Hi, and welcome to another edition of Prep Rally. I’m Eric Sondheimer. The Clippers continue to seek out stories from residents in Los Angeles County about what basketball has meant to them. They are awarding free outside basketball hoops in celebration of the NBA All-Star Game coming to Intuit Dome on Feb. 15.

The stories

People in Los Angeles are telling their stories to the Clippers about what basketball has meant to them.

“Having a basketball hoop would mean so much to me because it would help honor my dad and keep our memories alive. In 2021, when I was just 8 years old, my dad lost his battle to kidney disease while waiting for a kidney transplant. His passing changed my life forever, but basketball has helped me stay connected to him. Basketball has always been a huge part of my family, and my dad is the reason I play today. He introduced me to the game, supported me every step of the way, and was a huge Los Angeles Clippers fan.”

—

“A new hoop will make a huge difference for my family as both my 10-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter are actively participating in recreational and club basketball leagues. Our current backboard is cracked and glued back and the supporting base has multiple huge cracks, the days are numbered for my current hoop. Both my wife and I are recently laid off from our jobs, getting a new hoop is not within our budget. I also coach both my son and daughter for their respective teams, it would mean a lot if we are able to practice together with the new hoop at our home and basketball truly means family bonding time for us. Basketball is a way for me to teach my kids skills and life lessons as a parent and a coach, and I wish that they can continue to learn from me for as long as I’m able to teach them.”

—

“On January 7th, our family lost our home and all of our belongings in the Eaton Fire. It has been a long and emotional journey, but our home is finally close to being rebuilt. As we work on creating a fresh start, we are focusing on bringing joy and togetherness back into our lives. One of the things I look forward to most is spending time with my grandkids when they come to visit. Having a Clippers basketball hoop would give us a special place to play, bond, and create new memories after everything we have been through.”

—

“My name is Dominic, and I am 10 years old. When I was 2 years old, I was placed in the foster care system. I stayed in different homes until I was 7, and that was also the year I moved in with my grandparents as a foster child. It was a hard time in my life, especially because that was also the year my father passed away. When I was 7, I also discovered something that changed everything for me — basketball. I started playing to help me deal with stress and to take my mind off the things that hurt me the most. Whenever I’m on the court, I feel free. I feel strong. I feel like myself. I’ve been playing basketball from the age of 7 until now, and it has become a huge part of my life. I’m really inspired by my coaches at Obergon Park, Los Angeles County Park, where I play every season. The fee to play is low, and without that, I probably wouldn’t have had this chance. My coaches believe in me so much, and that pushes me to keep going and keep getting better. Basketball has helped me grow, stay focused, and stay positive. That’s why getting a basketball hoop would mean a lot to me. It would give me a chance to practice more, get stronger, and keep doing something that helps me every single day.”

The Clippers are hoping to give out 5,600 outside hoops and there’s plenty left, so tell your stories here.

Boys basketball

Devin Wright drives to the basket during his 23-point effort against Mira Costa on Friday.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

It’s a big week ahead in boys basketball. Harvard-Westlake (21-2) faces two challenging Mission League games, first at No. 1 Sierra Canyon on Wednesday (good luck on getting a ticket), then hosting Sherman Oaks Notre Dame on Saturday.

Redondo Union took control of the Bay League title race by routing rival Mira Costa behind Devin Wright. Here’s the report. Wright had a big weekend, also scoring 31 points in a win over JSerra.

Calabasas came away with a double overtime win over Oaks Christian on a three at the buzzer by Noah Simon. It was the first Marmonte League loss to Oaks Christian since the 2023-24 season.

NaVorro Bowman of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame goes up for shot against St. Francis.

(Craig Weston)

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame turned up the defensive pressure and blew out St. Francis 71-48 by containing 7-foot-4 center Cherif Milloga. Here’s the report.

After watching Notre Dame players push, grab and pull Milloga all night with the officials doing little to stop them, the question becomes: Why is a 7-4 center being treated differently than a 6-8 or smaller center? Fouls would have been called if Notre Dame’s aggressive defenders were using the same tactics against smaller players. Officials are going to need to study long and hard how to deal with Milloga if St. Francis makes the playoffs.

Notre Dame’s Josiah Nance, left, and St. Francis’ Cherif Millogo battle for position in the paint during a recent game.

(Craig Weston)

There’s nothing in the rulebook that says to treat 7-4 centers differently and let the defenders batter him. And the Mission League tournament will be an interesting test case to see if things change. At least Milloga learned a lesson. He was called for three offensive fouls showing his frustration with the physicality of the defense.

Crossroads has moved into position to be the Gold Coast League favorite with wins over Brentwood and Windward. The addition of Shalen Sheppard from Brentwood has been big, and now Mater Dei transfer Evan Willis is back from an injury. He had 12 points and 10 rebounds in the 56-46 win over Windward.

Rodney Westmoreland of Santa Margarita made a crazy, off-balance three at the buzzer to give Santa Margarita a three-point win over JSerra.

Cleveland continues to look like the team to beat in West Valley League basketball. Here’s the report. And watch out for Cleveland sophomore Sho Evans, who’s beginning to hit threes.

Servite failed in its attempt to end a 51-game Trinity League losing streak, falling to Orange Lutheran.

Grayson Coleman of Milken is averaging 23 points and has scored 29 and 30 points in his last two games.

Jack Levey scored 40 points, making 11 of 13 threes, in a win over Westchester.

The annual Nike Extravaganza will be held at Mater Dei on Friday and Saturday.

The late David Greenwood had his jersey retired by Verbum Dei on Friday night.

Here’s this week’s top 25 rankings by The Times.

Girls basketball

A trip back east for the Hoophall Classic didn’t go well for Ontario Christian and Sierra Canyon, both of whom were beaten respectively by East Coast powers Bishop McNamara from Maryland and Long Island Lutheran from New York. It was Ontario Christian’s first defeat after 21 consecutive wins and Sierra Canyon suffered only its second defeat. Kaleena Smith had 25 points for Ontario Christian and Jerzy Robinson scored 33 points for Sierra Canyon.

Mater Dei won its game on Friday at the Hoophall Classic.

There’s a big one-day tournament at Rosary on Monday. Here’s the report.

The big upset of the week was Santa Margarita knocking off JSerra in a Trinity League game.

Here’s the top 20 rankings in Southern California.

Soccer

In a key City Section girls’ soccer match, Cleveland and Granada Hills fought to a 1-1 tie. Cleveland remains the City title favorite. El Camino Real came through with a 1-0 win over Granada Hills on a goal by Jordyn Kogan, the daughter of ECR boys coach Ian Kogan.

No. 1-ranked Santa Margarita (13-0) will have its unbeaten record challenged by Mater Dei on Monday.

Cathedral (11-2-2) showed that it intends to win the Del Rey League this season after a 6-1 blitz of defending champion Bishop Amat.. Then the Phantoms played rival Salesian to a 0-0 tie.

Carson’s Marco Cruz scored three goals in the Colts’ 3-2 win over San Pedro.

The first CIF state soccer championships will be held March 13-14 in Sacramento. There will be five divisions for boys and five for girls. It will be held the same time as the basketball championship. A big problem is that the state cup for boys club teams begins on March 14, and that will create issues for several players.

Chris Fields III gets ready

Carson quarterback Chris Fields III, the City Section offensive player of the year, is already preparing for 2026.

(Craig Weston)

Quarterback Chris Fields III, the City Section offensive player of the year, is already preparing for the 2026 season by trying to get faster and stronger.

Here’s the report.

JV teams can be for development

Drew Anderson of Santa Margarita is a former JV player committed to Oregon State.

(Nick Koza)

There’s not many schools left that use their junior varsity basketball teams for development, but there are plenty of success stories.

Three of the stars from this season — Drew Anderson of Santa Margarita, Pierce Thompson of Harvard-Westlake and Isaiah Williamson of Los Alamitios — started out as freshmen on their JV team.

