“The Conference of Champions” captivated the college football world.

A conference anchored in deep regional ties, historic rivalries and a century of shared traditions.

Since its breakup in 2024, the old Pac-12 has become a distant memory. But fans will get a throwback to the “Pac-12 After Dark” era when UCLA and California open the season Saturday at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley.

The battle between two new coaches, with former James Madison coach Bob Chesney leading UCLA against former Oregon defensive coordinator and Cal alum Tosh Lupoi, will mark the first time the sister schools have faced off since 2023; that matchup, coincidentally, was the old Pac-12’s final regular season game.

UCLA players congratulate kicker Mateen Bhaghani (94) after he kicked a 54-yard field goal against Penn State on Oct. 4 at the Rose Bowl.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

While just 13 Bruins remain on the roster since their 33-7 loss three seasons ago, a pair of former Golden Bears who were on the winning side — running back Jaivian Thomas and kicker Mateen Bhaghani — now wear UCLA jerseys.

The Bruins’ roster features three other former Bears — senior wide receiver Mikey Matthews, senior outside linebacker Ryan McCulloch and fifth-year defensive lineman Tyson Ford — along with linebackers coach Vic So’oto and director of player personnel Nic So’oto, both of whom spent last year at Berkeley.

For Thomas, in particular, Saturday represents not only a return to his former school, but also a homecoming for the Oakland native.

“I’m going back home, about 15 minutes away from Berkeley. It’s where I started my college career,” Thomas said. “I want to stamp that game, and once I found out we played them, it was marked on my calendar. I’m excited for that game, and I want to go down there and get this win, start off the year right.”

Thomas, who attended McClymonds High less than five miles from Memorial Stadium, said the stands will be “stacked full” of family members.

And while the return to Cal will not be a homecoming for Bhaghani, a San Diego native, the game is important to him too.

“It’s almost a dream come true to go play at the school that my career started at,” Bhaghani said. “I’m going to enter the game as any other, but it’s a significant game for me, and I definitely want to perform to my level.”

As much as Bhaghani wants to downplay the personal significance of the season opener, he acknowledged he has been counting down the minutes to his return.

And that includes talking with Thomas and Matthews about their excitement.

“I’ll go up to them almost every day and be like, ‘Hey, two weeks, three weeks,’ so they know it’s important for all of us, and with this day and age in college football, it’s important to put a lot of pride into those types of games,” Bhaghani said.

UCLA receiver Mikey Matthews runs with the ball against Washington at the Rose Bowl on Nov. 22.

(Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times)

Bhaghani is not alone in his belief in revitalizing the historic rivalry between UCLA and Cal. In an era when conferences increasingly lack regional ties, the fanfare and excitement of annual battles between old rivals is on the decline.

But Cal general manager Ron Rivera wants to bring back the Bear Bowl — and not just for this season.

“Just the fact that we are playing UCLA again, that’s huge for both universities. They’re one of our natural rivals and we are going to rekindle that and hopefully we can keep that going, kind of like what we do with Stanford,” Rivera told reporters. “It’s one of those natural things you want to see. It’s a big deal for a lot of the L.A. kids that come up here and play, that they’re playing against those guys.”

Both schools’ decision to renew the rivalry already has paid off, with Lupoi and Cal deciding Wednesday to remove the tarps off the seats in the south end zone of Memorial Stadium as a sold-out crowd is expected, potentially the largest in more than a decade.

While adversarial crowds often are a home-field advantage, Matthews understands the challenge that lies ahead but is excited to be back and playing in front of the Cal faithful.

“We definitely have to come out fast. It’s going to be pretty packed over there, so we just got to let them know that we’re going to be on that timing and everything over there,” Matthews said. “But it’s going to be cool going back to see everything, and I like that environment and atmosphere over there because they have great fans over there as well.”

Despite the excitement and anticipation surrounding potentially one of the biggest games of Week 1, not everyone is treating it as such.

Ford, for one, said he’s looking at the opener like any other game on the schedule.

“It’s the most exciting game because it’s the next game,” Ford said. “After that, the next game will be the most exciting. I’m just ready to go, whoever we play, it doesn’t really matter.”

Bhaghani is less reserved in his view of the matchup.

“I wear the blue and gold with a lot of pride and I really do believe UCLA is the best public university in the country,” Bhaghani said. “I really do put a lot on that game, and everybody on our team will, as a season opener, two schools with brand new head coaches. It’s going to be a shootout, and we’ll come out on top.”

Aug. 28 (UPI) — Panama has brought home 17 citizens linked to the war between Russia and Ukraine as prosecutors investigate an alleged network accused of recruiting Panamanians for military service through false job offers.

The Foreign Ministry said Thursday that 11 of the citizens returned from Russia and six from Ukraine after diplomatic and consular efforts coordinated with Panamanian missions abroad. The statement did not identify the returnees or specify when they arrived.

Panamanian officials held four meetings with representatives of the Russian Embassy and two with Ukrainian Embassy officials to seek the release of citizens serving with military forces and arrange their return.

Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha also sent diplomatic communications to Russian and Ukrainian authorities to request their cooperation on humanitarian grounds.

Panama’s embassies in Russia and Poland, which handle the country’s diplomatic affairs involving Ukraine, continue working to locate and assist other Panamanians connected to the conflict, officials said.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office began to investigate the alleged recruitment operation in June. A judge on Aug. 18 ordered the pretrial detention of a third suspect charged with aggravated human trafficking.

The suspect was detained Aug. 16 at Tocumen International Airport after arriving from Colombia under an Interpol alert, the prosecutor’s office said.

Prosecutors said Panamanians were allegedly offered jobs paying more than $2,500 per month, but were placed in forced military work after reaching Eastern Europe.

Two men who returned from Ukraine told reporters Aug. 12 they knew they were traveling to the country, but had been promised they would not be required to participate in combat missions.

They said their passports and phones were taken after they arrived and that they were required to sign contracts written in Ukrainian without receiving Spanish translations.

“We were told that they would not take our passports, that we would not lose contact with our families and that they would not take our phones,” one of the men said, according to Panama’s La Prensa. “When we arrived, that was the first thing that happened.”

The men said recruiters used TikTok, Instagram and WhatsApp to find candidates. They spent about six weeks in Ukraine and said they did not receive the money they had been promised.

The Foreign Ministry estimated that approximately 30 Panamanians may have been or remained connected to the conflict, including 13 associated with Russian forces and 17 with Ukrainian forces.

The ministry stressed that the figures were preliminary, and said some people enlisted voluntarily while others reported being deceived by offers of civilian work.

Panama is not the only country in the region facing cases of deceptive recruitment. Peru has reported a significantly larger recruitment operation.

In early August, the Peruvian Foreign Ministry said that it had official information showing 459 Peruvians had enlisted, including 11 who died, 114 who were missing and three who were captured by Ukrainian forces.

Peruvian authorities evacuated 31 citizens, including 28 who returned to Peru and three who chose to remain elsewhere in Europe. Four of those evacuated said they had escaped forced recruitment.

Prosecutors opened a human trafficking investigation May 1 after families reported that Peruvians had been offered security and other jobs in Russia before allegedly being forced into combat.

Similar allegations have emerged in Bolivia and Colombia.

Bolivia’s Deputy Consular Affairs Minister Héctor Huanca said in July that approximately 16 Bolivians might be in combat zones, although he described the figure as preliminary, Unitel reported. Bolivian prosecutors opened a human trafficking investigation involving false employment offers.

