A vital highway weakened by Nepal’s floodwaters has collapsed four days after the catastrophic glacial outburst. The road formed a landslide into the Trishuli river which has swelled after heavy rain.
A special type of indie film teaches you how to see it as you watch it — not as an instructor might a student, but as an ally would a new acquaintance. Shatara Michelle Ford’s sophomore feature, “Dreams in Nightmares,” about a road trip, a friendship and a Black queer landscape anchored by care, has that quietly confident appeal, like being invited into something intimate, then let free when your curiosity is at its zenith.
Ford made their name with the micro-indie, micro-focused “Test Pattern,” an act of upending as it dissected an interracial relationship’s fault lines in a moment of crisis. (It’s on the Criterion Channel now.) This time, with the drive of a born iconoclast, Ford sheds plot even further — save the loose construct of three besties in search of their absent fourth. What emerges, as the plot spans a North America whose inviting (or alienating) textures are attentively captured by cinematographer Ludovica Isidori, is an ode to the centering of chosen family when the realities of life, especially for people of color, always seem to demand soul-crushing acquiescence.
For creative writing professor Z (Denée Benton), recently let go from her Los Angeles-based university and uncertain about her future, a recurring dream featuring black-and-white imagery, a door and an enticing expanse of nature puts her in a journeying state of mind. Hopping to Brooklyn to connect with Tasha (Sasha Compère), a nervy consultant also recently shorn from her job, and Lauren (Dezi Bing), an emerging poet, this close-knit trio first decides to go dancing, then to seek out their celebrated artist pal Kel (Mars Storm Rucker), last heard from in the Midwest and who’s cut off all communication.
That framework, though, isn’t treated like some act-structured gauntlet in Ford’s telling. This is a road trip, after all, in that having a direction — to Pittsburgh, then Iowa City, Kansas City, Santa Fe and across the border — allows for some directionlessness, for different speeds, artful touches (conversations that become camera-facing interludes) and delicate epiphanies of feeling. The trio stops for a lively trans poetry reading. There’s a comically weird dinner with Kel’s ex, Sabrina (a scintillatingly eccentric Jasmin Savoy Brown). A stopover to see Kel’s parents (Regina Taylor and Robert Wisdom) illuminates, for better or worse, where some of these friends have come from and why moving forward matters.
In not adhering to the expected rules of conflict-based drama, “Dreams in Nightmares” can confound. But when you realize that this is exactly the point of Ford’s open-ended exploration, you begin to understand why Ford would rather create a roving, sensorial continuum that feeds intrigue (kudos to composer Ohyung) instead of cornering you. The performances bear that out, from Benton and Bing’s steady inner light to Compère’s coiled, watchful Tosha, a compelling portrait of skepticism inside this cocoon of warmth.
Yet of course, just when Tasha appears to be a fulcrum for narrative revelation, Ford re-balances everything, in waves of grace and gentleness, to remind us that sometimes the less we label, the more we’ll observe about the abiding importance of love and belonging. Ford has internalized the humanity of filmmakers like Mike Leigh, Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Jim Jarmusch. Even the most awkward parts of the film feel uniquely alive. But as “Dreams in Nightmares” wends its way to a close, it’s also easy to believe you’re witnessing a percolating virtuosity that’s all Ford’s own.
‘Dreams in Nightmares’
Not rated
Running time: 2 hours, 8 minutes
Playing: Opens Friday at AMC Burbank Town Center 8 and Laemmle Glendale
We didn’t see eveything, obviously, but we had a damned good go!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
GO AT THE RIGHT TIME. New England’s Fall officially runs from September to November, with late September and October being the peak.
Don’t go too late or, as locals put it, you run the risk of it being “stick season” when all the leaves have dropped off.
However, whale watching ends late September/early October, so to see both, you need to time it right.
A lot of it’s down to luck.
GO ANTI-CLOCKWISE. If you want to see the best foliage, head north up the coast to Maine, across to Vermont, then drive back through New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
The leaves start turning in the north first, so you will essentially be following the trees as the colours change.
DRIVE…BUT DON’T DRIVE. New England roads are a pleasure.
Petrol is still cheap, car hire is affordable and roads are wide, well maintained and signposted, and not that busy.
But DON’T drive in Boston – the traffic is horrendous and there is nowhere to park.
Make Boston either the start or the end of your trip so you aren’t stuck there with a car.
GO: NEW ENGLAND
GETTING THERE/ STAYING THERE: America As You Like It (americaasyoulikeit.com/020 8742 8299) has a 14-night fly drive from £2,930pp, including return flights, car hire and accommodation.
This includes two nights at the Sheraton Boston, one night at The Breakwater Inn & Spa, Kennebunkport; two nights at the Portland Regency Hotel & Spa, Portland, Maine; two nights at the Newfound Lake Inn, New Hampshire; one night at Cranmore Mountain Lodge, North Conway, New Hampshire; three nights at Hotel Champlain Burlington, Vermont; two nights at the Chart House Inn, Rhode Island; and one night at the Marriott Quincy.
MASSACHUSETTS
Visit the United First Parish Church – the only place where you will get so close to a presidential tombCredit: Alamy
THE big draw in Massachusetts is Boston (see City Q&A) but there’s plenty more to see.
Beautiful Cape Cod, where the Pilgrims on the Mayflower first landed, is full of pretty little towns, sandy dunes and marshes that are teeming with wildlife.
We hit the resort of Sandwich and, as it was out of season, had the beach to ourselves.
The buzzing town of Quincy is worth a look, too.
It is best known for being the birthplace of two US presidents, John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams.
You can see their crypts in the United First Parish Church – the only place where you will get so close to a presidential tomb.
But nothing is as good as whale watching. The fishing port of Gloucester is THE place on the New England coast to see them, thanks to its proximity to three rich feeding grounds.
One whale would have been fantastic, but we saw EIGHT – a mixture of humpbacks and minkes – surfacing so dramatically they could have been performing for the cameras.
And you can get unbelievably close to them.
The boat crew will fill you in on how these gentle giants live, and even who they are.
They can identify each one by the marking on their fins.
If we hadn’t managed to see a single golden leaf during our trip, it wouldn’t have mattered after this. The absolute highlight.
Kennebunkport at Walker’s Point is worth a lookCredit: Getty
THE state flag of Maine has a moose on it but it probably ought to be Pennywise the clown.
Yup, Maine is Stephen King country – and you can see why.
Its forests, small colonial towns and rugged coastline have a vaguely eerie quality that the writer has exploited to the full.
We stayed in Portland – King’s hometown – a working lobster port that’s also a laid-back city full of refugees from the 9-5 grind of New York and Boston.
There’s an appealing, alternative, hippy vibe and it’s great for bars with live music (try the local Alagash beer) and restaurants selling fresh lobster.
The rolls here were the best we had all holiday.
Kennebunkport couldn’t be more different.
It’s a pretty, upmarket town, whose main claim to fame is that it is the summer retreat of the Bush presidents.
It is a very touristy, chocolate box kind of place, full of art galleries, craft shops and tearooms.
It’s a bit like a US Bourton-on-the-Water.
Eat at the upscale Port Fish & Chop House restaurant. It’s a Bush favourite, apparently – ours too.
By the way, the Bush compound is just around the headland from Kennebunkport at Walker’s Point and is worth a look.
Don’t linger there for too long, though – the Secret Service are liable to suddenly pop up out of nowhere to check you out.
Simon Copeland in Loon Mountain in the White Mountains National ParkCredit: supplied
IT’S when you head inland from Maine to New Hampshire that the Fall hits you.
Nothing quite prepares you for the reds and golds, purples, oranges and coppers of the foliage – and there is so much of it.
Miles and miles of brilliant colours. It is everything we hoped it would be.
New Hampshire is prime “leaf-peeping” country – what the locals call the invasion of tourists who want to catch that EXACT moment the leaves turn.
Think bird-watchers are obsessive? You ain’t seen nothing.
A stop at Loon Mountain (named after loons, a duck-like bird, not the peepers) in the White Mountains National Park gave us the best chance to take it all in.
We took the gondola up to the top and spent a couple of hours trekking along the mountain trails (watch out for bears).
From the summit all you can see are beautiful colours in every direction.
Our B&B, a charming inn called the Cranmore Mountain Lodge in the middle of the park, was perfect for peeping and had another bonus – the chance to sleep in baseball legend Babe Ruth’s bed.
His daughter owned the place – putting the inn in innings, I guess.
And while you are in NH, try the sightseeing cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee, famously used as a location for the film On Golden Pond.
In a state full of sights to marvel at, this placid stretch of water with its many islands and mountain backdrop is one of the best.
WE STAYED AT: Newfound Lake Inn (newfoundlakeinn.com) and the Cranmore Mountain Lodge, North Conway (cmlnh.com).
RHODE ISLAND
The Breakers has 70 rooms, all astonishingly decorated and furnished, takes up more than 130,000 sq ft and was based on a 16th century Italian palazzoCredit: Getty
RHODE ISLAND may be America’s smallest state but it acts big.
It’s big on maritime history and big on seafood. It is also big on understatement.
Newport is home to some of the grandest and most opulent mansions ever built.
And do you know what locals call them? “Summer cottages”.
We toured The Breakers, the grandest of all.
