THERE are plenty of iconic travel moments in Christmas movies from the romantic airport chases to snowy train journeys.

But there’s one that trumps them all, and that’s Kate McCallister’s mission to get from Paris to Chicago in the Christmas classic, Home Alone.

Kate’s commitment to reuniting with her son, sees her boarding planes from the French capital to Dallas and Scranton before hitching a memorable ride home in a van.

And mum’s epic dash to rescue Kevin has been declared the most iconic travel moment in a festive movie, according to research by Skyscanner.

The Home Alone sequel landed in second place with a poll of 2,000 adults enjoying the scene where Kevin sprints through the airport before accidentally boarding a plane to New York, alone.

And who can forget Love Actually where Sam charges through departures to stop Joanna flying to the US? Well, that came in third spot.

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Laura Lindsay, travel trends and destination expert for Skyscanner, which commissioned the research and has also created a map plotting some of these iconic routes, said: “What’s a Christmas film without a good airport scene?”

“Festive travel is a huge part of people’s lives during the holiday season, whether it’s travelling home to be reunited with family and friends or heading off for a festive break.”

Christmas movies are even inspiring travellers for their next break, with 23 per cent booking a trip to a destination after seeing it as a festive backdrop on the big screen.

The Big Apple, aka New York City, comes top of the list of destinations that people book after seeing it on TV.

This is quickly followed up by London and Paris.

Edinburgh and Vienna also ranked among the cities most associated with Christmas movies.

New York City also led the list of destinations people would feature in a festive flick if they were the writer and was the place they’d most like to spend the holiday season abroad.

Half of those who have seen a city in a movie claim the real-life sets look more appealing to visit when decked out for Christmas compared with other times of the year.

And 77 per cent said watching Christmas films helps them feel more festive, according to the OnePoll.com data.

Laura Lindsay, from Skyscanner, added: “It’s no surprise New York is the go-to destination when thinking about blockbusters set in December.”

She added that ‘set-jetting’ is becoming hugely popular with tourists wanting to ‘step into the settings and shoes of their beloved movie characters’.

For more on TV show, here are five filming locations in the UK you can visit with movie tours and quaint villages.

And here are five train journeys to make this Christmas to see filming locations from Love Actually to The Holiday.

Here are the top 10 most iconic travel moments in festive movies…

1.   Home Alone
Kate McCallister’s journey back from Paris to Chicago, via other airports.

2.   Home Alone 2
The dash through the airport where Kevin boards a flight to New York.

3.   Love Actually
Sam runs through Heathrow airport to catch Joanna before she flies off.

4.   Polar Express
The final journey dropping the kids home.

5.   Elf
Buddy’s whimsical journey from the North Pole to Manhattan.

6.   White Christmas
Nostalgic train ride to snowy Vermont.

7.   The Holiday
Amanda travelling from LA to Surrey and Iris going the other way.

8.   Die Hard 2
John McClane’s wife Holly finally touching down at Dulles Airport.

9.   The Flight Before Christmas
The flight is diverted due to a sudden snowstorm.

10.  A Castle for Christmas
Sophie’s journey from Edinburgh Airport to Dun Dunbar Castle.

Dec. 22 (UPI) — Beijing unveiled tariffs as high as 42.7% on imports of European Union dairy products on Monday, saying the subsidies Brussels provided to producers in the 27-country bloc were the cause of “substantial damage” to China’s dairy industry.

The import taxes of between 21.9% and 42.7%, which come into force Tuesday following a 16-month-long anti-subsidy probe by China’s Ministry of Commerce, will affect France’s famous Roquefort, other blue, fresh and processsed cheeses as well as whole and unsweetened milk and cream.

“The investigating authority has preliminarily determined that imported dairy products originating from the European Union were subsidized, causing substantial damage to the relevant dairy product industry in China, and that there is a causal relationship between the subsidies and the substantial damage,” the ministry said in a statement.

It said that the highest levy would be applied to the products of firms that had failed to cooperate with the investigation with firms that had been cooperative only subject to a rate of 28.6%.

Firms named in the ministry list hailed from across the bloc with France, the Netherlands and Belgium heavily represented. Italian and Spanish producers also feature. Most companies were hit with a rate of 28.6% or 29.7%.

The Netherlands’ Friesland Campina and its subsidiary in neighboring Belgium were both hit with the top 42.7% rate along with an “Other EU Companies” grouping, which is not specified. It is unclear if this group is all EU companies not named in the document that export to China.

The EU criticized the action, saying it was neither justified nor warranted.

The move came just over a year after the EU hit China’s massive EV sector with import tariffs of as high as 36.3%, alleging unfair competition due to subsidies provided to the industry by the Chinese government.

Among the big three EV makers — BYD, Geely and SAIC — BYD and Geely were slapped with duties of 17% and 19.3% respectively, along with a 21.3% tariff on other “cooperating companies.”

The top rate was applied to SAIC together with other EV makers deemed not to have cooperated with the EU’s investigation.

The EV tariffs also saw Beijing launch anti-competition probes into Europe’s brandy and pork products industries, leading to accusations the EU was dumping surplus pork production in the Chinese market.

In September, Beijing imposed short-lived tariffs of between 15.6% and 62.4% on EU pork and pig by-product imports, but revised them down to between 4.9% and 19.8% on Tuesday.

BRUMMIES will soon be able to step onto the historic Flying Scotsman train from their home town.

The famous train will launch five services a day from Birmingham Moor Street Station in February half term.

Famous for showing British engineering at its best, the Flying Scotsman first launched as a train route between Edinburgh and London in 1923 and ran until 1963.

And in 2026, Brits will have the chance to travel on the first train that reached speeds of up to 100mph on the British Railway.

Running during school half term, there will be five services a day on February 18, 19 and 20.

The first service will set off in the morning at 10:30am and other services will follow at 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm and 6:30pm.

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Each journey will last around an hour, with passengers able to see views of the West Midlands countryside.

The train will also head over the Ribblehead Viaduct in Yorkshire, which is a large Victorian railway bridge with 24 giant arches and views of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The experience costs from £48.76 per person, but for a more luxury experience there is a First Class offering costing from £80.56 per person on a table of four or £177.02 per person, for a table for two.

First Class passengers can experience the original 1960s First Class carriage and included in the ticket price they will also get a glass of prosecco (or soft drink, if they prefer) and a snack bag.

Can’t make the February half-term dates or don’t want to be surrounded by families? Well, there are special Valentine’s Day services as well.

There are three different Valentine’s Day services in total, each of which cost from £83.74 per person.

The first service is a Valentine’s Brunch, then in the afternoon there is an Afternoon Tea service and finally in the evening, you could board the train for a three-course dinner.

Prices for this experience start from £83.74, but a First Class table for two will set you back over £280.

The Flying Scotsman is often considered the world’s most famous steam train and operated for 40 years between 1923 and 1963 before British Rail decided to focus on diesel-engine trains.

The train was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and in total, measures over 21 metres long.

The name of the service came after passengers nicknamed the London to Edinburgh service the ‘Flying Scotsman’ due to its speed and limited stops.

And then the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) officially adopted the name in 1924.

Before this, it was only known by its route number ‘1472’.

Currently, the National Railway Museum is running a display on the Flying Scotsman, including an exhibition that “explores the stories of the owners, admirers, passengers and crew behind the icon”.

Also at the museum is an immersive, multi-sensory Flying Scotsman VR experience where visitors can get a taste of what it was like to travel on the train all those decades ago.

The experience also shows visitors some of the most significant moments in the train’s history.

Each year, there are a number of special events where members of the public can journey on the Flying Scotsman.

These events are often themed or on heritage lines across the UK.

Information about the different events running are posted on the National Railway Museum website.

In other rail news, a traditional English seaside town, named one of the best in the UK, is getting new direct London trains.

Plus, first look at the new Great British Railways trains being rolled out across the UK.

BRITS could soon be heading to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam with Virgin Trains – and now, there is a first glimpse at the trains that will be used.

Virgin Trains has revealed more details about services it hopes to run to Europe from 2030, with cheaper tickets and potential Manchester and Birmingham routes.

Back in October, Virgin Trains revealed that it had been granted permission by the Office of Rail and Road to access Temple Mills depot in East London.

The approval essentially means that the operator is a step closer to launching cross-channel services that will eventually rival Eurostar.

Though precise details of schedules and ticket prices have yet to be revealed, Virgin Trains has said it plans to initially use 12 trains for the European service, each of which will have seven carriages.

The operator has made an agreement with Alstom for these trains, which will be Avelia Stream trains – energy-efficient and modern, according to Virgin.

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And they will feature Virgin’s famous red and white colours.

Current planned routes include London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, Brussels Midi and Amsterdam Centraal.

And Virgin is planning for 20 services a day, with 13 to Paris, four to Brussels and three to Amsterdam.

Unlike Eurostar, Virgin is also looking at stopping at Ebbsfleet or Ashford in Kent, which are currently not used for international services.

And in the future, there could be services from Manchester or Birmingham and services to Switzerland and/or Germany.

What exactly Virgin Trains will look like at London St Pancras is yet to be revealed, but Virgin has said that it will “improve the experience” for passengers.

Richard Branson has previously said he wants a direct service from London to Charles de Gaulle Airport.

He also mentioned hopes to launch a route to Disneyland Paris, which Eurostar used to have a route to but axed it in 2023.

The main benefit for passengers, though, could be the potentially cheaper tickets as Virgin has expressed on a number of occasions how fares are likely to be competitive, or even cheaper, than current Eurostar tickets.

According to Eurostar, its lowest fare between London and Paris is £39.

However, looking at current prices, the cheapest fare in the next six weeks is £51.

Whilst the prices for Virgin Trains tickets are not clear yet, Branson said last month: “If you have competition, then fares will inevitably come down.

“If we’ve got seats that need selling, we will reduce the cost of them.”

Passengers on Virgin Trains may also be able to collect Virgin Red loyalty points when they book through Virgin, as they do with Virgin Atlantic flights.

Before services are able to launch, Virgin Trains needs to form a commercial agreement with Eurostar (the current operator of Temple Mills), secure finance, access to tracks and stations and gain safety approvals from the ORR and authorities in the EU.

The Channel Tunnel is currently only used by Eurostar and LeShuttle.

However, a report over the summer revealed there is capacity for more trains to access the Temple Mills depot, which is essential for cross-channel services.

At the time of the announcement in October, Martin Jones, deputy director, access and international at the Office of Rail and Road said: “With this decision we are backing customer choice and competition in international rail, unlocking up to £700million in private sector investment and stimulating growth.

“While there is still some way to go before the first new services can run, we stand ready to work with Virgin Trains as their plans develop.”

In other rail news, a traditional English seaside town named one of the best in the UK is getting new direct London trains.

Plus, the low-cost train launching more routes between two popular UK cities – and tickets are £33.

As shocking reports emerged concerning a dead woman allegedly being wheeled aboard an easyJet flight, the Mirror takes a look at some of the troubling testimonies for those who witnessed it first hand

Passengers aboard an easyJet flight have made shocking allegations about an elderly woman who died before take-off, with some claiming she was already dead when she was pushed onto the aircraft.