In Colombia, Noticias Caracol reported in early August that families had documented dozens of suspected recruits, although no nationwide official count was available. A Tolima regional official separately told Caracol Radio that authorities knew of at least six local cases involving allegedly false job offers.

Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Arturo Hoyos said Panamanians are still traveling to become involved in the conflict despite repeated warnings.

“We urge, recommend and almost implore Panamanians not to go,” Hoyos said to El Siglo.

EXPLAINER

With almost all votes counted, the ‘no’ side was ahead by 52.5 percent to 47.5 percent, the national broadcaster says.

Voters in Iceland have rejected a proposal to resume negotiations on joining the European Union, dealing a setback to the government’s push for closer ties with the 27-country bloc.

With almost all votes counted, the “no” side was ahead by 52.5 percent to 47.5 percent, according to national broadcaster RUV. Official results have not been announced yet.

The result is not a vote on EU membership itself, but on whether Iceland should reopen accession negotiations that were suspended more than a decade ago.

The government had argued that renewed talks could help Iceland confront growing economic and geopolitical pressures, including tensions over Arctic security.

Opponents of accession instead focused on protecting Iceland’s fishing waters and general sovereignty-related issues that would arise if the country became part of the bloc.

Here is what you need to know:

What was the vote about?

The referendum asked Icelanders a simple question: Should Iceland resume accession negotiations with the European Union?

It was not a vote on whether Iceland should actually join the EU. A “yes” result would have allowed the government to restart negotiations with Brussels. Any eventual agreement on membership would then have been put to voters in another referendum.

In 2009, Iceland applied to join the EU, following a financial crisis that severely affected its economy. Negotiations were suspended in 2013 after a eurosceptic government came to power.

Technically, the referendum result is nonbinding, but the coalition government headed by Social Democratic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir has vowed to respect the result.

What was the result of the vote?

The “no” side won, according to RUV, with 52.5 percent against 47.5 percent for “yes”. Some votes from one constituency were still pending, but they were not expected to change the result.

The outcome represents a setback for Frostadottir’s government, which had presented the referendum as a “now or never” moment for the EU debate.

What’s the debate in Iceland on joining the EU?

The debate has largely centred on the economy, fishing rights and the cost of living.

The most important argument put forward by opponents against membership was the fate of the country’s fishing industry, a major part of Iceland’s economy.

Gudrun Hafsteinsdottir, the opposition leader who campaigned for the “no” vote, rejected claims that Brussels could solve Iceland’s economic problems.

“These are not problems that Brussels will solve for us. These are problems that Icelandic politicians must solve,” she said.

Supporters, however, argued EU membership could help address Iceland’s high inflation and interest rates. Iceland’s central bank rate is eight percent, compared with 2.25 percent at the European Central Bank.

Some also saw adopting the euro as a potential source of economic stability. Nevertheless, Iceland already has close economic links with the EU.

It belongs to the European Economic Area and the Schengen free-travel zone, giving it access to the EU’s single market without being a member.

What triggered the referendum?

The EU debate gained urgency because of a changing geopolitical environment surrounding Arctic countries. Iceland is a NATO member, but has no military of its own and depends heavily on its allies for defence.

However, the country’s left-leaning coalition government, elected in 2024, moved up the EU referendum it had planned for next year after US President Donald Trump mistakenly named the country four times while speaking about his policy towards Greenland.

The government argued that closer ties with Europe could provide Iceland with greater protection and strengthen its position amid growing tensions in the region.

Frostadottir said the campaign had raised discussion about Iceland’s place in the world and its broader geopolitical position.

“We’ve been waiting for this for years to be able to have a vote,” Frostadottir said, adding ⁠⁠that her government would continue its work regardless of the outcome.

What happens next?

It is unlikely that Iceland will resume EU accession negotiations during the current government’s term, which runs until 2028.

The government had already said it would respect a “no” vote. It is also expected to refer to parliament the question of whether Iceland should formally withdraw its EU membership application.

For now, Iceland will remain outside the EU while continuing its existing relationship with the bloc through the European Economic Area and Schengen.

SOMETIMES finding a holiday spot just for adults that encourages the ultimate relaxation can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Fortunately, one Greek island is home to a premium five-star resort that’s adults-only an will transport you straight to the Maldives.

Stella Island Luxury Resort in Crete, Greece looks as if it belongs in the bucket list destination thanks to its crystal clear water and overwater bungalows.

A massive lagoon-style pool also snakes through the villas.

There are 12 room types to choose from, including overwater nests where ground floor rooms have swim up pools.

And it isn’t just the pools that are great – the complex also has seven restaurants to choose from including a buffet, fine dining venue, Greek taverna, steaks and cuts restaurant, an Asian spot, a Mexican spot and a more casual lunch restaurant.

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You won’t be short of places to grab a tipple either, as there are five poolside bars.

Inside the hotel you can indulge yourself too, at the spa with an indoor heated pool, Turkish bath, hot tubs and massages available.

There’s a gym, tennis courts and padel courts too as well as the option to paddleboard on the pool that weaves through the complex.

If you really want the Maldives treatment, you could even have your breakfast floating in the pool.

A recent visitor said: “Such an amazing place in every way. The resort is exceptional from the moment you arrive.

“The food in the restaurants is amazing but I have to say that the buffet is the best I have encountered.

“First class entertainment and service in all areas.

“We enjoyed it so much, we’ve already booked for next year.”

Just 15 minutes walk from the resort is the village of Analipsi, where you will find a selection of small shops as well as tavernas.

What makes all of this even better is that from stepping outside of Crete airport the resort is only 15 minutes away.

The easiest way to get to the resort is by flying to Heraklion Airport on Crete, which costs as little as £29 per way.

FIVE fantastic Spanish holiday resorts have topped a list of our favourite holiday destinations this summer.

Online travel giant LoveHolidays studied the reviews from thousands of customers who have travelled since the schools broke up.

Families were asked to rate their hotels out of five across seven key criteria: holiday experience, location, service, value for money, cleanliness, facilities and food and drink.

The Costa Dorada resort of Cambrils took the top spot with a score of 4.55 out of five, followed by Santa Ponsa in Majorca; Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote; Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria and Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol.

“Families have a shortlist of destinations they know and trust,” says Al Murray from loveholidays.

“But our ranking shows some of the strongest hotel experiences are happening in resort towns people might be less familiar with.

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“That’s why the customer reviews we’re now sharing on our hotel listings are so useful. They give people access to real-time feedback from other LoveHolidays travellers, making the all-important decisions of where to go and which hotel to pick that bit easier.”

Here, we’ve dug into the details as to why each destination scored so highly – and there’s a great deal for each one so you can try yourself this autumn.

Cambrils, Costa Dorada

This former fishing village has a strong reputation for seafood and Catalan cuisine so it’s no surprise it scored well for food and drink, earning an average of 4.53 from guests.

Families were also impressed with the location of hotels in the area, with a score of 4.76, and service, at 4.63.

Seven nights’ B&B at the 3* H10 Cambrils Playa is from £279pp including flights from Luton on October 17.

Santa Ponsa, Majorca

Families gave hotels in the town 4.51 and scored the destination high for holiday experience (4.61) and location (4.78) thanks to its sheltered bay, walkable seafront and easy access to Palma.

Seven nights’ self-catering at the 3* Residence Mallorca Portofino by Pierre et Vacances is from £179pp including Stansted flights on October 15.

Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote

The resort’s mix of beaches, marina and seafront restaurants scored highly at 4.41 with hotels in the town rated well on location (4.56), holiday experience (4.53) and service (4.51).

