Month: January 2026

Jan. 4 (UPI) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in interviews on Sunday that it is “premature” to discuss elections in Venezuela because higher priorities, including reinvigorating the country’s oil industry, must be addressed first.

In interviews with ABC, CBS and NBC, Rubio said that the United States will continue to strike drug boats and detain oil tankers as the Trump administration moves to stabilize and “run” Venezuela after the apprehension of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday.

The Trump administration plans to keep its “quarantine” of Venezuelan oil in place as it pressures the remainders of Maduro’s government to end their cooperation with South American drug gangs, as well as stop selling oil to the United States’ adversaries, Rubio said.

“As we move forward here, we’ll set the conditions so that we no longer have in our hemisphere a Venezuela that’s the crossroads for many of our adversaries around the world, including Iran and Hezbollah,” Rubio said on ABC News’ “This Week.”

Rubio added that Venezuela would also no longer be “a narcotrafficking paradise for all those drugs coming out of Colombia … and toward the United States.”

Offshore armada is ‘leverage’

In a press conference on Saturday, Trump told reporters that there was a second strike planned in the case that Venezuelan forces responded to Maduro’s capture or the plan was not successful, but U.S. military commanders decided against launching it.

Trump noted Saturday, and Rubio reiterated on Sunday, that the roughly 15,000 troops offshore of Venezuela spread across more than a dozen warships would remain in the Caribbean.

Their objectives, he told CBS’ “Face The Nation,” are striking drug trafficking boats, apprehending tankers suspected to be carrying sanctioned Venezuelan oil and using the armada, as Trump has referred to it, of U.S. military ships offshore to encourage the remaining members of Maduro’s administration to comply with U.S. demands.

“What’s going to happen here is that we have a quarantine on their oil,” Rubio said. “That the means that their economy will not be able to move forward until the conditions that are in the national interest of the United States and of the Venezuelan people are met.”

“So, that leverage remains,” he added. “That leverage is ongoing. And we expect that it’s going to lead to results here.”

No elections yet

Although the Trump administration “cares about elections, we care about democracy, we care about all of that,” the priority is the U.S.’ goals of stopping the flow of drugs into the United States and U.S. “safety, security, well-being and prosperity,” Rubio told NBC News’ “Meet The Press.”

At this point, he said, considering new elections in Venezuela “is premature at this point” as Trump has tasked Rubio with “running policy” in the South American country.

In the next several months, Rubio said that the main priorities are to end entanglements between the Venezuelan government and drug gangs, as well as to prevent Iran, Russia, China and Cuba, among other nations, from investing in the country and gaining a foothold in the Western Hemisphere.

Maduro and his wife, who are in a jail in New York City awaiting trial, along with four other people in the Venezuelan government who were not arrested in Saturday’s raid, have been indicted for allegedly working with Colombian drug gangs and rebel groups to assist them in trafficking cocaine.

The quarantine on ships transporting Venezuelan oil is linked to Trump’s goal of sending U.S. oil companies to inspect and reinvigorate Venezuela’s ailing oil industry, while keeping the oil in the Americas.

While noting that the United States, which is a net oil exporter, does not need the oil, he questioned why Iran, Russia or China should need Venezuelan oil considering all three are nowhere near South America.

“They’re not even in this continent,” Rubio said. “This is where we live, and we’re not going to allow the Western Hemisphere to be a base of operations for adversaries, competitors and rivals of the United States.”

A deal penned in March stipulated that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) would integrate with state institutions by the end of the year, but its implementation has since stalled.

Syrian government officials have held talks with the commander of the main Kurdish-led force in the country over plans to merge it with the national army, state media reported, adding that no “tangible results” had been achieved.

The Kurdish-led and US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said in a statement on Sunday that a delegation led by top commander Mazloum Abdi (also known as Mazloum Kobani) held talks with government officials in Damascus related to the military integration process.

A major sticking point has been whether the SDF would remain a cohesive unit in the new army or whether it would be dissolved and its members individually absorbed. The group has tens of thousands of fighters and is the main force yet to be absorbed into Syria’s military.

State TV said the meeting did not produce “tangible results” and that the sides agreed to hold further meetings at a later date.

The leadership in Damascus under President Ahmed al-Sharaa inked a deal in March with the SDF, which controls large swathes of Syria’s oil-rich north and northeast. The Kurdish-led force was to merge with the Syrian army by the end of 2025, but there have been disagreements on how it would happen.

The deal also would bring all border crossings with Iraq and Turkiye, as well as airports and oil fields in the northeast, under the central government’s control. Prisons holding about 9,000 suspected members of the ISIL (ISIS) group are also expected to come under government control.

Turkiye considers the SDF a “terrorist” organisation because of its association with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which has waged a decades-long armed conflict on its soil, although a peace process is now under way.

Ankara sees the presence of Kurdish forces on its border as a security threat and has publicly called for them to be integrated into the state, but not as a single unit.

The SDF insists on a decentralised system of governance that would allow it to maintain its influence in the areas it controls. Tensions between the SDF and the government – which opposes calls for decentralisation – have occasionally led to violence.

In late December, clashes broke out between security forces and SDF fighters in the northern city of Aleppo during a visit to Syria by Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Last month, Fidan urged the SDF to not be an obstacle to Syria’s stability and warned that patience with the group was running out.

Yak performed for the first time on Sunday night’s episode of The Masked Singer and fans were convinced they knew who it was just moments into their performance

Yak took to the stage for the first time on Sunday night’s edition of The Masked Singer, and their identity has already been “rumbled” by viewers at home. The hit ITV singing competition features celebrities dressing up in extravagant costumes to belt out pop songs whilst judges Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama and Mo Gilligan try to work out who they are.

Just after taking to the stage as the seventh series of the hit TV show got underway, Yak laid out a set of clues for the panel and viewers at home to guess who they really are.

They then followed this up with a rendition of Tom Jones’ classic Sex Bomb. Davina thought it was Busted star Matt Willis, Jonathan suggested it could be Adrian Edmondson, whilst Maya guessed it was Fatboy Sl,im and Mo seemed convinced it was comedian Leigh Francis.

READ MORE: Joel Dommett ‘petrified’ as he and wife Hannah brace for huge family updateREAD MORE: ITV The Masked Singer fans issue same complaint minutes into new series

Fans at home were quick to have their say, with many theorising that it was broadcaster and former politician Gyles Brandreth, who regularly debates topics of the day on This Morning alongside regular hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard. One viewer wrote on X: “Yak – possibly Gyles Brandreth??? Literally random guess lol Or someone Scottish??,” whilst another said: “Yak sounds like Gyles Brandreth.” and a third added: “Yak is making me laugh, what is going on hahaha! Is it Gyles Brandreth?.” However, another believed it could be Benidorm star Steve Pemberton.

