CINCINNATI — José Soriano struck out 10 over seven shutout innings to become the major leagues’ first four-game winner, and the Angels beat the Reds 9-6 Sunday for their first series victory at Cincinnati since 2007.
Soriano (4-0) gave up two hits and three walks, throwing 106 pitches and lowering his big league-best ERA to 0.33. He became the first Angels pitcher to win his first four games since Jered Weaver won six straight in 2011.
The Angels opened a 9-0 lead in the eighth inning and took two of three for its first series win at the Reds since winning two of three from June 12-14 2007.
Nolan Schanuel had three RBIs, putting the Angels ahead with a two-run single in the three-run first that included Logan O’Hoppe’s single.
Mike Trout, who scored three runs, had an RBI double in the second and scored on Jorge Soler’s sacrifice fly. Oswald Peraza homered on the first pitch of the fourth.
Andrew Abbott (0-2) gave up seven runs, matching his career high, and seven earned runs for the first time. He gave up eight hits and a pair of walks in three innings.
Elly De La Cruz hit a three-run homer, his fifth home run this season.
It’s midseason in high school baseball, so let’s look at players who are producing results at a high level. Forget about rankings, radar guns or who has scholarship offers. These are the players making an impact.
No one has been better than sophomore pitcher Tyler George of Santa Margarita. With a 7-0 record, 0.85 ERA and just two walks in 41 1/3 innings, the 6-foot-5, 190-pound 16-year-old has shown what a top pitcher is supposed to look like.
Few saw this coming — except for his freshman coach last season, Mike Hiserman, who said, “He was the most fundamentally sound all-around freshman baseball player I’ve ever coached. Was good at everything yet still immensely coachable. You tell him something once and he does it.”
George said he has focused on mixing up his pitches — fastball, curveball, slider, change-up.
“Just not overthrowing the ball, not throwing as hard as I can but hitting the spots and having a feel for my off-speed pitches,” he said.
He threw all nine innings during a 1-0 win over Mater Dei that was full of drama.
“It was a lot of fun,” he said. “The adrenaline was running. It was cool.”
His brother, Hayden, is a freshman pitcher at UCLA, and he said Bruins coach John Savage has been asking Hayden about him, which is a good sign when he becomes available to talk to recruiters in the summer.
Royal pitcher Dustin Dunwoody is 7-0 with an 0.18 ERA.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)
Dustin Dunwoody, Royal: Armed with an overpowering fastball, Dunwoody is 7-0, has an 0.18 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings.
Catcher Brady Murrietta of Orange Lutheran makes the tag at home plate against St. John Bosco.
(Nick Koza)
Brady Murrietta, Orange Lutheran: The senior catcher keeps throwing out baserunners trying to challenge him. He’s also terrific on throws to the plate, picking up the hop and making the tag. And don’t forget his clutch hitting. He leads the team in RBIs with 12.
Troy Randall, Corona Santiago: The junior third baseman is hitting .460 with 29 hits and also has given up just two hits in 12 innings in a relief pitching role.
Jake Kim, Harvard-Westlake: The junior has displayed power and consistency, making him one of the toughest outs in the Wolverines’ lineup. He has 22 hits, a .500 batting average and four home runs.
Malakye Matsumoto, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame: With 22 hits and 17 RBIs, the senior third baseman has been delivering for 14-3 Notre Dame.
Tate Belfanti, Cypress: The junior left-hander has 53 strikeouts in 28 innings while going 5-0.
Jake Ange, Thousand Oaks: The junior was a starter for the basketball team and has come out and hit seven home runs, including a game in which he hit two grand slams.
Dylan Seward, Norco: The junior shortstop has been producing since he was a starter as a freshman. He has 26 hits, 16 RBIs and makes the plays when the ball is hit in his direction.
James Tronstein, Harvard-Westlake: The senior shortstop has 26 hits, including four home runs, as the Wolverines’ leadoff hitter.
Gary Morse, Orange Lutheran: The 6-foot-8 pitcher is 3-1 with a 1.40 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 30 innings for the No. 1 team in Southern California.
Caleb Trugman, Ayala: The two-way player has 23 hits and is 6-0 pitchers and an 0.76 ERA.
Xavier Cadena, El Dorado: The outfielder has hit five home runs, driven in 19 runs and is batting .373.
Carson Sheffer, Oaks Christian: The senior catcher continues to be stellar behind the plate while also contributing 22 hits, including seven doubles.
Landon Hovermale, Norco: A model of consistency, the left-handed Hovermale is 6-0 with an 0.95 ERA and has walked just four batters in 36 2/3 innings.
Jackson Sellz, El Camino Real: The junior keeps throwing complete games for the defending City Section champs. He’s 6-0 with a 1.20 ERA and five complete games.
Jayden Rojas, Bell: The senior third baseman is batting .466 with 27 hits for 17-2 Bell. As a pitcher, he’s 4-0 with a 1.04 ERA.
“How you feeling, Sabrinawood?” Sabrina Carpenter asked as she gazed out at the tens of thousands of fans she’d gathered into a makeshift city Friday night. “I can’t believe I’m headlining Coachella.
“I mean, I can a little bit.”
Indeed, when Carpenter made her Coachella debut in 2024, the Disney kid turned pop icon vowed that the next time she played the desert festival, her name would be atop the bill.
She returned as promised this weekend as one of music’s biggest acts, with two No. 1 singles and a pair of Grammy-nominated albums under her belt and a story to tell about her rise to stardom.
Heading into Coachella, I’d wondered whether Carpenter, 26, would simply play the same show she’d already brought several times to L.A. (as recently as November) on tour behind 2025’s “Short n’ Sweet” and last year’s “Man’s Best Friend.”
To her credit, though, she created a whole new production, which began with a video in which Carpenter is pulled over by a police offer played by the actor Sam Elliott as she drives toward a new life in Hollywood. In the video, Elliott lets her go, after which she turned up in the flesh at Coachella to strut down a Walk of Fame situation and end up onstage in a detailed simulacrum of the Hollywood Hills.
The first half of the show featured a bunch of songs from the singer’s last two LPs — she sang “Please Please Please” in a mock-up of a recording-studio vocal booth, while “When Did You Get Hot?” sounded like En Vogue’s “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” — as well as an oldie in “Because I Liked a Boy.”
Sabrina Carpenter performs at Coachella on Friday, April 12, 2024.
(Christina House/Los Angeles Times)
Then came a very long appearance by Susan Sarandon, who delivered a monologue about … the trauma of childhood celebrity? Honestly, it was hard to tell — a bit of a miscalculation on Carpenter’s part, as though she’d assumed that everyone at Coachella wanted to hear her deepest (if vaguest) thoughts about the pain of growing up in the Mouse House.
“She better come out in an amazing outfit,” one woman next to me said of Carpenter as Sarandon continued to extend the singer’s costume change.
Once Carpenter was back — wearing leggings and a blue sweater — she did “Go Go Juice” and “Sugar Talking” in a sort of dance-studio setting then interpolated a bit of Barry Manilow’s “Copacabana (At the Copa)” into “Feather” before Will Ferrell appeared as an irritated stage tech moaning and groaning about the demands of Carpenter’s show. (Again: kind of a fail.)
Yet she finished strong with speedy versions of “Juno,” “Espresso” and “Goodbye” into “Tears,” which got an elaborate water show that proved Carpenter can provide the right amount of razzle-dazzle when she wants to.
Orange Lutheran (12-3) is the midseason No. 1 team in Southern California high school baseball.
The Lancers completed a four-game sweep at the Boras Classic South on Friday night, winning the championship game 4-1 over Norco.
Orange Lutheran’s pitching depth was impressive all week.
