Palace says King Charles III will support police assessing former Prince Andrew's Epstein links

LONDON (AP) — King Charles III is ready to "support'' UK police examining claims that the former Prince Andrew gave confidential information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Buckingham Palace said on Monday.

Associated Press

The statement came after Thames Valley Police said Monday that they were"assessing" reports that theformer prince, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor,sent trade reports to Epstein in 2010. The department, which serves an area west of London that includes Mountbatten-Windsor's former home, previously said it was evaluating allegations that Epstein flew a young woman to Britain to have sex with Andrew, also in 2010.

"The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor's conduct,'' the palace said in a statement. "While the specific claims in question are for Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect.''

The statement is just the latest effort by the palace to distance the royal family from Mountbatten-Windsor as the U.S. Justice Department's release of more than 3 million pages of documents from its investigation into Epstein reveal more embarrassing details about the relationship between the two men. Earlier in the day, Prince William and Princess Catherine released their own statement saying they have been "deeply concerned" by recent revelations.

The palace also reiterated Charles and Queen Camilla's concern for the victims of Epstein's abuse.

"As was previously stated, Their Majesties' thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse,'' the palace said.

The jeopardy faced by the royal family could be seen Monday when Charles visited Lancashire, in northwest England. While most of the crowd clapped, cheered and waved flags, one person shouted, "How long have you known about Andrew?"

Concerns about Mountbatten-Windsor's links to Epstein have dogged the royal family for more than a decade.

The late Queen Elizabeth II forced her second son to give up royal duties and end his charitable work in 2019 after he tried to explain away his friendship with Epstein during a catastrophic interview with the BBC. After more details about the relationship emerged in a book published last year, Charles stripped him of the right to be called a prince and ordered him to move out of a royal residence close to Windsor Castle.

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But the Justice Department documents have brought new attention to Mountbatten-Windsor as reporters home in on dozens of email exchanges between Epstein and the former prince, many of which took place after the financier was convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008.

Correspondence unearthed in recent days appear to show that Mountbatten-Windsor sent Epstein copies of his reports from a 2010 tour of Southeast Asia, which he undertook as Britain's envoy for international trade. An earlier email appears to show Andrew sharing his itinerary for the two-week trip to Hanoi, Saigon, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong with Epstein.

"We can confirm receipt of this report and are assessing the information in line with our established procedures," Thames Valley police said in a statement released on Monday.

Adding to the storm, a U.S.-based attorney said on Feb. 1 that he represented a woman who alleges Epstein flew her to Britain to have sex with Mountbatten-Windsor. The encounter took place at Royal Lodge, the former prince's longtime home in Windsor, the attorney said in an interview with the BBC.

Police previously said they were assessing this report.

The king last week forced Mountbatten-Windsorto move out of Royal Lodge months ahead of schedule. Anger over Mountbatten-Windsor's living arrangements had grown amid concern that he was still reaping rewards from his status as a royal even though he is no longer a working member of the royal family.

Mountbatten-Windsor is now living on theking's Sandringham estate in eastern England. He will live temporarily at Wood Farm Cottage while his permanent home on the estate undergoes repairs. Unlike Royal Lodge, which is owned by the crown and managed for the benefit of taxpayers, Sandringham is owned privately by the king.

Thames Valley Police began its latest inquiry after Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, reported Mountbatten-Windsor for suspected abuse of public office and violations of Britain's Official Secrets Act.

Smith, whose group seeks to replace the king with an elected head of state, compared Mountbatten-Windsor's correspondence with Epstein to earlier revelations about Peter Mandelson, Britain's former ambassador to the U.S., who is already the subject of a police investigation into whether he shared sensitive information with Epstein. Those communications were also revealed in the Justice Department documents.

"I cannot see any significant difference between these allegations and those against Peter Mandelson," Smith said on social media.

Palace says King Charles III will support police assessing former Prince Andrew's Epstein links

LONDON (AP) — King Charles III is ready to "support'' UK police examining claims that the former Prince And...
From California to Florida. See which states reported shark attacks in 2025

Despite a recent string of shark attacks across the California coast, including the tragic killing of a 55-year-old swimmer, the violent incidents dropped in the United States in 2025 compared to the year prior.

USA TODAY

At least 28 shark attacks were reported last year in U.S. waters, according to information gathered by USA TODAY and non-profitsGlobal Shark Attack FileandTrackingSharks.com.

The more than two dozen attacks reported by the organizations are downover the prior year, when 36 people reported being injured by sharks.

TheInternational Shark Attack File, run by theFlorida Museum of Natural History, classifies the attacks asprovoked or unprovokedbased on whether a human initiated the contact.

The Sunshine State tops the 2025 list of U.S. attacks, with 15 reported last year. California followed with four terrifying encounters.

"While sharks may seem frightening, they are vital in keeping our oceans healthy, and the odds of a negative interaction are slim compared to the number of ocean users." Kevin McMurray with Tracking Sharks and a contributing shark attack researcher withISAFtold USA TODAY.

A sign reading "Beware of sharks" posted near where swimmers took to the cold water off Harding Beach in Chatham for the annual April Fools plunge on April 6, 2025 in Massachusetts.

