WASHINGTON — When Charlie Kirk was killed by an assassin this fall, Republican leaders credited the organization he founded for enabling President Trump’s return to power.

Now that organization is mobilizing behind Vice President JD Vance.

Uninterested in a competitive Republican primary in 2028, Turning Point USA plans to deploy representatives across Iowa’s 99 counties in the coming months to build the campaign infrastructure it believes could deliver Vance, a Midwesterner from nearby Ohio, a decisive victory, potentially short-circuiting a fractious GOP race, insiders said.

It is the latest move in a quiet effort by some in Trump’s orbit to clear the field of viable competitors. Earlier this month, Marco Rubio, the secretary of State previously floated by Trump as a possible contender, appeared to take himself out of the running.

“If Vance runs for president, he’s going to be our nominee, and I’ll be one of the first people to support him,” Rubio told Vanity Fair.

After Kirk’s widow, Erika, endorsed Vance on stage at Turning Point USA’s annual conference in Arizona last week, a straw poll of attendees found that 84% would support Vance in the coming primaries. Yet, wider public polling offers a different picture.

A CNN poll conducted in early December found that Vance held a plurality of Republican support for 2028, at 22%, with all other potential candidates, such as Rubio and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, registering in single digits.

The remaining 64% told pollsters they had “no one specific in mind,” reflecting an open field with plenty of room for other figures to gain ground.

While a recent Gallup poll found that 91% of Republicans approve of Vance’s job performance as vice president — an encouraging number entering a partisan primary — only 39% of Americans across party lines view him positively in the role, setting Vance up for potential challenges should he win the nomination.

Potential presidential candidates on both sides of the political aisle are expected to assess their chances over the next year, before primary season officially kicks off, after the midterm elections in November.

Closing out the Turning Point USA conference, Vance called for party unity amid escalating conflicts among right-wing influencers over the acceptability of racism and antisemitism within Republican politics.

“President Trump did not build the greatest coalition in politics by running his supporters through endless, self-defeating purity tests,” Vance said. “Every American is invited. We don’t care if you’re white or Black, rich or poor, young or old, rural or urban, controversial or a little bit boring, or somewhere in between.”

Charlie Kirk, he added, “trusted all of you to make your own judgment. And we have far more important work to do than canceling each other.”

Vance’s remarks drew criticism from some on the right for appearing to tolerate bigotry within the party. The vice president himself has been subjected to racist rhetoric, with Nick Fuentes — a far-right podcaster who has praised Adolf Hitler — repeatedly directing attacks at Vance’s wife and children over their Indian ancestry.

“Let me be clear — anyone who attacks my wife, whether their name is Jen Psaki or Nick Fuentes, can eat s—,” Vance said in an interview last week, referring to President Biden’s former press secretary. “That’s my official policy as vice president of the United States.”

In the same interview, Vance praised Tucker Carlson, another far-right podcaster who has defended Fuentes on free speech grounds, as a “friend of mine,” noting that he supported Vance as Trump’s vice presidential pick in 2024.

Trump has floated Vance as his potential successor multiple times without ever explicitly endorsing his nomination, calling him “very capable” and the “most likely” choice for the party.

“He’s the vice president,” Trump said in August. “Certainly he’s doing a great job, and he would be probably favored at this point.”

Several of Trump’s most ardent supporters have pushed the president to seek a third term in 2028, despite a provision of the Constitution, in the 22nd Amendment, barring him from doing so.

Trump himself has said the Constitution appears clear on the matter. But Steve Bannon, an architect of Trump’s historic 2016 campaign and one of his first White House strategists, continues to advocate a path forward for another run, reportedly disparaging Vance as “not tough enough” to lead the party to victory.

“He knows he can’t run again,” Susie Wiles, the president’s White House chief of staff, told Vanity Fair in a recent profile of her. “It’s pretty unequivocal.”

Trump, who will be 82 when he is slated to leave office, has told Wiles he understands a third term isn’t possible “a couple times,” she added.

Alan Dershowitz, a prominent constitutional law professor and a lawyer to Trump during his Senate impeachment trial, recently presented Trump with a road map to a third term in an Oval Office meeting, which he will publish in a new book slated for release next year.

Even he came away from their meeting believing Trump would pass on another bid.

“That is my conclusion based on what he has said in public,” Dershowitz told The Times.

“He has said in the past,” he added, “that it’s too cute.”

Former Newcastle United, Liverpool and England striker Andy Carroll is due to appear in court on Tuesday after he was charged with breaching a non-molestation order.

Carroll, 36, who now plays for National League South side Dagenham and Redbridge, was arrested in April with the alleged offence said to have been committed a month earlier.

The 36-year-old, who has nine caps for England and was signed by Liverpool in 2011 for a then club record fee of £35m, is listed to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates Court.

Essex Police said: “A man has been charged with breaching a non-molestation order. Andrew Carroll, 36, of Epping, was arrested on April 27 and the alleged offences relate to an incident in March. He is due to appear at Chelmsford magistrates’ court on December 30.”

A non-molestation order is a court injunction typically issued to prevent a person from communicating with another and could also stop someone from coming within a certain distance of a specific address or a place of work.

The punishment for breach of a non-molestation order ranges from a fine to up to five years in prison for the most serious of cases.

Horsemen from across Afghanistan converged for the dramatic final match of the nation’s prestigious annual buzkashi tournament on Kabul’s outskirts, attracting crowds that included high-ranking Taliban officials witnessing this centuries-old sporting tradition.

Buzkashi, Afghanistan’s national equestrian competition, showcases elite riders who must carry a leather-wrapped bundle – historically a goat carcass but now a weighted facsimile – across a designated goal line to earn points.

Amid swirling dust clouds kicked up by galloping horses, a victor ultimately prevailed. The winning team took a celebratory circuit around the field, proudly displaying their flag in triumph.

Afghanistan’s cherished buzkashi tournament maintains its status as a traditional sport characterised by limited formal rules and fierce physical competition.

In its classic format, two teams compete to score using what was traditionally a goat carcass, though contemporary matches utilise a leather-and-rope substitute filled with straw to replicate the weight of an animal.

Competitors – with 12 riders on each side – demonstrate extraordinary horsemanship, stretching dangerously from their mounts to retrieve the bundle from the ground before racing towards the goal while pursued by opposing riders.

Though prohibited during the Taliban’s earlier governance in the 1990s, buzkashi experienced a revival following their removal and has continued since their return to power in 2021, with government officials now attending competitions.