Those aboard the Malaga to Gatwick flight claim to have looked on in horror as the 89-year-old was wheeled down the aisle, neck supported by a brace and neck pillow as she slumped over in her seat. Some said they saw relatives attending to the deceased woman as if she was still alive, before showing “not one ounce of emotion” when paramedics dashed to attend to her.

EasyJet have since insisted that these allegations are unfounded, stating that the woman was still alive when she boarded the plane. However, the flight’s co-pilot advised passengers that he would write a report on this incident using their testimonies. So what really happened? Here the Mirror takes a look at some of the witness testimonies.

READ MORE: ‘I was on EasyJet plane with dead Brit woman, they held head up as she sat in seat’

‘It’s okay, we are doctors’

The grandmother was taken onboard aircraft in a wheelchair by five relatives, who reportedly assured ground staff that the elderly woman was simply unwell, and had fallen asleep. According to Mail Online, some witnesses claimed to have heard the relatives saying: “It’s okay, she’s just tired,” adding: “It’s okay, we are doctors”.

While the group managed to get the woman seated at the back of the plane, just before the 11am take off, cabin crew members realised she had passed away, cutting the journey short before the plane had even left the runway.

Family ‘acting as if she was still alive’

Speaking with the Mail, 19-year-old passenger Elizabeth Rowland told of how she had been seated in front of the woman and two of relatives while at the gate. When they boarded, she was just three rows in front of them. Marbella-based Elizabeth, who had been flying to England to visit family, alongside her partner, says she knew from the very first time she laid eyes on the woman that she “wasn’t with us”.

Recalling the scenes that unfolded before boarding, Elizabeth shared: “Her family were trying to wake her up and saying, ‘Can you hear me? We’re going to get on the flight now, we’re going to board now’, and trying to give her something to drink… They were talking to her and acting as if she was alive.”

According to Elizabeth, once the plane turned back to the terminal, with emergency services rushing to the scene: “None of the family seemed upset or like they were panicking, they weren’t crying or shocked – they were completely calm and talking to the paramedics.”

Elizabeth continued: “They showed not one ounce of emotion. They seemed like they were trying to make everything seem normal.” She says she believes the woman had already died after paramedics took her to the back of the plane, plugging her into an unspecified medical machine which “did not make any sound”.

‘What were you thinking, EasyJet?’

Passenger Petra Boddington had been seated close to the “fragile, old lady”, and says fellow travellers had become concerned for her welfare. In an interview with The Sun, Petra explained that the woman had been pushed along the aisle of the plane by a member of ground staff, with those already in their seats looking on in shock.

Petra said: “People turned in their seats and went, ‘Oh my god, she looks dead’. She was a fragile, old lady who was curled up and doubled over in a chair in a not very comfortable position. Anybody with eyes could see that she was not fit to fly and it wasn’t just me that thought it, it was everybody else that she went past. People sat in front of me even said they’d seen the people that were with her holding her head up. We all thought that she looked dead.”

The British expat recalled: “As soon as the plane turned around and the captain announced there had been a medical emergency, everybody turned to each other and said, ‘Well we know why?’ Then we were all taken off the plane and back at the gates. That’s when everyone started complaining and asked how she was allowed on.” She added: “I honestly feel sorry for the woman. She should have never have been allowed on that plane. I think it’s disgusting that she was allowed on but ultimately, the poor woman has lost her life.”

Taking to Facebook with a video taken at the airport, Petra commented: “Easyjet! What were your ground staff thinking today? They asked the family five times if this woman was ok… she was clearly not ok! To the naked eye she looked like she was already dead, slumped unconscious in a wheelchair, so why would she be allowed on to the flight and then disrupt everyone’s plans… purely to save the family repatriation?!? If I was drunk they wouldn’t let me on.. but apparently dead is ok?! EasyJet what’s going on? Disgusting and prepare yourselves for the refunds and complaints coming! Flight now rescheduled from 11:15 to 21:30? How does that work for everyone involved?”

Passenger’s fury

Another passenger by the name of Tracy-Ann Kitching says she saw the woman in question being wheeled onto the plane, with someone “holding her head” as they went by to take their seats. Outraged, Tracy-Ann took to social media, writing: “EasyJet – you are unbelievable! Why did you let a dead person on our flight?!” She also took aim at the airport’s Special Assistance team, arguing that they “should have raised the issue” before boarding.

In a Facebook post, Tracy-Ann claimed : “An actual doctor on board [confirmed] she was already dead when they put her in her seat”. She also empathised with the “poor person who died and the family as well as your cabin and ground crew”, adding: “What a terrible situation for them. I must also praise the First Officer [co-pilot] who came out and patiently answered our questions. He was professional and personable – thank you.”

‘Misinformation’

However, not all passengers have given the same story. In response to Petra’s post, a man by the name of Tony Coatesworth commented: “She was not dead when they sat her in the seat next to me, and she was put in the by not five members of her family as there was only two other people with her a man and a younger lady helped by Spanish special assistance staff, there is a lot of misinformation going on social media about this incident. We all got home she didn’t

“I totally disagree with your reply and saying it on video and laughing is totally unacceptable you show no compassion at all, yes the lady was clearly ill but she could have been a lot different 2hrs before being put on the plane, nobody would have been able to foresee what could possibly have happened while on the plane as I said she was not deceased when put in her seat as I saw her breathing. Could you just for a minute think about her family, what would you be thinking about if you were reading and watching videos of so many things being said and put on social media that are totally incorrect.”

READ MORE: Family ‘wheel dead gran onto easyJet flight after telling crew she’s tired’

Prosecutors accuse the official, named as Fahad A, of torturing dozens of prisoners in jail run by Syrian intelligence.

German prosecutors have charged a former Syrian security official with crimes against humanity, accusing him of torturing dozens of prisoners at a Damascus jail while ex-President Bashar al-Assad was in power.

Germany’s Federal Public Prosecutor General’s office announced the indictment on Monday, alleging the ex-prison guard, named only as Fahad A, took part in more than 100 interrogations between 2011 and 2012 in which prisoners were “subjected to severe physical abuse”.

The abuse included electric shocks, cable beatings, forced stress positions and suspensions from the ceiling, according to a statement by the prosecutor’s office.

“As ‌a result of such mistreatment and the catastrophic prison conditions, at least ‌70 prisoners died,” said the statement, noting the former guard is also charged with murder.

The official was arrested on May 27 and formally indicted on December 10.

He is being held in pre-trial detention, the German prosecutor’s office added.

Syrians have demanded justice for crimes committed under the decades-long rule of al-Assad, who was removed from power in December 2024 after a rapid rebel offensive.

The Assad regime, which was accused of mass human rights abuses, including the torture of detainees and enforced disappearances, fell after nearly 14 years of civil war.

Universal jurisdiction

In Germany, prosecutors have ⁠used universal jurisdiction laws to seek trials for suspects in crimes against humanity committed anywhere in the world.

Based on ‌these laws, several people suspected of war crimes during the Syrian conflict have been arrested in the last ‍few years in Germany, which is home to about one million Syrians.

In June, a court in Frankfurt handed a life sentence to a Syrian doctor convicted of carrying out acts of torture as part of al-Assad’s crackdown on dissent.

The doctor, Alaa Mousa, was accused of torturing patients at military hospitals in Damascus and Homs, where political prisoners were regularly brought for supposed treatment.

Witnesses described Mousa pouring flammable liquid on a prisoner’s wounds before setting them alight and kicking the man in the face, shattering his teeth. In another incident, the doctor was accused of injecting a detainee with a fatal substance for refusing to be beaten.

One former prisoner described the Damascus hospital where he was held as a “slaughterhouse”.

Presiding judge, Christoph Koller, said the verdict underscored the “brutality of Assad’s dictatorial, unjust regime”.

As a design writer, I feel lucky to get to peek inside some of Los Angeles’ most iconic homes.

This year, I visited many places, from Midcentury Modern landmarks by Edward Fickett and Raphael Soriano to humble apartments filled with Facebook Marketplace finds.

The rooms that stayed with me long after I left were not always the most luxurious or expensively furnished. Instead, they were the ones that made me smile and left a lasting impression of the person who lives there.

Here are the 14 rooms that resonated with me this year and the people who live in them who inspired me even more.

A colorful, sun-drenched kitchen in Mount Washington that connects to nature

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

Priced out of much of Los Angeles, architect Lindsay Sheron and her husband Daniel bought a vacant hillside lot in Mount Washington and proceeded to design and build their own home. Working over a three-year period, the couple served as general contractors and did much of the work themselves. The kitchen is a standout, featuring bright green custom kitchen cabinets painted Raw Tomatillo by Farrow & Ball, which add vitality to the single-wall layout. A custom metal hood by Practice Fabrication, powder-coated the color of a Pixie tangerine, adds a sense of fun.

“I wanted our house to feel really warm and bring nature inside,” says Lindsay, referring to the Western hemlock tongue and groove planks that she and Daniel installed on the walls and ceilings. “Wood does the heavy lifting in accomplishing that.”

Tour the custom built home here.

In Hollywood, a stunning living room that’s filled with second-hand furnishings

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Caitlin Villarreal felt giddy the first time she stepped inside the Whitley Heights rental, a storied 1926 Mediterranean-style penthouse with towering ceilings, hand-carved wooden beams and a pair of arched bookcases alongside an oversize fireplace.

“It had good energy,” Villarreal said of the 1,500-square-foot apartment she rents in a historic neighborhood where Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplin and Bette Davis once lived. “It’s iconic just by standing tall year after year. It has floor-to-ceiling Old Hollywood windows that blow open unexpectedly just like in the movies. It doesn’t feel like a rental. It feels like a forever home.”

Tour the Hollywood penthouse here.

A Midcentury Modern dining room in Studio City that Raphael Soriano would approve of

(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Architect Linda Brettler’s list of things she loves about her Raphael Soriano-designed home is long, even though the all-aluminum structure, which was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1997, was in desperate need of updating when she purchased it in 2021. “I like doing projects like this where I get to have my own hand and feel, but I’m still honoring what was here,” Brettler says. “I’m trying to create an idealized version of what the house would look like now.” In the dining room, a reproduction of a Millard Sheets painting, rendered by Cal Poly Pomona students on Tyvek, is mounted on a cork-lined wall. Above the painting, she has mounted a projector screen for movie nights and video games.

Tour the historic all-aluminum home here.

A modern West Hollywood living room decorated with pets in mind

(Kit Karzen / For The Times)

“My original inspiration was to match the furniture to the kitties so I don’t see their cat hair,” anesthesiologist Jeffrey Hamilton says of the West Hollywood condo he shares with his boyfriend David Poli, his cats Romulus and Remus and Poli’s Husky mix, Janeway. “The cats very much informed the color scheme. I find them so handsome; it felt like having matching furniture was practical.”

In the living room, Hamilton chose a camel-colored Curvo sofa in velvet by Goop for CB2, which he found on Facebook Marketplace. Similarly, the accompanying swivel chairs from HD Buttercup and the barstool seats in the kitchen are upholstered in Bengal and Husky-durable textiles that camouflage their rescues pet hair.

