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MILWAUKEE — He did not scream. He did not pump a fist. He showed hardly any of the emotions the moment seemed to call for, accomplishing something no major league pitcher had achieved in almost a decade.

Instead, after completing MLB’s first postseason complete game since 2017, and the first by a Dodgers pitcher since 2004, Yoshinobu Yamamoto simply walked around the mound, casually removed his glove, and didn’t break into a smile until he looked back at the center-field scoreboard.

“Wow,” he finally mouthed to himself, as the realization of his nine-inning, three-hit, one-run gem finally started to set in.

The reaction came after his old-school, matter-of-fact performance lifted the Dodgers to a 5-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series.

“I was able to pitch until the end,” Yamamoto said in Japanese afterward. “So I really felt a sense of accomplishment.”

This was a night almost no one saw coming. And not just because Yamamoto failed to complete even one inning in his last trip to American Family Field against the Brewers during the regular season.

In an era of strictly controlled pitch counts and a steadfast reliance on relievers come October, Yamamoto turned back the clock on a night reminiscent of a bygone generation.

He dominated the Brewers with ruthlessness and efficiency. He controlled the game with a steady rhythm and confident demeanor. He gave up a home run on his first pitch, a fastball that Jackson Chourio launched to right field, then barely looked stressed for the 110 throws that followed.

He struck out seven batters. He walked only one. And he left manager Dave Roberts with an easy ninth-inning decision, going back to the mound to finish what he started.

“He’s got true confidence from me that [even the] third time through, at pitch 90, he feels that he’s the best option,” Roberts said. “For me, that just gives me that confidence. … The way he was throwing, I felt really good about him starting the ninth.”

Yamamoto’s outing wasn’t quite like what Blake Snell did in Game 1 of this series, when the team’s other co-ace dazzled with virtually unhittable stuff in a scoreless eight-inning, one-hit, 10-strikeout gem — a start in which he probably could have also gone the distance, had Roberts not turned to his shaky bullpen in the ninth.

Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivers during Game 2 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Rather, Yamamoto collected outs much in a more industrious manner — giving the Brewers plenty to hit, with the confidence they wouldn’t punish him.

“From the start, I felt they were being very aggressive,” Yamamoto said. “And I threw pitches that took advantage of that.”

Early on, it did take time for the 27-year-old right-hander to find his footing. After Chourio’s homer, he had to work around baserunners in each of the next four innings.

But eventually, Yamamoto dialed in his trademark splitter, found a groove while sharing pitch-calling duties with catcher Will Smith, and finished the night by retiring the final 14 batters.

He made it all seem so easy and simple, the way modern postseason pitching is no longer supposed to be.

“What he did tonight,” Smith said, “that was just domination.”

So much so, Kiké Hernández joked he got “bored” playing left field.

It had been eight years to the day since Justin Verlander tossed the majors’ last complete game in the playoffs. Not since José Lima’s shutout in the 2004 NL Division Series had a Dodgers starter accomplished the feat.

Of the 23 postseason complete games in the club’s Los Angeles history, Yamamoto’s three hits given up were tied for the fewest. His four baserunners allowed were fewer than Sandy Koufax or Orel Hershiser or Fernando Valenzuela had ever yielded in such an outing.

“Good pitching beats good hitting any day of the week,” said future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw, who has never thrown a complete game in the playoffs. “And you’re seeing that right now.”

It helped that the Dodgers had plenty of good hitting themselves, staking Yamamoto to a lead by the time he returned to work in the second.

Teoscar Hernández hits a solo home run for the Dodgers in the second inning against the Brewers on Tuesday in Game 2 of the NLCS.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

After Chourio’s home run, Teoscar Hernández tied the score with a solo home run in the second inning. Andy Pages added a two-out RBI double three batters later, putting Brewers ace Freddy Peralta in a hole he wouldn’t dig out of.

Peralta’s final pitch led to another run in the sixth, with Max Muncy taking him deep with what was his 14th career postseason homer, setting a franchise high.

In the seventh and eighth, the Dodgers added on again, including an RBI single from Shohei Ohtani that snapped his one-for-23 drought since the start of the NLDS.

“Right now, our entire team is playing the best baseball we’ve played all year,” Roberts said. “We’re peaking at the right time.”

Still, all the Dodgers really needed on Tuesday was the brilliance they got from Yamamoto.

After working around an error from Muncy in the second, then third- and fourth-inning singles before a walk in the fifth, the pitcher was in total control by the night’s end.

From the fifth inning on, the Brewers only hit two balls out of the infield as Yamamoto mixed curveballs, cutters and sinkers to go along with his late-biting splitter and high-riding fastball. The Brewers’ plan was to be aggressive, but all it did was allow Yamamoto — who never threw 20 pitches in a single inning, and needed just 46 total for the final four — to stay on the mound.

“Sometimes,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said, “great pitching brings out the worst in you.”

“Just super efficient tonight,” Smith added. “That was really special.”

Highlights from the Dodgers’ 5-1 win over the Brewers in Game 2 of the NLCS.

The outcome has the Dodgers in total command of this series, leading 2-0 and having hardly even exposed their bullpen.

Tyler Glasnow is set to start Game 3 at Dodger Stadium on Thursday. Ohtani will follow him in Game 4. Even if things go sideways, Snell and Yamamoto will be back on deck for the two games after that.

Technically, this remains a battle for a pennant. But really, it has become a showcase for a Dodgers rotation that has a 1.54 ERA in the playoffs — and the first complete game in recent postseason memory.

“All of them are throwing the ball amazing, but we kind of knew that,” Kershaw said, describing this starting staff as the best he’s ever seen in his 18 years with the Dodgers. “Snell did it, and you can’t pitch much better than that. And then what Yama did today was amazing.”

The campaign aims to protect the children from the drug-resistant disease spreading across South Asia.

Bangladesh has begun a nationwide vaccination campaign to protect millions of children from typhoid, a life-threatening disease that is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.

The monthlong drive, launched on Sunday, aims to immunise about 50 million children aged between nine months and 15 years with a single dose of the typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV).

