Kate Ferdinand has shown off her toned abs in Christmas PJsCredit: InstagramThe star enjoyed a Christmas day with The Grinch and Santa in towCredit: InstagramKate shared a look at the Christmas decor inside her beautiful Dubai mansionCredit: Instagram
Kate displayed her toned abs and wore her highlighted locks down for the festive photoshoot.
She flashed a look inside her and Rio’s huge Dubai mansion, with marble floors, as she wandered to the door with her kids to let her friends in.
Kate and the girls then posed with Santa and The Grinch for a playful photo outside the front of the home.
And the fitness fanatic also gave a glimpse of her Christmas dining table, equipped with goody bags for the kids.
Fans rushed to the comments to rave about Kate’s look, as one penned: “Girls your pjs are so nice, where are they from please, you look beautiful.”
A second person added: “awesome smile and beautiful figure honey,” while a third penned: “Wow, Kate, how amazing do you look.”
Kate and Rio’s move
Last month, Kate posted a photo dump captioned “recently,” where she shared a string of interior shots.
The home boasts a huge bedroom with a fluffy beige rug and large bed, with brown wardrobes running alongside one of the walls.
Marble staircases can also be spotted inside the stylish abode, with the entrance hall looking very bright and airy.
A large black and white family photo can be spotted in the backdrop of one of Kate’s snaps in the home.
Kate flashed another look at the stunning marble entrance as she clutched a huge bouquet of red roses.
In the lounge, the family have opted for a huge wraparound white sofa with patterned scatter cushions and a white table with a bouquet of roses in the middle.
The famous family also appear to have an outdoor swimmingpool at their residence, which Kate shared a peek at.
The married couple are parents to son Cree, four, and daughter Shae, two.
Rio also has three children from a previous marriage, Lorenz, Tate, 16, and Tia, 13.
Rio proposed to Kate in Abu Dhabi two years later and the couple tied the knot one year on.
A source said of the couple: “It holds a special place in their hearts as that’s where they met and both could easily travel back and forth for their work commitments in the UK.
“As well as his sporting success Rio has a huge business portfolio now and there is lots of potential in the Middle East.”
The kids were treated to festive goody bagsCredit: InstagramKate snapped a photo of the front of the beautiful homeCredit: InstagramKate displayed her toned abs and wore her highlighted locks down for the festive photoshootCredit: InstagramThe proud mum laid on some very festive touchesCredit: Instagram
This 80-plus city tour offers a distinct blend of classical ballet with avant-garde circus techniques and global influences, complete with 10-foot-tall animal puppets constructed by Roger Titley. For its 33rd year on the road, the production adds a new character: Sweets the Dog, created by Barry Gordemer of the award-winning puppeteer studio Handemonium.
When/where: Nov. 22, Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena; Nov. 23, McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert; Dec. 20, the Wiltern Theatre, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles; and Dec. 21, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd.
By midweek, as a handful of reporters watched his every move, Nico Iamaleava looked like someone on the verge of the offseason, not a rivalry game.
In the early stages of practice Wednesday, the UCLA quarterback threw one pass softly before shifting into observer mode for the rest of the open viewing period.
Three days later, as thousands of probing eyes watched his every move, Iamaleava was slinging passes with considerably more zip.
His efficiency in completing one pass after another against No. 17 USC on Saturday helped the Bruins take a halftime lead, silencing a Coliseum crowd and triggering a brouhaha between the teams on one corner of the field as they headed for the tunnel.
UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) scampers for a first down against USC at the Coliseum on Saturday.
(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
It was the kind of moment Iamaleava had dreamed of growing in Long Beach and attending the cross-town rivalry as a kid.
“Meant a lot, man,” Iamaleava said of being able to compete against the Trojans.
But in keeping with the trajectory of a down-and-up-and-down-again season, the dream ended amid a flurry of sacks and failed third- and fourth-down conversions. There was no way Iamaleava could grit his way to victory, the Bruins eventually succumbing during a 29-10 loss to the Trojans in which their quarterback was sacked four times — all in the second half.
And so a season that started with Iamaleava being the talk of the college football world after his contentious departure from Tennessee ended with him taking a solitary walk up the Coliseum tunnel toward an uncertain future.
“It was a great learning year for me,” Iamaleava said after completing 27 of 38 passes for 200 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions against the Trojans. “You know, a lot of firsts for me throughout the season. Just the way we started off, and then dealing with little, minor injuries, there’s a lot. And I think, man, it just showed that I’m willing to go out there and put my life on the line for my teammates, man, whatever is needed.”
Iamaleava showed many sides in fighting to the end of a 3-9 season. There was accountability, Iamaleava facing reporters after every loss. There was leadership, Iamaleava telling teammates that if they wanted to leave amid the dismissal of their head coach and the departure of their offensive coordinator, go ahead. Nobody did.
Over the last few weeks, there was resolve, Iamaleava coming back from one injury after another. He missed only one game after sustaining a concussion against Nebraska and sat out only a few practices after taking a crunching hit against Washington last weekend that led to neck spasms.
“Every day he got better and better,” UCLA interim coach Tim Skipper said, “and then today he went out there and gave it his all, so I love that kid, he’s a battler. He fought and he kept leading us all the way to the end. … He’s a tough dude, man, and he’s a competitor. That’s what I’ll say about him.”
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 29, 2025: Southern California Trojans linebacker Eric Gentry (18) tackles UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) for a loss in the second half at the Coliseum on November 29, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
For more than a half, it appeared that Iamaleava might go down in rivalry lore.
Orchestrating a short, efficient passing attack, Iamaleava pulled UCLA into a 7-7 tie early in the second quarter when he found wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer for a two-yard touchdown on a crossing route.
Then came a rarity from someone usually happy to absorb contact as the Bruins drove for a go-ahead score. On third-and-seven at the Trojans’ 26-yard line, Iamaleava scrambled before sliding into a ferocious hit from cornerback Alex Graham.
Coming up a yard short of the first down, Iamaleava tried to draw USC offsides with a hard count on fourth down before kicker Mateen Bhaghani trotted onto the field for a 38-yard field goal.
Little went Iamaleava’s way during the second half. One third down ended in an eight-yard sack. Another fell short on a pass that was broken up.
Things somehow deteriorated further. With UCLA having fallen behind 21-10 and clinging to faint hopes midway through the fourth quarter, the Bruins faced a fourth-and-15 at USC’s 45-yard line. A short pass to Gilmer went for only 10 yards.
Drive over. Game over.
That left Iamaleava to contemplate his future. Back in late July, he acknowledged wanting to go to the NFL if he put together a successful season. It was hard to say if this qualified after he finished the season completing 64.4% of his passes for 1,928 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
What’s next?
“I haven’t really even thought about that, man,” Iamaleava said. “I’m right here where my feet are, man. You know, we just lost a tough game and my mind is still on that one — what we could have done better to go out there and win that game.”
After answering a final question, Iamaleava glanced at a bottle of orange sports drink in front of him on a table.
“Can I have this?” he asked.
Granted permission to take the bottle, he grabbed it, rose from his seat and walked out the back of the interview tent, the offseason finally having arrived.
Elizabeth Hurley left fans swooning over her ageless figure after sharing her latest snapCredit: InstagramShe previously wore the blue and white paisley bikini, which is now on sale for Black Friday from her beachwear brandCredit: Instagram
The brunette beauty, who is currently dating Billy Ray Cyrus, left little to the imagination as she frolicked on a sandy beach in the new photo offering.
She could be seen hanging from a tree while rocking the blue and white two piece bikini set.
