After seven dynamic caps off the bench, 21-year-old back rower Henry Pollock finally gained a first Test start.

The idea was his energy would help avoid a repeat of last week when Scotland blitzed England in the opening 20 minutes.

“What do you do? Two weeks in a row conceding so many points in the first 15 minutes,” prop forward Ellis Genge told BBC Sport.

“Everyone has to take a look at themselves. No-one knows what the answer is right now or we would have sorted it out.

“It opened up scar tissue from last week – we have to be better at managing that period and stop turning the ball over.

“It’s brutal, professional sport because if you get 5% wrong it’s gone. We probably believed the hype from the first week too much. We can’t let the noise in now.

“We have let everyone down. Apologies for that but I promise we will make it better. We are going to go away and work as hard as we can to go away and rectify things.”

England found themselves deep in Ireland’s 22 on multiple occasions but lacked any clinical edge, making 14 handling errors in the game.

George Ford also missed touch with a penalty that could have put the hosts in a scoring position.

“As players, senior players and the leadership team we have to take responsibility for not starting the game right,” said Itoje.

“It was just our inaccuracy. We turned the ball over too much, and when we did get into positions to hurt Ireland we were not accurate and then gave ourselves a mountain to climb.”

GRAMMY-nominated salsa legend Willie Colón has died aged 75.

Heartbreaking tributes have poured in for the musical pioneer – with Bad Bunny calling the star “one of the legends who contributed to this beautiful and legendary genre”.

The iconic artist passed away on Saturday surrounded by loved ones, his manager confirmed.

Colón was a trombonist, composer, arranger, singer and social activist.

Over his decades-long career, he produced more than 40 albums that sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.

His manager Pietro Carlos said: “Today, we’ve lost an architect of the New York sound, a trombonist who made metal his banner and wrote eternal chapters in our musical history.

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“Willie didn’t just change salsa; he expanded it, politicized it, clothed it in urban chronicles, and took it to stages where it hadn’t been heard before.

“His trombone was the voice of the people, an echo of the Caribbean in New York, a bridge between cultures.”

He added: “Today we say goodbye to a master, but his legacy lives on.”

Meanwhile, Grammy-winner Bad Bunny said on Instagram: “Today, one of the legends who contributed to this beautiful and legendary genre passed away.”

The star continued: “So, on behalf of myself and Los Sobrinos, we wish Willie Colón peace.

“Much strength to his family.

“The inspiration of so many of these great musicians who left their mark on this earth will never die as long as there are talented young people like those here, keeping the music, salsa and all Caribbean rhythms alive.”

Colón’s cause of death has not been confirmed, but Saturday’s tragic news follows reports from last week claiming that the star had been hospitalised for respiratory problems, according to TMZ.

A pivotal architect of urban salsa music, Colón collaborated with a long list of fellow icons, including the Fania All Stars, David Byrne and Celia Cruz.

His critically acclaimed collaboration with Rubén Blades, Siembra, which touched on social issues in salsa, became one of the bestselling albums in the genre of all time.

The musician, born to Puerto Rican parents, was nominated for 10 Grammys and one Latin Grammy.

Colón was born in the Bronx, New York, before being raised by his grandmother and aunt, who from a young age nurtured him with traditional Puerto Rican music.

When he was 11 years old he ventured into the world of music, first playing the flute, then bugle, trumpet and finally trombone.

His interest in trombone was sparked after experiencing Barry Rogers playing it on Dolores, Mon Rivera’s song with Joe Cotto.

He recalled in 2011: “It sounded like an elephant, a lion … an animal.

“Something so different that, as soon as I heard it, I said to myself: ‘I want to play that instrument.’”

Colón’s main musical traits included the fusion of rhythms.

The genius harmonized jazz, rock, funk, soul and R&B with the old Latin school of Cuban son, cha-cha-cha, mambo and guaracha.

His style also encompassed traditional Puerto Rican sound including jíbara, bomba and plena music.

A passionate advocate for civil rights, he fought mostly in the US for the Latino community among others.

In 1991 he was awarded the Chubb fellowship from Yale University, a public service recognition also awarded to John F. Kennedy, Moshe Dayan, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Ronald Reagan.

And he even served in politics – working as a special assistant to David Dinkins, New York’s first Black mayor, and an adviser to Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Colón had his own stints running for public office too – but had little luck challenging the then-US Rep. Eliot Engel in the 1994 Democratic primary.

In 2001 he also came in third in the Democratic primary for New York’s public advocate.

The late star also appeared in films such – taking roles in Vigilante, The Last Fight, and It Could Happen to You.

On TV, he featured in Miami Vice and Demasiado Corazón.

The icon also appeared in Bad Bunny’s music video for NuevaYol.

Colón is survived by his wife and four sons.

Welcome to your daily review and preview of this year’s Milan-Cortina Olympics. My name is John Cherwa and I’m your tour director for the Games as we enter the final day with the U.S. setting a record for golds and closing in on total medals.

Guessing we can call these Games a success for the U.S. after it won its 11th gold medal Saturday — the most ever for the U.S. in a single Winter Olympics. Now the U.S. is hoping to beat or tie its best mark of 34 medals set at Salt Lake City in 2002. With five events yet to be completed, the U.S. is at 33 counting a guaranteed medal in men’s hockey. (A few days ago, we predicted the U.S. would finish with 33.)

There is no chance the U.S. will catch Norway, which has 40 total medals, including 18 golds.

So, with five events remaining does the U.S. have a chance to tie or set a record?

• Cross-country skiing. The final event is the women’s 50-kilometer mass start. The podium is likely to be populated by Sweden and Norway, but Jesse Diggins of the U.S. has an outside chance of making the podium.

• The U.S. is ninth and 12th heading into the final two runs of the four-man bobsled. Could be another Germany sweep.

• The U.S. is out of the women’s curling tournament. Switzerland and Sweden play for the gold.

• The U.S. has a guaranteed silver in ice hockey when it plays Canada.

• The U.S. will not likely medal in the women’s freestyle skiing halfpipe but it could have. One of the favorites is Eileen Gu, who is from the Bay Area but competes for China. Vice president JD Vance criticized her, among other athletes.

Getting them onto the cusp of tying or breaking the total medal record and breaking the gold medal total on Saturday was the U.S. mixed team freestyle aerials group of Kalia Kuhn, Connor Curran and Christopher Lillis, who gave the U.S. back-to-back golds in this event. It was the 11th gold medal.

The U.S. also picked up a bronze when Mia Manganello came in behind the Netherlands and Canada in the speedskating women’s mass start. The men’s mass start was also won by the Netherlands. Three-time medalist Jordan Stolz of the U.S. was fourth.

The U.S. finished the day with a bronze in the two-woman bobsled. Kaillie Humphries and Jasmine Jones were in the sled where, as usual, Germany took gold and silver. Kaysha Love and Azaria Hill finished fifth.

So the U.S needs one more to tie the record. That means either Jesse Diggins or the four-man bobsled have to have career-defining performances.

The big event today is the men’s hockey gold medal game between the U.S. and Canada. The tournament is so much better with the return of NHL players after 12 years.