Last year's incidents in America accounted for just over 41% of the world's 68 documented attacks, which included 11 fatalities.

From Hawaii and California to Florida and New York, here's where each attack took place last year across the United States.

Where do shark attacks occur the most in the US?

Florida (15)

Florida leads all 50 states with the highest number of shark attacks documented last year. Shark experts confirmed 15 attacks, but details were not immediately available for five of the incidents, McMurray said.

Reported shark attacks in The Sunshine State are as follows:

Sept. 2, 3:25 p.m.: Key Largo

Richard Burrows, an8-year-old boy, suffered a bite to his upper leg as he snorkled with family near Horseshoe Reef. The boy was taken by medical helicopter to a hospital, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office said in astatement.

Aug. 16, 11 p.m.: Cayo Costa

Lemon shark

Shawn Meuse, 48, sustained serious injuries to his legwhile posing with a shark for a photo. The encounter took place while he and his friends fished on the barrier island in southwest Florida, the Boca Grande District Fire Department reported.

Aug. 2, noon: Pensacola

Chance Armand, 28,told USA TODAYhe was in waters off Pensacola when a shark bit his knee spearfishing offshore Pensacola Pass. Armand said the shark was attempting to grab a fish he shot. Santa Rosa emergency medical services transported him to a hospital to be treated for the injury.

A Great White Shark swims approximately 50 meters off the coast of the Cape Cod National Sea Shore in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on July 15, 2022.

July 22, 2:50 p.m.: Hollywood

Unknown species

A Canadian man in his 40s suffered an injury to his upper arm inchest-deep water with a friendwhen a fish jumped over his head, and he was quickly attacked by a shark. The victim was taken to a hospital to be treated, Hollywood Fire Rescue and Beach Safety said.

July 19, 12:11 p.m.:West Palm Beach

Lemon shark

Jeff Joel, 69, was bitten in the left forearm after he approached a shark while diving with friends in the Jupiter Inlet,The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. The shark had been caught in a fish stringer about 20 feet deep in the ocean.

A shark fin pictured as Israeli rescue services search for a missing man in the Mediterranean sea waters off the coast of Hadera on April 22, 2025. Israeli police said officers were continuing their search for a man reported missing following a suspected shark attack.

July 18, noon: New Smyrna Beach

Unknown species

Sam Hollis, an 18-year-old surf instructor,sustained injuries to his footwhile surfing, Volusia County Beach Safety reported. Hollis waspaddling to a sandbarand attempted to jump and push his board over a wave when he was bitten. He was taken to a hospital to be treated.

July 6, 3 p.m.: New Smyrna Beach

Unknown species

A40-year-old mansuffered injuries from a shark bite to his right forearm as he swam in the ocean, Voulsia County Beach Safety said. The man was transported to a hospital for treatment, the Daytona News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.

Shark researcher Gregory Skomal, right, with the state of Massachusetts, uses a camera to get underwater footage of a white shark during a research mission off Monomoy in 2023. At left is Brian Hanson, volunteer research assistant and member of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy board of directors. A whale shark swims in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean over the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument southeast of Cape Cod. A hammerhead shark moves through the water in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument protected area southeast of Cape Cod. A Chilean devil ray moves through the water in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument protected area southeast of Cape Cod. A Caribbean reef shark swims at North Dry Rocks in Key Largo, Florida in this photo provided by the International Fund for Animal Welfare. A bull shark swims off the coast of Jupiter, Florida on February 12, 2022. A bull shark swims in dappled lighting off the coast of Jupiter, Florida on February 12, 2022. A great white shark swims approximately 164 feet off the coast of Cape Cod National Seashore in Cape Cod, Massachusetts on July 15, 2022. The ocean off the coast of Massachusetts is home to many white sharks during the summer months. A lemon shark swims off Jupiter, Florida, on February 24, 2024. Lemon sharks are one of many species of sharks and their relatives who inhabit coastal waters around Florida. A whale shark swims next to volunteer divers after they removed abandoned fishing net covering a coral reef in a protected area of Ko Losin, Thailand in June 2021. Ryan Knotek, an associate research scientist at the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, holds a juvenile sand tiger shark during a tagging project.

Scientists have discovered more than 900 species of sharks and rays and related species

June 11, 12:11 p.m.: Boca Grande

Leah Lindel, a 9-year-old girl, suffered major injuries to her hand while snorkeling with family members . She was taken by medical helicopter to Tampa General Hospital to receive emergency care.

May 27, time unknown: South of Pompano Beach

Unknown species

A 32-year-old woman snorkeling near a pier off Lauderdale-by-the-Sea was bitten in the arm,NBC Miami reported.The woman was in waist-deep water when she spotted bait fish swimming nearby before the attack. She was treated at a hospital, the outlet said.

April 12, 2:48 p.m.: Everglades National Park

Unknown species

A man suffered injuries to the arm and hand in an attack while fishing in Everglades National Park, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reported. The man was airlifted to a hospital to be treated for the injuries.

