World number one Judd Trump slipped to a 4-3 defeat against Elliot Slessor, while Shaun Murphy lost by the same score to Jackson Page in the fifth round of the English Open.
Slessor, ranked 23rd in the world, opened up a 2-0 lead in Thursday’s afternoon session at the Brentwood Centre, helped by a break of 67.
Trump, who is yet to reach a semi-final this season, responded with two half-centuries as he reeled off the next three frames.
However, Slessor compiled a break of 79 to force a decider and booked his quarter-final place against either Mark Allen or Ding Junhui with a run of 64.
Meanwhile, reigning Masters champion Murphy knocked in breaks of 93 and 102 as he fought back from 3-1 down to 3-3 against Page.
While both players had opportunities in the seventh frame, Welshman Page held his nerve to seal victory and will now face Wu Yize or Mark Selby.
China’s Zhou Yuelong also made it into the last eight after breaks of 84 and 71 helped him see off Barry Hawkins 4-2.
[This story contains major spoilers from Prime Video’s The Summer I Turned Pretty series finale.]
For three seasons, viewers of The Summer I Turned Pretty watched as Isabel “Belly” Conklin (Lola Tung) fell in love with brothers Conrad Fisher (Chris Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno), with the question always being: Who will be the endgame?
Though the series has closely abided by the bestselling trilogy from Jenny Han, the final three episodes of the third and final season departed from the books, leaving fans left wondering what was truly in store for the love triangle and whether Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah would prevail, even though (spoiler!) in the books, Belly ends up with Conrad.
But now, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter after the series finale, Han says the endgame was known going into this season, and that it was always going to be Conrad.
“I knew where we were headed,” Han tells THR, confirming that there wasn’t an intent to change the series’ ending to a Jeremiah and Belly finale.
The love triangle and everything else that happens in the show, in particular in this third and final season of the series, has been kept in great secrecy, because Han is “very protective of the audience experience.” However trying to keep plot points secret in a social media age with fans also filming and sharing clips of the cast filming online was a battle Han had to take extra measures for. Briney was spotted by fans filming in Paris. Meanwhile, Casalegno was also seen filming in Paris with Tung, leaving fans to wonder if Jeremiah and Belly’s story wasn’t over yet and she could choose him instead.
But the filming was a ruse.
“I wanted to do my very best to protect the ending for the audience. I think it’s really important to not know the ending. I felt like if you never saw him in Paris, then you might feel that you knew the ending of the show,” Han says.
The season three finale debuted on Prime Video Wednesday, but hours after the premiere the Amazon-owned streamer announced it has greenlit a feature-length installment that will serve as the actual series ender, and that Han will co-write the film’s script alongside Sarah Kucserka. Han will also direct the movie, which will wrap up Belly’s story.
“There is another big milestone left in Belly’s journey, and I thought only a movie could give it its proper due,” Han said in a statement when the news was announced. Story details for the movie are being kept quiet for now, and Han remains mum even when asked if she can confirm there is no more love triangle and that Conrad and Belly are and will be the endgame in the film. “People will just have to wait and see,” she tells THR.
Below, Han speaks to THR about the upcoming film, protecting the ending of the series, Belly and Conrad’s conversation after reuniting, and the criticism Jeremiah faced.
***
The the final episode of the series is out, but now a movie has been announced to continue Belly’s story. When was it decided to continue the story in a feature film rather than through another season? How early on did you set this in motion?
I can’t remember exactly when I had this idea. I don’t know if it was after season two or during the very beginning of writing season three, but I just thought it would be fun. I had a vision for how season three would lay out. At the end of a romantic story, it’s all about finally getting the two people together, so you don’t get to see much of what happens next. I didn’t want to fast forward and do a quick little montage at the end of it. I really wanted to give people a real meal, so I hope people feel happy.
What can we expect with the movie? Can you confirm there’s no more love triangle and that Belly and Conrad are the endgame couple in the movie, too?
I don’t want to say too much because we’re still in the process of writing it and it’s not final yet. So I think people will just have to wait and see.
Will everyone in the cast also star?
It’s also too soon to say. We haven’t even finished the script. I’m co-writing it with my co-showrunner Sarah Kucserka.
The big lingering question this season was who Belly would end up with and whether the ending of the books would be changed. Going into season three, did you already know Conrad was still going to be the endgame, given the book ended in that way?
Yes.
