great

All Creatures Great and Small viewers were left ‘screaming’ at their screens as they watched a fan-favourite share an unexpected kiss.

Viewers were left reaching for the tissues during the opening moments of All Creatures Great and Small as Channel 5 audiences witnessed Tristan Farnon (Callum Woodhouse) wrestling with his demons.

A memorial ceremony took place in Darrowby to remember those who lost their lives in the conflict, and it became apparent that his wartime experiences had left deep scars, with brother Siegfried (Samuel West) discovering him separated from the gathering.

Yet his spirits lifted considerably when ‘Captain Farnon’ received a summons from the village’s newest residents, the Beauvoirs, requesting assistance with their horse Philbrick.

A mix-up arose regarding which Farnon sibling was actually required, with both Tristan and Siegfried arriving simultaneously, each keen to assist Philbrick’s captivating owner, Charlotte (Gaia Wise), whose mum and dad are rather well-known in actual life.

The brothers lavished attention on Philbrick, and viewers at home were soon forecasting that romance was brewing, reports the Manchester Evening News.

As events progressed, Charlotte extended an invitation to Tristan for the highly sought-after performance at Orley Castle.

When her horse became poorly, Tristan and Siegfried dashed to the rescue and successfully treated the creature. But it was evident that something special developed between Charlotte and Tristan as they twirled together in the stables before sharing a tender kiss.

Fans quickly flocked to X to express their reactions to the scene, with one viewer writing: “I SCREAMED.”

A second chimed in: “Stopppp Tris and Charlotte are so cute.”

One fan penned: “Charlotte and Tristan sitting on a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!!!” Another chimed in with: “OH THEY’RE TOO CUTE.”

Callum Woodhouse, who worked alongside Gaia, was full of compliments for his co-star. He remarked: “Gaia’s absolutely amazing. I think we had a really nice chemistry on set. She’s a great actress.

“And I think her character, Charlotte Beauvoir, is a great addition. Tristan is maturing, becoming more independent, and taking on more responsibility.

“I think he’s past that stage now, where he’s jumping from girl to girl. So, is he ready for something more serious? It’s been really fun to play.”

All Creatures Great and Small is available to watch on My5.

Palantir Technologies (PLTR 0.79%) is one of the most popular artificial intelligence (AI) stocks on the market, especially among retail investors. Shares have advanced 140% year to date, after skyrocketing 340% last year. And the company recently got a big vote of confidence from a Wall Street analyst.

Mariana Perez Mora, who covers aerospace and defense at Bank of America, recently raised her target price to $215 per share, up from $180 per share. Mora’s forecast is now the most bullish on Wall Street, and it implies 17% upside from the current share price of $183.

Here’s what investors should know about Palantir.

Image source: Getty Images.

Palantir is a leader in artificial intelligence platforms

In her recent note, Bank of America analyst Mariana Perez Mora highlighted two qualities that differentiate Palantir. First, the company uses what it calls forward-deployed engineers (FDEs), developers that work directly with specific clients to build custom solutions. FDEs are a particularly compelling value proposition as more companies look to integrate artificial intelligence into workflows.

Second, Palantir designed its software around an ontology, a framework that serves as the digital twin of an organization. Think of an ontology as a cause-and-effect diagram that uses digital information to define the relationship between physical objects. It lets clients easily troubleshot, automate, and optimize business processes with artificial intelligence.

In short, whereas most analytics tools are built around data, Palantir designed its software around a decision-making framework. Chief Technology Officer Shyam Sankar told analysts on the second-quarter earnings call, “Our foundational investments in ontology and infrastructure have positioned us uniquely to deliver on AI demand.”

Indeed, Forrester Research ranked Palantir as the technology leader in its most recent report on artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML) platforms, awarding its AIP platform higher scores than similar products from Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet. And IDC ranked the company as the market leader in its latest report on decision intelligence software.

Bank of America says Palantir’s revenue could reach $18 billion annually by 2030

Palantir currently earns the majority of its revenue from government customers, and that business segment has regained its momentum due to demand for AI among defense and intelligence agencies. Government revenue growth has accelerated in six consecutive quarters and adoption is expanding beyond the U.S.

NATO earlier this year acquired Palantir’s Maven Smart System, an AI-powered warfighting platform already used across the U.S. military to improve battlefield targeting and supply chains. More recently, Palantir struck a five-year, 750 million-pound deal with the U.K. Ministry of Defense to help the U.K. military develop AI capabilities. That is the largest government contract outside the U.S. to date.

Mora at Bank of America thinks that momentum will continue as more countries consider the Maven Smart System. She estimates government revenue will reach $8 billion annually by 2030. However, Mora expects commercial revenue to eclipse that figure, reaching $10 billion by the end of the decade, as enterprises choose to buy Palantir’s AI operating system rather than build their own.

To summarize, Mora believes demand for artificial intelligence will be a major catalyst for Palantir, pushing total revenue to $18 billion annually by 2030. To put that in context, the company reported $3.4 billion in revenue over the last 12 months, so her forecast implies revenue growth of 35% annually over the next five-plus years.

Palantir is the most expensive stock in the S&P 500 several times over

Palantir is well positioned for future growth. Grand View Research estimates the data analytics market will expand at 29% annually through 2030, driven by demand for artificial intelligence and machine learning tools. As the market leader in decision intelligence software with deep expertise in AI/ML, Palantir is likely to report faster revenue growth than the overall market.

However, that still doesn’t justify the current valuation of 134 times sales. For context, the next closest stock in the S&P 500 is AppLovin with a price-to-sales multiple of 39. That means Palantir could lose 70% of its market value and still be the most expensive stock in the index.

Consider this scenario: If Bank of America is correct in forecasting $18 billion in revenue in 2030, Palantir would still trade at 24 times sales by that point if its stock price does not change at all. Only eight stocks in the S&P 500 currently have valuations above 24 times sales, so Palantir would still be one of the most expensive stocks in the index (by current standards) without any share price appreciation in the next five-plus years.

Here’s the bottom line: Palantir is an excellent business, but the stock is wildly overvalued. That does not mean shares will decline anytime soon. Palantir could very well reach Mora’s target price of $215 per share. But the risk-reward profile is undoubtedly skewed to the downside, so investors should make the prudent choice and look elsewhere. There are plenty of other AI stocks with more favorable risk-reward profiles.

AS someone who tried and failed for years to master the art of the at-home blowout, I have the rise of air tools to thank for my transformed hair styling routine.

Every hair tool under the sun promises “salon-worthy results at home,” and I’ve been testing the Shark FlexStyle hair tool for a year to determine if it can truly deliver.

Shark FlexStyle Air Styler and Hair Dryer, £229.99 (was £279.99)

Known originally for its popular vacuums, Shark branched out into the beauty tech space in 2022 with the launch of the FlexStyle Air Styling and Drying System.

The beauty gadget features five different attachments, with an option to build your own bundle based on your hair type.

All of the FlexStyle attachments can also be bought separately on the Shark website for £24.99 each, so you can add to your collection over time.

Shark swooped in at a time when beauty enthusiasts were searching for a more affordable alternative to the £400+ Airwrap.

At £279.99, it’s still an investment, but it’s a fraction of the cost of a Dyson Airwrap i.d.

Is it worth ditching your current tools for an all-in-one gadget? Read below for my full Shark FlexStyle review.

Pros:

• Creates voluminous blow-outs
• Minimal heat damage
• Requires little effort (once you nail the technique)
• Multiple attachments included
• Option to build your own set
• Easy to switch between styler and dryer
• Cheaper than similar alternatives

Cons:

• Noisy
• Bulky for travelling
• Takes a while to master the technique
• Hot brush attachment can feel rough on the hair

Rating: 8/10

How I tested the Shark FlexStyle Air Styler

Shark FlexStyle Air Styler and Hair Dryer, £229.99 (was £279.99)

As The Sun’s Fashion and Beauty eCommerce Writer, it’s my job to try out products that are causing a buzz in the industry.

I’m obsessed with all things beauty, so I’ve tested my fair share of hair stylers over the years, including the best Dyson Airwrap dupe and my Dyson Airwrap i.d review, but it takes a lot for one to become a regular in my routine.

The hype around the Shark FlexStyle is still going, and I can confidently share my thoughts after trialling the tool for a year.

The Smoothing Concentrator (hair drying nozzle) and Auto-Wrap Curling Barrels are my go-to FlexStyle attachments, so I’ll be talking mostly about them.

But I’ve also tested the Paddle Brush, Oval Brush and Fizz Fighter heads.

For reference, I have long, wavy hair that can get frizzy after washing, and I have extensions.

Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 air styler review: The Nitty Gritty

First impressions

1

Shark FlexStyle Air Styler and Hair Dryer, £229.99 (was £279.99)

Every beauty influencer in existence seems to own the FlexStyle, so I was pretty familiar with its appearance before trying it out.

