A car exploded outside a shopping mall in Ecuador’s largest city Guayaquil, killing at least one person and injuring several more. Authorities say the blast was a deliberate act by criminal groups as police hunt for those responsible.
Emmerdale aired worrying scenes for an emotional Moira Dingle on Friday night as she collapsed from exhaustion, amid her husband Cain Dingle being AWOL on the ITV soap
Emmerdale aired worrying scenes for an emotional Moira Dingle on Friday night as she collapsed from exhaustion(Image: ITV)
There was concern for Moira Dingle on Emmerdale on Friday as the character collapsed.
Just last year the character was diagnosed with a brain tumour and underwent treatment. Before her diagnosis she experienced funny turns, memory loss, blackouts and she suffered from seizures.
So when Matty Barton watched his mum suddenly collapse out in the field during Friday’s episode, he feared the worst. He got her inside and helped her onto the sofa, but Moira said she was fine.
Matty was desperate to call doctor Liam Cavanagh to check her over, but Moira told him not to and that nothing was wrong. Panicking after her collapsing a year ago due to her tumour, Matty confessed his concerns that she might be unwell again.
Moira had seemed a bit off all episode, clearly tired and seeming a little rundown. She called out Kammy Hadiq, and was clearly stressed out and was rushing around.
When doing work on the farm she suddenly fell down to the ground. As Matty later asked her: “What if you are sick again?” she commented that she wasn’t and instead she was just “really tired”.
Matty was unsure though, remembering what they had gone through a year ago. Moira repeated her claim though, and suggested she may have picked up a virus or something but that she wasn’t sick again.
She said to him: “I’m sorry I scared you, darling. I’m just really tired, that’s all it is. Maybe I’ve picked up a virus, the last thing I need is to be ill.” Moira went on: “It’s just hard at the minute.”
Moira told Matty about how much she was struggling without her husband Cain being around, after he fled to chase killer John Sugden who murdered his son Nate Robinson. With her having to do everything and keep an eye on it all, she revealed she was finding it all difficult.
Matty told her she wasn’t “fine” and was clearly “not coping”, something she had admitted to. With that, he fumed about his stepfather Cain’s vanishing act, reminding Moira he was going through his own grief, after the loss of his wife Amy Wyatt this year.
Moira defended Cain though, no doubt recalling how she felt after the loss of a child. But Matty wasn’t sympathetic and seeing how much his mum had been impacted, he urged her to tell her husband to come home immediately – but is Matty right to be concerned about Moira?
It was revealed during last night’s live show that there’s been a huge change to the way viewers can vote for their favourite celebrities and now fans have shared their thoughts
There’s a massive voting change on this year’s show(Image: BBC)
A huge voting change on Strictly Come Dancing has sparked fury among fans over fears it will alter the results. During last night’s (Saturday 27 September) first live show, host Claudia Winkleman revealed “this year it’s changing”.
Bringing in pro dancer Neil Jones to explain, he began: “This year for the first time on Strictly, vote will be online only,” before telling fans they would need to register for a BBC account to have their say.
In previous years, viewers at home have been able to call in or text to place their votes for their favourite stars but it looks like it’s all change this time around. Fans were understandably shocked by the news and took to X to share their frustrations.
One unhappy person expressed: “#StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly You have just alienated a huge part of your audience by getting rid of the phone vote. I cannot imagine my elderly mother & thousands like her, able to log on to register a vote on her favourite programme. Another strike against the elderly.”
Another viewer fumed: “So @bbcstrictly You’ve completely prevented any of the older generation that don’t possess a smart phone or computer from voting by making it online only. You should be ashamed #Strictly.”
Somebody else argued: “#Strictly very sad how exclusive voting is this year internet only. I have friends who have watched every series & always voted by phone. Not this year.
“They don’t have a smart phone or internet at home. I wonder how any others won’t be voting this year?”
While a fourth added: “Getting rid of the voting by phone is so wrong. I’m sure there are so many people who don’t have smartphones and who used to vote that way #Strictly.”
The voting change isn’t the only change that’s been incorporated onto the show this year, as head judge Shirley Ballas revealed at the end of the show.
For the last seven years, Shirley has been responsible for the gruelling decision of choosing which couple in the bottom two should leave if the votes are tied after the dance off.
However, now it’s been announced that the power is going to be shared between the four judges, with a different judge holding the power each week.
The change will start from next week, when the first couple will be eliminated from the series. As of yet, Strictly aren’t revealing which judge has the power, but the celebs are worried…
A video clip of the celebrities reacting to the news was played as Vicky Pattison said: “This changes everything!,” with Ross King adding: “I just can’t believe it!”
EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal says: “I was nervous, but this is another level,” and George Clarke expresses: “Is it too late to run away?”
Viewers at home were once again unimpressed by the changes on their favourite show as someone said: “i think would’ve made more sense for it to be down to the public vote instead of a different judge each week but okay,” while another commented: “I was hoping it would be a ‘public vote if the judges are tied’ but nope.”
The Sparks announced they are joining the WNBA’s facilities upgrade boom, building a $150-million, 55,000-square-foot training and practice facility in El Segundo that is set to open ahead of the 2027 season.
The venue will include two WNBA regulation basketball courts along with a locker room, weight room and athletic training space. The team states the facility will also feature an outdoor spa, indoor hydrotherapy suites, dedicated nap rooms, wellness spaces for yoga or mediation, and extensive use of natural light and retractable doors.