California (4)

Dec. 21, noon: Monterey Bay

Great white shark

Erica Fox, 55,disappeared swimming in the baywith more than a dozen people. A witness reported they saw a shark breach the waterwith what appeared to be a human body in its mouth. The shark then reportedly submerged below the waterline without resurfacing. Fox's body was found several days later, Pacific Grove Police confirmed.

Dec. 12, 8 a.m.:Bodega Bay

Great white shark

A surfersustained hand injuries at North Salmon Creekin Bodega Bay after a shark reportedly attacked him. The area is just off the Sonoma County coast. The victim declined medical treatment at the scene, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said, but he later transported himself to a hospital.

Sept. 30, 1:20 a.m.:Catalina Island

Great white shark

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Chris Murray, 54, suffered injuries to the hand and foot swimming the Catalina Channel. The victim reported he was attempting to swim between Catalina Island and the Los Angeles County coast when a small great white shark attacked him twice. Los Angeles Police Department first responders transported him to a local hospital.

May 31, 2:30 p.m.: San Mateo Coast

Great white shark

Jens Heller, 42, was tossed off his surfboard by a shark at Montara State Beach. In an interview withSF Gate, he said a shark knocked him off the board and then attacked it as he swam away. Heller was not seriously harmed.

Odds of being killed by a shark

The odds of being killed by a shark in the United States are more than 4 million to 1, according totrackingsharks.com.

Researchers say people are more likely to die by lighting strike (1 in nearly 80,000), accidental poisoning (1 in 193), or a hospital infection (1 in 38).

Hawaii (3)

Dec. 9. 4:30 p.m.: Kahaulu'u Beach

Blacktip reefshark

Josiah Kaimani Ventura, 24, was bitten in one of his thighs in waters off Kona's west shore of the Big Island. He was injured while trying to release a shark stuck in fishing gear and was taken to a hospital to be treated.

Nov. 5, mid afternoon: Hanalei Bay on Kauai

Tiger shark

Chance Swanson, 33, suffered injuries to his legssurfing near Pine Treeson Kauai's North Shore, theKauai Ocean Safety Bureaureported. The victim had a severed artery and was saved by fellow life guards and taken to a hospital to be treated.

Jan. 11, 1:40 p.m.:Town of Haleiwa on Oahu

Unknown species

A 23-year-old tour boat employee in Hawaii was injured by a sharkon the island's North Shore. The man was bitten on the arm and taken to a hospital be treated.

Minnesota woman dies from shark attack in Virgin Islands, police say

South Carolina (2)

June 22, 12:10 p.m.: Sea Pines Beach

Unknown species

A teenage girlsuffered a leg injuryafter being bitten in waters off Beaufort County. The attack took place at Coligny Beach Park.

June 17, 12:07 p.m.: Hilton Head Island

Unknown species

A12-year-old girlwas bitten on her leg in waters off the south end of Hilton Head Island. The girl was transported toHilton Head Island Airport, where a medical helicopter flew her to a Savannah facility for treatment.

Shark fins are pictured as they swim the Mediterranean sea waters off the coast of Hadera in central Israel on April 22, 2025.

Texas (2)

Nov. 5, 4 p.m.: Matagorda Beach

Unknown species

Chuck Bledsoe, 70, suffered injuries to his foot during an attack while fishing at Matagorda Beach. Officials said the injuries weren't major, and he was taken to a local hospital to be treated the next day,The Bay City Tribunereported.

Aug. 30, time unknown:Galveston

Unknown species

Harper Ochoa, 8, sustained injuries to her leg while she swam in waters off Galveston County. The girl was taken to a hospital where her mother said she received 13 staples to her calf area, local TV stationKWTXreported.

Kayakers paddle above the clear Pacific Ocean water near La Jolla Shores beach as leopard sharks swim beneath them on January 16, 2026 in San Diego, CA.

North Carolina (2)

July 12, time unknown:Holden Beach

Blacktip reef shark

Ralph Benson, age unknown, was bitten in the lower leg by a small shark "while surf fishing on the west end of Holden Beach," according toan Oak Island, North Carolina, social media post. The man was taken by medical helicopter to a hospital for treatment. The case remained pending, McMurray said.

May 28, 11 a.m.: Sunset Beach

Unknown species

Sean Barton, 26, suffereda leg injury in an attackswimming just south of Ocean Isle Beach. The Sunset Beach Fire Department said crews transported the victim to a medical facility to be treated.

Massachusetts (1)

July 6, unknown time: Nantucket Beach

Sandbar shark

A 21-year-old man suffered injuries to his leg in an attack while fishing at Hoicks Hollow in Nantucket. The victim was taken by medical helicopter to a hospital,according tomultiple reports.

New York (1)

June 26, 4:15 p.m.: Long Island

Sand tiger shark

A 20-year-old woman swimming in shallow water off Jones Beach State Park near Wantagh sustained minor cuts to her foot and leg when she was bitten. She was taken to a hospital to be treated,The New York Timesreported.

They survived shark bitesHere's what they've learned and the wonders they've seen.

How many people are attacked by sharks each year?