Here’s a look at NHL players on each team:

United States: Matt Boldy (Minnesota), Kyle Connor (Winnipeg), Jack Eichel (Vegas), Jack Hughes (New Jersey), Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay), Clayton Keller (Utah), Dylan Larkin (Detroit), Auston Matthews (Toronto), J.T. Miller (NY Rangers), Brock Nelson (Colorado), Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa), Matthew Tkachuk (Florida), Tage Thompson (Buffalo), Vincent Trocheck (NY Rangers), Brock Faber (Minnesota), Noah Hanifin (Vegas), Quinn Hughes (Minnesota), Jackson LaCombe (Ducks), Charlie McAvoy (Boston), Jake Sanderson (Ottawa), Jaccob Slavin (Carolina), Zach Werenski (Columbus), Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg), Jake Oettinger (Dallas), Jeremy Swayman (Boston).

Canada: Sam Bennett (Florida), Macklin Celebrini (San Jose), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh), Brandon Hagel (Tampa Bay), Bo Horvat (NY Islanders), Seth Jarvis (Carolina), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado), Brad Marchand (Florida), Mitch Marner (Vegas), Connor McDavid (Edmonton), Sam Reinhart (Florida), Mark Stone (Vegas), Nick Suzuki (Montreal), Tom Wilson (Washington), Drew Doughty (Kings), Thomas Harley (Dallas), Cale Makar (Colorado), Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg), Colton Parayko (St. Louis), Travis Sanheim (Philadelphia), Shea Theodore (Vegas), Devon Toews (Colorado), Jordan Binnington (St. Louis), Darcy Kuemper (Kings—injured), Logan Thompson (Washington).

Elsewhere on Saturday

Oceane Michelon of France approaches the finish line to win gold in the women’s 12.5-kilometer biathlon mass start on Saturday.

(Harry How / Getty Images)

• France picked up gold and silver in the biathlon women’s 12.5-kilometer mass start. There were no U.S. competitors.

• The U.S. closed its curling competition by losing the women’s bronze medal match 10-7 to Canada. Canada won the men’s gold, beating Britain, 9-6.

• Finland beat Slovakia, 6-1, for the men’s bronze in ice hockey.

• The men’s 50-kilometer mass start in cross-country skiing was an all Norway medal stand as they swept the medals and lengthened its lead in total medals. Gus Schumacher of the U.S. was 13th.

• The new must-watch sport of ski mountaineering (skimo) finished with the mixed relay, which was won by France. The U.S. pair of Anna Gibson and Cameron Smith was fourth.

Best thing to watch on TV today

The centerpiece of Sunday’s final day is the closing ceremony, which is less of a ceremony than a party. Athletes just flood the zone and the party begins. The event is not in Milan or Cortina d’Ampezzo but Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet fame. (Speaking of Shakespeare, the movie Hamnet is a must watch.) It starts at 11:30 a.m. PST and should last about 2½ hours. But, before all that is the gold medal hockey game between the U.S. and Canada. It starts at 5:10 a.m. PST. The final heat of the four-man bobsled is at 3:15 a.m. PST.

Favorite photo

U.S. speedskater Mia Manganello celebrates after earning a bronze medal in the women’s mass start final in Milan on Saturday.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Times photographer Robert Gauthier is at the Winter Olympics. Each day, Times newsletter editor Houston Mitchell will select a favorite photo from the many Gauthier has taken.

Sunday’s Olympic TV and streaming schedule

CLOSING CEREMONY
11:30 a.m. — NBC

MULTIPLE SPORTS
2 p.m. — Best of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Games | NBC
9 p.m. — “Primetime in Milan” (delay): Closing ceremony, bobsled, cross-country skiing, curling, hockey. | NBC

BOBSLED
1 a.m. — Four-man bobsled, Run 3 | Peacock
3:15 a.m. — 🏅Four-man bobsled, final run | Peacock
3:35 a.m. — 🏅Four-man bobsled, final run (in progress) | USA
4:15 a.m. — Four-man bobsled, final run (delay) | NBC
8 a.m. — Four-man bobsled, runs 3-4 (re-air) | NBC

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
1 a.m. — 🏅Women’s 50-kilometer mass start classic | USA
4 a.m. — Women’s 50-kilometer mass start classic (re-air) | USA
8:45 a.m. — Women’s 50-kilometer mass start classic (re-air) | NBC

CURLING
🏅Women’s gold-medal match
2:05 a.m. — Switzerland vs. Sweden | Peacock
4 a.m. — Switzerland vs. Sweden (delay) | USA, NBC
10:30 a.m. — Switzerland vs. Sweden (re-air) | USA

HOCKEY
🏅Men’s gold-medal match
5:10 a.m. — United States vs. Canada | NBC
1:30 p.m. — United States vs. Canada (re-air) | USA

In case you missed it …

Check out the following Milan-Cortina Olympics dispatches from the L.A. Times team on the ground in Italy:

Pack mentality prevents Jordan Stolz from adding to his Olympic medal count

Americans earn bronze medal in two-woman bobsled

Snoop Dogg embraces NBC Olympic ambassador of joy role as Games shift to his hometown

Winter Olympics Day 15 live updates: Klaebo wins record sixth gold medal

U.S. men rout Slovakia, will play Canada for hockey gold medal

After shedding pressure, American Alysa Liu rides wave of joy to Olympic gold medal

‘A magical moment.’ Hilary Knight caps off U.S. women’s hockey career with Olympic gold

Olympians Hilary Knight and Brittany Bowe get engaged before gold-medal hockey match

Jordan Stolz takes silver in Olympic 1,500 meters; China’s Ning Zhongyan wins gold

U.S. bobsledder Azaria Hill adding to her family’s rich Olympic Games legacy

Until next time…

That concludes today’s Sports Report Olympic Edition newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email newsletter editor Houston Mitchell at houston.mitchell@latimes.com. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here and select the Sports Report.

Feb. 20 (Asia Today) — People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk rejected calls to sever ties with former President Yoon Suk-yeol on Thursday, intensifying internal divisions within South Korea’s main conservative party ahead of local elections.

At a press conference at the National Assembly, Jang said Yoon’s life sentence in a first-instance ruling does not negate the principle of presumption of innocence.

“This is still a first trial,” he said. “The presumption of innocence must apply to everyone without exception.”

Jang dismissed demands from within the party to formally break with what critics call the “Yoon Again” faction. He argued that forces seeking to distance the party from Yoon are instead fueling division.

“Division is the worst form of incompetence,” he said. “Those who exploit the president’s name for their own interests, and those who use calls for severance to split the party, are the ones we must decisively cut ties with.”

His remarks appeared aimed at the pro-Han Dong-hoon faction and a group of younger lawmakers who had urged the leadership to declare a clear break from Yoon following Wednesday’s verdict.

Rep. Lee Sung-kwon criticized Jang’s stance, saying it showed a refusal to accept the judiciary’s decision. “By shifting responsibility for unconstitutional emergency rule onto others, he cannot call himself the leader of a conservative party before the people,” Lee said.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon also weighed in on social media, warning that politics centered on the slogan “Yoon Again” would fail to persuade centrist voters and younger generations.

Former party leader Han Dong-hoon issued a sharper rebuke, writing online that Jang was “merely a host for the Yoon faction” and calling for him to be removed to save the conservative movement.

The controversy has exposed differences within the party leadership. Floor leader Song Eon-seok said a day earlier that the party “deeply regrets” the guilty verdict against a former president it produced and apologized to the public, reaffirming that no one stands above the law.