“We’re building a place where Sparks players can be at their best on and off the court,” said Eric Holoman, Sparks managing partner and governor. “From cutting-edge training and recovery spaces to family and community areas, every corner of this facility was designed with them at the center.”
The team did not disclose the venue’s address in El Segundo, which also is the location of Lakers, Kings and Chargers practice facilities.
The Sparks, who posted a 21-23 record and fell two wins short of clinching a playoff spot this season, are addressing one of the biggest complaints about the franchise’s commitment to player development. The team most recently trained at El Camino College, where they had no permanent locker room or weight room. The franchise has rented various training locations throughout its history, making the new building a dramatic upgrade for the team.
The team provided the following renderings of the facility.
A rendering shows the exterior of the Sparks’ future training and practice facility in El Segundo.
(Gensler)
A rendering shows the basketball courts in the Sparks’ future training and practice facility in El Segundo.
(Gensler)
A rendering shows an indoor hydrotherapy pool in the Sparks’ future training and practice facility in El Segundo.
(Gensler)
A rendering shows what the Sparks call a glamour area in their future training and practice facility in El Segundo.
(Gensler)
A rendering shows a locker room in the Sparks’ future training and practice facility in El Segundo.
(Gensler)
A rendering shows a weight and fitness room in the Sparks’ future training and practice facility in El Segundo.
Jamie Marie, 24, has explored a number of spooky places – but her creepy experience at one abandoned asylum, the Mansfield Training School, chilled her to the core
Jamie Marie sitting in a bath at Fairfield Hills State Hospital – another spooky location(Image: Jam Press/Jamie Marie)
An urban explorer has spoken about the ‘scariest night’ of her life after she paid a visit to a creepy abandoned hospital.
Jamie Marie is no stranger to spooky situations; she has braved more than 100 eerie sites. But there is one place she has vowed never to return to after a truly terrifying experience.
The Mansfield Training School in Connecticut, US, is a vast asylum that opened in 1860 but was finally shut in 1993 after years of scandal and neglect. It has been left to rot and has earned a reputation among ghost hunters who swear its dark corridors and tunnels are still haunted.
Jamie Marie pictured inside the Mansfield Training School(Image: Jam Press/Jamie Marie)
Now Jamie has shared details of her own spine-chilling ordeal in a clip racking up 925,000 views and 152,000 likes. “An energy I felt there steered me away from the property for over a year,” the photographer and social media manager told What’s The Jam.
“I made my way down to the basement, which included storage, a former electroshock room and a crematorium. The air turned very cold, and I was overwhelmed with a strange feeling. I can’t even put it into words.
“I felt that I needed to get out immediately and proceeded to do so.”
Jamie says the basement, with its electroshock room and crematorium, was so horrifying she bolted upstairs in panic. And the 24-year-old has vowed never to step foot in an asylum again.
She said: “I have not visited the basement floor since, but I have returned to the other portions of the campus. The experience didn’t make me stop urban exploring, but it kept me away from hospitals and asylums.
Jamie has said the experience has kept her away from abandoned asylums and hospitals (Image: Jam Press/Jamie Marie)
“Even as a sceptic, and someone who has been doing this for over a decade, I still become overwhelmed with the energy in these places.”
Jamie, who lives in New England, US, has seen her passion for the paranormal take her across the states.
She said: “I have always had a passion for abnormal and unsettling things. I have always loved stop-motion movies, puppets, the paranormal and everything Halloween.
“As I grew older, I needed to incorporate this interest into something more physical, like a hobby. I started exploring abandoned places with my best friend and found a way to mesh the non-physical interests of my childhood with an abnormal hobby.”
The creepy figure in the hallway of the abandoned school(Image: Jam Press/@places_forgotten)
“I was definitely alone in the building, it’s a very rural area and I called out and checked rooms before I started taking pictures,” he revealed to What’s the Jam.
The school was abandoned following the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan in 2011, which claimed over 18,000 lives, including several thousands victims who were never recovered.
Ben continued: “The place is quite creepy because it is completely untouched. There are still the school bags on desks, homework on the walls, awards on the walls, even the plants which are dead in biology. It sits on its own on the outskirts of town with everything frozen in time.
“But it was only after looking back at my photos that I noticed a figure in the hallway. It was like a black and white figure and looked like a spirit. I just felt really weirdafter seeing it.
“I haven’t experienced much with the supernatural or spirits. But I know the Japanese believe spirits stay where they belong.”
FANS are concerned about Bella Hadid’s health after seeing her latest Instagram posts.
The famous model, 28, shared a series of snaps today featuring stunning views as well as a number of photos of her appearing unwell.
6
Bella shared a series of snaps where she’s not feeling very wellCredit: Instagram/bellahadid
6
She’s been hooked up to lots of wires and an IVCredit: Instagram/bellahadid
6
She posed for a lighter-hearted pic with her plushyCredit: Instagram/bellahadid
In the snaps Bella can be seen with tear-stained cheeks hooked up to an assortment of wires and IV drips.
There’s also a photo of her wearing an oxygen mask indoors while tucked up in bed with a pizza squishmallow plush.
The star is wearing various different tops in the images – including a blue and white stripe jumper and a white vest – indicating that they were taken on different days.
There’s a small cut visible on her forehead above her right eyebrow, too.
A worn-out looking Bella captioned the series of photos with an apology for taking time away from being online, and sent love to her 61 million followers.
