Month: August 2026

Hip Hop International, which turns 25 this year, brought some of the world’s best dance crews and choreographers to mainstream attention. Groups including Jabbawockeez and Quest Crew, and choreographers such as Parris Goebel (Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Justin Bieber) and Sienna Lalau (BTS, Blackpink, Ciara) all got their start through the group’s annual dance competition, which connected dance cultures in a pre-YouTube era through global shared artistry when breaking was a mostly underground activity.

This year’s weeklong contest concludes Saturday in Phoenix, when a new world champion will be crowned. Involving 3,000 dancers from 55 countries, the competition has grown to be among the largest in the world due to the efforts of founders Howard and Karen Schwartz, whose globetrotting history led to HHI’s current prominence in the dance world.

In the late 1980s, the Schwartzes were known as “the mother and father of aerobics.” The duo were pioneers of the aerobics craze that gripped the nation and helped create the National Aerobic Championship. ESPN followed the Schwartzes’ competitions, as did the Soviet Union, which was in the midst of the massive social, economic and cultural upheaval that culminated with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

B-Boy Vico from France was the winner of Hip Hop International’s World Battles in 2023.

(Steven Lam)

Soon after, the Soviet Union asked the Schwartzes to bring their aerobic champions to teach fitness and aerobics there, Karen said. So they did.

“We grew that,” Howard said, adding that the aerobics championship became “almost as big as what HHI is now. We were all over the world with it.”

The pair later transitioned out of aerobics but still had the desire to create communal experiences. While traveling, the Schwartzes went to Paris and saw kids breaking on the street. The seed of an idea was planted. It blossomed later on a trip to Tokyo, as they emerged from a subway.

“We were walking and we saw a group of dancers that were practicing in the streets, but utilizing a storefront window reflection where it became a mirror,” said Karen, who was struck by the creativity of the art form.

When the Schwartzes first began to establish HHI, they reached out to people who would lend credibility, including Don Campbell, creator of the street dance style Locking; Ken Swift, a longtime b-boy and member of the Rock Steady Crew; and Toni Basil, a member of the 1970s dance crew the Lockers (with Campbell) and singer of the ’80s hit “Mickey.”

Basil has since received HHI’s Icon Award and is often a judge during championship weeks and worldwide competitions. She is a stalwart ambassador of dance worldwide. The Lockers were the first group of dancers to travel outside of the “Soul Train” sphere to be seen on television as a singular act. They appeared on “The Tonight Show” and “The Carol Burnett Show,” and were among the first crews to legitimize the art form by making a living from it.

“I don’t know how Karen and Howard organize it,” Basil said of the HHI competitions, noting that so many “kids get to come to America. It’s a big deal. It’s their life. It’s incredible. And to be dancing morning, noon and night, that’s a serotonin-raising life. I mean, everybody’s high on dance.”

Basil touts the international expansion of hip-hop dance and says that “there’s no more important crew battles in the world than HHI. Period.” She also said that HHI’s penchant for group choreography in the U.S. has translated worldwide. Dancers like Goebel and Lalau have graduated from the HHI community to stand on global stages as choreographers and artistic directors with music’s biggest artists.

Goebel operates out of Auckland, New Zealand, in a dance studio she created called the Palace. Her large dance crew, the Royal Family, helped establish the mold of choreographer-dancer-musician after unprecedented success at the HHI competition.

“Definitely the Royal Family competing at HHI and winning three gold medals in a row gave us international recognition for the dance crew and in turn made the Palace well known as I had many crews coming of out my studio,” Goebel wrote in an email.

Lalau‘s classes during the competition week at the HHI championships are coveted events, and she has led numerous classes and groups for the Lab, a Los Angeles-based hip-hop dance crew and studio.

“As my career evolved, I realized HHI is about so much more than competition,” Lalau wrote in an email. “It’s a place where culture, community, and creativity come together. That mindset has stayed with me throughout my career. Whether I’m creating for an artist, building a cast, or teaching a class, I always come back to the idea that the strongest work comes from collaboration.”

In 2008 the Schwartzes’ success led to them serve as producers for the Emmy Award-winning “America’s Best Dance Crew,” an MTV dance competition series that ran for eight seasons. Success stories from the show include crews such as the Jabbawockeez, which has been a fixture in Las Vegas since its first-season win, Quest Crew, Snoop Dogg and Far East Movement.

“ABDC” shone a spotlight on background performers and treated its participants with respect. JC Chasez, a member of N*Sync who also served as a judge on the show and was a talent competition participant himself, wrote in an email that he was excited to be in the mix.

“I know a lot of shows are about the judges, but I thought ‘ABDC’ did a really good job at making sure the audience at home knew that the stars of the show were the dancers,” Chasez wrote.

Chasez, now a producer on the Broadway musical “Titanique,” also noted that “ABDC” alumni are everywhere.

“I’ve really been enjoying seeing crew members succeed … on different projects,” he said. “I was in New York for the Tonys, and some of the people in ‘Jellicle Ball,’ … had competed on ‘Dance Crew.’”

Now that it’s hit the 25-year mark, supporters believe HHI will continue to evolve along with hip-hop dance itself. Always looking forward while reaching back to keep the past alive.

Reinvention is necessary, Chasez said, because hip-hop music today no longer sounds like it did in the ’80s.

“And so as the sonics change and as the rhythms evolve, I think that’s where interpretations will continue to evolve as well because they are visualizing the rhythms that you’re hearing and telling a story in a unique way.”

Lalau said she expects the next 25 years will bring even more authentic creativity, but that she hopes “that we still prioritize the human side of dance [over tech advancements]. Hip-hop has always been rooted in community, connection and self-expression.”

“We really are so proud of a number of the things that we have been able to accomplish, because it’s made a difference,” Karen Schwartz said of herself and her husband, adding that it’s hard to stop and think about those things because they’re so busy thinking about the future.

“That’s the problem, actually,” Howard said. “We’re constantly, ‘What can we do next? What can make the experience better for everyone?’

“Our ultimate goal is of course to bring ‘ABDC’ back,” he said, “and we haven’t stopped trying.”

Until then, a new world champion will be crowned Saturday night, continuing a tradition that has become much more than a trend.

Good morning, and welcome to L.A. on the Record — our City Hall newsletter. It’s David Zahniser, with an assist from Gavin J. Quinton, giving you the latest on city and county government.

Deputy Atty. Gen. Marissa Roy did big numbers in the June 2 primary election, coming in first place in the race for city attorney and knocking City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto out of the running entirely.

Roy secured 43% of the vote in round one. Now that she’s in a head-to-head contest against Deputy Dist. Atty. John McKinney, she’s well ahead in fundraising as well.

Campaign spending reports for the Nov. 3 runoff, filed over the last few days, show that Roy’s campaign collected nearly $74,000 during the fundraising period that ended June 30. By comparison, McKinney collected just $3,000, according to his own contribution report.

“I plan to be a City Attorney for the people, and I’m proud to have a campaign supported by the people. If your campaign isn’t, then I think it’s fair to ask who it is for,” Roy said in a statement.

The race is one of three downballot contests where the candidate who came in first on June 2 is also well ahead in the scramble for campaign contributions. Things were similarly lopsided in council races in South L.A. and the San Fernando Valley.

McKinney, who received nearly 29% of the vote in the primary, said his campaign will have plenty of resources to “educate voters that Marissa Roy is a bad fit for Los Angeles.”

“The recent financial disclosure reflects just one week of activity,” he said in a statement. “Since the June 30th [fundraising] deadline, we’ve raised more than $65,000 from more than 80 individual donors and have nearly 15 fundraising events scheduled.”

Several of the donors who gave to Roy occupy the left end of the political spectrum, such as Loraine Lundquist, who ran for City Council twice in the San Fernando Valley, losing both times to Councilmember John Lee. Roy also picked up a donation from airport commissioner Victor Narro, project director for the UCLA Labor Center.

Roy received $1,800 from attorney Carol Sobel, who has sued the city many times on behalf of various clients over policing and its treatment of the homeless population. Another $1,800 came from Genie Harrison, who is representing former fire chief Kristin Crowley in her lawsuit over her ouster.

McKinney, who works for Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman, is likely to have his own big-money support in the coming weeks. During the primary, an array of well-financed allies, including Airbnb, spent a combined $3.2 million on efforts to elect him.

In South L.A., Ugarte ramps up his fundraising

The fundraising was also lopsided in the race to replace City Councilmember Curren Price, a veteran lawmaker who is stepping down after 13 years in a district stretching from the Convention Center south to 95th Street.

Former Price aide Jose Ugarte collected about $35,000 for the runoff, much of it from other city workers, particularly council aides, records show.