In the first episode, The One Show star Alex Jones was unmasked as Disc Jockey following her performance of Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club. Mo guessed that it was radio legend Annie Mac, whilst Davina thought it might be Lioness Jill Scott, guest judge Anne-Marie was not present for the performance but guessed that it was “that bird on the cake show,”, meaning Dame Mary Berry. Jonathan guessed it was BBC Radio 2 star Sara Cox, and Maya Jama guessed Total Eclipse of the Heart songstress Bonnie Tyler, but evidently, all were incorrect.

Upon her unmasking, she told host Joel Dommett and the judges: “I have had a lot of fun. We love this programme, as a family, and I just thought, it would be a lot of fun and that to do it for my children would be wonderful. And it’s the most bizarre experience of my life! Thank you.” Emotionally dedicating her time on the programme, Alex, who is married to Charlie Thomson, said: “Teddy, Kit and Annie, this was for you. I hope that you’ve loved it.”

The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 48, then closed out her time on the competition with an unmasked rendition of Pink Pony Club to massive applause from the studio audience. Following her exit from the show, Alex admitted she wanted her performance to serve as an inspiration to her children.

She said: “I want them to know that overcoming fear is a good thing. I am not a singer but I gave it a go, and I think that’s the take home for them. I won’t be able to bear it but they will be so excited, hopefully it will be something special they remember when they grow up. They’ll think ‘God, our mother, do you remember when she dressed as a disc jockey and she sang on national television without any sort of voice?’”

As well as Gargoyle, other stars still in the competition include Red Panda, Can of Worms, Moth, and Sloth. On Sunday night, Monkey Business, Teabag, Toastie, Yak, Arctic Fox, and Conkers will perform for the first time.

It all came after Anne-Marie had been unmasked as Goldfish, having been performing as the lead singer of a group called No Trout in a first for the programme. After performing as Bruno Mars and Rose hit APT, the judges correctly guessed the identity of the singer.

Following her unmasking, the songstress said: “When I was at school, I had a very short attention span! I’m used to the voice just going that way [in front of me] but in the thing, it was like ‘Oh, that’s what I sound like!” She then gave her first unmasked performance for the studio audience of her signature track 2002, which famously references music icons like Britney Spears, Jay-Z and NSYNC.

The Masked Singer, ITV1/ITVX, Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th January, 6.30pm

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WASHINGTON — Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had yet to weigh in on the U.S. operation to remove Nicolás Maduro from power in Caracas as of Saturday night, more than 24 hours since President Trump approved the audacious mission that captured the Venezuelan leader.

Her silence on the operation surprised some in the U.S. intelligence community, which laid the groundwork for the mission over several months, and which had assets in harm’s way on the ground in Venezuela as the operation unfolded.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe, by contrast, accompanied Trump in Mar-a-Lago throughout the night as the extraction was underway, and stood beside the president as he conducted a news conference announcing the results.

“Teamwork at its finest,” Ratcliffe wrote on social media, posted alongside photos of him with the president’s team in the temporary situation room set up at Trump’s Florida estate.

Gabbard, a native of Hawaii who, according to her X account, spent the holidays in her home state, made a name for herself as a member of Congress campaigning against “regime change wars,” particularly the U.S. war in Iraq that toppled Saddam Hussein.

In a speech at Turning Point USA’s annual conference last month, Gabbard criticized “warmongers” in the “deep state” of the intelligence community she leads trying to thwart Trump’s efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine.

“Too often we, the American people, are told we must choose between liberty or security, and which side often wins out in that proposition,” she told the gathered crowd. “Liberty loses, and the warmongers claim that they are doing what they are doing for the sake of our security. It’s a lie.”

Outside of government, during Trump’s first term, Gabbard also criticized advocates for regime change in Venezuela, writing in 2019, “It’s about the oil … again.”

“The United States needs to stay out of Venezuela,” Gabbard wrote at the time. “Let the Venezuelan people determine their future.

“We don’t want other countries to choose our leaders,” she added, “so we have to stop trying to choose theirs.”

The West Valley League boys’ soccer competition has been dominated by El Camino Real and Birmingham. Both schools usually end up competing for a City title.

Now Cleveland, under second-year coach Julio Chacon, is trying to disrupt the ECR-Birmingham soccer dynasty.

The Cavaliers enter Wednesday’s league opener against El Camino Real with an 11-2 record. Anderson Carranza has 10 goals.

Chacon, a Cleveland graduate, has been trying to get his team to have the confidence to compete against defending City champion El Camino Real and longtime power Birmingham.

“I’m trying to build a new culture,” he said.

This is the first season in years that the City title hunt appears to be wide open. Sylmar owns a win over Birmingham and South East is 14-1-2, including a tie against Birmingham.

El Camino Real is facing a big week, with games against Cleveland, then Birmingham on Friday. On Saturday, ECR passed its first test with a 5-0 win over Sylmar.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

This film explores how the Spanish empire built its global dominance by fusing military conquest, religious conversion and imperial wealth.

At the heart of the Spanish expansion was the close alliance between crown, church and conquest. Military campaigns were inseparable from missionary efforts as conversion to Christianity became both a justification for empire and a tool of control. Faith and force advanced together, reshaping societies across the Americas.

Through the conquests of the Aztec and Incan empires, the documentary shows how Spanish power was established through violence, alliances and religious authority. The mission system spread across the Americas, reorganising Indigenous life around churches, labour regimes and colonial administration. Conversion promised salvation but enforced obedience and cultural destruction.

The film also examines the economic foundations of Spanish imperial power. Vast quantities of gold and silver were extracted from the Americas alongside the exploitation of Indigenous and enslaved labour. These resources fuelled European economies, financed global trade and helped integrate the Americas into an emerging world system built on extraction and inequality.

By tracing how faith, conquest and wealth operated together, the documentary reveals how Spanish colonialism shaped global capitalism, religious power and imperial governance. It shows how the legacies of conquest, forced conversion and resource extraction continue to influence social inequality, cultural identity and economic structures in the modern world and how current global superpowers like the United States and China adopt this model to their benefit. It also draws on the parallels between the erasure of cultural artefacts then and today’s “algorithmic colonisation”.

Evidence that the United States employed AGM-114 Hellfire or AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) in a covert strike on a target in Venezuela has now emerged. The U.S. military also recently disclosed an attack on what it says was a trio of drug-smuggling boats sailing in a convoy. Just earlier this week, TWZ highlighted exactly these potential scenarios in the broader context of recent sightings of U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones flying over the Caribbean with unusually heavy weapons loads.