“I’m sorry I always go MIA I love you guys.”
The comments section on the post has since been limited to restrict any new comments being shared, but many Instagram users took a moment to share their well wishes while they could.
“We love you so much,” replied one user, followed by a white heart emoji.
“Take care and heal, the world is waiting for Miss Bella Hadid always. Stay strong,” said another.
A sea of users left no words but dropped heart emojis in Bella’s comments section.
Model Bella Hadid stuns in skin-tight red leathers on motorbike as she shoots new comic-inspired TV show
It’s unknown right now what Bella is struggling with, but she has been open over the last decade about her “invisible suffering” with lyme disease.
In past interviews, she’s described how she lives in “chronic” pain most days and can even find it hard to take a shower.
She was diagnosed with the disease back in 2013.
Her brother, Anwar, shares the same diagnosis.
6
It’s currently unknown what has made Bella illCredit: Instagram/bellahadid
6
She also posted a bunch of scenic imagesCredit: Instagram/bellahadid
6
One of them was this beautiful double rainbowCredit: Instagram/bellahadid
In the queer enclave of West Hollywood, some residents were furious at the sight of a Pride flag and a transgender flag lowered to half-staff to mourn Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
In the city of Los Angeles, an internal Fire Department memo saying flags should stay raised sparked conservative anger at Mayor Karen Bass.
And in Huntington Beach, where MAGA politics are warmly received, officials pledged to honor Kirk’s memory by keeping flags lowered for an additional week past the mourning period set by President Trump.
Amid the national maelstrom, Trump’s unusual decision to order flags lowered to half-staff at public buildings to memorialize a private citizen has been a flash point at the municipal level.
The fallout has exacerbated tensions in major cities and small towns, including in Southern California, as local officials chose whether to comply — and found wrath on either end of the decision.
Kirk, 31, founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA and a close Trump ally, was an incendiary figure. In life, he was lionized by the far right and castigated by many others for anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-Black remarks, among other offensive rhetoric. He galvanized a generation of young Americans to turn toward the GOP, with even critics acknowledging his organizing skills and impact.
It’s not unprecedented for a president to order flags lowered to half-staff for a civilian, according to James Ferrigan, a flag expert who previously served as protocol officer at the North American Vexillological Assn.
Trump called for flags to be lowered in August after two children were shot to death at a Minneapolis Catholic school, but not after Democratic Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in June.
Two days after Kirk’s death, a screenshot of an internal Los Angeles Fire Department memo that said city flags should remain raised “unless directed by the mayor” began to go viral on social media. Many lambasted Bass for not ordering the flags lowered, with some accusing her of defying the president.
Fire Department spokesperson Margaret Stewart said the department follows city flag directives and had not been instructed to lower its flags. The internal memo was not sent at the request of the mayor or anyone in her office, according to someone with knowledge of the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly.
Bass spokesperson Zach Seidl declined to comment on the memo but noted that during Bass’ tenure, flags have been lowered to mourn the deaths of elected officials and first responders.
Ferrigan said that a local official’s choice not to lower flags after a president’s executive directive might be seen as somewhat ill-mannered but wouldn’t be breaking any rules.
“Is it a breach of protocol? Probably not,” Ferrigan explained. “Is it a breach of etiquette? Well, maybe.”
Fox 11, which first published the Fire Department memo, reported that several firehouses lowered their flags to half-staff anyway.
In fiercely progressive West Hollywood, a local news outlet posted an Instagram video of the city’s rainbow Pride flag and a blue-white-and-pink transgender flag lowered to half-staff, blowing in a light breeze.
Weho Times, the local outlet in question, reported that a sign was placed Sunday in the square reading: “Shame on West Hollywood for lowering our flags in honor of a racist, transphobic, homophobic, Nazi-loving monster.”
“In particular, there has been significant outrage regarding the lowering of the LGBTQ+ flags, which are prominently flown in our city as a symbol of pride, inclusion, and community identity,” West Hollywood City Manager David Wilson said during Monday’s City Council meeting, according to written comments provided by the city.
The decision to lower the flags “should not be interpreted as an expression of alignment with, or endorsement of, Mr. Kirk’s political views or actions,” Wilson said, adding that city protocol has long been to follow presidential flag lowering directives.
But, he continued, the city’s flag policy will be taken up at a council meeting next month, and potentially reconsidered.
Ferrigan, the flag expert, wasn’t entirely surprised by the battles flaring up in municipalities across the American map.
“Remember, this might be a little $10 worth of cloth,” he said. “But these are bits of cloth that people will kill for or die for.”
ERIC Dane did not appear at the Emmy Awards despite a scheduled appearance.
The Grey’s Anatomy alum, 52, had been previously announced as a presenter for the swanky TV ceremony on Sunday, September 14.
5
Eric Dane broke down in tears while presenting at the Emmy Awards on SundayCredit: Getty
5
The actor recently opened up about his health struggles following his ALS diagnosisCredit: YouTube/Good Morning America
5
Eric recently revealed that he’d completely lost the ability to use his right handCredit: Getty
Eric did not provide an explanation for his sudden absence.
The awards ceremony was expected to be Eric’s first major event since he opened up about his health battle in June during an appearance on Good Morning America.
Eric first announced his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, otherwise known as ALS, in April in an interview with People.
“I have been diagnosed with ALS,” the TV star shared. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
Eric shares two children, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13, with his wife, Rebecca Gayheart.
