Cameroon is experiencing a severe shortage of HIV/AIDS test kits following a 74 per cent reduction in financial assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The US agency funding in Cameroon has focused on health initiatives, including HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis; humanitarian aid, such as food security and support for refugees, and governance. However, significant cuts to this funding in 2025 have adversely affected many health projects, forcing Cameroon to revise its budget.

The United States is the largest bilateral donor of humanitarian assistance in Cameroon, contributing over $650 million annually since 2014. This funding has provided emergency food assistance to more than 1.4 million people, delivered essential relief supplies, and promoted maternal and child health initiatives.

The Adamawa region of the country is facing a significant shortage of HIV/AIDS test kits, making it one of the hardest-hit areas. According to the Regional Technical Group for the fight against HIV/AIDS, the situation in the region is critical. Approximately 5.5 per cent of individuals living with the virus are unaware of their serological status, and 4 per cent of those infected have not yet started antiretroviral treatment.

Among those receiving effective treatment, 9.4% have not yet achieved the goal of suppressing the viral load, a necessary condition for slowing down the transmission of the virus. Recently, a sensitisation march took place in Ngaoundere, the regional capital of Adamawa. During this event, the Regional Technical Group for the fight against HIV-AIDS urged the community to remain vigilant. They also encouraged individuals living with HIV to consistently adhere to their medication regimen.

Despite a 74 per cent reduction in USAID funding, Cameroon continues to provide antiretroviral treatment to AIDS patients.

At the HIV-AIDS unit of the Protestant Hospital of Ngaoundere, which serves approximately 2,000 patients, access to testing, the critical first step, is currently very limited. This restriction complicates the identification of new cases and hinders referrals to available treatment options.

In 2024, Cameroon was estimated to have 480,232 people living with HIV, with approximately 10,000 new cases recorded that year. Although HIV remains a significant public health challenge, there has been encouraging progress, including a 50% reduction in HIV prevalence among individuals aged 15 to 64 over the past 14 years. According to the most recent Demographic Health Survey (DHS) conducted in 2018, the prevalence decreased from 5.4 per cent in 2004 to 4.3 per cent in 2011, and further down to 2.7 per cent in 2018.

Hamsatou Hadja, the permanent secretary of Cameroon’s National AIDS Control Committee, attributed the decline in HIV cases to a targeted strategy. “The fight against HIV is organised around a national vision aimed at eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. This involves reducing new infections, deaths, and the stigma associated with HIV,” Hamsatou said.

The country is on track to achieve the global “95-95-95” target, which aims for 95 per cent of people living with HIV to know their status, 95 per cent of those who know their status to be on treatment, and 95 per cent of those on antiretroviral therapy to have a suppressed viral load. According to the Committee, the rates in 2022 were 95.8 per cent, 92.3 per cent, and 89.2 per cent, respectively.

USAID funding cuts in 2025 have had widespread consequences across Africa, undermining health systems and humanitarian programs. Cameroon’s HIV/AIDS crisis is part of this broader trend, where reduced U.S. support has disrupted testing and treatment services.

The ITV News journalist has opened up about the ‘agonising’ trip she made following the death of her husband, who passed away in 2022

ITV News Arts Editor Nina Nannar has shared her heartache following the death of her husband. Her partner of 23 years passed away due to complications from kidney disease in 2022, leaving behind their 19-year-old daughter Mimi.

In a recent heartfelt interview, Nina spoke about her “agonising” journey to New Zealand to scatter the ashes of her late husband, Steve Ronson.

The 57-year-old told Norfolk magazine that she had been planning and “dreading” this trip for over a year as it was a “heartbreaking mission”.

She intended to return Steve’s ashes to his homeland of New Zealand but confessed she wasn’t emotionally prepared.

The broadcaster admitted to sleepless nights worrying about whether she could manage her grief and not “be embarrassing” in front of his friends.

Nina confided in the publication: “Even though Steve has been gone three years, the sorrow I feel over his loss still manages to cripple me in unexpected moments, of leaving me still in despair and disbelief that he is no longer here.”

She expressed gratitude towards her friends for supporting her “through my irrational moments” and “times of agony”, reports the Express.

Nina added: “My grief is raw, but this trip Mimi and I made did help us in a huge way.” During their visit to New Zealand, Nina and Mimi joined Steve’s friends at his favourite surf beach where they sang their “family anthem”, Return Of The Grievous Angel.

They also congregated at a beach on the Coramandel Peninsula, where Nina captured a video and sent it to his sister, Chris.

She asked Nina if she had spotted an orb of green light traversing the video, which Nina hoped was a sign from Steve.

Kidney Research UK reported that Steve was born with reflux, a condition affecting a valve in the ureter, causing urine to flow in the wrong direction, from the bladder back into the kidney.

He endured three and a half years on dialysis before receiving a kidney transplant that lasted for 30 years. In 2021, he underwent surgery to remove a lump, but doctors found cancer cells.

A year later, the cancer cells had spread, leading to the removal of Steve’s ear the day after his 60th birthday. Tragically, he passed away in 2022, surrounded by his loved ones.

Published on
09/12/2025 – 13:58 GMT+1

German manufacturer Thyssenkrupp saw its share price slide on Tuesday as it predicted a heavy loss for the current financial year.

As of around 1.30pm Frankfurt, shares had dropped 8.85%, paring more dramatic losses seen earlier in the day.

The steelmaker and engineering firm said it expects negative free cash flow between €300mn and €600mn in its fiscal year that ends on 30 September 2026. That’s before mergers and acquisitions.

Thyssenkrupp also said it expects to make a loss of between €400mn and €800mn in the current fiscal year.

“Our forecast takes account of the persistently challenging market conditions and of the efficiency and restructuring measures in our segments,” said Dr. Axel Hamann, chief financial officer of Thyssenkrupp.

“The determined implementation of our efficiency and cost-cutting programs in all segments is crucial for our earnings development.”

Hamann added that the company had met its financial targets for the year just ended, despite challenging market conditions.

Thyssenkrupp generated positive free cash flow of €363mn during this period, significantly above the prior year’s loss of €110mn. Sales came to €32.8bn, in line with expectations but marking a 6% year-on-year drop.

In the year ahead, Thyssenkrupp predicts restructuring costs at €350mn as it seeks to boost its long-term profitability.

Last week, Thyssenkrupp’s steel unit said it would start implementing job cuts after agreeing a long-awaited deal with unions. Under the terms of the agreement, the firm will eliminate 11,000 posts at its steel plants, amounting to 40% of the workforce there. Steel production will be cut by as much as 2.8 mn tonnes, a roughly 25% drop.

Thyssenkrupp has become a symbol of Germany’s ailing manufacturing industry, hit by Europe’s energy price spike and competition from cheaper Asian competitors. Lacklustre market demand, linked to weak post-pandemic growth in Europe, has also shrunk margins — with carmakers notably reducing their purchases of steel and automotive parts.

Once a powerhouse with divisions spanning from engineering to elevators and defence, Thyssenkrupp is now looking to spin off its flailing arms into separate businesses.

Indian group Jindal Steel is currently mulling a takeover of Thyssenkrupp’s steel unit, replacing contender Daniel Křetínský — a Czech billionaire who stepped back from a potential deal earlier this year. Křetínský returned the 20% stake in the steel unit he had already bought and abandoned plans to raise the holding to 50%. One key priority for the steel unit is decarbonisation, with Thyssenkrupp already investing in low-carbon manufacturing methods.

Thyssenkrupp also managed to offload its marine division TKMS earlier this year, listing it on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Former Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has signed a new contract with Cardiff and is set to return to action this weekend.

