World

Glasgow Warriors’ stunning comeback victory over Toulouse in the Investec Champions Cup will do wonders for their confidence, says fly-half Adam Hastings.

Franco Smith’s side looked to be heading for a heavy defeat as the six-time European champions raced into a 21-0 half-time lead.

Warriors caught fire in the second half to turn the game on its head, running in four unanswered tries to deliver arguably the greatest European win in their history.

“It was just mental,” Hastings, who was named player of the match, told BBC Scotland.

“For [the fans] to come out on a night like this, a sell out, and just get behind us, it means the world.

“It’s huge for the mental side of it as well, the confidence that we got, because we’ve had a few scoldings in Europe over the past couple of years, and it’s just good that a statement result like that, especially at home as well.”

NEXT year, England will be home to the world’s longest coastal path.

The King Charles III England Coast Path sweeps across the country through pretty seaside towns from the north to the south of the UK.

Whether it’s summer or winter, walks are a popular way to explore the coastline – and this walk will make it a lot easier too.

Brits have probably already started exploring the King Charles III England Coast Path as over two thirds are open to the public already.

When it’s completed, which is set to be in spring 2026, the coastal path will be the longest of its kind in the world at 2,700-miles long.

Hikers travel from its northernmost point in Berwick-upon-Tweed all the way down to Land’s End in Cornwall.

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Time Out even named it as ‘one of the best new things to do in the world in 2026’.

Time Out’s UK news editor Ed Cunningham said: “The trail, which has been in the works since way back 2009, will follow the entire coastline of England, spanning 2,674 miles (4,303 km) of cliffs, beaches, cities, national parks and more. Once complete, it’ll be the longest (managed) coastal trail in the entire world.

“More than just a few signposts, the King Charles III Coastal Path will link up legendary seaside spots with stretches of coast that have never before been properly accessible.”

There are still works underway including Silverdale to Cleveleys in Lancashire.

Another section yet to be finished is Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth in Devon and the path connecting Wootton Bridge to the Medina on the Isle of Wight.

There are plenty of beautiful spots around the UK where you can pause along the coastal path to take in the sights of some of the prettiest seaside towns.

Depending on where you live, the walk starts, or ends on Berwick-upon-Tweed and along that stretch of Northumberland coast are beautiful beaches and little towns.

Northumberland was voted a trending county of 2025 with spots like Embleton Bay and Low Newton-by-the-Sea being sought out by travellers.

Further down in the East of England are pretty seaside towns like Cromer, which is a favourite of Travel Reporter Alice Penwill thanks to its plentiful pubs and Victorian Pier.

Down in Kent, the path wraps around from Margate, to Broadstairs and down to Folkestone – Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey has plenty of recommendations of what to do there.

Further south are the classic towns of Brighton, Worthing and Bognor Regis – as well as the Isle of Wight.

Then the coastal path wraps around to Durdle Door which was named as one of the most iconic and must-see beaches in the world by National Geographic.

It’s a favourite of Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski who says “the horseshoe-shaped pebble bay has turquoise waters that could rival those in the Caribbean” – during the summer of course.

Along the South West Atlantic path is the most southern point at Land’s End, it then heads through Penzance, Newquay and Bude – all the way up to Bristol.

Turning the corner, it heads from Liverpool up to the Lake District passing along seaside towns like Ravenglass, Seascale and Workington.

Natural England has aimed to keep the path as continuous as possible – although there are sections hikers simply can’t walk through.

For example, Brits will need to board a ferry to cross the Mersey.

For more costal paths, Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding is a Devon local and reveals what The Salt Path movie doesn’t show about the South West Coast Path.

Plus, here are the UK’s best seaside walks revealed including a secret celeb-loved island.

Dec. 12 (UPI) — Costa Rica and Israel finalized a free trade agreement this week that eliminates more than 90% of tariffs between the two countries, mainly on agricultural and industrial products. The deal also is expected to improve prospects for trade in services, technology and specialized investment.

Costa Rica’s Ministry of Foreign Trade said the pact with Israel — which it described as a leader in innovation, cybersecurity, clean technologies, agrotechnology, digital services and semiconductors — creates a favorable framework for expanding trade, attracting capital and strengthening bilateral production chains.

The agreement must be ratified by Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly, a process expected to be contentious due to criticism from pro-Palestinian groups calling for a freeze on ties with Israel.

Activist groups collected about 12,000 signatures from Costa Ricans and delivered them to the government in November, urging it to halt the agreement on the grounds that Costa Rica would become “complicit” in genocide, local outlet Semanario Universidad reported.

Although current trade between the two countries — estimated at about $60 million — represents only a small share of each nation’s total exports, Costa Rican business groups welcomed the agreement, saying it will allow the country to strengthen specific niches where it has a competitive advantage or needs key inputs.

“In the current context, it is very important to diversify the sources of investment and the destinations of our products, particularly in a high-potential market such as the Middle East,” Ronald Lachner, president of the Association of Free Zone Companies of Costa Rica, told El Observador.

Costa Rican Foreign Trade Minister Manuel Tovar said the agreement “represents a strategic opportunity to position Costa Rica as a competitive supplier in high-technology sectors, quality agribusiness and specialized services.”

Israeli Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat said Costa Rica is “a natural trading partner for Israel — an advanced OECD country with a deep commitment to free and open trade.”

“The free trade agreement is expected to strengthen the growth trend in Israeli exports, deepen business cooperation and help reduce the cost of living in Israel by lowering import prices,” he said. “The agreement reflects the policy we are pursuing: opening new markets, diversifying trade destinations and strengthening the engines of growth of the Israeli economy.”

With the agreement’s entry into force, Costa Rican exports are expected to reach between $50 million and $60 million in 2026, driven by products such as green coffee, pineapple, honey, kosher and halal meat, medical devices, advanced manufacturing and digital services.

Beyond the exchange of goods, the free trade agreement aligns with Costa Rica’s national strategy to attract investment in high-technology sectors. Israeli investment in Costa Rica has shown a sharp increase, rising from $1 million in 2023 to nearly $20 million in 2024.

The scope of the agreement goes beyond tariff reductions. It includes plans to open a Trade and Innovation Office in Jerusalem in early 2026. The office is intended to facilitate joint projects in semiconductors, medical technologies, advanced agriculture and specialized tourism.

Israel’s ambassador to Costa Rica, Michal Gur-Aryeh, said the two economies are complementary.

“Israeli technology will contribute to Costa Rican productivity, making it more profitable and competitive, while Israel will gain access to Costa Rica’s wide range of products,” she said.

Dec. 13 (UPI) — President Donald Trump on Saturday ended U.S. sanctions on potash fertilizers from Belarus in exchange for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko releasing 123 political prisoners.

Lukashenko freed the prisoners, who include Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski and political opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova, in an effort to improve the Russia-allied nation’s relations with the United States, Bloomberg and the Los Angeles Times reported.

