It feels like the World Cup started only yesterday, but we’re quickly approaching the final between Spain and Argentina on Sunday. Even if soccer isn’t a sport you typically watch, it was hard not to get sucked into the enthusiasm of the game and cheer for the teams, whether you had a connection to a particular country or not. If you’re among the viewers who are going to feel a little melancholy after it’s all over, you’re not alone. Culture critic Mary McNamara has been enthusiastically following the matches, and if you’re feeling more globally minded as a result, she came up with a list of international TV shows to watch when the the World Cup is over.
My colleagues at De Los, who, like many of us, have been watching the matches on Telemundo (I count myself among them), might be following up their World Cup viewing with some episodes of “El Señor de los Cielos,” the network’s long-running series starring veteran Mexican actor Rafael Amaya. The ads for the show have been a constant between timeouts and matches, and I’m intrigued. And I’ll admit the racy ads for “El Turco” also caught my eye — Telemundo knows exactly what it is doing.
And as the global event winds down, if you’re still hankering to watch something sports related, you’re in luck because Netflix released its latest comedy starring Will Ferrell, “The Hawk,” in which the comedic actor plays Lonnie “The Hawk” Hawkins,” the greatest golfer in the world. The series, which Ferrell created with longtime collaborators Harper Steele and Chris Henchy, reunites him with fellow “Saturday Night Live” alums Molly Shannon and Chris Parnell. However, the person you’ll see him most with onscreen is his co-star Fortune Feimster. The stand-up comedian and actor dropped by Guest Spot to chat about the new series, her experience with golf and what it was like to go toe-to-toe with Ferrell, one of her comedy heroes.
Sign up to get recommendations for the TV shows and streaming movies you can’t miss, plus exclusive interviews with the talent behind your favorite titles, in your inbox every Friday
By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service, which include arbitration and a class action waiver. You agree that we and our third-party vendors may collect and use your information, including through cookies, pixels and similar technologies, for the purposes set forth in our Privacy Policy such as personalizing your experience and ads.
Also in this week’s Screen Gab, our writers recommend a romance horror film that set the internet ablaze earlier this year and a classic British spy series. — Maira Garcia
Recommendations from the film and TV experts at The Times
Inde Navarrette stars as Nikki and Michael Johnston as Bear in “Obsession.”
(Focus Features)
“Obsession” (Peacock)
After earning $428 million worldwide at the box office (on a $750,000 budget) and sending shock waves through Hollywood, the cautionary love story in this romance horror film hits streaming. Directed by YouTuber-turned-horror-auteur Curry Barker, the film follows Bear (Michael Johnston), a shy, hapless guy who, after being unable to summon the courage to confess his feelings for friend and co-worker Nikki (Inde Navarrette), dubiously turns to a one-wish willow toy and hopes for her to “love him more than anyone else in the world.” And, well, the results are chilling — in large part due to Navarrette’s ability to go from completely charming to completely frightening with just her face. If you want to understand some of the online discourse the film has ignited — what it says about consent, its plot holes, whether it’s worthy of the hype or just what the heck was up with that walking backward moment — here’s your chance to see what all the fuss is about. — Yvonne Villarreal
Patrick McGoohan stars in the 1967 TV series “The Prisoner.”
(ITC Entertainent)
“The Prisoner” (Criterion Channel)
The 17 episodes of “The Prisoner,” Patrick McGoohan‘s 1967 existentialist, anti-authoritarian, anti-nationalist, mod-a-go-go avant-garde ode to individualism, have been given a deserved berth in the cinematic pantheon that is the Criterion Channel, looking clean and crisp and immediate. Created in an era rife with screen spies — including the one creator-star McGoohan had previously played in the show aired here as “Secret Agent” — its hero is a British operative who resigns his job in the opening credits, only to find himself imprisoned in a fanciful seaside village — a kind of Baroque hilltown impression of a holiday camp. His unidentified jailers believe there must be a darker reason for his resignation and spend the series attempting it to extract it with elaborate charades, gizmos and gadgets, while our hero spends it trying to bring them down and/or escape. (A giant floating white ball provides creepy security.) Unwilling to bend, impossible to break, McGoohan at once upends the James Bond mythos and provides a dashing hero, clever, witty and terribly attractive. — Robert Lloyd
A weekly chat with actors, writers, directors and more about what they’re working on — and what they’re watching
In “The Hawk,” Fortune Feimster plays Sam, who becomes the caddie for Lonnie (Ferrell).
(Colleen E. Hayes / Netflix)
“The Hawk” gives us a tour of the golf world through the eyes of the titular Lonnie Hawkins (Ferrell), whose better days in the game appear to be behind him. With his trusty caddie Old Henry (Keith David) by his side, he’s feeling like things are looking up — until Old Henry dies suddenly. Lonnie is heartbroken, but he’s not deterred, choosing to continue his ambitious return to the PGA Tour, leading him to be extremely late to Old Henry’s funeral and making a disastrous entrance.
But who will be his new caddie? Enter Sam, played by Feimster, a drifter Lonnie meets in a Walmart parking lot when he pulls over his tour bus. Sam’s late-model Cadillac is broken down in the parking lot, but that doesn’t get her down. Lonnie and Sam strike up a fast friendship, and before you know it, she’s driving his bus and working as his caddie on the course, encouraging him as he goes up against foes like Golden Fisk (Luke Wilson), Anton (Parnell) and even his own son, Lance (Jimmy Tatro), with whom he has a difficult relationship. Her methods are unusual — Sam doesn’t know much about golf, but their mutual love of fast-casual dining and pickles (a running gag in the show) gets them through.
“I’m excited for people to see another big broad comedy,” she says about “The Hawk.” “You know, we need to laugh. That’s what’s been missing, I think, from our current times is we need some more laughter, some more levity.”
The actor spoke about hers and Ferrell’s onscreen friendship, which has become a real-life friendship thanks to their mutual love of sports, how a silly musical moment in the finale came together and why you might see her and interior designer Jeff Lewis together again soon. — M.G.
I feel like a lot of your comedy has some sensibility of who you are as a person and where you come from — the South. How did you relate to Sam in this series?
The heart of Sam was something I really responded to. I love that this was a really silly, wacky character where I got to show off the broad comedy that I often enjoy doing. But I appreciated the trajectory of the character, that they allowed me to have this range where I got to show emotion and be disappointed and angry and just go through a mix of emotions as an actor. That was a really cool road to get to go down. But I love the heart that she had. And I think that’s something that I try to incorporate in my own life, positivity and cheering people on and that belief in people that they can do it.
How much did you know about golf before taking role?
Not much, honestly, other than a few rounds at Top Golf. [Laughs] I’m a sports gal. I love sports. I played sports my whole life, but for whatever reason, golf was the one sport I did not partake in … I even played college sports. This was the one I didn’t have much knowledge of, but luckily my character did not need any knowledge of golf. It almost was beneficial that I did not know what I was talking about. So when Will’s character needed a club, and I had no clue which one it was, that was all very real.
Do you think the show helps make golf more relatable? Golf is presented as a highbrow sport, but Sam and Lonnie, they’re grounded. He found Sam in a Walmart parking lot.
I definitely think it makes it more palatable for people that aren’t familiar with that world. I think that’s why you start rooting for this character, because he’s the outsider that doesn’t necessarily fit in that world. You kind of like that chaos that he brings to this very posh, very put-together sport. That’s why I think you find a lot of comedy in the juxtaposition of that. Comedy’s all about tension and release, and you have a lot of tension with that stuffy golf world and that competition, and then the release is this fun comedy, ridiculous people, crazy outfits — it’s fun to watch the two worlds collide.
I’m so glad you mentioned crazy outfits because there’s this scene where Sam gets herself a leather suit as a reward. Was it hot to wear?
As a comedian, the suit was incredible because it was so ridiculous. And of course, my character would waste her money on something like that right away instead of being responsible with it and saving it. As an actor, that suit was so, so hot. We were filming in the hottest parts of the Valley of L.A. and they did everything they could to make it not just like … my body sweated every two seconds. It sure was rough at times. But for the look of it all and the comedy of it all, it was worth it.
There’s another great moment, in the finale, where you’re trying to motivate Lonnie and you start singing the Chili’s “Baby Back Ribs” song. Was that in the script?
That was in the script, mainly just because anything song related had to have clearance. But there was a lot of riffing between him and I about fast food restaurants and about restaurants in general, and a lot of that was off the cuff, he and I just talking as people about all the fast food restaurants we love. The Chili’s song is that iconic jingle that everybody knows. We took it very seriously getting to sing it with each other … and we were practicing like, “OK, you take this part,” and he’d be like, “OK, no, you keep going, and then I’ll come in.” It felt like a real musical situation that we were prepping for.