Spanish-language television network Telemundo, headquartered in Miami, Florida, first broadcast imagery of U.S. missile fragments, which we will come back to in a moment, that it said were recovered in Venezuela’s far northwestern Alta Guajira region. What looks to be the full video clip that those images were taken from is also now circulating online. NBC News had previously reported that members of Venezuela’s Wayuu indigenous community had witnessed a mysterious explosion in Alta Guajira on December 18. U.S. President Donald Trump had first disclosed that the U.S. government had carried out a covert U.S. strike on Venezuelan soil on December 26, but it remains unconfirmed exactly where or when that occurred. Other details, including that the operation targeted a “port facility” or “dock” and that it was carried out by a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) drone, have been reported since then, as you can read more about here.

Returning to the missile fragments reportedly found in Alta Guajira, they are relatively small, but have distinctive “WARNING” and “52.0” markings that are clearly visible. This is fully consistent with the markings seen on AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM), as well as some variants of the AGM-114 Hellfire. Similar fragments have been seen on many occasions following confirmed and reported U.S. drone strikes around the world, including ones tied to the CIA and the U.S. military’s secretive Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).

The AGM-179A is derived directly from the AGM-114R variant, and both missiles share an identical rear body. JAGM’s main area of improvement over its predecessor is its new dual-mode seeker, with laser and millimeter-wave radar guidance modes, which gives it more flexibility to engage targets, as you can read more about here. Every JAGM and Hellfire has a label at the tail end that says “WARNING” and “2-MAN LIFT,” and lists their weight in kilograms and pounds. Each JAGM is roughly 115 pounds (52 kilograms). The stated weight of the baseline R model Hellfire is approximately 110 pounds (49 kilograms). However, there are many subvariants of the AGM-114R, some of which have very different configurations from the standard type. This includes the R9X version, which features an array of pop-out sword-like blades instead of a traditional high-explosive warhead.

MQ-9s armed with AGM-114s have been flying from Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla in Puerto Rico since September 2025, ostensibly in support of expanded counter-drug operations in the Caribbean. Starting last month, local spotters noticed Reapers operating from the airport carrying steadily larger loads of Hellfires, up to as many as 10 at a time. The drones have not been seen with JAGMs, or any other munitions, under their wings. The U.S. military still does not appear to have officially confirmed the integration of JAGM onto the MQ-9, but adding the missiles to the Reaper’s arsenal is at least planned, and there has been evidence in the past that it has already occurred.

GORDON Ramsay has officially welcomed Adam Peaty into the family fold with a sweet comment following the swimmer’s marriage to his daughter, Holly.

The influencer, 27, and Olympian, 31, headed on a lavish Maldives honeymoon after they tied the knot at Bath Abbey on December 27.

Over the weekend, dad of one Adam shared a snippet of his wedding speech in which he seemingly took a jab at his estranged parents, with whom he is locked in a family feud.

In a sad turn of events, dad of one Adam banned his mum Caroline from his special day while he told his father he could attend but watch from the back of the church – an invite he then understandably declined.

Tensions between the families were heightened when F Word chef Gordon made reference to the bad blood when he delivered a fiery father-od-the-bride speech – which Holly backed in a message following the ceremony.

Now Gordon has firmly welcomed Adam into the Ramsay clan.

MUM’S PAIN

Adam Peaty’s mum ‘outraged and hurt’ by Gordon Ramsay’s digs in wedding speech

BREAKING COVER

Adam Peaty seen for 1st time since wedding after name change snub to parents

He commented on his recent Instagram post where he could be heard reading his wedding speech and penned: “Beautiful words @adamramsaypeaty.

“True Love @hollyramsaypeaty congratulations.”

He then signed off his comment with: “Love you both so much Dad.”

The sweet declaration at the end of the comment was seemingly a way for Gordon to welcome Adam into the fold.

Since the ceremony, swimmer Adam has revealed his name change – tweaking his surname to Ramsay Peaty – in what appeared to be another snub.

GORDON’S ROLE

At last month’s ceremony, Gordon made a striking speech and told the couple how his wife Tana “will be a good mum to them both”.

Gordon gushed at how beautiful Holly looked and told Adam he was a “lucky man”, adding: “Look at Tana and that’s what you have to look forward to.” 

And in a sly dig at Adam’s absent parents he told Holly: “Shame you don’t have the same.” 

In a chat with British Vogue, content creator Holly spoke about a photo showing her and Adam at the ceremony and appeared to reinforce her support for his words.

She said: “Listening to dad’s speech, looking around the room and feeling overwhelmed with the love and the happiness on our guests’ faces.”

Yet it was then reported how Adam’s mum Caroline was “outraged and hurt” by Gordon’s “cruel” digs at her family.

A source close to the Peaty family told the Daily Mail at the time: “Caroline can’t believe Gordon brought their family troubles up his speech. It is outrageous and very hurtful.

“By him saying Tana will be a good mum to them both makes Caroline sound like a bad mum. It was a cruel dig at her.

“She has always done her best for all her children. She is a very good mum.”

Adam’s feud with mum Caroline, 60, exploded In November after she was not invited to Holly’s hen do.  

And he appeared to refuse to back down from the family drama as he dished out a cryptic statement on social media to mark the New Year.

Well, wouldn’t you want to know… We’d like to know for sure. As usual with Venezuelan constitutional matters, there’s no easy answer to this. We have to look at what is, what should be, what shouldn’t be but probably will be, and speculate what it would be like in the Upside Down.

During yesterday’s presser on Operation Absolute Resolve, Donald Trump very casually said that they (the US) were going to run the country. Not very clear yet what this means, but at some point he also said that they were talking to Maduro’s VP, Delcy Rodríguez (without naming her), and that she was willing to collaborate in making Venezuela great again. There was no mention of democracy during the press conference. If we want to be really optimistic on what they have in store for Venezuela in their plans, it’s likely that somewhere down the line they are looking at some sort of presidential election. This leaves a bunch of questions in the air, but the biggest one in all caps and neon lights: What about Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia, who just won a presidential election by almost 70%?

There should be no doubt that according to Venezuelan law, González Urrutia is the president elect of Venezuela and he should be sworn in. Chavismo decided to derail us from the constitutional path once again when Maduro stole the 2024 presidential elections. Machado and her team have been trying to get the country back to that path, but they don’t only have to deal with Maduro, but also with the one calling the shots in the strategy to depose him: Trump. A harsh reality is that, from the T2 standpoint, a transition with the participation of chavismo is cleaner and cheaper than trying to enforce what the Venezuelan Constitution establishes.

Chavismo may be trying to apply chavista rules to a Trumpist game.

We spoke to the Caracas Chronicles Legal Eagles and asked them what the Venezuelan Constitution said and how it can be interpreted by the different interested parties. And in lawyerly fashion they said: it depends. Depends on what standpoint you’re using to look at it, obviously. Chavismo will look at it assuming that Maduro is legitimate and, of course, the rest of the country looks at it with Edmundo González Urrutia as the depository of the people mandate. The US has its own, independent, POV.