It has 70 rooms, all astonishingly decorated and furnished, takes up more than 130,000 sq ft and was based on a 16th century Italian palazzo.
It was built by the Vanderbilt family, who made millions in railroads and steamships in the 19th century.
You can see more of these over-the-top symbols of the Gilded Age on the Cliff Walk.
This 3.5-mile path along the coast has crashing Atlantic Ocean waves on one side (the breakers) and the grand estates on the other.
Train magnate Vanderbilt might have been amused by another top attraction in Newport – the Rail Explorers.
This is a three-mile stretch of disused track that you pedal along on customised “rail bikes”.
On the way you can take in fantastic coastal views and may even spot the ospreys that nest in the area.
Newport itself is a charming port with a really vibrant quayside stuffed with bars and restaurants.
And do the sunset sail round the harbour.
You will head under the gigantic Newport Bridge which connects RI to Connecticut.
It’s such an amazing sight you will want to big it up.
The buzzing city of Burlington, on the shores of Lake ChamplainCredit: GettyOne of Frank Sinatra’s greatest recordings is Moonlight In VermontCredit: Getty
I’M a Frank Sinatra nut and one of his greatest recordings is Moonlight In Vermont.
I’m not 100 per cent sure Frank ever actually went there (not trashy enough for him), but, hey, it doesn’t matter.
I know from the song this state is something special.
Vermont invented leaf-peeping with canny marketing in the 1950s that promoted an overlooked season into something special.
And it is here that the trees are maybe at their best.
The vibrant colours are set off by the white-painted clapboard of the houses and churches in colonial villages and towns.
We headed across rolling farmland that could be in Old England to the buzzing city of Burlington, on the shores of Lake Champlain, via a stop at Hildene in Manchester, the family home of President Abraham Lincoln.
It’s certainly worth a detour as it tells one of the great American rags-to-riches stories and contains possibly the nation’s most famous political symbol – Abe’s stovepipe hat.
But the highlight was the scenic village of Dorset, and our stay at the homely yet lively Dorset Inn – Vermont’s oldest tavern.
If you’ve seen that great old movie White Christmas, with Bing Crosby, this is the kind of place it’s set in.
In fact, a stay at the Dorset may be the ultimate Vermont experience.
Boston is famously America’s most Irish city, but it may be its most English tooCredit: GettyClassic TV comedy Cheers starring Ted DansonCredit: Getty
BOSTON is famously America’s most Irish city, but it may be its most English too.
With its green spaces, historic buildings and cobbled streets, the centre can feel like London or Cambridge.
Indeed, Boston has a Cambridge – along with a Brighton, a Hyde Park, a Chelsea and a Dorchester.
The city itself, a major US port, was named after Boston in Lincolnshire.
And thanks to its ties to the American Revolution, England still looms large.
Boston and Massachusetts may have been instrumental in the rebellion that ended George III’s rule over the 13 American colonies, but they have kept large parts of our culture.
This year, Boston has been celebrating its role in 250 years of American Independence, even though the actual 1776 Declaration document was signed 300 miles away in Philadelphia.
As Bostonians like to joke, Boston did all the hard work, while Philly just did the paperwork.
Thanks to the anniversary – and the World Cup, of course – Boston (or Baw-stin, as they seem to pronounce it) has rarely had such a high profile.
WHY SHOULD I GO?
Whether you are a history buff, culture vulture, sailing enthusiast, sports nut, foodie or an enthusiastic pubgoer, Boston has something for everyone.
In the autumn you can see it at its best. Summer is too hot, winter too cold. In the Fall, the weather is still warm enough for shorts but the foliage is turning, making this attractive city even more so.
Boston is one of America’s most fascinating cities, and its European feel gives it a familiarity that’s uncommon in the rest of the US.
It’s an intriguing mix of the blue collar and the blue blood, as the city is both proudly working class and defiantly Old Money. It’s also very studenty – Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are just over the Charles River.
One thing to remember, though – Boston ain’t a “Have a nice day” kind of town. Bostonians can be brusque and wrapped up in themselves – so quite a lot like Londoners.
STREETS MADE FOR WALKING?
Absolutely – and you really don’t want to drive in Boston (see box, above). Unlike New York or Chicago, with their easy-to-navigate grid systems, old Boston developed without the help of town planners.
That means the higgledy-piggledy central streets haven’t changed much since the 18th and 19th centuries. Rubbish for cars, great for walking.
In Beacon Hill, for example, you will find quaint cobbled alleys full of original gas street lamps, wrought-iron balconies and pretty red-brick terraced houses.
The centre is surprisingly small and easy to cover on foot. And the best way to get to know it is on a walking tour.
Try the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail walk, which offers a potted history of the fight for independence. It takes in 16 landmarks, including the Massachusetts State House, Founding Father Paul Revere’s House, the Battle of Bunker Hill Monument and the Boston Massacre site.
ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST?
Loads. Head to Fenway Park to catch a baseball game at the oldest stadium in America, home of the Red Sox.
Art buffs will love the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum – a large private collection donated to the city by an eccentric millionaire – housed in an incredible Venetian-style palazzo.
The huge and immaculate Boston Common, America’s oldest public park, will give you some rare moments of calm in the middle of this bustling city.
View Boston offers a 360-degree panorama of the skyline from the 52nd floor of the Prudential Building in Back Bay.
If you have time, take in the city centre’s main neighbourhoods.
North End, on the waterfront, is a buzzing Little Italy full of trattorias, gelatarias and rival bakeries selling “Boston’s best cannoli”. Back Bay has charming squares and impressive Victorian brownstone town houses.
Beacon Hill has pretty, upmarket streets with boutiques and high-end restaurants, and South End is the place for trendy bars and bistros.
WHERE SHOULD I EAT?
Boston is known as Beantown – a clue to its speciality: slow-cooked beans with molasses and pork. Seafood is also a big draw here, ranging from New England clam chowder to lobster rolls and fresh oysters.
We headed to North End for a cosy, traditional family-run Italian trattoria, Bacco (bacconorthend.com) with fantastic food and craft beers.
And we particularly loved Pagu (gopagu.com) in Cambridge, which mixes Japanese and Spanish tapas (who thinks of these combinations?!) to mouth-watering effect.
If you have one big blowout in Boston, THIS is the place to go. Superb.
I FANCY A DRINK!
Another tradition from the old country Bostonians embrace is the pub culture. From English taverns to Irish pubs and trendy bars, drinking is BIG here.
And then there’s Cheers. The bar that inspired the classic TV comedy starring Ted Danson used to be called the Bull and Finch and is now a tribute act to the sitcom. It’s worth a look – even if it’s only a selfie in front of the sign.
Oh, and Bostonians DO drink tea – despite tipping loads into the harbour in the famous 1773 Boston Tea Party to protest against English taxation.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
We stayed at the Sheraton Boston Hotel in Back Bay (marriott.com) – a modern, comfortable hotel with great views across the Charles River and into Cambridge.
It’s an excellent base for discovering further and an easy walk into the centre along the attractive, tree-lined Commonwealth Avenue.
Al Jazeera’s AlMigdad Alruhaid travelled along one of the main supply roads to Sudan’s besieged city of el-Obeid, where hundreds of thousands of people are sheltering as the Rapid Support Forces continue attacks on aid trying to reach them.
DENVER — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called right fielder Kyle Tucker into the visiting manager’s office at Chase Field a week and a half ago, just to catch up.
Roberts had run into Tucker’s wife Samantha and their 5-month old baby that morning in Arizona. And he saw it as a good time to check in.
“When you start to struggle and you internalize … you find yourself going dark, and that’s a lonely place,” Roberts said Tuesday, before the Dodgers’ 7-6 win against the Rockies. “So I think that for me, trying to proactively pull conversations out of him, talk about life, talk about baseball, it just kind of opens things up, and I think that it’s freeing.
“He’s a cerebral guy by nature, internalizes a lot. But still, for me, he’s with a new ballclub, he’s scuffling, so I want to get that out of him.”
Scuffling is a mild way of describing Tucker’s struggles this season. He described it as the “first time in [his] life” that he’s had a season with so many offensive false starts. After being named an All-Star in each of his previous four seasons, Tucker is on pace for the worst offensive year since his 2018 debut season with the Astros.
On Tuesday, he finally ended his career-high hitless streak at seven games, with a double up the right-field line in the fourth inning (although he grounded out once and struck out twice in his other plate appearances). He’d gone 26 straight at-bats without a hit.
So much about Tucker’s year has been head-scratching.
Take his plate discipline, for example. Traditionally known for his strike-zone control, Tucker’s chase rate has been up this season. But even when he trimmed it to 21.6% in July (not as low as the last two years but even with his 2023 season), his production at the plate didn’t respond accordingly.
One of the biggest mysteries has been his extreme home/road splits. Entering Tuesday, he had a solid .822 OPS on the road and a paltry .558 OPS at Dodger Stadium.
Asked about the contrast earlier this week, he said he didn’t have a theory.
“If I knew, I’d probably have figured it out by now,” he said. “But that’s just kind of how it’s gone.”
Recently, his woes have followed him into the outfield. The day after he failed to reel in a flyball in the right-field corner at Dodger Stadium, he had a far worse drop Monday at Coors Field.