Oh, my God, I need to see that outtake. I would be dying.
Luke [Wilson, who plays Golden Fisk] said he had passed by us practicing, and he said it was such a surreal moment seeing how serious Will and I were taking this song.
Fortune Feimster as Sam and Will Ferrell as Lonnie in “The Hawk.”
(Colleen E. Hayes / Netflix)
Speaking of Will, I went through our archives and you told one of our writers in 2023 that you hoped to one day have a career like Will Ferrell’s. Now you’re starring in a show with him. What was it like working with him, and do you feel like you’re getting closer to that goal?
The experience of working with him was definitely a dream come true — he and Molly Shannon, the fact that I’m with both of them on the show is pretty crazy. I feel like everyone growing up has their “SNL” cast that they are like, “That’s my cast, that’s who I watched every Saturday,” and they were definitely my cast. My early knowledge of comedy comes from them, and I’m sure there’s a big influence of them in my comedy now, having watched them religiously. To now be on a show with the two of them does not feel real at times.
What’s nice is I’d done two movies with Will, like very small parts, and had hoped that that would lead to something more in the future and was so lucky that it did. But we really got to know each other a lot better on this show, obviously, because I was basically his right-hand person the entire show. I would say 85% of what I filmed was with him. We just hit it off right away. Our energies are very similar. We’re very similar in our outlook. Our sensibilities of comedy are very similar.
We became genuine friends. He’ll pick me up and take me to a Lakers game. We just went to the World Cup game together. We definitely have a bond of sports. It’s so cool to not only get to be working with someone I admire so much and a comedy hero, but to now be genuine friends, it’s pretty incredible. I’m so lucky that I’m in that position.
What World Cup game did you guys go to?
We went to USA vs. Turkey here in L.A. He wore his visor that says “Hawk” on it. We kept trying to get the camera guy’s attention because we weren’t sitting in a box. We wanted to be in the mix … with the fans, and so no one expected to see Will sitting there amongst the fans.
After halftime, they go around and show different [celebrities] like, “Leonardo DiCaprio is here.” I said, “Will, the camera guy’s looking at us.” Everyone in our section got really pumped about it. We show up on the Jumbotron, and our whole section starts going nuts. And I’m pointing at Will’s hat, he’s dancing, and we didn’t know that it was also on TV. My phone blew up for like the next 30 minutes because everyone and their mother was watching this soccer game. We ended up inadvertently promoting “The Hawk” on this really big world stage.
What’s a TV series or film that you’ve watched recently that you’re recommending to everyone?
I feel like it’s not something that I have to recommend, so many people know of it, but I really loved “Hacks” [HBO Max], and especially this last season of it, I felt like they wrapped it up so beautifully. Sometimes these shows have this good run, and then they sort of fumble it at the end, and I just thought the way they ended that show really serviced all of their characters in such a great way and highlighted this really beautiful friendship from people of different generations.
What’s your comfort watch, a TV show or film that you love to return to and watch over and over again?
A movie that I could watch no matter what … is “Bridesmaids” [Peacock, Hulu]. That movie never gets old. I just think it’s one of the best comedies. Of course, as a female comedian, I love a group of women doing funny things together. And those particular women are just so incredible. I’ve gotten lucky enough to work with Kristen [Wiig] and Annie [Mumolo] — I did “Barb and Star [Go to Vista Del Mar]” with Kristen and Annie. Even though I was a tiny part of that movie, I can watch that movie over and over again. I just love their sensibilities as writers as well.
I promised my colleague I would ask you one more question, about getting your house renovated by Jeff Lewis on “Flipping Out” and what that was like.
That always cracks me up how many people saw that show. I’m working with him right now. I have a new house that he is helping with at the moment.
I mean, listen, he’s a big personality. There’s a reason why they gave him “Flipping Out” for so many years that he has a radio show now [“Jeff Lewis Live” on SiriusXM], and they’re actually bringing his “Flipping Out” show back [“Still Flipping Out” on Bravo], which I did a little bit of that show as well. But as an interior designer, he definitely has this — he kind of walks into a space and you see him calculate things, like “A Beautiful Mind,” where he’s seeing everything in front of him, and he’s very decisive. I’m very indecisive with interior design. Even though he has this … over-the-top personality, as a designer, he’s so gifted. And when you see his work, you’re like, “Oh, my God, this is incredible.”
Obviously he and I have a funny rapport with each other, but now also doing this house, I feel like I’ve learned even more to the point where I know when to give it back to him a little bit. He likes that little ribbing of each other.
Must-read stories you might have missed
July 16 (UPI) — Thick smoke from Canadian wildfires poured into northeastern quarter of the United States on Thursday after similarly darkening skies across and prompting health warnings across much of the Great Lakes region.
Dangerous levels of smoke were noted across Canada and the northeastern and midwestern United States, sparking memories of the historically severe wildfire smoke outbreak in 2023.
Entire states including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin were under air quality alerts.
By early Thursday, Minneapolis, Duluth, Minn., and Detroit were among the most heavily impacted areas of the country.
Very heavy smoke from large wildfires in northern Minnesota and northwestern Ontario spread over Minnesota from late Wednesday into Thursday morning, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reported.
Hourly observations of smoke concentrations broke records for the Twin Cities on both days, the agency said.
In Detroit, businesses and attractions closed due to poor air quality.
A planned concert by rocker John Mellencamp at Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Mich., was canceled while some workers inside Ford Motor‘s Michigan Assembly plant in Wayne, Mich., were hospitalized amid the smoky haze and intense heat, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Michigan’s statewide air quality alert was extended through Friday before cooler weather was expected to move the smoky pall out of the Great Lakes region.
In Chicago, the city closed all of its public beaches and outdoor pools, while Milwaukee recorded the worst air quality in its history — a record-breaking Air Quality Index measured at over 600, according to the Milwaukee Journal.
Further east, smoke from the Canadian wildfires enveloped New York City, prompting Mayor Zohran Mamdani to urge residents to “take precautions to stay cool and out of harm’s way” while dealing with both the smoke and high temperatures.
“In our city, we pride ourselves on being resilient,” the mayor told reporters early Thursday. “Today is not a day to say, ‘In spite of the air quality, I’m going to do everything I was going to do yesterday.’ This is very serious. We are reaching into a level of air quality that is dangerous for every single New Yorker.”
Earnings Call Insights: Great Southern Bancorp (GSBC) Q2 2026
CEO Joseph Turner said results showed “the strength and resilience of our core banking franchise,” while noting Q2 net income of $15.8 million, or $1.43 per diluted share, “was negatively impacted by several one-time expenses
Seeking Alpha’s Disclaimer: This article was automatically generated by an AI tool based on content available on the Seeking Alpha website, and has not been curated or reviewed by humans. Due to inherent limitations in using AI-based tools, the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of such articles cannot be guaranteed. This article is intended for informational purposes only. Seeking Alpha does not take account of your objectives or your financial situation and does not offer any personalized investment advice. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank.
England scored through Anthony Gordon in the 55th minute and held the lead for half an hour.
Fernandez struck a brilliant equaliser in the 85th minute, after Messi picked him out near the edge of the penalty area.
Lautaro Martinez then won the game in stoppage time with a header from Messi’s cross.
Between Gordon’s goal and Argentina’s equaliser, England had only 12% of the ball which meant they spent most of the second half defending in deep positions.
It became a tussle of Argentina’s attack versus England’s defence, which lived a charmed life for a while.
Argentina persisted though, with Messi exploiting weaknesses in England’s structure and flaws in individual players’ habits to inspire his side’s comeback.
After getting some joy against Messi in the early stages of the game, Anderson’s front-footed approach became less effective with Messi adapting on the fly to his direct opponent’s playing style.
In fact, Messi began to use Anderson’s aggression against him. He held the ball for as long as possible, drawing the 23-year-old out, before flicking the ball around the corner for team-mates in the knowledge there was now space to attack in the zone Anderson had vacated.
Goalkeeper Craig Gordon has announced his retirement from football, bringing an end to a 25-year playing career.
Gordon, 43, ended his second spell at first club Heart of Midlothian this summer and was part of Scotland’s World Cup squad.
He first left Tynecastle for Sunderland in 2007, with the Black Cats paying a then £9m British record fee for a goalkeeper. Gordon made one of the most famous saves in Premier League history when he denied Bolton Wanderers’ Zat Knight from close range in 2010.
However, a serious knee injury affected his time at the Stadium of Light and, at the end of his five-year spell, he entered a two-year spell out of the game rehabilitating and coaching.