Ricardo Hurtado had a single and a home run and Brady Murrietta added two hits. Starting pitcher Blake Killinger was able to contain hot-hitting Norco (15-2), giving up five hits and one run in 5⅓ innings. Jacob Melendez hit his fourth home run for Norco since becoming eligible on March 27.
Orange Lutheran has won two prestigious tournaments in the same year — the Boras Classic South and the National High School Invitational in North Carolina. Perhaps the Southern Section’s computer rankings will reflect that feat after the Lancers were ranked No. 51 in this week’s Southern Section power rankings.
Orange Lutheran will face Northern California champion, St. Mary’s, next Saturday in the Boras Classic championship game at Santa Clara University.
Corona 7, Newport Harbor 5: A five-run fourth powered the Panthers. Joseph Flores Jr. had a two-run home run and Anthony Murphy added two hits and two RBIs for the Panthers.
Los Osos 4, JSerra 3: A four-run seventh helped Los Osos overcome a 3-0 deficit. The big hit was a three-run home run by Dominic Rodriguez.
St. John Bosco 2, Fountain Valley 1: James Clark had two hits, including an RBI single.
Ayala 6, Gahr 4: Easton Sarmiento contributed two hits, including a home run. Luke Payne threw 3⅔ innings of scoreless relief.
Mater Dei 6, Aquinas 5: The Monarchs opened a 6-0 lead and hung on. Ezekiel Lara had a three-run home run.
San Diego Patrick Henry 4, Huntington Beach 3: Ely Mason had two hits and two RBIs for Huntington Beach.
Arcadia 5, Corona Centennial 0: Andrew Cooper threw the shutout, giving up three hits. Jordan Vogel had a triple and single.
Royal 5, Moorpark 1: Dustin Dunwoody struck out 12 in 6⅔ innings.
Banning 9, San Pedro 2: AJ Herrera threw a three-hit complete game. He also had three hits.
El Camino Real 13, Cleveland 1: JJ Saffie had three hits and three RBIs and Jackson Sellz added three hits and two RBIs. Hudson December gave up one run in five innings.
Birmingham 4, Taft 3: The Patriots scored three runs in the sixth and one in the seventh to win a West Valley League game. Carlos Acuna hit the tie-breaking home run in the seventh. Aidan Martinez hit a three-run home run in the sixth and also struck out four in 1⅓ innings of relief. Nate Swinson had a two-run home run for Taft.
Granada Hills 6, Chatsworth 2: Max Szczech had a three-run double for the Highlanders.
Bell 4, South Gate 3: Gustavo Ramirez finished with three hits in an Eastern League win.
Garfield 6, Legacy 3: Doubles by Omar Martinez and Nathan Gaytan in the third sparked the Bulldogs.
Sierra Canyon 6, Sylmar 3: Carl McMullan contributed two hits and two RBIs for Sierra Canyon. Matthew Torres homered for Sylmar.
La Mirada 5, Servite 3: Ian Aguayo hit a two-run home run for La Mirada.
Etiwanda 19, Warren 9: Adam Ornales must have been a little tired after scoring six runs and getting three hits in Etiwanda’s win.
La Habra 2, Cypress 1: Bobby Brooks threw a complete game for La Habra.
Villa Park 12, El Dorado 2: Dominic Gutierrez hit a grand slam and Justin Lopez had four hits for Villa Park. Xavi Cadena contributed three hits for El Dorado.
Calabasas 10, Agoura 9: The Coyotes scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh, with Trevor Chang winning it on an RBI single.
Loyola 6, Providence 1: Jack Murray had a two-run home run for Loyola.
Softball
Orange Lutheran 11, Huntington Beach 0: Rylee Silver contributed three hits and also struck out six in five scoreless innings.
Norco 8, Eastvale Roosevelt 5: Coral Williams finished with 15 strikeouts for Norco.
CINCINNATI — Jorge Soler hit a grand slam in a five-run eighth inning, Zach Neto and Josh Lowe also homered, and the Angels beat the Cincinnati Reds 10-2 on Friday night to snap a seven-game losing streak at Great American Ball Park.
Jack Kochanowicz (2-0) yielded just one run and two hits over seven innings.
Soler also had a two-out double in the third before scoring on Yoan Moncada’s infield single for a 2-0 lead.
Neto’s fifth home run of the season made it 4-0 and Lowe, who was batting .091 (three for 33) coming in, homered over the left-field wall in the sixth for a 5-1 lead.
The Angels improved to .500 or better after 14 games for a sixth straight season, and eighth of nine.
Cincinnati’s Chase Burns (1-1) gave up five earned runs, seven hits and four walks over 5⅓ innings.
Sal Stewart entered leading all rookies with 16 hits, eight extra-base hits, and 32 total bases before going 0 for 3 against the Angels.
Eugenio Suárez had Cincinnati’s only hit through four and he added the Reds’ second hit on a single in the sixth. Elly De La Cruz hit his fourth homer of the season in the ninth.
The Angels’ last win in Cincinnati came on April 1, 2013, in the first interleague opening day game in MLB history.
Up next: Angels RHP George Klassen (0-0, 6.75 ERA), who took a no-decision in his major league debut on April 5, goes against Cincinnati LHP Brandon Williamson (1-1, 4.76), who picked up his first major league victory on April 6.
THE UK basked in sky high temperatures on Wednesday and if you want more heat, you can head to another nearby city.
Marrakech, in western Morocco is set to hit highs of 35C next week, and flights there are still a bargain.
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Marrakech is basking in highs of 35C next weekCredit: AlamyYou can explore the main square which is filled with shops, cafes and restaurantsCredit: Alamy
It’s nicknamed the ‘Red City’ because it’s been built from red clay and sandstone – in the sunlight, and especially at sunset Marrakech seems to glow an orange-red colour.
One of its biggest landmarks is Bahia Palace, a 19th-century building decorated with stunning paintings and mosaics.
It’s the largest and best-preserved 19th-century palace in the city with 160 decorated rooms, courtyards, and pretty gardens.
Another must-see is El Badi Palace – commissioned by the then-sultan Ahmad al-Mansur after his accession in 1578, it eventually fell into ruin after his death.
You can still explore its huge courtyard, sunken orange gardens and reflecting pools.
When it comes to souvenirs, head to Jemaa el-Fnaa squarewhich is filled with vibrant cafes and colourful stalls.
It has lots of restaurants too where visitors can pick delicacies like tagine, brochettes (skewered kebabs), fried fish and couscous.
Lisa Minot, Head of Sun Travel, filled us in on her recent trip to the Moroccan city. She said: “I’ve just returned from a wonderful long weekend in Marrakech and the city is as exciting as ever.
“We were sunbathing on the roof of our riad in the Medina in glorious 22 degree temperatures – and I loved the amazing desert landscapes just 40 minutes from the hustle and bustle of the souks.
“Tourism is booming in the city and while the streets are as colourful and chaotic as ever, the influx of visitors has brought some gorgeous new bars, restaurants and stunning hotels.”
Behind the 20th-century palace walls is intricate tilework and a courtyard with orange trees that you wouldn’t know is there from the outside – and is ideal for pictures.
For more holidays to Morocco – check out some of our favourites…
*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue
Riu Palace Tikida Taghazout
This hotel in laid-back surf capital Taghazout has seven giant pools to pick from, as well as six bars and four restaurants. The on-site spa offers massage treatments, facials and even a hair salon, should you fancy a pampering. Take a stroll outdoors to find colourful souks and a five and a half mile-long beach.
El Pueblo Tamelt in Agadir sees year-round sunshine and is just steps away from the beach. The huge resort has 363 rooms, each with a balcony or terrace overlooking the sea or gardens. Food here includes three daily meals in the main buffet restaurant, as well as snacks like pizza, hot dogs and burgers at the snack bar.
