of courage and determination”.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, external her country had lost “a great champion and an extraordinary man, capable of turning every trial of life into a lesson in courage, strength, and dignity”.

She added: “Alex Zanardi knew how to get back in the game every time, facing even the toughest challenges with determination, clarity, and a strength of spirit that was truly exceptional.

“With his sporting achievements, with his example, and with his humanity, he gave all of us much more than a victory: he gave hope, pride, and the strength to never give up.

“On behalf of myself and the government, I extend my heartfelt thoughts and the sincerest closeness to his family and to all those who loved him.

“Thank you for everything, Alex.”

A foodie left people floored after sharing the price of his three-course meal at a Benidorm restaurant. Harry shared his story after he sampled what was on offer at a popular eatery

Thousands flock to Benidorm each year for a spot of sun-soaked fun, but one man recently left people gobsmacked after sharing the price of his meal abroad. He popped into a well-known establishment to enjoy a three-course meal, and people were floored when they caught a glimpse of his bill.

Harry, known as Harry Tokky on TikTok, regularly documents his travels and escapades in Benidorm, keen to showcase everything Spain has to offer. He recently turned heads after sharing a dining experience that left followers speechless when they discovered what he’d forked out at a local restaurant during his time there.

He posted footage of himself tucking into his food before delivering an honest verdict. It’s not the first time the cost of eating out has caught people’s attention at the beloved holiday hotspot.

Harry said: “Today I’m here at Uncle Ron’s, locally famous for the €1 pint, and what might be the cheapest Sunday roast in Benidorm. What are we waiting for? Let’s go and get ourselves a Sunday roast.

“Just ordered myself a chicken roast at a mental price of €12 (£10.36). Do you think that’s cheap? Because I do.”

In the caption, he clarified this covered three courses, writing: “Would you pay €12 for a three-course Sunday roast in Benidorm?”

When the food arrived, he appeared thoroughly impressed, raving about the generous portion size and noting it came with a hearty amount of gravy on the side.

He added: “I can’t get over the fact that this is all €12. We’ve even got a bit of stuffing there as well.

“As far as value goes, I mean you’re not going to get better value than this I don’t think anywhere else in Benidorm. I mean, look at the size of it.

“Fantastic. Would you pay €12 for this roast dinner? Because I certainly would.”

Warning: Below video contains language some may find offensive

The footage got tongues wagging, with many viewers left gobsmacked by what a steal it was.

One wrote: “Had one Sunday. It was absolutely lovely. €12 for dinner and pudding.”

Another chimed in: “€13 with a pint – Holy Moly!” A third remarked: “Love Uncle Ron’s.”

While a fourth also added: “Brilliant bar. Uncle Ron’s is great.”

For those yet to make a visit, Uncle Ron’s in Benidorm is well-regarded for serving up incredibly wallet-friendly roast dinners. Over the years, it’s typically been priced at around €12 for multiple courses.

You’ll find it situated on Calle Londres in the new town. It’s a firm favourite for pub grub, boasting live music, reasonably priced drinks and a laid-back atmosphere.

THE sun tickles my face as I gaze across the North Sea on a bright April day. 

And I can safely say that this amazing spot on Sweden’s west coast radiates a stillness that could relax even the busiest soul. 

Varberg, a 40-minute train ride from Gothenburg, is emerging as a proper wellness spot. 

One where holidaymakers come to escape life’s rigours and experience authentic Sweden, without the modern-day malls and restaurant chains that have taken over many major cities across Europe. 

Here, old-fashioned practices and a fuss-free way of life are still very much the norm — and I couldn’t wait to try them out. 

Throwing myself straight into the action, I head to the town’s Kallbadhuset — which translates as “cold bathhouse” — perched on the sea and reminiscent of a Disney castle.  

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Plunging into the water, I brace myself for the rush of cold — and the brief dip certainly wakes me up.  

Luckily, I can follow it up with a visit to the spectacular sauna, warming my limbs while I soak up the stunning view of the town’s pier. 

Of course, cold plunges are not the only perk of being by the sea.  

Varberg and its surrounding towns in Halland County are a haven for seafood lovers. One of the best places to sample it is Spiseriet.

Translated, it means “the place to eat” — and it certainly does its name justice.

