Four decades after his Karate Kid debut, star Ralph Macchio has left fans in awe of his appearance.

The Karate Kid Part III aired in tribute to Ralph Macchio as he celebrated a special birthday.

Karate Kid’s “seemingly ageless” star celebrated his 65th birthday this week, and fans were surprised to discover his real age after he returned to screens. The actor, born on November 4, 1961, received a fitting tribute as The Karate Kid Part III aired on Great TV on his big day.

The week marked another milestone for baby-faced Hollywood star Ralph Macchio who became a household name playing bullied teenager Daniel LaRusso in the 1984 blockbuster, which followed the New Jersey youngster as he moved with his mother to California, where he found an unlikely mentor in his apartment block’s handyman, Mr Miyagi (Pat Morita).

The film became an instant 80s classic, spawning two sequels, a spin-off and, decades later, the hugely successful series Cobra Kai. The Karate Kid Part II arrived in 1986, and the second box-office hit took Daniel and Mr Miyagi to Okinawa, Japan, where the karate master confronted his troubled past.

The Karate Kid Part III followed in 1989 and saw Daniel face a new foe in ruthless millionaire Terry Silver, who joined forces with Cobra Kai sensei John Kreese to seek revenge on both the teenager and his mentor – both characters went on to star in Netflix’s Cobra Kai series.

More than three decades later, the film, which proved to be a flop at the time, has found a new generation of fans who could not get over Macchio’s age. He was 27 when he played the 17-year-old Daniel, prompting one fan to call him “easily the most convincing teenager played by an adult ever”.

Great TV’s marketing director Kate Gartland said when the film aired this week: “Our Great viewers love a classic, and this is an excellent way to celebrate the seemingly ageless Ralph Macchio turning 65 – happy birthday Ralph.”

On Facebook, one fan said on a birthday tribute post: “He never ages”, while another said on Instagram: “Ralph Macchio is 65. I need to sit down for a moment.”

Another fan commented: “My heart just skipped several beats,” while another replied to the news of his real age: “This can’t be true”. A final fan said the star “still looks 12”. Macchio is famous for his age-defying, youthful appearance, which has sparked surprise in interviews over a decades-long career.

He previously appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live to talk about turning 60, and the host’s first question was: “Do people lose their minds when they find out your age?” To which the star responded: “Lose their minds? No, maybe a little surprised.”

“Because you look almost exactly the same as you did… do you mind saying how old you are?” The actor reluctantly announced he was 60, and his response was met with cheers and applause from the audience.

Host Jimmy pointed out the “audible gasp” from some audience members, as Macchio jokingly referred to himself as “the man-child freak”. A clip was posted on YouTube and one fan took to the comments to say: “If a 60 year old Ralph Macchio told me he was 40 years old, I’d believe him.”

Another agreed: “He finally reached the age of 30,” while another added: “He was a teenager for about 20 years so it’s no wonder he looks like he is just entering middle age at 60.

“This guy is blessed with as close as a person can get to the fountain of youth. No doubt he won the genetic lottery when it comes to the ageing process. His body is in great shape physically too because he can still pull off high action fighting scenes.”

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Financial stocks took center stage this week as investors digested a wave of third-quarter earnings from major sector leaders.

The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) continues to lag the broader market, posting a 4.57% year-to-date gain against a

It began as something merely conceptual, a tantalizing possibility.

Last June, immediately after the Rams traded for star edge rusher Myles Garrett, the NFL grapevine began buzzing:

Would Aaron Donald, a three-time NFL defensive player of the year, consider coming out of retirement to play with Garrett, a two-time winner of the award?

After a summer of rampant speculation, Donald signed on to join what was already regarded as a Super Bowl-favorite team.

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Gary Klein breaks down what to watch for Sunday when the Rams face the Washington Commanders.

But Donald’s ramp-up to achieve football shape precluded him from playing in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers. And Garrett underwent knee surgery after that loss, so the two stars were unable to play together for seven games.

On Sunday, it will finally happen.

Barring an unexpected setback, Garrett and Donald will line up together for the first time when the Rams play the Washington Commanders at Northwest Field in Landover, Md.

Two players accustomed to being double- or triple-teamed — two players with a combined 236½ sacks — are eager for opportunities.

“The offenses are really going to have to pick their poison,” said Garrett, who amassed an NFL season-record 23 sacks last season. “‘Who’s going to be freed-up this play?’

“I think either of us are pretty good at winning one-on-ones, so we’ll have some fun.”

Said Donald, one of the most dominant interior linemen in NFL history: “It’s always good when you’ve got all the pieces to the puzzles out there.”

The Rams (4-4) aim to build on their modest two-game winning streak and get over .500 for the first time this season.

The defense will be without cornerback Jaylen Watson, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in last Sunday’s victory over the Chargers. Cornerback Trent McDuffie is questionable after suffering a back injury against the Chargers and not practicing this week.

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald tackles New York Giants running back Najee Harris for a loss during a Rams win on Sept. 21 at SoFi Stadium.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

But Garrett’s return should energize a team that still intends to play in Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium.

The Rams have only 12 sacks, which is tied for 26th among 32 teams. Edge rusher Byron Young has a team-best 4½ sacks. Donald is still looking for his first.

The attention the Commanders and future opponents must pay to Garrett and Donald will open play-making opportunities for others, Young said.