In this week’s championship, northern Sar-e-Pul province overwhelmed northeastern Badakhshan with a commanding 7-0 victory, concluding the 11-day national tournament. Baghlan claimed third place, while Kunduz finished fourth among the 11 provincial teams competing.

The competition featured eight international participants from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, according to Atal Mashwani, spokesman for Afghanistan’s General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports.

Corporate sponsorship from a petrol company funded the tournament, providing automobiles as prizes for the top four teams, alongside trophies, medals, and certificates.

Thousands of male spectators filled the stands at the central Kabul venue, with enthusiastic fans even climbing nearby trees and electricity pylons to gain better vantage points of the action.

THE Canary Islands have long been a go-to destination for winter sun.

But you can see similar beaches, luscious landscapes and year-round sunshine further into the Atlantic Ocean, with a Portuguese twist.

The Azores are an archipelago of nine islands, between 870 to 1,000 miles west of Portugal.

They have even been nicknamed the “Hawaii of Europe” due to their vibrant greenery and dramatic scenery.

They also share a similar volcanic landscape, with 26 active volcanoes spread across the islands.

However, the lesser-trodden Azores do not see as many visitors as winter sun competitors Lanzarote and Tenerife.

Read more on tropical islands

HIDDEN PARADISE

Look around the idyllic tropical island – with only 6,000 visitors a year

SHORE THING

I went to the Jurassic Park-like tropical island that has direct BA flights

They’re easy to get to from the UK, with airlines British Airways operating direct flights from London to São Miguel.

Once you’ve landed in São Miguel, you can hop from island to island by ferry or inter-island flight.

The best time to visit them is in spring or summer, when temperatures peak to a sunny 25 °C.

Plus, these islands make for a rather inexpensive holiday.

Most attractions are outdoor spectacles, meaning that they are free to admire.

Food and drink is affordable across the islands, too, with lunch and a drink averaging around just €10.

São Miguel – best for water sports and volcanic baths

São Miguel is the largest and most popular of the islands, and is home to some mind-blowing nature and wildlife.

It is nicknamed “The Green Island” for its signature rolling green hills backed by thick forests.

There is plenty of beautiful flora which makes the island burst with colour in springtime – from bright blue hydrangeas to pink rhododendron.

The volcanic island is also home to over 30 geysers, waterfalls, geothermal pools, as well as two crater lakes: one green and one blue.

There is also plenty of wildlife to spot, including whales, dolphins, turtles lizards and exotic birds.

The best time of year to visit for bird, whale and dolphin watching is from April to October.

Apart from admiring the nature, there are plenty of unique places to visit in São Miguel like the island’s pineapple plantation and tea factory.

Santa Maria – best for cheap food and sunbathing

Santa Maria is the southernmost island in the Azores, meaning it is the hottest and sunniest option.

It’s also a super cheap destination, with a meal and a pint costing an average of £8.91 per person.

It’s also home to the largest waterfall in the Azores, Aveiro Waterfall.

It’s great for sporty travellers, with plenty of walking trails, snorkelling and diving.

There’s 55 locations to go scuba diving, including caves and wrecks where you can come face to face with manta rays and whale sharks.

Hike to the island’s highest point, Pico Alto, for views over the rugged coastline.

For a unique experience, head to Barreiro de Faneca – the island’s vast “Red Desert” with a Martian-like landscape.

Or for something more chilled, you can spend your days sunbathing on its golden sand beaches to unwind.

Central Group – best for outdoor adventurers

The Central Group is a cluster of five small Azores islands – Pico, Faial, Graciosa, São Jorge, and Terceira.

The latter three islands are sometimes referred to as “The Triangle” due to their formation in the water.

Pico is famously home to Mount Pico, the highest mountain in Portugal that towers over the islands.

Faial, on the other hand, is a tiny island more suited to day trip visits.

It’s often considered the best spot among the islands for whale and dolphin watching.

Graciosa, or the “White Island”, is a peaceful UNESCO biosphere reserve.

With its unique features like craters and lava caves, this island is more for adventure and exploring than sunbathing.

Similarly, São Jorge is known for its rare landscape features.

Most notably it is known for its fajãs, which are flat coastal plains formed by lava flows.

Terceira is one of the larger islands in the Azores, and is home to their oldest city – Angra de Heroísmo.

Here, cobbled streets and historic buildings give this island a more bustling and lived-in feel than the others in the Central Group.

Flores and Corvo – best for remote island feel

Flores and Corvo are known as the Western islands of the Azores.

These islands are not as frequently visited as others, and make for a real remote island experience.

Flores is bursting with wild greenery and unspoilt landscapes, and is often called the most beautiful island in the Azores.

“Flores” is the Portuguese word for “flowers” – and this island really lives up to its name, blooming with colour in springtime.

And if you’re looking to feel like you’ve really gotten far away from the real world, Corvo is the smallest and most remote island of the archipelago.

The island is home to just 430 people, who all live in one village called Vila do Corvo.

The island itself is tiny, covering just over 17 square kilometres.

Corvo only received electricity in 1963, and is most popular with birdwatchers and hikers.

These westernmost islands feel truly isolated – the perfect spot if you’re after that castaway, edge-of-the-world experience.

Venezuelanalysis writer and editor Ricardo Vaz joined Sharmini Peries on theAnalysis.news to discuss the latest developments from Venezuela, including Washington’s military buildup, Caracas’ reaction and the role played by the far-right opposition.

Source: theAnalysis.news

Death in Paradise returns for a festive special episode tonight, with a guest cast set to join DI Mervin Wilson

Death in Paradise is gearing up for another festive special episode, ahead of welcoming a fresh series in 2026. The BBC programme has proved a massive success since it first hit our screens in 2011, with Ben Miller originally taking the lead detective role.

Don Gilet has stepped into Death in Paradise as the newest lead detective, DI Mervin Wilson, making his debut in the 2024 Christmas Special before headlining the complete Series 14 in early 2025, replacing Ralf Little.

Discussing his return to the role of Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson, Don Gilet shared with the BBC: “It felt good. Slightly daunting, but in a positive sense because you want to do the same again, if not better.

“I jokingly describe it as the second album. The first album went really well, but you can’t rest on your laurels and be complacent, there’s still more audience out there to win over. So, I went out to Guadeloupe with a renewed appetite. It was great to come back and reconnect with the characters and the actors,” reports the Express.