According todata fromISAF, the world averages65 documented shark attackseach year.Six fatal attacksare reported annually on average, the data shows.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1rAwdqreAmcvlkHlTuaddhdn7THoIS1c&femb=1&ll=0%2C0&z=1

How to reduce risk of a shark attack

For those who are worried about the risk of an attack, McMurray said to stay in groups near the shore and in areas patrolled by lifeguards. If in a new area, check with locals to find out about rip currents and sea life.

"The chances of encountering a shark while in the water are slim in most areas and often worth the risk as the ocean is a beautiful place worth exploring and enjoying," McMurray said. "If you see a shark, face it and stay as calm as possible as you slowly swim away, avoiding splashing."

Other tips include:

  • Do not enter water where people are fishing.

  • Do not enter water with an injury, especially if you are bleeding.

  • Avoid wearing shiny jewelry. It can catch sunlight and glint, much like the fish that sharks prey upon.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:How many shark attacks were there in the US last year? See list

From California to Florida. See which states reported shark attacks in 2025

Despite a recent string of shark attacks across the California coast, including the tragic killing of a 55-year-old swim...
Measles exposure at March for Life in DC confirmed

Health officials in the nation's capital warned people who attended the National March for Life rally in January may have been exposed to measles.

DC Healthsaid three people infected with measles visited various locations in Washington, D.C. between Jan. 21 and Feb. 2, including the annual anti-abortion march. The rally reportedly drew thousands of attendees including Vice PresidentJD Vance, Speaker of the HouseMike Johnsonand other members of Congress.

Other potential measles exposure sites include major transit hubs like Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Union Station as well as the Catholic University of America and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Children's National Hospital said in astatementthat a Virginia resident who was diagnosed with measles visited its emergency department on Feb. 2.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. The disease can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, swelling of the brain and death.

Dr. Oz:'Take the vaccine, please' amid measles outbreaks

Measles was eliminated in the United States by 2000 but has resurfaced in periodic outbreaks, mostly among people who are not vaccinated. There have been two new outbreaks and more than 730 confirmed cases of measles reported in 2026 as of Feb. 5,according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention..

People hold rosaries as they pray the hail Mary during the 53rd annual March for Life rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on January 23, 2026. An anti-abortion activist holds a sign with a quote from conservative political activist Charlie Kirk during the annual March for Life rally on the National Mall on January 23, 2026 in Washington, DC. Bishop Joseph Strickland of Texas confers a blessing during the 53rd annual March for Life rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Patriot Front members hold flags during the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C People gather for the annual March for Life in Washington, DC, on January 23, 2026.

March for Life: See photos from the anti-abortion march in Washington

Health officialsin Washington state onJan. 16 confirmed an outbreakconnected to a family traveling from South Carolina, wherea major outbreakhas been brewing. Los Angeles County public health officials recently confirmedthree measles cases involving people who had traveled internationally, including one who flew into Los Angeles International Airport and visited Disneyland Resort.

Those incidents come after measles cases reached the highest level seen in over three decades in 2025, according to CDC data. There were at least three deaths related to measles that year, the first documented in a decade.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator, and Health and Human Services SecretaryRobert F. Kennedy Jr.have urged Americans to get the measles vaccineas cases spread.

DC Health said it is reaching out to people who may have been exposed. Health officials urged anyone who was exposed and never received a measles-containing vaccine to contact their health care provider or DC Health and watch for symptoms for at least 21 days after their exposure.

Contributing:Sara Moniuszko

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:March for Life attendees may have been exposed to measles

Measles exposure at March for Life in DC confirmed

Health officials in the nation's capital warned people who attended the National March for Life rally in January may...
Blake Garrett on Aug. 19, 2006 Denise Truscello/WireImage

Denise Truscello/WireImage

NEED TO KNOW

  • How to Eat Fried Worms actor Blake Garrett has died at age 33

  • His mom Carol told TMZ that he died on Sunday, Feb. 8

  • Garrett's appearance in 2006's How to Eat Fried Worms was his first movie role

Blake Garrett, a former child actor who appeared in the 2006 movieHow to Eat Fried Worms, has died at age 33.

TMZwas first to report news of his death on Monday, Feb. 9, as his mother Carol Garrett told the outlet he died Sunday, Feb. 8, and that her family is waiting to receive autopsy results from a medical examiner in Oklahoma to determine his cause of death.

According to the outlet, Carol said Blake recently went to the emergency room in Oklahoma after he experienced intense pain and was diagnosed with shingles. Blake's mother stated that Blake has been living in Tulsa for the last three years and had embraced a sober lifestyle in recent years.

PEOPLE was unable to immediately reach Carol for confirmation.

Blake is credited with two onscreen roles as a child actor, in the 2004Barney & FriendsspecialBarney's Colorful World, Live!and as the character Plug in 2006'sHow to Eat Fried Worms, based on the 1974 children's book by Thomas Rockwell.

Blake Garrett, Andrew Gillingham and Ryan Malgarini on the set of 2006's

Van Redin/New Line

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE'sfree daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

How to Eat Fried Wormsfollows a child named Billy (Luke Benward) who finds himself making a bet with classroom bully Joe (Adam Hicks) that he must eat 10 worms without vomiting after starting at a new school.