“I always call it art,” he said of Garrett’s and Donald’s ability to excel despite double teams. “Because it’s not easy when you’ve got four hands on you 90% of the time. And they still make it work.

“So it’s going to be fun. I can’t wait.”

Defensive lineman Braden Fiske said players are acclimating to Garrett’s skill set and play style.

“I’m sure there will be some kinks to work out early on, but it’s still pretty early in the season,” Fiske said. “He’s been playing for 10 years, so it shouldn’t be too hard to catch his stride.

“But he looks damn good out there.”

Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson played against Garrett in 2023, when the Rams defeated the Cleveland Browns at SoFi Stadium. The 6-foot-4, 272-pound Garrett’s size, speed and burst at the snap is “amazing,” Jackson said.

“He’s like a running back with skill but like a D-lineman with his power,” Jackson said. “He’s good at change of direction — like on a dime…

“He’s kind of like a do-everything kind of guy who’s seen everything as far as looks.”

Coach Sean McVay wants Garrett to “play within himself” Sunday.

“He doesn’t have to do anything other than be Myles and play one-eleventh of what the rest were asking to do for the defense,” McVay said.

Garrett said he won’t fight the excitement, the joy and all the emotions of finally getting to play again.

“You don’t try to push them back,” he said. “You open yourself to them. You accept it.

“After acknowledging it, you go out there and do what you’ve always done.”

Iraqi foreign minister warns of potential regional war, says Baghdad seeking to resolve disagreements with Saudi Arabia.

Iraq has evidence that external parties have been using its territory to launch attacks on neighbouring countries, its foreign minister told Al Jazeera in an exclusive interview on Saturday.

Baghdad is investigating attacks launched from Iraqi territory against Gulf states and is seeking to resolve disagreements with Saudi Arabia through dialogue, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said.

Saudi Arabia has accused Iran-aligned groups operating in Iraq of attacking its oil infrastructure. In September, Baghdad confirmed that drone attacks on the kingdom’s East-West pipeline originated from Iraqi territory.

Hussein told Al Jazeera that Baghdad was negotiating with Iran-aligned armed factions to bring their weapons under state control and the process must be pursued through dialogue rather than force.

He also said they were in contact with Tehran regarding the issue of weapons held by Iraqi factions.

Hussein said Washington had formally requested the closure of all but two border crossings with Iran. He said that while Iraq welcomed friendship and an alliance with Tehran, it rejected interference in its internal affairs.

Hussein also said Iraq had lost about $60bn from the suspension of oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, but that shipments have resumed after understandings were reached with Washington and Tehran.

On the issue of combatting ISIL (ISIS), Hussein said that Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Turkiye have formed a committee to fight the group’s presence in Syria.

The full interview will air at 18:00 GMT on Sunday on Al Jazeera.

In the heart of war-ravaged Mosul, two carved lions stand as a fragile link to the city’s shattered past. Bashar, a fisherman, lost his once-grand family home during the battle to liberate the city from ISIL (ISIS) nearly 10 years ago. All that remains is a marble gate crowned with lions, which he fiercely guards.

Fakhri, a devoted collector determined to save Mosul’s heritage, becomes obsessed with acquiring the lions gate for his unofficial museum. His friend Fadil, a musician once silenced under ISIL, challenges him to see the human cost behind every artefact. As Mosul rebuilds, a quiet cultural revival reflects the resilience of a city with 8,000 years of history.

The Lions by the River Tigris is a documentary film by Zaradasht Ahmed.

GARDEN centres are no longer just a place to pick up some plants – they’re a whole day out for the family.

This only ramps up when Christmas rolls around, and one has been named the best for a festive visit.

Garsons Garden Centre in Esher was named The Best Christmas Garden Centre in the UK 2025, having won it for a number of years before as well.

The garden centre has a new themed area every year, with last year seeing a huge The Wonderful World of Oz event, complete with massive hot air balloon display and green decorations throughout.

This year, themed areas at the garden centre include Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, The Queen of Hearts, Sing a Song of Sixpence, Little Miss Muffet, Down at The Station, Jingle Bells, We Went to the Animal Fair and Sing a Rainbow.

You can expect fully decked out scenes with fake snow and twinkling lights.

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In previous years, scenes have included the tin man from the Wizard of Oz as well as a multicoloured igloo.

Of course, you can meet Father Christmas and his elves as well, inside a cabin decked out with colourful lights.

Each child who visits Santa will get a gift as well as a chance to snap a photo.

The experience costs £15.50 per child.

Across the festive period, there are a load of workshops visitors can attend as well including wreath making sessions and calligraphy classes.

After exploring the garden centre and all the Christmas attractions make sure to visit the farm shop with Christmas food, gifts and seasonal products.

For a bite to eat, you can visit The Orangery restaurant which is inspired by Garsons 150-year farming history as a supplier to Borough Market in London.

The restaurant is inside a huge glass conservatory and serves up full-English breakfasts as well as Sunday roast dinners.

On Friday night, the new series of Return to Paradise began and saw DI Mackenzie Clarke back at the helm

Death in Paradise fans said the same thing as they tuned in to watch the new spin-off series.

Anna Samson was back to play the Death in Paradise spin-off’s female lead detective, Di Mackenzie Clarke, along with her sidekick Colin Cartwright (played by Lloyd Griffith). However, the first episode of series three was far from plain sailing as Mackenzie came face to face with a blast from the past – her mother.

