How Airbnb hosts prepared their rentals for the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has wrapped, but some Angelenos who rented their homes to fans are still tallying up profits from a month of soccer frenzy in the city.
Driven by projections of massive tourism and a $750 first-time host incentive from Airbnb, many local property owners expected a sizable payout. While some savvy owners were able to cash in big during the tournament, others experienced only a moderate bump.
But something they all walked away with was some extra cash in their pockets and a blueprint for the LA28 Olympics.
We spoke with three L.A. Airbnb hosts to find out what they earned through their rentals during the World Cup, the luxurious renovations and amenities that helped their properties stand out and what advice they’d give others to prepare for the next global gold rush.
Wellness retreat-inspired house in Inglewood, 3 bedrooms
Lia Pilla turned one of her Airbnb properties into what she calls the Pink Palms Retreat. The Inglewood home features an infrared sauna, a large hot tub and more.
Rental host: Lia Pilla
How long have you been a host? Since 2021
Pre-World Cup rate: Ranged from $350 to $550
Price during the World Cup: During opening weekend, I got $2,730 for two nights. Of course, I have to pay a cleaning fee, but just in two nights, I’m a few hundred short of paying my mortgage, so that was really cool. For the following games, I maybe got like $400 to $500 a night. Then for the final weekend, I got like $3,400 for four nights, so it went back up.
What updates did you make, if any, to prepare? Last July, I did a full remodel of the house and turned it into what I call Pink Palms Spa Retreat. It’s all pink on the outside. It has an infrared sauna and a huge hot tub that can fit up to like 20 people. It has a large dining table with a firepit on top of the table, lush privacy trees and a custom gym.
Were you surprised with how things played out? I was expecting to make a couple hundred thousand off this World Cup, I’m not gonna lie, but I didn’t so I was like “OK. That kind of sucks.” I think L.A. got a little bit [cheated] with the teams we had. We had Team USA, which was cool, but we didn’t have any of the the big name teams like Argentina or France or Spain, so I think that’s one reason why the prices weren’t as high. I also think the political climate has made a big impact. Some people are scared to come to the U.S. or they aren’t allowed to come. But I’m happy with what I did get.
What’s one thing you’re thinking about doing with the money you made? I always invest back into the business. I want to touch up everything at all of my properties, so it continues to look like the pictures because your reviews are so important. I also have a Europe vacation planned.
Any advice for hosts preparing for the Olympics? Do your research on the market. Think “If I’m traveling to Los Angeles, what would I want?” because it’s also about the experience you create. Know what amenities people like. If you’re starting out or you’re already a host, I highly recommend having software in place for property management, cleaning and pricing.
‘Hillside hideaway’ in Woodland Hills, 2 bedrooms
Matthew Motamedi was surprised to see an influx of bookings on his Woodland Hills hideaway, which is roughly 30 miles away from SoFi Stadium.
(Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)
Rental host: Matthew Motamedi
How long have you been a host? Since July 2025
Pre-World Cup rate: In late spring, we were charging $250-$280 per night on average.
Price during the World Cup: It was around $300, which is normal during July for us. We undercut the hotels and some of the other listings in our area by $100.
What updates did you make, if any, to prepare? We added a super crazy, comfy couch made of fake fur and people love it. That’s one of the important things about an Airbnb. There needs to be a really good hangout spot, so the couch needs to be super comfortable, and if the couch isn’t comfortable, no one wants to stay there.
Were you surprised with how things played out? Our property was so far away from SoFi Stadium (nearly 30 miles) so I thought it was going to be a non-event for us. It was supposed to be like that, but it definitely affected us because I started getting a lot of European and Spanish-speaking tenants.
What’s one thing you’re thinking about doing with the money you made? We’re definitely putting the extra money back into the property because we’re not there yet. There’s so much we want to do. During the World Cup, I was able to upgrade the AC unit, added a smart thermostat and invested in landscaping, which we want to do more of. We want to invest in the curb appeal and add more outdoor furniture. Maybe a movie room. We also want to get an auto pen so we can write handwritten cards for guests because it’s kind of hard to write perfect handwriting in different languages and in cursive. [Laughs] You can pick a font and it holds a ballpoint pen. To have that would be really cool.
Any advice for hosts preparing for the Olympics? You have to curate the experience and get more involved. If you can’t get involved, you need a co-host. Find a cousin, a sister, a brother, a friend, someone you trust with good taste to help you. Also, don’t just put up random paintings. Make it so that people want to move there. A lot of my guests are like “I wish I could live here.” You need a hotel scent and to provide laundry supplies. Ask your guests about their allergies and snack preferences then put together a snack basket. They freak out when they see that. Have a comfy couch, add plants like the fiddle-leaf fig (it looks bougie and you only have to water it once a week) and get a good cleaner. With that, you’re going to do really well.
Modern suite with luxurious amenities in Westchester, 1 bedroom, 2 guests
Sara Geissler at one of her Airbnb units.
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Rental host: Sara Geissler
How long have you been a host? I started my [rental management] business about 10 years ago, but have been a full-time host for roughly eight years.
Pre-World Cup rate: About $195 a night.
Price during the World Cup: $234, which is about a 15% increase so a little bump. It wasn’t anything crazy.
Were you surprised with how things played out? I probably was expecting a little bit more because it was such a huge event. What I was a little surprised by though was how long the stays were. I was thinking that people were going to come in for a few days, but most of my stays were for a week or longer. We were pretty booked. I think we only had a couple days in between bookings.
What updates did you make, if any, to prepare? We bought the home a year ago and we’ve been getting it ready for the last four months. I added a private hot tub and an Eight Sleep Pod, which is a really fancy mattress topper that heats and cools your mattress. I tried to go all out with my amenities. We’ve got all the fancy soaps, deluxe robes and we added a washer and dryer. I always think about what I’d want when I’m traveling. I always put Q-tips, cotton balls and makeup wipes. For the kitchen, just having all the little stuff you need there. A wine bottle opener is No. 1.
What’s one thing you’re thinking about doing with the money you made? Paying my property taxes and my mortgage. [Laughs] Honestly, we’re putting it toward our living expenses and being able to afford our house. It’s been a huge help because everything is so high.
Any advice for hosts preparing for the Olympics? Really think about what you would want and put yourself in the shoes of the traveler. I always recommend people to try out your space before they rent it out. That will help you realize things like this faucet doesn’t get hot water or I forgot to put an ice cream scoop in the kitchen. You don’t want your guest to be a guinea pig.
Widest bridge in the world cost more than £7 billion to build
This beach is a marvel of engineering that is totally free to cross.
