Month: May 2026

MAY half-term is almost here and if you’re looking for a fun way to fill the days, there are a wide range of new theme park rides open across the UK.

Whether your little one is a thrill seeker or a Paw Patrol fan, you won’t be stuck for something to entertain them.

A number of new rides and attractions will be open across the UK’s biggest theme parks during the school break, including nine new additions.

Some of these exciting worlds and rollercoasters are already open to customers.

And there are even themed rooms available at some of these sites for the full experience.

So get planning now for a thrilling and memorable half term break.

SCALE UP

UK’s biggest dinosaur theme park to open its ‘longest ride to date’ this summer

RIDE ON

First look at £8million ride opening at UK’s best seaside theme park this month

Alton Towers

The world’s first Bluey rollercoaster, Bluey the Ride: Here Come The Grannies!, opened at Alton Towers’ CBeebies Land at the end of March.

This kid-friendly coaster features Bluey and Bingo dressed as Janet and Rita, a fun call-back to fan-favourite episode, and you can even book a Bluey-themed room at the park’s hotel this half term.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Blackpool Pleasure Beach will open its £8.72 million gyro swing ride Aviktas this Thursday (May 21).

Measuring a whopping 138 feet, the ride will be the tallest of its kind in the UK.

Chessington World of Adventures Resort

Chessington recently opened its highly-anticipated PAW Patrol land, which features four exciting new rides, and also has themed rooms available nearby.

Chase’s Mountain Mission is a rollercoaster suitable for young kids, while Skye’s Helicopter Heroes takes kids on a high-flying mission, and Marshall’s Firetruck Rescue lets kids take a ride on a shiny red truck, and Zuma’s Hovercraft Adventure offers the UK’s first “drifter” ride.

Crealy

Crealy in Devon recently opened an 80-foot drop tower called Pirates’ Plummet last month.

Previously located in Paultons Park under the name Magma, it has been rebuilt at Crealy, where the inverting air race ride Rotor is also set to open.

Paultons Park

And Paultons Park is not at a loss for attractions, with the new themed land Valgard: Realm of the Vikings officially opening its gates today (Saturday, May 16).

The exciting new land will feature new rides, Drakon, the park’s first inverting rollercoaster with a dramatic vertical lift and Vild Swing, which will swing riders 39 feet into the air.

Lachlan Clark, a senior backup pitcher for Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, wanted the ball so badly Friday against No. 1 Norco that he posted video from his Sherman Oaks Little League days, saying, “Bring it on.”

He more than lived up to the hype, throwing a four-hit shutout with seven strikeouts and zero walks in a 4-0 victory that advances the Knights to next Friday’s Southern Section Division 1 baseball quarterfinals. Notre Dame went 2-0 in Pool A. Norco must win Tuesday against Ayala to avoid elimination. The top two finishers in each pool advance.

Clark, who recently committed to Long Beach State, had been waiting for his turn in the spotlight. The last time he got a chance to shine was in the National Classic when he pitched 6⅔ innings against De La Salle and struck out 10. He thrives under pressure. An injury to Beckett Berg has made him the No. 2 pitcher for the rest of the season.

He was supported by Jacob Madrid, Notre Dame’s catcher who hit his 12th home run. After the game, 10 players went with co-coach Tom Dill to grad night at Magic Mountain.

St. John Bosco 4, Sierra Canyon 3: The Braves won their pool to advance to the Division 1 quarterfinals. A passed ball broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth inning. Noah Everly had two RBIs. Troy Sibolboro came through with 3⅔ innings of scoreless relief. Carl McMullan had two hits and two RBIs for Sierra Canyon, which will play in an elimination game Tuesday against Cypress.

La Mirada 9, Temecula Valley 2: Ian Aguayo hit a two-run home run during a six-run fourth inning for La Mirada, which next plays Huntington Beach.

Cypress 8, Oaks Christian 2: Noah Johnson had three hits to propel Cypress into an elimination game against Sierra Canyon on Tuesday. Tate Belfanti struck out eight in four innings.

Harvard-Westlake 6, Huntington Beach 5: Jake Chung escaped a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the sixth to help the Wolverines win Pool B at 2-0. James Tronstein went three for three, hitting his 10th home run. Jake Kim hit a key two-run home run.

Orange Lutheran 9, Corona 6: The Lancers won Pool D, rallying from a 5-2 deficit. Brady Murrietta hit three home runs and finished with six RBIs.

Ayala 7, Maranatha 6: A Jonah Boyd single in the seventh broke a 6-6 tie and kept Ayala alive in the Division 1 playoffs. Elijah Duarte had two hits and two RBIs.

Corona Santiago 8, Etiwanda 4: Troy Randall had two hits and two RBIs, Max Eldridge homered and Charlie Lemons finished with three hits for Santiago, which will play league rival Corona on Tuesday in an elimination game.

Arcadia 3, Simi Valley 2: Matt Manzo had a walk-off double in the bottom of the seventh for Arcadia in the Division 3 game. Simi Valley lost a home run after Arcadia protested over a lineup error.

St. Francis 4, Crescenta Valley 2: Danny Izaguirre hit a two-run home run, Jake Smith had three hits and two RBIs and Caysen Sullivan threw a complete game as another Mission League team advanced. All seven entrants have won at least one playoff game.

Palos Verdes 7, Pacifica Christian 1: Franco Correa had four RBIs and Kai Van Scoyoc struck out eight in six innings.

Edison 5, Damien 1: Noah Hunter struck out 11 and gave up two hits.

Agoura 4, Oakwood 0: Donovan Anthony struck out 15 with one walk and Tyler Starling and Colton Mellinger homered for Agoura.

Softball

Cypress 4, Fullerton 2: Chach Stamper threw a five-hitter to help the Centurions upset No. 3-seeded Fullerton in the Division 1 playoffs.

Norco 2, Marina 1: The No. 2-seeded Cougars survived on a walk-off single by Leighton Gray in the seventh. Marina offered its expected tough challenge with pitcher Mia Valbuena. Peyton May and Coral Williams combined for 11 strikeouts for Norco.

May 15 (Asia Today) — Hyundai Motor Group said Friday it has launched a vehicle-to-grid pilot service for general customers on Jeju Island, using electric vehicles as mobile energy storage systems.

Vehicle-to-grid technology, or V2G, allows electricity to move both ways between an electric vehicle battery and the power grid. The system can store surplus power in EV batteries and send it back to the grid when demand rises.

The pilot program will involve 40 Jeju residents who own Hyundai Ioniq 9 or Kia EV9 vehicles equipped with V2G functions. Hyundai Motor Group selected customers in cooperation with the Jeju provincial government.

The company will provide bidirectional chargers free of charge and cover EV charging costs during the trial period.

Hyundai said it selected participants with different occupations and residential locations to test the service under a range of real-life conditions. The participants include early adopters interested in clean energy and new technology.

The project fits Jeju’s power structure because the island relies heavily on wind and solar energy. Surplus electricity generated during the day can be stored in EV batteries and supplied back to the grid at night when demand increases.

Hyundai Motor Group previously operated a V2G demonstration project in Jeju with mobility platform Socar in the second half of last year. The latest pilot expands the test to ordinary customers.

Industry officials say V2G commercialization could turn electric vehicles into key assets in the energy industry, supporting local energy independence and distributed power systems rather than relying only on centralized power plants.

“We expect this pilot service, directly involving Jeju residents, to contribute to local energy production and consumption in the region,” a Hyundai Motor Group official said. “It will also play a meaningful role in achieving Jeju’s 2035 carbon neutrality vision.”