“In accordance with President Trump’s instructions, the United States is lifting sanctions on potash,” U.S. Special Envoy John Coale told Belta, Belarus’ official news agency.

“I believe this is a very good step by the United States for Belarus,” Coale said. “We are lifting them now.”

Belarus has been sanctioned by the U.S. and other Western nations since 2021 because of Lukashenko’s authoritarian rule and decades of political repression.

Sanctions have ramped up since 2022 because Lukashenko also allowed Russian President Vladimir Putin to launch his invasion of Ukraine from Belarus.

In 2024, Lukashenko started releasing prisoners in order to appease Western leaders, including Trump, and get sanctions lifted that have crippled the Belarusian potash industry.

Since July 2024, before Saturday’s prisoner release, Belarus has freed more than 430 political prisoners.

According to Coale, the United States is “constantly talking” to Belarus and lifting the U.S. sanctions on potash — European sanctions, which have been called more consequential than the U.S. sanctions, remain in place — is a step toward reaching a point where all sanctions against the country have been removed.

“As relations between the two countries normalize, more sanctions will be lifted,” Coale said.

Paul Lim became the oldest player to win a match at the PDC World Championship as the 71-year-old claimed a stunning victory over Jeffrey de Graaf.

Backed by a partisan crowd at the Alexandra Palace, the Singapore veteran claimed a 3-1 success over the Dutch-born Swede.

He beat a record held by Northern Irishman John MaGowan, who was 67 when he knocked out Chris Mason in the first round of the tournament in December 2008.

“A moment like this has kept me going for all these years,” said Lim.

“The standard of play nowadays is not like how it was before. This tournament is the Super Bowl of darts so I would say this is a good moment.”

Lim will face Luke Humphries in the second round after the 2024 world champion progressed with a 3-1 win over Ted Evetts in his opening match later on Saturday evening.

Humphries had cruised into a 2-0 lead against his fellow Englishman before Evetts pinched a set back.

However, 30-year-old Humphries regained his intensity and clinically finished out the contest with an average of 98.58, throwing eight 180s.

Lim, who thew the first world championship nine-darter at the BDO event at Lakeside in 1990, beat Humphries when the pair last met at the Ally Pally five years ago.

On meeting again, Humphries told Sky Sports: “He’s amazing, he’s a legend. The crowd are going to be against me so it’s going to be a tough game.”

Lim said: “I hope on a given day it can happen again. I never give up. He is good but he can be beaten.”

The crowd roared on Lim, who is 72 next month, when he won the first set against De Graaf befofe his opponent levelled the match.

Lim went ahead again after a scrappy third set as De Graaf wilted while the experienced ‘Singapore Slinger’ held his nerve in a tense fourth, sealing victory with an average of 86.52.

Five-time world championship semi-finalist Wayne Mardle said Lim was able to “take his chances” against De Graaf to secure an “incredible” win.

“If you have the desire, the passion but most of all the ability humans can achieve amazing things – and that was amazing,” said Mardle on Sky.

De Graaf was six years old when Lim made his PDC debut 29 years ago.

Elsewhere, Wessel Nijman of the Netherlands eased to a 3-0 win over Czech Karel Sedlacek while Germany’s Gabriel Clemens beat American Alex Spellman by the same scoreline.

Dec. 13 (UPI) — Cambodian officials closed all border crossings from Thailand as fighting continues between the two nations despite a claimed cease-fire.

The Cambodian Defense Ministry said Thai forces had not stopped bombing targets in Cambodia on Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The border crossings with Thailand will remain closed until further notice, ministry officials said.

President Donald Trump on Friday night announced a cease-fire agreement had been reached between Thai and Cambodian officials after he spoke with them.

They agreed to “cease shooting effective this evening” and resume an agreement signed in October, Trump said in a social media post, adding that “both countries are ready for peace,” as reported by the BBC.

Leaders from the respective nations did not say they reached a cease-fire, though.

“Thailand will continue to perform military actions until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people,” Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnivirakul said, as reported by The New York Times.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet confirmed speaking with Trump regarding a cease-fire but did not say an agreement had been reached.

Officials in both nations reported that bombing and artillery fire continued on Saturday, and Thai officials told media that four of the nation’s soldiers had been killed.

Thai officials said a rocket attack launched from Cambodia injured several civilians, while the four military deaths raised the total since Monday to 15, along with 270 wounded and six civilians injured.

Cambodian officials have not updated that nation’s casualty reports for Saturday after reporting Thai fighter-bombers struck hotels and a bridge. They said 11 civilians had been killed and 59 injured as of Friday.

The fighting forced the evacuation of an estimated 700,000 civilians on both sides of the Thai-Cambodia border, which extends about 500 miles from Laos in the East to the Gulf of Thailand in the west.

Dec. 12 (UPI) — An Australian skydiver was left dangling from behind a plane at 15,000 feet after his parachute got caught on the tail of the aircraft, causing some heart-stopping moments for the jumper and the pilot.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau released a report and video Thursday describing the incident that happened on Sept. 20 in which a skydiver’s reserve parachute deployed as he jumped and got caught on a horizontal stabilizer of the Cessna Caravan. The skydiver and the plane were able to land safely after several harrowing moments.

Skydiver Adrian Ferguson used a hook knife to cut himself free after suffering minor leg injuries when his legs crashed into the horizontal stabilizer. He was then able to deploy his main parachute safely, though it did get tangled in the cords from the reserve chute.

The plane took off and landed at Tully Airport, an airstrip in northern Queensland. There were 16 other parachutists on the plane, and all were able to jump safely. The divers were planning to do a 16-way formation jump, with a 17th jumper filming it. The jump was part of the annual Big Ways at the Beach event, hosted by the Far North Freefall group. The event is a multi-day event in which experienced skydivers complete large group formations in belly-to-earth freefall, the report said.

The pilot, who was wearing his own emergency parachute, was unsure if he could land the plane after Ferguson freed himself because the parachute and its cords remained tangled in the horizontal stabilizer, the report said.

“The pilot recalled feeling the aircraft suddenly pitch up, and observed the airspeed rapidly decreasing,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said. “Initially unaware of what had occurred, the pilot believed the aircraft had stalled, and pushed forward on the control column and applied some power in response. But upon being told there was a skydiver hung up on the tailplane, they reduced power again.”

Once all the jumpers had left the plane, the pilot had to consider what to do next.

“With all parachutists out of the aircraft, the pilot assessed they had limited pitch control, given the substantially damaged tailplane, which still had a portion of the reserve parachute wrapped around it,” Mitchell said. “With forward pressure they found they could achieve a gradual descent, and retracted the flap, which then allowed slightly more rudder, aileron and elevator control.”

Once he got close to the ground, the pilot realized he could land the plane.