Was there ever a possibility to change the ending to be a Jeremiah endgame, especially since we spent so much of season two and three watching their relationship have its ups and downs?
Going into the season, no. I know where we were headed.
Ahead of the final season, there were viral clips online of Gavin filming in Paris with Lola. What’s the backstory there? Was that just to throw everyone off?
I wanted to do my very best to protect the ending for the audience. I think it’s really important to not know the ending. I felt like if you never saw him in Paris, then you might feel that you knew the ending of the show. I don’t like being spoiled and it’s very challenging with our show coming out at 3 a.m. eastern [time.] People either stayed up to watch it or they wake up really early and then immediately post reactions and edits online. I would see it constantly. People were like “Stop spoiling!” and then other people were like, “Then stop being online!”
Lola Tung as Belly in The Summer I Turned Pretty.
Eddy Chen/Amazon Content Services
This season, Jeremiah has gotten probably the most criticism and a common argument is that he only pursued Belly as a way to win her over Conrad due to his jealousy or competitiveness. But in the final episode, we actually see Belly question Conrad’s intentions with his feelings towards her and not knowing whether they’re genuine or a result of Susannah’s (Rachel Blanchard) wishes. Can you address the criticism of Jeremiah’s intentions with pursuing things with Belly? Then can you unpack her questioning of Conrad in that conversation we see between the two of them?
Well I think those are two separate issues because I think there’s an intention and then there’s things that you aren’t even aware of in the subconscious. I don’t even know if it’s possible to make yourself love somebody because you believe it’s your mother’s wish [Note: In Belly and Conrad’s conversation, she questions whether he began loving her because it was his mother’s wish for them to be together.]
I think it’s more about Belly’s own insecurities having always loved him. And then having had him, what she felt [when taking] away his love from her in season two. We also heard her say that she’d never love someone so truly before and she didn’t think she’d ever be capable of it again because it hurt so badly when it was over. She was very self-protective and scared. I think that’s more about her feelings and not really being sure of that love. I think with all people, you can think you’re being really clear in the way that you feel about somebody. The other person might not feel that and the two of them, both together, have struggled to communicate with each other and be at the same page.
Then with Jeremiah?
I don’t think that was his intention. I think that between the two brothers, things have always been competitive. That was baked into their relationship and the more it goes on, this girl they both grew up with and loved — there’s only one of her and that’s really complicated. And not just that, but losing their mom. It’s really hard, because their mom loved her so much too. So whoever they’re with in the future, that person won’t have known their mom and they won’t know what she was like or what their relationship with her was like. That’s a loss. So I don’t think it’s about Jeremiah trying to be competitive. I don’t think he had that intention and I don’t think Conrad had that intention.
Casalengo and Tung in season three.
Prime Video
Speaking of Jeremiah and Belly, we spend a lot of time with their relationship throughout the show only for her to eventually go back with Conrad. Why was it important to you to really explore Jeremiah and Belly in depth if she was always going to be with Conrad? Did you feel like it was hard trying to showcase Belly and Jeremiah also having their own genuine love story while navigating the Conrad endgame that readers know happens?
It’s really complicated. The two of them were at college together for years and Conrad took himself out of the equation, so he wasn’t this everyday presence in their lives. I think Belly and Jeremiah really built their own little bubble for the two of them, even in that way that Taylor [Rain Spencer] perceives that. College can often be its own cocoon, and then outside of that environment, is it something built to last? Or something that was really good for that time and for that season? And maybe it isn’t for all seasons.
***
The Summer I Turned Pretty is available to stream on Prime Video.
CBS and Dick Clark Productions (DCP), the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live-event entertainment programming, announced the premiere of “Golden Eve,” a new annual primetime special honoring recipients of the Cecil B. DeMille Award and Carol Burnett Award, to air nationally on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+.
The special will air as a marquee event during “Golden Week,” a new week-long experience across Paramount platforms as well as celebratory kick-off events ahead of the 83rd Annual Golden Globes®, the first major award show of the season, airing live Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 and hosted by Golden Globe, Grammy- and Emmy-nominated comedian and actress Nikki Glaser.
“We are so excited to expand our partnership with CBS and bring the Golden Globes to an even wider audience across the Paramount portfolio,” said Jay Penske, CEO of Dick Clark Productions. “With ‘Golden Eve,’ we will celebrate the industry’s most talented and influential figures, recognizing the recipients of the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award and Carol Burnett Award. This is a chance to properly honor those who have so profoundly shaped our culture, with more than a two-minute awards moment. This event and special will occur during ‘Golden Week,’ a premier cross-platform initiative with CBS that transforms the Globes into a multi-day cultural event, making it a cornerstone of the awards season.”
Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, added, “CBS has long championed excellence in arts and entertainment and that will continue in 2026. With ‘Golden Eve’ and Golden Week, we’ll celebrate the Golden Globes across CBS and Paramount, creating an immersive experience that brings viewers closer to one of Hollywood’s most iconic events.”
Helen Hoehne, President, Golden Globes. said, “The Golden Globes has always honored the achievements of remarkable talents. With ‘Golden Eve,’ we’ll give viewers a more intimate look at our honorees’ legacies and bring audiences closer to these icons. We’re excited to create an unforgettable night of award television with CBS and Paramount as we celebrate these legends.”
Following the success of last year’s inaugural Golden Gala honoring Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient Viola Davis and Carol Burnett Award recipient Ted Danson, the 2026 edition evolves into “Golden Eve,” offering viewers an unprecedented insider’s look at the honorees’ legacy, personal stories, and unforgettable Golden Globes moments. The exclusive special will feature career retrospectives, never-before-seen footage, and in-depth conversations with the honorees. More details about “Golden Eve” and Golden Week will be announced soon.
First created in 1952 and honoring the eponymous director, the Cecil B. DeMille Award has been bestowed on 69 honorees drawn from Hollywood’s greatest talents, including Walt Disney, Audrey Hepburn, Sidney Poitier, Judy Garland, Elizabeth Taylor, Robert Redford, Barbra Streisand, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and Oprah Winfrey. The Carol Burnett Award, created in 2019 and initially awarded to its namesake, is presented to an honoree who has made outstanding contributions to television on or off screen. The recipient is selected based on their body of work and the lasting impact of their television career achievements on both the industry and audiences.
The Golden Globes, known as “Hollywood’s Party of the Year®,” is the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television, and now podcasting. Dick Clark Productions will plan, host and produce the annual Golden Globes, which has been viewed in more than 185 countries and territories worldwide.
As a premier entertainment awards show since 1944, the annual Golden Globes has honored achievements in both television and film. Over the last three decades, the Golden Globes has enabled donations of more than $55 million to entertainment-related charities including scholarship programs, film restoration projects and humanitarian efforts. This funding has also supported diverse programs in partnership with advocacy groups aimed at promoting greater access in Hollywood for underserved communities. Dick Clark Productions is the owner and producer of the Golden Globes. For more information on the Golden Globes, please visit GoldenGlobes.com and follow them onX,Instagram, Facebook,Threads andTikTok.
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‐generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct‐to‐Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS (America’s most‐watched broadcast network), CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com.
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting; “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com.
Saudi-Pakistan defense pact: A historic strategic alliance
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Riyadh. (SPA)
More than half a century of defense partnership between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan reached a new peak when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement in Riyadh on Wednesday. The agreement declares that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.”
The defense pact mirrors collective security arrangements traditionally associated with regional alliances such as NATO and the Gulf Cooperation Council, designed to deter potential aggressors. According to the joint statement, it “reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieving security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.”
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan share a distinctive and enduring relationship, often demonstrated through exceptional solidarity in critical moments. For Saudi Arabia, security and stability in the Arab Gulf are of paramount significance. Pakistan also cannot overlook this crucial factor, given its unique relations with the Kingdom.
Though concluded soon after the Arab-Islamic emergency summit in Doha, the agreement marks the outcome of years of sustained dialogue between the two allied states. It is not a reaction to any particular country or event, but the institutionalization of a deep and resilient partnership between Riyadh and Islamabad.
The joint statement also refers to this partnership, highlighting “shared strategic interests and close defense cooperation” as the foundation of the agreement, whose real value, in my opinion, lies in the historic bond that exists between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. It takes their time-tested military-to-military ties to a whole new level.
The agreement represents the logical conclusion of decades of steadfast and sincere efforts by successive leaders and governments, with unwavering support from both the Saudi and Pakistani people. It should therefore be understood not merely in the context of current regional tensions but through the broader lens of shared history.