‘IT’S SOBERING’
He has since been more vocal about how the disease has significantly impacted him mentally and physically.
During a sit-down with Diane Sawyer on GMA, Eric revealed his left arm is the only one functioning, as his right had “completely stopped working.”
“I feel like maybe a couple more months and I won’t have my left hand either. It’s sobering,” the Euphoria star said at the time.
Eric explained that he first noticed something wasn’t right after experiencing “weakness” and “fatigue” in his right hand.
Although he at first brushed it off, chalking the symptoms up to “texting too much,” it soon worsened leading him to see numerous specialists.
Eric Dane Opens Up About Leaving Grey’s Anatomy
After nine months, Eric received the heartbreaking diagnosis that he had the incurable disease.
“I will never forget those three letters,” the Borderline star said.
“It’s on me the second I wake up. It’s not a dream.”
Eric then admitted that he feared the moment he loses cognitive function in the rest of his body.
Why is it called Lou Gehrig’s disease?
ALS, the most common type of MND, is also known as Charcot disease and Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Henry Louis “Lou” Gehrig was born in the US in 1903, and was a successful baseball player.
He held many records in his day, including the most career grand slams, 23, broken in 2013, and the most consecutive games played, 2,130 which stood for 56 years.
Nicknamed The Iron Horse, he had a stellar career but his performance nosedived, and he was diagnosed with ALS on his 36th birthday in June 1939.
Two days after his diagnosis, he retired from the sport and his condition was made public.
Just two years later, on June 2 1941, Gehrig passed away.
Due to his fame, ALS is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease in North America.
“I’m worried about my legs,” he revealed.
The Last Ship star experienced a terrifying incident a couple of months earlier when he needed to be rescued by his daughter after suddenly losing the ability to swim during a boat trip.
“When I jumped into the ocean that day and realized I couldn’t generate enough power to get myself to the boat. I thought, oh god. I’m not safe to be in the water,” Eric, who was a competitive swimmer and athlete in high school, said.
“She dragged me back to the boat. I was breaking down in tears. I made sure she got back in the water and continued snorkeling with the guide. But I was heartbroken.”
Despite the long road Eric has ahead of him, he’s determined to battle the disease head-on.
“I just don’t feel like in my heart this is the end of me. I’m fighting as much as I can,” the Countdown star declared.
ALS, additionally referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a common degenerative neurological disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
5
Eric is a father to two daughters, Billie Beatrice and Georgia GeraldineCredit: Getty
5
The TV star shares his kids with his wife, Rebecca GayheartCredit: Getty
WASHINGTON — In a strange subplot to the tight race for House minority whip, a powerful position coveted by Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), a fellow California Democrat has charged that she is facing threats of political retribution because of her refusal to back Pelosi.
Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher (D-Alamo), who among California’s 32 Democratic House members is the only one to publicly support Pelosi’s rival for whip, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.), said she spoke out this week because of growing rumors that state Sen. John Burton (D-San Francisco) plans to weaken Democratic support in her Bay Area district as a payback.
California’s 52 House districts are set to be redrawn later this year by the Democratic-controlled California Legislature, with a 53rd seat added based on new census figures. It is always a political and emotionally raw process, especially when incumbents become concerned that their reelection chances could be diminished.
The decision by Tauscher to go public with the charges against Burton–which first appeared Thursday on the front page of Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper–resulted in an angry flurry of finger-pointing and name-calling. The hard feelings provided a glimpse into the back-room maneuvering that marks the fight for leadership posts and the congressional reapportionment.
“I think these threats [of political reprisal] are inappropriate and they ought to be stopped,” Tauscher said Thursday. “Considering the close relationship between Nancy and John Burton, I think she could have them stopped.”
Pelosi, a longtime family friend of Burton’s, dismissed the allegations as “a waste of my time.”
“First of all, there are no threats,” said Pelosi, who would be the first woman to hold the whip position. “Those of us who attend the meetings regularly know our thrust is to bring all 32 [Democratic House] members back, to add some members and to improve difficult seats.”
Pelosi also said Tauscher, whom she helped win a close first election in 1996, never came to her with any of the concerns Tauscher now has publicized.
Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Mission Hills), who is involved in the delegation’s redistricting strategy, also scoffed at Tauscher’s charges. “Ellen has had reason to know from people who care about her that her seat would not only be protected but that it would be improved.”
Pelosi said she believed the charges ultimately would be just a blip in her run for the key leadership slot responsible for corralling votes among the entire House Democratic caucus. The current whip, Rep. David E. Bonior (D-Mich.), is expected to give it up, perhaps later this year, to pursue a race for his home state’s governorship in 2002.
“I’m going to win this race,” Pelosi said. “I think this is a tactic on the part of [Hoyer’s] campaign to introduce an element of discord.”
Hoyer could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Burton, furious about Tauscher’s claims, called her “full of beans.”
“That tells you how dumb she is,” the blunt-speaking Burton added. “Why would anyone who is a Democrat want to see a Republican [in a House seat] instead of her? Our whole game is to preserve the Democratic majority and try to gain at least one seat.”
Tauscher countered that she “was only one of thousands that have been subjected to Sen. Burton’s classless characterizations.”
“I’m one of a very small number of Democrats who have swing districts and don’t pay homage to the old guard,” she said.
Israeli forces bombed a residential building causing fires to spread in an intense night of Israeli strikes on Gaza City. The army says its forces are “increasing the pace of attacks” and told hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to move south.