A party official said views appear to be divided even between the party leader and the floor leader, complicating efforts to present a unified message.

With tensions rising, lawmakers are expected to convene a general meeting as early as next week to discuss the party’s direction. Observers warn that continued infighting could weigh on the party ahead of the June 3 local elections.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260220010006110

They offer stunning beaches, hiking trails and authentic Spanish culture away from the busier Canary Islands.

For decades, the Canary Islands have remained a beloved getaway for British holidaymakers. However, activists are now mobilising to highlight the damaging effects of over-tourism plaguing the sun-drenched Spanish archipelago.

Campaigners point to a severe shortage of local housing and environmental degradation driven by the thriving tourism sector on the most frequented islands: Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote.

Yet amongst the eight islands, there exist lesser-known gems where mass tourism hasn’t taken hold – destinations equally as stunning but refreshingly unspoilt.

Here the Express explores the islands of La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma.

Three alternatives in the Canary Islands

La Gomera

La Gomera ranks as the third-smallest amongst the archipelago’s eight principal islands, home to 22,361 residents. San Sebastián de La Gomera serves as its capital.

Katie, a travel blogger behind The World on my Necklace, shares what attracted her to this diminutive island. She said: “I read about La Gomera, one of the smallest islands in the archipelago.

“While Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote have areas that are awash with generic package hotels and Irish bars — although even Tenerife has a lot of beauty away from the touristy stuff if you know where to look — La Gomera sounded like a more relaxed and authentic experience and the more I read, the more excited I was to visit.

“I was sold on this idyllic island paradise still untouched by the commercial tourism that steered me away from the larger islands.”

The petite volcanic island offers an abundance of hiking and cycling trails for visitors seeking a more energetic getaway. Its 100-kilometre coastline is dotted with spectacular beaches featuring dramatic black sands.

El Hierro

Known as Isla del Meridiano, the Meridian Island, El Hierro ranks as the second-smallest and most southwesterly of the Canary Islands. Home to just 11,659 residents, it spans 103.67 square miles.

It’s particularly renowned amongst diving aficionados and is progressing towards complete energy self-sufficiency using clean, renewable power sources.

Travel blogger Silvia shared her thoughts about the island on her website. She said: “Let me start with a clear message: el Hierro is the best hidden gem you will find in the Canary Islands. Given that it is the smallest island of them all, I figured there wasn’t that much to see… boy, was I wrong!”.

Visitors who venture there can anticipate hiking, diving and a culinary journey featuring numerous celebrated eateries.

La Palma

La Palma goes by the nickname La Isla Bonita — The Beautiful Island. Covering 273.48 square miles, it’s the fifth-largest of the eight principal Canary Islands, with 84,338 inhabitants.

The compact island is eager for tourists to discover its attractions. Its tourism website reads: “Home to incredible landscapes, imposing volcanoes, dense forests, unique beaches, and star scattered skies, the island of La Palma is rightfully named ‘La Isla Bonita’ (the Pretty Island).”

A safe destination, whose main attribute is its environmental quality, an unmistakable sign of healthy surroundings.”

Police say the ex-Purdue University star died of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound in his hometown in Indiana.

Rondale Moore, the National Football League (NFL) receiver who suffered season-ending training camp knee injuries in each of the last two years after a standout college career at Purdue and a promising start with the Arizona Cardinals, was found dead on Saturday, authorities say.

Police said Moore, aged 25, died of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. Moore was found dead in the garage of a property in his hometown of New Albany, police chief Todd Bailey said. The death remains under investigation.

Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin confirmed Moore’s death. He said an autopsy would be conducted on Sunday.

After being traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, Moore dislocated his right knee during training camp and never played for them. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025, but he injured his left knee while returning a punt in their first exhibition game and spent another full season on injured reserve. Moore was so distraught after immediately realising the seriousness of that injury that he slammed his hand down on a cart so hard the sound was audible throughout the stadium.

The Vikings said they had spoken with Moore’s family to offer condolences and support.

“I am devastated by the news of Rondale’s death. While Rondale had been a member of the Vikings for a short time, he was someone we came to know well and care about deeply,” coach Kevin O’Connell said in a statement distributed by the team.

“He was a humble, soft-spoken, and respectful young man who was proud of his Indiana roots. As a player, he was disciplined, dedicated and resilient despite facing adversity multiple times as injuries sidelined him throughout his career. We are all heartbroken by the fact he won’t continue to live out his NFL dream, and we won’t all have a chance to watch him flourish.”

In a statement, the Cardinals said they were “devastated and heartbroken”.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, teammates, and everyone who loved him and had the privilege of knowing such a special person,” the team said in a social media post.

Moore grew up in New Albany, just across the Indiana border from Louisville, Kentucky, and was a first-team All-American as a freshman at Purdue in 2018.

Drafted in the second round by the Cardinals in 2021, Moore had 1,201 receiving yards and three touchdowns, plus 249 rushing yards and one score over three seasons. He served as their primary returner for kickoffs and punts as a rookie before injuries pushed him away from that role.

“Can’t even begin to fathom or process this,” former Cardinals teammate JJ Watt said on social media. “There’s just no way. Way too soon. Way too special. So much left to give. Rest in peace Rondale.”

Christopher Nolan gave him a noogie.

Denis Villeneuve wore his movie’s swag.

Elle Fanning looked into the future and saw him winning the Oscar.

Is there anyone out there who doesn’t love Timothée Chalamet? I mean, besides the old-timer Oscar voter who recently told me he doesn’t like the young man’s “shenanigans.”

I’m Glenn Whipp, columnist for the Los Angeles Times and host of The Envelope newsletter. Calico Mine Ride or Timber Mountain Log Ride? That’s a 1A / 1B ranking decision. It all depends if I’ve just eaten a slice of boysenberry pie.

Now … back to Timothée …

Did you catch any of the screenings during the American Cinematheque’s recent eight-film retrospective celebrating Chalamet’s career? Or perhaps you landed at the motion picture academy’s Samuel L. Goldwyn Theater on Monday when Chalamet was mobbed following a Q&A after a showing of “Marty Supreme” for guild voters.

If you witnessed a moment during this weeklong celebration — this Chalamania, if you will — you saw a young man whose talent as an actor is matched only by his genius at promotion.

You probably also came away knowing what has been a foregone conclusion since “Marty Supreme” opened in December: Chalamet is winning the Oscar for best actor.

And yet, there has been a lot of postulating that maybe one of the other nominated actors — Leonardo DiCaprio (“One Battle After Another”), Michael B. Jordan (“Sinners”), Ethan Hawke (“Blue Moon”) and Wagner Moura (“The Secret Agent”) — has a chance. You know … if things fall just the right way, there’s a path!

I get it. This year’s awards season has felt endless, and the Oscars are still more than three weeks away. Stories must be written, possibilities explored, no matter how remote.

But c’mon. Chalamet has this Oscar locked, just like “Hamnet” lead Jessie Buckley has owned the lead actress trophy since her movie premiered at Telluride in September. Admittedly, the lack of drama isn’t fun or exciting. Pine for an upset if you must, though it might be more fun to just surrender and celebrate Chalamet, a gifted actor and certified movie star who has stockpiled a remarkable body of work over the last decade.