Smack-bang in the centre of Marrakech, this hotel is a private paradise with its own giant pool and sun deck hidden within. Kids will love dancing and singing along to the live entertainment, whilst parents can unwind in the sauna and spa. Here, you’re only 10 minutes’ drive from both Jemaa El-Fnaa square and the medina.
Riad Meski Enjoy a stay in a traditional riad in Fes, know as Morocco’s capital of culture. Soak up the sun from the rooftop terrace, enjoy the artistic interiors, and wander through the famous blue gates into the oldest medina in the world, just a 15-minute walk away.
Dar El Bacha has incredible tilework – and a sought out coffee spotCredit: Alamy
It’s also home to Bacha Coffeecafé, a luxurious spot that serves over 200 types of Arabica coffee.
Marrakech is a very affordable spot too – you can fly from Birmingham to Marrakech from £15.99 with Ryanair.
Flights are short, taking on average three and a half hours.
Once you’ve landed, you can pick up a local beer for as little as 25MAD (£2), and a meal at an inexpensive restaurant can cost as little as 35MAD (£2.81).
Coffee can cost as little as 21MAD (£1.68), according to Wise.
Hotels can be inexpensive too. A seven-night stay for two at the Grand Mogador Agdal & Spa in April is £677 – or £48pppn.
The hotel has five-stars on Booking.com and has a sun terrace, garden, and a year-round outdoor swimmingpool with slides.
Another great deal is at the Le Palais Averroes Adults Only hotel.
It’s dubbed as having a “5-star riad experience with adults-only access”.
It also has a year-round outdoor swimming pool, spa and wellness centre, massage services, a steam room, a hammam and restaurant.
With Booking.com, you can book a five-night stay in May for two for £564 – or £56.40pppn.
BRITS visiting Europe will be hit with new travel rules from tomorrow, but there are still some exceptions.
A total of 29 countries are set to implement the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) from Friday, April 10.
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The new Entry/Exit System is set to be implemented tomorrow, however some areas are reporting issuesCredit: ReutersBritish passport holders traveling to Europe will face new entry rules from Friday, April 10Credit: Getty
The EES will replace passport stamping for all non-EU citizens this week,after an initial rollout in October 2025.
This new entry system will use machines across airports, ferry terminals, and the Eurostar to log fingerprints and facial images and scan passports.
These machines will be in place at destination airporta when arriving into the EU and before departure for rail and ferry trips from the Port of Dover, Folkestone, and St Pancras International.
All “third-country nationals”, including Brits, will be required to register their details on these machines during their first visit to a Schengen area country, as well as in Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Meanwhile, manual passport stamping will continue to be used in Ireland and Cyprus.
Initially scheduled to become fully operational across all Schengen area border crossing points from Friday, the new process doesn’t appear to be ready in some countries.
Reports suggest that some crossing points are not prepared to start processing non-EU nationals via the new EES machines.
Technical issues in France are having a knock-on effect for the system’s rollout at the Eurostar, as well as at the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle and on cross-channel services between the Port of Dover and Calais.
French authorities confirmed travellers using these services will not be asked to provide fingerprints or facial images as thetechnologyis not yet in place.
Only lorry drivers and coach and foot passengers will be required to register with EES at the Port of Dover.
Chaos is also anticipated for air passengers, with some airports preparing to open Brit-only border control queues in the hope of easing wait times.
The Spanish operator, Aena, said it would adapt security and border control for Brits at Ibiza, Menorca, Malaga and Palma, Majorca airports.
Digital EES records will be valid for three years, with non-EU nationals who return during this time only required to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when entering or exiting.
29 countries implementing the Entry/Exit System
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
The introduction of EES will be fully rolled out tomorrow, with 29 countries included on the listCredit: Reuters
The Boras Classic has seen lots of upsets this week. No. 1 St. John Bosco, No. 4 Corona and No. 6 Huntington Beach were all beaten in first-round games. On Wednesday, No. 2 Orange Lutheran was taken into the eighth inning by Gahr until a walk-off single by CJ Weinstein delivered a 2-1 victory and sent the Lancers into Thursday’s 6 p.m. semifinal at JSerra.
Weinstein finished with two hits and two RBIs. Angel Gonzalez started the bottom of the eighth with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice. Then came consecutive walks to load the bases before Weinstein ended the game. Jake Ourique struck out six with no walks in seven innings for Gahr.
Norco 14, Los Osos 0: The Cougars (14-1) advanced to the Boras Classic semifinals with a five-inning mercy-rule win. Codey Brown had three hits and three RBIs and Jacob Melendez added four RBIs. Dylan Seward and Jordan Ayala each hit home runs. Ayala struck out nine and gave up three hits. Norco will play at Mater Dei at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Huntington Beach 4, St. John Bosco 2: Ely Mason had three hits and Jared Grindlinger recorded eight strikeouts in 4⅓ innings to hand St. John Bosco its third consecutive defeat.
Corona 3, Arcadia 2: Anthony Murphy finished with two hits and Trey Ebel had a triple for the Panthers. Matt Manzo had three hits for Arcadia.
Newport Harbor 2, Corona Centennial 0: Ryan Williams had a solo home run and Henry Mann added an RBI double for Newport Harbor.
El Camino Real 9, Cleveland 3: The Royals ended Cleveland’s nine-game winning streak. Jackson Sellz threw a complete game, Shane Bogacz had three hits and three RBIs and Ryan Glassman added two hits and two RBIs.
South Gate 7, Bell 3 The Rams handed a rare Eastern League defeat to Bell (16-2, 2-1). Joe Corona had two hits and three RBIs. Ernesto Brenes threw a complete game. South Gate put together a six-run sixth inning to wipe away a 2-1 deficit.
Granada Hills 12, Chatsworth 1: Caleb Reclusado finished with three hits, including a home run, to lead the Highlanders. Luke Chau struck out five in six innings.
Carson 15, Gardena 4: Kris Sinclair had two hits and three RBIs for the Colts.
Garfield 8, Legacy 1: Nathan Gaytan hit two home runs to help the Bulldogs take over sole possession of first place in the Eastern League.
Villa Park 8, El Dorado 4: Jack McGuire limited El Dorado to two hits and one run in five innings.
Cypress 14, La Habra 3: Freshman Ivan Ortiz had four hits and three RBIs for Cypress.
Sierra Canyon 13, Warren 0: Greyson Gullage and Fletcher Taylor hit home runs and Mikhail Johnson had two hits and two RBIs.
Chaminade 7, Santa Barbara 0: Jackson Schroeder struck out 11 and Isaiah Hearn homered for the Eagles.
Bishop Alemany 12, Nevada Centennial 2: MJ Serrano threw five shutout innings and Brody Thompson and Chase Stevenson each hit home runs. Noah Chan finished with two hits and three RBIs.
St. Francis 4, St. Joseph 2: Daniel Izaguirre had two hits and two RBIs and Donovan Udell threw a complete game.
Ukraine has intensified its attacks on Russian energy facilities recently, as peace talks show no signs of progress. Several key facilities have been impacted:
NORSI, Russia’s fourth-largest oil refinery, owned by Lukoil, halted operations on April 5 due to a Ukrainian drone attack. This refinery, which processes 16 million metric tons of oil per year (around 320,000 barrels daily), is also Russia’s second-largest gasoline producer.
The Kirishi oil refinery may restart partial operations within a month after sustaining damage from drone attacks in late March that caused fires. Sources indicate that three of its four main units will resume operations, representing about 60% of its capacity. Last year, Kirishi produced 2 million tons of gasoline, 7.1 million tons of diesel, 6.1 million tons of fuel oil, and 600,000 tons of bitumen.