The vaccine, approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), offers protection for up to five years and is being distributed free under the government’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).

The campaign follows mounting concerns over drug-resistant typhoid strains spreading across South Asia. Pakistan has been battling a strain since 2016 that is resistant to nearly all antibiotics except one.

Health workers in Bangladesh are administering the vaccine through schools, clinics, and door-to-door visits, prioritising urban slums and remote villages. The campaign will run until November 13, after which TCV will be included in the country’s regular immunisation schedule.

Typhoid, caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria, spreads through contaminated food and water. It triggers fever, abdominal pain, and nausea, and can cause fatal complications if untreated.

Researchers in Bangladesh have recently identified ceftriaxone-resistant strains – a worrying development, as ceftriaxone remains one of the last effective treatments.

Experts warn that without preventive action, resistant strains could make typhoid far harder to manage. Supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the campaign aims to lower infection rates and limit the spread of resistance.

Inaugurating the drive, the government’s health adviser, Nurjahan Begum, said it was “shameful” that children still die from typhoid in Bangladesh. She expressed hope that the country would defeat the disease as it did diarrhoea and night blindness.

Officials highlighted the vaccine’s strong safety record in neighbouring countries such as Pakistan, Nepal, and in India’s Mumbai, where no major side effects were reported.

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Makai Lemon came screaming across the center of the field, gliding past one Michigan State defender, then another, moving as if the world around him were in slow motion.

USC’s top receiver had presumably been a top-line focus of the Spartans’ game plan — and even more so after fellow wideout Ja’Kobi Lane was ruled out Saturday with an injury. But here was Lemon slicing his way through Michigan State’s secondary as if no one had bothered to tell him as much, sprinting free as a deep pass soared in his direction and hit him in perfect stride.

Most of Saturday night’s 45-31 win over Michigan State felt that seamless for USC, which moved the ball with ease on offense, racking up 517 yards in the process. But in a swirl of penalties and poor discipline from its defense, USC inexplicably found itself clinging to a one-score lead in the fourth quarter.

It was the sort of stumble that might’ve prompted flashbacks from the Trojans’ previous conference, when #Pac12AfterDark derailed more than a few seasons while the rest of America slept. Though, as late as Saturday’s game ran — with its conclusion coming just before 3 a.m. Eastern time — there would be no such comeback from Michigan State.

“We were dominating the football game,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said. “But our ability to separate back out, I thought, was just as impressive.”

USC mounted a 13-play drive with its back against the wall in the fourth quarter, at one point even converting a critical fourth down near midfield, before Lemon pushed the pedal to the floor. He went sprinting on a jet motion, took the handoff and flew into the end zone for a score the Spartans couldn’t counter.

“Any time the ball is in his hands, something big is about to happen,” USC quarterback Jayden Maiava said.

With Lane out, Lemon accounted for more than half of the Trojans’ passing output, as he finished with eight receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown, the vast majority of which came in the first half.

Maiava didn’t need to do much more through the air after halftime. He finished with a season-low 234 yards, but completed 20 of 26 passes and added three passing touchdowns, to go with another on the ground.

USC’s rushing attack ultimately made the difference, despite facing a defense that hadn’t allowed any of its opponents to rush for 100 yards.

USC running back Eli Sanders runs with the ball during a win over Michigan State on Saturday night.

(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)

Jordan bested that total himself, running for 157 yards on 18 carries, while Eli Sanders added 84 rushing yards of his own.

But once again, the Trojans paid a serious price for their propensity for penalties.

On one third-quarter drive, USC ran into Michigan State’s kicker on a punt, was flagged for an illegal substitution and then was called for pass interference, all within a four-play stretch. For a while, it seemed the sequence might turn the tide towards the Spartans.

“Obviously we haven’t done enough,” Riley said of coaches’ efforts to reduce USC’s penalties.

That message was reiterated after the game by linebacker Eric Gentry, who stood up in front of the team to belabor the severity of their penalty problems. The Trojans were called for 10 total penalties on Saturday for a loss of 88 yards, making it three consecutive games of at least eight penalties.

Fortunately for USC, its defensive front was also able to impact the game in other ways, namely by keeping Spartan quarterback Aidan Chiles uncomfortable in the pocket.

But where the pass rush continued to look improved, USC’s secondary didn’t exactly soothe concerns Saturday. Chiles only threw for 212 yards, but 169 of those yards — almost 80% — came on just four pass plays.

Through four games, USC now ranks worst in the Big Ten in plays allowed of 10 yards or further (17).

“We’ve had about one of them a game,” Riley said, “and we’ve got to put a lid on it.”

The road only gets harder from here for USC (4-0). The Trojans’ next three games (Illinois, Michigan and Notre Dame) come against ranked opponents, and two of those games (Illinois and Notre Dame) are on the road. And while the Irish are 1-2, and the Illini were just steamrolled by Indiana on Saturday, both should provide much tougher tests than the Trojans have faced thus far.

Whether USC will have one of its top receivers back for that stretch remains to be seen. Lane, who was listed as questionable on Saturday, came out with the team for early stretches. But when the team reemerged in full pads for warm-ups, the Trojans stud wideout was wearing sweatpants.

Riley said after the game that the severity of Lane’s injury is still “inconclusive,” but his absence could extend multiple games.

“I don’t think it’ll be super long,” Riley said. “But at the same time, I certainly can’t sit here today and say for sure he’s going to play next week or in the coming weeks.”

Without one of their top targets, USC tried to lean on its backs early. Twelve of the Trojans’ first 16 plays went to either Waymond Jordan or Eli Sanders. But it was Maiava who punched in USC’s first score after he faked a handoff and sprinted 15 yards to paydirt.

Michigan State (3-1), meanwhile, took to the air to challenge the Trojans’ struggling secondary. On the Spartans’ first possession, Chiles found Chrishon McCray wide open for a 42-yard touchdown, and Michigan State took an early lead.

Chiles completed each of his first seven passes. But with their run game completely grounded, the Spartans offense came to a halt. Their next three drives accumulated a combined 66 yards.