One important caveat: while chavismo steals elections and violates human rights, they do have a very strange legalist fetish, and at moments when one would think that they’ve thrown the book out the window, they come back saying that procedures have to be followed. This doesn’t mean that they follow their laws to the letter, but that they usually leave everything in writing even if they need to come up with far fetched, absurd legal interpretations.

Chavista Law

So, from the chavista standpoint, the capture of Nicolás Maduro by United States special forces should constitute an absolute absence of the President of the Republic. Although Article 233 of the 1999 Constitution establishes the circumstances that qualify as absolute absence—and detention by foreign forces is not expressly listed—it is evident that the current situation constitutes a case of absolute absence.

Because the absolute absence would have occurred within the first four years of the presidential term, a new election must be held within the following thirty consecutive days. In the interim, the office of president would be assumed provisionally by the executive vice president. Easy-peasy, right? Well, not exactly. More on this later.

Venezuelan Constitution

If the will of the Venezuelan people were to be upheld, the legitimate president, González Urrutia, should be sworn in. Therefore, the currently chavista-controlled elections authority, CNE, would be required to formally proclaim him to then proceed with the swearing-in before the chavista-controlled legislature, AN. Let’s be real, for this to take place, a larger amount of lead than what we saw on Saturday would be required.

If it were not possible for the president to be sworn in before either of those two instances, the swearing-in could take place exceptionally before the chavista Supreme Court. Not gonna happen.

Comment from one of the Legal Eagles: “If that were also not possible, the 1999 Constitution provides no explicit solution to the constitutional crisis. Under that scenario, one option would be to consider a swearing-in before the Delegated Committee of the National Assembly elected in 2015. Some constitutional law scholars have suggested that the swearing-in could instead take place before the Supreme Court in exile.” And then we would have another useless president in exile.

Reality (bites)

Yesterday, Delcy Rodríguez held her media event in a sort of veiled response to Trump’s. With the presence of the chavista top brass, Rodríguez said that, even when Maduro was under US custody, he was still the president of the country. Clearly, Maduro will not return and it’s an absolute absence that would require elections 30 days after the Delcy Rodríguez takeover. The Maduro Supreme Court (or perhaps now we should say the Delcy Supreme Court), prompted by her request to approve an internal commotion decree, said that they would not decide immediately over the absence of Maduro and instead granted her the powers of the presidency as if it was a temporary absence (according to article 234, temporary absences of the President are covered by the VP for up to 90 days, which may be extended by 90 more). Again, clearly Maduro isn’t coming back, but this allows chavismo to control the moment when elections should be called, if such elections are called at all. In the past they’ve used similar techniques to win time (for instance, there’s no certainty over the moment of death of Chávez, but elections were held within the timeline from the moment it was announced).

Is this a challenge to what the Trump administration is putting on the table? It’s not clear yet. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in short, told The New York Times that the chavista leadership was to be judged by their actions and not by their words. Another important point is that they didn’t talk about elections or a timeline for them. Rubio, today, was clear in saying that they had to deal with chavismo, that they had to focus on what will happen in the next three weeks or three months, and that they were hoping that they would receive better cooperation than what they were receiving with Maduro. He implied that the opposition couldn’t offer this. Probably a nail on the coffin to the idea of having González Urrutia as president of Venezuela. Although the future looks bleak, Machado may have an opportunity to jump back in the game (but this is for another post).

The regime is likely looking at this as part of their regular game during negotiations and try to keep on dragging time to stay in power. But the truth is that they are negotiating with a gun against their heads. Chavismo may be trying to apply chavista rules to a Trumpist game. And that’s dangerous. Because, whether you like it or not, the game changed on Saturday. For everybody.

A devastating fire at Le Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort killed at least 40 people and injured 119 others.

Bodies continue to be identified and a criminal investigation is under way.

“We can’t imagine how it is, but it’s for sure terribly hard,” Rast told BBC’s Ski Sunday.

“I hope they will find the support with their family and everybody around. And I hope that the sport will bring a little smile on their face.”

Rast finished a close second to Shiffrin in the previous World Cup slalom event in Austria but was not to be denied a second time, making sure the World Cup’s greatest skier could not add to her record tally of 106 wins in all disciplines.

Shiffrin was just 0.1 seconds behind leader Rast after the first run, but set an imposing time in the second that opened a 1.69secs lead over the rest of the field.

But Rast went even faster to beat Shiffrin into second place.

“I know Shiffrin is really fast and I had to be really, really fast to beat her. I saw her start and I was like ‘mmm, OK, that’s good, that’s really good’, but I just tried to give my best, and it worked,” she said.

There are two more World Cup slalom events – in Flachau, Austria, on 13 January, and Spindleruv Mlyn in the Czech Republic on 25 January – before the Winter Olympics begin in Milan-Cortina on 6 February.

Jan. 4 (UPI) — British and French aircraft conducted a joint strike on Saturday night on an underground facility in Syria used by ISIS to store weapons and explosives.

Royal Air Force Typhoons and a Voyager refueling tanker joined the French aircraft to strike the mountain facility north of Palmyra as part of ongoing patrols to prevent the terrorist group from resurging and regaining ground in Syria, Britain’s Ministry of Defense said in a press release.

“This action shows our U.K. leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of [ISIS] and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East,” John Healey, U.K. defense secretary, said in the release.

The Saturday evening strike targeted access tunnels into the facility using Paveway IV guided bombs, with the ministry noting that initial indications show the mission was successful as a more detailed assessment is conducted.

The area around the site is “devoid of civilians habitation,” the ministry said, and there is no indication the bombing posed risks to civilians.

In a post on X, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces posted video from the strikes and said Operation Inherent Resolve, which includes ongoing patrols of the region, is essential to the region’s stability.

“Preventing the resurgence of [ISIS]: a major issue for the security of the region,” the French ministry said in the post. “The fight against terrorism remains a priority for France and the partner countries of the Coalition.”

The British personnel who conducted the mission were deployed over Christmas and the New Year, Healey said, continuing various patrols in Syria, and specifically Palmyra, that have been conducted by an international coalition that includes the United States.

In a lone gunman ambush on a patrol in Palmyra last month, two Iowa National Guard members and a civilian interpreter were killed, in addition to three other U.S. soldiers and two Syrians being shot. The gunman was identified as a member of ISIS.

Officials with Operation Inherent Resolve said in a statement on X that although ISIS no longer controls territory, “it continues to operate through residual cells, particularly in remote desert areas.”