Having worked at a string of Michelin-star restaurants throughout Gothenburg, charismatic host Peter Hallden and chef Martin Anneflod decided to open their own place in the picturesque Johnssons Gard. 

Diners sit in a renovated former stable and choose from a ridiculously fresh menu of classic Swedish grub.  

My Norwegian langoustines, Peter informs me, were in the sea four hours earlier, having been collected from nearby fishing village Traslovslage.

Make sure to try the falafel, too, made from local fava beans and pesto rustled up from local nettles. It is Michelin-star quality, but with a home-cooking feel to it and without the extortionate price tag. 

If you do want to push the boat out, however, then Restaurant Ang by the Astad Vineyard is a great spot to sample Michelin-star dining.  

At just over £100pp, its eight-course tasting breakfast is less eye-watering in price than its dinner and will keep you full for hours.  

Star dishes include waffle with a side of caviar, thick hash brown with fava beans and a breakfast cheesecake. 

Attention to detail is the name of the game here and doses of morning caffeine are served with a difference. Kenyan coffee beans are soaked in local lingonberries for 18 hours before being served as what looks like juice, but tastes like a refreshingly fruity iced coffee. 

After gorging on several hearty courses, I’m properly fuelled for my hiking trip in Steninge, 45 minutes south of Varberg. This area is filled with glorious trails, although Steninge, home to the Steningedalens nature reserve, has some of the best. 

An excellent path winds along the Hallandsleden coast, enabling ramblers to take in sensational views of the sea. Or if you prefer to cycle, stretching parallel to the coastal path is bike trail Kattegattleden.  

The 240-mile route begins in Helsingborg and weaves past idyllic farm shops, guesthouses and fishing villages as well as sandy beaches. 

Along the way is Steninge Kuststation, where I stop for vegetarian Swedish meatballs, mash and local lingonberries. If you think Ikea’s meatballs are good then these will knock your socks off. 

Co-owned by Frida Fernbrant and Martina Gustafsson, the guesthouse is a perfect overnight stop for cyclists — with tastefully decorated old-fashioned rooms, sea views, homely food and an outdoor stage for live music. 

Back at my base, the Varbergs Kusthotell resort helps me properly unwind and rest my weary legs.  

The modern facility sits just 52 steps from the sea, with spa facilities open late so that guests can enjoy an after-dinner swim. 

Three outdoor pools arc around the main spa building, which houses an indoor swimming facility in addition to two luxurious hot tubs. 

As I watch steam from the heated pool rise into the still night air, I can’t help but feel totally at ease. 

Wellness breaks don’t get much better than this.

PM Keir Starmer says the phrase ‘globalise the Intifada’ should be ‘completely off limits’.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says some pro-Palestine marches could be banned and people who use the phrase “globalise the Intifada” could be prosecuted.

In an interview broadcast by the BBC on Saturday, Starmer advocated for tighter language restrictions at pro-Palestine marches, adding that in some cases, rallies could be prohibited altogether.

“I’m a big defender of freedom of expression, peaceful protests,” he told the BBC. “But when there are chants like ‘globalise the Intifada’, that’s completely off limits.”

“Clearly, there should be tougher action in relation to that,” he added.

Discussions had been taking place with the police for some time about what further action could be taken, he added. Asked whether he sought to completely bar some rallies, Starmer said he thought that would be appropriate in some cases.

‘Likely to be arrested’

Starmer’s comments come after he earlier this week called the chant “globalise the Intifada” a case of “extreme racism” and said those who use it “should be prosecuted”.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley also told the BBC that people who use the phrase are “likely to be arrested”.

Supporters of the slogan say it reflects a call to expand the pro-Palestine movement into a global campaign.

Starmer has come under pressure after a spate of anti-Semitic incidents, including this week, when two men were stabbed in the north London suburb of Golders Green, which is home to a large Jewish community.

A 45-year-old British national who was born in Somalia was remanded in custody when he made his first appearance in court on Friday, accused of attempted murder.

Starmer visited the scene of the attacks and a Jewish volunteer ambulance service on Thursday and was booed by some locals, who accused him of not doing enough to protect them. They also denounced pro-Palestinian activists holding marches in British cities.