“Jeffrey likes to say that everything in his apartment is a rescue, including me,” says Poli jokingly.

Tour the West Hollywood condo here.

A surprising Silver Lake kitchen that doubles as a retro video store

(Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)

Chris Rose fondly remembers the days when he worked at the independent video store I Luv Video in Austin, Texas.

Now an L.A.-based writer, director and producer, Rose, 41, recalls the Austin store’s eclectic assortment of cult oddities and world cinema.

Although he can no longer visit the video store, Rose doesn’t have to go far to rent these days, as he has brought a similar yet distinctive collection to the kitchen of his one-bedroom bungalow in Silver Lake.

Tour the Silver Lake apartment here.

Two college friends transform a Glassell Park living room (and garage) into an art-filled escape

(Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)

Antonio Adriano Puleo didn’t intend to renovate his traditional 1946 bungalow, but after consulting with architectural designer Ben Warwas, who told him he could transform the house into a “forever home,” the artist changed his plans.

“The living room wasn’t big enough, and it featured a huge red brick fireplace that had doors on either side of it, leading to the backyard,” said Warwas.

The living room of the main house is now open and airy, with custom cabinets and millwork by James Melinat that showcase the artwork Puleo made himself and the pieces he has collected for more than 30 years. The living room’s fireplace is gone, but the wooden mantle remains atop a console behind the sofa, graced with a series of colorful ceramic planters by Ashley Campbell and Brian Porray of Happy Hour Ceramics.

“Little tweaks totally transformed the house,” Warwas said.

Tour the house and ADU here.

A fabulous wet bar in a West Hollywood apartment that’s perfect for parties

(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Growing up in a small town outside of Cleveland, Tyler Piña was fascinated by Los Angeles and the glamour of Hollywood.

“My dad grew up out here, and it’s where my parents met,” says the 33-year-old screenwriter. “I remember looking at old Polaroids of them in the ‘80s and seeing how much fun they had.”

His attraction to Los Angeles, however, was more than just nostalgia. “I was mesmerized by the landscapes and architecture,” he says.

Looking back, he can’t believe he realized his dream of moving to Los Angeles from San Francisco in 2018 and eventually renting a Midcentury Modern penthouse by Edward Fickett steps from the Sunset Strip.

“A Midcentury Modern penthouse on Sunset Boulevard in the heart of West Hollywood, with a bar in the living room? I mean, does it get more iconic? I am, in no way, cool enough to live here,” says Piña.

Tour the Midcentury apartment here.

A bedroom in Beachwood Canyon is transformed into an art-filled office (and occasional guest room)

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

When Natalie Babcock and Samuel Gibson found a listing for a sunny apartment in Beachwood Canyon five years ago, they immediately fell for the two bedroom’s charming built-in bookshelves, faux fireplace, hardwood floors and formal dining room. Practical amenities such as an in-unit laundry and a garage, which are often elusive in Los Angeles rentals, didn’t hurt.

Today, however, the couple says they are most impressed by the sense of belonging they have found in the community just outside their 1928 Spanish fourplex. Here, where tourists and brides in wedding gowns often pose for photographs in the middle of the street in an effort to capture the Hollywood sign in the background, Babcock and Gibson have become part of a larger family. “Everyone knows our dogs’ names,” says Babcock.

The couple’s taste is vibrant, and the colorful interiors reflect their sense of fun and love of design. They painted one wall in Gibson’s office a dramatic Kelly green, which makes the white-trimmed windows and his extensive art collection pop.

“Art is one thing that I am always happy to spend money on,” Gibson says.

Tour the Beachwood Canyon apartment here.

A treasures-filled living room in Eagle Rock that’s a colorful showstopper

(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Isa Beniston and Scotty Zaletel are romantics. Not just in their love for each other, which they are as vocal about three years in as budding high school crushes, but also in the way they describe the contents of their 412-square-foot one-bedroom apartment. They can recall the season they discovered each treasure — from fruit-shaped throw pillows to more than 30 animal portraits — and the cross streets of the flea markets from which they bought them. They gush about the time they’ve spent together in fabric stores and flooring supply shops as if they were dimly lighted restaurants primed for date night.

“We both just love stuff,” the two said in near-unison.

— Lina Abascal

Tour the 412-square foot apartment here.

A tricked-out garage/ADU in Venice that serves as an office, gym and family hub

(Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)

“They’re fun,” architect Aejie Rhyu says of the creative couple Will Burroughs and Frith Dabkowski, as she walked by the undulating two-story ADU she helped them realize.

Rhyu’s assessment helps to explain the joy that permeates the family compound, from the pink Los Angeles Toile wallpaper in the bedroom (humorously adorned with illustrations of L.A.’s beloved mountain lion P-22, the La Brea Tar Pits and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre) to the tricked-out garage on the first floor, which includes overhead bike storage, an espresso maker, a mini-fridge and a large flat-screen TV that allows Sydney-born Burroughs to watch Formula One car races and cricket games at 4 a.m. when his family is asleep.

Burroughs even installed a subwoofer speaker beneath the sofa to give the garage the feel of a movie theater during family movie nights. “Jack went flying off the couch when we watched ‘Top Gun,’ ” he said of their son, laughing.

Tour the two-story ADU with a rooftop deck here.

A serene guest room in Mid-Wilshire that’s a light-filled studio for a textile artist

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

After living in her two-bedroom apartment in Los Feliz for more than a decade, Debra Weiss encountered a problem experienced by many renters in Los Angeles: She was evicted.

When her son-in-law spotted a charming two-bedroom apartment near the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Zillow, her initial reaction was, “I want this,” Weiss said of the fourplex.

The rental had high ceilings, oak floors, ample sunlight, an appealing fireplace, a garage and a washer and dryer.

In the guest room, a wall hanging composed of three separate weavings in a gingham check pattern is embroidered with a series of characters she based on her 5-year-old granddaughter’s drawings. “It’s about people coming together in chaos and supporting each other,” Weiss said.

Even though the process of having to move was stressful, Weiss is happy with her new home and neighborhood. “I take the Metro bus everywhere and hardly ever drive,” she said. “Everything worked out perfectly.”

Tour the sunny Mid-Wilshire fourplex here.

A ’70s-inspired speakeasy/lounge in Highland Park that’s hidden behind a bookcase

(Carianne Older / For The Times)

Standing beneath a glittering tiered chandelier in her pink “cloffice,” designer Dani Dazey shares the essence of her colorful style: “From the wallpaper to the artwork, my home is a reflection of me right now,” she explains. “It’s a personal and hip twist on traditional design.”

Rather than embrace rustic farmhouse style or minimalist Midcentury Modern design as is often the case in Los Angeles, Dazey has taken the Highland Park home she shares with husband Phillip Butler and given it an over-the-top maximalist spin.

The speakeasy lounge, accessible through a hidden door sliding bookcase, is a ‘70s-inspired sanctuary with a modular sofa, curtains and wallpaper in the same floral pattern.

Their home is proof, that our homes should make us happy by reflecting who we are. In Dazey’s case, that translates to bold color, lush textures and retro vibes.

Tour the Highland Park home here.

A memento-filled living room in Long Beach is an ode to ‘the people we love’

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

A sense of fun permeates the rooms of Cecilia and Abraham Beltran’s colorful one-bedroom Midcentury apartment in Long Beach.

“We both have a deep passion for Midcentury design and color,” Cecilia shares.

The Beltrans’ apartment encapsulates their design sensibility and “above all, the people we love,” Cecilia says. There’s bold, Midcentury Modern-inspired furniture the couple found on Craigslist, tongue-in-cheek smiling pillows and the “Hole to Another Universe” wall decal by Blik, which can be removed when they move. Peppered throughout the space are mementos from their travels, such as the limited-edition art print “La Famille” purchased on a trip to London in 2023.

Ultimately, Cecilia says, she wants the apartment “to feel like us. I think we pulled it off.”

Tour the Long Beach apartment here.

In Reseda, an apartment where every antique tells a story

(Stephen Ross Goldstein / For The Times)

When Evelyn Bauer, 97, downsized from her four-bedroom home in Sherman Oaks to an apartment in Reseda in 2014, the longtime collector and antiques dealer was forced to relinquish many of her personal belongings.

“Collecting is my passion, my addiction, and I’m so happy to be afflicted with it,” says Bauer, whose two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at an independent living facility for seniors is filled with furnishings and decorative arts from her 65 years as a collector.

Step inside her living room, and the vast collection of antiques feels like entering the former Encino Antique Center, where she was once the proprietor during the 1990s. Each item has a story, a memory and a unique charm that she cherishes.

“There’s always room for one more gem,” she says.

Tour the Reseda apartment here.

Brits looking for cheap holidays in 2026 may want to check out Loveholidays latest deals which includes some winter sun breaks under £150pp in January and February

January can be a gloomy month, and it helps to have something to look forward to. If you’re looking for an inexpensive break in early 2026, loveholidays currently have a sale on that includes winter sun escapes for less than £150 per person.

The bargains on offer include short breaks to Portugal, Malta, and sunny southern Spain, with dates between January and March. While you may not get the same intense heat as the summer, these are great spots to enjoy sunny days and mild spring weather.

These bargain breaks could even be the perfect last-minute gift for those difficult to buy for people who already have everything they need. Loveholidays are also offering packages with deposits from £19 per person and pay monthly plans.

Here are some of the package deals on offer for those dreaming of winter sun in the New Year.

Algarve, Portugal

Portugal’s Algarve can be packed during the summer, but early in the year it’s much more peaceful and laidback. Mild days reach about 16C in January and February, and you’ll enjoy six hours of sunshine to top up your vitamin D. While there can be rain, it’s generally short showers that pass quickly.

Loveholidays’ current Portugal offers include four nights at Muthu Clube Praia Da Oura, flying from London Gatwick, which comes in at £119 per person for February dates. Or there’s a package offering four nights at Vilamoura Golf Apartments, flying from East Midlands, from £129 per person in January.

Malta

The island of Malta has long been a winter sun favourite thanks to its 16C weather and five to six hours of sunshine a day in the early months of the year. Loveholidays have a package that includes four nights at Xemxija Bay Hotel in St Paul’s Bay, flying from London Gatwick, from £129pp in March.

Spring is a great time to visit Malta and enjoy its cultural attractions. Explore the historic cities of Valletta and Mdina, which include medieval buildings and fascinating museums. The island has some of the most ancient religious sites on Earth, including Ħaġar Qim, a megalithic temple complex which dates back as far as 3600–3200 BC.

Spain

Spanish resorts such as Benidorm are still buzzing in the winter months, and while it’s not usually the weather to lie on the beach, there’s still plenty of sunshine and fun to be had. Stay at the Benidorm City Olympia for four nights, flying from Manchester, from £139 per person in February.

If you prefer the quieter parts of Spain, try Costa de la Luz, which is a great place to experience authentic Andalusian culture. Coastal Cádiz has a lovely mix of sandy beaches and culture, and one offer includes four nights at Hipotels Gran Conil & Spa, flying from Bristol, priced at just £149 per person in February.