USC started humming in the meantime, gaining at least that many yards on four of its five first-half drives. The rushing attack found a rhythm, with seven rushes of 15-plus yards in the first half alone, while Maiava moved the ball with ease through the air.

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava scores a touchdown in the first quarter against Michigan State.

(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)

Still, despite being outgained by almost 200 yards before halftime, Michigan State was within a single score — and set to receive the second-half kick — as USC drove 88 yards down the field before half. With 37 seconds left, Maiava lofted a pass to the corner of the end zone for freshman Tanook Hines, who reeled in the well-timed, seven-yard score.

USC looked ready to speed past Michigan State in the second half as it took just four plays and less than two minutes to drive the field. Maiava hit tight end Walker Lyons for a touchdown, his second in two weeks, to make it 31-10.

But Michigan State mounted an 11-play drive, and USC’s defense chipped in with four back-breaking penalties to keep it moving. Eventually, Chiles punched in a touchdown himself, cutting the lead to two scores.

The momentum swung suddenly after that. On the first play of USC’s ensuing possession, wideout DJ Jordan lost a fumble deep in the Trojans’ territory. The turnover opened the door for Michigan State, which needed eight plays to reach paydirt and cut the lead to a single score.

But USC slammed that door shut on its next drive. And while Saturday night’s win wouldn’t go down as the most seamless of the Trojans’ season, it was still just as satisfying to Riley.

“If you’re learning lessons as you win, it’s hard not to be excited about what you see out of this football team,” Riley said. “And everything I see makes me believe that we’re going to continue to grow, learn from some of the mistakes, because there are so many positive things happening out there.”

LUKE LITTLER has revealed he has failed his driving theory test once again – and it is frustrating the hell out of him.

The Nuke is the best darts player on the planet but he is not yet ready to get on the roads by himself.

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Having turned 18 last January, he is desperate to enjoy the freedom of being able to drive himself to tournaments and to see pals on his own terms.

Yet the theory test has so far proved extremely difficult for him to master – it has taken him SIX attempts and counting.

After he won the World Matchplay in Blackpool in July, Littler posted on Instagram the score sheet for his fifth test.

On the multiple choice part, he scored 41 out of 50 – the pass mark is 43 – and he got 44 out of 75 for the hazard perception part, which is barely passable.

He got questions wrong back then in relation to hazard awareness, alertness, safety, motorway rules and road and traffic signs.

When he became the sport’s youngest world champion in January after beating Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final, he received £500,000 for his exploits at Ally Pally.

The next day he was asked what motor he would buy with his winnings.

Other youngsters in his privileged position would eye up a flash Ferrari or Lamborghini if they were in the same position.

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But he said he would like the cheapest Mercedes-Benz A Class going for about £30,000.

On Wednesday, speaking at a Target Darts pop-up shop in Manchester, he was asked about his driving plans and if he had made any progress thus far.

Littler conceded: “No, not yet. I did do a theory the other week but I didn’t put it on my Instagram.

“Oh, it was a bad one. It was a bad one. I’ll let you know that.”

Asked what exactly he was struggling with, he replied: “The hazard (perception test).

“Is that holding me back from doing my practical? Yeah. I’m trying. I just want to pass. I just want to pass.

“Like I put up on my Instagram the other week, I’ve got a car – and it’s not a Mercedes – but it’s sat there waiting.”

*World-leading darts manufacturer Target Darts opened the UK’s ultimate darting pop-up experience in Manchester to celebrate their biggest-ever product launch. For more details on the lastest darts products, please visit: www.target-darts.co.uk

“The collective view of the players is clear: the proposed two-club model does not have their support,” said WRPA chief executive Gareth Lewis.

Lewis says players believe it would:

Dragons last week urged the WRU to rethink its plans, with chairman David Wright declaring “Welsh rugby deserves better”.

The WRPA has followed that by encouraging the Union to come up with another plan.

“We feel it is important at this stage of the consultation that the strength of feeling among players is visible to all stakeholders and the wider rugby community,” said Lewis.

“With continued interest from the media and supporters, we want to ensure the players’ voice is clearly understood and contributes constructively to the ongoing discussions about the future of our game.

“Looking forward, players believe the future of Welsh rugby must be built on a model that protects playing opportunities, nurtures pathways, preserves identity, and strengthens the game for generations to come.

“We recognise the WRU’s position that all options remain under consideration until the consultation with every stakeholder has been completed.

“The WRPA will continue to engage openly and constructively, working alongside the WRU, clubs, and wider rugby community to help shape a sustainable and successful future for Welsh rugby.”

While this road doesn’t sound real – it certainly is, there are a dozen over the world but for the UK – there is only one which leads to the ‘Holy Island’ – but some get stuck

For many, this sounds like a made up road, something you may hear about but never see.

But for some living on the northeast coast of England – this isn’t a fairytale but the only road connecting to ‘Holy Island’. The Lindisfarne causeway is swallowed by the north sea twice every day and at certain parts of the day – you may not even be able to tell where it is located.

It sure is magical – but is very dangerous. For visitors, the disappearing act is part of the allure. The drive itself feels surreal: a strip of road gliding over glistening sands, marked by wooden poles that guide you towards the island.

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At low tide, it looks like an open invitation; at high tide, it’s as if the road never existed. And it happens fast, the sea doesn’t creep in politely, it races across the sand and covers the tarmac in minutes.

“The Lindisfarne Causeway is unlike any other road in the UK. If you’re planning to drive it, always check the official tide timetable first – don’t rely on sat-navs. The sea comes in quickly, and once the water starts covering the road, it’s already too late, said experts at Show Plates World.

Why do people choose to go?

With Holy AIsland having so much history and charm – many run to the opportunity to visit and the tidal road is the only way. The island is home to the haunting ruins of Lindisfarne Priory which is birthplace to Lindisfarne Gospels and the well known castle.

Pilgrims travelled to the island for centuries and today, visitors are continuing the tradition – some travel by car while others walk across the tidal sands at a low tide.

However, besides the history of the island – it also offers sandy beaches that stretch on for miles, attracting huge flocks of migrating birds and the village pubs serve Northumberland seafood.

