Diane Keaton, who died Saturday at 79, is one of cinema’s most legendary actors. She played some of the most recognizable roles of the late 20th century, and blazed a trail for generations of women to come. Here’s a list of Keaton’s 10 most important films, presented in alphabetical order. We’ll leave the ranking to her devoted fans.
‘Annie Hall’
Woody Allen and Diane Keaton in a scene from the movie “Annie Hall” from MGM / UA Home Video.
(MGM / UA Home Video)
Keaton’s role in Woody Allen’s 1977 romantic comedy was written just for her. Her portrayal of the feisty, eccentric, charming title character would define Keaton as an actor for the rest of her career. Her signature bowler hat and ties became a fashion staple, and fans still can’t think of the song “Seems Like Old Times” without sobbing. The film about the bittersweet nature of lost love was a critical success, and Keaton won her only Academy Award for her work in it.
‘Crimes of the Heart’
Keaton plays Lenny McGrath — the oldest of three sisters — in this 1986 black comedy also starring Diane Lange and Sissy Spacek. The actresses are at the height of their powers in the film, which finds a trio of siblings reuniting at their family home in Mississippi after Babe (Spacek) shoots, and seriously injures, her abusive husband. Spacek won a Golden Globe for her work, and was nominated for an Oscar, but Keaton shines as the less ostentatious of the sisters — an unassuming, terminally single woman who believes a shrunken ovary is the reason for her failure to launch.
‘The Godfather’ parts I and II
Keaton plays Kay Adams Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s epic crime family trilogy. As Michael Corleone’s second wife, and the mother of his children, Kay is one of the few fully realized women in the films. Many fans love Keaton’s performance in the second film best because Kay is the only one to stand up to Michael. When the ruthless mafia boss confronts her about an abortion she has had, Kay lets loose and confronts him about his vicious nature and many lies, vowing to never bring another Corleone into the world.
‘Looking for Mr. Goodbar’
Richard Gere, left, and Diane Keaton in a scene from the 1977 movie, “Looking For Mr. Goodbar.”
(Paramount / Getty Images)
This 1977 crime drama written and directed by Richard Brooks is perhaps Keaton’s most tragic film. She plays a lonely schoolteacher named Theresa Dunn who engages in increasingly risky behavior with strangers in pursuit of love. The film also stars Richard Gere as a controlling, abusive, drug-addicted boyfriend in his first major role. Keaton’s sorrow and desperation in this dark, gritty movie is palpable, making this a defining and heartbreaking part of her ouvré.
‘Manhattan’
Mary Wilke (Diane Keaton) and Isaac Davis (Woody Allen) in the shadow of the Queensborough Bridge in the movie “Manhattan.”
(United Artists)
This 1979 Woody Allen film is now one of the director’s most controversial due to its subject matter. Allen stars as a 42-year-old comedy writer who dates a 17-year-old girl, but ends up falling in love with his best friend’s mistress. Keaton plays that mistress, Mary Wilkie, and her depiction of the witty, wry, journalist with a robust social calendar and strong opinions that she never hesitates to express, is among her most seminal performances.
‘Marvin’s Room’
Keaton stars alongside Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro and a young Leonardo DiCaprio in this 1996 family drama. Keaton was nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Bessie Lee, a woman who has been caring for years for her bedridden father when she is diagnosed with leukemia. She turns to her estranged sister, Lee, for help finding a bone marrow transplant match — an endeavor that finds the family once again under the same roof. The tender story of loss and redemption showed that Keaton had staying power decades into her career.
‘Radio Days’
This nostalgic, charmer of a dramedy written and directed by Woody Allen takes place in Rockaway Beach in the 1930s and ‘40s during the golden age of radio. Keaton is part of an ensemble cast in a film filled with vignettes, and she appears in what is essentially a cameo as a New Year’s Eve singer. Wearing a a long-sleeved white dress with her hair pulled back in a bow, she sings a lovely rendition of Cole Porter’s “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To,” proving that when you’re a star of her caliber, you can shine no matter how small the role.
‘Reds’
Warren Beatty co-wrote, produced and directed this historical drama about John Reed, a journalist who chronicled Russia’s 1917 October Revolution. Keaton plays Louise Bryant, a married journalist and suffragist who leaves her husband to move to Greenwich Village with Reed where she becomes part of a robust group of artists and activists, including playwright Eugene O’Neil (Jack Nicholson). The 195-minute film opened to critical acclaim and was nominated for 12 Academy Awards, including best picture. Keaton received her second nomination for best actress but ultimately did not win.
‘Sleeper’
Keaton plays Luna Schlosser, a poet from the 22nd century, in Woody Allen’s 1973 madcap science fiction comedy about a jazz musician named Miles Monroe who owns the Happy Carrot health-food store before being cryogenically frozen for 200 years. Miles wakes in 2173 after being clandestinely revived by a group of rebels and is later delivered — disguised as a robot — into Luna’s home. Hilarious bickering ensues when Luna discovers Miles’ true identity, but she ultimately comes around to his cause. Keaton’s fabulous feathery silver outfits, her ability to utter lines like, “it’s pure keen,” with a straight face, and her substantial use of the “orgasmatron” made the role an instant classic.
‘Something’s Gotta Give’
Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson in the Columbia Pictures romantic comedy movie, “Something’s Gotta Give.”
(Bob Marshak/Columbia Pictures)
Keaton again paired with Jack Nicholson in this 2003 romantic comedy about a pair of mismatched professionals who fall in love in late middle age despite their best efforts to the contrary. The stars have the undeniable chemistry of two acting legends whose work appears absolutely effortless at this stage in their careers. The film was not a critical home run, but Keaton fans think of it as one of her best later roles.
Trump has been snubbed and denied the Nobel Prize he so wanted
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María Corina Machado – a Venezuelan politician – won the awardCredit: Getty
He insisted the breakthrough was “signed, sealed and already started” — and hailed it as the crowning achievement of a presidency he says has stopped eight wars.
“It’s certainly, I think, to the mind of most, the most important deal ever made in terms of peace,” Trump said on Friday.
The president said the ceasefire marked “a great deal for Israel, but it’s a great deal for everybody — for Arabs, for Muslims, for the world,” and confirmed that the release of hostages would begin on Monday.
“We’re getting them now. They’re gathering them from some pretty rough places on earth,” he said.
The decision to snub Trump came the day after Israel and Hamas signed a peace deal that he engineered to end the war and return the hostages.
This year’s Nobel Peace Prize was instead awarded to María Corina Machado – a Venezuelan politician and activist – for her “tireless work” organising the democratic opposition to dictatorship in Venezuela.
The US President accused China of taking an “extraordinarily aggressive position” on trade, slamming what he called an “extremely hostile letter to the world” that outlined measures to control “virtually every product they make”.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump vowed to hit back hard, saying he would also impose US export controls on any critical software heading to China.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan politician Machado dedicated the Nobel Prize to the US President.
She wrote on X: “This recognition of the struggle of all Venezuelans is a boost to conclude our task: to conquer Freedom.
“We are on the threshold of victory and today, more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic nations of the world as our principal allies to achieve Freedom and democracy.
“I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!”
The Nobel Committee paid tribute to Machado’s “struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy”.
It said the award was in recognition of her “tireless work” to protect rights and fight for a transition to democracy in Venezuela.
Trump says Hamas & Israel agree historic deal freeing hostages and an end to fighting in first phase of peace plan
Announcing the winner, Jørgen Watne Frydnes lauded her as “a woman who keeps the flame of democracy burning amidst a growing darkness”.
He said: “When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognise courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist.”
He later explained why the US president was not given the award.
He said: “I think this committee has seen [every] type of campaign [and] media attention. We receive thousands and thousands of letters every year of people saying what, for them, leads to peace.”
“But this committee sits in a room with the portraits of all laureates and that room is filled with both courage and integrity. So, we base only our decision on the work and will of Alfred Nobel.”