Videos and images are emerging on social media showing what appears to be a large U.S. military operation now underway around the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, which includes multiple large explosions and the presence of American special operations helicopters. While there has been no official announcement of such an operation kicking off, this comes after months of U.S. military buildup in the region aimed at pressuring cartels and Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.

See all the latest updates at the bottom of the post.

We have reached out to the White House, Pentagon, and U.S. Southern Command for comment and will update this story with any pertinent information provided.

Videos show explosions and the resulting clouds of smoke across the skyline.

JESY Nelson has been flooded with support after sharing the heartbreaking diagnosis of her twin girls – including her ex, Chris Hughes.

The former Little Mix star took to Instagram on Sunday to open up about her twins, Ocean Jade and Story Munroe, revealing they have been diagnosed with a rare muscle wasting disease that could be fatal.

Speaking from her home, Jesy said the pair have been diagnosed with SMA Type 1, or Werdnig-Hoffmann disease, the most severe form of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

The tearful star told the camera: “If it’s not treated in time, your baby’s life expectancy will not make it past the age of two.”

Her stunningly honest discussion prompted a wave of support from celebrity pals, with Chris – who dated Jesy from 2018 to 2020 – one of the first to back her up and send her love.

“A warrior Jess. Be easy on yourself,” he told her. “Sending prayers to you all, everyone behind you guys ?”

BRAVE BOY

My son has the same disease as Jesy Nelson’s twins & was given one year to live

‘DADDY LOVES YOU’

Jesy Nelson’s partner Zion speaks out on twins’ devastating diagnosis

Amy Childs added: “I’m so sorry jesy what your going through ❤️xx sending love and strength to you and your beautiful girls xxx”

Megan McKenna wrote: “My heart is breaking for the pain you are in right now. Sending so many prayers and love to your beautiful girls ♥️♥️”

Jess Wright also commented, telling Jesy: “Sending you so much love Jesy. Love & strength ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”

Ashley James also noted: “Jesy I’m so sorry. I’m thinking of you and your girls and sending love ❤️❤️’

“Jes, There are no words big enough for how unfair and heartbreaking this is. I am so deeply sorry,” wrote I’m A Celeb star Shona McGarty. “My heart aches for you and for your beautiful little girls.

“Please know that their lives, no matter what, are already filled with love because of you. That love matters. It always will.

“You don’t have to be strong, and you don’t have to find the right words. However you feel, whatever you need, it’s okay.

“You are not alone in this, Jes. You are so loved, and your girls are so loved. I’m holding you all in my heart. ??”

While Shaughna Phillips also added: “Sending you and your girls so much love and positive prayers, you are a superwoman and they are lucky to have you ❤️❤️❤️”

Jesy’s Journey

Jesy has shared that her babies had to endure “months and months” of doctors appointments before finally getting diagnosed with SMA Type-1.

The twins, which Jesy shares with Zion Foster, were born two months premature in May 2025, following a difficult pregnancy that saw her diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a rare but serious condition in which blood flows unevenly between identical twins sharing a placenta.

In her newest video, Jesy revealed that her mother, Janice, raised concerns after the twins didn’t show much movement in their legs.

While their initial concerns were chalked up to the twins being premature and therefore unlikely to hit milestones at the same pace as other children, Jesy and Zion pushed for more tests after they had trouble feeding.

According to Jesy, it took three to four months of appointments before they finally got a diagnosis, with the pair then being treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

“I feel like I’ve almost had to become a nurse in the space of two weeks,” Jesy added, explaining how she has had to put her daughters on breathing machines.

“The reason I wanted to make this video was because, the last few months has honestly been the most heartbreaking time of my life. I feel like my whole life has done a 360.

“I’m grieving a life I thought I was going to have with my children,” she emotionally said, before acknowledging that she is grateful to have them.

“I truly believe that my girls will defy all odds. And with the right help, they will fight this, and go on to do things that have never been done.”

“They probably will never regain their neck strength, so they will be disabled,” she revealed, adding it’s also unlikely they’ll ever be able to walk.

“So the best thing we can do right now is get them treatment and just hope for the best.”

Jesy then said that she wanted to make the video because if the disease is detected early enough in the first few months of a baby’s life “a lot of this stuff could be prevented”.

Shortly after Jesy shared the highly emotional video, her partner Zion Foster spoke out about their daughters’ diagnosis.

Taking to his Instagram page, Zion shared a photo of his daughters in what looked a stroller.

With tubes attached to their noses, the two tots could still be smiling widely.

Alongside the photo, Zion wrote: “Still smiling through all the challenges. Daddy loves you so much.”

Connacht champions St Brigid’s advanced into the final of the All-Ireland Club Senior Football Championship with a 1-16 to 1-12 victory over Scotstown at Breffni Park.

The Roscommon side enjoyed a good run to the half to open a four-point lead and they managed that gap throughout the second period as Scotstown spurned a number of opportunities.

It was the Monaghan side’s first appearance at this stage since winning their previous Ulster title in 1989 and they will have some regrets as they didn’t make their chances count, but it’s St Brigid’s who will meet Dingle in the final on Sunday, 18 January.

In freezing conditions, the sides produced an enthralling battle that swung this way and that in the opening period, but Scotstown just couldn’t reel the Connacht side in who return to the final for the first time since losing to Glen from Derry in the 2024 decider.

More to follow.

As global crises multiply and trust in international institutions erodes, the United Nations faces growing questions about its relevance and authority. Thirty years after pledges to end hunger and reduce inequality, progress is stalling, wars are spreading, and UN Security Council vetoes are paralysing action.

In this episode of Talk to Al Jazeera, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock reflects on the UN’s credibility, the limits of the UNSC, and whether a more assertive UNGA can drive reform before the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals deadline.

Follow the build-up, analysis and live text commentary of the game as South Africa face Cameroon in a last-16 showdown.

THE partner of Little Mix star Jesy Nelson has spoken out after she shared a devastating health diagnosis over the couple’s baby twins.

Zion Foster delivered a touching message to his baby daughters after partner Jesy’s emotional video revealing the seven-month-old girls were suffering from a rare and potentially deadly type of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Taking to his Instagram page, Zion shared a photo of his daughters in what looked a stroller.

With tubes attached to their noses, the two tots could still be smiling widely.

Alongside the photo, Zion wrote: “Still smiling through all the challenges.

“Daddy loves you so much.”

SPOT THE SIGNS

The six ‘red flag’ signs of SMA as Jesy Nelson reveals baby twins’ diagnosis

STAR’S HEARTACHE

Little Mix’s Jesy Nelson reveals her baby twins’ devastating diagnosis

Jesy welcomed twins Ocean Jade and Story Monroe prematurely at 31 weeks on May 15, 2025.