Community organizer Estuardo Mazariegos took in about $5,400, pulling in donations from the progressive L.A. Forward Action Fund and from Lundquist, the former council candidate.

A number of elected officials have lined up behind Ugarte, who garnered 39% of the vote in the primary. He received $1,000 apiece from State Assemblymembers Mark Gonzalez (D-Los Angeles), Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) and José Luis Solache (D-Lynwood), according to his filing. Ugarte also received $1,000 each from former Councilmember David Ryu and from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

Records show that Ugarte received $1,000 from the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents rank-and-file police officers, but then returned the contribution. Ugarte does not accept donations from the police union, his campaign strategist said.

“I support Mayor Bass’s efforts to increase staffing, strengthen community policing, and improve transparency and accountability. I also want to see more officers on foot patrols and bike patrols in our neighborhoods,” Ugarte said in a statement. “Returning this contribution does not change or influence my views on these priorities.”

In the Valley, Gaspar pulls in a big haul

In the race to replace Councilmember Bob Blumenfield in the west San Fernando Valley, businessman Tim Gaspar is proving to be a fundraising powerhouse.

Gaspar reported more than $180,000 in donations to his runoff campaign through June 30, compared with about $31,000 for Barri Worth Girvan, an aide to County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, according to her filing.

“After finishing with the most votes in the primary, our campaign is grateful for the outpouring of support from business owners, neighbors, and friends across the West Valley,” Gaspar said in a statement.

Gaspar received 46% of the vote in the primary, compared with more than 42% for Worth Girvan.

In an interview, Worth Girvan said she’s not troubled by the fundraising gap. During the primary, backers of Gaspar spent about $1.4 million on independent expenditures supporting his election bid.

“We still came within 4 percentage points,” she said. “To me, it’s always been about the voters, so that’s what I’m focused on.”

Worth Girvan picked up donations from longtime Democrats, including Gonzlaez, the state Assembly member, former state Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Ryu, the former City Council member. She told The Times her fundraising picked up significantly after the June 30 fundraising deadline, bringing her total haul to more than $100,000.

Gaspar picked up donations from several public safety unions, including $1,000 from the Police Protective League and $500 from a political action committee set up by the city’s port police. He received $1,000 from real estate developer Rick Caruso, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2022.

State of play

— WINDS OF CHANGE: For the first time since 1963, L.A.’s 9th Council District will not have a Black representative. The race to represent that South L.A. district features two Latino candidates who immigrated to the U.S. as children, both of them undocumented at the time. Ugarte, the former council aide, was born in Oaxaca and is Mazateco, an Indigenous group native to the Mexican state. Mazariegos, a community organizer, was born in Guatemala.

— DISAPPEARING ACT: Records dealing with the activities of the Los Angeles Police Department — emails, text messages, audio recordings — have vanished from a city website devoted to the release of public information. Although the removal of such records does not violate any laws, “it’s certainly not a best practice,” one expert said.

— PERMIT PROBLEMS: A representative of Lineage, whose massive cold storage facility burned down in Boyle Heights two months ago, filed a permit this week to rebuild the company’s 491,000-square-foot warehouse to its original pre-fire condition. Bass called the filing a “slap in the face” to families in Boyle Heights and ordered her department heads to put the application on hold until the site receives extensive study.

— SCHOOLS AND SAFETY: Meanwhile, with less than two weeks left before the start of school, families in Boyle Heights and East L.A. are worried about health and safety at eight campuses located within a mile of the Lineage site, which has been beset with the stench of rotting food, rats and swarms of flies.

— ZOO COUP: Feldstein Soto may have lost her bid for a second term, but she did rack up a key court victory in the city’s battle over money for the Los Angeles Zoo. The city has been trying to claw back about $50 million raised for the facility by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assn., the nonprofit that helped run it until recently. GLAZA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June, citing “incessant litigation” from the city. This week, at the city’s request, a judge dismissed the bankruptcy filing.

— TAKING IT TO THE STREETS: L.A. is on track to repeal a city law prohibiting kids from playing baseball, basketball, soccer or other ball games out in the street. The law was passed in 1936 out of a fear that children would be struck by cars. Councilmember Bob Blumenfield says it’s time the ordinance was erased from the books.

— FIXING THEIR MISTAKE: L.A. County’s Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to send voters a charter amendment that would reverse the repeal of Measure J, which was approved six years ago and sets aside money for alternatives to incarceration. Measure J, through a series of errors, was supplanted in 2024 by Measure G, which will increase the number of supervisors. The new measure would restore Measure J to the county charter.

— SPEAKING OF ERRORS: Last week, we mentioned a proposal to reduce the number of required council meetings from three per week down to one, saying that the idea failed to make the ballot. That was wrong! The measure will in fact go before voters in the Nov. 3 election as part of Charter Amendment EE.

QUICK HITS

• Where is Inside Safe? The mayor’s signature program to bring homeless people indoors went to Skid Row, bringing 23 people inside, according to the mayor’s team. The area is represented by Councilmember Ysabel Jurado.
• On the docket next week: After a month off, the City Council resumes its business on Tuesday.

Stay in touch

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

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The first day all the members of the Women’s Professional Baseball League were at the same field, it rained.

That didn’t dampen the smiles around Robin Roberts Field the day before the league opens play Saturday, marking the first professional women’s baseball games in 72 years.

“Getting to be together for six whole weeks or around two whole months with them [if we make the playoffs] is honestly going to be a game changer,” said third baseman Ashton Lansdell, who stars for the USA national team. “I think we’re going to build a really unique and exciting culture that is going to last a very long time, especially with the inaugural season at WPBL. Like we’re starting from the ground up, so we get to build all of these things from the very beginning.”

The Los Angeles Queens, managed by former Dodgers second baseman Eric Young, have arguably the most star-studded roster, behind Savannah Bananas third baseman Lansdell, former Little League star Mo’ne Davis and Japanese ace pitcher Ayami Sato.

The Los Angeles Queens’ Ayami Sato pitches during a Women’s Pro Baseball League exhibition game in March 19 in Fort Myers, Fla.

(Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

“I pretty much have an idea who I want to lead off and who’s my starter,” Young said. “Those two things I do know. But the rest of the lineup, I’m looking forward to making it. The first one will be very special, just like everything else.”

Women’s baseball has been long fractured with few opportunities for the best to gather in one spot. The only consistent tournament has been the Women’s Baseball World Cup, with the U.S. going undefeated in group play this week in Rockford ahead of the WPBL’s quick week of preseason practices.

The WPBL will be the first women’s baseball league since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which operated from 1943 until 1954 to offset the loss of male baseball players called into action during World War II. The league gained popularity and notoriety when it was dramatized in the 1992 film “A League of Their Own.”

While women’s baseball didn’t boom and girls were mostly limited to playing softball, some women sought a chance to play the sport they loved.

The WPBL, even with a limited six-week season at one location, is helping many players realize seemingly impossible dreams and honoring the first recorded women’s game with a paid crowd and the home of the single-season Springfield Sallies.

Games will span seven innings and the league will use aluminum bats featured in college baseball and softball, while outfield dimensions were altered to be closer to the Women’s World Cup field dimensions. Salaries range from $300-$500 per game for the 15-player rosters.

“It’s just what we’ve all dreamed of our whole lives,” Lansdell said. “The coolest thing out of all of it is that we’re starting this league this year, but in the next five to 10 years, even two years down the road, I’m so excited to see just the growth of women’s baseball and the amount of hope and inspiration that we have.”

Like many women’s baseball players, Lansdell had a history in softball, contributing to the Women’s College World Series season in 2025 at Ole Miss. More recently, she went 11-for-13 with two doubles and two home runs in five games during the U.S. World Cup group stage for a historic .846 batting average.

Players warm up before a game on the fourth day of tryouts for the Women’s Professional Baseball League in August 2025 at Nationals Park in Washington.

(Julia Demaree Nikhinson / Associated Press)

She will be the core of the Queens’ lineup, surrounded by some of the biggest name in the sport. Brittany Apgar grew up playing in all-boys baseball tournaments before playing college softball at Greensboro College.

“I think this is really when the quote that baseball is 90% mental and 10% physical kicks in because that game’s going to be a lot,” Apgar said of the Saturday opener. “Like we have the honor of doing the first game. That will be a lot of pressure on everyone.”

The Queens flaunt one of the best right sides of the infield in the league with Lansdell at third and Curacan 19-year-old shortstop Thaima Maximiliana.

Australian shortstop Caitlin Eynon hit .375 in the World Cup and could contribute to the Queens’ lineup, too.

Davis highlights an outfield that includes Apgar and Japanese center fielder Suzu Narasaki. Amira Hondras, 18, played for the U.S. after spending time with MLB Develops and the Chicago White Sox youth league and is one of the best young women’s baseball prospects in the nation.