The BBC has now revealed what audiences can anticipate from the Christmas special, scheduled to broadcast tonight (December 28) on BBC One, featuring a new guest lineup appearing in this year’s standalone episode.

Death in Paradise Christmas special 2025 cast

• DI Mervin Wilson- Don Gilet
• Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas- Shantol Jackson
• Officer Sebastian Rose- Shaquille Ali-Yebuah
• Catherine Bordey- Elizabeth Bourgine
• Officer Darlene Curtis- Ginny Holder

Guest cast

• Josie Lawrence (Outside Edge)
• Kate Ashfield (Shaun of the Dead)
• Pearl Mackie (Doctor Who)
• James Baxter (Waterloo Road
• Billy Harris (Ted Lasso)
• Oriana Charles
• Alix Serman

Death in Paradise Christmas special 2025 plot

The BBC has revealed a thrilling plot for the upcoming Christmas special of Death in Paradise. The office Christmas do takes a sinister twist when four colleagues wake up with pounding heads, only to find an unknown man shot dead in their villa’s pool.

DI Mervin Wilson and his squad manage to locate the murder weapon, but they’re left scratching their heads when they realise it was locked away in a drawer at the time of the shooting… and that drawer was thousands of miles from the crime scene, all the way back in Swindon. All the suspects insist they’ve never crossed paths with the deceased before.

As the team delves deeper into a tangled web of secrets and criminal activity, it becomes apparent they’ll need all the assistance they can muster to crack this perplexing case. Maybe a familiar face spending the festive season back in the UK could be persuaded to chip in.

Meanwhile, the Yuletide celebrations on Saint Marie are in full swing. The annual nativity is underway, and Mervin has a role to fill. But the DI has other matters preoccupying him.

A few months ago, he reached out to a brother he’d only recently discovered, but he’s yet to hear back. Can Mervin sort out his family issues and embrace the holiday cheer for the sake of his team and the island?

The Death in Paradise Christmas special airs Sunday, December 28 at 8:30pm on BBC One

**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website**

ANAHEIM — State Treasurer Kathleen Brown and state Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi brought their gubernatorial campaigns to a convention of Orange County Democrats on Saturday, virtually ignoring each other and instead aiming their fire at Gov. Pete Wilson.

In a straw poll taken throughout the day, Brown beat Garamendi by 140 votes to 114. The third Democrat in the race, state Sen. Tom Hayden of Santa Monica, did not attend the meeting but received 27 votes.

The convention of about 500 Orange County Democrats served as a pep rally for the political party seeking to build momentum in a county controlled by the Republican Party, which holds an 18-point voter registration margin over Democrats.

Leading off a forum for statewide candidates, Brown said that until Wilson faced the pressure of an election year he did not fight the migration of California jobs to other states, that he cut education funding without trying to improve schools, and that he “talks tough on crime at the front door while he lets dangerous parolees out the back door.”

Californians, she said, do not feel safer and do not feel more economic security than they did before Wilson took office.

“And that’s why we need a change from the Rip Van Wilson who’s been sleeping and slumbering for the last three years in the governor’s office,” Brown told the delegates.

Garamendi, who has attracted attention in local communities throughout the state by “working” side-by-side with everyday workers such as jailers, teachers and factory workers, said Wilson “does not have a clue; does not have the foggiest understanding of what’s taking place” on issues such as worker safety and California’s choked transportation system.

Garamendi grew more passionate as he spoke about health care. His own plan for California, never approved, served as a starting point for development of President Clinton’s health care plan that has run into a firestorm of criticism.

“When I hear after 25 years of my crusade to establish a national health plan, when I hear the Republicans say to me that there’s no health crisis, oh boy, I’m telling you, we are in for a fight,” Garamendi said. “We will have a national health plan that provides health care to every single American, and it will be done.”

Earlier in the day, state Democratic Party Chairman Bill Press urged Orange County Democrats to help “get rid of that cruel and that cold and that callous, incompetent and poor excuse for a governor named Pete Wilson.”

Convention organizers said the convention should serve as a reminder to Democratic statewide candidates that Orange County should not be ignored–that Democrats here can cut into the huge margins that statewide Republican candidates often rely on to carry them over the top.

No. 1 Indiana booked its ticket to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals on Dec. 6 after defeating Ohio State 13-10 in the Big Ten championship game. With such a long gap before its New Year’s Day matchup against No. 9 Alabama in the Rose Bowl, Indiana offensive lineman Carter Smith said the Hoosiers are seeking a balance in preparing while still practicing with intensity.

“It’s all about keeping the speed of the game,” Smith said Saturday. “The biggest thing for us in the offensive line room has been going like it’s a game, every single breath, because we know that being away from the game for so long can affect that.”

The first two weeks of preparation were lighter workouts as the Hoosiers recovered from the season, tight end Riley Nowakowski said. Without knowing their opponent, the Hoosiers didn’t want to overwork older players. Instead the coaching staff gave younger players opportunities to get reps during practice.

But after Alabama punched its ticket to the Rose Bowl, the mentality changed.

“We really got into game prep and I think that’s kind of how you do it. … You start to really lock in and get back into normal game-speed stuff and game type of practices,” Nowakowski said. “I think it’s important to stay locked in mentally.”

Even with the bright lights of the Rose Bowl, Indiana offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan said the pressure will not be overwhelming.

“There might be a slight adjustment early in the game, but I feel like our guys will be ready to go and the experience within our group will help us there as well,” he said.

Mamady Doumbouya may win amid accusations of restrictions on the media and the opposition parties.

Guinea is holding a presidential election in which incumbent military leader General Mamady Doumbouya, who took power in a 2021 coup, is widely anticipated to secure victory.

Some 6.7 million registered voters will go to the polls, which opened at 07:00 GMT on Sunday and will close at 18:00 GMT.

The former special forces commander, aged 41, faces eight other candidates in the election, as ousted President Alpha Conde and longtime opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo remain in exile.

The opposition has called for a boycott of the vote in the mineral-rich country where 52 percent of the population lives in poverty, according to World Bank figures.

While long blighted by coups, Guinea experienced a democratic transition with the November 2010 election of Alpha Conde, the country’s first freely elected president. Doumbouya overthrew him in September 2021.

Under Doumbouya, Guinea effectively “reverted to what it has essentially known since independence in 1958: authoritarian regimes, whether civilian or military”, Gilles Yabi, founder of the West African think tank Wathi, told the AFP news agency.

Provisional results could be announced within two days, according to Djenabou Toure, head of the General Directorate of Elections.

