Costa

Marymount girls volleyball team is peaking at the right time — and that could mean trouble for opponents.

The Sailors had everything working for them in a 25-13, 25-17, 25-15 sweep of visiting Mira Costa in the Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals on Tuesday night, showing no signs of rust after a first-round bye in the 12-team bracket.

“We couldn’t have been more prepared,” Washington-bound senior hitter Sammy Destler said. “Our energy got us to the finish line. We were on fire. That’s the best we’ve played all season.”

Destler entered the match two kills shy of 1,000 for her career and it didn’t take long for her to reach the milestone, achieving it on a strike to the right side that gave Marymount a 12-6 lead in the first set.

“I had no clue until they announced it, but it feels good,” said Destler, one of seven Sailors who finished with at least five kills. “We’re very familiar with them, they have Audrey [Flanagan] and Simone [Roslon] and they’re always tough but tonight was about everything we did on our side.”

The fifth-seeded Mustangs (24-10), who shared the Bay League crown with No. 2 Redondo Union despite dropping their first league match since 2019, had pushed Marymount to five sets in a nonleague match in September, but this time they could not handle the Sailors’ balanced attack.

Marymount’s serving kept Mira Costa out of system all match. In the first set alone the Sailors served seven aces, including three in a row by Southern Methodist-bound middle blocker Elle Vandeweghe, that put her team up 20-9. She and Destler combined for a stuff block on set point.

Destler opened the second set with another ace, then Frankie Jones ended it with a kill. Destler and Makenna Barnes, a Northwestern commit, each had eight kills apiece while Vandeweghe and the Brown-bound Jones each added six.

Flanagan, a Wisconsin commit, paced the Mustangs with eight kills and got a hug afterwards from Destler, one of her best friends.

Marymount’s Makenna Barnes, right, goes on the attack against Mira Costa blockers Liliana Swanson, left, and Milly McGee, center, during Marymount’s victory in the Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals on Tuesday.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

“We’ve played so many more matches than other teams,” Marymount coach Cari Klein said. “I didn’t want it, but I think we needed those extra few days rest because of the intensity of our schedule.”

The fourth-seeded Sailors (37-5) advanced to the semifinals to face top-seeded Sierra Canyon (37-3) on Saturday for the fourth time this season. The Sailors won the first meeting, 21-25, 25-15, 25-12 in the finals of the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas. The Trailblazers rebounded to take a pair of Mission League meetings over a span of eight days.

Klein, who is hoping to pilot the Sailors to their 11th section title in her 28th season, was so locked in to the task at hand Tuesday that she did not look at the CIF website to see if her team had won the coin flip for the next round: “Please say it’s here!”

Her wish was not granted, as Marymount will have to travel to Chatsworth, where it dropped a five-set thriller on Sept. 29, but Destler is confident they can win on any court.

“If we play like we this, there’s no stopping us,” she said.

TEAM Fabulous road-tests three coastal campsites.

From Costa Dorada in Spain to Vendee in France, we have a beautiful beach for everyone.

SPAIN – Playa Montroig, Costa Dorada

Editor in Chief Sinead McIntyre, husband Alistair and their teenage twins found a coast with the most, including a day trip to Barcelona.

THE PAD

Set on the stunning Costa Dorada coastline and a quick 25-minute drive from Reus airport, the star of the show here is the sandy beach, with its lively bar and floating dive pontoon.

One morning, my daughter Riley and I woke early to swim out and had it all to ourselves while watching a yoga class – just one of the activities on offer.

Our premium three-bed lodge was also minutes from the three swimming pools, slides and a pool bar.

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You’ll also find a well-stocked supermarket, bakery, fishmonger’s and pizza takeaway on-site.

Tennis and padel courts are a win, too.

EXPLORE

The coastal village of Miami Platja just 5km away is flanked by picturesque hills and mountains, and boasts golden beaches.

A short drive from here is Llaberia Nature Park, perfect for hikes through stunning flora and fauna.

Meanwhile, Barcelona is under 90 minutes by train from nearby Cambrils.

Book well ahead to visit Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia – the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world – and admire its astonishing architecture.

Tickets cost from £23 each (Sagradafamilia.org).

Or stop by Barcelona’s famous Camp Nou football stadium – though currently under renovation, you can still visit its excellent museum.

Entry costs £25 per person (Fcbarcelona.com).

REFUEL

Get your tapas fix and dig into calamari, £12.60, garlic shrimp, £10.90, and Iberian ham croquettes, £1.75 each, on-site at Terrassa restaurant.

Pair with a refreshing carafe of sangria with cava, £14.70.

Or try beachside Tucanamar, with its stunning sunset views and divine spaghetti with clams, £10.90.

A walk along the shoreline is Restaurant Friends, serving up specialty spare ribs, £17.25, and grilled sea bream, £15.20 (Friendsplaya.com).

In Barca, hit Catalanian eatery La Nueva Marquesa for delights such as fried eggs with Iberian ham shavings and monkfish skewers with prawn and crab sauce.

Finish with melt-in-the-mouth tiramisu.

Three-course set menus cost from £13 (Lanuevamarquesa.com).

DON’T MISS

Mas Miró – the family home of Joan Miró, legendary Catalan artist and friend of Picasso – is nearby.

Explore the buildings he brought to life and see his sketches first-hand.

Entry costs £8.70 per person (Masmiro.com).

BOOK IT

Seven-night stays for four people at Playa Montroig during May half-term 2026 cost from £586 (Eurocamp.co.uk).

FRANCE – Le Garangeoire, Vendee

Deputy Editor Ellie O’Mahoney, husband Mark and their two young kids fell for crêpes and climbing on the west coast of France.

