Britain has publicly distanced itself from Washington’s escalating strategy against Iran, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer making clear that the UK will not support any blockade in the Gulf.

Speaking after the United States announced sweeping restrictions on Iranian shipping, Starmer emphasized that Britain’s priority is not enforcement but de-escalation. He stressed the importance of keeping vital trade routes open rather than contributing to further disruption.

What Starmer Said

Starmer’s message was direct. The UK will not be drawn into the conflict and will not support a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Instead, Britain is focused on ensuring the strait remains open. While confirming the presence of British minesweepers in the region, he made clear their role is defensive and aimed at maintaining safe passage, not enforcing restrictions.

Contrast with Washington

The stance puts London at odds with the approach taken by Donald Trump.

The U.S., through United States Central Command, has announced a broad blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic. Trump has gone further, warning that vessels linked to Iranian payments could be intercepted and threatening force against any resistance.

While Washington frames the move as pressure on Tehran, Britain is signaling concern about the wider consequences.

Why the Strait Matters

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most critical energy routes in the world. A significant share of global oil supply passes through it, meaning even partial disruption can send shockwaves through markets.

For the UK, keeping this route open is not just a regional issue but a global economic priority.

Implications: Cracks in Western Unity

Britain’s refusal highlights a growing divide among Western allies on how to handle the Iran crisis.

The U.S. is pursuing a strategy of maximum pressure, while the UK is prioritizing stability and the prevention of further escalation. This divergence could complicate coordinated action and weaken the overall Western response.

Analysis: A Strategic Balancing Act

Starmer’s position reflects a careful calculation. Supporting the blockade risks entangling Britain in a wider conflict and worsening global economic strain. Opposing it, however, creates visible distance from a key ally.

By focusing on keeping the strait open, the UK is attempting to balance security concerns with economic stability, while avoiding direct confrontation.

Britain’s stance sends a clear signal. Even close allies are not fully aligned on how far to go against Iran.

As tensions rise, that lack of unity could shape the next phase of the crisis just as much as the actions taken in the Gulf itself.

With information from Reuters.

The California Science Center announced Monday that construction has been completed on its new Samuel Oschin Air & Space Center, bringing the highly anticipated expansion one step closer to its public debut.

The culmination of a master project plan adopted in 1993, the sleek 20-story, 200,000-square-foot new building rising over Exposition Park will nearly double the museum’s exhibit space and anchor a $450-million campaign to permanently house the retired space shuttle Endeavour.

“I keep saying this, and it sounds cliché,” said Jeffrey Rudolph, the Science Center’s president and chief executive. “But it’s better than we ever dreamed.”

The Samuel Oschin Air & Space Center will be split into three galleries — air, space and shuttle — containing aerospace artifacts and hands-on exhibits demonstrating scientific principles.

At the heart of the new addition is Endeavour itself, displayed in a vertical “ready-to-launch” configuration that’s never been replicated with real hardware outside of a NASA or Air Force facility. The display includes rocket boosters from manufacturer Northrop Grumman and a massive external fuel tank from NASA.

Artifact installation is underway at the new Samuel Oschin Air & Space Center.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

A veteran of 25 missions from 1992 to 2011, Endeavour arrived in L.A. in 2012 during a widely watched journey atop a modified Boeing 747, followed by a slow procession through city streets. For over a decade, the retired orbiter was exhibited horizontally in a temporary, tent-like structure known as the Samuel Oschin Space Shuttle Endeavour Display Pavilion.

In early 2024, Angelenos watched as the shuttle was carefully lifted and placed into its final upright position in an intensive overnight operation.

With several observation areas spanning the nearly 200-foot tall shuttle stack, Rudolph said the new installation will offer visitors “views that almost no one’s ever seen.”

A cutting-edge building design by architectural firm ZGF Architects contributes to that awe-inspiring experience with a 2,000-ton curved structural framework of diagonally intersecting steel beams called a diagrid, which eliminates interior columns and allows visitors unobstructed views of the shuttle stack.

The idea is that “you don’t have a sense there’s a building at all,” said Ted Hyman, partner at ZGF Architects. Instead, you’re meant to feel like you’re standing on a launch pad outside. The dimness of the shuttle gallery also assists in the immersive fantasy, both as an artistic choice and a practical one due to the shuttle’s sensitivity to light.

Yet while the structure is designed to be undetectable from the inside, it’s a full-blown metallic colossus on the outside — visible from the surrounding L.A. freeways. Its colors are most magnificent at sunset.

When asked whether he’d had any doubts about the feasibility of the intricately choreographed construction project, Hyman replied, “I think up until about last week.”

Nonetheless, he said, “you forget about the challenges when you see the building done.”

Lynda Oschin, wife of the new air and space center’s titular philanthropist Samuel, called the project a “dream come true.”

“This space shuttle is everything rolled into one that my husband loved: astronomy, innovation, exploration, science, math and especially children,” Oschin said. “What this is going to do for the children is just incredible.”

The donor said her husband, whose picture is in the cockpit of the Endeavour, would have been very proud — if a little embarrassed — that his name is on the new building.

The Samuel Oschin Air & Space Center is 20 stories tall.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

With the construction phase in the rearview, Rudolph said the center is now focused on completing installation of the galleries’ artifacts and hands-on installations. The Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery, which houses the Endeavour shuttle stack, is nearest to completion. In the two others, artifact installation is well underway.

The Korean Air Aviation Gallery explores the mechanics of flight and will display approximately 25 aircraft, from historical relics like the WWII “Vampire” jet to modern supersonic jet fighters. The Kent Kresa Space Gallery will feature a wide array of spacecraft, planetary probes, telescopes and more. Rudolph was especially excited about acquiring a SpaceX Cargo Dragon, which will further the air and space center’s goal to “show people that this isn’t all history.”

“There’s a lot of amazing things going on in aviation and space, and a lot of it happening in California,” the executive said.

The interactive installations complementing the artifacts include a 747 flight simulation and a 45-foot-long slide carrying visitors down to the bottom of the shuttle stack, which Rudolph himself has already ridden. His goal with these novelties was to both educate visitors about scientific principles and get children excited about the subject, which can get flattened in the traditional school system.

“Kids get turned off to science very early,” Rudolph said, but when they come to the science center, it’s like a whole new world opens up to them.

Rudolph said he expects to announce an opening date for the Samuel Oschin Air & Space Center this summer. He added that while it’s his intention to open by the 2028 L.A. Olympics, “we’re not really building this for a two-week athletic event.”

“We’re building this for the next 50 years to serve our community and inspire people,” he said.

As Rudolph made his way across the science center campus in March, he chuckled at the children bumping into him on their way to the exhibits.

“Future scientists, right?” he said.

The only player twice suspended under baseball’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy has yet to decide whether he wants to resume his career, according to his agent.

Former Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías, whose second suspension expired last July, has not signed with any team since then.

Scott Boras, the agent for Urías, declined to say whether any team had offered Urías a contract this year but said he has not solicited offers from any clubs.

“I have to have the authority from my client even to talk about the subject,” Boras said, “and I don’t have that yet.”

In January, the Mexican baseball site Puro Beisbol posted pictures of Urías throwing with children in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, with the Spanish-language site Diario AS calling it “the first time he had been seen throwing a baseball in public since September 2023,” the month he last pitched for the Dodgers.

Urías sat out the 2024 season during a Major League Baseball investigation. His suspension covered the first half of the 2025 season. When he was reinstated, Boras said Urías had “every intention to continue his career.”

When the suspension of former Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer ended before the 2023 season, Bauer signed to play in Japan that year and in Mexico the following year before returning to Japan in 2025. He has signed to play with the independent Long Island Ducks this year.

If Urías, 29, wishes to play this year, Boras said he believes Urías would have little trouble finding a job.