Restrictions on opposition

Political debate has been muted under Doumbouya. Civil society groups accuse his government of banning protests, curbing press freedom and restricting opposition activity.

The campaign period “has been severely restricted, marked by intimidation of opposition actors, apparently politically motivated enforced disappearances, and constraints on media freedom”, United Nations rights chief Volker Turk said on Friday.

These conditions “risk undermining the credibility of the electoral process”, he added.

Opposition leader Diallo has condemned the vote as “an electoral charade” aimed at giving legitimacy to “the planned confiscation of power”.

In September, Guinea approved a new constitution in a referendum, which the opposition called on voters to boycott.

The new document allowed military leaders to stand for election, paving the way for Doumbouya’s candidacy.

It also lengthened presidential terms from five to seven years, renewable once.

‘Hope things will be sorted’

Guinea holds the world’s largest bauxite reserves and the richest untapped iron ore deposit at Simandou, officially launched last month after years of delay.

Doumbouya has claimed credit for pushing the project forward and ensuring Guinea benefits from its output. His government this year also revoked EGA subsidiary Guinea Alumina Corporation’s licence after a refinery dispute, transferring its assets to a state-owned firm.

The turn towards resource nationalism – echoed in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – has boosted his popularity, as has his youth in a country where the median age is about 19.

“For us young people, Doumbouya represents the opportunity to send the old political class into retirement,” Mohamed Kaba, a mechanic in Conakry, told the Reuters news agency.

“There is a lot of corruption right now, but I hope these things will be sorted out.”

WHOEVER or whatever chiselled Chesil Beach did a mighty fine job.

The XXXL sandstone cliffs and 12 miles of shingle on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast are a treat for fossil hunter, swimmer and rambler alike.

But for a winter getaway, whether you like a bracing seaside walk, or brooding, storied villages like from the Thomas Hardy novels, Dorset is your wonderland.

First stop on our recent break was the latter — the village of Cranborne, inspiration for Hardy’s Tess Of The D’Urbevilles with its Norman church, coaching inn and thatched cottages.

But our Victorian hotel-restaurant La Fosse was as worldly as it was olde-worlde — chef-patron Mark Hartstone’s cuisine as classy as the interior design by his French wife Emmanuelle and the dining area’s woodland mural with REAL branches.

The menu proudly lists Mark’s local suppliers and our three-course feast, £75 for two, included treats such as anchovies and rhubarb compote, pork tenderloin in apple sauce, and braised quince with praline ice cream. Our bedroom was then just as sumptuous, with church view.

‘timeless classic’

Ex-England star puts Dorset mansion with sea views on market for £12m

FIRE FEARS

Dorset Wildfire ‘may last days’ as major incident declared & blaze spreading

Our next stop, Portland Peninsula in the English Channel off Weymouth, could not have differed more — the full windsock, this wild outpost, but great for blowing away thoughts of the annual tax return.

Our home, though, was the height of comfort — literally so, for the Pennsylvania Estate’s luxury Clifftop Apartments lord it high over the Channel with grandstand terraces.

Hewn of the same Portland Stone as Buckingham Palace, these glass-fronted superpads with James Bond-style kitchen-lounge, two bedrooms, and your own telescope for whale-watching, are quite the treat for two couples sharing or a family.

We swam in nearby Church Ope Cove, named for a now ruined 11th- century chapel with pirate graves — and it was a fine appetiser before bussing into Weymouth for dinner.

Star of the town’s bouji harbour is seafood restaurant The Catch, hailed recently by one posh critic as “the best restaurant in the world”.

Again, you are in treat land — the tasting menu and wine flight for two costs several hundred. But our fare, from oyster with fermented chilli and pickled shallot, and pickled mackerel with beetroot and salted plum, to chocolate, pear and hazelnut praline choux, was of the gods.

The harbourside Ebike Cafe, in a former grain warehouse, is also foodie heaven — its power porridges, buddha bowls, smoothies and fine wines as hipster-trendy as anything East London could serve up.

Across the harbour is Bennett’s Fish & Chips — top spot to meet the locals and admire old photos of the town — before the posh eateries then spill out on to nearby Chesil Beach.

Walk the epic shore, famed for TV drama Broadchurch, and The Watch House, Hive Beach Cafe and The Club House all offer premium bites.

At the first, we had the best beer-battered haddock, with craft cider, and at The Club House sea bass in seaweed butter sauce, and oysters.

If all that makes you lazy, The Island Sauna, overlooking Portland Harbour, is just the place to flop.

Another trip highlight, literally, was a tour of the Edwardian Portland Bill Lighthouse. As you climb its stair, you hear a haunting recording of the foghorn, at a polite fraction of full might, before being regaled with Spanish Armada tales.

Offshore is the Portland Brace tidal race where currents collide to create perilous turbulence, and our guide told how Sir Francis Drake suckered the Spanish into it before turning his guns on them.

Dorset get more exciting? Surely not.

The academy has recognized “One Battle After Another” filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson’s prodigious talents with plenty of nominations over the years. But Oscar voters seem to have been waiting for frogs to rain from the sky to give him an award. The most successful film of his career could change that.

11

Anderson’s nominations total so far includes five for writing, three for directing and three for best picture, all without winning.

2-for-8

Anderson’s rough contemporary and fellow Angeleno, Quentin Tarantino, has received fewer nominations but won twice, both for writing.

28

Years between Anderson’s first nomination, for writing “Boogie Nights,” and finally winning an Oscar, if he does, in March.

26

Years between Martin Scorsese’s first nomination, for directing “Raging Bull,” and finally winning an Oscar, for directing “The Departed.”

3

Anderson’s directing, writing and best picture nominations for 2021’s “Licorice Pizza” suggest the academy understands he is overdue.

3/15/26

Anderson winning for “One Battle After Another” would not be a “makeup” victory but that rare instance of justice arriving via a career-highlight film.

9

Only nine performances from Anderson’s movies have been nominated to date, a total that fails to reflect his gifts as a director of actors (or love of ensemble casts).

1

Of those nine, only Daniel Day-Lewis won, for his lead performance in “There Will Be Blood.”

3

Cinematographer Robert Elswit’s statuette for “There Will Be Blood” and costume designer Mark Bridges’ prize for “Phantom Thread” bring the Oscar total for Anderson’s movies to three.