THE PAD

This five-star, family-run campsite, just 15 minutes’ drive from the beautiful beaches of France’s Atlantic west coast, has 200 hectares of woodland and a stunning 17th-century château, complete with free pedalo and canoe hire on the boating lake.

There are tennis courts, crazy golf, a horse-riding stable and two kids’ clubs.

Of the four pools, the main one boasts three slides, and is our kids’ favourite.

For some quiet time, head to the natural lagoon surrounded by a sandy beach.

There are tons of activities, including aromatherapy and night walks, and our three-bed lodge was perfectly appointed with a veranda for alfresco feasts.

EXPLORE

Kids will love swinging through the branches at Le Grand Défi, the world’s largest tree-climbing park just down the road, plus there’s a huge aqua park and pony rides.

Treeclimbing costs from £10.70 for kids, £20.90 for adults (Grand-defi.com).

Historical theme park Puy du Fou, an hour’s drive away, puts on eye-popping performances.

Watch gladiators fight in the “Roman” coliseum and experience stormy seas aboard an 18th-century-style explorer’s ship.

Tickets cost £39 for adults, £28 for kids (Puydufou.com).

Or head to the beach town of Brétignolles-sur-Mer – you’ll find pretty Breton T-shirts and wooden toys at its busy market on Thursdays and Sundays.

REFUEL

At nearby lakeside restaurant L’Auberge du Jaunay, we demolished a stack of cheese galettes for a bargain £3.25 with a half-carafe of red wine, £8.90.

A sugar and lemon crêpe, £4.70, completed the kids’ favourite feast of the trip.

On a beach day, we nabbed a table on the white sand at Crêperie La Normandelière.

We didn’t get the warmest of welcomes, but the food made up for it – I loved the smoked salmon salad, £12.70, and Nutella and banana crêpe, £5.20 (La-normandeliere.eatbu.com).

In the nearest town of Saint-Julien-des-Landes, just minutes’ drive away, you’ll find Rest’O Landes, which does the most delicious honey and goat’s cheese takeaway pizza, £9 (Restolandes.com).

DON’T MISS

Spot star constellations during the ferry crossing with the free SkyView app.

BOOK IT

Seven-night stays at La Garangeoire in May half-term 2026 cost from £363 for up to six (Eurocamp.co.uk).

An overnight ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo with Brittany Ferries for four people with a car costs from £351 (Brittany-ferries.co.uk).

ENGLAND – Daleacres, Kent

Deputy Chief Sub-Editor Danielle Woodward, husband David and their two teens sought out safaris and steam trains in the South East.

THE PAD

In the heart of the Kent countryside, near the seaside town of Hythe, you’ll find Daleacres Campsite, complete with a playground for younger kids and a communal firepit for glampers.

Safari tents offer kitchens with a fridge and microwave, and the kids took turns to fill up the water dispenser, a short walk away.

With patchy free Wi-Fi, they also “enjoyed” screen-free time!

We woke to cock-a-doodle-dos from a nearby farm, before freshening up in the spotless shower and loo block.

EXPLORE

Feeling beachy? Pick between Hythe’s shingle or nearby Dymchurch’s three miles of sand and amusement park with classic rides and an arcade (Dymchurch-amusements.co.uk).

Meanwhile, spot apes and tigers at Port Lympne Safari Park.

Day tickets including safari cost £32 for adults, £28 for children (Aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne).

Or hop on the miniature steam train on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway.

Tickets cost from £10 return (Rhdr.org.uk).

The kids were also fascinated by the crypt in St Leonard’s Church, home to the largest, best-preserved collection of ancient human skulls and bones in Britain (Slhk.org/theossuary.htm).

REFUEL

In Dymchurch, hit Lamby’s Seafood stall next to the Ocean Inn pub for a pot of brown shrimp, £4 (Oceaninn.co.uk/lambys).

At Port Lympne, scoff tasty wood-fired prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella and rocket pizza, £15, followed by fig and pistachio frangipane tart, £5, in Babydoll’s restaurant.

While the 400-year-old cosy Botolphs Bridge Inn pub, a short walk from Daleacres, offers fab pies of the week with mash, veg and gravy, £13.50 (Botolphsbridgeinn.co.uk).

DON’T MISS

The Battle of Britain Memorial in Folkestone has an interactive Scramble Experience, which brings WW2 to life.

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Entry is £7 for adults, £4 for kids (Battleofbritainmemorial.org).

BOOK IT

A safari tent at Daleacres sleeping five costs from £59 per night (Experiencefreedom.co.uk).

OCTOBER half term is right around the corner and if you’re looking for a last minute holiday to entertain the kids, this hotel is for you.

It has eight pools, plenty of slides, a kids club and daily mini disco, families will never be bored.

Globales Playa Estepona sits on the Costa del Sol, and it’s the biggest waterpark hotel in the region.

Scattered across the hotel are eight swimming pools, three of which are made for children.

There’s also daily entertainment like the aqua gym, aqua sports and organised competitions.

Other activities include tennis and beach volleyball, there’s an on-site gym for guests – or if you want to relax take a stroll around the gardens.

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There’s lots to see as the hotel site is across 40,000 square feet.

If guests want to escape the hotel there’s a free shuttle bus to Puerto Banús, a luxury marina and resort town in Marbella.

As for food and drink, the hotel has a main buffet restaurant which serves up breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

Mostly the food is Mediterranean-style, but there are other international options too.

There’s also the Terrace Bar and poolside bar for drinks and snacks, and the Beach Club is where guests can enjoy al fresco dining.

There are plenty of room choices from Double for single use without balcony, to Double without balcony, Superior Double with or without a balcony and Premium Doubles.

Each room features a bathroom, satellite TV, Wi-Fi service, air conditioning and comfortable beds

The hotel is just half an hour away from Marbella which is not just the place to go for a party.