Gordon joined Celtic in 2014 and won his first league title, adding four more during a medal-laden six-year spell before returning to Hearts. A double leg break in 2022 resulted in another lay-off but the veteran keeper again recovered to return to playing.
NESTLED in the Surrey Hills you can stay on a converted Great Western Railway carriage.
The Carriage Ely is in Little Downham, Cambridgeshire and is made up of two carriages – Paddington and Penzance.
The carriages used to run on the rail tracks up and down the country but now sit in the middle of the countryside as a B&B.
The carriage has previously featured on the Channel 4 TV show George Clarke‘s Amazing Spaces as well.
Inside Paddington, you will find nods to the carriage’s original role, with overhead luggage racks and original tables and chairs.
But unlike the glaring sunshine you’d get on your daily commute, this carriage has roller blinds to shut out the light when you want to.
Read more on travel inspo
The carriage also has a kitchen so you can rustle up your evening meals and breakfast.
And then in the other carriage – Penzance – you’ll find a sofa bed, as well as more original seats and tables.
The carriage also has a lounge area with wood flooring and a Smart TV.
Other original features have been kept across the carriages too such as the windows, classic glass sliding doors and even safety signs.
And for those who have always had the urge to push a big red button in their life, they can do so by pulling the original red emergency lever.
Outside of the carriage there is a small garden with a fire pit and patio.
There’s even a hot tub for the ultimate relaxation.
And if you really want to amplify your train experience, you can order an afternoon tea to be delivered to you, with scones, jam, cream, cakes and several sandwiches – all served with a big pot of English Breakfast of course.
It costs from £180 per night to stay in the carriage, with a minimum stay of two nights.
One recent visitor said: “Just WOW, just as expected lovely location, great accommodation, friendly owners.
“We had the afternoon tea on arrival – excellent. Will definitely stay again.”
Another visitor added: “Fantastic place to stay, so different and such a tranquil setting, loved the hot tub, plus all the little touches, dressing gowns, slippers, biscuits, chocolates, canned drinks plus fresh milk.”
The carriage is also only a five-minute drive from the city of Ely, where you can head to the cathedral or even Oliver Cromwell’s House.
If you want to spend even more time outdoors, head to The Fens where there are a number of walking and cycling trails.
Copenhagen is also one of the world’s most walkable cities in 2026(Image: Getty)
The world’s most liveable city for 2026 has been revealed in The Economist Intelligence Unit’s latest Global Liveability Index. The research examined education, stability, healthcare, infrastructure, and culture across 173 cities around the globe.
Copenhagen, the Danish capital, claimed the top spot as this year’s most liveable city, retaining the title for the second consecutive year. The European city was awarded “perfect” scores across the stability, infrastructure and education categories.
The Economist Intelligence Unit said: “In our 2026 survey, Copenhagen ( Denmark ) retained pole position for the second year running, scoring a perfect 100 out of 100 in three categories and above 95 in the other two, with Vienna ( Austria ) and Melbourne ( Australia ) close behind.”
Copenhagen has also been ranked among the world’s most walkable cities in 2026, according to a recent study by Time Out magazine.
The Danish capital is “compact and mostly flat” with “clearly marked pedestrian zones and elevated pavements”. Copenhagen is also home to Europe’s first and longest pedestrian-only street, Strøget.
Healthcare in Copenhagen is widely regarded as “excellent”. The nation boasts an exceptional publicly funded healthcare system offering free medical treatment, superb infrastructure and highly qualified doctors.
13:22, 08 Jul 2026Updated 07:15, 09 Jul 2026
Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul, South Korea
Summer is here, and whilst many people flock to the beach for their holidays there’s just as much joy in a city break. City breaks are buzzing with excitement, and there’s so much to explore – especially if the city is walkable. According to Time Out’s 2026 global survey, Seoul in South Korea has topped the list as the world’s most walkable city.
Despite it being a huge city, Seoul has excellent infrastructure for pedestrians with almost 3,000 kilometres of pavements, wide pedestrian walkways and efficient crosswalk systems. According to Time Out’s survey, 93% of Seoul residents rated its walkability as “good” or “amazing” – the highest in the survey.
The city has some truly amazing walking paths, including the Cheonggyecheon Stream. This is a 10 km restored urban stream lined with a well-maintained walking path that links multiple metro stations and major attractions, making it the perfect place to wander and explore the city.
One visitor described the walk as an “oasis in the city” on Tripadvisor.
They wrote: “You can walk along its banks, which are below the main street, watch the ducks in the water and relax. When you get tired, you can also eat at the cafes.”
Another person said: “A stroll along the stream starting at Gwanghwamun where the stream emerges is a must do activity in Seoul.
“It is particularly vibrant in the early evening when locals take their evening exercise or simply sit alongside the steam, perhaps reading a book or talking with friends accompanied by the sound of moving water. Located below street level, sounds of the city become quickly muted.”
There’s also Seoullo 7017, a 1,074-metre elevated park converted from a former highway, that you can wander above the city. The walkway is best at night when the city lights are on, according to visitors.
One person wrote on Tripadvisor: “A pleasant walk over the hustle of the city. Markets are sometimes held at the weekend. It has a nice view of Seoul station, especially if you want to watch the sunset over the city.
“It’s also nicely lit after dark. Usually, a few people walking about and taking photos, but it never feels too busy.“
Although Seoul took the top spot, another UK city was a very close second on the ranking.
The Scottish capital of Edinburgh was ranked as the second-most walkable city in the world, with the almost same percentage of people rating the city’s walkability as “good” or excellent.
Edinburgh lost the top spot by only 0.08 percentile points.
Despite its hills and cobbled, winding streets, a lot of tourists visit Edinburgh specifically for its walks. Famous walks like Arthur’s Seat or Carlton Hill are popular choices, but the city is equally as enjoyable to walk through and dip into the many pubs and cafes on every corner.
July 3 (UPI) — The Great American State Fair was temporarily shut down Friday due to extreme heat as temperatures in Washington, D.C., reached 100 degrees.
Freedom 250 announced Friday afternoon that the event on the National Mall was suspended until 5 p.m. Friday due to the heat, which reached 100 degrees at 2 p.m. Friday with a heat index of 111.
“The safety and well-being of our guests, volunteers, performers, vendors, and staff is our highest priority. Conditions are expected to improve later this afternoon, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back at 5:00 p.m. as preparations continue for this evening’s festivities,” Freedom 250 said on social media just before 1:30 p.m.
A follow-up post confirmed the gates would reopen at 5 p.m.
Friday evening’s events at the fair include performances by Hugo Castillo, Mickey Smith Jr. and Grace Moody Miller.
“Complimentary water distribution stations will be available throughout the fair site, with food and beverages available for purchase,” organizers wrote.
12:04, 03 Jul 2026Updated 12:04, 03 Jul 2026
Tristan Farnon in the original All Creatures Great and Small.(Image: BBC)
The original All Creatures Great and Small star who played Tristan Farnon is related to a very famous television star.
The reimagined version of the beloved period drama is set to return to Channel 5 later this year for its seventh series, accompanied by a Christmas special which has already wrapped filming, according to Siegfried actor Samuel West.
The revamped programme premiered in September 2020, following the adventures of veterinary surgeon James Herriot (portrayed by Nicholas Ralph) as he navigates relationships with local farming folk and cares for their livestock throughout the Yorkshire Dales, while developing feelings for a farmer’s daughter.
Spirited assistant vet Tristan Farnon is brought to life by Callum Woodhouse in the contemporary version, who has previously featured in Cold Feet, The Durrells, and, more recently, The Fortune.
Running from 1978 to 1990, the original All Creatures Great and Small series premiered on the BBC, inspired by the working life of Alf Wight, the renowned Yorkshire veterinary surgeon who adopted the pseudonym James Herriot, reports Wales Online.
His real-life encounters and anecdotes were chronicled in a collection of books that were later transformed into the television phenomenon.
In the first adaptation, when James Herriot, brought to life by Christopher Timothy, relocated to the Dales, he secured employment with no-nonsense veterinary practitioner Siegfried Farnon (Robert Hardy) at Skeldale House.
This brought James into contact with numerous colourful personalities in the village, including Siegfried’s younger brother, Tristan Farnon, an eager member of the practice and a character viewers adored throughout the programme’s 12-year duration.
Tristan was played by none other than actor Peter Davison, who has enjoyed a decades-long career.
The 75-year-old, hailing from London, is perhaps most recognised for his portrayal of the lead role in the science fiction series Doctor Who.
From 1981 to 1984, Peter embodied the fifth Doctor, who became instantly famed for his cricket-themed attire. He held the mantle of the legendary Time Lord for three years before actor Colin Baker took over.