Here’s a look at how schools are using JV teams for development _ sometimes.

Notes . . . .

Long Beach Poly grad Travon Patterson has been hired as the school’s new football coach. He was hired as receivers coach three years ago. He also played for USC. . . .

St. Bernard has become the latest private school looking for a new football coach. There’s been openings at Bishop Montgomery, Bishop Alemany, JSerra, St. Paul and St. Francis. . . .

Joe Podzimek is the new softball coach at Bishop Montgomery. . . .

A high school basketball player in Arizona scored 100 points in a game. Here’s the report. . . .

New UCLA football coach Bob Chesney and several of his assistants were at Mater Dei on Thursday for the opening of off-season drills, a sign the Bruins are no longer going to allow the school’s top athletes to pick USC without competition. They also visited St. John Bosco, Bellflower and Orange Lutheran last week, among other schools . . .

Pete Smolin is the new football coach at Don Lugo. . . .

Aaryn Washington, a junior cornerback at Mater Dei committed to USC, announced he will play his senior season for IMG Academy in Florida. . . .

Jake Brande, a 6-foot-7 pitcher at Palm Desert committed to Cal Poly, has transferred to Rancho Christian after the family decided to move to Temecula following the death of his brother, Johnny, from cancer.

The high school football transfer portal continues to gain momentum.

From the archives: Coleman Shelton

Los Angeles Rams center Coleman Shelton.

(Terrance Williams / Associated Press)

Former Loyola High offensive lineman Coleman Shelton has been one of the unsung heroes for the Rams playing center and helping Matthew Stafford have an MVP-like season. He was at Washington for five years and went undrafted in 2018. He’s been in the NFL since signing as a free agent and won a Super Bowl with the Rams.

Here’s a story from 2012 when he was a 6-foot-4, 280-pound high school player.

Here’s a story from 2021 explaining Shelton’s background.

Recommendations

From the Washington Post, a story on the rising prices to participate in youth sports.

From the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, a story on former Taft coach Derrick Taylor getting Blair into the Rio Hondo League title hunt.

From KTLA, a story on how San Juan Hills football coach Robert Frith had his life saved by an off duty fire fighter.

From the San Diego Union-Tribune, a story on a star high school football player in San Diego who says “almost the whole Trinity League” tried to recruit him.

Tweets you might have missed

Until next time….

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

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Travel vlogger Collin Abroadcasting took his astounded viewers on a journey up the “very unique” 800m-long Central–Mid-Levels escalator and walkway system in Hong Kong

A travel vlogger who has showcased the longest outdoor escalator system in the world has pointed out one major catch to anyone hoping to try it for themselves. Collin Abroadcasting gave his viewers an insight into the 800m-long Central–Mid-Levels escalator and walkway system in Hong Kong, a special administrative region in China.

Comprised of walkways, 16 escalators and three travelators, the system, designed to help people navigate the steep landscape of the region’s central business district, provided 99,000 trips each day, as of late January 2024, according to the Hong Kong Transport Department.

Launched in 1993, costing a reported $30 million (£22.4m) and intersecting more than a dozen streets, the Central–Mid-Levels begins at Queen’s Road Central, linking to the Central Market Flyover, weaving past Central and up to Conduit Road.

For Collin’s video, however, it seems to be all about the “unique perspective” of Hong Kong that the Central–Mid-Levels offers to those who take advantage of this jaw-dropping public transportation system.

Collin said: “Today, we’re out here in Hong Kong, and right now, we’re going to this very unique style of public transportation, and what I mean by that is escalator ride that lasts for like 20 to 30 minutes.”

As he ascended the initial stair section leading to the escalators, Collin pointed out that it was “really fun” to use the system, highlighting the sights and how it offered a “unique perspective” of Hong Kong.

He also noted that, despite its reputation for being the world’s longest, the system isn’t just a single escalator, but a “huge walkway”, before pointing out a major catch.

Collin added: “And one thing about this, though, is if you go up, there’s no escalator down. So, if you’re going up to experience it, prepare to be walking down, and it is a quite a long way, but I think you’ll get down faster than you’ll get up.”

He proceeded to show the winding system’s respective levels, at one point highlighting a fare-saver machine that offers people a two-dollar discount, as pedestrians went about their business behind him.

As he rode the escalator ever upwards, shops and restaurants could be seen on either side of him, with junctures that had intersecting streets breaking up the journey.

Upon arriving at the top, Collin explained that, from there, you would need to take a 25-minute walk to access the tram to Victoria Peak, a must-see destination offering breathtaking views of Hong Kong.

The majority of the escalators feature just one reversible track that switches direction “following the prevailing direction of pedestrian flow during the day”, reports CNN.

Interestingly, the Central–Mid-Levels escalator system has also featured in famous films; the travelator nearest Hollywood Road made an appearance in Wong Kar-wai’s 1994 flick, Chungking Express.

Superhero fans may also be interested to learn that it appeared in Christopher Nolan’s 1998 Batman entry, The Dark Knight.

WITH today being deemed Blue Monday, we’ve rounded up some of the best free events across the country to cheer yourself up.

Blue Monday is said to be the most depressing day of the year, although initially was a marketing campaign by a travel company back in 2005.

It was coined for a number of reasons – the distance from Christmas, the wait before the next paycheck and being a common time to give up on New Year’s resolutions.

So whether you fancy some wildlife watching or deserve a free bagel, here’s what you can do and get this week without having to spend a penny, which will certainly boost the happiness levels a bit.

Canary Wharf Winter Lights

If you thought light trails were just for Christmas, you’d be mistaken.

Canary Wharf Winter Lights is back for its 10th year.

FALL FOR IT

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GO SEA IT

£9.50 holiday spot with shipwrecks, seals offshore & horseshoe-shaped waterfalls

Taking place across 12 nights, it is putting on a series of displays and installations across the neighbourhood.

The tenth anniversary edition of the festival will have the theme ‘Dreamscape’, so you can expect some surreal and ethereal installations.

The Canary Wharf Winter Lights will run from 20 to 31 January, 2026 between 5-10pm.

Meet My Paws

As it’s Blue Monday today, you might fancy some extra company this week.

Meet My Paws is a free platform across the country that connects dog owners with people for walks.

It doesn’t cost a penny, you just arrange a time with the person and off you go.

Free Birdwatching Walks

This week is the beginning of RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch across the UK.

Whether you’re a bird-watching enthusiast, or just want to see some wildlife, there are plenty of free events you can book onto.

On January 23, 2026, there’s a birdwatch in Brondesbury Park for those who want to spot some wildlife.

The same event is being held at the Energy Garden at Hampstead Heath on the following day (January 24, 2026).

It’s completely free, you just need to RSVP here if you want to go to either.

If you’re Hertfordshire based, head to Lee Valley for ‘Guided walk: Birds of River Lee Country Park’ – tickets are running low so book your place here.

Other locations across the country include Lincoln Inn’s Fields.

Head here if you want to find out more on the Big Garden Birdwatch and events across the UK.

Make sure to wrap up warm, and bring your binoculars.

Corner Corner Music Events

If some entertainment is what you’re looking for then head to Corner Corner in Canada Water.

On the weekend of January 25-26, there are performances by Alex Jones & Live Band and Brian Grogan, an Irish Folk singer.

No payment necessary, all you have to do is turn up and enjoy.

East Lancashire Railway

The celebrations continue for 200 years of railway with The Railway 200 Exhibition Train.

It’s been travelling all over the country and will arrive in Bolton on January 21 until January 26.

Onboard the train are interactive displays and hands-on activities – all rail oriented of course.

It’s completely free, but booking is required if you want guaranteed entry.

Light Up Ramsgate

Ramsgate’s town centre has been shining with light installations since December, but four more are being added this week.

One called Event Horizon will be at the Sailors Church, another will be projected above 24 Harbour Street, Ramsgate Space is where you’ll find the third.

The last one that’s a giant inflatable illuminated constellation of stars will be at the town’s Wetherspoons.