On Thursday, the UK increased its security alert level to “severe” – the second highest – in part because of the attack in Golders Green.

British authorities have repeatedly faced criticism for cracking down on pro-Palestine activism during Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.

Last month, British police arrested more than 500 people during a mass vigil in central London to oppose the ban on campaign group Palestine Action.

“I think Britain has now descended into a non-democratic situation and I think that is very dangerous [for] free speech,” one demonstrator taking part in the vigil told Al Jazeera.

The collapse of the US-based budget carrier due to a doubling in jet fuel prices will cost thousands of jobs.

Low-cost US carrier Spirit Airlines has said that all of its flights have been cancelled as it started an “orderly wind-down of operations,” after a potential White House bailout fell through.

“Spirit Aviation Holdings, Inc., parent company of Spirit Airlines … today regretfully announced that the Company has started an orderly wind-down of operations, effective immediately. All Spirit flights have been cancelled, and Spirit Guests should not go to the airport,” the airline said in a statement in the early hours of Saturday.

Spirit had 4,119 domestic flights scheduled between May 1 and May 15, offering 809,638 seats, according to the latest data from Cirium.

The collapse of the carrier due to a doubling in jet fuel prices during the two-month-old Iran war will cost thousands of jobs. It is also a blow to US President Donald Trump, who had proposed $500m to save Spirit despite opposition from some of his closest advisers and many Republicans in Congress.

Spirit had reached a deal with its lenders that would have helped it emerge from its second bankruptcy by late spring or early summer. But those plans derailed after the US war on Iran triggered a spike in jet fuel prices, upending Spirit’s cost projections and complicating its bankruptcy exit.

A Spirit board meeting had ended without an agreement to rescue the company, a person close to the discussions told the Reuters news agency late on Friday.

“Unfortunately, despite the Company’s efforts, the recent material increase in oil prices and other pressures on the business have significantly impacted Spirit’s financial outlook,” Spirit said in a statement announcing its “orderly wind-down”.

Trump on Friday said the White House had given Spirit and its creditors a final rescue proposal, after talks hit an impasse over a $500m financing package that would have helped the airline keep operating through bankruptcy.

“If we can help them, we will, but we have to come first,” Trump told reporters. “If we could do it, we’d do it, but only if it’s a good deal.”

Spirit’s restructuring plan assumed jet fuel costs of about $2.24 a gallon in 2026 and $2.14 in 2027, but prices had climbed to about $4.51 a gallon by the end of April, leaving the carrier unable to survive without new financing.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Reuters he had tried to get many airlines to buy Spirit but found no takers. “What would someone buy?” Duffy asked. “If no one else wants to buy them, why would we buy them?”

A creditor close to the deal said, “The Trump administration made an extraordinary effort to try and save Spirit, but you can’t breathe life into a corpse. Given that, the company should make its intentions clear for the sake of its customers and employees.”

No US carrier of Spirit’s size – it accounted for 5 percent of US flights at one point – has liquidated in two decades. Spirit helped keep fares lower in markets where it competed against major carriers.

Its collapse shows how the Iran war’s fuel-price shock has exposed weaker airlines. Across the globe, airlines have been increasing prices to reflect the high cost of jet fuel and some airlines have also cut flights.

German airline Lufthansa last month said it cancelled 20,000 flights in a bid to protect itself from the soaring cost of oil.

On Friday, Indian carrier Air India also said it has increased fuel surcharges on all flights and said it will cut 100 flights a day across domestic and international routes.

KIRSTEN O’Brien hung up her headphones at BBC Berkshire after revealing a new gig.

The kids’ TV presenter will be joining the BBC Radio 2 team for a very different role.

On her last day at the station, she was surprised by fellow 90s stars Dick and Dom.

She shared BBC Berkshire’s tweet, with a selfie of her and the boys and wrote: “Bit of news! Love that the lads surprised me today, I’m sad to be leaving BBC Berkshire as I’ve had a ball, but I can’t wait to get stuck in doing the traffic reports on BBC Radio 2 from Monday!”

Kirsten hosted the 10am-2pm slot on the Berkshire-based station and on her final show, she told listeners: “It’s eight years I’ve been here.

