He has been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad

Owen Elding insists he has always been determined to represent Ireland – despite his family’s wishes for him to opt for England.

The Hibernian forward was born in Lincolnshire but relocated to Ireland aged six when his father Anthony joined Sligo Rovers.

He was raised in Riverstown, living next door to Celtic and Republic of Ireland striker Johnny Kenny, and emulated his father’s career by turning out for the Bit O’ Red in the League of Ireland.

His impressive tally of 16 goals last season secured him a transfer to Hibs, where he has adapted seamlessly to the Scottish Premiership.

His form sparked speculation linking him with interest from England, reports the Irish Mirror.

However, by that stage, he was on the verge of obtaining Irish citizenship – a process that was held up when fuel protests in April caused the delay of his naturalisation ceremony.

Elding is set to receive his passport this summer, allowing him to feature in the Nations League campaign beginning in September.

In preparation, Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson brought him into his squad as a non-playing participant for the friendlies against Qatar and Canada.

Elding has relished his initial experience of international football at any level – and is eager to finally don the green shirt later this year.

When questioned about his family’s reaction to his involvement in Hallgrímsson’s plans, he responded: “Yeah, they’re buzzing.

“I think, obviously, my whole family being English, they would have liked me to play for England, but me obviously growing up in the country for so long, it’s all I’ve ever known so it’s what I wanted to do.”

Recent speculation about England’s interest prompted a phone call from Hallgrímsson, who was at the time preparing to announce his squad for the Murcia training camp.

“He did (call), yeah,” said Elding. “He said he had a press conference, so he rang me and said, was it okay to tell the media that I was committed?”

The 20-year-old had no hesitation in confirming to the Ireland manager that he was fully committed to representing the Boys in Green at international level.

“There was a bit of interest (from England), but my full focus was on club football at that moment, performing well at Hibs and whatever came, came,” he said.

“To be fair, my full focus was always getting into this national team as well. Obviously growing up in Sligo, most of my life is all I know really. Yeah, it’d be a dream to put on a green shirt.”

The past week, he revealed, has only strengthened his resolve to achieve that goal.

He said: “It’s been an unbelievable experience so far. Obviously it’s a bit surreal coming in at the start and seeing all the big names and a load of Premier League footballers.

“But to come in and get that experience of international football is massive.

“When I spoke to Heimirr about coming in, obviously he wanted me to come in for this camp, get a feel of the group, get a feel of international football and all that.

“So yeah, I’ve enjoyed it and hopefully there’s more to come.

“I was itching to get on the pitch (against Qatar). Obviously I don’t have the passport yet, which is unfortunate, but that should be resolved quite soon. So hopefully I’ll be available soon.”

His naturalisation ceremony is scheduled for the end of June, and once completed, there will be just one final hurdle before he can officially commit to Ireland.

“Only then I can apply for a passport, which I don’t think should take so long,” he said.

Elding signed for Hibs from Sligo Rovers in late January and made his debut on February 1 in a goalless draw with Rangers.

His first start arrived a fortnight later against St Mirren, where he netted the opener in a 2-0 victory.

He also found the net after just 13 seconds in a 3-0 triumph over Kilmarnock.

“There was a load of interest,” he said regarding his options during the January transfer window. “I felt like I had to pick what was right for me and my family as well.

“Obviously I wanted to take that next step in my career, keep playing senior football.”

“I felt like going into under-21s at a, no disrespect, probably a bigger club, was a step backwards for me. I just wanted to keep gaining that first-team experience and kicking on.

“I wouldn’t say I expected (to settle in so quickly), but I definitely had that confidence in myself to go and perform straight away.

“Obviously it helps massively when the manager’s got so much trust in you at such a young age as well.

“Leaving home as well, it’s tough, but I feel like I’ve adapted to Scottish football quite quickly.”

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Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt is reportedly in the running for a major role in a brand new Western series

A Downton Abbey star is reportedly set to secure a significant part in a reimagining of a “masterpiece” Western.