Liz gazed into the camera lens as she smiled, with her eyes sparkling.
Her slender figure was on full display, with the actress’ washboard abs stealing the show, and her toned thighs leaving fans stunned.
With the holiday fast approaching, the calendar is stacked with fun shows guaranteed to spread festive cheer.
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Elf has been crowned the “ultimate Christmas show”Credit: Matt CrockettGet lost in the Land of SweetsCredit: Johan Persson
The Sun has handpicked an exciting range of productions across the country that are aimed specially at a younger audience.
And with everything from enchanting puppet shows to cheeky pantos on offer across England‘s major cities, families planning their next trip to the theatre are spoilt for choice.
CBeebies star Maddie Moate has earned an Olivier Award nomination for Best Family Show with this science-y performance.
Most read in Best of British
Maddie – along with elves Tinker and Goggles – makes a bit of a mess of Santa’s workshop with her fun experiments, so can the audience help her fix it up?
Garrick Theatre: December 12, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (ages 4+)
It doesn’t get much more Christmassy than getting lost in the world of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
English National Ballet returns with a truly magical production of over 100 dancers that will amaze child audiences and leave them dreaming of tutus and the Land of Sweets.
London Coliseum: December 11, 2025 – January 11, 2026 (ages 5+)
Over 100 dancers star in English National Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Watching the Muppet version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a holiday staple for many families.
You can turn the magic up a notch at this concert and film viewing, where a live orchestra accompanies Kermit, Gonzo, Rizzo and Scrooge on the big screen.
The Bridgewater Hall: November 22, 2025
Jason Manford stars as Robin HoodCredit: Phil Tragen
You don’t need to go to London to see world-class ballerinas, and Birmingham Royal Ballet’s “wow-factor” Christmas production boasts everything from snowfall to swordfights.
Audio described, signed and relaxed performances are available, meaning children with additional needs can also be enchanted in a way that’s comfortable for them.
Birmingham Hippodrome: November 21 – December 13, 2025
The Storyteller once held so much magic, but now, they seem to have lost their sparkle – can two little elves complete a mission from Father Christmas to help them get it back?
This show has a ‘Pay What You Can’ pricing system, so it can even be enjoyed on a tight budget.
Leeds Central Library: December 6 – 31, 2025 (ages 4+)
Nestled within Newcastle’s Christmas Village but with sheltered seating, the Rockin’ Reindeer stage is where you’ll find a range of mini shows bringing iconic Christmas characters to life.
Pick between The Grinch, Santa’s Superstars, The Ice Kingdom and Tinsel Tots.
In the space of “a magical 50 minutes”, Antarctica transports the audience to the snowy South Pole to join penguins and explorers.
For an extra cosy evening, book a pyjama night performance and watch the story unfold while wearing your comfies and sipping on a hot chocolate topped with marshmallows.
The Weston Studio: December 5, 2025 – January 10, 2026 (all ages)
Israeli soldiers have been filmed shooting two Palestinians who were seen on their knees with their hands in the air. The men were shot dead during Israeli raids in Jenin in the occupied West Bank. The Israeli army says it’s investigating the incident. Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh explains.
HOLLY Valance stunned as she posed for snaps after her recent split from billionaire husband Nick Candy.
The Aussie beauty showed her ex what he was missing on a rare night out, after The Sun revealed he has been dating a Swedish socialite who looks just like her.
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Holly Valance wore a white brocade minidress with diamonds with skyscrapper heels on a night out in LondonCredit: GettyThe singer dazzled in white as she was snapped on her first night out since the breakdown of her marriage after 13 yearsCredit: GettyShe posed with Australian fashion designer and friend Rebecca VallanceCredit: GettyHolly rubbed shoulders with other celebs at Aki restaurant including Sharon and Kelly OsbourneCredit: Getty
Singer and actress Holly, 42, wore a white brocade minidress and was dripping in diamonds at Aki restaurant in London tonight.
She flashed a huge smile as she posed with her friend, Australian fashion designer Rebecca Vallance, who hosted the event.
Holly’s dazzling accessories included a diamond necklace, statement diamond earrings, a delicate bracelet and glittering gold heels.
The newly single star rubbed shoulders with Sharon and Kelly Osbourne at the swanky bash held in London’s posh Cavendish Square.
Ex-Neighbours actress Holly was pictured on a night out for the first time since The Sun revealed in June the wealthy couple had filed for divorce.
Property tycoon and Reform UK treasurer Nick, 52, was later spotted smooching Swedish socialite Camilla Ferrero, 33, at an airport as they went public with their romance.
A source told The Sun on Sunday: “Nick has blindsided Holly and left her and his inner circle stunned about the romance.
“Nick didn’t tell anyone he had met someone else and then started heading off on trips abroad.
“So his close friends started suspecting he was seeing someone else.
“He perhaps kept it under wraps to protect both Camilla and Holly.
“But there is now a slight feeling of surprise that he’s met someone else so soon — and particularly someone who’s a dead ringer for Holly.
“It will be pretty tough for her seeing him with Camilla.
“Camilla is from Sweden but now based in the UK and she and Nick are spending all their time together.”
It is understood Nick and Holly signed a pre-nuptial agreement before they tied the knot in 2012 in a lavish £3million wedding.
Another source told The Sun: “Holly is incredibly upset.
“Her main concern is, and always will be, for their two daughters.
“But when it comes to the divorce, she’s made it clear she wants what she’s owed and will take Nick for every penny.
“She insists that she is the injured party in this.”
Holly and Nick were together for 13 yearsCredit: GettyHolly seen arriving in London in June without her wedding ring on, after The Sun revealed their break-upNick, 52, has been dating 33-year-old Swedish socialite Camilla FerreroCredit: Getty
President Trump has united the Latino vote … in its disdain for the policies of his second term.
A new study from the Pew Research Center found that a majority of U.S. Latino adults disapprove of the job Trump has done since returning to the White House earlier this year.
Pew’s findings revealed that 70% of Latinos disapprove of the way Trump is handling his job as president. When it came to immigration, 65% disapproved of the current administration’s approach to the issue. Regarding the economy, 61% said Trump’s policies have made economic conditions worse.
However, party affiliation still played a significant role in how Latinos graded Trump’s performance. Overall, 81% of 2024 Latino Trump voters approved of his job so far — an impressive level of support, though it has notably dipped from 93% since the onset of his second term.
Among Latinos who voted for Kamala Harris, Trump had a 4% approval rating in February, which has since plummeted to 0%. His approval rating with 2024 Latino nonvoters moved from 42% down to 27%. As a whole, the president’s approval rating among all Latino groups has slumped from 42% at the beginning of the year to 27% this fall.
In the Pew study, Latino voters also expressed pessimism about their future in the U.S. Of those surveyed, 68% said the situation for U.S. Latinos is worse today than it was a year ago, 9% responded that it was better and 22% felt it was about the same. Harris voters overwhelming felt the situation is worsening for Latinos at 89%; 66% of nonvoters agreed with that assessment; and 31% of Trump voters felt Latinos were worse off now than last year.
A plurality of voters who went red in 2024 — 40% — felt the situation for Latinos in the U.S. was about the same year over year. Additionally, 28% of that voting bloc believed U.S. Latinos are better off now compared with 2024.
This data set lines up with a recent Axios/Ipsos poll conducted in partnership with Noticias Telemundo.
Of the more than 1,100 people surveyed, 65% said that it’s a “bad time” to be Latino or Hispanic in the U.S.; when the poll was conducted in March 2024, that figure stood at 40%. When broken down by party, 84% of Democrats said it was a bad time, compared with 68% of independents and 32% of Republicans.