“In difficult circumstances, the pilot managed to control the aircraft and land safely at Tully,” Mitchell said.

The report said that when Ferguson jumped, the handle that releases the emergency chute got snagged on the plane and was pulled open. Mitchell said the event should remind parachutists to be mindful of their handles, especially when exiting the plane.

“Carrying a hook knife — although it is not a regulatory requirement — could be lifesaving in the event of a premature reserve parachute deployment,” he said.

The investigation also found that the pilot had not ensured the plane was loaded within its weight and balance envelope for proper weight distribution of the craft. But that didn’t contribute to the accident.

“Fatal parachuting accidents have occurred in the past due to aircraft being loaded outside center-of-gravity limits, which highlights the importance of conducting aircraft weight and balance calculations prior to each load,” Mitchell said.

Dec. 12 (UPI) — Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi reportedly was arrested Friday by Iranian authorities, according to the foundation in her name.

The Paris-based rights group said that security and police forces “violently detained” Mohammadi and other human rights activists during a memorial for Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer recently discovered dead.

“Further details remain unavailable at this time,” the Narges Foundation posted on social media on behalf of Mohammadi.

The organization said her precise location inside Iran was unknown, citing accounts and information via her brother, Mehdi.

Mohammadi is one of Iran’s foremost human rights lawyers and the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

She was serving a total of 31 years on charges of supposedly acting against national security and spreading propaganda.

Mohammadi spent much of the last two decades in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, which is known for detaining regime critics.

Last year in December, Iranian authorities temporarily suspended Mohammadi’s prison sentence for three weeks to allow time for recovery from November surgery to remove a potentially cancerous lesion in her right leg.

She was expected to return to prison shortly after, but over the past year ramped up activism, speaking out on Iran’s human rights abuses.

Last week, she penned an op-ed declaring Iranians cannot know true peace under a regime that dominates every facet of their lives.

“Their peace is disrupted by surveillance, censorship, arbitrary arrest, torture and the constant threat of violence,” she wrote in Time Magazine, calling for support in Iranian society, its independent media and for human and women’s rights.

WANT to score big for the 2026 World Cup? Then start planning now.

Price-comparison site Skyscanner saw a 340 per cent increase in searches for flights from the UK to host nations the US, Canada and Mexico on Saturday after the draw.

Don’t panic, though, as there’s still time to bag a deal and plan the ultimate holiday.

Sophie Swietochowski has tips for booking a World Cup trip, with things to see and do in the cities where England will be competing.

Dallas, Texas

England v Croatia, June 17

IT may be a booming skyscraper city, but Dallas has managed to maintain that classic Southern charm for which Texas, the second largest state in the US, is so well known.

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Even non-footie fans may be familiar with its 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium, home to the NFL’s Cowboys and America’s most famous cheerleading squad, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

A dedicated fan zone will take over Fair Park – a 277-acre parkland in the city centre which ­annually hosts the State Fair of Texas as well as regular festivals.

More details, including dates and activities, are yet to be revealed.

It would be a sin to visit Texas and not dine at a barbecue joint.

Cattleack Barbeque in North Dallas is one of the best, and it is featured in the Michelin guide for good reason.

Meats are scorched on oak-fired smokers and served with tangy pickles, cornbread, mac and cheese and “Granny’s coleslaw”. Go for the wagyu brisket.

If England win big, take the celebrations to Deep Ellum, the arty entertainment district known for its music venues and boisterous cocktail bars.

New York

England v Panama, June 27

IF you have never been to the Big Apple, you’re in for an ­absolute treat.

England will be taking on Panama at the MetLife Stadium, which sits just across the water from Manhattan and can be reached from Times Square in around 20 minutes by cab on a good day.

If it is your first time, you’ll want to tick off the must-sees, and the best way to do that is with a CityPass.

You can pick one up for around £100 per child and £120 per adult.

It is a rather hefty outlay, but it will save you money in the long run.

Passholders will gain entry to the Empire State Building Observatory and the American Museum of Natural History, as well as their pick of three other attractions, such as the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, 9/11 Memorial & Museum and Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Booked independently, these would add up to almost £200.

The city promises to be even more buzzy than usual during the summer, thanks to a fan village that will open at the Rockefeller Center (July 4-19).

Expect interactive soccer pitches, live match viewing, musical performances and guest appearances.

And if that’s not enough, across the bridge, Jersey’s Liberty State Park will play host to the huge Fifa Fan Festival from June 11 to July 19.

Some of NYC’s most breath­taking landmarks, such as the Manhattan skyline, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, will provide the backdrop to interactive experiences and concerts.

Atlanta, Georgia

IF England are successful in the initial stages and win their group, the Three Lions head to Atlanta for their first knockout match.

The Centennial Olympic Park will play host to the Fan Festival there, exactly 30 years after it welcomed the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.

Elsewhere in the state capital, you can walk in the footsteps of the civil rights activist at the Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Park.

Or uncover the secrets of Britain’s favourite fizzy drink at the World Of Coca-Cola.

The museum feaures interactive exhibits and hosts a vault that guards the secret recipe.

Mexico City

HERE’S hoping our boys battle it through to the last 16, because that means we will likely be playing in Mexico City.

What better way to celebrate a win (or drown your sorrows) than in the birthplace of tequila?

Licoreria Limantour is frequently named in the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars thanks to its creative concoctions (there are classic drinks, too).

There’s likely to be more than just official fan zones — the Mexicans know how to party so come prepared.

But there’s so much more to do, including the Basilica of Guadalupe temple ruins, museums, cable cars and parks.

Boston

HOME to the world-famous Harvard University, America’s oldest public park and a vibrant harbour, the city of ­Boston has some great stories to tell from down the years.

Games will take place at the Gillette Stadium, which is being temporarily renamed the Boston Stadium for the World Cup.

It sits in the town of Foxborough, around an hour on the train from the main city of Boston, so you might want to book a stay a little farther out if you wish to save those pennies.

But make sure you don’t miss out on the delights of the city, which has an incredibly rich history.

You can learn all about it and the American Revolution on the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, which will guide you to 16 culturally significant sites, from museums and churches to meeting houses and burying grounds.

And why sample one Boston foodie tradition when you can do several at once?

Head to Quincy Market, a huge food hall that dates back to 1826 where you can pick up classic New England grub like clam chowder, lobster rolls and the notorious Boston cream pie.

The whereabouts and details of the fan zone are still being decided upon for this city, but you can guarantee there’ll be lots of footie-themed fun.

Last month, I was waiting for a shared taxi at the Nuseirat roundabout when I witnessed a heartbreaking scene. As I stood by the side of the road, I felt a small hand tugging at my clothes.

I looked down and saw a little girl, no older than eight. She was barefoot, her shirt was torn, and her hair was messy and unwashed. Her eyes were beautiful, and her face showed innocence, yet exhaustion and despair clouded it.