The forthcoming eight-part drama The Magnificent Seven represents a fresh take on the iconic 1960 Western film, scheduled for release on MGM+. Helmed by John Sturges, the original 1960 picture was an Old West interpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai, with countless audiences through the decades hailing it a “masterpiece”.

Enthusiasts are now keenly anticipating this new MGM+ adaptation, which will unfold over eight instalments. While an official release date hasn’t been confirmed, speculation is already mounting regarding potential cast members and storylines.

Reports from Deadline suggest Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt is in advanced negotiations to join The Magnificent Seven remake, with speculation indicating she may portray the leader of a besieged Quaker community. The 45 year old actress is also recognised for her performances in MobLand, Coronation Street, Downton Abbey, Liar and Angela Black.

The complete cast list remains undisclosed, meaning audiences must await further announcements, reports the Mirror.

MGM+ revealed earlier this year that Matt Dillon (Crash) will feature in The Magnificent Seven, with filming anticipated to commence in June in Calgary. Dillon, who also takes on executive producer duties, will reprise the iconic role of Chris Adams (originally played by Yul Brynner), leading seven gunslingers recruited to safeguard a community of defenceless villagers from a ruthless mercenary land baron determined to seize their property.

MGM+ had earlier revealed: “Set in the tumultuous 1880s American frontier, The Magnificent Seven follows seven gifted but flawed mercenaries hired to protect a peaceful Quaker village after it is massacred by mercenaries working for a ruthless land baron trying to seize their land.

“As the team embeds itself and prepares to defend against overwhelming odds, they grapple with a central question: is violence acceptable to defend people whose faith is based on non-violence?

“The series explores the backstories of each of the Seven, what’s at stake for them, and why they choose this mission-delving into themes of honor, sacrifice, redemption, morality, and faith. The series will be available on MGM+ in the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile.”

The production aims to “honour” the original film’s heritage, as Michael Wright, global head of MGM+, explained: “While exploring timeless themes about courage, redemption, and standing up against oppression-and Matt’s performance will be at the heart of that story.”

The original 1960 film has attracted considerable acclaim over the years, with one IMDb user commenting: “This adaptation of Seven Samurai is fantastic, truly one of the best Western Classics in Hollywood.

“While many say that Akira Kurosawa’s original masterpiece, Seven Samurai (1954), is a far better film. I believe that The Magnificent Seven (1960) has certainly its place among other great classics of its time period.”

A further reviewer described it as “A first class Western, incredibly memorable.”

WalesOnline has contacted Joanne’s representative for comment.

BANGKOK (AP) — Heavy rains threatened to delay the search for two people missing in a flooded cave in Laos on Sunday, after the rescue of five other people who were trapped underground for over a week.

Finnish diver Mikko Paasi, one of the first international rescuers to arrive at the site, told The Associated Press that rains had filled the cave up to the second chamber, preventing divers from entering the cave until pumps can lower the water level.

The seven villagers reportedly entered the cave last week to look for valuable minerals before being trapped by a flash flood that blocked their way out. One other villager escaped and alerted the authorities.

Rescue teams from Laos and neighboring Thailand have been working together in the past week at the site in a rugged area in the central province of Xaisomboun, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the capital, Vientiane. They were joined by divers from countries including Finland, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, France and Australia.

Several of the rescuers previously took part in the complicated 2018 cave rescue in northern Thailand that saved 12 schoolboys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave.

The rescued men are being treated at a local hospital and are doing well, Malaysian diver Lee Kian Lie, who’s taking part in the operation, told the AP on Sunday.

“We interviewed them about how the deeper part of the cave looks like. We will continue to search based on the information we have, and perhaps we will be able to get to the other two,” he said.

According to rescuers, they have navigated more than 200 meters into the cave and discovered five chambers in the system. The five people rescued so far were found in the fifth chamber.

Paasi told the AP that the survivors said there’s a narrow crack in the fifth chamber that could be a passage leading to a deeper part of the cave system.

“This was the only place that we haven’t checked in the mine, where the two lost miners could still be,” he said during a video interview.