Mack’s mum not only was their prime suspect in a murder, but the detective was also trying to deal with her ex Glenn’s exit, while also dealing with his replacement – a new pathologist called Leo.

Death in Paradise fans wasted no time in sharing their thoughts about episodes one and two of series three, with many taking to social media. Praising the series, one fan said, “Watched first episode and enjoyed. Just easy watching and escapism for an hour.”

“I binge-watched it, and I’ve got to say that ending to the series? If there’s not another series, we will riot,” someone else wrote, while a third added, “Brilliant; could not stop watching it. Great ending; pity only 6 episodes, only downside.”

Another went on, “Watched first 2 series and have watched episode 1 and 2 of series 3. Really enjoying the series.”

“5 was jaw-droppingly good,” one fan beamed. However, not all fans were impressed, as one person said, “Sorry, I watched the previous series hoping it would improve. Unfortunately, no improvement.”

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Another offered their comparison to Beyond Paradise as they wrote, “It’s trying to be like our Beyond Paradise. It’s far from it.”

Each episode of Return to Paradise is available to watch on BBC iPlayer, and for those who want to watch weekly, it airs every Friday. However, next Friday, the Death in Paradise spin-off will be replaced by Children in Need.

At the end of series two, Glenn decided to leave Dolphin Cove after his wedding was ruined. When speaking about his exit and being replaced, the actor who plays Glenn, Taj Hara, said, “At the end of the second series, we see the heartache and anguish he’s experienced through two failed weddings, and he’s concluded he’s probably the root cause of it all.

“Series three, Glenn’s been off finding himself, reflecting and taking some time away where no one’s been able to contact him. He thinks he’s quite certain of what he wants in his life – that’s Mack.”

On working with his replacement Leo, the actor had nothing but praise for Jacob, who plays him. He added, “It was brilliant – such a new dynamic. Having this complete fresh take, it really just energised and gave a whole new feeling to the series. Jacob’s a brilliant actor and he fit into our dynamic so well.

“For me, it was a great experience to be able to delve into a completely different side of Glenn that no one’s really seen before. More hardened, a little bit jealous, but very conflicted. That really grows and bubbles over throughout the rest of the series.”

Return to Paradise is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) (BRK.B) has accelerated its stock buybacks during its third quarter ending Sept. 30, while the investing giant’s operating earnings fell amid weakness in its insurance businesses.

The Omaha, Nebraska-based conglomerate repurchased $9.6B in shares in Q3, ahead of Visible Alpha estimates

Ireland began their autumn series of Nations Championship matches by scoring six tries in a comprehensive 42-12 win over Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Friday night.

Afterwards on the Ireland Rugby Social podcast, BBC Sport NI’s Gavin Andrews spoke to Ireland second row Joe McCarthy about his thoughts on the game and then chatted to co-presenter and former Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray to break down the analysis of the home side’s performance.

With matches against Fiji and South Africa to follow over the next couple of weeks, there was much to dissect after the win over the Pumas and assess what may be to come for the remainder of November.

You can watch the podcast now on BBC NI YouTube, external or listen on BBC Sounds.

Here are a few highlights of what Murray had to say.

On Hugo Keenan, who scored a hat-trick of tries: “Hugo stood out but he’s always going to do that. He talks so much on the pitch and makes it way easier for the players around him.

“He’s always marshalling the wingers and that kind of back-field system. That’s Hugo in a nutshell. He’s the ultimate team player.

“He looked incredibly fit, incredibly quick, explosive. He looked back to his best.”

On fledgling half-back partnership Sam Prendergast and Craig Casey: “Craig and Sam marshalled the game really well. Not that there were question marks but they were a relatively new combination and it was their first time getting a big Test start together.

“Sam can forget what he’s been through, I suppose the rocky start to his international career and the public scrutiny on him.

“He looks like a player who has just soaked it all in and is using it as a weapon now. He looked really sharp. He looks like he has bulked up, which is great to see too.

“There’ll be a target on his back, there was already but there definitely will be now as he is such a big influence.

“We know what Craig Casey can do in terms of quick ball and magical moments but now in terms of the control of the game.

“His passing was on the money and his kicking is top notch. The overall control is probably the test that Andy Farrell gave him. He knows what he can do in loose play but in terms of controlling a Test game I thought the half-backs were brilliant.”

On an impressive performance by the forwards: “[Tadhg] Furlong went really well, he’s always a standard-bearer anyhow and you get top-notch performances from him, but [Andrew] Porter, another player who came back from an extended period out with injury, he’s come back and showed what he’s about.

“His explosiveness in open play and his fitness, he’s like another back row on the field.

“Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy, Ryan Baird, the back row, across the board, all really good. I think Nick Timoney and Josh [van der Flier] are in a real battle as regards that number seven jersey.”

With Democrats’ decisive victory in the United States’ midterm elections on Tuesday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York is on the verge of making history as the first Black speaker of the US House of Representatives.

For the 56-year-old congressman, it would be the culmination of almost two decades in office, giving him a central role in Democrats’ efforts to rein in Republican US President Donald Trump in the final two years of his presidency.

But as Jeffries celebrated the “blue tsunami” that swept Democrats back into power the day after the election, some within the party were not convinced that the congressman, known for his cautious approach to politics and longstanding support for Israel, was the right man for the moment.