Machado has been living in hiding for the past year, after her fearless work incited “serious threats against her life”.
Troubled Venezuela is currently ruled by Nicolás Maduro, who is widely recognised as a dictator.
His government has routinely targeted its real or perceived opponents.
Machado, who turned 58 this week, was set to run against Maduro in last year’s presidential election, but the government disqualified her.
The election results announced by the Electoral Council sparked protests across the country to which the government responded with force that ended with more than 20 people dead.
Machado went into hiding and has not been seen in public since January.
Trump, who is in his second term as America’s president, has long wished for a Nobel Peace Prize.
He claims to have stopped seven conflicts in the world since his time in the office – and has made no secret of the fact that he believes he is worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Last week, he teased the possibility of ending an eighth war if Israel and Hamas agree to his peace plan aimed at concluding the nearly two-year war in Gaza.
And just hours before the Nobel Peace Prize results were set to be announced, Don revealed to the world that the two warring factions had signed a peace deal – one that he engineered.
It is indeed a massive breakthrough that is set to reshape the face of the Middle East – and the world is praising the US leaders’ effort to broker the deal.
However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which awards the prestigious peace prize, held its final meeting on Monday, the Nobel Institute said.
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Jorgen Watne Frydnes, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, announced the winner this morningCredit: AFP
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Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip celebrate after the announcementCredit: AP
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Palestinians celebrate on a street following the news that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of the peace dealCredit: Reuters
This means that the decision to give the award to Machado was made before the conclusion of an agreement between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday night.
Historian Asle Sveen, a specialist in the Nobel Prize, said he was “one hundred per cent certain” that Trump will not win this year’s Nobel Prize.
He emphasised that the US president had long “given free rein” to Netanyahu to bomb Gaza and had provided significant military aid to Israel – something that the prize committee must have taken into account.
A global ‘peacemaker’
All eyes were on his nomination this year after the self-proclaimed peacemaker launched a campaign in a bid to win the award.
He has repeatedly asserted since his return to the White House in January that he deserves the nod, adding it would be “a big insult” to the United States if he were not given the prize.
In February this year, during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, he said: “They will never give me a Nobel Peace Prize. I deserve it, but they will never give it to me.”
Even during his speech at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, Trump said that “everyone” says he should get it.
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Benjamin Netanyahu’s office posted an AI-generated picture of Bibi awarding Trump the Nobel PrizeCredit: X
He said: “Everyone says that I should get the Nobel Peace Prize for each one of these achievements, but for me, the real prize will be the sons and daughters who live to grow up with their mothers and fathers, because millions of people are no longer being killed in endless and unglorious wars.
“What I care about is not winning prizes as much as saving lives.”
Numerous world leaders endorsed him for the honour, including Netanyahu, who posted an AI-generated image of him awarding Trump the Nobel Prize.
Olivier Nduhungirehe, the Rwandan foreign minister, credited Trump for how he helped end the 30-year conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Pakistan also endorsed Trump for the prize this year. Though the Islamic Republic slammed him for bombing Iran in less than 24 hours.
Putin said Russia supported Trump’s nomination as long as Washington did not supply long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
Experts say the Nobel Prize committee may take Trump’s efforts to bring peace in Gaza – if it lasts – into consideration for next year’s award.
How is the Nobel Peace Prize winner decided?
By Patrick Harrington, Foreign News reporter
THE winner of the Nobel Peace Prize is chosen through a highly secretive deliberation process.
Every year since 1901, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has met to discuss who is worthy of taking home prize.
Nominations close in January, and the Committee comes together throughout the next eight months to confer.
Its five members meet along with a secretary in the Committee Room of Oslo’s Nobel institute.
They read aloud the criteria set out by Alfred Nobel in his will.
It says the prize should be awarded to the person who has done the most for fraternity between nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies, or for holding or promoting peace congresses.
Then, they enter intense discussions in order to thrash out the decision.
Committee chairman Jorgen Watne Frydnes told the BBC: “We discuss, we argue, there is a high temperature.
“But also, of course, we are civilised, and we try to make a consensus-based decision every year.”
If there is no consensus over who should win, then it goes comes down to a simple majority vote.
“Boring” products can make for revenue that funds riskier bets.
In January 2024, Office 365 quietly reached 400 million paid seats. Microsoft(MSFT 0.26%) products are as integrated into our professional lives as meetings that could’ve been emails, but these “boring” and decades-old tools are the fuel Microsoft is using to compete in the artificial intelligence (AI) race.
As AI progresses and automates away chunks of the professional world as we know it, the legacy suite of Microsoft 365 products shows no signs of slowing down. This ability to quietly and reliably generate revenue is funding Microsoft’s riskier AI bets.
Office products generated $54.9 billion in fiscal year 2024 (the 12 months ended in June 2024). That was 22% of all of Microsoft’s revenue. Microsoft 365 will keep the company on the leaderboard of AI innovators for years to come. This is great news for long-term Microsoft investors.
Image source: Getty Images.
Microsoft’s lagging AI strategy
Microsoft is still playing catch-up when it comes to generative AI. OpenAI leads with more than 200 million weekly active users and set the gold standard with the release of ChatGPT in 2022. Alphabet‘s Google and Meta Platforms both have models nearly equivalent to OpenAI.
Compared to these companies, Microsoft got a late start in deciding on an AI strategy. However, it has since closed the gap significantly by partnering with competitor OpenAI and, as of the end of 2024, was beginning to build models in-house.
Microsoft also purchased billions in Nvidia chips and continues to innovate on its cloud computing platform, Azure, and agentic powerhouse, Copilot. These strategic moves are, thus far, keeping pace with the other major players in the AI industry.
Microsoft requires immense amounts of capital to remain competitive in the AI landscape. Fortunately, its decades-old productivity and business lines are the stable engine propelling Microsoft into its new, automated era.
The Office moat
Normally, when one thinks of a legacy business, it’s of an outdated, shrinking portion of revenue. That is not the case with Microsoft’s Office products. Microsoft 365, including the applications Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook, is still growing by double digits year over year.
This indicates these product lines are not only here to stay, but are so universally adopted by businesses and individuals alike that it’ll be nearly impossible to dethrone them anytime soon.
These products are also mostly recession-resistant, as businesses are unlikely to cut them in an economic downturn. Microsoft also switched to a subscription model more than a decade ago, making revenue from these lines of business extraordinarily predictable and dependable.
The significant growth in the legacy products is also great news for the capital-intensive investments Microsoft will need to continue making for the next several years. Microsoft reports that it’s on track to invest approximately $80 billion to build out AI-enabled data centers for training and deploying AI models and applications.
Microsoft’s AI revenue is exploding
In its earnings call on July 30, Microsoft revealed Azure’s income for the first time: a whopping $75 billion, an increase of 34%, according to chairman and CEO Satya Nadella.
The CEO added, “Cloud and AI is the driving force of business transformation across every industry and sector. We’re innovating across the tech stack to help customers adapt and grow in this new era.”
Microsoft’s market cap is approaching $4 trillion, and there seems to be quite a bit of room left for growth, particularly if the company’s big AI bets pay off.
Microsoft remains a top competitor
For investors, Microsoft remains a solid long-term play, largely because of the stable products users have known for years. With a quarterly dividend of $0.91 per share, investors are rewarded on both the value and growth side, though the dividend yield is under 1%. Microsoft’s burgeoning agentic and innovative technologies will continue to produce massive revenue alongside mature, reliable products.
Overall, Microsoft’s total revenue increased 18% from Q4 2024 to Q4 2025. There’s plenty of risk associated with investing in AI technologies, but thanks to Microsoft’s steady lines of business, the downside is far less than that of many competitors.
Catie Hogan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Hi, and welcome to another edition of Prep Rally. I’m Eric Sondheimer. If all goes as expected, Matt Logan of Corona Centennial will earn career victory No. 300 on Thursday night, becoming the 15th coach in state history to achieve that mark, according to CalHiSports.com records.