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260515010004112

Caracas, May 15, 2026 (venezuelanalysis.com) – The Venezuelan government expressed “deep concern” on Wednesday over the “escalation of violence” in Colombia’s border region of Catatumbo.

Caracas’ reaction came one day after the Colombian Armed Forces announced the killing of seven combatants from the National Liberation Army (ELN) during a bombing operation that Colombian President Gustavo Petro said was carried out “within the framework of agreements” with Venezuela.

“Venezuela has been taken by surprise by these events and rejects any armed action that jeopardizes peace, stability, and the security of border communities,” Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil stated in an official communiqué. The statement added that Venezuelan authorities are concerned with “how this new escalation once again impacts the lives of people on both sides of the border,” causing “serious consequences” for local populations.

However, just 24 hours earlier, Petro had stated on social media that the Colombian army and air force carried out the attack against the ELN “within the framework of agreements with Bolivarian Government of Venezuela” led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez.

At the same time, Petro clarified that there is currently no peace process with the ELN, rejecting claims that the guerrilla organization resumed armed operations because of state noncompliance.

“Organizations that continue to seek total or partial control over illicit economies and reject agreements aimed at dismantling those structures are not part of any peace process,” he wrote.

Petro and Rodríguez met in Caracas on April 24, where they pledged to “combat organized crime” along the more than 2,200-kilometer shared border between the two countries. The meeting also resulted in plans for joint military coordination, intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and expanded security cooperation.

Details of the Operation

According to Colombian Armed Forces commander General Hugo López, the operation dealt a “major blow” to a unit of the Luis Enrique León Guerra Front, commanded by the guerrilla leader known as “Sucre,” which was reportedly responsible for providing security to the ELN’s Central Command and National Directorate.

The military stated that seven guerrillas were killed during the bombing operation. Nevertheless, insurgents reportedly abandoned the camps and removed the bodies of those killed, according to local outlet Blu Radio.

Colombian forces also reported discovering fortified camps, explosives, drone-launching devices, and materials used in the fabrication of anti-personnel mines.

The ELN, however, denied suffering casualties. In a video posted on Facebook, the guerrilla organization claimed that the attack “fell flat.”

“They attempted to surprise ELN guerrilla units fighting the 33rd Front, but this time they failed (…) We suffered no casualties as a result of this bombing,” the group stated. “Our forces remained active in responding to enemy aggression and continue to hold territory.”

The 33rd Front is a dissident faction of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The group joined peace talks with the Colombian government and currently maintains a ceasefire while Temporary Location Zones are established for regrouping under Resolution 161 of May 2026. Nevertheless, it is now facing an escalating conflict with the ELN in border.

The latest attack was the third bombing operation carried out in Colombia in 2026 and the twentieth such military strike under Petro’s administration. Of those, three targeted the ELN, five targeted the Clan del Golfo, and twelve were directed against FARC dissident groups.

Colombia’s armed conflict, which has persisted for more than six decades, has intensified again in 2026 amid growing fragmentation among armed groups competing for territorial control. Despite the 2016 peace agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC, as well as Petro’s ongoing “total peace” initiative, forced displacement and violence against civilians have reached record levels in regions such as Catatumbo and Colombia’s Pacific coast.

The porous and extensive border has also led armed groups such as the ELN to establish a significant presence inside Venezuelan territory, controlling territories and with documented involvement in drug trafficking and mining activities.

Venezuela on different occasions attempted to facilitate peace negotiations in the Colombian conflict. Caracas hosted dialogue rounds between the Petro government and the ELN before talks broke down.

Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.

ITV is to air an Australian series that viewers were hooked by when it aired last year

ITV is to air thriller that’s bound to appeal to fans of Harlan Coben‘s work.

Described as “gripping” and “nail-biting” by viewers and critics, The Family Next Door is adapted from Sally Hepworth’s novel of the same title and centres on Isabelle (Teresa Palmer), who develops a fixation with unravelling a mystery after she moves to a tranquil Australian street.

Her determination to crack the case places four neighbouring families under scrutiny, which leads to plenty of twists and turns, reports Wales Online.

The series, which also features Bella Heathcote, Philippa Northeast, Bob Morley, Catherine McClements and Ming-Zhu Hii, premiered in Australia last year and audiences were captivated. Now ITV viewers can discover what the excitement’s about, as the programme launches on the channel on Sunday (May 17).

Promoting the series on Instagram, actress Teresa posted: “Based on the best-selling novel by the brilliant @sallyhepworth so if psychological suburban thrillers where beneath–the–veneer–of–perfect–lawns–and–friendly–smiles–everyone–is–just–holding–on–by–a–thread kind of vibes are your thing, welllllll then, you’ll be VERY into this one.”

Many viewers have shared comments on social media describing The Family Next Door as “bingeable” while commending the “excellent” performances.

Others highlighted the “twists and turns” and “big reveals” throughout the series, with one declaring it “addictive”. “I watched all six episodes in one night,” one viewer commented on reviews platform Rotten Tomatoes.

“Soooo good!” another viewer posted on Instagram, while someone else declared: “Brilliant acting and divine scenery so beautifully filmed.”

“Amazing cast, incredible show,” praised another fan. A different viewer remarked: “I just finished and this series is amazing!!!! Intricate, funny, surprising, heartbreaking. A stellar ensemble cast.”

“Wow, this show was amazing!!” gushed another fan. “I had no idea what this show would be about, the story was truly unexpected. What a plot twist at the end, you had me in tears.”

“I absolutely loved it and unfortunately just finished it,” one person wrote on Reddit. “Please tell me there will be a season 2?”

“I just binged the new Australian series The Family Next Door. I thought it was really well done – I love Australian series like this,” shared another admirer.

The Family Next Door airs on ITV at 10.20pm on Sunday, May 17

WE were tucking into mouth-watering Mickey waffles soaked in syrup when in popped the Mouse himself.

It was just after 8am and our amazing Walt Disney World adventure had kicked off with a bang — plus a load of bangers and bacon.

The delicious food at Tusker House restaurant in the Animal Kingdom was as plentiful as the special guests.

Goofy, Donald Duck and Daisy waltzed in, too, and there was just no containing the grandkids’ excitement.

Nine-year-old Albie’s impersonation of Mickey had the mouse in stitches and there were hugs from Mila, seven, and Lois, four.

The scrumptious character breakfast buffet isn’t cheap, at around £45 an adult and £25 a child.

READ MORE ON DISNEY WORLD

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NORTH STAR

I’ve been to Disney World 50 times and UK’s ‘best big town’ is just as much fun

But, as in all the snack bars and restaurants in Orlando’s four Disney parks, the quality of food is excellent and there’s always plenty of it.

One way of saving cash is the Disney Dining Plan, just launched again for next year and even free on selected holidays.

Depending on the package, each day you get the choice of quick- service or table-service meals and snacks from 170 locations.

If staying at a Disney hotel for a week, the plan saves families hundreds of pounds.

A Disney experience is as much about the great food and drink options as it is the rides.

Themed restaurants are hugely popular, so we made bookings on the Disney app as soon as reservations opened — 60 days before arrival.

Our choices, with kids’ menus and main courses between £12 and £26, turned out winners.

Magic Kingdom’s Jungle Skipper Canteen, for a touch of African and Asian flavours, and The Plaza for club sandwiches and milkshakes.

At the Fifties-style Sci Fi Dine-In Theater, in Hollywood Studios, we sat in retro cars to eat burgers and fries while watching old movie clips.

And our favourite, at Epcot, was Teppan Edo, where the Japanese chefs juggle cooking utensils as they chop and stir-fry dishes at your table.