He’s also celebrated for portraying David in At Home with the Braithwaites, DC Davies in The Last Detective, and CPS Director Henry Sharpe in Law and Order: UK.
Beyond Paradise viewers will recall Peter as Richard Baxter in the second series of the BBC detective programme, which broadcast in 2024. His latest appearances include The Gold, The Larkins, and Gentleman Jack.
Off-screen, Peter is married to actress and writer Elizabeth Heery. The pair tied the knot in 2003 and have two sons together, Louis and Joel.
Both lads have pursued careers in acting like their parents, with Louis appearing in Holby City as Parker Whitfield, Poldark as Geoffrey Charles, and in Vikings: Valhalla as Prince Edmund. Most recently, Louis portrayed Leo Quinn in the BBC series Death in Paradise, which broadcast earlier this year on BBC One.
Meanwhile, his brother Joel has appeared in the series Mammoth, The F1rst Team, and the podcast series Doctor Who: Stranded.
Peter isn’t the sole Doctor Who star in his family, as his daughter, actress Georgia, is wed to the tenth Doctor, David Tennant. Peter had Georgia with his ex-wife, Sandra Dickinson, an American actress who has featured in Batman.
Following an audition for an earlier episode of the sci-fi series, Georgia, 41, secured the role of Jenny in the 2008 episode, ‘The Doctor’s Daughter’ – a rather fitting coincidence.
Throughout filming, David, 55, relished working alongside her on set, and following their introduction, Georgia was particularly taken. In 2020, the couple featured on That Gaby Roslin Podcast, where they discussed the beginning of their relationship.
“I very much forced it into happening, didn’t I?” said Georgia. “I was very much the driving force. Had I not worked quite so hard, it might not have happened.”
David responded: “That makes it sound like I was resistant, which was not what happened. I thought we were an unlikely life partnership, I suppose. There is a bit of an age gap.
“Because Doctor Who had run through my life like a stick of rock, to end up marrying the daughter of one of the Doctors, it all felt a bit stupid… that wasn’t really likely to happen. So there were a lot of things against it.”
The pair shares five children together: Olive, Wilfred, Doris, Birdie, and Georgia’s eldest child, Ty.
All Creatures Great and Small is available to stream on Channel 5
Until not so long ago Latin America had been considered a quiet region, located far from the world’s superpower main strategic confrontations, with sporadic but crucial moments that helped to shape the international order as we know it today. The Cuban Missile Crisis is the clearest example: it became the starting point for a series of agreements and treaties on nuclear and strategic security, involving both the US and the Soviet Union at first, and later extending to other actors of the international community, from Europe, Asia and Latin America, which became the first region free from nuclear weapons after the signing of the Treaty of Tlatelolco in 1967, 5 years after the crisis. After this episode, the region’s relevance seemed to fade, and Latin American countries appeared condemned to a destiny of surfing between weak political cohesion internally and relatively stable economies, even as most of its governments remained closely aligned with Washington on foreign policy matters.
It was precisely during this period of perceived irrelevance that China began building its presence in the region, very gradually and over the course of a little more than two decades. Washington largely ignored this process, even as it became clear that the Asian giant was becoming the largest trading partner for several South American countries, such as Peru and Brazil, and in many cases also the main investor in their economies. This neglect was not born of ignorance: it reflected, instead, a confidence that local governments would remain compliant regardless of who was investing in them. President Trump’s first term illustrates this well. Despite isolated clashes with the governments of Mexico and Venezuela, these episodes looked minor when compared to the “tariff wars” waged against the EU and China. In fact, the only time Trump ever set foot in the region during his entire first term was in November 2018 when he attended the G20 Forum in Buenos Aires. Significantly, there was a planned short visit in Colombia after this event, but I was cancelled. This was widely read at the time as a confirmation that Latin America remained a low priority for Washington’s foreign policy agenda, more due to the expectable compliance of local governments than ignorance of the importance of the region as a resource base capable of fueling US power projection in other regions.
It was only during Trump’s second term that American foreign policy has shifted towards the Western Hemisphere, attributing strategic importance to the region and setting the objective to maintain a near-absolute dominant presence, involving both economic and military dimensions, as is stated in the latest National Security Strategy of 2025.
By the time this shift was formalized, China’s footprint in the region was already deep and country-specific. In Brazil, China had been the largest trading partner since 2009; bilateral trade hit a record $171 billion in 2025, with China accounting for 27.2% of Brazil’s total foreign trade, besides, EV plants and a still planned bi-oceanic railway linking Brazil to Peru’s Pacific coast were being negotiated as part of the Chinese investment strategy in both countries. In Argentina, China became the primary supplier of mobile network infrastructure, part of a broader Chinese push into Latin American 5G and data-center markets. And in Peru, China invested around $1.3 billion in the strategic port of Chancay, a deepwater facility that entered full operation stage in November 2024, and set a new phase for trade between China and South America, bypassing the traditional deepwater ports located in the US, like the ports of Oakland and Stockton. Reinforcing this, China pledged in May 2025, at the CELAC forum ministerial meeting in Beijing, to ramp up its regional engagement even further. These were not isolated transactions but a structural presence, one that the 2025 National Security Strategy now identifies strictly as the rival foothold it intends to dislodge.
Stay ahead of the geopolitical week.
MD Briefing delivers expert analysis across five global fronts — the Indo-Pacific, energy, geoeconomics, European security, and the Middle East — every Monday morning. Free.
Now, within this context in 2026 the declared shift of interests proved it wasn’t merely rhetorical. The year started with the launching of Operation Resolve, when a group of American special military forces conducted a military raid and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas, transporting them to New York to face narcoterrorism charges. Trump declared that the US was now “in charge” of Venezuela until a transition takes place. This meant in practice that the US would hold control over the country’s oil exports, which during the first four months after Maduro’s capture were estimated at $8 billion, but the data on how much oil has been sold, the revenue from it and the use given to those funds remains secret. The main importers of Venezuelan oil during this period were the United States (43 percent), India (26 percent, part of the strategy to reduce Indian import of Russian oil), and Spain (8 percent). This episode, condemned by critics as a return to the old days of imperialism, set the tone for the rest of the year: a hemisphere where Washington would use military force, tariffs, and other mechanics for pressuring countries to sign economic deals where American core interests prevail.
An example of this is the new and controversial Trade and Investment agreement signed by the United States and Argentina in February of this year. According to the text, Argentina shall adapt the regulatory framework to implement US trade standards and prioritize American direct investment in the country, while the counterpart shall “try to review its tariffs” and “consider supporting investment financing”. Milei’s government has justified this as the price for ideological loyalty and continued financial support after the $20 billion credit line that helped to stabilize the local currency (peso) last year.
On the other hand, Brazil took the opposite path: rather than just seeking accommodation to this policy, the government of Lula da Silva accelerated diversification, finalizing the long-delayed EU-Mercosur agreement in January, deepening trade with China and signing a memorandum of understanding with aims for further strategic partnership with Russia. Notably, the US has implemented another mechanism of pressure here, condemning the imprisonment of former president Jair Bolsonaro and holding a meeting with his son Flavio Bolsonaro, who will participate in the presidential elections this October. This gives clear signs of indirect support for this far-right candidate, following the regional trend with Milei in Argentina and Keiko Fujimori in Peru.
Peru, meanwhile, illustrates a third pattern and an interesting case, because alignment here is imposed less by negotiation than by sheer state fragility. Amid a presidency turning over for the ninth time in a decade, the US State Department warned in February that China’s control over the Chancay megaport threatens Peru’s sovereignty, following a Peruvian court ruling that exempted the port from national oversight. Peru’s case pictures a scenario where both counterparts keep pushing for concessions and more privileges. Under the government of José María Balcázar, the ninth president in 10 years, the country has been involved in the controversial purchase of 12 F-16 jetfighters with a cost of around $3.5 billion. On April he postponed the official ceremony where this deal was supposed to be signed arguing that it would have to be the responsibility of a new president, the decision was met with pushback, both internally, with declarations from the Ministry of Defense and in the US Embassy, with ambassador Bernardo Navarro declaring “If you deal with the U.S. in bad faith and undermine U.S. interests, rest assured, I, on behalf of [President] Trump and his administration, will use every available tool to protect and promote the prosperity and security of the United States and our region.” After this, with both internal and diplomatic pressure, the deal was signed on the 17th of April.