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Corona Centennial coach Matt Logan is in his 29th season.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)
It’s going to be party time in Corona on Thursday night when Centennial hosts Eastvale Roosevelt. Centennial will be a heavy favorite to deliver win No. 300 for coach Matt Logan, who has made his program one of Southern California’s most consistent and perhaps the top public school football program in his 29th season.
Centennial is the last team to win the Southern Section title in 2015 other than St. John Bosco and Mater Dei. His teams have won 10 Southern Section titles and a state title in 2018. His influence has been immense.
Twenty-two former Centennial players have reached the NFL, including five on current rosters. More than 250 players have reached the college ranks. He became a trendsetter with his quick tempo, no-huddle offense that required officials to be in good shape because of the speed in which the Huskies would snap the ball after the whistle had been blown. He became the coach not afraid to play anyone, scheduling home and away games with Mater Dei, playing Florida’s IMG Academy and playing three Trinity League opponents this season.
Through the years, any time there was an opening at a top private school, Logan’s name got mentioned as a candidate. But the Norco High graduate was never going to leave the community he grew up in.
“I don’t think our school district and our area would be recognized without him,” said Anthony Catalano, a former quarterback and current assistant coach. “It changed the outlook of our community and kept a lot of people home. It set the standard for what our expectations are.”
One moment that is always most memorable comes at the end of the final game or final practice. The whole team lines up to salute every senior. Logan gives a hug to each senior offering words of appreciation and encouragement. That embrace to a teenager preparing to become an adult makes them Matt Logan fans for life.
Quarterback Taylor Lee of Oxnard Pacifica had four touchdown passes in 42-14 win over Hamilton.
(Craig Weston)
The Trinity League begins football action this week. Get ready for a five-week grind that ends on Halloween, with St. John Bosco hosting Mater Dei. On Friday, St. John Bosco is at JSerra, Mater Dei is playing Orange Lutheran at Orange Coast College and Santa Margarita is playing Servite at Santa Ana Stadium.
All six teams remain in contention for the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs. The key will be how many teams are chosen for Division 1. Corona Centennial, Mission Viejo and Sierra Canyon are certain selections. If the Southern Section only goes with eight teams, then one Trinity League team won’t make it. Last season there were 10 teams selected. Los Alamitos is 7-0 and a contender going into its three league games against Edison, San Clemente and Mission Viejo. The rankings are done by hsratings.com.
Monrovia has lost sophomore quarterback Jesse Saucedo for the rest of the season after a knee injury.
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame unveiled 6-foot-8 basketball star Tyran Stokes at receiver. Here’s the report.
Los Alamitos earned a long-deserved break after improving to 7-0 with a win over Calabasas. The surprising Griffins don’t play again until their league opener on Oct. 16. They can become a Division 1 playoff team by beating Edison, San Clemente and Mission Viejo over their final three games. Quarterback Colin Creason was 17 of 19 passing for 296 yards and three touchdowns against Calabasas. Talented tight end Beckham Hogland had seven catches for 140 yards.
Taylor Lee of Oxnard Pacifica has 19 touchdowns in his last three games after a 42-14 win over Hamilton. Here’s the report.
The City Section is closing in on booking L.A. Southwest College to host its Open Division championship game on Nov. 29. Birmingham would host championship games on Nov. 28.
Last week, L.A. Jordan (0-6) forfeited its game to Fremont because of lack of healthy players and first-year coach James Boyd is out. Boyd was a former Jordan standout. Leonard McConico was named interim coach. Also Dymally has officially canceled its season.
Carson had a breakthrough nonleague win over St. Pius X-St. Matthias. Sophomore defensive end Kingston Sula had four sacks.
Palisades receiver Go Moriya makes a sliding catch in the second half of Friday night’s 35-28 intersectional win.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Palisades improved to 5-0 by rallying to beat Mary Star 35-28. Here’s the report.
Birmingham begins West Valley League play this week against El Camino Real and has a 49-game winning streak against City Section opponents.
Crenshaw hosts Dorsey on Friday night in a big Coliseum League game that will decide the main challenger to King/Drew.
Marshall is 6-0 after a 42-18 win over Jefferson. Junior quarterback Nathaniel Cadet has been a key player for the Barristers. Marshall will find out where it stands in a Northern League opener against Eagle Rock on Friday night.
Elyjah Staples is a star junior defensive end for Marquez and also straight-A student.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)
It’s a tradition for the Marquez High football team to raise a black Gladiators flag up the stadium pole after each victory.
Imagine how often that flag could be raised each time Elyjah Staples, the school’s star outside linebacker, earned an A on his report card? That’s the only grade he’s gotten in three years of classes, no matter taking Chemistry, Algebra 2 or advance placement U.S. History.
It’s the game of the year in high school flag football.
On Tuesday at 5:45 p.m. at Orange Lutheran, the unbeaten Lancers (18-0) take on unbeaten JSerra (19-0) in a game that should attract a large crowd and produce a memorable matchup.
Orange Lutheran and quarterback Makena Cook are the defending Division 1 flag football champions. JSerra, bolstered by a group of talented freshmen, have been surging and preparing for this showdown. Freshman quarterback Katie Meier and freshman receiver Ava Irwin get to test themselves on a big stage.
LIONS POSTGAME: Junior G.G. Szczuka produced five catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns, while freshman quarterback Kate Meier threw for two touchdowns and ran for another score, as the JSerra Girls Flag Football team improved to 19-0 on the season with a 34-19 victory over… pic.twitter.com/QKUaOyreon
Venice continues to be a City Section title contender in girls volleyball, handing Palisades its first defeat in Western League play, 25-23, 22-25, 12-25, 25-21, 15-9.
Mira Costa came through with a win over rival Redondo Union to go to 4-0 in the Bay League and 14-7 overall.
Marymount hosts Sierra Canyon on Monday night in the first of two Mission League matches.
San Clemente athletic trainer Amber Anaya helped save a soccer assistant coach who went into cardiac arrest.
(San Clemente HS)
For those high schools in California that still don’t have an athletic trainer, what happened at San Clemente High was another reason why they are so valuable for the safety reasons. And also proven was the requirement that coaches be certified in CPR every two years.
Calabasas senior Elie Samouhi took out his electric guitar and played the national anthem before the Calabasas-Los Alamitos football game last week. What a performance. You can hear it here.
Basketball
Fall basketball is picking up steam more than a month away from the official start of the season.
Former St. John Bosco guard Brandon McCoy made his fall debut for Sierra Canyon, which has a number of transfer students that still need to be cleared by the school and Southern Section.
In fact, most of the Mission League is loaded with transfers, and if they’re eligible, it will be quite a league season ahead.
Freshman Nico Mecilli should be a contributor for Sherman Oaks Notre Dame basketball.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame might start a little slow with several players on the football team, including standout Tyran Stokes, but that will only give the newcomers the opportunity to play, such as 6-foot-5 Bishop Gorman transfer Ilan Nikolov and 6-5 freshman Nico Mecilli.
Three of the big risers have been 6-7 junior Kevin Keshishyan of Los Altos, 6-9 junior Nick Welch Jr. of Rolling Hills Prep and senior guard Josiah Johnson of Mayfair.
In girls basketball, Etiwanda and Ontario Christian are gearing up to be the top teams again, but watch for big improvement from Troy, where future Hall of Fame coach Kevin Kiernan has returned after being at Mater Dei and not coaching last season. Oak Park could be on the rise with several transfer students.
Transfer warning
Southern Section commissioner Mike West (left) addressed the Southern Section Council on Thursday.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)
I’ve been trying to find a way to educate parents, fans, coaches and players about the ongoing crackdown of Southern Section transfer rules, and commissioner Mike West made a brief presentation at the Southern Section Council meeting to provide an update.
In the latest development, five Long Beach Poly football players and one volleyball player have been declared ineligible for two years for violating CIF bylaw 202, which involves providing false information. Also Victor Valley lost four football players to two-year punishments. Pacific in San Bernardino lost two football players for one year.