This extraordinary camaraderie was visibly symbolized on Wednesday, when Sharif’s aircraft entered Saudi airspace escorted by Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s — a gesture of honor previously accorded only to leaders such as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The grandeur of the moment was further underscored by Pakistani flags adorning the streets of Riyadh and Saudi flags flying across Islamabad. As the news spread, social media in both countries lit up with pride and celebration, reflecting the shared sentiment of witnessing a landmark in bilateral ties.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan share an enduring relationship, often demonstrated through exceptional solidarity in critical moments.
Dr. Ali Awadh Asseri
Having served in Pakistan as the Kingdom’s envoy for nearly a decade, I can readily imagine the depth of public feeling, even as the country continues to suffer from devastating monsoon floods. For Pakistanis, Saudi Arabia holds a special place: millions travel there annually for Hajj and Umrah, while millions more have contributed to the Kingdom’s prosperity through their labor and dedication.
Within the framework of Vision 2030, the crown prince has prioritized deepening Saudi Arabia’s political, economic, defense and cultural engagement with Pakistan. This priority has found an equal response in Islamabad. Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, has, like Sharif, maintained regular engagement with Saudi leaders and developed close ties with Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, who was awarded the Nishan-e-Pakistan last year.
This rare compact between leadership and people is deeply rooted in history, predating both the establishment of the Kingdom and the creation of Pakistan, and flourishes with each passing decade. While I examine this unique relationship and its underlying rationale in detail in my forthcoming book, “Saudi Arabia and Pakistan: An Enduring Relationship in a Changing World,” a brief outline of key milestones in the defense sphere is useful here to explain the historical significance of the agreement.
Saudi-Pakistani defense cooperation began to take shape in the 1960s, during the leadership of King Faisal and President Ayub Khan. At that stage, Pakistan provided training and advisory support to the Royal Saudi Air Force, laying the first formal foundations of a relationship that would steadily expand. In 1967, the first formal defense cooperation agreement, signed in Islamabad by Defense Minister Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, marked the beginning of Pakistan’s sustained role in Saudi Arabia’s defense.
During the late 1960s and 1970s, this agreement was translated into large-scale exchanges of military personnel and expertise. Hundreds of Pakistani officers served in Saudi Arabia as trainers, advisers and engineers, while thousands of Saudi soldiers and aviators were trained in Pakistan under structured contracts. By the early 1970s, Pakistan had extended technical cooperation to civil aviation and airlines, while simultaneously building Saudi defensive fortifications along the Yemeni border. The cooperation was not limited to training alone: it created the nucleus of a Saudi military establishment that drew heavily on Pakistani experience and professionalism.
The 1980s brought a major expansion in the scale and scope of bilateral defense ties. Regional turbulence, including the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the Iran-Iraq War, prompted Riyadh and Islamabad to institutionalize their military collaboration through a 1982 protocol agreement.
This protocol established the Saudi-Pakistan Armed Forces Organization and authorized the large-scale deployment of Pakistani forces in Saudi Arabia. At its peak, more than 20,000 Pakistani troops, including divisions and brigades, were stationed in sensitive regions such as Tabuk and the Eastern Province, performing both training and operational roles, while also reassuring Saudi Arabia against any threats.
Cooperation remained steady through the Gulf War of 1990-91, when Pakistan dispatched more than 11,000 troops to Saudi Arabia at Riyadh’s request. These forces were deployed primarily in defensive positions to protect borders and holy sites, in line with the 1982 protocol.
This is not an abrupt development but the culmination of decades of steady, evolving cooperation built on mutual trust.
Dr. Ali Awadh Asseri
In the 1990s and 2000s, the focus of collaboration shifted to counterterrorism and intelligence sharing, particularly in the fight against Al-Qaeda and in managing instability in Afghanistan. The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, highlighted the shared security concerns of both states and reinforced the need for continued military and intelligence cooperation, even as both countries worked alongside the US during the War on Terror.
The past decade and a half have seen a further diversification of defense relations, adapting to new regional and global realities. Pakistan’s former army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif assumed command of the Saudi-led Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition in 2017, reflecting Riyadh’s trust in Pakistan’s leadership of collective security. Since then, joint army, naval and air force exercises have become a regular feature, complemented by growing cooperation in defense production and technology.
The deployment of Pakistani troops and military advisers in Saudi Arabia has also continued under the framework of the 1982 agreement, primarily in training and advisory roles, while new avenues of collaboration in defense industries have emerged. This historical trajectory shows how the new agreement is not an abrupt development but the culmination of decades of steady, evolving cooperation built on mutual trust and shared security needs.