At 78%, a majority of those polled by Pew felt that Trump’s policies have been more harmful than helpful to the Latino community. Harris voters were once again united against Trump with 97% agreeing that his policies have negatively affected their community. Nonvoters were in agreement with 78% feeling the Republican president’s policies have had adverse effects on Latinos.
Trump voters were split on the issue with 41% saying Trump’s policies have been helpful to Latinos, 34% believing they’ve been harmful and 22% responding that they’ve had no effect.
These findings seemingly muddle the narrative that Latinos nationwide have made a rightward turn politically in recent years.
In the 2024 presidential election, Trump garnered 48% of the Latino vote compared with Harris’ 51% share and significantly jumped past the 36% clip that he got in the 2020 presidential election. Initial 2024 exit polls actually underestimated Latinos’ Trump support, with the Republican candidate tracking at 46% of the Latino vote on election day.
Additionally, 47% of naturalized citizens of all ethnic backgrounds voted for Trump in 2024, compared with 38% in 2020. In that same voting bloc 51% voted for Harris in 2024, a notable drop from the 59% who voted for Joe Biden in 2020.
Latino naturalized citizens recorded a 12% bump in voting for Trump, jumping from 39% in 2020 to 51% in 2024.
Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone who needs zone-out time while spending the holiday with family.
Whether you’re planning to get lazy on the couch together to alleviate your food coma, need to escape the latest round of anxiety-inducing conversation at the dinner table, or just want a streaming companion while feasting on leftovers in the days that follow the holiday, this special Thanksgiving edition of The Times’ weekly guide to at-home viewing has you covered. Just be warned: You must provide your own stretchy waistbands.
Below, find 12ish films and TV shows released this year that our pop culture experts at The Times are looking forward to catching up on this weekend. Gobble, gobble.
“Being Eddie” (Netflix)
A still of Eddie Murphy with his brothers, Vernon Lynch Jr. and Charlie Murphy, in Netflix’s “Being Eddie.”
(Eddie Murphy / Netflix)
For anyone who came of age in the ’80s inhaling comedy, Netflix’s new Eddie Murphy documentary hits a very particular nostalgia vein. Murphy wasn’t just another comedian; he was part of the glue that held Gen X together, the soundtrack to sleepovers, school hallways, summer camps and every half-rewound tape in the house. You passed around VHS copies of “Delirious” and “Raw,” their very pre-PC bits the kind of thing you quoted under your breath in class. You watched “48 Hrs.,” “Trading Places,” “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Coming to America” on a loop, and you mimicked his “Saturday Night Live” creations — Gumby, Mr. Robinson, Buckwheat — on playgrounds, at bus stops, anywhere kids gathered long enough to goof off. Murphy’s magnetism, timing and swagger helped turn him into a new kind of Black Hollywood superstar, and even with the inevitable peaks (“Shrek,” “The Nutty Professor,” “Bowfinger,” “Dreamgirls”) and valleys (“The Adventures of Pluto Nash,” “Norbit”), he carried that stardom across decades. This is more of a victory-lap retrospective than a warts-and-all documentary, and now 64, the famously private Murphy has never been one to reveal much anyway. But when I spoke with him nearly a decade ago while he was promoting the drama “Mr. Church” — candid, funny and strikingly self-aware about fame and longevity — it was a reminder that when he does open the door a bit, he can be as compelling offstage as on. If even a bit of that Murphy turns up here, “Being Eddie” might give us something we rarely get: Eddie talking like Eddie. — Josh Rottenberg
“Eddington” (HBO Max)
Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal in a scene from “Eddington.”
(A24)
Few films are as purpose-built to start arguments within a family as Ari Aster’s“Eddington.” (And even if you already saw the movie when it was released earlier in the year, it bears repeat viewing, especially in the context of the holidays.) Part contemporary Western, part social satire, the film will bring out PTSD vibes for its heightened, tense reenactment of the very specific mania of the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The mayor (Pedro Pascal) and sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) of a small New Mexico town find themselves at odds over a variety of issues, as a tech company’s push to build a data center in the area looms over everything. If you think your weird relative has some strange ideas about the way the world works, fire up “Eddington” to really put them through their paces, as the film’s “everybody’s wrong” mindset is designed to expose the madness within us all. — Mark Olsen
“Nouvelle Vague” (Netflix), Directed by Jacques Roziercollection (The Criterion Channel)
Zoey Deutch as actress Jean Seberg in “Nouvelle Vague.”
(Photo from Netflix)
I’m not one for biopics, but as a person who owns “Slacker” on Blu-ray and has worn out a 1998 special issue of Cahiers du Cinéma focusing on the French New Wave, I was excited by the notion of Richard Linklater, the most European of American directors, re-creating the creation of Jean-Luc Godard’s 1960 breakthrough film “Breathless.” Appropriately presented in French, in period black-and-white and in the 4:3 aspect ratio, with look-alike stand-ins for Godard (Guillaume Marbeck) and stars Jean Seberg (Zoey Deutch) and Jean-Paul Belmondo (Aubry Dullin), “Nouvelle Vague” looks like a cinephile’s dream. I’ll watch it as a curtain raiser for my continuing exploration of the Criterion Channel’s celebration of director Jacques Rozier, whose long-form fictional films feel like cinéma vérité and whose 1963 “Paparazzi” documents the making of Godard’s “Contempt” and the news photographers fighting to get a shot of Brigitte Bardot. — Robert Lloyd
“KPop Demon Hunters” (Netflix)
Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation’s hit movie “KPop Demon Hunters” has gained a massive following since it was released in June.
(Netflix)
Is this the weekend I finally watch? That would be smart. I’ve already been berated by several scowling tweens, not to mention a few Oscar prognosticators, serene in their conviction that Netflix’s massive viral hit will leave the ceremony golden. Four of the animated movie’s earworms have cracked the Billboard Top 10 at the same time, a feat that could make a Gibb brother green with envy. In preparation for voting in some critics’ organizations, I’ll stream the movie at home, though I’m already wishing I’d gone to one of the film’s many sing-along screenings, just to feel the phenomenon firsthand. If you no longer recognize me on the other side, call it an occupational hazard. I’m done hiding, now I’m shining, like I’m born to be. — Joshua Rothkopf
“Billy Joel: And So It Goes” (HBO Max)
Billy Joel in concert circa 1977 as seen in “Billy Joel: And So It Goes.”
(HBO)
I have caught a few bits and pieces of this documentary while flipping channels, and always quickly switch it off. I’ve been a huge Billy Joel fan since “The Stranger” album and have seen him in concert a few times, including the show when he ripped up the Los Angeles Times’ review by music critic Robert Hilburn. The documentary is two parts and nearly five hours long, so I was determined to give it my full attention. Billy Joel is one of pop music’s treasures, and the ups and downs of his personal life should make for fascinating viewing. The bonus will be diving into the 155-track (!!!) playlist on Spotify that is a companion to the documentary. (HBO Max) — Greg Braxton
“Pluribus” (Apple TV)
Rhea Seehorn in “Pluribus.”
(Apple TV+)
Rhea Seehorn as a cranky, cynical, misanthropic writer who remains mysteriously immune, and super-angry, when an alien-generated RNA virus turns the world into one huge seemingly calm and helpful collective consciousness? Sign me right up. As Robert Lloyd points out in his excellent review, the hive mind is the most terrifying of all the sci-fi premises. The universal niceness that results here also seems very much at odds with it being a melting pot of all human experience so I can’t wait to see what creator Vince Gilligan (“Breaking Bad”) is going to do with that. But early glimpses of Seehorn’s Carol fighting for her, and humanity’s, right to be prickly and pissed off promises all kinds of insights into the difference between empathy and sedation, not to mention a fabulous chance to watch Seehorn shine as one of many women on TV today who are willing to state the obvious even when it appears no one is listening. — Mary McNamara
“Paradise” (Hulu, Disney +)
James Marsden and Sterling K. Brown in a scene from “Paradise.”