Notes . . .
Chris Huber is the new girls lacrosse coach at Newbury Park. . . .
Tressa Beatty of Bonita has committed to Azusa Pacific for women’s basketball. . . .
Softball standout Mireya Gonzalez of La Mirada has committed to Connecticut. . . .
Emilia Krstevski, a 6-4 center at Sierra Canyon, has committed to play women’s basketball at Oregon. . . .
Rio Hondo Prep and Brentwood have moved their football game to SoFi Stadium on Oct. 16 at 4:30 p.m. . . .
Outfielder James Tronstein of Harvard-Westlake has committed to Vanderbilt. . . .
Junior outfielder/pitcher Carson Richter of Newbury Park has committed to Michigan. . . .
Junior Ivy Burnham of St. Anthony has committed to Stanford softball. . . .
South Hills softball standout Charli Moreno has committed to Washington. . . .
Junior pitcher Andrew Carlson from Trinity Classical Academy has committed to Texas Christian. . . .
Junior pitcher Tate Belfanti of Cypress has committed to Texas Christian. . . .
Pitcher Owen Shannon of Mater Dei has committed to Pittsburgh. . . .
Adam Goldstein, who has been an assistant baseball coach at Agoura, has emerged as the leading candidate for the vacant head coach position. . . .
Former standout offensive line Mark Schroller from Mission Viejo has medically retired from football at UCLA. . . .
Quarterback Wyatt Brown of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame takes off on a touchdown run against Culver City.
(Craig Weston)
Quarterback Wyatt Brown of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame has committed to West Virginia. . . .
Linebacker Glenn Baranoski of Newport Harbor has committed to San Diego.
From the archives: Peyton Woodyard
Peyton Woodyard during his St. John Bosco days in 2022.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)
Freshman safety Peyton Woodyard, a St. John Bosco grad, is making an impact at Oregon.
It’s no surprise, since Woodyard was a key contributor for St. John Bosco over three seasons.
From the San Diego Union Tribune, a story on Torrey Pines having the best girls golf team in the nation.
Tweets you might have missed
The next Servite phenom. 6-4 freshman Tetairoa McMillan. Starter in basketball and volleyball. Football coaches drooling over his potential. pic.twitter.com/tOQA2W4Xvi
I’m so passionate about covering high school sports that I’ve spent 49 years doing it. But some are taking it too seriously. It’s not college, it’s not pros. No matter how angry you get, you can’t change the mission it will always be about _ to prepare teenagers for adulthood.
Have a question, comment or something you’d like to see in a future Prep Rally newsletter? Email me at [email protected], and follow me on Twitter at @latsondheimer.
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Travel blogger Chelsea Rodd was left stranded at London Gatwick Airport after being denied a flight to Italy owing to a passport issue she believes may not be common knowledge
Alan Johnson Social News Reporter
11:17, 29 Sep 2025Updated 11:25, 29 Sep 2025
A woman has highlighted an expiry issue with British passports after being denied travel to the EU (stock)(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
A woman has issued a warning to all British passport holders after her holiday plans ended in tears at the airport. Travel blogger Chelsea Rodd fell victim of a rule she was unaware of, resulting in her having to cancel her plans despite the fact her passport is yet to expire.
“I should be in Milan right now with the girls,” began a tearful Chelsea in a TikTok video. She continued, explaining that after arriving at London Gatwick Airport ready to drop off her baggage, her passport was subsequently checked and it soon became apparent she wouldn’t be heading to Italy. “I’m not sure if this is common knowledge – I travel all the time – but because my passport’s start date is July 2015, it’s just gone over the 10-year mark even though it doesn’t run out until April 2026,” Chelsea explained.
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So what’s the problem? “I learned the hard way that for travel to the EU your UK passport must have been issued within the last 10 years – even if it hasn’t expired yet,” she revealed.
Chelsea continued: “I’m absolutely shocked by that. When you go to book your flight to the EU, nothing on the website mentions this and at the point of check-in nothing was said.”
Attempts to fly with a different airline, on alternative flights and to another airport all proved in vain. “I even tried the Passport Office and booking an emergency appointment online” Chelsea said. “But there was nothing until Monday when we’d be due to come back. I tried everything and the girls didn’t want to go without me, but I wanted them to have a lovely time as we’ve been planning it so long.”
To compound her misery, Chelsea revealed she will now be forced to miss out on numerous content creation opportunities she had arranged with a number of brands over the course of the past year.
She closed by urging others: “If you have a trip coming up, check your passport’s start date, not just the expiry date. This rule came in after Brexit, but it’s still catching so many people out.
“Previously when you renewed a passport, if you did it before the 10 years was up they would give you the extra on top – this was my issue. They don’t do that now.”
Writing in response, one TikTok user shared the same frustration, penning: “The annoying thing is when you check in and put your passport details in they only ask for expiry – and given this has happened so many times of people being unaware airlines should ask for start date too.”
A second person added: “This happened to me many years ago. I organised a trip to Milan. We all at airport checking in. That’s when I was informed that my passport had expired. I had to wave goodbye to my friends.”
While a third fumed: “Happened to me too a couple of weeks ago at Gatwick. Passport expires Sept 2026 and issued June 2015. Don’t get how they allow you to book. I always thought you had to have 6 months from when you return.”
The European Union’s travel website advises: “If you are a national from a country outside the EU wishing to visit or travel within the EU, you will need a valid passport and possibly a visa.
“Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU and it must have been issued within the last 10 years.
“This means your travel document must have been issued within the previous 10 years the day you enter the EU on condition that it is valid until the end of your stay plus an additional 3 months.”
After a call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump says an agreement is on the way.
Millions of TikTok users in the United States will be relieved to hear President Donald Trump say that China had agreed to approve a deal on the future of the social media platform in the US.
With US politicians worried that TikTok poses a national security threat and spreads propaganda, Congress passed a bill last year that banned the short video app unless its Chinese owner, ByteDance, sold its US business.
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But Trump had extended the deadline by which ByteDance was to divest from the platform or face the promised ban, and even went so far as to raise the matter with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a call on Friday.
So, why does a deal on this app matter so much to Trump?
Presenter: Tom McRae
Guests:
Richard Weitz – senior non-resident associate fellow at the NATO Defense College
Einar Tangen – senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation
Maria Curi – technology policy reporter for Axios, focusing on government oversight of social media platforms
Sept. 19 (UPI) — Russia launched nearly 90 drones at Ukraine overnight, most of which were “neutralized,” President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said Friday morning, after having claimed an “important success” in its counteroffensive in southeastern Donetsk.
The Kremlin targeted Ukraine’s infrastructure and other targets in the regions of Donetsk, Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, wounding at least two people in Dnipro, while recovery efforts were underway in Kyiv where public transport infrastructure was damaged.
“Once again, the Russians strike civilians at a time when the entire world — and above all the United States — is calling for peace,” he said on X. “We hear President [Donald] Trump’s position on ending the killings, and we have agreed to all the proposals to unblock diplomacy. But it seems his position is not being heard in Russia.”
The attack comes as Trump, who campaigned on ending the Ukraine war within 24 hours of returning to the White House, has been pushing for a cease-fire.
During a press conference in Britain on Thursday, Trump acknowledged to reporters that he thought ending the Ukraine war would be the “easiest” of the ongoing conflicts due to his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“He’s let me down. He’s really let me down,” he said, while vowing that he will end the war.
Zelensky has been saying that Putin is not interested in a cease-fire, despite what the Russian leader says, citing the nightly drone attacks on his country.
He said in lieu of Russian seriousness about an end to the war, Ukraine must implement “everything that strengthens us,” including the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List initiative, a mechanism launched this year to support Kyiv’s military needs.
“Decisive action is needed so that Russia ultimately agrees to diplomacy as well,” he said.