In the seventh inning of the Dodgers’ 11-5 victory against the Rockies, Tucker seemed to camp right under a shallow fly. But as it fell, he twisted and put one knee down before dropping the ball.
“There’s indecision, and catching a baseball at your ankles kind of speaks to where his head is at right now,” Roberts said. “It’s not from lack of effort, or care. It’s just right now, I think he’s kind of fighting. So we’ve got to keep supporting him.”
Tucker isn’t the only player who’s struggling. Mookie Betts has been hot and cold at the plate. Teoscar Hernández hasn’t been slugging the way he’s accustomed to. And before arriving in Colorado, the team was in a collective slump.
Tucker, however, is in the first year of a four-year, $240-million contract. And so far the Dodgers haven’t seen the version of him that elevated the Cubs’ offense in the first half of last year and was a steady part of the Astros’ lineup during a run of sustained success.
“Whether it’s my first year or 10th year with a team, I think it’d be frustrating regardless,” Tucker said. “But it’s not like I’m frustrated just because I’m playing at home or anything. Whether it’s on the road or at home, it would be frustrating, just not helping the team win games.”
He slid into his most recent slump during the Dodgers’ last homestand, but the Colorado altitude didn’t immediately work its magic when the team went back on the road.
During Monday’s SNLA broadcast, analyst Eric Karros suggested sending Tucker to Arizona for a reset.
The less extreme version would be sitting Tucker for several games in a row.
“I’m not at the point where it’s like a three-day, three-game reset situation, something like that,” Roberts said Tuesday afternoon.
He did, however, give Tucker a day off Saturday, saying he saw Tucker’s frustration as he continued to struggle offensively at Dodger Stadium. And Tuesday, he said he hadn’t decided whether to start Tucker against Rockies left-handed starter Kyle Freeland the next day.
“It’s tough because, I mean, I feel like I’ve tried just about everything,” Tucker said. “And every time I feel like I’m turning a corner, I get hit with a roadblock. But, you can’t stop. You just got to keep going, try and at least pick out the positives, and just try and ride with that. Just keep on moving to the next day and hope for something to build.”
IT looks like The Beatles are getting back to where they once belonged — at the famous Abbey Road zebra crossing.
The cast of the upcoming Fab Four biopics recreated the iconic cover image of the 1969 Abbey Road album.
It looks like The Beatles are getting back to where they once belonged — at the famous Abbey Road zebra crossingCredit: MCPIX LTDThe cast of the upcoming Fab Four biopics recreated the iconic cover image of the 1969 Abbey Road albumCredit: MCPIX LTD
The four Beatles biopics are due out in April 2028.
The friction between Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr in 1970 will be brought to life in the upcoming Beatles biopic.
Harris Dickinson led the way as John Lennon, followed by Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney and Joseph Quinn as George HarrisonCredit: MCPIX LTDThe Fab Four are back on the Abbey Road crossingCredit: MCPIX LTD
Everyone knows the stars of Southern California’s driving landscape: Pacific Coast Highway, the cinematic connector of beach cities; Angeles Crest Highway, a stunning and winding mountain route; and “The Snake,” Mulholland Highway’s infamous roadway that reopened late last year.
A sign along California 33 near Ojai.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
But there’s a less-traveled route that feels just as quintessentially SoCal: California 33 to Hudson Ranch Road, passing through Ojai, Maricopa, New Cuyama and Frazier Park.
Parts of this road curl in on themselves into tight, technical twisties — catnip to car enthusiasts and motorcyclists. But this two-lane motorway also showcases the splendor and diversity of the rugged region, from the forested mountains and canyons in Ventura to the jagged rocks and chaparral of the desert vistas, making it appealing to thrill seekers and sightseers alike. While roadways like the 5 serve to get you from one point to another quickly and efficiently, this one begs you to relish the journey.
“A road like this forces your mind to focus on the immediate needs of car control, while rewarding it with the beauty of the natural world,” says Dave Coleman, a Mazda R&D engineer from Long Beach who incorporates Hudson Ranch Road into his drives to and from the Bay Area. “While driving, there just isn’t enough mental bandwidth left to worry about the stressful things in life.”
This route brings people together, including me and my car enthusiast friends, who regularly go on these driving excursions — gas prices be damned. “We drive these roads for the excitement and euphoria, just like people go to Disneyland,” says Matt Kometer, a SkyLink supervisor from San Pedro who drives a 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata. And, unlike Disneyland or the traditional getaways that involve a hotel stay or a flight, these outings can be put together in a manner of hours.
I was a passenger on a recent Sunday pleasure cruise with a caravan of nine cars, which started in Ojai and ended at the base of Mount Pinos in the Los Padres National Forest. That’s 28 miles as the crow flies, but our route, with a detour for lunch in Cuyama, swelled the journey to more than 100 miles.
An 2026 Audi RS 3 heading to the lunch stop in Cuyama.
(Caroline Pardilla)
If you’re planning a trip of your own, a few things to note before you hit the road: Always check the road conditions, top up the tank because there’s only one gas station in Cuyama, download maps because cell service is spotty, and, if you’re caravanning with friends, it’s nice to bring walkie-talkies to stay in contact. The tunnel section of 33 in Wheeler Springs will be closed Aug. 28-31. Check the Caltrans website for updates.
Here’s a play-by-play of our day on the road.
10 a.m.: Breakfast at Pinyon on Ojai Avenue
Arriving from all corners of the L.A. Basin, the drivers meet up and fuel up at Pinyon Ojai, a pizza restaurant on Ojai Avenue. The shop serves single-origin coffee from Ventura’s Beacon Coffee and breakfast sandwiches featuring house-made bagels. Street-side seating affords prime car spotting, which today includes a right-hand-drive Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUV and an immaculate brown-on-tan Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda two-seater. Those who time their trip for the second Sunday morning of every month can check out the cars and coffee event a few blocks away at Westridge Midtown Market.
In the restaurant, the friends catch up, chatting about the cars they drove here, the progress of their current car projects and the route for the day. There is an air of anticipation. For many in the group, it’s their first time driving this route. Miatas feature heavily in this crowd, but there are also high-performance rides, like a Porsche 911, a first-generation Audi R8 and an Audi RS 3.
Traveling the canyon on the two-lane highway through Wheeler Springs and Wheeler Gorge is beautiful but slow going, past houses and campgrounds as well as high rock walls that threaten to rain down scree. Three narrow, dark tunnels along the way throttle speeds because of the sudden contrasts from broad daylight. Highway 33, at a modest 3.5% grade, meanders over and along creeks that are invisible from the road but marked by riparian vegetation.
Drivers gather around their cars while stopping along State Route 33.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
After the road opens up, the drivers make short work of the curves while maintaining a respectful distance from one another. Occasionally, a leisure driver bunches up the group until they pull over at the next turnout to let the faster drivers pass. The series of switchbacks with hairpin turns offer a satisfying run up to Pine Mountain Summit. “That’s some world-class sports car fun there,” says Alex Vendler, a cinematographer from Glendale who drove up in a 2003 Miata. The 5,160-foot-high summit allows us to catch our breath and take in the views of the San Rafael Mountains in the west.
Chris Floren of Torrance poses in front of his “Viccup,” a 1960s truck draped over a Ford Crown Victoria.
(Caroline Pardilla)
1 p.m.: A break and more car talk at roadside motel Cuyama Buckhorn
The Buckhorn Restaurant at Cuyama Buckhorn, a midcentury roadside hotel refurbished in 2018, serves as the perfect respite. It’s about 10 miles off our route but is an air-conditioned oasis of burgers, pie a la mode and endless ice water.
If there’s a downside to stopping in the “hidden valley of enchantment,” it’s the distinct lack of shaded parking. But at least there are plenty of spots in front of the hotel. Through the diner’s large front-facing windows, we watched a cowboy mosey past on his horse, checking out the variety of vehicles.
A group of friends has lunch at the Buckhorn Restaurant at Cuyama Buckhorn.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Even though there are 12 of us walk-ins, the hostess immediately pushes several tables together to accommodate the group. The dynamics of this long table invite several different conversations to break out — all about cars. “I have a Miata, and I want a Miata,” says Vendler. Apparently, his tablemate William Benedict, a software engineer from West Hollywood who drove the R8, was skeptical about all the love for the Mazda roadster. Elsewhere, motorsports manager Chris Floren of Torrance is getting props for the surprising prowess of his sleeper “Viccup” — a Ford Crown Victoria police car with a ’60s-era pickup body draped over it. Another group discusses how “One Battle After Another” features the most Nissan Sentra SE-R content of any movie.
After last-minute gulps of water, everyone filters back into the heat of the desert and hurries to air out the cars’ ovenlike cabins. There is a mini photo shoot with Floren’s truck in front of the vintage hotel sign, and then we jump in the cars and backtrack up the 33/166 toward Hudson Ranch Road.
The Hudson Ranch Road is more fun in a Mitsubishi Evo IX.
(Caroline Pardilla)
3:30 p.m.: A ‘roller coaster’ of a road and a reunion in Pine Mountain Club
Unlike Maricopa Highway 33, Hudson Ranch Road features coarser asphalt, no guardrails and more passing zones than turnouts. Kometer said it should be a tarmac rally stage while professional stunt driver and Long Beach local Sarah Fairfield, who piloted the second ’26 MX-5 on this trip, equated it to a roller coaster. The road was originally built in the ’30s to accommodate traffic heading to the ski resort, which closed in the ’70s. Now, the group deems it the highlight of the day. “It let me enjoy the act of driving without having to go too fast,” says Karl Buchka, an aerospace engineer from El Segundo who drove up in the 911.