After aiming to leap from the WNBA’s worst team to a season of triumph, the Sparks instead ended the season seeking perspective — none more so than Kelsey Plum.
In the season’s final weeks, while fighting for a playoff spot, Plum called Dearica Hamby, her closest teammate, to voice her frustration. Accustomed to winning seasons with the Las Vegas Aces, Plum sought solace after several losses, and Hamby grounded her.
“Hey, I won eight games last year,” Hamby responded. “So this looks different to me.”
Despite finishing under .500 for the fifth consecutive season and falling just short of making the playoffs, the Sparks easily more than doubled last year’s win total. Hampered by a slew of injuries that stunted momentum, they greatly improved with the league’s fourth-best record after the All-Star break.
“I really wanted to impact winning, and so it’s tough because sometimes I don’t do a great job of giving myself grace,” Plum said. “We did win 21 games, different from eight a season ago, [but] at the same time, as a competitor, I really want to be in the playoffs.”
Missing the postseason has left Plum carrying that burden, an internal battle she said she’ll have to process. The weight was heavier for Plum, after taking a leap of faith, betting on herself as a No. 1 option for the first time in her career and the motivating factor behind accepting a trade to L.A.
Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, who will become a free agent this offseason, drives against Dream guard Jordin Canada during a game Sept. 5.
(Paras Griffin / Getty Images)
Now, heading into the offseason, Plum’s message to her teammates is to “take that chip and that hunger,” as she will, and carry it into next season.
For Hamby, this season was a necessary dismantling and rebuilding of the organization, an essential step for lasting success.
“My optimism and perspective is I’d rather have a slow burn than a quick fix,” Hamby said. “We’re talking about long-term and wanting to build something for years to come, with the core that we have.”
For the Sparks to take the next step, head coach Lynne Roberts and general manager Reagan Pebley face a tall task: holding together a roster that finally showed promise of reaching lofty goals. Drawing on their coaching backgrounds, both have leaned on a collaborative approach to building the roster, but free agency will be a test this offseason.
Outside of second-year contributors Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson, and this year’s rookie class — all locked into multi-year deals — every veteran on the roster will hit the market. That includes three players who delivered career years: Plum, Hamby and Azurá Stevens.
Plum, with Hamby seated beside her, refrained from guaranteeing her return during exit interviews Friday night. Yet her impassioned message to fans after the season finale, role as the face of the franchise, and input in offseason plans make a return likely.
Hamby, who began recruiting Plum nearly a year ago in hopes of building a legacy together, also appears committed to staying. As she put it, the two “always talked about being together, staying together, whatever we do.”
Fever forward Kelsey Mitchell, middle, tries to drive against the Sparks’ Dearica Hamby (5) and Azurá Stevens (23), who both will be free agents this offseason.
(Michael Conroy / Associated Press)
For starters, retaining them along with Stevens and Julie Allemand is a priority, but it could become a bit complicated come free agency.
Stevens, the healthiest she’s been in years, delivered career highs in points (12.8), rebounds (8.0), minutes (28.4) and games (all 44) as a primary contributor, particularly when injuries plagued the team early in the season — a showing that could attract suitors in free agency.
Allemand is headed to Turkey to play professionally this offseason but hopes to return next season — a return that might hinge on a more defined role. She said she can “do a lot more” and doesn’t want “to be satisfied with this, and be like, ‘OK, let’s just come back next season,’ and it’s the same.”
“It’s always tough to run it back,” Pebley said. “Success is really hard to sustain, and momentum is really hard to hold on to. … We’ll do everything we can to make sure the right pieces stay. Maybe it’s putting people in a different spot, but also addressing some needs that we have.”
The challenge isn’t just shuffling or adding talent; it’s doing so without overcorrecting. The goal is bringing in players who add value while preserving locker-room balance — those whom both Roberts and Pebley trust to fit seamlessly into the culture, enhancing it rather than disrupting it.
Changing the culture and building an identity was Roberts’ top priority heading into her first full WNBA season, and she believes the roster has fully bought in, a process that began with earning the players’ trust.
“They don’t care what you know until they know you care,” Roberts said. “I wanted to get them on board and get them bought in. And so then next year there can be more accountability and I can do a better job.”
Sparks coach Lynne Roberts talks with guard Julie Allemand during a break in play. Allemand will become a free agent this offseason.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Pebley said missing the playoffs has left everyone focused on accountability, at times, to a fault.
Plum is carrying the weight of coming to L.A. to win and falling short. Roberts is shouldering the responsibility of missing the mark of turning a perennial losing team into a winner, like she was hired to do. Pebley herself has been reflecting on the decisions she could have made differently.
“Like mature, experienced people that can gain perspective, do hold on to that self-accountability, but also start to move things into the right place,” Pebley said. “We want to get better, and we will. We’re very committed to doing that, and grateful that it’s not just on one of our shoulders.”
On Friday night, Channel 4 viewers tuned in for a brand new instalment of the beloved show, Gogglebox
It looks as though Channel 4 viewers were less than impressed with the latest episode of Gogglebox as more new faces were introduced to the show.
Last week saw the introduction of several newcomers, including Mother and daughter-in-law Sara and Lara, friends Jake and Calum and family Andre, Sarah and daughter Chee, following one recently axed star breaking their silence on being dropped.
However, during the latest episode, another new duo made their debut on the popular show, sisters Rosie and Susie.