Sato leads a staff of pitchers from several backgrounds. Canadian 19-year-old right-hander Michelle Roche plays college baseball in British Columbia while 38-year-old veteran Meggie Meidlinger has been a bullpen stopper for the U.S.

“More than anything, I’m excited for the opportunity to play with talented players from around the world,” Sato said through her translator, Mayo Hiran. “That’s something that I’ve been working for for a long time.”

The Queens face the New York Heights to begin their season and will play 30 games through the start of September before a two-week playoff period.

By this time next year, they may get a chance to play home games in the Los Angeles area. The league hasn’t announced its plans for shifting games outside of Illinois other than to confirm they aspire to do so.

But for a few moments this weekend, in Springfield alone, dreams will come true and a sport will be reborn.

“It’s going to be a lot of people’s first time for a lot of things,” Apgar said. “Some of the people didn’t actually get to make it to tryouts, so there’s some people that are drafted that I haven’t even seen in person before. It’s all exciting.”

July 31 (Asia Today) — South Korea’s National Assembly passed legislation Friday eliminating prosecutors’ authority to conduct direct and supplementary investigations, advancing a major restructuring of the country’s criminal justice system.

Han Byung-do, acting leader and floor leader of the governing Democratic Party, said before the vote that the revision to the Criminal Procedure Act would mark the beginning of a new system rather than the end of prosecution reform.

“Today’s revision of the Criminal Procedure Act is not the end of prosecution reform but the beginning of a new criminal justice system,” Han said during a party Supreme Council meeting.

He said the government and governing party must prevent investigative gaps and ensure that crime victims and other citizens remain protected during the transition.

The legislation passed later Friday after lawmakers ended a filibuster by the opposition People Power Party.

Under the revised law, prosecutors will no longer be allowed to conduct their own investigations, including additional investigative work after receiving cases from police.

Prosecutors will instead be permitted to request supplementary investigations from judicial police officers.

Police generally must complete the requested work within one month and report the results to prosecutors. The period may be extended for up to one additional month when necessary.

The legislation also requires investigative information to be recorded in South Korea’s criminal justice information system.

Han said the Democratic Party would take responsibility for completing the regulations and institutional arrangements needed to launch the Public Prosecution Office and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency on Oct. 2.

The new Public Prosecution Office will be responsible primarily for indictments and maintaining prosecutions in court. The Serious Crimes Investigation Agency will investigate major offenses formerly handled directly by prosecutors.

“We will take responsibility until the end so that the two agencies can begin operating in a stable manner,” Han said.

Opposition lawmakers and some legal professionals have warned that eliminating prosecutors’ supplementary investigative authority could create delays, weaken oversight of police investigations and leave victims with fewer avenues for redress.

The Democratic Party says the legislation includes safeguards intended to prevent cases from being ignored or delayed and to preserve the rights of victims and complainants.

Governing party promises further legislation

Han said the governing party would continue pursuing legislation dealing with public welfare and political reform.

“We will respond to people’s livelihoods with speed and to reform with results,” he said.

Han cited legislation authorizing a special counsel investigation of the National Election Commission and a proposal to shorten the review period for bills designated for fast-track consideration.

The fast-track proposal would reduce the maximum review period from 330 days to 90 days, including 60 days for consideration by the relevant standing committee and 30 days for review by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

The People Power Party opposes the change, saying it would weaken opportunities for negotiation and allow the parliamentary majority to rush controversial bills through the legislature.

Han said the Democratic Party would work to create a more productive National Assembly in which legislation affecting people’s livelihoods is reviewed and passed without unnecessary delays.

“We will not avoid the responsibility entrusted to us by the public,” he said.

Party vows to address stock market volatility

Han also said the Democratic Party and the government would work together to reduce uncertainty in South Korea’s capital markets.

The comments followed heightened volatility linked in part to leveraged investment products tied to individual stocks.

Han said officials would examine whether adequate investor protections were in place when the products were introduced.

“We recognize the current market conditions and investors’ concerns with the utmost seriousness,” he said. “We will calmly and transparently review the introduction process and whether investor protection measures were sufficient.”

Han urged the People Power Party not to use investors’ concerns as political ammunition.

“Using investor anxiety for political attacks and increasing market uncertainty through unverified claims can undermine confidence in the South Korean stock market and cause serious harm to investors,” he said.

He said lawmakers should instead identify the causes of instability and develop effective measures to address them.

The Democratic Party’s special committee on South Korea’s capital markets will communicate with financial regulators and industry officials to evaluate policy measures and market reactions, Han said.

The party will also continue efforts to improve corporate value and governance at publicly traded companies, he said.

— 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=20260731010011686

Police cases, social media takedowns and online abuse have followed many who took part in India’s Cockroach Janta Party-led demonstrations that ended on July 25. Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he forgives ‘misled children’ who abused him during the protests.

The crime series, which dropped on Netflix today, is perfect for fans of gripping police dramas like Line of Duty and The Wire.

Netflix fans are urged to tune into ‘the best cop drama’ ever which is leaving viewers ‘glued until the end’.

The ‘excellent’ series, which comes from legendary Law & Order creator Dick Wolf, quietly arrived on Netflix today.

The police show is perfect for fans of Line of Duty and Blue Lights, while it has already been called ‘as good as’ US procedurals like The Shield and The Wire.

The popular drama is also a part of a larger franchise created by Wolf, which follows the fire fighters, police officers and medical staff working in the busy heart of Chicago, USA.

Named Chicago P.D., the 2014 show is the second installment of Wolf’s Chicago franchise after Chicago Fire (2012) and has since been followed up by Chicago Med (2015).

Chicago P.D. holds an impressive 8.1/10 score on IMDb and is set to return for a 14th season later this year.

The cast is led by the charismatic Jason Beghe, who plays fan favourite character sergeant Hank Voight.

The synopsis explains that the show “follows the lives of the personnel of the fictional 21st District, which houses both uniformed officers and the department’s elite Intelligence Unit as they fight every day to keep the city of Chicago, Illinois safe”.

Other cast members include Jon Seda as Senior Detective Antonio Dawson, Sophia Bush as Detective Erin Lindsay, Jesse Lee Soffer as Senior Detective Jay Halstead, Patrick John Flueger as Officer Adam Ruzek and Marina Squerciati as Detective Kim Burgess.

Taking to the reviews section of IMDb, fans shared their thoughts on Chicago P.D.

One person wrote: “Easily the best cop drama I’ve ever seen. I love this show because it’s so smartly written. There are none of those yelling at your TV moments when the cop goes in without backup or lets his guard down at the worst moment or tries to be a hero all by himself. In this show the characters act like a real cop should.”

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Another agreed: “Of all the police shows, Chicago PD is the best show I’ve ever seen. Chicago PD captures your attention from the start and keeps you glued to the show until the end.”

A third echoed: “Excellent!! Best ever crime drama. Writing and acting are exceptional. Thank you NBC. I am totally involved…”

Another fan compared the show to other highly-rated police procedurals, commenting: “I put PD in the same category as Streets of San Francisco, Hill Street Blues, The Shield and The Wire to name a few. That is the best TV available.”

However, not everyone is a fan, with one person calling it “cheap entertainment” and another complaining: “It started off brilliant, but last few years it’s gone down hill.”

Meanwhile, some viewers took the time to praise Beghe’s performance, with one enthusing: “The best show on television to me. Jason Beghe who plays Sgt. Hank Voight is like no other. He brings the whole show together.”

Another concurred: “Best show on TV! There are many good cop shows on tv but this one never fails. It has amazing actors and always entertaining plots. Beghe is my favorite!”

Chicago P.D. is available to stream on Netflix now.

Truth Social, the social media firm owned by Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT), on Saturday launched Truth API, a licensed data feed that enables real-time access to posts from its high-profile users, including President Donald Trump.

With Trump Media & Technology

TUI is opening two new hotels in destinations a few hours from the UK.

New TUI Blue hotels will open their doors to guests in both Seville and Lisbon as it expands to European cities as well as beach destinations.

The first new TUI Blue Hotel will be in the pretty Spanish city of Seville, which is set to open later this year.

Called TUI Blue Sevilla Suites, it will be the first TUI Blue hotel to open in a European city.

It will have 89 rooms, co-working space and even a rooftop pool which will no doubt have incredible views.

It’s in Vega del Rey which is a 10-minute drive from the city centre.

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Seville is a city in southern Spain just two hours and 45-minutes away from the UK.

It’s easily walkable with plenty to see from the Royal Alcázar to the enormous cathedral which is the biggest Gothic Church in Europe.