(Brian Roedel / Disney)
This Hulu drama caught my attention when it hit the streamer early this year, but at the time, I was already knee-deep in theories about Lumon as I dove into the second season of “Severance.” I couldn’t handle a political conspiracy thriller on top of that. Created by Dan Fogelman (“This Is Us,” “Crazy, Stupid, Love”), the series stars Sterling K. Brown as Xavier Collins, a secret service agent accused of killing the president, Cal Bradford (James Marsden). The murder and the search for the true killer unfold inside an underground community after a massive catastrophe threatens the extinction of the human race. So, that’s obviously a lot. But I’m never one to turn down a series that keeps you guessing — and my colleague Robert Lloyd confirmed in his review that this one does just that. I’ve also had enough people whose taste I trust recommend “Paradise” to me that I think it’s time to tune in. And it’s getting a second season that’s expected to arrive sometime in 2026. If anything, I’m just curious to see Fogelman’s take on this genre. Plus, I’ll watch anything Marsden or Brown are in. — Kaitlyn Huamani
“Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake” (HBO Max)
A still from Season 2 of “Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake.”
(HBO)
What’s Friendsgiving if not a time to reconnect with longtime pals who you might not get to see as often as you like? That’s why I’ll be spending my long weekend catching up on Season 2 of “Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake.” This spinoff of the acclaimed Cartoon Network series features gender-swapped versions of beloved “Adventure Time” characters — Finn and Jake — who are endearing in their own right. The first season of the show involved Fionna, a young woman with an unfulfilling job living paycheck to paycheck along with her pet cat, Cake, discovering that her world was an unauthorized creation of a cosmic entity. The pair then set off on a magical, multiversal journey to save it. There’s admittedly quite a bit of “Adventure Time” lore involved, but yearning for a fantastic escape from the daily stresses of a fairly mundane life is pretty relatable even if you aren’t personally acquainted with recovering ice wizards. The show is charming and weird and all about friendship — a cozy comfort I am definitely looking forward to getting wrapped up in again. — Tracy Brown
“Companion” (HBO Max, Prime Video)
Sophie Thatcher in the sci-fi thriller “Companion.”
(Warner Bros. Pictures)
The poster for “Companion” put me off due to a personal jinx: I don’t trust horror movies where the heroine has perfect hair. Usually, I dodge some dreck. But all year long, people have elbowed me to catch up with Drew Hancock’s debut about a nervous beauty (“Yellowjackets’” Sophie Thatcher) stuck in a vacation house with her newish boyfriend (Jack Quaid) and his cruel and snobby best pals. Produced by Zach Cregger of “Barbarian” and “Weapons,” it’s apparently an energetic, empathetic thriller packed with twists. If you like watching movies blank (as I do), don’t Google it. Spoilers abound. But “Companion” is streaming, and has been on every in-flight entertainment system I’ve come across since May. Assuming it lives up to the buzz, I may have to rewire my own codes. — Amy Nicholson
“All Her Fault” (Peacock)
In the series, Dakota Fanning and Sarah Snook play working mothers Jenny and Marissa.
(Peacock)
Upper-class mess is my favorite genre of TV. So I’ve been desperate to dig into this series that people in my orbit promise is one of this year’s most addicting shows. Based on a novel by Andrea Mara, the psychological thriller stars Sarah Snook as a mom who goes to pick up her son from a play date, only to be greeted by a stranger who claims there is no one there by that name. Uh, what? Twists and turns ensue from there in this deep dive of what it’s like being a working mother. Spoiler alert: It apparently gives a striking portrayal of male ego and incompetence, and how that shapes the lives of women around them. Gee, wonder what that’s like. The series also stars Dakota Fanning, Jake Lacy and Jay Ellis. — Yvonne Villarreal
“The Chair Company” (HBO Max)
Tim Robinson stars in HBO’s “The Chair Company.”
(Sarah Shatz / HBO)
Have you ever been slighted at work? Did you ever think it was part of a conspiracy to take you down? If the answer is no, you might be a normal person and this show may not be for you. But if you’ve ever wondered if something small could be much bigger, and if you get some sick satisfaction from going down rabbit holes on the internet to find answers to your questions, then this show is for you. “The Chair Company” is the latest series to come from comedic writers Zach Kanin and Tim Robinson, who stars as Ron, a man who becomes obsessed with reaching the manufacturer of the office chair he unexpectedly broke, leading him down a bizarre path involving an empty warehouse, a giant red ball and Jeeps. With the finale airing Sunday, it’s the perfect time to catch up on the show (episodes are only a half hour each). It’s already been renewed for a second season, which makes me wonder if we’ll get to the bottom of Ron’s mystery or if the chair will be pulled out from under us. — Maira Garcia
During a podcast interview, Alex Jones has opened up about the sexting scandal, which saw her former The One Show co-presenter Jermaine Jenas sacked by the BBC last year
17:08, 21 Nov 2025Updated 17:10, 21 Nov 2025
Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas presented The One Show together(Image: BBC)
The One Show star Alex Jones has said she was “the last to know” about Jermaine Jenas’ sexting scandal, which saw him sacked by the BBC. The TV presenter and football pundit, 42, was axed in August last year over claims he had sent inappropriate texts to female colleagues. He was removed from his role as a presenter of The One Show and a pundit for BBC Sport after an internal investigation was launched.
Jenas’ BBC contract was terminated and he also parted ways with his long-term agents MC Saatchi in addition to being let go from his role presenting Formula E. Now Alex, 48, has spoken about the scandal while appearing on Jamie Laing’s Great Company podcast.
The TV star, who worked alongside Jenas until his departure from the show last year, said: “JJ and I had become good friends. I was the last to know. The BBC dealt with it, and I think if people feel uncomfortable, they have to deal with it.
“If it was my daughter, and she was at work in whatever industry and she felt uncomfortable, I would hope to God that I’d given her the tools to be able to speak up.” She added: “If she was brave enough to speak up, because it is a brave thing to do, I would hope that the company, corporation, whoever, would deal with it.
“Lots of journalists are asked, ‘Have you ever had experiences that are uncomfortable?’ I mean, if you go back to the 90s, early 2000s, there was stuff and there were ways that things were said that weren’t great. But, nothing has stuck with me, nothing makes me shudder. And I know the type of girl I was then, and I wouldn’t have handled it.”
Alex said she has “a lot of respect” for the women who spoke out, which she described as “an incredibly brave thing to do.” In addition to the professional repercussions, the scandal also led to the breakdown of Jenas’ marriage. In March, Jenas’ Ellie Penfold announced her split from him. Ellie, who shares four children with the presenter, took so social media to confirm the end of their 16-year relationship.
“I never imagined I would have to share something so personal with the public, but given the situation, I feel it’s necessary,” she said. “After 16 years together and 4 wonderful children, Jermaine and I have decided to part ways.
“We will remain friends and continue to co-parent. We kindly ask that you respect our children’s privacy during this challenging time. Thank you, Ellie.” After the allegations emerged, Jenas said that he was “ashamed of himself” after the allegations came to light, and that his wife was livid and not speaking to him.