“I started at the old place at Caversham Park, doing a bit of covering, did the news, of course, some breakfast, and then the last two years doing brilliant things on this mid-morning show.

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“I’ve really, really enjoyed it. I’ve done all sorts while I’ve been here. I’ve visited everywhere from Reading Uni to the tip.

“I was thinking back about where I’ve been. My kids have grown up since when I first started, they weren’t sleeping.

“We were talking to sleep experts about helping me out. And now, of course, I just get them for stories.

“They provide endless content for me. Mark as well, whose life plays out on the radio, poor fella.

“So, I’ve always said I’ve come in here for a bit of a rest, a chat, to hear your stories as well and a bit of a laugh, and it’s been absolutely brilliant.”

Brigitte Tetta will be taking over Kirsten’s slot.

Kirsten was met with messages of support from listeners, with one writing: “Will be great to hear your voice on BBCRadio2. Always brings a bit of nostalgia from the CBBC and SMart days!”

A second added: “Heard you with Sara Cox a couple of weeks ago and you were great!”

“Congratulations Kirsten best wishes for the new adventures ahead,” echoed another.

“Wooooaahhhh, what?! I did not have this on my Bingo card for 2026! Fantastic, Kirst!! Huge congrats,” wrote a forth.

One said how they’d been impressed with her joining Trevor Nelson last week.

Another suggested there needed to be a SMart reboot.

Kirsten O’Brien became a familiar face of children’s television in the late 1990s and 2000s, where she started her career as a CBBC presenter.

She became known for her on-screen partnership with Otis the Aardvark.

In 1999, she landed the SMart gig, which saw her also take on SMarteenies and Smile.

Whilst she didn’t work with Dick and Dom (Richard McCourt and Dominic Wood), they were all part of the CBBC presenting gang and were close pals.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger was the only supervisor against it. She pointed to the fact that the tax was a “general” tax, meaning the money won’t be earmarked for healthcare costs. That means politicians have final say over how the money gets spent rather than voters, she said.

Some cities within L.A. County say they’re also rattled over the tax, unleashing a stream of opposition letters against the tax. The California Contract Cities Assn. argues a sales tax hike would “disproportionately burden the very residents the County seeks to protect.” Shoppers near the county line, they warn, likely would start crossing it to shop.

Some of these cities say they have the trust issues when it comes to county ballot measures. When voters approved Measure B in 2002 to fund the county’s trauma center network, an audit years later found the county couldn’t account for whether the money actually had been spent on emergency medical services. And some cities feel they never got their fair share of funds from Measure H, the homelessness services tax measure passed in 2017.