Our party of five adults and three kids also did a lot of snacking — extra-large iced doughnuts for less than a fiver, chocolate-chip cookies, Mickey’s ice-cream bars and multi-coloured iced drinks.

But, in our defence, we were often in the parks from dawn until dusk and even later when we saw spectacular night shows.

I reckon Fantasmic! at Hollywood Studios is one of the most thrilling ever.

Its half an hour of pure magic ­— lights dancing on the water, fireworks flying from Mickey’s hands, lasers and all your favourite characters setting sailing on boats around the lagoon.

Magic Kingdom’s parade and the Happily Ever After fireworks spectacular at Cinderella Castle are a must-see, but then every Disney show is a treat.

You name it, we saw it — including The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, the hilarious ­Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Finding Nemo and the new ­Villains: Unfairly Ever After.

Like we did, use them for a breather, and certainly after a meal, before going back to the thrills and spills of some of the best rides in Orlando.

We hurtled up and down on the Tower of Terror and sped around a track on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Expedition ­Everest.

We spun 360 degrees, too, on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — the first ever reverse launch on a Disney coaster — and were whisked through the universe on Avatar Flight of ­Passage and Soarin’.

The imagination, hi-tech design and special effects are simply breath-taking.

“Wow!” is the only word when you come face to face with legions of stormtroopers in Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — or witness the sheer genius of being shrunk down to the size of a rat on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

We blasted our way around Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, just re-opened with new interactive targets, and got very wet on the Kali River Rapids.

Slow the pace by hopping on a Kilimanjaro Safari truck, to see 34 species of African wildlife in their natural habitat, and take a boat to Elsa’s ice palace in wonderful Frozen Ever After.

Disney has hotels with pools and entertainment to suit all budgets — and these include the fabulous Animal Kingdom Lodge, where animals roam free on the ­savannah.

Of course, we ate there — at The Mara where we had a grab-and-go breakfast before catching the free shuttle for early entry into the parks, and at Boma for a buffet dinner.

Oh, there was one more treat — Mickey biscuits filled with oozing, toasted marshmallows — around the firepit. Yum! It just had to be done.

It’s sad and stony-hearted that the Lakers should unload LeBron James, recoup resources, unload his albatross-like salary, and build a championship contender bolstered by Luka Doncic. Yes, James is still a top-15 player, but unable to lead an ill-balanced team to the NBA Finals.

The Lakers allowed sentimentality toward Kobe Bryant to distort their vision, signing Bryant to a two-year, $48.5-million extension. Bryant missed 39% of the games while the Lakers won 38 times in the two seasons. Abysmal.

The Lakers should use James’ $52.6-million salary to sign long, athletic players who can drain threes with regularity.

James might make a great addition to a championship contending team like the Cleveland Cavaliers. Otherwise, thank him for his greatness as a Laker.

Marc D. Greenwood
Opelika, Ala.

Some legendary athletes, like Jim Brown and Sandy Koufax, retired at the peak of their careers. Other greats, like Muhammad Ali, Johnny Unitas and Willie Mays, waited too long. Memo to LeBron James: Which camp will you choose?

Denny Freidenrich
Laguna Beach

After reading Bill Plaschke’s article about LeBron James — which closes with the line “Anywhere but here” — I have a better idea. Keep LeBron, get rid of Bill. Let him write anywhere but here.

Tom Irish
Rancho Palos Verdes

Father Time is as undefeated just as Bill Plaschke is winless with predictions. Many before Bill have buried LeBron James, only to see him rise to the occasion once again and prove them wrong.

If this is in fact LeBron’s last go-round, it’s been epic! Thanks for the memories. If not, let’s see him alongside an injury-free Luka Doncic for a full run to next year’s championship!

Marty Zweben
Palos Verdes Estates

May 15 (Asia Today) — Leaders from 26 countries, including South Korea, issued a joint statement supporting the restoration of normal operations through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a CNN report.

The statement came as U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing.

The leaders of South Korea, Britain, France, Japan, Canada, Qatar and Bahrain were among those who reaffirmed support for freedom of navigation through the strait.

“We will use the full range of diplomatic, economic and military capabilities to support freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” the leaders said in the statement.

They said navigation must remain free under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea and international law.

The leaders also pledged support for an independent and strictly defensive multinational military mission, including mine-clearing operations, to achieve that goal.

They said any military mission would be carried out only in a permissible environment and would complement diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.

Trump, who is visiting China, said in a Fox News interview after his summit with Xi that the Chinese leader also supports reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

“President Xi wants the Strait of Hormuz open,” Trump said, adding that Xi offered to help “if he can be of any help.”

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260515010004172

Argentina has withdrawn the last of its A-4AR/OA-4AR Fightinghawks, modernized versions of the classic A-4 Skyhawk, a type that saw six decades of service in the South American nation. The retirement of the A-4s comes as the Argentine Air Force (locally, the Fuerza Aérea Argentina, FAA) introduces the F-16 as its new fighter, signaling a major overhaul of capabilities.

The FAA announced the “definitive decommissioning” of the Fightinghawk fleet at Villa Reynolds Air Base in San Luis province yesterday. The base was home to the final Argentine A-4 unit, the 5th Air Brigade (V Brigada Aérea).

As well as the FAA’s introduction of the F-16, the decision to stand down the A-4s was based on prioritizing “operational efficiency and economic sustainability,” the service said. In a statement, it also pointed to the costs of maintenance and sustainment of the aging jets; keeping these aircraft operational had become an increasingly difficult challenge in recent years.

Los F-16 comenzaron su actividad de vuelo en el Área Material Río IV, operando en sectores autorizados.

Nuestros pilotos continúan su familiarización con el sistema de armas.

Esto reafirma nuestro compromiso con la defensa aeroespacial integral. pic.twitter.com/lExbKUIwS1

— FuerzaAéreaArgentina (@FuerzaAerea_Arg) March 30, 2026

A version that was unique to Argentina, the Fightinghawk emerged from a major modernization program carried out by Lockheed Martin on former U.S. Marine Corps A-4M and OA-4M Skyhawks, which were taken out of storage at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC). Work on the first batch of aircraft was conducted by Lockheed Martin in Ontario, California, with the remainder upgraded in Córdoba, Argentina.

Fightinghawk deliveries to Argentina comprised 32 A-4ARs and four OA-4ARs, beginning in the mid-1990s. Interestingly, these upgraded jets were equipped with the same AN/APG-66 radar used in early F-16 variants and were capable of carrying AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. In the cockpit, the Fightinghawk introduced hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls, multifunction displays, and a new head-up display. Also installed were an onboard computerized mission-planning system and a new navigation/attack computer. Radar-warning receivers and onboard oxygen-generating equipment rounded out the upgrade package.

Although significantly more capable than the Vietnam-era Skyhawks they evolved from, the Fightinghawk was never designed as a dedicated air-defense fighter. Nevertheless, it was forced into that role after Argentina retired its last French-built Mirage fighters in 2015.

Against this backdrop, the FAA spent years trying to rebuild its ‘fighter’ capability but was repeatedly hampered by British efforts to block potential fighter buys. There was even speculation that Argentina might push to secure a deal with either China or Russia. Numerous aircraft options were evaluated before the U.S. government finally approved the transfer of F-16s from Denmark to Argentina in October 2023.

Early the following year, Argentina’s President Javier Milei confirmed that Buenos Aires would purchase the secondhand F-16s from Denmark. Welcoming the news, the U.S. Department of State described the jets in question as “low-cost high-performance multirole aircraft.”

The FAA is now in the process of introducing 24 F-16s, in the form of 16 single-seat F-16AMs and eight two-seat F-16BMs. It is also receiving several older Viper airframes for use as training aids and a spare parts source.

