Month: January 2026

Garo Ohannessian is known as a “lifer” at AGBU, an Armenian K-12 school in Canoga Park. He’s been there from the start and now he’s making a name for himself in high school basketball with his three-point shooting skills.

He set a school record making 13 threes and finishing with a career-high 45 points in a Dec. 30 win over Brawley.

He’s been a four-year varsity player and was a freshman when the team reached the Southern Section Division 2A playoff semifinals.

Coach Nareg Kopooshian has confidence in him to shoot from anywhere on the court. The 5-foot-10 senior has helped lead his team to a 13-2 record.

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

Jan. 2 (UPI) — Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said claims that his government engages in drug trafficking are lies, and he is willing to meet with President Donald Trump amid rising tensions.

Maduro on Thursday accused the Trump administration of knowingly making false claims of drug trafficking, including recent comments by Trump saying Venezuela’s alleged drug trafficking is akin to using weapons of mass destruction

“Since they cannot accuse me, since they cannot accuse Venezuela of having weapons of mass destruction, since they cannot accuse us of having nuclear rockets, of preparing a nuclear weapon, of having chemical weapons, they invented an accusation that the United States knows is as false as that accusation of weapons of mass destruction, which led them to an eternal war,” Maduro said while referencing the Iraq War.

The Venezuelan president offered to work with U.S. officials to oppose drug trafficking and repeated his prior offers to meet with Trump to discuss the U.S. military targeting alleged drug vessels, seizing oil tankers and blockading Venezuelan ports.

“The U.S. government knows, because we’ve told many of their spokespeople that, if they want to seriously discuss an agreement to combat drug trafficking, we’re ready,” he said in a taped interview on Venezuela’s state-owned channel teleSUR.

The Venezuelan president also suggested his country and the United States could work together to enable U.S. firms to invest in Venezuela’s oil industry “whenever they want it, wherever they want it and however they want it.”

Maduro refused to comment on a recently reported U.S. strike on an alleged drug-processing facility located among docks on Venezuela’s Caribbean coastline.

The CIA also has refused to comment on the strike, which Trump announced on Monday and said “knocked out” a drug facility on Saturday night.

The president in October announced he authorized the CIA to undertake operations in Venezuela but did not say what kind.

The Defense Department also sent a carrier strike group to the Caribbean to stop alleged drug-trafficking fast boats from transporting drugs intended for the United States and Europe and more recently to blockade Venezuelan ports amid seizures of sanctioned vessels.

The White House has said the strikes on the alleged drug boats are intended to stop South American drug cartels from sending drugs to the United States, which has some U.S. officials questioning the legality of such strikes.

The U.S. Southern Command announced two more boat strikes that killed five in international waters on New Year’s Eve.

The United States began striking the alleged drug boats in September and has sunk at least 36 and killed at least 115.

Most of the drug boat strikes, 23, have occurred in the eastern Pacific Ocean and away from Venezuela, while 11 others occurred in the Caribbean Sea, with another two in undisclosed locations.

The United States also has placed a $50 million bounty on Maduro and recently sanctioned some of his family members for their alleged roles in drug trafficking.

Trump also has accused Maduro of intentionally sending criminals and others to the United States during the Biden administration, including members of the Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua gang that he has designated as a foreign terrorist organization.

SUNSHINE fan Scott Dixon has spent every winter in Benidorm for the past seven years and the canny traveller insists the annual pilgrimage SAVES him money.

The 55-year-old takes his work with him on his annual lengthy getaways, saying he sleeps better and returns to the UK refreshed and energised. Sound too good to be true? Here, he explains how he gets such “staggering value’ on his winter sunshine breaks.

“It’s a no brainer,” says Scott, as he preps to jet away from his “freezing” home for the Spanish holiday resort. 

“Many people think extended winter sun breaks are a luxury but I say it’s smart budgeting.

“Covid has opened up a whole new world of possibilities to work and live anywhere affordably

“I’ll have no food bills, no heating bills, no petrol bills and I’ll be spending my days in 20C sunshine instead of enduring it in freezing Edinburgh.”

For the past few years, Scott has tried out several different kinds of accommodation in Benidorm’s Old Town for the season, including self-catering long term lets, but this year he has booked two, three week half-board holidays with Jet2. 

The digital nomad’s Benidorm package deals will include breakfast, evening meals with half a bottle of wine each night, flights, transfers and WiFi. 

The ‘snowbird’, a name for people who move to sunnier climes for the winter, says the three weeks in December costs him £1,443 and the three weeks in February £1,205, totalling £2,648.

This, he has worked out, breaks down to a spend of £63 a day. 