“Teams ask me about him all the time,” Boras said. “With the pitching market in this world, Julio could play in a minute. But I think it’s about him deciding if it’s something he wants to go do right now.”

The suspension resulted from a September 2023 incident outside BMO Stadium, in which witness video obtained by The Times showed Urías pulled aside his wife’s hair and shoved her against a fence. After the two were separated, the video showed Urías swinging at her with his left hand.

Urías was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence, but the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office determined that “neither the victim’s injuries nor the defendant’s criminal history justify a felony filing.” The city attorney’s office subsequently filed five misdemeanor charges against Urías. He pleaded no contest to one, the other four were dropped, and he agreed to enter a yearlong domestic violence treatment program.

He also agreed to complete a similar program in 2019, when he was arrested after an incident in the Beverly Center parking lot. Witnesses said he pushed his fiancee, she said she fell, and no charges were filed.

The league then suspended him for 20 games. Under its policy, the the league can suspend a player even if no charges are filed.

Urías recorded the final out of the Dodgers’ World Series championship in 2020. He led the National League in victories (20) in 2021 and earned-run average (2.16) in 2022.

A QUICK ferry route that spares Brits a half-hour car journey will cease operations this week.

The popular service, which connects two towns, has been in operation since the 1840s.

The ten-minute Fleetwood-Knott End ferry service in Lancashire is due to end on Wednesday, April 15.

This service carries 35 passengers from one side of the estuary to the other, sparing an 11 mile road commute via the Shard Bridge.

Wyre Council said the River Wyre service, which serves 30,000 people each year, was coming to an end because no “compliant tenders” to run it had been received after an 18-month search.

For three years, locals have been running a campaign to save the ferry, which they describe as a “vital service” and a “solid piece of heritage”.

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“Gutted” called the upcoming ceasation of the “national treasure” a “devastating” move for the local economy.

Wyre Council had been working alongside Lancashire County Council, which jointly subsidises the service, to try to “secure the long term future of the ferry”.

“This has included early market engagement, a formal open tender process in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, and detailed discussions with organisations that expressed an interest in operating the service,” Wyre Council said.

However, the council said there was not currently a “financially viable and deliverable proposal that would allow the service to continue beyond the current contract”.

“We recognise the ferry is an important part of daily life for many residents, businesses, and visitors.”

Lorraine Beavers, MP for Blackpool North & Fleetwood and Cat Smith, MP for Lancaster & Wyre, shared a joint statement regarding the closure of the 600-metre crossing.

Describing how “deeply concerned and disappointed” they were over the outcome, the MPs wrote: “The Fleetwood–Knott End ferry is a valued and much‑loved service, relied upon by communities on both sides of the river.

“We strongly urge both councils to come together as a matter of urgency and prioritise finding a swift and sustainable solution.”

The service currently costs £2.50 per person one-way, with additional fees for those travelling with bikes and dogs.

The Sun has reached out to Wyre Marine Services for comment.

And a century-old ferry service based out of a popular seaside town recently plunged into liquidation.

As soon as I heard about this place, I was desperate to see it.

As soon as I heard about Wisley’s tulips, I was desperate to see them. The family attraction is renowned for being a pretty spot but its spring display this year has to be among its best so far. More than 100,000 tulips have been planted at RHS Garden Wisley, just outside Woking, and they are looking their best right now.

Flowering through April, the new displays have transformed one of the attraction’s most iconic views, the historic Old Laboratory building and Jellicoe Canal.

As I entered the garden and walked through its cherry blossom avenue (also sensational by the way), I turned left to find a sea of vibrant colour. Vivid red, deep orange, bright yellow and royal purple blooms lined the strip of still water, and it was absolutely stunning.

With the sun bouncing off the stream and the glorious blue skies sitting above the striking Old Laboratory, it really looked like an idyllic postcard setting.

Celebrating the joyous spring beauty of tulips, the vibrant mass plantings and pot displays across the grounds feature 58 gorgeous different tulip cultivars combined in mesmerising colour effects.

As I walked through the gardens I spotted thousands more tulips, specifically chosen for their bold colours, fabulous shapes and staggered flowering times.

The Royal Horticultural Society was given Wisley in 1903, although at that time only a small part of the 60-acre estate was cultivated as a garden, the remainder being wooded farmland. The original garden was the creation of George Fergusson Wilson, a businessman, scientist, inventor and keen gardener. He had purchased the site in 1878 with the idea of making “difficult plants grow successfully” and the garden acquired a reputation for its collections of lilies, gentians, Japanese irises, primulas and water plants.

Eating and drinking at Wisley

While Wisley does have some lovely cafes and coffee shops dotted along its tulip route, I decided to bring a picnic with me as the sun was shining.

There are lots of places to unpack your lunch. The lawns were still a bit damp for rolling out a blanket when I went, so I tucked into my alfresco sandwich at one of the tables on the patio outside the food hall.

Other places to eat include the World Food Cafe, Glasshouse Kitchen, Wisley Cafe and Terrace Restaurant, all serving different menus , from hearty breakfasts to pizzas.

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April 13 (UPI) — Voters in Ontario and Quebec, Canada, are voting in byelections on Monday that could give Prime Minister Mark Carney a liberal majority.

The ballot boxes are open in two ridings, or electoral districts, in Ontario as well as one in Quebec. The Liberal Party of Canada needs to win one of three elections to establish majority control of the government.

Liberal hold 171 of 343 seats in the House of Commons.

Both Ontario districts, Scarborough Southwest and University-Rosedale, are in the Toronto area. They were previously held by liberal members of Parliament.

The district in Quebec, Terrebonne, is in the Montreal area. A liberal candidate won in that district by one vote last year. Canada’s high court nullified the result of that election in February, citing a clerical error.

The Liberals have bolstered their control of the House with four members of the Conservative Party of Canada defecting. A member of the New Democratic Party also defected to join the Liberals.

The most recent defection occurred last week when Marilyn Gladu left the Conservative Party. Gladu represents the Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong riding in Ontario.

House leader Steven MacKinnon, a liberal parliament member, said that he plans to “continue that impulse of working across party lines” if his party captures a majority.

Islamabad, Pakistan – More than 12 hours of face-to-face negotiations between the United States and Iran ended without agreement in Islamabad on Sunday, leaving a fragile two-week ceasefire as the only barrier between diplomacy and a return to war.

Pakistan, which spent weeks positioning itself as a mediator and succeeded in bringing both sides into the same room, emerged with its role intact. But officials acknowledge the harder phase now begins — getting American and Iranian negotiators back into talks before their differences explode into full-fledged war again.

“Pakistan has been and will continue to play its role to facilitate engagements and dialogue between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America in the days to come,” Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said in a statement after the conclusion of the talks.

The talks, the highest-level direct engagement between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, faltered over differences surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme.

“The simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon,” said US Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

However, Vance left a narrow opening for the resumption of talks.

“We leave here with a very simple proposal, a method of understanding that is our final and best offer. We’ll see if the Iranians accept it,” Vance said, tapping the podium for emphasis, before ending his brief remarks, which lasted for less than five minutes.

Pakistani and Iranian sources confirmed that the Iranian delegation met senior Pakistani officials later on Sunday before departing for Tehran, though details of those discussions remain unclear.

What is clear is that Pakistan isn’t giving up yet.

Washington’s red lines

US officials said that Iran had entered negotiations misreading its leverage, believing it held advantages that, in Washington’s assessment, it did not.

According to these officials, Vance spent much of his time during the talks correcting what they described as Iranian misperceptions about the US position — asserting that no deal would be possible without a full commitment on the nuclear issue.

Officials also suggested that Trump’s subsequent announcement of a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz was not an impulsive reaction, but a pre-planned step aimed at removing the waterway as an Iranian bargaining tool and forcing the nuclear issue back to the centre of any future talks.