The world’s widest bridge is a Guinness World Record holder that cost billions of pounds to build. The Rod El Farag Axis Bridge, also known as the Tahya Misr Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge that spans the Nile River through Cairo, Egypt.
The bridge has a whopping width of 67.3 metres, making it the widest bridge in the world. It has six lanes in each direction and is also a big tourist attraction. Pedestrian visitors to the bridge can cross it using the walkway which offers panoramic views out over the Nile.
This walkway is interspersed with glass panels so that it feels as if you are hovering above the rushing river below.
As it is a public road, you can cross it free of charge and enjoy the spectacular views out over Cairo.
The construction of the bridge was implemented by the Armed Forces Engineering Authority (AFEA) in cooperation with a number of national companies.
It took four years, finishing in 2019.
According to Ihab Alphar, the chairman of the AFEA, the basic cost of the project reached an eye-watering £7.43billion.
The bridge is 540 metres long, with 92 metre high suspension towers and has seven different entry and exit ramps.
In order to build the bridge, 4,000 workers, including engineers, technicians and labourers, worked tirelessly to finish the project.
Chief executive officer and chairman of Arab Contractors Company, Mohsen Salah, said: “The engineering crews responsible for the implementation of the bridge faced many difficulties that were overcome with Egyptian engineering innovations.”
He said one of the major issues faced in building the bridge was moving 226.8 tonnes of metal beams to the assembly area.
During the peak of construction, there were 200 cranes deployed at the site to get the bridge up and running.
Builders also had to construct two custom ferry boats that were strong enough to move 544.3 tonnes of equipment to assembly zones
Ashes 2027 fixtures: England-Australia men’s and women’s series to start in June
England men v Pakistan
15 May: First ODI, Southampton, 11:00
19 May: Second ODI, Old Trafford, 13:00
21 May: Third ODI, Headingley, 11:00
23 May: Fourth ODI, Durham, 11:00
26 May: Fifth ODI, Cardiff, 13:00
England men v Bangladesh
28 May-1 June: One-off Test, Lord’s, 11:00
England men v New Zealand
7 Sept: First T20, Durham, 18:30
9 Sept: Second T20, Old Trafford, 18:30
11 Sept: Third T20, Cardiff, 14:30
14 Sept: First ODI, Edgbaston, 12:30
16 Sept: Second ODI, Lord’s, 12:30
19 Sept: Third ODI, Bristol, 10:30
22 Sept: Fourth ODI, Trent Bridge, 12:30
25 Sept: Fifth ODI, Headingley, 10:30
England women v Bangladesh
8 Sept: First T20, Northampton, 18:30
10 Sept: Second T20, Taunton, 18:30
12 Sept: Third T20, Worcester, 14:30
17 Sept: First ODI, Hove, 12:30
21 Sept: Second ODI, Canterbury, 12:30
24 Sept: Third ODI, Chelmsford, 12:30
Iran, Houthis strike tankers as US bombing continues: What’s the latest? | US-Israel war on Iran News
The United States continued to hit Iran for a 12th consecutive night early on Thursday, and Iran retaliated, striking targets across the Gulf, particularly in Kuwait and Jordan.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday that an explosion set a tanker ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz after it attempted to navigate the southern route off the coast of Oman.
Here is a recap of what happened on Wednesday night and Thursday.
Where did the US attack Iran?
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said at 02:30 GMT on Thursday that it concluded the latest round of strikes against Iran.
It targeted Iranian military targets, including maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites and air defence assets, CENTCOM said, without specifying what areas in Iran were struck.
A local official told the Mehr news agency that US missiles struck the area around a passenger terminal in Shalamcheh, a western city near the Iraqi border. Two people were killed in the attack, the deputy governor of Iran’s Khuzestan province told the state broadcaster IRIB on Thursday. Local media also reported that 11 people were injured.
Al Jazeera’s Tohid Assidi reported from Iranian capital Tehran that overnight strikes targeted at least three cities in the southwestern province of Khuzestan. This included the city of Ramshir, where an asphalt facility was reported to have been targeted.
In Hormozgan province, explosions were heard in the city of Sirik, which overlooks the Strait of Hormuz, Assidi reported.
He added that the governor confirmed an overnight attack in Bushehr on a power substation near the city’s nuclear power plant. This resulted in a few hours of power outage in the city.
IRIB also reported that explosions were heard in Iran’s Jask.
The Tasnim news agency reported that a US missile hit a location on the outskirts of the city of Andimeshk.
Two naval search and rescue vessels were hit and seriously damaged in a US attack on Iran’s Hormozgan, the ISNA news agency reported, citing the province’s Ports and Maritime Administration.
Where did Iran hit back?
Kuwait
The IRGC claimed attacks on US assets in Kuwait on Thursday.
It said it had “attacked and destroyed a large warehouse of military equipment, a Patriot missile defence system, and a hangar of American MQ9 drones” at Ali Al Salem airbase.
Addressing the Kuwaiti people, the IRGC insisted that it was the US, not Iran, that had “violated your territorial integrity and sovereignty”.
It said its attacks were aimed at US bases, territory it described as beyond the control of Kuwait’s own border guards.
“So it is America that has violated your territorial integrity and sovereignty, not us. We are attacking lands occupied by the American army, an army that knows nothing but crime,” the IRGC said.
Jordan
Later on Thursday, the IRGC claimed attacks on US assets in Jordan, saying it had “destroyed a radar of the American THAAD missile defence system with lightning strikes”.
“A Patriot system and a C-RAM radar were also targeted and destroyed, and the fuel tanks of the American base were set on fire,” it said.
The IRGC added that “a large helicopter equipment warehouse and a helicopter repair and maintenance shed were also set on fire and destroyed”.
Addressing the Jordanian people, it insisted that its actions did not violate Jordanian sovereignty, arguing that the US military presence infringes on local authority and that targeting US forces was a legal and necessary response.
What happened in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea?
The IRGC said an explosion set a tanker on fire in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement carried by Iranian media, it said two other vessels quickly turned back following the explosion.
The IRGC claimed the three ships were acting under US orders and had “intended to pass through the mine-laid route south of the Strait of Hormuz”.
“The powerful IRGC Navy emphasises that the Strait of Hormuz is under our control and that as long as America’s evil deeds in the region continue, it is completely closed and no oil tanker will enter or exit [the strait],” it warned.
“Any ship that is deceived by America and intends to pass through without coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran will suffer the same fate.”
The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre said a ship was targeted 70 nautical miles (130km) off the Saudi coast, causing a fire on board. There was no mention of casualties among the crew.