“Now there’s a theory that, through that small crack, it still continues, and there’s a sixth chamber, which gives us hope now that, if we could penetrate that small restriction, we might be able to reach the sixth chamber and then see what is there.”

The five people who have been rescued were first found Wednesday. They were identified by their first names as Khamla, Mued, Ee, Ing and Laen.

The first man was safely evacuated on Friday, guided through a narrow flooded passage by an expert diver. The remaining four left the cave on Saturday after the water receded enough for them to walk out on their own, rescuers said.

Videos posted online Saturday by rescuers at the site showed emotional moments as the men emerged one by one from the cave. Some collapsed on the ground at the cave’s entrance, and were hugged by a group of workers who cried in joy. Later moments showed them lying on a stretcher, wrapped in foil blankets and fitted with an oxygen mask before being transported out of the site.

2 Sisters Cafe & Bistro, located in Accrington, offers “the best Eggs Benedict in town” and has a “warm and inviting” feel about it, according to customers.

The cafe on Warner Street has a 4.9/5 rating from 295 reviews on Google.

Our rating is based on the cafe’s current score on Google Reviews and the number of reviews written about it.

All ratings are correct at the time of writing.

Lancashire’s highest-rated cafe – 2 Sisters Cafe & Bistro in Accrington

Whether you love to go out for a cooked breakfast or socialise with friends over a cuppa, there is plenty of choice on the cafe’s menu.

The menu includes fish and chips, fresh fruit smoothies, salads, paninis, cookies and more.

The cafe’s website explains: “We serve breakfast, lunch, kids menu, desserts and a wide range of hot and cold drinks.”

On Google Reviews, one customer shared: “⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We keep coming back because it never disappoints us.

“The best Eggs Benedict in town, always perfectly prepared, and a tasteful breakfast overall.

“The bacon is cooked exactly to our liking every time, which really shows the care and attention to detail.

“Thank you for consistently delivering such a great experience.

“It is always a pleasure to eat here! 💙”

You can get a full English breakfast at the cafe (Image: Tripadvisor)

Someone else said: “I highly recommend for breakfast.

“The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the coffee is excellent, and the breakfast menu has great options for every taste.

“Whether you’re in the mood for a fresh pastry, a hearty omelette, or a healthy bowl of yogurt and fruit, you’ll start your day off right here.

“The staff are friendly and attentive, making it a lovely spot to relax and enjoy your morning.”

Over on Tripadvisor, someone described the cafe as “a gem” while another said it “truly feels like home”.

One shared: “A gem on the nicest street in Accrington, the food and drinks are classy and exquisitely prepared.

Recharge with a brew at 2 Sisters (Image: Tripadvisor)

“Always brilliant.

“If you’ve not been, you’re missing out.”

Another commented: “A place that truly feels like home I recently visited 2 Sisters Cafe & Bistro and I can honestly say it’s the kind of place you’ll want to come back to again and again.

“The atmosphere is incredibly warm, and relaxing – it genuinely feels like being at home.

“The staff are extremely friendly, welcoming, and attentive, always ready to help with a smile.

The cafe has a variety of breakfast and lunch options as well as drinks (Image: Tripadvisor)

“You can really tell they care about their customers and put heart into everything they do.

“The coffee is delicious, and the cakes are the perfect treat to go with it.

Recommended reading:

“Everything is clean, well-presented, and thoughtfully decorated, creating a cozy and peaceful environment.

“I highly recommend this lovely spot to anyone looking for a relaxing break in a friendly and comforting place.

“I will definitely be coming back!”

You can find the cafe and bistro at 33 Warner Street, Accrington, BB5 1HN.

What’s your favourite cafe in Lancashire? Tell us in the comments.

Over four years ago, Belarus’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko allowed longtime ally Russia to use his territory to invade Ukraine. Now officials in Kyiv are warning that Lukashenko could again allow his land to serve as a launchpad for more attacks by the Kremlin’s forces.

While Belarus has not contributed troops to battle, Lukashenko has backed President Vladimir Putin’s war effort by hosting Russia’s nuclear weapons and military infrastructure, as well as producing components for Moscow’s military industries. Earlier this month, the countries held joint drills of nuclear forces involving Russian weapons deployed in Belarus.