Seven nights’ self-catering at the 3* Hyde Park Lane is from £219pp including flights from Southend on December 2.

Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria

With an overall score of 4.40, hotels here stood out for food and drink, earning the highest score at 4.75, reflecting its growing reputation for quality dining.

Seven nights’ self-catering at the 3* Holiday Club Puerto Calma is from £189pp including Stansted flights on September 16.

Fuengirola, Costa del Sol

Fuengirola scored 4.34 and hotels were rated well across the board, with strong numbers for holiday experience (4.34), cleanliness (4.60) and location (4.46).

Seven nights’ room-only at the 3* Ilunion Miramar is from £179p including flights from Luton on October 27.

Prices may not include luggage or transfers. See loveholidays.com.

LOUISE Redknapp has shown her toyboy ex what he’s missing as she posed in a green bikini on the beach after the split.

The Eternal star, 51, took to Instagram to share a sneak peek into her holiday as she posed up a storm in the green number.

Louise looked beach ready in the bikini which she paired with a cream and brown monogrammed skirt as she gave a peek of her midriff.

She wore a chocolate brown long-sleeved top which she left unbuttoned to reveal her two-piece.

The singer accessorised with some chic sandals and a black bag with tassels.

She went make-up free for the beach day as she popped a pair of sunglasses on her head as well as several necklaces around her neck.

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The Strictly Come Dancing star appeared to be moving on from her break-up as she flashed her pearly whites for a sweet snap.

She captioned the post: “Making the most of the last days of Summer, happy bank holiday.”

Her loyal fans flocked to the comments section to compliment her as one gushed: “Beautiful as always Louise.”

Another person enthused: “You’re literally sunshine personified!”

Somebody else wrote: “Oh jeez, you look phenomenal.”

While a fourth social media user added: “Stunningly beautiful.”

The Sun exclusively revealed earlier this month that she had split from boyfriend Drew Michael earlier this year after two years together.

They had been dating since autumn 2023 but called time on the relationship and he is believed to have left the UK.

It was her first serious romance since the breakdown of her 19-year marriage to football pundit Jamie Redknapp, 53, almost a decade ago.

A source said: “Louise and Drew decided to end things a little while ago.

“Things had been really good between them but it felt like their relationship had run its course and they both thought it was best to move on.

“It was all very amicable and although it’s never fun when a relationship ends, Louise has thrown herself back into her social life and her busy work schedule.

Drew’s thought to have moved abroad for work so it’s been a clean break.

“She’s in no rush to jump back into another relationship because she feels very fulfilled with her life right now, but she’ll see what happens.”

Don’t ever doubt the toughness of Max Eldridge from Corona Santiago High.

During football season, he’s a 6-foot-3, 220-pound defensive lineman who loves to make quarterbacks feel uncomfortable. He recorded four sacks in the season opener last week against Yucaipa and another on Friday against Temescal Canyon.

As an outfielder-pitcher for the baseball team, he showed off power with his bat and arm. He had eight home runs last season. He’s committed to UC San Diego for baseball.

For him to keep playing football even though baseball will be his sport in college shows that he wants to make his senior year memorable and enjoy his final months playing with his best friends.

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

Liverpool’s Dutch forward Gakpo is a transfer target for Premier League rivals Manchester City.

Virgil van Dijk is hoping Liverpool hang on to Cody Gakpo, with Manchester City reportedly closing in on the Dutch international before Tuesday’s Premier League transfer deadline.

Gakpo looks set to be pushed down the pecking order at Anfield by the arrival of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee that could rise to $166m, making the Frenchman the second-most expensive player in Premier League history.

In three and a half years at Liverpool, Gakpo has scored 51 goals and played a major role in the club’s 20th English top-flight title in the 2024–25 campaign.

The 27-year-old has made a bright start to this season, scoring one goal and providing an assist as Liverpool have drawn their opening two games 2-2 against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest under Andoni Iraola.

But Liverpool appear open to cashing in on Gakpo, with City reportedly set to pay 75 million pounds ($101.6m).

“He’s a quality player, and I think we should keep quality players, but let’s see what the next three days bring,” said Van Dijk.

“Obviously, it’s pretty clear that I want him to stay, not only because he is the quality player that he is, but also [because] he’s a friend of mine, and I think he will be very important for us.”

Barcola has been tempted to England by the European champions despite a difficult time for the Reds, who finished fifth in the Premier League last season.

But Van Dijk is confident Liverpool will always remain a popular destination for the world’s top players.

“I think Liverpool are still one of the biggest clubs in the world. Obviously, we all know that we’re going through a transition, and you either want to be part of it, or you don’t. I’m part of it now,” he added.

“He’s [Barcola] a very good player. If he comes, he’ll be welcomed with open arms, but until it’s there, there’s no point speaking about it now.”

Iraola has had an early awakening as to why he was given the chance to replace the sacked Arne Slot, as Liverpool’s defensive issues have been exposed by Newcastle and Forest.

But in both games, Liverpool have twice come back from behind to salvage a point.

“It takes some time, but obviously we all want it to work as soon as possible and for 90 minutes,” said Van Dijk.

“That’s now two games in a row we’ve had to fight back. Obviously, it’s a good sign that we fight back, but I think we can still do much better than what we have been showing.

“We have to score more; we have to concede less. Nottingham Forest came here three times in the last three seasons and came away unbeaten, and that shouldn’t happen.”

The United States has said it will cut off the UAE operations of Banque Misr from the US financial system after accusing Egypt’s second-biggest bank of doing business with the Iranian government.

“ Treasury promised to sever every economic lifeline Tehran has left and finally end the threat of the Iranian regime,” US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said in a statement on Friday.

“We also warned that Iran’s enablers cannot continue to enjoy access to the US dollar and the global financial system. Banque Misr UAE decided to find out the hard way, and today, we are taking the first step in holding it accountable for its continued, egregious support of the Iranian regime,” he said.

Banque Misr said on Saturday that it was reviewing the US Treasury’s notice.

The move, announced on Friday, comes as Washington has stepped up its efforts to economically pressure Iran, dubbed Operation Economic Outcast, amid the deadlocked truce talks.

Last week, the US Treasury also imposed new sanctions on nearly 60 individuals and entities, targeting networks accused by Washington of helping Iran generate oil revenue, procure weapons and conduct cyber operations.

Iran has, however, rejected the latest US sanctions, with Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh saying they will fail.

So, what exactly is this financial limit on Banque Misr? How will it work?

Here’s what we know:

What is the new US financial limit on Banque Misr?

On Friday, the US Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) proposed a rule that would revoke Banque Misr UAE’s correspondent banking access to US financial institutions.

This means that only the UAE branches of Egypt’s second-largest bank will be unable to carry out transactions in dollars and will lose access to the US financial market.

In a statement on Friday, the Treasury said that Banque Misr UAE is a critical node for the Iranian regime’s access to US dollars. It added that it estimates that “between January 2024 and June 2026, Banque Misr UAE processed approximately $1.8bn for 103 companies that are potentially part of Iranian shadow banking networks”.

The treasury added that in order to generate revenue abroad, Iran relies “on multi-jurisdictional shadow banking networks that provide key access to US dollar correspondent banking relationships”.

Banque Misr UAE’s customers include “front companies used by Iran’s Ministry of Defence and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to evade US sanctions, as well as to launder money on behalf of Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei,” the Treasury said.