The retirement of the Fightinghawk also concludes the legacy of the wider A-4 series in Argentine service.

Argentina’s relationship with the A-4 began when the FAA took delivery of 26 former U.S. Navy A-4Bs in 1966, becoming the first export customer for the Skyhawk. A second batch of 26 A-4Bs arrived in 1970 and similarly joined the 5th Air Brigade at Villa Reynolds.

In 1976, another batch of 26 aircraft was delivered to the FAA, these being A-4Cs, again from U.S. Navy stocks. Their arrival allowed another unit to be equipped, this time the 4th Air Brigade at El Plumerillo.

For FAA service, these aircraft received the official designation A-4P from the U.S. government and the manufacturer, but were locally still often referred to as A-4B/Cs.

As well as equipping its air force, Argentina acquired A-4s for its naval air arm. In 1970, the Argentine Navy received a batch of 16 A-4Qs, a unique designation that applied to upgraded former U.S. Navy A-4Bs. These were primarily intended to serve aboard the aircraft carrier Veinticinco de Mayo, a Colossus class vessel that was transferred from the United Kingdom after service with the U.K. Royal Navy and the Royal Netherlands Navy. Unlike the first-generation FAA A-4s, the naval Skyhawks had, from the outset, provision for AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles to provide air defense cover for the carrier group. They could also be fitted with a buddy refueling store.

By the time of the Falklands/Malvinas War in 1982, which began with Argentina’s surprise attack on the tiny British South Atlantic territory, nearly 8,000 miles from the United Kingdom, around 36 A-4s were in FAA service, with another eight more operational with the Argentine Navy.

At least one A-4 was tested from the airfield at Port Stanley in the Falklands, but the type was not judged suitable for sustained combat operations there. As for the Argentine Navy A-4s, these were initially embarked on the Veinticinco de Mayo, but the loss of the cruiser Belgrano forced the Argentine carrier back to port to avoid a similar fate.

All this was fortunate for the British, since the FAA and Argentine Navy A-4s were forced to operate from bases on the mainland, at the very margins of their range.

For the A-4s, the war began with the support of the initial amphibious landings near Port Stanley, after which FAA Skyhawks clashed for the first time with the British task force on May 12, 1982. Although four A-4s were brought down by air defenses in this confrontation, they inflicted heavy damage on the destroyer HMS Glasgow.

Argentinian pilots attacking British warships in San Carlos Water during The Falklands War

Typically, the FAA A-4s would transit to the islands at high levels, refuel from a KC-130 Hercules tanker, then drop down for a low-level attack run, dropping U.S.- or British-made free-fall bombs. Considering the challenges of these operations and the fact that the combination of low-level release and often-incorrect fusing meant many bombs failed to detonate, the jets had a major impact. In the course of more than 200 combat sorties, FAA A-4s sunk four warships and damaged several more. The service suffered eight losses at the hands of U.K. Royal Navy Sea Harriers out of a total of 19 A-4s lost, together with 17 pilots.

Meanwhile, the Argentine Navy A-4s claimed to have inflicted fatal damage on two warships (claims disputed by the British), for the loss of three Skyhawks and two pilots.

The bravery of the FAA pilots is noteworthy here, since the A-4s were flying with no air-to-air missile armament, no radar, no modern navigation system, delivering unguided munitions, and without radar-warning equipment. As you can read about here, as far as self-protection systems, the few examples that were introduced by the Argentines during the conflict were the result of desperate ingenuity.

The end of the conflict saw operations hampered by a U.S. arms embargo, but the Argentine Skyhawks soldiered on. The Argentine Navy stood down its last A-4Q in 1988, while the last of the first-generation FAA A-4s was retired in 1999.

With the retirement of the Fightinghawk, the A-4 remains in active military service only with neighboring Brazil.

The Brazilian Navy also acquired A-4s for carrier operations, but the retirement of its sole flattop, Sao Paulo, means that the value of its Skyhawks, locally designated AF-1, is increasingly questionable. However, work has been undertaken to upgrade these aircraft to ensure they remain viable, albeit now operating from a land base, at São Pedro da Aldeia. In all, five single-seaters and a pair of two-seaters were brought up to AF-1B and AF-1C standards, respectively. The seven upgraded Skyhawks received airframe and engine overhauls, a new Elta Systems EL/M-2032 multi-mode radar, a glass cockpit with HOTAS controls, and various other improvements.

Now that Saab Gripen E/F fighters are joining the Brazilian Air Force, retaining the Skyhawk fleet is also less important, and their time in service will likely come to an end soon.

In the meantime, however, the A-4 continues to provide good service to private military contractors, who appreciate the jet for its versatility, agility, and relatively low operating costs, meaning that it excels as both an adversary and as a test and training platform. Chief among these operators is the Canadian Top Aces, flying ex-Israeli A-4s, and Florida-based Draken International, which operates a fleet of the jets that previously flew with the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

As we have discussed in the past, the capabilities of some of these contractor-operated A-4s would be beyond the imagination of many of the pilots who originally flew the jets in military service. The latest standard of A-4s operated by Top Aces, for example, includes an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and an infrared search and track (IRST) system to better replicate more modern threats.

Therefore, while the A-4 may be fast disappearing from the inventories of air forces, its legacy is set to live on in the most tangible form, as it continues to serve in a variety of support roles around the world in the hands of commercial operators.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com

On a recent weekday morning inside a studio in the heart of Hollywood, Rachel Lindsay and Van Lathan, co-hosts of The Ringer’s “Higher Learning,” were getting ready to roll.

By the time the podcasters came into the Spotify Sycamore Studios for their show, which covers all things in Black culture and politics, the overhead lights were set, and the cameras were precisely angled. Decorative books were propped up between their seats and a big red “Higher Learning” logo stood behind them.

As soon as everyone silenced their phones, the hosts began to banter like two old friends. Lindsay complimented Lathan on his recent foray into stand-up comedy at the Netflix is Joke Fest at the Laugh Factory.

“I just have to say … basically a star is born,” said Lindsay, grinning. “I have to talk about it. Now I never doubted you.”

The pair helms one of the many shows on The Ringer podcast network, known for its roster of A-list celebrity hosts and sports and culture commentators that recently moved into Spotify’s newest podcasting studios.

The 11,000 square-foot space on Sycamore Avenue was designed as both a home base for The Ringer’s production and a video podcasting hub for select Spotify creators.

Since its opening earlier this year, the space has welcomed more than 25 podcasters and shows, on top of the dozens of shows that still record at Spotify’s Mateo studios in the Arts District.

The company estimates that over the last five years it has contributed more than $10 billion to the podcasting industry, including payouts to creators and investments in new content.

Podcasts are just one arm of Spotify’s business, as the audio giant has over 100 million songs and 700,000 audiobooks on its platform. But video podcasts have become an increasingly important way for the company to keep listeners tuned in — and paying for subscriptions amid growing competition from Apple Music and YouTube Music. Despite a surge in profits in the first quarter, Spotify’s share price has fallen 25% this year as investors worry about a slowdown in subscriber growth.

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay record their podcast, “Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay,” at Spotify’s Sycamore Studios in Hollywood on May 7. The podcast is distributed on Spotify through The Ringer.

(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

One of the main drivers behind opening the Sycamore studios was to create a central hub for The Ringer, a media company Spotify acquired for $250 million in 2020.

Geoff Chow, Spotify‘s head of podcast studios and The Ringer’s managing director, said the investment is already paying off “in terms of the productivity and the quality of the content we’re able to produce from here.”