The island even produces its own mead, first brewed by monks hundreds of years ago. But for a lot of people, it’s just for the thrill the tidal road brings.

How long do you have before the road disappears?

The causeway is only safe to cross during low tide, usually for around seven hours between each high tide. That means two “safe windows” every day, published by Northumberland County Council. Locals swear by it, tourists sometimes ignore it and that’s when trouble strikes.

Each year, unlucky or overconfident drivers end up stuck in the refuge box halfway across, waiting for the tide to drop or at worst, the coastguard to pluck them to safety.

It’s certainly a road trip you can never forget and one of the most unforgettable drives in Britain, but if you are travelling to Holy Island, make sure you check low tide times, otherwise you could end up stranded for a few hours

The Mexican was dropped by Red Bull at the end of last season despite having two further years on his contract after the team felt he had run out of time to prove he could provide the required support for Max Verstappen.

Dan Towriss, chief executive officer of GM’s partner TWG Global, said Cadillac had considered signing a young and up-and-coming driver before confirming this line-up.

“Their experience, leadership and technical acumen are what we need,” Towriss said. “We’re humbled by their belief in us and this project.

“There is a young pool of drivers who are exiting and very talented so it was a tough decision. But it was the leadership of these two drivers that stood out.”

Bottas said in a team statement that he felt Cadillac were “ambitious but also grounded”.

He added: “This isn’t just a racing project; it’s a long-term vision. It’s not every day that you get a chance to be part of something being built from the ground up and helping shape it into something that truly belongs on the F1 grid.

“I’ve had the honour of working with some of the best teams in the world, and I can already see the same professionalism and hunger here.

“This is an iconic brand with a big legacy in American motorsport, and to be a part of the story as it enters the world stage of F1 is incredibly special.”

Perez added: “From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project.

“To help bring such a fantastic company to F1 is a huge responsibility, one I’m confident of taking on.”

A MAJOR garage has closed down at the worst possible time – after thousands of drivers across the country were ordered to avoid using their cars as part of a huge recall.

A serious fault recently discovered in Citroen and DS3 vehicles has resulted in a nationwide safety notice.

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However, the sudden closure of Duff Morgan Citroen and Peugeot – a widely-used service centre in Norwich – has now left many vehicle owners in the lurch.

According to the Eastern Daily Press, the service centre and its Express Service, located on Whiffler Road, closed its doors several weeks ago.

And while the reason for the outlet’s closure has not been revealed, it does coincide with one of the largest car recalls the country has experienced so far this year.

The recall, first announced back in June, targets certain Citroen and DS3 vehicles due to potentially faulty airbags.

It has left thousands of UK drivers unable to use their cars, as Stellantis, the parent company of Citroen, issued an urgent “stop driving” alert.

The affected models include all Citroen C3 and DS3 vehicles manufactured between 2009 and 2016, as well as some DS3 models produced from 2016 to 2019.

Recently, the recall was also expanded to include C4, DS4 and DS5 models.

Reports suggest the expansion added roughly 9,968 UK cars to the total, meaning nearly 106,000 Citroen or DS vehicles in Britain are covered by the stop‑drive action.

The recall was prompted by concerns over airbags supplied by the now-defunct Japanese manufacturer Takata, whose components have been linked to fatal accidents.

In one incident, a driver in France was killed after a minor collision resulted in metal shrapnel from a faulty airbag hitting them – prompting an immediate reaction from the company.

Consumer protection organisation, Which?, has since slammed Stellantis for their “chaotic” handling of the recall and called on them to make urgent improvements.

Thousands of customers across the country have been left unable to drive their cars, with many having no alternative modes of transport, according to Which?.

No incidents are yet to be reported in the UK, but the consumer group has expressed its concern for the lack of clarity around available compensation for customers.

They outlined how “major upheaval” had been caused for customers who were reliant on their cars.

This has only been compounded for Norwich residents, as the closure of the Duff Morgan service centre means many have been unable to get repairs necessary for them to use their cars to access work, healthcare appointments or essential activities, such as taking their children to school.

Elderly individuals in rural areas have also experienced isolation due to the lack of transportation.

Many owners across the country have already complained of substantial delays in receiving necessary repairs, with garages struggling to source replacement airbags.

Sun Motors has contacted Duff Morgan for a comment, an explanation on why the site has closed, and which alternative locations frustrated car owners can take their cars for repairs.

Citroen & DS models affected by UK ‘stop drive’ action

• Citroen C3 (second gen) – built from 2009 to 2016
• Citroen DS3 – built from 2009 to 2016
• DS Automobiles DS3 – built from 2016 to 2019
• Citroen C4 – built from 2010 to 2018
• Citroen DS4 – built from 2010 and 2017
• Citroen DS5 – built from 2010 to 2018

This stunning village has been named by The Times as one of the most picturesque destinations in the UK perfect for a mini getaway – and it’s just a short car ride from Cheshire

A charming Peak District village just a stone’s throw from Cheshire has earned recognition as one of Britain’s finest destinations for a mini break. The Times has compiled a list of 25 of the most stunning locations ideal for a quick getaway, featuring everything from quaint hamlets to vibrant boutique shopping streets.

Featured on the list is Ashford-in-the-Water in the Peak District – barely more than thirty minutes from Macclesfield – which sits astride the River Wye, reports Cheshire Live. The Times declares: “For peak village perfection in the Peak District head to Ashford, which lies on the banks of the River Wye.

“Envy-inducing aspects include the medieval Sheepwash bridge, a church that dates from the 12th century and a thriving cricket club that plays on the village green, as well as a collection of very charming limestone cottages with carefully tended gardens.

“Along with the posh restaurant with rooms, Riverside House Hotel, the Ashford Arms recently opened with nine funked-up rooms and cheery food aimed at hikers and other hearty, healthy types.” This news comes after images show the cheapest seaside spot in England is full of abandoned £40k homes ‘nobody wants’.