Marbella has lovely beaches like Nagüeles Beach, Cabopino Beach and Fontanilla Beach which is known as a popular family-friendly option.

A week-long all-inclusive stay during half-term week in the hotel for a family of four in a Double Superior with Balcony costs €1,077.78 (£938.87) – which is £234.72pp.

To get to Globales Playa Estepona, Brits will have to fly to Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport.

TUI offers package holidays to Globales Playa Estepona over half term week which works out at £637.71pp (including flights).

October half term is still a great time for a break in Spain as temperatures reach highs of 23C.

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Here are the top waterpark hotels in Spain…

Magic Aqua Rock Gardens, Benidorm
Located in Benidorm, Costa Blanca, the Magic Aqua Rock Gardens Hotel, pictured above, is African-themed and less than a mile from the beach. The hotel boasts two outdoor pools, including a children’s freshwater pool with a waterfall and a tipping water bucket for the little ones. There’s also an aquapark featuring slides and kamikaze.

Magic Natura Animal, Water Park & Polynesian Lodge Resort, Benidorm
The resort is located in the Terra Natura animal park. Guests get unlimited access to the animal park and the Aqua Natura waterpark. Terra Natura’s anime park has a ‘zooimmersion’ concept, meaning you can interact with more than 1,000 animals, including tigers, rhinos, and elephants, without barriers blocking your view. The hotel features three outdoor pools, including one with a children’s section, with a tipping water bucket, jets and a whirlpool.

Golden Taurus Aquapark Resort, Costa Brava

The resort has four pools and two whirlpool baths, and guests have unlimited access to the neighbouring waterpark, which has flumes and racing slides. The hotel’s main restaurant offers a buffet with a mix of international dishes and Spanish specialities. There are also two pool bars, a snack bar and a cocktail lounge. A kids’ club is available daily, as well as evening entertainment for visitors of all ages.

For more waterparks in the UK, check out the country’s biggest indoor tropical waterpark where it’s always 30C.

Plus, the new £200million indoor waterpark arriving in the UK with 4-storey slides could open in 3 locations.

DIEGO COSTA may be retired, but he hasn’t lost any of the fire he showed in his playing days, KICKING OUT at ex-Liverpool right-back Martin Kelly in the Chelsea vs Liverpool legends match.

The ex-Brazil and Spain forward, 37, was running onto a through ball from Eden Hazard, when Kelly came through from behind to win the ball from the physical striker, leaving him furious.

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Costa, still on the floor, decided to lash out at Kelly with his studs, planting a foot into the right-back’s upper leg.

Kelly – who only officially retired from football YESTERDAY – was left furious, and we saw a familiar scene as Costa got to his feet and squared up to the 35-year-old.

Things looked to be diffused, only for Costa to carry on playing before choosing Martin Skrtel as his next target.

The Slovakian defender challenged Costa just minutes later, with the striker still clearly unhappy, and then getting booked for squaring up to Skrtel.

And fans were left less-than-shocked on social media.

Taking to X, one wrote: “Diego Costa being aggressive in a Legends match is the most Diego Costa thing ever.”

Another said: “People don’t really change, and Diego Costa reminding us why.”

A third added: “Diego Costa will always be Diego Costa.”

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Even Eden Hazard weighed in at half-time, saying: “”This guy is still the same, you know. We just saw it.”

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..

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A MAN was brutally gunned down while smoking outside a cafe during a shocking attack at a luxury Spanish resort.

Brit holidaymakers watched on in horror as the 25-year-old was gunned down in Puerto Banus on the popular Costa del Sol yesterday.

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The victim was caught unawares and shot from close range in broad daylight as he spoke on the phone and smoked on the cafe terrace.

CCTV footage seemingly shows the gunman disguised as a tourist with a baseball cap.

The killer is believed to have got out of a car before targeting his victim.

He can be seen approaching his target before opening fire and continuing to shoot him as he lays on the ground.

The injured man was rushed to the nearby Costa del Sol Hospital, but sadly died hours later despite the efforts of medics to save his life.

Local cops confirmed last night they had made an arrest.

A spokesman for the National Police said: “We can confirm a 38-year-old man has been arrested over the fatal shooting of another man in Puerto Banus.

“The investigation is ongoing and we cannot offer any more details at this stage.”

Cops said they couldn’t comment on the nationalities of the victim and the man held.

Unconfirmed local reports are pointing to both the alleged killer and the victim being Swedish passport holders.

Although another report describes the gunman as Afghan-born.

The shooting happened just after 1.30pm yesterday, when Puerto Banus was bustling with tourists.

Police confirmed the victim died at around 8.15pm local time.

This follows earlier reports he had been shot half a dozen times but was still alive and in hospital.

Shootings in Puerto Banus and surrounding areas over the past few summers have led to high-profile police operations.

This includes a number of raids on upmarket clubs following criticism from locals the port area has become like the ‘Wild West’.

Last June, Manchester City star Erling Haaland was caught up in a dramatic police raid at a beach club called Playa Padre in Marbella.

The Norwegian was filmed putting his hands into his pocket to pull out his ID after cops in balaclavas demanded to know who he was.

The surprise raid resulted in the arrest of an Iranian fugitive.

One of the shootings last year in Puerto Banus included a March 11 attack on British-run eatery La Sala.

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It led to the arrests in April of a British man and Irish national described by police as having links to organised crime.

Contract killers from Sweden have been blamed for an bout of violence around Europe, including the Costa del Sol.

Marbella has been dubbed the ‘United Nations of Crime’ because of the number of violent gangs operating there.

Bomb blasts on the famous coast in October 2018 led to the arrests of three ‘hitmen’ in Sweden and Marbella.

In a statement, Spanish National Police revealed the blasts had been linked to a criminal organistion of contract killers.