The Houthis, meanwhile, claimed a major operation against two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, called the Encelia and the Layla. The Saudi SPA news agency confirmed the Encelia was hit.
The Houthis said they targeted those two tankers with cruise and ballistic missiles as well as drones, causing huge balls of fire and devastation.
The Houthis framed the attack as part of a tit-for-tat campaign against Saudi Arabia. They are calling it a “siege-for-siege”. They said it has been 12 years since Saudi Arabia has been imposing a siege on the Yemeni people, and that it is now time for Yemen and the Houthis to respond in kind. Riyadh has rejected Houthi claims that it had besieged Yemen.
Millionaires ask Andy Burnham to tax them more
Millionaires including former footballer Gary Lineker and music producer Brian Eno have written to new prime minister Andy Burnham asking to be taxed more.
In an open letter, 120 well-off Britons told Burnham: “We can afford it. We’re not talking about higher taxes on those who get up and go to work for their income every day, but on the very richest whose income is derived from the wealth they hold.”
Organised by Patriotic Millionaires, the letter said it would lead to a more equal society, and urged a “devolution of wealth and power from the very richest”.
People can already quietly give money or stocks voluntarily to the Treasury using its donation facility.
The group supports a 2% tax on wealth over £10m.
“Millionaires are a patriotic bunch,” the letter states. “We love this country and we want it to succeed.
“But success requires investment and a primary source of untouched capital investment is sitting with us, in untaxed potential.”
The renewed call for higher tax on the wealthy follows a similar campaigns in previous years.
Burnham did not rule out a wealth tax when asked about it by Lineker a few days before he became prime minister.
He suggested he may have “to ask for a little more” tax at some point.
The latest call from Patriotic Millionaires said there is a “need to embrace a new kind of devolution of wealth and power, from the very richest in order to reinvest back into our greatest asset in every region”.
It added that in its own poll, the majority of millionaires wanted a higher tax on themselves.
“There are a few people left with outdated economic thinking and few others desperate to hold onto every penny they can… Those that can’t see past the end of their own self interest have no place in designing a Britain for the future,” the letter said.
Other signatories include film director Richard Curtis who directed Notting Hill and Ian Gregg, the former managing director of bakery chain Greggs, who is the son of the firm’s founder.
Claudia Winkleman confesses she’s ‘the idiot of the group’ as she launches new series of The Piano
Television favourite Claudia Winkleman is still amazed that she is asked to present Channel 4 talent show The Piano when she has zero musical knowledge. Speaking ahead of the launch of the fourth series on Sunday, she says: “I still know absolutely nothing, but nobody seems to mind. They haven’t shouted at me, so I’m like the idiot of the group.
“I know what moves me, but I’m just there as a conduit. I’m there to chat to people and make them as comfortable as possible and try and hear as much of their story as possible, so that the mentors can then get to know them a bit before they play.”
The show sees amateur pianists showing off their skills on instruments placed in bustling railway stations, unaware that professional musicians are secretly watching and judging them. Claudia, who will be working alongside Lebanese-born pop star Mika, known for hits including Grace Kelly and Lollipop, would love to see more Elton John numbers on the show. She says: “I am longing for someone to play some Elton John. I just want somebody to play his amazing music.”
Claudia and Mika will be joined by new mentors, including Jamie Cullum and Jools Holland, who will help to weed out stars of the future. Claudia, 54, says of The Piano: “I love it so much. We’re so lucky because when we did it for the first time, we thought we’d only get one go.
“It is an absolute privilege to wait in stations for these amazing pianists who surprise us. We learn about their lives, meet their friends and family and we learn about why playing the piano is important to them. For all of us involved it’s an honour. I can’t wait to see who we’re going to meet. What’s so thrilling about this amazing show, is you have no idea who’s just around the corner and is just walking towards you through the station.”
Welcoming her new army of mentors, she says: “They all bring very different perspectives. In every location, they will choose somebody to play at the final concert, so it’s going to be fascinating.
“What I loved about having different mentors is that they love the idea and they love the show. So, what was brilliant was to have people who were so enthusiastic. I love the fact they wanted to be part of it. It’s not glamorous and we adored them for wanting to be there. It was ‘hello, welcome to Birmingham New Street station, can I get you a Greggs?’ They were all absolutely up for it.”
Now a household name after 30 years in showbusiness, which has seen her present hit shows like Strictly and Traitors, Claudia would advise wannabe media stars to go for hands-on experience over a degree. She says: “Don’t study at university. Go, but don’t study subjects like media studies. I would study something else. It is just about experience. I don’t think you need to study media. Just work around it.”
Claudia comes from a media background. Her mum, Eve Pollard, is a former newspaper editor, who was once at the helm of The Sunday Mirror and Sunday Express and her dad, Barry Winkleman, was a book publisher.
When she felt the urge to try TV, after working in a gallery, she says: “At the age of 24, I applied to the former TV company Planet 24 and got a call from Janet Street-Porter’s office and I just continued. I worry about people who know what direction they want to go in. That is nerve wracking. It is OK not to know. “
But Claudia admits that her career has involved some weird assignments. She says: “Once I dressed up as a fruit for Fruit Awareness Week on This Morning. I was a kiwi! I remember going ‘we are going to go live as a fruit.’”
Claudia graduated with an honours degree in fine art from Cambridge University, although her cheeky charm was nurtured during her days as a pupil at the City of London School for Girls. She says: “I had the most amazing history of art teacher, but my friend and I thought it would be easy. We wore fishnets, smoked fags and flirted with boys. It was like ‘paintings? Yada-yada.’ We were not bad but naughty.
“I remember one day our teacher, Mrs Dale, in the first lesson, clicked her fingers and made us all walk to St Paul’s Cathedral. She said ‘I have had enough. You look up and this is what we are going to teach you’. She was unbelievable and the way she introduced art to us was great. She took us to Venice and made us appreciate Titian. She was brilliant.”
Her father, Barry, who was divorced from her mum Eve in 1975, when she was just three, also loved taking her to galleries. She says: “My parents impacted me massively. My dad used to take me to The National Gallery and the only rule was we were only allowed to look at one painting.
“He did not want to bore me to death. Now, when I take my kids, we are in for the duration. But there was no rush when my dad took me and it made me want to go back. My dad taught me so much. My mum and dad both taught me things like, ‘make the tea and be early. Be the last one to leave. Don’t worry what you look like. It is just a shell and that is going to go’.