READ MORE: UK’s ‘most scenic summer drive’ named as ‘unforgettable’ 500-mile routeREAD MORE: Beautiful UK village named perfect seaside spot but it’s 94-miles from the sea

Derbyshire Live recently highlighted the village’s attractions, saying: “For a small village, Ashford-in-the-Water is surprisingly well-equipped for a delightful day in the countryside, boasting a range of independent businesses. At the heart of the village, Ashford General Store provides a delectable array of Bradwell’s ice cream flavours and an assortment of freshly baked treats like brownies, Bakewell slices, and sausage rolls.

“Those looking to quench their thirst might fancy a crisp pint at the renowned Bull’s Head pub; conversely, if a hot beverage appeals even on a sunny day, the Aisseford Tea Room has earned excellent acclaim from both residents and visitors alike. Should you desire a longer stay in Ashford-in-the-Water, there’s no shortage of B&Bs, including the charming Riverside House Hotel.”

It added: “Nestled just two miles north-west of Bakewell, Ashford-in-the-Water advises visitors that parking can be rather limited. It’s recommended to park further out and enjoy a scenic stroll into the village, thereby taking full advantage of the breath-taking views en-route through the stunning Peak District.”

Ashford-in-the-Water is truly a chocolate-box village – a term used to describe particularly picturesque cottages resembling those that used to front the iconic Cadbury boxes. Ashford is full of pretty limestone cottages and narrows lanes commonly associated with English charm.

The local area is peppered with places to take in the area’s natural beauty, including a number of walking trails. While some trails are better for more seasoned hikers, many are perfectly primed for the entire family.

The Ashford-in-the-Water to Monsal Dale Circular Walk crosses through fields, woodlands, and open countryside while the Bakewell and Ashford-in-the-Water Circular offers scenic views of the River Wye, rolling hills, and many of Ashford’s notable historic sites, including the famous Sheepwash Bridge.

CHICAGO — Illinois Republican Jack Ryan gave up his Senate bid Friday, pressured by GOP outrage over sex club allegations in his divorce records.

In the documents released Monday, his ex-wife, actress Jeri Ryan, stated that he had taken her to clubs in Paris, New York and New Orleans, where he tried to force her to engage in sex acts in front of strangers.

Ryan, who repeatedly has denied the allegations, said in a statement Friday that it would be nearly impossible to continue his campaign.

“It’s clear to me that a vigorous debate on the issues most likely could not take place if I remain in the race,” said Ryan, 44. “What would take place, rather, is a brutal, scorched-earth campaign — the kind of campaign that has turned off so many voters, the kind of politics I refuse to play.”

The state Republican Party has suffered a series of setbacks in recent years, including losing the governorship and many other statewide offices in the 2002 elections.

After the details of the divorce records were released, Illinois Republican leaders were among the first to call for Ryan to bow out.

“You’ve got to wonder why people don’t have the good sense to say to themselves: ‘Well, I’ve got this skeleton in my closet, so I can’t really run for public office,’ ” said Bruce Cain, director of the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley.

“A lot of people are extremely naive of the level of scrutiny they will go under when they run for office, particularly people in the private sector,” Cain said. “They assume that the stuff they get away with their private life, they can get away with in public life. And, of course, they’re wrong, wrong, wrong.”

This was the first foray into the political arena for Ryan, a self-made millionaire who had left his career as an investment banker to teach at a Chicago inner-city school.

For months, he has trailed the Democratic candidate, state Sen. Obama Barack.

A poll conducted last month by the Chicago Tribune and WGN-TV showed that Obama held a 22% lead over Ryan.

The impending retirement of Republican Sen. Peter Fitzgerald drew 15 contenders into the race — seven of whom are millionaires.

It also unleashed a debate about personal morals, drug use and messy divorces.

Multimillionaire Blair Hull, a Democrat, watched his political support plummet during the primary after local media reported that he allegedly had abused and threatened to kill his ex-wife, Brenda Sexton.

After Hull’s marital problems became public last spring, Ryan released part of his divorce records.

But he omitted his ex-wife’s allegations about the sex clubs. Jeri Ryan is best known for her television roles in “Star Trek Voyager” and “Boston Public.”

Jack Ryan at the time said he would not release the remainder of the sealed file out of concern for his young son. His campaign sought to play down the allegations, saying they were nothing more than “an unprecedented smear campaign.”

The Tribune and WLS-TV sued to get access to the full court file.

Last week, a Los Angeles judge ordered the material be made public.

Ryan has said the couple did attend one sex club in Paris, but left because it made them feel uncomfortable.

Illinois Republican leaders said they already were considering candidates to replace Ryan on the ballot in November, among them former state Board of Education Chairman Ron Gidwitz, state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger and dairy owner Jim Oberweis.

Gidwitz and Oberweis lost to Ryan in the March primary.

“We intend to fight for this seat,” said Judy Baar Topinka, chairwoman of the Illinois Republican Party. “We will have a good candidate, a winning candidate.”

Beckham reported from Chicago and Huffstutter from Milwaukee.

Chargers quarterback Trey Lance passes during the second half Sunday.

(Eric Thayer / Associated Press)

With a strong showing in the preseason opener — earning both the trust and praise of the coaching staff — Trey Lance has seemingly closed the gap in what was once considered a foregone decision for the backup quarterback spot.

The growing confidence in his game showed Sunday — trusting his legs to extend plays — as he extended his second series with 13- and 17-yard scrambles in the second quarter. He capped the drive with a designed quarterback draw near the goal line for a five-yard touchdown run.

“It allows you to move the chains,” Harbaugh said of Lance’s running ability. “You make the right decisions, that’s what it really comes down to. … Not everybody can do that.”

Harbaugh added, “I’m glad he’s getting that game-time experience. We thought he would be good.”

Most of Lance’s production came on the ground, rushing seven times for 48 yards. He also completed seven of 14 passes for 55 yards.

“[I’m] just trying to have great practices and stack those on top of each other, and then great games and continue to stack those,” Lance said. “Like I said last week, I thought it was a good starting point. And this week, another one.”

Taylor Heinicke, who sat out the preseason opener, looked rusty in his first action, starting the game but finishing one for five for eight yards with one sack.

During his lone quarter of work, he overshot several receivers — Tyler Conklin downfield and Kimani Vidal near the sideline. Several drives stalled with Heinicke under center, as the Chargers started deep in their territory and pressure collapsed the pocket.