This isn’t to say that you can’t make the case about who should win. DiCaprio continues to be one of our great comic actors and deserves attention just for the master class in phone acting he gives in “One Battle.” Moura carries “The Secret Agent” with an intense, brooding charisma that, one year shy of his 50th birthday, should push him to even greater recognition. Playing the desperate, despairing lyricist Lorenz Hart, Hawke empties his soul and his vocabulary, venting his way through the entirety of “Blue Moon.” And Jordan connects on the biggest swing of his career, playing twin brothers in “Sinners.”

So why is Chalamet winning in a walk? It’s a process of elimination. DiCaprio and Jordan are out as “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another” are ensemble films. (Even with the dual roles, Jordan is only in half the movie.) Moura’s work in “The Secret Agent” is sublime, but the Oscars rarely reward subtle acting. (This is a category that has gone to Rami Malek in “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Brendan Fraser in “The Whale” and Joaquin Phoenix in “Joker” in recent years.) And Hawke’s nomination is but one of two for “Blue Moon.” Not enough. Even the execrable “The Whale” managed three.

Chalamet already won the Golden Globe for performance by a male actor in a motion picture musical or comedy for “Marty Supreme.” Our columnist predicts an Oscar is next.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Meanwhile, Chalamet is Marty Supreme, the undeniably talented, relentless self-promoter careening toward his goals of fame and fortune with little regard to the damage he is inflicting on others. (That’s Marty, not Timothée.) Marty’s despicable, but also, as played by Chalamet, winningly charming.

No, you’re not supposed to like the guy, which, for voters who, say, blanched at supporting DiCaprio in “The Wolf of Wall Street,” might be a problem. But the academy has changed a lot since Scorsese’s wildly entertaining movie screened for academy members at the Goldwyn and an unnamed screenwriter, seeing Scorsese, DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and writer Terence Winter emerging from an elevator afterward, ran over to them and started screaming, “Shame on you!”

It’s true that not everyone embraces the anxiety-inducing cinema that is the brand of “Marty Supreme” co-writer and director Josh Safdie. Not everyone embraces Safdie himself, after a noisy tabloid story resurfaced allegations of a toxic work environment on the set of the 2017 film “Good Time,” which Safdie directed with his brother, Benny.

But that has nothing to do with Chalamet, who did not work on the movie, or his ferocious, frenetic work in “Marty Supreme.” The biggest knocks against Chalamet seem to be the unorthodox ways he goes about promoting his movie (and himself) and his age (he just turned 30). Historically, the lead actor Oscar goes to men with a few more miles on the odometer. Adrien Brody is the youngest winner, taking the trophy in 2003 for “The Pianist” when he was 29.

But, as noted earlier, things have changed since the film academy began greatly expanding its membership over the past decade. This new academy gave its best picture and three acting prizes to “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” a bonkers movie that embraced chaos, fingers made of hot dogs and sex toys used as weapons. The new academy just crowned indie auteur Sean Baker king of the world for “Anora,” a Cinderella story about a stripper and a Prince Charming who knows where to score the best ketamine in Vegas.

You think these voters are going to care that Chalamet hasn’t “paid his dues,” an idea that’s patently silly on its surface anyway as this is his third Oscar nomination? He’s the youngest actor to earn three Oscar nominations since Marlon Brando did it, at age 30, in 1954.

By the way, Brando won the Oscar that year for “On the Waterfront.”

Chalamet has got this.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

CITY SECTION

BOYS

SEMIFINALS

At Southwest College

OPEN DIVISION

#2 Cleveland 68, #6 Fairfax 62 (OT)

#1 Palisades 71, #5 San Pedro 56

Note: Finals Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. at Southwest College.

GIRLS

SEMIFINALS

At Pasadena City College

OPEN DIVISION

#2 Birmingham 73, #3 LA Hamilton 28

#1 Westchester 79, #5 Venice 45

Note: Finals Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at Pasadena City College.

At Southwest College

DIVISION I

#1 El Camino Real 37, #4 Eagle Rock 36

#2 Granada Hills Kennedy 63, #3 San Pedro 52

At Pasadena City College

DIVISION II

#2 North Hollywood 56, #3 Santee 31

#1 Harbor Teacher 49, #5 West Adams 29

DIVISION III

#4 LA Marshall at #1 Washington Prep

#2 Gardena 41, #3 San Fernando 25

DIVISION IV

#12 Wilmington Banning 39, #1 Maywood CES 15

#11 Bravo 51, #10 Panorama 28

DIVISION V

#20 Sotomayor at #9 Los Angeles

#2 Legacy 43, #3 Vaughn 33

Note: Finals Feb. 27-28 at TBA.

SOUTHERN SECTION

GIRLS

QUARTERFINALS

OPEN DIVISION

Ontario Christian 114, Fairmont Prep 50

Sage Hill 59, Oak Park 56

Etiwanda 87, Rancho Christian 36

Sierra Canyon 79, Mater Dei 38

Note: Semifinals Tuesday; Finals Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. at Toyota Arena.

STATE PLAY-IN GAMES

JSerra 50, Redondo Union 43

Corona Centennial 66, Lakewood St. Joseph 55

SEMIFINALS

DIVISION 1

Valencia 59, Windward 46

La Salle 48, Moreno Valley 40

DIVISION 2

Saugus 48, Camarillo 46

Crescenta Valley 45, Rosary Academy 44

DIVISION 3

Murrieta Valley 59, Oxnard 56

St. Margaret’s 54, Leuzinger 50

DIVISION 4

La Canada 47, Anaheim Canyon 33

El Dorado 44, Marina 34

DIVISION 5

Bishop Diego 48, Godinez 42

Burbank Burroughs 44, Oakwood 35

DIVISION 6

Savanna 52, San Jacinto 43

Warren 33, Hillcrest 32

DIVISION 7

Laguna Hills 53, Patriot 50

La Palma Kennedy 49, Ridgecrest Burroughs 32

DIVISION 8

Orange 49, University Prep 36

Schurr 44, Chadwick 32

DIVISION 9

Desert Hot Springs 47, Vista del Lago 35

Sierra Vista 62, La Sierra 34

Note: Finals Feb. 27 or 28.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Tehran will not bow to US pressure over nuclear talks, after Donald Trump warned on Thursday that ‘bad things’ will happen if Iran fails to reach a deal within 15 days.

Paul Fischer showed “Jaws” to his daughter when she was 10. She wasn’t scared. In fact, she loved it so much that she dressed as Richard Dreyfuss’ Hooper for Halloween. To Fischer, who watched “Raiders of the Lost Ark” at age 4 (“I remember the melting heads but I don’t think I was traumatized”), it shows the staying power of some of the ’70s blockbusters.

“It’s the flip side of how these franchises became so massive and had such a long tail,” he said in a recent video call with The Times, discussing how each generation still finds “Star Wars,” “Raiders,” “E.T.,” “Jaws” and “The Godfather.” “They’ve created films that endured and that overshadow others.”

That is part of the impetus behind his new book, “The Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg—and the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema.” The book, Fischer’s third about film history, starts before the trio were “big mythical names” and instead were just a bunch of guys setting out to fulfill their dreams.