BASEBALL

CITY SECTION

AMIT 14, Panorama 1

Arleta 10, Grant 3

Bell 11, Legacy 1

Birmingham 9, El Camino Real 1

Bravo 4, Eagle Rock 3

Chatsworth 1, Cleveland 0

Downtown Magnets 14, Collins Family 4

Fulton 10, Reseda 0

Garfield 12, South East 1

Hollywood 21, Contreras 10

Jefferson 15, Angelou 2

LACES 12, LA University 1

LA Marshall 2, Franklin 1

LA Wilson 5, Lincoln 3

Northridge Academy 12, Canoga Park 2

Palisades 11, Fairfax 1

RFK Community 8, Mendez 1

San Pedro 21, Gardena 3

SOCES 21, East Valley 1

South Gate 9, Huntington Park 0

University Prep Value 17, Camino Nuevo 5

Van Nuys 12, Vaughn 11

Venice 8, LA Hamilton 1

Wilmington Banning 8, Rancho Dominguez 4

SOUTHERN SECTION

AAE 9, Silver Valley 3

Alhambra 12, Montebello 5

Alta Loma 7, Los Altos 5

Anaheim Canyon 6, Brea Olinda 2

Apple Valley 6, Oak Hills 1

Aquinas 8, Woodcrest Christian 2

Arlington 5, Moreno Valley 1

Ayala 11, Claremont 1

Baldwin Park 13, Azusa 7

Banning 21, Cathedral City 0

Beckman 10, San Juan Hills 6

Beverly Hills 11, YULA 3

Buena Park 9, Tustin 4

California 8, Whittier 3

Capistrano Valley Christian 4, Western Christian 3

Carpinteria 7, Channel Islands 6

Castaic 14, Canyon Country Canyon 2

Cerritos 10, Whitney 0

Chaparral 4, Murrieta Mesa 1

Charter Oak 16, Covina 1

CIMSA 11, ACE 4

Corona del Mar 6, Edison 5

Corona Santiago 7, Corona Centennial 6

Costa Mesa 7, Laguna Hills 2

Damien 11, Chino Hills 1

Dana Hills 8, Aliso Niguel 0

Desert Mirage 10, Desert Hot Springs 6

Dos Pueblos 10, Oxnard 5

Edgewood 8, Pomona 0

Esperanza 7, Troy 1

Fillmore 15, Malibu 11

Flintridge Prep 17, Chadwick 2

Fountain Valley 11, Marina 1

Gahr 1, Downey 0

Garden Gove Santiago 7, Santa Ana Valley 0

Glendora 7, Bonita 3

Glenn 9, Pioneer 6

Hemet 19, Vista del Lago 0

Hesperia 9, Serrano 5

Hoover 17, Glendale 7

Huntington Beach 8, Newport Harbor 1

JSerra 9, Santa Margarita 6

Jurupa Valley 4, Norte Vista 3

La Habra 6, Santa Ana Foothill 2

Lakewood 2, Long Beach Jordan 1

La Mirada 9, Bellflower 0

Lancaster 3, Highland 1

La Palma Kennedy 9, Segerstrom 6

La Puente 6, Workman 5

La Sierra 12, Rubidoux 2

Long Beach Poly 11, Compton 8

Maranatha 7, Cerritos Valley Christian 2

Mary Star of the Sea 29, Verbum Dei 1

Mayfair 15, Dominguez 0

Millikan 16, Long Beach Cabrillo 1

Mission Viejo 7, Capistrano Valley 5

Monrovia 7, San Marino 6

Moorpark 8, Oak Park 4

Muir 10, Pasadena 2

Murrieta Valley 8, Great Oak 3

Norco 7, Corona 2

Northview 10, Hacienda Heights Wilson 0

Oaks Christian 8, Calabasas 7

Ocean View 7, Fullerton 4

Orange County Pacifica Christian 15, Webb 0

Orange Lutheran 3, Servite 1

Orange Vista 6, Citrus Hill 2

Oxnard Pacifica 2, Buena 0

Pacific 13, Entrepreneur 3

PACS 10, Valley Torah 5

Palmdale 15, Eastside 1

Paloma Valley 11, Heritage 5

Paraclete 5, Bishop Montgomery 2

Placentia Valencia 10, Santa Ana 5

Portola 1, Irvine University 0

Quartz Hill 15, Antelope Valley 0

Ramona 10, Patriot 5

Rancho Christian 31, Lakeside 1

Rancho Verde 6, Canyon Springs 4

Redlands East Valley 7, Beaumont 0

Redondo Union 10, Mira Costa 4

Ridgecrest Burroughs 2, Sultana 1

Rio Mesa 7, Ventura 4

Riverside King 5, Eastvale Roosevelt 2

Riverside North 2, Perris 1

Riverside Poly 9, Liberty 1

Riverside Prep 15, University Prep 3

Rolling Hills Prep 18, Lennox Academy 4

Rosemead 3, Mountain View 2

San Marcos 10, Santa Barbara 5

San Jacinto Valley Academy 11. San Jacinto Leadership 1

Santa Monica Pacifica Christian 12, Animo Leadership 6