The 36-year-old signed a short-term deal at the start of the season, initially as a kicking coach, with the intention of returning to play once he recovered from a calf injury.

Halfpenny, who will turn 37 just before Christmas, has now agreed a contract to continue at the Arms Park as a player-coach.

He is fit for selection and available for Saturday’s Challenge Cup home match with Ulster (20:00 GMT) in which he could play in a Cardiff side for the first time in more than 11 years.

If Halfpenny is selected, it will be 4,347 days since his previous appearance for the Blue and Blacks, having left the club for Toulon in 2014.

“We are blessed to have some quality full-backs at the club, but to add Leigh’s experience to the mix is brilliant,” said Cardiff Rugby coach Corniel van Zyl.

Yemen’s Southern Transition Council has declared itself in control of the country’s south, raising fears they will declare independence. Members of the internationally-backed government have fled. So what is the STC? Soraya Lennie explains.

The new National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) bill released by Congress Sunday night calls for maintaining funding of arms purchases for Ukraine, though at a rate drastically less than in the past, and support, albeit with caveats, to European allies. The legislation, which still must be approved separately by both the House and Senate, comes days after the White House released its National Security Strategy that distances America from support for Ukraine and Europe. It was also released as U.S President Donald Trump is seeking to end the war and Ukraine continues to lose ground to Russia.

Given that under the Biden administration the U.S. provided nearly $70 billion in direct military aid to Ukraine, the NDAA’s allocations could even be considered something of a symbolic measure aimed at reassuring Kyiv that the U.S. has not completely abandoned it. It continues the Trump administration’s efforts to put the onus of support for Ukraine on European NATO members.

On Monday afternoon, a White House official told The War Zone that the administration supports the $900 billion policy measure, “and has been working diligently to formulate a plan that will bring a durable, enforceable peace to the war in Ukraine.” The Pentagon declined comment because it does not speak about pending legislation.

The bill calls for the Pentagon to include $400 million in both Fiscal Year 2026 and Fiscal Year 2027 for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). That’s a pool of money that Ukraine can use to obtain arms from U.S. defense contractors. In the past, the money has been used to allow Ukraine to purchase ammunition, air defense interceptors and other war materiel.

The NDAA’s call for continued USAI funding for Ukraine is a far cry from the nearly $33 billion allocated for the program under the Biden administration and will provide a very limited amount of weapons. 

Earlier this year, the White House announced the creation of the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), designed to sell weapons from U.S. stocks to NATO nations, which would then turn them over to Ukraine in $500 million tranches. In addition, the Trump administration has yet to authorize any arms for Ukraine under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which funds the replacement of arms shipped to allies directly from U.S. stocks. The Biden administration allocated more than $33 billion in PDA funding to Ukraine, but it does not appear likely Trump will use this authority to help Ukraine.

The NDAA also calls for the Pentagon to notify Congress within 48 hours if it plans to stop providing intelligence support to Ukraine, something that happened earlier this year. That notification would include justifying the cut-off, its planned duration and how it would impact “the ability of Ukraine to conduct effective military operations.”

The cutoff of U.S. intelligence “significantly impacts Ukrainian force protection of High Value Equipment’s shoot, move and scoot timelines, indications and warning of high-threat aircraft,” a retired high-ranking Ukrainian officer told us in March. “It significantly hampers the ability to target Russian forces and conduct long-range strikes against critical, mobile high-value targets.”

The lack of satellite imagery over Kursk also played a role in Russia’s ability to end Ukraine’s invasion of that region, the retired officer added.

However, as we noted in October, the United States agreed to provide Ukraine with targeting intelligence for its long-range strikes against Russian energy infrastructure. 

The bill also calls for “an accounting” of military aid to Ukraine provided by the U.S. and allies, including under the PURL and USAI programs.

Beyond Ukraine, the NDAA seeks to continue support for NATO allies. It calls on the Secretary of Defense in coordination with the commander of U.S. European Command to establish a $175 million ‘‘Baltic Security Initiative,” aimed at “deepening security cooperation with the military forces of the Baltic countries” (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania).

(The current head of the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, has replaced the word Defense with War when it comes to the name of the department he oversees. The NDAA, meanwhile, continues to use the terms Department of Defense and Secretary of Defense).

The goal, according to the document, is to “achieve United States national security objectives by deterring aggression by the Russian Federation; and implementing NATO’s Strategic Concept, which seeks to strengthen the Alliance’s deterrence and defense posture by denying potential adversaries any possible opportunities for aggression.”

In addition, the initiative seeks to enhance regional planning and cooperation among the military forces of the Baltic nations, particularly when it comes to long-range precision fires, integrated air and missile defense, maritime domain awareness, stockpiling large caliber ammunition, command and control, intelligence gathering and improving “resilience to hybrid threats.”

However, while calling for support for the Baltics, the spending measure also says it is the “sense of Congress” that these three countries match the spending by the U.S. on this initiative.

The bill also seeks protection against signficant cuts to U.S. forces in Europe. It requires the Pentagon, EUCOM and other relevant agencies to obtain Congressional approval before cutting the U.S. troop levels in Europe to less than 76,000 troops. 

The move comes after the U.S. began pulling forces out of the continent, where there are currently about 85,000 troops stationed. Earlier this year, the U.S. Army sent about 800 troops from Romania back stateside.

While the spending measure signals an enduring, if somewhat symbolic commitment to Ukraine, it also states that NATO allies must pay for the cost of the U.S. troop presence on the continent and for the Secretary of War to “take into account a NATO ally’s progress toward meeting the alliance’s commitment to defense spending at 5% of GDP when making decisions related to military basing and training.”

Meanwhile, the 33-page White House National Security Strategy document released by the White House last week seeks a speedy end to the nearly four-year-old full on war and better relations with Russia. It says Europe is facing “civilizational erasure” and does not cast Russia as a threat to the U.S. 

“It is a core interest of the United States to negotiate an expeditious cessation of hostilities in Ukraine,” the NSS states. The goal is to “stabilize European economies, prevent unintended escalation or expansion of the war, and reestablish strategic stability with Russia, as well as to enable the post-hostilities reconstruction of Ukraine to enable its survival as a viable state.”

European leaders have pushed back against the NSS while Russia seems to support it.

“The adjustments we’re seeing… are largely consistent with our vision,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday. “We consider this a positive step.”

Amid all this, Trump’s diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue to drag on with little progress while Russia continues to chew up Ukrainian territory.

The latest development is that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is meeting with European leaders in London “to discuss peace talks that have languished because of clashing views about how to end his country’s nearly four-year-old war with Russia,” The New York Times noted.

“Very important things for today are the unity between Europe and Ukraine, as well as the unity between Europe, Ukraine, and the United States,” Zelensky said Monday in a post on X. “Grateful to the leaders of Great Britain, Keir Starmer, France – Emmanuel Macron, and Germany – Friedrich Merz for organizing the meeting and the personal contribution of each on the path to establishing peace. We discussed in detail today our joint diplomatic work with the American side, agreed on a common position regarding the importance of security guarantees, reconstruction, and next steps. Separately, we talked about further defense support for Ukraine.”

STRICTLY’s Tyler West and Love Island star Chloe Burrows are set to be the new hosts of the KISS FM Breakfast Show in a surprising shake up.

The show has been hosted by Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely since 2020, but the duo sensationally quit just last week.

And now, their surprising reality star replacements have been confirmed.

Tyler, who currently presents afternoons on Kiss, is moving to the early bird slot with Chloe from the end of January.

He said of the new opportunity: “‘KISS FAM! The mornings are gonna be unreal! Taking over from my boys Jordan and Perri is huge… but trust me I’m ready to bring it!