While sleek in design, the cable and attachments together are on the bulky side (which is to be expected due to its multiple functions), but it’s meant I’ve avoided travelling with it so far.

When purchasing the FlexStyle, shoppers can select the five-in-one bundle, or mix and match their own (choosing four attachments).

I have the model that comes with five attachments: Auto-Wrap Curlers (one for each side of the head), a Paddle Brush, an Oval Brush, a Styling Concentrator, and a Diffuser.

My Fizz Fighter Finishing Tool is a new addition, which I bought separately to try and tame my frizz at my roots.

As I have attachments in my bundle that I don’t use (the diffuser, as it’s designed for curly/ coily hair), I would recommend the Build Your Own Hair Styling and Drying System to get the most for your money.

Does it deliver?

If you’re looking for a way to create bouncy blow-outs yourself, the Shark FlexStyle absolutely delivers, but it does take practice to perfect the process.

My biggest reservation about the FlexStyle before trying it was the drying system.

Shark FlexStyle Air Styler and Hair Dryer, £229.99 (was £279.99)

A multitasking styler runs the risk of being a jack of all trades but a master of none, but Shark has ensured its hair dryer doesn’t compromise on power.

I swear by my Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer for quick results on my long hair, and the FlexStyle pretty much matches its drying time.

Call me easily pleased, but the way the tool rotates between a dryer and a styler is one of my favourite features.

The fact that it twists into a right angle makes it so much easier to use, and — in a common theme with the FlexStyle — it never makes me feel like I’m overworking to get results.

There are three heat and power settings (I tend to use mine on full blast), and following the instructions of online videos, I always use the Cool Shot feature for locking the style in place.

The Paddle Brush (for straight styles) and the Oval Brush (for blow-outs) both have boar and plastic bristles that are great for gripping the hair, but I’d recommend being gentle to avoid snagging the hair.

The newest addition to my routine is the Frizz Fighter Finishing Tool.

Like the barrels, it attracts the hair, gliding from the root to smooth frizz and flyaways, essentially enhancing the effects of the other attachments.

Now, for quite possibly the main selling point — the Auto-Wrap Curling Barrels.

Shark FlexStyle Air Styler and Hair Dryer, £229.99 (was £279.99)

I have to admit, I was quickly humbled when I realised that the beauty influencers were making the process look far easier than it is.

The airflow technology makes the air wrap around the barrel automatically to create a curl, but I struggled with getting it to pick up the hair for the first few attempts.

And when I did, the curl would drop out within the first few hours.

After plenty of practice (and TikTok tutorials), I managed to master the method, but patience is needed.

I found the key is keeping the sections small as it makes it easier for the hair to wrap, and use a product to hold the curls (I swear by the Colour Wow XL Volumiser).

Unlike when I use curling tongs, the curls aren’t going to last me for days on end, but they do look great that day, and after sleeping on them, I’m left with a subtle wave that I’ll sometimes go over with the barrels.

I also find the whole process to be far more enjoyable than curling my hair with tongs (which could be down to years of the same routine) – and the airflow makes creating curls far more efficient.

The one thing I’d change about the FlexStyle is the noise.

Shark FlexStyle Air Styler and Hair Dryer, £229.99 (was £279.99)

When my roommate borrows it, I can hear the whirring from the other side of the flat, so it’s not one you could use while watching TV or late at night.

Keeping heat damage to a minimum is important to me as I already put enough strain on my hair with bleach, extensions and frequent styling.

Can I confidently say that the FlexStyle causes zero damage? No.

But can I confidently say that it creates a salon-worthy blow-out while causing far, far less damage than other hair tools? Absolutely.

Results aside, I can tell when I’m using the FlexStyle that it’s transferring way less heat than a tong or straightener (you can read my article on the best hair straighteners here).

There’s no burning smell (and if there is, you may need to clean the filter), and my hair has felt healthier since ditching the tongs for the FlexStyle regularly.

I love how my hair turns out every time I use the Shark FlexStyle, and it’s absolutely worth investing time to master the technique in order to get professional-looking results.

Shark FlexStyle FAQs:

Shark FlexStyle price

The Shark FlexStyle isn’t cheap, but if you’re keen to invest in a does-it-all hair tool, it’s more affordable than its competitors.

Shark’s 5-in-1 Hair Dryer and Air Styler with Storage Case is currently on sale for £229.99, while the Build Your Own bundle is slashed to £199.99.

Refurbished models are also available on eBay, a cheaper alternative to buying the FlexStyle brand new.

Shark released a 2025 edition of the FlexStyle earlier this year, which beauty fans can buy for £279.99.

Where to buy the Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 air styler and hair dryer?

The Shark FlexStyle is available to buy online at Boots, Amazon and of course, the Shark website.

Most major beauty retailers are also currently stocking the styler, including Sephora, Lookfantastic and Cult Beauty.

There are several colourways to choose from, including the limited-edition sparkle FlexStyle that comes in stunning champagne and black shades (and would be perfect if you’re buying the styler as a gift).

The full list of places to shop online:

Is the Shark FlexStyle worth it?

Using the Shark FlexStyle takes some practice to get it right, but once you get the technique down, it’s so worth it.

The styler works effectively on long and thick hair, but those with fine hair will need to work harder for long-lasting curls.

At over £250+, it’s not cheap, but if you blow-dry and curl your hair regularly, it’s an investment worth considering.

The best part about the FlexStyle?

It causes far less heat damage than tongs and conventional hair straighteners – not to mention that it’s significantly more enjoyable to use.

How to use Shark FlexStyle?

For best results, start with towel-dried hair and dry with the Smoothing Concentrator until your hair is roughly 80% dry.

You can use the Paddle Brush attachment to straighten your hair and add shine, or the Oval Brush to add bounce and volume.

The Auto-Wrap Curlers use a clever technology that wraps and curls your hair around the barrel automatically.

All you need to do is hold your hair in place for 10-15 seconds, and then use the shot button to lock in your curl before releasing.

Repeat across sections for a full head of soft, bouncy curls.

Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Style alternatives

It’s no secret that the Dyson Airwrap i.d is the FlexStyle’s main competitor (make sure to read our Dyson Airwrap i.d review).

Revlon, Bondi Boost and Silk’n all have similar hair tools, and the Sun Shopping team also tried and tested the Babyliss Air Style 1000 in a Dyson Airwrap dupe review.

Beauty fans who are mostly tempted by the Oval Brush attachment on the FlexStyle should also check out our round-up of the best hot brushes.

Few things can beat sitting down to a hearty pub lunch after a blustery autumnal walk. And if there’s a welcoming bar with an open fire, so much the better. We’d love to hear about your favourite cosy, country pub, where great food and a warm welcome are always on the menu.

The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website.

Keep your tip to about 100 words

If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words we will be judging for the competition.

We’re sorry, but for legal reasons you must be a UK resident to enter this competition.

The competition closes on Monday 13 October at 10am BST

Have a look at our past winners and other tips

Read the terms and conditions here

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It’s been an outstanding year to own MP Materials (MP 0.56%) stock. From the end of 2024 through Oct. 3, 2025, Shares of the rare earth metals and magnets producer rose 358%.

The U.S. Government’s push to reshore manufacturing is the tailwind pushing this stock forward. Magnets made from rare earth elements, especially neodymium, are essential components in electronic vehicles, military drones, and everyday consumer electronics.

The first thing to know about rare earth magnets is that China is the world’s leading supplier of refined rare earth metals. This April, China halted exports of rare earth metals to the U.S. to strengthen its position when negotiating new tariffs. That decision has plenty of American businesses eager to build a more secure supply chain.

Image source: Getty Images.

In the right place at the right time

As the only operational rare earth mine operator in the U.S., MP Materials is an obvious beneficiary of a reshoring push. Recently, USA Rare Earth has collected a great deal of capital with the intention of creating an end-to-end magnet production chain. The potential competitor acquired some mining rights in Texas, but it hasn’t begun extracting any minerals yet.

As the only magnet manufacturer with an operational mine, MP Materials is in a good position to receive government assistance. In July, the company entered a partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to build up the country’s rare earth magnet supply chain.

MP Materials intends to use government funds to construct a second domestic magnet manufacturing facility to be called the 10x Facility. Once complete, DoD has agreed to ensure the sale of every magnet the new facility produces for 10 years. The company thinks it can produce 10,000 kilograms annually with help from the new facility, once it’s built.

Also in July, MP Materials announced an agreement to sell magnets to Apple for use in its popular devices. Magnet shipments to the iPhone manufacturer are expected to begin in 2027.

Missing the most important part of the supply chain

Before getting too excited about MP Materials, it’s important to understand that its facilities for refining ore into metal that can be used to manufacture magnets are small. This is why the deal with Apple involves recycling old magnets, not producing new ones from ore the company dug up in its Californian mining operation.

The 10x Facility to be built in partnership with DoD is for manufacturing magnets. It isn’t the big refinery that the company needs to actually remove China from its supply chain. The company only expects to improve the minor refining operation at its Mountain Pass, California facility.