The narrative then follows their journeys from the late ’60s through the early ’80s, filling in the “ecosystem” the trio came up in and how they wanted to change the system to gain creative autonomy. Spielberg worked within the system, Coppola spent lavishly and even ostentatiously to build his own studio and Lucas found his independence through a quieter, more conservative and technology-driven route.

(Martin Scorsese, who was friends with the three and “the most interesting human being of that generation of filmmakers,” gets plenty of ink but was not a titular character, Fischer said, because he remained an outsider who just wanted to make movies, not change the system.)

“I’m not going to pretend I can tell you what was going on in their heads but I tried to make people feel like they were there when it happened,” Fischer said.

While none of the three men would be interviewed, Fischer had decades of quotes and conducted his own interviews with hundreds of people in the filmmakers’ orbits to get a fuller and more honest story. (He added that their representatives were uniformly helpful with fact-checking and providing photos. “There was never a door closed on me,” he said in an accidental reference to the final scene of “The Godfather.”)

Coppola, “who changed quite a bit, was the hardest one for me to pin down,” Fischer said. “There are layers of complexity to him and his willingness to treat the creative life as if it’s an experiment.” Blending that with his self-indulgent philandering and spending of money, he added, “you can change your mind about that guy every five minutes.”

During that era at least, Fischer said Lucas and Coppola seemed ”completely devoid of any self-awareness.” He chronicles how Coppola pressured Lucas to accept changes to his first feature, “THX 1138,” so the studio would release it while Lucas viewed that as Coppola pushing him to sell out. Meanwhile, Lucas was pushing Coppola to do a studio film for hire to keep his fledgling Zoetrope Studio afloat, making Coppola feel pressured to sell out. (That movie was “The Godfather,” so it worked out OK for Coppola.)

“They keep giving each other advice about how to do things and then betray that same advice when it applies themselves,” he said, although he added that he doesn’t “whip them for 300 pages for having giant egos,” and said it’s part of the recipe to be a visionary filmmaker, especially in the Hollywood studio system.

Ultimately, the book depicts Lucas as more of a sellout, acting like the studio suits he once detested as he pressures “The Empire Strikes Back” director Irvin Kershner to make changes, often based on budget and then focusing more on profitability as he conjured up characters like the Ewoks for “Return of the Jedi.” Fischer doesn’t believe Lucas would recognize that version of himself in the book. “He’s someone who lost his BS detector and has drunk his own Kool-Aid.”

In Fischer’s telling, the creative and business sides are interwoven and inseparable from each other and from the personal relationships — their friendships and rivalries with each other but also their relationships with those who worked for them or loved them.

“They were all able to do what they did because of wives or partners or friends or college classmates, who did a lot of the work without being household names,” he said. To fully tell the story, he devotes plenty of narrative space to Coppola’s wife Eleanor, and his most prominent mistress, Melissa Mathison, who later wrote “E.T.,” producer Kathleen Kennedy, who co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Spielberg, and Lucas’ wife, Marcia, who edited the first “Star Wars” trilogy (and Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver”).

“How did these guys break through? Well, they were middle-class white dudes and these women looked after some of this stuff they couldn’t,” Fischer said. “Those aren’t the only reasons these guys became who they did but without that, they probably [wouldn’t have].”

Fischer celebrates the three men’s vision and talents — he calls “The Godfather” “a perfect film” and says Spielberg “speaks the language of a camera better than anybody else”— but the book makes clear how often they got lucky or were saved from themselves.

If Coppola had spent his money more judiciously, he might not have done “The Godfather;” Lucas resisted hiring Harrison Ford to play Han Solo as well as Ford’s creative contributions; and if someone had bankrolled the first feature film Spielberg pitched before latching onto “Jaws” — “a sex comedy San Francisco Chinese laundry riff on Snow White” — it could have sunk his career.

Additionally, Lucas and Coppola’s friendship frayed when the latter snatched back the directing gig for a film he had long ago promised to his buddy. “But imagine George Lucas making some weird low-budget, ‘Battle of Algiers’ version of ‘Apocalypse Now’ in the back streets of Sacramento,” Fischer said. “That sounds pretty crappy. And we would have lost one of the great, novelistic experiential movies that we have.”

Lucas, meanwhile, dangled his idea for “Raiders of the Lost Ark” before Spielberg’s eyes, then told him that Philip Kaufman had dibs. “He’s a fine director but we would have lost something there too,” Fischer said. “There are these crossroads there but still there has got to be something special about these three or they couldn’t have had repeated successes like they did.”

Writing about their failures, foibles and frustrations did not lessen the hold that these three men and their movie magic have on Fischer. He recounts a story of his own connection to one film with undisguised delight and enthusiasm. After graduating film school at USC, he was producing a documentary (“Radioman”) in New York when he learned that “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” was doing some filming in Connecticut. “Obsessed,” he finagled his way onto the set and into a job. “All I did was turn off the air conditioning,” he said. “‘Roll camera,’ I flip it off. ‘Cut,’ I turn it on. I did that for four days. But when Harrison Ford walked by wearing that jacket, I was 5-years-old again. That was cool.”

Miller is a freelance writer in Brooklyn who frequently writes about movies.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

SOUTHERN SECTION

BOYS

SEMIFINALS

OPEN DIVISION

#8 Orange Lutheran 3, #4 Placentia Valencia 1 (OL advances on aggregate)

#2 Mater Dei 2, #6 JSerra 0 (MD advances on aggregate)

Note: Finals Feb. 28.

DIVISION 1

Santa Monica 2, Anaheim Canyon 0

Fontana 2, Sultana 1

DIVISION 2

Newport Harbor 2, Downey 1

Bishop Amat 4, Citrus Hill 0

DIVISION 3

Los Alamitos 3, Godinez 2

Calabasas 1, Channel Islands 0

DIVISION 4

Granite Hills 3, Indian Springs 0

Irvine University 1, Oxnard Pacifica 0

DIVISION 5

Santa Ana Valley 2, San Marcos 1

Esperanza 2, Camarillo 1

DIVISION 6

Animo Leadership 1, Bishop Montgomery 0

Ontario Christian 2, Vista del Lago 1

DIVISION 7

Pasadena Poly 1, Cerritos 1 (Poly wins 4-3 in shootout)

Palmdale Academy Charter 0, Oakwood 0 (PAC wins 5-4 in shootout)

DIVISION 8

Orange County Pacifica Christian 1, San Jacinto Leadership 0

Rio Hondo Prep 2, Thacher 2 (Rio Hondo Prep wins 4-3 in shootout)

Note: Finals Feb. 27 or 28.

GIRLS

SEMIFINALS

OPEN DIVISION

#1 Santa Margarita 1, #4 Oaks Christian 1 (SM advances on aggregate)

#3 Mater Dei 0, #2 Redondo Union 0 (MD advances on aggregate)

Note: Finals Feb. 28.

DIVISION 1

Newport Harbor 1, Westlake 0

Eastvale Roosevelt 4, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 1

DIVISION 2

Ayala 3, San Marino 0

Millikan 1, Bonita 0

DIVISION 3

Crescenta Valley 2, Paloma Valley 0

Quartz Hill 2, Simi Valley 0

DIVISION 4

San Jacinto 3, Arcadia 2

Immaculate Heart 0, Chino 0 (Immaculate Heart wins in shootout)

DIVISION 5

Coachella Valley 4, Artesia 3

Del Sol 1, Sultana 1 (Del Sol wins 6-5 in shootout)

DIVISION 6

Ocean View 1, Palmdale Aerospace 0

Segerstrom 3, Grace 1

DIVISION 7

Santa Monica Pacifica Christian 0, Savanna 0 (PC wins in shootout)

Azusa 2, Cate 1

DIVISION 8

Buckley 2, Mountain View 1

Webb 2, Big Bear 1

Note: Finals Feb. 27 or 28.