“It’s time for big laughs and bigger tunes. KISS is where home is – this is your new breakfast show where the door is always open. It’s gonna be carnage!”

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While Chloe, who hasn’t previously hosted radio before but has her own podcast, described the opportunity as her “dream job”,

She said: “I can’t believe I’m saying this – I’m joining KISS! While I know I’ve got big shoes to fill, stepping into the station that I’ve been a HUGE fan of growing up will feel like being launched into my dream job at 100 miles an hour.

“Being the newbie, I know that working alongside Tyler and a world-class team of producers will give me the perfect introduction.

She rounded off: “I’m more than ready to bring the laughs and every ounce of energy I’ve got for the KISS Breakfast listeners. I’m buzzing!”

Chloe rose to fame after appearing on Love Island back in 2021, while Tyler is a presenter and starred on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, during which he met fiancée Molly Rainford.

The show rivals the likes of Capital Breakfast Show with Jordan North, Sian Welby and Chris Stark, Radio 1’s Breakfast with Greg James, and Hits Radio Breakfast with Fleur East, James & Matt.

It is not yet confirmed who will take over Tyler’s afternoon show, with the news set to be revealed early next year.

Jordan and Perri revealed they have stepped down from the show last week during an on-air announcement.

The duo, who joined the station in 2020, said: “We have some very big news… there’s no easy way to say this, we are moving on from KISS Breakfast.

“It’s been quite the journey for the last five and a half years and we’ve spent every single morning with you guys.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure, a privilege to wake up with you guys and have a laugh.

They continued: “It’s been the most special years of our lives, genuinely, and we’ve enjoyed every single moment.

“We’re going to get some lie ins back which is going to be a little bit weird to adjust too, but we do get to focus on all the other things that we get to do.”

From Sam Farmer: All that talk about the left hand of Justin Herbert, and it’s the right foot of Cameron Dicker that made the difference.

Dicker kicked five field goals Monday night to lift the Chargers to a 22-19 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in a wild, turnover-filled game at SoFi Stadium.

On a night when the teams combined for eight turnovers — including a career-high four interceptions by Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts — the game fittingly ended with an interception. Tony Jefferson latched onto a pass that was tipped by fellow Chargers defensive back Cam Hart, snuffing out the Eagles’ last chance.

So Dicker’s 54-yard field goal with 6:24 remaining in the extra period provided the margin of victory, just as it was Dicker who forced overtime with a 46-yarder in the waning moments of regulation.

“What a team we have,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said, practically shouting at the postgame podium. “That’s my reaction — what a team we have. They refuse to lose.”

Continue reading here

Chargers-Eagles summary

NFL standings

DODGERS KNOCK DOWN RUMORS

From Jack Harris: It’s been an offseason of few acquisitions thus far for the Dodgers.

So much so that, on the first day of MLB’s annual winter meetings at the Signia by Hilton Orlando on Monday, the most intriguing rumor surrounding the team had to do with a potential subtraction from their big-league roster.

According to multiple reports, Teoscar Hernández has come up in the Dodgers’ trade talks with other teams this winter. USA Today went as far as saying the club was “shopping” the two-time All-Star, who is entering the second season of the three-year, $66-million deal he signed last offseason.

However, both manager Dave Roberts and general manager Brandon Gomes downplayed that notion while addressing reporters on Monday.

“Teo certainly fits [our roster still],” Roberts said. “He’s helped us win two championships. He’s one of my favorites.”

“That doesn’t feel likely,” Gomes added of the possibility of trading Hernández. “Obviously, you can never say never on those types of things. I know that’s come up [in reports]. But that’s not something we anticipate at all.”

The idea of the Dodgers trading Hernández has felt like a long shot from the start. Though the 33-year-old slugger suffered an inconsistent and injury-plagued regular season in 2025 — both at the plate, where he had 25 home runs but hit only .247, and especially defensively, where he had several notable lapses after moving to right field — the 10-year veteran has made crucial contributions in each of the Dodgers’ two World Series runs the last couple years, and has served in a mentor role to young players in the clubhouse; none more so than Andy Pages.

Continue reading here

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From Ben Bolch: The eight remaining candidates met with UCLA’s search committee on Zoom, each answering the same set of questions.

When those conversations ended, Martin Jarmond, the athletic director who was presiding over the Bruins’ quest to find their next great football coach, asked everyone on the committee to prioritize which candidates needed to be seen in person.

Everyone’s list included the same name: Bob Chesney.

The James Madison coach had already wowed the committee by then, according to multiple people with knowledge of the search who spoke with The Times on condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the process.

Chesney’s experience building programs into winners, established track record of success at multiple levels, ability to develop talent and appreciation for everything UCLA had to offer were all selling points that made him an attractive candidate early in a search lasting 2½ months.

Continue reading here

From Ryan Kartje: USC will face Texas Christian in its first trip to the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30, the night before the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff kick off. Throw in the fact that the Horned Frogs finished in seventh place in the Big 12, and you don’t exactly have a marquee, made-for-TV matchup.

But for USC’s coach, the Alamo Bowl should carry a certain significance — if only for the fact that it’s where his reputation as a budding offensive mastermind was born.

Sixteen years ago this December, Lincoln Riley was on his way to a team meeting ahead of Texas Tech’s bowl game, when defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill pulled him aside. Mike Leach, the Red Raiders’ head coach had been suspended for the bowl for allegations of player mistreatment — and would be fired days later. McNeill, the interim coach, wanted Riley to call plays for him.

Riley was 26, and reeling from the news about his mentor.

“An opportunity arose out of a not-very-positive situation,” Riley said Sunday.

Continue reading here

NOTRE DAME CFP FALLOUT

From Chuck Schilken: One day removed from learning that Notre Dame had been left out of the College Football Playoff’s 12-team field, Fighting Irish athletic director Pete Bevacqua was still fuming.

In addition to reiterating his frustrations with the CFP ranking process, Bevacqua also turned his ire on the Atlantic Coast Conference during a Monday morning appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show.”

“We were mystified by the actions of the conference, to attack, you know, their biggest, really, business partner in football and a member of their conference in 24 of our other sports,” Bevaqua said. “And I wouldn’t be honest with you if I didn’t say that they have certainly done permanent damage to the relationship between the conference and Notre Dame.”

Continue reading here

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

From Eric Sondheimer: Palisades, hoping to be a City Section basketball title contender, unveiled two 6-foot-5 twins from Detroit, EJ and OJ Popoola, on Monday night, but there was no stopping Windward shooting threes in its home gym.

The Wildcats made 14 threes and received a terrific performance from 6-6 junior Davey Harris in an 80-60 victory. Harris, who said he was “80%” several weeks ago in Windward’s season opener after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for two seasons, now says he’s “85 to 90%.” If that’s true, wait until he’s 100% because he finished with 31 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

Palisades (0-3) is doing exactly what City Section football teams did during their nonleage seasons — play tough Southern Section opponents to prepare for league play. The Dolphins open Western League play on Wednesday against Venice and will be an Open Division title contender.

Continue reading here

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KINGS

Joel Armia scored twice, Adrian Kempe had a goal and assist, and the Kings beat the Utah Mammoth 4-2 on Monday night.

Anze Kopitar also scored and Kevin Fiala had two assists to help the Kings get their third win in five games. Darcy Kuemper stopped 19 shots.

Clayton Keller had a goal and an assist, and Dylan Guenther also scored for the Mammoth in their sixth loss in eight games. Karel Vejmelka finished with 23 saves.

