At least 10 people were killed and around 60 wounded in central Mexico when fireworks detonated during a religious festival. Residents had been honouring the patron saint of Temascalcingo, a municipality in central Mexico, when tragedy struck.
Published On 7 Sep 20267 Sep 2026
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UCLA is proceeding as though it landed a massive gift this week, with 2025 Sun Belt Player of the Year Trent Hendrick joining the Bruins for practices Monday and Tuesday.
Hendrick is among 16 players who sought a Louisiana temporary restraining order allowing them to return to college after entering the NFL draft pool, arguing they would not have left had they know NCAA rules would change granting them an extra year of eligibility.
The temporary restraining order was granted last week, but the Big Ten voted on Tuesday to pass a new rule that prohibited football players who have signed a professional contract, were on a professional roster at any point or declared for the NFL draft as an underclassman without withdrawing, from maintaining eligibility for athletic competition.
Hendrick, however, did not sign a contract, never earned a spot on a roster and didn’t declare for the draft as an underclassman.
Linebacker Trent Hendrick participates in a drill during the Cleveland Browns’ rookie minicamp on May 8. Hendrick is now poised to play for UCLA.
(Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press)
“We support the Big Ten’s adoption of the new professional football players rule and understand the importance of having clear and consistent eligibility standards across the conference,” UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond said in a statement on Tuesday. “We have been in communication with the Big Ten throughout this process, and our student-athletes are eligible under the guidelines adopted today. We are excited to turn our full attention to the upcoming season and our opener [versus] California on Sept. 5.”
It is unclear whether anyone will contest the Louisiana temporary restraining order.
For now, Hendrick is quickly getting up to speed in a system he learned while competing under head coach Bob Chesney and defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler last season at James Madison.
Chesney was excited on Monday to welcome Hendrick to Westwood. Hitschler told reporters Tuesday he, too, was pleased to see Hendrick on the UCLA roster.
James Madison’s Trent Hendrick tackles Washington State’s Maxwell Woods during a game on Nov. 22.
(Brien Aho / Getty Images)
“We had a lot of fun together last year and I think he did a great job where he was,” Hitschler said. “I’m glad he got the opportunity for himself to hopefully continue to play college football here. What a special opportunity for him and let’s make the most of it.”
Both coaches said they faced competition to land Hendrick after last week’s restraining order was granted.
“He’s a really good player,” Hitschler said. “He made a lot of plays for us last year and he loves the game. … Awesome kid, loves the game, loves the work, loves the grind, you know, and he’s talented.”
Can a player who joined a roster less than two weeks before the season opener be ready to play immediately? Hitschler thinks so.
“Trent’s a kid that stays ready,” Hitschler said. “He was begging for an opportunity to get a tryout in the league. Just another opportunity to maybe get it. So he was working out, he was in great shape. He’s a kid that lives, eats and sleeps football and God blessed him with an opportunity here, let’s see what he can make of it.”
The Big Ten is holding schools accountable for compliance with its rule and told the Associated Press restrictions in other sports such as basketball could follow.
A head football coach who plays a former pro will be suspended 50% of the season and his school will be fined, the Big Ten confirmed to the AP on Tuesday.
The topic is a hot one around college athletics. Wake Forest athletic director John Currie, chairman of the Atlantic Coast Conference athletic directors group for the upcoming season, said his colleagues planned to discuss the issue Wednesday.
“I don’t think anybody in our league likes the idea of taking away opportunities from existing college students and graduating high school players, which is exactly what is happening when a school signs a player out of an NFL camp to their team,” Currie wrote in a text message to the AP.
Duke coach Manny Diaz said the Power Four conferences need to present a unified front. The Big 12 and Southeastern Conference have not announced steps, though the SEC ripped the potential for pros back in college in a statement late Monday.
“I think you’ll see more leagues start to govern themselves since we’re having such a hard time finding it at a national level,” Diaz said. “I think everyone understands it’s absolutely absurd. We can enjoy the fact that the players can benefit financially from playing in college now. At the same time, recognize the ultimate truth that we’re not a professional sports franchise. We are a collegiate, scholastic school activity, and we’ve got to rein that in.”
Agent Drew Rosenhaus told the AP on Monday that former Mississippi tight end Dae’Quan Wright had been waived by the Cleveland Browns and, if he clears waivers, will join Lane Kiffin’s roster at Louisiana State. Wright played two seasons for Kiffin at Ole Miss.
Wright was among a group of players who sued in a Louisiana court, saying the new NCAA rule granting five years of eligibility to most athletes should apply to him and others who were not “grandfathered” into the rule, which did not include the high school Class of 2022.