The city is pretty affordable with tapas dishes ranging from around €3 (£2.56) to €6 (£5.15) per plate.

If you head to El Rinconcillo, you can pick up a huge glass of wine for £3.

The second European city hotel will be in TUI Blue Rossio in Lisbon‘s Baixa district.

It’s currently undergoing ‘a comprehensive redesign’ but is set to open as a 30-room boutique early next year.

Lisbon can be reached in as little as two hours 35-minutes from the UK and is the perfect spot for a city-by-the-sea break.

It’s also a cheap spot and one expat who moved there from the UK suggests picking up a local ‘vinho verde’ which costs “a few euros“.

The city itself can be explored via the tram system with tickets starting from as little as £2.70.

In Lisbon, a Lisboa card is a savvy way to save – buy one from £27 for access to 51 museums and galleries across the city.

TUI Group Chief Operating Officer Marco Ciomperlik said: “Following the first openings in cities across Asia, we are now bringing our distinctive leisure hotel concept to some of Europe’s most attractive urban holiday destinations.

“Lisbon and Seville are ideal destinations, combining strong city break appeal with the rich local culture, food and experiences that sit naturally at the heart of the TUI Blue concept.”

This comes after TUI announced its expansion in Asia.

It announced the opening of two new hotels last year in both Malaysia and Cambodia.

TUI also opened its first hotel in Bhutan in May called TUI Blue Paro Taktsang which is nestled in the Himalayas.

The ‘adults-only lifestyle resort’ has 34 suites, a restaurant and bar both with mountain views.

The Hundred women’s competition, Edgbaston

Welsh Fire 144-3 (100 balls): Voll 78 (55); Capsey 2-24

Birmingham Phoenix 145-3 (99 balls): Perry 68 (46), Capsey 51 (29); Voll 1-9

Birmingham Phoenix won by seven wickets

Scorecard. Table

Ellyse Perry and Alice Capsey starred as Birmingham Phoenix picked up their first win of the women’s Hundred with a nail-biting seven-wicket victory over Welsh Fire.

Chasing 145 in front of minority shareholder and England midfielder Jude Bellingham at Edgbaston, Capsey, who had earlier picked up two wickets, hit 51 (29) and Perry an unbeaten 68 (46) to help Phoenix home with one ball to spare.

Opener Davina Perrin fell just five balls into Phoenix’s chase while Tammy Beaumont couldn’t capitalise on being dropped on 10, picking out Heather Graham for 14, before Capsey and Perry came together for a match-changing 86-run third-wicket stand.

Capsey’s dismissal, caught cheaply at deep mid-wicket by Graham off the 82nd delivery, nearly proved the turning point, with Phoenix faltering from 24 runs required from 19 balls to needing 12 runs off the final set.

But captain Perry held her nerve, trading singles with Annerie Dercksen before dispatching Graham for a six and a four to see her side over the line.

The victory – only their third in 12 matches since the beginning of the 2025 edition – moves Phoenix off the foot of the table and into fifth place after four matches. Welsh Fire slip down to seventh, with one win and three defeats.

Earlier, the tournament’s leading run-scorer Georgia Voll struck a half-century for Fire against her former side, hitting nine fours and two sixes as she top-scored with 78 (55).

The Australian put on 58 for the first wicket with Ella McCaughan and a further 35 with Sophie Devine, who hit a flurry of late boundaries in her unbeaten 35 (19), but Fire were left to rue their lethargic powerplay, posting a run-a-ball 25-0.

Capsey collected 2-24 but Lauren Filer was the pick of the bowlers, conceding just 15 runs from her 20 deliveries.

Spain’s foreign minister maintains ‘the integrity of the Schengen area is absolutely guaranteed’.

Spain says “virtually all” of the estimated 60,000 migrants who stormed its North African enclave of Ceuta by land and sea in recent days have already left again voluntarily.

The number of people who had died trying to enter Ceuta was raised to at least 67 on Saturday, Spanish officials said, adding there could be additional casualties on the Moroccan side of the border. Some of the confirmed dead had drowned, and ⁠some were crushed while trying to climb the breakwater that holds the border fence.

“Virtually all those who entered Ceuta have now returned to Morocco,” Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Manuel Albares, wrote on X on Friday night.

The mass influx of migrants had dismayed European Union governments, and particularly those in the Schengen area – 29 countries that have abolished border controls for travel between them.

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen on Friday described the images from Ceuta as “unacceptable”, while French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said France would tighten its borders with Spain.

In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni threatened to suspend Italy’s open-border Schengen agreement with Spain “to defend our borders and ensure the safety of our citizens”, though Italy does not share a border with Spain.

Spain’s Interior Ministry said about 50,000 people had crossed the border since Thursday morning, and estimated that 48,300 had returned by 6pm (16:00 GMT) on Friday. Juan Jesus Vivas, head of Ceuta’s local government, said as many as 60,000 people had pushed across over the past couple of days.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who travelled to Ceuta on Friday, said the mass crossing represented “a violation of Spain’s territorial sovereignty”.

Spain announced it was installing a containment barrier along the breakwater fence into the sea.

Moroccan police in riot gear used tear gas and water cannon trucks at the enclave’s border on Friday night to disperse people gathered near the fences and push them back.

“Honestly, I don’t even know why I came, and now I’m going back,” a young Moroccan man, who said he was from Tangier, told Reuters. “I haven’t eaten since lunch yesterday, even though I brought some money with me … What we’re doing is neither good nor enjoyable.”

Ceuta, together with Melilla – another autonomous ‌Spanish city in North Africa – represents the European Union’s only land border with Africa. Both cities often experience surges in attempted crossings by people seeking to migrate to Europe.

To reach Ceuta, migrants often swim from the Moroccan town of Fnideq, covering about 5km (3 miles) to reach Spanish territory. Others attempt the crossing from the nearby town of Belyounech, where the distance is shorter.

Ceuta authorities linked the surge in attempted crossings to a Spanish Supreme Court ruling earlier this month that prevented authorities from immediately returning migrants who arrive by sea. The ruling does not apply to migrants who enter Spain by land, including by climbing over the border fence.

Sanchez said on Friday that the influx of migrants was caused by mafias spreading rumours about this court ruling. But activists in Morocco expressed doubt that the ruling was behind the surge, arguing most migrants would have been unaware of such legal decisions.

Although the crossing appeared blocked later on Friday, many migrants still moved along the coast, seeking routes around the fence.

“I was late,” said Brahim, 32, who had arrived from Tangier hoping to cross through the gate, but found it effectively shut.

THEY say you should never meet your heroes . . . but I can heartily recommend meeting your villains.

At the Night With The Knights special event near Belfast, a crowd of Game Of Thrones fans joined a Q&A session with actors Ian Beattie (sadistic Kingsguard Ser Meryn Trant), Dominic Carter (weaselly Ser Janos Slynt) and Ian McElhinney (noble Ser Barristan Selmy).

Beattie stole the show with hilarious, sweary anecdotes about his time on the HBO fantasy series, with Ed Sheeran the target of some choice barbs.

But all three were amusing and gracious, posing for photos, signing autographs and coming round to chat during our dinner.

It was my first time at the GoT Studio Tour — which is planning more events with stars — and, as a megafan, I was not disappointed with all the costumes, weapons and sets.

Highlights were being able to scan my mug into the Hall of Faces, which Arya Stark’s assassins used to disguise themselves, posing with the giant Wun Wun and, of course, sitting on the coveted Iron Throne.

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Our evening was just one stop on a five-day tour of film and TV locations in Northern Ireland.

We’d started in Londonderry, home to Channel 4 comedy Derry Girls, spotting a giant mural featuring the five hellraising teens and visiting an exhibition showcasing a few sets and props.

From there, we travelled east around the coast, and in fair weather there are few places that can rival the scenery.

It’s easy to see why Northern Ireland is so attractive for filmmakers.

The route was packed with superb locations for memorable Thrones scenes, including:

• Downhill Beach — the clifftop temple where Red Priestess Melisandre burned heretics.
• Portstewart — where Jaime Lannister and Bronn encounter the Sand Snakes in Dorne.
• Dunluce Castle — Greyjoys’ home Pyke, with help from CGI.
• Ballintoy Harbour — where Theon Greyjoy meets sister Yara, and the neighbouring bay, where he is baptised for the Drowned God.
• Carnlough Harbour steps — where Arya Stark crawls to safety after her battle with the Waif.
• Hidden Village of Galboly — which doubles as the Vale of Arryn.
• Cairncastle’s hills — where Ned Stark beheads a deserter in the first episode.

The film scenery isn’t restricted to GoT, as the clifftop ruins at Dunseverick Castle were used for the live-action remake of How To Train Your Dragon.