“I was brought up by a brilliant feminist. Once I asked my mum for a Barbie doll and she was like ‘don’t be ridiculous. That is not what you are supposed to look like’. I was told to ‘be interested, don’t worry about being interesting and ask questions.’ I was told ‘don’t be one of those tools who sits there and waits.’ I was never daunted by what they did. Only grateful. I always felt grateful that they worked so hard.”
Claudia, in turn, passes on her experience to her three children, Jake, 23, Matilda, 20, and Arthur,15, who she shares with her film and television producer husband, Kris Thykier. And she says they teach her too. Claudia continues: “I have learned everything from my kids. Life before was just waiting for them.”
Like many parents, she has steered her children away from social media. She says: “Social media is awful. It is an absolute nonsense. I would never put my kids on it. I have tried to explain to them how awful it is. I don’t post a lot of stuff on social media. I have posted six times this year.”
Instead, Claudia – who likes the ethos of her favourite filmstar, ET, whose catchphrase is ‘be good’ – gets her thrills from doing live TV. The Traitors presenter, whose BBC1 chat show – which launched in March – was recently axed after lukewarm reviews, says: “Live is exciting. It is like doing exams at school, I know it is weird but I like being tested. I like a test.
“Not a driving test as I failed many of those. Turns out head on chin is not helpful. I do get incredibly nervous though but it wakes you up. I like the nerves. When I used to do Strictly with Tess I just used to grip her upper arm all the time.” Let’s hope there’s no arm-grabbing on The Piano – to avoid any bum notes.
*The new series of The Piano continues on Channel 4, Sunday at 9pm.
Gulf oil producers race to build alternative routes to the Strait of Hormuz
Before the war, roughly 15 million barrels of Gulf oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz every day, as roughly a fifth of the world’s traded oil moved through the maritime chokepoint in peacetime.
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With the channel still largely closed and prices elevated, at least seven major pipeline projects are now under construction, in planning or under discussion to push supplies out through the Red Sea, the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Oman instead, according to Gulf officials, energy companies and market analysts.
With the Iran war reignited this month, Brent crude is trading again at around $93 a barrel at the time of writing, well above the roughly $72 it fetched after June’s short-lived truce, and the US benchmark WTI has also risen to roughly $90 a barrel.
Depending so heavily on the Strait of Hormuz “is no longer a prudent long-term strategy,” said Victoria Grabenwöger, a senior researcher at the data firm Kpler.
Two escape valves already exist, and both are close to their limits.
Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, built in the 1980s when Tehran threatened shipping during the Iran-Iraq war, carries crude from the Abqaiq complex to Yanbu on the Red Sea, where tankers head south towards the Arabian Sea or north to the Suez Canal.
Meanwhile, the UAE has been channelling more oil to Fujairah, its port on the Gulf of Oman about 145 kilometres south of the Strait of Hormuz.
Together the two links had a spare capacity of some 3.5 to 5.5 million barrels a day before the war, according to the US Energy Information Administration, and both now run close to full representing around 6.5 million barrels a day.
Abu Dhabi’s state oil company is also racing to finish a project it began before the war.
Its $3 billion (€2.6bn), 300-kilometre pipeline to Fujairah, laid alongside an existing line, is designed to lift deliveries by over 1.2 million barrels a day and is roughly half built, according to Kpler, which expects the official early-2027 completion target to slip to mid-2027 because the port itself must be expanded.
Even that timetable, the firm argues, only became conceivable because of the blockade.
Red Sea relief, Red Sea risk
The Red Sea route has vulnerabilities of its own, and this week served as a reminder.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who declared a blockade on Saudi-linked shipping in retaliation for the kingdom’s blockade of Yemen and an attack on Sanaa’s airport, said on Thursday they had attacked two Saudi tankers, the Encelia and the Layla, setting both on fire.
Saudi state media reported a blaze at the bow of the Encelia with no casualties, while the UK Maritime Trade Operations centre reported a tanker struck by “an unknown projectile” southwest of Al Shuqaiq.
The Iran-backed group has disrupted the Bab el-Mandeb Strait before, a maritime chokepoint carrying about 12% of world trade, and a Houthi drone strike forced the East-West pipeline itself to shut back in 2019.
Iraq’s $60 billion bet on Washington
Nowhere is the scramble more urgent than in Iraq, which draws about 90% of state revenues from oil exports and has had to cut output because of its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi returned from Washington last week with 48 agreements signed with American firms, spanning energy, healthcare and technology and worth more than $60 billion, according to Reuters, including tie-ups involving ExxonMobil, Shell, Halliburton, KBR and GE Vernova.
The centrepiece is a deal with Syria to rebuild the long-dormant pipeline running from the Kirkuk fields to the Mediterranean port of Baniyas, a project Iraqi state media says Chevron will execute and which the US State Department, welcoming the plan, called “a critical energy corridor” with an initial capacity of 2 million barrels a day.
Baghdad is also weighing a line from Basra to Jordan’s Aqaba.
Washington’s ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, predicted the agreements would render the Strait of Hormuz “an afterthought”.
Cardinals need only one run to defeat Angels in series finale
Hunter Dobbins scattered six hits over six innings, JJ Wetherholt hit a home run in the sixth and the St. Louis Cardinals held on for a 1-0 victory over the Angels on Wednesday at Angel Stadium.
Dobbins, recalled from triple-A Memphis for Wednesday’s start, struck out five and walked none to help St. Louis snap a four-game losing streak and end the Angels’ three-game win streak.
Luis Gastelum threw a scoreless seventh, George Soriano had a 1-2-3 eighth and closer Riley O’Brien struck out Oswald Peraza with an 80-mph sweeper and Josh Lowe with a 98-mph sinker with two on in the ninth for his 26th save.
Dobbins (2-1) escaped a first-and-third, two-out jam in the second, a two-on, one-out jam in the third and a first-and-third, two-out jam in the fourth.
That inning ended with Cardinals third baseman Blaze Jordan reaching into the third-base dugout to snag Tyler Heineman’s popup.
Angels starter Reid Detmers (3-7), expected to be a top target of contenders looking to acquire starting pitching before the Aug. 3 trade deadline, blanked the Cardinals on one hit through five innings despite walking two to open the fifth.
The left-hander escaped the fifth with the help of third baseman Vaughn Grissom, who made a backhand diving stop of José Fermín’s grounder, scrambled to the bag for a forceout and threw to first to complete a double play.
Jordan struck out to end the inning.
But with one out in the sixth inning, Detmers (3-7) left a fastball up to Wetherholt, who lined his 15th homer of the season over the wall in center field to break the tie and knock Detmers out of the game.