It will play a critical role in ensuring credible defense, as well as in charting a sustainable security framework for the future. The evolving regional security environment and global geopolitical challenges require Riyadh and Islamabad to strengthen their defense coordination. Joint exercises, advanced training and co-production in defense industries can form the backbone of this next phase, aligning with Vision 2030’s goal of building Saudi Arabia’s self-reliance, while drawing on Pakistan’s battle-hardened military expertise.
Equally important is the political significance of the pact. It reflects recognition of Pakistan’s rising diplomatic profile in recent months. After the US’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, Pakistan’s strategic utility declined in Washington under President Joe Biden. However, Islamabad has since reopened channels of engagement with the US under the Trump administration, signaling a cautious revival of strategic ties, while maintaining its enduring partnership with China, particularly through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
At the same time, Pakistan has strengthened political, security and economic relations with Turkiye and Azerbaijan, while also gaining visibility in multilateral diplomacy. As president of the UN Security Council in July 2025, Islamabad successfully mobilized support for a resolution on the peaceful settlement of disputes and played an active role in the UN High-Level Conference on the Two-State Solution in New York, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. Collectively, these developments have enhanced Pakistan’s standing in the eyes of the Kingdom and underscored the logic of a binding defense pact.
Finally, the defense pact also reflects Pakistan’s appreciation of Saudi Arabia’s steadfast support in difficult times — whether through soft loans, deferred oil payments or sustained humanitarian and political assistance. Against this backdrop, the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement represents both continuity and renewal: continuity of a defense relationship forged over decades and renewal in adapting that partnership to the demands of an uncertain future.
Dr. Ali Awadh Asseri served as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan (2001–2009) and to Lebanon (2009–2017). He is currently Deputy Chair of the Board of Trustees at Rasanah, the International Institute for Iranian Studies in Riyadh. In recognition of his distinguished diplomatic service, he received several state honors, including the Hilal-e-Pakistan. He is the author of “Combating Terrorism: Saudi Arabia’s Role in the War on Terror” (Oxford University Press, 2009). His forthcoming book, “Saudi Arabia and Pakistan: An Enduring Relationship in a Changing World” (Rasanah, with an Arabic edition), will be released next month.
Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News’ point of view
The actor Anna Friel has said she is constantly looking over her shoulder after a man stalked her for three years, telling her she would make the “perfect wife” and turning up at her home with a ring.
Friel said Phil Appleton, 71, a former pilot and actor, had “invaded” her private life and that protecting herself and her family against him had taken up valuable time when she wanted to focus on her acting.
When Appleton was first arrested by police more than two years ago after sending explicit messages to Friel, he was warned not to approach her. But he continued to pursue her and on Thursday was made subject to a 15-year restraining order by a judge at Reading magistrates court preventing him from contacting Friel and banning him from specific areas she frequents.
In victim personal statements, Friel said: “As a woman in the acting industry where there have been lots of cases relating to stalking, it has still shocked me when this has happened to me. This case has made me feel very threatened and makes me feel like I am having to look over my shoulder all the time.”
Friel said she felt she and her teenage daughter were in danger. “I don’t want to feel like a victim in my own home and a neighbourhood I’ve lived in for years. I am very disappointed he was given a warning the first time around and it didn’t stop him.
“He has created turmoil, anxiety, the fear of the unknown. I try and keep my personal life private and he has invaded that.”
She said the case had been “incredibly time consuming at a time when I want to put my full focus in work.”
Jai Patel, prosecuting, said Friel was first approached by Appleton in 2022 when she was on a walk with her daughter in Windsor, Berkshire. He claimed to have worked on television sets with her and Friel, mistakenly thinking she knew him, gave him her email.
Friel began to receive regular emails from Appleton. “He said he loved Ms Friel and he missed her, he invited her to breakfast, lunch and dinner at his home,”Patel said. “He told friends he was going to marry Ms Friel.”
In December 2022, Appleton attempted to join a health club Friel attended and the following month referred to her as “the perfect wife”. He said he was in bed naked thinking of her and sent a selfie showing his bare torso.
She reported Appleton to the police. He was arrested and warned that his behaviour was unwanted. The court heard that Friel did not make a statement or seek a prosecution, thinking a warning would be sufficient.
In December 2023, Appleton turned up at Friel’s home wearing a dinner jacket and said he was taking her to a ball. Friel’s daughter asked Appleton to leave, which he did, but came back a year later in December 2024. He looked up at Friel’s security cameras, mouthed: “I love you” and held up a ring.