Lukashenko, in power for over three decades, has ruled the nation of 9.5 million with an iron fist, relentlessly cracking down on dissent and relying on its close ties with Russia, as well as subsidies from the Kremlin’s coffers, to counteract repeated Western sanctions.

Military cooperation between Moscow and Minsk is increasingly worrying Ukraine’s allies.

Belarus’ role in Ukraine

When Putin began the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, Russian troops that gathered in Belarus under the guise of drills dashed toward Kyiv, only about 90 kilometers (56 miles) south of the border.

Putin’s hope of capturing Kyiv quickly was shattered by staunch Ukrainian resistance, and convoys of Russian tanks stretching along narrow roads became easy prey.

A little over a month after the invasion, Russian troops that suffered heavy losses and struggled to maintain their supply lines pulled back from Kyiv and other areas they captured in northeastern Ukraine in what the Kremlin cast as a “goodwill gesture.”

When Moscow tried to negotiate a quick end to the conflict weeks after its start, Belarus hosted the first talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations. The talks moved to Istanbul but failed to produce a deal.

As the conflict became a war of attrition, Belarus has played a key role in supporting Moscow’s war effort. Belarusian plants have produced important components, including microchips and other electronics, optical guidance systems, artillery munitions and heavy trucks that carry Russian ballistic missiles.

Ukraine’s presidential envoy on sanctions policy, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, said fragments of an Oreshnik ballistic missile that Russia fired at Ukraine on May 24 contained microchips from Belarus. He urged Western allies to tighten sanctions enforcement against Belarus.

Belarus also provided training grounds for Moscow’s troops, hosted joint drills and offered its hospitals to treat wounded Russian soldiers.

BELPOL, a group of former military and law enforcement officers who oppose Lukashenko, said the Belarusian industries have effectively been integrated into the Kremlin’s war machine. It says that over 500 Belarusian industrial plants are involved in manufacturing weapons and ammunition, repairing military equipment and providing logistics.

“Lukashenko’s regime is quite seriously involved in the war,” BELPOL head Uladzimir Zhyhar told The Associated Press. “Lukashenko is helping Russia in every way he can.”

In the Gomel region that borders Ukraine, construction has begun of a big firing range and barracks for large numbers of troops, Zhyhar said. Ukraine has been forced to maintain many forces at the border with Belarus, he added, keeping them from fighting Russian troops along the more than 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line.

Under Russia’s nuclear umbrella

Belarus, which also borders NATO members Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, has hosted some of Russia’s tactical nuclear weapons. In December, Russia announced that its latest intermediate range nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system entered service in Belarus.

Russia has used a conventionally armed version of the Oreshnik to strike facilities in Ukraine three times — in November 2024 and then again in January and earlier this month.

In 2024, the Kremlin revised its nuclear doctrine, placing Belarus under the Russian nuclear umbrella. Putin has said that Moscow will retain control of its nuclear weapons deployed in Belarus but would allow its ally to select the targets in case of conflict.

Earlier this month, Russia and Belarus held massive drills that included the delivery of nuclear warheads to missile units and launch preparations. As part of the exercise, a Belarusian missile crew test-fired a nuclear-capable Iskander missile from a range in southern Russia.

“Belarus lacks military sovereignty, and as soon as Moscow sees it as necessary for its strategy, Moscow will naturally use Belarus as a launchpad for a new invasion of Ukraine or some kind of armed conflict with NATO countries,” Zhyhar said, noting that Belarus offers a “very convenient springboard” for such an invasion.

Zelenskyy warns of an attack from Belarus

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his intelligence services had learned Moscow recently stepped-up efforts to “draw Belarus much deeper into the war and launch additional aggressive operations precisely from Belarusian territory.” He said the target could be along the Chernihiv-Kyiv area or against a NATO country bordering Belarus.

Zelenskyy said he ordered the military and security agencies to prepare a response and strengthen northern defenses.

Lukashenko has denied any aggressive plans, declaring Belarus will not enter the conflict unless attacked.

Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s former defense minister and now secretary of its Security Council, also rejected Zelenskyy’s claim, describing it as a scare tactic to attract more Western aid for Kyiv.

But in a sign of growing Western concern, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to Lukashenko on May 24 to underscore the risks for Belarus of being dragged into the war, their first call since the invasion began. Lukashenko said that next week he will host a French envoy for talks on European security and prospects of easing EU sanctions.

Andrii Demchenko, a spokesman for Ukraine’s Border Guard Service, said last week that while intelligence data indicate that Russia has increasingly pressured Belarus to directly enter the war, Ukrainian forces haven’t yet spotted any buildup of troops and weapons near the border.

Belarus’ opposition leader-in-exile, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, visited Kyiv last week and emphasized that “Belarus must never again become a springboard for aggression.”

“Russian tanks must never again march through Belarus to Chernihiv, Zhitomir, Rivne, or Kyiv,” Tsikhanouskaya told AP. “Ukraine is fighting for itself and for all the peoples who have lived in the shadow of empire for too long. It is fighting for the right to live in peace. And the fate of my country, Belarus, also depends on Ukraine’s success.”

According to official data, Belarus’ armed forces have 48,600 troops, a tiny force compared with Russia’s 1.5 million. In case of war, Belarus is prepared to mobilize 290,000, but they would need weapons and training to become combat-ready.

“The Belarusian army is unfit for offensive action,” said Alexander Alesin, a Minsk-based military analyst. “An attack from Belarus would require … mobilizing up to 500,000 troops.”

That would mean taking all the men from the national economy and then finding arms for them, he said, adding: “I consider this option unlikely.”

Ukraine has built heavy fortifications on the border with Belarus and planted mines that would easily stymie any attempted incursion, he said.

“Even with a small force, the Ukrainians can easily defend themselves and inflict heavy losses on the Belarusian army,” Alesin said. “From a military perspective, it’s impossible to launch an attack from Belarusian territory without suffering heavy losses.”

Lukashenko is comfortable with Belarus’ position as a key supplier of military equipment and would strongly oppose direct involvement in the war, he added.

“The last thing Lukashenko wants is to fight, and he’ll cling to his current position at any cost, so he can avoid fighting while profiting handsomely from the war,” Alesin said.

He stopped his opponent in just 79 seconds

Lee Reeves needed just 79 seconds to dispatch Hungarian opponent Andras Balogh at Leopardstown racecourse on Saturday night, extending his professional record to 16-1.

A precisely executed left hook to the body from the Limerick fighter, who has spent much of his career competing in Canada, sent the 22-year-old crashing face-first to the canvas with no chance of recovery.

Reeves, who combines his boxing career with roles as an Irish soldier and model, had hoped to accumulate more ring time ahead of a potential 3Arena bout on Pierce O’Leary’s August 1 card, possibly facing Gary Cully, but the swift finish at the Foxrock venue meant otherwise.

“You can only fight what’s in front of you, it’s exciting what’s to come after this, I would have liked more of a test, but at the same time I’m blessed with my power and my athleticism that I’m able to do that to these fellas, where I see other Irish fighters that fight guys like this and end up winning by a round,” Reeves commented. “That’s never going to be me.

“We’re looking at anyone that wants it on August 1. We’ve got Gary Cully, we have Senan Kelly and I don’t know who else. I just want to fight on August 1. I want to be on a big show and I’m going to put on a show so please God we have an answer soon.”, reports the Irish Mirror.

“I never had a massively decorated amateur career so the fact that I live the life now and I’m world class, now I can reap the rewards and show what I’m capable of.

“Whereas before I was doing it in Madison Square Garden or in Toronto and don’t get me wrong, that’s a dream, but to be able to show your hard work to the people that actually care about you, that is a dream.”

Now being managed by Jamie Conlan and David McGinley, Reeves spoke about how his military career has complemented his boxing ambitions.

“The Defence Forces is the greatest job in the world if you want to stay fit, if you want to be ready, if you want to be a good human being. They will give you the structure to do that. I think if anything it has been an additive to my career,” he stated.