The axed host has stressed he has done nothing illegal and said he was sorry if he made any of the women he had messaged feel uncomfortable. Jenas spoke of his shame after his world collapsed following the corporation’s confirmation and an “excruciating” meeting with HR and execs. The former One Show star denied sending any explicit pictures or videos.
AS the nights draw in and the festive season gets closer, many of us are looking forward hanging up some Christmas lights.
But it’s not just the halls that get decked.
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Christmas at Kew is one of the country’s most popular light showsCredit: phil wilkinsonWinter Glow is in WorcestershireCredit: Mikal Ludlow Photography
Many gardens and unique spaces across the country transform into glimmering wonderlands – the perfect places to get in the festive spirit.
Here are 12 of the most magical light shows that are set to illuminate England with holiday cheer this winter.
Kew Gardens, London
Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (selected dates) Tickets: Adults £27.50, children £18, under 4s free
Year on year, the light trail at Kew Gardens is firm favourite of the seasonal calendar.
Christmas at Kew is a true spectacle, illuminating the UNESCO World Heritage site with sustainable LED lights and installations by leading artists.
Visitors can enjoy projections and music dotted all around the natural space, including at iconic spots like the Palm House fountain.
The three kilometre trail has a range of entertainment beyond lighting too.
Spot Father Christmas on your walk and enjoy delicious treats from food stalls along the route.
Most read in Best of British
Last entry is between 7-8pm and tickets are limited, so book while you can.
Longleat, Wiltshire
Dates: November 8, 2025 – January 11, 2026 Tickets: Adults £34.95, children £26.20, under 3s free
Longleat is famous for its safari parkCredit: DAVE PRATT
Longleat is usually famous for its drive-through safari park, but come Christmastime it is its light show that really shines.
The trail displays thousands of imaginative lanterns, this year celebrating the theme of British Icons.
Look out for Wallace & Gromit, various British singers and authors, and landmarks like Tower Bridge and Stonehenge all aglow.
A Twilight ticket will give you access to this Festival of Light plus the Enchanted Christmas Tree Show, but you can also upgrade to a Day ticket to include the safari or book a ride on the Santa Train as an add-on.
The theme this year is British IconsCredit: Unknown
Dunham Massey, Cheshire
Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 3, 2026 Tickets: Adults £19, children £12.50, under 3s free
Its light show is an after-dark experience complete with sparkling trees and colourful, 5m-tall stars.
Expect an immersive evening of sights and sounds created by award-winning producers, and the option to enjoy the fairground for an extra charge.
Entry is timed, so securing a slot is advised.
Dunham Massey offers an immersive experienceCredit: Richard HaughtonIt is just outside ManchesterCredit: AFP
Winter Glow, Worcestershire
Dates: November 21 – December 31, 2025 Tickets: Adults £12.50, children £6.50, under 3s free
Local craftspeople and lighting designers are behind the show at Winter Glow in the Worcestershire countryside.
The trail is transformed into a winter dreamland with twinkling bulbs and fairytale structures.
It’s a super accessible experience, with sensory-friendly trails available on selected dates, dog friendly sessions on offer and full wheelchair access.
Winter Glow turns the countryside into a dreamlandCredit: Mikal Ludlow PhotographyThe experience offers sensory-friendly trailsCredit: Mikal Ludlow Photography
Northern Lights, Newcastle
Dates: November 27 – December 31, 2025 Tickets: Adults £15, children £5, under 3s free
Winding along the mile-long path at Leazes Park in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne is fun for all the family.
Take in its 15 different illumination zones from Lantern Lane to the Butterfly Blizzard, and even a marshmallow roasting station.
More winter warmers are available from the park’s Christmas Village, access to which is included in the ticket price.
A ticket to Northern Lights gives you access to the light show and moreOne illumination zone is called the Butterfly Blizzard
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 3, 2026 Tickets: Adults £24, children £18, under 3s free
This year, the illuminated trail at Blenheim Palace promises to be “bigger, better and brighter than ever before”.
The light show has already earned a place as one of the UK’s most popular trails.
Visitors can buy a combined ticket to access both the light trail and the palace or a ticket for the illuminations only.
Allow around an hour to explore the route, with extra time factored in to meet Father Christmas along the way or to stop at the chalet-style huts for tasty food and drink.
Blenheim Palace is also home to a top light showCredit: Richard HaughtonIts route takes about an hour to explore
Helmingham Hall, Suffolk
Dates: November 14 – December 19, 2025 Tickets: Adults £20, children £10, under 2s free
Helmingham Hall’s gardens and parkland attract visitors all year round.
Where its flowers bloom in spring, lights glint in winter along the illuminated garden trail.
The mesmerising experience takes place after dusk, when you’ll cross a historic drawbridge and weave through shining walkways.
If that isn’t enough reason to go, grown-ups can enjoy a complimentary mulled wine with their ticket while kids can toast snacks at the firepits along the route.
And if you have a pooch, you can can bring them too.
Adults get a complimentary mulled wineCredit: AJ Feather Photography
Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool
Dates: November 28 – December 6, 2025 Tickets: Adults £9.50, children £7.50, under 3s free
The Light Before Christmas comes to Liverpool Cathedral for a fourth year running, and attending the show has become a yuletide tradition in the city.
As they journey through the building, ticket-holders will find enchanting scenes ranging from the nativity to Santa’s reindeer, plus candlelit areas.
There are even bean bags to lie on to take in the acoustics of Britain’s biggest cathedral and marvel at the projections on the ceiling.
A visitor last year said: “It’s the perfect thing to get you in the mood for Christmas”, while another commented: “I come every year and it’s always beautiful.”
Kids are also big fans of the event, with one saying: “It was really Christmassy and magical.”
Liverpool Cathedral is Britain’s biggestCredit: AFPIts festive show is called ‘The Light Before Christmas’Credit: Alamy
Hever Castle, Kent
Dates: November 21, 2025 – January 2, 2026 Tickets: Adults £24.50, children £16, under 5s free
Follow the yellow brick road to Hever Castle for a themed light extravaganza.
This year the castle will be decked out in all things Wizard of Oz.
From spotting the flying monkeys in the Christmas tree forest to arriving at the Emerald City as the castle glows bright green, it promises to be an other-worldly visit.
Hever has traditional Christmas offerings too, with log fires burning inside the beautifully decorated rooms of the castle and fairy lights glittering in the grounds.
And don’t worry – despite being in Oz and not Lapland, little ones will still be able to pay a visit Father Christmas’ grotto.
Fairground ride tickets are just £2 each and can be purchased on the day.
Hever Castle is in KentUnder 5s can can enter for freeCredit: Oliver Dixon
Stockeld Park, Yorkshire
Dates: November 22, 2025 – January 5, 2026 Tickets: Adults & children £17.50, under 2s free
The Enchanted Forest at Stockeld Park transforms for the Christmas season.
Its woodland boasts interactive adventure playgrounds as well as an enormous snowflake-shaped maze made from 2,000 trees and lined with glistening lights.
After getting lost in the maze – which is included in the ticket – you can stop by cosy cabins in the woods for a hot chocolate and explore animations and soundscapes further along the trail.
There is a maze at Stockeld ParkCredit: Alamy
Light Up Trails, Hampshire
Dates: November 27, 2025 – January 3, 2026 Tickets: Adults £20, children £12.50, under 2s free
Nestled among the greenery between Winchester and Southampton you will find a dazzling light display with all the trimmings.
The trail is divided into eight zones, each one offering a different feast for the eyes.
Catch the fibre-optic flowers in the Bloom and Glow zone, golden lanterns at Step into the Magic and a laser show at The Rhythm of Light.