"I play the bully's henchman," Blake told Oklahoma City-based newspaperThe Oklahomanin a 2006 interview when he was 13. "But everybody got along on the set."

"There were rows of bicycles, and they let me have first pick," he said of his experience on set. "There was one scene where we were riding on a gravel road and got to slide to a stop. The guys who could ride worked on that scene. They had a camera on the ground, and in one scene I slid and gravel hit the camera. They really liked that shot, and that's the one they used in the movie."

Blake Garrett and Philip Daniel Bolden in

Van Redin/New Line

Blake and the rest ofHow to Eat a Fried Wormschild actors — the movie also starred Hallie Kate Eisenberg, Alexander Gould, Ryan Malgarini, Ty Panitz, Philip Bolden, Andrew Gillingham, Austin Rogers, Nick Krause, Stephan Bender and Alexander Agate —won a Young Artist Awardin 2007 for Best Young Ensemble Cast in a Feature Film overNanny McPhee,Santa Clause 3: The Escape ClauseandUnaccompanied Minors.

The movie's adult cast included Tom Cavanagh, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, James Rebhorn and Andrea Martin.

Blake didn't continue with screen acting afterHow to Eat Fried Worms. At the time he spoke withThe Oklahomanabout his experience in the movie, the newspaper reporter that he was interested in playing football and wrestling.

Read the original article onPeople

Former Child Actor Blake Garrett from “How to Eat Fried Worms” Dies at 33

Denise Truscello/WireImage NEED TO KNOW How to Eat Fried Worms actor Blake Garrett has died at age 33 His mom Carol told TMZ that he di...
Sam Claflin Admits He 'Didn't Have a Clue' How to Be a Single Dad as He Recalls Difficult Transition After Divorce

Sam Claflin is sharing more about being a single dad to his two kids

People Sam Claflin

NEED TO KNOW

  • The actor opened up about navigating that transition during the pandemic

  • Claflin shares daughter Margot, 78, and son Pip, 10, with ex-wife Laura Haddock

Sam Claflinis opening up about being a single dad to his two kids.

Speaking withBustlefor a new interview, the actor, 39, shared that when he became a single dad to his two kids — son Pip, 10, and daughter Margot, 8 — in 2019 after splitting from ex-wife Laura Haddock, it took some time to transition into his new normal.

"I had a 4 and 2-year-old, and I was potty training my daughter, homeschooling my son, whilst trying to cook," Claflin said of separating from his ex during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"My gosh, I didn't have a clue," he continued. "There were moments where I was crying to myself, but we got through that together, and being forced to be on my own was the best thing that ever happened to [our] relationship."

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Sam Claflin Jeff Spicer/Getty

Jeff Spicer/Getty

Elsewhere in the article, Claflin spoke about how it was his dream in life to become a dad ever since he was 3.

"When I was a teenager and beyond, if I was at a wedding, I would always go and hang out with the kids," he shared, adding that he used to tell people when he was younger that he wanted to be a dad when he grew up.

Eventually, Claflin and his ex-wife Haddock became parents shortly after the actor starred inThe Hunger Gamesfranchise.

"WhenThe Hunger Gamesfinished, me and my wife at the time were trying for a baby so I didn't want to be away for five months shooting," he explained. "I wanted to be at home and start my family."

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Claflin then took some time off from Hollywood, opting to shoot smaller projects so he could stay closer to home.

"I was speaking to one director quite recently [who asked], 'So, where have you been?' I was sort of everywhere for a little while and then I went off the map in Hollywood's eyes, I guess," said Claflin. "The truth is, I'm really proud of that decision. I don't regret any of it."

Sam Claflin and Laura Haddock Daniele Venturelli/WireImage/Getty

Daniele Venturelli/WireImage/Getty

Back in 2023, Claflin alluded tobeing in a "bad place" after his separationfrom Haddock, whom he was with for six years, in an interview withVariety.

"I'd been through quite a lot personally at the time. I was in a really bad place," he explained at the time. "I think I needed to work out a few kinks in my own life, to figure out who I was as this dad on my own in a house outnumbered by two toddlers."

"Then this job coming out the back of that was just the most fun, joyous fresh start," he said of beginning his work onDaisy Jones.

The actor announced his and Haddock's split on his Instagram Stories in August 2019, sharing a joint statement from the former couple promising that they were moving forward with "nothing but love."

"Laura and I have decided to legally separate," the statement said. "We will move forward with nothing but love, friendship and a deep respect for one another, whilst we continue to raise our family together."

"We won't be commenting on this further," the statement continued. "Thank you in advance for your support and respecting our privacy at this time. Both of us x."