Prices are subject to availability and may change. Find more package holidays in the loveholidays sale.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

From Sam Farmer: The Chargers are under the radar and over the moon.

They are methodically compiling victories — the latest, Sunday’s 34-17 thumping of the Dallas Cowboys — and perfectly content on the fringes of the national spotlight.

Lots of people wrote them off when those offensive linemen started falling like tall timber, yet the Chargers have found ways to win in spite of that. Seven times in eight games they have walked away victorious, keeping them in the running for the top seed in the AFC.

“We’re not worried about the outside noise,” said edge rusher Khalil Mack, part of a defense that has pitched second-half shutouts two weeks in a row. “Not getting too high, not getting too low. Staying even-keeled and trying to stack wins.”

Despite all that success, the Chargers (11-4) had yet to cement a spot in the postseason by the time they boarded the bus from AT&T Stadium to the airport. They needed a loss or tie by Houston — which beat Las Vegas later Sunday — or by Indianapolis, playing host to San Francisco on Monday night.

As for the Cowboys (6-8), they were eliminated from playoff contention the week before. They were playing for pride and had the NFL’s No. 1 offense, which showed up with Dak Prescott touchdown passes in the first two quarters.

But the quarterback of note in this game was Justin Herbert, who threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns and plunged across the goal line for another score. He also had a 34-yard scramble up the middle, the longest of the game, which ended with a violent collision that had him prone and wincing for a moment.

Continue reading here

Chargers-Cowboys summary

NFL scores

NFL standings

Lakers want consistency on technical calls

Clippers forward John Collins hangs on to the rim after dunking in front of Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36), guard Luka Doncic (77) and center Jaxson Hayes (11) on Saturday at Intuit Dome.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

From Thuc Nhi Nguyen: The only thing left for JJ Redick to do was joke about it. What else could be said after the Lakers made just six of 38 three-pointers in a 103-88 loss to the Clippers on Saturday?

“I was proud that we improved from three [after starting] four for 33,” the coach deadpanned. “So we got better as the game progressed.”

With four starters out because of injuries, the Lakers’ ice cold shooting doomed them to a season low in points. Star guard Luka Doncic left the game with 12 points at halftime after a left leg contusion sustained in the first half. Redick noticed the NBA’s leading scorer limping on the court during the second quarter. Fellow starters Austin Reaves (calf), Deandre Ayton (elbow) and Rui Hachimura (groin) already were sidelined as well as key reserve Gabe Vincent (back).

It left them with just one starter in LeBron James, who had 36 points, four rebounds and three assists as the Lakers (19-8) fell behind by 22 but cut the deficit to seven in the fourth quarter before fading again.

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NBA scores

NBA standings

USC men dominate against UC Santa Cruz

USC center Gabe Dynes dunks during a 102-63 win over the UC Santa Cruz at Galen Center on Sunday. Dynes finished with 16 points.

(John McGillen / USC Athletics)

From Ryan Kartje: The call came Monday morning, just six days before USC was slated to play its final nonconference contest. In light of the deadly shooting on Brown’s campus, its men’s basketball team wouldn’t make the trip west. If coach Eric Musselman hoped to test his Trojans again before the new year, he and his USC staff had less than 24 hours to find a replacement.

Which is how USC found itself facing UC Santa Cruz, a 6-6 Division III team with losses to Chapman, Redlands and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, on Sunday. USC had no trouble overwhelming the Banana Slugs in a 102-63 victory. But given the scrambling it took to schedule Santa Cruz, no one was complaining about the seamless victory heading into the Trojans’ winter break.

Musselman, who notched his 250th career win, initially hoped that USC could find a D-1 program to take Brown’s place. But rules limiting the amount of regular-season games a D-1 program can play narrowed that list considerably. It left USC’s coaches counting by hand to decide which teams would fit.

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USC-UC Santa Cruz box score

NCAA men’s basketball scores

Jazzy Davidson powers USC past Cal

USC’s Jazzy Davidson controls the ball in front of California’s Mjracle Sheppard during the first half Sunday at Chase Center.

(Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)

From the Associated Press: Freshman Jazzy Davidson scored a go-ahead layup with 4:05 remaining and finished with a season-best 24 points, leading the No. 19 USC women past California 61-57 on Sunday in the Invisalign Bay Area Women’s Classic.

After Davidson’s basket, Londynn Jones hit a jumper the next time down as USC used a 6-0 burst to take control. The Trojans answered each Cal threat with a key defensive play or big basket.

Cal called time out with 43.8 seconds left and trailing 56-54, but as the Golden Bears tried to set up a play, USC’s Kennedy Smith made a steal of Sakima Walker’s bad pass.

Continue reading here

USC-California box score

NCAA women’s basketball scores

Santa Anita postpones opening races

From Jay Posner: After days of deliberation and faced with a forecast getting soggier by the day, Santa Anita officials have decided to postpone opening day of the 2025-26 race meeting from Friday until Sunday, Dec. 28.

It’s just the second time since 1976 that Santa Anita will not open on the day after Christmas. The other time was in 2019 for the same reason: wet weather. More than eight inches of rain are projected to fall between Tuesday night and Friday at Santa Anita.

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Should Angels fans cheer for Dodgers?

Angels star Mike Trout signs autographs for fans before a game against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium on Sept. 8.

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

From columnist Bill Shaikin: Christmas is three days away, and you’re running out of time to get a gift for the Angels fan in your life. How about a Dodgers cap?

If ever a winter posed a loyalty test, this one could. The Dodgers spent $69 million on Edwin Díaz, the best closer available in free agency, and another $2 million in championship parade costs. The Angels spent $2 million on a closer who put up an 8.23 earned-run average last season.

Next year the Dodgers will try to become the first National League team to win three consecutive World Series. The Angels will try to end baseball’s longest postseason drought at 11 years, still without much of a plan beyond rushing first-round draft picks to the major leagues while treading the financial waters until Anthony Rendon’s contract runs out.

On Sunday they missed out on Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, who signed with the 102-loss Chicago White Sox. Of the Angels’ five acquisitions this winter, three did not play in the majors last season, and not because they are up-and-coming prospects.

Continue reading here

Author and journalist Shea Serrano’s new book, “Expensive Basketball,” is a New York Times bestseller that highlights unique, breakthrough moments in NBA history.

(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

From Gustavo Arellano: When Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy this weekend with another Latino finalist looking on from the crowd, the Cuban-American quarterback did more than just become the first Indiana Hoosier to win college football’s top prize, and only the third Latino to do so. He also subtly offered a radical statement: Latinos don’t just belong in this country, they’re essential.

At a time when questions swirl around this country‘s largest minority group that cast us in a demeaning, tokenized light — how could so many of us vote for Trump in 2024? Why don’t we assimilate faster? Why does Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh think it’s OK for immigration agents to racially profile us? — the fact that two of the best college football players in the country this year were Latino quarterbacks didn’t draw the headlines they would’ve a generation ago. That’s because we now live in an era where Latinos are part of the fabric of sports in the United States like never before.

That’s the untold thesis of four great books I read this year. Each is anchored in Latino pride but treat their subjects not just as sport curios and pioneers but great athletes who were and are fundamental not just to their professions and community but society at large.

Continue reading here

NHL

Scores

Standings

This day in sports history

1894 — The United States Golf Association is founded, becoming the governing body for the game in the country.

1915 — The Federal League folds. Owners of the American and National Leagues buy out half of the owners (Pittsburgh, Newark, Buffalo, and Brooklyn) of the Federal League teams. Phil Ball, owner of the St. Louis Terriers, is allowed to buy the St. Louis Browns of the AL, and Charles Weeghman, owner of the Chicago Whales, buys out the Chicago Cubs of the NL.

1924 — Babe Dye of the Toronto St. Patricks scores five goals in a 10-2 victory over the Boston Bruins.

1946 — The Cleveland Browns beat the New York Yankees 14-9 in the first AAFC championship game.

1969 — Pete Maravich sets an NCAA record by hitting 30 of 31 foul shots, and scores 46 points to lead LSU to a 98-89 victory over Georgia.

1974 — Boston’s Phil Esposito scores two goals, including his 500th goal, to lead the Bruins to a 5-4 win over the Detroit Red Wings at Boston Garden.

1990 — Paul Coffey becomes the second NHL defenseman to record 1000 points. Coffey reaches the milestone with an assist on Kevin Stevens’ goal in second-period of a 4-3 win against the New York Islanders.

1996 — Brett Hull becomes the 24th player in NHL history to score 500 goals, with a hat trick in the St. Louis Blues’ 7-4 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Brett and his father, Bobby Hull, are the first father-son tandem to each score 500 goals.

2003 — Brett Favre passes for 399 yards and four touchdowns a day after his father dies, moving into second place in NFL history for career TD passes while leading the Green Bay Packers to a 41-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders. Favre passes Fran Tarkenton on the NFL’s career list with his 343rd career TD throw.

2005 — Reggie Campbell of Navy ties the NCAA bowl record with five touchdowns and had 290 all-purpose yards, leading the Midshipmen to a 51-30 win over Colorado State in the Poinsettia Bowl.

2006 — Peter Bondra scores his 500th NHL goal early in the third period to snap a 1-all tie and lead Chicago past Toronto 3-1.

2007 — Eathyn Manumaleuna blocks a field goal as time expires to give BYU a 17-16 victory over UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl.

2009 — Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh becomes the first defensive player voted The Associated Press College Football Player of the Year, winning the award after his dominant performance against Texas in the Big 12 title game.

2013 — Peyton Manning finishes 32 for 51 for 400 yards and four touchdown passes to set the single season touchdown mark in Denver’s 37-13 win over Houston. Manning, with 51 touchdown passes, passes Tom Brady (50 in 2007) for the most in a single season in NFL history.

2013 — Tom Brady leads the Patriots to a 41-7 win at Baltimore as New England clinches the AFC East. It’s the 11th division title for Brady, the most by a starting quarterback in NFL history.

2016 — Matt Linehan throws for 381 yards and four touchdowns and runs for a another score to help Idaho beat Colorado State 61-50 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. It’s the third-highest scoring game in bowl history. Idaho (9-4) matches its highest victory total since moving to FBS in 1996.

2020 — Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi scores his 644th goal for FC Barcelona during 3-0 win over Real Valladolid to break Pele’s record for most goals for one club; Pele, 643 goals for Santos 1956-74.

Compiled by the Associated Press

Until next time…

That concludes today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email me at houston.mitchell@latimes.com. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.

The Great Omari Mosque is one of Gaza City’s most significant landmarks, with origins dating back more than 2,000 years. It was destroyed in an Israeli strike in December 2023. Hatem Haniya, the mosque’s administrator, reflects on its history and its deep significance to the people of Gaza.

Authorities have shuttered drug factories that were cash pipeline for former ruler Bashar al-Assad, UN report.

Syria’s government has cracked down on the Captagon industry, which boomed under former longtime leader Bashar al-Assad, according to a United Nations report.

Since al-Assad’s ouster a year ago, Syria’s new authorities have dismantled a network of factories and storage sites, a research brief published on Monday by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said.