It read: “The investigations… linked the incidents to a criminal organisation of contract killers based in Sweden.

“This organisation is believed to be behind a number of violent incidents in Sweden in which explosives have been used.

“Several members of the organisation, all aged between 20 and 30, were identified and evidence established linking them to the bomb blasts.

“Two were in the Swedish city of Malmo where they were arrested in a well-planned police operation.

“The third individual was held in Marbella.”

The so-called Mocro Maffia have also been identified as a problem on the Costa del Sol.

A 17-year-old Belgian youngster working for the feared organisation was arrested last month.

The teen was accused of flying to the resort of Fuengirola to assassinate a Dutchman next to a cannabis club in December last year.

Police have described it as the first case in Spain in which an underage hitman was the main suspect.

Kerry Katona claimed she had U-turned on a decision to move to the famous Costa del Sol resort with her family.

She changed her mind on moving with then-fiancé Ryan Mahoney because she no longer felt safe following the violent incidents there.

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West Ham may move for Nuno Espirito Santo if they sack Graham Potter, Arsenal among sides interested in Luiz Gustavo Benedetti and Manchester United show interest in Elliot Anderson

West Ham are considering a move for Nuno Espirito Santo should they sack manager Graham Potter. (Alan Nixon), external

Arsenal, Barcelona and Napoli are interested in Palmeiras‘ 19-year-old Brazilian centre-back Luiz Gustavo Benedetti. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish), external

Manchester United are interested in Nottingham Forest’s £70m-rated midfielder Elliot Anderson, but the England international, 22, is happy at the City Ground and has no plans to leave. (Football Insider), external

Chelsea had a £70m bid for Juventus striker Kenan Yildiz rejected over the summer, with the Italian side hoping to tie the 20-year-old Turkey international down to a long-term contract. (Calciomercato – in Italian), external

Crystal Palace may consider offers in the region of £60m for Adam Wharton in January, with Liverpool keen on the 21-year-old England midfielder. (Teamtalk), external

Manchester United will rival Manchester City in the race to sign Inter Milan’s 29-year-old Netherlands full-back Denzel Dumfries. (Football Insider), external

Real Madrid are monitoring the progress of Leicester’s 16-year-old England Under-19 winger Jeremy Monga. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

Aug. 25 (UPI) — A special congressional committee in Costa Rica is reviewing a request to lift President Rodrigo Chaves’ immunity, putting the executive branch and judiciary at odds.

Tensions between the two institutions escalated Friday after Chaves appeared before the committee, where he denied corruption charges and denounced the investigation by the National Prosecutor’s Office as a “setup” and a “judicial coup attempt.”

The more than four-hour session — broadcast live — marked an unprecedented moment: it was the first time a sitting president testified before lawmakers in a process to lift immunity.

Criticizing the judiciary’s role in the case brought by Attorney General Carlo Díaz, President Chaves told the committee the accusation had roots in the early days of his administration, when “I showed the people the responsibility of the judiciary and of legislative policy in the deep deterioration of our society.”

The case against President Chaves began after the Supreme Court asked Congress on July 1 to remove his immunity over an investigation tied to funds from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration. Prosecutors say Chaves intervened so that part of those funds — $32,000 — went to one of his advisers through a communications services contract.

The other side of the institutional clash came before and after the hearing. On Aug. 8, Attorney General Carlo Díaz told the same committee the case is backed by witness testimony and documents, evidence he said was sufficient to bring an indictment and request a trial.

Díaz said the case had gone through several internal reviews within the judiciary to ensure the accusation “is not seen as one branch attacking another.”

In a press release, Supreme Court President Orlando Aguirre Gómez rejected claims that the proceedings against the president amounted to a so-called “judicial coup.”

Aguirre defended the independence of the judiciary and the transparency with which the case has been handled. He stressed that every step in the process has followed the law and been carried out independently, without political pressure or private interests.

He also urged the public to be critical of rhetoric intended to mislead and reiterated that Costa Rica’s institutional strength rests on respect among branches of government and confidence in the justice system.

The special congressional committee also made its role clear: not to judge the merits of the case, but to decide whether there is sufficient basis to lift a sitting president’s immunity and bring him to trial.

The conservative president faced a legislative panel weighing whether he should retain his immunity from prosecution.

Rodrigo Chaves Robles has become the first sitting president in the history of Costa Rica to testify to a legislative committee as he faced charges of corruption and the possibility of a criminal trial.

The three-member committee held the hearing on Friday to consider whether or not to lift Chaves Robles’s immunity as president.

Doing so would pave the way for Chaves Robles to be prosecuted based on allegations he used government-related funds to give kickbacks to an ally.

Chaves Robles has denied any wrongdoing and accused his opponents of using the judiciary to oust his government.

“What we are experiencing has historic consequences,” Chaves Robles said on Friday. “The entire country is witnessing a legal rigging by the attorney general and the criminal court.”

He told his supporters outside the Legislative Assembly that his adversaries had “staged a ridiculous case to carry out a judicial coup d’etat” and convince the public he was a “scoundrel”.

The committee must deliver a report following Chaves Robles’s testimony to the full Legislative Assembly, which will then vote on whether to strip him of his immunity from prosecution.

A conservative economist and former minister of finance, Chaves Robles has been accused of forcing an associate to take money from a contract awarded by a development bank, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, and use it to pay his former presidential adviser, Federico Cruz.

The sum was allegedly $32,000, and Cruz used it to buy a house, according to prosecutors.

The bank told the Reuters news agency that it had conducted its own internal investigation, the conclusions of which were provided to Costa Rica’s attorney general. Witnesses for the prosecution include the president’s former communications minister, Patricia Navarro, and businessman Christian Bulgarelli.