The US government’s proposed punishment is expected to come into effect in 30 days after a public comment period, and will not impact any other branches of the bank.

What has Banque Misr said?

On Saturday, the bank said in a statement that it was reviewing the US Treasury notice.

It said the new “regulatory measures (by the US) are subject to an official period for receiving and studying comments before a final decision is made regarding them.” The bank added that it “is dealing with these measures and the data and estimates they contain with the utmost seriousness and attention, and is studying them thoroughly.”

The bank announced that it will also contact the US Treasury Department for further information and until then, said its branch in the UAE continues to provide banking services to its customers in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures.

Earlier, on Friday, the Central Bank of Egypt said that, together with Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was in contact with US authorities on Banque Misr’s UAE branches.

“The CBE (Central Bank of Egypt) affirms that this measure is limited to Banque Misr UAE’s USD transactions with correspondent banks only. It does not affect any other bank within the Egyptian banking sector, including Banque Misr’s operations in Egypt or any of its other overseas branches,” it highlighted.

What has the UAE said?

The UAE’s banking authorities have said they have launched an investigation into Banque Misr’s operations there.

The UAE central bank said in a statement on Sunday that it had decided to conduct a “special and urgent examination” of Banque Misr’s branches in the country, including “a forensic/in-depth lookback covering the period referred to in the statement issued by the US authorities”.

“The Central Bank expects banks licensed in the UAE not to expose the UAE’s financial system to reputational risks, to respect the laws and regulations of the countries whose financial institutions are used in conducting transactions and not to misuse the advanced financial infrastructure of the UAE,” it added in a statement.

Who else has the US taken action against?

Besides Banque Misr, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on Reza Mohammad Taeedi, the general manager of the Dubai branch of Iran’s Bank Melli, under a counterterrorism authority.

“Bank Melli has facilitated billions of dollars’ worth of transactions through accounts controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force (IRGC-QF). It has allowed the IRGC-QF and its parent organisation, the IRGC, to move funds inside and outside of Iran. The IRGC-QF’s accounts at Bank Melli have also been used to fund Iranian-aligned proxies and partners, including in Iraq,” the Treasury department said in a statement.

Simultaneously, another Treasury department statement said that OFAC has also sanctioned Hong Kong-based Kameng Trading Limited, which allegedly “aided sanctioned Iranian persons in accessing the international financial system.”

“Sanctioned Iranian exchange house Pedram Pirouzan Exchange House, also known as Opal Exchange, has used Kameng Trading Limited to launder money for Iran,” the Treasury Department said.

Why is the US sanctioning companies doing business with Iran?

Ahead of Friday’s sanctions, on Monday August 24 , the United States announced sanctions on Iran and various global entities doing business with the country, in what officials called an “economic D-Day” and officially dubbed “Operation Economic Outcast” in an effort to isolate Tehran.

At least 60 entities across the Middle East, Asia and Europe have been targeted in the latest sanctions as part of the economic pressure campaign that could further disrupt energy markets and rattle the global economy.

Nearly six months into its war on Iran, the US is seeing little impact from its military operations.

The long-term implications of the war, analysts say, have pushed the Trump administration to try economic sanctions, but these are unlikely to compel Iran into meeting the demands.

“The United States is returning to economic pressure because military force has failed to deliver the quick victory it expected,” Negar Mortazavi, senior fellow at the US-based Center for International Policy, told Al Jazeera last week.

“The ‘economic D-Day’ declaration underscores the war’s failure so far to force Iran’s surrender or achieve Washington’s political objectives.”

Iran has rejected the sanctions.

Last week, Iranian government spokeswoman, Fatemeh Mohajerani, said the government and President Masoud Pezeshkian will guide Iran through these developments.

“The government and the president, with wisdom and resolve, will guide the country through this phase as well. We do not deny the economic hardships; but with sound judgment and by preserving unity, as in days past, we will pass through this intense gauntlet,” she posted on X.

Sardar Mohebi, an IRGC spokesperson, said the US resorting to economic warfare against Iran is itself proof of its defeat on the battlefield.

Ali Akbar Dareini, a researcher at the Centre for Strategic Studies in Tehran, said Iran is so accustomed to sanctions that it will not be hindered too greatly by the new list the US announced.

“[Iran] has a PhD in circumventing sanctions, so Iran is absolutely sure that it will emerge victorious and the US once again will fail in its efforts to suffocate Iran,” Dareini told Al Jazeera last week.

“The goal of the sanctions is to bring about an economic collapse and cause riots in Iran, but this is based on a big, massive miscalculation like America’s military war of aggression against Iran on February 28 that failed.”

Sunday Brunch suffered an unexpected live TV mishap when a phone began causing a stir behind the scenes

The hit show Sunday Brunch suffered a major blunder.

The Channel 4 hit cooking chat show was thrown into chaos after a phone began causing a commotion behind the scenes during the live broadcast.

The awkward moment happened just before stand-in presenter Yinka Bokinni and Simon Rimmer were due to chat with Anita-Joy Uwajeh.

Yinka, who was filling in for regular host Tim Lovejoy, appeared to notice the noise coming from somewhere off-camera and could be heard receiving text alerts.

She turned to Anita and asked, “Before we get into speaking to you, what was happening? Because I could hear texts. What is going on?”

Anita then explained that there had been a technical issue while jokingly refusing to reveal exactly who was responsible.

“I don’t want to grass anybody, I don’t want to give anyone up, but we had a bit of a technical situation,” she said. Yinka then appeared to work out what was behind the disruption, asking: “Su, was on her phone?”

A clip then showed some of the celebrities laughing as Anita continued to explain what had happened. She said Grace, better known as GK Barry, was “really enjoying it” before revealing that Su Pollard had been trying to work out how to operate the device.

Anita joked: “It was Su trying to figure out this sort of… It’s more like a portable machine, that phone. It’s not really like a modern-day technology thing.”

The exchange left the studio in fits of laughter before Yinka turned her attention to the production team to find out whether the problem had finally been resolved.

“Can we just check in? Have we managed to silence the device?” she asked. After appearing to get confirmation that the noise had stopped, Yinka simply shrugged off the interruption. “Yeah? It’s the beauty of being live,” she said. Anita agreed, replying: “Exactly.”

The incident provided one of the more unexpected moments from Sunday’s edition of the Channel 4 favourite, with the presenters forced to deal with the problem in real time before getting on with the interview.

Yinka was standing in for Tim Lovejoy on the programme, joining Simon Rimmer at the helm for a packed edition featuring a host of familiar faces.

Among the guests was legendary singer Paul Heaton, while Su Pollard appeared to discuss her memoir. GK Barry was also on the show to talk about her new book, while Everlast, Gary Wilmot and Anita-Joy Uwajeh were also part of the line-up. Casualty star Elinor Lawless also joined the programme to discuss the soap’s 40th anniversary special.

Despite the unexpected phone drama, the show quickly returned to its usual mix of celebrity interviews, entertainment, music and conversation.

And with the programme being broadcast live, Yinka was able to turn an unplanned technical problem into another memorable Sunday Brunch moment before carrying on with the show.

Sunday Brunch airs every Sunday from 10am on Channel 4.

As August gives way to September, next week brings a tech-heavy earnings slate, with investors focused on AI infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise software, and semiconductor demand as the market heads into the final stretch of the third quarter. Broadcom (AVGO

New headlines this week are raising concerns for parents of high school football players.