The Ringer is one of the streamer’s most popular assets. Spotify includes nine Ringer shows in its list of the top U.S. podcasts.

“They’re pouring into this space and their creators,” Lathan said, before recording a new “Higher Learning” episode. “We really have the freedom to do so much.”

He and Lindsay said the studio has elevated their show by switching up their workflow and increasing in-person work.

Thanks in part to its centralized location, tucked between the offices of SiriusXM and music and sports entertainment company Roc Nation, they say guests are more eager to visit and record in person. Lathan joked that even while walking down the street, he’ll run into radio personalities like Sway Calloway, who hosts his own successful “Sway in the Morning” show on SiriusXM, and convince them to come up for a tour of the space.

Sycamore has already seen guest appearances from Snoop Dogg on “Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul,” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on “Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay” and “Project Hail Mary” author Andy Weir on “House of R.”

“This street is so cool,” Lindsay added. “It’s just a different energy here.”

The duo first started recording at Spotify’s Arts District campus, which is more focused on audio-driven programs. But as the podcasting landscape evolves and video becomes a more important element, “Higher Learning” is now able to maximize on the new studio’s video-first capabilities.

Chris Thomas, studio operator, works in the control room on the podcast, “Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay.”

(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Spotify also employs a combination of full-time employees and freelancers that staff each show, including sound engineers, lighting specialists and set designers who help keep the place running.

The Ringer, founded by media mogul Bill Simmons, exists online as a website, a podcast network and video production house, anchored in sports, pop culture and politics coverage. Some of its most popular programs include “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” “The Rewatchables” and the inaugural Golden Globe winner “Good Hang with Amy Poehler.”

Many of the hosts overlap within The Ringer’s podcasting ecosystem. Just between Lathan and Lindsay, they host and appear as regular guests on as many as five shows, so they work from the studio three to five times a week. By being in close quarters together, a greater sense of collaboration has enveloped The Ringer’s team. Chow said there are some days when Simmons will walk onto four shows a day, just to share his thoughts on a topic.

“This is my dream of what The Ringer is. We’re all here talking, we’re all existing together,” Lathan said. “We’re all popping in and out of different rooms all the time.”

Exterior view of the building that houses Spotify’s new Sycamore Studios. The company takes up one floor of the facility.

(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

The Ringer was first founded in 2016. At the time, Simmons had recently been ousted from ESPN due to a strained relationship with higher-ups. Simmons had spearheaded the network’s Grantland sports blog, which focused on cultural commentary that is similar to what The Ringer does today. The Ringer soon established itself as one of the fastest-growing independent podcast networks.

The brand still keeps its roots in fandom — whether it’s through football or “Game of Thrones,” said Chow. So, to have a space that reflects the diversity of its programming often makes recording more fruitful, especially during key moments like the NFL draft or awards season.

As The Ringer continues to expand its roots in Hollywood, the network remains focused on maximizing its content.

In January, The Ringer started airing select podcasts on Netflix to reach a wider audience. Chow said the partnership is off to a promising start. Each of the five recording studios at the Sycamore site is fully equipped with live-streaming technology — making the weekly Netflix live shows possible.

“Podcasts have become like a cultural hub and curator of things that are happening in the world,” Chow said. “We always want to innovate and test. That’s something that was exciting to us to think about bringing our audience new content in different places.”

Multiple burials have been reported by locals

At least 80 deaths have been reported as a country battles an outbreak of a highly contagious disease.

The deaths were confirmed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s new Ebola disease outbreak in the eastern Ituri province, authorities said, as health workers raced to intensify screening and contact tracing to contain the disease. Officials first announced the outbreak on Friday, with 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases. Meanwhile, journalists in Ituri’s capital, Bunia, interviewed local people who recounted their fears and constant burials.

“Every day, people are dying … and this has been going on for about a week. In a single day, we bury two, three, or even more people,” said Jean Marc Asimwe, a resident of Bunia. “At this point, we don’t really know what kind of disease it is.”

Congolese health minister Samuel-Roger Kamba said late on Friday that there have been eight laboratory-confirmed cases, among them four deaths. Test results confirmed the Bundibugyo virus, a variant of the disease that has been less prominent in Congo’s past outbreaks.

This is the country’s 17th outbreak since Ebola first emerged in the country in 1976, the Associated Press reproted. Ebola is highly contagious and can be contracted through bodily fluids such as vomit, blood, or semen. The disease it causes is rare, but severe and often fatal.

The suspected index case in the latest outbreak is a nurse who died at a hospital in Bunia, Mr Kamba said, with the case dating back three weeks to April 24. He did not say whether samples from the nurse were tested, but said the person presented symptoms suggestive of Ebola.

DR Congo has experience in managing Ebola outbreaks, but often faces logistical challenges in getting expertise and supplies to affected regions. As Africa’s second-largest country by land area, Congo’s provinces are far from one another and mostly battling conflict. Ituri, for instance, is around 620 miles from the nation’s capital, Kinshasa, and is ravaged by violence from Islamic State-backed militants.

The disease is so far confirmed in three health zones in the Ituri province, including the capital city, Bunia, as well as in Rwampara and Mongwalu where the outbreak is concentrated.

Foreign Office advice for Democratic Republic of the Congo

As of Saturday afternoon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office had not given specific advice about travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in regards to the Ebola outbreak.

Its current advice, which it said remained valid on May 16, was that UK citizens should avoid travel to muliple parts of the country due to political instability.

It said: “If you are in North or South Kivu and judge it safe to do so, and if routes are available, you should leave. M23 rebels and Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) have captured the cities of Goma and Bukavu and the surrounding areas in North and South Kivu. M23 rebels and RDF captured the city of Uvira in December 2025, and then withdrew from the city in January 2026, though clashes continue in the surrounding areas. The situation remains highly unstable and unpredictable. Routes to depart Uvira, Goma and Bukavu are limited and may change at short notice.

“The border crossings between Rwanda and the DRC at Gisenyi-Goma and Ruzizi-Bukavu could close at short notice. Goma and Bukavu airports have been attacked and commercial flights are no longer operating from the airports.

“Support from the UK government is severely limited outside Kinshasa. You should not assume that FCDO will be able to provide assistance to leave the country in the event of serious unrest or crisis.”

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• The districts of N’djili and Kimbanseke in Kinshasa city south of the main access road to N’djili airport, in Nsele commune
• The N1 road in Kinshasa Province, between and including Menkao to the west, Kenge to the east, the border of Mai-Ndombe province to the north, and 10km to the south

The FCDO advises against all travel to within 50km of the border with the Central African Republic and to the provinces of:

• Haut-Uélé and Ituri, including the entire DRC-South Sudan border
• North Kivu
• South Kivu
• Maniema
• Tanganyika
• Haut-Lomami

It also advises against all travel to the Kwamouth territory of Mai-Ndombe Province. This is between, and including, the towns of Kwamouth, Bandundu and the southern border of Mai-Ndombe province. Further, it advises against all travel to the province of Kasaï Oriental and against all but essential travel to the provinces of Kasaï and Kasaï Central and to Bangoka International Airport in Kisangani.

When I wrote last week about one of my favorite mountain ranges — L.A.‘s sidewalks — I immediately began fielding questions.

People wanted to know about the scoring system that awarded just 15 points, out of 45, to John Coanda and his wife, Barbara, who uses a wheelchair because of ALS. The Mar Vista couple had applied to the city’s Safe Sidewalks program to have some busted-up sidewalk in front of their home repaired.