The new works will launch on January 23 and continue with the rest of the trail until February 1.

Scrapbooking Workshop, Battersea Power Station

Get crafty at Battersea Power Station with a Scrapbooking Workshop.

All materials will be provided – you just need to bring your Moleskine notebook with you.

Pop in for a session on January 20 between 5-7pm.

Free Bagels at B Bagel

If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to start running in 2026, then treat yourself to a free lunch courtesy of B Bagel.

For London runners, if you get a PB for a run in January then take a screenshot in your running app (e.g. Strava).

Then DM B Bagel on Instagram with the screenshot, and they’ll put a freebie on your B Bagel app.

You can choose from Chicken Avocado, Salmon & Cream Cheese or the New York New York Bagel which comes with roasted turkey breast, coleslaw, mustard mayo and pickles.

Manchester Pub Quiz

WeRoad Travel Pub Quiz is heading to Manchester for a mix of trivia and drinks.

You can choose to go with friends or solo – in fact half of attendees are first-timers.

Reserve your spot here for the quiz on January 23 from 7-11pm at Manahatta Deansgate in Manchester.

For more city-based activities, here’s everything you can do at one of London’s most popular attractions before it closes ahead of renovation.

And here find out the English counties with the most free family activities from pony sanctuaries and steam railways to soft plays.

AN abandoned airport in the UK has revealed the newest plans amid years of talks of reopening.

Manston Airport, in Kent, once offered flights from the UK to Europe, including Italy, Portugal and Amsterdam.

However, these ceased in 2014 when KLM pulled out of the airport.

Since then, there have been plans to restart passenger flights to Europe once again.

In a recent interview, Tony Freudmann – the public face of the site’s owners, RiverOak Strategic Partners – explained how this might be longer than we think.

He told Kent Online: “We need, by the time we open, to have enough advance commitment from cargo operators to see that it is going to work.

TAKING OFF

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FIGHT OR FLIGHT

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“At that point, if we get the right approach from passenger carriers, wanting us to build a passenger terminal and base some aircraft here, we’ll go with that.”

The current plans to reopen as a cargo airport are scheduled for 2029.

While no airlines have expressed interest, Mr Freudmann said airlines like Jet2 and TUI prefer “regional airports like this one”.

Not only that, but he addressed the issue of “low cost carriers struggling for peak time slots” at other major airports.

And with the boom in package holidays once again, he said a new passenger terminal could be put forward.

The current passenger terminal would, however, need to be knocked down and replaced.

Local Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale said it “will happen” but added it was unlikely to be until five years after reopening the airport.

This means we can’t expect commercial flights until 2034, at the earliest.

Until then, the airport is still on track to reopen initially for cargo flights.

After a four-year legal battle, it was in May 2024 that it was given the go-ahead, with plans for a £650million overhaul.

However, this has since jumped by £100million to £750million, with plans to start works early this year also delayed.

Mr Freudmann explained: “The first construction work of parking stands, taxiways and new buildings will be at the end of those 18 months.

“So if we start, if we say towards the end of next year, 2027, we’d have a view to opening in 2029.”

Here’s another UK airport that has been left abandoned – but wants to reopen.

And here’s everything to know about the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport which closed in 2022.

Who: Inter Milan vs Arsenal
What: Matchday 7 (of 8), league phase, UEFA Champions League
Where: San Siro in Milan, Italy
When: Tuesday, January 20, at 9pm (20:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 17:00 GMT in advance of our text commentary stream.

Arsenal, now the only unbeaten team in the UEFA Champions League (UCL), travel to northern Italy to take on the might of Inter Milan on Tuesday after a 40-day break in the tournament schedule.

Riding a perfect 18 points from six matches so far, the Gunners enter this Matchday 7 contest as the UCL frontrunners, but their English Premier League (EPL) form has been far from dominant in 2026, drawing with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest in their most recent domestic fixture on Saturday.

Inter, who co-led the league phase with Arsenal after four rounds, enter this penultimate group stage contest riding a two-match UCL losing streak, including a crushing 1-0 home defeat to Liverpool in their last match on December 9, dropping the Nerazzurri to sixth in the standings.

Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the high-stakes encounter, which might decide automatic qualification entry into the last 16.

Arsenal lead UCL and EPL, but it doesn’t feel like it

The Gunners lead next-best Bayern Munich in the Champions League by three points and front-run Manchester City in the Premier League by seven points, but they are playing far from their best in the new year.

Mikel Arteta’s side have sputtered out of the gate in 2026 with their last EPL victory an unconvincing 3-2 against Bournemouth on January 3, followed by two goalless draws: at home to Liverpool on January 8; and away to lowly Forest on January 17.

It is the first time since the 2012-13 season that Arsenal have recorded back-to-back 0-0 draws in the domestic league, with Arteta conceding that it was “difficult to generate momentum” during the most recent game.

“We came here to win the game, that’s clear, and we needed the opportunities that we had,” he said after the Nottingham setback.

“We haven’t managed that, so the word is disappointment.”

Arsenal remain well on course to end a 22-year wait to win the Premier League title, but they will need to quickly rediscover their offensive touch against a defensive juggernaut like Inter.

Inter hitting peak form

In contrast, Inter have recovered from a slow start to the Serie A season – where they lost two of their first three fixtures – to rapidly climb to the top of the ladder, three points clear of next-best AC Milan, and six points ahead of reigning champions Napoli.

The Nerazzurri are unbeaten in their last 11 domestic league fixtures. They were last defeated in Serie A way back on November 23, a 1-0 home loss in the derby match against Milan.

Will Arsenal qualify for the round of 16 if they beat Inter?

Yes. An Arsenal victory, or even a draw, in Tuesday’s penultimate League phase match against Inter would guarantee the North London outfit finish in the top eight clubs that automatically qualify for the last 16 of the tournament, thereby skipping the two-legged knockout playoff involving those placing ninth to 24th.

When did Inter and Liverpool last win the Champions League?

Arsenal have never won the UEFA Champions League title. They came closest in the 2005-06 season, losing the final to Barcelona 2-1.

Inter last won in 2010, overcoming Bayern Munich 2-0 in the final to complete the treble, a feat never achieved before by any team from either Italy or Germany.

What happened the last time Inter played Arsenal?

Inter defeated Arsenal 1-0 at the San Siro in a Matchday 4, league phase fixture on November 6, 2024.

Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu scored what turned out to be the match-winner from the penalty spot just before half time.

The two storied clubs have played three times in Champions League history, with Inter holding a 2-1 edge over the Gunners.

Inter Milan’s team news

In anticipation of Tuesday’s blockbuster clash against Arsenal, Inter coach Cristian Chivu rested stars Alessandro Bastoni and Marcus Thuram in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Udinese.

Thuram will re-enter the starting XI at the expense of Pio Esposito and will lead the line with regular strike partner Lautaro Martinez in Chivu’s well-tested 3-5-2 formation.

The Nerazzurri will likely be without key contributors Hakan Calhanoglu and Denzel Dumfries, both of whom are recovering from leg injuries and are close to a return to match action.

With a top-eight automatic qualification spot into the UCL round of 16 on the line, Chivu is expected to field his strongest possible side against Arsenal.

Inter Milan’s predicted starting lineup (3-5-2):

Sommer (goalkeeper); Acerbi, Akanji, Bastoni; Henrique, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez

Arsenal’s team news

In a desperate effort to find some goal scoring, Arteta is tipped to start Bukayo Saka – who was brought on as a second-half substitute in Saturday’s draw with Forest – alongside Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus.

Arsenal will continue to be without the injured trio of Max Dowman, Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori, all of whom are not expected back until the first week of February, at the earliest.

Arsenal’s predicted starting lineup (4-3-3):

Raya (goalkeeper), Lewis-Skelly, Saliba, Magalhaes; Timber, Zubimendi, Rice; Odegaard; Madueke, Jesus, Saka

Last five matches

Inter Milan: W-W-D-W-W (most recent result last, Serie A matches only)

Arsenal: W-W-W-D-D (most recent result last, Premier League matches only)

Sixth seed Alex de Minaur believes he has the ability to be a serious contender for major honours and become the first Australian to win the men’s singles title at his home Grand Slam since Mark Edmondson in 1976.