HUNDREDS of travellers have descended on a tiny village for a huge pony and trap “drive” which is the biggest of its kind in the UK.

The massive two-day event in the New Forest has come at a cost for locals with all but one pub shutting down in Lyndhurst, Hampshire.

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The sole bar manager has boasted about owning the “bravest pub in the village” as he opened his doors this weekend to the travellers.

Nearly every pub for miles around the village have closed signs plastered outside other than The Stag Hotel.

Manager Jake Ellis said: “I don’t know if we are brave, or mad!

“To be honest I feel it’s no different to a large group of stags, or hens, turning up.

“You can have all sorts of trouble with them, and we have a simple rule here, if you’re lairy you leave.”

Owner of the popular high street pub, Maria Harris, said one main factor behind her staying open was because a “task force” being set up around this year’s event.

Comprised of the local council, the police and Forestry England, dozens of people kept a close eye on the drive to keep everyone safe.

It comes after the 2024 pony and trap drive in the New Forest was described as “complete carnage”.

Maria said: “If it wasn’t for the task force, we would be shutting like most pubs.

“There have been meetings with all the businesses where they outlined the plans, they had to keep control of it, what was being done to ensure the welfare of the ponies and what support we will have if any trouble starts.

“The drive is a heritage event which should keep going. But respect is a two-way thing.

“I am giving my trust to the travellers by saying they are welcome here, but I am also asking them to behave – hopefully they will.”

Many travellers heading down for the annual get together were left upset by the lack of pubs open – especially the one they normally congregate at.

The Happy Cheese – just up the road from the The Stag Hotel – won’t be open for business across the two days.

Their owners have plastered big signs saying “No tethering of horses” to fences surrounding the establishment as an extra message.

In response, the travellers carried out a drive by the pub in their pony and carts.

Some even left piles of horse manure behind as a calling card.

Organiser of the drive Tracy Cooper – which the event is named after – slammed the pubs which have shut as “being guilty of disgusting racism“.

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She said: “It is total discrimination. We have so much hate directed at us. It’s ignorance of our ways.

“To be honest I am so sick of the abuse I get over this I think this will be the last one. I just can’t take it anymore.”

Last year’s gathering was marred by the death of a horse that was driven over a cattle grid.

Witnesses said the animal had “died in agony” and there were calls for the drive to be banned.

Tracy responded: “That pony and trap wasn’t even part of our drive. It was nothing to do with us.

“We care for our animals; anyone can see for that themselves.”

She was also happy over the introduction of the task force and welcomed them to patrol the event.

She said: “We have been working closely with it. We are glad the police are around, it shows people we are doing nothing illegal.”

Part of the police initiative includes the involvement of a “Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Liaison Officer”.

PCSO Steve Hull, who is part of a travelling fair community, is visiting all major traveller and Gypsy events in the UK, including the world famous Appleby Horse Fair.

He wants to “help break down barriers between us and them”.

Pointing at his uniform he said: “The biggest problem is this, they see it and think ‘Oh police’ and the mistrust comes in.

“But then the see the sign on my back which states what I am, and they start opening up.

“My aim is to build links between us and them and educate the police about what their communities are about.”

Steve, who is a member of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight police force, gives talks to police bosses about Gypsy, Roma and traveller communities.

He said: “They are an ethnic minority like any other. The more trust we can gain with them the easier it is to police events like this.

“We can work together to ensure they run safely and without incident. I am not saying they are all law abiding but a lot of what is said about them on social media is false.”

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Apart from Steve other new measures this year include tall temporary yellow CCTV towers which have been placed on Lyndhurst high street and at “hotspots” where the travellers gather.

These include beside a river near the Balmer Lawn hotel in Brockenhurst where they go to wash their horses after a drive.

Last year angry locals scattered glass and metal screws on the riverbanks to stop the travellers doing it.

The area then had to be closed for over a week while a clear up operation to prevent harm to wild animals was undertaken.

Some residents of the New Forest, while not agreeing with that action, can understand why some locals have been driven to it.

Local Evelyn Warren explained: “It’s a shame because the drive is actually wonderful to see with all the ponies and the carts.

“But then they go to a pub, get drunk and do all sorts. I don’t think the drive should be banned but it needs to be controlled more.

“There are so many travellers it can get scary at times.”

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RESIDENTS of a tranquil village are worried that their home will be overrun by travellers with caravans and ponies this weekend.

The two-day event called Tracy Cooper’s New Forest Drive is set to take place in several parts of the district, including Ashurst and Woodlands.

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The traditional family event has been running for more than 20 years.

It sees hundreds of riders make their way across Hampshire to the drive on an eight-mile ride.

Travellers bring along their prized horses and two-wheeled carts.

But locals are not happy with the planned event and shared their thoughts on social media.

One wrote: “Feel so sorry for the horses involved Please this needs to be stopped.”

Another said: “Should not be allowed to take place. And the Old Bill will be invisible as usual.”

A third commented: “Just NO! It was horrendous last year. I work in the community access was blocked to places I needed to be in, it was mayhem.”

“Thank you for the heads up, now we know to avoid the area this weekend,” said a fourth.

Authorities say they are working together following the controversy caused by last year’s pony and trap ride-out.

Cops launched an investigation after a pony broke its leg at an Ashurst cattle grid.

And sharp objects were scattered at a popular picnic area near Brockenhurst, possibly in an attempt to sabotage the event.

Speaking at the time, Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, vowed that concerns surrounding the get together would be fully investigated.

She said: “The ride-out caused a traffic backlog in an already busy seasonal area and it is so sad that a horse had to be put down.”

In a separate statement, Ms Cooper stressed that the Ashurst incident did not take place during the drive itself.

Forestry England said it was working closely with other authorities to minimise the impact of the event.

A Hampshire police spokesperson added: “We are aware of a planned pony and trap event taking place across the New Forest this weekend.

“We are working closely with our partners and have been engaging with the event organisers to ensure the safety of the people and animals involved as well as residents and visitors to the Forest.”

Ashurst and Colbury Parish Council has issued a similar statement.