It’s unlikely that MP Materials’ planned improvements will allow for much independence from Chinese imports. Rare earth metal refining is a chemically intensive process that produces heaps of health-threatening pollution. It’s hard to imagine environmental regulators in California letting such a refinery operate at scale.

Why MP Materials’ stock is risky

Investors who buy MP Materials at recent prices need the company to overcome some extremely high expectations, or they could suffer heavy losses. Most basic materials companies trade at price-to-sales multiples in the low single digits. With a market cap north of $12.6 billion, this stock is trading at 48 times trailing 12-month sales.

The DoD established a guaranteed minimum price of $110 per kilogram of neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) to be processed at the 10x Facility. The company hasn’t broken ground yet. Even if we can assume it will rapidly complete construction and begin selling 10,000 kg annually to DoD at that price, we can only expect about $1.1 billion annually.

A bet on MP Materials now is a bet that its new battery recycling program with Apple succeeds. New investors are also betting on perfect execution regarding its partnership with DoD. Those bets entail more risk than most investors should feel comfortable with. It’s probably best to keep this company on a watchlist for now and revisit it after its 10x Facility is up and running.

The lead of the horror-tinged heart-tugger “Good Boy” is a copper-colored retriever named Indy who pads around an eerie house deep in the New Jersey woods investigating its mysterious creaks, shadows and smells. Like the Method-style actors of “The Blair Witch Project,” he goes by his real name onscreen. An ordinary dog without a whiff of Hollywood hokum, Indy doesn’t do implausible stunts like Lassie or Rin Tin Tin or comprehend anything that his owner, Todd (Shane Jensen), says besides simple phrases: sit, stay and, gratefully, the title itself. But we’re invested in the mindset of this mundane hero. His nose twitches are as dramatic as an ingenue’s gasp.

First-time feature director Ben Leonberg raised Indy as a pet first, movie star second. Along with his wife, Kari Fischer, who produced the film, Leonberg shot “Good Boy” in his weekend house, staging scenarios for Indy to explore until he had enough material for a (barely) full-length spook show. Even at 72 minutes, “Good Boy” is belabored in the middle stretch. It would make a fabulous one-hour TV special.

Using his personal footage, Leonberg (who also edited the film and did its gorgeous, inky-wet cinematography) opens with a montage of Indy growing up from a tiny puppy to a loyal best friend. We love the dog more in five minutes than we do some slasher final girls who’ve survived several sequels. Indy is the most empathetic scream queen of the year so far — and I mean that literally as his breed, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling retriever, is known for its high-pitched wail. American Kennel Club lists the Toller as the U.S.’s 87th most popular dog. I expect this movie will lead to an uptick. (Steve Martin already has one.)

What’s wrong in Indy’s new home? A pair of tragedies wind together like vines, although from the dog’s point of view, the distinction between them isn’t always obvious. This battered two-story home with ominous scratches on the basement door has been in Todd’s family for six generations, as the cemetery out back proves. Bequeathed to the youngish urban hipster by his grandfather (indie cult icon Larry Fessenden), a misanthrope who willed his taxidermy collection to a vegan, it’s a good place to disappear.

Todd, who’s in bad physical and emotional shape, has isolated himself in this scraggly, foggy forest to get some privacy from his sister, Vera (Arielle Friedman). There’s also a past death that the dog is able to perceive. A sniff of a rotting old chair frightens Indy so much, he wets the rug.

“Scaredy pants,” Todd teases Indy. The dog can’t explain what only he knows.

Several unnerving things are happening at once, including the presence of a silhouetted stalker, old bones that give the dog nightmares and Todd’s unpredictable mood swings. There’s also a ghost in the movie, I think — at least, there’s a heavy hinge that shouldn’t be able to open without a spectral nudge. Indy stands about two feet tall, so the camera often stays at that height too, gliding close to the floor where the view from under the bed looks as big as an airplane hangar.

A realistic dog’s-eye view of a creepy cabin is a good hook, although people hoping to see an otherwise satisfying genre thriller will feel a bit underwhelmed that Leonberg and his co-screenwriter Alex Cannon are conflicted about pushing the scary elements of the film too far into the supernatural. With a complicated backstory off the table (Indy looks restless whenever adults are having a conversation), the movie taps into our burgeoning belief that animals do have a special sixth sense, like how hospice workers know to pay special attention to whoever gets night visits from the resident pet.

Still, “Good Boy” doesn’t stray too far from the film’s core strength: a normal dog doing normal dog things. In a twitch, a head tilt or a whine, Indy communicates his emotions: curious, lonely, contented, confused, fretful, desperate or petrified. There’s no CG in the dog’s performance, no corny reaction shots and no use of animal doubles either. Todd’s own legs, however, are often doubled by Leonberg, an onscreen switcheroo that’s possible because the lens doesn’t tend to look up.

I liked the plot better on a second watch when I knew not to expect Jamie Lee Curtis on all fours. The ending is great and the build up to it, though draggy, gives you space to think about the interdependence between our species. Dogs are wired to be our protectors and yet, through generations of nurturing, they’ve come to trust that we’ll also protect them. The inarticulate betrayal in the film is that Todd isn’t making good decisions for anyone. His bond with Indy is pure and strong, yet one-sided in that Todd is too distracted to ease the dog’s fears. Indy is bereft to be left alone for long stretches of time in a strange house. But he can’t do a thing about that, nor the sputtering electricity, the fox traps in the brush and the neighbor (Stuart Rudin) who skulks around in hunting camouflage.

In Todd’s facelessness, he’s a stand-in for whatever you want: absentee parents, a struggling partner or child or friend. There’s a scene in which he comes home in obvious need of a cuddle, only to push his dog away. Maybe you’ve been both people in that shot: the person overwhelmed by their own pain and the loved one who has no idea how to soothe them. It’s terrifying to love someone this much, to give them the full force of your devotion only to get locked outside.

Consciously or not, Leonberg has made a primal film about helplessness. Watching it, I was knocked sideways by a sense memory of how it felt to be a child. Like Indy, kids get dragged around to places they don’t want to go to for reasons that aren’t explained, and when they whine, they’re commanded to pipe down. Even as we get older — when our own point of view can stand taller than two feet — the things that truly scare us are the ones that make us feel small and confused.

The travel bug doesn’t need to wane as we age. With potentially more time on our hands, there’s a whole world out there to explore. We’d love to hear about a special travel adventure you’ve had in your 60s, 70s or even 80s. Whether it was hiking in the Himalayas, a first-time solo or group trip, or an inspiring weekend somewhere more local, we want to hear about it.

The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website.

Keep your tip to about 100 words

If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words we will be judging for the competition.

We’re sorry, but for legal reasons you must be a UK resident to enter this competition.

The competition closes on Monday 6 October at 10am BST

Have a look at our past winners and other tips

Read the terms and conditions here

If you’re having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.

There’s precisely one surprising moment in Scarlett Johansson’s feature directorial debut “Eleanor the Great,” written by Tory Kamen. It’s the impetus for the entire drama that unfolds in this film, and it feels genuinely risky — a taboo that will be hard for this film to resolve. Yet, everything that unfolds around this moment is entirely predictable.

Also unsurprising? That star June Squibb’s warm, humorous and slightly spiky performance elevates the wobbly material and tentative direction. If Johansson nails anything, it’s in allowing the 95-year-old Squibb to shine in only her second starring role (the first being last year’s action-comedy “Thelma”). For any flaws or faults of “Eleanor the Great” — and there are some — Squibb still might make you cry, even if you don’t want to.

That’s the good part about “Eleanor the Great,” which is a bit thin and treacly, despite its high-wire premise. The record-scratch startle that jump-starts the dramatic arc occurs when Eleanor (Squibb) is trying to figure out what to do with herself at a Manhattan Jewish community center after recently relocating from Florida. Her lifelong best friend and later-in-life roommate Bessie (Rita Zohar) has recently died, so Eleanor has moved in with her daughter, Lisa (Jessica Hecht), in New York City.

Harried Lisa sends Eleanor off to the JCC for a choir class, but the impulsive and feisty nonagenarian pooh-poohs the Broadway singing and instead follows a friendly face into a support group — for Holocaust survivors, she’s alarmed to discover. Yet put on the spot when they ask her to share her story of survival, Eleanor shares Bessie’s personal history of escaping a Polish concentration camp instead, with horrific details she learned from her friend over sleepless nights of tortured memories.

Eleanor’s lie could have been a small deception that played out over one afternoon, never to be spoken of again if she just ghosted the regular meeting, but there’s a wrinkle: an NYU student, Nina (Erin Kellyman), who wants to profile Eleanor for her journalism class. Eleanor initially makes the right choice, declining to participate, before making the wrong one, calling Nina and inviting her over when her own grandson doesn’t show up for Shabbat dinner. Thus begins a friendship built on a lie, and we know where this is going.