Although it looks as though fans of the long-running programme haven’t been blown away with the new additions, with some believing they’re not being genuine.
Taking to X, one person said: “Why so much air time for those Scottish sisters, left one is totally over acting and playing to the camera. So fake, while point is to be normal and react to what your watching. Too much.”
Two new additions made their Gogglebox debut on Friday night(Image: CHANNEL 4)
Someone else added: “There is a lot of desperate over acting from the new peeps, making it less authentic. If it wasn’t broken, why ‘fix’ it?”
While a third demanded: “Stop all this performative nonsense and be authentic #Gogglebox”
In agreement, someone else said: “No offence but these new Goggleboxers are not natural they know what #gogglebox fans like and their trying too hard. Not naturally funny [sic] forced.”
Gogglebox viewers took to X to share their thoughts(Image: CHANNEL 4)
Although there were some people who were thrilled with the newcomers, with one person commenting: “Liking the new Scottish sisters already #gogglebox”
The new families on Gogglebox come after Scottish duo Roisin and Joe were axed from the show. The couple first appeared on the Channel 4 show back in 2022 and quickly became fan-favourites of the series.
However, announcing their exit, the duo commented: “”After three and a half years of sitting on the sofa Channel 4 have decided it’s time for Joe and I to stretch out legs and have not asked us back for season 26.
The Scottish duo weren’t asked back by Channel 4(Image: PA)
“Therefore we are leaving the Gogglebox family. We couldn’t be more grateful to Studio Lambert for the opportunity, the experience has actually been so mad and we will miss watching TV with you all on Friday nights!
“It’s been an honour to represent Scotland as some of the first Scottish people on the show and prove we don’t actually need subtitles.”
Being out of postseason contention didn’t make the Sparks’ season finale meaningless.
It was a chance to avoid finishing with a losing record for the first time since 2020. An opportunity to foil the Las Vegas Aces’ push for the No. 2 seed in the playoffs while derailing a 15-game winning streak. And, above all, a matter of pride.
But just as with their season-long goal of reaching the playoffs, the Sparks fell short of their goal, as A’ja Wilson and the Aces dominated in a 103-75 victory at Crypto.com Arena.
The talent gap was stark in the first half, with Las Vegas building a lead that swelled to 22 behind a three-point barrage led by Jewell Loyd and Chelsea Gray. One of the league’s best three-point shooting teams (34.6% per game entering Thursday), the Aces (30-14) hit 11 threes in the first half to take a 19-point lead by halftime.
The Aces finished with 22 three-pointers — the most ever in a WNBA regular-season game. The Aces already hold the outright record of 23 three-pointers, which they set in the playoffs in 2022.
The trio of Loyd, Gray and Wilson proved too much for a short-handed Sparks squad to handle.
Loyd and Gray reached double figures in scoring by halftime — Loyd with 21 and Gray with 13. Wilson, a front-runner for league MVP, delivered yet another dominant stat line: 23 points, 19 rebounds, four blocks and two steals.
Sparks forward Emma Cannon, left, knocks the ball out of the hands of Las Vegas guard Chelsea Gray during the first half Thursday.
(Harry How / Getty Images)
Former Aces Dearica Hamby and Kelsey Plum tried to will the Sparks (21-23) to one more victory, but it was all for naught. Plum had her hands full with the opposing backcourt, and Hamby drew the unenviable assignment of battling the league’s best in Wilson.
Hamby opened strong, scoring all seven Sparks’ points in the first six minutes as the team tried to feed her in the post. She finished with 15 points, six rebounds and three steals.
Plum also finished with 15 points in a physical game that featured several players arguing with referees over foul calls.
In the second quarter, Cameron Brink caught a left elbow to the nose from Aces forward NaLyssa Smith under the basket. Blood trickled from Brink’s face onto the hardwood as Brink shouted at the referees after no foul was called.
The training staff escorted her to the locker room with a towel pressed to her face, and she did not return.
Trailing 77-58 at the end of the third quarter, Sparks coach Lynne Roberts put in rookies Sarah Ashlee Barker, Alissa Pili and Sania Feagin.
Barker scored 15 points in 38 minutes. Pilli scored a career-high seven points in six minutes. Feagin finished with four points.
The assassination of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk is seen as a significant event amidst rising political violence in the U. S. Experts believe this may lead to further unrest in a country already divided. Mike Jensen, a researcher, noted that in the first half of the year, there were about 150 politically motivated attacks, nearly double from the previous year. He warned that the situation could escalate into wider civil unrest if not controlled, viewing the assassination as a potential trigger for more violence.
Experts attribute the rise in violence to several factors, including economic insecurity, racial and ethnic tensions, and aggressive political rhetoric. The divide in politics has grown from policy disagreements to personal animosity, driven by social media and conspiracy theories. A report by Reuters indicated that there had been over 300 cases of political violence in the U. S. since the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, reflecting the highest level of such violence in decades. Jon Lewis from George Washington University commented that extreme political violence is becoming more common, regardless of clear motives.
Lilliana Mason, a political science professor, emphasized the tendency for people to retaliate rather than initiate violence. Kirk, a prominent figure in the conservative movement and ally of former President Trump, was shot while speaking at an event, resulting in a panic among the crowd of 3,000. As of Thursday, authorities had not arrested a suspect, and the FBI was investigating. Following Kirk’s death, there has been a call for increased security from many lawmakers.