“To put it into perspective, my one bedroom flat in Edinburgh costs me up to £45 a week for electricity,” says Scott, who is mortgage free.

“Food is another £30 a week plus a load of other household costs.  

“At home, I’m paying hundreds of pounds just to sit around in the cold, cooking for myself and keeping the heating on.

“The value for money I’m getting abroad is staggering – I’m getting sunny weather, daily cleaning with no housework and cooked meals.”

Thousands of Brits head to Benidorm every winter, with the resort’s long-stay visitors attracted by its weather and British-style pubs and shops. 

“I’ve got to know a few familiar faces over the years,” says Scott, who is single and travels solo.

“Regular winter visitors, locals, bar staff and people who have become friends. 

“You see a lot of the same people each year and there’s a real community feel.

“It’s become quite common for people to escape the UK winters, especially pensioners, remote workers and anyone who realises they can live well for less in the sun for a few weeks.”

While the lively, budget-conscious destination in Southern Spain has been unkindly dubbed ‘Blackpool with sunshine’ by some, the writer insists Benidorm’s Old Town is a true hidden gem.

Filled with whitewashed buildings, narrow streets and traditional architecture, this area is known for its tapas bars and vibrant nightlife. 

“The Old Town is traditionally Spanish and a polar contrast to the New Town, which is where everyone forms their ‘Brits abroad’ and ‘Blackpool with sunshine’ negative opinions,” says Scott.

“People who have seen my photos can’t believe how nice and clean it is, with pristine beaches and everything you can wish for.

“It’s reliable, warm, affordable, has everything I need and only a two-and-a-half-hour flight each way.

“Benidorm is a completely different place compared to the summer peak season in general – it’s calm, clean and more chilled out.”

The weather in the winter is mild and pleasant, with an average of six hours of sunshine each day compared to less than two hours back in the UK.

“The weather is the biggest draw,” says Scott.  

“It’s perfect. Not too hot, not too busy and the weather is warm enough to sit outside with a beer on the beach front, go for long walks or just have a snooze on the beach without getting burned.

“Once you’re into January and February, it can sometimes be a bit too hot to sit out in.” 

Moderate exposure to sunlight is a primary source of vitamin D for most people and this vitamin produces the ‘happiness hormone’ serotonin that positively affects people’s mood, appetite and sleep.   

It could be why wintering in the holiday resort always has a positive effect on Scott’s mental wellbeing.  

“I started going during the winter in 2018 because I realised I didn’t need to spend it in the UK, freezing, paying high bills and feeling miserable,” he explains. 

“And the first time I tried it, I honestly couldn’t believe the difference in how I felt – more energy, better sleep, a better mood and a different mindset. 

“That made it a yearly habit.

“I eat better and walk more, and return home refreshed and energised – not run-down and drained.”

Scott, a consumer rights expert known as The Complaints Resolver, takes his work with him on his extended holidays – and says he usually isn’t the only digital nomad around. 

“Since I freelance, I’ve built flexibility into my schedule,” he explains.

“WiFi is good, and hotel staff are used to digital nomads now.

“I have stacked my work in advance so I can relax, and do some light work in the sunshine if necessary.”

So as Scott packs his suitcase for Spain, he has a simple message for anyone thinking of becoming a ‘snowbird’: do it. 

“You don’t need to be wealthy,” he says.

“Package deals in winter are cheaper than many people think and if you compare it to the cost of staying at home you may find it’s not that expensive.

“The endless days of blue skies and warm sunshine really lift your spirits and benefit your mental health, you can’t put a price on that.

“It’s a place where you can relax without thinking about life admin, bills and the day-to-day drudgery of winter in the UK.

“I couldn’t imagine spending winters anywhere else.”

The reported capture of Venezuelan president evokes previous eras when other leaders were seized by the US.

President Donald Trump’s claim that the United States has captured his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro and his wife amid “large scale” attacks on Venezuela, has stunned the world.

Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez says the government does not know the whereabouts of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

In an audio message broadcast on state television on Saturday, Rodriguez said the government was demanding proof that Maduro and Flores are still alive.

The rapidly escalating developments follow repeated deadly strikes by US forces in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean on what Washington claims are drug-smuggling boats, and an attack on a docking area for alleged Venezuelan drug boats.

The reported capture of Maduro evokes previous eras when other leaders, such as Panama’s former military leader Manuel Noriega and former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, were seized by the US.

Manuel Noriega

In another direct intervention into Latin America, the US invaded Panama in 1989 to depose military and de facto leader Manuel Noriega, citing the protection of US citizens in Panama, undemocratic practices, corruption and the illegal drug trade.