On Wednesday night, Zelensky claimed “an important success” in the Donetsk theater, where Ukraine has launched a counteroffensive.
He announced that since the start of the offensive, the date for which isn’t clear, Ukraine has captured 160 square kilometers while clearing 170 square kilometers of Russian troops.
“Any group of occupiers attempting to enter this area is being destroyed by our guys,” he said in his nightly address.
A travel expert has provided a list of several important travel tips to make your trip to Paris run more smoothly, claiming ‘no-one tells you’ about them elsewhere
Alan Johnson Social News Reporter
13:16, 17 Sep 2025
A travel expert says there are a number of aspects of Paris that ‘no-one tells you about’ (stock)(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
If your debating whether to take a trip to Paris , an expert claims there are a number of things “no-one tells you” about the City of Love that may help sway your decision. Tonya Bullock of Crossroads Travel Agency, who has visited the French capital on eight occasions, took to TikTok to share her advice.
She began by pointing out that whilst Parisian shops and restaurants take card payments, you should still take Euros in cash “just in case”. Tonya added that unlike some countries, tipping is optional as a service charge is usually included in the cost within a bill.
No doubt if you are heading to Paris, you will be keen to snap up some authentic French breads and pastries – and if that’s the case, Tonya suggests avoiding any “Instagram hype” and instead look for local, independent boulangeries.
When it comes to the city’s many museums, meanwhile, Tonya advised that entry to these is free of charge on the first Sunday of every month, whilst EU residents under the age of 26 can take advantage of not having to pay whatsoever. “Many museums offer evening hours – smaller crowds and magical light,” she added.
Of course Paris’ most famous sight and attraction is the Eifel Tower – another “magical” experience Tonya suggests, advising that it “sparkles every hour after sunset – but only for five minutes”.
As an alternative, however, Tonya recommends visiting the “less crowded” Notre Dame Cathedral towers or those of Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre to get that perfect city view.
In addition, you take in the cityscape free of charge from the rooftop at Galeries Lafayette – an upmarket department store found on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris.
As for the Arc de Triomphe monument, meanwhile, the expert urges visitors to “use the walkway tunnel” and avoid trying to cross the Champs-Élysées avenue street.
More tourism tips followed in the form of Louvre Museum – where queues can be “skipped” should you use the “lesser-known” Carrousel entrance underground, according to Tonya.
When dining out, meanwhile, she has a simple suggestion to save you more money. “Water is free in most restaurants and cafes,” she said. “As for ‘une carafe d’eau’ [a carafe of water]’.”
However, she continued: “Coffee culture is different – espresso is standard, whereas cappuccinos are “mostly for tourists”. And when it comes to your meal, you are better off dining inside any restaurant as outside seats tend to be “pricier”.
Writing in response, one TikTok user sought further advice from Tonya, asking: “What is the best thing to carry your money/ID/ cards to prevent pickpocketing?”
To which she revealed: “The biggest thing is try to keep items on your front! NEVER wear your backpack on back or have a basic purse on shoulder. Keep things out of your back pockets too.”
Whilst a second person asked: “How do I tell who are locals? I’m totally clueless. I’ve seen multiple posts saying they dress to blend in and not stand out.”
Tonya explained: “I’d say fashion is a big one. We always like to play a game while sitting outside at a brasserie to identify if the person walking in front of us was Parisian or an American tourist. Not hard and fast rules but: no shorts/capris no athleisure layers – scarves, blazers, heavy jackets, etc.
“Especially when temperatures start to get a little cooler it’s crazy how they bundle up. For where to eat, I’d avoid anything near a major tourist attraction – all the restaurants will mark up and not good. Find a boulangerie off the beaten path that is literally just a counter – the best ones will typically be busy in the morning and mostly speaking in French.”
LAFC’s signing of South Korean star Son Heung-min earlier this month is a major coup not just for the team. It’s also the latest in a spate of acquisitions that has brought an unprecedented level of talent and attention to MLS as the league nears the end of its 30th anniversary season.
Since Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami shortly after winning the 2022 World Cup, MLS has welcomed more than two dozen global standouts, from World Cup champions Hugo Lloris, Olivier Giroud, Rodrigo De Paul and Thomas Mueller to Germany’s Marco Reus and Uruguay’s Luis Suárez.
Some were a bit past their prime but others, including Messi, have proven to be dominant MLS players. The addition of Son, arguably the best Asian player of all time, opens a new chapter for the league and U.S. soccer as the country prepares to welcome the World Cup back next summer.
With that as a backdrop, here’s one man’s list of the 10 most important signings in MLS history:
The alert was issued by the Foreign Office for anyone who is planning a solo trip abroad
FCDO Travel Advice shared the alert on social media (stock photo)(Image: Getty)
For students across the country, A-level results day marked the end of years spent in education. Many celebrate with a group holiday to a sunny destination, while others embark on solo trips. However, before planning a getaway, it’s important to check safety advice for travellers.
The Foreign Office has issued an important alert for anyone travelling alone. It includes advice people need to action before setting off on a trip, and it’s relevant to all ages, though it’s particularly pertinent at this time of year as young people plan backpacking trips and gap years.
Sharing the travel advice on social media, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice wrote: “Solo travelling can be a lot of fun – but if you’re alone abroad, you may need to take extra precautions when traveling. Consider leaving an itinerary with someone at home and agree how regularly you’ll be in contact.”
The post on X also shared a link to GOV.UK, which has more information on how to plan and stay safe when you’re travelling independently. While it’s always important to take precautions before you travel, there are extra steps to consider if you’re solo travelling.
GOV.UK explains: “All travel comes with risk. However, if you travel by yourself (solo travel), independent of a group or organised tour (independent travel), you can face additional challenges.”
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It states that you should take several steps before you travel. One important step is researching your destination, which could include reading guidebooks and online forums or talking to friends or family who have been to the places you wish to visit.
It’s also advised that you read the foreign travel checklist and check the travel advice pages for the countries you plan to visit, where you can sign up for email alerts when the page is updated. These pages include essential advice and cover a wide range of topics.
Additionally, solo travellers should check they have appropriate travel insurance and make a plan with someone at home so that they know the trip itinerary.
Solo travellers were told to take extra precautions (stock photo)(Image: Getty)
The advice explains: “Leave an itinerary with someone at home and agree how regularly you will be in contact. You may also want to leave photocopies of important documents, such as your passport and insurance policy.”
It’s also essential to make a plan in case something goes wrong. This includes knowing the accommodation address in case a host or transfer company fails to show up, and knowing about alternative accommodation options.
GOV.UK adds: “Solo and independent travel can be a rewarding experience. However, it may bring an increased risk of being a victim of crime or other risks to your personal safety. If you are travelling by yourself, without other people or an organised group, consider how you will look after your safety. This is particularly important if you are travelling in a place that’s unfamiliar to you.”
Statisticians Opta have rated the difficulty of each side’s first five games.
Manchester United and Arsenal, who meet on the opening day, are judged to have the two most difficult starts.
United also play Manchester City and Chelsea in their next four games, while Arsenal take on Liverpool and City.
Probably not ideal for United boss Ruben Amorim, who many think needs a good start to the campaign after last season’s 15th-placed finish.
Aston Villa are deemed to have the easiest start, followed by Crystal Palace and West Ham.
Despite playing Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool in their opening five games, Burnley are judged to have the fourth best start thanks to an early relegation six-pointer at home against fellow promoted side Sunderland.
Princess Andre was praised for raising awareness of period issues through her new reality show The Princess Diaries during its first episode on Sunday night
23:03, 10 Aug 2025Updated 23:03, 10 Aug 2025
Princess Andre addressed the issue of periods during her reality show (Image: ITV)
Princess Andre has been praised for raising awareness of period issues through her new reality show The Princess Diaries. The starlet, 18, who is the daughter of showbiz legend Katie Price and 90s pop singer Peter Andre, appeared in the first episode of her ITV2 reality show on Sunday evening.