In a video she shared on Sunday, the former Little Mix star broke down as she described how the devastating diagnosis emerged.

The twins, she said, had now been diagnosed with a condition called SMA Type 1, or Werdnig-Hoffmann disease, the most severe form of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

The lifelong disabling condition causes dramatic muscle weakness with severe breathing and swallowing issues and is commonly fatal without radical treatment.

Tearful Jesy said: “If it’s not treated in time, your baby’s life expectancy will not make it past the age of two.”

She later added: “When they assessed the girls at Great Ormond Street, we were told that they will probably never be able to walk.

“They probably will never regain their neck strength, so they will be disabled.

“So the best thing we can do right now is get them treatment and just hope for the best.”

Jesy then revealed that the girls, now seven and a half months old, have had their treatment, which she is “so grateful for, because if they don’t have it, they will die”.

Though Jesy was upset, she felt hopeful for the future.

“I truly believe that my girls will defy all odds. And with the right help, they will fight this, and go on to do things that have never been done,” she said.

The singer said that she wanted to make the video because if the disease is detected early enough in the first few months of a baby’s life “a lot of this stuff could be prevented”.

Jesy explained how the treatment is where the gene, that they don’t have, is put back in the body.

But Jesy affirmed how “there is no cure for SMA” but added how the treatment can help.

She then detailed some of the symptoms to look out for in babies, such as “floppiness” and not being able to hold their head up on their own.

“If any one is watching this video and they think they see these signs in their child, then please, please take your child to doctor, to the hospital, because time is of the essence.”

The former Dundee player added: “It’s not nice. I’ll tell you that as a player’s perspective. It doesn’t leave you. It haunts you every minute of every day when you’re not winning.

“Getting home, not speaking to anybody, sitting on the couch, not moving, just doing that black screen instead of having the darts or having the football highlights on.

“But, as I said, that is what it comes with playing with Celtic. You need to take that pressure on. You need to get there. You need to show personality and at times within games, we’ve not done that good enough.

“Within the structure, we’ve not done it good enough. But that’s just the kind of rubbish message just now. We need to stick together and keep going.”

It was the second time in a matter of weeks that Celtic had led by one at the break but ended up losing after a similar defeat away to Dundee United.

“Rangers changed their shape and we didn’t react well enough to it,” said McCowan.

“We just aren’t reacting to it as well as we should be. It’s just not good enough.

“I’m probably going to say that at least 20 times in these interviews, but it needs to be better.

“Rangers can’t be coming here and winning 3-1. It’s just not good enough.”

Who: Nigeria vs Mozambique
What: CAF Africa Cup of Nations
Where: Fez Stadium in Fez, Morocco
When: Monday at 8pm (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 16:00 GMT in advance of our text commentary stream.

Fun, flair and fragility sum up Nigeria’s ongoing campaign at AFCON 2025.

As the tournament’s leading attacking force, Nigeria have laid down an early marker as title contenders but while the West Africans boast impressive squad depth, they still need to shore up a leaky defence.

The Super Eagles have moved on swiftly from the heartbreak of missing out on the FIFA World Cup and have been flying high in Morocco on the back of a talented squad featuring Ademola Lookman, Raphael Onyedika, Victor Osimhen and Alex Iwobi.

As one of only two teams to maintain a perfect group-stage record, the former champions now face Mozambique, who for the first time advanced past the group stage, for a place in the quarterfinals.

Ranked 102nd in the world, Mozambique are up for a historic knockout appearance, facing the daunting task of taking on a side ranked 74 places above them.

Here’s everything you need to know about Nigeria vs Mozambique:

How did Nigeria reach the round of 16?

The African powerhouse soared into the knockouts as the table toppers of Group C, registering victories over Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania. Nigeria were the first team to reach the last 16 with a 100 percent record.

How did Mozambique reach the round of 16?

Mozambique advanced as one of the four best third-placed sides. The Mambas lost two Group F games and won one, against Gabon, which ended their 40-year wait for a victory at the continental tournament. They are making their first appearance in AFCON’s knockout stages.

Who will the winner face in the next round?

The winner of the Nigeria and Mozambique match will travel to Marrakesh to face the winner of the Algeria and Democratic Republic of the Congo match in the quarterfinal on January 10.

Who are Nigeria’s best players?

With two goals and two assists, forward Lookman has been one of Nigeria’s standout players at the tournament. The 28-year-old was the architect of the team’s victories in their opening two games, equally influential as both a playmaker and a finisher.

Rested for the final group match, Lookman is expected to come out all guns blazing against their East African opponents.

Midfielder Onyedika, who scored twice in the last match, is another key contributor while Iwobi has been pulling the strings in the midfield, and striker Osimhen remains one of the most feared attackers in the competition.

Who are Mozambique’s best players?

Winger Geny Catamo has scored two of Mozambique’s four goals at the tournament and has been central to their historic qualification. Forward Faisal Bangal and right back Diogo Calila have also found the net.

Nigeria and Mozambique form guides

Nigeria: W-W-W-L-L

Mozambique: L-W-L-L-D

• Nigeria finished the group stage with eight goals, the highest tally in the competition, while also recording the highest average possession rate (66 percent).
• Nigeria have won all three of their group games for the first time since 2021.
• Mozambique’s victory over Gabon is their only win in 18 AFCON matches (D4 L13).
• Mozambique are yet to keep a clean sheet at AFCON, conceding in all 18 games.

Head-to-head

Nigeria and Mozambique have met in five previous encounters across competitive and friendly games.

Nigeria dominate the head-to-head record with four wins and a draw.

When did Nigeria and Mozambique last meet?

The teams last met in a friendly in Albufeira, Portugal, in October 2023 when Nigeria won 3-2.

Nigeria vs Mozambique – stat attack

Monday’s game will be their second meeting at AFCON. Their previous AFCON encounter came in the final group game of the 2010 edition when Nigeria ran out 3-0 winners.

This is Nigeria’s 16th successive appearance in the knockout rounds, having last failed to progress beyond the group stage in 1982.

Have Nigeria ever won an AFCON title?

Nigeria are three-time AFCON champions, having lifted the trophy in 1980, 1994 and 2013.

They also finished as runners-up five times. This is their 21st appearance at the continental championship.

Have Mozambique ever won an AFCON title?

No. This is their sixth appearance at the tournament, and the 2025 edition already marks their best finish.

Nigeria team news

Cyriel Dessers, who is yet to feature, and Ryan Alebiosu, who made his debut in the previous game, are both ruled out through injury. Their absence is unlikely to have a major impact because neither is a regular starter.

Coach Eric Chelle could retain Onyedika in midfield after his brace in the last game, which earned him the player of the match award.