She pleaded: “Please, please, give me just one shekel, God bless you.”

Before I gave her the money, I decided to speak with her. I knelt down and asked, “What is your name, my dear?”

She replied in a frightened voice, “My name is Nour, and I am from the north.” Her name, which means “light” in Arabic, stood in stark contrast to the darkness surrounding her.

I asked her, “Why are you asking for money, Nour?”

She looked at me hesitantly, then whispered, “I want to buy an apple… I crave one.”

In Gaza, a single apple now costs $7; before the war, a kilogramme of apples was less than a dollar.

I tried to ignore the pain rising in my chest. I thought about the circumstances we now face, where young children are forced to beg in the street just to buy an apple.

I gave Nour one shekel ($0.30), but as soon as I did, the situation worsened. A large group of children, all Nour’s age or younger, gathered around me, repeating the same request. I felt immense distress.

For more than two years, we have faced genocide. We have witnessed countless tragedies and horrors. But for me, the sight of children begging in the streets is particularly unbearable.

Before the war, Gaza was still a poor place. We used to see child beggars, but they were few, mostly roaming in a few areas. Now, they are everywhere, from the north to the south.

The genocidal war has destroyed families and livelihoods across Gaza. The carnage has orphaned more than 39,000 children, and the enormous destruction has deprived more than 80 percent of the workforce of their jobs, driving countless children into extreme poverty and forcing them to beg for survival.

But child begging is not just a result of poverty; it is a sign of a deep disintegration affecting the family, the education system, and the community. No parent sends their child to beg because they want to. The war has left many families in Gaza without options, and in many cases, there are no surviving parents to keep the children away from the streets.

Child beggars do not just lose their childhood; they also face exploitation, harsh labour, illiteracy and psychological trauma that leaves a lasting effect.

The more begging children increase in number, the more the hope for this generation diminishes. Houses can be rebuilt, infrastructure can be restored, but a young generation that is deprived of education and hope for the future cannot be rehabilitated.

The strength Gaza possessed before the war was not just about military power; it was about human power, the main pillar of which was education. We had one of the highest levels of literacy in the world. The enrolment rate for primary education stood at 95 percent; for higher education, it reached 44 percent.

Education stood as a counterforce to the debilitating siege that dispossessed the people of Gaza and crippled the economy. It nourished skills and ingenuity within the young generations to help them cope with an increasingly harsh economic reality. More importantly, education gave children a sense of direction, security and pride.

The systematic attack on Gaza’s education system – the destruction of schools, universities, libraries and the killing of teachers and professors – has pushed what used to be a remarkably resilient and effective educational system to the brink. The pillar that protected children and guaranteed them a clear future is now falling apart.

After I left the Nuseirat roundabout, Nour’s eyes stayed with me. It was not just because of the pain of seeing an innocent child being forced to beg. It was also because of the realisation that this encounter brought about: That the capacity of the next generation to rebuild Gaza one day is being taken away.

The world allowed Israel to carry out genocide in Gaza for two years. It knew what was going on, and yet it chose complicity and silence. Today, it cannot erase its guilt, but it can choose to redeem itself. It can take all necessary action to save the children of Gaza and to grant them the rights they are inherently given by the Convention on the Rights of Children: The right to food, water, healthcare, a safe environment, education, and protection from violence and abuse.

Anything short of that would mean continuing support for the slow genocide of Gaza.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.

American Lindsey Vonn became the oldest skiing downhill World Cup winner at St Moritz in Switzerland on Friday.

The 41-year-old retired from the sport in February 2019 because of knee problems but made her competitive return in December 2024.

Vonn has collected one gold and two bronze Olympic medals in her career to date and is on track to represent the USA at the 2026 Games in February.

She crossed the line in one minute and 29.63 seconds – nearly a second quicker than second-placed Magdalena Egger – to wrap up her 83rd World Cup win and first since 2018.

“I knew I was skiing fast but you never know until the first race,” Vonn told TNT Sports.

“I think I was a little faster than I expected. It’s a very exciting time. Obviously my goal is Cortina but if this is the way we start, I think I’m in a good spot.”

Vonn seized skiing’s oldest World Cup winner record from Switzerland’s Didier Cuche, who had held it since his victory in the super-G at Crans Montana, USA in 2012 aged 37.

The oldest winner on the women’s circuit was Austrian Elisabeth Goergl for her victory in the super-G at Val d’Isere, France in 2014, at the age of 33.

It was Vonn’s 83rd World Cup victory and first since she won in Are, Sweden, in March 2018.

Vonn has four overall World Cup titles from a glittering career that has spanned 20 years.

“The win means so much to me. I knew in the summer I was on the right path, and all the hard work has paid off,” Vonn added.

“I thought I might retire after the last race of the Olympics, because I didn’t think I’d be competitive for a title, but I might need to change my approach.”

Friday’s event marked the beginning of the downhill World Cup campaign, with a further eight races taking place before the World Cup Finals at Kvitfjell in Norway on 21 March.

Dec. 12 (UPI) — Pope Leo XIV urged Italy’s intelligence officials on Friday to ground national security in ethical principles and cautioned that efforts to preserve peace must not trump human dignity or truth.

The U.S.-born pope marked the centenary of Italy’s Security Intelligence System and noted the nation’s first coordinated intelligence service launched in 1925 established the “foundations for building a more effective and coordinated system, aimed at safeguarding the security of the state.”

He added in remarks that, about a century later, tools and capabilities may have advanced dramatically, but responsibilities and moral risks of such intelligence work have grown.

On Friday, Leo told assembled intelligence professionals visiting the Vatican they bear a “serious responsibility” of “constantly monitoring the dangers that may threaten the life of the nation, in order above all to contribute to the protection of peace.”

He praised sometimes ignored efforts to foresee a crisis before it arises but cautioned that discretion risks misuse without ethics.

The pope stressed that professionalism required “respect for the dignity of the human person.”

“Security activity must never lose sight of this foundational dimension and must never fail to respect the dignity and rights of each individual,” he said.

He urged ethical restraint in gathering intelligence and warned that a sense of urgent common good cannot justify ignoring limits on individual rights.

National security, he added, must never arrive at the expense of individual rights, including “private and family life, freedom of conscience and information and the right to a fair trial.”

The Catholic Church leader underscored the need for strong ethical standards in modern day communication, and cautioned in an era run by constant and instant connection that misinformation, manipulation and exploitation of vulnerable people was a growing threat.

He further warned that confidential information must never be deployed to intimidate, manipulate, blackmail or discredit public officials, journalists or other groups.

In addition, Leo urged attendees to pursue their profession with balance and discernment that prioritizes the common good while staying “firmly anchored to those legal and ethical principles that place the dignity of the human person above all else.”