Novatek’s Ust-Luga processing plant suspended gas condensate processing and naphtha exports after drone strikes caused fires. The complex features three processing units, each with a capacity of 3 million tons per year, processing stable gas condensate into various fuels. In 2025, it processed 8 million tons.
Ukraine’s military reported hitting Russia’s Bashneft-Novoil oil refinery, located over 1,400 km (870 miles) from the border, which can process more than 7 million tons of oil annually.
The Saratov refinery was attacked on March 21, which led to the shutdown of its crude distillation unit. In 2024, it processed 5.8 million metric tons of oil, representing 2.2% of Russia’s refining capacity.
A fire at the Ilsky refinery occurred on February 17 due to drone attacks, with the blaze fully extinguished the next day. The refinery’s annual capacity is 6.6 million tons.
The Volgograd refinery was completely shut down on February 11 from drone strikes, affecting its primary processing unit, which accounts for 40% of its operations, with a processing figure of 13.7 million tons of oil in 2024.
A fire at the Ukhta refinery on February 12, caused by a drone attack, affected its primary oil processing unit, which processes 6,000 tons per day. In 2025, it processed around 3 million tons of oil.
The Afipsky refinery experienced a fire on January 21 due to drone attacks, focusing mainly on exports and processing 7.2 million metric tons of crude oil in 2024.
Additionally, a recent attack by Ukraine damaged facilities at the maritime transhipment complex in Novorossiysk, affecting oil product reservoirs. The damage did not disrupt CPC oil exports via the Black Sea, and U. S. oil major Chevron confirmed that crude oil exports from Tengiz remained stable. Ukrainian drones also caused fires at the Sheskharis oil terminal and damaged an oil pipeline at Primorsk, which saw significant storage capacity losses from drone attacks last month.
WITH temperatures set to hit the mid-20s in parts of the UK this week – and it still being the Easter holidays – there couldn’t be a better time for a last-minute staycation.
Londoners can expect highs of 25C today, while those in Cardiff and Manchester will enjoy 21C.
There are a number of seaside towns perfect for visiting this weekCredit: Alamy
So with the weather being this good, the seaside is an ideal spot to soak up the sun.
Teignmouth in Devon sits on the South West Coast Path and is ideal for a family day outCredit: Alamy
Devon isn’t short of pretty seaside towns that are ideal for family days out and trips.
But when it comes to Teignmouth on the South West Coast Path, it has a charm that not many other places I have visited in Devon have.
The seafront has a wide promenade, ideal for a walk or for kids to whiz along on a scooter.
The long beach features Devon’s famous red sand due to its iron minerals.
Often the sea is too rough to swim in here, but it doesn’t matter as Teignmouth Lido – which recently announced it was going to close – has been saved and will reopen for the season.
While a date is yet to be announced, the lido usually opens in May.
Despite suffering storm damage in late January, it remains open – just the deck at the end is closed.
This means kids can still have fun in the arcades with the penny slot machines.
In the town, there are a few shops you can explore and plenty of cafes and bakeries to grab a bite to eat, too.
Make sure to head to Jane’s Ice Creams for a treat as well – their Turkish Delight ice cream is heavenly.
If you want to extend your visit to explore the surrounding areas, hop on the ferry to Shaldon, which is the oldest passenger ferry in England.
You could stay at Coast View Holiday Park for three nights from April 10 to April 13, costing from £37.17 per person per night, based on a family of four sharing.
Southwold, Suffolk
Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
Southwold Pier is 190-metres-long and is filled with the classic 2p machinesCredit: AlamyFancy fish and chips? You’re spoiled for choice in SouthwoldCredit: Alamy
Of course, it has a huge stretch of beach, but it also has the classic arcades and activities, without being too lively.
The 190-metre-long pier stretches over the sea and is filled with the classic 2p machines, an ‘Under the Pier Show’, restaurants and little ice cream parlours.
On the other side of the pier is a boating lake where visitors can rent out a pedalo or rowing boats.
It also has an adventure golf course and a cosy tearoom which has lovely views across the lake.
One of the best ways to spend an afternoon is stocking up on food and taking it for a beach picnic, which you can do at the lovely food stops in the high street, like The Black Olive Delicatessen or The Two Magpies Bakery.
Of course, a staple of the town is the Adnams Brewery, where you can buy some of its locally brewed beer – they even offer tours.
Then there’s the beach, which is lined with multi-coloured beach huts.
For fish and chips, you’re spoiled for choice with places like The Little Fish & Chip Shop and Mrs T’s Fish and Chips.
My favourite place, the Sole Bay Fish Company, is a five-minute drive away from the beach.
Pull up on the side of the road, grab your fish supper and then head out to watch the boats bobbing in and out of the harbour during sunset; it’s the perfect way to end the day.
A lot of availability for hotels in Southwold is booked up this week, but just down the road, you will find Boundary Farm, Suffolk.
You can stay from April 8 to 10 for £290 total, for a family of four in a safari tent – around £36.25 per person per night.
Boscastle, Cornwall
Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)
Boscastle is a fishing village on the north coast of CornwallCredit: GettyWhen the tide is high, there’s nowhere better than Boscastle to go for a morning swimCredit: Getty
Cornwall has more than its fair share of picture-perfect seaside towns and villages, and Boscastle is up there with the very best.
The fishing village on the north coast of the county has a more rugged charm than those in the south, owing to the fact that it faces out into the Atlantic Ocean.
One hundred years ago, Boscastle was a busy fishing port, but today its dramatic, cliff-edged harbour is mainly used for small fishing boats and tourism.
When the tide is high, there’s nowhere better to go for a morning dip.
Then on the way back, it’s almost mandatory to pick up a coffee and a pastry from the Harbour Light cafe.
The cafe has a lovely spot next to the stream that leads out to sea, and is the perfect place to watch the world go by.
It’s also opposite the famous Museum of Witchcraft and Magic – home to one of the world’s largest collections of items relating to witchcraft and magic, which is well worth a visit.
In that same riverside stretch is the renowned Rocket Store, a tiny seafood restaurant serving excellent dishes like grilled scallops in green chilli butter, torched seabass and grilled leeks in brown butter.
The combination of extremely welcoming staff and the size of the venue, makes it feel like you’re almost eating in someone’s home.
If you’re looking for something simpler, I recommend a pint in the garden of the Wellington Hotel, which has a really cool suntrap of a back garden.
It is a quintessential, charming Cornish fishing village, ideal for scenic walks, exploring local history, and experiencing a unique atmosphere on the north coast of Cornwall.
The YHA Boscastle is in a stunning location on the edge of the harbour, and it still has private rooms this week from just £80 a night that sleep up to six people – working out at a very reasonable £13 per person.
Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter
Wells-Next-The-Sea has two award-winning fish and chip shopsCredit: AlamyOn the beach, you’ll find colourful beach huts and rolling dunesCredit: Alamy
Raised in this postcard North Norfolk seaside town, I’ve had years to explore every nook and cranny.
So here’s all of the must-visit spots, with insider tips from a local.
The main buzz of the town is found on the quay, where you can easily spend an afternoon dipping into traditional sweet and souvenir shops and spending spare change in the amusements.
I recommend heading down to the East Quay with a bucket, crabbing line and diced bacon for a quiet spot to go gillying (Norfolk slang for crabbing) – a must-do when in Wells.
On the quay, Will’s of Wells is a trendy spot where you can enjoy an expertly-made flat white in a surf shack-style interior, while the Golden Fleece serves posh pub classics and local ales.
There are also two award-winning fish and chip shops here, just a few doors down from one another, French’s and Plattens, which have long divided locals with their rivalry.