With several sidewalk hazards on both sides of their block, Barbara can’t safely make it down her street. So how is it possible that under L.A.’s “Sidewalk Repair Program Prioritization and Scoring System,” their meager 15 points means they could be waiting “in excess of 10 years” for help?

I have the answers.

The Coandas got 15 points for being in a residential zone. But they didn’t meet the requirements for getting two additional awards of 15 points. They do not live within 500 feet of a bus or transit stop. And they had not been in the sidewalk repair backlog queue for more than 120 days.

It is not clear, however, that moving up to a score of 30 will bring out city work crews in less than 10 years. Knowing what I know, I wouldn’t bet on it.

The scoring system exists because in a lawsuit settlement 10 years ago, the city agreed to spend $1.4 billion over 30 years to repair damaged sidewalks and other infrastructure failures that impede the mobility of people with disabilities.

But there’s a backlog. A huge backlog, in the thousands. At my request, the city disclosed on Friday that it’s receiving about twice as many new disability-access repair requests each year as it’s addressing. In addition, the backlog for disability access requests and from residents applying for a sidewalk repair rebate program stands at roughly 30,000, with about 600 repairs being made each year.

As I said in a previous column, L.A. might indeed be all buttoned up by the ‘28 Olympics, but that would be 3028, not 2028.

Cracked sidewalks, to be clear, are but a symptom of a deeper, decades-long breakdown at City Hall. Basic services have been sacrificed to pay for employee compensation and pension costs the city can’t afford, with homeless services adding to the budget crisis.

By the way, I heard from one reader in response to my suggestion last week that if you can’t wait 10 years or more for the city to fix a broken sidewalk, you can apply to the rebate program, which will cover a portion of repairs. Don’t bother, said Lori Lerner Gray, who owns a house in Silver Lake and applied two years ago, but finally gave up.

“There is a massive waiting list and it’s a very complicated procedure just to try to get on it, let alone speak with anyone to help,” Gray said. “Once you finally get into the program, it’s impossible to proceed because of permits, engineering reports and finally you are required to bring the entire area to ADA compliance on your own dime.”

She said she was told she’d have to pay to relocate a utility pole.

And sidewalks aren’t the only infrastructure problem, as other readers noted. The city is way behind on filling potholes, repaving streets, installing curb ramps, making park improvements and replacing broken lights. I recently wrote about all the blight around City Hall, including the graffiti-tagged monument and fountain that has been inoperable for most of the last 60 years.

Oren Hadar, a Mid-City resident who writes about housing and transportation on his The Future Is L.A. website, reported last year in a Times op-ed that city streets were falling apart because the city had switched from repaving entire roads to doing what it called “large asphalt repair.”

With the switch, the city avoided federal requirements to upgrade curb ramps on repaved streets, Hadar said. He told me that when he travels to other cities near or far, “I’m always jealous of everything. Sidewalks are in better shape or there are better bike lanes. … You could go to even Santa Monica or Culver City. You don’t have to go far to see infrastructure that’s better.”

Other major cities have had formal infrastructure plans for years, while L.A. has ducked and dithered. Finally, earlier this month, Mayor Karen Bass introduced the city’s long-awaited CIP (capital infrastructure program), and offered a brutal assessment of what went wrong.

“For too long,” she said in the executive summary, “information has been scattered across departments, buried in lengthy reports and budgets, and difficult to fully understand. These challenges have had real consequences, contributing to decades of underinvestment in our built environment.”

The summary reads like an indictment of City Hall leadership and the manner in which public spaces have deteriorated. With Bass running for reelection, voters have to decide whether her role in those failures is grounds for dismissal, or her campaign-season pitch for a new day should help earn her a second term.

The report, with backing by members of the City Council, cited “fragmented systems and data silos,” “no shared vision across city departments,” “growing maintenance deferrals,” “slow, inefficient capital planning,” no “project intake standards,” “highly decentralized and uncoordinated grants,” “resource planning and staffing misalignment,” and “opaque capital planning process.”

Way to go, team.

You could take many of those same critiques and apply them to the haphazard way in which city and county leaders have addressed homelessness.

However, the city’s infrastructure plan does offer a framework for assessing the damage and prioritizing projects, and using charter reform to create a public works director position with greater authority. None of this will happen quickly, and given the budget crunch, you might be wondering how any of this would be paid for.

The suggestions in the report include bonds, a parcel tax, grants, fees on tickets to concerts and sporting events, fees on taxi and rideshare trips, and much, much more. None of this will be popular, especially if the public is unconvinced that city leaders can be trusted with more money.

Urban planner Deborah Murphy, chair of the city’s pedestrian advisory committee, noted that L.A. has gotten grants or state funding in the past for specific projects and then, because of staffing shortages or other stumbles, failed to hold up its end of the deal.

“It kind of ruins our reputation for getting future money,” Murphy said.

Jessica Meaney, executive director of Investing in Place and a longtime advocate for the infrastructure plan, is thrilled that the city has finally taken this step.

“But the key question is: who is actually in charge of making it happen?” she asked.

It’s critical, Meaney suggested, for city leaders to push for charter reform that puts infrastructure authority under a newly empowered public works director. If the city gets this right, she said, implementation of the infrastructure plan “could finally show Angelenos the true scale of deferred maintenance, make trade-offs visible, and create a road map for better sidewalks, streets, parks, and accessibility.”

If the current fragmented authority remains in place, Meaney said, the headline would be:

“No one is in charge of your sidewalk and City Hall is determined to keep it that way.”

steve.lopez@latimes.com

Arbeloa has also faced criticism from France striker Kylian Mbappe after he was left out of the starting line-up for Los Blancos’ 2-0 win over Real Oviedo.

Mbappe had missed his side’s two previous games, including last weekend’s El Clasico which Barcelona won to secure the league title, with a thigh injury and was whistled by his own fans when he came on.

The World Cup winner has faced scrutiny over his commitment to the club in recent weeks while an online petition calling for ‘Mbappe Out’ attracted tens of millions of signatures.

But the manager played down the incident on Saturday.

“I’ve just bumped into him, I told him to stay calm. I understand that these kinds of things make headlines, but it’s something much more normal than you think,” Arbeloa said.

“I used to be a player, I know what they can feel in these situations – playing every day, then playing less or not at all.

“I totally understand that Kylian wasn’t happy about not playing on Thursday, and I like that.

“I wouldn’t understand it if he didn’t want to play. My relationship with him remains the same.”

As criticism of Israel mounts over its wars on Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, along with the escalating settler violence in the occupied West Bank, the country is ramping up its PR offensive.

From a carefully managed appearance of Benjamin Netanyahu on CBS’s 60 Minutes to a major expansion of Israel’s Hasbara operation, the push includes pouring money into digital campaigns and media messaging.

The goal is to reverse the collapse of public support for Israel, especially in the US, but no amount of spin can make audiences unsee what they have watched in real time.

Contributors:
Miriyam Aouragh – Professor of digital anthropology, University of Westminster
Matt Lieb – Host, Bad Hasbara podcast
Emily Schrader – Journalist, ILTV News
Oren Ziv – Reporter, Local Call

On our radar

Israeli officials have dismissed a recent New York Times report on sexual violence against Palestinians as “blood libel”.

But while the government denounces the allegations, many of the claims in the report have been openly discussed in the Israeli media.

Nicholas Muirhead reports.

Zaragoza Data Farms

The generative AI boom is prompting a global race to build vast, energy-hungry data centres. In Spain’s Aragon region, authorities have welcomed tech giants and the jobs, investment and digital transformation they claim to bring.

But behind the glossy narrative lies a different reality – one in which enormous facilities consume natural resources and exploit legal loopholes, often at the expense of the communities that live alongside them.