“Over 100 athletes in multiple sports were cleared and said you could go play. That’s a court order,” Kiffin said Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN. “If you think back on all the different court orders of great players that were granted — whether that’s Diego Pavia or, now, Trinidad [Chambliss] that were allowed to play a sixth year, we followed all court orders. I think you get into a really interesting situation as a conference if you’re now saying, ‘Well, we’re not going to follow this court order.’ These kids that a court says can go anywhere, we’re going to say, ‘No you can’t.’”
The situation has drawn sharp criticism among coaches in college and the NFL. Rams coach Sean McVay said reversing the college football-to-NFL pipeline was mind-boggling.
“I don’t know enough about it, other than the fact guys that can be in NFL camps, if it doesn’t go down for them, they can go back to college,” McVay said. “I mean, I feel like I took a freaking gummy. I don’t even understand it. It’s true. I mean, looking at this stuff, I’m like, surely that’s not real. But I just try to stay in my lane. But I would say it’s very unique and it’s very different.”
Correspondent Jordan Puente and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
DAMON ALBARN has found the woman to drag him off his very own melancholy hill.
The Blur frontman’s 25-year relationship with Suzi Winstanley ended four years ago, but now I’m told he has been secretly dating long-time Gorillaz collaborator Rebecca Freckleton for almost a year.
And now, things have got more serious, as pals say the couple are shacked up in his London pad.
My exclusive photos show that Damon and Rebecca are absolutely smitten, and I’m told they’ve been inseparable for months.
I first heard whispers about their relationship late last year, with friends telling me Rebecca and Damon’s friendship was moving to the next level.
Over the past few months, the pair have been seen together in public on a handful of occasions.
“Damon and Rebecca are in love and their friends couldn’t be happier for them,” one insider told me.
“After his split from Suzi in 2022, Damon took some time to find himself again. It was a few years later he started to grow closer to Rebecca.
“They’ve been seeing each other for almost a year now.
“He’s got a place in London and she’s there all the time with him.
“She’s been seen out walking his dog, too. They make a lovely couple and it’s been great to see Damon so happy again.”
I first revealed Damon and Suzi, the mother of his daughter, Missy, had split three years ago.
The pair ended their relationship in 2022, with friends revealing the news early the following year.
Damon, who wrote On Melancholy Hill for Gorillaz album Plastic Beach in 2010, poured his heartbreak into Blur’s comeback album, The Ballad Of Darren, which came out in 2023 and went straight to No1.
And he had the same success with Gorillaz’s latest record, The Mountain, which hit the top spot in the album chart back in March.
Rebecca was on board for that project and sang backing vocals on their track, The Empty Dream.
Damon certainly won’t have any of those with Rebecca by his side.
WHEN one door closes, another opens – and that’s exactly what’s happened to Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field.
After he launched new clothing line Hopeium last week, hers, Ayda Activewear, was put on ice.
Former Loose Women panellist Ayda debuted her range of cool athleisure clobber back in 2022 and it was initially a big success – but things became more tricky.
A source said: “The market is fiercely competitive and while Ayda Activewear did take off, business has been tough recently.
“The way the markets are, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for brands like this to operate.
“Naturally she hopes one day she could open it back up, but only time will tell.”
Shoppers visiting Ayda’s website are now greeted with a message blaming “sizeable tariffs and overall economic uncertainty” for a “pause” in trading.
In a personal note, she wrote: “I envisioned clothes that were ready to reflect and tackle the chaos of my life and make me feel f***ing fantastic while doing it. Thanks to you all, I got to do just that.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure and I thank you so much for the enduring support. For now we’re hitting the pause button but don’t worry – we’re still stretching and dreaming . . . and wearing leggings every damn day.”
Amen to that, Ayda.
SAM SMITH says they have never been as proud of an album as new record, Hazel Eyes.
The LP came out yesterday and is reminiscent of their 2014 debut, In The Lonely Hour. It is all about falling in love with fashion designer Christian Cowan.
Sam, who confirmed their engagement last month, said: “I don’t think I’ve ever been as proud of myself or an album.
“This album will always mark one of the most magical, confronting, happiest and challenging times of my life as a person and an artist.”
Sam will play two nights at Manchester’s Albert Hall on September 3 and 4 before kicking off an eight-night residency at the London Coliseum on September 8.
NETFLIX has snapped up the rights to a documentary all about US singer and actress Jessica Simpson.
The project will be headed up by Joe Pearlman, who directed Robbie Williams’ 2023 series on the platform.