An online petition on Change.org calling on lawmakers to choose another speaker had collected more than 980,000 signatures by Saturday morning, while several newly elected progressive lawmakers have not said whether they will support him.

“We believe the Speaker should represent the Democratic voters, not just the Democratic establishment,” the petition reads.

“This is not a foregone conclusion,” it continues, urging others to run for the job.

Jeffries, who has spent years cultivating relationships within the Democratic caucus, now finds himself at the centre of a bigger fight within the party, as its growing progressive wing pushes for a more confrontational approach to Trump and a break with some of the ideas that have defined the Democrats for decades.

From Brooklyn to Democratic leader

Jeffries grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, in the 1970s and 1980s, as the neighbourhood was grappling with the crack cocaine epidemic.

“There was a lot of dysfunction and pain that surrounded the communities that I was raised in, but also a lot of love and compassion from family and friends, and community folks,” he told NYU Law in 2019.

The son of two social workers, Jeffries eventually became a lawyer, tracing his decision to pursue a career in law back to the 1992 riots that erupted in Los Angeles after four white police officers were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King, a Black man.

“It crystallized the fact that we still had a long way to go to eradicate social and racial injustice,” he said.

Jeffries went on to work as a corporate lawyer before entering politics, losing two runs for the New York State Assembly before winning a seat in 2006 and eventually being elected to Congress six years later.

In Washington, he helped broker a bipartisan criminal justice reform law signed by Trump in 2018. Two years later, during Trump’s first impeachment trial, he argued that Trump should be removed from office as one of seven House impeachment managers who presented the case to the US Senate.

Rising quickly through the Democratic ranks, Jeffries became caucus chair in 2019 before making history three years later, when he was unanimously chosen to succeed former Speaker Nancy Pelosi as the party’s House leader, becoming the first Black politician to lead a party in either chamber of Congress.

Can Jeffries unite his party?

Jeffries and Pelosi have been compared for their distinct leadership styles. While Pelosi was known for her commanding, top-down approach, Jeffries has built a reputation for quietly and deliberately building consensus among his colleagues.

That approach has frustrated some Democrats, who say Jeffries has been too reluctant to take firm positions and who question whether he is prepared to confront Trump and Republicans in Congress aggressively enough.

Those concerns were on display after Jeffries declared after the election that “the American people don’t want us to get even; they want us to get things done on their behalf.”

Among those who pushed back was left-wing political commentator Hasan Piker, who reposted a video of Jeffries’s comments, saying: “No, we definitely ARE looking for justice and accountability.”

Jeffries also faced criticism after reports emerged in August that he had privately met Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who does not have a formal role in the administration but has been involved in diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and in Russia.

Jeffries defended the meeting, saying Kushner had requested it and that he had used it to discuss the affordability crisis. But critics argued that rather than meeting privately with Kushner, Jeffries should have been preparing to investigate his business dealings.

Ahead of the election, Axios reported on a plan by some incoming progressive lawmakers – informally known as “The Bloc” and including Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier of New York and Melat Kiros of Colorado – to use the upcoming speaker vote to win concessions from Jeffries on issues such as Medicare for All, cutting funding for ICE, and weapons shipments to Israel.

That may be harder now that the Democrats have a comfortable majority, with Jeffries less dependent on progressive newcomers to secure the speakership. But the result also makes it harder for Jeffries to argue, as he has in the past, that Republican control of Congress is hindering the Democrats’ ability to advance their agenda and hold Trump accountable.

Jeffries’s Israel stance divides Democrats

Of all the sources of tension between Jeffries and his party’s progressive wing, the hardest divide to bridge may be over his longstanding support for Israel and ties to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

At a conference hosted by the group in 2020, Jeffries opposed putting conditions on US aid to Israel and described Jerusalem as New York City’s “sixth borough”.

He has also been one of the top recipients of financial support from AIPAC and its network of donors, earning the nickname “AIPAC Shakur” from New York radio host Charlamagne tha God.

In a celebratory post after the elections congratulating the candidates it had supported, AIPAC singled out Jeffries and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer by name.

But Jeffries’s steadfast support for Israel throughout its genocidal war on Gaza has put him increasingly at odds with his own party, and he recently signalled that his position may be changing.

In July, even as he voted against an amendment that would have cut $3.3bn in annual military aid to Israel, he acknowledged the need for a reset in US-Israel relations.

“A meaningful change in direction is needed,” he wrote in a letter to colleagues.

Jeffries appears to have the speakership all but secured, with no serious challenger emerging so far.

However, with Trump still in the White House, a party grappling with its own divisions, and voters expecting change on everything from the cost of living to the war on Iran, the bigger test for Jeffries will come once he is on the job.

Playing with black protective bandaging taped to his left forearm, Ponga was directly involved in four of New Zealand’s six tries. His fancy footwork and slick handling setting up scores for Briton Nikora, Casey McLean and Xavier Willison.

He largely dominated the contest with opposite number Lehi Hopoate, notably clearing out the full-back as he fumbled a grubber kick in Tonga’s in-goal area for New Zealand’s second try, scored by Dane Gagai.

In defence, a bruising try-saving block on Demitric Vaimauga indicated no cause for concern about his wounded wing.

“Obviously a freak of a player,” said Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris. “The defensive mindset he had tonight, he saved a couple of tries. That’s what I love about KP.

“He’s a freak of nature. His leadership skills are underrated. He’s really good for us, our spine especially.”