For more than a decade, Syria produced most of the world’s Captagon, a highly addictive, amphetamine-like pill, bringing in billions of dollars for al-Assad’s government.

However, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has carried out a clampdown as he tries to legitimise his government and strengthen diplomatic ties globally.

Overall, 15 industrial-level laboratories and 13 storage sites have been shuttered, according to the UNODC report. The agency said the action has “drastically changed” the Captagon market across the region.

Syria’s role in the drug trade had previously drawn scrutiny from numerous Gulf states, where the pill is popular, including Saudi Arabia. It also helped to prompt Western sanctions.

‘Political will and international cooperation’

For years, the Captagon trade provided billions of dollars in profit for networks and individuals aligned with the former government “either within the leadership of the regime’s security apparatus, Syria’s commercial sector and business elite, and/or family members of Bashar al-Assad”, according to Caroline Rose, an expert on Syrian drug trafficking at the New Lines Institute think tank.

Maher al-Assad, Bashar’s brother and former commander of the army’s elite Fourth Division, was identified as a key player, profiting from protecting shipments through Latakia, a former al-Assad stronghold.

Despite the current Syrian government’s targeting of the industry, large seizures of the drug across the region suggest that significant stockpiles of the pills originating from Syria remain in circulation, the report noted.

Smaller-scale production is also likely continuing inside Syria and in neighbouring countries, the UNODC added, with Gulf countries still the top buyers of the drug.

The UN agency said the disruption of the Middle East’s Captagon industry shows that with “political will and international cooperation … even highly complex drug markets can be destabilised within a relatively short period of time”.

However, it warned that the shift risks pushing regional consumers towards new synthetic substances, like methamphetamine, which has recently grown in popularity.

“Without addressing the underlying demand for ‘Captagon,’ trafficking and use are likely to shift toward other substances, such as methamphetamine, with new routes and actors emerging to fill the gap,” it said.

EastEnders has welcomed back Pat Butcher as Nigel Bates’ dementia symptoms worsen, with Pam St Clement reprising her iconic role

EastEnders has unveiled the dramatic comeback of Pat Butcher as Nigel Bates grapples with escalating dementia symptoms.

As regular viewers of the BBC soap will be aware, Nigel (played by Paul Bradley) is dealing with a diagnosis of early-onset dementia, a key aspect of his return to the show for Christmas 2024.

The debilitating condition leads to confusion and memory loss for Nigel, causing him to conceal his diagnosis and struggle with its progression. On Monday (December 22), the residents of Walford began to embrace the festive season as Nigel’s film was screened at the community centre.

However, after overhearing his wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) and close friend Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) arguing about how best to manage his deteriorating dementia, he seeks refuge in The Queen Vic.

Nigel begins to mix up past memories with the present. In his confused state, he is visited by familiar faces from Christmases past – Pat (played by Pam St Clement ).

As Nigel’s mind drifts back to 1990, Pat makes a return to The Queen Vic, where she once served as landlady alongside her husband, Frank (Mike Reid), reports OK!.

On Tuesday (December 23), Pat and her former step-son, Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson), step in to support her old friend Nigel as his dementia symptoms take a sudden turn for the worse, with both she and Barry attempting to help him. This marks the first sighting of Pat in Walford since her ghostly appearance in 2016.

When did Pat Butcher make her EastEnders

Pat, renowned for her bold statement earrings, made her debut in Walford in 1986 and swiftly won over the hearts of viewers.

In 1989, she married businessman Frank in a traditional East End celebration that drew all the locals, before the pair eventually became landlords of The Queen Vic.

Throughout her time on the Square, Pat captivated audiences with her romantic entanglements, four marriages, local feuds, and countless fiery confrontations with her nemesis-turned-best mate, Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor).

Yet on New Year’s Day 2012, the spirited leopard print-loving Walford resident passed away in the arms of her son David Wicks (Michael French).

Pat’s heartbreaking demise came after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. However, that wasn’t the final chapter for the legendary character.

In 2016, Pam returned to reprise her role for a fleeting appearance in Peggy Mitchell’s final and deeply moving episode.

She materialised as a spirit and shared one last heart-to-heart with her dearest friend, Peggy, before her passing.

Expressing her delight about returning to EastEnders, Pam St Clement revealed: “I was both surprised and excited to be asked back to tread the streets of Walford once again and to be involved in Nigel’s touching dementia storyline.

“It was lovely to be welcomed back by those with whom I had worked for so long. It was just like coming home.”

Why did Pam St Clement leave EastEnders?

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

Despite captivating EastEnders viewers with her tragic on-screen demise, soap legend Pam never actually wanted her cherished character, Pat, to meet her end. In a 2015 interview with The Mirror, she confessed, “It was very, very difficult. I was saying goodbye to a character I’d inhabited for almost 26 years and, while I had chosen to leave EastEnders, I didn’t want Pat to die”.

She went on to say, “I was adamant there should be a chance for her to return and had been assured by the executive producer she wouldn’t be axed.”

Looking back on her exit, Pam recalled, “When I felt the time had come to hang up the earrings, I took Bryan Kirkwood, the then executive producer, out for dinner and broached the subject of leaving.”

She was firm in her request, stating, “One crucial thing I asked for was that Pat shouldn’t be killed off. Bryan’s response was unequivocal. He assured me that Pat wouldn’t be axed.”

Life after EastEnders for Pam St Clement

In 2015, Pam publicly disclosed for the first time that she had had an affair with a woman. Identifying as bisexual, Pam was previously married to a man named Andrew Gordon in the 1960s, but they later divorced.

In her autobiography The End of The Earring, Pam admitted that coming to terms with her bisexuality was like a “bombshell”. She also revealed having an affair with a woman during a trip to Australia.

Pam added: “That month in Sydney went all too quickly, and we were soon saying our farewells at the airport with promises of reunions back in the UK. I nearly missed the plane, I was so bereft at leaving.”

Eventually, Pam began a romantic relationship with a woman called Diana. However, in her memoir, she confessed that her inclination to “over-care” could occasionally “smother” her partnerships.

Speaking candidly to The Mirror in 2015, Pam revealed she’d had the occasional fling “but nothing ­meaningful”. Then she met Diana, who would become a significant figure in her world.

She explained: “I fell for an attractive woman who was intelligent, witty and fun to be with. Diana and I settled into a happy and stable relationship.

“Looking back, I wonder if I should have stayed on my own. I want to love and be loved, but I am fiercely independent.

“But this was a relationship I couldn’t resist. It was a new experience, exciting and different in every way. We had our own professions but made a home together.”

After her devastating EastEnders departure, Pam made appearances in three Casualty episodes during 2016, though aside from that, she has been relishing a quieter existence away from public attention.

Nevertheless, she did make a return to BBC One in February 2025 to mark EastEnders’ 40th anniversary milestone.

Having spent 13 years absent from Walford, Pam featured alongside Grant Mitchell star Ross Kemp in the documentary EastEnders: 40 Years of the Square.

Throughout the poignant hour-long programme, she spoke openly about her character whilst sharing memories with Ross during their journey on the number 38 bus.

They also took a trip down memory lane, revisiting scenes from a poignant 2016 episode where Pat made a ghostly return to comfort Peggy Mitchell, portrayed by Dame Barbara Windsor, in her final moments.

The duo watched clips featuring their dearly departed co-star, clearly touched by the nostalgic memories. A visibly emotional Pam confessed, “Well, I miss her”, before adding with heartfelt sincerity, “I mean, basically I miss her tremendously”, as she fought back tears.

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer

Monique Lindner spent more than seven years as a full-time traveller before settling in one city that she says has a mixture of ‘local charm’ and ‘big city vibes’

A woman who has visited more than 40 countries says there is only one city where she would want to live. Monique Lindner has been to stunning locations in the likes of Australia, Latin America, and Asia.

She says she was the first of her family to leave their home country, Germany, and even spent more than seven years travelling the world. But eventually she found she needed somewhere that she could settle down.

Writing in BusinessInsider , Monique says there was one destination that stood out above the rest. After some careful consideration she found herself setting up home in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

She says the city is the perfect mix of “local charm” and “big city vibes”. Located a few hundred miles north of Bangkok, Chiang Mai is home to around a million people and boasts an array of Buddhist temples and ruins.

Monique said: “My first visit was about a decade ago, when the city felt more like a backpacker’s paradise with cheap beer on every corner, $5 hostel beds, and loads of young people driving around with their gear on rented scooters.”

She says she “loves” that the city is home to both shopping malls as well as smaller “mama shops” owned by local families. It has local tea and fresh food markets as well as chains like Starbucks.

Monique admits she would “never get bored” visiting the Buddhist temples and attending musical performances and local art galleries. But says she still “loves to travel”, regularly finding herself on daytrips by car and boat.

A 25 minute drive from the city would find Monique in the middle of an “amazing” national park while an hour gets her into the historic town of Lamphun. When she first settled in Chiang Mai, Monique found herself living in a gated community with a garden, tennis court, and pool, all on a “modest budget”.

She added: “Although my neighborhood felt quiet, it was still convenient, with car-repair joints, fresh food markets, and numerous shops nearby. Building a community and making friends in the area has also been easy for me.”

Monique says she has attended events advertised on Facebook and even connected with other “digital nomads” during her time in Thailand. She says it feels like there are “activities and gatherings for everyone” ranging from yoga classes to drumming workshops.

She however admits there is no “perfect” place to settle down, and struggles during the traditional “burning season” where crop fields and forest debris are burned.

She says she has embarked on road trips during the last couple of burning seasons, but admits she finds herself “missing” Chiang Mai.

Monique concluded: “Falling in love with this city was easy for me, and it was wonderful having a home base there for several years. Though I’ve still got a few logistics to work out, I hope to call this piece of Thailand my permanent place of residence in the future.”

Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians who were forced out of their homes in occupied East Jerusalem, as Israeli forces demolished a four-storey residential building displacing around 100 people on Monday. It was the latest in a series of demolitions targeting Palestinian homes in the area.

BANISH the January blues by swapping the grey UK skies for a sunny break that doesn’t break the bank.

One destination in Morocco has been tipped as a must-visit destination for next year, with cheap flights that can get you there in under four hours.

Condé Nast Traveller recently revealed the top places to travel to in 2026 and Morocco’s Fès has made the list.

The publication said: “Fès is Morocco’s cultural capital and intellectual centre, but it still flies beneath the radar. That looks set to change in 2026 with the long-awaited reopening of Palais Jamaï – Fès’s iconic heritage hotel built in 1879 by a grand vizier to the sultan – after a decade-long renovation.

“A sister property to Marrakech’s landmark La Mamounia, Palais Jamaï is one of only a handful of centenarian North African hotels and retains its opulent architectural form, plus an atmosphere thick with history.“

You’ll find Fès in northern Morocco between the Rif Mountains and Middle Atlas – and it’s a great spot for more relaxed break as it’s known to be less busy than other cities like Marrakech.

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Visitors to Fès need to explore Fes es-Bali – the old Medina which is one of the largest in the world – it’s made up of over 9,000 alleys that are separated from the outside world by high walls.