At the centre of Glenarm Castle’s walled gardens, you can see areas used to film Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, and Thrones spin-off A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms.

Nearby, in Glenarm village, is Steensons jewellers, which made many of the pieces used in GoT, then it was on to Carrickfergus Castle, a key location for Dungeons & Dragons.

I’d recommend having a guide — not just to get to the right places, but because locals love a good chinwag.

You’ll probably hear stories about the cast and crew (occasionally indiscreet, such as the actress despised by fellow thesps, or which actor appeared naked in a hotel lobby), and they are proud to show off their country.

Next stop Belfast, with locations for some of my other favourite non-fantasy TV series including Line Of Duty, which was shooting its seventh season while we were there, the Botanic Gardens where The Fall’s sexy serial killer, played by Jamie Dornan, stalks his victims, and Crumlin Road Gaol, now used for tours and filming.

We stayed in a different hotel every night and not a dud among them, but highlights were Harbourview in Carnlough, a destination whiskey property, and Slieve Donard in Newcastle, with an opulent pool.

South of Belfast we were back into the wild at Castle Ward, which served as the Starks’ seat of Winterfell and features the courtyard where Ned Stark taught his children archery, the stable where Tyrion Lannister romped with brothel beauties, and the window from which Jaime Lannister pushed Bran Stark.

Further around Strangford Lough is Audley’s Castle, a 15th-century tower that doubled (literally, as CGI was used to create two) as The Twins, treacherous Walder Frey’s stronghold.

Finally, at mystical Tollymore Forest, GoT scenes here include the creek where the direwolf pups are found, and where Arya hides from the Gold Cloaks.

Most bone-chilling, though, was the glade where Thrones’ opening scene was shot, where Night’s Watch rangers encounter a pit containing dismembered corpses that are not as dead as they appear.

So our tour’s end had brought us to the start, which just made me want to binge-watch it all again.

To paraphrase Jaime Lannister, the things we do for love of TV . . . 

IF you’ve ever wanted to live like a celebrity, your chance has finally arrived. 

A growing number of famous faces – from Hollywood A-listers to royalty – have opened up their lavish homes and cozy cottages to the public. 

Whether you fancy relaxing poolside in a pop star’s hideaway, or spending the night on a royal estate, these exclusive stays let you step right into their world. 

Here, we share some of the top celebrity-owned properties you can actually book this summer…

1. Alan Carr – Ayton Castle Estate Glamping (Scottish Borders)

Fresh off his victory on Celebrity Traitors, comedian Alan Carr snapped up the historic £3.3million Ayton Castle in Berwickshire, Scotland, earlier this year to convert into a luxury retreat. 

This summer, guests can stay in fully furnished luxury bell tents right on the 17-bedroom 160-acre castle grounds, just an hour’s drive from Edinburgh.

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At a cost of between £140 and £160 a night, the luxury tents sleep up to four people, and are “fully furnished with comfy beds, warm bedding and pillows.”

Visitors have been promised ‘serene walks’ through the estate’s vast woodland and wellness offerings on site including sauna and cold water sessions.

2. George Michael – The Pool House at Mill Cottage (Goring-on-Thames)

Pop legend George Michael bought Mill Cottage in South Oxfordshire in 2001, where he spent 15 peaceful years living by the River Thames until his passing in 2016. 

The current owners transformed the superstar’s private pool house on the estate grounds into an exclusive one-bedroom guest hideaway, which costs around £720 a night over summer.

Sitting right on the riverbank, the retreat features exclusive access to a heated outdoor swimming pool, sun loungers, an outdoor BBQ, and a cozy fireplace. 

It has become a dream stay for music fans looking to sip a drink poolside and experience the peaceful surroundings George loved so dearly.

• How to book: Listed on Airbnb.

3. Kelvin Fletcher – Stag Cottage (Peak District)

Former Emmerdale star and Strictly Come Dancing winner Kelvin Fletcher traded showbiz for rural living on his 120-acre family farm. 

Featured on ITV‘s Fletchers’ Family Farm, the actor converted a stone building on the edge of the property into a luxury three-bedroom holiday home. 

The interior combines a cozy country aesthetic with modern comforts, including a traditional AGA stove, flagstone floors, and a wood-burning fireplace. 

Outside, guests can soak in their private outdoor hot tub while taking in sweeping views of the surrounding Cheshire countryside and Peak District.

4. Jules Hudson – Mole Hill Hut (Herefordshire)

As the longtime presenter of BBC’s Escape to the Country, Jules Hudson used his rural expertise to handcraft his very own bespoke shepherd’s hut. 

Tucked away in a private meadow on his own land near the scenic Wye Valley, the hut offers a secluded, off-grid retreat designed strictly for two. 

It features a cozy double bed, a functional kitchenette, and an adjoining timber lounge area affectionately dubbed “The Trough.” 

Guests can spend their evenings around the outdoor wood-burning stove enjoying panoramic views of Herefordshire’s rolling hills.

5. King Charles III – Balmoral cottages (Scottish highlands)

Fancy a stay fit for royalty? It may be easier than you think.

Tucked away on the Balmoral estate – which was the late Queen’s favourite residence – are some secret cottages that you can rent out.

If you want to earn ultimate bragging rights among your pals, these self-catered lodges could be the perfect opportunity.

And you’ve got a few to choose from, as the Balmoral estate has 10 cottages available: Connachat Cottage, Garbh Allt Shiel, Karim Cottage, Knocks Cottage, the three Milton of Braichlie properties (Farmhouse, Mill Cottage, and Stable Cottage), Rhebreck Lodge, Sterinbeg, and Tigh Na Garaidh. 

Unfortunately, if you dream of bumping into the likes of King Charles or Prince William and Kate Middleton, you may not be in luck, as you can’t book when the royal family is in residence.

6. Adam Henson – Cotswold Farm Park Lodges (Cotswolds)

Countryfile presenter and rare-breed conservationist Adam Henson grew up on the 650-acre working farm in the heart of the Cotswolds. 

Each year, thousands of visitors flock to his Cotswold Farm Park, a rare breeds centre and country play park in a picturesque corner of his land. 

To give visitors a true taste of country life, he also built a collection of wooden lodges, safari tents, and glamping pods on the grounds.

Each custom-built timber lodge comes with modern amenities, an outdoor deck with a private hot tub, and a fire pit for evening stargazing. 

Stays include complimentary admission to the farm park, where guests can meet rare livestock breeds and participate in daily farm activities.

7. Sting & Trudie Styler – Villa Il Palagio (Tuscany, Italy)

Music icon Sting and his film producer wife Trudie Styler bought this sprawling 16th-century Tuscan estate south of Florence back in 1997. 

When the couple isn’t residing there, they open up the grand nine-bedroom main villa and surrounding historic guest cottages to private rentals. 

The 860-acre organic estate boasts manicured Italian gardens, private swimming pools, a tennis court, and its own wine cellars. 

Guests can sample olive oil, honey, and biodynamic wines produced directly on the estate while taking in views of the Chianti hills.

8. Leonardo DiCaprio – 432 Hermosa Estate (Palm Springs)

If you want to get the full Hollywood experience, Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio has provided a way.

The star purchased an iconic mid-century modern architectural masterpiece in Palm Springs back in 2014. 

Designed in 1964 by renowned architect Donald Wexler for entertainer Dinah Shore, the six-bedroom estate drips with vintage Hollywood glamour. 

The compound features floor-to-ceiling glass walls, sleek stone fireplaces, a cocktail bar, a heated pool, and a private lighted tennis court. 

Located in the prestigious Old Las Palmas neighborhood, it offers full luxury estate staffing and concierge services for short-term stays.

• How to Book: Book through the official estate manager at 432 Hermosa.

9. Kirstie Allsopp – Meadowgate (North Devon)

Property guru and Location, Location, Location host Kirstie Allsopp brought her passion for interior design to life by restoring a grand coastal home. 

Situated in the peaceful village of Welcombe in North Devon, the six-bedroom period cottage accommodates up to 14 guests.

The renovation process was even filmed as part of her Kirstie’s Homemade Home series.

The TV star personally decorated the interior with bold wallpapers, handcrafted details throughout every room, and upcycled vintage furniture. 

A short walk through country lanes near the home brings guests directly to the secluded Atlantic beach at Welcombe Mouth.

10. Wayne Rooney – Royal Westmooreland estate (Barbados)

If you have lots of cash to spare, you can holiday like Coleen and Wayne Rooney who have a mansion in Barbados. 

The £5million villa – located in the gorgeous Royal Westmoreland luxury estate in the Caribbean island – costs up to £25,000 a week to rent.

For that, you can expect a week of luxury at the five-bedroom pad that sleeps up to 14, which includes an infinity pool.