According to a study published from researchers at Mass General Brigham, Boston University and the Concussion & CTE Foundation, one in four former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 might have had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). There were 338 brains donated to study, and 315 of them had evidence of CTE, a brain disorder that can happen because of repeated injuries to the head.

Allan Walsh, a sports agent and lawyer, said in a tweet: “This is a crisis.”

Parents have previously debated among themselves the risks and rewards in letting a son or daughter play a contact sport, but this new study regarding football head injuries is once again going to rattle, if not cause a retreat, from some allowing family members to participate in football.

“It causes concern,” said Mike Hamilton, a former high school football and basketball coach who has a son playing football at Chatsworth High. “Sometimes I’m like, ‘Do I want him to play?’ I’m apprehensive. He has a passion for the game. He’s conscience about his health. What gives me relief is knowing that practices are going well. There are protocols parents should abide by. We didn’t let our son play football until he got to high school because of the hits.”

Tim Moscicki, an athletic trainer at Loyola High for 38 years, said much has changed for the better in protecting football players from concussions and other head injuries. He said new policies, improved equipment, a focus on tackling fundamentals and new protocols are all having an impact.

Loyola athletic trainer Tim Moscicki doing baselining of students in 2014 to help diagnose concussions.

(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)

He remembers the days when coaches would say, “He got his bell rung.” The player would sit out a few plays, then get put back in. Now that term is barred from everyone’s vocabulary. New rules requiring players to sit out a minimum of seven days following a concussion while needing clearance from a doctor to return and tackling restrictions put in during weekly practices show the CIF is taking CTE concerns in a serious matter for high school sports.

“To me. football has gotten a lot safer,” Moscicki said. “Right now, given what’s in place, it’s safe to play football. Kids are being held out now when they develop any kind of symptom. Back in 1990, if a kid had a concussion and they were free of symptoms for 24 hours, we’d give them their helmet back, ‘You can play.’

“My thing it’s still up to parents if they want their sons to play football. My youngest played football, oldest played lacrosse. There’s always a risk. There’s a risk riding a bike. There’s risk playing baseball. It’s a just a little higher in the full-contact sports. The standards have changed so much. There really wasn’t a return to play protocol in the ‘70s ‘80s and ‘90s.”

Moscicki was one of the first high school athletic trainers to do baselining of all students, giving them tests of their balance and brain functions so it can be used and compared with a similar exam if the student is suspected of having a concussion. Loyola also started a return-to-school program because students with concussions have headaches that also affects their school work.

Parents must understand “you cannot prevent a concussion,” Moscicki said.

“If you get hit hard enough, there’s nothing out there that would 100% prevent a concussion,” he said. “A concussion happens as a result of your brain hitting the inside of your skull.”

The good news is everyone seems to be endorsing funding research into head injuries, including the NFL. It’s still too early to conclude where the research is headed.

That’s where parental choice comes into play.

“Football is a sport,” Moscicki said. “You don’t have to play it. You don’t have to watch it.”

And yet, the Super Bowl is the most watched annual television broadcast in the United States, with lots of monetary rewards for those who participate.

There are many challenges ahead. Pierce College and Orange Coast College paused their junior college football programs this year for lack of players. Junior varsity programs at lots of high schools have been discontinued for lack of players. A CIF participation survey for 2025-26 found 11-man football is the most popular boys sport with 87,718 participants, a drop of 4% from last school year.

“Anything that’s a contact sport runs a risk,” Hamilton said. “You want to protect your son.”

KNVB invites associations and confederations to a summit to discuss the overhaul of FIFA and how it runs football.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino must be replaced by 2027, along with an overhaul of football’s global governing body, the Dutch football association (KNVB) has said.

The KNVB, one of FIFA’s ⁠⁠founding members in 1904, issued a scathing statement on Sunday, saying it had lost confidence in Infantino and wanted to reshape the body rather than just change leadership at the top.

The Dutch body wants to host ⁠⁠an international summit in Amsterdam and has invited football associations and confederations from around the world to participate.

Infantino is expected to run for re-election to the FIFA presidency in March, but world regional football bodies have considered a vote of ‌‌no confidence after his aborted proposal to sell a stake in FIFA events like the World Cup to private equity investors.

“The KNVB no longer has confidence in the leadership of FIFA President Gianni Infantino. We believe FIFA needs new leadership from 2027 onwards,” it said in the statement.

“But a new president alone is not enough. The way FIFA is governed must change as well.

“The KNVB supported Infantino in the most recent presidential election. That support was never ⁠⁠unconditional.”

The KNVB proposed an “International Summit on the Future of FIFA”, ⁠⁠emphasising it should determine “what kind of FIFA we want” before identifying new leadership.

“We see too much power concentrated around the FIFA president and insufficient separation between the President and the FIFA administration,” they added.

FIFA did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for a comment on KNVB’s statement and proposed plans for a summit.

Calls to revamp FIFA’s power structure

Among KNVB’s key demands was a revamp of the decision-making process in the organisation. It called for FIFA’s congress to take the call on key decisions under the governance and supervision of its council.

It proposed a shift of power, whereby the organisation’s secretary-general leads and the president plays the role of representing FIFA globally.

The Dutch body outlined three reform priorities: better governance with stronger checks and balances, putting human rights and sustainability at the heart of ⁠⁠decision-making and stronger international cooperation.

It also wants FIFA to work towards ⁠⁠reinvesting up to 90 percent of its distributable revenue in football development.

Infantino said last week it was FIFA’s job to close the gap between its wealthy members and those that have few financial resources.

“This should not be a European plan for the ‌‌rest of the world,” the KNVB said.

“We want to develop this new direction together with FIFA’s 211 Member Associations and the confederations from all parts of the world.”

The KNVB is part of ‌‌UEFA, ‌‌which asked a United States federal court for permission to obtain testimony and documents from FIFA entities in Florida for use in a planned criminal complaint in Switzerland against Infantino.

I’M walking down the M1 in my flip flops, the trilling of birdsong above me as a cheeky monkey throws fruit skins from the trees.

The only motors on this brick-lined path winding through the jungle of the Rayavadee Resort in Krabi are those powering the sunset chorus.

And while the bright lights of Thailand’s big cities may mean chaotic tuk tuks, the only traffic jam I see is a family of spectacled langur monkeys running from one tree to another before scampering across the beachfront.

“It’s 5pm, it’s their home time,” a staff member tells me. In the slow lane is the water monitor lizard, lazily crossing the path before slinking into the pond to cool down.

This beautiful resort in the heart of Krabi’s Phra Nang Peninsula on the border of the marine national park delivers laid-back luxury with not one but three stunning beaches lapped by the warm waters of the Andaman Sea.

My home off the M1 pathway was a circular, two-storey, dome-roofed wooden pavilion designed to echo the unique rounded cliff rock formations that pepper the surrounding landscapes.

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Downstairs, there’s a living room with plush seating and garden views.

Up an open, spiral staircase is the spacious bedroom, with the pavilion’s curved glass windows welcoming the jungle indoors.

Those naughty monkeys are just as keen on the luxury digs — make sure to keep your terrace doors locked otherwise you might have a visitor raiding your minibar.

And as tempting as it would be to simply pull up a lounger on one of the three stunning beaches it sits on — Railay West, Phra Nang and Nam Mao — part of the hotel’s ethos is to get you out there and interacting with the local community.

We set off bright and early in a truly unique transfer — a giant sea tractor to counteract the challenges of the low tide.

I hung on for dear life in the metal carriage contraption the tractor pulls along, before swapping to a longboat for part two of the journey as the savvy captain manoeuvred along narrow channels.