Before attacking Panama, the US indicted Noriega for drug smuggling in Miami in 1988, just as it has targeted Maduro.

Noriega forced Nicolas Ardito Barletta to resign in 1985, cancelled the elections in 1989 and backed anti-US sentiment in the country, before the operation took place.

The US foray into Panama was at the time the largest US combat operation since the Vietnam War. The US government trotted out various justifications for the operation, such as improving the lot of the Panamanians by hauling Noriega off to the US to face drug-trafficking charges.

When the general began to show signs of being less obliging to US regional designs, however, he was rendered persona non grata by Washington.

He was tried on the Miami indictment after being flown to the US and was imprisoned there until 2010, when he was extradited to France to face another trial. France then sent him back to Panama a year later.

Noriega died in prison in Panama in 2017, where he was serving a sentence for his crimes.

Saddam Hussein

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was captured by US forces on December 13, 2003, nine months after the US-led invasion and occupation of Iraq started based on false intelligence of Baghdad possessing weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

Like Noriega, Saddam had for years been a key Washington ally, in his case, during the years of the Iraq-Iran war in the 1980s that killed one million people.

The US also claimed in the build-up to the 2003 war, without basis, that Saddam supported armed groups like al-Qaeda.

However, no WMDs were ever found in the country.

Saddam was found hiding in a hole near his hometown of Tikrit.

He stood trial in an Iraqi court and received the death penalty, leading to his execution by hanging for crimes against humanity on December 30, 2006.

Juan Orlando Hernandez

The case of Honduras’s Hernandez demonstrates what some observers suggest is a hypocritical approach by the US.

Hernandez was captured in his home in Tegucigalpa in an operation by the US agents and Honduran forces in February 2022 – only days after he left his position as president of his country.

In April 2022, he was extradited to the US over his alleged involvement in corruption and the illegal drug trade, and in June of the same year, he was sentenced to 45 years in prison.

However, Hernandez was pardoned by US President Donald Trump on December 1, 2025.

Days later, Honduras’s top prosecutor issued an international arrest warrant for Hernandez, intensifying legal and political turmoil just days after the ex-leader walked free from a United States prison.

The finale of Netflix’s blockbuster series “Stranger Things” gave movie theaters a much needed jolt, generating an estimated $20 to $25 million at the box office, according to multiple reports.

Matt and Ross Duffer’s supernatural thriller debuted simultaneously on the streaming platform and some 600 cinemas on New Year’s Eve and held encore showings all through New Year’s Day.

Owing to the cast’s contractual terms for residuals, theaters could not charge for tickets. Instead, fans reserved seats for performances directly from theaters, paying for mandatory food and beverage vouchers. AMC and Cinemark Theatres charged $20 for the concession vouchers while Regal Cinemas charged $11 — in homage to the show’s lead character, Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown.

AMC Theatres, the world’s largest theater chain, played the finale at 231 of its theaters across the U.S. — which accounted for one-third of all theaters that held screenings over the holiday.

The chain said that more than 753,000 viewers attended a performance at one of its cinemas over two days, bringing in more than $15 million.

Expectations for the theater showing was high.

“Our year ends on a high: Netflix’s Strangers Things series finale to show in many AMC theatres this week. Two days only New Year’s Eve and Jan 1.,” tweeted AMC’s CEO Adam Aron on Dec. 30. “Theatres are packed. Many sellouts but seats still available. How many Stranger Things tickets do you think AMC will sell?”

It was a rare win for the lagging domestic box office.

In 2025, revenue in the U.S. and Canada was expected to reach $8.87 billion, which was marginally better than 2024 and only 20% more than pre-pandemic levels, according to movie data firm Comscore.

With few exceptions, moviegoers have stayed home. As of Dec. 25., only an estimated 760 million tickets were sold, according to media and entertainment data firm EntTelligence, compared with 2024, during which total ticket sales exceeded 800 million.

A stay at Union Lido, Venice turns the tourist hotspot into a unique experience

If you’re planning a family holiday, the chances are a place like Venice won’t be at the top of your list. The city is known for history and heritage, drama and adventure, romance and mystery – but it probably isn’t the kind of place you would think of taking a young family for a week or two.

There is one way to fix that: Eurocamp. Eurocamp is a holiday company that arranges self-catering camping holidays in Europe, providing pre-sited homes in partner campsites, offering a mix of outdoor relaxation and on-site activities like pools, kids’ clubs, and sport. Think Spain, France, Portugal – in fact, more than 400 locations, including Croatia, Switzerland and Germany.