Nigeria’s predicted lineup

Stanley Nwabili (goalkeeper); Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi; Samuel Chukwueze, Wilfred Ndidi, Onyedika, Iwobi; Osimhen, Lookman

Mozambique team news

Mozambique will be without Calila, who was taken off in the last game after only 15 minutes due to an injury. Nene, who scored an own goal against Cameroon, is also injured.

Mozambique’s predicted lineup

Ivane Urrubal (goalkeeper); Infren Nani, Mexer, Reinildo Mandava, Bruno Langa; Guima, Manuel Kambala; Catamo, Elias Pelembe, Witi; Bangal

Africa is burning, not metaphorically, but in measurable realities of conflict, collapse, and abandonment. Old wars refuse to end, new crises are born faster than diplomacy can name them, and the continent has become the gravitational centre of global disorder. This is not accidental. It is the consequence of a world order that has lost both its moral authority and its will to act reasonably. 

Across Africa, unresolved conflicts metastasise into permanent emergencies. From the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where rebellion has become cyclical rather than exceptional, to Nigeria, where life has become short and brutal, even for schoolchildren, to the broader Sahel, where state authority continues to retreat.

West Africa alone has recorded more military coups and counter-coups in recent years than any other region in the world, a stark signal of democratic erosion and widespread disillusionment with governance models that no longer deliver security or dignity.

At the same time, global terrorist organisations once concentrated in the Middle East, such as Al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State, have strategically relocated their operational centres to Africa. This shift is not because Africa is inherently prone to extremism, but because prolonged neglect, weak international engagement, and fragmented security cooperation have created fertile ground. Terrorism has followed power vacuums, not cultures.

Climate change compounds these failures. Shrinking water sources, desertification, and unpredictable weather patterns are intensifying violent competition over land and livelihoods in countries like Nigeria. Farmer–herder conflicts, insurgent recruitment, and forced displacement are increasingly linked to environmental stress. Africa, which has contributed the least to global carbon emissions, is paying one of the highest prices for climate inaction.

Meanwhile, the continent’s once-vibrant wildlife and ecological heritage are being depleted at alarming rates, seen as collateral damage of conflict, illegal exploitation, and weak global enforcement. The loss is a planetary failure dressed up as a regional problem.

Yet the world’s response is disturbingly muted.

The traditional self-appointed guardians of international order – the global ombudsmen who once spoke the language of human rights, rule of law, and humanitarian responsibility – are increasingly selective, inconsistent, or complicit in many wars. While African conflicts smoulder with minimal global outrage, these same powers are actively involved in or defending genocide in Gaza. International law, once presented as universal, is now applied with geopolitical discretion.

More troubling still is the open disregard for sovereignty and legal norms by states that brand themselves as “civilised democracies”. From extraterritorial military actions to extraordinary renditions and unilateral interventions, practices once condemned when carried out by authoritarian regimes are now normalised by democratic ones—often without consequence. 

This double standard carries profound implications for Africa. It weakens already fragile states, delegitimises global institutions, and reinforces the perception that African lives and laws matter less in the global calculus. When rules are enforced selectively, power, not justice, becomes the governing principle.

The world today is not merely facing a crisis of conflict; it is facing a crisis of leadership.

What is missing is rational, principled global leadership that upholds the rule of law not only within national borders but across them; leadership that does not excuse violations when committed by allies; leadership that understands Africa not as a theatre of endless emergencies but as a central pillar of global stability. Africa, long treated as the periphery of global concern, may yet prove to be the mirror in which the world’s moral failure is most clearly reflected.

NICOLA Peltz has dealt a snub to the Beckhams amid a fresh love declaration to husband Brooklyn.

It came after the actress and model, who celebrates her 31st birthday on January 9, kick-started the party vibes early.

David and Victoria Beckham‘s eldest son Brooklyn, 26, was absent from all family occasions in 2025 amid their high-profile feud.

Yet he made sure to be by his glam wife’s side as she made the most of her birthday month.

On her Instagram grid, Nicola, 30, posted a snapshot showing her clutching an iced coffee as the pair cuddled up outside.

They were then joined by her brother Bradley for a group snap and the Lola star gushed: “I’m so grateful for my boys”.

SUBTLE DIG?

Brooklyn Beckham’s wife shares post about ‘family’ after he blocked his parents

BECK and CALL

Brooklyn Beckham could end family feud – but needs ‘public apology’

On her Stories, the American screen star shared images of her birthday buffet including a stunning pink cake with a ballet dancer topper.

Pink balloons filled the room and Nicola donned a baby pink corset top to match the occasion.

Another white-iced cake was adorned with the words “Happy Birthday Nicola” while she told how she was “lucky” in a separate post.

Bates Motel star Nicola rounded off her uploads with an image showing her kneeling down to celebrate with a relative – a star contrast to Brooklyn who left dad David “heartbroken” after he snubbed his milestone 50th birthday last year.

At the time, it was understood Brooklyn and Nicola instead flew to New York ahead of their Met Gala appearance, an event they previously attended in 2022.

RUMBLING ON

Nicola’s message about feeling “grateful” came just days after former footballer Becks used the word in a tribute to his family to round off 2025.

Yet in Becks’ picture upload, Nicola and Brooklyn were noticeably missing.

He shared a series of highlights from this year -including pictures of his wife Victoria’s Paris Fashion Week show and him receiving his knighthood.

David also posted snaps of his children Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20 and Harper, 13, on holiday and enjoying quality time together.

But aspiring chef Brooklyn — who last month blocked his parents on social media — was not pictured in the post.

Brooklyn Beckham’s Legal Clashes

BROOKLYN Beckham is facing his third legal battle over his hot sauce brand. Yet what’s going on?

Earlier this summer, we exclusively reported how Brooklyn, 26, was facing a legal battle from a booze brand.

The Sun first revealed earlier this month how the brand behind Beck’s beer had objected to his plans.

The beer’s German parent firm Brauerei Beck & Co has opposed it and been granted an extension until next month to file documents.

The company is part of alcohol giant AB InBev, which produces one in four lagers sold worldwide, including Stella Artois and Budweiser as well as Beck’s.

He has also ran into issues with his hot sauce firm and various spin offs with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

On the third occasion, it provoked the ire of the trendy trainer firm On Cloud, which has the unique soles with holes and tennis legend Federer has pumped in $50 million of his own cash to become an investor.

David wrote: “I feel very lucky to have had the year I’ve had in 2025 full of moments that I will never forget from my 50th to my knighthood (still pinching myself ) and then finishing with winning the MLS as an owner.”

Despite not mentioning Brooklyn by name, David sweetly praised his “kids” and shared his love for them.

He added: “I‘m so grateful to my incredible wife, my amazing children, my friends and team I work with every single day nothing would have been possible without you all… But as Sir Alex Ferguson would say ‘Onto the the next‘.