6

Leonardo DiCaprio (lead actor), Sean Penn (supporting actor) and Teyana Taylor (supporting actress), at least, look like locks for acting nominations for “One Battle After Another,” with Chase Infiniti (lead actress), Benicio Del Toro (supporting actor) and Regina Hall (supporting actress) also contenders.

Re “Bush Order Lets Him Control Roberts’ Memos,” Aug. 11

I’m not being facetious: I really don’t understand. Please write an editorial and explain to me why, unless it’s truly a matter of national security, should any president be allowed to control access to a former president’s documents that were discharged as part of his official duties? Even the claim of lawyerclient privilege is specious unless it is from consultations with the president’s private, non-taxpayer-paid attorney. Otherwise, the public has retained the legal representatives, so any citizen should be allowed — in fact, have a right — to see the lawyers’ notes.

TOM OGDEN

Hollywood

*

Re “Roberts, misjudged,” Opinion, Aug. 11

Defending John Roberts’ 1980s position on the Voting Rights Act, Abigail Thernstrom argues that race should not be an issue in political districting. She quotes Roberts’ claim that we stand before the law “only as Americans” and Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch’s claim that officials should “represent individual citizens” and not blocs. The sentiments are sure uplifting but ingenuous.

Citizens should stand before laws they have had some effect in creating and be represented by officials they have had some effect in electing. To prevent tyranny by the majority, minority interests should be represented in office, and not only racial interests, but also economic and demographic ones.

A wag in The Times’ Opinion section recently proposed that all political districting be based entirely on income levels, not geography. The proposal is amusing, but not entirely wrong.

DAVID EGGENSCHWILER

Los Angeles

In the late game, Henry set an NFL record with his seventh career 200-yard game as the Ravens beat the Packers 41-24 at Lambeau Field.

The Ravens (8-8) play at the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) in week 18 and the contest will be for the AFC North title if the Steelers lose to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Henry set the tone on Baltimore’s opening drive, rushing in from three yards before the Packers responded with a 39-yard Malik Willis touchdown pass to Christian Watson.

The running back was in the endzone again early in the second quarter before field goals from Tyler Loop put the visitors in a strong position.

Willis scored for the Packers on a 22-yard run but Henry completed his hat-trick to put the Ravens 27-14 in front at half-time.

Green Bay responded after the break and pulled within three after Willis’ second touchdown run of the day was followed by a Brandon McManus field goal.

But the Ravens were able to pull out of sight in the fourth quarter as Tyler Huntley threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Zay Flowers and Henry added a 25-yard touchdown run for his fourth score of the night.

The Packers’ third straight loss ensures they will be the NFC’s seventh seed in the play-offs and that the Chicago Bears will win the NFC North.

Dec. 26 (Asia Today) — Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party, on Tuesday accused the Democratic Party of Korea of twisting itself “in every possible way” to avoid a special prosecutor investigation, pledging to step up talks with the People Power Party on joint action after Christmas.

Speaking to reporters after a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, Lee said discussions on coordinated resistance would intensify once Christmas had passed, citing the physical toll of a near 24-hour filibuster carried out by People Power Party lawmaker Jang Dong-hyuk.

“There may be talk of hard-line measures such as hunger strikes or head-shaving protests,” Lee said. “But for now, the priority is to pressure the Democratic Party to give a clear answer.”

Lee noted that he himself had engaged in a prolonged hunger strike nearly nine years ago, adding that he was neither afraid of political confrontation nor short of ideas.

He branded the Democratic Party’s stance as “classic double standards,” arguing that while aggressive investigations had already been pursued against one political camp, similar scrutiny was being blocked when directed at the party itself. “That does not meet any reasonable standard of fairness,” he said.

Lee also pointed to the case of Kwon Seong-dong, a former People Power Party floor leader, who has been standing trial in detention for months based on testimony from the same individual. “If that measure was justified, then the special prosecutor into the Unification Church should be handled just as swiftly,” Lee argued, warning that delays could be seen as allowing time for evidence destruction or coordination of statements.

On prospects for passing the special prosecutor bill before the end of the year, Lee again pressed the Democratic Party, criticizing it for claiming time constraints while continuing to push through other legislation. He questioned whether efforts to revise laws aimed at removing National Assembly Vice Speaker Joo Ho-young should take precedence over the special prosecutor issue.

Lee dismissed suggestions from within the People Power Party to pursue the bill through a fast-track procedure, calling the idea unrealistic. “Rather than scattering the debate, this issue demands a serious and weighty response, as the public is watching closely,” he said.

–Copyright by Asiatoday

The user, who posts on the video sharing platform under the username Khoslaa, admitted she was worried about getting caught, and eventually altered her plan after a suprising complaint

Booking a holiday can be exciting. You wait months for the day to arrive when you have to travel to the airport and something about that whole experience is exhilarating. Now one woman who was travelling via Heathrow airport couldn’t believe what happened when she attempted to take 2 litres of liquids onto the plane.

Now posting on TikTok, the traveller tried her luck despite for years the limit being just one twentieth of that amount. That’s because at several UK airports the rule has actually been removed, meaning passengers can now take water bottles, toiletries and other liquids on board without worrying about having them confiscated.

The user, who posts on the video sharing platform under the username Khoslaa, admitted she was worried about the test, noticing there was a heightened security presence that day, as well as more travellers than she was used to.

Incredibly, the influencer failed at the first hurdle, deciding to ditch her 2L bottle and instead try the experiment with a 125ml bottle of hairspray, claiming she was finding the extra volume “too heavy”.

Despite not seeing any signs saying the rule had been changed, Khoslaa bravely decided to plough on though she felt “nervous”, even going as far as ignoring a ‘no camera’ sign in order to record her experiment.

At the moment of truth, Kholslaa watched on as her bag rolled through the X-ray scanners, in footage that can only be described as totally gripping.

And the result? Success! both Kholslaa and her hairspray made it through unscathed, although whether this was due to the new rule being followed, or British Transport Police taking their eye off the ball, it’s hard to know.

The reactions to the video were mixed, with many confused as to how she managed to slip through airport security despite apparently breaking the rules. One questioned: “Flying in terminal 4 still 100ml?” While another pointed out that although Heathrow’s X-Ray machines don’t require you to take the liquid out of your bag, they still need to be under 100ml.

A third user joked that returning to the UK with the potential contraband may be tricky, writing “Good luck coming back with it tho.”

The Heathrow 100ml liquid rule requires all liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols in hand luggage to be in containers of 100ml (3.4oz) or less, fitting into one clear, resealable plastic bag (approx. 20cm x 20cm) for security screening.