“The 12th Battalion Limerick, I’m one of the main boxing coaches in there now, we’re upgrading every year.”

While the 3Arena looms large as the next milestone for the 31-year-old southpaw, a homecoming bout in Limerick remains a cherished ambition for the fighter.

“The talent that’s there, the hard work that’s there and the amazing nights that can be there, it’s super exciting,” Reeves said on the current crop of Limerick boxers.

“Dave and Jamie potentially after we win a big one on August 1, maybe we can bring a big night back to Limerick.”

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One of the country’s messiest and most consequential governor’s races is hurtling toward an inflection point on Tuesday in California.

Voters are looking for a replacement for Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, and their decision will help determine the future of a state government that is a testing ground for progressive ideas and a punching bag for Republican President Donald Trump. California is not only the nation’s most populous state, it has one of the world’s largest economies and is home to Hollywood tastemakers, Silicon Valley disrupters and Central Valley farmers.

The race was upended in April when Rep. Eric Swalwell, who had been consolidating support among establishment Democrats, was accused of sexual assault and dropped out.

California eliminated partisan primaries in 2010 in favor of a “ jungle primary.” All voters will get the full list of candidates, and the top two finishers will advance to the general election regardless of party.

Two polls conducted in mid-to-late May suggested that Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton each have the support of about 2 in 10 likely voters. In one of the polls, Democrat Tom Steyer landed closer to Becerra and Hilton, with Republican Chad Bianco and Democrat Katie Porter trailing further behind, but similar shares of voters were supporting Steyer, Bianco and Porter in the other poll. None of the other candidates were polling in double digits in either poll.

Among the 61 names on the ballot, money and attention have accumulated around a handful of candidates with track records in politics. Here’s a look at those top contenders.

Xavier Becerra, Democrat

Becerra has a 35-year history in California and national politics. He was a member of Democratic leadership in the U.S. House when then-Gov. Jerry Brown picked him to be California attorney general after Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate. He used that perch to aggressively fight Trump and his agenda in court during the president’s first term.

He later served in President Joe Biden’s cabinet as secretary of Health and Human Services.

That experience is at the core of his pitch to voters as a steady hand to guide California and stand up to Trump. It has also invited scrutiny.

Some Biden administration alumni have disparaged his record as health secretary, and he has faced persistent questions since a former top aide was convicted of stealing his campaign funds.

After Swalwell dropped out, Becerra consolidated support from many of California’s Democratic power players, including major labor unions, Planned Parenthood and the LGBTQ rights group Equality California.

Steve Hilton, Republican

Trump’s endorsement gives Hilton a leg up with Republicans and perhaps the clearest path of any of the candidates into the general election. But it could be a liability in November in a state that voted overwhelmingly against the Republican president. Hilton largely avoided mentioning Trump unless prompted during a series of debates.

Hilton is a conservative commentator and former Fox New host. Originally from England, he advised former British Prime Minister David Cameron.

In a nod to the dominance of Democrats in California, he is urging voters to elect a Republican as a check on the majority in Sacramento. In contrast with Bianco’s focus on cultural issues, Hilton’s message is tied more closely with the traditional Republican focus on lower taxes and smaller government. He has pledged to make people’s first $100,000 of income tax free and to dramatically lower gas prices.

Tom Steyer, Democrat

The billionaire founder of a San Francisco-based hedge fund, Steyer — or his face, at least — is everywhere ahead of the primary. His record-breaking spending, mostly from his personal fortune, has made his advertising inescapable. That has helped him become one of the race’s frontrunners.

Steyer, who has never held elected office, first made a name for himself as a donor to Democratic politicians and groups committed to fighting climate change. He bankrolled a campaign calling for Trump’s impeachment during his first term, and he later financed his own campaign for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination but dropped out after a disappointing showing in early-state primaries and caucuses.

Steyer is running as a progressive populist, railing against the political power wielded by special interests and corporations. His message has endeared him to unlikely allies for a billionaire financier, including the Bernie Sanders-aligned group Our Revolution.