Both offer seating with quay views where you can watch fishermen haul in their catches, but for me, Plattens takes the win with its crispy battered fish and soft golden chips.
Wells-next-the-Sea beach is worth the mile-long walk from the quay.
The raised coastal path offers views over the harbour, marshland and pinewoods, making your stroll down to the shore a scenic activity in itself.
Once you reach the end, you’re met with miles of sweeping golden sands, backed by rolling dunes and thick pine forests.
Colourful beach huts separate the forest from the sand, and if you fancy treating yourself on your beach trip, you can even rent one from £65 per day.
The rental comes with deckchairs, a windbreak, and, of course, shelter from the scorching sun or the odd blustery breeze.
They’re also handy for storing your belongings and have a comfy spot to sit in and watch the children play on the beach.
It’s perfectly placed just minutes from the beach, plus it’s close to the trendy beach cafe and watersports centre that offers kayaking and paddle-boarding.
A three-night stay from April 7 to 10 costs £174 for three people – that’s £14.50 per person per night.
Deal, Kent
Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
Deal in Kent is quickly becoming a foodie destination to rival LondonCredit: AlamyMake sure to hit up the shops with places like The Hoxton Store and 123 High StreetCredit: Alamy
The Kent coastline is hardly short of fantastic seaside towns, but one of the best spots for me is Deal.
It’s quickly becoming a foodie destination to rival London, with some insanely good places to eat after spending your day on the pebbly beach.
There is The Blue Pelican, with unique small plates as well as ramen on select days.
Make sure to head downstairs to the underground bar for a mean cocktail too.
Otherwise, there is Jenkins & Son Fishmongers that opens as a street food bar, where the juicy scallop and bacon roll is a must.
The pubs are just as fabulous – The King Head has live music and a front beer garden overlooking the beach, while The Port Arms does a rather unusual but very delicious Jamaican-style roast.
Outside of eating your way around town, hit up the shops with places like The Hoxton Store and 123 High Street, making sure you don’t leave without picking up a present or two.
Grab a drink at the recently renovated Le Pinardier wine bar or the established Deal Pier Kitchen, right at the end of the brutalist pier.
For a three-night stay from April 10 to 13, you could pay from just £17.42 per person per night (£209 total).
Whitby, Yorkshire
Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
Whitby is a north Yorkshire coastal gem, dominated by the clifftop gothic ruins of 13th-century Whitby AbbeyCredit: Alamy
If you love your classic UK beach break to come with a dose of the dramatic, then it has to be the seaside town of Whitby.
The north Yorkshire coastal gem is dominated by the clifftop gothic ruins of 13th-century Whitby Abbey, thought to have inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
It’s perfect for a spooky family game of hide and seek.
With clean, sandy beaches aplenty, the town’s West Cliff Beach is among the most popular, complete with colourful beach huts, safe waters and rock pools for crabbing.
Nearby Pier Street is your go-to for 2penny arcades, fish and chips and more.
Some more of our favourite UK seaside towns
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Sidmouth, Devon Take a trip to Sidmouth on the Jurassic Coast and wander down Jacob’s Ladder to its pretty shingle beach. Make sure to walk along the promenade and check out the independent shops and boutiques. Stay at the four-star Harbour Hotel for sea views and traditional afternoon tea from £135 per room.
Whitby, North Yorkshire With a history of sailors and vampires, a dramatic coastal path, and the very best in pints and scampi, it takes a lot to beat Whitby. Pop in the amusements, eat award-winning fish and chips, and board the all-singing Captain Cook boat tour on the harbour. The Royal Hotel overlooks the harbour with stays from just £68 per room.
Old Hunstanton, Norfolk This town has some of the best beach walks beside striped limestone cliffs, a Victorian lighthouse and 13th-century ruins. The beach has golden sands with rolling dunes and colourful beach huts, backed by a pretty pinewood forest. Stay at a beachfront hotel from £100 per room.
Seahouses, Northumberland This is an authentic British seaside break, with fishing boats bobbing on its pretty harbour and fresh catches of the day to enjoy in local restaurants. There’s no flashing arcades here, but there’s a great beach with rockpools, boat trips, and you may even spot a grey seal, too. Treat yourself to a stay at the Bamburgh Castle Inn from £129 per room.
For a hidden gem a little further afield, check out the Falling Foss Tea Garden, a magical destination in beautiful North York Moors woodland, complete with a tumbling 30ft waterfall.
The tea garden is in the heart of the forest, and you can enjoy a strong brew and homemade cakes while enjoying the magical surroundings.
You could camp at Whitby Holiday Park between April 9 and 11 for £122 for four people, which is just £15.25 per person per night.
The Uffizi Galleries, home to Italy’s most precious art, were hit by a cyberattack, the museum said. The museum claims there was no data stolen. File Photo by Claudio Giovannini/EPA
April 3 (UPI) — The Uffizi Galleries in Florence, Italy, said Friday it suffered a cyberattack, but not a breach of data earlier this year.
The country’s top art museum said nothing had been damaged or stolen in the attack.
Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that hackers had infiltrated the museums’ IT systems and taken access codes, internal maps and the locations of closed-circuit cameras and alarms, then demanded ransom.
But the museum disputed that report, saying its security systems are inaccessible from outside the museum, the BBC reported.
Corriere reported that the attackers moved through interconnected systems, computers and phones, learning the museum’s operations. It said a ransom demand was later sent to museum director Simone Verde’s personal phone threatening to sell data on the dark web.
The Uffizi houses priceless masterpieces by Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael. It’s the home of The Birth of Venus, by Botticelli; Venus de’ Medici, a Greek sculpture by an unknown artist; and Annunciation by Leonardo.
Italian media have reported that the attack forced authorities to move some of the museum’s collection into secure vaults. But the Uffizi stressed in a note shared with Politico that the attack was “nothing like the Louvre,” referencing the $100 million jewel heist last year that eventually forced its director to resign. The items stolen from the Louvre have not been recovered.
The movement of items to vaults, which included Medici-era treasures, was because of ongoing renovations, the museum said.
Former Prime Minister and former Florence Mayor Matteo Renzi criticized Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli, an ally of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, for not protecting the important museum.
“Hackers are attacking the Uffizi Gallery and threatening our cultural heritage. I wonder: what is Minister Giuli doing and what has he done?” Renzi posted on X Thursday. “Did he notice or is he too busy playing the flute in honor of the god Pan … ? And what is the National Cybersecurity Agency doing? Or is Italians’ money just going into software like Paragon that spies on journalists? I’ll submit a question. I’m curious to see if anyone will have the courage to respond.”
On March 22, a three-minute heist resulted in the loss of three paintings by Renoir, Cezanne and Matisse from the Magnani-Rocca Foundation in Parma, Italy.
It was Brady Murrietta’s silence rounding the bases, then his Darth Vader-like stare directed at St. John Bosco pitcher Jack Champlin after touching third base on Thursday and slowly jogging toward home plate that sent a clear message: Don’t poke the bear.
His two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning broke a 3-3 tie and keyed a 5-4 win to prevent the No. 1-ranked Lancers from suffering a three-game Trinity League baseball sweep by No. 2 St. John Bosco.
One day earlier, the intensity level between the two teams reached such a crescendo that after the fiery Champlin got the final out in a 4-1 win at Hart Park, he decided to offer a taunt.
“I was hearing them all game at third base,” Champlin said. “I pointed to the ground and was saying, ‘This is my field.’ A bunch ran out of the dugout toward me and it got bigger than it needed to be.”
There was pushing and shoving as St. John Bosco went nuclear on security for Thursday’s home game, so much so that a security person refused to let a 5-foot-4 sportswriter walk into the Orange Lutheran bullpen after the game until calmer heads prevailed.