The 26-year-old, who has reached the quarter-finals at each of the four majors, began his campaign with a dominant 6-2 6-2 6-2 win over lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald but insisted he has more to prove.

“I’ve got to the stage where I’m not just another number in the draw,” De Minaur said. “I’m playing to win it, to be one of the guys in contention. Ultimately, that’s the goal. It’s not about being satisfied [with this performance].”

Elsewhere, 13th seed Andrey Rublev beat Italian Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets while three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud, the 12th seed, lost just seven games en route to victory over Mattia Bellucci.

Spanish 14th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and American 19th seed Tommy Paul came through unscathed against Filip Misolic and Aleksandar Kovacevic respectively.

However, there was a surprise early exit for Czech 17th seed Jiri Lehecka, who fell to Arthur Gea in straight sets. The Frenchman, who came through qualifying, will face 40-year-old former champion Stan Wawrinka in round two.

The Downton Abbey actor teased the possibility of spin-offs after fans were left begging for more.

Downton Abbey favourite Hugh Bonneville has hinted at what lies ahead for the beloved franchise following last year’s concluding film.

The cherished period drama made its debut in 2010, spanning six series and three films, with a stellar cast including Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, and the late Dame Maggie Smith.

The Harry Potter icon was honoured in Downton Abbey : The Grand Finale, which screened last year, though Hugh has now suggested another instalment might still materialise.

However, the Paddington star dismissed any personal participation, revealing to Saga magazine: “I wouldn’t be surprised if they make some sort of spin-off, but no, our company has left the building.

“The Grand Finale really was a farewell. As we came towards the end of filming, I would take a look around each set – let’s say the library – for the last time, so that I would be able to remember,” reports the Express.

He continued: “I feel enormous love for Downton. Every single day a message comes through about what it meant to someone, so I’m enormously proud.”

The finale concluded with a poignant ending, tracking Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle) as a divorcée and single mum rising above controversy, with the closing moments depicting the family and staff dancing alongside Violet Crawley, before the camera settled on a portrait of Dame Maggie as the Dowager Countess.

Fans flooded social media with pleas for additional content, with one viewer enthusing: “I’ve always said I’d like a sequel to the show around WWII time with George as the main, so we can see the kids more grown up! (I would also love a prequel).”

Others shared mixed feelings, with one remarking, “I would love more too, but I want a better written movie than what we’ve been given,” whilst another declared, “I would watch pretty much anything they put out.”

Show creator Julian Fellowes hasn’t ruled out future instalments, previously telling Entertainment Weekly: “That’s a possibility. I’ve learned never to say never anymore, because you have to take it back.”

He added that he was “not against the idea of revisiting Downton, but it would have to be in a different period of history so that their problems were different and they were facing different issues”.

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

He said: “On that basis, I don’t see why not, but we’ll have to see what happens.”

Meanwhile, producer Gareth Neame had hinted that it may not be the end, saying: “The camera will pull away and we’ll have our last, last moment with those characters, but that’s not necessarily the end for Downton Abbey.”

Downton Abbey is available to watch on ITVX.

CONCORD, N.H. — A New Hampshire Episcopal bishop is attracting national attention after warning his clergy to finalize their wills and get their affairs in order to prepare for a “new era of martyrdom,” invoking the nonviolent resistance of the civil rights era.

Bishop Rob Hirschfeld of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire made his comments this month at a vigil honoring Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot on Jan. 7 behind the wheel of her vehicle by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

The Trump administration has defended the ICE officer’s actions, saying he fired in self-defense while standing near the front of Good’s vehicle as it began to move forward. That explanation has been panned by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and others based on videos of the confrontation, which show the officer shot Good several times.

Hirschfeld’s speech cited several historical clergy members who had risked their lives to protect others, including New Hampshire seminary student Jonathan Daniels, who was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy in Alabama while shielding a young Black civil rights activist in 1965.

“I have told the clergy of the Episcopal diocese of New Hampshire that we may be entering into that same witness,” Hirschfeld said. “And I’ve asked them to get their affairs in order, to make sure they have their wills written, because it may be that now is no longer the time for statements, but for us with our bodies, to stand between the powers of this world and the most vulnerable.”

Hirschfeld said people of Christian faith should not fear death.

“Those of us who are ready to build a new world, we also have to be prepared,” he said. “If we truly want to live without fear, we cannot fear even death itself, my friends.”

Other religious leaders, including the Most Rev. Sean W. Rowe, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, have also called on Christians to protect the vulnerable amid the rise in aggressive and sometimes violent immigration enforcement actions under the Trump administration.

“We keep resisting, advocating, bearing witness and repairing the breach,” Rowe said during a prayer last week. “We keep sheltering and caring for those among us who are immigrants and refugees because they are beloved by God, and without them, we cannot fully be the church.”

In Minnesota, the Right Rev. Craig Loya urged people not to meet “hatred with hatred” but instead focus on love in “a world obviously not fine.”

“We are going to make like our ancient ancestors, and turn the world upside down by mobilizing for love,” he said. “We are going to disrupt with Jesus’ hope. We are going to agitate with Jesus’ love.”

Hugo Keenan will not see action for Leinster United Rugby Championship game against Connacht in Galway on Saturday [17:30 GMT] but the news is positive for the Ireland international, who is battling back from injury.

Keenan scored the winning try for the British and Irish Lions in their second Test against Australia to seal the series win last summer and underwent hip surgery upon his return home.

The 29-year-old full-back has yet to feature for club or country since, but has stepped up his on-field training with Leinster alongside Jamie Osbourne, who has been out with a shoulder injury sustained during Ireland’s win over Japan in November.

Both are close to a return to action, which will be good news for Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, who is due to announce his squad for the Six Nations on Wednesday ahead of the opening game away to France on 5 February.

Elsewhere, Ciaran Frawley and Jack Conan will be available this week as they return to training, while Jimmy O’Brien (hamstring), Robbie Henshaw (knee), Tommy O’Brien (calf) and Tadhg Furlong (calf) will be assessed late in the week.

There are no further updates on Ryan Baird, Jordan Larmour, Paddy McCarthy, Andrew Porter and Rabah Slimani.

Several ‍people ‍have been killed in a blast in ⁠Afghanistan’s Kabul, ​the Taliban Interior ‍Ministry said.

The explosion occurred on Monday in the Shahr-e-Naw area of the capital, which is home ‌to foreigners and ⁠thought to be one of the most secure areas ‌in Kabul.

“According to preliminary reports, ‍a ⁠number of people were killed and injured,” Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani told ​the Reuters news agency, ‌adding that details would be released later.

Blasts in Kabul, and across Afghanistan, are rarer since the Taliban returned to power following the United States withdrawal in 2021, but ISIL affiliates are still active in the country and carry out sporadic attacks.

More to come…

The harvest season is a moment of festivity in Medu, a Hausa farming community in the Gagarawa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, North West Nigeria. After residents gather crops and fill their granaries, women set aside a special day to celebrate Asure, an age-old traditional feast whose name means “enjoyment”.

Ramma Hassan, a mother of five—two boys and three girls—believes Asure is both a source of joy and a challenge. From her farming proceeds, she saved diligently for months in preparation for the annual celebration, ensuring her children were not left out.

“We sew clothes for our children, we buy new hijabs and shoes, and we cook rice and stew with chicken,” she told HumAngle. “If we don’t do this, our children will look different when every other child is looking good and feasting.”

Unlike other communal events in the village, where men often take centre stage, Asure is distinctly women-led. It is held after the hibiscus harvest, locally known as zobo—the last crop to leave the farms each season. Women are often invited by farmers to harvest the hibiscus, either for cash payment or in exchange for a share of the produce. They sell it and use the proceeds to prepare for the feast. Once the harvest is complete, brides-to-be and other young women agree on a date for the celebration, which is then announced across the community by a town crier.