Feb. 21 (UPI) — Blizzard conditions are anticipated across a dozen states, from the Mid-Atlantic to New England, with coastal areas especially vulnerable amid a severe weather outlook.

Communities situated near the Atlantic Ocean’s shoreline are most vulnerable to severe winter weather. Some of the nation’s largest cities, including Philadelphia, New York and Boston, are located well within areas that could experience major winter storm conditions.

Those conditions include a blizzard caused by a powerful offshore low-pressure system that is producing high winds and heavy snowfall near its outer edges while centered off the Eastern Seaboard.

Blizzard warnings are in effect into Monday along coastal areas, from New Jersey and Delaware to the southern New England states.

New York City is subject to its first blizzard warning since 2017, and the city’s iconic Central Park could see its first snowfall total of more than 12 inches in at least five years.

Locations situated east of Interstate 95 and between Philadelphia and New York City are expected to see the most snowfall, which would make road travel dangerous.

Forecasters said at least a foot of snow could cover the ground in Philadelphia, New York City and Boston, along with other communities, and affect flights at airports in those locales and others that lie within the winter storm’s path.

Baltimore and other cities in the Mid-Atlantic are predicted to get several inches of snow, and a high potential for power outages exists anywhere affected by the winter storm system that packs winds capable of gusting to 40 mph and more.

The nor-easter’s strong winds also will increase the storm surge that could cause localized flooding in coastal areas from Delaware and New Jersey to southern New England throughout Sunday and into early Monday morning.

The low-pressure system was located off the coast of the Carolinas on Saturday afternoon and is projected to move to the northeast through Sunday, leaving heavy, wet snow and high winds in its wake.

Those who have flights scheduled should pay close attention to likely delays and cancellations that might affect their respective travel schedules.

When I asked Nordine Nid Hsain, the owner of my favourite Parisian bistro, why he sold up and left the capital to join the arty diaspora living in the Mediterranean port of Sète, he said: “What really drew me here was not Sète itself, but the natural paradise of the adjoining Thau lagoon. I love cycling and, after 10 years here, I am still excited to go out every day to explore the bike paths that run around the lagoon.”

He added: “There’s always something new to discover – beaches; wetland landscapes; enjoying a plate of freshly harvested oysters at the water’s edge; riding through the vineyards then tasting the wine in the vigneron’s cellar.”

But it is the coalescence of their personalities that amplifies all that sporting talent. And underpinning the team are two key things – total honesty and trust.

As McMillan puts it, “If one of us is in the wrong, the rest can say so”, while the more measured Mouat describes it as “knowing the different things to say to get the best out of each other”.

Individually, they are all very different.

Hype man McMillan is lively enough for all four of them; Hardie is the logic guy, an engineer by trade; Mouat is thoughtful, reflective and calm; Lammie is the quiet, reliable presence; and Waddell the experienced head in the background.

It might be labelled as ‘Team Mouat’ – as per the convention of naming a rink after its skip – but this is very much a collective. In fact, Mouat is keen to share the spotlight.

“Bruce is very different from a lot of skips,” explains BBC Sport pundit and 2022 gold medallist Vicky Wright. “A lot of them are clearly the leader but the GB team operates so well because they function on a level playing field.

“The dynamic they’ve got works because they all bring a different aspect to the table and they all respect that. That’s a massive part of why they’re so successful.”

It is instructive to see how comfortable they are in each other’s company and with the position in which they find themselves.

All five have been right in among it in Cortina these past couple of weeks, be it stopping for a chat in the street or in restaurants, meeting friends and relatives, watching other British athletes compete.

Or – in Mouat’s case – going pillowcase shopping and “spending far too much money” on the morning of the semi-final.

Even in the moments before the final, McMillan and Hardie were sharing a laugh with a journalist; Mouat was picking out familiar faces in the crowd for a smile and a wave, and Lammie and Waddell were casually studying the Canadians warming up.

This is their stage – but for how much longer?

Teddy Riley took to social media late Thursday to walk back earlier comments he’d made about wanting to work with the disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly.

In an interview with The Times published on Wednesday, the veteran producer and musician — widely known as the architect of the New Jack Swing sound that dominated Black pop in the late 1980s and early 1990s — said he’d “talked a few times” with Kelly, who’s serving a 30-year prison sentence after a jury convicted him of racketeering and sex trafficking charges, and that he’s “bringing in investors” to help release some portion of the 25 albums Kelly has said he’s recorded in prison.

“Everybody deserves a second chance,” Riley told The Times. “Everyone deserves to repent, and everyone gets forgiven by God when you come to him. People miss [Kelly’s] music. I’m the messenger to bring R&B back.”

Yet Thursday he appeared to changed course.

“As a producer, I’ve always been excited about the possibilities of music and creative collaboration,” he wrote in an Instagram post. “That excitement has defined my career. But I also understand that words carry weight, and I never want my passion for music to overshadow the very real pain that many people have experienced.

“If my comments caused hurt, I sincerely apologize,” he added. “That was never my intention. I take seriously the impact that abuse and misconduct have had on survivors and their families. Their experiences matter, and they deserve to be acknowledged with care and respect.”

Riley, whose long career has included collaborations with Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown and Keith Sweat, described his plan to work with Kelly as “a creative idea discussed in passing. It is not something that will move forward. Loving music and recognizing its cultural impact does not mean condoning harmful behavior, and I want to be clear about that.

“I have spent my life building a legacy rooted in innovation, integrity, and love for the art form. That remains my focus. I appreciate the dialogue, and I remain committed to moving forward with intention and accountability,” said Riley, who this month published a book, “Remember the Times,” about his life and work.

“Thank you to everyone who continues to support me, my memoir, and the journey,” he wrote on Instagram.

LAFC kicked off the MLS season with a 3-0 statement win over reigning champion Inter Miami at a packed Coliseum on Saturday night, giving new coach Marc Dos Santos his first win.

The matchup featured Miami star Lionel Messi and attracted an announced crowd of 75,673, the second-largest for a regular season game in MLS history and the largest for a season opener.

It was LAFC’s ninth win in season-opening games, another record for the club.

Miami tried to impose its game plan early, with several attacks down the right side of the field, and focused on making Messi the focal point of its attack. However, LAFC controlled possession and by the 12th minute already had generated two clear scoring opportunities through Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga.

Son had a great chance during a one-on-one matchup against Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, who managed to alter the LAFC winger‘s shooting angle and prevent a goal.

After a poor clearance by Miami, Stephen Eustáquio stole the ball and quickly passed to Son, who saw David Martínez running and sent a deep pass for him. Martínez crossed the ball past Clair, with the Venezuelan opening the scoring in the 37th minute to give LAFC a 1-0 lead.

Martínez had a chance to score again during first-half stoppage time when he took advantage of a defensive error on the right side of the field, but this time his shot grazed the visiting goalkeeper’s right post.