He returned the next morning and Friel called the police. Before they could get to him, he went back to Friel’s house for the third time in 48 hours. The actor heard knocking at her front door and opened it. She screamed, shut the door and called the police. He was arrested that evening.
In August, Appleton, who now lives in Essex, admitted stalking. James Bloomer KC, for Appleton, said his client’s behaviour was troubling and he felt sorry and ashamed. As well as imposing restrictions on his movements, the judge sentenced Appleton to a 24-month community order, which included completing 10 “rehabilitation activity requirement” days.
Survivors of stalking, campaigners for women’s safety and heads of law enforcement have raised concerns over continuing failings by police in England and Wales to tackle perpetrators and protect victims.
They warn that while some forces are doing innovative work on stalking, others are not improving quickly enough, leading to a “patchwork” service and victims facing a “postcode lottery”.
Friel, 49, rose to fame as Beth Jordache in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside. She has been praised for her performance in the drama Unforgivable, which was released on the BBC in the summer.
AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors topped Thursday’s pre-event test session at Circuit Ricardo Tormo Valencia. Thomas Neubauer set a 1n32.487s aboard the #50 Ferrari, headlining a very successful day for the Italian brand.
Mercedes-AMG also started well, with Maro Engel second fastest overall in the #48 Winward Racing entry and Maxime Martin third in the #9 Boutsen VDS car. Engel was just 0.024s off Neubauer’s benchmark, while only 0.005s separated the two AMG drivers.
The #69 Emil Frey Ferrari was fourth in the hands of Thierry Vermeulen, who also topped the Gold Cup class. Fifth place went to the Silver Cup leader – and the only non-Ferrari to lead a class – with the #99 Tresor Attempto Racing Audi of Alex Aka leading the way. The #10 Boutsen VDS Mercedes-AMG was sixth with Cesar Gazeau at the wheel.
Eddie Cheever made it three Ferrari class leaders out of four by leading the Bronze Cup in his #93 Ziggo Sport Tempesta entry. The Italian driver was seventh overall, followed by another 296 from AF Corse driven by Jef Machiels. The main title contenders – the #59 Garage 59 McLaren and the #32 Team WRT BMW – were ninth and tenth respectively.
All 39 cars entered for this weekend’s Sprint Cup final were on-track during the session. There were two red flags: the first was caused by the #35 Walkenhorst Motorsport Aston Martin stopping with technical problems, while the second was necessary to carry out track repairs at Turn 4.
Cars will be back out tomorrow at 09:40 for Free Practice, followed by Pre-Qualifying at 15:00. The Sprint Cup season will conclude with races on Saturday (14:15) and Sunday (14:45), both of which will air live on the GT World YouTube channel.
Four years after making history in the hurdles on this track, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone added her name into the record books again, this time by winning the women’s 400m at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 in a championship record of 47.78.
Her run came just moments after Collen Kebinatshipi achieved a historic first for Botswana in the men’s 400m, becoming his nation’s first ever world champion in a men’s event.
Elsewhere on day six of the championships, Keshorn Walcott returned to the top of a global podium to take the men’s javelin title, while Cuba’s Leyanis Perez Hernandez beat defending champion Yulimar Rojas and Olympic champion Thea Lafond to win the women’s triple jump.
As expected, the women’s 400m came down to a three-way battle between McLaughlin Levrone, Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino and 2019 world champion Salwa Eid Naser. It didn’t disappoint either, as just 0.41 separated the three medallists.
McLaughlin-Levrone managed to hold off Paulino, crossing the line in 47.78 to break Paulino’s continental record and move to second on the world all-time list. Paulino took silver and was rewarded with a personal best of 47.98, marking the first time that two women have broken 48 seconds in one race. Naser took bronze in 48.19.
Collen Kebinatshipi showed that his PB in the semifinals wasn’t a fluke, going even faster to win the men’s 400m title in Tokyo.
He stormed to a world-leading national record of 43.53 to win the 400m and consolidate his place at 10th on the world all-time list. He held off Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards, who adds his 400m silver in a national record of 43.72 to the world 200m bronze he claimed in London in 2017.
Bayapo Ndori joined his compatriot Kebinatshipi on the podium, clinching bronze for Botswana with 44.20.
Walcott takes long-awaited global javelin title No.2
Thirteen years after he burst on to the international stage with his surprise Olympic victory in 2012, Trinidad & Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott won his second global title in the men’s javelin with 88.16m.