Nina and Eleanor continue their relationship beyond its journalistic origins because they’re both lonely and in mourning: Eleanor for Bessie, and Nina for her mother, also a recent loss. They both struggle to connect with their immediate families, Eleanor with terminally criticized daughter Lisa, and Nina with Roger (Chiwetel Ejiofor), her TV anchor father, paralyzed with grief over the death of his wife. And so they find an unlikely friend in each other, for lunches and bat mitzvah crashing and trips to Coney Island.

Eleanor decides to have a bat mitzvah herself, claiming she never had one due to the war (the reality is that she converted for marriage), but it feels mostly like a device for a big dramatic explosion of a revelation. It also serves the purpose of justifying Eleanor’s well-intentioned deception with lessons from the Torah.

It’s hard to stomach her continued lying, which is perhaps why the script keeps her mostly out of the support group — where the comparison to the real survivors would be too much to bear — and in the confines of a friendship with a college student far removed from that reality. Johansson also makes the choice to flash back to Bessie’s recounting of her life story when Eleanor is speaking, almost as if she’s channeling her friend and her pain. The stated intent is to share Bessie’s story when she no longer can, and surprisingly, everyone accepts this, perhaps because Squibb is too endearing to stay mad at.

Johansson’s direction is serviceable if unremarkable, and one has to wonder why this particular script spoke to her. Though it is morally complex and modest in scope, it doesn’t dive deep enough into the nuance here, opting for surface-level emotions. It’s Squibb’s performance and appealing screen presence that enable this all to work — if it does. Kellyman is terrific opposite Squibb, but this unconventional friendship tale is the kind of slight human interest story that slips from your consciousness almost as soon as it has made its brief impression.

Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.

Paris is home to some of the world’s most famous landmarks, and trying to see them all can be tricky if you are pushed for time, so Mirror writer Niamh Kirk toured the iconic city by bike to see as many spots as possible

The French capital has become one of the best cities for cycling, and with so many sights to see, travelling on a bike around may be your best bet.

There’s no denying the roads are pretty busy, and the Metro gives the London Underground a run for it’s money when it comes to trying to work out, so I decided to hop on a bike and tour the city myself. Packing the itinerary with some of the world’s most famous landmarks, I knew I had a lot to cover in one day.

One good thing about Paris is how many cycle lanes they have put in, making it much safer than hopping on a Lime bike in London and hoping you don’t get run over.

It’s also an ideal way to burn off your croissants from breakfast, and work up an appetite for a Parisian lunch. I tracked my cycle on my new Huawei GT 6 watch (£229), a fitness watch that specialises in cycling, so I could map out my route with the GPS, track my distance, heart rate and time on the road.

Paris is expanding it’s network of protected bike lanes and these lanes are physically separated from cars which makes it a great feature for safety, especially for children. Paris now has protected cycling routes stretching across nearly half (48%) of its road network, however I quickly learnt there are a few rules to follow on the road.

For starters, there are two lanes, and for me, naively, I thought they were both going in the same direction, but I quickly found out I was wrong. They are lanes for both directions rather than a ‘fast’ lane for pro bikers, and ‘slow’ lane for more casual riders like myself.

After being shouted at by an angry Parisian man dressed to the nines in his lycra cycling gear, and not a clue what he was saying, I figured out I needed to stay in my lane.

I managed to squeeze in many landmarks during my cycle, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Church of Saint-Sulpice, Dome des Invalides, and even stopped off for a much needed rest and picnic in the The Luxembourg Gardens.

In total I cycled 12.85km, and I feel like this was the most efficient way of packing in lots of sights if you are only in the city for a few days, making it easier than walking and much easier than grabbing a cab.

And after a long day of cycling and sightseeing, I treated myself to a large glass of wine and a sit down in the sun.

Do you have a story to share? Email [email protected]

Channel 5 viewers returned to Darrowby for a new series of All Creatures Great and Small on Thursday night.

Feelings ran sky-high on Thursday evening as the sixth series of All Creatures Great and Small kicked off.

The cherished Channel 5 programme has returned in earnest with audiences heading back to Darrowby in 1945, following a brief time leap from the last series.

Whilst one cast member has already hinted at ‘drastic’ developments to come, it was Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West) and Mrs Hall (Anna Madeley) who commanded attention.

As the episode opened, audiences discovered Mrs Hall had departed Skeldale House to be with her son and granddaughter in Sunderland.

Yet, it was evident that Siegfried hadn’t coped well with her leaving as the veterinary surgery had fallen into disrepair, reports the Manchester Evening News.

With Tristan Farnon (Callum Woodhouse) and James Herriot (Nicholas Ralph) choosing to intervene, they travelled to Sunderland to speak with Mrs Hall, encouraging her to come back.

As she agreed to return, though only briefly, there was a tense mood as it was apparent Siegfried was wounded by her departure, though he expressed this through rage and irritation instead.

When Mrs Hall chose to depart early, thinking he didn’t wish her to remain, she became emotional whilst leaving the property. As Siegfried, Tristan and James came back to the house and discovered she’d departed, he admitted: “I drove her away.”

Urged to reach her before the train departed, Siegfried dashed to the station, arriving just in time.

Racing towards her in a cinematic moment, Siegfried confessed he had attempted to find a substitute for her role, but nobody else compared.

When he asked if she’d consider remaining, Mrs Hall found herself distracted by jubilant crowds on the platform as news broke out that the war had officially ended.

As the programme came to an end, the entire village was awash with festivities as residents discovered Mrs Hall had chosen to remain.

Walking arm-in-arm together, she confessed: “It’s good to be back.” To which he responded: “It’s good to have you back.”

It wasn’t long before viewers found themselves moved to tears by the pair’s chemistry, with countless fans flocking to X to express their emotions.

One viewer declared: “SIEGFRIED ADMITTING HE WAS SO UPSET WITHOUT HER THAT HE WASN’T FINE OH IM GONNA SOB.”

Another fan exclaimed: “Oh bl**dy hell I’m sobbing.” Whilst a third penned: “I AM CRYINGGGG HOWLINGGGG SCREAMINGGGG.”

Someone else posted: “Goosebumps! HE’S RUNNING LIKE HELL.” One person remarked: “At last, how long have we waited for that hug #ACGAS Everyone now reaching for a tissue.”

Meanwhile another added: “Incredible, lost for words at the moment.”

All Creatures Great and Small is available to watch on My5.

All Creatures Great and Small is back on Channel 5 and will see the return of all the fan-favourites including Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot and Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon

All Creatures Great and Small is making a triumphant return to Channel 5, bringing back all the beloved characters including Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot and Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon.

The first episode, dubbed Gathering the Flock, showcases James and Tristan (portrayed by Callum Woodhouse) taking drastic measures after witnessing Siegfried’s wild and disorderly conduct, with some touching behind-the-scenes moments.

Anna Madeley reprises her role as Mrs Hall, alongside Rachel Shenton as James’s wife Helen. Tony Pitts and Imogen Clawson also make a comeback as Helen’s father and sister, Richard and Jenny.

The sixth series will also welcome back Patricia Hodge as Mrs Pumphrey and Mollie Winnard as Maggie.

Here’s everything you need to know about the guest stars for the first episode of the sixth series.

READ MORE: All Creatures Great and Small star confirms character’s exit in series 6 updateREAD MORE: All Creatures Great and Small star shares thoughts on Siegfried and Mrs Hall – and fans will be upset

All Creatures Great and Small series 6 episode 1 cast

Archie Tredwell – Wayne Foskett

Wayne Foskett joins the cast for the opening episode. The 61 year old English actor is renowned for his roles in Merlin, Silent Witness and Midsomer Murders.

He’s also an avid artist and has showcased his works at the Jardiniere art exhibition.

Fans might also recognise him as Richard Stark from Game of Thrones or as Tom in Lightfields.

Jimmy Herriot – Thomas Riches

James’s son Jimmy is portrayed by Thomas Riches, but little is known about the young star at this point.

Susan – Lucy-Jo Hudson

Susan, an acquaintance of Siegfried’s, is played by Lucy-Jo Hudson, a 42 year old actress hailing from Leeds.

She’s the sister of rugby league player Ryan Hudson and was previously married to Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall, who portrays Tyrone Dobbs, until 2018.

The mum-of-two is recognised for her roles as Katy Harris in Coronation Street, Rosie Trevanion in Wild at Heart and Donna-Marie Quinn in Hollyoaks.

Rosie Herriot – Arlie and Autumn Doyle

Arlie and Autumn Doyle join the cast as James and Helen’s daughter Rosie, but little is known about these young twins.

Mary – Siena Marsden

Siena Marsden joins the cast as Mary, Edward’s daughter, although not much is known about this young actress yet.

Edward Hall – Conor Deane

Conor Deane returns as Mrs Hall’s son Edward, and he is also known for his roles as Fred Holdsworth in The Hardacres and Kyre Branson in Sherwood.

His other credits include Ridley, Happy Valley and What It Feels Like for a Girl.