“Vicious Spiral”
Trump was involved in two assassination attempts last year. In one attempt, the shooter was killed by authorities, and in the other, a man with a rifle was arrested near a golf club where Trump was playing. His trial has started this week. This year, two significant attacks by right-wing conspiracy theorists also occurred. In June, a Christian nationalist killed a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband. In August, a gunman targeting the CDC in Atlanta killed a police officer.
There have been at least 21 deaths from political violence since January, including 14 from an attack in New Orleans by a jihadist linked to the Islamic State. In May, a pro-Palestinian activist killed two Israeli embassy employees, stating it was for Gaza. Additionally, in July, a group of militants attacked an immigration detention center in Texas, injuring a police officer.
Since taking office, Trump has reduced efforts to combat domestic extremism, focusing on immigration instead. A researcher from the University of Maryland warns that the political climate is dangerous, with increasing violence from those who oppose recent government changes.
PHOENIX — Dearica Hamby scored 16 of her 25 points in the fourth quarter, Rae Burrell had a career-high 20 points off the bench and the Sparks beat the Phoenix Mercury 88-83 on Tuesday night but the Sparks were eliminated from the playoff race.
The Sparks needed a win and a Seattle loss to send the chase for the last playoff spot to the last day of the season on Thursday, but the Storm pulled out a 74-73 win over Golden State.
Phoenix, the No. 4 seed, will host fifth-seeded New York, the defending champion, in the best-of-three series when the playoffs open on Sunday.
Kelsey Plum added 17 points for the Sparks (21-22).
Alyssa Thomas had her eighth triple-double of the season for the Mercury (27-16) with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, but she and the other Phoenix starters sat out the fourth quarter, Satou Sabally led the Mercury with 24 points and Sami Whitcomb added 11.
Phoenix led 25-19 after one quarter but the Sparks were up 45-44 at half.
The Sparks opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run for a 54-44 lead and then the Mercury stormed back to take a 59-58 lead on Whitcomb’s three-pointer.
Burrell’s driving layup in the last minute, when she tied her career high of 18 points, was the difference as the Sparks took a 63-62 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Sparks defeated the Dallas Wings 91-77 on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena to keep their faint playoff hopes alive heading into the final week of the regular season.
Julie Allemand finished with 21 points, a career-high five steals and four assists, and Rae Burrell had 13 points as the Sparks went on a 16-0 run in the fourth quarter.
The Sparks (20-22) must win their final two games against Phoenix and Las Vegas and have Seattle lose to Golden State on Tuesday to make the postseason.
The Sparks led for nearly the entire game, capitalizing on 10 three-pointers, 12 steals and six players scoring in double digits.
Dallas, however, went on a 19-2 run at the beginning of the third quarter and managed to briefly lead twice.
Amy Okonkwo hit a three-pointer with 8.9 seconds left in the third quarter to give the Wings (9-34) a one-point lead. But the Sparks didn’t waste time responding, with Allemand hitting a three-pointer before the buzzer that put the Sparks ahead for good.
The Sparks then pulled away in the fourth quarter, with Burrell scoring 11 points.
Momentum shifted in the third quarter as the Wings went on a 19-2 run in the beginning of the quarter.
Dallas managed to take a one-point lead late in the third quarter before Allemand hit a three-pointer before the buzzer that put the Sparks ahead for good. Burrell scored 11 points in the fourth quarter to help the Sparks pull away.
Azurá Stevens had 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Dearica Hamby finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Kelsey Plum had 12 points and Rickea Jackson contributed 11 points.
Dallas rookie Paige Bueckers finished with 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds for Dallas. Myisha Hines-Allen had 15 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Maddy Siegrist added 13 points and four rebounds for the Wings.
COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — The Sparks inched closer to playoff elimination on Friday night.
Rhyne Howard tied the WNBA record with nine 3-pointers and finished with 37 points, Atlanta tied the team record with 19 3s and the Dream beat the Sparks 104-85.
Howard had three attempts at the record, which she already shared with Kelsey Mitchell (2019), Jewell Loyd (2023) and Arike Ogunbowale (2024). She is the first two accomplish the feat twice, both this season.
Atlanta (28-14), which clinched home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs, tied the team record on Jordin Canada’s shot with 1:44 to play. New York hit 19 3-pointers twice this season and Las Vegas had 23 3s in a playoff game.
The Sparks’ Dearica Hamby shoots the ball under pressure from the Dream’s Brittney Griner during the second quarter at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Ga., on Friday.
(Paras Griffin / Getty Images)
Maya Caldwell hit five 3s and scored 19 points for Atlanta and Brionna Jones added 12. The Dream were 19 for 39 from the arc. Howard was 9 for 17 and Caldwell 5 for 7.
Dearica Hamby scored 26 points on 11-for-15 shooting for the Sparks (19-22), who are 2 1/2 games behind Indiana in seventh place in the standings and Seattle in eighth. The Fever and Storm have an easier remaining schedules as they push to become one of the league’s eight playoff teams.
Kelsey Plum added 20 points and Rickea Jackson 17 for the Sparks.
The Sparks tied the score at 64 on Hamby’s layup in the middle of the third quarter but then the Dream reeled off 13 straight, which included back-to-back 3s by Caldwell and Howard’s eighth 3.
Howard’s record-tying 3, with 28.7 seconds left, made it 85-71. Caldwell had 11 points in the third quarter and Atlanta led 85-72.
Howard made five 3s in the first quarter, seven in the first half when she had 29 points and the Dream led 56-52.