But the US officials, speaking on background, also acknowledged that the gulf in the positions between Washington and Tehran that they failed to bridge extended to issues beyond Iran’s nuclear programme.

In essence, they said, the two sides failed to agree on six key points: ending all uranium enrichment; dismantling major enrichment facilities; removing Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium; accepting a broader regional security framework involving US allies; ending funding for groups Washington designates as “terrorist” organisations, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis; and fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz without tolls.

Hours after the talks ended, Trump acknowledged partial progress, but underscored the central impasse.

“The meeting went well, most points were agreed to, but the only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR, was not,” he wrote on Truth Social.

“Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said. “Iran will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of EXTORTION.”

Iran has effectively controlled access to the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of global oil supplies pass, since the US-Israeli attacks began on February 28.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has imposed what analysts describe as a de facto toll system, requiring vessels to secure clearance codes and transit under escort through a controlled corridor.

The disruption has pushed oil prices above $100 per barrel at times, unsettling global markets and placing sustained pressure on energy-importing countries across Asia and Europe.

Tehran has framed its control of the strait as both a security measure and a key negotiating lever, one it has shown little willingness to relinquish without a broader settlement.

Tehran’s point of view

Iran’s account of the breakdown differed sharply.

In a post on X early on April 13, after returning to Tehran, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his country had engaged in “good faith”, only to face shifting demands.

“When just inches away from an Islamabad MoU, we encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade,” he wrote. “Zero lessons learned. Good will begets good will. Enmity begets enmity.”

The reference to an “Islamabad MoU”, a memorandum of understanding, was the clearest public signal yet that the two sides had come closer to a formal agreement than either government had previously acknowledged.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led the country’s delegation, said his team had proposed “forward-looking initiatives”, but failed to secure trust.

“Due to the experiences of the two previous wars, we have no trust in the opposing side,” he wrote on Sunday.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also pointed to partial progress but unresolved differences.

“On some issues we actually reached mutual understanding, but there was a gap over two or three important issues and ultimately the talks didn’t result in an agreement,” he said.

Tehran’s key demands, including an end to Israeli strikes on Lebanon, the release of $6bn in frozen assets, guarantees on its nuclear programme and the right to charge vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, remained unmet.

Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, however, offered a more measured view — suggesting that Tehran was not closing the window on talks.

“The Islamabad Talks is not an event but a process,” he wrote in his message on X on Sunday. “The Islamabad Talks laid the foundation for a diplomatic process that, if trust and will are strengthened, can create a sustainable framework for the interests of all parties.”

Pakistan’s balancing act

For Pakistan, analysts say, the outcome represents a setback but not a failure.

Officials were careful to describe the talks as “an important opening step in a continuing diplomatic process”, stressing that issues of such complexity cannot be resolved in a single round.

The emphasis, they said, was on keeping the channel open.

Muhammad Obaidullah, a former Pakistan Navy commodore who has served in Iran as a diplomat, said expectations of a breakthrough were always unrealistic.

“The mere fact of bringing both parties face to face is a significant diplomatic achievement in itself,” he told Al Jazeera. “The diplomacy is not dead.”

Ishtiaq Ahmad, professor emeritus of international relations at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, went further.

“The talks did not collapse; they concluded without agreement but with a defined US offer on the table and the channel still intact,” he said.

“Pakistan’s role was to move the crisis from escalation to structured engagement, which it achieved. The absence of convergence reflects structural differences between the US and Iran, not a failure of mediation.”

Both Trump and Iranian officials have praised Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for their efforts to secure the ceasefire, and for hosting the talks in Islamabad. That, say analysts, suggests that they remain open to further Pakistan-brokered negotiations.

Sahar Baloch, a Germany-based scholar of Iran, said that trust remains Pakistan’s most valuable asset.

“The real test of credibility is not preventing breakdowns, but remaining relevant after them,” she said.

Fragile ceasefire

The immediate threat to Pakistan’s role comes from the evolving situation in the Strait of Hormuz and in Lebanon.

Iran has already warned that continued Israeli strikes on Lebanon could render negotiations meaningless. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has framed such attacks as a direct challenge to the ceasefire.

Trump’s blockade announcement now adds pressure from a second front.

Ahmad, a former Pakistan chair at Oxford University, warned that a collapse of the truce would sharply narrow diplomatic options.

“If the ceasefire collapses, the immediate consequence is the loss of the diplomatic window,” he said. “A second round becomes far more difficult because both sides would return to negotiating under active escalation, where positions tend to harden rather than converge.”

Obaidullah drew a historical parallel with the US naval quarantine of Cuba during the 1962 missile crisis. What if China were to use its own ships to import Iranian oil? Would the US attack them?

“The world will again be watching who blinks first,” Obaidullah said. “However, it may turn into a far greater conflict if neither side does.”

The Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 brought the US and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war, after Washington discovered Moscow had installed nuclear missiles on Cuban soil, within striking distance of the American mainland.

The US blocked the Soviets from providing more equipment to Cuba, and eventually, a diplomatic settlement was reached, with the Soviets agreeing to withdraw the missiles in exchange for a US pledge not to invade Cuba.

Baloch, the Berlin-based scholar, agreed that the situation remains volatile.

“The ceasefire risks becoming more symbolic than substantive,” she said. “But paradoxically, escalation can sometimes force a return to talks, even if under more urgent and less favourable conditions.”

What is the road ahead?

Pakistan’s room for manoeuvring is also shaped by its economic fragility.

The disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has driven up energy prices, compounding pressures on an economy already under strain before the conflict.

Ahmad said this creates both urgency and limits.

“Economic exposure, especially to energy shocks and external financing, creates urgency for Pakistan to prevent a prolonged conflict,” he said.

“But it also reinforces a constraint: Pakistan cannot afford escalation with either side. Its leverage is not coercive; it is positional. It comes from being the only channel acceptable to both sides, not from the ability to impose outcomes,” Ahmad said.

Eight days remain until the end of the initial two-week truce, a window Pakistani officials said privately represents a genuine opportunity for further technical and political alignment, if both sides choose to use it.

Ahmad suggested that any breakthrough would depend on creating a sequence of steps acceptable to both sides.

“The US is asking for early nuclear commitments; Iran is asking for guarantees and relief first,” he said.

Pakistan’s role, he added, would be to help “structure this sequencing, keep both sides engaged, and prevent breakdown at each stage”.

Islamabad won’t be the one drafting a deal itself, he emphasised, noting, “At this point, maintaining the channel is as important as the substance of the deal itself.”

Actress Miriam Margolyes opened up about a significant change in her relationship, after spending most of it living apart from her partner

Miriam Margolyes has revealed she’s making an “important” change to her long-standing relationship with partner Heather Sutherland. The 84-year-old and her Australian other half, who formalised their civil partnership in 2013, have spent 58 years together, though have never lived under the same roof permanently.

Miriam is based in London and Heather calls the Dutch capital of Amsterdam home, but the pair make every effort to maximise their time together.

Though their professional commitments have kept them geographically separated, the actress has now disclosed her desire for them to finally settle down as a couple.

She revealed: “I believe that but now I want to be with her, now I want us to live together. We are definitely going to.

“We were both very involved with our careers, we were both professional women, she was a professor at a university, teaching and writing and I was an actress and now I make television programmes, as a documentary maker,” she added.

“But, we are old and we won’t have much longer, it’s important to be together to relish the joy of each other’s company.”

The Call The Midwife favourite became even more effusive when describing her “overwhelmingly glorious” partner, admitting she has never tired of Heather’s presence.

During an appearance on the Comfort Eating with Grace Dent podcast, she continued: “I have never thought that she wasn’t sufficient, she is more than sufficient.

“She is overwhelmingly glorious and loveable and much cleverer than me, much, and I think that’s important.