But while it was undoubtedly the Ponga show at the home of his NRL side Newcastle Knights, New Zealand are not just a one-man band.

Gagai sparked the counter-attack for McLean’s try by forcing a knock-on around halfway. Jahrome Hughes added directness with his carries and when putting boot to ball. Dead-eye kicker Jamayne Isaako mastered fierce winds to kick five out of six conversions, curling two over from the left touchline, to take his tally for the tournament to 36 from 38 attempts.

Asked if this was New Zealand’s best shot at adding a second title to their 2008 triumph, Fisher-Harris paused before replying: “Yes.”

“We’re just trying to chase history,” he added. “We’ve only done it once but we’ve been building with this squad, this generation, for the past six or seven years.”

A FORMER Disney heartthrob has revealed he has secretly got married to a mystery woman.

A decade on from Ross Lynch, 30, finding fame on Austin & Ally, the star has announced he is now a married man.

Ross made the admission after he was spotted wearing a gold wedding band at the premiere of his new film, Hartland.

When questioned about it, and asked if this meant he was married, the actor told People: “Yes, yes I am. I’m not trying to shy away from that by any means, but I am trying to, you know, my wife’s not very fond of celebrity.

“So I am trying to be sensitive towards that and respectful to her. But everything’s going well.”

Although Ross hasn’t disclosed the name of his new wife, Reddit sleuths are convinced she is a woman called “Anna”, who he met around Christmas 2024.

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This is because the actor revealed in an interview in January 2025, that he had “been seeing someone for around a month”.

Ross’ last known relationship was with his Chilling Adventures of Sabrina co-star Jaz Sinclair.

The pair dated from 2018 until they split in 2023.

Ross first rose to fame in the early 2010s as Austin Moon on Disney’s popular show Austin & Ally.

Later on, the actor starred as Brady in Disney‘s Teen Beach Movie franchise alongside Maia Mitchell and as Harvey Kinkle in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Ross also portrayed the role of Jeffrey Dahmer in the 2017 film My Friend Dahmer.

From the time I met a guy playing a violin near Pershing Square in 2005, and followed him to the Skid Row slab of pavement where he spent his nights, I’ve listened closely to what mayors promised to do about homelessness in Los Angeles.

All of them were going to fix the problem.

Antonio Villaraigosa.

Eric Garcetti.

Karen Bass.

None of them came close.

Each of those mayors invested vast sums of money and manpower and each of them made inroads. To be fair, they collectively helped thousands of people turn their lives around. But the problem is not finite, the waves keep coming, and more than 40,000 people are currently homeless in the city.

That’s one of the primary reasons Mayor-elect Nithya Raman will get a chance to do what her predecessors could not. In the most recent year of accounting, homelessness increased slightly in the city but declined significantly in Raman’s council district.

So Bass is out, and Raman is in after a contentious campaign in which Raman attacked the Bass strategy (which she helped implement) as too costly and ineffective.

“Here’s my promise,” Raman said in a video on her campaign website. “When I’m mayor, we’ll cut tents and encampments in half by the Olympics, and bring everyone in tents and encampments indoors by the end of my first term.”

Really?

Bear with me, because I’m about to explain why I have some hope that Raman might do a better job on homelessness than her predecessors. But I cringe when I hear such grandiose proclamations.

Why?

In 2006, I attended a Skid Row news conference where a gaggle of politicians including Villaraigosa touted a 10-year plan to end homelessness in L.A. County.

In 2013, Garcetti vowed to end chronic homeless, and in 2018, he said: “We can cut this problem in half in five years. And in 10 years … we can end life on the street.”

In 2023, Bass told a CNN audience that by the end of her term as mayor: “My goal would be, really, to end street homelessness. … There’ll still be people in shelters and interim housing, but to at least not have people dying on our streets.”

Have you noticed how these kinds of amped-up promises have played out?

I don’t mean to discourage lofty goals, but we’ve been let down time after time, feeding cynicism. We’re just looking for significant progress, not a miracle.

The hard truth is that homelessness is the result of a raft of problems beyond any mayor’s full control. It begins with an economy built for stark disparity, with the crippling cost of housing, and with untreated mental illness and drug addiction. A mayor can’t magically clear the decks without help from federal, state and county allies, and from strong partnerships on the City Council.

But none of that excuses the paltry returns on big investments. Mayor Bass’ Inside Safe program moved about 6,000 people into motels and other forms of interim housing as of this past spring at a cost of $300 million, and 41% of them had returned to homelessness by the end of May.

Raman wants to mothball that program and use short-term rental vouchers she claims will be far less expensive and more effective. She wants to open doors for City Controller Kenneth Mejia to audit every dollar spent on homelessness. She says she’ll demand a full accounting of county services, use Medi-Cal funds for more street medicine teams, invest in shared housing and case management.

“City Hall has put together a patchwork of programs, agencies, and dollars that were never required to prove they work together, or work at all,” Raman says on her homelessness strategy page. “No agency or program has been required to demonstrate results. No department or office has been put in charge of monitoring the spending.”

Putting a plan on paper is one thing. Pushing it through the teeth of the City Hall grinder without the wholesale shredding of good intentions is a tougher trick. And it remains to be seen whether Raman can wrangle the support of council members who shunned her and unanimously endorsed Bass.