Read the original article onPeople

Sam Claflin Admits He 'Didn't Have a Clue' How to Be a Single Dad as He Recalls Difficult Transition After Divorce

Sam Claflin is sharing more about being a single dad to his two kids NEED TO KNOW The actor opened up about ...
Tom Brady and Alix Earle Are 'Hooking Up,' Says Source as They're Spotted Together During Super Bowl Weekend (Exclusive)

Phillip Faraone/Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty

People Alix Earle and Tom Brady Phillip Faraone/Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

  • Alix Earle and Tom Brady are "hooking up," a source tells PEOPLE

  • The influencer, 25, and former NFL star, 48, were seen spending time together at a Super Bowl weekend event ahead of the championship game on Sunday, Feb. 8

  • A source previously confirmed to PEOPLE that the pair attended the same New Year's Eve party in St. Barths, where they hung out and looked cozy together

Alix EarleandTom Bradyhave been spending time together beyond their public appearances at the same parties.

A source tells PEOPLE that the influencer, 25, and retired New England Patriots star, 48, are "hooking up."

Reps for Earle and Brady have not commented on the relationship to PEOPLE.

The news comes amid speculation about the pair's relationship after they were first seen hanging outat the same event in St. Barthson Dec. 31, 2025. In videos obtained by PEOPLE, Earle and Brady looked cozy as they danced together, laughed and chatted at the New Year's Eve party.

Alix Earle at Raising Cane's Pre-Super Bowl LX Brunch on Feb. 8, 2026. Phillip Faraone/Getty for Raising Cane's

Phillip Faraone/Getty for Raising Cane's

At one point, Earle flashed Brady a grin and could also be seen leaning over to whisper something in Brady's ear while rubbing her hand along his back.

More recently, the twopublicly reunitedoverSuper Bowlweekend. Videos shared onsocial mediaby DeuxMoi showed Brady and theDancing with the Starsfinalist talking and dancing at a party ahead of the big game on Sunday, Feb. 8.

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Earle and Brady could be seen smiling at each other as they held drinks. The NFL alum sported glasses and a baseball cap, and Alix styled her long blonde hair in loose curls for the casual outing.

In early December, PEOPLE confirmed that Alix and her boyfriend of two years, Houston Texans wide receiverBraxton Berrios, hadbroken up. The internet personalitylater sharedin a tearful TikTok post that the pair split because she couldn't "be what Braxton needs — noting that they had been long-distance for five months during Berrios'demanding NFL scheduleand her taping of season 34 ofDancing with the Stars.

On Jan. 21, Earleshared an emotionalTikTok video discussing her breakup, specifically opening up about how she felt "being alone." The content creator admitted it felt "so weird" to not have a "male partner" around to talk to or to "distract" her.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE'sfree daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"I think I've just always had boyfriends. I was, like, a boyfriend hopper," she explained to her millions of followers. "This year, I'm gonna be dedicated to being OK with being alone. But I don't know why I can't do it. This is like growth or something, but I'm sad."

She added, "I feel like it just makes life feel so lonely, but it's not, and I'm not lonely."

Read the original article onPeople

Tom Brady and Alix Earle Are 'Hooking Up,' Says Source as They're Spotted Together During Super Bowl Weekend (Exclusive)

Phillip Faraone/Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty NEED TO KNOW Alix Earle and Tom Brady are "hooking up," ...
Lebanon's Tripoli building collapse kills 15

Feb 9 (Reuters) - The death toll from the collapse of residential buildings in the Lebanese city of Tripoli rose to 15 after search and rescue ​operations ended, Lebanon's National News Agency said on Monday, citing the civil defence ‌chief.

Civil defence director general Imad Khreiss said rescue teams rescued eight people from the rubble of the collapsed ‌buildings in the northern city's Bab al-Tabbaneh neighbourhood.

Officials said on Sunday that two adjoining buildings had collapsed.

Abdel Hamid Karimeh, head of Tripoli's municipal council, said he could not confirm how many people remained missing. Earlier, the head of Lebanon's civil defence rescue service said the two ⁠buildings were home to 22 ‌residents.

A number of aging residential buildings have collapsed in Tripoli, Lebanon's second-largest city, in recent weeks, highlighting deteriorating infrastructure and years of neglect, ‍state media reported, citing municipal officials.

The Lebanese cabinet said following a meeting that the city's municipal council is set to issue a decision to evacuate 114 buildings at risk of collapse within a ​period not exceeding one month.

Temporary housing assistance would be made available for families being ‌evacuated for one year, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on X.

Karimeh said the issue of unsafe buildings in Tripoli was longstanding and driven by multiple factors, including construction violations, years of disorder, weak oversight and a lack of regular maintenance, partly linked to restrictive rent control laws that discourage owners from investing in repairs.

He said many buildings in ⁠the city were between 60 and 70 years old ​and had exceeded their structural lifespan without undergoing ​essential maintenance, increasing the risk of collapse. The problem, he added, exceeded the capacity of the municipality and residents alone, calling for direct state intervention.

Authorities ‍have begun providing temporary ⁠shelter to displaced families, while Lebanon's Higher Relief Committee is offering housing allowances for up to three months, Karimeh said.

He added that charities, the Ministry of Social ⁠Affairs and international organisations were coordinating to provide assistance, saying the aim was to secure a minimum ‌acceptable level of support for affected households.