His victory in Tokyo on Thursday (18) wasn’t quite as surprising as his Olympic triumph more than a decade ago, but it was still unexpected. He took the lead in round two with 87.83m, then threw farther in round four with 88.16m.
Two-time world champion Anderson Peters claimed silver with his second-round throw of 87.38m and USA’s Curtis Thompson earned a surprise bronze with 86.67m.
World leader Julian Weber placed fifth (86.11m), defending champion Neeraj Chopra was eighth (84.03m) and Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem was 10th (82.75m).
Leyanis Perez Hernandez achieved the best mark of the year to add the outdoor world triple jump title to her world indoor gold at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 on Thursday (18).
The Cuban 23-year-old leapt 14.94m – a single centimetre farther than her world indoor title-winning jump from Nanjing in March – to win ahead of Dominica’s Olympic champion Thea LaFond with 14.89m.
The four-time winner of this title, Venezuela’s world record-holder Yulimar Rojas, clinched bronze with 14.76m on her return after injury. The qualification round on Tuesday had been her first triple jump competition in exactly two years.
Defending champion Noah Lyles sped to a world-leading 19.51 – the fastest semifinal time in history – to earn his spot in the men’s 200m final. Jamaica’s Bryan Levell won the second semifinal in 19.78, finishing ahead of Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo (19.95).
Defending champion Shericka Jackson (21.99) and 100m winner Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (22.20) were the fastest qualifiers for the women’s 200m final. All four US team members made it through to the final.
Defending champion Marco Arop and Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi qualified for the men’s 800m final, but the most surprising runs in the semifinals came from Ireland’s Cian McPhillips and Spain’s Mohamed Attaoui, who both ran 1:43.18 to win their respective races.
Kenyan duo Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon, winners of the 10,000m and 1500m respectively at these championships, qualified for the 5000m with relative ease. Chebet won her heat, while Kipyegon followed Gudaf Tsegay across the line in the second heat.
All of the pre-event favourites also advanced to the final in the women’s high jump, including Yaroslava Mahuchikh, Nicola Olyslagers, Eleanor Patterson and Morgan Lake.
A few notable names didn’t progress from the heats of the women’s 800m. World indoor champion Prudence Sekgodiso pulled up injured in her heat. Just moments earlier, Australia’s Jessica Hull took a tumble, taking her out of contention. Kenya’s Lilian Odira led the round with 1:57.86 while Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson and Diamond League champion Audrey Werro also advanced with ease.
It’s almost time for “Saturday Night Live” to return to our television screens, and some fan favorites will be coming back as hosts for Season 51.
Musician Bad Bunny will kick things off as host for the season premiere on Oct. 4, with musical guest Doja Cat. The three-time Grammy Award winner previously hosted in 2023 and was also the night’s musical guest. Doja Cat’s appearance will mark her “SNL” musical guest debut.
Following the premiere, “SNL” alum Amy Poehler will return to the show for her second individual hosting appearance and third overall (she co-hosted with her frequent comedy partner and former “Weekend Update” co-anchor Tina Fey in 2015). Joining Poehler for the Oct. 11 episode will be singer-songwriter Role Model, who will make his “SNL” debut.
Sabrina Carpenter will perform as both host and musical guest on Oct. 18, marking her first time hosting and second appearance as musical guest. Although she hasn’t hosted, she made a memorable appearance in a sketch during the 50th anniversary special earlier this year and performed alongside Paul Simon to open the episode.
The 51st season of the sketch comedy show will feature five newcomers to the cast: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska. Marshall was previously on the “SNL” writing staff and is known for his on-camera appearances as part of the Please Don’t Destroy comedy trio.
Several longtime cast members are also departing the series, including Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker and Emil Wakim.
The IOC EB’s visit followed the IOC Coordination Commission’s final visit to Italy ahead of the Olympic Winter Games that will open on 6 February 2026. The IOC delegation was welcomed on the tour by Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee President and IOC Member Giovanni Malagò, CEO Andrea Varnier, and Italian Olympic stars Federica Pellegrini (also an IOC Member), Valentina Marchei and Marta Pagnini. Malagò hailed both projects as “impressive legacies” that will serve Milan, and Italy as a whole, well beyond the Games.