Effectively, a Eurocamp turns any holiday into a family-friendly adventure, and the same goes for our two-week adventure in Lido, just across the lagoon from Venice. Eurocamp has eight sites near Venice, primarily on the Cavallino-Treporti peninsula. The parks offer direct access to the Venetian Lagoon, with popular options including Marina di Venezia and Union Lido, featuring extensive pool complexes and family-friendly activities.

We stayed at the 60-hectare beach resort Union Lido, founded in 1955 and named the first five-star campsite in Italy. The park is effectively a whole gated town – with two huge water parks inside as well as a fully-equipped spa with an indoor/outdoor infinity pool looking out across the lagoon. There are around two dozen shops on the site – including two supermarkets – and a dozen cafes, bars and restaurants. There are outdoor pools and play areas and multiple entertainment venues – including an outdoor theatre and activity spaces.

In short, you could easily spend three weeks inside the resort and never run out of things to do, or you can use it as a base to explore the area – including Venice.

We flew into Marco Polo Airport and from there, there are a number of options to get to Union Lido – as well as regular buses you can get a taxi, and of course water taxis will run you into Venice. You can hire a car, and many Eurocamp sites are made much better if you have access to your own transport. But Union Lido is well connected by public transport. We were at the resort in about 50 minutes. Our accommodation was similar to that we’ve found at other Eurocamp resorts, a clean, well-equipped modern lodge with a lounge/kitchen/dining space, two double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a large outdoor area perfect for eating or just resting after a busy day. Some of my favourite memories of the holiday are the family meals we ate at the outdoor table before playing cards with a few drinks and waiting for the sun to go down.

The cabin also had air conditioning, a blessing when almost every day for our break was glorious sunshine and nudging 30C.

While the resort is large, you can easily get around on foot with very little traffic on site – and if you like, you can use the landtrain, or hire bikes. One tip, you can hire bikes from the camping store across the road from the main entrance, and it will work out a little cheaper. The same goes for all the facilities on the site. If you’ve stayed at any holiday site like this before you will know there is always a little premium to be paid for food, drink etc. If you want to save some money there are discount supermarkets near the park – which you can reach by bus or car. But the prices on site really aren’t over-inflated.

We made up a lot of our meals with bread from the on-site bakery, fresh fruit and vegetables from the grocery and meats and cheeses from one of the shops. There are few things more fulfilling than walking down to one of the cafes in the early morning and grabbing a hot, fresh Italian coffee or two for a couple of Euros. And if you happen to fall into the bakery for a fresh pastry on the way back, accidents happen.

For lunch or in the evenings, there is a place that will make you authentic pizzas to grab and take away just next to one of the big pool complexes. It’s hard not to spend all your time at the resort – we tried all the pools, including the massive new water slides and lazy river, hot tubs, wave pools and water fitness activities. We tried several restaurants and cafes – from a full meal overlooking the Atlantic to light bites in the evening while live music was playing. And we caught a lot of shows and parties – including two right on the beach with more live music, light shows, tribute acts and a festival atmosphere.

The pools can get busy, so if you want a chair, you will need to head down early, but you can also just take your own towels and sit in the shade of trees on the grass or artificial beaches. And don’t forget the real beaches – planet of space for sunbathing as well as sports and games, or hire a pedalo to go out to sea.

There are also events every day, from children’s shows and activities to markets and entertainment. But as incredible and immersive as the resort is, we really came to see Venice – and as mentioned, the resort is ideally located as a base to explore.

You can buy tickets at the resort and a bus will pick you up from the main entrance. It’s a short run to Punta Sabbionio, where a ferry will take you across the lagoon into St Mark’s Square in the heart of Venice. We spent days exploring the ancient city – pre-booked tickets mean you can skip the queues and take a look inside the Basilica, or climb the belltower. You can also just wander the streets, follow the crowds towards the Rialto Bridge and its huge market, and of course the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge’s Palace and a dozen other world-famous sights.

Don’t be afraid to just wander the back streets and explore. The further you get from the main tourist areas, the cheaper (and more authentic) the food, drink and experience will be. We spent hours travelling across the city, stopping at little cafes for a drink or snack, or grabbing food from a little trattoria. We’d been to Venice twice before – years ago – and we were apprehensive about the crowds, but despite our trip being in the middle of August, it was surprisingly quiet.

The last time we were there, we had to queue to walk through St Mark’s Square, and a lot of streets were crowded. This time it was nowhere close to that. There are tourist taxes to pay now, a few Euros a day, and that combined with a ban on cruise shops in the city seems to have cut the numbers down. The Rialto Bridge was the only place it seemed really busy – with tourists stopping to get the perfect picture. And we noticed that many more of the shops now are tourist traps – selling the same imported Chinese glass ornaments.