Ramma spent over ₦100,000 preparing three of her daughters for Asure last year. Those with more financial capacity spent more, while others spent less, depending on their savings.

“I didn’t save much, as the produce I got was not highly priced; that is why I spent so little,” she said. “The more we save, the more we spend, especially when the prices of foodstuffs soar in the market.”

However, Ramma told HumAngle that in a world that often forgets to look their way, the hibiscus harvest allows them to step into the light and take responsibilities often reserved for men.

“Asure to us is not just about cooking; it is about giving our best and showing that our labour can sustain the rhythm of our village life. In those moments, despite the financial burden it comes with, every mother like myself is usually excited that we are not left behind by tradition; we are the tradition itself,” she emphasised.

Food and fellowship

The recent feast was held on December 29, 2025, and HumAngle attended. On the eve of Asure, the village hummed with excitement. Women moved from house to house, laying out fabrics and showing other women the new clothes they had bought, while others prepared ingredients for delicacies. Children chattered endlessly, eager to wear their new hijabs, shoes, and shirts.

“I am very excited to enjoy my portion of rice and chicken and to put on my new clothes,” said Aisha Arma, a nine-year-old.

The spirit of festivity abounded, reflected in the beams in the women’s eyes as they watched their sons and daughters rejoice over their new clothes and flip-flops. For many children, sleep came slowly that night, as their minds were already in celebration. 

At dawn, the village stirred to life. Smoke rose from kitchens lit by sorghum canes, as women set up their cooking spaces, pots clanging and local spices filling the air.

Men joined in, assisting their wives or mothers with slaughtering chickens or goats, after which women and children defeathered them before turning them over for the stew. The pounding of the mortar and pestle resounded across the village, mingling with laughter and the chatter of children running through the dusty streets.

By noon, the anticipation reached its peak. Children were served food on metal plates with colourful designs and, balancing their meals on their heads, they headed to open fields and school grounds, where friends sat together under trees to feast. 

The sight was striking, with boys and girls in colourful attire, plates balanced on the ground, sharing bites and stories. The feast was marked by an abundance of dishes which were rarely on their daily menu. 

What is Asure?

The significance of Asure lies in its emphasis on women’s agency. 

In a society where economic decisions are often dominated by men, this festival allows women to showcase their financial resilience and generosity.

Asure dates back over 150 years, according to Malam Dauda Muhammad Medu, the 59-year-old leader of Matarama, a group that supports cultural decisions in the community. Despite its age, little is known about Asure’s origin. Every older person HumAngle spoke with said they simply grew up experiencing the festival, with no clear account of how or why it started. This makes Asure a tradition preserved largely through practice rather than written or oral history.

“This festival has been here before us,” Dauda told HumAngle. “We met our grandparents and parents, celebrating it.” The festival is held in Medu and other neighbouring communities. 

“Traditionally, Asure is celebrated after harvest, when farmers have brought food home. Women fix the date, and the day is marked by meals reserved for special occasions. Goats are slaughtered in some households, but at the very least, a chicken must be prepared for every child. Even households without children must slaughter one,” he added. 

Dauda revealed that on the day of the feast, eating tuwo or similar staple food is prohibited. Instead, rice, macaroni, spaghetti, or other festive meals are prepared for children and adults alike, who change into colourful clothes to gather in open spaces, sharing food and joy.

“This is purely cultural; that is why women take charge. It is our own way of celebrating International Women’s Day,” he said. “Aside from Asure, however, men are responsible for providing everything, including during other festive seasons like Eid.”

The local leader recalled that Asure was once solely about feasting, but innovations have emerged. During the festivity, fiancés in the community compete to impress their future wives by purchasing expensive clothes, hijabs, wrappers, and other valuables. The culturally-rooted feast transformed into a display of love and wealth.

“As of two years ago, a man could spend nothing less than ₦150,000 for his bride-to-be outside the wedding expenses,” Dauda said. “Such spending sometimes strained relationships, even leading to breakups when expectations were not met.”

To address this concern amid the country’s economic hardship, the men came together and consulted the Matarama group and the village head.  A collective decision was made to return the feast to its roots. 

The new stipulation for the Asure feast was that grooms would provide groceries, two measures of rice, two or three chickens, two bottles of cooking oil, and stew ingredients. Dauda reiterated that clothing and accessories would remain the responsibility of mothers.

“Anyone who went beyond these stipulations would face punishment,” he noted.

Resilience despite hardship

Despite these adjustments, the current economic reality has added another layer of struggle to the Asure feast, which is not optional, especially for mothers like Fatima Arma, who fear being subjected to gossip for failing to provide for their children.

Fatima told HumAngle the joy of preparing for the celebration is often overshadowed by worry about how much money must be spent, as prices of rice, chicken, and even simple items like cooking oil have risen, forcing women like her to stretch their savings further than before.

After the feast, hardship often follows as the savings of an entire year vanish in a single day of celebration. Fatima laughed as she responded to the question of what comes after Asure, saying, “Poverty and hardship”.

“Despite the hardship, the feast cannot be abandoned, especially in a community like ours where traditions are deeply rooted; failing to provide for children during Asure is seen as neglect. We fear the whispers and judgments of others. That is why the pressure to keep up with expectations weighs heavily, even when resources are scarce,” she lamented.

Dauda added that since women are at the forefront of sustaining the tradition, the local cultural group will ensure subsequent adjustments to sustain inclusivity in the community while bearing in mind economic realities.

“Asure carries deep cultural meaning to us even though it is modest in scale compared to urban festivals. More importantly, it underscores the resilience of our women in rural communities who, despite limited resources, create abundance through sacrifice and planning,” he said.

Jennette McCurdy’s phone could not be silenced.

After the release of her 2022 memoir, “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” the actress-turned-author received an unending barrage of messages and calls from friends, family, distant acquaintances, people she’d crossed paths with one time when she was 12 years old.

“I heard from everybody I’ve ever met. Everybody came out of the woodwork,” McCurdy said. While most of the messages were positive, she added, “I have changed my phone number a few times since then. I like to keep my inner circle pretty close now.”

Her memoir was a raw, unflinching look at her childhood spent tethered to an abusive mother, her personal battles with eating disorders and alcohol, her tumultuous teenage years as a Nickelodeon star on the sitcoms “iCarly” and “Sam & Cat” and her recalibration in the wake of her mother’s death from cancer when McCurdy was 21.

Its readership went far beyond McCurdy’s phone contacts. “I’m Glad My Mom Died” was a bona fide phenomenon. It sold more than 3 million copies and spent more than 80 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list. And it’s currently in the process of being adapted into an Apple TV+ series starring Jennifer Aniston as McCurdy’s mother.

Now, McCurdy, who is 33, is attempting to tell a new story with the January release of her debut novel “Half His Age.” The insular, visceral tale follows Waldo, a teenage girl in Alaska who has a sexual relationship with her middle-aged, married English teacher.

If some readers were aghast at the title of McCurdy’s memoir or its contents, they’ll almost certainly balk at “Half His Age,” which is a thorny exploration of power, lust, shame and rage, written in McCurdy’s now-signature wry style. The book’s cover features a close-up photograph of a young woman (not McCurdy) sucking her middle finger, and the sex scenes within are unvarnished, uncomfortable and plentiful.

“I’m never writing something that’s intentionally provocative, and I’m certainly never writing anything for shock value,” McCurdy said. “I really try to write for truth, and I can’t help it if that’s shocking. I can’t help it if that’s noisy or alarming. In fact, if it is those things, that’s probably an indication that there is some truth there and a conversation that’s needed to be had.”

When we met for our interview at a Pasadena restaurant in December, McCurdy looked almost identical to when I’d interviewed her there in 2022, before the release of her memoir — dark blond, tousled curls atop a petite frame and a broad smile. But a granular shift seems to have occurred. Nervous laughter has been replaced by a calmer confidence. Her eyes sparkle a little brighter.