Continue reading here

Kings summary

NHL standings

THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

1934 — The New York Giants wins the NFL championship by beating the Chicago Bears 30-13 in the famous “Sneakers Game.” With the temperature at 9 degrees and the Polo Grounds field a sheet of ice, the Giants open the second half wearing basketball shoes and score 27 points in the final period to overcome a 13-3 Chicago lead.

1938 — The Chicago Cardinals select TCU center Ki Aldrich with the first pick of the NFL Draft.

1939 — The Chicago Cardinals select Tennessee half back George Cafego with the first pick of the NFL Draft.

1949 — The All-America Conference merges with the National Football League. Three teams from the AAFC — the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Colts — join the 10-team NFL. The league is called the National-American Football League, but months later the National Football League name is restored.

1973 — Jim Bakken of the St. Louis Cardinals kicks six field goals in a 32-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

1977 — Moses Malone scores 20 points and grabs nine rebounds in the second half to lead the Houston Rockets to a 116-105 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The game s marred by a one-punch knockout of Rockets’ forward Rudy Tomjanovich by Los Angeles forward Kermit Washington.

1984 — Eric Dickerson of the Los Angeles Rams rushes for 215 yards and two touchdowns against the Houston Oilers, breaking O.J. Simpson’s NFL single-season rushing record of 2,003 yards. Dickerson ends the season with 2,105 yards.

1993 — Kevin Johnson of Phoenix becomes the 13th player to record 10 steals in an NBA game, during the Suns’ 114-95 win over Washington.

2000 — Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith rushes for a season-high 150 yards, putting him over 1,000 for a record-tying 10th straight season and joins Walter Payton and Barry Sanders as the only players in NFL history with 15,000 career yards.

2001 — Bode Miller becomes the first American since 1983 to win a World Cup giant slalom race. Miller, third after the opening leg, has an excellent second run to win in a combined time of 2 minutes, 36.02 seconds in Val D’Isere, France.

2007 — Peyton Manning of Indianapolis becomes the fifth quarterback in NFL history to throw 300 touchdown passes, getting four and going 13-for-17 for 249 yards in a 44-20 win over Baltimore.

2009 — Cassidy Schaub rolls consecutive 300 games and sets a Professional Bowlers Association 16-game scoring record, averaging 257.25 to retain the second-round lead in the Pepsi Red, White and Blue Open. Schaub had a 16-game total of 4,116 pins to erase the PBA record of 4,095 set by John Mazza in Las Vegas in 1996.

2016 — Russia’s sports reputation is ripped apart again when a new report into systematic doping details a vast “institutional conspiracy” that covers more than 1,000 athletes in over 30 sports and a corrupted drug-testing system at the 2012 and 2014 Olympics. This second and final report by World Anti-Doping Agency investigator Richard McLaren says the conspiracy involves the Russian Sports Ministry, national anti-doping agency and the FSB intelligence service, providing further details of state involvement in a massive program of cheating and cover-ups that operated on an “unprecedented scale” from 2011-15.

2017 — Jozy Altidore opens the scoring in the 67th minute and Toronto FC beats the Seattle Sounders 2-0 in the MLS Cup to become the first Canadian champion in league history.

2018 – New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady breaks Peyton Manning’s record for most touchdown passes in NFL history.

2018 — Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers breaks Tom Brady’s NFL record with his 359th straight pass without an interception during Packers 34-20 win over Atlanta Falcons; finishes game with streak intact at 368.

2021 – Chicago Black Hawks Marc-Andre Fleury becomes 3rd NHL goaltender to reach 500 career wins.

2023 — Japanese baseball two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani signs a North American pro-sports record 10-year $700m deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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 Houston Mitchell at houston.mitchell@latimes.com. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.

Tickets for North Korea‘s 2026 Pyongyang International Marathon, set for April 5 in the country’s capital, have sold out just a few hours after sales opened, a Beijing-based tour agency said Tuesday.

Koryo Tours, which specializes in travel to North Korea, broke the news on its social media account, saying, “After less than 5 hours the Pyongyang Marathon trips sold out completely, 500 spots on the trips are now all taken.”

The agency said it is working to open additional spots for the trip and urged readers to join a waiting list.

The tour agency’s website earlier announced that next year’s Pyongyang International Marathon will be held on April 5, with departures for the trip available from Beijing, Shanghai and Shenyang.

The event offers four courses, from the full 42-kilometer run to the half marathon, 10 km and 5 km races, and is also open to runners with disabilities, including wheelchair users and those with visual impairments.

Holders of South Korean, U.S., Malaysian or Japanese passports, as well as members of the press, are prohibited, it said.

The international event, previously named the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon, was inaugurated in 1981 to commemorate the April 15 birthday of late national founder Kim Il-sung.

Beginning in 2020, it was suspended for five consecutive years due to the COVID-19 pandemic before being resumed last year as a channel for the country to earn foreign currency.

Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency prohibits its content from being redistributed or reprinted without consent, and forbids the content from being learned and used by artificial intelligence systems.

IF you loved dancing to tunes like Mamma Mia, Waterloo and Super Trouper at ABBA Voyage then you might be excited by this other potential avatar concert.

Another city has announced that it could see potential in starting its own experience based on four very famous Liverpudlian musicians.

ABBA Voyage started back in 2022 and at the time was met by some scepticism.

That was until visitors entered the purpose built arena and were so blown away that what started as a limited residency initially set for a few months, is still going strong today.

Now, Steve Rotheram the Liverpool City Region (LCR) mayor has revealed he believes a similar show in Liverpool could benefit it greatly – especially if The Beatles were at the forefront.

The band that rose to fame in the 60s could appear as avatars in a show funded by Liverpool’s visitor levy.

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The charge was initially introduced in 2025 as a £2 per night “City Visitor Charge” for overnight stays in certain hotels and serviced apartments.

Steve Rotheram said he had been “looking at ways” since then in which “we might be able to deliver something similar but not identical to the Abba Voyage experience in London“.

“Just imagine if we could do something that features perhaps a local four-piece beat combo that did okay from these parts?”

Mr Rotheram continued: “We could have an immersive experience so people would flock in to see them. It means the footfall would increase exponentially, it means that this would be an international destination of choice.

“You’d go here and then perhaps go to London, whereas currently a lot of people go to London and sometimes jump on a train to come here, so we want to change that dynamic and I think this will be one of the ways in which we do it.”

Having the show based on The Beatles would be a popular choice for Liverpool with each of the band members born and raised there.

Mr Rotheram hinted that the potential show could be funded by the current levy – and its replacement coming in 2027.

The new charge will come into play in two years time once the current scheme expires.

This will mean that all properties in the Liverpool city Region – including Airbnb – will be affected.

It could bring in lots of money for the city too – it was reported that ABBA Voyage generated over £100million in ticket sales in 2023 alone.

As a result, it contributed £1.4billion to the UK economy‘s turnover by late 2024.

And the Beatles are set for another revival ahead of the new films based on each of the band members.

Directed by Sam Mendes, it will see four films released based on the four members.

Paul Mescal will start as Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison.

For more experiences in the UK, here’s how you can try out your very own Race Across the World.

And here’s more on the world-first gameshow attraction opening in the UK – with spin the wheel, music rounds and free prizes.

One writer tried the world-famous ABBA Voyage experience in the UK – here are her top tips & the best nearby bar…

Writer Hope Brotherton headed to ABBA Voyage earlier this year, here’s everything she loved about it – and the bar she found for pre-drinks…

She said: “I’m surrounded by sequinned jumpsuits, bright-pink feather boas and white go-go boots.

“It means I can be in just one place – the dance floor of Abba Voyage, the astonishing concert in London performed by CGI versions of the four bandmates in their Seventies glory days.