Taken together, these cases suggest the current US approach to Latin America is not fueled by a single ideological logic, but by transactional calculations that value compliance and heavily punishes resistance, exploiting weaknesses here and there and aiming to these policy goal indifferently to whether the country in question is led by a right, left or ideologically undefined government. What seems quite clear is that the decades of quietness in Latin America have ended, not necessarily because the region has changed, many of the deep challenges for development are still present, but because the rivalry that once defined the Cuban Missile Crisis has returned, this time fought over trade tariffs, infrastructure and technology access rather than missiles.
England’s reaction was an explosion of celebration and sheer relief, a largely dreadful performance transformed into dramatic victory by their magnificent captain.
The celebration was for that place in the last 16.
The relief will have been Tuchel’s, who would surely have been unable to survive such embarrassment had England lost, irrespective of his contract extension.
Relief, too, for the Football Association, who placed such faith in the German and handed him the sole mission of winning this World Cup.
And it was all down to Kane.
Kane attracts superlatives and respect like a magnet. Every bit of it deserved – as proved by the stats left behind by his latest feat.
He now has five goals in this World Cup, as the race for the Golden Boot becomes a sprint between Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi, with Tuchel saying: “They are all sharks. They smell blood.”
Tuchel added: “These big guys at this World Cup, do they watch each other? And then they go ‘not with me, then I score, then I do a hat-trick, then you go’. What is going on? Crazy.
“Harry is so, so good. He’s our captain. He’s our leader. He decides football matches with unbelievable finishes and did it here twice. The second one was just a brilliant goal.”
Kane now moves above Pele to go joint sixth on the all-time World Cup scorers list with 13, and now has 84 goals for England, putting him level with legendary Hungarian Ferenc Puskas in ninth on all-time international scorers list.
He is the first England player to score twice in a World Cup knockout stage match since Gary Lineker against Cameroon in 1990. Kane has now scored five knockout stage goals at a World Cup. Only Lineker, with six, has scored more for England.
Most remarkably of all, he now has scored 72 goals in 62 games for club and country this season, with 11 for England and 61 for Bayern Munich.
All Creatures Great and Small fans are in for a treat as Samuel West shares an exciting update.
The much-loved period drama premiered its sixth season in September 2025, before returning with an emotional episode on Christmas Eve.
The Channel 5 show has been confirmed to return for series seven and eight, each comprising six one-hour episodes, plus Christmas specials.
The newest season of All Creatures Great and Small, based on James Herriot’s books chronicling his life as a vet in rural Yorkshire, is expected to pick up from the 2025 festive special.
On Thursday (June 25), Siegfried Farnon star Samuel West confirmed that filming for the newest Christmas instalment had finished on what was the hottest day of the year.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Samuel shared two photos of the cast and crew, including Nicholas Ralph and Rachel Shenton, who play James and Helen Herriot.
He captioned the post: “We wrapped today on the Christmas episode, on the hottest June day in this country’s history, and as far away from December 25 as it is possible to be.
“Here’s Chanel with the final slate, and the Herriot/Alderson family with all of them.”
Fans have wasted no time in sharing their excitement for new episodes, with one person writing: “I’m so looking forward to series 7. I also can’t wait for series 2 of Sam and Ade go birding.”
A second added, “We are very, very grateful for the hard work in these extreme temperatures to bring us a wonderful series and another Christmas special!”
A third chimed in: “Thank you all, absolutely love ACGAS!!! We do appreciate you all working in hot conditions.”
With a fresh series of the drama arriving every year since 2020, with Season 5 debuting in September and Season 1 in October, new episodes could well arrive in autumn.
While Channel 5 is currently keeping the plot details of All Creatures Great and Small Season 7 firmly under wraps, Greg Barnett, Commissioning Editor at 5, has teased that there are “many new stories still to tell and more unforgettable adventures ahead”.
Barnett said: “All Creatures Great and Small is a jewel in 5’s drama crown and continues to delight viewers year after year. Its warmth, humour and heart, set against the beauty of Yorkshire, have made it a firm audience favourite.
“We’re thrilled to extend its future with two more series, with many new stories still to tell and more unforgettable adventures ahead for our Skeldale family.”
All Creatures Great and Small is available to stream on Channel 5.
School’s (almost) out … and with a long summer stretching ahead, we want you to share fun activities that will help others fill the family diary. We’d love to hear about your favourite summer days out and adventures in the UK. Perhaps it’s a trip to an outdoor sculpture park or gallery, a great picnic spot by a river, a small theme park or coastal hike to a quiet cove.
The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website.
Keep your tip to about 100 words
If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words we will be judging for the competition.
We’re sorry, but for legal reasons you must be a UK resident to enter this competition.
The competition closes on Monday 6 July at 10am BST
Have a look at our past winners and other tips
Read the terms and conditions here
Share your tip
Share your travel tip using the form below.
If you’re having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.
U.S. alpine skiing great Bode Miller is facing two misdemeanor drug charges following his arrest in Idaho earlier this month.
The actual drug involved and who possessed it isn’t clear, with Miller and the arresting officer providing different accounts of those details from the June 6 arrest in Fremont County.
The six-time Olympic medalist has implied he was arrested because, unbeknownst to him, his friend was carrying cannabis and a pipe while riding in a car Miller was driving. While legal in several states for recreation or medical use, cannabis remains illegal in Idaho.
“I was pulled over for accelerating while passing another vehicle on a highway in Idaho,” Miller, 48, said in a statement posted Tuesday on Instagram. “My friend, who was traveling with me, had a small amount of cannabis and a cannabis pipe in his possession which I was unaware of. We fully cooperated with the officer.”
Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Hurt wrote in a probable cause statement that he found Miller with a white dispensary bag containing 4.1 grams of psilocybin mushrooms (a.k.a. magic mushrooms or shrooms).
While illegal under federal law, psilocybin has been decriminalized in Colorado and Oregon for treatments, with some health advocates saying it can help ease anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
On June 12, Miller pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for July 29.
“I am hopeful the misdemeanor charges will be dropped once the facts are reviewed,” Miller said in his Instagram statement.
A five-time Olympic participant, Miller has won more medals than any other U.S. skier, including gold in the super combined at the 2010 Vancouver Games. He was the overall World Cup champion in 2005 and 2008 and won six World Cup discipline titles (three in combined, two in super-G, one in giant slalom).
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Hi, and welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. My name is Houston Mitchell.
Get our Dodgers Dugout newsletter for insights, news and much more.
By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service, which include arbitration and a class action waiver. You agree that we and our third-party vendors may collect and use your information, including through cookies, pixels and similar technologies, for the purposes set forth in our Privacy Policy such as personalizing your experience and ads.
We received more than 500 questions for Justin Turner after putting out the plea a couple of weeks ago, which is a record. (Some were the same question asked by multiple people.) I selected a few, and Turner answered them via email between games with the Tijuana Toros.
Mark Haendel in Santa Monica asks: Any ideas of staying in baseball after you actually retire? Coaching, managing, college or pro level, etc.?
Turner: I will definitely stay in the game in some capacity. I love it too much and my son loves being around it too much to step away.
Kristen Lazalier in Norman, Okla., asks: Please share three favorite memories of your years with the Dodgers. Thank you for always bringing such passion and joy to your play — both on and off the field!
Turner: It would have to be winning the World Series in 2020. Winning the Roberto Clemente Award in 2022. The walk-off homer in the NLCS and winning the fan vote for my first All-Star Game in 2017.
Chris Nayve asks: What is your go-to mindset or thought that helps you when things get challenging in baseball or just in life?
Turner: The best thing is just to simplify things and not try to do too much. Take the results out and trust the process. Live in the moment and control what is in front of me.
Robert Scott Wallace asks: First and foremost, I wanted to thank JT and his wife for all the good they do for the city of Los Angeles. A basic question: Who is the toughest pitcher you had to ever face in the big leagues and why?
Turner: Felix Hernández was the nastiest. Cliff Lee and Tyler Glasnow, after the 2020 World Series, own me. (Editor’s note: Turner was 0 for 3 with two strikeouts against Hernández, one for 20 against Lee with four strikeouts and 0 for 11 against Glasnow with 10 strikeouts.)
Paul Mihalow asks: Did anybody on your MLB teams ever complain about the “pine tar” on the back of your jersey — like clubhouse managers or laundry guys?
Turner: No. I asked the clubhouse guys and they said it was actually very easy to get out every night.
Jeff Plotkin asks: Who were some of your favorite teammates?
Turner: That’s a tough one. I get along great with just about everyone. But my favorite baseball guy of all time is, hands down, Chase Utley.
Gabriel Ortega asks: What is one lesson you’ve learned from fatherhood that has surprised you the most, and how has it changed the person you are both on and off the field?