TV legend Bryan Fuller, known for his cult classics “Pushing Daisies” and “Hannibal,” just earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for first feature. It’s somehow a surprise that the well-known creator just directed his first movie, after spending almost three decades working in television on series like “Dead Like Me” and “American Gods.” Now he turns to the world of indie film, reuniting with actor Mads Mikkelsen, his Hannibal Lecter, on the dark fairy tale “Dust Bunny.”

Fuller has a thing for idioms, extending them to their most extreme ends (e.g., “pushing daisies”), and so in “Dust Bunny,” he imagines what those bits of fluff could be if our nightmares came to life. He also posits an outlandish notion: What if a kid hired an assassin to kill the monster under her bed?

Aurora (Sophie Sloan) is an imaginative young girl who hears things that roar and scream in the night. The dust bunny under her bed is a ravenous, monstrous thing. When her parents go missing, she’s convinced they’ve been eaten by the monster bunny, and seeks out the services of an “intriguing neighbor” (Mikkelsen, that’s how he’s credited) whom she has seen vanquishing dragons in the alley outside. With a fee that she purloins from a church collection plate, she implores him for help and he agrees, as he learns more about this young girl’s challenging childhood.

At first, “Dust Bunny” feels a little light, the story skittering across its densely designed surface, with very little dialogue in the first half. But it grows and grows, more bits and pieces accumulating as Fuller reveals this strange, heightened world. We meet Intriguing Neighbor’s handler, Laverne (Sigourney Weaver), revealing the larger Wickian world of killers that he inhabits.Weaver chomps through her scenes like the monster bunny chomps through the floorboards — literally, as she consumes charcuterie, dumplings and “suckling pig tea sandwiches” with gusto. Some monsters grin at us from across the table.

The film is essentially “Leon: The Professional” meets “Amélie” (one of Fuller’s favorite films), but with his distinct wit and flair. That style also means that “Dust Bunny” is quite fussy and mannered and if you don’t buy in on the film’s arch humor and stylized world, you’re liable to bounce right off of it. As Fuller opens the world up, revealing a sly FBI agent (Sheila Atim) and more baddies (David Dastmalchian, Rebecca Henderson), the plot becomes more intriguing beyond its unwieldy childhood-trauma metaphor, but there’s also not quite enough embroidered on this tapestry. It feels shallow, not fleshed out.

Fuller demonstrates a strong command over his visual domain but the pat allegory he presents about the monsters with whom we have to learn to live feels a bit muddled. Sloan and Mikkelsen are terrific together, but you feel that there is much more they could have sunk their teeth into here, and perhaps the limits of the tale reveal the limits of the budget, carefully wallpapered over with opulent production design — explosions of patterns and color crafted by Jeremy Reed, captured with shadowy but lush cinematography by Nicole Hirsch Whitaker.

It’s a first feature that feels like one — a bit of a surprise from someone so experienced. But the project has Fuller’s signature style, even if it doesn’t add up to much more than a neat kiddie-centric hard-R genre exercise.

Katie Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.

Dec. 12 (UPI) — El Salvador has reached an agreement with artificial intelligence company xAI, founded by Elon Musk, to introduce Grok-based tutoring in more than 5,000 public schools, a move President Nayib Bukele’s government describes as the world’s first fully AI-powered national education program.

The initiative, announced this week by the presidency, aims to provide personalized academic support to more than 1 million elementary and secondary school students. Officials said the rollout will take place gradually over the next two years as part of a plan to modernize the education system.

xAI said the partnership will allow students to access Grok, the company’s conversational AI model, adapted to El Salvador’s national curriculum and designed to provide real-time academic support.

“By bringing Grok to every student in El Salvador, we are putting advanced artificial intelligence in the hands of an entire generation,” the company said in a statement reviewed by La Prensa Gráfica.

El Salvador’s Ministry of Education said teachers will remain central to the learning process and will receive training to integrate the technology into classrooms. The ministry said the goal is to use AI to reinforce instruction, expand access to educational resources and reduce gaps between urban and rural areas.

Bukele described the agreement as part of a strategy to position the country as a global innovation laboratory. Local media reported the government views the initiative as an opportunity to “jump straight to the top” technologically, a phrase attributed to the president in recent announcements.

The ministry said Grok will offer adaptive learning experiences tailored to each student’s pace, while the government and xAI develop audit and security protocols to ensure responsible use of the tool in classrooms.

Authorities have not yet detailed the technical infrastructure required for the nationwide rollout, and questions remain about connectivity and device availability in remote areas.

The agreement deepens political and commercial ties between the Bukele administration and companies linked to Musk. El Salvador has previously worked with Starlink to expand internet coverage in rural areas, according to local reports, a move analysts say aligns with the country’s plans to build a technology-oriented economy.

Education specialists cited by Salvadoran media acknowledged the potential to expand access to digital tools but called for transparency as implementation moves forward.

Teachers’ unions and civil society organizations called for oversight mechanisms to ensure data protection, educator participation and equitable access for all students.

If implemented as announced, El Salvador would become the first country to adopt a national AI-based tutoring system, a model that could draw regional interest as several Latin American governments explore digital learning strategies at varying scales.

The presidency said it will release more details on the pilot phase, timeline and teacher training plans in early 2026.

A charming town in a popular holiday destination remains a snapshot of its medieval past and rich heritage but is smaller than a football pitch with a population of just over 50

Nestled in the hills in central Istria, northwest Croatia, the tiny village of Hum has stunning views of the surrounding countryside and forests.

Legend has it that friendly giants built the town from leftover stones from the construction of other nearby villages. It is surrounded by protective medieval walls and to this day nothing has been constructed outside of them, meaning it has kept its original character.

Visitors often marvel at the diminutive size of the town, which is considered the smallest in the world, as well as soak up its ancient architecture, rich cultural heritage and traditions, while indulging in the delicious local food and brandy made from regional produce.

Although local legend says it was giants who built the town, it was first mentioned in documents from 1102 when it was then called Cholm. Count Ulrich I built the castle inside the defensive walls and the settlements were located next to the castle in the fort. In 1552, a watch tower and bell were built next to the town’s loggia (town hall) to aid with defence.

There are just two pretty, cobbled streets and the entire town measures only around 100 metres by 30. In the 2021 census, there were only 52 recorded as living there, which is quite a rise from the last census 10 years previously, when the population was 30.

It is considered a town because it has its own council and large parish church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – which was built in 1802 on the site of the original church. Glagolitic wall hangings are housed there, which are some of the oldest known examples of Slavic alphabets and Croatian literary culture from the Middle Ages. The museum also displays some writings from the period and there are Romanesque frescoes in the Chapel of St Jerome for visitors to see.

History buffs will also love the Glagolitic Alley, which is a path from the nearby village of Roc that leads to Hum. It is lined with large stone monuments representing the ancient Glagolitic alphabet.