“The tech is so impressive, that it’s hard to believe the Swedish superstars aren’t really performing live on stage. I found my grasp on reality slipping even further when a real-life backing band appeared.

“I was mesmerised by every visual in the purpose-built venue, with a kaleidoscope of brightly coloured lights descending from the ceiling as Dancing Queen played.

“You can, of course, book seats but my friend Ellie and I preferred the standing tickets, where we had more than enough space to dance our hearts out to Mamma Mia and Waterloo.

“Getting in the right mood for a boogie was essential, and we had pre-show food and drinks at Stratford restaurant and bar The Print House – Jim & Tonic East to thank for our exuberance.

“It was then time for food and, to start, we shared the marinated prawns and a garlicky flatbread – both delicious.

“Aware of all the dancing ahead – it’s a marathon, not a sprint – I plumped for a parmigiana pizza, which totally hit the spot.

“Keen to sample a tipple from the on-site distillery, then I washed my main course down with a gin flight. Ambitious, I know – it came with three gins, my favourite being the Mediterranean.“

The early 1980s Los Angeles of my childhood always felt like a place where you could brush against greatness and not even recognize it.

Take the strange, faceless building at Melrose and Sycamore avenues, just up from the house where I grew up. It stood apart from the Melrose Avenue hodgepodge, which included an auto body shop, an old bookstore famous for selling movie scripts, and a trendy boutique that sold vintage fedoras and marked the beginning of Melrose’s turn as a fashion mecca.

In a street filled with signage screaming for your attention (“THOUSANDS OF BOOKS,” yelled the bookseller), that corner lot had nothing. Just two concrete-plastered boxes seemingly closed off to the world. The only hint of life was a tree growing from what appeared to be some kind of courtyard hidden from view. I passed by all the time — sneaking a Chunky bar at the corner liquor store, grabbing an ice cream cone from Baskin-Robbins.

I didn’t give the building a second thought until my best friend and I started a little weekly newspaper we photocopied for 3½ cents a copy from a shop a few doors away. Jack and I hit up Melrose merchants to buy ads (usually just their business card), and a few agreed to help these teenage publishing tycoons. Because of this, cracking the code of that strange little building became a brief obsession. One day, I found a door around the side and knocked. No answer. So I left a copy of our paper and returned a few days later. No luck. So I gave up. Why was I wasting my time with this piece of junk?

It took another 15 years to learn that the concrete box I so easily dismissed is one of L.A. architectural treasures. It is called the Danziger Studio and was one of architect Frank Gehry’s first L.A. commissions.

Even back in the 1960s, it was hailed as something special. Architecture critic Reyner Banham called it a brilliant elevation of the “stucco box” so ubiquitous around the city. As it turned out, the surface was not concrete but “a gray rough stucco of the type sprayed onto freeway overpasses. Gehry had to learn the decidedly unconventional technique himself,” according to the Los Angeles Conservancy.

A vintage postcard from the collection of L.A. Times staff writer Patt Morrison shows a May Co. department store and its clean lines.

In his obituary for Gehry, Christopher Hawthorne described the studio as a “spare, even self-effacing stucco box, plain outside and filled with light and surprising spatial complexity inside.” The building “looked Modern but also suggested sympathy for the postwar visual chaos of L.A. evident in the work of artists such as Ed Ruscha and David Hockney.”

I discovered the provenance of the hidden gem in the 1990s, when Gehry had reached “starchitect” status with his shape-shifting museum in Bilbao, Spain, and just before he gained legend status for L.A.’s Disney Hall. The Danzinger Studio shared none of those over-the-top designs. But that made me more impressed. I started driving by whenever I was in the neighborhood, slowing down in hopes of understanding what made it great. One day, I even gave it a walk-around, assuming it must look a lot better inside. (It turns out it does.)

I came to appreciate its beauty and grace — as well as something much larger about L.A. design. Suddenly, my idea of great architecture broadened beyond the ornate church, grand mansion, distinctive Spanish Colonial or gleaming glass skyscrapers like the Westin Bonaventure hotel. I gained a respect for the simplicity of design and function over style, like a cute working-class courtyard apartment, the streamlined simplicity of a May Co. department store and even the crazed efficiency of a mini-mall.

Plaza Cienega is in the Beverly Grove area of Los Angeles.

(Google street view)

I have wondered whether I would have valued the Danziger Studio had it not been designed by Gehry. But it didn’t matter, because this discovery gave me the confidence to have my own, sometimes unpopular, L.A. opinions. I am in the minority, for example, in loving the much-derided 1960s brown-box addition to the old Times Mirror Square complex just as much as the landmark Art Deco original. And sorry, the mini-mall at 3rd Street and La Cienega Boulevard is one of my favorite L.A. buildings, period.

Trust me. I know.

For all that England have been criticised, Australia deserve a huge amount of credit.

If England had been told they would play an Australia team without all of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, they would have been rubbing their hands with glee.

And yet, Australia pulled off victory in Brisbane with all of their other players standing up.

Mitchell Starc has been absolutely outstanding, supported by Michael Neser, Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett.

Alex Carey put in an absolute masterclass behind the stumps, possibly the best wicketkeeping performance I’ve ever seen – and I played with Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist.

Perhaps the biggest revelation for Australia has been the shift in the batting order.

Before the series, when there seemed to be a lot of discussion about the Australia line-up, I said there was only really a debate about one area – Usman Khawaja’s opening partner.

That debate has been settled, just not in a way anyone expected.

Ever since Travis Head stuck his hand up to open when Khawaja got hurt in Perth, Australia have looked like a different team. Now, there seems to be the opportunity for Head and Jake Weatherald to cement themselves as the opening pair.

Khawaja might find it tough to get back in, although Australia coach Andrew McDonald has suggested he could bat at number five.

Al Jazeera speaks to Syrians as they celebrate one year since the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.

Damascus, Syria – Syrians have marked the first anniversary of the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad with fireworks and jubilant celebrations in major cities, amid renewed optimism for long-lasting freedom and safety after 14 years of war.

Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa told large crowds in Damascus on Monday that the country had turned the page from a “dark chapter” in its history and now “looks towards a promising future”.

Over the past year, al-Sharaa’s government has taken steps to provide basic services to citizens, as millions of refugees weigh the decision to return home.

Al-Sharaa promised to bring justice to the families of the victims of the al-Assad regime and build an inclusive Syria, amid ongoing efforts to bring all armed forces under Damascus’s authority. His government also managed to reshape foreign ties and obtain the lifting of international sanctions.

Despite bouts of sectarian violence, recurring Israeli attacks and deep economic challenges, Syrians remain largely confident that the end of the al-Assad family’s decades-long tyrannical rule has ushered in a new era of stability.

Al Jazeera spoke to Syrians celebrating in public squares on Monday about what they expect from the new government and their hopes for the future.

Lina al-Masri

Today truly feels like a celebration. Syria is free. We are living in safety. This is a happiness we haven’t seen among Syrians in ages.

We fully support [al-Sharaa’s] administration, wholeheartedly and sincerely. For now, the state has done everything well. Most importantly, it has provided us with security. It has ensured that our youth can go out safely, and that’s the greatest achievement so far.

We were worried, sitting in fear for our young men and boys, anxious that they might be taken and not return, or die. But now, the streets are filled with our youth walking safely. Our men walk freely and safely without any fear.

Khaled Jaboush

Injustice and oppression have been lifted off the shoulders of Syrian citizens. Now they can express their feelings, their liberty, and their beliefs.