Princess, alongside her dad and her brother Junior, 20, was getting ready to go to a Mission Impossible premiere and she said said: “All boys need to do is scruff up their hair a bit and put a suit on. It’s not that hard!” But things took a dramatic turn when Princess candidly admitted that the appearance had come at her time of the month. as she told the cameras: “This is not good! I feel like it’s a huge pressure to look perfect at these glamorous events, there are paps there, and anything little thing that’s wrong, people point it out and there’s loads of comments about it. So that’s dodgy nails, and I’m on my period, but apart from that, I’m read carpet ready!”
It was a race against time on the way to get to the event as Princess complained about cramps and had to stop at a hotel to rush in and use their bathroom. And in a confessional, she told viewers: “She said: “This is honestly the worst nightmare. Girls, you know exactly what I’m on about. You’re wearing a nice dress, you’re going to an event or a special event and you’ve just leaked. Yeah, the panic is real.” It comes after Princess Andre says she’s ‘independent’ from parents as she breaks silence after Katie Price row.
Princess now stars in her own reality show and used her new platform to speak out about women’s issues(Image: ITV)
As the scenes unfolded, Princess managed to get out of the car and to a bathroom just in time, but admitted amid all the tension:” “This is really disastrous. What if it’s actually gone through my dress? I don’t even think I can even stand up! Oh no! Has it leaked through, dad?!”
Just before heading into the glamorous event, Princess breathed a sigh of relief and she said: “Oooh, panic over, don’t worry. I’m all good. My dress is fine.” The moment did not go unnoticed by fans, and one rushed to X to praise the budding reality star for speaking out over the issue. They wrote on the social media platform: “Hats off to Princess Andre for talking about her periods in her reality show. Her life might not be normal but she is normalising something that usually carries stigma and shame.”
During the programme, Princess featured heavily alongside her brother and fans also praised the relationship between the siblings. as one wrote: “I’m not a fan of Katie Price & Peter Andre, but they really did make the most beautiful kids in Junior & Princess”, and a a third user said: “Watching The Princess Diaries on ITV. Loving the sibling relationship between Junior and Princess.”
Katie did actually make an appearance in the first episode of the programme, but was heard only on the other end of a voice note. Princess had to asked her mother about what she was like as a child and Katie replied: “Who was the naughtiest child? Well, you was a mummy’s girl so you used to push me more and probably get away with things so I’d say you was more naughty actually. You are still very much like me but different if that makes sense, you are more sensible.
“So yeah, the answer to your question is that I think you were naughty. You naughty girl! before Princess admitted in a confessional: “Me and my mum are so close. We’re more like best friends, we’ll tell each other anything.”
Katie recently said she was “very, very upset” that Princess’ career was being managed by her ex-husband Peter Andre’s management and says she’s being left out. She also said she won’t be watching the reality show, which she isn’t a part of. The mum-of-five said she was banned from her daughter’s 18th birthday party and that her former management team – who look after Mysterious Girl singer Peter, 52, and Princess – did not want her on the show as they considered her “trash”. Speaking on her podcast, Katie claimed: “Princess was like ‘I’m having a party’. And I wasn’t invited because it was for ‘filming’.”
“But I don’t feel like I can really talk, so I just write everything down in my notes. I do wish, like, I could have had a more happier childhood. In the sense of like, I had so many things on my plate at a young age.”
The first episode also saw Princess exploring ideas for her makeup business as she attempted to build a brand of her own. She told viewers in a confessional: “I am gonna take on the challenge because this is something that I really, really want so I’ve got to work, work work.”
Ireland back row Brittany Hogan says the performance in Saturday’s final World Cup warm-up against Canada is more important than the result.
Canada are ranked second in the world and Ireland head into the game in Belfast off the back of a 27-21 comeback win over Scotland.
Scott Bemand’s side will face Japan, Spain and New Zealand in Pool C at the tournament in England.
“At the end of the day with the result, it’s another warm-up game but it’s another stepping stone towards a successful World Cup,” said Hogan, who is one of 10 Ireland changes for the game in Belfast.
“We’re going to be looking for a performance, and if that puts us on the right or wrong side of the scoreboard it’s not the be all and end all.
“We need to make sure we go through our processes and play our game.”
Ireland lost 21-8 to the Canadians in Vancouver in October in WXV1, and Hogan said the Irish were left “very frustrated” in a match that was closer than the scoreline suggested.
“We’re under no illusions that this is going to be a hard-fought match,” added Hogan.
“We are going to have to earn every single inch against them, and they are a physically dominant team, but we just have to match that.
“We did that when we played against them in Canada in WXV1. It’s about bringing our game awareness, knowledge and tactics into it too.”
Former Ireland internationals Lindsay Peat, Claire Small and Fiona Hayes will join presenter Nicola McCarthy and commentator Oisin Langan in Belfast from 11:50 BST on BBC iPlayer & BBC Two NI.
A change is set to be implemented at self-service border control systems later this year, and British passport holders have been issued a warning about what they need to do
Alan Johnson and Amy Jones Lifestyle & Features Writer
13:32, 06 Aug 2025Updated 13:40, 06 Aug 2025
Anyone with a British passport needs to be aware of the change (Image: Getty Images)
A travel expert has issued a warning to all British passport holders planning a European getaway from October 12 onwards.
Vix Aguilera, an ATOL and ABTA protected UK travel agent, took to TikTok to outline alterations being implemented to eGates, which are automated self-service border control systems. “A new EES [Entry/Exit system] is going to apply to all non-EU citizens travelling to the Schengen area and essentially it will replace the need to queue and get a stamp,” she warned.
The change will require travellers to submit facial recognition and fingerprints, essentially replacing the need to queue and get a stamp(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Sharing details of the new change, Vix explained: “You will be giving your biometric data upon arrival to the country. This is then going to be stored on a central database and linked to your UK passport.”
The travel agent noted that the record will remain valid for three years, and therefore, you only need to complete the process once when you first enter, reports Yorkshire Live.
“Now this is the interesting bit – it’s going to be rolled out from October 12 in a phased approach,” Vix continued. “Although every country is within their rights to do it straight away to cut down on the need for extra queues.”
She added: “The way they are going to be doing this is by staggering it, so from days one to 29 there’s going to be no minimum requirement and after that there’s going to be 10% of passengers required to scan etc.”
The positive news, according to Vix, is that airport security personnel will be available to guide you through the procedure when you arrive. Therefore, for now, you don’t need to undertake any advanced preparation. It’s important to read up on how the system works beforehand though.
“You just turn up to the eGates then have yourself directed by staff,” she explained.
Vix proceeded to caution, however, that you shouldn’t mistake this for ETIAS – European Travel Information and Authorization System – a fresh travel requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to 30 European countries. That’s not going to be rolled out until the end of 2026, and it will require a pre-travel authorisation.
So, who does the October 12 change impact? “Obviously, if you are travelling from this date, if you are going to a Schengen area, and if you are a non-EU citizen and you are looking to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period,” Vix clarified.
One TikTok user praised the guidance and commented: “Thank you for explaining this so well. I was confused thinking it’s the ETS, and since I’m travelling in December, worried that it being new might give me issues, but this is good info to have.”
Why is this alteration being introduced? The UK government’s website, which offers additional details, explains: “EES is designed to improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries, and reduce illegal migration in the Schengen area. It will automate border control checks to help the EU stop visitors overstaying.”
It adds: “The checks may take a few minutes, so be prepared to wait during busy times. “If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or St Pancras International, EES checks will be completed at the border, before you leave the UK.
“You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area.”
The Schengen area comprises the following countries:
Separated parents going abroad with their children have been warned about six crucial documents they need to bring with them this summer, or they may be denied travel.
Travelling with your child without the consent of the other parent could get you into a lot of trouble(Image: Getty Images/PhotoAlto)
Divorced parents face the prospect of being refused entry at airports without the proper paperwork, experts have cautioned. Separated mums and dads have been alerted about six essential documents required for summer travel.