“I don’t want to be the clever one,” the actress concluded. The pair are believed to have first crossed paths through a mutual friend while collaborating on a BBC radio drama during the 1960s.

In the following decade, they purchased a property together in Italy, where they frequently retreat and aspire to make their permanent home.

The Made Me Me star disclosed last year that she’d been dividing more of her time between countries to see Heather, though she must “come home every so often” due to visa restrictions.

Following Brexit, British citizens can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa or residence permit.

“So I’m thinking I might have to become Dutch,” she told the Daily Mail. “Heather has residency in Europe because she’s lived in Amsterdam for over 50 years, but we want to be together.”

Miriam returns to television this evening with her latest BBC programme, which evolved from what was originally conceived as a podcast into a full documentary.

A film crew shadows the performer as she documents her everyday life and career, from travelling between London and Australia and reconnecting with long-time friends to taking to the stage and even experiencing a royal encounter.

Miriam Margolyes Made Me Me airs tonight at 9pm on BBC Two

THE world’s first ride based on the Disney film Up is set to open at Disneyland Paris.

The ride will be based on the much-loved 2009 family film that follows pensioner Carl and boy scout Russell on an adventure.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

The ride, named Wilderness Explorers Sky Swings, will open at the theme park next year.

To get to the ride, visitors will queue through four themed zones that represent key moments from the film including Carl’s childhood aviator helmet and goggles and Ellie’s adventure book. 

The carousel ride will boast 48 swings, including special ‘duo’ seats – so a total of 64 people can go on the ride at any one time.

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When the ride spins, the dome above where riders will be seated will tilt, creating the feeling of flying.

To keep on theme with the film, the ride will feature balloon and cloud motifs.

The ride will also be in a garden inspired by Up, in the newly named Disney Adventure World part of the theme park.

DisneylandParis.com states: “Located in Adventure Way, just opposite Raiponce (Rapunzel) Tangled Spin, construction of the future Wilderness Explorers Sky Swings attraction is well underway.

“The name references the Wilderness Explorers, the club of young adventurers that Russell belongs to.”

When guests reach the ride, they’ll get to try out being a trainee adventurer themselves and get the chance to earn an ‘Aviation’ badge as they fly to the soundtrack of the movie.

DisneylandParis.com added: “This family-friendly experience will offer a new take on the ’flying chair carousel’, an iconic attraction in traditional theme parks for over a century.”

Disneyland Paris has also made another announcement that there will be a new experience at Disney Adventure World called The Disney Princess Cavalcade from July 24.

Visitors will be able to see four princesses from four worlds heading off on a journey through the park.

The princesses include Moana with a float themed around the village of Motunui and a float themed around Raya’s Heart Palace.

The parade will start at the entrance of the future The Lion King-themed area and head to The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge before returning back to where it started.

Disney Adventure World (formerly Walt Disney Studios Park) opened at the end of March and is home to the new World of Frozen.

Travel reporter Cyann Fielding visited the new land, and here is what she thought.

“Upon entering the Kingdom of Arendelle, I’m greeted by towering Nordic-style houses and a magical Frozen soundtrack.

“Am I actually in Arendelle? Because it sure feels like it.

“The land features a life-sized 36-metre North Mountain with Elsa’s Ice Palace, a Frozen Ever After boat ride, and A Celebration in Arendelle show on the water.

“There is also a Nordic-themed restaurant, as well as themed shopping experiences and character meet and greets.

“The main attraction of the new land is the musical Frozen Ever After boat ride.

“Starting at the Royal Docks, you head through the village and forest, meeting Sven and Olaf on the way; then you glide past Troll Valley and up The North Mountain (and then down the other side!).

“Of course, World of Frozen wouldn’t be complete without its own show.

“The land is set during the Snowflower Festival and as a result, the daily show features your favourite characters as they sing and dance and celebrate the festival together.”

In other theme park news, the UK’s best theme park’s £12million Viking-themed land will open next month.

Plus, a closed UK theme park has revealed a new opening date and it is good news for families.

Away form has held Swansea back this season, but in downing ailing Leicester they showed once again some great promise under Vitor Matos – a head coach who will demand more next season.

The goal that settled the contest at the King Power Stadium owed so much to a desperately misguided free-kick from Leicester’s Divine Mukasa and the home side’s inability to defend the resulting burst upfield, but my goodness Swansea stole the eye with their skill and composure in the build up.

Led by Jisung Eom, who was in sole charge of that burst, sprinting from box to box, maintained balance and presence of mind to set up Zan Vipotnik.

The Slovenian striker – the Championship’s leading scorer with 21 goals now – hit his shot with such brute force it underlined how confident he is in front of goal.

And he’s not a bad defender either – as a superb goal-line block to deny Oliver Skipp suggested at a crucial moment just before half-time.

Swansea need to hold on to these protagonists. Eom and Melker Widell both tormented Leicester from midfield and Vipotnik almost lurks in the background – but to great effect. He can finish with razor-sharp accuracy.

The Welsh side look to be on the right path after a solid win in the East Midlands. There’s no doubt they have a basis of talented players to build around this summer if they can.

The picturesque village has been named the “prettiest in England” and it’ll make you feel like you’re stepping into a place that’s “frozen in time” with ancient stone cottages

A village named one of the “prettiest in England” will transport you to somewhere that feels “frozen in time”. Whether it’s a place for hiking or seeking the finest coffee spots around town, we all crave a touch of adventure.

Now one travel account dedicated to “explore the UK’s ‘secret’ spots” has unearthed the “prettiest village in the Peak District”. It’s a settlement that’s wonderfully photogenic and brimming with attractions. According to the account, it resembles somewhere “frozen in time”. The location receiving countless glowing tributes is Tissington.

This charming village sits within the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire, close to Ashbourne on the park’s southern boundary.

In the TikTok post, the page’s description stated: “I spent some mornings wandering through a place that feels completely frozen in time.

“Walking past these ancient stone cottages and visiting the local tea room felt like stepping into a classic British storybook.

“There’s a unique stillness here – no modern street lights, just the sounds of the countryside and centuries of history in every stone.

“It’s the perfect ‘hidden gem’ for anyone looking to escape the 21st century for a few hours.”

Top attractions in Tissington:

The storybook settlement showcases stunning cottages arranged around an historic hall, impressive church and duck pond.

Should you explore Tissington Hall, this welcomes guests during specific periods featuring tearooms, gift boutiques and craft outlets.

The tradition of Well Dressing is believed to have originated here, and each Ascension Day five wells are adorned with floral displays as a tribute to God for the gift of water.

Tissington is equally celebrated for its 13-mile traffic-free trail, which is perfectly suited to both walking and cycling, whatever takes your fancy.

Top activities in the village include cycling, exploring the centre, visiting the tea rooms, and touring the hall.

For those feeling a touch creative, the One a Wick and a Prayer Candle Workshop is a much-loved candle-making destination within the village.

While the village itself has no pub, The Bluebell Inn can be found on the A52 near Tissington Gates.

How to get to Tissington:

If you’re coming from London, this is a 153 mile car journey via the M1 which takes around 3 hours.

Public transport is a lot quicker, taking 1 hour and 25 minutes with East Midlands Railway.

Meanwhile if you live more north, it takes around 1 hour and a half from Manchester, or 50 minutes from Stoke.

If you’re coming from Birmingham, this is around 1 hour and 22 minutes by car, while you’re looking at nearly 2 hours drive from Liverpool.

April 13 (UPI) — Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are considering more than a dozen bill proposals to protect children online and many approaches face free speech and privacy challenges.

At least 19 bills have been introduced and remain under consideration, proposing measures like age verification, restricting addictive designs, increasing parental controls and addressing content.

Jennifer Huddleston, senior fellow in technology policy for the Cato Institute, told UPI that the volume of proposals before Congress demonstrates the seriousness and complexity of issues related to child safety online.