Sitting by idyllic palm trees, Wayne and Coleen’s white mansion opens up with a covered gated entrance.

Inside, the colour scheme is white and summery, with doors opening to the outside and fans situated above the beds to keep things cool.

Spain has condemned the “selfish, polarising and unlawful” reaction of some EU countries to the influx of about 60,000 migrants from Morocco to Ceuta.

Officials say almost all those who reached the enclave on 30 July have returned, while Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said on Saturday that the death toll had risen to at least 67.

It comes after Italy temporarily suspended the EU’s border-free Schengen arrangement with Spain, as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the scenes “shocking”.

Finland and Denmark backed Italy’s move, while Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš urged a temporary suspension of Spain’s Schengen membership.

In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he had “serious concerns” about some European governments.

He said the Spanish government had fully restored control over the border and prevented any “unauthorised onward movement towards continental Europe” in less than 48 hours.

While most had shown “support and solidarity”, Sanchez said other European governments had chosen to attack Spain, “driven by prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interest”, and pointed out that Ceuta was not part of the Schengen area.

“The European Union cannot afford this kind of selfish, polarising and unlawful reaction,” he said.

The Spanish leader called for an urgent meeting with EU interior ministers to “reaffirm that the security of our external borders is a shared responsibility of all Member States”.

Meanwhile, 22 of the EU’s 27 countries also called for emergency talks in an open letter, citing “serious concerns” regarding the developments in Ceuta.

The nations “welcome that Spain and Morocco are cooperating closely to ensure the swift return of migrants”, but said a video conference of EU interior ministers would help reach agreement on mobilising EU instruments and support for Spain to restore “effective control” of the border and prevent further uncontrolled crossings.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he had spoken to Sanchez and the UK was “providing what help we can”.

A HUGE US influencer has revealed her husband’s face “caught on fire” during a BBQ, and has left him with “second-degree burns”.

Rebecca Zamolo, 41, left her followers concerned after she shared the horror accident that left Matthew Yoakum, 46, badly injured.

The social media star shared a slew of photos which included how her husband’s face looked after it had been burned.

Posting the pics on Instagram, the mum-of-two penned: “For those who don’t know, Matt’s face caught on fire at our BBQ and it gave him ‘2nd degree superficial burns’.

“It was hours before our flight to Hawaii to celebrate his birthday so he has been healing here. (He still wanted to go).

“It was a scary incident for all of us, and a reminder how precious life is.

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“Thank you to everyone that has reached out and friends that are in the medical field and put him on a good path to heal.

“He’s extremely lucky as it could have been a lot worse, but we are taking it day by day. We love you Matt.”

Rebecca’s followers immediately rushed to share their concern, with one writing: “Omg. That is horrible. So happy he’s okay.”

While another added: “Sending love & prayers.”

A third worried fan wrote: “This is awful! Get well soon Matt!”

Rebecca is a huge influencer, with 3.3million followers on Instagram and over 30million on YouTube.

The star is known for her family orientated content, which often includes Matt and their two kids, Zadie and Xander.

WASHINGTON — Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas publicly praised Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and his philosophy of black empowerment eight years ago, but the embattled judge said Friday that he “repudiates” the anti-Semitic views later attributed to Farrakhan.

“I cannot leave standing any suggestion that I am anti-Semitic,” Thomas said in a prepared statement. “I am and have always been unalterably and adamantly opposed to anti-Semitism and bigotry of any kind, including by Louis Farrakhan.”

Disclosures that Farrakhan was praised in two speeches prepared for delivery by Thomas to black organizations in 1983 prompted expressions of concern from leading Jewish organizations and raised new questions about the beliefs of the conservative black jurist. The Farrakhan material was actually delivered in only one speech.

Since President Bush nominated him two weeks ago to replace retiring Justice Thurgood Marshall, the Supreme Court’s only black and its leading liberal voice, Thomas has come under increasing criticism for his views on civil rights and other issues.

At the time of Thomas’ speeches in 1983, Farrakhan was a relatively unknown Chicago preacher who had yet to attain national notoriety for his militancy and anti-Semitic views.

Thomas, who currently sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia, opposes affirmative action and other race-based remedies for discrimination long favored by civil rights organizations and many members of Congress.

On Thursday, the Congressional Black Caucus registered its opposition to Thomas, saying it was concerned about his commitment to civil rights. Although the House members who belong to the caucus will play no direct role in the Senate confirmation process, their opposition could prompt other black organizations to coalesce against Thomas.

The list of groups expressing reservations about Thomas was joined Friday by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the nation’s largest public employee union. It urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to reject Thomas, saying that he “lacks the judicial experience necessary” to serve on the high court and has exhibited a “lack of commitment to equal justice and fundamental rights.”

Thomas has also had to deal with the problem of reports that he had used marijuana as a college student, although President Bush on Friday dismissed the significance of his drug experimentation.

“I think the matter has been put in proper perspective, and I think he handled it very well, and, certainly, in this instance, in these circumstances, in no way is disqualifying,” Bush told reporters in Kennebunkport, Me.

The references to Farrakhan were contained in the prepared texts of two speeches written for Thomas when he was chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission during the Ronald Reagan Administration.

Farrakhan, who has espoused black separatism as leader of the Nation of Islam, has drawn fire from Jewish rights groups for characterizing their faith as “a dirty religion” in early 1984, several months after Thomas delivered his speeches.

According to the texts of the prepared speeches, which were released by EEOC officials, Thomas concluded his remarks about black self-empowerment with a reference to Farrakhan as “a man I have admired for more than a decade.”

Both speeches went on to quote Farrakhan: “And so, I say to you, whether America overcomes or not, we the poor, we the oppressed, we the blacks, we the Hispanics, we the disinherited, we the rejected and most despised, we will overcome and then together we will be able to say in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King: Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, we have united and made freedom a reality at last.”

The speeches were written by Thomas aide Armstrong Williams, who said they were intended to endorse only the self-help philosophy espoused by Farrakhan. In late 1983, he said, there was “no inkling” that Farrakhan later would become associated with anti-Semitism.

“Farrakhan was not controversial at that time,” Williams said. “If he had been the least bit controversial, I would not have included the quote in a speech, and Clarence would never have used it.”

In his statement, Thomas sought to distinguish between Farrakhan’s self-help philosophy and his other views. “I repudiate the anti-Semitism of Louis Farrakhan or anyone else,” he said. “While I support the concept of economic self-help, I have never supported or tolerated bigotry of any kind.”

Despite that assurance, the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith said that Thomas “unfortunately did not go far enough” to distance himself from Farrakhan. “It is not possible to separate Farrakhan’s message from Farrakhan, the messenger,” said Abraham H. Foxman, the group’s national director.

However, spokesmen for the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles said they were satisfied with Thomas’ explanation. “That put the issue to rest,” said Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean of the center. “We are satisfied as far as the Farrakhan issue is concerned.”

Sen. John C. Danforth (R-Mo.), who is serving as Thomas’ sponsor during the confirmation process, said the nominee “was adamant” in his opposition to anti-Semitism. “As a victim of prejudice himself, he feels most strongly that it is morally wrong, and he has committed much of his professional life to combating it,” Danforth said in a statement.

One of the 1983 speeches, prepared for delivery to a group of black journalists in Washington, was not delivered as written, Williams said. Because he was speaking to an informal gathering of reporters, Thomas abandoned the prepared text and apparently did not mention Farrakhan in his off-the-cuff remarks, he said.

However, the second speech was a more formal presentation at a convention of the National Assn. of Black MBAs in Atlanta. In that case, Thomas stuck to the prepared text, including the reference to Farrakhan, Williams said.

Thomas received a standing ovation from the MBAs, something that happened only rarely in speeches to black groups, he said.

Williams, now a managing partner in a Washington public relations firm, said he included the Farrakhan quote in the Atlanta speech in an effort to link Thomas’ self-help philosophy with a similar opinion held by a figure familiar to inner-city blacks.

“We always discussed his speeches and interviews,” Williams said. After he drafted the speech and showed it to Thomas, Williams said, his boss told him: “This is one passage of Farrakhan’s I can relate to.”

Staff writer James Gerstenzang in Kennebunkport, Me., contributed to this story.

As we head into August and look to the fall, two burning questions are front and center when it comes to the Dodgers.

Will they win a third straight World Series championship?

And will the $500-million proposal to ferry fans by gondola from Union Station to Dodger Stadium remain aloft or crash and burn?

I can’t answer the first question, although I wouldn’t bet against a three-peat.

As for the second question, if I were former Dodgers owner and aerial tram godfather Frank McCourt, I’d fasten my seat belt, because the gondola is about to hit some heavy turbulence.