“I never ordered the delivery of money to anyone,” Chaves Robles said in response to the allegations.

His lawyer, Jose Miguel Villalobos, also argued that the accusations do not meet the “minimum requirements” for the removal of presidential immunity.

The Legislative Assembly would need a supermajority in order to strip Chaves Robles of his immunity.

Chaves Robles was considered a dark horse candidate when he ran for president in 2022, representing the conservative Social Democratic Progress Party.

Even then, however, he faced scrutiny for allegedly running an illegal parallel campaign financing structure. Multiple women also came forward to accuse him of sexual harassment during his time employed at the World Bank.

Chaves Robles is ineligible to run for a second term in 2026: The law does not permit back-to-back presidential terms.

Costa Rica is scheduled to hold its next presidential election on February 1, and Chaves Robles’s term is slated to end the following May.

A 59-YEAR-old Brit woman was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl at a popular holiday spot.

The shocking incident is alleged to have taken place earlier this month, but only came to light today.

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The Brit is said to have approached the teenager on a Costa del Sol beach.

She allegedly spoke to her in English to “gain her trust” before groping her.

The youngster, who is an Italian national, rushed to a nearby shop to seek help where a relative was working.

They subsequently called the police to report the incident.

Cops held the Brit, who allegedly has a history of sexual offences, in the same area.

The shocking incident happened at La Cala de Mijas near Fuengirola earlier in the month.

While the arrest was made by local police, Civil Guard officers are the ones who took her to court.

It is unclear today whether the Brit was a holidaymaker or an expat in Spain.

In addition, it’s also unknown if she has been remanded in custody pending an ongoing investigation or released on bail.

Local councillor Juan Carlos Cuevas described her alleged behaviour as “repugnant and intolerable”.

He added that, even though she has not yet been charged with any crime, it “deserves the strongest condemnation”.

The councillor further said the co-operation of locals and the rapid intervention of local police helped secure the arrest.

 “This case shows that when we work together, we manage to halt very serious situations,” he said.

Earlier this month, a Brit assassin who Spanish police say was on the run was arrested in Costa del Sol.

Pistols, ammunition and a silencer were found in his smashed-up Nissan Qashqai.

The suspected hitman had a run-in with two women at a petrol station – after which he crashed his car.

He reportedly began harassing two Dutch women after trying to get them to buy him cocaine.

The suspect tried to flee as cops arrived at the scene.

Sources told local paper Diario Sur that he ran out of the car “with visible injuries” before quickly being caught by police.

While we all know that “costa” is simply the Spanish word for “coast”, for most of us it has a much wider meaning, evoking all sorts of images, both positive and negative. It may be beaches, fun, cold beers and tapas at a chiringuito (beach bar) with your feet in the sand. Perhaps you’re thinking of childhood holidays in a thrillingly huge hotel, where you happily stuffed yourself with ice-cream and chips for a fortnight. More recent memories might revolve around showy beach clubs with exorbitant prices. If you’ve been to the costas of eastern or southern Spain in the past few years, however, you may have reluctantly concluded that your favourite resorts are now a bit too hot for comfort.

Surfer dudes. Football dudes.

That’s the best way to describe identical twins Liam and Luke Meeker, football players at Mira Costa High.

Liam is the quarterback and Luke the receiver. They’ve been teaming up their whole life.

“Twin telepathy,” they joke.

Their father, George, who was a member of Edison’s surf team during his high school days, taught them to surf when they were 9. Luke claims to be the best, but it’s football where they are making their presence felt.

Both are 6 feet 2 and 200 pounds. Liam can throw and run. Luke can be physical and protective of his brother. They’re loyal and best friends.

“He’s a great quarterback,” Luke said.

“I know where he is on the field,” Liam said.

With Mira Costa returning eight starters on defense and key skill position players such as the Meekers and standout running back AJ McBean, the Mustangs have a chance to be competitive in a tough Bay League that also has Palos Verdes, Inglewood, Leuzinger, Culver City and Lawndale.

Coach Don Morrow, in his 33rd season, likes the togetherness of his players. There’s good leaders, like linebacker/long snapper Jackson Reach, who’s been a standout since his sophomore season.

On Wednesday afternoon, it was a pleasant 77 degrees, with drums, flutes and cymbals being heard around the Manhattan Beach campus as band members practiced. Cheerleaders also worked on their routines. Then football players took the field to continue preparation for an Aug. 29 opener against St. Francis.

Afterward, anyone could take a walk to the beach and surf. The Meekers have been spending summers in Australia, where their mother was born and raised on a farm. They’ve gotten stronger with all the chores they do each summer.

When it comes to surfing, they know the lingo and the fun.

They’re “stoked” for the football season ahead.

It was 68 degrees and overcast, a cool coastal breeze wafting across the practice fields, when UCLA commenced its first off-campus football training camp in nearly a decade.

San Bernardino, this was not.

With 55 newcomers dotting a roster of 105, not to mention eight new assistant coaches, the Bruins’ camp that started in Costa Mesa on Wednesday morning was more about togetherness than toughness in the triple-digit temperatures of the Inland Empire.

Every offensive player was matched with a roommate from the defense or special teams. A series of bonding exercises was planned inside and outside the nearby team hotel. Everything the Bruins do over the next 2 ½ weeks will be of the get-to-know-you variety.

UCLA linebacker JonJon Vaughns lines up with his hands on his hips and looks across the field during the first day of the Bruins’ preseason camp in Costa Mesa on Wednesday.

(Nate Donlevy / UCLA Athletics)

“I have a lot of tough guys, but it’s more of the connection,” coach DeShaun Foster said. “There’s a lot of new coaches and players, so I just wanted to find a way to make us be able to connect a little bit more, you know? To be able to eat three meals with each other and just get close.”