“First, it does show that there are large public and policymaker questions about how young people are using social media,” Huddleston said. “However, that volume also shows that there’s not a general consensus on what, if anything, should be done in response to those concerns.”

Risks to children online

Josh Golin, executive director of Fairplay, a nonprofit advocacy organization that supports policies to make the Internet safer and less addictive for children, told UPI that online platforms’ addictive designs are one of the key harms he hopes to see Congress address.

“Designing for compulsive use or addiction is at the top of the list,” Golin said. “With that, there’s the fact that the way these platforms are designed often makes kids more vulnerable to sextortion attempts or sexual predators. It makes it easier for drug dealers to prey on kids. It makes it more likely that kids are going to experience cyber bullying. So there’s a lot of ways in which these platforms are designed that lead to unsafe conditions for young people.”

The experts who spoke to UPI largely agree that the proposals in Congress are well intentioned, but striking a balance between protecting children and not infringing on the rights of all remains a difficult task.

“It’s not always an easy thing to do because there’s a lot of nuance that needs to go into it when you consider what information you’re collecting about the user,” Sara Kloek, vice president of education and youth policy for the Software Information Industry Association, told UPI. “How do you protect the safety and security of users, both children and adults, while protecting privacy and civil rights online?”

Paul Lekas, SIIA’s executive vice president of global public policy and government affairs, testified before the House subcommittee on commerce, manufacturing and trade in December when a slate of 18 online child safety bills were advanced. He shared SIIA’s recommendations for measures to improve safety, including minimizing the collection of data on minors and enhancing tools for users to protect their data.

Kloek said data minimization is a key tenet SIIA is calling for in Internet safety laws.

One of the more common proposals in Congress and internationally is the institution of age verification measures.

Australia implemented age requirements for popular social media platforms in December, banning children under the age of 16 from Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, Reddit, YouTube, Twitch, Kick, Snapchat and Threads.

Kloek cautions that age verification requires more data collection of all users, including adults. In order to ban children under 16, users older than that must also verify their ages, often sharing personal information like government-issued identification.

“We are thinking about this in a way that bans aren’t necessarily the answer,” Kloek said. “We want to make sure there are safe spaces for youth online and a strict ban would likely drive some minors to places that are not safe.”

Golin agrees that outright banning children from social media could have an adverse effect.

“Approaches that require safety and privacy by design are better than trying to do social media bans,” he said. “I worry that what happens is if you just try and keep the kids off the platforms, they find a way of getting on anyway and then they’re on and they’re not protected at all.”

Kids Online Safety Act

There are at least two bills in Congress that Golin believes would be effective measures to curb the risks children may encounter online: the Kids Online Safety Act and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act.

The Kids Online Safety Act orders online platforms to take measures to mitigate bullying, violence, sexual exploitation and promotion of suicide. Social media platforms would be required to include options to disable addictive features, protect personal information and opt out of personalized recommendations.

The bill was introduced by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. It has bipartisan support with 62 senators endorsing it.

“The Kids Online Safety Act is so important because it has that duty of care that says you have to ensure that the design of your platform is not contributing to compulsive use or cyberbullying or anxiety and depression or sexual exploitation,” Golin said. “Having that broad duty — it allows you to adapt. It allows the law to be flexible and adapt to how the platforms may evolve.”

The broad nature of the Kids Online Safety Act is also what has drawn criticism.

Aliya Bhatia, senior policy analyst for the Center for Democracy and Technology, told UPI that newer iterations of the Kids Online Safety Act are much improved over what was introduced in 2022, but it could carry unintended consequences.

“The duty of care has been narrowed and now is replaced with a section called ‘Addressing Harms to Minors. While that’s a really good sign, it is still overbroad and open to subjective interpretation,” Bhatia said. “I worry that we are, under the guise of protecting children, equipping political actors to decide what our kids should and should not see.”

When forced to make judgments about what content constitutes causing anxiety or mental distress to children, Bhatia says social media companies may limit access to a wide list of information, driven by partisan viewpoints.

“Anything from climate change to conflicts, to puberty to LGBTQ identity, depending on what they think the political actors that be don’t want them to see,” Bhatia said. “It also doesn’t address the root issue of a lot of the harms that we see online, which is privacy, which is the vast data collection on minors, on all users.”

Safety scorecard

Public Knowledge, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., that advocates for free expression and an open Internet, created a scorecard to evaluate the effectiveness of Internet safety bills in Congress. It grades the bills based on preserving Internet access, promoting safe design, risk-based approach, avoiding bans, encouraging autonomy of youth, meaningful enforcement mechanisms and research and transparency.

Sara Collins, director of government affairs for Public Knowledge, told UPI that the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act 2.0 is among the bills that would do the “least harm,” particularly the version that is under consideration in the House chamber.

“It is a very classic privacy bill, especially if you’re talking about the House version,” Collins said.

The Senate unanimously passed its version of COPPA 2.0 last month.

The bill expands on 1998’s Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act to incorporate children between the ages 13 and 16. The 1998 law only focuses on children 13 and under.

COPPA 2.0 bans targeting advertisements directed at children under 17, requires consent from parents before collecting information on minors, prohibits designs meant to encourage compulsive use and expands the definition of personal information to include biometric markers and geolocation.

Where the bill falls short on Public Knowledge’s scorecard is in transparency requirements and allowing researchers to access platform data for further study.

Among the proposals Collins has the most concern about is Sammy’s Law. The bill establishes a comprehensive infrastructure for parental surveillance of children’s online activity, including real-time tracking of messages, friends lists and usage.

“It’s very hard to see the long-term consequences of it,” Collins said. “The idea that surveillance infrastructure should be built into the Internet, social media, gaming platforms et cetera, so parents can better monitor their children is a very appealing one in the American political sphere.”

Collins said parental surveillance capabilities as proposed in Sammy’s Law has the potential to create two problems: taking autonomy away from children and normalizing surveillance.

“A child having different views or different beliefs than their parent is not harmful to the parent,” Collins said. “It also normalizes surveillance for children in a bad way. I don’t want the U.S. population to be normalized to constant ever-present surveillance of their communications, their posting, their movements throughout all of cyberspace.”

“If the entire U.S. child’s experience is mediated through that, as they become an adult, instead of your parent doing it, your government, your company or whatever starts doing it, that just becomes the climate you grew up in rather than what it is, which is a serious invasion of your privacy and your anonymity,” she continued.

The Philippines has raised alarm after discovering cyanide on Chinese vessels operating near a disputed atoll in the South China Sea, intensifying tensions in an already volatile region.

Officials say laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the toxic substance in materials seized during naval operations at Second Thomas Shoal, known in the Philippines as Ayungin Shoal.

The area is a longstanding flashpoint between Philippines and China, with both sides asserting competing claims.

Why the Allegation Matters

Philippine authorities are framing the discovery as more than an environmental violation. According to security officials, the use of cyanide could damage marine ecosystems, kill fish stocks, and weaken the reef structure beneath a grounded Philippine naval vessel stationed at the shoal.

That ship plays a critical role in maintaining Manila’s territorial claim, meaning any environmental damage could also have strategic consequences.

Officials have gone as far as calling it an act of sabotage.

Rising Tensions at Sea

The accusation comes against a backdrop of repeated confrontations in the area. Manila has previously accused Beijing of interfering with resupply missions to its troops stationed on the grounded vessel, including a violent 2024 incident that injured a Filipino sailor.

China has consistently denied such allegations, instead accusing the Philippines of encroaching on its territory.

Despite recent diplomatic talks aimed at reducing friction, incidents at sea continue to test fragile understandings between the two sides.

The Bigger Dispute

The South China Sea remains one of the world’s most contested regions. China claims nearly the entire waterway, overlapping with claims from several Southeast Asian nations.