Every August, people travel from Totton, near Southampton through the national park.

Their route from Totton traditionally ends at Balmer Lawn, where riders showed off their skills in the stream.

Visitors can buy and sell horses, harnesses and dogs at the event.

It is named and organised by Tracey Cooper, 50, who owns a burger van which she takes to local events and horse shows.

The travellers gather to raise money for charity – before riding back to Totton for an evening of fun.

A TEEN boy died “in terror” after his dad crashed on a motorway while high on cocaine.

Daniel Burba, 31, has been advised by doctors not to drive when got behind the wheel of his wife’s van with 14-year-old Ryan Morgan in the passenger seat.

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The dad had been diagnosed with epilepsy just weeks before the horror which was made worse by the use of illegal drugs.

Despite this, Burba was four-times the limit for cocaine and its derivative benzoylecgonine – causing him to suffer an epileptic fit.

Ryan had no choice but to try to gain control of the van before it swerved off the M6 near Lancaster and hit a tree.

The teen was tragically pronounced dead at the scene after suffering head injuries.

Burba, who also only had a provisional licence, was taken to hospital with “relatively minor” injuries.

While being treated, a paramedic discovered a small bag of cocaine in the dad’s wallet.

Burba has now been jailed for ten years after he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance.

In a victim impact statement, Ryan’s mum said her heart has been broken and told how she has been unable to grieve properly because she fears once she starts, she won’t be able to stop.

She continued: “I feel that no amount of time Daniel will serve will ever be enough for taking Ryan’s life. Not only did he take my boy’s life, he took my boy’s future.

“My boy will never grow and be a father, go to work and follow his dreams or travel. He didn’t even get to finish school. He hasn’t ever had a chance to experience life.

“It’s so unfair because Ryan did have a beautiful heart. He wanted to be a policeman. He would have changed the world. He made it a better place in the short time he was here. He made everyone smile who came into contact with him. He had a smile that lit up the room.

“Daniel has taken all that and more. Daniel has taken a precious son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend and cousin. He had so much to live for.

“The fact that Daniel knew he wasn’t allowed to drive due to his seizures, plus a lack of licence and insurance is just disgusting.”

Preston Crown Court heard the horror unfolded on April 20 as other motorists noticed Burba driving erratically with his hazards on.

He reached speeds of more than 70mph before leaving the carriageway and smashing into a tree.

The court heard the Peugeot Bipper van flipped over due to the force it hit the tree.

Police later discovered Burba had been told in October 2014 by his doctor to stop taking cocaine after he suffered a seizure which lasted up to four minutes.

He was also advised not to drive, with the same warning issued in February when he was admitted to hospital after more fits.

Sentencing, Judge Robert Altham, the Honorary Recorder of Preston, told him: “You knew that cocaine predisposed you to further fits.

“You were not entitled to drive unsupervised and certainly not on the motorway. You should not have behind the wheel at all.”

As well as the jail sentence, Judge Altham disqualified Burba from driving for 14 years and five months.

Sgt Martin Wilcock, Senior Investigating Officer at our Road Policing Unit, said: “No sentence will ever make up for any loss of life, particularly in these tragic circumstances. However, Daniel Burba will have the rest of his life to reflect upon the catastrophic consequences his decision to consume drugs and then get behind the wheel have had. Sadly, his son will not.

“I hope the outcome of this case sends a strong message out to anyone who is considering driving, having been told by a doctor not to. Or anyone who is considering driving, having consumed drugs or alcohol.

“As is so very obvious from this case, you run the risk of taking a life but also ruining many others – including your own.”

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On June 25, Mutawakil al-Mohamad and his family woke up to the sound of Israeli soldiers pounding on their door with their rifles.

It would be the last time they woke up in their family home in occupied East Jerusalem.

The Israeli forces arrived at 7am in military convoys with two heavy bulldozers, and al-Mohamad was terrified the soldiers would raid his house and arrest him or his loved ones.

Instead, the soldiers told the family their home was in a designated “military zone” and ordered them to vacate immediately so they could bulldoze it to the ground.

“When I opened the door, I told the soldiers: ‘My young children are scared.’ I asked them to give me 10 minutes, then we will all be out of the house,” al-Mohamed said. The soldiers obliged, he recalled from Ramallah, the administrative capital of the occupied West Bank, where he now lives.

Demolitions and displacement

Israel is demolishing more Palestinian homes across the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, at a higher rate in 2025 than any previous year since the occupation began in 1967.

Israeli authorities have already destroyed 783 structures – a figure that does not include the large-scale destruction in refugee camps – leading to the forced displacement of 1,119 people, according to the United Nations.

In the Palestinian refugee camps, Israel has destroyed about 600 structures in the Jenin camp and a combined 300 structures in the Tulkarem and Nur Shams camps as part of military raids it launched at the start of this year, according to figures that Al Jazeera obtained from the Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq.

Human rights groups, civilians and analysts said the real aim of Israel’s tactics  – systematic home demolitions and forced displacement – is to make life unbearable for Palestinians so more will consider leaving if they can.

“Israel’s goal in the West Bank is the same as its goal in Gaza. … It wants to target all Palestinians,” said Murad Jadallah, a human rights researcher with Al-Haq.

Jadallah argued that Israel’s war in Gaza, which many experts have called a genocide, has shocked the world and distracted many from its unprecedented destruction in the West Bank.

“Israel is benefiting from the images of destruction it has created in Gaza in order to push its agenda in the West Bank,” he told Al Jazeera.

Little support

Since the start of this year, about 40,000 Palestinians have fled Israeli military operations in West Bank refugee camps.

Many have struggled to find affordable replacement accommodations, renting instead in whatever villages where they find room, staying with relatives in overcrowded homes or languishing in public buildings converted into shelters for displaced people, Jadallah said.

Ahmed Gaeem, 60, recalled Israeli soldiers evicting him, his wife, five children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews from their building in the Tulkarem refugee camp in March.

The family was also told by Israeli soldiers that Tulkarem had been designated a “military zone” and they would not be allowed to return for some time.