While some airports have upgraded scanners allowing larger quantities to stay in bags, Heathrow (at time of writing) still enforces the traditional 100ml rule for most passengers, requiring the bag to be removed from hand luggage for X-ray.

As it stands, flights from Birmingham and Edinburgh are the only ones upon which passengers can bring the increased amount.

IF you’re travelling within the EU next year, there’s some new systems you’ll need to be aware of before you set off.

With the new EES and ETIAS travel systems rolling out, you may be left asking yourself – what exactly are these new rules?

We’ve rounded up everything you need to know to be prepared ahead of your holidays next year – including when these new rules come into place.

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES)

What is the EES?

October 2025 saw the launch of the EU Entry/Exit System, or EES.

The EES is a new digital border system.

Non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay (including Brits) will need to track when they enter and exit EU countries.

Read more on new travel rules

SEE EU

New travel rules being introduced on October 12 for Brits heading to Europe

EU-R ON

All the tricky questions Brits could be asked at European airports next month

The system will have travellers scan their fingerprints and have their photo taken at the border of their European destination.

When you first travel to a participating country, you will have to register at a kiosk.

Here you will scan your passport, fingerprints and take a photo. This is expected to only take 2-3 minutes per person.

You will also be asked four simple questions about your travels, such as why you are visiting and where you will be staying.

Your data will then be stored in the Biometric Matching Service for three years – and your future travels within this period will only require a scan of your face or fingerprint.

Who has to use the EES?

You will have to undergo the new system if you are a non-EU national who is travelling for a short stay to a European country using the EES.

“Non-EU national” applies to any traveller who is not a national of any European Union country, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. This also means all British tourists.

A “short stay” is considered as up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

There are some exceptions, including children under 12 who will not have to give fingerprints.

Find the full list of exemptions on the GOV.UK website.

Why has the EES been introduced?

The EES has been designed to make border checks faster and more modern.

The system is thought to be quicker due to it’s digital system, self-service options and the ability to register information in advance.

The system is designed to be a quick check that allows travellers to spend less time at the border.

It will also keep track of who comes in and out of what is known as the Schengen Area – a zone in Europe which allows for passport-free travel under a common visa policy.

The EES has been designed to ultimately replace the system of manually stamping passports at the border for EU visitors.

Where has the EES been introduced?

The EES is continuing to roll out across airports, Eurostar, Eurotunnel and ferries serving participating countries.

All EU member states within the Schengen Area – plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – will participate in the new system.

By January 2026, half of border points are due to be operating EES.

By April 10, 2026, it is expected to be fully operational – with every participating border crossing using the system.

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

What is ETIAS?

ETIAS is a new system that will authorise visitors to enter countries within the Schengen Area and other participating countries.

It is a requirement for nationals who are visa-exempt, including Brits.

ETIAS authorisation is essentially a visa waiver that will be linked to your passport and is similar to the ESTA needed to visit the US.

It is valid for up to three years, or until your passport expires.

You apply for ETIAS authorisation by visiting the official ETIAS website, and following the instructions on its portal.

The application is designed to be fast and easy, and should only take a couple of minutes – but may take up to 30 days so holidaymakers are advised to leave enough time.

The ETIAS will cost €20 (£17) and is valid for three years.

Travellers under 18 or over 70 do not have to pay the fee, although still have to apply for one.

Who has to use ETIAS?

You will need ETIAS authorisation if you are travelling to a destination in the Schengen Area or a participating country, and are a national from a visa-exempt country.

UK citizens will require ETIAS authorisation.

When will ETIAS begin?

ETIAS is scheduled to begin in late 2026.

The specific launch date will be announced by the EU closer to the time.

Why has ETIAS been introduced?

ETIAS has been introduced to improve security in EU travel.

It will track irregular or potentially criminal activity. In this way, it is similar to the US ESTA.

As well as improving safety, ETIAS is designed to speed up border checks, compared to manually checking passports.

What is the difference between the EES and ETIAS?

The EES is the fingerprint and face-scanning system that will take place at kiosks at participating country borders.

The ETIAS is the visa-waiver needed to enter participating countries, which must be applied for online ahead of time.

What are the participating countries?

The participating countries for the EES are:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

For the EES, the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are excluded as they are not a part of Schengen.

These 30 European countries require visa-exempt travellers to have an ETIAS travel authorisation:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

EastEnders Executive Producer Ben Wadey has teased what BBC soap fans can expect in 2026, and in the fallout to Max Branning’s special flash forward episode on New Year’s Day

If fans thought the end of EastEnders 2025 was dramatic, wait until they see what’s in store in 2026.

Executive Producer Ben Wadey has dropped huge hints at the storylines on the way, and the characters set to take centre stage. We already know Max Branning will be a key character, and the Brannings in general.

They feature in a flash forward episode this New Year’s Day, which pans into the same day in 2027. With details being kept under wraps, Ben teased the fallout of the episode.

What was also shared was the other big plots unfolding across the next 12 months, with Ben confirming the return of abusive teenager Joel Marshall. Linda Carter and Honey and Billy Mitchell also feature in new drama, as does Harry Mitchell, Ravi Gulati and Phil Mitchell.

READ MORE: EastEnders’ Max Branning’s huge wedding mystery in flash forward episodeREAD MORE: EastEnders spoilers: Anthony’s cause of death as killer revealed and Patrick grieves

Ben spilled of what fans can expect: “We’ve got lots ahead, lots of new stuff that I’m excited about. You may have seen we’ve just announced Ronni Ancona joining the show, which I am very, very excited about. I’m a huge fan of her work and she brings such a unique tone to it.

“I was really interested in just having a story that has a bit more kind of tragic comedy coming through it. She’s an old school friend of Linda’s and she’s called Bea. Bea arrives and her memory of Linda is very different to Linda’s memory of Linda.

“Bea is the sort of character who might attach herself onto people so she kind of comes in and gets to reacquaint herself with Linda. It’s also going to be a big story for some other characters.

Billy and Honey are going to be big in the new year and will be involved in that story as well, so it’s a story which, as a team, every time we watch it and read it we love it. We laugh and we cry and it’s really, really fun.

“Honey and Bea. After the misogyny story last year where we saw Joel was arrested, we’ve got his trial coming up so we’re gonna see Joel again as he faces the consequences of his actions. He’s pleading not guilty, and I think everyone’s struggling with why on Earth he’s put everyone through a trial.