A 2016 international tribunal ruling rejected Beijing’s sweeping claims under international law, but China does not recognize the decision.

With more than $3 trillion in global trade passing through these waters each year, even localized tensions carry global significance.

Implications: Environment Meets Geopolitics

This incident adds a new dimension to the dispute by linking environmental harm with strategic rivalry.

If proven, the use of cyanide could:

• Escalate diplomatic tensions between Manila and Beijing
• Draw wider international attention to environmental practices in contested waters
• Further complicate already fragile cooperation efforts in the region

It also underscores how control over maritime territory is not just about military presence, but also about sustaining the ecosystems that support it.

Analysis: A Dangerous New Phase

The allegation signals a shift in how disputes in the South China Sea are unfolding. Beyond naval standoffs and legal arguments, there is now a growing risk of indirect tactics that target resources and infrastructure.

Whether intentional or not, the incident deepens mistrust and makes de-escalation more difficult.

The cyanide discovery is more than an environmental concern. It is a geopolitical flashpoint that could further inflame one of the world’s most sensitive maritime disputes.

As tensions persist, even seemingly small incidents have the potential to ripple far beyond the waters where they occur.

With information from Reuters.

ITV will tell the true story of Mavis Eccleston in a new four-part drama that starts shooting in June

ITV has announced a new drama based on the true story of a woman who survived a joint suicide pact she made with her husband.

Starring Penelope Wilton and Jonathan Pryce, the broadcaster‘s upcoming four-part series is titled Mavis Eccleston and will tell the story of a woman who was arrested and charged with murder after the death of Dennis, her husband of nearly 60 years.

Mavis and Dennis Eccleston decided to end their lives together when 81-year-old Dennis received a terminal cancer diagnosis and declined treatment to avoid prolonging his suffering. He’d had cancer twice before and knew the toll the invasive treatment would take on him and his family life.

Their family tried to dissuade them from taking a lethal cocktail of medication, but they were determined to leave the world together. After taking the overdose they were both rushed to the hospital, where Dennis died, but Mavis survived.

She and her family then had to process the grief of having lost their husband and father, whle also facing the prospect of Mavis spending the rest of her life in prison.

Downton Abbey star Penelope said it was a “true honour” to be playing Mavis in the drama.

“Mavis was devoted to her husband, Dennis, their enduring love for each other clear to see to all,” she said.

“They lived life on their own terms and when the time came, she wanted to respect his wishes. The fact she then faced the very real prospect of spending the rest of her life in prison for acting out of love is simply unimaginable. To be asked to bring her experience to life is a huge responsibility and true honour.”

Jonathan, who is playing Dennis, added: “This is a powerful and timely story of an extraordinary, devoted couple as they face the painful dilemma of assisted dying. We will hopefully honour their deep love for each other and their bravery.”

Grantchester actor Tom Brittney is also involved in the project, as he took it to producer Corestar Media after gaining the trust of the Eccleston family, who have given the ITV drama their blessing.

“When I first read about Mavis and Dennis in 2018, I was struck by the extraordinary love at its heart and the profound injustice their family endured,” said Tom.

“I felt their story, told with care and humanity, could be a powerful drama and a worthy contribution to a debate that remains urgent and deeply complex. Having worked with ITV, I knew they’d be the perfect home as an institution that champions powerful, social justice stories.”

Director Bruce Goodison added: “What excites me about this series is the towering humanity and dignity of this lively Cannock-based working-class family. There is joy in the pain this family suffered during this horrendous ordeal.

“They are the perfect lightning rod for the assisted dying debate.”

Mavis Eccleston will begin filming in Bristol in June this year.

For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.

Hi, and welcome to another edition of Prep Rally. I’m Eric Sondheimer. It’s midseason in high school baseball, so let’s take a look at players producing results.

The producers

Sophomore Tyler George of Santa Margarita is 7-0 with an 0.85 ERA.

(Greg Townsend)

The mad rush to earn an automatic playoff berth in the Southern Section and earn the No. 1 seed in the City Section has begun in high school baseball. At midseason, Orange Lutheran is No. 1 in the Southern Section. El Camino Real or Bell are trending toward No. 1 in the City Section.

As far as players, sophomore Tyler George of Santa Margarita has had a dream season pitching. He’s 7-0 with an 0.85 ERA and just two walks in 41 1/3 innings.

Catcher Brady Murrietta has been like a superhero for Orange Lutheran behind the plate, leading, grinding and delivering.

Pitcher Dustin Dunwoody of Royal has an 0.18 ERA.

Here’s a list of players delivering big results at midseason.

Baseball

Orange Lutheran’s Ricardo Hurtado (left) and Blake Killinger were the offensive and defensive MVP of the Boras Classic.

(Nick Koza)

Orange Lutheran, which won the National High School Invitational in North Carolina, added the Boras Classic South to its resume, beating Norco 4-1 in the championship game. Here’s the report.

Orange Lutheran is No. 1 and Norco No. 1 in the new top 25 rankings by The Times.

Agoura freshman pitcher Zach Partee threw a no-hitter in a 1-0 win over Calabasas, which came back to score four runs in the bottom of the seventh to beat the Chargers 10-9 on Friday.

Harvard-Westlake and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame play a three-game series this week that could decide the Mission League title.

Orange Lutheran will play St. Mary’s on Saturday at Santa Clara University for the Boras Classic title.

South Gate had the biggest upset of the week, handing Bell a rare defeat in the Eastern League 7-3.

El Camino Real has a one-game lead over Birmingham in the West Valley League. The Valley Mission League has Poly and Sylmar tied with 6-1 records and North Hollywood at 5-2. Poly and North Hollywood have a two-game series this week.

Carson is atop the Marine League at 5-0.

Softball

Norco’s Leighton Gray (left), Peyton May and Saddie Burroughs.

(Nick Koza)

Norco (17-2) got its revenge, beating Fullerton and JSerra, the two teams that have wins over the Cougars. Peyton May and Coral Williams continue to be solid pitchers for Norco.

Murrieta Mesa is rolling along with an 18-0 record. Sophomore Tatum Wolff leads the team with a .552 batting average, including 32 hits, 20 RBIs and five home runs.

Orange Lutheran won a tournament championship over Thousand Oaks 6-1. It was quite a week pitching and hitting for Rylee Silva. The Lancers resume Trinity League with a challenging two-game week facing Santa Margarita and Mater Dei. Coach Steve Miklos earned victory No. 600.

Granada Hills opened West Valley League play with an important 7-3 win over El Camino Real. The Highlanders are 7-8 overall after facing Southern Section teams.

Carson is 2-0 in the Marine League and has games against Narbonne, Banning and Long Beach Poly this week.

Here’s the top 20 Southland softball rankings.

Track

Olympian Quincy Wilson (center) cruises to victory in the 400-meter dash in a meet record 45.48 seconds.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

The chance to see Olympian Quincy Wilson run in the 400 on Saturday night helped draw a record crowd of more than 14,000 for two days of the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High.

Wilson broke Michael Norman’s meet record, running 45.48 seconds.

Servite’s 4×100 relay team put on quite a show, breaking its own state record with a time of 39.70.

It’s pretty amazing because the relay team is made up of three sophomores and a junior. Kudos goes to coach Brandon Thomas. Benjamin Harris won the 100 meters in 10.32 seconds.

Thomas also helps coach the sister school, Rosary, whose girls’ 4×100 relay team also went beyond fast.

Here’s the report from the Arcadia Invitational.

Golf

Junior Jake Norr of Palisades made a hole-in-one at Woodley Lakes earlier this week while going 6-under par in nine holes.

(Palisades High)

The week could not have gone better for Palisades golfer Jake Norr, who recorded two holes in one on different courses.

Here’s the report on his memorable week.