I’d survived, jelly-legged, but not for long.

A short drive away were the waterfalls of Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, a primary filming location for Jurassic World: Rebirth featuring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey.

Our guide warned us it was a “bit of a challenge” to get there.

And, just like Thai people have a different definition of “spicy” compared to us Brits, what they call a slight challenge is an understatement.

I clambered up what felt like sheer rock faces, stretching my knees almost to my ears as I attempted to reach the summit. But it was worth it.

The steep path cleared and ahead was a beautiful, crashing waterfall and lagoon surrounded by trees.

I threw off my sweat-soaked T-shirt and slid into the pool (water monitor lizard style) to cool off in the 30C heat.

My only disappointment was the lack of Jonathan Bailey in it. No matter.

My afternoon took me to Klong Root, a haven for kayakers.

Paddling through mirror waters, the shade of the mangrove trees was welcome, with the splashing of my oars being the only sound.

This was followed by a local cooking class in the rural community Baan Nong Talay, the pounding of the chilli plant making my eyes water from the heat.

But the delights of the Rayavadee Resort were calling and I made it back in time to grab a table at the most sought-after spot to watch the sunset, The Grotto, nestled on the edge of Phra Nang Beach.

As a riot of bright pink and orange burst across the skyline, my lychee martini went down just as easily as the sun before a meal of freshly grilled steak and Andaman lobster straight off the coals.

After the luxe lifestyle at Rayavadee I was not ready to take on the buzzing streets of Bangkok after our flight there.

Bang Kachao is just 45 minutes from the centre but couldn’t be a bigger contrast.

This lush green oasis where the Chao Phraya River bends in a sharp U-turn is known as Bangkok’s “Green Lung”.

For just £1 you can rent a bike to cycle along the forest paths — the perfect pause before a whirlwind 24 hours in the most happening city neighbourhoods.

I braved the crowds of Song Wat — named one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods — for copious amounts of coffee, photobooth snaps and funky souvenirs.

I mooched over to the historical Talat Noi, where honking scooters screeched past while I browsed local street art, devoured tiny coconut pancakes for 20p and Chang beers for £1.80.

I filled my bag with local Thai designer clothes in Siam before a late-night massage for a quarter of the price of in the UK.

My days of relaxation threatening to be forgotten about, the beautiful Park Hyatt welcomed me with air-conditioned arms.

It came in the form of rooftop infinity pools, rooms with just-as-amazing views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, and one of the best breakfast buffets I’ve ever had.

Fresh pork congee, mango sticky rice and Thai tea waffles — I’d be coming back with more weight than just my suitcase.

But after some of the best food, people and sunsets of my life? Who could be Krabi about that . . . 

Lulu performed her own James Bond song, The Man with the Golden Gun, at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall

Lulu appeared to be moved to tears following her showstopping performance at the BBC Proms.

Host Nick Mohammed set the tone from the very start of the evening, joking that his appearance at the concert was doubling up as an audition for the next James Bond.

“I will say, while a decision hasn’t yet been made about who’s going to be the next James Bond, I am kind of seeing this as my audition,” he told the audience.

“I know it’s a bit unconventional. I’d usually just do a self-tape on my phone, but I thought, why not hire out the Royal Albert Hall with the full support of an orchestra?”

Introducing conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, Mohammed joked: “Tonight, we provided the illustrious leader of our special operation with a short wooden stick, but when aimed in a particular direction, is able to do this. May I present the man with the golden baton.”

The Royal Albert Hall played host to the beloved and instantly recognisable theme tunes from the Bond franchise, alongside memorable soundtracks from other spy films, with Mohammed describing their mission as a celebration of “more than 60 years of 007 soundtracks and songs, arguably some of the most iconic film music ever created.”

The BBC Concert Orchestra, led by Bartholomew-Poyser, delivered the music alongside a lineup of special guest vocalists.

Yet it was Lulu who truly stole the show. The legendary Scottish singer took centre stage to perform her very own James Bond number, The Man with the Golden Gun.

Fans flocked to X to share their reactions, with one writing, “Ahhh! The eternally delicious LuLu x x x,” reports the Daily Record.

Another praised, “I was so looking forward to this…best thing? Lulu.” Lulu looks and sounds fabulous,” a third chimed in, while another gushed, “Lulu looks and sounds phenomenal.”

One fan noted that Lulu “Seemed emotional at the end there,” while another enthused, “Best singer so far…go on Lulu!”

The audience erupted in cheers and applause for Lulu, who stood on stage, visibly tearful, following her breathtaking set.

The BBC Proms is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

WASHINGTON — Natalie Harp has never been in the spotlight quite like this.

Before the 35-year-old White House aide made headlines for her close access to President Trump, much of her early life was spent in Southern California, where she was home-schooled and attended a mega-church on Sundays — a quiet upbringing that, her brother says, was defined by conservative values and Christian teachings.

Their mother taught them at home using educational materials written from a biblical worldview. The family would attend services regularly at Shadow Mountain Church in El Cajon, where pastors would deliver sermons like the one from a recent Sunday, calling on God to use its thousands of congregants “in a way that turns this world upside down.”

“We were raised with the idea that America was God’s gift to the world and it’s the only place that people really live in freedom,” Preston Harp, her brother, told The Times.

Years later, in 2019, Harp’s ascent into Trump’s orbit began, when she went on Fox News to credit a healthcare bill Trump signed into law with saving her from a rare form of cancer — a story that later caught the president’s attention.

As that relationship took hold, the California family bubble she’d been raised in was bursting behind the scenes, culminating with her father’s suicide in July 2020. A month later, Harp emerged on the national stage, introducing herself as a “formerly forgotten American from California” at the Republican National Convention, where she declared her devotion to Trump.

“I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for you,” she said.

Natalie Harp speaks after being called onstage by President Trump during the Faith & Freedom Coalition 2019 Road To Majority Policy Conference in Washington on June 26, 2019.

(Mark Wilson / Getty Images)

Now, she spends her days working as a special assistant to Trump, a man she has described, in highly personal letters, as her “guardian and protector.” In those letters, published by the Daily Beast, she has thanked the president for “always being there” for her and alluded to a “promise” Trump made to her after she lost her dad.

Harp’s taxpayer-funded job, with its unmatched access to the president, mostly happens away from the public eye. She has been called the “human printer” because she follows Trump with a portable printer to provide Trump with hard copies of flattering news coverage or information the computer-averse president requires.

She also stays up late drafting social media posts with the president, the New York Times reported. Several of Trump’s Truth Social posts have generated controversy in recent months, including an AI-generated image showing him as Jesus in a white robe laying his hands on a sick man.

Those who know her describe her as detail-oriented and a “devoted staffer to the cause” whose tight-knit circle includes those closest to Trump, such as Susie Wiles, Trump’s chief of staff, and Karoline Leavitt, the White House’s former press secretary.

“Just like many of the administration officials, you become friends with your co-workers,” Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican who talks to Harp on a weekly basis, said in an interview.

Harp is “almost always” with Wiles, Luna said. The congresswoman added that her relationship with the president is “100% professional,” and that any suggestion otherwise is an attempt to smear her.

“She’s been nothing but professional and an absolute killer when it comes to getting her job done,” Luna said. “I would kill to have someone like her on my team.”

To her brother, Harp’s integration in Trump’s inner circle is in line with her upbringing.

“My mom raised us as super conservative, and he’s everything that she taught us to respect,” he said.

The White House declined to comment.