Jessica found fame as a pop star in the early noughties alongside Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, with hits like I Wanna Love You Forever, With You, and a cover of These Boots Are Made For Walkin’.
She’s since sold 20 million records and had a high profile marriage, and divorce, to American singer-songwriter Nick Lachey.
CELEBRITY Big Brother star Danny Beard may wear wigs in his drag shows, but he wants everyone to know the importance of hair care.
The performer is the new face of the Method haircare brand – creating a full dance video to show off his not-so-natural locks.
Apparently, 71 per cent of us say freshly washed hair has a positive effect on our mood.
To be fair to Danny, I also perform a full choreographed dance routine in the shower.
PIXIE LOTT arrived in style for the press night of her new West End show, Who Killed Marilyn?, in a white Cadillac.
She wore a slinky pink, white and gold dress for the event at London’s Emerald Theatre and told how she hopes to show the real person behind Marilyn’s Hollywood alter-ego.
Pixie, who posed for pics with husband Oliver Cheshire, said of the play: “Marilyn was the character she created, but this is more from her Norma Jeane side. It’s her telling her own story, right from the beginning, right up until the end.
“ I was always aware of obviously the very glamorous Hollywood icon side and maybe more of her vulnerable side and fragile side, but not this strength and the intelligence – that side of her that hasn’t really been spoken about.”
SHAGGY lived up to his name when he got hitched at the GoldenEye resort in Jamaica – where Ian Fleming wrote James Bond – by intimating he got frisky on the author’s desk.
The It Wasn’t Me singer, who married wife Rebecca in 2014, admitted: “It’s a magical desk. I did a different kind of magic on the desk – but we’re not going to talk about that.”
On Alan Carr’s travel podcast Life’s A Beach, Shaggy also said one of the best things about being a celeb is never complaining.
“I just have someone complain for me,” he said. “I’m famous. I can do that.”
MICHAEL JACKSON’s biopic sequel will explore the sexual abuse allegations made against the late King of Pop, but won’t tell it from the victims’ side.
The Smooth Criminal singer’s nephew Jafaar Jackson, played him in the first film, Michael, which came out this year and made more than $1billion at the box office.
He has said the follow-up will be from MJ’s point of view. But that has already ruffled feathers among people who believe it will skate over the serious allegations.
Jafaar told GQ Middle East: “The second film will give more insight from his point of view, because [the allegations] are always from someone else’s.
“It’s someone else’s story . . . and it’s mainly driven by an agenda. That’s the issue we have as a family – not having Michael’s voice heard. That is very important.”
There are high hopes for the sequel, after the first movie became the highest-grossing biopic and has sent Jacko’s greatest hits album back up the charts.
FORGET queuing for a selfie at some overhyped beauty spot.
Two-thirds of us (66 per cent) now reckon chasing viral destinations means missing out on the good stuff.
According to research by cottages.com, more than half (51 per cent) would rather sniff out a hidden gem than tick off a famous hotspot, with the over-55s leading the charge on 69 per cent.
So what does the nation actually want from a break?
A muddy footpath, a big view and a pint waiting at the end of it? Nearly two-thirds of us (61 per cent) say no UK getaway feels complete without visiting a cosy pub.
We know what we want when we get there, too.
Traditional pub grub is top of the wish list (67 per cent), ahead of snug interiors (60 per cent) and a beer garden with an incredible view (60 per cent).
Broadcaster Clare Balding has teamed up with cottages.com and walking charity The Ramblers to launch the Pub Walk Collection, which pairs hand-picked routes with nearby cottages and cracking local pubs.
Clare said: “A proper pub walk is a much-loved British tradition.
“For me, the perfect route is four to six miles with dramatic scenery, ending at a great local pub. Some of the most memorable parts of a break can come from taking a different turn, chatting to locals and discovering places that aren’t on every itinerary.”
Jacob Lewis lists ten destinations that require your walking boots and are worth working up an appetite – and thirst – for.
WALK: Start at Conwy Station (LL32 8LD) for a 6.1-mile loop through the lower Conwy Valley, with the castle and river laid out below you.
Three hours, two short sharp climbs, and views worth every step.
PUB: The Albion is built into Conwy’s medieval walls and is arguably one of the finest 1920s pubs left in Britain.
Its Art Nouveau interior alone is worth the walk.
STAY: Ty Llewelyn is a two-bed cottage inside those same town walls, metres from the start of the walk and a few steps from the castle.
Wood-burner on, boots off. Sleeps four. See booking.com.