Halfway along the trail you can warm up at its ski-themed Christmas Village and indulge in food from bratwurst to crepes.
It even includes a laser showCredit: Elliott Franks
Ashridge House, Hertfordshire
Dates: November 27, 2025 – January 1, 2026 Tickets: Adults £23.50, children £14.40, under 4s free
Ashridge House was once a royal residence of King Henry III, and its grounds are referred to to by insiders as the ‘Garden of Gardens’.
The stately home puts on a proper show at Christmas, where gentle gleaming lights meet impressive pyrotechnics and festive music.
A 115ft Ferris wheel gives you sweeping views of the 190 acres of garden below – book this at the online checkout.
On the ground, showstoppers include the star-shaped tunnel and giant bauble field.
Dog-friendly nights are on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Ashridge House is a stately home that was once a royal residenceCredit: Ashridge HouseLight trails, like Northern Lights, are great places to get in the festive spiritCredit: DAVID LAWSON
A 15-year-old Palestinian boy was shot by Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank and was not given medical attention, leading to his death. He is among dozens of children who have been targeted and killed by Israeli troops in the occupied territories.
From Dylan Hernández: While the game didn’t provide any definitive answers about what LeBron James will do in his record-breaking 23rd season, it offered promising signs about what he won’t do.
The point was made most emphatically by how he played in the 140-126 victory over the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena.
In the 30 minutes he played, James shot the ball only seven times, less than any other Lakers starter.
He didn’t have problems with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves remaining the team’s primary options.
He didn’t mind picking his spots.
He didn’t mind spending most of the game as a peripheral figure on the court.
“Just thought he played with the right spirit,” coach JJ Redick said. “Very unselfish all night. Willing passer. Didn’t force it. Took his drive and his shots when they were there.”
The Rams on Wednesday placed safety Quentin Lake, tight end Tyler Higbee and right tackle Rob Havenstein on injured reserve.
Lake, who had surgery Tuesday for a dislocated left elbow, Higbee (ankle) and Havenstein (knee/ankle) must sit out at least four games before they are eligible to return. The earliest return would be a Dec. 18 game against the Seahawks in Seattle.
From Ryan Kartje: Last month, in the span of a single half, USC’s top two running backs were lost to serious injuries. For Eli Sanders, the knee injury he suffered against Michigan prematurely ended his season. For Waymond Jordan, ankle surgery meant missing most of the Trojans’ critical stretch run.
For USC, it made for a particularly cruel one-two punch. Through the first six games, the Trojans duo had been a top-10 rushing attack in the nation, trending toward the best rushing season USC had seen in two decades. Then, in less than an hour’s time, a promising start had been derailed by injury.
“That could almost be a death sentence,” coach Lincoln Riley said Wednesday.
But with just two games left in the season, the Trojans rushing attack still is very much alive. And USC still is clinging to College Football Playoff hopes because of it.
Ian Moore scored the tiebreaking goal with 3:35 to play, and Lukas Dostal made 36 saves in the Ducks’ 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night.
Jansen Harkins. Radko Gudas and Ryan Strome also scored for the first-place Ducks, who have won nine of 12 after sweeping their season series with the Bruins.
The Bruins dominated long stretches of play and tied it with 12:21 left with Morgan Geekie’s second goal on a power play just seven seconds after Harkins took an awful cross-checking penalty.
1934 — Busher Jackson scores four third-period goals to power the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Eagles.
1960 — Jerry Norton of St. Louis intercepts four passes to send past the Washington Redskins 26-14.
1969 — Brazilian soccer legend Pelé scores his 1,000th goal.
1977 — Walter Payton rushes for an NFL record 275 yards, and the Chicago Bears edge the Minnesota Vikings 10-7.
1979 — Red Holzman of the New York Knicks wins his 500th game, a 130-125 overtime victory over Houston at Madison Square Garden. Holzman is the second coach, after Red Auerbach, to reach that mark.
1983 — Seattle’s Dave Krieg passes for 418 yards and three touchdowns, lifting the Seahawks to a 27-19 victory over the Denver Broncos.
1983 — Steve Bartkowski throws a 42-yard desperation pass that is deflected to Billy Johnson at the 5-yard line, and he then fights his way into the end zone to give the Atlanta Falcons a 28-24 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
1994 — Tisha Venturini scores twice and Angela Kelly, Sarah Dacey and Robin Confer add goals for North Carolina, which beats Notre Dame 5-0 for its ninth consecutive NCAA women’s soccer championship.
1997 — A.C. Green breaks the NBA record for consecutive games — his 907th straight appearance in the Dallas Mavericks’ 101-97 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Green surpasses Randy Smith’s mark of 906 set from 1972-83.
1999 — TCU’s LaDainian Tomlinson rushes for an NCAA Division I record 406 yards on 43 carries with six touchdowns in a 52-24 victory over UTEP.
2001 — Ball State beats No. 3 UCLA 91-73 in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational, one day after knocking off No. 4 Kansas in the opening round.
2010 — Mikel Leshoure of Illinois rushes for a school-record 330 yards and scores two touchdowns in the Fighting Illini’s 48-27 win over Northwestern at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. All offensive plays are run toward the same end zone because a brick wall, although heavily padded, is too close behind the other one.
2011 — Brittney Griner has 32 points and 14 rebounds while Baylor establishes itself as the clear No. 1 team with a 94-81 victory over No. 2 Notre Dame in the preseason WNIT championship game.
2011 — Landon Donovan scores in the 72nd minute on passes from Robbie Keane and David Beckham, and the Galaxy’s three superstars win their first MLS Cup together with a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo.
2012 — Jack Taylor scores 138 points to shatter the NCAA scoring record in Division III Grinnell’s 179-104 victory over Faith Baptist Bible in Grinnell, Iowa.
2016 — Jimmie Johnson ties Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt with a record seven NASCAR championships when he defeats Carl Edwards, Joey Logano and defending champion Kyle Busch at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Compiled by the Associated Press
Until next time…
That concludes today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email me at [email protected]. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.
While the game didn’t provide any definitive answers about what LeBron James will do in his record-breaking 23rd season, it offered promising signs about what he won’t do.
James indirectly said that leading up to his season debut on Tuesday and he indirectly said that again after.
The point was made most emphatically by how he played in the 140-126 victory over the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena.
In the 30 minutes he played, James shot the ball only seven times, less than any other Lakers starter.
He didn’t have problems with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves remaining the team’s primary options.
He didn’t mind picking his spots.
He didn’t mind spending most of the game as a peripheral figure on the court.
“Just thought he played with the right spirit,” coach JJ Redick said. “Very unselfish all night. Willing passer. Didn’t force it. Took his drive and his shots when they were there.”
The 40-year-old James acknowledged that his conditioning remained a problem — “Wind was low,” he said — but he played so much within himself that he never looked visibly fatigued.
This is what the Lakers needed from James on Tuesday, as it allowed them to build on the 10-4 record they compiled in the games he missed because of sciatica. And this could be the kind of mindset the Lakers will need James to adopt for the remainder of the season, especially if Doncic and Reaves continue to score at their current rates.
“I don’t have to worry about [chemistry],” James said.
James sounded offended by questions implying he could have trouble fitting in with the team.
“I don’t even understand why that was a question,” he said.
Concerns over his ability to meld with his particular team were never based on his basketball IQ or skillset but instead how open he would be to accepting a reduced role.
This is a player who was the centerpiece of every team on which he’d ever played. This is also a player who craves attention and is notoriously passive aggressive.
In retrospect, suggesting that James couldn’t adapt to a new role might have sold him short. Whatever he’s said off the court, he’s usually made the right decisions on them.