The gondola would slice through a section of L.A. State Historic Park, wipe out dozens of trees and trample a space that was carefully designed with years of community input. And the mounting opposition now includes seven former state park officials and four former members of the state Park and Recreation Commission.

The former staffers have sent “don’t you dare” letters to the commission, and one of them argued that the view of the downtown skyline would be cluttered and commercialized.

“Gondola cars encased in digital ads, flying 26 feet overhead every 25-30 seconds would irreparably impair the vista, and the sense of calm and escape from urban life,” wrote former state parks director Ruth Coleman.

The four former commissioners have signed a joint letter arguing that the gondola proposal “would enable a private development to permanently and irreparably shrink, degrade, and destroy the integrity of a state park.”

They’re speaking up now because the state is considering an amendment to the park’s general plan that would allow for “consideration and review of the proposed Los Angeles Aerial Rapid Transit (LA ART) gondola project.”

That was McCourt’s brainchild, back in 2018, and he’s a guy with lobbying muscle and friends in high places. McCourt later handed off the project to an environmental group, but the idea is still to deliver fans to Dodger Stadium, where he has financial interests.

A hearing on the matter is expected in the fall, and it’s sure to be a cage fight. Last December, throngs of supporters and foes squared off at a raucous Metro board meeting. The board ultimately green-lighted the gondola, which the L.A. City Council has almost unanimously opposed. So the showdown scheduled for this fall could be at least as interesting as the World Series.

For the record, I’m not anti-gondola. They’re fun, right?

But I’m not buying the proponents’ claim that this is a public transit project. They say several thousand people would soar up to Chavez Ravine and help relieve the miserable traffic in and out of parking lots, which McCourt took part ownership of after selling the team back in 2012 for a cool $2 billion.

But how much is gained if gondola riders ditch the free shuttle buses that now run to the ballpark from Union Station?

Then there’s a much bigger question, which my colleague Bill Shaikin explored in 2022: Is the gondola phase one of a plan to develop stadium property into some kind of Dodgertown commercial extravaganza?

Unclear, but let’s not be naive.

A Dodgers executive told Shaikin the Dodgers support the gondola project, although they are “really not involved” in it. But we’re talking about fabulously wealthy people whose only real job is figuring out how to make more money.

Team McCourt has suggested the gondola will be built with private money, perhaps from selling advertising rights, and that rides will be free to Dodger ticket holders.

But how would any of that pencil out with Dodger Stadium closed most of the year, and with gondola traffic chipping away at revenue from parking fees that start at a monstrous $40?

There’s something they’re not telling us, and if you think there’s no threat of taxpayers getting dinged one way or another at some point, you’ve either been hit in the head by a line drive or you’ve had too many $18 beers at Dodger Stadium.

If you want more details on the history of the gondola gambit, I suggest you check out all the reporting by Shaikin, who has been on the case for years, and offered up a far better idea than a gondola: Make it easier for fans to walk or bike to the ballpark.

But let’s get back to L.A. State Historic Park.

Much of the early gondola opposition was from Chinatown residents who didn’t like the idea of living under what would resemble an amusement park ride. But on Wednesday evening, I met with some people whose focus is the impact on the park.

“All of these trees would be gone,” said Sean Woods, a former state parks employee who penned one of the letters to Sacramento, and who was involved in some of the 65 public meetings and workshops at which community members helped with the design and mission of the park.

We were in a shady spot, where the gondola would run parallel to the existing Metro train tracks. There’d be supporting towers on park property, with cables dangling overhead, and a gondola station just outside the park. The gondola would occupy only a small slice of the 32-acre space, but it would be a visible distraction from every inch of the park.

“I think it’s a betrayal of California State Parks’ commitment to the communities that surround this park, that fought dearly for this park,” Woods said.

He was reflecting on a time when the former railyard was destined to become a giant industrial warehouse complex. And this followed the history of Chinatown having been relocated to make way for Union Station, and residents of Chavez Ravine being relocated to make way for Dodger Stadium.

Jon Christensen, Sean Woods and Susan Lai chat at Los Angeles State Historic Park.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

Joining us was Susan Lai, who along with Woods represents Friends of Los Angeles State Historic Park.

Lai is small in stature, but she swings for the fences.

“This is called a historic park for a reason,” she said, “and McCourt … has no historical connection to the park, no community connection to the park, and no cultural connection to the park.”

Lai is steeped in the archaeology of the park, the Gabrielino establishment here, the Zanja Madre irrigation line that served the early pueblo.

As we strolled, she told me this is another case of politically connected profiteers trying to impose their will on the local community, and she won’t stand for it. Lai is carrying a torch lit by her husband, Collin, who died last year at the age of 96 after years of fighting to make the park a reality.

“She’s brought an extra fire to this whole effort, and really inspired a lot of young people,” said Jon Christensen, gondola foe and co-founder of the Los Angeles Parks Alliance.

Christensen led Lai, Woods and me to the top of a grassy hill. When the park opened in 2006, I thought it seemed too flat and shapeless, too hemmed in by Broadway and Spring. But it later expanded, the trees filled in and the whole park grew on me as a place to see and feel Los Angeles.

I loved two things most of all.

The unstructured activities enjoyed by a broad mix of people picnicking on the grass, napping under a tree, kicking a ball around or doing what 10 guys were doing Wednesday evening — playing a game of Frisbee football in the meadow below us.

And the unfettered skyline view, which could soon be lost. And consider the optics: Dodgers fans soaring over a public park enjoyed by families who might need to hit the lottery to afford tickets to a game.

It was almost Dodger game time, and if the gondolas were up and running, they’d be close enough overhead that you could hit one with a tomato.

Not that I’m recommending that.

steve.lopez@latimes.com

Spain says 50,000 migrants who entered its North African enclave of Ceuta have returned to Morocco. There are allegations they were actively encouraged to make the crossing, even as poverty and inequality drives people to seek opportunities in Europe.

In 2011, the Philippines’ government promised to deliver one of the world’s most ambitious regreening projects.

The idea was simple: pay locals to restore forests and cultivate barren land by planting and tending millions of trees.

But 15 years on, a joint investigation by 101 East and Lighthouse Reports reveals how the National Greening Program has failed to meet most of its targets.

Satellite imagery shows that instead of being protected, some forests are being destroyed, while some Indigenous communities fear losing the land their livelihoods depend on.

101 East investigates how the Philippines is failing its forests.

CREDITS

For Al Jazeera

Natashya Gutierrez, reporter

Lee Ali, cinematographer

Badrul Hisham, picture editor

Susan Kim, digital producer

Nicole Revita, local producer

David Boyle, graphics

Liz Gooch, senior producer

Nick Olle, supervising producer

Sharon Roobol, executive producer

For Davao Today

Lucelle Bonzo, reporter/local producer

For Lighthouse Reports

Min Lawi Lun, lead data investigator

Eva Constantaras, data editor

Margot Gibbs, lead supply chain investigator

Viktoriia Maksymova, data fellow

Paul Nicholas Soriano, project manager

Matt Tebbutt has shared his honest reaction to Ricky Gervais’ raunchy new Netflix comedy series, Alley Cats.

Saturday Kitchen star Matt Tebbutt didn’t mince his words as he called Ricky Gervais’ new Netflix show “filth”.

Matt was back for another instalment of his much-loved cooking show on Saturday (August 1) and was joined by chefs Sam Evans, Shauna Guinn and Justin Tsang, while Olly Smith shared his expertise on drinks. Actress and comedian Kerry Godliman was also in the studio kitchen, discussing her previous work and upcoming projects.

Kerry, who has worked alongside actor Ricky Gervais in shows such as Afterlife and Derek, will now be lending her voice for the brand new series of Alley Cats. Showcasing a clip of the show to those in the kitchen and fans at home, Matt was clearly impressed.

But he quickly added that, although the Netflix show is a cartoon, it is not suitable for younger audiences. Matt said bluntly: “And that is the only clip we can show, because it’s filth!”

Kerry agreed and replied: “Oh yeah, there is a lot of filth. But that is a sweet clip.”

Matt added: “Yeah, it’s not family viewing. Unless you have teenagers.”

According to The Guardian, Alley Cats centres on a group of stray cats who spend much of their time lounging on a sofa inside a run-down house, passing the time by watching television. Leading the gang is Gus, an overweight ginger tom voiced by Ricky Gervais, whose loud, cynical outbursts and dismissive views usually dominate every conversation.

Also among the feline cast is Ponce, played by Tom Basden, a well-groomed pedigree cat with a more sensible outlook. Despite often being the voice of reason, he’s frequently mocked for being neutered.

Completing the trio is Puke, voiced by David Earl, an unkempt and crude character known for his outrageous remarks and bizarre stories, including one particularly shocking anecdote involving a hedgehog.