A California native in Trump world

As a kid in the San Diego neighborhood of Carmel Valley, Harp played with old-fashioned dolls and spent a lot of time reading, her brother said. For school, their mother used a curriculum from Bob Jones University Press, whose material focused on “biblical worldview shaping,” according to its website.

The home in which Natalie Harp, an aide to President Trump, grew up in the Carmel Valley neighborhood of San Diego.

(Sandy Huffaker / For The Times)

“We start with God’s truth as the standard,” the website states. “Scripture serves as the blueprint for how we put together our textbooks so that every lesson begins with truth.”

Growing up, Harp spent most of her time with adults, especially her mother, and would rarely socialize with her peers, her brother recalled. Even at church, she would opt to sit with the adults instead of spending time with the youth group.

“There would be like skateboarding demos, there would be cool stuff going on, but my sister was just with all the grown-ups, and she preferred it,” he said.

Harp and her brother were close as young children but drifted apart as they got older. Preston Harp found an outlet skateboarding and surfing with friends, and Harp opted to stay close to home, he said.

At some point, their mother began policing their discussions, particularly as he started espousing more progressive beliefs, her brother recalled.

“I wasn’t really allowed to be in her life,” he said. “If we ever talked on the phone my mom was listening to everything we’d say, and they were talking on the phone together with me on speakerphone.”

Harp declined to comment for this story through a request sent to the White House. Her mother did not respond to a phone call seeking comment.

An aerial view of Natalie Harp’s family’s home in the private gated community of Woodbridge Cove, in Irvine.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

In her mid-20s, Harp moved with her parents to Irvine to be closer to their father’s work at Biola University, a private Christian institution in La Mirada, southeast of Los Angeles. He worked as a professor at the school of business and later served as the executive director of the Office of Innovation, according to the university.

The family lived in a home adjacent to a man-made lake in Irvine’s Woodbridge neighborhood, a master-planned community known for its peaceful, family-friendly atmosphere.

Both Irvine and Carmel Valley are silos from the problems of the outside world, places where everything might seem perfect, even when it isn’t, her brother said.

“My mom likes living in bubbles,” he said.

Within a few years of the family’s move, in July 2020, Harp’s father, 61, died by suicide at their home. When Preston Harp arrived at the house, he said his mother wanted him to go along with the story that their father had died in his sleep. Preston refused, he said, not wanting to downplay his dad’s pain to keep up appearances. It was the start of a massive rift in the family.

“That was the last time I ever talked to my sister,” he said.

Entering the national stage

Harp has shared little about her upbringing publicly. However, she has spoken at length about medical issues she experienced starting in her mid-20s.

In 2020, she said during remarks at the Republican National Convention that five years earlier she was “the victim of a notoriously deadly medical error.”

“I survived, but only to be diagnosed with a rare and terminal bone cancer,” she said.

She said she was diagnosed with Stage 2 bone cancer. It was that experience that sparked her interest in entering the political arena.

“I just wanted to get better,” she said on the program. “I started tuning in for the first time into politics because I had never had a representative before. All my representatives were Democrats, so I thought, why should I care about politics?”

Two rounds of chemotherapy did not help and she was rejected from clinical trials, she said. But in 2018 Trump signed the Right to Try Act, which allows terminally ill patients to access certain experimental drugs and immunotherapy treatments that have not received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

“I am not dying from cancer anymore thanks to President Trump, I am living with cancer,” Harp said on the program.

The White House did not respond to a request seeking comment on the treatment she received.

Natalie Harp follows former President Trump as he boards his airplane after speaking at an event in Manchester, N.H., on April 27, 2023.

(Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post via Getty Images)

During Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign, Harp’s role was to talk about the Right to Try Act, said Sarah Matthews, a former deputy press secretary for Trump.

“I remember we would correspond over Twitter DMs, and she just seemed very excited to be helpful in any way,” Matthews said. At the time, it seemed Harp was trying to make inroads with staffers, she said.

“My role would not necessarily interact with her, but … I could tell that she was trying to initiate a connection,” she said.

Although it’s not clear who on the team found Harp, Matthews said she was “very eager” to help the campaign.

“They found this woman who was eloquent and well-spoken and all the things, but it did just come off to me like she really wanted to be part of Trump world,” Matthews said.

In intimate letters, Harp has explained her devotion to the 80-year-old president.

Natalie Harp listens as former President Trump speaks outside the courtroom during his trial on charges of covering up hush money payments, on April 30, 2024 in New York City.

(Curtis Means / Pool Photo)

In one letter, she writes that she is “unworthy” of Trump and reminisces about the times Trump called during her “Talkshow days,” a reference to her stint in 2021 hosting “The Real Story with Natalie Harp” on the right-wing One America News channel.

“We’d talk about everything and nothing,” she writes. “I want to get back to that synergy. We shouldn’t have to talk about work all the time!!”

She adds: “I always felt like an in-betweener, somewhere between Staff and those you enjoy talking to on the Plane or at Dinner, because that’s who I used to be to you when I was a ‘Talkshow Host’ (as much as I hated that actual job!)”

Ossoff’s ‘Natalie’ reference brings attention

The public attention on Harp sharpened this month when Jon Ossoff, a Democratic senator from Georgia, told supporters in Atlanta that Trump wanted to “build his ballroom and travel with Natalie” rather than do the work of the presidency. The remarks came after it became public that Harp had been one of a select few who joined Trump on an alternate plane flying out of Turkey as a precaution amid a threat of attack by Iran.

President Trump and Natalie Harp, right, attend a dignified transfer for service members killed during operations in the Middle East, at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Del., on July 22.

(Lau Loeb / AFP via Getty Images)

Ossoff’s comment drew the ire of Trump allies, from Capitol Hill lawmakers to conservative influencers, with many of them blasting the comment as sexist and inappropriate.

Although the White House and Trump allies have fiercely defended Harp in public forums, and dismissed suggestions of an improper relationship, Trump has sidestepped questions about his aide.

“People can be very mean to successful, pretty women,” Luna said. “And that is what is happening to Natalie.”

In their book “Regime Change,” New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan write that Trump has told staff that Harp is the only one who loves him as much as his wife and kids.

“All of you will go off and make money,” Trump would say. “She’ll never leave me.”

Although Trump worked closely with other executive assistants during his first administration, Matthews said his relationship with Harp appears to be “a different level of closeness.”

President Trump,right, accompanied by Tiffany Trump’s husband, Michael Boulos, left, and aide Natalie Harp, center, looks out the window of Marine One as it lands on the South Lawn of the White House on Sept. 18, 2025.

(Andrew Harnik / Getty Images)

“I think it’s because of the way she fawns all over him and the love notes,” she said. “I think he just really trusts her. So she’s been able to, I think, develop an even closer bond.”

Despite the recent controversy, Harp remained by the president’s side during public appearances last week.

At the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington on Aug. 23, Harp sat a few rows behind Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, chatting with the president’s son Eric. Days before that, she reportedly traveled with Trump to South Carolina for a campaign rally and to his northern Virginia golf club.

“She’s just all work,” Luna said. “She is one of the hardest workers and it is hard to find people who are like that.”

Natalie Harp looks on as President Trump visits the Mission Control Center at NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston on Friday.

(Kent Nishimura / AFP via Getty Images)

Ceballos reported from Washington, Fry from Irvine.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, seek help from a professional or call 988. The nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline will connect callers with trained mental health counselors. Or text “HOME” to 741741 in the U.S. and Canada to reach the Crisis Text Line.