Foster said the football facilities at Cal State San Bernardino that the Bruins had last used in 2016 weren’t available, forcing the move to his native Orange County.

After going through the initial two-hour practice, temperatures topping out at 75 degrees, the consensus was that the Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex felt more like a day at the beach than one inside a sauna.

“In the beginning, it was a little humid,” linebacker Isaiah Chisom said, “but the sun came out, it was beautiful out here.”

The facilities included three grass fields, a makeshift locker room under one tent and a makeshift weight room under another. Trainers set up near the field, unfurling folding tables next to carts of supplies. Fences lining the field were adorned with signage reflecting the Bruins mantras — “Discipline, Respect and Enthusiasm” and “Do More.”

There was the usual training-camp cadence. Whistles blew and on cue, players wrapped up foam pads and dragged them to the ground. After another whistle signaled the start of stretching, a roar rang out. Players dropped to their knees to commence a series of body bends, twisting their arms and shoulders one way and then the other.

After a series of leg stretches, new defensive line coach Jethro Franklin offered an opening salvo to a group of nearby players.

“Bruin football,” Franklin said, “should not be for the timid or the weak.”

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava warms up during the first day of the Bruins’ preseason camp in Costa Mesa on Wednesday.

(Nate Donlevy / UCLA Athletics)

During the 25-minute media viewing period, new quarterback Nico Iamaleava made a couple of handoffs to running backs, including one to Anthony Woods for a short touchdown, and threw one pass into the end zone that fell incomplete.

“He slings it,” tight end Jack Pedersen said of Iamaleava’s throwing style. “It’s a nice, firm spiral, man, and the guy doesn’t miss. Literally, can’t say enough great things.”

Before the training session, Foster said he was confident Iamaleava had sufficiently mastered the offense after enrolling in June.

“He’s pretty much grasped the playbook already,” Foster said of the transfer from Tennessee. “We haven’t had to hold back on anything. And I know at least he has these first two installs down pretty well. So just looking forward to getting out there and just watching him.”

The practice was staged in relative secrecy. Other than a handful of donors and a few city officials from Costa Mesa, fans were not allowed to attend like they had been in San Bernardino, where they sometimes lined multiple practice fields. The six reporters on hand Wednesday were barred from taking photos or videos of even the warmup periods.

Foster said training camp was about preparation, not publicity.

“We’re here to work,” he said. “We’ve got 16 days to come out and really be able to put a good product out there on the field.”

This is a business trip complete with bed checks and a curfew. Chisom is rooming with running back Anthony Frias II and has a connecting door attached to the room of linebacker Ben Perry and running back Troy Leigber, providing ample opportunities to learn about new teammates.

“I think it makes us build brotherhood,” Chisom said. “You’re staying with some people that you may have never talked to before … it kind of forces us to be close.”

The schedule called for an off day Thursday to accommodate players’ final exam schedules, one of four breaks interspersed among the 14 practices before the team breaks camp on Aug. 16. The Bruins hope that by the time they return to campus, the installation of a new 100-yard grass practice field alongside two smaller artificial turf fields will be complete.

If not, they’ll have new friends to commiserate with as they shift practices elsewhere on campus.

“This is a great opportunity to spend 2 1/2 weeks with a guy you don’t really know, right?” said Pedersen, who is rooming with defensive back Croix Stewart. “Being able to branch out, I think it’s really cool that they do this, and this is now getting an opportunity to meet other guys on the team and branch out and make those lifelong connections.”

Etc.

Although a judge denied wide receiver Kaedin Robinson’s request for a temporary restraining order that would have granted him immediate eligibility, Foster said his confidence level remained in the “90s percent” that Robinson could play for the Bruins this season. Robinson, a transfer from Appalachian State, has a preliminary injunction hearing set for Aug. 18 that will decide whether he’ll be cleared to play. … Freshman defensive lineman Robert James III maneuvered the area on a scooter, his lower right leg encased in a protective boot. … Luke Duncan took the snaps as the top backup quarterback. … Foster said linebacker Weston Port had commenced a Mormon mission and was expected to return by the spring of 2027.

When it comes to special teams, Mira Costa’s football team has a dream group ready to handle punting, kicking, long snapping and holding.

The senior trio of punter Jackson Shevin, kicker Nico Talbott and long snapper Jackson Reach is an impressive group.

Shevin, who’s also the holder on PATs and field goals, averaged 38 yards on punts last season. Talbott waited his time to handle kicking duties on junior varsity and being the backup. He has performed well at the Chris Sailer kicking camps. Reach is an elite long snapper and terrific linebacker.

Shevin also says he’s ready to pass or run if coach Don Morrow calls for any fake punts or fake field goals.

“It’s pretty cool,” Morrow said of his special teams trio. Morrow is entering his 33rd season at Mira Costa and No. 37 overall and thinks special teams is pretty important for a football program.

With two of the three named Jackson and being from Manhattan Beach, you can imagine the trust and fun they have playing on the same team.

Mira Costa is one of a talented group of teams in the Bay League joining Palos Verdes, Inglewood, Leuzinger and Culver City, all of whom could be title contenders depending on what division they are placed in.

Mira Costa returns top quarterback Liam Meeker and top running back AJ McBean. But they know if they need a punt or a field goal, the “Three Amigos” are ready.

This idyllic coastal town boasts a high street brimming with independent shops and cafes that ooze exclusivity all set against the a picturesque golden sand beach.

Southwold, in Suffolk, is often referred to as ‘Chelsea-on-Sea’ due to its exclusive atmosphere – and locals have worked hard to keep it that way, by banning big-name chains.

This idyllic coastal town boasts a high street brimming with independent shops and cafés that ooze exclusivity, all set against a picturesque golden sand beach.