But Raman has a few things going for her, including a penchant for defying expectations. She blitzed two incumbents, first to win a council seat and then to bounce Bass. Then there’s her urban planning education and her work as one of the co-founders of the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition. That gave her a street-level study of the challenge as well as the disjointed government response, and she then led the City Council’s homelessness committee.

“I think that situational awareness” will serve her well, said Louis Abramson, a Hollywood resident and Rand researcher who serves as chair of the SELAH board. “She’ll be able to argue from a perspective of expertise.”

Abramson is also hoping Raman will be able to deliver more affordable housing.

“She’s … proven to be uniquely tolerant of the political risks of being a YIMBY, of making Los Angeles a place that can fit everybody who wants to live here,” Abramson said.

At SELAH, and in Raman’s council district, building meaningful relationships with clients has been a central mission. That’s not always fast or easy. Some people are ready to reach for a helping hand; others are severely damaged in multiple ways, and it takes time.

I learned long ago that recovery is not linear. Sometimes it’s one step forward and two steps back. And as one social worker suggested to me, we’re so preoccupied with getting people in the front door, we barely notice when they slip out the back door.

Reversing homelessness does not end with a temporary address. Long-term case management is critical, and so is a sense of purpose and belonging. The formerly homeless people I recently met at Chrysalis, all of them working now, and all of them housed, were a testament to this idea.

I’d love to see Raman find more ways to turn able-bodied homeless people into a workforce that can help address the city’s many needs. I’d love to see her encourage more people to contribute by volunteering for organizations like SELAH, or for faith-based groups and non-profits.

Nathaniel Ayers works on music in his nursing home quarters, inspired by fellow Cleveland native Halle Berry.

(Steve Lopez / Los Angeles Times)

In the case of my friend Nathaniel, the musician, it took me, his friends in the L.A. Phil and various outreach workers a year to convince him to move indoors 21 years ago. He is in a nursing home now, where he listens to music for hours every day and has kept a gallery of photos on his wall, including Beethoven, Bach, and another person with a “B” last name.

Actress Halle Berry.

“She’s beautiful,” Nathaniel said one day when we were going over a list of famous people from Cleveland, his hometown, and he decided that Berry deserved a prominent place on his wall of fame.

My relationship with Nathaniel, Abramson said, “is not an ancillary thing. It is THEE thing. I have come to believe that the human relationship is the necessary pre-condition to this working out.”

True enough, we are too predisposed to think of the ongoing human catastrophe in purely statistical terms. But there’s more truth in people’s stories than in their status, and more community buy-in when we recognize ourselves in each other.

For the 40,000 Nathaniels of Los Angeles, and nearly 4 million of their neighbors, here’s hoping the next mayor of Los Angeles can make a difference.

steve.lopez@latimes.com

Manchester United forward JJ Gabriel says his “dream is to win the Ballon d’Or”, as he closes in on a move to Real Madrid.

The 16-year-old is still registered at United but has been training on his own in Spain after walking out on the club and relocating with his family.

He has subsequently reached a verbal agreement to join Real Madrid but no deal has been signed as yet.

On Friday, following one of his sessions, the teenager was approached by Spanish news outlet Marca who presented him with a copy of their newspaper, which featured a front-page story about his expected move to Los Blancos.

The newspaper reported he told them in English: “My dream is to win a Ballon d’Or.”

United would be due compensation should Gabriel leave, although the figure will be lower if he signs for a club outside the Premier League.

Though no club-to-club talks have been held, sources have told BBC Sport that Real have verbally agreed a deal with Gabriel and his representatives.

Despite United having Gabriel’s registration domestically, it is not thought it could prevent the youngster joining a club overseas as he now has a European Union passport through his mother, who has Cypriot origin.

While Real and United are both in the Uefa Youth League this season, competition rules prevent players from appearing for more than one club in a single season and Gabriel scored a hat-trick in his final appearance for United against Sabah in September.

He was named the Premier League’s Under-18 player of the season last term, despite being only 14 when the season began.

The prime minister blames pro-Russian hackers for the leak, as her top diplomat says the cyberthreat was ongoing.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has said his personal data had been disseminated on the dark web, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni blaming pro-Russian hackers for the leak.

Tajani announced in a social media post on Saturday that “for days now, cybercriminals have been publishing my personal data on the dark web and seeking further information, effectively exposing me to new threats and intimidation”.

The threats against Tajani, who is also vice prime minister of Italy, come amid a spate of hoax bomb threats across Europe that have forced flight diversions, security alerts at broadcasters, and attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems.

“They are also targeting my family; they are willing to pay for more details about me and my loved ones,” Tajani added in his X post. “My response is very simple: I will not be intimidated in any way.”

‘Matter of grave concern’

Meloni expressed solidarity with Tajani “following the revelations about the activities of pro-Russian hackers, and the publication on the dark web of personal data”.

She called attempts to sell confidential information about government officials “a matter of grave concern that must be addressed with the utmost determination”.

Tajani added in his statement that Italy’s “position on Ukraine is the political reason I have been targeted: defending the freedom of a sovereign state, taking a clear stand in support of a nation’s democracy and independence, is dangerous in the eyes of these criminal entities”.

He also suggested that the cyberthreats may also be a reaction to the Italian government’s efforts to strengthen the Foreign Ministry’s digital defences.

Tajani did not specify what kind of information had been shared, but suggested that the cyberthreat was ongoing.