Featuring:
Alonso Llorente – Journalist, Arainfo
Pablo Jimenez Arandia – Investigative reporter
Mar Vaquero – Vice president, Aragon Minister of Economy, Employment & Industry

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

This week’s caption reads:

Sleeping accommodation in the Clapham deep shelter, London. Four thousand beds at three shillings a night, deep beneath London, are being offered to Festival of Britain visitors. The beds, together with dining accommodation, are in Clapham’s deep shelter, now taken over by the London County Council. The deep shelter is a mile long, runs 45 feet beneath the underground railway. (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images)

Prime Directives:

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

IT’S no secret that Pete Davidson has been quite the ladies’ man in recent years, as evidenced by his string of high-profile partners and Hollywood hookups.

The 32-year-old comedian’s love life often made headlines for its unconventional stories, including impulsive weeks-long engagements and explosive cheating allegations from his famous exes.

It was thought that the Saturday Night Live alum was settling down for good with his latest girlfriend, Elsie Hewitt, after she got pregnant with their first child.

However, things took a turn following the birth of their daughter, Scottie Rose, in December, and the pair parted ways, The U.S. Sun exclusively reported on Thursday.

Now that Pete is back on the market again, interest has piqued about his dating history and the A-listers with whom he’s been romantically linked.

Cazzie David was one of the first well-known names to have dated the comic, and their relationship perhaps had the most surprising ending.

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Pete Davidson & Elsie Hewitt SPLIT just 5 months after welcoming daughter

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Pete Davidson FINALLY sells Staten Island condo at shock $400K loss after split

Pete was romantically involved with the actress for two-and-a-half years from 2016 to 2018, but the decision to call it quits wasn’t exactly mutual.

Cazzie opened up about their split in her 2020 memoir, No One Asked for This, claiming that Pete’s mental health had taken a serious toll on her toward the end of their relationship.

Pete has been open about struggling with anxiety, depression, and borderline personality disorder.

She recalled eventually breaking things off after a long internal battle, but changed her mind days later and attempted to reconcile.

However, Pete said he was “the happiest he had ever been” and wanted to continue their time apart.

“This 180 wasn’t what I’d expected, but it wasn’t unfamiliar. I said okay, and that I loved him, tears streaming down my face, and he hung up quickly,” Cazzie wrote.

The screenwriter alleged that shortly after, she discovered on social media that Pete had covered up his tattoos dedicated to her.

She also spotted a startling image of Pete with his new girlfriend, pop star Ariana Grande.

Pete and Ariana had a whirlwind romance that neither Cazzie nor fans saw coming.

The couple began dating in May 2018 and fell head over heels for one another.

Their relationship blossomed so quickly that they got engaged just three weeks into dating.

However, just like Pete, Ariana was also freshly out of a relationship with her ex, Mac Miller, when they got together.

Ariana dated the rapper for two years before they split the same month she began her romance with Pete.

When Mac passed away in August of that year from an accidental drug overdose, Ariana’s heartbreak put a major strain on her and Pete’s relationship.

The duo eventually broke off their engagement in October after only five months.

This sparked the beginning of Pete’s long list of A-list partners, and more eyes were drawn to the Staten Island native.

In early 2019, the actor briefly dated Kate Beckinsale, who is 20 years his senior.

They were spotted getting cozy at a Golden Globes afterparty and at a New York Rangers game during their time together. 

At the time, Kate told Extra that she was most attracted to Pete for his humor, saying, “Funny. I like funny.” 

However, after four months of dating, they decided to part ways.

Sources told People that their long distance was the primary reason for their split, though they remained “friendly.” 

Months later, The King of Staten Island star struck up a romance with model Kaia Gerber.

While also a brief relationship, the couple were pretty hot and heavy in the beginning, especially during their PDA-filled trip in Miami.   

They dated from October 2019 to January 2020, when Kaia began to notice red flags about Pete’s mental state.

An insider told Page Six that Cindy Crawford’s daughter was “overwhelmed” by the relationship and by Pete’s concerning, “intense” behavior.

Multiple sources also claimed that Pete’s mental health and addiction struggles were too much for the young supermodel to handle. 

Pete reportedly checked himself into a treatment program shortly after their breakup. 

After taking some time away, he was soon back on the dating scene and sparked another unexpected romance with newly single Kim Kardashian.

Kim and Pete began dating in October 2021 after meeting on the set of SNL.

The beauty mogul was a guest star on the show and performed a memorable Aladdin skit with Pete, who was a cast member.

Their feelings intensified into a full-fledged romance, in which they regularly hung out with each other’s families, including Kim’s four children, whom she shares with her ex-husband, Kanye West.

Pete even got a tattoo commemorating their relationship, which read “My girl is a lawyer,” and a branding on his chest that read “KIM.” 

Kanye, however, wasn’t thrilled about his ex’s new lover and went on numerous wild rants on social media slamming the Pete Davidson Show host.

Their romance didn’t last much longer, as Kim and Pete split in August 2022 after their relationship “ran its course,” sources told People. 

A few months later, Pete fell into the arms of supermodel Emily Ratajkowski, who had recently separated from her husband Sebastian Bear McClard. 

Rumors circulated in mid-November 2022 that the pair were an item after reports surfaced that they were in the “very early stages” of a relationship. 

They confirmed the chatter later that month when they arrived arm in arm for a New York Knicks game.

Their romance was short-lived as they split in December 2022, around the same time that Pete began dating his Bodies, Bodies, Bodies co-star Chase Sui Wonders.

Pete and Chase met when they were shooting the film in August of that year, though things didn’t turn romantic until later.

The pair were seen at a New York Rangers game and shopping at a Whole Foods Market in Brooklyn in the first days of their relationship. 

Although they initially denied their relationship, Chase was caught near Pete’s apartment, and the duo was seen enjoying a date night in New York City in January 2023, further fueling romance rumors.

Chase was also a passenger in the Mercedes that Pete crashed into a Beverly Hills mansion in March 2023, which earned the Bupkis star a reckless driving charge. 

The couple eventually ended things in August 2023 after less than a year of dating. 

Pete had a few other romantic flings over the last decade, including Carly Aquillino, Margaret Qualley, Phoebe Dynevor, and Madelyn Cline. 

However, right now, his suspected closest connection is with his most recent ex-girlfriend, Elsie, with whom he’s navigating co-parenting their less than five-month-old daughter.

A source exclusively told The U.S. Sun that Pete’s hectic work schedule and constant traveling while Elsie was at home with their daughter led to their breakup.

Another insider said, “Finding the best co-parenting solution is their top priority.”

Last summer, The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed the former couple was experiencing challenges in their relationship while Elsie was in the early stages of her pregnancy.  

A source claimed that their arguments were “out of control” and that the pair were “secretly recording one another.” 

Pete and Elsie began dating in early 2025 and announced their pregnancy that July. 

Both have yet to address their split.

The datacom market outlook was recently revised upwards by LightCounting, which J.P. Morgan analysts said proves positive for optical component suppliers, including Coherent (COHR), Fabrinet (FN), and Lumentum (LITE).

“The datacom growth outlook remains robust, with the total market forecast once again

IF you want to do the ‘best experience in the world’ you’ll be pleased to know it costs less than a fiver and a few mere hours from the UK.

A city tour of Portugal’s historic Porto has just become the number one thing to do, according to Tripadvisor.

Called The Unvanquished Tour in Porto City Center, the experience has just topped Tripadvisor’s ‘Travellers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do‘.

Rates start from just £2.64per person and local guides take visitors through the city on a walking tour.

A description of the tour reads: “Dive into 2,000 years of history as you visit the city’s iconic landmarks and hidden gems.