But as mentioned, get off the main drag and within a few steps you will find authentic Venice. We didn’t opt for a 90 Euro gondola ride. Inside, we picked up a traghetto – a traditional gondola and gondolier, that took us across the canals for two Euros each. The taxis are in place to carry people across the water where there are no nearby bridges, and offer the same gondola experience – but actually take you somewhere useful rather than just going in a loop. So we took a traghetto across to the Dorsoduro district – home to the Guggenheim collection and the Gallerie dell’Accademia. It is even less crowded and more ‘authentic’ with a lively atmosphere and beautiful waterfront locations to sit and watch.

We also used the vaporetti to get around, the water buses that glide from island to island and along the Grand Canal – the best way to get to places like Murano and Burano. Murano should not be missed, the traditional glassmaking hub of Venice you can watch the traditional craft in action and find plenty of genuine, unique pieces to buy. A walk along the canal here will leave you feeling renewed.

We went into the heart of Venice a couple of times during our stay – visiting some of the main sites, including the DaVinci museum, and digging out TikTok-famous must-sees like the Acqua Alta bookshop and the Despar supermarket built inside a church in the Cannaregio district. If it does all get too much, keep walking along the canal from St Mark’s and you will find the Royal Gardens. Lush greenery in the heart of the city that offer a quiet sanctuary and shade.

But there are plenty of other places to visit, other than Venice, that are just as easy to get to – and not as challenging on your wallet.

If you take the bus from the Union Lido in the other direction, you will end up in Jesolo. The town is home to miles of golden beaches and is the place where people from Venice, and across Italy, come to spend their holidays. It is home to the longest shopping street in Europe, and we walked a good chunk of it – stopping in cafes for cooling drinks and refreshments.

The town is also famous for its sand art, huge sand-built sculptures in the centre that form a unique and impressive trail worth following. And there are tourist attractions. We visited the Tropicarium – part indoor zoo, part aquarium and hugely impressive. It is well worth the entrance fee and will keep any family entertained for hours with everything from sharks and huge lizards to butterflies and penguins. There are more than 400 species at the site, including monkeys, turtles and geckos. And there is a family-friendly science museum directly opposite, as well as an observation wheel.

Between there and Union Lido you will find several towns, with ancient churches and traditional markets. And the lagoon and peninsula are havens of unique wildlife with green spaces and places packed with interest and adventure. If you have a car, or have hired bikes, it is a great region to explore – and the buses will drop you off at a lot of interesting places.

In short, Union Lido with Eurocamp is the epitome of a family holiday. The resort is massive and so well equipped you could spend your entire break there, or you can – with or without a car – explore the local area and visit Venice, finding more than enough to keep people of all ages and interests satisfied. If you want something a little different, offering everything from luxurious relaxation to thrilling adventure, from children’s entertainment to authentic heritage, this is the holiday for you. This is a holiday that will give you a lifetime of family memories.

Union Lido price example:

Seven nights from Saturday 23 May 2026 (May half term) staying in a Comfort three bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to six guests, from £1725.71 per party.

Seven nights from Saturday 25 July 2026 (summer holidays) staying in a Comfort two bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to four guests, from £2522.24 per party.

Key features:

● 10,000m two water parks with eleven twisty waterslides, a wave pool, jacuzzi and a shallow children’s pool with a sprayground.

● Newly refurbished second water park “Speedy Island” with new pools, waterslides and a lazy river.

● Private sandy beach accessible from the parc with watersports and pedalo hire.

● Sports and activities including mini golf, archery and horse riding, plus a mini fun fair.

● Spa and wellness facilities.

● Restaurants and a pizzeria on park, including Al Mara which serves fresh seafood.

● Take a 30 minute boat ride from nearby Punta Sabbioni (8km away) to Venice.

● Nearest airport: Venice Marco Polo Airport – 42.6km away.

About Eurocamp:

● Eurocamp is the UK’s leading European outdoor holiday specialist with over 400 parcs across 11 countries, providing family holidays.

● Eurocamp has a wide range of holiday homes to choose from, with parks set in a variety of locations from beachside to mountainside.

● There are no restrictions on arrival and departure days, and you can stay for as many nights as you choose – from a 3 night family getaway to a 16 night super-stay with extended family or friends.

● Eurocamp holidays are an affordable option for families. With one price per accommodation and the ability to travel via sea or air

CARACAS, Venezuela — The United States hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike” early Saturday and said its president, Nicolás Maduro, had been captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington — an extraordinary nighttime operation announced by President Trump on social media hours after the attack.

Multiple explosions rang out and low-flying aircraft swept through Caracas, the capital, as Maduro’s government immediately accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations. The Venezuelan government called it an “imperialist attack” and urged citizens to take to the streets.