All Creatures Great and Small airs on Channel 5 on September 25 at 9pm

FIRST it was Mondeo. Then Fiesta. Now Focus. 

Another much-loved Ford heading for the great scrapyard in the sky. 

6

6

6

No matter. 

Kia is here to fill the gap by giving us two sensibly-priced, Focus-sized family hatchbacks called “4”. 

One petrol. 

One electric. 

Plus, an electric saloon thingy. 

The same thing happened with small cars. 

Ford axed the cheery Ka runabout six years ago. Yet Kia is still shifting the dinky Picanto by the boatload. 

I dunno. Them crazy Koreans giving people what they actually want. 

Right, let’s discuss the cars you see on these pages today. 

The yellow car is called K4. That’s a five-door petrol hatch from £25k. Well-equipped. Fizzy 1-litre or 1.6 turbo petrols. Seven-year warranty. As with any Kia. Undercuts a Volkswagen Golf by £3k. 

The blue car is called EV4. That’s a five-door electric hatch from £35k, before any electric car grant. Looks great. Drives sweetly.

The chassis could easily handle more power. Iron Man and Mickey Mouse integrated in the onboard computer. 

I’m serious. 

You can personalise the central screen and satnav with your favourite movie characters. The kids will love that. 

Then watch Netflix or play arcade games, if you ever need to stop to recharge. 

I say IF because the biggest 81kWh battery will do 390 miles by the official WLTP test. Closer to 320 miles in the real world.

Still more than most people do in a week. And way more than a Vauxhall Astra Electric can manage. 

Everything is super easy 

The regular EV4 has a 273-mile ­battery and recharges in a 30-minute tea-and-pee break. 

Driving impressions. You sit nice and low in this car. We like that. It rides nicely (multi-link rear axle). 

We designed this car thinking about the European customer because they love to drive

Kia engineer

Handles nicely (also multi-link rear axle). Accelerates smoothly. Everything is super easy.

If you want to feel more involved, use the braking regen paddles on the steering wheel to mimic changing down gears for a bend. 

I reckon the four-wheel-drive GT due next year is going to be a lot of fun. 

A Kia engineer told me: “We designed this car thinking about the European customer because they love to drive.” 

Too right. 

The cabin is copy-and-paste Kia’s other award-winning EVs. Which means a nice mix of screens and hard controls, cup holders and chargers for everyone, lots of recycled materials, and lots of S P A C and E. 

Like 10cm more legroom in the back than a Tesla Model 3. Like a wide-opening boot that swallows loads more stuff than a Focus, Golf or Astra. 

That’s the benefit of a ground-up ­electric car. It’s no bigger on the outside. But you get a next-size-up cabin. 

6

6

6

Put simply, EV4 is a peach. 

Now for the car I’m less bothered about. The fugly EV4 Fastback. I reckon the designers were rushing to get to the pub. Either that or they finished it after they’d been to the pub. 

I’m sure someone will like it. 

It does have a bigger boot and the biggest battery as standard. 

But it costs £41k. 

At least Kia is doing Ford’s old job by giving everyone lots of choice. 

All Creatures Great and Small’s Siegfried Farnon actor Samuel West has opened up about his role and feeling ‘slightly jealous’ of his co-star

The sixth series of All Creatures Great and Small is set to grace Channel 5 on Thursday 25 September at 9pm.

In anticipation of the new series, Samuel West, who portrays Siegfried Farnon, has shared insights into the upcoming season. The 59 year old actor has been bringing Siegfried to life since 2020.

Siegfried, the quirky proprietor of Skeldale House veterinary practice, shines in Channel 5’s rendition of All Creatures Great and Small.

This beloved family drama is inspired by the treasured writings of Yorkshire vet Alf Wight, who wrote about his experiences as a rural veterinarian under the pen name James Herriot.

The colourful personalities that inhabit the All Creatures books and their screen adaptations are drawn from real people, with Siegfried being based on Alf’s actual employer, Donald Sinclair, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Samuel, the actor behind Siegfried, has divulged details about series six and the animal escapades his character encounters.

He revealed: “We have our first Shire horse. That’s an amazing animal. I don’t know how it took us that long to get round to a Shire, but it was a beautiful, beautiful creature, and very well looked after. I had to get good at pulling up the hoof to look at it from the side.”

Samuel also confessed feeling ‘slightly jealous’ of his fellow cast member Callum Woodhouse, who plays Tristan Farnon.

He confessed: “I wish I had more to do with horses. When they said that Tristan was going to start looking at horses with me, it was the first time I felt slightly jealous.

“‘Let it be me! Siegfried is the one who’s good at horses! I’m the one who they asked for by name!’ But of course, you shouldn’t let me be comfortable in that – there are always new things to learn.”

He went on to say: “And there is such a thing as an aura around people. You meet it, and you can almost see it in people who are very calm or very disturbed – and animals certainly know it. Horses pick up on it immediately.

“So, working with them, I don’t know… I remember realising that our crew was so concentrated and so still and so talented that if I was doing a two-handed scene with a horse, and it was just me looking at the horse and waiting for a reaction, almost waiting for eye contact, or just sharing something that didn’t take words, I could probably wait there for a minute and nobody would say cut.

“And that’s an extraordinary feeling. It’s really good, because you’re filming something that’s invisible – something that’s happening between an animal that can’t speak and somebody else who is trying to read their thoughts, their feelings.

“But when we get it, we get it. We can see it. It’s like magnetism. It may not be visible, but we can sense that it’s there. I find that really exciting.

“It works with horses mostly, but you also get it with cows and obviously dogs and cats as well – but mostly with the larger animals.”

All Creatures Great and Small returns on Thursday 25 September at 9pm on Channel 5.

From Ben Bolch: One UCLA football legend sat across from the other, lamenting how far their beloved program had fallen.

On one side was Rick Neuheisel, a onetime Rose Bowl most valuable player and Bruins head coach, wondering aloud whether his alma mater had put itself in position to pick a strong successor to the recently dismissed DeShaun Foster.

“Is there confidence in the current athletic director when there’s been swing-and-misses,” Neuheisel asked, “or do you need to go find somebody else?”

On the other side of the CBS Sports studio roundtable was Randy Cross, a former All-America offensive lineman and three-time Super Bowl champion so angry about the state of the Bruins that his voice rose as he spoke.

“UCLA is clueless, they’re rudderless, they’re leaderless and it’s been decades since they had anybody there that had a freaking clue as to, A, what they want to do and, two, how they’re going to do it,” Cross said. “It sounds simple — there isn’t a better school in America to go to than UCLA — but that athletic department is a joke led by the football team.”

Theirs weren’t the only critical voices.

Continue reading here

UCLA UNLOCKED

Sign up for UCLA Unlocked, our new weekly newsletter featuring all things Bruins athletics. Ben Bolch, in his 10th season covering UCLA football and men’s basketball for The Times, will be your host. To sign up to get this newsletter delivered every Monday to your inbox, click here.

UCLA POLL

Almost every week in UCLA Unlocked, there is a poll for readers to give their opinion on UCLA athletics. This week’s poll:

Who would you rather have as UCLA’s next football coach?

An exciting lower-level coach such as Tulane’s Jon Sumrall?

A rising star such as Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein?

An existing Power Four coach such as Arizona’s Jedd Fisch?

A wild card such as Mississippi’s Lane Kiffin?

Click here to vote in our survey.

TIMES OF TROY

Times of Troy is our weekly newsletter featuring all things Trojans athletics. Ryan Kartje, who covers USC football and men’s basketball for The Times, is your host. To sign up to get this newsletter delivered every Monday to your inbox, click here.

DODGERS

From Dylan Hernández: There’s desperate, and there’s desperate to where you’re looking for Roki Sasaki to be the answer to your team’s late-inning problems.

The same Roki Sasaki who hasn’t pitched in a major league game in more than four months because of shoulder problems.

The same Roki Sasaki who posted a 4.72 earned-run average in eight starts.

The same Roki Sasaki who last week in the minors pitched as a reliever for the first time.

The Dodgers’ exploration of Sasaki as a late-inning option is a reflection of the 23-year-old rookie’s upside, but this isn’t a commentary of Sasaki as much as it is of the roster.

Continue reading here

DODGERS DUGOUT

Dodgers Dugout is our award-winning Dodgers newsletter. Current news, historical items, polls, top 10 lists, you name it, if it’s about the Dodgers it is covered here. Houston Mitchell is your host. You can sign up by clicking here.

CHARGERS

From Anthony De Leon: On a play-action pass, Chargers running back Najee Harris crumpled to the turf before the fake handoff could fully develop, immediately grabbing his left ankle and tossing aside his helmet in pain.

Needing assistance, trainers helped Harris to the sideline, as he was unable to put any weight on his leg, before he was carted to the locker room in the second quarter of a 23-20 win over the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

Harris, who spent the lead-up to his first season in L.A. recovering from an offseason eye injury in a fireworks accident, was expected to be a key piece of a one-two punch with rookie Omarion Hampton.