Miami responded with an attack, during which Messi had the perfect angle for a shot from the left, but it sailed close to LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris’ top right post and did not reach the back of the net.

In the second half, Miami came out determined to push LAFC back into its own territory by advancing its lines and looking to support Germán Berterame.

Dos Santos’ team played a waiting game, and its patience paid off when it scored its second goal in the 72nd minute. Son was at midfield when he passed back to Mathieu Choinière, who fed Timothy Tillman, who sent a long pass to Bouanga. The French striker took advantage of Clair’s poor clearance by chipping the ball over the goalkeeper’s head to take a 2-0 lead.

When it looked like that would be the final score, Bouanga slipped away down the left wing and, despite defensive pressure, managed to send in a cross that new substitute Nathan Ordaz tapped in to give LAFC a 3-0 lead during second-half stoppage time.

For LAFC, the match marked the beginning of a new era following the departure of coach Steve Cherundolo, who led some of the most successful chapters in the club’s history, including its first MLS Cup title in 2022.

LAFC opted to maintain continuity under Dos Santos, who was promoted from the assistant coaching ranks following Cherundolo’s exit at the end of last season.

Miami arrived in Los Angeles as the team to beat, with high morale and ambition to defend its title.

The club has had historic seasons, including combined scoring records in the regular season and playoffs, and has consolidated its project with world-renowned figures who have transformed its impact on and off the field.

Under the leadership of coach Javier Mascherano, Miami faces a new season with a mix of experience and youth.

The presence of Messi — who won most valuable player awards and the Golden Boot last year — remains the focus of media and competitive attention for the club.

Bodies of five asylum seekers wash ashore in Libya as three others die in a separate incident off the coast of Greece.

Police in Libya have recovered the bodies of five asylum seekers that washed ashore near the capital, Tripoli, as authorities in Greece announced the deaths of three others in a separate incident off the coast of Crete.

The bodies in Libya were found on Saturday by residents of the coastal town of Qasr al-Akhyar, according to a police officer.

Hassan Al-Ghawil, head of investigations ⁠at the Qasr Al-Akhyar police station, told the Reuters news agency that the bodies were all of dark-skinned people. Two of them were women.

He said people in the area had reported seeing a child’s body wash ashore before the waves returned it to sea.

“We reported to the Red Crescent to ⁠recover the bodies,” said Ghawil. “The bodies we found are still intact, and we think there are more bodies ⁠to wash ashore.”

The tragedy came weeks after the International Organization for Migration said some fifty-three migrants, including ⁠two babies, were dead or missing after a rubber boat carrying 55 people capsized off the coast of Zuwara town in western Tripoli.

It also came as Greek authorities were responding to a separate incident in the eastern Mediterranean.

The Athens News Agency reported on Saturday that authorities had recovered three bodies and rescued at least 20 people after a wooden boat carrying migrants and asylum seekers capsized off the coast of Crete.

Most of the survivors were Egyptians and Sudanese people, the agency reported. They also included four minors.

According to the Greek public broadcaster ERT, the wooden boat capsized when passengers were trying to climb up the ladders during a rescue effort involving a commercial ship.

The search for survivors was continuing with four patrol boats, an aircraft, and two ships from the European border agency Frontex, a spokesperson for the Greek coastguard told the AFP news agency.

According to ERT, survivors said about 50 people had been on board the wooden boat.

A second boat carrying about 40 migrants and asylum seekers was spotted in the area, leading to another rescue operation.

Thousands of people attempt the perilous crossing from Libya to Europe over the Mediterranean every year. Libya has become a transit route for people fleeing conflict and poverty to Europe since the fall in 2011 of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

Last week, a ‌UN report said migrants in Libya, including young girls, are at risk of being killed, tortured, raped or put into domestic slavery, and called for ‌a ‌moratorium on the return of migrant boats to the country until human rights are ensured.

Many of the migrants and asylum seekers departing Libya seek to arrive in Crete, the gateway to the EU.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 16,770 people seeking asylum in Europe arrived in Crete in 2025.

Faced with the surge in arrivals, the conservative Greek government suspended the processing of asylum applications for three months last summer, particularly for those arriving from Libya.

The UNHCR says 107 people died or went missing in Greek waters in 2025.

This beautiful Lancashire walk offers breathtaking coastal views and unique wildlife, but visitors must beware of one thing before planning a visit.

The Lancashire countryside brims with spectacular walks, picturesque villages and awe-inspiring views, establishing it as a haven for travellers.

Among the county’s wealth of beautiful locations, one particular walk stands out as genuinely extraordinary, with visitors describing it as “magnificent”.

Nestled at the very fringe of Morecambe Bay, between the Irish Sea and the southern banks of the River Lune’s estuary, sits Sunderland Point – a secluded and hidden strip of land brimming with pristine natural splendour.

Encircled by marshland and waterways, Sunderland Point offers an encounter with nature in true seclusion.

Distinctive and fascinating, much of Sunderland Point falls within a conservation area, with numerous surrounding properties holding Grade II Listed designation.

Taking the brief stroll around this remarkable peninsula transports you back centuries to the 1700s, when Sunderland Point functioned as Lancaster’s first transatlantic harbour, reports Lancs Live.

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Walkers will encounter wind-swept panoramas of river and ocean, salt marshes, tidal flats, hillsides, and expansive skies whilst tackling this three and a half mile circular route along Lancashire’s magnificent coastline.

Gifted with ideal conditions for nurturing wildlife, bird watching devotees will find Sunderland Point particularly rewarding, as glimpses of the rapidly diminishing curlew, greenshank, redshank, and oystercatchers are commonly documented across the salt marsh bordering the bay.

Wading birds are frequently seen cavorting in the mudflats or performing captivating aerial displays, whilst salmon are known to populate the River Lune at this juncture, where they can be observed being caught mid-river through traditional haaf-net fishing.

Important warning for visitors

However, Sunderland Point isn’t all picturesque landscapes and charming wildlife. The small peninsula is severed from the mainland twice daily by high tide, and if you neglect to check the tide times before setting off on your stroll, you could find yourself marooned for hours without any provisions.

The tidal causeway that links the extremity of the point to the rest of the mainland is prone to being entirely submerged by water, with one visitor even warning that improperly parked cars could end up underwater during high tide.

Indeed, the residents of Sunderland village largely structure their lives around the tide’s schedule – heading to work and school early and returning late, depending on when the tidal causeway road is free from water and safe to traverse.

For those planning a visit, it’s absolutely crucial to refer to the tide table for Heysham and bear in mind that weather conditions can significantly impact the height and timing of the tide.

If you’re making your way from Overton village on foot or by car, it’s essential to consult the tide tables, as the Causeway to Overton is very likely to sit beneath several feet of water for at least an hour or two either side of high tide, meaning careful planning is crucial.

Dog owners are also urged to keep their pets on leads whilst exploring Sunderland Point, as the route passes through a heavily protected seascape that’s vital for wading birds, with Morecambe Bay acting as their feeding area. There’s also the possibility of encountering farm livestock and cattle, so keeping your own animals on a lead ensures everyone’s safety.

Stunning destination worth visiting

Sinister safety warnings notwithstanding, every corner of Sunderland Point is breathtaking and merits a visit for the spectacular views and distinctive wildlife alone.