Although the friends were separated on this leg, having each taken the route at their own pace, they reunite at Pine Mountain General Store in Pine Mountain Club. The Village Center convenience store beckons with shaded parking and a freezer full of frozen treats. Between bites of a chocolate ice cream bar, Coleman proposes continuing on toward Santa Clarita, via the twisties on Bouquet Canyon and Spunky Canyon roads. With competing commitments, however, most of the drivers reluctantly bow out.
A look back at the caravan on the 166/33, heading toward Hudson Ranch Road.
(Caroline Pardilla)
In any case, the daylong cruise served its purpose of resetting the week and reconnecting the friends. “A lot of what this hobby or lifestyle or whatever is about is ultimately an excuse to spend time with friends, and to make new ones,” says Jason Kavanagh, a turbopump engineer from Mid-City who brought a Mitsubishi Evo IX to the outing. “So, yeah, the road is a means to that end.”
The drivers at Pine Mountain Club Village. From left, Matt Kometer, William Benedict, Alex Vendler, Dave Coleman, Sarah Fairfield, Jason Kavanagh, Chris Floren and Derek Dicker.
People told by officials that cars are also permitted go through crossings under specific rule – even when green crossing light is on
13:37, 10 Aug 2026Updated 13:41, 10 Aug 2026
People crossing roads in Italy have been issued a new warning(Image: Getty)
The Foreign Office has issued a warning for anyone visiting one of the UK’s favourite holiday destinations this summer. Italy is one of the most popular holiday hotspots – with 4.8 million visits in 2025 according to the Office of National Statistics.
However, a new alert has been put out by officials at the Foreign Office for anyone crossing the street. It said that people in the UK are used to being able to get across safely when lights are on red.
But it explained that in Italy this could be dangerous – as drivers are allowed to turn right when the green pedestrial crossing sign is on. And the Foreign Office said people can also be fined for crossing the road.
In today’s update it said: “Traffic can be busy, fast and chaotic, especially in the larger cities. Take care when crossing roads. Pedestrians should cross roads at a crossing. You can be fined for crossing the road if you are within 100 metres of a pedestrian crossing but do not use it. Drivers do not always stop, even though they are required to. The green pedestrian crossing signal also allows cars to turn right on to the crossing, so cross with caution.
“Exercise caution in poorly lit or unfamiliar areas, including in road underpasses. Emergency exits in vehicle tunnels are for emergency use only if you need to leave your vehicle and should not be used as pedestrian routes.”
In terms of crime, the Foreign Office advice is that compared to the UK petty street crime is higher. It said :”Crime levels are generally low but there are higher levels of petty crime, particularly bag-snatching and pickpocketing, in city centres and at major tourist attractions. “
Advice includes:
keep sight of your belongings at all times
beware of thieves using distraction techniques
avoid carrying all your valuables together in handbags or pockets
leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place such as a hotel safe
Cars can also be targeted: “Thefts from parked cars is common across the country. Avoid leaving luggage in your vehicle, even out of sight in the boot, for any length of time.
“Thieves may use a variety of methods to distract you or encourage you to stop your car, including asking for help or directions or pointing out a fictional fault with your car. “
For more information on safety from the Foreign Office about Italy click here.
This winding path has been used for centuries – and is just as popular today.
This is one of the oldest roads in Britain(Image: Getty)
A winding road which meanders through Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire is thought to be the oldest in Britain. The Ridgeway is an ancient path which has provided safe routes through the country for centuries.
The road follows a ride of chalk hills for 139 kilometres to reach Ivinghoe Beacon in northwest London. This same route is the one that travellers, farmers and soldiers have walked for more than 5,000 years.
Nowadays, the road is popular with cyclists and walkers as well as people who use mobility scooters.
Along the trail, walkers can gaze out over wide views of rolling chalk hills and find all kinds of archaeological marvels.
There are Iron Age forts, as well as the White Horse of Uffington, which is thought to be the oldest hill figure in Britain.
The White Horse is carved into the chalk hillside and is an incredible 374 feet in length. According to the BBC it’s thought to date back to 1,000BC in the late Bronze Age.
The path also takes walkers past Wayland’s Smithy – a Neolithic ruin that is thought to have once been the home of Wayland, the Saxon god of metalworking.
It’s an atmospheric area.
The visible ruin is actually a secondary structure – the original, which lies beneath the stones, is thought to have been a burial structure where 14 people were interred between 3460 and 3400 BC.
Wayland’s Smithy was constructed on top of the burial site, and has remained there over the centuries.
The track fluctuates between the wide open chalk paths along the hillside and the deeply embedded lanes between ancient beech trees.
Once you are East of the Thames, The Ridgeway travels through the sun-dappled woodland and the intimate hills and valleys of the Chilterns – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The walk is rich in history, but also makes for a stunning walk. You don’t have to tackle the whole thing at once – there are plenty of circular routes dotted along the trail, and multiple places to start and finish.
THEY say you should never meet your heroes . . . but I can heartily recommend meeting your villains.
At the Night With The Knights special event near Belfast, a crowd of Game Of Thrones fans joined a Q&A session with actors Ian Beattie (sadistic Kingsguard Ser Meryn Trant), Dominic Carter (weaselly Ser Janos Slynt) and Ian McElhinney (noble Ser Barristan Selmy).
Tollymore Forest, where direwolf pups are found and later where Arya hides from GoldcloaksCredit: Jayme BrylaNed Stark finds the direwolves in Episode 1 of Game of ThronesCredit: HBO
Beattie stole the show with hilarious, sweary anecdotes about his time on the HBO fantasy series, with Ed Sheeran the target of some choice barbs.
But all three were amusing and gracious, posing for photos, signing autographs and coming round to chat during our dinner.
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It was my first time at the GoT Studio Tour — which is planning more events with stars — and, as a megafan, I was not disappointed with all the costumes, weapons and sets.
Highlights were being able to scan my mug into the Hall of Faces, which Arya Stark’s assassins used to disguise themselves, posing with the giant Wun Wun and, of course, sitting on the coveted Iron Throne.
Castle Ward, which was used for Winterfell in Game of ThronesCredit: SuppliedHow Winterfell looked in the seriesCredit: HBO
Our evening was just one stop on a five-day tour of film and TV locations in Northern Ireland.
We’d started in Londonderry, home to Channel 4comedyDerry Girls, spotting a giant mural featuring the five hellraising teens and visiting an exhibition showcasing a few sets and props.
From there, we travelled east around the coast, and in fair weather there are few places that can rival the scenery.
It’s easy to see why Northern Ireland is so attractive for filmmakers.
The Sun’s Jayme Bryla with Ian Beattie, who plays Ser Meryn Trant in Game of ThronesCredit: SuppliedDerry Girls mural in LondonderryCredit: Supplied
The route was packed with superb locations for memorable Thrones scenes, including:
Downhill Beach — the clifftop temple where Red Priestess Melisandre burned heretics.
Portstewart — where Jaime Lannister and Bronn encounter the Sand Snakes in Dorne.
Dunluce Castle — Greyjoys’ home Pyke, with help from CGI.
Ballintoy Harbour — where Theon Greyjoy meets sister Yara, and the neighbouring bay, where he is baptised for the Drowned God.
Carnlough Harbour steps — where Arya Stark crawls to safety after her battle with the Waif.
Hidden Village of Galboly — which doubles as the Vale of Arryn.
Cairncastle’s hills — where Ned Stark beheads a deserter in the first episode.
The film scenery isn’t restricted to GoT, as the clifftop ruins at Dunseverick Castle were used for the live-action remake of How To Train Your Dragon.
At the centre of Glenarm Castle’s walled gardens, you can see areas used to film Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, and Thrones spin-off A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms.
Nearby, in Glenarm village, is Steensons jewellers, which made many of the pieces used in GoT, then it was on to Carrickfergus Castle, a key location for Dungeons & Dragons.
Carnlough Harbour steps in Northern IrelandCredit: SuppliedArya Stark crawls to safety after her battle with the Waif in Season 6Credit: HBO
I’d recommend having a guide — not just to get to the right places, but because locals love a good chinwag.
You’ll probably hear stories about the cast and crew (occasionally indiscreet, such as the actress despised by fellow thesps, or which actor appeared naked in a hotel lobby), and they are proud to show off their country.
Next stop Belfast, with locations for some of my other favourite non-fantasy TV series including Line Of Duty, which was shooting its seventh season while we were there, the Botanic Gardens where The Fall’s sexy serial killer, played by Jamie Dornan, stalks his victims, and Crumlin Road Gaol, now used for tours and filming.
We stayed in a different hotel every night and not a dud among them, but highlights were Harbourview in Carnlough, a destination whiskey property, and Slieve Donard in Newcastle, with an opulent pool.
Cairncastle’s hills, where Ned Stark beheads a deserter in the first episodeCredit: SuppliedNed Stark beheads a deserterCredit: HBO
South of Belfast we were back into the wild at Castle Ward, which served as the Starks’ seat of Winterfell and features the courtyard where Ned Stark taught his children archery, the stable where Tyrion Lannister romped with brothel beauties, and the window from which Jaime Lannister pushed Bran Stark.