The success of McCurdy’s memoir cemented her status as a writer, a title she prized far above “former child actor” or “TV star.” Authors she’d long admired, like Maria Semple and Tom Perrotta, now read and praise her writing. McCurdy even spent Thanksgiving with Semple last year.

“It’s this sense of belonging that I’ve always craved and never quite felt,” she said. “All through my 20s I thought, ‘Well, I’m just losing my tribe. I don’t know where my people are.’ I have found my people through writing in the past three years.”

It’s been a long time coming. After moving away from acting — a career that had been thrust upon her by her mother at just 6 years old — McCurdy began to furiously devote herself to writing in the mid-2010s. At first, she immersed herself in a variety of classes around L.A. She tried sketch writing, late-night TV writing, spec writing, but she quickly learned she didn’t actually want to write sketches or late-night monologues. Instead, she started to focus on longer-form storytelling via essays, her memoir, novels and screenplays.

At least six days a week for the last decade, McCurdy said, she’s spent her waking hours scribbling on a laptop inside her Pasadena home, rotating from her desk to the kitchen counter to the couch to the dining table to the veranda and back again.

“I sort of write until I’m tired. Sometimes that’s 4 p.m. and sometimes that’s 8 p.m.,” she said. “This year, specifically, I’ve pulled the longest days of my life. I had many days that were until 2 in the morning. It was really, really intense.”

“Half His Age” first began percolating when McCurdy was 24, riding a bullet train on a solo trip in Japan. She’d never written a book at that point, but the idea of a novel with a 17-year-old protagonist involved in an age-gap relationship cemented itself in the back of her brain. Years later, after the release of her memoir, she felt compelled to finally see it through.

“It forced itself upon me. You know, when authors say words like, ‘There was no other choice than to write this thing,’ I always thought it sounded a little pretentious,” she said. “Now, I completely know what it means. Waldo, this protagonist, her voice — I was waking up in the middle of the night thinking of this character.”

Although McCurdy said she considers herself an emotional writer, some elements of “Half His Age” required more exacting research. Setting a story in a public high school when she herself had only been homeschooled and tutored on set, for example, was a challenge.

“I was literally looking up, ‘Do they still have lockers in high school? What is a typical layout of a high school?’” she said.

Elsewhere, she imbued the story with elements of familiarity: Waldo has similar unruly curls to McCurdy’s; Waldo’s best friend is Mormon, the religion in which McCurdy was raised; and Waldo lives in Anchorage, where McCurdy’s partner of nine years is from, and where McCurdy said she has spent many months.

She also gave Waldo a complicated, absentee mother figure who leaves Waldo to shoulder the responsibilities of the household with her paychecks from a part-time job at a Victoria’s Secret. (On a different scale, McCurdy was the breadwinner for her own family by the time she was a teenager.)

“I think I’ll always write mother-daughter dynamics, and really any family dynamics, in a complicated, messy way. I’ve tried to write other kinds of dynamics, and my body will freeze up,” she said. “If I’m trying to write a loving, supportive, validating, parental figure, that’s not my experience. I don’t know how to begin to write that.”

“I really try to write for truth, and I can’t help it if that’s shocking. I can’t help it if that’s noisy or alarming,” said author Jennette McCurdy.

(Victoria Stevens)

But beyond those details, McCurdy has a deep connection to the book’s central storyline: McCurdy’s first serious relationship, which she detailed in her memoir, occurred when she was a naïve 18-year-old with an “iCarly” crew member who was in his mid-30s.

“There’s certainly overlap,” she said. “There’s certainly influence there. Writing, for me, is a means of finding closure where maybe there wasn’t in my own life. It’s a means of finding meaning and empowerment in places where maybe I didn’t feel it so much. It’s a way of exploring things that I maybe haven’t fully processed myself.”

She added, “I kept thinking, ‘Why is this coming through? Why is this the book that I’m writing?’ Several drafts in, I realized, ‘Oh, it’s because I have a lot of unprocessed rage about this.’ Of course, it’s a piece of fiction, and there are plenty of deviations, but, ultimately, I have a really personal connection to it, coming from that place myself.”

Rage is something she expects many female readers to feel as they follow Waldo’s journey in “Half His Age.”

“We’re taught to be polite and nice and make everybody around us feel comfortable and take the high road,” McCurdy said, her voice catching. “My experience of rage is that the more I have connected with it, the more it has led me on an effective life path, the more it has led me to make choices that I had been needing to make for a long time.”

Those choices have resulted in McCurdy not only becoming a prominent author, but a person fully in control of their career for the first time. She is currently working on her next book, and she has already written a script for a film adaptation of “Half His Age,” which she will also direct “if all the pieces fall into place,” she said.

The upcoming series adaptation of “I’m Glad My Mom Died” was similarly something McCurdy was only comfortable with if she could stay at the helm. She and Ari Katcher will serve as co-showrunners. She wrote all 10 episodes, she said, and will direct multiple episodes, as well.

“I am not interested in my stories being taken into somebody else’s hands,” she said. “That would be offensive to me.”

McCurdy will not appear on screen, however, and she said it’s too early to discuss who will play younger versions of herself. Meanwhile, Aniston’s connection to the material — the veteran actress has said that she and McCurdy “had very similar moms” — was key to casting her in the matriarch role.

“She does relate a lot to the material,” McCurdy said of Aniston. “It would be a disservice to the heart and soul of this book, and a disservice to the deep connection millions of people have with it, for anybody to be a part of it for any other reason. I’m deeply protective of it.”

As we finished up our mid-afternoon meal — a hodgepodge of spicy tuna bites and asparagus fries paired with guava and berry mocktails — McCurdy reflected on the agency she is finally able to take.

“I didn’t feel that I had a voice with, really, any aspect of my life growing up. I felt kind of voiceless,” she said. “Writing was where I found my voice, and I think, as a result of that, found my power.”

Spencer is an L.A.-based culture writer and reporter. Her nonfiction book, “Disney High: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel’s Tween Empire,” is out now.

While Europe’s famous museums and galleries draw the crowds with their blockbuster exhibitions, it can be more rewarding to discover wonderful art in out-of-the-way places. Whether it was a museum dedicated to tapestries in France, a quirky gallery in Berlin or an artist’s studio in Italy, we’d love to hear about your less-known discoveries. Tell us where it was and why you loved it.

The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website.

Keep your tip to about 100 words

If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words we will be judging for the competition.

We’re sorry, but for legal reasons you must be a UK resident to enter this competition.

The competition closes on Monday 26 January at 10am GMT

Have a look at our past winners and other tips

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The road stretches 19,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina across 14 countries. Driving it takes a minimum of two to three months, though most travellers spend six months to two years completing the epic journey.

Stretching across two continents and nearly the full length of the Western Hemisphere, the Pan-American Highway is one of the longest roads ever constructed. It connects 14 countries on a scale that few other travel networks can match, earning it a spot in the Guinness World Records as the world’s longest drivable road.

However, contrary to its name, the Pan-American Highway isn’t a single, unbroken stretch of asphalt. Rather, it’s an immense network of national highways pieced together over many years.

The route begins at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, US and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina, often dubbed the southernmost city on earth.

This mammoth journey spans approximately 19,000 miles (30,000 kilometres). Depending on how you define it, the highway traverses 14 countries (or 15 if you count Canada as part of the northern network):

• United States
• Mexico
• Guatemala
• El Salvador
• Honduras
• Nicaragua
• Costa Rica
• Panama
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Peru
• Chile
• Argentina

The route takes you through deserts, rainforests, mountain ranges, bustling cities and untouched wilderness.

Despite its impressive length, the Pan-American Highway has one notorious interruption: the Darién Gap, a roughly 100-mile expanse of jungle between Panama and Colombia. This is the only break in the entire route and due to environmental and safety concerns, a road has never been built here.