Old customs are still upheld by locals, such as the Day of Hum on June 11, when the election of the town mayor takes place. Every year, local judges from the parish carve their votes into a wooden stick at the historic town hall, or Municipal Loggia.

After exploring the picturesque streets, you can recharge by indulging in some of the local dishes. Traditional cuisine is usually hearty recipes made from local ingredients, such as Istrian vegetable stew. It is a simple but comforting soup made from barley, beans, potatoes and corn. Other popular dishes include pasta made with a rich beef sauce, ombolo, which is smoked pork loin, local sausage and sauerkraut. Krostule is a favourite local dessert made from fried dough. Truffles are also abundant in the hilly area, and the nearby town of Buzet is known as the City of Truffles.

Another specialty to try is the biska, which is a type of brandy made from fermented grapes, mistletoe, and four medicinal herbs. The recipe is 2,000 years old and was first made by the Celtic druids. Every October, the Istrian Rakija Festival takes place, when visitors can sample the drink from local producers.

One event of note is the Industrial Hemp Festival, which usually takes place in August when local products including oil, flour, tea, and seeds are available. There are also tasty foods and drinks made from hemp to sample, such as cheese, cookies, crackers, bread, bread burgers, and gin.

When it comes to travelling to Hum, the best way to get there is by private car hire as public transport in Istria isn’t the most reliable. Parking is 3 euros for the whole day, so you have plenty of time to explore without having to worry. There are also some local day tours that stop off in the town. It’s a great place to rest if you’re taking advantage of one of the hiking or cycling trails in Istria.

The closest airport is Rijeka (RJK), which Ryanair runs direct flights to from London Stansted. There are also indirect routes with carriers like Lufthansa from Heathrow.

One visitor on Tripadvisor said: “Do you need a good reason to visit what is claimed to be the ‘smallest town in the world’?! This place just charmed the socks off us. We loved it here. It’s tiny (of course) but has a unique charm, as you enter through the imposing gated entrance you feel like you are being transported back in time. It doesn’t feel like much has changed here for centuries. The road up is an interesting one and you just need to keep reminding yourself it’s going to be worth it as you drive up. The back route we took was a bit hair-raising in parts!”

Rugby World Cup winner Lark Atkin-Davies has announced she is pregnant with her first child.

The Bristol Bears hooker has not played for her club during this Premiership Women’s Rugby season.

Atkin-Davies has 74 caps for the Red Roses and played in all six matches, scoring three tries, as England won the World Cup on home soil in September.

In a video posted on her Instagram, the 30-year-old said she was due in June.

Bristol Bears said they “can’t wait to welcome a new bear cub”.

Atkin-Davies made her England debut in 2015.

Her England and Bristol team-mate Abbie Ward gave birth to a daughter in 2023, returning to the sport just 17 weeks later.

England players are entitled to 26 weeks’ fully-paid maternity leave, as well as funds for children to travel to games with them, after the Rugby Football Union updated its maternity policy in February 2023.

Dec. 12 (UPI) — Russia’s Central Bank has filed suit against the Belgian bank that holds about $217 billion in frozen Russian state assets to stop the European Union from using that money to make a large loan to Ukraine.

Most of Moscow’s frozen cash is held in Belgian bank depository Euroclear. The EU wants to extend a loan to Ukraine, which is running out of money to fight the Russian invasion of the country. But Russia wants to block that loan and accuses the EU of theft.

The Central Bank filed the suit in the Moscow City Arbitration Court as a warning to the EU. It said in a statement that Euroclear was participating in “unlawful activities” and that it filed the suit because the EU’s executive was “considering proposals for direct or indirect use of Bank of Russia assets without authorization.”

“A Moscow court cannot force Euroclear to comply, and any ruling would be unenforceable abroad,” said Alexandra Prokopenko, a former Russian Central Bank official and a fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told The New York Times.

“But it is not meaningless: It creates formal documentation of Russia’s legal claims and serves as a political signal ahead of international litigation.”

Prokopenko also said an investment protection agreement exists between Russia, Belgium and Luxembourg that requires any loss to be compensated. That means Moscow could use that in future international arbitration against Belgium. So Belgium is worried about being left responsible in the future.

EU leaders will discuss the potential loan at a meeting Thursday in Brussels of leaders of all 27 member states. Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart de Wever was in London to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday. The frozen assets were on the agenda, British officials have said.

European countries have been pushing Belgium to agree to the plan, but it’s trying to convince other countries to share the risk. Although most of Russia’s cash is at Euroclear, but smaller amounts are held in other European countries.

The loan plan would use the frozen assets to back a $106 billion loan to Ukraine, meted out over the next two years. Ukraine would only have to pay it back if Russia pays reparations.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said about the funds, “It’s only fair that Russia’s frozen assets should be used to rebuild what Russia has destroyed — and that money then becomes ours.”

The loan plan could also cause a clash with Washington. In the U.S.-created peace plan that is still being negotiated, that frozen money was to be used to help rebuild Ukraine. But EU officials argue that if Ukraine falters financially, it will be in a weakened position in peace negotiations.

Using the frozen funds could “destabilize the international financial system,” Euroclear chief executive Valérie Urbain said.

“Belgium is a small economy,” Veerle Colaert, professor of financial law at KU Leuven University, told the BBC. “Belgian GDP is about [$661.5 billion] — imagine if it would need to shoulder a [$216.5 billion] bill.” She also said the loan may violate EU banking rules.

“Banks need to comply with capital and liquidity requirements and shouldn’t put all their eggs in one basket. Now the EU is telling Euroclear to do just that,” Colaert said.

“Why do we have these bank rules? It’s because we want banks to be stable. And if things go wrong it would fall to Belgium to bail out Euroclear. That’s another reason why it’s so important for Belgium to secure water-tight guarantees for Euroclear.”

European champion Gian van Veen has booked his place in the second round of the PDC World Championship but 12th seed Ross Smith suffered a shock first-round exit.

Expectations are high for Van Veen after a successful 2025 and, after falling at the first hurdle in his two previous visits to Alexandra Palace, there will have been an element of relief following his 3-1 win over Spain’s Cristo Reyes.

The Dutch 10th seed, a two-time world youth champion, battled to victory in the first set despite being short of his best before stepping it up in the second, averaging 107, to go 2-0 up.

Reyes hit back in the third after taking out 167 to win the first leg and earned a break in the fourth, only for Van Veen to show his grit and come back to secure his first win at the tournament.

“Finally across that line,” the 23-year-old, who averaged 98.91, told Sky Sports.

“Today, walking on this stage, you feel like a 16-year-old again – I was so nervous! But as soon as the first darts went in, I was like ‘OK, you belong here’.”

But while Van Veen can prepare for round two, Smith is heading home after a 3-2 loss to 50-year-old debutant Andreas Harrysson of Sweden.