Travelling without the consent of the other parent could be considered child abduction under UK law. Therefore, it’s essential to carry a signed consent letter and supporting documents whenever travelling abroad to avoid problems.
Ann Owens, a consultant solicitor specialising in divorce law at Richard Nelson LLP, explained that estranged and divorced parents must obtain a consent letter from the parent staying behind, a birth certificate, a divorce certificate, a marriage certificate, the child’s passport and a court order (where relevant).”
As reported by Birmingham Mail, Ann said that a consent letter from the non-travelling parent is very important. She said: “A signed letter provides proof that your ex-partner has agreed to you holidaying abroad should you ever be challenged while travelling.”
Exceptions may apply in different cases. As explained by gov.uk, if the person has a Child Arrangement Order stating that the child lives with them, then they can travel up to 28 days without the other parent’s consent, unless the court has said otherwise.
Ann added: “The letter will need the other parent’s contact details as well as the details of your holiday, such as where you’re going to be staying. As well as carrying the passport, you must also ensure it’s valid for the specific country you’re travelling to.
“In the majority of instances your passport will need to be valid for at least three months after your intended return date but for countries like Dubai, Thailand and Australia it must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry into the country.”
Ann warned: “If you’re relying on a court order to take your child abroad it’s imperative to allow as much time as possible for the case to be heard. While you can request an urgent court order these can take more than a week to go through the courts.
“For those who have been successful in gaining permission this way then you must travel with a sealed copy of the Court Order with you. Border officials may ask for proof of your legal right to take the child abroad at the airport, and if you can’t provide it, you may be turned away at customs.”
But most importantly, besides having all the paperwork in order, parents are responsible for ensuring that their child’s passport is valid and accessible.
FREEVIEW viewers in more than 160 areas across the UK are being warned that “pixelation or flickering” could affect TV sets this week.
The digital television platform will be carrying out planned engineering works over the next few days, to ensure the service continues to run smoothly for its millions of UK customers.
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Freeview is carrying out planned engineering works this weekCredit: Wikipedia
“Sometimes engineering work is required on transmitters so that they can keep reliably broadcasting your favourite free-to-air programmes”, Freeview bosses said.
Customers affected by the engineering works have been urged not to try and retune their televisions.
“Reception will be restored as soon as the engineering work is completed”, Freeview said.
160 Areas To Be Affected
A total of 160 areas will be affected by the engineering works, which will be carried out on the areas’ transmitters.
To check what transmitter you are predicted to get your signal from, you can put your postcode into Freeview’s Detailed Transmitter Information tool to check.
Freeview has warned that areas affected by the engineering works may possible see “pixelation or flickering on some or all channels”.
The following transmitters will be affected by the engineering works:
How To Watch Freeview Online
If you don’t want to miss out on your favourite TV shows, whilst the engineering works are taking place, you can also watch Freeview on a connected TV via Freeview Play, on mobile phones and tablets through the mobile app and on the Freeview website.
The easiest way to way to access on-demand players such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX on your Freeview Play TV is simply to push Channel 100.
You can download the Freeview app on the App Store or Google Play Store.
This will give you access on your phone or tablet to an abundance of channels, such as BBC One and Channel 4.
Freeview offers an impressive 60,000+ hours of TV and over 1,500 boxsets
To watch TV via the website, simply head to the TV Guide and click on a channel.
Recent Freeview Updates
This comes after Freeview viewers were urged to re-scan their TV boxes, following a huge channel change.
Channel 4 has boosted Freeview coverage for one of its channels in June, meaning if you haven’t already, you’ll need to retune to continue watching.
As part of Freeview’s monthly channel update, 4seven transitioned to a new frequency as of Wednesday 18 June, 2025.
This is because of an important technical change to the way the Channel 4 offshoot channel is broadcast on Freeview.
It will give more Freeview users access to the channel at a time when 4seven is increasingly used as an overspill for live events.
A popular Freeview box also received a key upgrade last month which fixed a bug affecting a slew of features.
Manhattan released the software update for its T4-R and T4 Freeview boxes.
The latest version – 2.06 – will finally fix a long-standing standby mode issue that has affected a number of users.
Whether you’re having a weekend in Paris, 10 days in Italy or two weeks in Thailand, it’s important you be aware of how to stay safe and healthy on your next trip
The UKHSA has issued some advice for staying healthy on holiday(Image: Manuel-F-O via Getty Images)
The summer season has arrived and whether you’re off for a city break in Paris, embarking on a 10-day Italian adventure or jetting off for two weeks in Thailand, it’s essential to be clued up on how to keep safe and sound during your travels.
With July heralding the start of the high holiday period when vast numbers of Brits take to the skies in pursuit of cultural experiences and pristine beaches, it’s important to remember that being somewhere new brings potential hazards. This is why the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has rolled out vital recommendations for anyone with a trip planned this month.
In a clip shared online, Anjali Pai, the Border Health Lead at the UKHSA, provided valuable insight: “Before we go on holiday, there are some things we can all do to reduce the risk of us becoming unwell. First of all, you can check the Travel Health Pro Website which has got really good information on travelling and things to do before we travel.”
There’s a few simple steps to take before you fly(Image: Farknot_Architect via Getty Images)
Pai also advocates perusing official government travel advisory sites, where a comprehensive rundown on each country and any health risks you need to know about is available. As such information is frequently updated, even seasoned travellers to familiar destinations should take note as health advice may have changed since their last visit.
Anjali also advises consulting your local GP to ensure you’ve arranged any necessary vaccinations for overseas travel. She emphasises: “There are also some travel vaccines that are really crucial if you’re travelling to certain countries. Things like hepatitis A and typhoid can be easily prevented by a vaccine.”
There’s nothing more disappointing than checking into a luxurious foreign hotel only to immediately come down with a cold caught on the plane. To help avoid this, the agency suggests several preventative measures.
First and foremost is hand hygiene – ensuring you wash your hands for 30 seconds with warm water and soap, particularly before meals and after using the loo.
Mosquito spray can be an easy way to protect yourself (Image: SimpleImages via Getty Images)
Another straightforward tip is to always have tissues at the ready in case of sudden coughs or sneezes. If you’re jetting off to a tropical destination or an area known for mosquitoes, it’s wise to arm yourself with insect repellent and wear long-sleeved clothing and nets to prevent bites.
Lastly, Anjali reminds us: “Safe sexual health is something we should all be practising when we are abroad by using condoms.”
Upon returning to British soil, if you fall ill shortly afterwards, it could be due to something you contracted while away. Therefore, if you or anyone else in your party exhibits similar symptoms, it’s recommended to seek medical advice promptly.
Millions of Brits are preparing for summer holidays but a leading pharmacist is warning that some everyday UK prescriptions could be banned overseas
Important travel warning for people taking medication abroad this summer(Image: Getty )
As the UK anticipates the summer holiday season, a leading pharmacist has issued a crucial warning to those planning to travel with medicines. Peter Thnoia of PillTime urges holidaymakers to think ahead or face potential complications due to stringent drug regulations in various destinations.
Highlighting that common UK prescriptions could be prohibited abroad, Peter is alerting travellers about the danger of leaving medication arrangements to the last minute. With school holidays approaching, he stresses the necessity for people to order their medications no less than a fortnight prior to departure.
Peter also underscores the significance of carrying appropriate documents for your medication to avoid the inconvenience of confiscation at the airport. He prompts tourists to research the specific pharmaceutical laws of their destination, particularly as certain meds like Co-codamol may be restricted in some countries, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Peter urges people going abroad to process their prescription orders at least two weeks before their holidays and alert their GP of any unusual early requests. “We’d always recommend people put in their prescription requests around two weeks before, but if you’re ordering earlier than normal, your GP might flag or reject the request,” Peter advises.