Santa Margarita is looking strong in the Southern Section after winning a tournament in Palm Springs. Brayden Jones of Mater Dei was the individual champion.

St. Francis sophomore golfer Jaden Soong is taking this week off from playing with his high school team to travel to Dallas to play in the U.S. vs. Sweden junior golf competition. Soong won the CIF state title as a freshman.

Lacrosse

Loyola’s lacrosse team took a trip to the University of Notre Dame to play several matches. The Cubs lost to Salesianum from Delaware 14-6. They defeated Seton Hall Prep 15-10. They return home to face Foothill on Wednesday.

Loyola continues to top the boys lacrosse rankings in the Southern Section with St. Margaret’s No. 2.

In the girls’ rankings, Santa Margarita and Mira Costa rank No. 1 and No. 2.

Volleyball

Mateo Fuerbringer of Mira Costa is a 6-foot-5 junior volleyball player committed to UCLA.

(Steve Galluzzo)

The No. 1 volleyball prospect in the nation from the class of 2027 is Mateo Fuerbringer of Mira Costa. Here’s a profile of the UCLA commit who comes from a volleyball family.

Mira Costa (28-2) traveled to Hawaii and won the Clash of the Titans tournament at Punahou, including a win over Southern California rival Huntington Beach.

Notes . . .

Former Pasadena High and Laker Michael Cooper is the new basketball coach at Cal State Los Angeles….

Bonita softball standout Koa Puppe has committed to Cal State Fullerton…

It looks like a strike threat in the Los Angeles Unified School District starting Tuesday will be resolved. UTLA reached a tentative agreement Sunday, one of the three unions seeking new contracts. A strike would have halted LAUSD sporting events. Some have been moved to Monday in case the strike begins….

Los Alamitos is scheduled to announce its new football coach this week….

Zafar Sarajzada is the new basketball coach at St. Genevieve. He’s been an assistant at Sierra Canyon….

The All-CIF boys basketball team is headed by Maxi Adams of Sierra Canyon. The All-CIF girls basketball team is led by Kaleena Smith of Ontario Christian and Jerzy Robinson of Sierra Canyon….

Redondo Union guard Devin Wright has committed to Fairleigh Dickinson….

Redondo Union guard Chace Holley has committed to San Diego….

Defensive lineman Montana Toilolo of Mater Dei has committed to UCLA….

Receiver Charles Davis of Westlake has committed to Cal….

Former Narbonne basketball star Marcus Adams has committed to Hawaii. He’s played at CSUN and Arizona State….

Pole Moala, who was a standout defensive back at Leuzinger this past season, has committed to UCLA. He has since transferred to Santa Margarita….

Chris Paul will become an assistant coach at Campbell Hall, where his son plays.

From the archives: Gabriela Jaquez

Gabriela Jaquez in 2021.

(Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)

Former Camarillo standout Gabriela Jaquez celebrated a dream come true winning an NCAA women’s basketball championship for UCLA and starring in the championship game against South Carolina with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

Jaquez was a two-sport standout at Camarillo, also playing softball. She became a McDonald’s All-American and always wanted to follow brother Jaime to UCLA.

But UCLA didn’t offer Gabriela a scholarship until late in the recruiting process. Here’s a story from the 2022 that explains her late development and how dreams come true the hard way.

Recommendations

From Operations Sports, a look at the boycott by public schools in Nevada about playing Bishop Gorman’s football team.

From the Seattle Times, a story on Minnesota being sued for allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls sports.

Tweets you might have missed

Until next time….

Have a question, comment or something you’d like to see in a future Prep Rally newsletter? Email me at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com, and follow me on Twitter at @latsondheimer.

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STAYCATIONS are on the rise this year, and there’s one county in England that actually wants you to visit.

County Durham is attempting to lure tourists in for more than a day trip with its pretty beaches, great pubs, beautiful nature reserves and a famous ‘living’ museum.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration.

County Durham sits in the North East of England and is known primarily for its city of Durham, home to a huge cathedral that’s over 930 years old – which is also where scenes for the first two Harry Potter films were filmed.

Aside from the city, the county itself has so much to offer, and officials are hoping that tourists will stick around to see more of it.

The latest data from 2024 recorded 19.93million day visitors to County Durham, but just 1.64million overnight stays in the same period.

DIG IN

Bucket-and-spade county loved by Sun readers for traditional beaches & attractions

BEACHY KEEN

Sun readers’ favourite family attractions in Lincolnshire’s seaside resorts

Officials want to see visitors spend more time in the county – rather than just visit for 12 hours and head to the likes of Newcastle.

And while yes, Newcastle does have epic nightlife, there are lots of top notch pubs and bars in County Durham too – three of which have been shortlisted in the National Pub & Bar Awards 2026.

The first is Slug & Lettuce in Durham’s Walkergate food and drink complex – it has a classic offering of cocktails and even a neon staircase.

Second is The Head of Steam on North Road, which is very near Durham Cathedral and the Riverwalk.

One happy customer said on Tripadvisor that it’s “hands down one of the best spots in the city.”

Outside of the city centre is the third pub in the list – The Royal George in Peterlee which serves up huge roast dinners on Sundays.

Another award-winning pub is Victoria Inn, which won Durham’s CAMRA Pub of the Year competition for 2026 and made an appearance in The European Bar Guide.

It’s a Grade II listed pub, first built in 1899 with a cosy snug and coal fires, and it hasn’t changed much since.

When it comes to exploring the county, another must-do is head to the coast.

It’s got pretty coastal spots like Blackhall Rocks Beach which is considered a ‘hidden gem’ and sits in front of huge limestone cliffs.

The village of Horden has an unspoilt beach with few facilities, but visitors say it’s lovely for a refreshing walk.

The town of Seaham is known for its long sandy beach with sea glass that’s scattered throughout the pebbles and stones on the shoreline.

The sea treasure is man-made glass which has ended up in the sea, where it is then shaped by the water over several years before returning to the shore.

And plenty of beachgoers head there to try and find some.

From Seaham, it’s common to spot dolphins, one person wrote on TripAdvisor: “Staying on the beach gave us a prime viewing of the pod of dolphins that swam along the coast catching fish – great photo opportunity.”

For more on staycations, here are some of our favourite UK hotels…

*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue

Margate House, Kent

This stylish boutique hotel is in a seaside townhouse, a short walk from Margate’s coolest bars and restaurants. Decked out with plush velvet sofas, candles flickering and striking independent art, inside feels like a warm welcome home. Rooms are stunning, especially the ones that give you a glimpse of the sea.

BOOK HERE

The Alan, Manchester

The Alan looks extremely grand, being built into a beautiful Grade II listed building. Spread across six floors, with 137 rooms, each one looks like a fancy design magazine. From the concrete coffee tables to the pink plastered walls, the industrial-inspired designs perfectly replicate the history of the city.

BOOK HERE

The Queen at Chester Hotel

This historic hotel has welcomed the likes of Charles Dickens and Lillie Langtry through its doors. Rooms have richly-patterned carpets with super soft bed linen and premium toiletries in the bathroom. Go for a superior room for extra goodies including bathrobes and snack boxes.

BOOK HERE

The University Arms Hotel, Cambridge

This Cambridge hotel is in the ideal spot, within walking distance to bars, shops and hotspots like the university colleges and Parker’s Piece. The inside couldn’t be prettier, with huge stained glass windows, grand chandeliers, and rooms with enormous clawfoot bath tubs.

BOOK HERE

It’s not all beach though – County Durham also has lots of natural beauty inland.

The High Force Waterfall is found in the Forest-in-Teesdale in the Durham Dales and is around 70-feet tall.

One hiker who spoke to Sun Travel even said it’s “probably the most impressive waterfall in the UK.”

Just half an hour away by car is another impressive must-see – Raby Castle in Darlington.