He added that the ministry was taking the threats seriously and was coordinating its response with allied countries.

WITH my face contorted by G-force and hands gripping white-knuckle tight to the grab rail, I wondered what on earth I’d let myself in for.

Beside me, my 12-year-old son was grinning from ear to ear as he yelled: “I told you being at the front was the best seat to be in, Mummy!”

Europa-Park has just been voted Europe’s best theme park and boy, does it live up to the title.

We were rocked, flung, hung upside-down and rattled at speed over more loop-the-loops than I could count as we gasped, laughed and threw our hands in the air.

Close to the borders of France and Switzerland in the town of Rust, it’s Germany’s answer to Walt Disney World with 20 European-themed lands and 14 rip-roaring rollercoasters.

Visiting during the festive season adds even more magic as the whole site is festooned with lights ­— more than 3,000 trees are draped with fairy lights and baubles.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Add a dusting of snow (real and fake) and a Christmas market complete with mulled wine and open fires and it is the ultimate pre-Christmas break.

Navigating the park itself was very easy with the dedicated mobile app that shows where all the rides are, the waiting times and the distance from each.

For tired little legs, a monorail runs straight through the park and the on-site hotels, offering a bird’s-eye view of the action.

We made our way round the miniature countries, each carefully themed with authentic food, drinks and world-class rides.

The Christmas market in mini Germany was a standout for me due to the many stalls selling festive treats.

The boy was much more interested in the Croatian zone, where the latest high-octane ride was drawing a crowd.

Voltron Nevera is a terrifying, record-breaking coaster that catapults riders at a 105-degree angle.

Despite the winter crowds, queues rarely topped 30 minutes, and outdoor patio heaters helped keep chilly fingers warm while we waited.

If you need a breather, the hour-long circus show — featuring world-class acrobats, clowns, and a live orchestra — is a festive must-see.

Also worth a trip is the 55m-high giant wheel, Bellevue, that graces the Portuguese area each winter with enclosed, heated gondolas to keep you cosy as you enjoy panoramic views across the park.

With temperatures dipping, a turn around the Nordic fjord lake that serves as a huge outdoor ice-skating rink is a winner — as is a reviving schnapps poured from bottles frozen in ice at Bar Glaciar.

Whatever the weather, you aren’t far from the warmth of one of Europa-Park’s six 4H hotels that come with the added advantage of early park admission for guests.

We checked into Spanish-themed Hotel El Andaluz and our room came complete with terracotta tiling, a huge double bed plus bunk beds and even a matador’s hat on the coat peg.

There was plenty of storage, the usual flat-screen telly and decent fluffy towels.

The only thing missing for this English mum was a kettle for a cuppa.

But there was plenty of tea and coffee on tap every morning in the hotel’s Don Quichotte restaurant alongside a hearty breakfast buffet.

My son was particularly impressed with the pastry selection while I stuck to the cheese and amazing bread selection on offer.

The staff were all incredibly attentive and the food was constantly replenished.

I would definitely recommend filling up here as the chilly temperatures and outside walking require sustenance.

One other top tip would be to book your evening meals when you reserve your room.

Festive breaks are hugely popular, and family-friendly hotel buffets fill up fast.

In contrast, the outside heated pool was empty after dark so we enjoyed an evening swim in warm water in the chilly air watching the fireworks from our hotel. It was really magical.

We saved the best wind-down for last: a short five-minute shuttle to Rulantica, the resort’s colossal indoor water kingdom packed with wild flumes, lazy rivers and an Icelandic-style heated outdoor lagoon.

To avoid the busiest spots, we treated ourselves to a private relaxation suite, complete with its own sauna, bubbly whirlpool, sofa, and TV.

Leaving my son to conquer the waterslides, I enjoyed a blissful lie-down, soaking up the heat to my favourite playlist via the sauna’s Bluetooth speakers.

It was the ultimate warm-up — and the perfect finish to an adrenaline-packed mother-and-son escape.

This weekend, another celebrity and their dance partner will be leaving Strictly Come Dancing

Nikita Kuzmin and his Strictly Come Dancing partner Dani Dyer could be at risk this weekend.

According to the latest odds, Dani is at 11/2 to be eliminated, making her third favorite to exit behind Bethany Antonia and Will Best. The odds are a prediction, rather than confirmation, that any couple will leave – but it could mean Nikita and Dani will miss out on making the final and lifting the Glitterball Trophy.

Bethany is the favourite for elimination at 4/7 after surviving last week’s dance-off, while Will is priced at 5/1. Last week’s show saw three couples finish in the bottom spots for the first time, leaving the judges to choose who to eliminate rather than who to save. They unanimously voted to send Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb home.

Betway spokesperson Lewis Knowles said: “After surviving the dance-off during last weekend’s Strictly Come Dancing Halloween special, actress Bethany Antonia once again looks in danger of elimination, and she is the odds on favourite at 4/7 to be packing her bags this weekend.”

Meanwhile, Jaime Winstone will miss this weekend’s live show after suffering a torn abdominal muscle. She and professional partner Carlos Gu will automatically progress to next week under the programme’s rules.

Jaime said: “I am absolutely devastated not to be dancing this weekend due to a torn abdominal muscle. I am in considerable pain, and my doctors have advised complete rest to give my body the best possible chance to heal.