It was not immediately clear who was running the country, and Maduro’s whereabouts were not immediately known. Trump announced the developments on Truth Social shortly after 4:30 a.m. ET. Under Venezuelan law the vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, would take power. There was no confirmation that had happened, though she did issue a statement after the strike.

“We do not know the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores,” Rodriguez said. “We demand proof of life.”

Maduro, Trump said, “has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow.” He set a news conference for later Saturday morning.

The legal implications of the strike under U.S. law were not immediately clear. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) posted on X that he had spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who briefed him on the strike. Rubio told Lee that Maduro “has been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States.”

The White House did not immediately respond to queries on where Maduro and his wife were being flown to. Maduro was indicted in March 2020 on “narco-terrorism” conspiracy charges in the Southern District of New York.

Maduro last appeared on state television Friday while meeting with a delegation of Chinese officials in Caracas.

The explosions in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, early on the third day of 2026 — at least seven blasts — sent people rushing into the streets, while others took to social media to report hearing and seeing the explosions. It was not immediately clear if there were casualties on either side. The attack itself lasted less than 30 minutes and it was unclear if more actions lay ahead, though Trump said in his post that the strikes were carried out “successfully.”

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ban on U.S. commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace because of “ongoing military activity” ahead of the explosions.

The strike came after the Trump administration spent months escalating pressure on Maduro. The CIA was behind a drone strike last week at a docking area believed to have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels — the first known direct operation on Venezuelan soil since the U.S. began strikes in September.

For months, Trump had threatened that he could soon order strikes on targets on Venezuelan land following months of attacks on boats accused of carrying drugs. Maduro has decried the U.S. military operations as a thinly veiled effort to oust him from power.

Some streets in Caracas fill up

Armed individuals and uniformed members of a civilian militia took to the streets of a Caracas neighborhood long considered a stronghold of the ruling party. But in other areas of the city, the streets remained empty hours after the attack. Parts of the city remained without power, but vehicles moved freely.

Video obtained from Caracas and an unidentified coastal city showed tracers and smoke clouding the landscape sky as repeated muted explosions illuminated the night sky. Other footage showed an urban landscape with cars passing on a highway as blasts illuminated the hills behind them. Unintelligible conversation could be heard in the background. The videos were verified by The Associated Press.

Smoke could be seen rising from the hangar of a military base in Caracas, while another military installation in the capital was without power.

“The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and planes,” said Carmen Hidalgo, a 21-year-old office worker, her voice trembling. She was walking briskly with two relatives, returning from a birthday party. “We felt like the air was hitting us.”

Venezuela’s government responded to the attack with a call to action. “People to the streets!” it said in a statement. “The Bolivarian Government calls on all social and political forces in the country to activate mobilization plans and repudiate this imperialist attack.”

The statement added that Maduro had “ordered all national defense plans to be implemented” and declared “a state of external disturbance.” That state of emergency gives him the power to suspend people’s rights and expand the role of the armed forces.

The website of the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela, a post that has been closed since 2019, issued a warning to American citizens in the country, saying it was “aware of reports of explosions in and around Caracas.”

“U.S. citizens in Venezuela should shelter in place,” the warning said.

Reaction emerges slowly

Inquiries to the Pentagon and U.S. Southern Command since Trump’s social media post went unanswered. The FAA warned all commercial and private U.S. pilots that the airspace over Venezuela and the small island nation of Curacao, just off the coast of the country to the north, was off limits “due to safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity.”

U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, posted his potential concerns, reflecting a view from the right flank in the Congress. “I look forward to learning what, if anything, might constitutionally justify this action in the absence of a declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force,” Lee said on X.

It was not clear if the U.S. Congress had been officially notified of the strikes.

The Armed Services committees in both houses of Congress, which have jurisdiction over military matters, have not been notified by the administration of any actions, according to a person familiar with the matter and granted anonymity to discuss it.

Lawmakers from both political parties in Congress have raised deep reservations and flat out objections to the U.S. attacks on boats suspected of drug smuggling on boats near the Venezuelan coast and the Congress has not specifically approved an authorization for the use of military force for such operations in the region.

Regional reaction was not immediately forthcoming in the early hours of Saturday. Cuba, however, a supporter of the Maduro government and a longtime adversary of the United States, called for the international community to respond to what president Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez called “the criminal attack.” “Our zone of peace is being brutally assaulted,” he said on X. Iran’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the strikes.

President Javier Milei of Argentina praised the claim by his close ally, Trump, that Maduro had been captured with a political slogan he often deploys to celebrate right-wing advances: “Long live freedom, dammit!”