Built in the 14th century, it was formerly the home of Cecily Neville – the mother of two kings of England – and is surrounded by a 200-acre deer park where the animals roam freely on the grounds.

There’s also pretty walled gardens, an adventure playground, and café.

Entry to the castle, deer park and gardens starts from £24 for adults and £23 for concessions. For children between 4-15 it’s £13 and under 4s go free.

County Durham is also home to a unique museum that visitors have said makes them feel like they’re ‘travelling back in time’.

Called Beamish, the ‘living museum’ allows people to see what life would have been like in the UK between the 1820s and 1950s.

Visitors can explore replica homes, pubs, shops, train stations – and it’s fully interactive.

Passes cost £35 for adults and £20.50 for children (it’s an unlimited pass so if you buy it once, you can return as many times as you like throughout the year).

The Bowes Museum is a beautiful and enormous art gallery set amongst 22 acres of landscaped parkland.

Inside the French-style museum holds world-famous art collections with pieces by the likes of Spanish artists, El Greco and Goya.

From now until September, it is holding an exhibition honouring fashion designer, Vivienne Westwood.

Day admission for adults is £20 – and under 18s, as well as full-time students and carers, go free.

When it comes to entertaining the kids – head to Adventure Valley which is a family adventure park.

It’s got everything you could possibly think of for an entertaining day out, from adventure golf to tractor rides, football, a huge outdoor playground, and indoor soft play.

It has farmyard animals too, from pigs to goats and alpacas. Tickets for both adults and children start from £15.95.

Here’s what one travel writer thought when he went to the city of Durham…

Writer Alan Scott reveals what he got up to in the city of Durham…

“Even for those muggles who are not Harry Potter fans, shouting out spells in Durham Cathedral doesn’t feel too out of place.

“Quite the opposite, in fact, given more Potter movie scenes than you can wave a wand at have been shot in this historic city.

“No1 filming location for fans of JK Rowling’s magical tales to visit is surely the Norman cathedral, dating to the 11th Century.

“It is this building that brought the fictional wizarding school of Hogwarts to life in the films.

“Durham is not all old hallways and ancient sites, though. Visiting with my partner Charlotte, on day one we set off to concoct some potions with Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore. OK, that’s not strictly true — but we did make our own bottle of gin at the Durham Gin Distillery, with managing director Jon Chadwick.

“With his wild, white hair and beard he certainly reminded us of a young Dumbledore.”

Here’s more on a Victorian seaside town with very unusual beach in County Durham that’s getting trains to the capital for the first time ever.

And here’s England’s first railway town that inspired the rest of the world is one of the most affordable places to live.

People can save an extra bit of money by following the ‘online’ advice

TV money personality and personal finance expert Laura Pomfret has shared a money-saving tip for anyone with a passport. Speaking on today’s (April 13) episode of BBC Morning Live, hosted by Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones, she shared a cost-effective, time-saving piece of advice ‘people may not know about’.

Her advice comes as the cost of renewing a British passport rose at the start of the month. From April 8, the price of a standard online adult application rose from £94.50 to £102, surpassing £100 for the very first time. Child passports also increased, jumping to £66.50 from £61.50, reflecting a roughly 8% hike intended to reduce the taxpayer burden.

Laura told viewers: “It is becoming a bigger and bigger expense to get a passport for you, loved ones, for your family, and fees have just gone up. It is now over £100 to get a passport, but there are ways of avoiding paying more than you need.”

Sharing her tip to avoid paying extra when renewing your passport, she said that people who renew online can take their own pictures, rather than going to a photo booth and paying even more to get it printed. She said: “If you’ve not renewed your passport for a while, you may not know that you can take your photos yourself.”

She went on: “You don’t have to pay to go into a shop, you don’t have to go to one of the passport booths.” She said the official Gov.uk website gives you guidance when uploading your own photo, saying: “You need good lighting and a plain background, you upload it directly.”

She added: “It tells you if it’s not any good and you have to do it again. So, all in all, I think it’s worth having a look, if you need to get a new passport, at these different ways of saving money, because it’s worth it in the long run, especially more than one.”

Offering further passport guidance for Brits, Laura urged viewers to only ever renew online via the official Gov.uk HM Passport Office website. She warned: “There are these intermediary websites that might look official to help you fill out the application, but it’s not HM Passport Office.

“It’s an intermediary and you could pay up to £100, just for essentially help doing the passport, so make sure when you do it online you’re going directly to the Passport Office.” She also recommended renewing passports online rather than by post, as it costs less and saves time.

She said: “I advise you to do it yourself online. It takes about 10 minutes. But if you’re a bit unsure, you can use the Post Office check and send service. You’re paying £16 for this, but actually to get it done properly, it may be worth you deciding to use that service.”

You must renew your passport before you can travel if either your passport has expired or you do not have enough time left on it. How much time you need for your passport depends on the country you’re visiting. Check the entry requirements of the country you want to travel to.

April 13 (UPI) — The U.S. military said it will begin blocking all ships from leaving or entering Iran’s ports on Monday morning in line with a maritime blockade ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump to cut off Iranian oil exports.

U.S. Central Command said in a news release Sunday that the blockade would be enforced equitably against vessels of all nations sailing to or from Iranian ports, including all those on the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, but stressed vessels serving ports in neighboring countries would be left alone.

“CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports,” said the news release, which instructs the masters of all ships to monitor “Notice to Mariners” broadcasts and make radio contact with U.S. naval forces on bridge-to-bridge channels in Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz approaches.

The blockade would effectively cut off Iran’s international trade by preventing it from importing or exporting anything by sea, in particular its energy exports on which it is reliant for hard currency.

Further details would be communicated in a formal notice that would be provided to commercial ships and operators prior to the start of the blockade, due to come into force at 10 a.m. EDT, CENTCOM said.

The statement clarified comments by Trump early Sunday in which he appeared to announce a total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in response to the failure of peace talks in Pakistan at the weekend.

Trump had said the U.S. Navy “will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz.”

On Saturday, CENTCOM announced that the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers USS Frank E. Peterson USS Michael Murphy had transited the Strait of Hormuz and operated in the Persian Gulf, preparatory to clearing Iranian mines and reopening the shipping route to commercial vessels.

Tehran responded to the development with unspecified threats against the ports of its neighbors and raised the specter of widening the conflict to the Red Sea, the other sea passage in the region that is critical to the global economy.

“Security in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is either for everyone or for NO ONE. If Iran’s ports are threatened, NO PORT in the region will be safe,” the Iranian military’s central command said in a statement carried by state-run broadcaster IRIB.

“Naval blockade of Iran? Bab al-mandeb Coming soon?!,” IRIB said earlier in a post referencing the narrow strait at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, which leads to the Suez Canal, where Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked around 100 commercial ships November 2023 through September 2025.

Oil prices rose in response to the developments while stock markets retreated.

The benchmark Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate both climbed back above $100 a barrel with the Brent contract for June delivery changing hands at $102.31 per barrel in mid-morning trade in London while the WTI contract for May was trading at $104.44.

The FTSE 100 in London was down 0.33%, the DAX in Frankfurt fell almost 1.2% and France’s CAC 40 was off by almost 1%.

Former U.S. special envoy to the region David Satterfield expressed concerns over the blockade, warning that if shipping continued to be affected current supply disruption would widen beyond oil, with serious implications for Gulf countries’ exports of many other critical materials from aluminum and helium to polymers and fertilizer feed stocks.

“The Gulf is a critical global supply point, far beyond hydrocarbons — and the impact if this goes on for several more weeks is going to become quite profound, beyond just the cost of petrol and diesel at the pump,” Satterfield told the BBC.

A French court has found cement company Lafarge guilty of financing armed groups during the Syrian war. Prosecutors said the company paid millions of dollars to ISIL and the al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front between 2013 and 2014 to keep its factory operating.