Turner: Being a dad definitely taught me patience and understanding. That just because i know what I’m saying or asking doesn’t mean Bo or anyone else does. Sometimes you have to get creative to get your message across.
Robert Shannon asks: Where does the 2004 College World Series championship with Cal State Fullerton rank on your career highlights?
Turner: That has to be way up near the top. That’s one of the hardest tournaments to win and that was always a special group of guys.
Marshall Fong asks: What adjustments did you make as you aged to remain a competitive player?
Turner: The biggest thing is time management and learning how to get my work in that needs to be done without killing myself and my energy for the game.
Thanks again to Turner for taking the time to answer reader questions.
Last week, colleague Liana Handler wrote a nice story on Andy Pages and the struggle he has as his family lives in Cuba. He is unable to see them and sometimes he can’t get reach them on the phone, which is when the fears really loom large.
A few key passages from Handler’s story:
Unlike his teammates — both American and those on visas — Pages is distinctly cut off in the United States, where he lives with his wife, Alondra, but is separated from his parents and sister in Mantua. The third-year Dodgers center fielder is making $800,000 this year but can’t spend his money on flights home or on bringing his family to the country where he plays baseball. The tense relations between the U.S. and Cuba — the Trump administration has imposed economic sanctions and made diplomatic threats — don’t allow for that.
“I haven’t found any way that gives me that tranquility and peace,” he told The Times in Spanish two weeks ago. “Because the way things are there, what’s always on your mind is that it could happen. Anything, any time. And I have all my family in Cuba. So, you have to live with that worry all the time.”
Most of Pages’ family can only listen to his baseball games on the radio or through fuzzy images on the television.
No one understands that more than Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas. A Venezuelan immigrant, Rojas said he felt a personal responsibility for Pages, who is caught between wanting to speak more about the situation and being guarded because of his budding career and the fact that he’s not yet eligible to be a free agent.
“We need to preserve our job, because this is our only way to make an income, and a lot of us are the head of the family, so we got to continue to think about it that way,” Rojas said. “I would like to be more vocal and be a little bit more present for my community, but it’s really hard because I’m performing my job, and if I stop doing this, I don’t know how to do anything else.”
As Rojas describes, it is not easy to focus on your job when you see people you know at home suffering.
“We are here to perform and actually provide entertainment to people, and sometimes we are seen like that,” he said. “The problem is when the lights are off at night, when you have to go home, when you become a regular human being that is on the streets.”
The story is well worth your time and can be read here.
Shohei Ohtani missed Friday’s game to be present for the birth of his second child with his wife, Mamiko.
“We are again overjoyed to experience this wonderful day in our lives together,” Ohtani said on Instagram. “Thank you for being born safely. We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported us throughout this journey.”
—Will Smith has an inflamed disk in his neck and recently had an injection there to help reduce it. The earliest he will be back is Friday, as he is not going on the team’s trip to Minnesota.
—Teoscar Hernández will begin a rehab assignment in triple-A this week and could be back before the end of the month.
—An MRI on Blake Treinen‘s elbow showed no structural damage, so he should be back as soon as he can come off the 15-day IL.
—Reliever Edwin Díaz is progressing well and remains on track to return after the All-Star break.
—Reliever Evan Phillips has pitched in six games for triple-A Oklahoma City. In 5-1/3 innings, he has given up five hits, walked four and struck out five. He should return in early July.
—Reliever Brock Stewart could be activated before today’s game against Minnesota. If not, then sometime this week.
How notable players who were with the Dodgers the last couple of seasons are doing with their new teams (through Sunday). Click on the player’s name to be taken to their full stats page:
Anthony Banda, Twins: 2-0, 4.22 ERA, 2 saves, 32 IP, 26 hits, 14 walks, 29 K’s, 104 ERA+
Cody Bellinger, Yankees: .276/.370/.473, 324 PA’s, 15 doubles, 3 triples, 11 homers, 49 RBIs, 133 OPS+
Walker Buehler, Padres: 4-3, 3.96 ERA, 72.2 IP, 73 hits, 23 walks, 65 K’s, 105 ERA+
Mike Busch, Cubs: .247/.377/.396, 337 PA’s, 13 doubles, 2 triples, 8 homers, 42 RBIs, 122 OPS+
Michael Conforto, Cubs: .222/.328/.434, 116 PA’s, 9 doubles, 4 homers, 13 RBIs, 116 OPS+
Justin Dean, Cubs: .500/.500/1.500, 2 PA’s, 1 triple, 3 RBIs, 443 OPS+
Caleb Ferguson, Reds: 0-0, 1.50 ERA, 12 IP, 10 hits, 5 walks, 12 K’s, 302 ERA+
Jack Flaherty, Tigers: 1-8, 5.35 ERA, 65.2 IP, 69 hits, 34 walks, 78 K’s, 81 ERA+, on the IL
Kenley Jansen, Tigers: 1-3, 4.00 ERA, 9 saves, 18 IP, 10 hits, 10 walks, 22 K’s, 110 ERA+
Craig Kimbrel, Rays: 0-2, 5.50 ERA, 18 IP, 19 hits, 8 walks, 18 K’s, 78 ERA+
Gavin Lux, Rays: on the IL
Dustin May, Cardinals: 5-6, 4.30 ERA, 83.2 IP, 78 hits, 22 walks, 77 K’s, 94 ERA+
Zach McKinstry, Tigers: .177/.272/.259, 171 PA’s, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 2 homers, 11 RBIs, 48 OPS+
James Outman, Tigers: .169/.238/.286, 84 PA’s, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homer, 5 RBIs, 44 OPS+
Joc Pederson, Rangers: .237/.333/.419, 235 PA’s, 7 doubles, 2 triple, 9 homers, 25 RBIs, 119 OPS+
Luke Raley, Mariners: .241/.303/.503, 210 PA’s, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 14 homers, 35 RBIs, 126 OPS+
Ben Rortvedt, Mets: in the minors
Corey Seager, Rangers: .186/.284/.373, 204 PA’s, 6 doubles, 9 homers, 24 RBIs, 91 OPS+, on the IL
Justin Turner, Tijuana (Mexican League): .273/.483/.461, 196 PA’s, 14 doubles, 6 homers, 25 RBIs
Trea Turner, Phillies: .227/.280/.336, 328 PA’s, 12 doubles, 7 homers, 22 RBIs, 67 OPS+
Miguel Vargas, White Sox: .236/.353/.465, 324 PA’s, 12 doubles, 1 triple, 16 homers, 44 RBIs, 126 OPS+
Kirby Yates, Angels: 0-3, 3.68 ERA, 1 save, 14.2 IP, 9 hits, 7 walks, 19 K’s, 116 ERA+
Monday: Dodgers (*Eric Lauer, 2-5, 5.37 ERA [1-0, 3.22 ERA with Dodgers]) at Minnesota (Zebby Matthews, 3-4, 4.78 ERA), 4:40 p.m., SportsNet LA, AM 570, KTNQ 1020
Tuesday: Dodgers (*Justin Wrobleski, 8-2, 2.72 ERA) at Minnesota (Joe Ryan, 5-3, 2.99 ERA), 4:40 p.m., SportsNet LA, TBS, AM 570, KTNQ 1020
Wednesday: Dodgers (Shohei Ohtani, 7-2, 1.47 ERA) at Minnesota (*Connor Prielipp, 2-5, 5.17 ERA), 4:40 p.m., SportsNet LA, AM 570, KTNQ 1020
All times Pacific
*-left-handed
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani announces birth of second child
Lopez: There might be one advantage to climate change: More home runs at Dodger Stadium
Dodgers Debate: BLISTER WATCH. Should Shohei Ohtani be shut down?
Shaikin: The Dodgers are ruining baseball! Stop them! But first let me vote for all their players
Vin Scully tells us “Don’t be afraid to dream.” Watch and listen here.
Have a comment or something you’d like to see in a future Dodgers newsletter? Email me at houston.mitchell@latimes.com. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.
North will link up with the Barbarians squad in London next week after the invitational side have played South Africa on Saturday.
The Wales and Barbarians occasion in Twickenham will be a double-header with the men’s game at 14:00 BST followed by the women’s game at 17:00 BST.
On the previous occasion that Wales men faced the Barbarians, after the 2023 World Cup, Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric were given a farewell to the Welsh crowd when they lined up for the invitational side at the Principality Stadium.
This time North will be one of the headline acts.
“I have been privileged to enjoy the career I have had, and I have so many unforgettable memories from Wales and friendships to last a lifetime,” said North.
“So to go out against my country, with some of my friends and team-mates playing is so special.
“To also be able to play alongside some of the best and most exciting players in the world, and to enjoy that famous Barbarians spirit is something I couldn’t turn down.