WALK: From Keswick’s Moot Hall (CA12 5JR), good paths climb steadily above Walla Crag for spectacular views over Derwentwater before looping home.
PUB: The Pocket is a buzzy independent cafe-bar on Lake Road, beloved of hikers straight off the fells.
Offers homemade sourdough pizzas and local craft beer.
STAY: Bonnie Cottage sits near the heart of Ambleside, sleeping four, with a courtyard garden and a woodburner for the evening.
For details see sykescottages.co.uk.
WALK: The 3.7-mile Boscastle Discovery route starts at the harbour (PL35 0HD) and packs a lot in: dramatic sea cliffs, farmland, quiet lanes to Minster Church, then the gorgeous Valency Valley home.
PUB: The Napoleon Inn sits at the top of the old fishing village, a 16th-century charmer with low beams, stone fireplaces and a tiered beer garden with sneaky sea glimpses.
STAY: Greenacres is a proper family blowout, sleeping 15 across six bedrooms with a hot tub and views over the valleys to the sea.
See hoseasons.co.uk.
WALK: From Bamford Station (S33 0BN), follow an old railway line to the mighty Ladybower Dam, then climb through woodland to craggy Bamford Edge.
This walk’s around six miles long and has Dark Peak views that show off.
PUB: The Anglers Rest is community-owned, hiker-friendly and right in the Hope Valley.
It serves hearty home-cooked plates and Derbyshire craft ales.
STAY: Fern Cottage has beamed rooms and valley views stretching to Bamford Edge. Sleeps six, and dogs stay free.
For further details see cottages.com.
WALK: Start in Settle’s Market Place (BD24 9EJ) for a short, punchy climb to the trig point. Brief, sharp, and the views are spectacular for the effort.
PUB: The Talbot Arms is family-run with the biggest beer garden in town.
Local real ale and comforting food are welcome after a day on the limestone fells.
STAY: Broughton Sanctuary’s Micklethorn is a grand ten-sleeper near Skipton where you are free to roam 3,000 acres of parkland.
Visit broughtonsanctuary.co.uk.
WALK: From Limeslade Bay (SA3 4JW), enjoy an easy 4.8-miler along the Gower Coast Path to Langland Bay, then back through Mumbles past Oystermouth Castle and the Victorian pier.
PUB: The Vic is an independent boozer in the heart of Mumbles with real ales, craft beers and live acoustic sessions.
Proper free-house spirit.
STAY: Bungalow Highfields is a roomy base sleeping six, with sea views, an enclosed garden and salty air from the doorstep. See cottages.com.
WALK: A gentle 5.1 miles from Corbridge village car park (NE45 5AX) through the Tyne valley, with lovely views and a wander round the town to finish.
PUB: The Pele is a micro bar inside a 14th-century, Grade I-listed, fortified tower in Corbridge.
It only serves bar snacks, but a beer by the medieval-style fireplace in this three-storey tower is certainly hard to beat.
STAY: The Studio at Westfield is a Scandi-style bolthole for two near Bellingham, on the edge of Northumberland National Park.
For details, see cottages.com.
WALK: A 7.3-mile circuit from Mill Wynd, Kelso (TD5 7HP), taking in the ruined abbey and the countryside along the River Teviot.
Three easy hours in a corner of the country most visitors skip.
PUB: The Cobbles is a 19th-century coaching inn just off the town square, now a multi-award-winning gastropub.
Outstanding local beef and game, with craft beer to match.
STAY: Liddel Holiday Properties offers a cosy four-sleeper near Kielder with rolling countryside all around and the river close by. See cottages.com.
WALK: One for the keen hiker.
This 10.6-mile route climbs out of Pitlochry (PH16 5BL) towards Ben Vrackie, crosses to Killiecrankie and returns along the River Garry.
Six hours, and worth every one.
PUB: The Auld Smiddy Inn fills a former blacksmith’s forge and does modern Scottish cooking properly, with venison, Highland seafood and regional ales by the fire.
STAY: Heathergems Apartment is bang in the middle of Pitlochry, metres from the walk start and steps from Blair Athol Distillery.
Sleeps four. See cottages.com.
WALK: A pleasant country amble from Aldborough (NR11 7NW) taking in three churches and a whopping village common.
Big skies, gentle going.
PUB: Cricketers on The Green looks out over the pitch where summer cricket is played.
Its AA-rosette kitchen turns out monthly-changing dishes built on the freshest Norfolk ingredients.
STAY: Dibley Cottage is a beautifully done Victorian bolthole for four near North Walsham, in a pocket of North Norfolk most visitors drive straight past.
For details see cottages.com.