“Vicki’s really going through the ringer of that, and Vicki, who wants to be committed so badly to Ross, but associates Ross now with everything that happened with Joel, her eye has been wandering slightly towards Zack.

“So we’ve got a big soapy love triangle in the mix of the new year. We’ve got a big story for Ravi going forward as he faces the consequences of his actions and all the awful things that he did in the previous few months, and what that starts to do to his psyche and his family.

“A revenge plot from Harry Mitchell kicks us off early in the new year, and the continuation of Phil and Nigel’s story. That beautiful episode, that will continue through and give us heart and warmth and just realism, and just gorgeous performances. Those relationships kind of see us through further into 2026.”

On the fallout to the flash forward, he went on: “You don’t have to wait an entire year to get all the answers, you’ll be getting answers from almost the episode after and then through every month, we’ll be giving you little bits. But also we twist a lot in that episode.

“Things are not as they seem so things that you will assume are going on there when you watch them in a year’s time will actually have quite a different light on them. But there’ll be lots of things within that episode that within the first few weeks and months, quite big answers you will start to get as an audience which I hope will be really satisfying that it kind of comes comes throughout the year.

“The plan is we’ll re-see elements of that [episode] which will make sense in the new light. There’ll be new scenes, there’ll be additional elements, so without giving too much away, it will be I think a very satisfying kind of coming together of two halves that I think will answer questions and be very satisfying to watch.”

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EVERYONE deserves a luxury holiday, but few of us have the wallet to fund it.

Unless, that is, you opt for one particular country that takes just three hours to fly to from the UK, with year-round t-shirt temperatures and some VERY cheap all-inclusive hotels.

If you want to get away from the obvious – and the crowds – without sacrificing any indulgence, Tunisia hits the right note. 

This North African country welcomed a far smaller number of Brits in 2024 – 326,874 according to Bradt Travel Guide to Tunisia. 

And when you compare it to Spain, the top holiday destination for British tourists, welcoming 17.8 million of us in 2024, Tunisia has far fewer.

It may be a lesser-visited country, but it has big bargains for holidaymakers.

According to TravelSupermarket, Tunisia offers some of the very cheapest 5-star holidays on the market, averaging at £614pp.

Seven nights’ all-inclusive stay at the 5-star Hotel Tour Khalef costs as little as £553 with TUI, including return flights from London Gatwick.

In sunny Sousse, seven nights’ B&B at the 5-star Movenpick Resort & Marine Spa Sousse is available from just £233 pp with Thomas Cook. Price includes return flights from Southend.

If you settle for four stars, you can make it even cheaper. Seven nights’ B&B at the 4-star Iberostar Waves Averroes in Hammamet is bookable from £173 pp with Holiday Best, including return flights from London Luton.

Meanwhile, seven nights’ half board at the 5-star Iberostar Selection Kuriat Palace in Monastir is bookable from £239 pp with Loveholidays, including return flights from London Southend.

Here you have the wide sands of Monastir Beach and a wide range of activities on offer, from jet skiing to parasailing. 

If you’re looking for something off the beaten track, you could stretch your legs in the landscaped gardens of Falaise Park, set on the cliffside.

Or head 34 miles down the road to Moknine to see local artisans making traditional earthenware jars and jugs.

Despite its relatively small size (roughly the same as Greece), Tunisia packs a punch. 

With the blue of the Med meeting the heat of North Africa, it’s perfect for a sun-kissed break.

Its most famous beaches include Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir and Mahdia, which have long stretches of golden sand backed by palm trees and all-inclusive resorts.

There’s also Djerba, an island just off the south coast of Tunisia that is still relatively undiscovered by Brits.

It has a Mediterranean feel, with cobbled streets lined with white-washed buildings, blue window shutters and vibrant pink bougainvillea.

And despite its resemblance to trendy Greek islands, it’s also a great-value option, with a cup of strong coffee setting you back just 25p.

If you venture away from the coast, you’ll find a photographer’s dream – Pink Flamingo Lake.

Ignored by most tourists, it turns pink at sunset as flamingos feed in the shallows.

Back on the mainland, further north, the hilltop village of Sidi Bou Said would also be right at home on a Greek isle.

The town is picture postcard pretty with its blue-and-white painted houses and panoramic sea views.

Grab a mint tea on the terrace at Café des Nattes (£2) or queue at the doughnut stand for the freshly made Tunisian treats, which cost just 40p.

The capital, Tunis, is found on the northeastern coast.

It’s home to an ancient Medina, Roman Mosaics and plenty of bars and restaurants.

While most tourists wander the main souks of the Medina, the historic Jewish quarter, Hara is often overlooked. 

Visit the last surviving synagogue, explore the tailoring shops and try Jewish-Tunisian pastries made with dates and semolina. 

Other alternative takes on the capital include watching an independent film at the art-deco Cinema Le Rio, which is barely visited by tourists, or visiting Mornag, a major wine-producing region.

You can’t leave Tunisia without discovering more about its ancient civilisations. 

It’s a fascinating melting pot of Berber, Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine, Arab and French influences – with nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The country has some of the best Roman sites outside Italy, including Dougga, a Roman city on a hilltop surrounded by olive groves.

There’s also El Djem Amphitheatre, the largest colosseum in North Africa, where Ridley Scott shot parts of his Oscar-winning movie Gladiator.

It is better preserved – and far less crowded – than its more famous cousin in Rome.

Nearby, the small theatre ruins and restored underground villas are even quieter, yet still beautifully conserved. 

Most tourists dip into Berber culture with a quick stop in Matmata’s cave houses, used as a filming location for Star Wars.

But you can take a deeper dive by trekking the Dahar Trails and exploring the hidden granary forts around Tataouine.

Tunisia’s long wellness tradition means you’re perfectly placed for a spot of pampering.

Try swapping lounging on the beach for some natural hot springs relaxation.

On the northern cliffs of Cap Bon, Korbous Hot Springs flow straight into the sea – join locals who come for therapeutic dips.

Benefits of soaking in the mineral-rich waters include improved circulation, pain and stress reduction and better skin health.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

SANTA MONICA — Derek Shearer is in the big leagues now, but he cut his political teeth in Santa Monica.

Shearer, a top economic adviser to Democratic presidential nominee Bill Clinton, was a planning commissioner in Santa Monica for five years. He credits the city with teaching him about politics and about what an activist government can do.

Now busy with the Clinton campaign, Shearer can be found churning out memos, fielding press calls, lunching with Clinton supporters and doing a hundred other tasks necessary to run the campaign in California. He has been on leave since June from his position as a public policy professor at Occidental College.