(Reporting by Jana Choukeir and Jaidaa Taha; ‌Editing by Kirsten Donovan and David Holmes)

Lebanon's Tripoli building collapse kills 15

Feb 9 (Reuters) - The death toll from the collapse of residential buildings in the Lebanese city of Tripoli rose to 15 a...
NYC nurses reach a deal to end a strike at 2 major hospitals while walkout continues at another

NEW YORK (AP) — Nurses and two major hospital systems in New York City have reached a deal to end anearly monthlong strikeover staffing levels, workplace safety, health insurance and other issues.

The tentative agreement announced Monday by the nurses' union involves the Montefiore and Mount Sinai hospital systems. Nurses remain on strike at NewYork Presbyterian.

The walkout began Jan. 12, prompting the hospitals to scramble to hire legions of temporary nurses to fill in duringa demanding flu season.

The union said members at Montefiore and Mount Sinai hospitals will vote this week on whether to ratify the contracts and return to work.

The three-year deal affects roughly 10,500 of the some 15,000 nurses on strike at some of the city's biggest private, nonprofit hospitals.

"For four weeks, nearly 15,000 NYSNA members held the line in the cold and in the snow for safe patient care," Nancy Hagans, president of the New York State Nurses Association, said in a statement. "Now, nurses at Montefiore and Mount Sinai systems are heading back to the bedside with our heads held high."

The nurses union said the tentative agreement calls for a 12% pay raise over the life of the contract, as well as maintains nurses' health benefits with no additional out-of-pocket costs.

In addition, the proposed pact includes new protections against workplace violence, including specific protections for transgender and immigrant nurses and patients, as well as provisions addressing artificial intelligence in hospitals, the union said.

Nurses at Montefiore and Mount Sinai hospitals will vote to ratify their contracts starting Monday, the union said. If the tentative contract agreements are ratified, nurses will return to work on Saturday.

Mount Sinai said it would comment later on the deal while a Montefiore spokesperson confirmed its nurses will be voting Monday through Wednesday but declined to comment further.

Meanwhile, NewYork-Presbyterian said it agreed over the weekend to a proposal presented by mediators that includes pay raises, preserves nurses' pensions, maintains their health benefits and increases staffing levels. The union reiterated that the strike remains in effect at NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals.

The affected hospitals have insisted theiroperations are running smoothlyduring the walkout, with organ transplants, cardiac surgeries and other complex procedures largely uninterrupted. Many of the medical centers, however, canceled scheduled surgeries, transferred some patients and discharged others ahead of the strike.

The striking nurses priorities vary by hospital, but staffing has generally been a central issue. Nurses complained of being overworked, saying the hospitals held out for weeks on committing to more manageable patient loads. The union said Monday that the tentative agreements would increase staffing and otherwise address those concerns.

The hospitals and nurses also have been at odds over benefits, and the union sought workplace security upgrades and restrictions on the use ofartificial intelligence. Hospital staffers' longstanding security concerns flared into public view when agunman entered Mount Sinaiin November and a manholed up in a Brooklyn hospitalwith a sharp object last month. Police killed both men.

The hospitals said the union's demands were exorbitant. They say unionized nurses' salaries already average $162,000 to $165,000 a year, not including benefits.

The nurses and their political allies, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, countered that top hospital executivesmake millions of dollars a year.

Not every hospital in the three health care systems was affected by the strike, nor were any city-run public hospitals. Other private hospitals reached last-minute deals with the union.

Nurses staged a three-day strike in 2023 in the Mount Sinai and Montefiore systems. They ultimately inked contracts that raised pay 19% over three years and sought to make staffing improvements enforceable by allowing for extra pay if nurses worked short-handed.

NYC nurses reach a deal to end a strike at 2 major hospitals while walkout continues at another

NEW YORK (AP) — Nurses and two major hospital systems in New York City have reached a deal to end anearly monthlong stri...
Jimmy Lai's children look to Trump and other leaders to push China to free their father

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thechildren of Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy former Hong Kong media mogul and China critic, said Monday that a possible visit by President DonaldTrump to Beijing in Aprilcould be "crucial" in securing the release of their 78-year-old father.

Associated Press Sebastien Lai, son of Jimmy Lai, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in London, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Sebastien Lai, son of Jimmy Lai, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in London, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Sebastien Lai, son of Jimmy Lai, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in London, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Sebastien Lai, son of Jimmy Lai, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in London, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Sebastien Lai, son of Jimmy Lai, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in London, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Britain Hong Kong Jimmy Lai Family

Lai's son and daughter pleaded for their father's freedom on humanitarian grounds after a Hong Kong court on Mondaysentenced him to 20 years in prisonfollowing convictions under a Beijing-imposed national security law that has virtually silenced the city's dissent.

"The president has said multiple times that this is a case that he cares about," Sebastien Lai said about Trump during a call with reporters. "We are in a situation where the April visit will be, more obviously, be crucial, and, hopefully, my father will still be OK health-wise until that point."

Speaking of his father, the younger Lai said "this is a man who is, unfortunately, is very close to dying. He's a man who has gone through a tremendous amount. His body has deteriorated."

The ruling in Hong Kong is certain to add friction toalready fragile U.S.-China relations, with Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping expected to meet this year to keep ties stabilized over thorny issues like tariffs, export restrictions andU.S. arms sales to Taiwan,a self-governed island that Beijing claims is Chinese territory.