Jack Champlin of St. John Bosco is fired up after a two-run triple on Thursday against Orange Lutheran.
(Nick Koza)
The two teams declined to shake hands in a precautionary measure. It was almost comedic, since Orange Lutheran pitcher Gary Morse has played with St. John Bosco pitcher Julian Garcia since they were 8 and texted him Thursday morning to congratulate him on his Wednesday pitching performance. And Murrietta intended to text his friends on the Braves, too.
“It was more to get my boys hyped up,” Murrietta said of staring at Champlin.
Wednesday’s game was particularly important with each team’s ace on the mound. The 6-foot-8 Morse had a 95 mph fastball and gave up two hits and one run with eight strikeouts over six innings. Garcia, who missed his junior season after arm surgery, touched 97 mph while striking out 10 and giving up three hits in six innings. The Braves broke the 1-1 tie with three runs in the seventh inning, keyed by a two-run single from James Clark.
On Tuesday, in St. John Bosco’s 7-4 win, Clark had another big game with two hits and three RBIs.
“Two best teams in the country,” Morse said.
Orange Lutheran (8-3, 1-2) was coming off a championship at the National High School Invitational in North Carolina. It showed off a top pitcher to join Morse in Cooper Sides, a senior transfer from Red Buff who struck out eight in five innings on Thursday in front of dozens of pro scouts.
Asked what he learned about his 11-3 defending Division 1 championship team this week, St. John Bosco coach Andy Rojo said, “I think it continues what we already know that it’s a tough team, a resilient team. We’ve had a lot of high-pressure, high-level games. A ton of one-run games.”
Said Garcia: “It pushed us to show we’re a great team.”
Orange Lutheran coach RJ Farrell saw his team fight back from adversity, and in the Texas-bound Murrietta, he has an MVP candidate capable of igniting the Lancers with his bat, glove and leadership skills.
The two teams could meet again next week during the Boras Classic in Orange County. Otherwise, it would come during a new-look Southern Section Division 1 playoff format that will have 16 teams and start with a best two-out-of-three series to advance. Both teams have shown they have the pitching to advance.
Determined to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of rival St. John Bosco on Thursday, No. 1-ranked Orange Lutheran turned to Texas-bound catcher Brady Murrietta, who came through with a memorable individual performance in a 5-4 road victory.
Let’s count the ways Murrietta made an impact.
In the top of the first inning, he had a double. In the bottom of the first, he threw out the speedy James Clark trying to steal second. In the fifth, he drove in a run with a sacrifice pop fly. In the top of the sixth, he broke a 3-3 tie by sending a hanging slider from closer Jack Champlin over the fence in left field for a two-run home run. In the bottom of the sixth, he tagged out the potential tying run at the plate.
Pro scouts were out en masse to see Orange Lutheran pitcher Cooper Sides, whose fastball touched 95 mph. He struck out eight in five innings.
Champlin had a two-run triple in the first inning against Sides. Champlin had given up only one earned run all season until Orange Lutheran scored three runs (one earned) in 2⅔ innings of relief. The Lancers were particularly excited because Champlin taunted them after saving Wednesday’s 4-1 win, leading to shoving and pushing after the game. As a precautionary measure, the teams did not shake hands after Thursday’s game.
Orange Lutheran improved to 8-3 and 1-2 in the Trinity League. No. 2 St. John Bosco is 11-3 and 5-1. The teams could meet again next week at the Boras Classic.
Cypress 6, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 2: Tate Belfanti allowed one hit in four innings and struck out four for Cypress, which finished third at the National Classic.
Concord De La Salle 6, Corona Centennial 3: The Spartans won the National Classic. Devin Bishop and Michael Nonis hit home runs for Centennial, which became the first team in four days to score against De La Salle.
Bell 1, Las Vegas Southeast Career Tech 0: The Eagles improved to 16-1 and went 4-0 in San Diego. Manuel Pasillas threw five scoreless innings and AJ Esquivel threw two scoreless innings for the save.
West Ranch 6, Saugus 5: A four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh lifted West Ranch to the Foothill League win. Ty Diaz had two RBIs.
Hart 7, Golden Valley 4: Hayden Rhodes delivered two hits and three RBIs for Hart.
Valencia 9, Castaic 7: Justin Gaisford had a two-run home run for Valencia.
Corona Santiago 3, Aquinas 0: Troy Randall struck out 10 in five innings and Max Eldridge hit a home run to lead Santiago.
Foothill 2, La Habra 1: Caden Lauridsen struck out four with no walks while giving up two hits in a complete-game performance.
Agoura 6, Oak Park 0: Tyler Sterling had three RBIs for the Chargers.
Newbury Park 3, Thousand Oaks 0: Ben Miller and Chase Renzo combined on the shutout and Carson Richter had a three-run home run to lead the Panthers.
Oaks Christian 2, Westlake 1: Luke Puls had a solo home run and Gave Geyer threw three innings of scoreless relief.
Long Beach Millikan 4, Lakewood 0: Daunte Bell struck out eight with no walks in throwing the shutout.
Villa Park 4, Temecula Valley 2: Ezra Ornelas had two hits for Villa Park.
Softball
Norco 9, Corona del Sol 0: Leighton Gray and Isabella Ray hit home runs and Peyton May allowed three hits in a five-inning win at the Michelle Carew Classic.
PIANO Man Billy Joel has recorded a special interview to air during Eurovision thanks to his song named after host city Vienna, I can reveal.
Afterwards, Austrian singer Cesar Sampson, who finished third in 2018, will cover the song before the results are revealed.
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Billy Joel has recorded a special interview to air during Eurovision thanks to his song named after host city ViennaCredit: AFP
I’m told there were hopes Billy could fly over to make a surprise appearance at the contest.
But it was ruled out on health grounds.
Billy was diagnosed last May with a rare neurological disorder that can cause issues with hearing, balance and vision, although he is having physical therapy to treat it.
The musician has already cancelled all of his 2026 concerts, including shows in Edinburgh and Liverpool.
However, he did make a surprise appearance in Florida on January 2.
A source close to the singer, who will turn 77 a week before the final on May 16, said: “Billy has recorded an interview talking about his love for Vienna and his links to the city, which is all tied into his song.
“Organisers originally hoped he could perform but that was ruled out. They will be making a big deal of this very rare interview with him.”
He has sold more than 160million records and is one of the best-selling artists of all time.
Vienna was released in 1977 as the B-side to Just The Way You Are, and is now among his most popular tracks.
Ultravox’s 1980 hit, also called Vienna, is arguably even more popular.
But frontman Midge Ure certainly won’t be there, as he will be in the middle of a UK tour.
The 70th edition of the contest will take place at the Wiener Stadthalle arena after 166million tuned in to see Austrian singer JJ win with Wasted Love last year.
Celine Dion had been in talks to perform at the 2025 event in Switzerland, but it didn’t happen as she continued to battle Stiff Person Syndrome.
I’ll have to keep my fingers crossed that the Eurovision entries themselves provide plenty of entertainment instead.
The much anticipated pitching duel between Gary Morse of Orange Lutheran and Julian Garcia of St. John Bosco on Wednesday under the lights at Hart Park exceeded expectations.
With both hitting 95 mph, Morse gave up two hits in six innings with eight strikeouts. Garcia struck out 10 and also gave up two hits, but one was a leadoff home run by Ricardo Hurtado.
St. John Bosco (11-2, 5-0) broke a 1-1 tie with three runs in the seventh to defeat Orange Lutheran 4-1. It was the second consecutive Braves win. Orange Lutheran, which came into the week ranked No. 1 by The Times after winning the National High School Invitational, dropped to 7-3 overall and 0-2 in the Trinity League.