“Led by a passionate guide, this tour provides valuable local insights and recommendations.”

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The tour begins at City Hall and heads through the city including stops at Avenida Dos Aliados, which is one of the largest avenues in Porto.

Another stop is at Livraria Lello, what’s considered one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world.

Igreja do Carmo, the narrowest house in Porto, is also on the itinerary as is Porto’s university.

Other stops include at the city gardens, Jewish quarter, train station, and the Dom Luis bridge.

The tour isn’t long either, taking two hours and 30-minutes with a maximum number of 25 people.

The awards are based on quality and quantity of reviews and ratings on Tripadvisor between February 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026.

On Tripadvisor, The Unvanquished Tour in Porto City Center has over 26,000 five-star reviews and it’s recommended by 99.9 per cent of travellers.

One reviewer wrote: “We had Diogo, and he was a fantastic tour guide, genuinely one of the best tours I have done. He gave us a lot of insight about Porto’s history, current situation, recommendations, and lots of jokes!”

Another said the tour was the “best way to see Porto”.

While the price of the tour is under £3, the experience does say “the price is flexible—pay what you think reflects your enjoyment” with tips “welcome and expected”.

Porto itself is Portugal‘s second-largest city that sits by the Douro River, and there’s so much to do outside of the tour too – especially when it comes to food and drink

Firstly, make sure to pick up a gooey pastel de nata which can be bought for as little as €1 (86p).

For savoury dishes, the region is known for its traditional food which includes bacalhau (salted cod fish).

And the Francesinha toasted sandwich which is layered with hot meats, cheeses and smothered in a rich beer sauce.

Of course, Porto is known for its Port production, having been making it since Roman times – and there are plenty of places to try a glass, or two.

One Sun Writer even tried out the Wine Experience which included a tasting and learning the grape-to-bottle process.

Porto is easy to explore on foot – but it also has the Gaia cable car which has incredible views over the city.

Other recommendations include a scenic train ride tour, and a booze cruise.

Here are Tripadvisor’s ‘Top Experiences in the World’

1. The Unvanquished Tour in Porto City Center, Porto, Portugal
2. Peaceful Hiroshima & Miyajima UNESCO 1 Day Bus Tour, Hiroshima, Japan
3. Barcelona in 1 Day: Sagrada Familia, Park Guell,Old Town & Pickup, Barcelona, Spain
4. Amsterdam All-Inclusive 90-Minutes Canal Cruise by Captain Jack, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
5. Beatles Magical Mystery Tour, Liverpool, United Kingdom
6. Berlin’s Best: 2 Hour Walking Tour Third Reich and the Cold War, Berlin, Germany
7. London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, London, United Kingdom
8. Classic 4-Day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco, Cusco, Peru
9. Krakow–Zakopane: Cable Car, Chocholow Baths, Cheese & Vodka, Krakow, Poland
10. Amanda Cruise – Ha Long, Lan Ha Bay – All Inclusive 2D1N & 3D2N, Hanoi, Vietnam

WANDERING through the garden of Wastwater Cottage, the only sounds I hear are birdsong, the occasional bleat from a Herdwick lamb and the brook at the end of the garden.

The 15th-century four-bedroom farmhouse is the perfect pick for an off-grid break in the British countryside.

My partner Owain and I had initially come to the Lake District with the ambitious plan of tackling some of the biggest mountains in the national park.

But upon arriving in the Cumbrian village of Boot, we were immediately sidetracked.

On our doorstep were two fantastic pubs — The Boot and Brook House — as well as a gift shop and the oldest working water mill in the UK.

Our accommodation was via Bridge End Farm Cottages, which has several luxury self-catering homes in the Eskdale Valley — one of the UK’s best Dark Sky spots.

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Our cottage featured rear doors on to a garden, which meant twinkling stars could be easily admired at night.

And each morning we would tuck into breakfast croissants outside as we watched birds of prey hunting on the mountain in front of us.

Inside were stacks of boardgames, as well as Sky TV and a grand piano.

But the highlight of the property was undoubtedly its location.

From our doorstep, we could embark on dozens of walks over the Western Fells.

These include one from spectacular Wastwater lake, the deepest in England, to Stanley Ghyll waterfall — or another up England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike.

We started our weekend by following the brook down to the River Esk, walking through luscious green forests that are home to native red squirrels.

Children will be sure to love the stepping stones across to the opposite bank.

Of a warm summer’s day, there are also dozens of natural swimming pools to cool off in after a day exploring.

If you head in the opposite direction from the cottage, you can take a footpath up to the ancient White Moss stone circle and enjoy spectacular views of Scafell Pike — without the challenging four-hour hike up to its summit.

En route, we passed hundreds of the Herdwick sheep that live on the mountains year-round.

It turns out this hardy breed was saved from decline by Peter Rabbit author Beatrix Potter, who bred her own flocks in the area.

From here we made a descent into Eskdale, which is a slightly larger village about three miles from Boot.

The village is home to a fantastic — and unexpected — Japanese garden, adorned with maple trees and exotic plants.

An ornate footbridge over a pond is the centrepiece, and despite being on the steep side, the walk around takes only 15 minutes.

With slightly sore legs, we decided to take the vintage steam train from Eskdale back to Boot and our holiday home.

The Eskdale-to-Ravenglass railway was built in 1873 to transport iron ore mined in the valley to the coastline, but nowadays the trains run daily as an attraction, with afternoon tea available to pre-book.

In a charming tradition, passengers must flag down the driver to board, which really adds to the fun.

If you do want to travel somewhere that’s not reachable on foot, car is by far the easiest method of transport. We used Turo (think Airbnb for cars) to rent a vehicle at a much lower cost than a mainstream service.

Driving around, you’ll likely see some pretty cool spots.

Our route took us via the UK’s steepest road, Hardknott Pass — and about halfway up we came across a fabulous 2nd-century Roman fort.

It was well worth getting out to explore, as its walls are the best preserved of any ancient fort in Britain — and free to admire.

For nature lovers, the wonderful Lake District Wildlife Park, just over an hour away from the cottage by car, is home to more than 100 species of birds and mammals, both native and exotic.

Grizedale Forest is definitely one for the kids, featuring a Gruffalo orienteering trail, plus a Go Ape high-ropes centre and the Grizedale Observatory.

There are also boat trips across Windermere, which run every day from Ambleside.

The latter is close to the Beatrix Potter Museum and boasts dozens of boutique shops and cafes.

One of the beauties of staying in the Eskdale Valley is you can tick off all these main attractions but still stay away from the crowds.

As one local whispered to us about the valley’s beauty and tranquillity: “Don’t tell anyone about it.”

I hope she’ll forgive me before I return.

Year 3 in charge of St. John Bosco High’s offense is about to begin for quarterback Koa Malau’ulu, who will be a junior this fall.

St. John Bosco is hosting an eight-team seven-on-seven passing tournament on Saturday starting at 9:30 a.m. It’s one of three big passing tournaments this weekend, with Dana Hills and Long Beach Millikan also hosting tournaments.

Malau’ulu won’t have All-American receiver Madden Williams (now at Texas A&M), but class of 2028 receiver DJ Tubbs showed last year he’s ready to take on a leading role. Corona Centennial is also competing, which will mark the debut of Cathedral transfer Jaden Jefferson at quarterback.

Dana Hills has a 16-team tournament that includes Oxnard Pacifica, Laguna Beach and Crean Lutheran. Each of those schools returns big-time quarterbacks. Pool-play games begin at 8 a.m.

Games at Long Beach Millikan begin at 9 a.m.

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