ATLANTA — Rhyne Howard scored 19 points, Brionna Jones had 16 points and 13 rebounds for her 12th double-double of the season, and the Atlanta Dream beat the Sparks 86-75 on Wednesday night to move into sole possession of second place in the WNBA standings.
Atlanta (27-14), which has won five of its last six games, moved a half-game ahead of Las Vegas (26-14) and Phoenix (26-14) with three regular-season games remaining.
The Dream play the Sparks again Friday, followed by a two-game series with Connecticut to end the season. The Sparks have four games remaining, two at home.
Dearica Hamby had 21 points, nine rebounds and four assists for the Sparks. Kelsey Plum had 18 points and seven assists, and Rickea Jackson scored 15.
Naz Hillmon added 15 points and Maya Caldwell scored 14 for Atlanta. Jordin Canada recorded her first double-double this season with 10 points and 10 assists.
The Sparks scored the opening 10 points of the game as Atlanta missed its first seven field goals. But the Dream closed the quarter on a 12-3 run to take a 26-24 lead after one. Atlanta started the second quarter on a 15-3 run to build a 41-27 lead.
Atlanta led 53-41 at the break behind Howard’s 12 points and three three-pointers. The Dream led by at least eight points the entire second half.
Seattle led 85-80 with 2:47 to play but Hamby scored five points and Jackson four in an 11-0 closing run to pull the Sparks within 1½ games of the Storm and Indiana for the final two playoff spots. Seattle missed its last five shots.
Kelsey Plum added 14 points for the Sparks (19-20) and Rae Burrell had 11. Hamby had 11 rebounds as the Sparks dominated the boards 37-23. The also had a 60-30 advantage on points in the paint.
Nneka Ogwumike had 21 points on five first half three-pointers and two second half three-point plays for the Storm (22-20). Skylar Diggins also had 21 points and Ezi Magbegor added 11.
Gabby Williams had two baskets and an assist to fuel a 10-0 run for the Storm, who led 25-20 after one quarter.
Ogwumike had three three-pointers in less than a minute, making her five for five, for a 36-25 lead 3½ minutes into the second quarter. The Storm had six threes in the quarter, with Erica Wheeler’s in the closing seconds making it 53-39 at the half.
Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, left, drives to the basket in front of Seattle guard Erica Wheeler during the first half Monday.
(Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
Diggins opened the second half with a three for a 17-point lead, but the Sparks hit their first five shots and were 12 for 17 in the quarter. The final shot was a buzzer-beating one-handed three-pointer by Jackson from beyond the top of the key to cut the Storm’s lead to 73-68 entering the fourth quarter.
The Sparks play at second-place Atlanta on Wednesday and Friday. The Storm are home against New York on Friday.
The Sparks won a critical game Sunday, defeating the Washington Mystics 81-78 to keep their slim playoff hopes alive heading into the final two weeks of the regular season.
Washington hit a trio of three-pointers in the final minute, but Dearica Hamby‘s jumper in the paint and Kelsey Plum‘s two free throws in the final 20 seconds were enough to seal a Sparks win.
Hamby led the Sparks with 20 points and 12 rebounds, recording her 11th double-double of the season. Plum added 18 points, four rebounds and six assists. Rickea Jackson contributed 16 points and Azurá Stevens had 12 rebounds.
“Dearica was just a beast on the boards and finishing in traffic with those-and-ones,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said. “She’s just so strong and athletic,”
It was a critical win for a ninth-place Sparks team that is three wins behind the Indiana Fever for the final playoff spot.
The Sparks (18-20) likely will need to win a majority of their remaining games to have a chance at the postseason. Their final six-game slate includes two tests against Atlanta this week and games against Phoenix and Las Vegas to close the regular season.
They also need the Valkyries, Fever and Seattle Storm to lose. Golden State, which beat Indiana on Sunday night to move ahead of Seattle and into sixth, also owns the playoff tiebreaker after winning the season series against the Sparks.
The Sparks could help their cause with a road win over Seattle (22-19) on Monday night.
Before Sunday’s win, Roberts wanted to see better pacing from her team. She got that, along with better shot execution. Unfortunately, 13 turnovers allowed the Mystics to stay on the Sparks’ heels most of the game.
The Sparks came out strong in the first quarter, building a double-digit lead of 13 points.
Washington (16-25) responded in the second quarter and tied the game 24-24. Plum then split a pair of free throws to put the Sparks ahead and they pulled away to take a 40-31 lead by halftime.
The Sparks continued to stay ahead in the third quarter, but six points from Kiki Iriafen coupled with a Stefanie Dolson three-pointer gave Washington a 56-55 lead with 8:21 left. The Sparks retook the lead before a Sonia Citron three-pointer tied the score at 61-61 with 5:35 remaining.
Hamby then made a couple of free throws and scored on a two-foot layup to put the Sparks ahead for good.
Iriafren finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds, securing her 15th double-double of the season. Shakira Austin added 11 points and seven rebounds. Citron chipped in 12 points.
With some much at stake in days ahead, Stevens knows the Sparks can’t afford to lose their focus.
“We know the circumstances, but all we can control is the next possession.” Stevens said, “Just taking it day by day and really focusing on us, our defense, our rebounding, our pace on offense.”
Roberts also would like to see more from her players Monday night against Seattle.
“We’ve got to be better at putting teams away and not making it a close game, but we took care of business [tonight],” Roberts said.