You see the crowds out here – they came out of their own free will. In the past, people used to march out of obligation. Today, the people came out willingly, joyful and happy with their [newfound] freedom.

We are delighted with the wise leadership we have. We are happy with the development and progress which, God willing, will prevail in our country. Today, God willing, the economy has begun to grow, and the wheel is starting to turn.

It’s an indescribable feeling. After decades of injustice and oppression, we got our freedom back. The freedom we were denied for 50 years.

Yehya and Hussein

Everyone is chanting, everyone is together, all in harmony. I feel the security forces and the army are now part of us. You pass by, and they greet you without hesitation. You don’t feel scared, like someone’s out to get you.

We used to dream of charging our phones. Now we have electricity, we have lights, we have comfort.

I’ve lived abroad my whole life because of al-Assad’s oppressive regime. When I came back here, I felt like I’m living in my country for the first time.

There were times when I visited Syria, but I felt like an outsider. Now, no – now I feel like I belong in my own country.

I hope today continues to be a lasting symbol of peace for us and for our entire country.

Rima al-Omari

Everything is evolving. There are some nice initiatives and beautiful partnerships with other countries. So hopefully, our country will flourish.

Work opportunities in ministries have become easier; they care about the country and the people’s circumstances.

Services are improving step by step. Of course, everything starts small, but we’re lacking nothing. Everything is available, thank God.

The Syrian people have improved, too. They’ve become warmer, more passionate, and found something to rebuild this country on. They’ve got a life now.

A wet Sunday evening turned into a joyous 90-minute stroll through stunning light displays, interactive installations and ethereal music at this beloved festive attraction

Embracing the Christmas spirit can be a bit of a challenge when you’re penning festive articles from September onwards. However, this past weekend, I decided to shelve my inner Grinch and head out into the chilly, drizzly Sunday in Cardiff to experience Christmas at Bute Park.

This event, now in its fifth year, is a light trail that has previously brought me joy. I must confess, my excitement for the installation, nestled in Cardiff’s beautiful city centre park beloved by locals and tourists alike, did start to fade after the first few years.

I found myself pondering, ‘How much can a light display in a park change year after year?’ While I still believe the most curmudgeonly of Grinches might agree with me, my visit to Christmas at Bute Park 2025 rekindled my yuletide cheer, reports Wales Online.

So last year, I opted out of the mile-long amble along the path that snakes through Cardiff’s verdant heart. I simply wasn’t feeling it. Fast forward to 2025, and the opportunity presented itself again. Let me tell you, I’m chuffed I seized it.

It was a delightful 90-minute journey that began in the rain, offered us a bit more precipitation, and an array of displays, interactive elements, and mesmerising light shows synchronised with hauntingly beautiful music that genuinely brightened my day.

The journey encompassed the twirling, sparkling fountains, Christmas Cascades, and Bubblicious – an interactive row of giant cylinders radiating neon colours that we all took turns tapping to select our preferred hue.

We encountered a neon grove and Dancing Dandelions – bursts of colour illuminating the gently swaying trees on a dark autumn evening.

Two installations by Welsh artists – Abercynon’s Ruby June Walker and Cardiff’s Patrick Richards – were truly stunning. Ruby’s Golau y Gaeaf (Winter’s Light) was a standout gothic window showcasing the traditions and symbols of a Welsh Christmas, including Mari Lwyd and Sion Corn.

It added a touch of folklore to the event, alongside one of my favourite two installations – the dragon, but more on that shortly.

Patrick’s Annwyl Siôn Corn (Dear Father Christmas) was a magical post box encircled by floating letters, inspired by children penning their wish lists to Father Christmas – a captivating sight amidst the natural surroundings.

The light installations that captivated me the most, made me marvel the most – allowed me to lose myself in the moment, were the Water Willows, lights cascading down the towering willow trees and dripping off their weeping branches. The sporadic specks of colourful lights transformed into a wave of colour, all synchronised with subtle, ethereal classical music.

As a die-hard Stranger Things fan, I was captivated by the enchanting lights and mystical aura of the willow stop. If I had a tree and some spare cash for the electricity bill, I’d love to recreate this spectacle in my own garden.

I’ve replayed the video of the Water Willows multiple times. Adding a dash of elegance were the chandeliers at Crystal Avenue – when viewed head-on, they resemble a massive snowflake. Simply stunning.

Walking through Delilah Ddraig’s lair, the ground was speckled with soft, glowing red-orange lights, casting a delightfully eerie glow on the final few stops before we ventured into the night.

It was an evening filled with festive cheer in the great outdoors. There’s something special about feeling raindrops on your face, tucking into a generous pot of cinnamon apple and pear crumble with custard, and witnessing the unbridled excitement of a thrilled six-year-old.

While not everyone may have a little one to accompany them, I believe those carrying a sense of wonder will thoroughly enjoy their visit to Christmas at Bute Park, regardless of their company.

Christmas at Bute Park is open until 31 December. For more details, including ticket purchases and information on inclusive evenings, visit www.christmasatbutepark.com.

Council on American-Islamic Relations has responded to the designation, calling it an ‘unconstitutional’ and ‘defamatory’ proclamation.

Florida’s governor has designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) a “foreign terrorist organisation”.

Ron DeSantis posted his executive order to list the United States-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy group on social media on Monday.

The move follows a similar declaration by the Republican governor of Texas last month. CAIR has rejected the labelling by both states and mounted legal challenges.

In a separate post, DeSantis asserted that the Florida Legislature is “crafting legislation to stop the creep of Sharia law, and I hope that they codify these protections for Floridians against CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood in their legislation”.

The designation, which triggers heightened oversight by state law enforcement agencies and establishes financial and operational restrictions, was also declared against the Muslim Brotherhood.

DeSantis’s order asserted that CAIR was “founded by persons connected to the Muslim Brotherhood”, which, without offering evidence, the governor asserted was attempting to establish “a world-wide Islamic caliphate” and has direct links to Hamas.

The order instructs Florida agencies to prevent the two groups and those who have provided them with material support from receiving contracts, employment and funds from a state executive or cabinet agency.

Neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood is designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US government.

However, President Donald Trump has ordered the start of a process to label the branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan as “terrorist” organisations, citing their alleged support for Hamas.

CAIR’s Florida chapter told The Associated Press news agency that it plans to sue DeSantis in response to what it called an “unconstitutional” and “defamatory” proclamation.

The group accused the Florida governor of serving foreign interests and lashing out at CAIR due to its civil rights work.

“From the moment Ron DeSantis took office as Florida governor, he has prioritised serving the Israeli government over serving the people of Florida,” CAIR and its Florida chapter said in a statement.

“He hosted his very first official cabinet meeting in Israel. He diverted millions in Florida taxpayer dollars to the Israeli government’s bonds. He threatened to shut down every Florida college’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, only to back off when CAIR sued him in federal court.”

Founded in 1994, CAIR has 25 chapters around the country. Last month, it asked a federal judge to strike down the designation declared against it by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

In a lawsuit, CAIR said Abbott’s move was “not only contrary to the United States Constitution, but finds no support in any Texas law”.

On Monday, it said DeSantis and Abbott are both “Israel First politicians” and asserted that their designations are intended to silence American Muslims critical of US support for Israeli war crimes.

The Muslim Brotherhood was established in Egypt nearly a century ago and has branches around the world. Its leaders say they seek to set up Islamic rule through elections and other non-violent means.

The beloved 2003 Christmas film that became a box office smash and stars some of Britain’s most famous actors airs on ITV2 tonight for the perfect festive night in

Initially launched in 2003, this beloved film has cemented its status as a seasonal must-watch, drawing audiences back year after year for repeat viewings. Tonight, ITV provides the perfect opportunity for a cosy festive evening in with this Christmas classic.