Up next: Cardinals RHP Michael McGreevy (4-7, 2.92 ERA) will oppose Arizona RHP Brandon Pfaadt (4-1, 4.58 ERA) Thursday night in St. Louis. For the Angels, RHP Grayson Rodriguez (3-3, 8.23 ERA) will face Giants RHP Logan Webb (5-7, 3.87 ERA) Friday night in San Francisco.
Seoul warns North Korean landmines may have washed across border

Seoul’s military warned Thursday that North Korean landmines in the DMZ may have washed across the border after heavy rainfall. In this photo, water from the Imjin River is released from Gunnam Dam on Tuesday. Photo by Yonhap
SEOUL, July 23 (UPI) — South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff on Thursday warned that landmines laid by North Korea in the Demilitarized Zone may have been washed into the South after recent heavy rainfall.
“There is a very high possibility that these washed-away landmines could flow into our territory via the rivers shared between the two Koreas, and an explosion of these landmines could cause significant damage,” JCS spokesman Capt. Jang Do-young said during a regular press briefing.
Jang urged the public to be cautious when near inter-Korean rivers and to report any suspected landmine to police or a nearby military unit.
The alert comes days after South Korean authorities issued a flood warning for the Imjin River following heavy downpours and North Korea’s release of water from a dam without advance notice.
Seoul’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said Monday that satellite imagery confirmed water had been released from North Korea’s Hwanggang Dam on the upper reaches of the Imjin River.
A Unification Ministry official on Tuesday said joint responses to natural disasters should be treated as humanitarian matters.
“Responsible cooperation between the two sides is necessary,” the official told reporters.
An unannounced discharge from Hwanggang Dam in September 2009 caused flooding that killed six South Koreans. The following month, North Korea agreed to provide advance notice before future releases. Pyongyang sent notifications on a handful of occasions in 2010 and 2013 but has not done so since.
North Korea released water from the dam several times during last year’s monsoon season, prompting the Unification Ministry to publicly urge Pyongyang to provide advance notice. A ministry spokeswoman said the appeal served as a form of “indirect communication” because Pyongyang had cut off inter-Korean communication channels in April 2023.
Thursday’s warning also comes as Pyongyang continues an extended campaign to fortify the border and harden its military posture toward South Korea, including laying large numbers of landmines inside the DMZ.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared the South a “hostile state” and scrapped an inter-Korean military agreement in late 2023.
Beginning in April 2024, Pyongyang ramped up activity along the DMZ by clearing land, laying mines, reinforcing tactical roads and installing anti-tank barriers near the Military Demarcation Line.
South Korean military officials have said North Korea increased the number of troops assigned to the work from roughly 1,000 last year to about 5,000 this year.
Seoul’s Defense Ministry last month described the activity as a violation of the armistice agreement that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War, an assessment later contradicted by the U.S.-led United Nations Command.
Indian activist Wangchuk sets conditions to end hunger strike | News
Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk says he will end his hunger strike if the government guarantees that police will not use force against student protesters or take punitive action against them. Demonstrators are calling for the education minister to resign over a medical exam scandal.
Published On 23 Jul 2026
Brit indie icon rushed to hospital after nasty scooter accident saying ‘I feel stupid and embarrassed’
A BRITISH indie icon has been rushed to hospital after a nasty scooter accident.
He confessed he felt “stupid” and “embarrassed” as this comes just days before he’s set to headline a huge weekend festival.


Frontman of Reverend and the Makers Jon McClure has revealed he’s in a lot of pain and could be dealing with a broken rib.
Taking to Instagram the musician told his fans all about the “daft” incident that left him “shaken up.”

“A little update from me. I had an accident yesterday doing summat daft on a scooter,” wrote Jon.
“It’s my own fault and I feel a bit stupid and embarrassed tbh.”
The 44-year-old is set to appear onstage at the Tramlines Festival in Sheffield – his home town – and has assured fans it will still go ahead.
He said: “This weekends gigs @togetheragainfest and @tramlines will go ahead even if I have to dose myself up . Hopefully it’s just a knock.
“Might need a cuddle though. Proper shook me up. Feeling a bit blue.”
One fan penned: “Take it gentle Rev, you will still have the crowds bouncing.”
Another fan added: “Ouch! Get well soon bud – if you are going to take a fall being daft on a scooter feels like the way to do it though! You know you are the heart beat of Tramlines – come what may you and the gang will smash it this weekend.”
Jon, nicknamed “The Reverend,” and his band shot to fame in 2007 after releasing their debut album The State of Things.
They then landed a UK top 10 single with Heavyweight Champion of The World, which peak at number eight.
In 2009, the band were invited to support Oasis on their final major stadium tour before they split.
The UK beach so big that there are barely any crowds even in summer and people say it feels like being abroad

LOOKING for a beach spot in the UK when it is hot and sunny can often just feel like a battle against crowds of people.
But one beach destination is so big, that even with people on the beach it never becomes crowded.
Harlech Beach in Snowdonia National Park in Wales stretches for four miles, with sand dunes, mountain views and even a castle.
The beach is known for being a scenic spot as well as one of the cleanest beaches in Snowdonia, according to Go North Wales.

Thanks to the size of the beach, it is the ideal spot for kids to run around and keen watersports enthusiasts can try out surfing at the beach.
If you happen to visit the beach during the warmer months, you might even be lucky enough to see leatherback turtles, as they migrate to the beach to feed on jellyfish, according to Sykes Cottages.
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In fact, the largest leatherback turtle ever recorded in the world was found on the beach in 1988, weighing 916kg – it is now in the National Museum Cardiff.
Visitors often note how the beach is also free from crowds, with one recent visitor commenting that there is “plenty of space for all”.
Another person commented: “You can walk for miles and the views are sensational, I felt like we were abroad!”
Overlooking the beach, you can head to the 13th century Harlech Castle, which was used by Edward I and is now a World Heritage Site.

You can walk up to the castle too, if you fancy spending longer at the beach.
Tickets to see the castle cost £10.90 per adult, £7.90 per child or £34.90 for a family of up to five.
There is a car park about 400 metres from the beach, along a path, where you will also find a cafe and a shop.
Though, if you don’t drive, it is actually still easy to get to the beach.
Harlech Railway Station, which sits on the Cambrian Coast Line, is only a 10-minute walk away.
Son extends goal-scoring streak, helping LAFC beat Real Salt Lake
Son Heung-min scored a goal for the second consecutive game, Denis Bouanga added a goal, and LAFC beat Real Salt Lake 3-1 on Wednesday night.
Hugo Lloris, who leads MLS with nine shutouts this season, had six saves for LAFC (9-5-3).