Smith missed six match darts in the fourth set and was made to pay as Harryson pressed on to win the deciding set by three legs to one.

Also in the evening session, England’s Ricky Evans beat Hong Kong’s Man Lok Leung 3-0 and Australian 16th seed Damon Heta earned a 3-1 win over Ireland’s Steve Lennon.

The FSA has joined Football Supporters Europe (FSE) in demanding the sales process is stopped so fans’ groups can hold talks with Fifa over its pricing policy.

“We back Football Supporters Europe in calling for a halt in ticket sales and we are calling on the Football Association to work with fellow FAs to directly challenge these disgraceful prices,” the FSA said in a statement.

“We call on all national associations to stand up for your supporters, without whom there would be no professional game.”

Fifa has yet to comment on the criticism, while both the FA and the Scottish FA have yet to comment on the ticket prices.

BBC Sport has been told the FA is aware that England fans are angry, and is planning to pass on those concerns to Fifa.

There is a Fifa Council meeting in Doha next week, and FA chair Debbie Hewitt will be present. Last month she said she was opposed to dynamic ticket pricing, and has vowed it will not be used at Euro 2028, which the UK and Ireland is hosting.

With the Home Nations FAs hoping to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup, they – and the UK government – may be wary of upsetting Fifa.

Privately, Fifa insiders say while tickets will seem expensive to many, the governing body has a duty to set prices with the US market in mind, grow the game around the world, and to use its revenues to develop men’s, women’s and youth football.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has also promised to achieve record revenues, and the most lucrative sports event in history will do no harm to his re-election hopes in 2027.

The huge increase in the price of tickets was revealed on Thursday when Fifa released allocation details for the official supporters’ groups of each country.

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, group stage fixtures all had set prices of £68.50, £164.50 or £219.

But for England v Croatia and Scotland v Brazil next year, tickets cost around £198, £373 or £523.

The cost ramps up considerably in the latter stages.

Quarter-finals for all teams are £507, £757 and £1,073, with the semi-finals £686, £1,819 and £2,363.

The cheapest tickets for the final are £3,119, seven times more expensive than in Qatar.

There are no concessions across any of its tickets for children or other groups.

Next year’s World Cup, the first time 48 nations will be taking part, takes place from Thursday, 11 June to Sunday, 19 July, with the draw made last Friday.

While Colombia v Portugal has been the most popular match so far, Fifa says that is followed by Brazil v Morocco (New Jersey, 13 June), Mexico v South Korea (Guadalajara, 18 June), Ecuador v Germany (New Jersey, 25 June), and Scotland v Brazil (Miami, 24 June).

According to Fifa, the most requests for tickets have come from the three host nations, followed by Colombia, England, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Scotland, Germany, Australia, France and Panama.

Dec. 12 (UPI) — Britain’s King Charles III is making good progress in his personal fight against cancer and will undergo precautionary treatments in 2026.

Charles, 77, announced his progress in a video released Friday, and he credited his recovery to the “remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years,” according to CNN.

“Today, I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctor’s orders,’ my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the new year,” Charles said in a video filmed ahead of a special event to benefit the Cancer Research UK charity.

The king was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024 after undergoing a medical procedure on his prostate, but he does not have prostate cancer.

The exact type of cancer with which Charles is afflicted has not been reported, the BBC said.

The king said treatments are going so well that they are entering a “precautionary phase,” but his cancer is not in remission or otherwise cured.

His video speech for the charitable cancer fundraiser encourages viewers to undergo regular cancer screenings.

“Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives,” Charles said.

“I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming,” he added. “Yet, I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams.”

The U.K. National Health Service offers cancer screening programs for breast, bowel and cervical cancers for people of qualifying ages.

It also is rolling out a lung cancer screening program for adults between ages 55 and 74 and who have been or currently are tobacco smokers.

The king has stayed relatively silent about his cancer diagnosis and treatments until recording the video message.

He also participated in an Advent service at Westminster Abbey earlier in the week and has continued working to prevent cancer from defining his current existence, according to the BBC.

Hello! I’m Mark Olsen. Welcome to another edition of your regular field guide to a world of Only Good Movies.

Even in a year like this one, during which there are numerous truly remarkable movies in the awards-season conversation worthy of ongoing consideration, it is easy to grow tired of talking about a tightening circle of titles.

Which is part of the reason why the announcement of the program for the 2026 Sundance Film Festival came right on time this week. New movies! This will be Sundance’s last edition in its longtime home in Park City, Utah, before moving on to Boulder, Colo., starting in 2027. Adding to the import and emotion of the event is that it will be the first festival since the recent death of Sundance figurehead Robert Redford.

A number of films from the 2025 festival are still part of the ongoing awards conversation. Just this week, both “Train Dreams” and “Sorry, Baby” received Golden Globe nominations — which I am relatively certain was not on the minds of those filmmakers when they had their world premieres at Sundance this past January.

Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega in “The Gallerist” by Cathy Yan, an official selection of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.

(Sundance Institute / MRC II Distribution Company L.P.)

Among the titles to look forward to for Sundance 2026 are Gregg Araki’s provocative “I Want Your Sex,” Cathy Yan’s satirical “The Gallerist,” Jay Duplass’ family story “See You When I See You,” Tamra Davis’ ’90s music doc “The Best Summer” and a profile on Courtney Love called “Antiheroine.”

Of course, there will also be many titles from relatively unknown filmmakers, and it is that promise of discovery that keeps us coming back to Sundance year after year.

As festival director Eugene Hernandez put it, “As much as we can talk about the legacy and history and the old timers — which I think will add an incredible aspect to the festival this year — we’re creating a festival that is also focused on the celebration of new voices. … For so many people, it will be brand new, no matter what.”

‘Home Alone’ 35th anniversary

Macaulay Culkin and Joe Pesci in the movie “Home Alone.”

(20th Century Fox)

On Saturday, the Academy Museum will have a 35th anniversary screening of “Home Alone” with star Macaulay Culkin and director Chris Columbus in-person. Written by John Hughes, the film is about a young boy (Culkin) accidentally left behind by his family at the holidays and how he comes to defend himself against two bumbling thieves (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern).

The movie has become a beloved all-ages holiday classic and seeing it with an enthusiastic audience should be a treat. The event is already sold out, but standby tickets are available.

In his original review of the movie, Peter Rainer noted, “Macaulay Culkin has the kind of crack comic timing that’s missing in many an adult star and even when the script gets soppy, he doesn’t turn himself into a cutesy ball of gloppy goo. He is refreshingly abrasive throughout.”

‘Mustang’ 10th anniversary

An image from Deniz Gamze Ergüven’s Oscar-nominated 2015 film “Mustang.”