“We left with the clothes on our backs and nothing else. We didn’t have time to pack anything,” Gaeem told Al Jazeera.

A few weeks into Israel’s military campaign, one of Gaeem’s sons managed to return briefly to assess the damage to their home from a distance.

Their home – like countless others – was destroyed. Its windows were shattered, the door hinges blown off and walls caved in.

Gaeem’s family is currently renting three homes in Iktaba village, a few kilometres from Tulkarem city, for a combined rent of about $1,300 – a fortune for a family surviving on meagre savings.

Gaeem noted that while his salary as a Palestinian Authority (PA) civil servant is $500 a month, he hasn’t been paid in months because of the PA’s ongoing economic crisis.

Over the past several years, the PA has cut salaries and struggled to pay its staff as a result of dwindling donor support and Israel’s refusal to hand over tax revenue it collects on the PA’s behalf, an arrangement laid out in the Oslo Accords.

The PA itself was born out of the Oslo peace agreements of 1993 and 1995, which were signed by the Israeli and Palestinian leaders. The accords ostensibly aimed to bring about a Palestinian state in the years that followed.

Unprecedented crisis

The Oslo Accords split the West Bank into three zones.

The PA was tasked with overseeing security and executive functions in Area A and executive functions in Area B while Israel remained in total control of Area C.

This control allowed Israel to quietly and gradually expand illegal settlements – after encircling and then demolishing Palestinian homes and communities – in Area C, a largely agricultural region that makes up about 60 percent of the West Bank.

In July, the Israeli army issued two orders that gave it an additional legal pretext to demolish homes in Area B – a power previously held only by the PA under the Oslo Accords. The orders enabled Israel to assume control over building and planning laws and laws pertaining to agricultural sites.

Before these measures, most demolitions in Areas A and B were carried out during military operations or as reprisals against Palestinians who resisted the occupation. Israel now has an additional legal basis to destroy Palestinian homes by claiming the owners do not have building permits.

Israel systematically denies building permits to Palestinians as part of a broader policy of confiscating Palestinian homes and land, according to human rights groups.

Among the record number of demolitions carried out across the West Bank this year, the UN documented the destruction of 49 structures in Areas A and B.

Under international law, Israel is prohibited from destroying private property anywhere in occupied Palestinian territory and from establishing settlements or outposts.

“The extension of demolitions in Area A and B and the way Israel is changing the legal status in Area B are unprecedented,” said Tahani Mustafa, an expert on the West Bank with the International Crisis Group think tank.

She added that Israel appears to be trying to confine Palestinians to ever smaller pockets of land in Area A. Israel’s ultimate plan, she fears, is to make life increasingly unbearable for Palestinians in urban centres, likely by imposing more checkpoints and barriers to restrict movement and carrying out more raids

Israel’s intensifying assault on Palestinians across the West Bank already has people like al-Mohamed fearing that his family could be evicted again.

He said most Palestinians predict that Israel will turn its attention to the West Bank’s cities after it finishes its military raids in the nearby camps.

“It’s hard for us to go anywhere else other than the West Bank,” he told Al Jazeera.

“This is our land. It’s where we want to live and where we want to die.”

After trying to learn to drive for years, Diane Morgan has opened up about whether she would ever get behind the wheel. And she’s admitted she’s slowly giving up.

Diane Morgan admits she has more in common with Mandy Carter, her BBC alter ego.

After rising to fame as the deadpan and charming Philomena Cunk, starring in Motherland as Liz, Diane Morgan has provided BBC2 viewers with plenty of belly laughs as the quirky Mandy.

Though Mandy is loosely inspired from a character of the same name in Sky‘s show Rovers, Diane says that, much like Mandy, she’s experienced plenty of chaos before kicking off her acting career. Diane often draws from personal experience – especially when Mandy’s day jobs go spectacularly wrong.

“A lot of them are inspired by things that have happened to me. I’ve had a number of jobs that I’ve been fired from,” Diane says. “Some I haven’t even lasted an hour in. Acting’s about the only job I’ve lasted more than a week in. So I have to stick with it.”

Even Mandy’s lack of driving skills mirrors Diane’s own. “I haven’t passed my driving test. Although I have done 1000s of hours of lessons. I just don’t think I’m one of nature’s natural drivers,” Diane says. “I’m waiting for self-driving cars to kick in now.”

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Diane, 49, has made no secret of her trouble with driving – she has yet to pass her driver’s license. Back in 2020, she revealed she’d spent a whopping amount of money to pass her test.

“I’ve been learning to drive for about a year now,” she told the iPaper at the time. “Automatic not manual, obviously.” She added: “I’ve spent so much money learning to drive I could have got a private chauffeur by now.”

In 2022, she even took to X to ask her fans for advice, writing: “Serious question: can anyone recommend an intensive residential driving course? (for automatic not manual). It’s for me so they need to be very patient!” But it may be a while until she’s finally behind the wheel.

In the meantime, Mandy’s newest season features more of its gloriously unhinged heroine, Mandy Carter, stumbling through yet another round of ill-fitting jobs and baffling life choices.

“There’s more of the same Mandy madness,” Diane Morgan says. “She’s still being forced to do jobs she doesn’t like and isn’t good at.” It’s a formula that’s struck a bizarre chord with viewers – and unexpectedly sparked lifestyle changes.

“I’ve heard that at least four of them have turned vegetarian after watching an episode of the last series where Mandy gets a job in an abattoir,” Diane says. “So that’s good. Especially for cows.”

Why does Mandy connect so deeply? “I suppose it’s always nice to see someone have a worse time than you and still come through without serious mental health issues of HR getting involved.”

And don’t expect a redemption arc anytime soon. “Nothing would happen if she suddenly could do a job well,” Diane says, “It would just be Mandy sitting at a desk. She’s learned nothing. Just keeps making mistakes, like all of us. That’s what makes her charming.”

Off-screen, Diane channels her values into the show. “We decided to use only cruelty-free make-up products that haven’t been tested on animals,” she says.

“We warned all the actors what we were doing and none of them had a problem with it. Most were amazed that some products aren’t cruelty-free. Some well-known brands still test on animals and people aren’t aware of that.”

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