The Santa Monica resident spends half his time on the road trying to get across to the electorate Clinton’s economic manifesto, which he helped craft along with Rhode Island businessman Ira Magaziner and Harvard economist Robert Reich. The booklet-length document outlines Clinton’s economic plan and is credited with helping revive the lagging Clinton campaign in June.

An old friend of Clinton, Shearer said the plan incorporates few of his own original ideas. “I don’t try to push my solutions” on the candidate, he said. Instead, he advises Clinton on a range of subjects, helping the candidate find information and expertise.

“Derek is the kind of person that thinks you should bring a lot of people together to discuss an issue,” said Manuel Pastor, an economics professor at Occidental and a fellow at the college’s International and Public Affairs Center, which Shearer directs.

But Shearer is a believer in the Clinton message.

“The core message is not that we need better tinkering with the Federal Reserve or we need to tinker a bit with this or that tax rate,” Shearer said. “It’s that there are structural problems in the economy. We need to deal with the institutions in the society, a lot of which are run down or decayed or not running very well.”

He points to SMASH, the alternative public school his children attended in Santa Monica, as an example of the country’s decaying infrastructure. Built in the 1930s, the school is “crumbling,” Shearer said.

Shearer and Clinton met in the late ‘60s when Shearer was working as a free-lance journalist in London and Clinton was on a Rhodes scholarship at Oxford. Both shared an opposition to the Vietnam War and a passionate interest in government. The two men, both 45, have remained friends since.

Shearer said that when they met Clinton was much the same as he is today–”a natural politician” and unrelentingly gregarious.

When Clinton visited Shearer’s home during the California primary, he stood out in the middle of the street and talked to neighbors, Shearer recalled.

And during an impromptu visit to the Venice beach boardwalk, Clinton took the opportunity to talk policy with roller-skaters. He attracted such a large crowd in a bookstore that he eventually had to make a quick getaway out the back door, Shearer said.

“He’s very at ease with people and always has been,” he said.

Even during the lowest points of the Clinton campaign–when charges of marital infidelity were flying–Shearer never lost faith in his chosen candidate.

And he had been there before. “I had been involved in the (Gary) Hart campaign four years before. I had always felt that Hart should not have withdrawn, that the American people want to hear about issues,” Shearer said. He felt the same way about Clinton.

Shearer has taught at UCLA, Tufts University in Massachusetts and the UC Santa Barbara. He moved to Occidental in 1981 and now directs its public policy program.

He tries to bring his zest for real world politics to the classroom, teaching about “how policy really gets made.” His students learn to deal with bureaucracies, write up policy decisions and even craft public relations brochures.

Shearer said he often invites journalists, campaign consultants and local politicians to talk to students, along with nationally known figures such as consumer advocate Ralph Nader and economist John Kenneth Galbraith.

By most accounts, Shearer is more liberal than Clinton. In fact, the Orange County Register in an Aug. 4 editorial singled out Shearer as evidence of the Clinton campaign’s leanings to the left.

But Shearer rejects the “liberal” label in favor of “progressive.”

“What being a progressive means is that you believe that government can make a difference in people’s lives,” he said.

To Shearer, the city in which he lives offers an example.

Smart planning and wise public investment have given Santa Monica its place in the sun, he said. He pointed to the Third Street Promenade–and the decision to zone it to encourage movie theaters to move to the area–as an example of good planning. The theaters attract lots of customers who patronize other businesses on the walkway, he said.

Although Santa Monica is touted by travel writers and urban planners alike as a pleasant and livable community, elections have always been contentious. Because of his experiences here, he is unfazed by the bruising presidential race.

Shearer recalled personal attacks when he ran on a reform slate in Santa Monica in 1981. When his wife, Ruth Goldway, served as mayor in the early ‘80s, she received death threats and had to have police protection, he said.

Shearer made the leap from local politics to the national scene quite some time ago. In fact, it seems as if the Yale graduate was destined for a role in government. His office at Occidental is full of photographs of himself with well-known political figures, among them Sen. Alan Cranston and, of course, Clinton. One black-and-white photo shows Shearer’s journalist father interviewing Lyndon Johnson.

Shearer served on the board of directors for the National Consumer Cooperative Bank during the Carter Administration, and in the 1970s, he was an economic adviser to Jerry Brown.

But Shearer refused to speculate about the role he would play in a Clinton administration.

“I’ve learned . . . that you don’t plan your life around the outcomes of campaigns,” he said.

The Kings and Ducks backed into Saturday’s rivalry game at Crypto.com Arena.

The Kings came out of the NHL’s three-day holiday break having lost six of their last seven, scoring just 11 goals over that span. Only two teams in the Western Conference have been worst in December.

The Ducks hadn’t been much better, though, having won just two of their last seven to give up their lead in the Pacific Division. But the league rules said somebody had to win Saturday and that proved to be the Kings, who rode a four-goal first period and Alex Laferriere’s first career hat trick to a dominant 6-1 victory that wasn’t nearly as close as the final score indicated.

Drew Doughty put the Kings in front to stay just three minutes after the opening faceoff, finding open ice on the edge of the crease, where he took a pass from Quinton Byfield and deflected it past Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal. The second assist on the goal went to former Duck Corey Perry.

Trevor Moore doubled the lead less than a minute later, redirecting in a feed from Brian Dumoulin in the left circle. Ducks coach Joel Quenneville responded by calling a 30-second timeout in an effort to settle his team.

That didn’t work, with Laferriere blasting a one-timer by Dostal from just outside the crease to make it 3-0 with 9:39 left in the first period. When Byfield scored on a power play in the final minute, the Kings had their first four-goal period of the season and their first four-goal game in nearly three weeks.

After being booed off the ice at the end of their last game, a 3-2 loss to Seattle on Wednesday, the Kings left to cheers for the first intermission.

The Ducks finally got on the board when Mason McTavish scored on the power play midway through the second period. They worked hard for that goal, outshooting the Kings 12-1 in the period, yet coming away with just the one score.

Laferriere wound up matching that less than five minutes into the third period, scoring on a breakaway to give him the third multi-goal game of his career and his first this season. Dumoulin and Anze Kopitar both got their second assists on the goal.

And Laferriere wasn’t done, scoring his 10th goal on a one-timer from the high slot at 13:15 of the final period. The six goals for the Kings matched their season high and was one short of what they had scored in their last four games combined.