According to reports, the show, which is set to land on Netflix, August 7th, is filled to the brim with sweary banter, which has lead creator Ricky to beg viewers to not be offended.

As reported by the Mirror, Ricky said: “It would take a very special kind of person to complain about what a fictional cartoon cat thought of something, but it will happen.

“Please don’t be offended by anything these characters say or do. They can’t help it. They’re cats. So sometimes, they’re ****s.”

Saturday Kitchen airs Saturdays from 10am on BBC One.

People are racing to visit this seaside bench which supposedly offers the ‘best views in England’. It overlooks a picturesque seaside bay which is perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy the views

A small bench offering “possibly the best views in England” is likely to become a tourist magnet after a video was shared online.

When it comes to staycations, it doesn’t get much better than the sight of a beach with golden sands and crystal-blue waters – and this is exactly what this particular destination provides its visitors. The basic wooden seat was hailed as a “100 out of 10” spot for those who like like to relax and watch the waves from the clifftops. Indeed, experienced travellers Cat Smith and Joe Bird – who go by ‘UK Wanders’ online – clearly captured the bench’s beautiful surroundings in a video judging by the half a million TikTok users who have tuned in to view since it was posted a week ago.

Their clip begins with a view of the seat, with Cat and Joe soon swinging their camera round to unveil the stunning bay below them.

The pair received dozens of responses requesting the bench’s whereabouts, while others proudly revealed they would visit it too.

“Shh this is a beach we don’t want overpopulating,” one person joked in response. Another added: “My favourite place to go.” While a third chimed in: “What a view.” And a fourth said: “I’ve lived in Cornwall for 19 years now. It’s amazing here.”

Where To Find Cornwall’s Secret Clifftop Viewpoint

So, where exactly is this bench located? It looks out over Lantic Bay from Cornwall’s Coastal Path – a four-mile journey by car from the nearest town of Fowey, in the county’s south east.

The National Trust describes Lantic Bay as a “large shingly beach on a beautiful bay, great spot for paddling and picnicking, well worth the climb back up”.

Meanwhile, Cornwall Beach Guide has issued several warnings about the location, stating online: “South East Cornwall’s best kept secret, Lantic Bay is a quiet sheltered cove with white sands, feeling more like the Mediterranean, than Cornwall.

“An excellent beach, but it can be difficult to find. Bathing can be hazardous and toilets are some distance away.”

The website continues: “Rip currents make swimming hazardous at Lantic Bay. Risk of getting cut off at high tide.

“The closest car park is about a 20 minute walk. The final climb down to Lantic Bay Beach is very steep and unsuitable for wheel chairs or push chairs.”

Why Cornwall Is a Must-Visit UK Destination

Cornwall is popular due to its stunning coastline and rich industrial history. It is famous for its hearty Cornish pasties, creamy teas and breathtaking views.

Whether you fancy natural beauty or a surfing trip, Cornwall is your best bet. As for pop culture, Cornwall’s dramatic landscapes have even made it on hit TV shows and films like Poldark and Doc Martin.

It’s worth noting Cornwall can be extremely touristy and crowded during peak times. However if you visit in off-peak months you’ll be able to enjoy plenty of quiet and peaceful areas.

WASHINGTON — The nation is set to have its least competitive congressional election cycle in years by some measures, with California partly driving the shift.

The redistricting carried out in California and nine other states since 2024 has left the nation with an unusually low number of truly competitive districts, narrowing the battle for U.S. House control in this year’s historically consequential midterms cycle to a few dozen races at best.

In California, that looks like a paradox: The state has both a shrinking number of political battlegrounds and a handful of critical races that could help decide which party controls the House. Both are a result of Proposition 50, the Democratic-led, voter-passed redistricting effort designed to offset new maps drawn by Republicans in Texas and other states.

Only three California races are rated as competitive by Cook Political Report, the nonpartisan analyst, compared with 12 races in 2024 and nine in 2022, according to a Times analysis of Cook data.

California was also the biggest driver in the nationwide decline of competitive seats, according to a separate Cook analysis released Wednesday. Six of the 14 U.S. House seats that dropped out of the swing-seat zone in 2026 were in the Golden State.

“There’s no question that we’re seeing the consequence” of the state’s redistricting, “of having fewer competitive districts,” said Michael Latner, a professor of political science at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

That doesn’t dilute the key role California is expected to play in Democrats’ effort to win the House majority, however. The new map made some blue seats safer and gave the party the chance to flip up to five red seats.

“The path to the House majority still runs through California,” said Anna Elsasser, spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, who said the party is investing heavily to flip those seats.

‘Not backing off’

The fight for the majority at the halfway point of President Trump’s second term is fierce. Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress, face headwinds fueled by voters’ feelings on the economy and the war in Iran. Democrats have built their campaigns around Americans’ economic frustration in an attempt to win the House majority and regain some power in Trump’s Washington.

Having more safe seats positions California to have a greater effect on the election, said Thad Kousser, a political science professor at UC San Diego, and in Congress afterward, where the state is expected to have a large blue delegation.

The less-competitive map is a return to the 2000s for California, when the state’s two parties agreed on a congressional map that created safe districts for both, Kousser said.

That decade saw fewer competitive House races before new maps created more battleground areas in 2010 and 2020, the result of regular redistricting that occurs every decade after the U.S. census.

The shift in the state’s competitive seats caused by Proposition 50’s partisan redistricting was so acute because the existing 2020 map was relatively neutral, Cook senior editor David Wasserman said in the report. In Florida, Missouri and Texas, by contrast, the maps Republicans replaced were already partisan, making the shifts less extreme.

Three of the seats Democrats targeted with Proposition 50 are rated as solidly blue, while two present fights: the Central Valley seat held by Republican David Valadao, the state’s only toss-up race per Cook, and the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Darrell Issa in the San Diego area, where the redrawn district now slightly favors Democrats.

Just one seat Republicans hope to flip is rated competitively by Cook, that of Democrat Adam Gray in the Central Valley. Democrats are slightly more favored there under the new map, but it presents a challenge for both parties.

Both parties view California’s three most competitive races as key to win, and each is putting resources toward a few additional contests.

“We’re not backing off a single seat in California,” said Christian Martinez, spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee. “We’re on offense.”

Shrinking battlegrounds nationwide

This year’s push by Republicans to redo state maps ahead of the November election — and California’s move to respond in kind — was without precedent. Ten states approved new maps; before this year, only two states had voluntarily redrawn maps between censuses for partisan advantage since 1970, according to a Pew Research Center analysis.

It was partly enabled by a spring Supreme Court decision that cleared the way for states to redraw their election maps to eliminate voting districts that were drawn with race as a consideration.

The 10 new maps supercharged an ongoing national trend of polarization that has seen the number of competitive seats shrink over the last 30 years. The country used to see election cycles with as many as 50 seats rated as toss-ups, said Erin Covey, who leads the Cook Political Report’s U.S. House coverage, something that has not happened since 2010. As of this week, just 18 of 435 House districts are rated as toss-ups by Cook.

California is not alone in having fewer battlegrounds; no state has a high concentration of competitive seats this cycle. Michigan had four under Cook’s ratings, and Pennsylvania, Iowa, New York and Texas each had three as of this week.

That could be unhealthy for democracy, experts said. Voters can feel as though their votes matter less, and it may contribute to negative public opinion about how the electoral system functions, Latner said.

“The very premise of a free republic is that you are going to have differences in views,” Latner said. “The way those differences get resolved is through electoral competition.”

The erosion of “free and fair competition … is a threat to all voters, regardless of their partisanship,” he added.

Eyes on key races

In California’s most competitive race, Valadao is being challenged in the redrawn 22nd District by progressive college professor Randy Villegas. Republicans are bullish about their chances to retain the seat.

In the neighboring 13th District, which the new map aimed to make safer for Democrats, Gray faces former Stockton mayor and Marine veteran Kevin Lincoln. Also important for both parties is the battle for the 48th District, the seat vacated by Issa. Republican Jim Desmond, a San Diego County supervisor, faces Democrat Marni von Wilpert, a San Diego City Council member.

Republicans have also targeted Rep. Derek Tran’s Democratic seat in the 45th District, another former battleground that Proposition 50 made safer for Democrats, and three other seats that Cook rates as solidly Democratic.

Democrats’ safer flips target Northern California’s 1st and Sacramento County’s 6th districts. They also expect to gain a seat in the new 41st District, which now covers parts of Los Angeles and Orange counties. The new map gave Democrats a Democratic voter registration edge there and forced Republican incumbent Ken Calvert to run in the newly drawn 40th District against fellow Republican Rep. Young Kim.