Now, he will be sidelined for the rest of the season with a torn Achilles tendon, coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday.

“It’s unfortunate that that occurred … a rough start. He was playing good. I mean, he’s really good,” Harbaugh said. “We got good football players … guys will step into roles and, you know, be at their best when their best is needed most.”

Continue reading here

PREP RALLY

Want one place to get all your high school sports news? Our Prep Rally newsletter is what you need. Twice a week, we’ll deliver all the scores, news and features you crave, straight from our award-winning high school sports columnist, Eric Sondheimer. You can sign up for Prep Rally here.

THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

1926 — Gene Tunney beats Jack Dempsey with a 10-round decision to retain the world heavyweight title.

1952 — Rocky Marciano knocks out Jersey Joe Walcott in the 13th round to retain the world heavyweight title.

1979 — The Houston Oilers overcome a 24-0 deficit to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 30-27 in overtime.

1983 — Gerry Coetzee knocks out Michael Dokes in the 10th round to win the WBA heavyweight title in Richfield, Ohio.

1992 — Manon Rheaume becomes the first woman to play in one of the four major pro sports leagues when she takes the ice in the first period for the NHL expansion Tampa Bay Lightning in an exhibition game. The 20-year-old goalie faces nine shots and allows two goals in St. Louis’ 6-4 victory.

2000 — Ben Matthews ties an NCAA record with five interceptions as Bethel beat Gustavus 14-13. Matthews ties the all-division record shared by eight players.

2007 — For the first time in NFL history, two players have 200-plus yards receiving in the same game — whether they were opponents or teammates — in Philadelphia’s 56-21 rout of Detroit. Philadelphia’s Kevin Curtis has 11 receptions for 221 yards and Detroit’s Roy Williams catches 9 passes for 204. Detroit’s Jon Kitna sets a franchise record with 446 yards passing.

2012 — The Tennessee Titans become the first team in NFL history to score five touchdowns of at least 60 yards in a game in their 44-41 overtime win over Detroit. The scorers are Tommie Campbell with a 65-yard punt-return; Jared Cook’s 61-yard reception from Jake Locker; Darius Reynaud’s 105-yard kick-return; Nate Washington’s 71-yard reception from Locker; and Alterraun Verner’s 72-yard fumble-return. The Lions also become the first team in NFL history to score two touchdowns in the final 18 seconds of regulation to either take the lead or force overtime.

2012 — Kansas City’s Jamaal Charles rushes for 233 yards, including a 91-yard TD run in the Chiefs’ 27-24 overtime win over New Orleans. Ryan Succop kicks six field goals, one to force overtime in the final seconds and a 31-yarder in overtime for the Chiefs.

2017 — The St. John’s-St. Thomas rivalry game obliterates the NCAA Division III attendance record with a crowd of 37,355. The Tommies use a stingy defense to hang on for a 20-17 win over the Johnnies at Target Field, the home of the Minnesota Twins. The previous mark was set on Oct. 8, 2016, with 17,535 fans watching Wisconsin-Oshkosh play at Wisconsin-Whitewater.

2017 — Juwan Johnson catches a seven-yard TD pass as time expires and fourth-ranked Penn State rallies to stun Iowa 21-19 in the Big Ten opener for both teams. Saquon Barkley has 211 yards rushing and 94 yards receiving for the Nittany Lions, who outgain Iowa 579-273 but nearly blew the game. With the Hawkeyes leading 19-15, Penn State goes 80 yards on 12 plays to close out the game, and Trace McSorley finds Johnson in a crowded end zone on fourth down.

2018 — Tiger Woods caps off one of the most remarkable comebacks in golf history. Woods ends his comeback season with a dominant victory at the Tour Championship. He taps in for par and a 1-over 71 for a two-shot victory over Billy Horschel. It’s the 80th victory of his PGA Tour career and his first in more than five years.

2018 — Drew Brees sets the NFL record for career completions while passing for 396 yards and three touchdowns and running for two scores to lift New Orleans past Atlanta 43-37 in overtime. Brees breaks the record of 6,300 career completions set by Brett Favre.

2022 — Tennis great Roger Federer plays his final professional match during Laver Cup in London; teams with friend and rival Rafael Nadal but loses to Americans Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.

THIS DAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

1908 — In a crucial game with the Chicago Cubs, Fred Merkle of the New York Giants failed to touch second base as the apparent winning run crossed home plate. This resulted in a great dispute and the game was eventually declared a tie and played over on Oct. 8 when the Cubs and Giants ended the season in a tie.

1939 — Brooklyn’s Cookie Lavagetto went 6-for-6 to lead the Dodgers’ 27-hit attack in a 22-4 rout of the Philadelphia Phillies. Lovagetto had four singles, a double and a triple and scored four runs. He was the only Dodger without an RBI. Dixie Walker, Gene Moore and Johnny Hudson each drive in three runs.

1952 — The Brooklyn Dodgers clinched the NL title, the first time since 1948 that the pennant wasn’t decided in the season’s final game.

1957 — Hank Aaron’s 11th-inning homer gave the Milwaukee Braves a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals and the NL pennant. It was the first time since 1950 that a New York team hadn’t finished first.

1979 — Lou Brock stole base No. 938, breaking Billy Hamilton’s record, as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Mets 7-4 in 10 innings.

1983 — Steve Carlton of Philadelphia recorded his 300th career victory with a 6-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

1984 — The Detroit Tigers beat the New York Yankees 4-1, making Sparky Anderson the first manager to win more than 100 games in a season in each league.

1986 — Rookie left-hander Jim Deshaies set a major league record by striking out eight batters to start the game and finished with a two-hitter and 10 strikeouts to lead the Houston Astros past of the Dodgers 4-0.

1987 — Albert Hall of the Atlanta Braves hit for the cycle in 5-4 win over the Houston Astros.

1988 — Jose Canseco became the first major leaguer to hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases in one season as the Oakland Athletics beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-8 in 14 innings.

1992 — Bip Roberts tied the NL record with his 10th consecutive hit, then grounded out against Pedro Astacio to end his streak in the Cincinnati Reds’ game against the Dodgers.

1998 — Houston’s Craig Biggio became the second player this century to have 50 steals and 50 doubles in a season, joining Hall of Famer Tris Speaker.

2001 — Sammy Sosa became the first player to hit three home runs in a game three times in a season, but Moises Alou’s two-run shot rallied Houston to a 7-6 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

2008 — The New York Yankees’ streak of postseason appearances ended. Boston beat Cleveland 5-4, minutes before the Yankees’ win. The Red Sox victory clinched at least the AL wild card and eliminated New York, which had made 13 straight postseason appearances.

2013 — Alex Rios of Texas hit for the cycle in a 12-0 rout of Houston. Rios finished off the cycle with a triple to right-center field in the sixth inning.

2016 — David Ortiz hit a two-run homer in the first inning to set the RBIs record for a player in his final season, and the AL East-leading Boston beat Tampa Bay 2-1 for its ninth straight victory. Ortiz’s 37th homer came off Chris Archer and raised his RBIs total to 124, one more than Shoeless Joe Jackson in 1920. The 40-year-old’s 540th homer, his 300th on the road, struck an overhanging catwalk above the right-field seats.

2022 — Albert Pujols, who has announced his retirement at the end of the season no matter what happened, becomes the fourth player to reach the 700-home run mark, after Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds. He does so by going deep twice, first off Andrew Heaney in the third inning and then off Phil Bickford in the fourth for No. 700. The Cardinals win handily, 11-0, over the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Compiled by the Associated Press

Until next time…

That concludes today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email me at [email protected]. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.

One UCLA football legend sat across from the other, lamenting how far their beloved program had fallen.

On one side was Rick Neuheisel, a onetime Rose Bowl most valuable player and Bruins head coach, wondering aloud whether his alma mater had put itself in position to pick a strong successor to the recently dismissed DeShaun Foster.

“Is there confidence in the current athletic director when there’s been swing-and-misses,” Neuheisel asked, “or do you need to go find somebody else?”

On the other side of the CBS Sports studio roundtable was Randy Cross, a former All-America offensive lineman and three-time Super Bowl champion so angry about the state of the Bruins that his voice rose as he spoke.

“UCLA is clueless, they’re rudderless, they’re leaderless and it’s been decades since they had anybody there that had a freaking clue as to, A, what they want to do and, two, how they’re going to do it,” Cross said. “It sounds simple — there isn’t a better school in America to go to than UCLA — but that athletic department is a joke led by the football team.”

Theirs weren’t the only critical voices.

National college football writers and other pundits tweeted about the athletic department’s massive deficit, meager NIL resources and failed leadership. An online petition that called for athletic director Martin Jarmond’s resignation or removal generated more than 750 signatures as of Sunday evening.

Some of the fire has been friendly. Roughly 100 former UCLA football players met with Jarmond via Zoom to vent their frustrations about a variety of topics, including the need to get back to the days when football was a top priority at the school.