Both written and helmed by British cinema icon Richard Curtis, Love Actually perfectly encapsulates the essence of a distinctly British Christmas.

The production boasts an impressive ensemble cast, featuring several actors who have collaborated with Curtis on multiple occasions, most notably Hugh Grant.

Set predominantly in London, the narrative weaves through diverse expressions of love across multiple storylines – spanning bereavement and first romance to unreturned affection, matrimony, and workplace attraction, delivering a comprehensive emotional spectrum.

These universally relatable themes consistently draw audiences back year after year, sparking ongoing discussions across social media platforms.

A dedicated Reddit thread about the movie reveals countless viewer opinions, with many confessing to multiple viewings. One fan declared, “Freaking love it; have to watch it every Christmas season. Nothing will ever make me hate this movie.”

Another enthusiast proclaimed, “Literally the most iconic rom-com of all time. I absolutely love watching it every year. It’s not the greatest movie, but it is so comforting, and I love the entire cast. I can’t not watch this movie.”

The movie kicks off six weeks before Christmas and tracks these characters’ journeys in a weekly build-up to the festive season. We witness the interconnected stories of these families and couples across London, as many dive into fresh romantic adventures, ranging from a schoolboy’s innocent infatuation to a workplace liaison, and even the newly appointed Prime Minister developing feelings for a member of his team.

This stellar ensemble features the talents of Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, and the late, beloved Alan Rickman. The cast also features Thomas Brodie-Sangster as a child actor, portraying Liam Neeson’s character’s stepson. Additionally, we see performances from Keira Knightley and Billy Nighy in this quintessentially British star-studded mix.

Numerous memorable quotes and moments have become embedded in pop culture and remain widely referenced to this day. One fan highlights a particular sequence, noting: “I think about/watch that montage where Andrew Lincoln is walking around the city distraught while Dido plays in the background at least once a month.”

Another enthusiast shared: “I love it! It’s definitely a Christmas tradition for me, and watching Hugh Grant dance to Jump For My Love lives in my head rent-free.”

A different viewer commented: “It’s really corny. I can see it being a comfort movie for lots of people.” Meanwhile, someone else offered a more sceptical take: “I enjoy the movie, but it’s one I can’t think too hard about, because then I end up focusing on just how unhealthy and doomed all the relationships actually are.”

If you fancy a rewatch or a first-time viewing of Love Actually, you’re in luck, as it’s scheduled to air on ITV2 tonight at 9pm. If that doesn’t suit your schedule, don’t fret – the film is also available for streaming on both Amazon Prime and Netflix.

On a nippy Monday night at the Zebulon in Frogtown, a man wearing a Jason Voorhees T-shirt steps onto a purple-lighted stage and stands next to a drum set. Audience members, seated in neat rows and cradling cocktails, enthusiastically applaud.

Then they look toward a glowing projector screen. Some clutch their pens, ready to take notes.

“In cinema, three elements can move: objects, the camera itself and the audience’s point of attention,” Drew McClellan says to the crowd before showing an example on the projector screen. The clip is a memorable scene from Jordan’s Peele’s 2017 film, “Get Out,” when the protagonist (Daniel Kaluuya) goes out for a late-night smoke and sees the groundskeeper sprinting toward him — in the direction of the camera and the viewer — before abruptly changing direction at the last second.

During his talk, McClellan screened several movie clips to illustrate key points.

(Emil Ravelo / For The Times)

“Someone running at you full speed with perfect track form, you can’t tell me that’s not terrifying,” McClellan says laughing with the audience.

McClellan is an adjunct professor at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and the cinematic arts department chair at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA). He’s presenting on two of the seven core visual components of cinema — tone and movement — as part of Lectures on Tap, an event series that turns neighborhood bars and venues into makeshift classrooms. Attendees hear thought-provoking talks from experts on wide-ranging topics such as Taylor Swift’s use of storytelling in her music, how AI technology is being used to detect cardiovascular diseases, the psychology of deception and the quest for alien megastructures — all in a fun, low-stakes environment. And rest assured: No grades are given. It’s a formula that’s been working.

“I hunted for these tickets,” says Noa Kretchmer, 30, who’s attended multiple Lectures on Tap events since it debuted in Los Angeles in August. “They sell out within less than an hour.”

Wife-and-husband duo Felecia and Ty Freely dreamed up Lectures on Tap last summer after moving to New York City where Ty was studying psychology at Columbia University. Hungry to find a community of people who were just as “nerdy” as they are, they decided to create a laidback space where people could enjoy engaging lectures typically reserved for college lecture halls and conferences.

Founders Felecia and Ty Freely pose for a photo with Drew McClellan (center) after his presentation.

(Emil Ravelo / For The Times)

“At the end of every lecture, people always come up to us and [say] “I hated college when I was in it, but now that I’m not, I would love to come to a lecture and have access to these experts without having to feel pressured to get a good grade,’” says Felecia, who makes “brainy content” on social media, like explaining the phenomenon of closed-eye visualizations.

Lectures on Tap, which also hosts events in San Francisco, Boston and Chicago, is the latest iteration of gatherings that pair alcoholic beverages with academic talks. Other similar events include Profs and Pints, which launched in 2017 in Washington, D.C., and Nerd Nite, which came to L.A. in 2011 and takes place at a brewery in Glendale. At a time when the federal government is moving closer to dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, AI is impacting people’s ability to think critically, attention spans are shrinking and literacy rates are down, events like Lectures on Tap are becoming more than just a place to learn about an interesting new topic.

“I think folks are passionate about keeping intellectualism alive especially in this age that is kind of demonizing that,” Felecia says. “We’re in the age of people not trusting experts so everyone out there who still does wants to be in a room with their people.”

“And there are a lot of them,” adds Ty. “It is actually alive and well, just maybe not mainstream.”

“In a weird way, this is kind of counterculture,” Felecia chimes in.

Wensu Ng introduces the speaker for the night.

(Emil Ravelo / For The Times)

During his presentation, McClellan broke down key film concepts in layman’s terms for the diverse audience who were mostly composed of film lovers and people who were simply interested in the topic. (Though there were some writers in the crowd as well.) To illustrate his points, he played several movie clips including the 1931 version of “Frankenstein” and Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s “28 Weeks Later,” both of which made several people in the audience, including myself, jump in fear.

“This is how you scare the crap out of people,” he said while explaining why seeing a lighted-up character staring into an abyss of darkness is impactful.

Though some patrons like to go to Lectures on Tap events for specific topics they find interesting, others say they would attend regardless of the subject matter.

“I felt really comfortable and I loved the social aspect of it,” says Andrew Guerrero, 26, in between sips of wine. “It felt more like a communal vibe, but at the same time, I miss learning.”

Attendees mingle at the bar.

(Emil Ravelo / For The Times)

He adds, “I can absorb [the information] more because I’m not pressured to really retain it and because of that, I actually do retain it.”

After weeks of trying to secure tickets, which cost $35, Ieva Vizgirdaite took her fiancé, Drake Garber, to the event to celebrate his birthday.

“I didn’t go to college so I don’t have any prior experience with lecturing,” says Garber, 29, adding that he’s interested in film production and is a “big horror fan.” But the fact that “I get to sit and learn about something that I love doing with a pint? Like, that’s amazing.”

The relaxed environment allows the speakers to let their guard down as well.

“I can play with certain elements that I maybe haven’t used in the classroom,” says McClellan, who made jokes throughout his presentation. “It’s definitely looser and getting around people who’ve been drinking, they’ll ask more questions and different types of questions.”