Son, who scored his first goal this season Friday in a 3-0 win over the Galaxy, opened the scoring in the 11th minute. The 34-year-old forward pushed the ball wide to his left to create space from a defender and then blasted his next touch inside the near post from the end of the penalty arc.
Mathieu Choiniere played a ball ahead, the last of four consecutive first-touch passes by LAFC, to Bouanga, who raced to the center of the area, cut back to evade a defender and fired a shot into the net to make it 2-0 in the 40th.
DeAndre Yedlin’s own goal capped the scoring in the 68th minute.
Lukas Engel, a 30-year-old defender in his second MLS season, scored his first career goal in the 86th minute for RSL (8-5-2). Rafael Cabral had one save.
Arsenal defender Saliba sidelined for ‘extended period’ due to back injury | Football News
Centre back William Saliba won’t require surgery for injury sustained at World Cup, his club says.
Published On 23 Jul 2026
Arsenal defender William Saliba will be sidelined for an extended period after suffering a back injury while playing for France during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the reigning Premier League champions say.
Saliba was hampered by the injury throughout the tournament in North America, limiting his training. He was substituted in the first half of France’s 2-0 semifinal defeat by Spain and missed the 6-4 third-place playoff loss to England.
“Subsequent specialist reviews on William’s return to London this week have confirmed that he has suffered a back injury which will require a period of rehabilitation,” Arsenal said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Extensive assessments have concluded that surgery is not recommended, but William should now commence a managed recovery programme.
“Everyone is fully focused on supporting William to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible.”
Saliba made 50 appearances across all competitions for the North London club last season as the Gunners ended a 22-year wait to win the Premier League title and also reached the Champions League final.
Arsenal are to begin the defence of their Premier League crown at home against promoted Coventry City on August 21.
Map of the best city beach pop-ups opening this summer with splash parks & fairground rides
FANCY a trip to the beach without having to schlep to the seaside? You’re in luck.
Many cities around the UK are launching their own pop-up beaches this summer – and they’re perfect for those who living inland and have no way of getting to the sea.
They promise family-friendly rides, adult-only beach clubs and of course, buckets and buckets of sand.
Here are 10 of the best that you and the family can enjoy this summer.

1. Northampton’s Market Square

The Market Square in Northampton is about to be transformed into a huge beach this summer.
Along with the sand, there will be everything from deckchairs and buckets and spades to palm trees.
Fairground rides, pop up cinema and live events are also part of the summer season pop up.
Market Square beach runs from July 31 to August 31. Free to visit.
2. Middleton Hall, Milton Keynes
Calling itself the biggest in an indoor shopping centre, the new seaside-esque pop-up The Beach is back at Milton Keynes this year.
There are all the seaside classics such as free Punch & Judy shows, as well as an indoor rollercoaster and rides, although these cost extra from £3 to £6.
Bungees, games, train rides and pop-up stalls are also part of the event.
The Beach run from July 17 to August 31. Free to visit.
3. Costa del Croydon, London
Can’t quite make it to Spain this year? How about going to… Croydon.
Costa del Croydon is back this summer for its third year, opening on the Centrale Shopping Centre.
Alongside the beach and splash park, there is everything from mini go-karts and trampolines to street food and classic seaside games.
Lots of workshops will run too with previous years featuring dance classes and interactive activities.
New this year is an adults only beach club, running every Thursday from 5pm to 8pm.
Costa Del Croydon runs from August 7-31. Free to visit.
4. Summer Fair, Manchester
Returning to Manchester’s Trafford Centre this year is the Summer Fair with a huge beach and splash pool.
It includes fairground rides and activities such as workshops and dance events.
Other free events here this summer include the new Cosmic Carnival – with circus style shows – and a Zero Gravity Disco.
Summer Fair runs from July 18 to August 31. Tickets from £2.50.
5. Nottingham Beach
Found at Old Market Square, Nottingham Beach has brought back its main beach with deckchairs and bucket and spades.
There is even a beach bar and food stalls, along with DJ nights, dance classes and movie nights.
The beach also has a paddling pool to cool down in, and rides like spinning tops and rollercoasters.
Nottingham Beach runs from July 15 to August 31. Free to visit.
6. Big Penny Beach Club, London
The London beach – previously called Walthamstow-on-Sea – is back for the season and it’s had a big revamp inspired by the Balearics this summer.
Also new this year is a gelateria selling ice creams, along with bars and food stalls.
There are beach quizzes, volleyball, and you can even book a big cabana.
Big Penny Beach Club runes from May 22 to August 30. Free to visit.
7. Sheffield by the Seaside
Calling it a “full-scale, pop-up coastal resort,” Sheffield by the Seaside has returned to the city this year.
Found in the Peace Gardens, there a huge beach with deckchairs, as well as water fountains for the kids to play in.
There’s also food and drink stalls and fairground rides, although they are an additional fee.
Sheffield by the Seaside runs from July 23 to August 31. Free to visit.
8. Birmingham Beach
Birmingham Beach has it all – sand, deckchairs, beach huts and candy floss.
Found at Digbeth High Street, fairground rides are also part of it as well as an outdoor inflatable pool.
While rides cost extra, the beach pop-up will transport you straight to a retro seaside town.
Birmingham Beach runs from July 17 to August 31. Free to visit.
9. Bath on the Beach
Dip your toes into the sand, settle into a deckchair and watch some live sports at Bath on the Beach.
There are lounge cabanas if you want to book a spot, as well as beach games and even adventure golf.
Found at the Royal Pavilion in Bath, it also serves cocktails, beer and wine, as well as pizzas and kids meals.
Bath on the Beach runs from June 12 to August 2. Free to visit.
10. Pop Up Beach, St Albans
For something a bit smaller, St Albans is bringing back its pop-up beach as well.
Kids can build sandcastles or just play in the sand, found at Civic Close.
Parents can keep an eye from one of the many deckchairs around the outside.
Pop-Up Beach runs from August 8-23. Free to visit.
Top US and Russian diplomats discuss Ukraine war in Manila | Russia-Ukraine war News
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov ‘reaffirmed readiness’ for a political and diplomatic settlement to Russia-Ukraine war.
Published On 23 Jul 2026
The top United States and Russian diplomats have discussed the war in Ukraine on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in the Philippines.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday in Manila, with Russian media reporting that the meeting was just over half an hour long.
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The sit-down came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had spoken with US envoys in a bid to revive stalled talks aimed at ending the years-long war.
Lavrov “reaffirmed Russia’s readiness for a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict”, a statement from Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, adding that the minister told Rubio that Moscow remained committed to proposals put forward by presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin at their August 2025 meeting in Alaska.