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest Medina in North Africa.

Inside visitors can buy handmade goods from food to leather, handwoven rugs and hand-painted ceramics – and be prepared to haggle for them too.

Make sure to stop by the Bab Boujloud which is the pretty mosaic entryway, and the grand Royal Palace of Fès.

January isn’t the hottest month in Fès, but it has average highs of 18C so you can enjoy strolling around in T-shirt.

In January, you can fly directly from London Stansted to Fes-Saïss in three hours and 20 minutes for just £24.99 with Ryanair.

Condé Nast Traveller has predicted that Fès will become more popular thanks to the reopening of the Palais Jamaï Fès – a luxury hotel.

It will reopen in spring 2026, after extensive restoration and will have new dining and wellness facilities, and is likely to be expensive.

However, there are other much more affordable options.

The Riad Verus is close to the Batha Fountain and from the roof terraces you can see all the way to the Merenid Tombs.

It’s hostel aimed at solo or group travellers who can stay in the traditionally decorated dorm rooms, a communal terrace and lobby.

Prices in January start from £12 a night and it includes an authentic Moroccan brunch.

For more privacy, consider the Ibis Fes which is right beside the local train station.

All rooms are air-conditioned, and it has an outdoor swimming pool, gardens and on-site restaurant.

In January, the room rate starts from £37 per night (based on two people sharing) with an option breakfast for an extra £6.

The Ramada By Wyndham Fes is a 5* hotel with an outdoor pool, spa and gym.

Rooms start from £69 for a Superior King Room (based on two people sharing) and includes a buffet breakfast.

The room has a pool view along with free toiletries and a private bathroom, TV and minibar.

It’s not just hotels that are affordable, in Morocco a three-course meal for two people can cost as little as £15, according to Wise.

A pint of beer starts from £2.45 and you can get a coffee from £1.34.

With Ryanair axing flights across Europe this year – Morocco could become even more affordable in the coming years.

Ryanair announced in 2025 that it would be axing particular flights to Spain following Aena, the state-controlled airport operator in the country – increasing its fees for airlines.

With this meaning your trip to Tenerife might be more expensive, you can instead look to Morocco instead.

Cities around the North African country could be set to get cheaper flights as Ryanair has said that the capacity removed from Spanish airports will be reallocated to more competitive European markets, including Morocco.

The bustling city of Marrakech offers plenty of Medinas for exploring as well as activities in the desert, vibrant cafes and spice stalls.

Lisa Minot, Head of Sun Travel, went on a trip earlier this year and said: “I’ve spent a wonderful long weekend in Marrakech and the city is as exciting as ever.

“We were sunbathing on the roof of our riad in the Medina in glorious 22 degree temperatures – and I loved the amazing desert landscapes just 40 minutes from the hustle and bustle of the souks.

“Tourism is booming in the city and while the streets are as colourful and chaotic as ever, the influx of visitors has brought some gorgeous new bars, restaurants and stunning hotels.”

Another spot is Agadir which has incredible golden beaches, you can check out the capital of Rabat which has been dubbed an ‘understated seaside gem’ by travel experts.

Here’s the full list of Conde Nast Travellers ‘Best Place to Go in 2026’

Arusha, Tanzania

East Coast, Barbados

Brussels, Belgium

Chiriquí Province, Panama

Deer Valley, Utah

Fès, Morocco

Gabon

Upper Carniola (Gorenjska), Slovenia

Guadalajara, Mexico

Hong Kong, China

Margaret River, Australia

Medellín, Colombia

Minas Gerais, Brazil

Naoshima, Japan

Northern Chilean Patagonia

Northern Namibia

Oulu, Finland

The Peloponnese, Greece

Potosí, Bolivia

Prince Edward County, Canada

Route 66, USA

Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, France

Udaipur, India

Uluru, Australia

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

From slaving away in a steamy kitchen, to entertaining endless family members – it’s fair to say Christmas can be pretty relentless for many parents. 

These women, however, say they’ve found the perfect solution: swapping home for a Butlin’s mini-break over the festive period. And it costs A LOT less than you might imagine.

‘Going to Butlin’s guarantees Christmas will be extra special for the kids’

TEACHER Kim Heath’s lucky kids have holidayed around the globe, but their favourite place to go is down-to-earth Butlins.

Kim, 36, has enjoyed Christmas Day with a difference at the traditional UK holiday camp for the past few years – and her youngsters wouldn’t have it any other way. 

She celebrates the occasion with husband Graham, 38, kids Olivia-Belle, nine, and Grayson, four, and members of their extended families. 

Kim told The Sun: “Olivia-Belle has been to places like Dubai, Sydney and the Caribbean and we’ve even been to Lapland.

“But she loves Butlin’s because the family are together and everyone’s going to be having fun.”

Butlins was once a top holiday destination for UK families but it’s fair to say its reputation has ebbed and flowed in more recent years. 

Kim added: “A lot of our friends say they can’t believe we go to Butlin’s but if you’ve got kids and want to make sure they have an extra special Christmas, it’s magical.

“You can do as much or as little as you like, you can even go swimming on Christmas Day.

“It’s just a really nice place to be.”

The family from Caerphilly, South Wales, are able to save money on the annual festive break thanks to Kim’s father-in-law, who owns an eight-berth caravan at Butlin’s Minehead, Somerset. 

She said: “Nowadays, just going to the local farm to meet Santa with the kids can cost £70 whereas at Butlins it’s all included in the site fee, and we’re lucky enough to have the caravan to sleep in.

“My house isn’t big enough for everybody, you’d have to try and squeeze everybody in but this way no-one has to be on their own on Christmas night.

“My mum’s friend stayed with us last year and we’ve met up with other family and friends who are staying separately too.”

Last year, Kim and relatives enjoyed a Christmas Eve visit to Santa’s Grotto at the resort and there’s usually a pantomime on offer on the big day itself. 

She said: “On Christmas Day, we open presents and then we dive into the activities.

“Everybody’s in a really good mood and everything is open on Christmas Day so you’ll never hear your children say they’re bored.” 

When it comes to the big Christmas Dinner, that comes in buffet form.

“Nobody’s really expected to cook,” explained the Butlin’s fan, who lives two and a half hours away from her favourite coastal resort. 

“There is no pressure, there’s no one person at home spending the day cooking in the kitchen.

“We’ve travelled around the world, but Butlin’s is so easy – it’s all planned out for you and the children have big smiles on their faces. 

“We’ve always had a really lovely time.” 

Butlin’s Minehead opened in 1962 and is the largest of the holiday park’s resorts, accommodating up to 7,500 guests in its chalets and apartments. 

Facilities on offer include an amusement park and vintage fairground. 

Until earlier this month, four-night stays were still available at Minehead Butlin’s from £199.

“The parks really go to town at Christmas”

The first of the chain’s parks to open in 1936 was Butlin’s Skegness, where mum-of-two Anita Workman, her software engineer husband Dave, and their kids Grant, seven, and Iris, five, have enjoyed Christmas Day. 

The family makes the three-hour journey to Butlins Skegness multiple times a year, with Anita finding the resort has extra sparkle during the festive season. 

“Butlins is our happy place,” said the stay-at-home mum. 

“Your children are only children for a short time, especially when it comes to the magic of Christmas. 

“They have the best time of their lives when we go.”

They first made the decision to spend Christmas Day at Butlin’s a few years ago, after Anita’s mother-in-law sadly passed away.

Unable to face an empty seat at their Christmas Dinner table, the family from Bolton, Lancs, opted for their favourite holiday destination instead.

“We had only ever done home Christmases before and we decided to shake things up because it would have been really obvious Dave’s mum wasn’t there,” she says. 

“Looking back, it provided more than that. 

“The kids loved all the shows. I took them to a local pantomime once, and they were disappointed because it didn’t compare to the Butlins one.

“We loved the fireworks on Christmas Eve too.”

The family enjoyed Christmas Dinner in the site’s main restaurant, which is served buffet style and offers turkey and all the trimmings, plus much more besides.

She said: “If you want to have a traditional dinner on the big day, it’s going to be there but if you fancy something random, that’ll probably be there too.

“Fussy kids can enjoy pizza, chicken nuggets or fish fingers.

“There are crackers on the tables, with Christmas hats to wear. They really go to town.”

Less traditionally, the family’s Christmas Day at Butlin’s was also filled with shows, swimming and fairground rides. 

The Workmans opt for premium dining and accommodation when they stay at the park and Anita appreciates the special effort the famous Butlin’s Redcoats make with her children – particularly with Grant, who has autism. 

Known for their distinctive red jackets, the frontline staff’s main roles are to host families and provide entertainment. 

Magician Stephen Mulhern, the late Des O’Connor and Ian ‘H’ Watkins of Steps fame are among the celebrities who launched their career in showbiz working as a Redcoat. 

She said: “The Redcoats can’t be underestimated, they are awesome.

“We like to get into a venue early for a show and they will come and sit and play card games with the kids to entertain them.

“It sounds like something so minor, but it can mean so much to them.”

Up until earlier this month, four-night deals were still available at Butlin’s Skegness from £195.

Palestinian officials condemn the actions as part of a ‘systematic policy of displacement’ in the occupied territory.

Israeli forces have stormed towns in the occupied West Bank and demolished a residential building.

Soldiers fired stun grenades and tear gas on Monday as they carried out the demolition in East Jerusalem. Palestinian officials accused Israel of a campaign of displacement in the city, saying the operation was part of a systematic attempt to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from their land.

Scores of Palestinians were displaced as Israeli bulldozers tore through a four-storey residential building. Activists called it the largest such demolition in the area this year.

Three bulldozers destroyed the building with 13 apartments in the Wadi Qaddum neighbourhood of the Silwan district, south of Jerusalem’s Old City, Al Jazeera Arabic correspondents reported.

Israeli forces cordoned off surrounding roads, deployed heavily across the area and positioned security personnel on the rooftops of neighbouring houses. During the operation, a young man and a teenage boy were arrested.

Residents were told the demolition order was issued because the building had been constructed without a permit.

Palestinians face severe obstacles in obtaining building permits due to Israel’s restrictive planning policies, activists say, a policy that they assert is part of a systematic attempt to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from their land.

Israel’s security cabinet has recently approved the recognition of 19 new settlements in the West Bank, expanding the total number approved this year to 69 as the government continues its settlement push.

‘Systematic policy of displacement’

The Jerusalem governorate, affiliated with the Palestinian Authority, condemned the demolition.

“The building’s destruction is part of a systematic policy aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinian residents and emptying the city of its original inhabitants,” the governorate said in a statement.

“Any demolition that expels residents from their homes constitutes a clear occupation plan to replace the land’s owners with settlers.”

The Jerusalem municipality, an Israeli authority whose jurisdiction over East Jerusalem is not recognised under international law, said the demolition was based on a 2014 court order.

Israeli human rights groups Ir Amim and Bimkom said the demolition was carried out without warning despite a scheduled meeting on Monday to discuss steps to legalise the building.

“This is part of an ongoing policy. This year alone, around 100 East Jerusalem families have lost their homes,” the groups said, calling Monday’s demolition the largest of 2025.