It’s earned its stripes as one of the most stylish villages in the UK, with a town council dedicated to preserving its charm by fending off fast food and high street chains like Costa and Waterstones.

However, a compromise was reached with Waterstones, which was given the green light to open under the caveat that it would retain the moniker of its former incarnation, Southwold Books.

Venturing through Southwold, you’re greeted with an array of unique businesses, including the exquisite Amber Shop with its specialisation in amber jewellery complemented by an engaging museum.

The local lighthouse, a magnificent structure erected in 1890, stands as one of the village’s iconic landmarks, featuring a powerful 150-watt lamp that shines for 24 nautical miles. This historic beacon even offers tours thanks to the Adnams Brewery, much to the delight of visitors.

Southwold Pier epitomises traditional British seaside pleasure, where model yacht regattas take place on its boating lake, continuing a Victorian-age legacy.

At the pier’s end, you’ll stumble upon an eccentric assortment of coin-operated arcade machines, the brainchild of artist and engineer Tim Hunkin, with paddle steamers frequently seen mooring nearby.

The Southwold Museum invites guests to delve into the town’s rich heritage, displaying a variety of exhibits on its local and natural history.

Southwold boasts a colourful past, with famed author George Orwell spending his formative years in the town during his adolescence and again in his 30s, penning some of his renowned works there.

Like many seaside towns, Southwold’s primary allure is its idyllic beach, boasting golden sands overlooked by charming, colourful beach huts. Despite some holidaymakers suggesting the town is losing its charm, it continues to draw a multitude of visitors captivated by its unique charm.

For those keen to fully embrace the Southwold experience, a double room at the town’s Amber House can be booked for approximately £85 per night.

MINNEAPOLIS — Damion Downs scored in the sixth round of a shootout after three saves by Matt Freese, sending the U.S. to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 4-3 penalty-kicks win over Costa Rica after a a 2-2 tie on Sunday night.

The U.S. advanced to a Wednesday matchup in St. Louis against Guatemala, which upset Canada on penalty kicks in the opener of the quarterfinal doubleheader.

Mexico plays Honduras in the other semifinal on Wednesday in Santa Clara. The championship is in Houston on July 6.

The U.S. has reached the semifinals in 17 of 18 Gold Cups, including 13 straight since a quarterfinal loss to Colombia on penalty kicks in 2000.

Diego Luna and Max Arfsten scored in regulation for the U.S., which faced its highest-ranked opponent of the tournament in Costa Rica (54th) after breezing through the group stage with an 8-1 goal differential.

Alonso Martinez scored the tying goal for the Ticos in the 71st minute with a left-footed shot after Carlos Mora split Luca de La Torre and Arsten to take a shot on Freese and seize the rebound to set up Martinez.

CONCACAF changed the rules for this edition of the biennial championship for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, eliminating extra time except for the championship game.

John Tolkin had the first chance to win the shootout for the U.S. Keylor Navas knocked down his try in the fifth round. Freese then denied Andy Rojas with a diving hand, climbing to his feet while nodding his head and sticking out his tongue toward his cheering teammates at midfield. That set up the winner by the 20-year-old Downs.

Missing the tournament for the U.S. are regulars Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Folarin Balogun and Sergiño Dest, due to a variety of reasons from injuries to rest to Club World Cup commitments.

Three of Costa Rica’s six goals during the group stage came by penalty kick, and Francisco Calvo added another one in the 12th minute after a foul by Arsten. Calvo went low to zip the ball just out of reach of a diving Freese.

Malik Tillman, who had three group stage goals, put a 37th-minute penalty kick off a post and Navas knocked away Arfsten’s attempt off the rebound.

Luna picked him up with his first goal in international competition by rocketing a shot off the chest of defender Alexis Gamboa for the equalizer in the 43rd minute.

Tillman made amends for his miss early in the second half by poking a pass ahead for Arfsten, who surged in from the left wing to send the ball into the opposite corner for the lead.

A retired Nicaraguan military officer who later became a critic of President Daniel Ortega has been killed in a shooting at his condominium in Costa Rica, where he lives in exile.

The death of Roberto Samcam, 67, on Thursday has heightened concern about the safety of Nicaraguan dissidents, even when they live abroad.

Police in Costa Rica have confirmed that a suspect entered Samcam’s condominium building in the capital of San Jose at approximately 7:30am local time (13:30 GMT) and shot the retired major at least eight times.

Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Organisation identified the murder weapon as a 9mm pistol. Samcam’s wife, Claudia Vargas, told the Reuters news agency that the suspect pretended to be a delivery driver to gain access to her husband.

The suspect allegedly fired on Samcam and then left without saying a word, escaping on a motorcycle. He remains at large.

Samcam went into exile after participating in the 2018 protests, which began as demonstrations against social security reforms and escalated into one of the largest antigovernment movements in Nicaragua’s history.

Thousands of people flooded Nicaragua’s streets. Some even called for President Ortega’s resignation.

But while Ortega did ultimately cancel the social security reforms, he also answered the protests with a police crackdown, and the clashes killed an estimated 355 people, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).

More than 2,000 people were injured, and another 2,000 held in what the IACHR described as “arbitrary detention”.

In the months and years after the protests, Ortega has continued to seek punishment for the protesters and institutions involved in the demonstrations, which he likened to a “coup”.

Samcam was among the critics denouncing Ortega’s use of military weapons and paramilitary forces to tamp down on the protests. Ortega has denied using either for repression.

In a 2019 interview with the publication Confidencial, for instance, he compared Ortega to Anastasio Somoza Debayle, the last member of what is commonly known as the Somoza family dictatorship, which ruled Nicaragua for nearly 43 years.

And in 2022, Samcam published a book that roughly called Ortega: El Calvario de Nicaragua, which roughly translates to: Ortega: Nicaragua’s torment.