As UCLA commences a hiring process that will likely last until at least November, one of its biggest hurdles might be a perception problem. Its athletic department has been labeled as impoverished and directionless, with Jarmond squarely in the crosshairs of most detractors.

UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Many have questioned whether Jarmond should be involved in selecting Foster’s replacement after so badly whiffing on his hiring. A former position coach who had never run an offense or a defense, much less a team, Foster compiled a 5-10 record that included back-to-back losses to Mountain West Conference opponents before his dismissal three games into his second season.

“The puzzle doesn’t fit together,” said one veteran agent who works in the NIL space, speaking on condition of anonymity so that he could share his thoughts on the situation candidly. “It’s like, the bad AD hires the coach and they get rid of the coach but they still have the bad AD.”

UCLA chancellor Julio Frenk affirmed Jarmond’s standing in what amounted to a vote of confidence, saying in a statement provided to The Times last week that the athletic director would “oversee the process of hiring a new head coach who will elevate UCLA football to national prominence.”

In announcing a search committee that would assist him in making that hire, Jarmond said he was convening a group of accomplished sports and business executives and UCLA greats that would be revealed once finalized.

The agent who spoke with The Times said having a committee of respected names with UCLA ties such as football legend Troy Aikman, sports executive Casey Wasserman and former Golden State Warriors general manager and Washington Commanders consultant Bob Myers could elevate the Bruins’ prospects of finding a top-level coach.

“The more heavyweights involved, definitely more people might come to the table who wouldn’t otherwise come to the table and then they can try to convince them,” the agent said. “But then you have a lot of chefs in the kitchen picking, and they can’t get it wrong this time.”

The candidates will presumably have more questions than how much they would be getting paid. What does UCLA define as football success — eight-win seasons or reaching the College Football Playoff? What resources will they commit? How firm is Jarmond’s footing inside his department? How will the school bolster its NIL program to be competitive with top counterparts around the country?

Discussions about the school’s complex finances could take up a good chunk of any meeting.

The widely circulated figure of UCLA’s athletic department running a combined $219.55-million deficit over the last six fiscal years doesn’t fully reveal the financial situation. That tab has been covered in full by the university, bringing the balance to zero, thanks in part to $30 million in direct institutional support in the most recent fiscal year.

The university’s forgiving stance has been taken, in part, because a significant chunk of athletic department revenue is diverted to several other business units on campus, including the recreation department, parking, housing, food and Associated Students UCLA, which benefits from long-held trademark and licensing agreements.

That hasn’t stopped the Bruins from making significant investments in football, mostly thanks to an infusion of cash from their Big Ten media rights deal. The team spent $2.9 million to install new grass and artificial turf practice fields while also renovating the weight room inside its relatively new practice facility. A locker room renovation is in the works.

This summer, UCLA paid to hold its 18-day training camp in Costa Mesa. The team has also spent untold millions on food, travel, biometrics and mental health services while also upgrading the infrastructure of its football staff, including general manager and assistant general manager positions and expanded coaching, analytics and recruiting departments.

UCLA committed the maximum $20.5 million for revenue sharing with its athletes, earmarking an estimated $15 million or so for football players. The team also poured millions into NIL deals consummated before the House settlement so that players could benefit prior to the NCAA’s clearinghouse, NIL Go, going into effect July 1.

But how sustainable is that kind of spending?

In May, the UCLA Academic Senate’s executive board sent a letter to Frenk and Darnell Hunt, the executive vice chancellor and provost, outlining “profound concern” related to the athletic department deficit at a time of anticipated budget cuts for academic departments.

“We have been told that financial sacrifices are necessary to ensure that there is a UCLA in the future,” the letter stated. “How can austerity of this magnitude be imposed on the core academic mission while athletics spending goes unchecked?”

Fans attend the UCLA season opener against Utah at the Rose Bowl on Aug. 30.

(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

The letter went on to note that Jarmond received a contract extension paying him more than $1.5 million annually despite never operating his department with less than a $20-million annual deficit. It also detailed several ways in which the athletic department’s roughly $80-million deficit for the most recent fiscal year (not counting the $30-million lifeline from the university) could be used to support academics, including covering nearly all in-state tuition for every doctoral student.

“All of these potential uses would directly support the academic mission in austere times,” the letter said. “Yet the money is instead being directed to bail out a non-academic department that consistently demonstrates poor fiscal management.”

The senate ended its letter by requesting, among other things, immediate assurance that campus would no longer subsidize the athletic department in any form, including providing or authorizing loans. What was Frenk’s response?

Megan M. McEvoy, the academic senate chair for the 2025-26 school year who is also a UCLA professor of microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics, told The Times that the academic senate did not receive a reply and its concerns are ongoing.

But any pressure to save will undoubtedly be offset by calls to spend.

During a discussion of the coaching openings at UCLA and Virginia Tech on ESPN’s “College GameDay” on Saturday, reporter Pete Thamel noted that the Hokies were adding $50 million to their athletic department budget to display their commitment to winning at the highest level.

Host Rece Davis wryly added that of the two schools, Virginia Tech was the one that knew what needed to be done.

The agent who spoke with The Times said that UCLA’s best move might be to hire a coach from a lower-level conference who could bring a good chunk of his roster with him like Curt Cignetti did as part of his transition from James Madison to Indiana. In his first season with the Hoosiers, Cignetti won 11 games and took his team to the College Football Playoff.

“If you bring in a guy from Tulane, where those players don’t make as much [in NIL] as what UCLA has to pay,” the agent said, “you can just get it all done in a one-stop shop, so that’s a very interesting dynamic. I don’t think an A-lister [at a bigger school] can really build it as fast as the B-plus guy because the B-plus guy can bring players from his school right now.”

That’s assuming, of course, that the B-plus guy takes UCLA’s call.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland failed to win a gold medal at a World Athletics Championships for the first time in 22 years, as they secured their joint-lowest overall return since 2005.

GB ended the nine-day competition with a total of five medals, just managing to achieve their target of winning between five and eight.

That was level with their 2019 tally in Doha, while they last won fewer 20 years ago in Helsinki – where they finished with three.

The team’s fortunes were summed up in the event which provided their final medal opportunity in Japan, as the women’s 4x100m relay quartet – winners of Olympic silver last year – finished two-tenths of a second off the podium.

That confirmed Great Britain would fail to win a relay medal, of any colour, for the first time since Paris in 2003.

That was also the last occasion they finished without a gold.

The 64-strong British squad finished 21st in the medal table.

It comes after the team equalled their best haul of 10 medals to finish seventh at the previous World Championships two years ago.

On that occasion, they brought home two gold medals, three silvers and five bronze from Budapest.

They also achieved GB’s best return at an Olympics for 40 years with 10 athletics medals at Paris 2024.

Reflecting on the championships, Great Britain head coach Paula Dunn told BBC Sport: “Definitely a mixed bag. Five medals which is good and I’m pleased to see, and some missed opportunities.

“So it’s time for us to go back sit down with the coaches and athletes, reflect and do a review and see how we move forward.”

A flood of wealth is anticipated to sweep from baby boomers to younger generations over the next couple of decades. Cerulli Associates estimates $106 trillion will pass to younger generations. Of that, a large chunk is destined to be passed on to the companies that manage their finances.

Robinhood (HOOD 1.90%) and Lemonade (LMND 2.67%) are two fintechs laser-focused on providing financial services to Great Wealth Transfer winners. Robinhood offers the next generation of investing, banking, and credit products. Lemonade does the same for insurance.

Here’s a look at each.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Robinhood

Robinhood is widely seen as the face of fintech by young, tech-savvy investors. It pioneered zero-commission stock trading, a win that continues to pay reputational dividends. It continues to attract interest by beefing up its premium Gold subscription. Perks include 3% IRA match, a credit card with 3% rewards, and $1,000 of interest-free margin trading. The subscription is cheap, at $5 a month as of this writing.

Robinhood has promising user base demographics. In a May 2025 Investor Day presentation, the company discloses the median age for Robinhood customers is 35. Robinhood is popular with millennials and Gen X, the two generations primed to inherit the most over the next 10 years. But what really sets it apart from competitors is how it’s sprinting to meet these users where they’ll be not next year, but a decade from now.

The company has diversified from trading into wealth management and banking, a huge profit driver. The recent unveiling of Banking and Strategies products is evidence of a company executing on an ambitious long-term vision. Both product lines are key to convincing young and maturing customers that Robinhood is a “serious” wealth manager.

The stock is far from undervalued. As of this writing, it trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of over 50x, a valuation typically attributed to tech stocks — much higher than the 29x S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.48%) average. There might be better-valued opportunities among competitors like Block.

Strong fundamentals justify its high multiples. The company is profitable and has been so for over a year. It’s grown total platform assets at a staggering 99% in a single year, and it has over $4 billion on the balance sheet — plenty to invest in growth, or lean upon during tough times.