Escalated attacks

Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces damaged agricultural land and uprooted trees in the northern town of Silat al-Harithiya.

In the city of Halhul, north of Hebron, Israeli forces stormed several neighbourhoods with large numbers of military vehicles, deployed sniper teams and took up positions across the city.

Al Jazeera Arabic journalists reported that Israeli vehicles entered Halhul through multiple checkpoints, including Nabi Yunis, while closing the Halhul Bridge checkpoint linking the city to Hebron.

Since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023, Israeli forces and settlers have also sharply escalated attacks across the West Bank.

More than 1,102 Palestinians have been killed in the territory, about 11,000 wounded and more than 21,000 arrested, according to Palestinian figures.

A SUPERMODEL was reportedly paid an astonishing amount to appear in one of the world’s most famous Christmas films.

Claudia Schiffer appears in the perennial festive favourite Love Actually for one minute  – and earned the equivalent of the average UK salary in just EIGHT seconds.

Richard Curtis, the film’s director, cast the supermodel in brief – but memorable – scenes alongside Liam Neeson’s character Daniel.

On several occasions in the 2003 film, Daniel, recently widowed, tells his love-sick step-son, Sam, played by Thomas Brodie Sangster, that the path of true love rarely runs smooth.

Daniel tells Sam that he need only look to his step-dad for proof after telling him several times he wants to date supermodel Claudia Schiffer.

The pay-off in the film – when it finally arrives – works a treat.

CASH IN

Astonishing amount The Pogues make every year from Fairytale of New York

PARKA LIFE

Astonishing amount East 17’s Tony Mortimer makes a year from Stay Another Day

In one memorable scene, Daniel hits it off with one of Sam’s classmates – played by the supermodel.

The pair then appear on screen loved-up near the end of the film.

Although her appearance is brief, her paycheck for the role in the film proves it was well worth turning up.

As reported by Vogue, in his book ‘How Much?!: The $1000 Omelette … and 1100 Other Astonishing Money Moments’, author Andrew Holmes revealed Schiffer was paid $350,000 for the role.

That works out at £275,000 for the entire screen time – or £4,500 per second.

In contrast, two-time Academy Award winner Emma Thompson, who plays Alan Rickman’s long-suffering wife Karen in the film, has stated she felt she was underpaid for her role.

Thompson’s fee has not been disclosed.

While on Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the Tutti Frutti actress said she no longer rewatches Love Actually,

Walking out of a Skid Row market, Harold Cook, 42, decides to play a game.

How long after opening YouTube will it take for him to see an ad asking him to join the latest wave of sex abuse litigation against Los Angeles County?

“I can literally turn my phone on right now, something’s going to pop up,” said Cook, opening the app.

Within a few seconds, a message blares: “They thought you’d never speak up. They figured you was too young, too scared, too Black, too brown, too alone. … L.A. County already had to cough up $4 billion to settle these cases. So why not you?”

Since the historic April payout to resolve thousands of claims of sex abuse in county-run facilities, law firms have saturated L.A.’s airwaves and social media with campaigns seeking new clients. For months, government officials have quietly questioned who is financing the wall-to-wall marketing blitz.

The ad Cook heard was from Sheldon Law Group, one of several law firms active in sex abuse litigation in California that receive backing from private investors, according to loan notices and SEC filings. The investors, which often operate through Delaware companies, expect to profit from the payouts to resolve the cases.

Sheldon, based in Washington, D.C., has been one of the most prolific L.A. advertisers. The firm has already gathered roughly 2,500 potential clients, according to a list submitted to the county. The lawsuits started being filed this summer, raising the prospect of another costly settlement squeezed out of a government on the brink of a fiscal crisis.

“We act in the best interests of our clients, who are victims in every sense of the word and have suffered real and quite dreadful injuries,” a spokesperson for Sheldon Law Group said in a statement. “Without financial and legal support, these victims would be unable to hold the responsible parties, powerful corporate or governmental defendants, accountable.”

The financing deals have raised alarms among lawmakers, who say they want to know what portion of the billions poised to be diverted from government services to victims of horrific sex abuse will go to opaque private investors.

Kathryn Barger, a member of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, said she was contacted by a litigation investor who sought to gauge whether sex abuse litigation could be a smart venture. “This is so predatory,” Barger told The Times.

(Juliana Yamada/Los Angeles Times)

“I’m getting calls from the East Coast asking me if people should invest in bankrupting L.A. County,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said. “I understand people want to make money, but I feel like this is so predatory.”

Barger said an old college friend who invests in lawsuits reached out this spring attempting to gauge whether L.A. County sex abuse litigation could be a smart venture. Barger said the caller referred to the lawsuits as an “evergreen” investment.

“That means it keeps on giving,” she said. “There’s no end to it.”

The county has spent nearly $5 billion this year on sex abuse litigation, with the bulk of that total coming from the $4-billion deal this spring — the largest sex abuse settlement in U.S. history.

The April settlement is under investigation by the L.A. County district attorney office following Times reporting that found plaintiffs who said they were paid by recruiters to join the litigation, including some who said they filed fraudulent claims. All were represented by Downtown LA Law Group, which handled roughly 2,700 plaintiffs.

Downtown LA Law Group has denied all wrongdoing and said it “only wants justice for real victims.” The firm took out a bank loan in summer 2024, according to a financing statement, but a spokesperson said they had no investor financing.

Lawyers who take the private financing say it’s a win-win. Investors make money on high-interest rate loans while smaller law firms have the capital they need to take on deep-pocketed corporations and governments. If people were victimized by predators on the county’s payroll, they deserve to have a law firm that can afford to work for free until the case settles. Money for investors, they emphasize, comes out of their cut — not the clients’.

But critics say the flow of outside money incentivizes law firms to amass as many plaintiffs as possible for the wrong reasons — not to spread access to justice, but rather ensure hefty profit for themselves and their financial backers.

“The amount of money being generated by private equity in these situations — that’s absurd,” said former state lawmaker Lorena Gonzalez, who wrote the 2019 bill that opened the floodgate for older sex abuse claims to be filed. “Nobody should be getting wealthy off taxpayer dollars.”

For residents of L.A.’s poorest neighborhood, ads touting life-changing payouts have started to feel inescapable.

Waiting in line at a Skid Row food shelter, William Alexander, 27, said his YouTube streaming is punctuated by commercials featuring a robotic man he suspects is AI calling on him to sue the county over sex abuse.

Across the street, Shane Honey, 56, said nearly every commercial break on the news seems to feature someone asking if he was neglected at a juvenile hall.

In many of the ads, the same name pops up: Sheldon Law Group.

Austin Trapp, a case worker in Skid Row, was among several people in the neighborhood who said ads seeking people to join sex abuse litigation against L.A. County have become increasingly common.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Sheldon’s website lists no attorneys, but claims the firm is the “architect” behind “some of the largest litigations on Earth.” They list their headquarters online at a D.C. virtual office space, though the owners on their most recent business filing list their own addresses in New York. The firm’s name appears on websites hunting for people suffering from video game addiction, exposure to toxins from 9/11, and toe implant failure.

Sheldon Law Group was started by the founder of Legal Recovery Associates, a New York litigation funding company that uses money from investors including hedge funds to recruit large numbers of plaintiffs for “mass torts,” cases where many people are suing over the same problem, according to interviews with former advisers, court records and business filings.

Those clients are gathered for one of their affiliated law firms, including Sheldon Law Group, according to two people involved in past transactions.

Ron Lasorsa, a former Wall Street investment banker who said he advised Legal Recovery Associates on setting up the affiliate law firms, told The Times it was built to make investors “obscenely rich.”

“It’s extremely profitable for people who know what the hell they’re doing,” Lasorsa said.

The idea, he says, emerged from a pool cabana at a Las Vegas legal conference called Mass Torts Made Perfect in fall 2015.

A man visiting friends on Skid Row holds up his phone showing an ad recruiting clients for sex abuse case in Los Angeles County on December 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Lasorsa had just amassed 14,000 clients for personal injury lawsuits in one year using methods that, he now says, were legally dubious. A favorite at the time: using call centers in India that had access to Americans’ hospital records and phoning the patients to see if they were feeling litigious.

Near the pool at a Vegas hotel, Lasorsa said Howard Berger, a former hedge fund manager barred by the SEC from working as a broker, asked if he could turbocharge the caseload of Legal Recovery Associates, where he worked as a consultant.

Lasorsa said he soon teamed up with the founders of LRA — Gary Podell, a real estate developer, and Greg Goldberg, a former investment manager — to create “shell” law firms based in Washington. The nation’s capital is one of the few places where non-lawyers can own a law firm, profiting directly from case proceeds.

Goldberg, who is not licensed to practice law in D.C., would become a partner in at least six D.C. law firms including Sheldon Law Group by 2017, according to a contract between Legal Recovery Associates and a hedge fund that financed the firms’ cases.

Sheldon, which said it was responding on behalf of Podell, said in a statement that all their partners are lawyers, though declined to name them. Goldberg did not respond to a repeated request for comment.

The Sheldon spokesperson said Legal Recovery Associates is a separate entity that engages in its “own business and legal activities.”

Investors typically make money on litigation by providing law firms with loans, which experts say carry interest rates as high as 30%, representing the risk involved. If the case goes south, investors get nothing. If it settles, they make it all back — and then some.

Lasorsa said he helped the company gather 20,000 claims using the same Indian call centers before a bitter 2019 split. He later accused the owners of unethical behavior, which led to a half-million dollar settlement and a non-disparagement agreement that he said he decided to breach, leading to a roughly $600,000 penalty he has yet to pay, according to a court judgment.

Lasorsa was also ordered to delete any disparaging statements he’d made, according to the judgment.

D.C. law firms with non-lawyers as partners must have the “sole purpose” of providing “legal services,” according to the district’s bar. Some attorneys have argued no such service was provided by the firms associated with Legal Recovery Associates.

Troy Brenes, an Orange County attorney who co-counseled with one of the firms over flawed medical devices, accused the company of operating a “sham law firm” as part of a 2022 court battle over fees.

“The sole purpose … appears to have been to allow non-lawyers to market for product liability cases and then refer those cases to legitimate law firms in exchange for a portion of the attorney fees without making any effort to comply with the D.C. ethics rules,” Brenes wrote.

A spokesperson for Sheldon and LRA noted in a statement that “no court or arbitration panel has ever concluded” that its business structure violates the law.

In the medical device cases, the affiliate firm, which was responsible for funding the marketing campaign, took 55% of recoverable attorney fees, according to an agreement between the two firms. The profit divide mirrors the 55/45 breakdown between Sheldon Law Group and James Harris Law, a two-person Seattle firm they have partnered with on the L.A. County sex abuse cases, according to a retainer agreement reviewed by The Times.

A person on Skid Row in downtown L.A. shows an ad on their phone seeking plaintiffs to joint a lawsuit over sexual abuse in juvenile halls.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

This summer, ads linking to a webpage with the name of James Harris appeared online, telling potential clients they could qualify in 30 seconds for up to $1 million. When a Times reporter entered a cell-phone number on one of the ads, a representative who said they worked for the firm’s intake department called dozens of times.