With dense rainforest, swamps, mountains and scarce infrastructure, it’s been impacted by smuggling routes and armed factions. Those brave enough to attempt the full Pan-American journey must transport their vehicle by boat or plane between Central and South America.

In theory, one could traverse the Pan-American Highway without extended stops in two to three months. However, most adventurers who embark on this journey take significantly longer.

Many explorers allocate six months to a year for the trip, while some extend their adventure to one or two years. The route has been conquered end-to-end by motorcyclists, cyclists and even runners.

Notably, actor Ewan McGregor tackled large sections of the highway during his Long Way motorcycle series.

The concept of a single road connecting the Americas was first mooted in 1923, at the Fifth International Conference of American States. However, each nation constructed and improved its own segments at varying times, often to disparate standards.

Major construction occurred from the 1930s through to the 1970s, although parts of the highway predate this period and many sections continue to be updated today. Consequently, there is no definitive completion date for the Pan-American Highway.

Large swathes of the highway, particularly in North America, are fully paved and resemble modern motorways. In contrast, conditions can fluctuate dramatically elsewhere, with some stretches in Central and South America poorly maintained or even impassable during the rainy seasons.

In the Andes, the road ascends to heights of over 4,000 metres (13,000 feet), introducing altitude and weather as additional challenges for drivers.

MINNEAPOLIS — The U.S. Department of Justice said Sunday that it is investigating a group of protesters in Minnesota who disrupted services at a church where a local official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apparently serves as a pastor.

A livestreamed video posted on the Facebook page of Black Lives Matter Minnesota, one of the protest’s organizers, shows a group of people interrupting services at the Cities Church in St. Paul by chanting, “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good.” The 37-year-old mother of three was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis this month amid a surge in federal immigration enforcement activities.

The protesters allege that one of the church’s pastors, David Easterwood, leads the local ICE field office overseeing the operations that they say have involved violent tactics and illegal arrests.

U.S. Assistant Atty. Gen. Harmeet Dhillon said the Justice Department is investigating federal civil rights violations “by these people desecrating a house of worship and interfering with Christian worshipers.”

“A house of worship is not a public forum for your protest! It is a space protected from exactly such acts by federal criminal and civil laws!” she said on social media.

Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi also weighed in on social media, saying that any violations of federal law would be prosecuted.

Nekima Levy Armstrong, who participated in the protest and leads the local grassroots civil rights organization Racial Justice Network, dismissed the potential federal investigation as a sham and a distraction from federal agents’ actions in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

“When you think about the federal government unleashing barbaric ICE agents upon our community and all the harm that they have caused, to have someone serving as a pastor who oversees these ICE agents, is almost unfathomable to me,” said Armstrong, who noted that she is an ordained reverend.

“If people are more concerned about someone coming to a church on a Sunday and disrupting business as usual than they are about the atrocities that we are experiencing in our community, then they need to check their theology and they need to check their hearts.”

The website of St. Paul-based Cities Church lists David Easterwood as a pastor, and his personal information appears to match that of a man by that name identified in court filings as the acting director of the ICE St. Paul field office. Easterwood appeared alongside Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at a Minneapolis news conference in October.

Cities Church did not respond to a phone call or emailed request for comment Sunday evening, and Easterwood’s personal contact information could not immediately be located.

In a Jan. 5 court filing, Easterwood defended ICE’s tactics in Minnesota such as swapping license plates and spraying protesters with chemical irritants. He wrote that federal agents were experiencing increased threats and aggression and that crowd control devices like flash-bang grenades were important to protect against violent attacks. He testified that he was unaware of agents “knowingly targeting or retaliating against peaceful protesters or legal observers with less lethal munitions and/or crowd control devices.”

ICE said in a statement: “Agitators aren’t just targeting our officers. Now they’re targeting churches, too. They’re going from hotel to hotel, church to church, hunting for federal law enforcement who are risking their lives to protect Americans.”

Black Lives Matter Minnesota co-founder Monique Cullars-Doty said that the federal prosecution was misguided.

“If you got a head — a leader in a church — that is leading and orchestrating ICE raids, my God, what has the world come to?” Cullars-Doty said. “We can’t sit back idly and watch people go and be led astray.”

Churches have also been the target of federal immigration raids in the last year. Soon after the start of President Trump’s second term, Homeland Security issued a directive rescinding a Biden-era policy that had protected areas including churches and schools from immigration raids.

Brook writes for the Associated Press.

A warning has been issued to anyone planning to travel to Spain

An urgent alert warning of ‘significant disruption’ has been issued to anyone travelling to Spain. The warning has been circulated by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) today (Monday, January 19).

It follows a high-speed train crash which claimed 39 lives on Sunday evening. A further 75 people were taken to hospital after two trains collided and derailed near Adamuz in the Córdoba province of the country.

The latest update released by the FCDO is entitled ‘New information about significant disruption following a serious rail incident in Andalusia’.

It reads: “On 18 January, two high‑speed trains collided near Adamuz, in the province of Córdoba in Andalusia, southern Spain. Significant disruption to rail services between Madrid and Andalusia is expected, with all high‑speed services between Madrid and Córdoba, Seville, Málaga, Granada and Huelva suspended. Services between Madrid and Cádiz, Algeciras and Granada will also be affected.

“If you need assistance or information about affected passengers, you can contact:

• ADIF: (+34) 900 10 10 20 @Adif_es
• IRYO: (+34) 00 00 14 02 @iryo_eu
• Emergency services (112 EMA): From inside Andalusia: 061; from outside Andalusia: (+34) 953 00 11 49

“If you are a British national and you or a family member have been affected by this accident and require consular support, call the nearest British Embassy or Consulate on 0034 91 714 6300.

“If you are planning to travel to Spain through France, check the travel advice for France before you start your journey. If you are planning to travel to Spain through Gibraltar, check the travel advice for Gibraltar before you start your journey. No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”

If you are planning to travel to Spain through Gibraltar, check the travel advice for Gibraltar before you start your journey. No travel can be guaranteed safe.

READ MORE: Binman’s ‘tear it in half’ advice ahead of new four-bin ban listREAD MORE: Dr Amir Khan says watery liquid in your yoghurt is actually ‘liquid gold’

Although some details remain unclear, it is thought a high-speed train run by Iryo travelling from Málaga to Madrid derailed before colliding with another train. The second train, which was operated by state rail company Renfe, also derailed and went down an embankment, authorities said.

“Approximately 300 people were onboard at the time of the accident,” an Iryo spokesperson said. “The derailment affected cars six through eight. The Guardia Civil and firefighters are currently working intensively at the scene to evacuate all passengers and have set up a joint emergency response team.

“Iryo deeply regrets the incident, has activated all its emergency protocols, and is collaborating closely with Adif, Renfe, and the relevant authorities to determine the causes and manage the situation as effectively as possible.”

Like Swiatek, Gauff also had issues with her serve in the first round as she committed seven double faults against Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova.

Three of those came in the opening game, but Gauff said it was “smooth sailing from there”.

“I think I just erased that first game, and then after that I was better,” she said following the 6-2 6-3 win – her 75th Grand Slam match-win.

The two-time major singles winner added: “I tried not to put too much pressure on myself. I am only satisfied if I win, but I am proud of myself regardless of how I get on.”

Gauff, 21, will face Olga Danilovic next after the Serb defeated 45-year-old Venus Williams on Sunday.

American fourth seed Anisimova, meanwhile, needed just 60 minutes to beat Switzerland’s Simona Waltert 6-3 6-2 and underline her title credentials.

After runs to the US Open and Wimbledon final last season, Anisimova is one of the favourites go all the way in Melbourne, but she insisted she was focusing on improving as a player rather than a third successive Grand Slam final.

Fellow American Pegula, the sixth seed, also impressed with a 66-minute 6-2 6-1 victory over Russian Anastasia Zakharova.

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva – another title contender – found herself a set down in her first-round tie against Croatia’s Donna Vekic, but the eighth seed rallied in set two and won the decider 6-0, winning 25 of the 32 points on offer.