He said: “President Coventry said that she would like to be a winter sports athlete so that she could have the chance to stay in this Village. She was joined by Federica Pellegrini, Valentina Marchei and Marta Pagnini. They all said that, in their lives and through their experiences, they had never seen a village so beautiful, of such quality, and so well-finished. We are very pleased because, as you know, the legacy is that of a student housing complex with capped prices, which I believe objectively represents another significant inheritance for the city of Milan and beyond.”
There will be six Olympic Villages during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, in Milan, Cortina, Predazzo, Bormio, Livigno and Anterselva – with a mix of existing, temporary and newly built facilities. The Games are fully adapted to the hosts, maximising the use of existing venues and, as a consequence, reducing the overall carbon footprint. Hence, Milano Cortina 2026 will be hosted across two cities, Milano and Cortina, two regions, Lombardy and Veneto, and two Autonomous Provinces, Trento and Bolzano.
Ice hockey and Para ice hockey will be held at the Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena. After the Games, this state-of-the-art multi-purpose venue will be transformed into a centre for sports and entertainment events in the city. Also spearheading the redevelopment of an area in Milan, this new facility represents yet another legacy of these Winter Games.
Malagò added: “We visited the Santa Giulia Arena, and I really hope, and believe, that everyone has seen the progress of the construction site, which is, in the most positive sense of the word, impressive. The city of Milan, but I would say Italy as a whole, will be equipped with a facility that has been sorely lacking and is essential for organising high-level events. This is objectively an impressive legacy that is being given to the whole country, and to the city for the Olympics.”
Milano Cortina 2026 will be the first Winter Games to be planned and delivered fully in line with the reforms of Olympic Agenda 2020, ensuring a focus on sustainability, legacy and efficient use of existing facilities.
Around 2,900 athletes are expected to participate from the territories of over 90 National Olympic Committees.
New data presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2025 demonstrate that individuals with psoriasis face a significantly increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss worldwide.1,2
The 15-year retrospective cohort study, led by Alison Treichel, MD, a dermatologist at the University of Rochester, analyzed data from the US TriNetX collaborative network. The study is also one of the largest to date investigating whether psoriasis predisposes individuals to AMD.
Investigators included 22,901 patients aged 55 years and older with psoriasis and compared outcomes with 3 matched control groups: patients with melanocytic nevi (MN), patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), and patients who had undergone ophthalmologic exams. Individuals with prior AMD diagnoses were excluded.
Over a 10-year follow-up, patients with psoriasis had a 56% higher risk of AMD compared with those with MDD and a 21% higher risk compared with those with MN. By AMD subtype, psoriasis was associated with a 40% increased risk of exudative (wet) AMD and a 13% increased risk of non-exudative (dry) AMD versus the MDD cohort.
“Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease in which lipid dysregulation contributes to cardiovascular disease,” Treichel said in the news release. “Because abnormal lipid deposition in the retina is a hallmark of age-related macular degeneration, particularly the dry form that causes progressive vision loss, it is biologically plausible that psoriasis could increase AMD risk. Our study is the first to demonstrate a novel association between psoriasis and non-exudative (dry) AMD and serves as a hypothesis generating observation for future studies.”
Treatment exposure also influenced outcomes. Patients with psoriasis treated with biologics had a 27% lower risk of AMD compared with biologic-naïve patients treated with topical corticosteroids.
“Our findings support a connection between psoriasis and AMD, both exudative and non-exudative, which could be mediated by shared lipid dysregulation,” Treichel said. “They also suggest that biologic therapies could offer protective benefits beyond skin symptoms. Further research is needed to determine whether these treatments have a true disease-modifying effect and to better understand the role of shared risk factors, including smoking, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and access to specialist care.”
Treichel emphasized the importance of vigilance: “Patients with psoriasis should continue to follow standard eye exam guidelines and promptly report any changes in their vision to their healthcare providers. More research is needed before specific screening recommendations can be made.”
The research team plans to expand their work by incorporating retinal imaging data to better define ocular abnormalities in psoriasis and to evaluate the long-term impact of biologic therapy on AMD progression.
References
Treichel A, Thomas K, McCormick T, et al. Psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration: results from a retrospective observational cohort study. Presented at: European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress 2025; September 17-20, 2025; Paris, France.
GBD 2021 Global AMD Collaborators. Global burden of vision impairment due to age-related macular degeneration, 1990-2021, with forecasts to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Lancet Glob Health. 2025 Jul;13(7):e1175-e1190. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(25)00143-3