Further around Strangford Lough is Audley’s Castle, a 15th-century tower that doubled (literally, as CGI was used to create two) as The Twins, treacherous Walder Frey’s stronghold.
Finally, at mystical Tollymore Forest, GoT scenes here include the creek where the direwolf pups are found, and where Arya hides from the Gold Cloaks.
Most bone-chilling, though, was the glade where Thrones’ opening scene was shot, where Night’s Watch rangers encounter a pit containing dismembered corpses that are not as dead as they appear.
Tollymore Forest, the ‘Wildling Pit’ used in the first episode where all the ‘dead’ bodies are found arranged in a strange patternCredit: Jayme BrylaHow the scene from Tollymore Forest ended up looking in the showCredit: HBO
So our tour’s end had brought us to the start, which just made me want to binge-watch it all again.
To paraphrase Jaime Lannister, the things we do for love of TV . . .
GO: NORTHERN IRELAND
GETTING THERE: EasyJet flies from Birmingham to Belfast from £18.49 each way. See easyjet.com.
STAYING THERE: Rooms at The Walled City Hotel cost from £87 per night. See walledcityhotel.com. Rooms at The Harbourview Hotel cost from £120 per night.
See theharbour viewhotel.com. Rooms at The Bedford Hotel cost from £199 per night.
See thebedfordhotelbelfast.com. Rooms at Slieve Donard Hotel cost from £188 per night. See marineandlawn.com/slievedonard.
WITH the summer holidays in full swing, many Brits are swapping their passports for a classic road trip.
Rising travel costs and endless airport queues have seen more and more Brits opt for a staycation this year.
The classic road trip is becoming even more popular, as Brits opt for a staycation over a holiday abroadCredit: SWNS
The UK’s best road trip routes have officially been ranked, as a record number of Brits ditch trips abroad for the UK’s best scenery.
From beautiful coastlines, to tranquil national parks, these 10 scenic routes showcase the highlights of the British countryside.
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Lake District Scenic Loop, England
The Lake District’s Scenic Loop shows off the very best of the glacial lakes and landscapesCredit: Alamy
The Lake District’s Scenic Loop, catching the very best of the region’s mountaineous terrain and glacial lakes, ranks as Britain’s favourite road trip.
Driving routes such as the Keswick-Borrowdale-Buttermere loop, or the larger Ambleside-Keswick-Ullswater circuit, are road trip favourites, letting you enjoy the very best of the landscape.
The North Coast 500 boasts historic castles, stunning beaches, and beautiful sceneryCredit: PA
Scotland’s famous 516-mile-long North Coast 500 ranks second, praised for its dramatic scenery.
Boasting historic castles and stunning beaches, this sprawling route offers a phenomenal snapshot of the Northern Highlands.
Atlantic Highway, South West England
Stretching 70 miles from Devon to Cornwall, the Atlantic Highway is the third most popular routeCredit: Getty
The Atlantic Highway, the scenic 70-mile stretch from Barnstaple in North Devon, to Newquay in Cornwall, takes third place.
Travellers taking this coastal route can take in the beautiful beaches, spectacular cliffs, and enjoy delicious seafood on the way.
Snowdonia’s Coast Way, Wales
Drivers along Snowdonia’s Coast Way see regular sightings of dolphins, porpoises and sealsCredit: Alamy
Spanning roughly 49 to 80 miles along the region’s western coastal mountains, Snowdonia’s Coast Way boasts views of sandy beaches and historic mountains.
With frequent sightings of dolphins, porpoises and seals, along with seaside towns to enjoy, this scenic route places fourth.
Yorkshire Dales Scenic Drive, England
Visitors of the Yorkshire Dales can enjoy the valleys of Wensleydale, Swaledale, and Wharfedale on their journeyCredit: Alamy
A drive through the Yorkshire Dales takes you through an area renowned for its pretty villages and windswept moors.
Placing fifth, the route’s combination of greenery and the inviting valleys of Wensleydale, Swaledale, and Wharfedale, keep Brits coming back year after year.
Jurassic Coast Trip, South Coast of England
Devon’s Jurassic Coast is England’s first natural UNESCO World Heritage SiteCredit: Alamy
Achieving sixth place, the 95-mile-long Jurassic Coast route takes holidaymakers straight through England’s first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This road trip shows off England’s best geological features, stretching between Old Harry Rocks in Dorset and Exmouth in East Devon.
Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland
The Causeway Coastal Route shows off almost all of Northern Ireland’s coastlineCredit: Getty
The Causeway Coastal Route shows off Northern Ireland’s rocky terrain between the cities of Belfast and Derry.
Considered one of the most scenic drives in the world, and full of opportunities to explore castles, beaches and historic towns, Ireland’s coastal journey ranks seventh.
Dartmoor Explorer Route, Devon
The ancient woodlands of Dartmoor National Park is a great place to explore on a road tripCredit: Getty
The open moorland and historic villages of Devon’s Dartmoor National Park is a great way to enjoy the south of England’s gorgeous scenery.
Placed at eighth, a drive through the ancient woodlands takes you to the heart of Devon.
Pembrokeshire Coastal Drive, Wales
West Wales’s best scenery can be seen through the rugged cliffs of the Pembrokeshire CoastCredit: Getty
Spanning as far as 180 miles, a road trip through Pembrokeshire Coast National Park places ninth.
This route guides you through the best west Wales scenery from rugged sea cliffs, medieval castles, and harbour towns.
Hadrian’s Wall Route, Northumberland
Hadrian’s Wall is one of the best kept Roman structures in the countryCredit: Getty
The 73 mile coast-to-coast route, stretching from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Cumbria, is a beautiful way to enjoy this artefact of the Roman Empire.
Ranking tenth on the list, this road trip offers stunning viewpoint hikes and historic market towns.
This road has a long history studded with soldiers, cyclists and tourists
The road attracts daredevils(Image: Getty)
Tucked in the hills of the Lake District is a twisting road that is so steep and challenging it’s often brought up as one of the most dangerous in the UK. Hardknott Pass, between Eskdale and the Duddon Valley, links the Lake District with West Cumbria.
Often impassable in the winter due to snow and ice, it is also one of the steepest in the UK. It has a maximum gradient of 33%, and winds through the mountains with a series of hairpin turns that would put fear in any casual driver.
This steep gradient draws endurance cyclists from across the world. It’s steeper than any other mountain stage in any other European races, including the Tour de France.
Every year, cyclists flock to the pass to complete the Fred Whitton Challenge – an 112 mile ride around the Lake District.
From Romans to tank training
A version of what is now Hardknott Pass was built by the Romans around AD110 to link the coastal fort at Ravenglass to their garrisons in Ambleside. They called it the tenth highway, but it fell into disrepair in the early 5th century when the Romans left Britain. For years it was used as an unpaved packhorse route to transport lead and farming goods.
In the 1880s, the road was improved by the English Lake District Association – a group of hoteliers. They hoped that making the road better would encourage more people to travel there but by 1891 it had failed to attract the number of people they had wanted.
Instead, the route was popular with cyclists and motorists. Even then, it was described as a challenging road to pass, with the Guide to North-West England describing the old coach road as “difficult going West, cruel coming East”.
Fast forward to World War 2 and the remote mountain pass was in regular use by British forces who used it to train tank drivers, completely destroying what was left of the road surface.
After the war it was finally tarmacked and opened to vehicles.
The road today
Now, the road is a thrilling drive where anyone coming downhill must be prepared to reverse into tight passing bays to allow those coming up the right of way.
However, despite the challenge of driving the road, the views at its 393 metre summit are well worth the effort.
The peak of the mountain offers breathtaking panoramic views stretching toward the Scafell range.
As you drive along the route, you pass the haunting ruins of Hardknott Roman fort, where the same soldiers who used to travel the pass stood watch over the mountain wilderness.
NEW YORK — Dodgers reliever Will Klein had just induced the Mets’ Marcus Semien to whiff on a high fastball. So, he went there again, a little further inside. But Semien got a hold of it for a three-run home run that put the game thoroughly out of reach.
The Dodgers ended an impressive road trip on a sour note with the 8-3 loss to the New York Mets.
They went 6-3 on their East Coast swing and won series against the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Mets.
“It’s great,” manager Dave Roberts said Saturday night. “It seems like we’ve been on the road a long time, but the travel has been nice as far as staying in this time zone. We’re finding ways to win. So that’s the main thing. That’s the object of the game.”
The Dodgers’ All-Stars, as well as Roberts and his coaching staff, left for Philadelphia two weeks ago. The rest of the team met them in New York for three games against the Yankees. Then they traveled to Philadelphia for a three-game set, took a detour to Washington to visit the White House before returning to New York.
“It’s been a long road trip — especially for the guys who went to Philly for the All-Star Game,” right fielder Kyle Tucker said. “Being able to come out of the break and play some really good teams and put together really competitive at-bats and great innings from our pitching staff is huge. Some of the guys are kind of grinding in terms of how long they’ve been away from L.A. It’s kind of part of it. You’ve got to come out and play regardless and they’ve done a great job of that.”