“I can’t wait to link up with the boys next week and hopefully we can do something special.”
The Barbarians fixture is a warm-up for Wales’ Nations Championship Tests against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa in July.
I was only about 30 minutes from my home, but there I was in the solitude of the San Gabriel Mountains without another soul on the trail.
Dozens of butterflies, likely variable checkerspots with hints of yellow and red on their wings, fluttered all around. A territorial hummingbird repeatedly buzzed past my head, resembling the sound of either the world’s largest bumblebee or a tiny angry drone zipping past my face. Western whiptails flitted across the trail and onto rocks. A cacophony of birdsong and calls filled my ears, including, per my birding app, spotted towhee, Western wood-pewee, wrentit, bushtit and a purple finch I looked long and hard to try to identify in the treetops. Later, a gray squirrel expressed its displeasure at an interloper disrupting its peace.
These are special and common experiences that I frequently find hiking along the Gabrielino Trail, a 28(ish)-mile route through the San Gabriel Mountains that runs from Chantry Flat north of Arcadia to a lush riparian area along the Arroyo Seco east of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab near Pasadena. Although it offers hikers an epic close-to-home backpacking experience, you do not need to complete the entire trail to enjoy it.
Because of its length and proximity to other trails, it is replete with epic day-hike opportunities and, because of that, it’s a great place to spend the summer solstice, both the mark of the beginning of summer and the longest day of the year.
Sign up to get expert tips on the best of Southern California’s beaches, trails, parks, deserts, forests and mountains in your inbox every Thursday
By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service, which include arbitration and a class action waiver. You agree that we and our third-party vendors may collect and use your information, including through cookies, pixels and similar technologies, for the purposes set forth in our Privacy Policy such as personalizing your experience and ads.
This weekend, we will see just over 14 hours of sunlight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The sun will rise around 5:40 a.m. and set just after 8 p.m. It offers hikers the opportunity to not only travel longer distances, but also take rests along the way to really savor their surroundings.
In this edition of The Wild, our weekly outdoors newsletter, I will suggest a few routes along the Gabrielino Trail. I encourage you, though, to take a look at a paper map of Angeles National Forest (available at most local outdoors gear stores) or use a mapping service such as CalTopo or onX Backcountry to discern what would be the most fun for you and your hiking party.
Before we discuss the hikes, a few safety reminders:
Additionally, please note that the segment of the Gabrielino Trail in and around the West Fork and Devore Trail camps was damaged in recent storms. The Lowelifes Respectable Citizens’ Club, a trail maintenance crew, is repairing it and hopes to have it online soon.
OK, here’s what I recommend along the Gabrielino Trail. Have fun out there!
A hiker meditates near the Brown Mountain Dam just off the Gabrielino Trail in Angeles National Forest.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
Distance: 7.6 miles
Elevation gained: About 650 feet
Difficulty: On the easier end of moderate
Dogs allowed? Yes
Accessible alternative: Paved segment of Gabrielino Trail from Windsor Avenue
This 7.6-mile out-and-back trek takes hikers along the Arroyo Seco, under the canopy of massive coast live oaks and past aromatic native plants such as California bay laurel.
You will park in the large dirt parking lot and take the steep paved road a very short jaunt to join the trail. If hiking with a wheelchair or if you’re a hiker who prefers pavement, it’s better to park in the lot south of the dirt lot.
Once on the Gabrielino Trail, you can hike as far as you’d like. Short on time? Hike two miles to Gould Mesa campground, have a little snack (and maybe a swim) and head back.
To reach the dam, follow the trail in the northwesterly direction for about 3.4 miles from the starting point. You’ll come to an intersection where the Gabrielino Trail continues northwest, leading you away from the river. Instead, you’ll want to follow the footpath along the river to reach the man-made-but-still-lovely waterfall.
If you want a longer day, you could continue on the Gabrielino Trail after your side quest to the Brown Mountain Dam waterfall and ask a friend to pick you up at this gate off Angeles Crest Highway at a specific time. This point-to-point journey will be about 7.6 miles. The extension is also much more challenging than the first 3.7 miles, as it gains about 1,500 feet over 3.9 miles. This trail through Dark Canyon can be overgrown, so please plan accordingly, including downloading a map and bringing a paper map with you. (See map)
Switzer Falls in Angeles National Forest.
(Raul Roa / Los Angeles Times)
For an even longer point-to-point journey, leave the Brown Mountain Dam waterfall and take the Gabrielino Trail all the way to Switzer Falls, asking a friend to pick you up at the Switzer Picnic Area at a specific time. This point-to-point route will be about 11 miles, and you will gain about 2,350 feet in elevation. This is the most rugged option, and this trail can be overgrown in places. Plan accordingly! (See map)
The Gabrielino Trail, a 28-mile trek through Angeles National Forest, passes through various plant communities and canyons, providing pockets of shade along the way.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
Distance: 4.8 to 6.6 miles, depending on your route
Elevation gained: About 1,200 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Dogs allowed? Yes
Accessible alternative: Mt. Wilson Observatory paved walking path
This 4.8- to 6.6-mile out-and-back trek will take you along a delightful path that always feels a little bit like a fairy wonderland to me. You’ll pass under shady oak canopies and past moss-covered rock walls. You end at the Valley Forge Trail Camp, which has lovely tall conifers and a vault toilet (that’s usually clean).
To begin, you’ll park in the Red Box Picnic Area parking lot, which can fill up on the weekends and does require you to display an Adventure Pass or other federal public lands pass. You’ll find the trail’s start down some rock steps in the southern area of the lot.
Valley Forge Trail Camp, left, and mossy rocks.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
Just over two miles in, you’ll near the trail camp. Take good care to ensure you’re on the right trail. Instead of following the Gabrielino Trail, keep your eyes peeled for the trail that descends toward the riverbed. After a nice rest at the trail camp, you can take the trail or fire road back. (See map)
As of mid-June, the Red Box Picnic Area is experiencing active bear activity, so be mindful if returning to your car around dusk.
From near Valley Forge Trail Camp, you could consider taking the very steep Valley Forge Trail, a 2.6-mile trek that gains about 1,550 feet, to the Eaton Saddle. From here, you could take the Mt. Lowe Motorway to the San Gabriel Peak Trail, head north briefly using the Mt. Disappointment Road to take the Bill Riley Trail down to Mt. Wilson Red Box Road. The downside is that you’ll have to then take the road about a third of a mile down to Red Box, and drivers zoom through here like they suddenly learned burgers at In-N-Out are free for only the next hour. That’s to say: Proceed with caution.
City lights glow after sunset in a view along the road to Mt. Disappointment in Angeles National Forest.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Additionally, parts of this trip extension might be overgrown. It is about 5.5 miles and gains 2,300 feet in elevation. It will be through a beautiful area of the forest though! (See map)
Regardless of which route you take, please make sure to check the weather, pack smart and be OK with turning around if the conditions on the trail aren’t passable. Additionally, please be mindful of trails that remain closed under the Eaton fire area closure order.
The stretch of the Gabrielino Trail between Red Box and Switzer picnic areas offers great views of nearby peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
Distance: About 8.6 miles
Elevation gained: About 1,450 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Dogs allowed? Yes
Accessible alternative: West Fork National Scenic Bikeway
Earlier this week, I took this 8.6-mile moderate route, parking at the Red Box Picnic Area before heading down into the canyon on the segment of the Gabrielino Trail that runs parallel to Angeles Crest Highway. (See map)
This trail is both beautiful — lush with native plants and the last blooms of wildflower season with great views of nearby peaks — and exposed. There will be shady patches as you hike under healthy oak and maple tree canopy, but wear ample sun protection.
One of many deep pools along the rivers that run next to the Gabrielino Trail.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
Although the trail runs parallel to the Arroyo Seco for a stretch, you cannot easily access the river because of a steep drop-off from the trail to the river. I didn’t cross the river until 3 miles in, and by then, I was feeling hot and ready for a quick dip.
That said, when I arrived at the Switzer Picnic Area, I felt like I’d won the lottery. I had skipped the nightmare that it has become to park here, but I still got to swim around in one of the river’s deep pools. It was 1.8 miles farther to Switzer Falls, one of the best cascades in Angeles National Forest.
Great views from the Gabrielino Trail.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
***
If you have any questions or feedback about the suggested routes, you can simply reply to this email if you’re a Wild subscriber. It will go directly to me. I love hearing from you. Have fun out there and happy summer!
Volunteers work at a Channel Islands Restoration event.