“It’s kind of like mushing up the education into your applesauce — mushing it up in the beer,” says Drew McClellan.

(Emil Ravelo / For The Times)

After the talk is over, bar staff quickly remove the rows of chairs and clear the stage for a concert that’s happening next. Several Lectures on Tap attendees, including the founders, transition to the back patio to mingle. McClellan stays after to answer more questions over drinks.

“This is a nontraditional environment to be enjoying yourself but also learning at the same time,” he says. “It’s kind of like mushing up the education into your applesauce — mushing it up in the beer.”

All that talk about the left hand of Justin Herbert, and it’s the right foot of Cameron Dicker that made the difference.

Dicker kicked five field goals Monday night to lift the Chargers to a 22-19 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in a wild, turnover-filled game at SoFi Stadium.

On a night when the teams combined for eight turnovers — including a career-high four interceptions by Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts — the game fittingly ended with an interception. Tony Jefferson latched onto a pass that was tipped by fellow Chargers defensive back Cam Hart, snuffing out the Eagles’ last chance.

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Sam Farmer breaks down what went right for the Chargers in their 22-19 overtime win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night at SoFi Stadium.

So Dicker’s 54-yard field goal with 6:24 remaining in the extra period provided the margin of victory, just as it was Dicker who forced overtime with a 46-yarder in the waning moments of regulation.

“What a team we have,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said, practically shouting at the postgame podium. “That’s my reaction — what a team we have. They refuse to lose.”

It was practically do or die for a banged-up team that needed to win at least two of its final five games for a realistic chance at the playoffs. Now, the Chargers (9-4) need to win at least one of a brutal four-game stretch — at Kansas City and Dallas, at home against Houston, and a finale at AFC West-leading Denver, which has won 10 in a row.

Opportunity awaits, but it’s among the NFL’s toughest stretch runs.

That said, the Chargers are a tough team. They proved that throughout the near-constant reshuffling of their offensive line, the loss of their top two running backs — one of whom returned Monday night — and the injury to Herbert, who underwent surgery last Monday to repair a fracture in his non-throwing hand.

Harbaugh deemed the performance, “Great with a capital G.”

Despite a week of outside speculation about his availability, Herbert conceded after Monday’s game that he knew even before surgery that he wasn’t going to miss a game. He played with a small cast on his left hand and was even using that bandaged appendage to stiff-arm defenders. He was his team’s leading rusher with 10 carries for 66 yards.

“It felt like we were in a movie where the quarterback is doing these things and you get to the point where you go, ‘OK, this is getting a little unrealistic,’” Harbaugh said. “That’s what it felt like to me.”

Nonetheless, Herbert absorbed a beating. He was sacked a career-high seven times and hit 11 more, and didn’t have a healthy left arm to break his fall, so more than once he was violently slammed to the turf.

“He definitely sets the standard,” Chargers guard Mekhi Becton said of the quarterback. “For him to get surgery a week ago and be back on the field today, it’s contagious, for sure. It makes you want to go hard for him.”

Philadelphia was in prime position to forge another tie in overtime. The Eagles (8-5) answered Dicker’s fifth field goal by driving to the Chargers’ 41, the outer edge of kicker Jake Elliott’s range. They wanted to get a little closer, however, so the offense stayed on the field for a fourth and four.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert tries to get rid of the ball while being sacked during the first half Monday.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

That’s when Chargers defensive lineman Odafe Oweh was flagged for a neutral-zone infraction, giving the visitors a first down. A couple of completed passes and the Eagles had a first down on the 17 — and that’s when Hurts was intercepted for a fourth and final time.

Hurts had just two interceptions in his first 12 games this season. At one point in the second quarter, he had both an interception and a fumble on the same play. His pass over the middle was picked off by Da’Shawn Hand, who subsequently fumbled. Hurts got the ball back but he too fumbled, and the Chargers wound up with it.

“This was a Super Bowl QB, so we have a lot of respect for what he’s done,” Jefferson said of Hurts, who was Most Valuable Player in the victory over Kansas City last February. “But we wanted to come out and showcase our brand of football.”

All the Chargers defenders were awarded a game ball, as was defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.

Herbert got one as well.

“I just think about the guys in that locker room,” he said. “They do it for us. So many guys fight through things worse than what I’m going through. It’s the least I can do to show up and give my best.

“I draw a lot of inspiration from those guys, and hopefully I can have an impact on them too.”

The quarterback showed his grit — decidedly not a left-handed compliment.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert grimaces in pain after being tackled by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in the second half Monday night.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Dec. 9 (UPI) — Police investigating Sunday’s devastating Goa nightclub fire said the establishment’s owners have fled to Thailand, according to reports.

Twenty-five people were killed and six injured in the blaze at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, located in India’s southwestern coastal state of Goa.

Authorities have arrested at least four people in connection with the fire and have issued arrest warrants for nightclub owners Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, who are brothers.

A Monday statement from Goa Police said the brothers had fled to Phuket a few hours after the fire began, The Times of India and Financial Express reported.

The Luthra brothers had departed on a 5:30 a.m. local-time Sunday IndiGo flight, authorities said.

Goa Police said that after a formal complaint was recorded against them, officers raided their Delhi addresses. Lookout notices for the brothers have since been circulated by the Bureau of Immigration, Goa Police said.

Authorities are now coordinating with Interpol to arrest the two men.

The fire erupted shortly before midnight Saturday.

A magisterial inquiry into the fire found major procedural lapses by local authorities, All India Radio News reported.

Failing to seal off the premises, permitting it to operate illegally since March 2024, was named among the lapses.

Travel expert Simon Calder recommends this walkable coastal town where retirees can enjoy average 18C December weather

Travel expert Simon Calder has championed an winter sun destination that is affordable and walkable. He has praised the Algarve in Portugal as an excellent getaway from the cold and wet UK.

The Algarve offers brilliant value for money with average daily highs of 18°C in December, though TUI notes that “during the day temperatures can reach up to 20°C in some areas”. This stunning coastal region boasts charming and easily navigable towns, making it a superb choice for pensioners wanting a peaceful winter break.

Those looking to discover the magnificent Algarve away from the crowds should visit in December, when even the busiest towns remain calm compared to the hectic summer months.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast previously, Simon highlighted Portugal as one of Europe’s top winter destinations, saying: “In Western Europe, it has to be Portugal – obviously a very popular package holiday destination.”

Among the Algarve’s most gorgeous and walkable settlements is Portimao, reports the Express.

A holidaymaker praised it on Reddit, they said: “Highly recommend Portimao, somewhere between the central city and Praia da Rocha area.

“The city of Portimao itself has tons of restaurants, cafes and a walkable riverside area. Then the Praia da Rocha area has the beautiful beaches and more touristy areas.”

Travel specialist Alice Smith described Portimao on her blog Adventuresofalice as a “wonderful” and genuinely “authentic” Portuguese town.

She said: “I loved how authentic it was. It’s simply a typical Portuguese working town.

“While I was there, I didn’t feel too overcrowded by tourists like you often do in other parts of the Algarve.

“The Algarve as a whole, is much busier, of course. One of the best places to visit in Portugal, it’s incredibly popular with travellers around the globe.”

The nearest airport to Portimao is Faro Airport, situated 30 miles away. Direct flights to Faro are available from most UK airports, including London Gatwick and Manchester Airport.

Simon Calder also recommended the town of Cassis, in the south of France, an “absolutely magical” place that’s easy to visit in winter.

Best places to visit in Portimao:

• Praia da Rocha
• Portimão Museum
• Marina de Portimão
• Nossa Senhora da Conceição
• Mercado Municipal de Portimão