(Cohen Media Group)

On Sunday, the American Cinematheque at the Los Feliz 3 will host a 10th anniversary screening of French-Turkish filmmaker Deniz Gamze Ergüven’s feature debut “Mustang,” which was nominated for the Academy Award for international feature. Ergüven is scheduled to be there in person.

The film is the story of five teenage sisters living in an isolated village and yearning for a life of freedom. In her review, Katie Walsh wrote, “‘Mustang’ beautifully expresses the girls’ unbridled energy, a force that refuses to be locked up, controlled or repressed. It’s a moving portrait of sisterhood, a celebration of a fierce femininity and a damning indictment of patriarchal systems that seek to destroy and control this spirit.”

In an interview with me at the time of the film’s release, Ergüven described the performances by the five actresses — Elit Iscan, Günes Sensoy, Ilayda Akdogan, Doga Zeynep Doguslu and Tugba Sunguroglu — as “one character with five heads.”

Ergüven added, “From very early on I always said it’s a monster of femininity, with 10 arms and 10 legs. They are intertwined, they are extremely familiar with one another. Sometimes, I said, they react to one another’s bodies as if they are extensions of their own body.”

Points of interest

‘Danger: Diabolik’ and ‘Barbarella’ in 35mm

Jane Fonda and John Phillip Law in the 1968 movie “Barbarella,” directed by Roger Vadim.

(Silver Screen Collection / Getty Images)

The Secret Movie Club is going to have a groovy Euro holiday party on Saturday with 35mm screenings of both Roger Vadim’s 1968 “Barbarella” and Mario Bava’s 1968 “Danger: Diabolik” at the Million Dollar Theater. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their best psychedelic finery.

“Barbarella” is one of those movies that’s difficult to describe and best to just experience for yourself: a sci-fi sex satire starring Jane Fonda directed by her then-husband Roger Vadim and co-written by counterculture maverick Terry Southern. Based on a French comic, the film was shot in Italy and produced by Dino De Laurentiis.

In a 1967 profile of Fonda and Vadim in Rome, which includes Fonda driving a Ferrari through the streets of the city to get from the historic villa where they are staying to Cinecittà studio, Fonda said, “The main thing about this role is to keep her innocent. You see, Barbarella is not a vamp and her sexuality is not measured by the rules of our society. She is not being promiscuous but she follows the natural reaction of another type of upbringing. She isn’t a so-called ‘sexually liberated woman’ either. That would mean rebellion against something. She is different. She was born free.”

“Danger: Diabolik” stars John Philip Law (also in “Barbarella”) as a master thief. With a score by Ennio Morricone and directed with high style by Bava, best known for more lurid genre excursions, the film is the ’60s Euro-heist jaunt of your wildest imagination.

Elaine May’s ‘A New Leaf’

Elaine May and Walter Matthau in the movie “A New Leaf.”

(United Archives via Getty Images)

On Wednesday, the Academy Museum will show Elaine May’s 1971 debut feature as writer-director, “A New Leaf,” in the big David Geffen Theater. Selected by the writer’s branch of the Academy, the screening will feature screenwriter Karen McCullah, writer-producer Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith and writer-producer Katie Silberman in person to talk about the film and May’s ongoing influence.

Even though the film as we know it was taken away from May and isn’t her complete vision, “A New Leaf” is nevertheless a film of bold, confident energy. Walter Matthau plays a trust fund playboy who is fast running out of money. He hatches a scheme to find, marry and then murder a woman of means to continue to fund his lifestyle. Enter May as a botanist who is equal parts awkward and rich. Dark, funny and insightful, the film is a true gem.

Here’s hoping the recently renewed interest in May’s slim body of directorial work — she has so far made only four films — spurs a long-gestating new project rumored to be shooting soon into a reality.

Eric Rohmer’s ‘My Night at Maud’s’ and ‘A Tale of Winter’

Françoise Fabian and Jean-Louis Trintignant in Eric Rohmer’s “My Night at Maud’s.”

(Janus Films)

On Wednesday at the Aero, the American Cinematheque will have a double-bill from French filmmaker Eric Rohmer: 1969’s “My Night at Maud’s” and 1992’s “A Tale of Winter.”

“My Night at Maud’s,” a breakout international hit for Rohmer, was nominated for two Oscars, for foreign language film and original screenplay. A series of conversations among an interlocking cast of characters, the film helped set the template for dialogue-driven adult dramas that still hold sway.

In his April 1970 review, Charles Champlin wrote, “‘My Night at Maud’s’ argues that thee attractive and intelligent people sitting around arguing about the philosophy of Pascal constitutes a movie. I agree. Standing on my chair and waving noisemakers in the air I agree. … But whether or not one cares about the substance of the arguments, ‘My Night at Maud’s’ is a hugely pleasurable evening out because of the excellence of its performances and the convincing and captivatingly credibility of its three principals. It is an adult film which makes clear once and for all what randy juvenilia all other ‘adult’ films are. This one is, of course, in impeccable taste.”

“A Tale of Winter” is the second of what became Rohmer’s “Tales of the Four Seasons.” In reviewing the film, Kevin Thomas wrote, “The French respect the quirky workings of the human heart more than any other people and among the French filmmakers, the keenest observer may be Eric Rohmer, whose ‘A Tale of Winter’ finds him at his scintillating best, never wiser or funnier.”

“It’s a chance to qualify. It is a chance to participate in a big event,” Fifa president Gianni Infantino declared in January 2017.

The Fifa Council had just unanimously voted to expand the World Cup to 48 teams. Nations who had never or rarely reached the finals were being given hope.

Infantino added: “Football is more than Europe and South America. Football is global.

“The football fever you have in a country that qualifies for the World Cup is the most powerful tool you can have, in those nine months before qualifying and the finals.”

Yet that “football fever” is falling a little flat after the ticket prices were released.

While the players will be there, the price of tickets could outstrip wages.

Take Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world. The average wage in the Caribbean nation is around $147 (£110) a month.

The cheapest tickets for Haiti’s first game at the World Cup in 42 years, against Scotland, cost $180 (£135).

To attend all three matches – they also play Brazil and Morocco – would cost $625 (£467). That’s more than four months’ salary for the average Haitian, just to get into the ground.

It’s a similar story for Ghana, where the average monthly salary is around $254 (£190).

Ghana supporter Jojo Quansah told BBC World Service that fans would have to cancel their plans.

“It’s a bit of a disappointment for those who, for the last three-and-a-half years, have been trying to put some money away in the hope that they can have their first World Cup experience,” he said.

“Fifa themselves have gone ahead to increase the number of teams so a lot more smaller football nations will get a chance to have themselves and their fans represented.

“It’s been overshadowed by pricing those same fans out of a chance to watch their country play at the World Cup.

“I have a feeling that quite a number of people within the next couple of months, are going to drop out of that desire to be at the next World Cup. Sadly. So sadly.”

Other nations could see their fans priced out.