“There’s not one team, not one club, in the world that I cannot fit in and play for,” James said the day before his return. “I can do everything on the floor. So whatever this team needs me to do, I can do it when I’m back to myself.”
Or even before that.
James scored only 11 points against the Jazz, but he still had his moments.
Starting in the final second of the third quarter, James assisted on seven of the next eight Lakers baskets, a four-minute-30-second stretch over which the team extended its lead from eight to 17.
From the left wing, James found Gabe Vincent in the opposite corner for an open three.
Double-teamed at the top of the key, James dropped a bounce pass to Jaxson Hayes, who soared for an open dunk.
James flipped a couple of no-look passes to Deandre Ayton and delivered a backdoor assist from the post to Jake LaRavia.
James finished with a game-high 12 assists.
“Good player,” Reaves said.
Describing his frustration over not playing the previous 14 games, James said he was grateful to just be playing.
“A lot of joy,” he said. “You probably saw me smiling and talking a lot on the court today.”
But he also sounded as if he wanted to prove something.
“I said it, was it yesterday’s practice, post practice?” James said. “I can fit in with anybody.”
Carefully watching his teammates in the games that he missed, James said he pictured where he could position himself and how he could contribute.
James will average more than 11 points this season. He’s still too good to not. But the Lakers almost certainly won’t need him to average 24 points as he did last season. How open he is to that could determine if they are just a playoff team or a legitimate contender.
In China, 87 percent of people trust AI, compared with just 32 percent in the US, according to an Edelman poll.
Published On 19 Nov 202519 Nov 2025
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China’s public is far more trusting of artificial intelligence than their peers in the United States and other Western countries, a survey has found.
In China, 87 percent of people said they trusted AI, compared with 67 percent in Brazil, 32 percent in the US, 36 percent in the United Kingdom, and 39 percent in Germany, the Edelman poll released on Tuesday showed.
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More than seven in 10 Chinese respondents said they expected AI to play a role in solving a range of societal issues, including climate change, mental illness, poverty and polarisation.
Only one-third of Americans said they expected AI to reduce poverty and polarisation, though half predicted a positive impact on climate-related challenges.
While 54 percent of Chinese said they embraced greater use of AI, just 17 percent of Americans answered the same, according to the survey.
Trust was highest among young people, though still much lower in Western countries.
Eighty-eight percent of Chinese aged 18-34 said they had faith in the technology, compared with 40 percent of Americans in that age group.
“For businesses and policymakers, this divergence presents a double challenge,” Edelman Senior Vice President Gray Grossman said in a report accompanying the survey.
“In high-trust markets, the task is to sustain optimism through responsible deployment and straightforward evidence of benefit. In low-trust markets, the task is to rebuild confidence in the institutions behind the technology.”
The survey results come as the US and China are locked in a battle for tech supremacy, with firms in both countries rolling out increasingly sophisticated AI models.
While the US is widely seen as still having an edge in producing the most powerful AI, Chinese firms such as Alibaba and DeepSeek have made major inroads in recent months with “open” language models that offer customers much lower costs.
Last month, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky made headlines when he revealed that the short-term rental platform preferred Alibaba’s Qwen over OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
“It’s very good. It’s also fast and cheap,” Chesky told Bloomberg in an interview.
Thirty years after Selena Quintanilla’s death, a recently released autopsy report revealed new details about her murder.
In March 1995, the 23-year-old Tejano singer was gunned down inside a motel room in Corpus Christi, Texas, by the president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldívar, who had been accused of embezzling money from Quintanilla.
The autopsy report, obtained by Us Weekly, was carried out three hours after Quintanilla’s death. Her death, which had been ruled a homicide by the coroner’s report, was caused by a bullet wound that had entered through her shoulder.
The bullet’s path continued through her ribs until it eventually punctured her chest and exited her body from her upper chest. The autopsy report shows that the gunshot wound hit the subclavian artery — a major blood vessel that brings blood to the arms, neck and head.
Coroner Lloyd White wrote in the report that her death was “a result of an exsanguinating internal and external hemorrhage, in other words massive bleeding, due to a perforating gunshot wound of the [chest].” It also noted that her clothing was covered in blood.
After Saldívar shot Quintanilla, she engaged in a 10-hour standoff with law enforcement, sitting in her vehicle in the motel’s parking lot and threatening to take her own life. She was later charged with first-degree murder and pleaded not guilty. During the trial, Saldívar claimed that the shooting was accidental, but she was eventually found guilty in October 1995.
Saldívar was sentenced to life in prison, with the potential of parole. The 65-year-old applied for parole last December and was denied in March. Her case will be eligible for review again in 2030.
In the 30 years since Quintanilla’s death, she’s become a mainstay in pop culture. From the posthumous success of “Dreaming of You,” her first album to hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200, to being played on-screen by Jennifer Lopez in the 1997 biopic “Selena,” the singer, dubbed the Queen of Tejano music, continues to leave her mark on the rising generation of Latino artists.
Recently, “Selena Y Los Dinos” a new documentary, was released on Netflix. It features never-before-seen footage filmed by her sister Suzette Quintanilla and closely documents her rise to fame.
“I want to leave a nugget of love for the future generation coming up, that’s embracing Selena and our music,” said Suzette Quintanilla, earlier this year at the documentary’s Sundance premiere. “We are 30 years without Selena, but her legacy is stronger than ever.”
The Nigerian Army’s statement that Brigadier General M Uba, the Brigade Commander 25 Task Force Brigade “successfully led troops back to base” after an ambush last Friday, Nov. 14, in the Damboa area of Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, has been challenged by an exclusive, verified image obtained by HumAngle. The image shows the senior officer alive but held by insurgents, contradicting the military’s official account.
The ambush by ISWAP fighters on a joint military and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) convoy on Biu Road resulted in the deaths of several soldiers and CJTF members, with the general’s whereabouts initially reported as unknown. HumAngle’s early report cited sources on the ground who said the general was abducted during the attack. We later reported that he had escaped on foot and returned to base, after several security sources insisted on this.
The Nigerian Army also issued a statement denying the abduction, insisting the general had safely led his men back to base and that the incident was an ambush, causing casualties but no kidnapping. However, the military provided no evidence to back this claim at the time.
A verified image HumAngle has seen shows the commander in the custody of ISWAP insurgents, with a gunshot wound to the leg. Verification was carried out through detailed frame analysis, geolocation cross-checking, and confirmation from independent security sources familiar with the region and the incident. The image, shortly after the ambush, shows the general surrounded by armed fighters, appearing fatigued but alive.
HumAngle, in line with our editorial policies, has made the editorial decision not to publish the picture.
This new evidence directly challenges the army’s public statement, highlighting a significant discrepancy in the information being shared about frontline realities. The contradictory accounts raise concerns about communication gaps within the military and the potential consequences of misinformation for public trust and operational security.
The capture of a serving commander marks a rare and serious development in the ongoing conflict with insurgent groups in Nigeria’s Northeast. In recent months, ISWAP has intensified attacks around Damboa and the wider Borno region, escalating the dangers faced by both military personnel and civilians.
Security analysts who reviewed the image described the abduction as both an operational setback and a symbolic blow to Nigerian forces fighting the insurgency. Families of soldiers deployed in the area have expressed frustration and anxiety over the conflicting reports about their loved ones’ safety.
Efforts to secure fresh comments from the Nigerian Army have been ongoing, but as of publication, no new statement has been issued addressing the emerging evidence.
The Nigerian Army’s claim that Brigadier General M Uba, who was allegedly ambushed by ISWAP on Nov. 14 in Borno State, safely returned was challenged by a verified image showing him held by insurgents.