Closer Jack Champlin came in after a leadoff single in the seventh to pick up the save.
The Braves loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, then scored two runs on a wild pitch and added a third on James Clark’s single. The teams close out their three-game series in a 1:30 p.m. game Thursday at St. John Bosco.
Gary Morse of Orange Lutheran struck out eight against St. John Bosco in six innings Wednesday.
(Nick Koza)
With two outs in the top of the seventh inning Sam Lakey hits a home run to give De La Salle 1-0 lead over Notre Dame. Lachlan Clark struck out 10 in 6 2/3 innings. pic.twitter.com/8kEvkZ1nlR
Concord De La Salle 1, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 0: Sam Lakey hit a two-out solo home run in the top of the seventh inning to break up a pitching duel and send De La Salle into Thursday’s championship game of the National Classic. It was the third consecutive shutout by De La Salle pitchers. Notre Dame’s Lachlan Clark made no mistakes other than giving up the home run. He struck out 10 in 6⅔ innings. Notre Dame twice had bases-loaded situations but failed to take advantage, including hitting into a double play in the bottom of the sixth.
Corona Centennial 5, Cypress 1: Jacob Torres threw a complete game with nine strikeouts and Aiden Simpson homered to lead the Huskies in a semifinal game of the National Classic. They will face De La Salle on Thursday at 4 p.m. at El Dorado in the tourney final.
Vancouver (Wash.) Union 1, El Dorado 0: The Golden Hawks gave up a run in the bottom of the seventh. Julian Rodriguez gave up three hits in 6⅔ innings.
Fountain Valley 5, Edison 0: Four pitchers combined for the shutout. Ethan Cortez had two doubles.
Harvard-Westlake 7, Loyola 1: James Tronstein homered, Jake Kim had two RBIs and Evan Alexander struck out 10 in 5⅓ innings.
Bell 7, Chula Vista Olympian 3: The Eagles (15-1) received four RBIs from Eric Medina, including a two-run single in the seventh to break a 3-3 tie.
Sylmar 5, San Francisco Lincoln 2: Tim Sepulveda had two hits and three RBIs while Rickee Luevano went three for three to lead Sylmar.
El Camino Real 6, La Costa Canyon 4: Michael Spancer and Shane Bogacz each had three hits while Blake Dubin had a two-run single for the Royals.
Cleveland 9, Marshall 3: The Cavaliers won their eighth consecutive game. Shiloh Wickliffe had two hits and three RBIs.
Quartz Hill 13, Palmdale 0: Parker White had three hits and threw a no-hitter in the Golden League win over Palmdale.
Ayala 4, Bonita 2: Easton Sarmiento struck out seven in 5⅓ innings for Ayala (11-1).
Bishop Alemany 10, Chatsworth 0: Mikey Martinez, a transfer from Crespi, had three hits in his Alemany debut.
Carson 9, Classical 7: Nate Ruan had three hits, including a two-run home run. Skylar Vinson also had a two-run home run.
Foothill 6, Irvine 0: Jackson Phillips threw the shutout, striking out nine and giving up two hits.
Villa Park 5, Arcadia 2: Aidan Young had two hits for Villa Park. Logan Hoppie threw a complete game with six strikeouts.
Mira Costa 13, Torrance 4: Connor Collins drove in four runs for the Mustangs.
Oaks Christian 5, Westlake 1: Dane Disney and Carson Sheffer each had two hits in the Marmonte League win.
Thousand Oaks 3, Newbury Park 1: Jake Ange continued his hot hitting with a home run, single and two RBIs.
Palos Verdes 7, Redondo Union 2: Franco Correa and Jackson Alba each finished with three hits for Palos Verdes.
Huntington Beach 8, Corona del Mar 2: Jared Grindlinger had four hits and four RBIs and Owen Bone homered for the Oilers.
Newport Harbor 7, Los Alamitos 3: Henry Mann was three for three with two RBIs for Newport Harbor.
Norco 17, King 2: The Cougars (12-1) received four hits from Zion Martinez and three hits and three RBIs from Jacob Melendez to stay unbeaten in the Big VIII League. Jordan Ayala struck out seven and gave up one hit in four innings, setting him up to pitch against St. John Bosco on Tuesday in the Boras Classic.
Santa Margarita 6, Mater Dei 0: Tyler Unter struck out nine in six scoreless innings and Andre Owens had two doubles for the Eagles.
Servite 6, JSerra 4: Jaden Liu had two RBIs in Servite’s Trinity League win.
South Hills 5, McClatchy 2: Christian Santoyo threw a complete game for South Hills.
Mission Viejo 1, Tesoro 0: Jackson Krause, Caleb Tucker and Jackson Stonebarger combined for the shutout. Aiden Chapuis had three hits.
Chaminade 4, Granada Hills 3: Nicholas Penaranda had three hits for the Highlanders in the loss. Isaac Hearn had two hits and two RBIs for Chaminade.
Corona Santiago 9, Las Vegas Basic 2: Jonathan Thornton had three hits and Striker Pence struck out six in five innings.
Softball
Orange Lutheran 2, King 1: The Lancers won their first-round game of the Michelle Carew tournament. Rylee Silva struck out seven. Carlie Snyder had two hits.
Garden Grove Pacifica 13, Long Beach Poly 6: Matte Stern had a triple, single and four RBIs for Pacifica.
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 7, Camarillo 2: Jackie Morales hit a two-run home run for the Knights.
Fullerton 7, Chino Hills 5: Hayley Brock had a home run, double, two singles and four RBIs for 13-1 Fullerton. Malaya Majam-Finch struck out nine. Milena Medyn led Chino Hills with three hits.
Norco 4, Long Beach Millikan 0: Coral Williams struck out nine in the shutout. Angelina Gonzales hit a home run.
Marina 8, Rio Mesa 0: Mia Valbuena threw two no-hitters, first against Rio Mesa, then in a 1-0 win over Los Altos. She had 18 strikeouts against Los Altos.
Song Chi-young, chairman of small business association, left, and Small and Medium Business Minister Han Sung-sook pose for a photo at a meeting on the impact of the Middle East war in Seoul on Tuesday. Photo by Asia Today
April 1 (Asia Today) — South Korean small businesses are facing sharp increases in packaging costs and supply shortages, with some warning they are struggling to operate as disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict ripple into the domestic economy.
At a government meeting held in Seoul on Tuesday, business owners described severe difficulties securing basic materials, including packaging containers and even pay-as-you-throw garbage bags.
“I can’t even find trash bags, let alone packaging materials,” one participant said, describing the situation as a direct impact of global disruptions reaching local businesses.
Officials and industry representatives said prices for key materials have surged in recent days. The cost of plastic egg trays rose from 81 won to 131 won, a 61.7% increase, while plastic capsules for smaller packaging climbed 46.9%. Supplies of plastic wrap and binding materials have also dropped to about half of normal levels, creating what participants described as a “supply shock.”
The impact is spreading across sectors. A business owner operating both a factory and a restaurant said waste disposal has been disrupted due to shortages of garbage bags, raising hygiene concerns. An interior industry official warned that rising raw material costs could lead to monthly losses of about 10 million won (approximately $7,400) once existing contracts expire.
Song Chi-young, head of a small business group, said plastic bag prices have doubled within a week and called for stronger government action against hoarding and broader support measures.
In response, Small and Medium Business Minister Han Sung-sook said the government would strengthen emergency response systems and expand support for small businesses. Plans include prioritizing liquidity assistance in a supplementary budget and launching a nationwide consumption campaign beginning April 11.