The U.S. military has been attacking boats in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean since early September. As of Friday, the number of known boat strikes is 35 and the number of people killed is at least 115, according to numbers announced by the Trump administration.

They followed a major buildup of American forces in the waters off South America, including the arrival in November of the nation’s most advanced aircraft carrier, which added thousands more troops to what was already the largest military presence in the region in generations.

Trump has justified the boat strikes as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the U.S. and asserted that the U.S. is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels.

Cano and Toropin write for the Associated Press. Toropin and AP journalist Lisa Mascaro reported from Washington.

When the Chargers lost to Houston, it foreclosed on some options for them. The division race and bid for the No. 1 seed were out the window. Now, this finale is about getting out of Denver healthy and prepared for the playoffs.

Still on the table, though, is a chance for an unblemished record in AFC West play. The Chargers swept Las Vegas and Kansas City, and posted a 23-20 victory over the Broncos in Week 3.

This is a more polished and confident Denver team than earlier in the season, however, and the Broncos since have won 13 of 14.

The AFC’s No. 1 seed is Denver’s to lose, so if they beat the Chargers, the road to the Super Bowl will go through the Mile High City.

How the Chargers can win: With Justin Herbert sitting out, the Chargers’ path to winning shifts dramatically. The emphasis will be on ball control, field position and avoiding mistakes. Trey Lance’s mobility becomes a weapon if the Chargers lean into it, using the run game, designed quarterback movement and play-action to keep Denver’s pass rush zeroing in. The Broncos are vulnerable to explosive plays when teams stay patient and force them out of their comfort zone. If the Chargers can establish even a modest run game, it opens opportunities downfield off misdirection and play-action. Defensively, Los Angeles must do what it’s done best under Jim Harbaugh: limit big plays, force long drives and make Denver settle for field goals. If the Chargers protect the ball and avoid penalties, they are capable of keeping the game close into the fourth quarter, and in a low-possession game, that’s all they need.

How the Broncos can win: Denver’s formula is simple and familiar: play clean, disciplined football and force the Chargers into a low-scoring game, which is much easier with a backup at quarterback. The Broncos have thrived in tight games by limiting mistakes, relying on their pass rush and letting their defense control tempo. They lead the league in sacks and consistently generate pressure without blitzing, which will be especially important against a Chargers offense starting Lance. If Denver can stop the run early, force Lance into obvious passing situations and avoid costly penalties, it can dictate the game. Bo Nix doesn’t have to be spectacular. He just needs to protect the ball and take advantage of short fields. The Broncos are comfortable winning games 20-17 or 23-20, and they will be happy to be in one of those with the Chargers.

Jan. 2 (UPI) — An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday sentenced five journalists, a YouTube influencer and a military officer to two life sentences each for “digital terrorism” crimes.

Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Tahir Sipra announced the verdicts for the defendants, who were tried in absentia.

Pakistani law allows for trials in absentia, but their verdicts must be confirmed by the Islamabad High Court.

Those who were sentenced were Akbar Hussain, Wajahat Saeed Khan, Haider Raza Mehdi, Moeed Pirzada, Shaheen Sehbai, Sabir Shakir and Adil Raja.

Raja is a YouTube influencer, while Khan, Shakir, Sehbai, Mehdi and Pirzada are journalists. Hussain is a former Pakistan army officer.

The court found that the seven defendants encouraged riots on May 9, 2023, after former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested briefly in Islamabad for alleged corruption.

Imran Khan’s supporters attacked governmental buildings and military facilities in several locations.

Prosecutors brought 24 witnesses against the defendants and said they used their respective digital media channels to incite riots, enable attacks and amplify the violence against governmental institutions.

If their sentences are upheld, each faces up to life in prison plus a $5,500 fine for criminal conspiracy.

Each also could be sentenced to another 10 years in prison and fined more than $2,200 for waging or attempting to wage or abetting in waging war against Pakistan.

Additionally, each defendant has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for three counts of violating the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 and fined nearly $7,000.

All sentences are to run concurrently if upheld by the higher court.

MANY of us have fond memories of our UK seaside summer holidays growing up.

Fish and chips, building sandcastles, braving the British waters – this is all a part of growing up holidaying in the UK.

But as time went by, many seaside resorts lost their sparkle, leaving behind abandoned fairgrounds or forgotten piers, especially following the boom in cheap package holidays abroad.

Thankfully, many major seaside resorts in the UK have had some serious revamps – with new restaurants, hotels, cafes and shops breathing fresh life into these beloved beach towns.

Now, some of these familiar towns are becoming family holiday hotspots, and are fast-becoming some of the UK’s must-visit destinations.