Robinhood’s young user base, ambitious vision, and strong fundamentals position it perfectly to win the Great Wealth Transfer. Its quickly growing suite of products is proof the company is moving to meet the next generation where it’s at: online, via an award-winning interface that does investing, banking, and wealth management.

2. Lemonade

Lemonade is very well positioned to serve as a major insurer of young and maturing users. It offers insurance via the Lemonade app, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered interface that can pay out claims in as little as 3 seconds. It typically attracts customers with the promise of cheap rental insurance. As customers mature, they purchase higher-margin insurance from Lemonade, like Car and Pet.

Powerful machine learning models put Lemonade in a league of its own. From Car to Life, these models gobble up data that the company uses to improve predictions. Combined with AI models that manage customers and employees, it can scale premiums from $609 million to $1,083 million while shrinking operating expenses, excluding growth spend.

To scale quickly, Lemonade is leaning into the expansion of its car insurance product. Car insurance is a huge unlock for users who want to stick with a single insurer across all products, snagging discounts. Lemonade knows this. In the Q1 2025 Shareholder letter, the company reveals it sees a 60% boost to conversion rates in states where it offers car insurance.

Lemonade has yet to prove it’s a sustainable business. The company is unprofitable, a red flag in a volatile market that places a premium on stability.

Critics point to the Car product in particular. Car insurance is a loss leader, with an 82% loss ratio, well above the 40% to 60% industry ideal. That needs to improve. An ideal gross loss ratio is typically between 40% to 60%, according to data by Relativity6.

All signs point to Lemonade reaching profitability on a reasonable timeline. Gross loss ratios, a key insurance metric, are trending in the right direction: down. Loss ratios dropped from 79% in Q2 2024 to 69% in Q2 2025. Lemonade expects to reach adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) profitability in 2026, meaning the core business generates more profits than it spends. Investors would love to see it.

Great Wealth Transfer winners to buy and hold

Robinhood and Lemonade may be the real winners of the Great Wealth Transfer. Both are innovative fintech companies with strong and improving fundamentals. I plan on holding both in my portfolio for five years or more.

Many of the treks to reach the San Gabriel Mountains’ highest peaks are arduous slogs up steep hillsides, all-day affairs that, while rewarding, are not simple day hikes.

But then there’s Throop Peak (pronounced “troop”).

Reachable via a four-mile, round-trip hike over moderate terrain, this 9,138-foot summit offers panoramic views of Los Angeles County and beyond, with some hikers reportedly seeing not only the Pacific Ocean but also Death Valley from this mountaintop.

A few reminders before we dive in:

• Always check the weather before leaving, especially right now when L.A.’s weather patterns are flip-flopping between autumnal 🍂 and summer. 🥵
• Pack more water than you think you need; there is none on this trail (although Little Jimmy and Lamel Springs — seasonal water options — are nearby).
• Print this form, place it on your vehicle’s dash and remember to share a digital copy with a loved one before you leave.

A view of Mount Lewis and the Antelope Valley from the trail near Throop Peak.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

You’ll start your trek to Throop Peak at Dawson Saddle, a mountain pass that’s about an hour-and-a-half northeast of downtown L.A. There are no toilets at the trailhead, so make sure to stop beforehand if needed, perhaps at the nearby Jarvi Vista Overlook, which you’ll pass if you’re taking Angeles Crest Highway to reach the trail.

A view of the Antelope Valley, including Three Sisters and Black Butte, from the Dawson Saddle trail.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

You’ll find the trailhead across the highway from a large maintenance shed. Please take good care as you head up the first third of a mile of the trail, which is narrow and slippery. Hiking poles would be helpful here.

Need to catch your breath as you get acclimated? Turn and appreciate the immediate views of the Antelope Valley to the north!

Soon, you’ll reach a ridgeline that you’ll take south past fallen logs, green pine trees and thick manzanita. From here, about half a mile in, you can look to the southeast and see where you’re headed. Throop Peak will be already visible! The trail is fairly moderate from here.

The trail to Throop Peak includes a lush segment through pine forest.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

About 1.25 miles in, you will notice on your map that you can take one of two paths to reach the summit.

Mostly out of curiosity, I took the more direct route: a third of a mile up steep terrain where I crushed over sandy, rocky soil that at times was unstable. I wished I had trekking poles, but in what seems to be my curse, I forgot them at home (again!).

Just before reaching the summit, I followed the path through a thick stand of manzanita. I crossed through, although doing so always gives me the willies because snakes love shady shrubs.

The other path to the summit is twice as long, but only two-thirds of a mile, so still a short jaunt. With either path, you will gain just over 460 feet in elevation, and either path will reward you with increasingly stunning views.

I was blown away when I reached the summit, quickly noticing nearby Mt. Baden Powell, which I’ve hiked many times. Farther out, I observed layers of mountains seemingly stacked against each other, like views a painter using aerial or atmospheric perspective employs to show depth.

Layers of peaks visible from the Throop Peak summit.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

I read the plaque at the summit that identifies its namesake, Amos G. Throop, founder of “Throop University in 1891,” which eventually became CalTech. (For transparency, Throop founded a Universalist group in Pasadena that exists now as the church I attend; hence I knew how to pronounce the peak’s name.)

The official and unofficial signs that mark the summit of Throop Peak.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

One of the nice parts of this hike is that it isn’t terribly crowded. I encountered only five people and three dogs on my late afternoon hike last week. I had the summit to myself, which meant I could sit and really appreciate not only the surrounding vistas but also its native plants, including thick patches of yellow rabbitbrush, some lupine and maybe a bit of San Bernardino beardtongue, if my plant identification app is correct.

If you’d like to continue hiking, you have the option — as long as you have a good map — to keep hiking, hitting Mt. Baden Powell, Mt. Hawkins or any number of other surrounding peaks.

On my way down, I listened to two Clark’s nutcrackers calling back and forth to each other, and then later, the echoing squawks of ravens communicating as they foraged together.

The view from Throop Peak, a less popular hike in Angeles National Forest.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

Given its short distance, moderate difficulty level and high payoff, this is one of my new favorite hikes. I’d like to return soon with friends to watch the moon rise from the summit, as the clear views to the east offer excellent opportunity for that. With every new adventure comes inspiration for the next one. May you find the same!

Throop Peak via Dawson Saddle
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation gained: About 1,200 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Dogs allowed? Yes
Accessible alternative: For desert vibes, the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve; for views, Mount Wilson Observatory

3 things to do

Beachgoers enjoying the sun at Bluebird beach.

(Jacqueline Pinedo / Los Angeles Times)

1. Hunt for “trashure” along L.A’s coastline
The California Coastal Commission’s annual coastal cleanup day will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, with cleanup events across the coastline. Several volunteer events are scheduled in L.A. County from Malibu to Long Beach. This year, volunteers can participate in what the commission has dubbed the “world’s largest scavenger hunt.” Various “trashure,” which can be redeemed for prizes including hotel stays, sporting event tickets and gift cards, will be hidden at cleanup sites. Learn more and sign up at coastal.ca.gov.

2. Begin your birding journey in Huntington Beach
Bolsa Chica Conservancy in Huntington Beach will host a beginner birder workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at its interpretative center (3842 Warner Ave.). Participants will learn how to use binoculars and how to spot and identify local birds. The class is $20 per person. Space is limited. Sign up at bolsachica.org.

3. Hike near herons in Harbor City
Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks will host a nature hike from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday through Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City. Ryan Kinzel, the park department’s junior urban ecologist, will guide participants on this free trek near Machado Lake, home to more than 300 species of migratory birds, including multiple species of herons. Register at eventbrite.com, although walkups are welcome.

The must-read

A coyote at Ayala Cove located on Angel Island, a state park in the San Francisco Bay Area, on Aug. 29.

(California State Parks)

At first, the dog-like creature swimming through the San Francisco Bay looked to be a seal or sea lion. Times staff writer Alex Wigglesworth reported that onlookers, including seasoned wildlife scientists, were amazed to discover that it was instead a coyote, swimming a quarter mile off the coast of Angel Island. Coyotes have lived at Angel Island State Park since 2017, when scientists observed the first one to arrive. That ’yote may have howled enough pleas for companionship across the bay to entice more to join it. Brett Furnas, an environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, pointed out that the coyote recently spotted was swimming away from the island. “That’s consistent with dispersal,” he said. “I think some of those coyotes are now saying, ‘Hey, we want our own territory,’ and they’re trying to swim back to Marin.”

Happy adventuring,

P.S.

Our local parks are for everyone. That’s why it’s so important that as many residents as possible weigh in on the city of Los Angeles Park Needs Assessment. Is your community in dire need of green spaces? Does your local park need better lighting? What’s missing? What’s your dream for your neighborhood park? You can submit your comments at needs.parks.lacity.gov to help shape the future of our green spaces and more. On the website, you can also learn about when the next community meeting is scheduled near you.

For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild. And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here.