After The Times described these marketing efforts in a story, Harris emphasized in an email that he did not know about the ads or the persistent calls and said they were done by his “referring firm.” The landing page the ads led to was replaced with the name of Sheldon Law Group.

Harris said his firm and Sheldon, which he described as “functioning as a genuine and independent co counsel law firm,” have “been highly selective and have only prosecuted cases that we believe are legally and factually meritorious.”

“I continue to believe that lawyer advertising, when conducted ethically and without misleading claims, serves as a vital tool for raising public awareness about legal rights and available recourse, particularly for survivors of abuse seeking justice,” he said.

Over the last five years, experts say, the practice of funding big mass tort cases has boomed in the U.S.

Of the five main firms in L.A. County’s initial $4-billion sex abuse settlement, two took money from outside investors shortly before they began suing the county, according to public loan filings.

The loans to both Herman Law, a Florida-based firm that specializes in sex abuse cases, and Slater Slater Schuman, a New York-based personal injury firm, came from Delaware-registered companies. Deer Finance, a New York City litigation funding firm that connects investors with lawyers, is listed on business records for both companies.

The loan documents do not specify which of the firms’ cases were funded, but show each deal was finalized within months of the firms starting to sue L.A. County for sex abuse. Neither firm responded to questions about how the outside funding was used.

Slater, which received the loan in spring 2022, represents more L.A. County plaintiffs than any other firm, by far.

Slater’s caseload surged after the county signaled its plan to settle for $4 billion in October 2024. Several of the main attorneys on the case told The Times they stopped advertising at that point, reasoning that any new plaintiffs would now mean less money for the existing ones.

The next month, Slater Slater Schulman ran more than 700 radio ads in Los Angeles seeking juvenile detention abuse claims, according to X Ante, a company that tracks mass tort advertisements.

By this summer, the number of claims jumped from roughly 2,100 to 3,700, according to court records, catapulting Slater far beyond the caseload of any other firm.

This fall, another Delaware-registered company took out a lien on all of Slater’s attorney fees from the county cases, according to an Oct. 6 loan record. The law firm assisting with the transaction declined to comment.

“These are extraordinarily complex cases and litigating these cases effectively requires resources,” said an outside attorney representing Slater in a statement, responding to questions from The Times.

The firm, which also represents roughly 14,000 victims in the Boy Scouts sex abuse cases, was singled out by the judge overseeing the litigation this fall for “procedural and factual problems” among its plaintiffs. The firm was one of several called out by insurers in the litigation for using hedge fund money to “run up the claim number.”

The firm has said they’re working “tirelessly” to address the issues and justice for survivors is its top priority.

April Mannani, who says she was assaulted in the 1990s by an officer while she was housed at MacLaren Children’s Center, said she feels lawyers on the sex abuse cases are putting profits ahead of the best interests of clients.

(Jimena Peck/For The Times)

Many plaintiffs told The Times they were discouraged to see how much money stood to be made for others off their trauma.

April Mannani, 51, sued L.A. County after she said she was raped repeatedly as a teenager at MacLaren Children’s Center, a shelter now notorious for abuse. Mannani accepts that her lawyers are entitled to a cut for their work on the case, but said she was disheartened watching the numbers of cases suddenly skyrocket this year. With the district attorney investigating, a pall has been cast over the entire settlement.

“We’ve been made fools of and we were used for financial gain,” she said. “They all just see it as a money grab.”

That firm that represents her, Herman Law, has filed roughly 800 cases against L.A. County. Herman Law took out a loan in 2021 from a Delaware-registered company affiliated with Deer Finance, according to a loan notice. The firm said they use traditional bank loans for “overall operations.”

Herman Law is the most prolific filer of county sex abuse cases outside of L.A. County since the state changed the statute of limitations.

Herman Law has filed about half of these roughly 800 sex abuse lawsuits that have been brought outside of L.A. County, according to data reviewed by The Times.

Herman Law has sued several tiny counties, where public officials say they’ve been inundated with advertisements on social media and TV looking for plaintiffs. Some counties say they threw out relevant records long ago and have no way to tell if the alleged victim was ever in local custody.

A judge fined Herman Law about $9,500 last month for failing to dismiss Kings County from a lawsuit despite presenting no evidence the county ever had custody of the victim, calling the claim “factually frivolous” and “objectively unreasonable.” An attorney for Herman Law said in a court filing the client believed she’d been in a foster home there, and the lack of records didn’t conclusively establish anything.

“There are not records. There’s nothing that exists,” said Jason Britt, the county administrative officer for Tulare County, which has been sued at least eight times by Herman Law. “Counties at some point are not gonna be able to operate because you’re essentially going to bankrupt them.”

The firm said its clients are always its top priority.

“No lender or financial relationship has ever influenced, directed or played any role in legal strategy, client decisions or case outcomes, including any matters involving the Los Angeles County,” the firm said. “Herman Law’s work is driven solely by our mission to advocate for survivors in their pursuit of justice and healing.”

Joseph Nicchitta, L.A. County’s acting chief executive officer, said he believed the region’s social safety net was now “an investment opportunity.” In an October letter to the State Bar, he called out the “explosive growth” of claims, arguing a handful of firms were “competing to bring as many cases as possible” to the detriment of their existing clients.

He estimated that attorney fees in the lawsuit would amount to more than $1 billion. “It begs reform,” he wrote.

The fact quarterback Luke Fahey of Mission Viejo High signed with Ohio State is impressive enough. Then look at his 2025 statistics and you begin to realize he’s going to be next in line to continue Southern California’s success in developing top quarterbacks.

Over 11 games, he only had three passes intercepted while completing 71% of his passes. He threw for 3,199 yards and 25 touchdowns. He ran for six touchdowns. He had a school-record 569 yards passing against Los Alamitos. He made a clutch touchdown pass in the second half to beat eventual Southern Section Division 1 champion Santa Margarita 7-6 in the season opener.

He clearly performed at his best when the pressure was on and Mission Viejo needed him to lift up his teammates.

“He’s the best leader I’ve had in 25 years of coaching. He’s the total package,” coach Chad Johnson said.

Fahey has been selected The Times’ back of the year.

Before this season, he was sharing time at quarterback, showing incredible unselfishness while putting his trust in the process that everything would work out when it was his time to be the full-time starter. And it did.

“He’s always been real good,” Johnson said. “He was sharing reps and didn’t allow everyone to see his greatness and what he could be. Ohio State saw it. It’s going to be crazy what he can do at the next level.”

There’s one memory Johnson won’t soon forget. It was in the visiting locker room after a game at St. Paul. Fahey stayed behind as the last person to pick up trash to leave the locker room clean. Then he headed to the bus. Only the head coach saw it. The best player on the team doing work others ignored.

“Remarkable,” Johnson said.

SANTIAGO, Chile, Dec. 19 (UPI) — After nearly two decades of relative stability, the advance of organized crime has reshaped security across Latin America.

The expansion of illicit economies, armed disputes over territorial control and rising violence triggered new migration flows and partly explain the region’s political shift toward right-wing governments in 2025.

According to a report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, 39 organized crime groups are operating across Latin America.

The report said these groups have become more interconnected and sophisticated, “coordinating operations not only at the local level but also across borders and even continents.”

One of the main factors behind the expansion of criminal structures is business diversification, said organized crime specialist Hugo Contreras, who holds a doctorate in social complexity sciences and is a researcher at the School of Government at Universidad del Desarrollo.

“Organized groups stopped being just traffickers and adopted a portfolio of activities such as extortion, contract killings, smuggling, arms trafficking and human trafficking,” Contreras told UPI. “That has multiplied and diversified their sources of illicit income, as well as their territorial control and disputes.”

He said the trend has been compounded by institutional weakness, including collapsed prison systems that have turned into logistical hubs for criminal groups and judicial systems ill-prepared to confront the phenomenon.

“There has been an emergence of more aggressive and sophisticated transnational criminal gangs, with international networks, greater financial capacity and increased firepower,” Contreras said.

He added that the situation has been reinforced by “massive migration flows from different conflict regions, which these groups have exploited to conceal their members, recruit new people and expand their criminal activities into other countries.”

Pablo Carvacho, director of research and development at the Center for Justice and Society at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, shared that assessment, noting that organized crime is especially dynamic and adaptable.

“Migratory processes created space for the development of transnational illicit activities such as human trafficking and sexual or labor exploitation, particularly affecting a highly vulnerable group like migrants,” Carvacho told UPI.

“These flows served as an entry point for countries such as Chile, where criminal activity was not as developed as what we are seeing today,” he said.

The new scenario has deeply transformed internal security dynamics across the region, turning local problems into international threats that are more violent and more damaging to social and political stability, Contreras said.

Criminal organizations manage and contest territory, impose their own rules, control prisons and challenge state authority.

“This forces governments to move beyond traditional crime-control strategies and adopt comprehensive responses that combine financial intelligence, border security, international cooperation and prison reform,” he said.

Contreras said the impact varies widely across the region depending on how deeply organized crime has taken root in each country.

In 2025, Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil and Haiti ranked among the world’s 10 most dangerous countries based on indicators such as mortality, risk to civilians, geographic spread of conflict and the number of armed groups, according to a conflict index published by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, a nongovernmental organization known as ACLED.

The report said rising violence has been a common trend across Latin America this year. However, the sharpest deterioration was recorded in those four countries.

In Mexico, the organization linked the surge in violence to factors including an internal war within the Sinaloa cartel following the July 2024 arrest in the United States of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, one of the group’s historic leaders.

In Ecuador, ACLED warned that violence levels are on track to reach record highs in 2025. It said the homicide rate could be the highest in Latin America for a third consecutive year and that gang-related violence has caused more than 3,600 deaths.

In Haiti, gangs have taken advantage of the political instability the country has faced since 2021, expanding their operations from the capital, Port-au-Prince, to other areas.

In a different political context, criminal gangs in Brazil have also fueled major clashes as they fought for territorial control in cities such as Rio de Janeiro. A large-scale police operation in that city targeting the Comando Vermelho, one of the country’s main criminal groups, left 121 people dead.

The rise in violence and organized crime has contributed to at least 10 countries in the region electing right-wing governments in the 2024-2025 period.

Carvacho said more conservative platforms “place greater emphasis on public order and the intensive use of coercive tools, with strategies based on police force, military deployment, harsher criminal penalties and territorial control.”

He said these approaches often rely on emergency measures under states of exception, with rapid executive decisions and reforms, as well as a greater willingness to strengthen ties with foreign intelligence agencies, including those of the United States.

In Carvacho’s view, containing transnational organized crime requires coordination among countries because “emergency policies alone will not stop its advance.”

He said what can truly weaken these organizations is targeting their financial assets and reducing the pool of people, including children and adolescents, vulnerable to recruitment.

“Everything else is treating the symptoms of a disease,” Carvacho said. “It is arriving late to a problem that is not about criminal law but about vulnerability and the lack of opportunities in communities excluded from society. That is where the state must act.”