While Trump has said several times he will be visiting Beijing this April, China has yet to confirm it.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the decision to sentence Lai to 20 years "an unjust and tragic conclusion to this case." In a statement, Rubio urged Chinese authorities to grant Lai humanitarian parole, noting that Lai and his family "have suffered enough" after a trial lasting two years and his detention for more than five years.

After Lai was convicted in December, Trump said he felt "so badly" and that he had asked Xi to consider releasing Lai, who is the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, which was known for its critical reports about the governments in Hong Kong and Beijing.

"We're hopeful but we don't know," his daughter Claire Lai said of the prospects that Trump would successfully negotiate for her father's release.

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Chris Tang, Hong Kong's secretary for security, accused "external forces" of ignoring the facts and making biased criticisms of court decisions. "We will refute baseless allegations and smearing resolutely by presenting the truth and facts for all to see," Tang said.

In an interview with The Associated Press in London, Sebastien Lai said it's time forworld leaders to keep pressure on Beijingwhen they visit China or meet with Xi by bringing up his father's case.

"I could only pray that this pressure helps," the younger Lai said. "I think my father's case is the litmus test to whatever engagement we have with China."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government said he directly raised Jimmy Lai's case with Xi duringa visit to Chinalast month. U.K. officials said they will "rapidly engage further" after Monday's sentencing, but it wasn't clear what that entailed.

Sebastien Lai said he is "incredibly grateful" for Trump's past remarks about freeing his father, which have "given my family a lot of hope."

Now, it's about saving his father's life, the son said.

"It's a 20-year sentence, which is comically large, given that my father's 78. At that point in 20 years, he'll be 100 almost," he said. "But in the conditions he's been kept in ... he might die before then."

Hui reported from London.

Jimmy Lai's children look to Trump and other leaders to push China to free their father

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thechildren of Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy former Hong Kong media mogul and China critic, said Monday t...
NFL WAG Victoria Gibson Lip Syncs About 'Hard Times' in Cheeky Instagram Video After Husband's Super Bowl Loss

Victoria Gibson/Instagram

People Victoria Gibson reacts to the Patriots Super Bowl 2026 loss Victoria Gibson/Instagram

NEED TO KNOW

  • Victoria Gibson, who is married to New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson, posted a dramatic reaction to her team losing the 2026 Super Bowl

  • On social media, she shared a video of herself lip syncing about "hard times" while looking out over the field

  • The NFL WAG went viral online for her playful coverage of the game

NFL WAGVictoria Gibsontook the New England Patriots' loss in the2026 Super Bowlin stride.

On Sunday, Feb. 8, Victoria, who is married to Patriots running backAntonio Gibson, was in Levi's Stadium watching her husband's team face off against the Seattle Seahawks.

With afinal score of 29-13, the Patriots were unsuccessful in securing the win. Victoria cheekily responded to the news on social media, showing off a good sense of humor.

On Instagram, Victoria shared a video of herself standing in front of the Jumbotron, which displayed the final score with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter.

In the clip, she dramatically pretended to sob while looking out onto the field.

"I'm crying out to God to help me with these hard times," she lip synced along to Chrisean Rock's "Yahweh" in the video.

Victoria made it clear that she was still proud of the team in her accompanying caption, where she wrote, "Forever faithful and grateful." She included several hashtags, including one that said "#relatable."

Her video resonated with fans, racking up more than 14,000 likes overnight with hundreds of fellow Instagram users responding in the comments section.

"Only you could find the humor in this 😂," one person wrote.

Another person chimed in, saying that Victoria's presence on social media has made them a Patriots fan.

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"I was rooting for yall too just because of you," they wrote.

Others praised Victoria for the content that she shared in the lead-up to the big game.

In another video on the app, Victoria recorded herself arriving at the Santa Clara, Calif. stadium for the 2026 Super Bowl. In the post, she showed off her outfit, which featured a red crop top with grey distressed jeans. The WAG finished off her look with a Patriots bandana and a matching jacket, carrying a bag and wearing red heels.

Antonio and Victoria Gibson Victoria Gibson/Instagram 

Victoria Gibson/Instagram

"Your favorite NFL WIFE has arrived," she cheekily captioned the clip.

Even after the team's loss, Victoria continued to document her Super Bowl experience, sharing clips of21 Savageperforming at a concert.

Although Antonio is a member of the Patriots, he did not get to play in the game as he is currently on injury reserve after tearing his ACL in October.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE'sfree daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In another clip onInstagram, Victoriahighlighted a perkto her husband missing the game: They were able to share a hotel room.

"With him being on injury reserve, I get to stay in the room with him, which is not typical when NFL players are traveling — they get their own room, stay focused, curfew, sleep, all that stuff," she explained.

Read the original article onPeople

NFL WAG Victoria Gibson Lip Syncs About ‘Hard Times’ in Cheeky Instagram Video After Husband’s Super Bowl Loss

Victoria Gibson/Instagram NEED TO KNOW Victoria Gibson, who is married to New England Patriots running back...

 

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