Even so, the Dodgers (67-39) played cleaner baseball on this extended road trip — a couple baserunning mistakes aside — than they did in the homestand before the break.
Maybe the Dodgers just needed time off to reset.
Against the Mets (44-62) on Sunday, the first couple innings didn’t look promising. After Shohei Ohtani led with a double and Max Muncy drew a two-out walk, both were left stranded.
A.J. Ewing’s lead-off double against Dodgers starter Emmet Sheehan, however, almost immediately led to a run. Francisco Lindor then sent a low changeup into shallow right field for an RBI single.
The Dodgers’ three-up, three-down second inning ended when Teoscar Hernández tried to stretch a single into a double and ran into an out. Then, Sheehan hit Tyrone Taylor with a pitch to start the bottom half of the inning.
Sheehan retired the next three batters as the Dodgers started to take control. They pulled into the lead with a two-run third inning, powered by doubles from Eliézer Alfonzo — his second double in as many appearances — and Freddie Freeman.
The Dodgers manufactured another run the next inning with a pair of singles, an error by Mets first baseman Jared Young, and a run-scoring double play.
As the Dodgers bullpen took over in the sixth, however, the game slipped away. Jack Dreyer walked two batters and recorded just one out in the sixth inning before Roberts replaced him with Evan Phillips.
In a 1-1 count, Phillips threw a sinker on the inside edge of the strike zone, and Taylor lifted it into the left-field stands for a go-ahead three-run homer. Phillips, who last week talked about rewiring his rehab mindset, has already surrendered four home runs in just seven outings.
A run-scoring passed ball from Dalton Rushing and Semien’s three-run blast in the seventh ultimately sealed the win for the Mets.
This road has some truly stunning views – but if you’re behind the wheel, it’s safer not to look at them.
This terrifying road is one of the most dangerous in Europe(Image: Getty)
Road trips can be a fabulous way to see the world – but hidden in a back corner of Europe is a road trip unlike any other. This mountain pass is infamous as one of the most dangerous in the world, travelling over the ranges with 70 foot drops, no guard rails and waterfalls crashing over your path.
Known as Europe’s ‘death road ’ the Abano Pass in the Caucasus Mountains of Georgia is widely known as the most dangerous road in Europe. It is the only vehicle route connecting the lowlands of the Kakheti region to the isolated mountain region of Tusheti.
It is approximately 70 kilometres long, but due to the extreme conditions it can take an experienced driver anything between four to six hours.
According to dangerousroads.org, between 10 and 12 people die in crashes every year on this isolated stretch of road.
It is a steep, winding road that is only open to 4×4 vehicles due to its rough and unpredictable surface, tight turns and precipitous climbs.
It is only open during the summer months from around May to October (depending on weather conditions).
Frequent rainfall and melting snow can trigger rockfalls or landslides which can wipe the road out entirely, and several waterfalls mean the road is often wet and slippery.
There are several waterfalls which crash across the road, and these can hide deep potholes beneath the water. If the water is heavier than usual, it also runs the risk of sweeping vehicles sideways off the road and down the sheer cliff face with little warning.
The road is also incredibly slim, making it terrifying if you meet another car coming the other way.
While some people may think there is room to pass by squeezing the two cars in close, this would be a mistake.
According to IsleofNomads, the road can quickly give way and send the car on the outside hurtling into the deep ravine below.
Instead, it is safer to very carefully reverse until you find a spot where you can tuck the car in off the road and allow the other vehicle to pass.
For those brave enough to traverse it, the Abano Pass does boast some truly jaw-dropping views – just make sure your driver is focused on the road, not the scenery.
AS a travel writer and a mum of a seven-year-old boy who frequently solo parents on trips abroad, there is no gadget or toy that makes my life easier when travelling than the Yoto player.
From plane journeys to passport control queues, coach transfers to quiet moments by the pool that allow me to read a few pages of my long-ignored book, the little machine is worth its weight in gold.
Yoto have released seven hours of free audiobooks for kids this summer holidays
But let’s face it, they aren’t cheap. The Mini Yoto Player costs £59.99 and then you have to pay around £7.99 to £9.99 for every story card.
Still well worth it, in my opinion, but a pain on the purse strings nonetheless.
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So it’s music to my ears, and doubtless millions of other parents to learn that Yoto have released seven hours of free audiobooks for kids this summer holidays, which they’re calling their ‘summer travel audio collections.’
Created for kids ages 3-14 and divided into two themed listening experiences – On the Road and A World of Adventure – the collection blends stories, music and educational content curated specifically for travel days.
The On the Road collection includes: Journey Jams – upbeat music for family singalongs and long drives for kids aged 3-10, Biggest Ideas: Garrett Morgan, Inventor of the Traffic Signal – that introduces kids to the inventor behind traffic lights for kids aged 6-10, and Yoto Classics: The Wind in the Willows for kids aged 8-14.
The A World of Adventure collection includes: 5-Minute Stories from Around the World – bite-sized global tales for kids aged 4-7, Songs for Little Explorers – playful music and discovery-themed songs for kids aged 3-10, and Yoto Classics: Treasure Island– the classic pirate adventure reworked for younger listeners, for kids aged 8-14.
Yoto Content Director, Jess Tarrant said: “Travelling with kids can be a lot of fun, but it can also be overwhelming. We know parents are constantly looking for ways to keep kids entertained while reducing screen fatigue during long travel days.
“Yoto was built for moments exactly like this: helping kids stay engaged, curious, and independent whether they’re in the backseat, at the airport gate, or winding down after a busy day of adventure.”
Available until September 1 via the Discover section of the free Yoto app, the collection features 12 guided drawing episodes
Yoto’s free summer travel playlist collections are available until September 1 through the Yoto App.
Yoto also has a new free Daily Draw Along collection, themed around rail and holidays, in partnership with Trainline.
The Draw Along collection acts like a creative travel companion for children, with each episode guiding them through a different scene inspired by trains, holidays and the things they might spot along the way.
Young travellers can design their own dream train or an under-the-sea train, head off on a mountain trail or a rollercoaster adventure.
Available until September 1 via the Discover section of the free Yoto app, the collection features 12 guided drawing episodes.
They’re inspired by what children may see or experience as they travel, and you don’t even need a Yoto player to use these guides.
On Friday, a group of retired judges stepped off a tour bus in a ritzy Michigan suburb after three days of barnstorming through corn fields, cities and coal towns in Ohio and Pennsylvania. They carried with them a message.
In courthouses and public squares, they marked the nation’s 250th anniversary with a dire warning: The rule of law in America is in grave danger. They delivered a similar message at a library in Grosse Pointe just outside Detroit — the last stop on an extraordinary tour to defend judicial independence and bolster trust in courts.
Americans’ confidence in the court system and democracy has dipped in recent years. The country is more polarized, and President Trump has repeatedly cast doubt on the fairness of the judicial system.
Some judges on the tour said in phone interviews this week that the United States was at a precipice.
“Looking back in history, we have teetered,” former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael Donnelly said. “This is a moment where we can decide to reinstill those beliefs that we are a country of laws and not of men.”
Judges step off the bench
The four-day tour through the Rust Belt is a sharp departure for a typically reserved and insular branch of government. Federal judges in particular largely limit their comments to the courtroom and written decisions, focusing on the facts of individual cases.
But that restraint is loosening amid a barrage of attacks by Trump and other White House officials, the administration’s rampant defiance of U.S. district court orders and its expansive view of executive power. Trump has called a district judge who ruled against one of his immigration moves “crooked” and suggested with no evidence that Supreme Court justices who struck down his tariffs were motivated by foreign interests.
More federal judges have recently begun talking about receiving death threats and profane messages, though they have not blamed Trump or any other officials. Some have blasted administration policies in sharply worded opinions that strayed beyond the legal dispute before them. Even U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. has weighed in.
In an appearance in March, Roberts said personal criticism of federal judges was dangerous and had to stop. The rare rebuke from the head of the nation’s top court came two days after Trump’s remark about a “crooked” judge, though Roberts didn’t mention Trump or anyone else by name.
The U.S. Marshals Service reported 564 threats against federal judges in the government fiscal year that ended in September, up from 509 the year before.
“I don’t want to say we have moved into an era of lawlessness, but it sometimes feels that way,” said former U.S. District Court Judge Victoria Roberts, who joined the bus tour in Michigan.
Timothy Lewis, another former federal judge on the tour, said his concerns about the politicization of the judicial branch reached a tipping point a decade ago, when Senate Republicans thwarted President Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. Today, the rule of law is facing an “existential threat” from an ongoing breakdown of norms, according to Lewis, who spent seven years on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
“I have fundamental concerns,” he said, “about where we are headed as a nation.”
Their route has been varied
The tour started Tuesday in the western Pennsylvania town of Greensburg — once the hub of a thriving coal industry that now lures visitors from nearby Pittsburgh for highland recreation and a historic downtown.
Judges mingled with customers at a coffee shop before speaking at the domed, ornate Westmoreland County Courthouse. Then it was off to Washington, also in western Pennsylvania. The town of 13,000 people, where about 15% of the population is Black, was a key stop on the Underground Railroad and a regional base for the civil rights movement.
From there, the bus headed west for events Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio, and the city of Wooster in Amish country. The judges stopped at a Cracker Barrel restaurant on the way. They spent Thursday in Cleveland before circling Lake Erie north to Michigan.