Schurr 2, Bell Gardens 1

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 2, Alemany 0

Sierra Canyon 10, Loyola 0

Sierra Vista 8, Nogales 4

Simi Valley 6, Camarillo 1

South El Monte 12, Pasadena Marshall 7

St. Anthony 5, Cantwell-Sacred Heart 3

St. John Bosco 6, Mater Dei 3

St. Monica 9, Bosco Tech 6

Temecula Valley 3, Vista Murrieta 2

Tesoro 4, Trabuco Hills 0

Thousand Oaks 5, Agoura 4

Twentynine Palms 4, Coachella Valley 3

Upland 5, Los Osos 3

Valencia 14, Golden Valley 1

Valley Christian Academy 19, Coast Union 0

Valley View 17, Hillcrest 1

Villa Park 2, Cypress 0

West Covina 4, Rowland 2

Westlake 15, Newbury Park 4

West Ranch 10, Hart 2

Whittier Christian 6, Heritage Christian 1

Woodbridge 18, Sage Hill 2

Yorba Linda 4, Sonora 1

Yucca Valley 8, Indio 1

INTERSECTIONAL

SLOCA 12, Del Oro 3

SOFTBALL

CITY SECTION

Animo Venice 8, Middle College 3

Birmingham 2, Chatsworth 0

Bravo 10, LA Wilson 0

Chavez 5, Sun Valley Poly 1

Eagle Rock 12, Franklin 5

El Camino Real 11, Cleveland 0

Fairfax 32, Canoga Park 15

Granada Hills 16, Taft 2

Granada Hills Kennedy 4, San Fernando 1

Jefferson 27, Los Angeles 4

LA Hamilton 6, Westchester 2

LA University 9, Palisades 7

Lincoln 9, LA MArshall 1

Marquez 20, Maywood CES 5

North Hollywood 16, Reseda 6

Santee 21, West Adams 6

South Gate 20, South East 10

Sylmar 19, Monroe 2

Venice 20, LACES 0

Verdugo Hills 8, Arleta 6

SOUTHERN SECTION

Anaheim 13, Santa Ana Valley 2

Aquinas 4, Ontario Christian 1

Archer 16, Oakwood 2

Baldwin Park 11, Azusa 9

Bolsa Grande 25, Westminster La Quinta 10

Buena 7, Oxnard Pacifica 3

Buena Park 7, Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 2

Cathedral City 16, Banning 14

Cerritos 13, Bishop Montgomery 3

CIMSA 17, ACE 2

Citrus Hill 22, Perris 2

Covina 9, Rowland 0

Cypress 5, La Palma Kennedy 2

Dos Pueblos 1, Oxnard 0

Downey 7, Lakewood 6

Edgewood 12, Pomona 0

El Segundo 5, South Torrance 2

Fullerton 26, Placentia Valencia 0

Ganesha 26, Bassett 0

Garden Grove 7, Segerstrom 3

Glendora 5, Bonita 2

Hemet 27, Moreno Valley 0

Heritage 22, Lakeside 3

Hesperia 8, Serrano 7

Hillcrest 10, Rancho Verde 0

Indio 19, Yucca Valley 4

JSerra 3, Orange Lutheran 1

La Canada 11, San Marino 4

La Sierra 6, Rubidoux 4

Long Beach Poly 3, Santa Ana Foothill 2

Mayfield 14, Westridge 1

Miller 12, Indian Springs 4

Mission Viejo 4, San Juan Hills 3

Monrovia 16, South Pasadena 6

Newport Harbor 19, Capistrano Valley Christian 2

Northview 15, West Covina 1

Oak Hills 15, Apple Valley 5

Oaks Christian 15, Newbury Park 1

Orange 7, Rancho Alamitos 2

Pacific 21, Entrepreneur 16

Paloma Valley 8, Canyon Springs 0

Palos Verdes 10, Wiseburn-Da Vinci 0

Rancho Christian 23, Vista del Lago 0

Redondo Union 8, Peninsula 3

Rio Mesa 4, Ventura 1

Riverside North 11, Liberty 10

Riverside Poly 12, Arlington 1

Riverside Prep 4, University Prep 1

San Jacinto Valley Academy 16, San Jacinto Leadership 2

San Marcos 12, Foothill Tech 3

Santa Ana 13, Costa Mesa 5

Santa Monica 15, Culver City 5

Sierra Vista 10, Nogales 1

Simi Valley 11, Royal 1

South El Monte 16, Pasadena Marshall 2

Sultana 15, Ridgecrest Burroughs 5

Temple City 27, Blair 4

Torrance 7, West Torrance 0

Tustin 15, Godinez 0

Valley View 18, Orange Vista 10

Walnut 10, Diamond Bar 5

West Ranch 13, Canyon Country Canyon 12

INTERSECTIONAL

Legacy 5, Mayfair 0

CHOOSING which island to visit in Greece can be hard – so why not head to Greece’s last ‘secret’ island no crowds?