One Tripadvisor review says: “For me Sunderland Point was magnificent, I had always wanted to ride on a motorbike on a tidal road, we took advice and arrived at the correct time with the tide out phew, make no mistake chancing it is not an option, however you do have a few hours window.

“We arrived at the parking space to visit Sambo’s grave, look it up, very interesting, we had a lovely walk around, met some interesting locals then walked to the grave. Fun morning then onwards to Scotland.”

Another visitor notes: “I have never seen or known a place like this in the UK. The tide comes in and closes off the road making it an island for a few hours and goes out to give access.

“A few people live on the point and they are all lovely. I have met a few. When you visit always check the tide times so you are not stuck. There are no cafes on the point.”

Whilst another visitor offers a gentle caution: “A great place to drive over to see Samba Grave and to walk around the peninsula. DO make sure you know the tide times as you can get stranded with no return and where you park your car can be under water very quickly.”

The route

Pott’s Corner: Start your journey at Pott’s Corner car park beside the shore near the public loos. You can either turn right along First Terrace towards The Lane following the green trail, or press on with the blue trail that runs along Second Terrace.

First and Second Terrace: Soak up the views from First Terrace. At Second Terrace you’ll notice the wooden poles that were once employed for airing out and drying fishing nets.

Upsteps Cottage and The Lane: Upsteps Cottage, previously the brewhouse of the Ship Inn, is where Sambo the enslaved boy is thought to have sought refuge and died in 1736. Following The Lane as it winds past Mission Heritage Centre and continues along a hedge-bordered path, you’ll eventually reach the shore, passing the bird hide, Horizon Line Chamber and Sambo’s grave.

Bird hide: The perfect spot to observe curlews, redshanks, oystercatchers, and greenshanks on the mudflats and salt marsh – which serves as the feeding ground for nearly 40,000 waders including dunlin, knot, and bar-tailed godwit.

Horizon Line Chamber: This handcrafted stone sculpture is the work of Chris Drury, an artist of international renown.

Sambo’s Grave: The grave of Sambo, a young slave boy, is lovingly maintained by locals, volunteers and visitors alike – it’s certainly worth a visit to pay your respects.

Return to Second Terrace: Once you’ve finished exploring the Point, retrace your steps from the grave, heading back down The Lane from whence you came. Upon reaching Upsteps Cottage, take a right onto Second Terrace.

Alternatively, for a shorter return journey, turn left and follow the path along the shoreline, soaking up the stunning estuary views on your way back to Pott’s Corner car park, your starting point.

Old Sunderland Hall: If you opted for the right turn at Second Terrace, towards the tip of the land, you’ll pass Old Sunderland Hall. Across the water, you can enjoy spectacular views of Plover Scar Lighthouse and Cockersand Abbey.

The isolated quarry village of Nant Gwrtheyrn was once a thriving community before it was abandoned. But it was given a new lease of life as a beloved Welsh language centre

Nestled between the Irish Sea and the Eifl mountains at the very edge of civilisation, this tiny village was once frozen in time before its thriving mining heritage was brought back to life.

The quarry at Nant Gwrtheyrn launched operations in 1861, adjacent to Porth y Nant, which now serves as a cherished language centre at the forefront of campaigns to revitalise the Welsh language.

In this remote community, residents’ existence centred around extracting and transporting Nant Gwrtheyrn stone for road surfacing – dispatching materials primarily via the Irish Sea, which resulted in scant interaction with the wider world, according to Nant Gwrtheyrn.

History.

When demand plummeted during the early stages of World War Two, the quarry closed, abandoning the local community to desolation. The worldwide conflict brought production to a standstill, reports Wales Online.

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The villagers left and their homes fell to ruin. Apart from a brief spell in the 1860s when a handful of outsiders attempted to rejuvenate the settlement, the village stood deserted.

Visitors can step back in time to the era when quarry labourers lived in the local cottages by exploring the quarryman’s cottage. This dwelling and all its contents have been recreated to demonstrate how a quarryman and his family would have existed in 1910.

Subsequently, the location received an injection of funding that would construct a new school – which was eventually taken over by a local trust, spearheaded by Dr Carl Clowes, who established it to create a Welsh language centre.

Tre’r Ceiri.

Close by stands Tre’r Ceiri – among Wales’ most impressive ancient sites.

Initially documented by Thomas Pennant, the renowned author of ‘Tours of Wales’, this represents some of the earliest archaeological proof of existence within the Iron Age hillforts scattered across the elevated terrain surrounding Nant Gwrtheyrn.

Both Tre’r Ceiri and Yr Eifl saw habitation from 150 BC through to 400 AD – our knowledge of them remains limited, though we understand they relied substantially on locally sourced iron, which was traded and exported.

Debs wrote on Trip Advisor: “What a fabulously tranquil place. We spent several hours here, walking and enjoying the peace and quiet. Found the history of Nant Gwrtheryn fascinating.

“We sampled the tasty cakes in the cafe. Would highly recommend a visit. We will most certainly return.”

One visitor said: “What a beautiful place. The Welsh Language Centre. The story behind the revival of this village is inspirational. The vision on a local doctor and the surrounding communities is worthy of a Hollywood film.

“The views are breathtaking and the road down is incredibly steep but worth it.

“We had breakfast in the cafe. Highly recommended good quality produce and full flavoured coffee. Another great plus was the indoor seating where we could have food with our dog.

“The lady who greeted us was so welcoming and friendly too. Just a beautiful place great walks too.”

ERIC Dane’s girlfriend Janell Shirtcliff has broken her silence after his death.

The Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria actor, 53, passed away after a courageous battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Janell, 42, took to her Instagram story to share a sweet tribute to the late actor, posting several of their fond memories together.

The first photo she posted was one of Eric sitting under the shade of a palm tree, smiling down at her.

The next was a selfie of the couple outside posing by a set of stairs. In the snap, Eric dropped a kiss on Janell’s head.

Others showed Eric generally happy and enjoying spending time with Janell as well as friends and family.

Then the final memory is a reel showing Eric with Janell’s daughter, whose name has not been publicly revealed.

She’s attempting to direct the actor while taking photos of him.

She says: “I want you to look over there at Mom,” to which he happily agreed.

When Eric noticed Janell pointing her phone at them both he said: “Are you taking videos?”

“It’s cute,” Janell replied back, and then they both laughed.

Eric revealed he had been diagnosed with ALS in April of last year.

It’s a rare condition that causes progressive muscle weakness over time, and it has no cure.

In the final months before his death he was confined to a wheelchair and he missed some media appearances.

When Eric passed, he was reportedly surrounded by loved ones including his daughters Billie and Georgia and his wife Rebecca Gayheart.

Eric and Rebecca were set to get divorced but Rebecca withdrew her divorce filing upon discovering Eric’s ALS diagnosis, and he continued dating Janell.

Eric and Rebecca tied the know in 2004 and stayed married until 2018 when Rebecca filed for divorce.

After years had passed the divorce proceedings hadn’t moved forward, and seven years later upon hearing Eric’s diagnosis Rebecca dismissed the paperwork.

Eric played the role of Cal Jacobs in the popular program Euphoria.

Cal is the father of Nate Jacobs, played by actor Jacob Elordi.

He played Dr. Mark Sloan during his time on Grey’s Anatomy.