Giff Smith addressed the issue head-on.

On the first night of training camp, the Rams’ defensive line coach sat down with each of his charges individually and, among other topics, talked about Aaron Donald.

From the moment the Rams traded for end Myles Garrett, a two-time NFL defensive player of the year, the talk of the offseason was that Donald, a three-time defensive player of the year, might come out of retirement and join a Rams team favored to win the Super Bowl.

The Rams of course would welcome the return of the future Hall of Famer. But if it happens, it also could have ramifications for other players’ playing time and, possibly, future contracts.

So Smith welcomed players’ questions.

“I’m a very open and honest guy,” Smith said, “and they deserve the respect to be able to voice whatever concerns or answers they’re looking for.

“And the answers I have, I give. The ones I don’t, I don’t. But let’s clear the air. What’s your concerns? Let’s get some clarity and make sure we’re on the same page.”

As the Rams worked to trim their roster to 53 players by Sunday’s NFL deadline, they still were waiting on Donald’s decision.

Coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead have said Donald can take all the time he needs. And McVay indicated it would not be problematic if Donald decides after the initial roster is set.

“Whenever a decision is made, if that is the direction that he goes where he wants to play, then we have plans accordingly,” McVay said.

Defensive lineman Kobie Turner, a team captain, is in a contract year. Ostensibly, the attention teams would devote to Garrett and Donald might provide Turner with more opportunities for splash plays.

But Donald’s playing time and contract — whether it be for the $30 million he was owed had he not retired, or a more cap-friendly, incentive-laden deal possibly coupled with other contract restructures — could affect the Rams’ ability and timing to extend Turner and other members of the 2023 draft class.

Rams defensive lineman Kobie Turner stands on the field during a win over the Detroit Lions in December.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

Turner played with Donald as a rookie in 2023 and soaked up as much as he could from the eight-time All-Pro before ascending to become a team leader.

Throughout the Rams’ wait on Donald, Turner said it has been “cool” to continue building culture and cohesiveness among the defensive front.

“And then knowing if Aaron does take the opportunity to come back, then he’s just going to be able to add to our group,” Turner said.

Braden Fiske, a third-year pro whose playing time also could be affected if Donald returns, echoed Turner. The opportunity to play with Donald and Garrett, who have a combined 236½ sacks, would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Fiske said.

“That’s Hall of Fame talent,” he said. “It’s not every day you get to play next to one, let alone two. So just the opportunity to learn and grow from whatever [Donald’s] able to bring to the table would be awesome.”

Fiske got an up-close look when he went through a speed and agility workout with Donald.

“Clearly, he hasn’t lost much of a step,” Fiske said, laughing.

Smith noted the same after watching Donald go through an on-field workout during training camp. Because Smith and team trainers were present, the session was listed as a “tryout” on the NFL’s transaction wire.

Donald’s natural ability, his attention to detail and fundamental technique remain “off the charts,” Smith said.

“Like I told him, ‘Selfishly, I want you back. I mean want to coach you, the all-time greatest one,’” Smith said. “But he’s going to make the right decision when the time’s right. And I’m all in with AD on whatever.

“If he decides to play, no doubt, he makes us better. If he doesn’t decide to play, come hang out, be a part of the family, help us get better.

“And he’ll make the right decision.”

Khamenei urges Gulf rulers to confront their ‘real enemy’ as Iran keeps the Strait of Hormuz restricted amid stalled diplomacy.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has urged Gulf leaders to identify their “real enemy” and confront it, as Tehran maintains its hard line over the Strait of Hormuz, while regional mediators push for renewed diplomacy.

“My emphatic and repeated recommendation to the rulers of Islamic countries, especially the countries of West Asia and the Gulf, is to identify your real enemy, understand his plan and confront it,” Khamenei said in a message published on Sunday to mark the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.

Khamenei has not appeared publicly since the US-Israeli attacks on February 28 that killed his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The message comes as the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which about 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed before the war, remains unresolved.

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Saturday that Iran had reached an understanding with Oman on a temporary maritime route, but that its implementation would depend on the United States fulfilling its commitments under the memorandum of understanding the countries signed in mid-June, which has since lapsed.

“The Strait of Hormuz is closed,” Gharibabadi said, adding that any vessel seeking to cross would have to coordinate with Iran.

“Implementing this understanding requires the other side, particularly the US, to fulfil its commitments. Whenever these commitments are implemented, Iran will also take its measures,” he said.

Iran and Oman have been discussing a temporary joint shipping corridor and mine clearance, while Qatar and Pakistan have intensified mediation efforts. Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani visited Tehran on Thursday, where talks included de-escalation and restoring shipping through Hormuz.

Recorded transits through the strait remain low. The Reuters news agency, citing Kpler data, said seven commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, down from 17 a day earlier and below the 10-day average of 15.

The International Maritime Organization said on Friday that up to 400 ships carrying about 6,000 seafarers have been unable to leave the Gulf safely since the US-Israel war on Iran began.

“Renewed political will and cooperation is needed,” IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said, calling for practical measures to restore freedom of navigation through the strait.

The diplomatic push is unfolding alongside mounting economic pressure on Tehran. Iran’s annual inflation reached 66 percent last month, while President Masoud Pezeshkian said imports and exports had fallen nearly 35 percent because of US sanctions and the naval blockade.

Washington has also widened its sanctions campaign, targeting Iran-linked individuals and entities and moving to restrict the branches of Egypt’s Banque Misr bank in the United Arab Emirates from dollar transactions over alleged dealings with Tehran.

Despite the pressure, Tehran has shown no sign of yielding on Hormuz. Pezeshkian has instead called for reviving the June interim agreement with Washington.

“We can solve our problems and gain our privileges with the memorandum of understanding,” he said.

OLIVIA Attwood has sent fans into a spin after she shared a sweet snap of Pete Wicks wearing an “I love my girlfriend” t-shirt.

The documentary stars have finally been giving followers the relationship content they want to see after months of keeping their romance under wraps.

In a round-up of her week, Olivia posted a picture of her beau Pete donning the top while they played a game of pool.

The candid snap saw Pete, 37, chalking up his cue stick with quite the serious look on his face.

Olivia has been giving fans more of glimpse into their dynamic after hard-launching him on Instagram earlier this week and opening up during her Cosmopolitan interview.

“Love this round up and Pete’s t-shirt,” wrote one fan.

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Another fan penned: “The T-SHIRT, absolutely no notes.”

A third person said: “Love the t-shirt Pete xxx”

Meanwhile, a fourth fan added: “Can’t wait to hear Sam Thompson’s take on the t-shirt.”

Reality TV personality Pete made his intentions clear as he took matters into his own hands and hard-launched his romance with Olivia a whole month before she did.

Olivia recently revealed it was Pete who made the first move and since then their relationship has moved very quickly.

Last week, Olivia dropped a huge hint that things are getting serious with Pete as she leaked a telling WhatsApp message.

Olivia carefully omitted who sent the text which read: “You are the love of my life.”

She then finally went social media official with Pete, sharing a slew of steamy snaps of the pair looking loved-up in Ibiza.

The couple were seen heading out on a date night to the Broadwick hotel in Soho just days ago – the same venue where they were first spotted locking lips.

Loose Women panelist Olivia has reached new career heights this year and she’s certainly been busy as she shared some exciting moments alongside the picture of Pete.

The 35-year-old could be seen at multiple different shoots, her Savano cocktail party, at the gym and she of course showed fans the huge poster she had made for her magazine cover.