“As frustrating as it is, I have to put my health first and follow their advice to step away from dancing this week. I love every moment of dancing and performing with Carlos, and I am praying for a speedy recovery so that I can continue this magical journey.

“I want to thank everyone for their incredible support so far. It means more than you know. Wishing everyone on the show all the luck, love and strength for Saturday night and I hope to be back on that dance floor very soon. With love, Jaime.”

The BBC said: “We wish Jaime the very best as she continues her recovery.” At the other end of the betting market, EastEnders star Lacey Turner has overtaken Tabby Stoecker as the favourite to win the Glitterball Trophy. Lacey is priced at 5/4, with Tabby close behind at 13/8.

Lewis added: “There’s once again very little between Tabby and Lacey in the betting following this weekend’s show, but the EastEnders actress has regained her spot at the head of the market following another superb performance on Saturday evening. Lacey is now 5/4 for this year’s Glitterball Trophy, but Olympian Tabby Stoecker is close behind at 13/8, and this year’s competition is now looking a two-horse race according to our betting markets.”

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This week’s results programme will mark Remembrance Sunday with a group routine from the Strictly professionals. Choreographed by Lizzie Gough and performed to Peter Gabriel’s arrangement of Heroes, it begins with British soldiers departing for war and draws inspiration from the Monument to the Women of World War II, focusing on women’s experiences during the conflict.

Sunday night’s results show will also feature music from Gregory Porter, accompanied by a routine from some of the Strictly professionals.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday at 6.30pm on BBC One.

Withdrawal of passports is not the same as withdrawing citizenship, officials reassure

People applying for a British passport have been told that they could have it “cancelled” or “withdrawn” at any time. UK Government officials state that this legal travel document belongs to them.

Gov.uk explains: “Passports belong to the government and can be cancelled or withdrawn at any time.” According to information published on December 18, 2025, the UK Parliament states: “British passports are issued at the discretion of the Home Secretary under the royal prerogative (an executive power which does not require legislation). They can be withdrawn or withheld using the same discretionary power.

“Withdrawal of passports is not the same as withdrawing citizenship. Someone whose passport is withdrawn remains a British citizen, but their overseas travel is restricted. Home Office policy states this will be done ‘sparingly’, such as where the person intends to travel abroad to engage in terrorism.

“There is no right of appeal against having a passport withdrawn, but the person can ask for an internal review by the government or apply for judicial review by a judge.”

What is the eligibility for a British passport?

Government officials explain that a person must have British nationality to apply for or hold a British passport. However, having British nationality does not guarantee you a passport.

For example, you may not get a new passport – or your existing passport may be taken from you – if:

• You’re suspected of a serious crime, and an arrest warrant has been issued
• A court order stops you having a UK passport or restricts your travel
• You’re on bail and bail conditions mean you cannot leave the UK
• You’ve been brought back to the UK before at the government’s expense and have not repaid what you owe
• You’ve received a European Union or United Nations order which restricts your travel

A child’s passport may also be cancelled or refused for renewal if a court order is in place preventing them from leaving the UK. When you apply, your eligibility and entitlement to a British passport will be assessed.

How can I apply for a passport?

If you’re in the UK, you can apply for a passport online. This costs £102. You can also apply for a passport with a paper form – this costs £115.50. There’s a different way to apply for a passport if you’re overseas.

You can apply for a first adult passport if all of the following apply:

• You’re a British national
• You’re aged 16 or over (or will be in three weeks)
• You’ve never had a UK passport before

You must also apply if your last UK passport was issued before January 1, 1994. You can use your child passport until it expires, even if you’re over 18. An adult passport is valid for 10 years.

Heathcote had left by the time Altrincham pulled off their greatest cup exploit – knocking out first division Birmingham City at St Andrews in 1986 in what remains one of the competition’s biggest shocks. They became only the second of four non-league teams to beat top-flight opposition away from home.

Forty years on from that famous night, current manager Neil Gibson is all too aware of the tradition that he now hopes to continue in front of a live BBC TV audience, and a bumper Moss Lane crowd.

Having joined last year to help the club avoid relegation, the Welshman has overseen an impressive start to the current National League campaign, with Altrincham looking like play-off contenders. The dream of a first ever promotion to the EFL is the priority. But Gibson is desperate to build on the recent progress against Notts County.

“It would mean a lot. It’s the spirit and essence of this club,” he says. “We have a real opportunity. They are a very good team, but it’s a game where we feel that we can go and etch our own memories. All the fans remember those cup moments from the past and we want to try and replicate that.”

Situated just a few miles from Old Trafford, and in an area of Greater Manchester dominated by fans of United and City, Altrincham has to work hard to maintain its supporter base. But this is a rare moment in the national spotlight for a community club that only turned professional four years ago.

“A lot of our players are good enough to play at a higher level, and it’s a chance to showcase themselves and test ourselves against a club that three years ago were in the same league as us,” says Gibson, whose squad includes five players that have previously appeared for Notts County.

Gibson has real cup pedigree of his own to draw upon, including against Saturday’s opponents. 24 years ago, he played for Conference club Southport as they produced a memorable FA Cup upset over Notts County. He was part of the Tranmere squad that reached the League Cup final in 2000, and he also won the Welsh Cup three times, including twice as a manager.

“Cups have always been very special to me,” he says. “We’re really excited about it and we’re going to give it absolutely everything. But you only remember these days if you come out on the right side of the result.”