Ortega has long been accused of human rights abuses and authoritarian tendencies. In 2023, for instance, he stripped hundreds of dissidents of their citizenship, leaving them effectively stateless, and seized their property.

He has also pushed for constitutional reforms to increase his power and that of his wife, former Vice President Rosario Murillo. She now leads with Ortega as his co-president.

The changes also increase Ortega’s term in office and grant him the power to coordinate all “legislative, judicial, electoral, control and supervisory bodies” — putting virtually all government agencies under his authority.

From abroad, Samcam was helping to lead an effort to document some of Ortega’s alleged abuses.

In 2020, he became the chain-of-command expert for the Court of Conscience, a group created by the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress, a nonprofit founded by a Nobel Prize-winning Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias.

As part of the group, Samcam solicited testimony of torture and abuses committed under Ortega, with the aim of building a legal case against the Nicaraguan president and his officials.

“We are documenting each case so that it can move on to a trial, possibly before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights,” Samcam said at the time.

Samcam is not the only Nicaraguan dissident to face an apparent assassination attempt while in exile.

Joao Maldonado, a student leader in the 2018 protests, has survived two such attempts while living in the Costa Rican capital. The most recent one, in January 2024, left him and his partner seriously injured.

Maldonado has blame Nicaragua’s Sandinista National Liberation Front — which Ortega leads — for the attack.

LOUIS Tomlinson and Zara McDermott’s chemistry was on full display during their Costa Rica holiday.

The One Direction star and Love Island beauty couldn’t keep their hands off each other on a sun-soaked day out.

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They were spotted hiring a quad bike, with Louis, 33, taking the lead as they cruised through town.

The History singer wore an orrange T-shirt and white shorts, which he teamed with black sunglasses and a baseball cap.

Zara, 28, stunned in loose white trousers and a crop top layered over her green bikini.

At one point Louis puffed on a cigarette while they waited for their ride, with a smitten Zara wrapping her arms around him.

Louis returned the affection by gently squeezing her bum and planting a kiss.

They were later seen grinning at each other before hopping on the quad bike and driving away.

Louis flew the Strictly star out in first class to a secluded villa last week.

He’s currently working on new music there and wanted to spend some quality time with Zara after going public with their romance.

She was previously seen locking lips with her new pop star beau as they dined at a restaurant.

A source said: “Louis and Zara are going from strength to strength.

“He got his team to organise her first-class travel from London to Costa Rica.

“It meant Zara was unable to attend the TV Baftas but she is keen to spend as much time with Louis as possible.”

Louis will be back in the UK for Soccer Aid next week and is set to play on the England side with Zara’s ex Sam Thompson.

Zara split from former Made In Chelsea star Sam in January, moving out of Sam’s West London home, and leaving behind the two cats they shared.

She has decided to skip Soccer Aid to avoid an awkward run-in with her ex.

Zara and Louis confirmed their romance on holiday in Los Angeles over a month ago.

The pair were snapped holding hands in a sweet PDA during their trip to the US.

The Sun revealed they were an item after they were spotted enjoying an overnight stay at The Suffolk in Aldeburgh in exclusive photos.

It came amid reports that Zara had formed close bonds with Louis’ sisters Phoebe and Daisy.

They recently teased a new reality show, with sources claiming Zara has been helping them behind the scenes thanks to her experience as a TV presenter and documentary maker.

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LOUIS Tomlinson and Zara McDermott were unable to stop snogging during a romantic date night while holidaying in Costa Rica.

The smitten couple packed on the PDA as they dined at the Banana Beach Restaurant on Sunday.

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The Sun revealed that One Direction star Louis, 33, flew the Strictly star, 28, out in first class to a secluded villa on the coast in Santa Teresa where he’s recording new music.

Zara, who split from former Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson in January, was seen locking lips with her new pop star beau.

The ex-Love Islander was seen beaming as she and Louis were spotted deep in conversation while gazing into each others eyes.

Zara was pictured with her arms wrapped around Louis, as he lean in close for a kiss.

They struggled to keep their hands off each other and were seen repeatedly embracing and smooching.

Zara showed off her toned arms and midriff in a sleeveless white crop top and matching skirt.

She opted for minimal makeup and wore her brunette tresses in a high ponytail, while accessorising with statement gold flower earrings.

While the Best Song Ever hitmaker looked casual in a yellow t-shirt.

They looked comfortable in each other’s company and were seen laughing and joking around in between their PDA sessions.

At one point Louis was seen whispering in Zara’s ear, which left her giggling like a school girl.

Throughout the evening, they were seen enjoying cosy conversations as they struggled to take their eyes off each other.

Zara was then seen scrolling through her camera roll with Louis.

She was seen grinning from ear to ear as she put her arm around the hitmaker as they made the most of their romantic getaway.

It comes after fans bumped into the singer while the couple were out and about.

As they asked to get selfies with Louis, Zara patiently waited by his side.

He was then seen putting his hand on her back as he guided her out of the venue with him.

The fan account which posted the video captioned it: “They’re cute.”

In the video Louis is heard saying “I’ve been loving it, I’ve been loving” when asked about the area.

Louis will be back in the UK for Soccer Aid net month and taking to the pitch at Old Trafford for the annual charity match alongside Zara’s very recent ex boyfriend Sam Thompson.

Sam split from Zara four months ago, and is now set to play on the same side as her new boyfriend in next month’s charity match.

She has no plans to support Louis from the sidelines, but was keen to spend quality time together abroad while he works on his new album.

A source said: “Louis and Zara are going from strength to strength.

“He got his team to organise her first-class travel from London to Costa Rica over the weekend.

“It meant Zara was unable to attend the TV Baftas but she is keen to spend as much time with Louis as possible.”

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