“If that’s the case, then you need to contact your GP in good time, explaining your holiday, so they can approve the request.” With over a quarter-century of experience in the pharmacy sector, Peter highlights that many people leave prescriptions until the last minute, causing unnecessary stress before a trip.
Peter is calling on holidaymakers to order prescriptions at least 14 days before travelling
“Pharmacies are accustomed to busy periods, but late requests add pressure for everyone,” he said. “Ordering well in advance helps us deliver your medication without any hitches – and gives you peace of mind as your holiday draws near.”
However, it’s not just about timely ordering. Peter also advises travellers on the correct way to carry medication to avoid complications at security or border control.
“Always keep your medication in your hand luggage, in its original packaging with the prescription label intact,” he says. “Security staff may need to verify it, particularly if it’s liquid or regulated,” he added. “If you’re unsure, ask your doctor or pharmacist for a supporting letter. This can be particularly useful when travelling with larger quantities.”
Always keep your medication in your hand luggage
When going abroad with medication, it is essential to confirm that you can transport it legally and safely. Always keep your medication in its original packaging, complete with the prescription label, and include a doctor’s letter if necessary. Make sure to pack your medication in your hand luggage for easy access and to reduce the chances of loss or damage. Review the regulations of the airline and the destination country, particularly concerning controlled substances and liquids exceeding 100ml.
What medication could cause issues?
As the six-week holiday period approaches, Peter shares a simple tip to ensure your holiday goes ‘without a hitch’. He says: “Know the rules of the country you’re travelling to, because you’d be surprised how many everyday tablets are banned or regulated abroad.”
He went on to say: “For example, Co-codamol is available over the counter and in supermarkets here in the UK. But in Greece, the codeine element is treated as a controlled drug – so you can only bring it into the country with a prescription and a doctor’s note.”
Open Prescribing data reveals that more than 3.5 million prescriptions for Co-codamol have been issued in the first quarter of this year (January-March 2025). While lower strengths of Co-codamol can be purchased without a prescription in the UK, higher doses necessitate one.
This implies that millions of Brits who depend on this medication for pain relief could potentially run afoul of foreign laws if they take their medication abroad. Some countries have restrictions or outright bans on drugs like codeine, tramadol, and loperamide.
People should check the rules of their destinations
Japan: Has intricate regulations concerning prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Some widely used allergy and cold treatments, including those with pseudoephedrine, are either prohibited or necessitate special authorisation. Attempting to bring in banned drugs may lead to arrest.
Indonesia: Prohibits medications that contain codeine and tramadol.
Qatar: Certain over-the-counter cold treatments require a prescription.
India, Pakistan, Turkey: Maintain stringent lists of banned medications, and travellers are advised to consult their respective embassies prior to carrying any drugs.
United Arab Emirates: Enforces strict regulations on numerous prescription medications, including those with codeine, tramadol, and specific anxiety drugs.
Certain countries also enforce stringent regulations on medications containing pseudoephedrine and other components commonly found in cold and allergy remedies. Pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in decongestants such as Sudafed, is often regulated due to concerns about its potential misuse in the illegal production of substances, particularly methamphetamine.
What should you do?
Peter recommends: “If you’re unsure whether your medication is restricted in the country you’re travelling to, then check the official embassy website for your destination. It will explain exactly what you can and cannot bring into the country. It’s always best to be safe and check before you travel so that you have all the essential medication you need to make sure your holiday is as enjoyable as possible.”
Do consult with your GP regarding any trips abroad and the medicines you’ll need to bring along. Your doctor can provide a letter explaining why certain medications are necessary and may offer alternative solutions if needed.
Always carry medications in their original containers with labels visible. It’s also wise to request any permits or certificates in good time before setting off. Be prepared for inspections at customs by declaring any medication, which might mean enduring some delays.
As the table above shows, 29 players have won the U21 Euros and then a major senior tournament – including Laurent Blanc, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluigi Buffon, Francesco Totti and Manuel Neuer.
Not just counting the winning team, many of the world’s best players have impressed at previous European Under-21 Championships.
Among the players to win the best player of the tournament award were Rudi Voller, Blanc, Davor Suker, Luis Figo, Cannavaro, Andrea Pirlo, Petr Cech, Juan Mata, Thiago and Fabian Ruiz.
However, there are a few outliers.
Renato Buso and the late Francesc Arnau never won a senior cap for Italy or Spain respectively, while Royston Drenthe only played once for the Netherlands. Arsenal’s Fabio Vieira, 25, has yet to feature for the Portugal senior team.
Sweden’s Marcus Berg had a good goal-laden career, although never played for one of Europe’s top clubs.
The list of Golden Boot winners is more of a mixed bag.
Andrea Pirlo, despite being a midfielder, Alberto Gilardino and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar were among the previous winners.
But Massimo Maccarone, Maceo Rigters, Jan Kliment or Luca Waldschmidt are unlikely to have any statues made of them.
Germany’s Nick Woltemade is the top scorer in this tournament with five goals – two clear of three different players.
Audiences were unimpressed when Rachel Burden and Ben Boulos started giggling over a news segment about a criminal act on BBC Breakfast
Ben Boulos has been accused of not taking news presenting seriously enough after laughing during a BBC Breakfast segment(Image: BBC)
BBC Breakfast hosts Rachel Burden and Ben Boulos have come under fire for laughing during a segment on a piece of art being damaged by tourists in Italy.
The controversy unfolded during Sunday’s (15 June) episode of the chat show when the presenting pair returned to the red sofa to discuss some of the day’s trending stories. One of them featured viral CCTV footage from the Palazzo Maffei museum in Verona, Italy, which showed a couple damaging a Van Gogh-style chair adorned with hundreds of crystals.
Ben introduced the clip, asking: “Now have you ever visited a museum and been tempted, even though you’re not supposed to, to touch a piece of art and thought better of it?”
The BBC show host was caught giggling over a couple accidentally destroying an artwork in Italy(Image: BBC)
As the CCTV footage began to play, Rachel added: “Well just watch this because this is CCTV footage of a couple who decided to try out a chair.”
“This was a Van Gogh style chair covered in hundreds of crystals inside a museum in Verona,” she explained, as the video showed the chair beginning to sway.
“It wasn’t supposed to look like that. It wasn’t supposed to be wonky. But as you can see…” Rachel continued, as Ben burst out laughing on air.
“The man decided ‘I might as well try it out’ and it immediately collapses,” she said. “At which point, him and his wife say ‘quick! get out of here!’”
The couple appeared to decide to sit on a chair in the Palazzo Maffei museum before toppling it over
Ben was still giggling when he added: “It now tells a story. It tells a new story. Art evolves doesn’t it?” Rachel replied: “They’ve added, you can say, to the art work.”
The hosts went on to comment on the aftermath, with Rachel pointing out: “The couple apparently fled the museum before staff noticed what had happened.
“I mean quite how sort of vigorously this couple is now being pursued by the authorities I do not know, they certainly left their mark.”
Ben laughed again, telling viewers: “They did, indeed. Imagine that moment of horror when it happened and you thought ‘Oh dear, we’re in trouble’.”
Rachel chimed in: “Then realised that it has been beamed around the world on news programmes.”
“Exactly. Like this,” Ben replied. But the presenting duo’s jokey tone didn’t sit well with many watching from home. Viewers quickly took to social media to voice their disappointment with the hosts for ‘trivialising’ the destruction of a valuable piece of art.
One person took to X saying: “I hope they catch the couple from the museum. Also don’t understand why BBC Breakfast are treating it as a laugh and a joke.”
Another added: “Seem to have totally skipped over the fact the guy destroyed a piece of art… He had no right to try it out! #BBCBreakfast.”
This comes after Ben admitted to being embarrassed last year when he mistakenly thought a guest was disagreeing with him on air, but she actually had a brain disorder that was causing involuntary muscle spasms, shaking her face and neck.
He told fellow BBC Breakfast host Sarah Campbell: “The thing about this job that we do is that if you say something wrong, put your foot in it, it can very easily go viral.”