Matt Mahan, Democrat

As mayor of San Jose, Mahan is a moderate Democrat rooted in the pro-innovation ethos of Silicon Valley. His business-friendly pitch and his own background as an entrepreneur have made him a favorite with some in the tech world.

Mahan says California should get “back to basics,” emphasizing technocratic problem solving over factional skirmishes. He entered the race late as an outsider to Sacramento leadership, building a statewide profile mainly by criticizing Newsom and the Legislature’s response to homelessness and crime.

His backing from tech executives — and their millions of dollars — has been controversial in some corners of the party, particularly among labor unions and populists worried Silicon Valley elites wield too much power.

Still, he has struggled to consolidate support on the pro-business left, and even some of his benefactors are hedging their bets. Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale also gave to Republican Steve Hilton.

Katie Porter, Democrat

Once a college professor, Porter made a name for herself with a whiteboard and simple policy messages during three terms representing Orange County in Congress. Her verbal sparring with business executives testifying on Capitol Hill went viral.

Porter is leaning on her populist, anti-corporate background, arguing that she can fight on behalf of normal Californians against powerful interests. Before running for office, she was California’s independent monitor of banks in the national mortgage settlement following the 2008 financial crisis.

Her grasp of policy has helped her amass support from newspaper editorial boards. But she has battled an image as a mercurial leader. Leaked videos showed her berating an aide who could be seen behind her in a Zoom video and threatening to walk out of a television interview. She has apologized and pledged to treat people more respectfully.

Porter ran for Senate in 2024, but she failed to make it through the primary.

Antonio Villaraigosa, Democrat

The former mayor of Los Angeles and speaker of the state Assembly has struggled to gain traction after more than a decade out of public office.

A one-time union organizer, Villaraigosa was the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles in more than a century, a role he filled from 2005 to 2013.

Villaraigosa is pitching his experience in LA and the state Capitol, running as a pragmatic, centrist problem solver in an implicit contrast with his Democratic rivals emphasizing their commitment to a progressive ideology.

Villaraigosa’s roots are in the Southern California political ecosystem, which would be a contrast after four terms of Brown and Newsom, both governors from the San Francisco Bay Area.

He ran for governor in 2018 but finished third in the primary.

Chad Bianco, Republican

Bianco is the sheriff of Riverside County and is emphasizing his three-decade career in law enforcement, pledging to tackle crime and homelessness.

A staunch Trump supporter, Bianco stoked national notoriety when his office seized 1,000 boxes of election material including more than a half million ballots from a 2025 special election on redistricting. He says it is part of a legitimate criminal investigation, but critics see it as a nod to discredited conspiracy theories that have motivated Trump’s base. The state Supreme Court in April ordered him to halt the probe.

The seizure put him at odds with California’s Democratic attorney general and raised his profile among Republicans.

An experimental blood test may be able to detect Alzheimer’s disease almost two decades before a typical diagnosis

A groundbreaking blood test could identify a devastating illness nearly two decades before a conventional diagnosis. New research has revealed that this test may predict Alzheimer’s disease 17 years ahead of the typical timeframe.

The results, published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry B, also indicate this test might detect Parkinson’s disease at an early stage. According to Study Finds, the research examined the application of an innovative sensor known as the immuno-infrared sensor (iRS).

This sensor has the capability to identify abnormal protein alterations in blood associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, potentially years before symptoms emerge. Drawing on a substantial population study, it forecasted Alzheimer’s disease risk up to 17 years prior to clinical diagnosis.

The technology functions by detecting structural changes in brain-related proteins within blood samples, identifying an early warning sign that existing blood tests overlook. But, it’s crucial to note that this test hasn’t yet received approval for widespread use and needs additional testing.

Advertisement

How the sensor works

Both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease have been associated with an abnormal accumulation of proteins in the brain. In Alzheimer’s, this is triggered by the progressive accumulation of two proteins called amyloid (creating plaques surrounding cells) and tau (creating tangles within cells). In Parkinson’s, the damaged brain cells frequently build up unusual protein deposits known as Lewy bodies, which hold a protein called alpha-synuclein. Rather than measuring whether a protein existed or not, the sensor identified whether it had begun to alter shape, providing a far earlier indication.