(Channel Islands Restoration)
1. Serve the river in Santa Paula
Channel Islands Restoration, a Santa Barbara-based habitat restoration nonprofit, needs volunteers from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at Santa Clara River Preserve (1368 Mission Rock Road in Santa Paula). The preserve spans almost two miles and is about 1,000 acres. All ages and skill sets welcome. The site is ADA-friendly, and restrooms are on-site. Register at cirweb.networkforgood.com.
2. Eradicate invasive plants in Irwindale
The California Native Plant Society San Gabriel Mountains Chapter needs volunteers from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday to yank weeds from the Santa Fe Dam natural area. Volunteers will also learn from plant society members about the local flora and fauna. Learn more at chapters.cnps.org.
3. Investigate the invertebrates in Rowland Heights
The Invertebrate Club of Southern California will host a 1.5- to 3-mile hike from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. June 26 through Big Dalton Canyon. Participants will learn about scorpions, beetles and other interesting creatures. Learn more at the group’s Instagram page.
The Malibu coastline just south of Point Dume.
(Jackie Snow)
Freelance writer Jackie Snow was feeling inspired to get outdoors. After reading my 2024 piece about walking the entire 27.4 miles of Washington Boulevard, she came up with an idea: Walking the entire L.A. County shoreline. Snow took 10 trips from November through mid-January to accomplish her goal, walking 70(ish) miles in total. She maps out in her piece how you can do that too! “I have seen whale-watch perches, burned-out Malibu lots, crowded boardwalks and magnificent waves. The coastline is both fragile and welcoming — and walkable — if you’re willing to chase the tides,” Snow wrote in her article for The Times.
Happy adventuring,
It’s ladybug season in Los Padres National Forest. Volunteers with the Los Padres Forest Assn. recently discovered thousands of the insects while they were working on the Piedra Blanca Trail. “If you know where to look, you can find them hibernating on rocks, leaf litter, and trees in masses called ‘lovelinesses,’” the association wrote on Instagram. “But, have you ever seen the next generation hatch and fly away in the springtime?” No, but I hope to someday.
For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild. And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here.
Having originally opened in 1903 as the Victoria Station Hotel, attached to the former train station, the Hilton Nottingham is bursting with character.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Slap bang in the centre of Nottingham, the Hilton hotel is just a 17-minute walk from the train station.
There is a small on-site car park, or guests can park in the multi-storey across the road, for which they will receive a discount through the hotel.
The hotel is a home away from home thanks to friendly staff and a warm lobby with cosy nooks where guests can sink into plush armchairs and natter about their weekend ahead.
Things have changed a fair bit since its early days as a station hotel, but a rather grand staircase in the lobby gives a nod to its heritage.
The calm atmosphere is not what you’d expect of a hotel slap bang in the centre of a busy city and every guest checking in at the weekend is treated to a complimentary glass of prosecco on arrival
Rooms are much more modern than the exterior of the building lets on – which is no surprise considering the property underwent a £6.5million renovation a few years back, with particular focus on the bedrooms.
Plump bedding (including one of the deepest, softest pillows I’ve ever slept on) and a stylish design of wooden cabinets and soft lighting are the highlights.
There’s all the usual expected amenities such as tea and coffee making facilities, TVs and bathrooms kitted out with fancy-smelling toiletries.
The hotel’s Bric Bar & Kitchen opens every morning for slap-up buffet breakfasts of eggs any way you like, hash browns and beans, as well as cereals, pastries and yoghurts with fresh fruit.
All of which is continually topped up, so you won’t have to miss out even if you do arrive just before closing time.
That’s a real perk when you’re visiting at the weekend and have perhaps had a heavy one the night before – there’s nothing like a well-cooked fry up to cure your hangover.
There’s also a small dinner menu of pub-style favourites – margherita pizza, smash burger and fish and chips – served Monday to Saturday from 5:30pm until 9:30pm.
If you don’t fancy staying in, you aren’t short of excellent dinner options nearby.
Less than a ten-minute walk away is Taquero which serves up plates of dressed ceviche and cheese-loaded tacos alongside margaritas that pack a punch.
There’s a small gym and indoor pool as well as pet-friendly rooms for a £25 per pet nightly surcharge.
But you’ll really want to take advantage of the city centre location that makes it great for stag and hen dos, with everything – clubs, restaurants, attractions – on your doorstep.
Double rooms cost from £118 with breakfast.
Very. Family rooms are spacious and come with a king sized bed alongside a sofa bed that’s easily large enough for two youngsters.
Anyone staying before December 31 can take advantage of the Perfect Family Package that really does put little ones at the forefront, meaning the grown ups can properly kick back and relax.
Not only will kids be treated to their own in-room teepee, they’ll also receive an activity pack.
Yes, there are accessible rooms within the hotel and the restaurant is also accessible with downstairs accessible toilets.
The recent wet weather in London has prevented much practice on grass, so Quayle has been helping to source indoor courts at venues like the Hurlingham Club and the National Tennis Centre.
“The practices we have been having have been pretty special,” Quayle continued.
“She’s not lost it – she’s still operating at a very high level. She is just the ultimate professional.
“For me, she’s the greatest of all time, and you see that in the way she does things on the court.
“It’s incredible to just be a part of and witness – never mind to actually be learning from her and seeing her as a friend and an opponent.”
Despite being a well-established hitting partner on the professional tour – and with a job already lined up at Wimbledon – Quayle says his first few practice sessions with the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion made him “a little bit nervous”.
“It’s a funny thing to see someone that you have watched their serve on TV for so many years, and then all of a sudden that serve is coming at you,” he explained.
“You’re fighting between admiring some of the shots and actually playing them. She’s got that kind of aura and it’s hard sometimes not to feel a little bit nervous.
“I’m starting to getting a little bit more used to seeing her over the other side of the net, but every day is special.”
Quayle, who would one day like to move into coaching, is encouraged to speak up if he has observations about the way Williams is training.
He praised the environment around her, saying the team are “easy to get along with”.
“She’s got a lot going on off the court so we don’t spend a lot of time outside of the gym or the practice court, but when we’re together, she’s so nice,” Quayle said.
“She’s so welcoming. We’re always cracking jokes and we’ve got a similar sense of humour.
“Everyone in that team makes it such a nice environment for everyone.”
Quayle has been asked to head on to Berlin next week, where Williams will play the second tournament of her comeback with a partner yet to be announced.
He says he does not yet know whether his boss will be playing at Wimbledon, which begins on Monday, 29 June, but he is at least relieved he no longer needs to be quite so vague to friends about his movements.
“I feel like I can breathe and relax a little now the secret is out there,” he added.
All Creatures Great and Small will return for two more seasons(Image: Channel 5)
A star from All Creatures Great and Small has hinted at potential turbulence ahead for a blossoming romance between two characters.
Callum Woodhouse is set to reprise his role in the cherished period drama for its seventh series later this year.
Taking place during the 1930s and 40s, the much-loved programme chronicles Yorkshire veterinary surgeon James Herriot as he tackles the demands of his countryside practice.
With Nicholas Ralph portraying James Herriot and Rachel Shenton as his on-screen partner Helen, Callum takes on the role of Tristan Farnon, sibling to Siegfried Farnon, portrayed by Samuel West.
The last series and festive special witnessed Tristan confronting his own difficulties following his return from combat, before developing feelings for Charlotte Beauvoir. However, Callum has now cautioned that “things may be coming to change”, reports the Express.
Speaking to RadioTimes, he revealed: “It’s not really a massive spoiler to say I’m still with Charlotte Beauvoir, who is really good for him and helps him with his mental health.
“She keeps him happy and… I think he’s a little bit more content. But there’s only so long that that can last. So, things may be coming to change, but we don’t know.”
Following his character’s arc which depicted him battling PTSD after serving on the front line, Callum previously shared with the publication: “I think she’s come into his life at a time when he just really, really needs her.”
He added: “I think they’ve got a great chemistry and they get on really well.”
He continued: “Tristan, right now, needs someone who is sympathetic and understanding to what he’s been through, and is very much still going through.”
While fans eagerly await the new series of All Creatures Great and Small, the programme has already been confirmed to return for both series 7 and 8, each featuring six hour-long episodes, alongside Christmas specials.
Greg Barnett, Commissioning Editor at 5, had hinted that there remain “many new stories still to tell and more unforgettable adventures ahead”.
Barnett said: “All Creatures Great and Small is a jewel in 5’s drama crown and continues to delight viewers year after year. Its warmth, humour and heart, set against the beauty of Yorkshire, have made it a firm audience favourite.
“We’re thrilled to extend its future with two more series, with many new stories still to tell and more unforgettable adventures ahead for our Skeldale family.”
All Creatures Great and Small is available to watch on My5