Koufonisia is a pair of islands – Ano Koufonisi, which is inhabited, and Kato Koufonisi, which isn’t inhabited and is more rugged.

If you head to Ano Koufonisi, you’ll still only find a few hundred locals and most people get around via water taxis or walk along the scenic paths that crisscross over the island.

According to Greeka.com, the two-square-mile Koufonisi boasts “unreal turquoise waters, glittering sand, a laid-back atmosphere” and has even been compared to the “Greek Maldives”.

The most popular beach is Ammos, which sits at the edge of the main town – or Chora, as it is known in Greece.

If you want something more romantic though, make sure to visit Natural Pool, which sits between Platia Poundra and Pori.

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One recent visitor said: “It’s like nature’s own infinity pool, perfect for a refreshing dip.”

You can also head to The Devil’s Eye, which is a small, low-roofed cave with a hole in the rock floor where currents in the water will suck the sea in and out, often creating a loud noise.

A third spot near Pori is Gala Beach, which translates to ‘milk’ in Greek and where you will see the water turned to white as it hits against the limestone cave walls.

The beach is hidden away in a collapsed sea cave, and to get to it, you have to walk through a rocky passage.

In the main town, which has the same name as the island, you will find lots of places to stay, but mainly guesthouses.

For example, you could stay at Apollon Studios, which looks like it has been ripped out of the Mamma Mia films.

You can catch a ferry from the main town to other islands as well, such as Amorgos or Donousa.

You can make a day trip to the wilder twin, Kato Koufonisi, and in fact, the entire island has one taverna called Venetsanos where you can try fish and goat stews.

Nero Beach can also be found on Kato Koufonisi, which compared to the beaches on Ano Koufonisi’s beaches is more rugged and natural.

To get to Ano Koufonisi, you’ll need to fly to Santorini and then hop on a ferry to the island, which takes less than two hours.

For more places to explore in Greece, here are our top five Greek islands with white-washed houses and pretty beaches as Emily in Paris heads to Greece.

A HISTORIC UK lido is reopening today after undergoing a major £7.6million revamp.

Swimmers in the seaside town will be able to take a dip in the outdoor pool for the first time in four years.

Closed since 2022, Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth, has been renovated for public use by local council, with funding from the government.

The refurbishment, which started in 2024, was prompted by health and safety risks of the 90-year-old structure.

The grand reopening will take place today (Saturday, May 2), with an ice cream parlour and food van now based on site.

Works also include the reinforcement of its base and walls, the replacement of old pool equipment, and the restoration of the original shallow lagoons.

SPLASH OUT

UK’s biggest freshwater lido to reopen this week as temperatures to hit 26C

SPLASH OUT

Iconic English lido is reopening this week after four years – and a £7m upgrade

New showers and toilets, including a Changing Places toilet, and a sauna were added as part of the upgrades.

Formerly a saltwater pool, the 220-foot lido will now feature unheated chlorinated fresh water.

A long-term sustainable heating solution is part of future plans for the lido.

Hilsea Lido will be run by Sea Lanes Brighton, a group of local businesses and open-water swimming enthusiasts, alongside South Downs Leisure.

The multi-million pound development was further financed by a Levelling Up fund, meaning any outdated equipment and facilities have been replaced, such as the pool base and walls.

Speaking ahead of the opening, Judit Kollat, the lido’s general manager, told the BBC: “As Hilsea Lido celebrates its 90th birthday, we are proud to be leading the next chapter in its history.

“It is more than a pool, it’s a place with history and heart.

“We aim to create a vibrant hub for the local community, a centre for both mental and physical wellbeing. The lido will offer something for everyone.”

Harry Smith, director of Sea Lanes, the new operators of the lido, said: “We’re excited to open the doors, welcome everyone back, and start a brand‑new chapter for Hilsea Lido.”

Duncan Anderson, CEO of South Downs Leisure, which assisted the project, added: “It’s hugely exciting and a new chapter for the whole of the Portsmouth. 

“When you talk to people in the local area, they’ve all got memories of Hilsea Lido and I think they can’t wait to get back and splash in this pool again.”

The lido served as a training centre for the Team GB diving team ahead of the 1936 and 1952 Olympics, and it also featured as a filming location for The Who’s 1975 film Tommy.