Following a blood sample being collected, an infrared light is shone onto proteins extracted from the sample. The sensor then establishes how advanced the misfolding process has become.

The research utilised an existing population-based study drawing on blood samples from a subset of 10,000 participants, discovering that the sensor predicted Alzheimer’s disease risk up to 17 years before any symptoms appeared, with accuracy levels as high as 0.82 out of a maximum 1.0.

Among a smaller group who had already mentioned mild memory issues, the test predicted progression to full clinical Alzheimer’s disease six years ahead, with an accuracy score of 0.94. For Parkinson’s disease, the sensor was tested on spinal fluid samples in a discovery and independent validation study, reaching 94 per cent sensitivity and 97 per cent specificity.

Blood-based Parkinson’s results were also documented, with an accuracy score of 0.94, 87 per cent sensitivity, and 97 per cent specificity, though that specific study was a preprint at the time and hadn’t yet completed peer review.

Study limitations

However, the study has its limitations. The report analysed and combined existing research instead of presenting entirely new clinical trial data.

Additionally, some of the performance figures cited, including the predictive accuracy statistics for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, come from previously published studies referenced in the paper, rather than from new experimental data. The Parkinson’s blood-based results mentioned were, at the time of publication, only available as a preprint study and hadn’t yet been peer reviewed.

The ALS-related findings are characterised as a feasibility study, indicating they represent very preliminary evidence. For widespread population screening, the test still needs regulatory certification in Europe and FDA approval in the United States, and capacity would need to be substantially scaled up.

Moreover, one declared competing interest is that the corresponding author, Klaus Gerwert, is the founder and CEO of betaSENSE GmbH, which is linked to the commercialisation of this technology.

Niall Horan has said he was in denial when he heard the news of Liam Payne’s death.

Payne died in October 2024 after falling from a third-story hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31 years old.

In a new interview with The Times, Horan, 32, said he was with his One Direction bandmate in Argentina just weeks before his death. “I’m glad of that, it means my last memory of him was happy,” he said.

Payne had flown in to Argentina to see Horan perform on tour, with a video of the moment – in which Payne is seen happily supporting his former bandmate – circulating online.

“It still feels surreal,” continued Horan. “On day one I was, like, ‘Nah, it didn’t happen.’ Our friendship was a bond that was there forever even if we hadn’t seen each other for a while and it’s wild that one day, like the flick of a switch, he’s gone.”

Horan said that “all our families” have remained in touch since Payne’s death two years ago, adding that there is a “light and shade” to his grief.

“When I think of Liam’s passing, there is sadness, but it also makes me laugh and smirk because of the memories we had,” Horan said. “I’ll go to places and think of something stupid in a hotel or something random that makes me laugh.”

He continued: “We always had good fun in Australia because we were able to get out and go to the beach. Liam wasn’t too bad at surfing. I can barely swim.”

The Irish singer has dedicated one of the tracks – titled “End of an Era” – on his forthcoming solo album to his late bandmate. “I think it’s his type of song,” he replied when asked what he thinks Payne would make of it. “He liked Coldplay. He loved songs like ‘You & I’ by One Direction, songs that went somewhere.”

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Speaking about his bandmate Louis Tomlinson’s fellow tribute to Payne, titled “Dark to Light”, Horan said: “We have this shared thing, but so do the fans, they had a loss too.”

Together with Payne, Tomlinson, Harry Styles, and Zayn Malik, Horan shot to fame when One Direction was formed on The X Factor in 2010. The five-piece went on to achieve staggering international success with hit songs such as “What Makes You Beautiful” (2011) and “Night Changes” (2014).

Speaking to The Independent in October last year, Tomlinson echoed the same sentiments of disbelief at hearing news of Payne’s death. “It’s something I’ll never really accept, I don’t think,” he said.

Payne’s funeral was held in Amersham, Buckingham in November 2024, and was attended by his family, friends and former bandmates.