The two groups that planned the tour — dubbed “Justice in Motion” — say they were inspired by a similar campaign in Poland in 2021 after that country’s governing party took control of key judicial institutions.
Independent Polish judges visited scores of towns to promote the rule of law and teach voters about the country’s constitution. The U.S. tour also aims to educate people.
An effort to combat misinformation about what they do
Maureen O’Connor, a former chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, said judges risk ceding the narrative about their roles and motives to “voices of misinformation” if they don’t speak up.
A letter she received years ago, and still keeps, reminds her of that danger. The writer accused O’Connor, a Republican, of betraying her party when she repeatedly struck down Republican-drawn legislative maps as illegal gerrymanders. “There was just a basic misunderstanding of what my role was as a judge,” O’Connor said.
O’Connor is among roughly 30 judges, including two former federal judges and two current federal judges, who participated in the tour. One of the federal judges was nominated by a Democrat, the other three by Republicans. The state judges, some of whom are also still on the bench, represented both parties.
They were joined by former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, former Ohio attorneys general and a few lawyers. The event was put together by the Democracy Rising Collaborative and Keep Our Republic, nonpartisan advocacy groups.
Organizers say they chose stops that would get the judges in front of as many people as possible to build connections and trust. The judges embraced that mission.
“The lifeblood of the judiciary is public confidence,” Donnelly, the former Ohio Supreme Court justice, said. “If you lose that, it’s very difficult to get it back.”
Emmerdale stars Matthew Wolfenden and Roxy Shahidi suffered big losses on BBC’s Celebrity Antiques Road Trip
22:28, 09 Jul 2026Updated 22:48, 09 Jul 2026
Emmerdale star’s shock after staggering loss on Antiques Road Trip ‘we were robbed’(Image: BBC)
An Emmerdale icon suffered a massive financial loss during an episode of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, leaving their co-star thoroughly unimpressed.
In a repeated episode of the BBC programme, originally broadcast in 2024, Matthew Wolfenden and Roxy Shahidi searched the Yorkshire Dales for antique treasures with the assistance of experts Hettie Jago and Steven Moore, hoping to turn a profit.
After spending money on various items, the auction arrived – but things went disastrously wrong for both Matthew, who portrayed Davide Metcalfe on the soap, and Leyla Harding actress Roxy. Matthew’s vintage stereoscope was first, which he’d purchased for £20, but disappointingly fetched just £7.
Next came Roxy, hoping her Derbyshire pietra dura paperweight – bought for £15 – would command an impressive sum. “If this doesn’t make a profit we were robbed because that’s worth at least £100,” Roxy’s expert Steven declared.
Sadly it sold for merely £14. A devastated Stephen confessed: “I need therapy,” while Roxy watched in disbelief.
Matters deteriorated further for the soap pair when bidding commenced on Matthew’s Art Deco rouge pot, purchased for £90. The opening bid was £10, prompting Matthew to gasp “oh no,” before it eventually sold for a paltry £16, reports the Express.
Matthew’s astonished teammate Hettie was left open-mouthed, while a stunned Matthew exclaimed: “I’m gobsmacked!” Meanwhile, Roxy’s final item was a magic lantern, which they had splashed out a whopping £236 on. Sadly, it failed to generate the interest she had anticipated.
The lantern fetched a mere £30 at auction. Upon hearing the outcome, Matthew couldn’t resist a cheeky dig at his former soap co-star Roxy, chuckling away as Hettie told her: “I’m so sorry.”
When the auction wrapped up, the final tallies revealed who had come out on top financially. Roxy and Steven ended up making a loss of £284.38, meaning Matthew and Hettie were crowned the victors, having incurred a smaller loss of £225.46.
Afterwards, a triumphant Matthew teased Roxy: “Can you see the smile on my face?” Roxy replied: “Yeah I can see it.”
Matthew added: “Why’s that?” With gritted teeth Roxy said: “That’s because you won…” as Matthew erupted in celebration.
Tehran, Iran – Three weeks after Iran and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding to extend their ceasefire, their truce remains fragile.
Three tankers have been hit in the Strait of Hormuz over the past two days, even as Iran and the US are expected to restart mediated negotiations to end the war next week, after the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The US military on Wednesday launched large air attacks on Iran’s southern provinces, which prompted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s regular army to fire missiles and drones on US interests in Bahrain and Kuwait. Both sides accused each other of violating the understanding signed last month.
But even if a long-term resolution is eventually reached and Western sanctions on Iran are lifted, analysts say that it will take time for the country’s economy to recover.
The economy has been strained by years of local mismanagement and corruption; stringent Western and United Nations sanctions; and, more recently, damage sustained from two wars in a year with the US and Israel, deadly nationwide protests in January, and internet shutdowns.
When numbers tell a story
A falling purchasing power has pushed millions into poverty. Inflation has recently climbed to levels not seen since World War II, when Allied forces occupied Iran, took over railways and food supplies, and contributed to a deadly famine.
The latest report by the Statistical Center of Iran for Khordad, the third month of the Persian calendar that ended on June 21, showed inflation increasing by 88.6 percent compared to the same month of the year before. Inflation was up by nearly 6 percent compared to the second month of the current year.
Food inflation was skyrocketing at almost 134 percent in Khordad compared to the corresponding month a year earlier, with oils and fats surging by more than 278 percent, red meat and poultry by over 178 percent, and bread and cereals by nearly 139 percent.
Unemployment is at 7.5 percent during the current calendar year, according to the latest report by the statistical centre released at the end of June. But labour participation is at just 40 percent, meaning that most working-age people are operating outside the official labour force – including students, retirees, those engaged in irregular informal work, and those not seeking paid work.
The job-quality picture is also grim, as salaries are perennially falling behind expenses, as over 38 percent of officially employed people work more than 49 hours a week, and as youth unemployment is at over 20 percent, the centre reports.
The base monthly minimum wage equals only about $95 using the current open market exchange rate of the US dollar in Tehran. The rate has climbed to 1.75 million rials per greenback over recent days, not far from its all-time low of 1.9 million in May.
The damage — and the road to recovery
Due to a heavy budget crunch, the only relief the government is able to offer amounts to a few dollars’ worth of monthly cash subsidy and electronic coupons for purchasing essential goods.
A late June report by the Central Bank of Iran for the previous calendar year that ended on March 20 showed that gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the year stood at minus 0.7 percent, and gross fixed capital formation, a primary indicator of productive capacity and economic growth, was at nearly minus 12 percent. Imports were down 16.6 percent, as were exports by close to 5 percent.
The damage from nearly 40 days of heavy bombardment during the war, the longest nationwide state-imposed internet shutdown in any country, and a US naval blockade of Iran’s southern ports — the full extent of which remains undisclosed to the public — has only exacerbated Iran’s economic woes. The International Monetary Fund has projected that Iran’s real GDP will shrink by 6.1 percent in 2026.
Still, Mahdi Ghodsi, a senior economist at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, said that part of the recent job losses could be recoverable if there is a credible halt to military escalation, restoration of transport and logistics links, more predictable access to energy and fuel, and functioning internet and payment systems.
“In that case, some temporary layoffs in services, retail, transport, construction and small businesses could be reversed relatively quickly, because these activities are highly sensitive to uncertainty and disruptions rather than necessarily destroyed productive capacity,” he told Al Jazeera.
Longer-term challenges
But Ghodsi cautioned that part of the damage is likely to be more persistent.
“Where factories have lost machinery, inventories, imported inputs, workers, working capital, or access to energy, reopening is not simply a matter of returning to normal,” he said, adding that in some cases, full recovery may take years and require large investments, including foreign financing.
Last week, leading satellite imaging provider Planet Labs restored access to imagery for nearly 800 sites across Iran impacted during the war, after lifting earlier restrictions it had placed in response to a US government request to delay or suspend access.
Some Iranians on social media highlighted massive damage done to Iran Electronics Industries (SAIran), a state-owned defence industry heavyweight specialising in optics, communications, semiconductors and medical equipment, among other things.
But along with numerous military-linked sites and assets, and nuclear facilities built over decades now reduced to rubble, Iran’s industrial capacity and civilian infrastructure were also extensively targeted by US and Israeli warplanes and vessels during the war.
Oil and gas facilities, petrochemical and steel giants, electricity outposts, as well as maritime ports, airports, roads, bridges and residential units were significantly damaged.
Work on rebuilding facilities and recovering lost capacities has begun during the period of reduced military hostility over recent weeks, with some airports and industrial units restarting operations.
But a full recovery still appears distant and more destruction could still lay ahead. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened extensive attacks against Iran’s electricity grid and infrastructure like bridges if the war resumes.
Economist Ghodsi said the government’s limited fiscal capacity remains one of the central problems, since the state has already faced struggles in financing not only regular expenditures and salaries, but also obligations across public and semi-public sectors. “This fiscal weakness has been one of the drivers of inflation, as budgetary pressures are partly shifted onto the banking system and the central bank through monetary financing,” he said.
Domestic fissures
Speaking at a state-organised event in Tehran last month, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed concerns about another nationwide protest as public discontent remains high.
“Our most important strength is our unity, and the unity of our people. What I fear is that we fail to serve the people right and they are dissatisfied and come to the streets to protest. Then our might collapses,” he said.