WHILE Premier Inn is a Brit-loved budget chain, did you know they are also open in Dubai?

Not only that, but they are even cheaper than the UK – and come with some great extra perks.

There are seven Premier Inn hotels across Dubai, having first opened in 2008.

This has since expanded across the Middle East, with a number in Doha and Abu Dhabi.

I recently stayed at the Premier Inn Al Jaddaf hotel during a recent trip to Dubai.

On arrival, I was greeted with the familiar purple colours, as the iconic sign came into view.

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If it wasn’t for the towering skyscrapers and desert like landscape, I’d almost believe I was back in the UK.

The bustling lobby was filled with all kinds of groups, from families with kids to young women.

This includes a Costa Coffee, as well as Mr Toad’s Pub and Kitchen, a traditional British pub.

And on entering my room, it is exactly like the many others I have stayed in across Britain.

Purple lit headboards, tea making facilities and the simple yet functional shower rooms with complimentary toiletries.

However, it is other the amenities that set it apart from the ones we know and love back home.

Nearly all of the hotels have rooftop pools, complete with sunloungers, tables and even daybeds.

Some even have ‘New York style bars’ next to them as well.

I was really impressed with breakfast, which had all the trimmings such as cooked breakfast options, fruit and cereal, as well as options including Arabic and Indian breakfasts.

I don’t know about you, but starting the day with a roti and masala chai is certainly a treat.

Don’t forget that up to two kids under 11 can eat for free with every adult.

Other perks include an earlier check in time than the UK (2pm rather than 3pm) while some have free shuttles, and additional services such as laundry, pharmacy, and even doctors on call.

Have I tempted you? Some of the cheapest rates are found in the summer season of July and August.

But stay for three nights and rates are just 105 AED (£21.34) per night.

That’s much cheaper than the starting rate in the UK of £45 – and they never include a swimming pool, let alone one the roof.

I was left seriously impressed with the hotels, as a great way to explore Dubai on a budget.

With the average five star stay such as at Atlantis starting from £140 a night – it means you could get a week in Dubai at Premier Inn for the same price.

One of the newest hotels to stay at is Premier Inn Dubai Barsha Heights, while the hotel at Dubai Airport has recently been updated to include the new Next Evolution Style rooms, as well as an updated lobby and pool.

Others include:

• Premier Inn Dubai Silicon Oasis
• Premier Inn Dubai Dragon Mart
• Premier Inn Dubai Ibn Battuta Mall
• Premier Inn Dubai Investments Park

In the mean time, here’s why I rate Premier Inn even after staying at luxury five star hotels.

And here’s how to get a free Premier Inn breakfast.

WETHERSPOONS is opening its first ever pub in continental Europe next month – and Brits heading to Spain can visit soon.

The new pub – called Castell de Santa Bàrbera – will be found at Alicante Airport.

It will be in the departures area, so Brits will be able to make the most of it while waiting for their flight home.

The pub will be set across 1,000sqft, with an outdoor terrace as well – the first pub garden of its kind at an airport departures.

It will be open seven days a week from 6am to 9pm, with food served all day until the last hour before closing.

Classics will include the standard breakfast options as well as burgers and pizzas.

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But Spanish dishes will also be part of the menu include omelette and garlic prawns.

You won’t have to wait long either – it’s opening next month, on February 9 at 11am.

Flights to Alicante can be found for as little as £15 with Ryanair, taking around 2h40.

Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin said: “ We are very much looking forward to opening our first pub in Spain.

“We believe it will be popular with a wide range of customers,
including those travelling home to the UK and those using the terminal
for other destinations.”

And he said there were more plans to open outside of the UK too.

He added: “We aim to open a number of pubs overseas in the coming months and years, including those at airports.”

Sir Tim suggested this could be as many as 200, across popular Spanish destinations like Benidorm and Majorca.

However, he didn’t rule out opening in winter sun hotspots too although this is yet to be confirmed.

In the mean time, there is a dupe pub called Weatherspains in Spain, which was even named a top attraction by Tripadvisor.

And also in Spain is a chain of bars dubbed the Spanish Wetherspoons.

Called 100 Montaditos, you’ll find jugs of beer for £1.50 and sandwiches for £1.

Here’s how to find the UK’s biggest Wetherspoons – and it even has a rooftop bar.

A Seoul court on Monday posthumously acquitted a man executed 50 years ago for allegedly attempting to rebuild an underground pro-North Korea organization in a retrial of the case.

The Seoul Eastern District Court found the late Kang Eul-seong not guilty on charges of violating the National Security Act, citing insufficient evidence.

Kang, a civilian military worker, was executed in 1976 after his arrest and torture by military counterintelligence authorities for allegedly attempting to reconstruct the Unification Revolutionary Party on alleged orders from North Korea in 1974.

The underground organization had been uncovered by South Korea’s spy agency under then President Park Chung-hee’s administration in 1968 and dismantled.

The court said it could not conclude that Kang praised or sympathized with anti-state activities for reading a paper published in North Korea.

“(Our) hearts feel heavy. Although a past wrong has been corrected, irreversible damage has already been done and the fact that it is too late leaves a sense of helplessness,” the court said. “We made the verdict in this case with a sense of contrition as the judiciary did not fulfill the expectations of the people.”

“As a member of the judiciary that made an error, I once again bow my head to apologize to the bereaved family members.”

Prosecutors had sought Kang’s acquittal in the retrial, saying that procedural truth had not been kept in the original trial. They will not seek an appeal.

The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors Office apologized to the defendant and his bereaved family, vowing to remain faithful to its core duties.

Kang’s family expressed their intent to receive an apology not only from the judiciary but the defense ministry as well.

“The defense ministry arbitrarily dealt with the case, and we spoke of how we should receive an apology from the defense ministry,” Jin-ok, Kang’s eldest daughter told Yonhap News Agency by phone.

“We talked about how we should try for it, if it is possible,” she said. “We have fought for the past 53 years and we don’t think it will happen instantly.”

It marked the latest case surrounding the underground organization, in which the defendant was acquitted.

Four other people accused of attempting to rebuild the pro-North Korea group have been acquitted posthumously in retrials.

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John Barrowman, best known for playing Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and Torchwood, has shared some devastating news with his fans

Emotional John Barrowman has shared heartbreaking news with fans.

The 58-year-old Doctor Who actor has taken to social media to announce the death of his beloved dog Captain Jack Harkness.

Posting a video on X of himself in tears next to his partner Scott Gill, holding his beloved pooch in his arms, he penned: “Captain Jack Harkness our beloved Jack Russell has gone.

“He waited until i came home and he died peacefully in his dada’s arms within an hour of my return with @scottmale, Dixie and Tito around him.

“He was a good boy, a loyal friend and our Jackamo for 18 years. We are very sad but grateful he died of old age and did not suffer. . #love #dog #companion #friend #loyalty.”

In the video, John explained that he was aware that Captain Jack was “on his way out”

The former Dancing on Ice judge has since been inundated with supportive messages from his followers, with one writing: “I feel your pain. Just awful. So sorry.”

Another added: “In tears here and just wanted to show my support at such a difficult time. I’ve been in this same place and I know… rest peacefully bestest boy. You are loved indeed.”

A third said: “I am so sorry for your loss my deepest condolences to you and your family.” A fourth posted: “I’m so sorry I lost my dog a few months ago and it’s still tough. I’m glad you got to be there and hold him one last time, Sending love.”

John is a huge dog lover, known for his own rescue dogs like Captain Jack, Charlie and Harris and Doctor Who fans will know that John played Captain Jack Harkness in the hit BBC show and spin-off series Torchwood.

The character first appeared in the 2005 Doctor Who episode The Empty Child and subsequently featured in the remaining episodes of the series as a companion to the Doctor.

Subsequent to this, Jack became the central character in the adult-themed Torchwood, which aired from 2006 to 2011.

John reprised the role for appearances in Doctor Who in its third, fourth, and twelfth series, as well as specials The End of Time, and Revolution of the Daleks.