Lavrov also “stressed that it was unacceptable to continue supplying weapons to the Kyiv regime”, the ministry said. The minister condemned “a destabilising policy by European countries, which are still seeking to inflict a ‘strategic defeat’ on Russia,” it added.
The US State Department offered few details about the meeting, with a spokesperson only saying that Rubio and Lavrov “discussed the US-Russia relationship and the need to end the Russia-Ukraine war”.
The two were also expected to discuss the conflict in the Middle East, which has seen Moscow condemn Washington’s strikes on its ally Iran.
“The war in Ukraine, I think, has in many ways impeded the ability of Russia and the United States to find areas of agreement on other topics,” Rubio told reporters on Wednesday.
“That doesn’t mean we won’t seek to find other areas of potential cooperation. But by the same token … we’d like to see that war come to an end,” he added.
Rubio said the US remained open to playing a role in ending the conflict “if that opportunity presents itself”.
For his part, Lavrov earlier indicated the meeting would “be useful in any case”.
“It’s good to ask questions and get answers,” Lavrov said to reporters on Wednesday, adding that he would ask Rubio about the latest statements by Trump predicting that a settlement is getting close.
Discussions aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine have been at a standstill, with US attention now focused on the Middle East and Moscow maintaining its demand that Kyiv cede territory.
On Thursday, Zelenskyy said in a post on X that he had “a good, important conversation on how to reinvigorate diplomacy” with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Rubio spoke briefly with Lavrov at a gala dinner on Tuesday, and the two participated in a meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum on Thursday morning.
Trump has voiced support for Ukraine’s campaign of long-range drone strikes targeting Russian energy infrastructure, saying it could “help bring about an end” to the conflict.
Ukraine has been escalating its drone strikes, hitting refineries, oil depots and cargo ships at sea, which has caused fuel shortages in Russia.
In late June, a massive barrage of Russian missiles and drones killed at least 30 people in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s wife Tenisha Warner sues his mother
Malcolm-Jamal Warner‘s widow and his mother are on opposing sides of a legal battle over $1.2 million, a year after “The Cosby Show” star died suddenly at age 54.
Tenisha Warner, the actor’s wife and mother to his daughter, on Monday filed a civil complaint against her mother-in-law alleging breach of contract. The complaint, filed in DeKalb County Superior Court in Georgia, alleges that Pamela Warner — trustee of the Warner Family Trust — owes her daughter-in-law an approximate total of $1,276,042.46 stemming from the spouses’ premarital agreement and the actor’s other alleged financial obligations to his wife, according to legal documents reviewed by The Times.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the Emmy-nominated actor who starred as Theo Huxtable for eight seasons on “The Cosby Show,” died on July 20, 2025, in an accidental drowning while on vacation at Playa Grande, Cahuita, Limón. He married Tenisha in May 2022.
According to her complaint, Tenisha and Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s premarital agreement stated that the actor should purchase and maintain a term life insurance policy of $1 million with his wife as the sole beneficiary. Malcolm-Jamal also agreed in their prenup to maintain and contribute the maximum annual amount to a Roth IRA account for his wife, a financial obligation worth $30,500, according to court documents. Tenisha also claims Malcolm-Jamal agreed to pay her $16,000 a year for each wedding anniversary and a monthly salary of $5,500 “for her service as his Chief of Staff.” The complaint includes a copy of the premarital agreement.
In a statement shared with The Times on Wednesday, Tenisha said she has attempted to privately settle Malcolm-Jamal’s “complicated estate and honor his last wishes” and that the actor “had every intention to provide for our nine-year-old daughter and me.” Tenisha also said her late husband intended to finalize a new estate plan — “the stale plan created [was] in 1996 when he was 26 years old” — but was unable to do so before his death.
“I have been struggling to care for our daughter as a single mom and now as her sole provider. Legally, I had no choice but to take action to protect our rights before any potential statute of limitations expired,” she continued. “We thank you for your support, love, and understanding as we work through this painful process while honoring Malcolm’s life on the first anniversary of his death.”
According to the complaint, Malcolm-Jamal died “without having satisfied his obligations” to his wife and Tenisha has not received payments related to her agreements with the actor. “The full amount of the obligations described herein remains due,” the complaint said.
Tenisha’s complaint also seeks a declaration confirming the validity of her premarital agreement.
Pamela Warner commemorated the anniversary of her son’s death on Tuesday, sharing photos from their past on the Instagram page dedicated to her son’s memory. In between photos from Malcolm-Jamal’s childhood, Pamela included a lengthy statement about moving forward amid a year of “pain, hurt, loss and emotional de-stabilization.” Her statement talks about purpose, healing and a journey to “be better, improve and transform our spiritual selves.”
“During my year long journey, I have discovered how cruel, evil and greedy a human can be,” she wrote, seemingly alluding to the legal battle but not naming her daughter-in-law. “I have also discovered the depth of love, care, concern and support that humans are capable of. All of which I have been the recipient of. The good, the bad, and the ugly. These are the lessons that I apparently will need as I continue my journey.”
Galaxy can’t overcome first-half goals, fall to visiting St. Louis
Lukas MacNaughton and Marcel Hartel scored four minutes apart late in the first half to break open St. Louis City’s 3-1 victory over the Galaxy on Wednesday night.
Simon Becher scored in the second half after Galaxy defender Emiro Garcés was sent off in the 49th minute with his second yellow card, and St. Louis cruised to its third straight win.
St. Louis, which is unbeaten in six straight since early May, also leapfrogged the Galaxy into the Western Conference’s playoff positions with this victory.
Troy Elgersma scored his first MLS goal in the 86th minute for the Galaxy, who have lost two home matches by a combined 6-1 since selling top goal-scorer Gabriel Pec to Brazil’s Cruzeiro for a club-record fee of at least $12 million during the World Cup break. Pec had 43 goals and 28 assists across 101 matches for the Galaxy.
MacNaughton opened the scoring in the 42nd minute when he glided through the box and headed Hartel’s corner in off the Galaxy’s back post.
With Galaxy captain Marco Reus down behind the play after a St. Louis player stepped on his foot in the first minute of stoppage time, Hartel dribbled outside the penalty area and looped in a shot that froze goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski, who made eight saves. The teams exchanged shoves after the goal, with Reus and Garcés receiving yellow cards.
Garcés was sent off shortly after the break for kicking the ball away after a foul.
Becher sneaked behind L.A.’s back line and chipped home on the counter in the 68th minute.