This contradicts the military’s denial of any abduction and suggests a significant gap in the communication of frontline events, potentially impacting public trust and operational security.
The ambush, involving a joint military and CJTF convoy, resulted in deaths, and the initial reports conflicted with later assertions of the general escaping. HumAngle verified the image of the general in insurgent captivity, highlighting discrepancies in official statements and underscoring the severity of the ongoing conflict in Nigeria’s Northeast. This incident is concerning for military personnel’s families and represents both an operational and symbolic blow to Nigerian forces.
An accessible set for all requires intention. There are practical needs, of course — ramps for restrooms and extra-bright neon tape on the ground to better light up and mark cues and equipment for low-vision performers and crew members. But there’s also a need to weave accessibility into the production so seamlessly that it doesn’t feel tacked on or burdensome.
On a sweltering day in June at the Van Nuys Elks Lodge, the cast and crew of “The Hog Queen,” a short film starring “Wicked: For Good’s” Marissa Bode, were doing just that: re-creating a drag show at a small-town Texas gay bar, yes, but also modeling what a set that puts accessibility and inclusion at its center can look like.
“I have been lucky in the way that ‘Wicked’ was an incredibly accessible set,” Bode tells me later over Zoom, looking back on her experience making writer-director Katherine Craft’s short horror film. “I didn’t really have to think at all about my own accessibility. However, I know that’s not the same for all my disabled peers.”
Nor is it common practice on any given set.
“Honestly, even prior to ‘Wicked,’ the No. 1 question I’m always asking when I’m collaborating with somebody is, ‘Have you worked with disabled people before? If not, how are you accommodating for that?’” Bode says. “Even when I signed on to my agency — or even my PR team, or even my manager — that was one of the first questions I asked. That’s always at the top of my mind.”
That’s what made “The Hog Queen” so rewarding. This was a production that made accessibility a priority. “I just felt taken care of in a way with this process that I have not in others,” Craft says.
Craft’s short film is part of Inevitable Foundation’s Visionary Fellowship. The yearlong program, supported by Netflix, was designed as an incubator for disabled filmmakers. Since its founding in 2021, Inevitable Foundation has supported disabled writers at various stages of their careers. But with this latest and most ambitious fellowship, founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska wanted to put the emphasis on directors with feature-length projects ready for production.
Director Katherine Craft, left, producer Shelby Hadden and assistant director CJ Palmisano go over logistics for a scene on the set “The Hog Queen.”
(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)
Each of the projects selected has been carefully scaled down to a short length to guarantee they could be produced within the yearlong fellowship; all five are set to be unveiled at a showcase in November.
Craft and the other members of the fellow inaugural Visionary cohort — Zayre Ferrer, Monica Lucas, Filipe Coutinho and Alys Murray — each received $55,000 in funding for their respective short films, including a production grant, health insurance, access to an experienced crew as well as marketing support and financial aid for access and travel.
Rather than merely focusing on mentorship, networking or community-building, the Visionary Fellowship was designed to give these filmmakers the production experience they’ll need to thrive in the industry. More than just a pipeline, the 12-month program is an explicit investment in disabled filmmakers and the stories they’re eager to tell. And to arm them, in turn, with an encouraging environment that aims to reframe the way accessibility is often understood.
“I think there’s this misconception that making a set accessible is going to be a huge pain in the ass, that it’s going to cost a ton of money, and it’s going to slow you down,” Craft, who has low vision, explains. “I don’t think any of that has to be true. The other thing is people think of it as something that is going to benefit someone else. But when you start looking at it through a lens of accessibility and inclusivity, you’re benefiting everyone.”
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1.Bode makes her way onto the set.2.Christian Zamudio performs during a drag show scene.3.The slate lights up with a digital time code.(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)
Siegel and Torelli-Pedevska knew they needed to bake that philosophy into their process. That meant setting money aside for any accommodations early and having a line item for accessibility in the budget templates they were creating to make sure it was something they could anticipate, measure and track.
“A lot of it goes to starting early,” Siegel says. “But more importantly, it’s about rejecting the belief that [accessibility] comes at the expense of the creativity in the final product. Saying the opposite, in fact, which is: if everyone feels like this is a safe set and they can do their best work, the work will just be better.”
Bode agrees — and sees Inevitable Foundation’s approach as one that can be replicated across the industry.
Before shooting, the entire cast and crew of “The Hog Queen” received a form that sought to garner information about their needs. “It asked about everything under the sun in terms of disability,” Bode explains. “‘Do you get overstimulated? Would you need a room to go to if you do get overstimulated? What are your physical access needs? Do you need a ramp? Do you need this? Do you need that?’
“I really think that should just be standard on sets. I don’t think disability accommodations are a luxury. I think everybody should be taken care of.”
LEGENDARY The Simpsons writer Dan McGrath has died at the age of 61, his family announced.
The award-winning comedy writer, who also worked on Saturday Night Live, died following a stroke, his sister said.
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Dan McGrath wrote some of the most famous episodes of The SimpsonsDan McGrath has died at the age of 61 following a strokeCredit: Collect
Gail Garabadian wrote on Facebook: “We lost my incredible brother Danny yesterday. He was a special man, one of a kind.
“An incredible son, brother, uncle and friend. Our hearts are broken.”
She told Hollywood Reporter that he passed away at NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn.
Dan kicked off his career at SNL, when he often collaborated with Adam Sandler.
He then had two stints as a writer for The Simpsons, followed by eight years on King of the Hill.
He went on to win an Emmy for writing the iconic 1997 Simpsons episode Homer’s Phobia.
The episode sees Homer befriending an antiques dealer, and later discovering he is gay.
It was also honoured by GLAAD – which promotes fairness in media – for its anti-homophobia message.
Dan is survived by his wife Caroline, his mother, Eleanor and siblings as well as nieces and nephews.
The writer cut his teeth on Harvard University’s student comedy publication, The Harvard Lampoon.
He landed a job for Saturday Night Live in 1991, and stayed there for two seasons.
During that time, he shared an Emmy nomination.
He began working on The Simpsons in 1992, and wrote 50 episodes across two years.
Dan later received producing credits on 24 episodes from 1996-98.
His most memorable episodes include The Devil and Homer Simpson, Time and Punishment, Bart of Darkness, instalments of the Treehouse of Horror series, Boy-Scoutz ’n the Hood and Homer’s Phobia.
Dan said that both his runs with the show ended with him being fired.
Pixie Lott oozed elegance in a bejewelled LBD at the Christmas Karma World Premiere in LondonCredit: GettyShe flashed a smile as she posed in her floor-length festive frockCredit: GettyPixie was joined on the Red Carpet by husband Oliver Cheshire, just weeks after the pair welcomed their second childCredit: Shutterstock EditorialPixie stars as Mary Cratchit in Christmas KarmaCredit: Civic Studios/Bend It Films
The popstar beamed as she stepped out in London for the premiere of her new movie, Christmas Karma.
She opted for a floor-length frock with a roll neck and huge silver sequin balloon sleeves for the event at Curzon Mayfair.
Pixie swept her blonde hair into a stylish up-do with front pieces left free to frame her face, and kept her make-up fresh and natural.
She took time to pose for the cameras on the Red Carpet, flashing a cheeky glance over her shoulder before placing her hands on her hips.
Pixie gave a glimpse of her newborn in a new Instagram videoCredit: InstagramShe welcomed her second tot in OctoberCredit: InstagramPixie revealed their baby’s arrival on her Instagram pageCredit: Instagram