Delivery platform companies were also urged to share the burden. Representatives from major food delivery firms said they are reviewing additional support measures, including expanding eco-friendly packaging initiatives and exploring ways to reduce plastic use.
Han said the crisis requires coordinated action across the economy, stressing that businesses and platforms must work together alongside the government to mitigate the impact of rising costs and supply disruptions.
The developments highlight how global geopolitical tensions are increasingly affecting everyday business operations, particularly for smaller firms with limited capacity to absorb sudden cost increases.
The life of a showgirl wouldn’t be complete without a few lawsuits, and who knows that better than Taylor Swift and Elizabeth Taylor?
On Monday, the “Bad Blood” singer was hit with a trademark infringement lawsuit regarding her most recent album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” Real-life Las Vegas showgirl and writer Maren Wade, born Maren Flagg, alleges that Swift knowingly disregarded her claim to a similar name.
According to the lawsuit, Wade launched the column “Confessions of a Showgirl” in the Las Vegas Weekly in 2014. The column eventually became a live show, which became a touring production. “Over the course of a decade, Confessions of a Showgirl grew into a brand encompassing performances, writing, and digital media — built by one person, city by city and show by show,” reads the lawsuit, which adds that Wade took the show across the country, and used the brand when appearing on television and podcasts.
Wade as a performer herself respects Swift’s right to creative expression, according to the suit, “and nothing in this action challenges it.” The filing argues that “whatever [legal] protection might attach to creative expression, it does not immunize Swift’s separate decision to adopt a confusingly similar designation as a trademark, affix it to goods, and deploy it as a source identifier in commerce.”
In 2015, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office registered “Confessions of a Showgirl” and named Maren Flagg as the owner. And according to the suit, in November 2025, the office refused an attempt by Swift’s team to register “The Life of a Showgirl” based on a likelihood of confusion with Wade’s established brand.
Patent attorney JD Harriman told The Times in a statement that although the trademark office did reject Swift’s mark, she voluntarily suspended the “Life of a Showgirl” application while a separate trademark application for “Showgirl” moved forward.
“This case isn’t about the music, and it may not even be about confusion,” Harriman said. “Wade’s own complaint concedes she’s not challenging the album itself — only merchandise. And before filing, she was publicly hashtagging Swift’s album and calling herself a fan.”
Jaymie Parkkinen, an attorney for Wade, told The Times in an emailed statement that Maren spent more than a decade building Confessions of a Showgirl.
“She registered it. She earned it. When Taylor Swift’s team applied to register The Life of a Showgirl, the Trademark Office refused, finding Swift’s mark confusingly similar,” Parkkinen said. “We have great respect for Swift’s talent and success, but trademark law exists to ensure that creators at all levels can protect what they’ve built. That’s what this case is about.”
Wade’s team argues that since Swift’s 12th album dropped last year, search results are dominated by Swift, and even though Wade established her own showgirl brand a decade ago, her brand is now seen as affiliated with Swift’s.
“The Life of a Showgirl is one designation among more than 170 active or pending trademark registrations managed by Defendant TAS on behalf of Swift, spanning names, phrases, and commercial designations across one of the most extensive trademark portfolios in the entertainment industry,” reads the suit.
Swift’s broader enterprise “does not depend on the continued use of any single designation,” the suit continues. “By contrast, Confessions of a Showgirl is the sole trademark under which [Wade] has built her professional identity for more than a decade. It is not one mark among hundreds. It is the only one she has. The continued erosion of that mark threatens the entirety of Wade’s brand.”
In other Swift news, the Grammy winner dropped the music video for “Elizabeth Taylor” on Tuesday.
The video, which has been exclusively released via Spotify Premium and Apple Music, includes scenes from “Father of the Bride,” “Rhapsody,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Cleopatra,” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” among other classic films starring Taylor. The homage also has old press footage of the Oscar winner.
Back in October, Swift told BBC radio that if she mentions a real person in her songs, she warns them ahead of time, and in the case of someone like the late movie star, she asked the Taylor estate for permission to pay homage with the song.
“If it’s Elizabeth Taylor,” she said, “we go to their family and her estate and let them know, and they were lovely about it.”
CHICAGO — Matthew Boyd struck out 10 while pitching into the sixth inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Angels 6-2 on Wednesday.
Nico Hoerner had three hits for Chicago on a chilly and windy afternoon at Wrigley Field. Matt Shaw had two hits and two RBIs, and Alex Bregman reached three times in the rubber game of the three-game series.
Boyd (1-1) yielded two runs, one earned, and two hits over 5 2/3 innings in his second start of the season. The left-hander was tagged for six runs in 3 2/3 innings in a 10-4 loss to Washington on opening day.
Zach Neto had two of the Angels’ four hits. Yusei Kikuchi (0-1) was charged with five runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Chicago grabbed control with five runs in the third inning. Miguel Amaya walked and scored from first on Hoerner’s double into the gap in left-center. Bregman singled in Hoerner, and Dansby Swanson drove in Ian Happ with a sacrifice fly. Shaw and Pete Crow-Armstrong contributed two-out RBI singles.
It looked as if first-year Angels manager Kurt Suzuki wanted a replay review of the play at the plate when Amaya scored but was denied because he took too long to decide on the challenge.
The Angels chased Boyd while scoring two runs in the sixth. Jo Adell singled in Neto, and Mike Trout scampered home on an error on Bregman at third.
The Cubs tacked on an unearned run in the seventh. Trout dropped Carson Kelly’s leadoff fly ball to center for an error, and Kelly scored on Shaw’s one-out single.
Up next
Angels: Following an off day, LHP Reid Detmers (0-0, 5.79 ERA) starts for the Angels in their home opener on Friday night. RHP Bryan Woo (0-0, 3.00 ERA) takes the mound for Seattle.
Cubs: RHP Cade Horton (1-0, 2.84 ERA) starts the opener of a weekend series at Cleveland on Friday. LHP Joey Cantillo (0-0, 4.91 ERA) gets the ball for the Guardians.
Digital asset investment products saw outflows for the first time in five weeks, recording ~$414M, with total AuM falling to ~$129B. This flip from inflows to outflows reflected growing caution among investors due to the ongoing Iran conflict, as it could lead to higher inflation, reported by
HOUSTON — Carlos Correa and Isaac Paredes each drove in two runs and sparked an eight-run sixth inning for the Houston Astros in an 11-9 victory over the Angels on Saturday night.
Trailing 6-4, the Astros tied it on a single by Correa and a throwing error by Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe. Houston took a lead on a single from Christian Walker.
The Astros tagged Angels reliever Walbert Ureña (0-1) for six runs on four hits in one inning.
Houston blew it open off a two-run single by Yainer Diaz and a two-run double off the right field wall from Jake Meyers to make it 11-6. The eight runs is the most scored in the sixth inning by Houston since scoring 10 against the Dodgers on July 4.
An Angels bullpen that had registered 7⅔ innings of scoreless baseball to start the season gave up eight runs between Ureña and Joey Lucchesi in the sixth inning alone.
Houston trailed 6-0 in the fifth, but a two-run double by Paredes chased Angels starter Reid Detmers.
Detmers, who was making his first regular-season start since Sept. 27, 2024, gave up three runs on six hits and struck out nine in 4⅔ innings.
Kai-Wei Teng (1-0) made his Astros debut in the fifth inning. Teng was acquired from the San Francisco Giants in January. He gave up no runs on one hit, struck out two and walked one in 2⅓ innings to register his first win.
Oswald Peraza and Jorge Soler homered in back-to-back innings to make it 3-0. Nolan Schanuel hit a three-run homer in the ninth to make it 11-9. The Angels have eight homers as a team, which tops the majors.
Cristian Javier gave up six runs on four hits, striking out one and walking four in 4⅔ innings.