“Thank you for the incredible memories I will forever remember 2025. Victoria I love you & our kids.”

At the same time, Brooklyn and Nicola were seen putting on a united front amid their feud with his family.

FAMILY FEUD

The Beckham family feud has been rumbling on for most of the year, ever since Brooklyn and Nicola snubbed his dad’s 50th birthday.

The couple have also shared subtle digs at his family in recent days after his brother Cruz revealed the Beckhams woke up to being blocked by the couple.

In a TikTok post after Cruz spoke out, Brooklyn played Lady Gaga’s song Telephone and wrote the lyrics: “Sorry I cannot hear you I’m kinda busy.”

Nicola also penned: “I love being home” in a selfie posted to social media, after the couple both shared photos from their Christmas with her parents.

Last month, Brooklyn also skipped childhood pal Holly Ramsay’s wedding – despite all of his family being in attendance to see the influencer marry Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty on December 27 at Bath Abbey.

AS 2025 comes to a close, it’s time to look ahead to what’s up and coming this year.

Theme park fans have a lot to look forward to, as much-loved attractions are getting revamps, and brand new theme parks are entering the scene.

From the highly-anticipated opening of Disneyland Paris‘ World of Frozen, to the launch of PokéPark Kanto – here’s our top picks for the most exciting theme park lands set to open in 2026.

PAW Patrol-themed land, Chessington World of Adventures

Chessington World of Adventures will soon become home to the UK’s first and only PAW Patrol-themed land.

‘Project Play’ was announced in April 2025, as construction began to build the new land in place of the Scorpion Express coaster.

The immersive land will be inspired by the show’s Adventure Bay, fit with themed decorations and rides.

NEW TRACKS

Universal’s UK theme park to get its own train station in huge £6.6bn project

ON THE UP

English seaside theme park to ‘return to former glory’ with new rides

The land will be home to four rides in total, including the brand new ‘my first rollercoaster’.

Whilst waiting for rides, Chessington also offers young fans interactive meet and greets where they can grab a photo with Chase, Skye and Rubble.

The theme park even has its own PAW Patrol-themed hotel rooms, which sleep a family of up to 5 and come complete with a Pup Pass for priority meet and greet access.

The show is incredibly popular amongst young children, with Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort offering an entire PAW Patrol themed month in June.

The PAW Patrol-themed land is set to open in Spring 2026.

World of Frozen and Disney Adventure World, Disneyland Paris, France

Disneyland Paris will see some major changes in spring of 2026 – and it’s good news for fans of Disney’s Frozen.

‘World of Frozen‘ has been in construction since 2022, and is set to open on 29 March 2026.

Glimpses inside the new world show majestic castles, palaces, and Scandinavian buildings that look just like Arendelle.

Two major attractions in the themed land are Arendelle Castle, as well as Elsa’s ice palace which sits high atop North Mountain, overlooking the entire area.

Frozen fans will be able to attend a special royal meet and greet with Anna and Elsa, as well as a show called ‘Frozen: A Musical Invitation’.

And if you get hungry, visitors can stop for a bite to eat at the new Nordic Crowns Tavern.

World of Frozen will also be home to the Frozen Ever After Ride – a fan favourite ride from Florida’s EPCOT, but designed with extra details just for Paris.

The ride takes visitors on a slow and scenic boat ride through familiar scenes from Disney’s Frozen, complete with singalong music and audio-animatronics.

But the addition of World of Frozen isn’t the only new change at Disneyland Paris.

The area previously known as Walt Disney Studios Park has had a makeover to become Disney Adventure World.

Disney Adventure World is home to multiple immersive areas inspired by Disney, Marvel and Pixar’s most popular movies.

The renamed world contains a Marvel Avengers Campus where superhero fans can take part in the Spider-Man W.E.B Adventure, a family friendly immersive experience.

Guests can also visit the Worlds of Pixar area, where you can ride Crush’s Coaster inspired by Finding Nemo or hop on the Cars ROAD TRIP ride.

And for fans of Disney classic The Lion King, construction is now underway for a new themed area: The Pride Lands.

Both World of Frozen and Disney Adventure World will be open at Disneyland Paris from 29 March 2026.

LEGO® Galaxy, California

Legoland California Resort is launching a brand new immersive, space-themed zone next year named LEGO® Galaxy.

The space-themed zone will be home to three new rides as well as the Junior Astronaut Training Zone, where toddlers and little ones can lose themselves in a themed play area.

The opening of the new land will see the arrival of the attraction’s first new roller coaster in nearly 20 years: Galacticoaster.

Galacticoaster is a family-friendly indoor coaster spanning nearly 1,500 feet of track with exhilarating galaxy views.

The land will also see the addition of two extra space-themed rides, as well as immersive areas to eat, drink and shop.

The LEGOLAND California Resort is already home to 11 themed lands including Dino Valley and Pirate Shores, a water park, and even its own SEA LIFE Aquarium.

The space-themed land is set to open on 6 March, 2026.

PokéPark KANTO, Tokyo

Pokémon fans have long been waiting for a permanent theme park – and Tokyo will provide a fitting home in 2026.

The attraction will span 26,000 square metres of land in the vibrant city of Tokyo, Japan.

Rather than hopping between rides and food trucks, visitors here take the role of Pokémon trainers.

Guests walk through the park searching through forests to encounter Pokémon, just like in the videogames.

The attraction is located in Tokyo’s Tama Hills, where there is plenty of luscious greenery to make the park look like a real Pokémon cartoon come to life.

Away from the 500 metres of Pokémon forest, guests can visit Sedge Town where they’ll find a recreation of a Pokémon Centre, Poké Mart and Sedge Gym.

The attraction is also designed so that you can connect with other guests (or fellow Pokémon trainers) and explore the theme park together.

PokéPark KANTO will open in early 2026.

Valgard: Realm of the Vikings, Paultons Park, UK

Paultons Park, home to Peppa Pig World, will open a brand new Viking-themed land in May 2026.

Valgard will be decorated head-to-toe in Nordic theme, with red rollercoaster tracks weaving their way behind traditional Viking buildings.

The £12m Viking-themed park will be home to rides and immersive experiences for all ages, as well as a themed playground and dining area.

The new area will be located next to the Lost Kingdom, the attraction’s dinosaur adventure park.

The park will include the addition of two new rides, including Paultons’ most thrilling coaster yet: Drakon.

Drakon is an inverting coaster ride which intertwines with Raven – the new name for the rollercoaster previously named Cobra.

The other new addition to the park will be the Vild Swing – a Viking take on a Wild Swing ride, providing a family-friendly alternative to the extreme Drakon.

Valgard: Realm of the Vikings is set to open in Paultons Park on May 16, 2026.