Elgersma, a 22-year-old midfielder who starred at Redlands High, entered his second MLS match as a late substitute and ruined Roman Bürki’s clean sheet.
Harbor Miller started in Pec’s place on LA’s front line for the Galaxy, whose fans chanted “We want better!” in the second half. The Galaxy are awaiting the arrival of Kyōgo Furuhashi after acquiring the Japanese striker from Birmingham City on Tuesday.
João Klauss, the longtime St. Louis forward acquired by the Galaxy in January, has been out since undergoing foot surgery in April.
Thousands forced to evacuate as wildfires sweep across southern France | Climate News
Thousands of people are being evacuated from areas of southern France as firefighters battle huge wildfires. Researchers say climate change is intensifying heat and drought, creating conditions for larger and more destructive wildfire seasons across Europe.
Published On 23 Jul 2026
Will the war on Iran affect ASEAN’s efforts to tackle regional issues? | ASEAN
Renewed fighting between the US and Iran has overshadowed the ASEAN gathering in Manila.
The Philippines is hosting a meeting of foreign ministers from Southeast Asia.
They are expected to address regional security issues, including the civil war in Myanmar and the territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
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But renewed fighting between the US and Iran has overshadowed the gathering.
Ministers have called for hostilities to end.
The conflict has hit Asia hard – disrupting its energy and food supplies, international commerce and raising fears of a global economic slowdown.
Will it also affect ASEAN’s efforts to tackle issues within the region?
Presenter: James Bays
Guests:
Richard Heydarian – Political Scientist and Author of Indo-Pacific: Trump, China and the New Struggle for Global Mastery
Phar Kim Ben – Professor in ASEAN studies at International Islamic Univeristy of Malaysia and former Director of Political & Security Community at ASEAN Secretariat
Don McLain Gill – Lecturer at De La Salle University and Indo-Pacific Research fellow with Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Published On 23 Jul 2026
Academy Museum feting Mexican American film with new exhibit in fall 2027
Over the weekend, the Academy Museum announced that it will honor Mexican and Mexican American film history in an upcoming exhibition titled “Cinelandia: Celebrating Mexican American Cinema.”
Currently scheduled to open in September 2027 — likely to coincide with the onset of Hispanic Heritage Month — the showcase will span from the silent film era to the present day and examine movies from both sides of the border.
The idea for the exhibition was first discussed back in 2019 and work on it officially began in late 2022, Academy Museum associate curator Sophia Serrano told The Times.
“It grew from a previous research and programming project we did as part of the Getty Foundation’s Pacific Standard Time: Los Angeles x Latin America initiative, before we opened the Academy Museum in 2021,” Serrano said.
The display will focus mostly on Mexican American cinema, but examines those films in conversation with Mexican features and other Spanish-language movies, made both in Hollywood and internationally.
Films included in the exhibit will be Day of the Dead flicks like “The Book of Life” and Disney’s “Coco” — as well as the Spanish-language version of the 1931 horror classic “Dracula,” plus director Luis Valdez’s “La Bamba” and “Zoot Suit.” Three groundbreaking works by Gregory Nava will also be honored: the Oscar-nominated “El Norte,” “My Family/Mi Familia” and the Jennifer Lopez-led biopic “Selena.”
Among the classic Mexican films included are the 1932 film “Santa,” which was the first Mexican narrative sound movie, as well as 1946’s “Enamorada.” Features from Mexico’s Oscar-winning “three amigos” of cinema — Guillermo del Toro, Alfonso Cuarón and Alejandro Iñárritu — will also be highlighted.
Along with curator Serrano, “Cinelandia” is guided by a 12-person advisory panel: cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz; UC Santa Cruz professor emeritus Rosa-Linda Fregoso; LACMA curator and head of contemporary art Rita Gonzalez; animator-director Jorge R. Gutiérrez; writer-director Cristina Ibarra; Pitzer College professor Jesse Lerner; director-writer Carlos López Estrada; University of Arizona assistant professor Orquidea Morales; director Gregory Nava; UCLA professor Chon Noriega; University of Texas at Austin professor Charles Ramirez Berg; and USC professor Laura Isabel Serna.
Given that L.A. County’s population is almost 50% Latino, Serrano noted that part of the exhibition’s aim is to connect to the millions of Latinos in the county and show how they’ve been critical in informing the cultural landscape of L.A.
“Mexican American cinema is … a big part of Los Angeles’ history,” Serrano said. “We want this exhibition to connect with the broader Los Angeles community, as well as illuminate the history behind many of the beloved films from Mexican American and Mexican filmmakers. The exhibition is designed to offer something for everyone and bring people of all ages and backgrounds together to celebrate this important cultural heritage.”
As with previous exhibitions centered on minority populations, the Academy Museum won’t be shying away from the uncomfortable truths around Latinos in Hollywood — from the demographic’s stereotypical portrayals in film to its underrepresentation in the industry that continues to this day.
“Many of the films and artists featured in the exhibition draw attention to or push against these challenges in a variety of ways,” Serrano said. “A guiding principle of the exhibition is foregrounding the voices of film artists themselves via interviews, written quotes, and guest curations and collaborations alongside the hundreds of original objects that will go on display, and this aims to tell an earnest and engaging story about this history.”
“We are also aiming to show how vast the contributions of Mexican American artists are, and these histories are often unknown or underrecognized. It’s essential that the exhibition celebrates these moments of impact and influence in a dynamic and educational manner.”
“Cinelandia” isn’t the museum’s first foray into identity-based exhibitions centered on underrepresented populations. In 2022, the museum opened the “Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971” exhibition which highlighted the work of Black creatives from filmmaking’s early days through the civil rights movement. The showcase — which closed in April 2023 — tackled such themes as the representation of Black people in early cinema (1897-1915), the era of “race films” made by Black filmmakers for Black audiences (1910s-1940s), musical films and stories born of the civil rights movement.
The museum’s ongoing showcase titled “Hollywoodland: Jewish Founders and the Making of a Movie Capital,” explores the stories of the Jewish filmmakers and studio founders who helped cement the L.A. area as the world capital of entertainment.
Thales S.A. Non-GAAP EPS of €4.82, revenue of €10.95B; reaffirms FY2026 outlook
- Thales S.A. press release (THLEF): 1H Non-GAAP EPS of €4.82.
- Revenue of €10.95B (+6.6% Y/Y).
- Strong commercial momentum, with order intake of €12.5 billion, up 21% (+22% on an organic basis1).
- Solid sales growth to €10.9 billion, up 6.7% (+7.8% on an organic basis




