Senior officials spearheading the mediated talks with Washington have backed the process as the viable path to delivering a better economy to the suffering Iranian population.
But hardliners within the system, who perceive Iran to have attained a major victory against superior military powers during the war, continue to vociferously reject giving any concessions.
During Khamenei’s funeral procession in Tehran on Monday, Pezeshkian was filmed getting heckled by anti-deal mourners who demanded blood vengeance for the slain supreme leader and shouted “Death to the compromiser” and “Death to the traitorous homeland-seller”.
The Skerries 100 motorcycle road race has been abandoned after a fatal accident on Sunday.
The incident happened in the Junior Support race, which was the second race of the day.
A statement from the Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club, which organises the races, said it “regrets to announced a competitor has sadly passed away following a tragic accident that occurred during a race”.
The organisers added the rider’s next of kin were being informed and more details would be released.
The Skerries 100, which takes place in County Dublin, was returning for the first time in four years after road racing was impacted by rising insurance costs in the Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland rider William Dunlop was the last rider to lose their life at the Skerries 100 in 2018.
On Saturday, his brother Michael, who has a record 36 wins at the Isle of Man TT, won the opening race at the 2026 races before the fatal accident.
The fatality is the third death at a road race on the island of Ireland in 2026.
On Friday, Irish rider James Walsh passed away after an accident at the Tandragee 100 road race in Northern Ireland six days earlier.
In May, Czech Republic rider Kamil Holan died in an accident in Superbike qualifying at the North West 200 international road race at Station Corner.
Later that month, English rider Dan Ingham was killed in an accident during a practice session at the Isle of Man TT.
Narin Flanders hit le road with her family, stopping off at Disneyland and Eurocamp as part of a tour of the country that began with Brittany Ferries and ended with Le Shuttle
Writer Narin Flanders took her family on a road trip through France for half term instead of flying and was surprised by many of the perks(Image: Narin Flanders)
There are plenty of good reasons to swap flying for a driving holiday this summer: airline prices are creeping up, airport strikes are planned in several European hub cities and rumblings about jet fuel availability with the ongoing issues in the Strait of Hormuz.
However, why my family and I finally took the plunge, after months of reading about roadtrips online, was a reason much closer to home. As a family of four allergic to the concept of travelling light, the idea of being able to fill our Kia Sportage with everyone’s (admittedly often non-essential) essentials and travel to a few different places in one trip was a tempting prospect.
So we took the plunge and put together an itinerary, including a bit of something for everybody. We started by getting on a Brittany Ferry at Portsmouth, travelling five hours to Caen and then two hours cross-country to a Eurocamp in Domaine des Ormes, Brittany.
Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com
We started with four days of Center Parcs style, living at a fraction of the price of a hotel. Swimming, ziplines, and playgrounds were aplenty (along with unlimited wifi – it wasn’t all Swallows and Amazons ). Then we meandered across to Le Mans as a treat for my husband and I, who are both major racing fans.
From the hallowed tarmac, we headed towards the capital to visit Disneyland Paris. After two full days at the European House of the Mouse, soaking up the new Adventure World Park as well as fulfilling all my son’s and my Marvel nerd dreams, we took Le Shuttle home.
While we were definitely nervous about driving abroad, what I realised quickly was that Gemini could answer lots of questions and even help plot the itinerary, right down to recommending great towns between our main destinations with things to do with the kids.
Planning ahead allowed us to get organised with essentials. In France, there’s a lot to consider to stay road legal. All cars driving in France need to have a safety kit in the boot in case of an emergency by law. They’re easily bought from Amazon for around £20, although make sure to buy extra high viz jackets if needed – everyone in the car needs their own.
Meanwhile, an Emovis tag is a £9 Bluetooth gadget that you can place on your dashboard and then just drive through tolls and be billed afterwards. It arrived in the UK in plenty of time for our trip, and we loved not having to faff with coins or payment cards at tolls along the way.
Cars driving in major cities that have been designated low-emission zones also need a Crit’Air sticker. These cost €4.71 (£4) including delivery and can be ordered from the French transport ministry – although beware the scam sites that come up on Google suggesting you order through them at a higher price. Cars without a Crit’Air can be fined €68, so if you think you’re going to stray into low-emission zones, it’s worth getting one for peace of mind.
While, of course, driving in France involves getting used to being on the wrong side of the road, once we were actually there, the experience was largely stress-free. I’d say French drivers are better at using motorways properly than we are – middle lane hogs didn’t seem to be much of a thing.
There are some differences, though. Notably, the responsibility for drivers to give way to cars joining the motorway, so remembering to move over took some getting used to. We were relieved to find Google Maps worked effectively everywhere we went, so it’s definitely worth paying for roaming data or picking up a temporary SIM from brands like Lebara or Smarty that include it free.
While a driving holiday was slightly out of our comfort zone, it turned into a fun family adventure we’d absolutely do again.
As well as the joys of the individual stops – and surprise diversions along the way, including discovering an unassuming restaurant with steak frites so epic it has become the stuff of family legend – we found, much to my surprise, that the time spent in the car watching the French landscape go by became part of the fun.
At home we’d be firmly in ‘are we there yet?’ territory, but a family Spotify playlist sharing our favourite songs and regular stops at French petrol stations for snacks made the drive as much a part of the adventure as everything else.
Book it
Narin stayed at the Domaine des Ormes Eurocamp. Currently, a four night stay for a two bedroom lodge through Eurocamp starting on Monday, July 20 is £975. For the October half term, Eurocamp is £289.64 for four nights.
The Iranian national team finally got to just play soccer.
Their journey to the World Cup has been uniquely fraught, with a war erupting between the host of their matches and their home country.
They had to relocate their base camp from Arizona to Tijuana, struggled to get all of their traveling party into the United States amid visa scrutiny and absorbed President Trump’s suggestion they may not be safe if they chose to play in the World Cup.
Iran forward Mohammad Mohebi (8) heads the ball for a goal during the second half against New Zealand in group play at the World Cup on Monday.
(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)
With the focus shifted solely to soccer, Iran’s 2-2 draw with New Zealand in front of an announced crowd of 70,108 Monday night at SoFi Stadium may have felt like a victory because of the sheer fight it took for Team Melli to play in Inglewood.
After Belgium and Egypt tied 1-1 earlier Monday, all the teams in Group G are tied at one point apiece.
The All Whites showed no signs they were rattled by the pro-Iran crowd or their standing 65 slots behind Iran in FIFA world rankings.
Iran fell behind twice, but the team rallied to avoid plummeting to the bottom of its group.
A flurry of chances generated by both teams during stoppage time never translated into a winning goal.
New Zealand struck first.
New Zealand forward Elijah Just, right, celebrates after scoring his second goal against Iran on Monday.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Elijah Just rumbled toward the box and seemed to pinball around the Iranian defense. He passed to Sarpreet Singh, who chipped the ball to Chris Wood in the box. Wood then chested the ball back to Just, who took one touch before kicking the ball in for New Zealand’s first goal in the seventh minute.
A small but hearty contingent of New Zealand cheered.
After the hydration break, Iran’s Ramin Rezaeian pushed the ball into the box and tapped it to Saman Ghoddos. Shahriyar Moghanlou’s shot was blocked, but Rezaeian was in position to tap the deflection into the far lower left corner of the net in the 32nd minute.
The stadium roared as Mexico fans joined Iran fans cheering and waving flags.
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1.Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand watches the ball go into the net after a goal by New Zealand forward Elijah Just in the first half.(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)2.Iran defender Milad Mohammadi leaps over a New Zealand defender during the second half.(Kelvin Kuo / Los Angeles Times)3.New Zealand defender Finn Surman, top, goes after the ball in front of Iran forward Ali Alipour during the second half.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)4.Iranian soccer team fans show their support during the team’s 2-2 draw with New Zealand.(Kelvin Kuo / Los Angeles Times)
Both teams has chances to break the tie late in the first half.
New Zealand earned a free kick in the 45th minute just outside the box. Wood took a direct shot at the goal, but Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand gathered it with ease.
During first-half stoppage time, Rezaeian’s free kick was headed home by Ali Nemati, but Nemati was clearly offsides and the goal was waived off by the referees.
In the 54th minute, Iran turned the ball over and Just connected with Just for his second goal of the match.
Iran responded in the 64th minute with Rezaeian’s cross headed home by Mohammad Mohebi, tying the game and delighting fans.
Iran forward Mohammad Mohebi reacts after scoring against New Zealand in the second half Monday.
(Kelvin Kuo / Los Angeles Times)
Before the game, protesters outside SoFi Stadium argued Iran’s oppression regime should be sanctioned for human rights violations and banned from competition. Other Iranian Americans countered they gathered at the venue to cheer on players rather than Iran’s totalitarian leaders.
Iran captain and star striker Mehdi Taremi said before the game he hoped the team that has unified in the face of massive distractions could provide solace during a difficult time.
“We, the players of the national team, we play for every Iranian, be it the Iranian diaspora or be it Iranians in the country,” Taremi said through a FIFA interpreter. “Look, in every country, people have different opinions, but we are here as footballers to unite people, and we will try to bring joy to all Iranians, irrespective of where they live.
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and we respect them, but we are here to bring joy to the Iranian people. We do not get involved in politics. We are here to play football.”