Here are some of the seaside towns that were once left to ruin – only to have become the coolest places to visit in recent years.

Read more on seaside towns

TIME TO GO

I lived on UK seaside town high street named one of Time Out’s coolest in world

SANDS GREAT!

I visited the English seaside town that’s better in autumn with new hotels

Folkestone, Kent

Folkestone was was once dubbed a “dump” in a viral TikTok video, and was left rundown after years of neglect, despite being a popular holiday resort back in the Victorian times.

Not only was there once a direct train from London to the harbour itself, but it had a thriving funicular, lido and even rollercoaster.

Yet over the years, these were all left to fall into disrepair before closing or being knocked down.

However, the seaside town is becoming a new coastal hotspot.

The town was named the Best Place to Live in South East England last year in The Sunday Times, and even charted as Time Out’s best UK place to visit in 2025.

Folkestone has undergone major transformation in recent years.

Once a tired ferry port, Folkestone has been refreshed with the addition of trendy seafront bars, high-end restaurants, and a thriving Creative Quarter.

The once-derelict Harbour Arm celebrates it’s 10th anniversary this year, now lined with nearly 70 food and retail stalls, bars and live music spots.

Linking the Harbour Arm to the Lower Leas Coastal Park is the Boardwalk – a path over the calm shingle beach made from old railway sleepers.

Or wander up the hilly, cobbled streets from the harbour into the town centre, and you’ll find the vibrant Creative Quarter – packed with galleries, studios, and independent shops.

Here you’ll find the Folkestone Quarterhouse, showing a range of theatre shows, comedy and music events and festivals.

In fact the town is home to many artistic festivals – celebrating everything from poetry to documentaries.

The seaside town even attracts hoards of Kate Bush fans for the viral Wuthering Heights day.

And the transformation isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

The historic Leas Lift, a Grade II listed funicular railway taking passengers between the seafront and promenade, is set to reopen in 2026.

Cromer, Norfolk

Cromer in North Norfolk was seen as a dated seaside town for a long time.

With trendy seaside towns like Wells-next-the-Sea and Holkham drawing in crowds to North Norfolk each summer, to many Cromer appeared bland and dreary in comparison.

However, Cromer has recently reinvented itself with a wave of new cafes, shops and quirky art spaces.

And with Norfolk being named a must-visit destination by Condé Nast in 2025, the limelight is shining back on the Victorian seaside town.

“Come for the party but stay for one of the UK’s very best summer getaways […] as you stroll Cromer’s charmingly retro pier” states the travel magazine.

Cromer Artspace is home to contemporary art and exhibitions, whilst the artisan Grey Seal Coffee shop offers a trendy new spot to grab a flat white.

And recently, new dessert spot Norfolk Crumble has seen queues long out the door for its unique crumble flavours and popular thick shakes.

Down at the Blue Flag beach, you’ll find a maritime museum, pretty painted beach huts, and Norfolk’s best waves for surfing.

There’s also a year-round weekly market on Fridays, and the Amazona Zoo where you can meet jaguars, parrots and anacondas.

Hastings, Sussex

For many, Hastings has not been a top pick when choosing a seaside town to visit in the South-East of England.

In fact, a Which? survey of more than 3,500 people saw the resort rank in last place under the “best small UK cities for a short break“.

However, the Victorian seaside town has been undergoing a glamorous a glow-up.

Hastings was one of 101 UK towns to be given a share of investments from the government in their £3.6bn Towns Fund – a plan to “level up our regions”.

The program has seen the addition of public art, extra green spaces, and even a boost in affordable housing for locals.

Thanks to these investments, Hastings is not only becoming a desirable place to live – but a trendy seaside spot to visit.

Historic Hastings Castle is home to Norman ruins and breath-taking clifftop views, whilst the iconic Hastings pier (opened in 1872) is a Victorian classic revamped.

The pier, which suffered a dramatic fire in 2010, has been rebuilt with cafes, children’s rides, and even live music in the summertime.

It’s also home to the Pavilion Restaurant and Bar, a 2x AA Rosette-winning restaurant inside of the original pier’s only remaining building.

There’s also plenty to see and do in Hastings with the kids, including the traditional Flamingo Amusements, and Hastings Aquarium – home to pufferfish, pythons and axolotls.

There’s also the exciting Smugglers Adventure – a journey through caves and caverns to discover the secrets of real smugglers.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Southend-on-Sea has long had a divisive reputation, and was even once dubbed the “worst place on earth” by a resident on TripAdvisor.

In fact, Which? Travel ranked the Essex town number 10 in their list of the Top 10 Worst Seaside Towns in the UK earlier this year.

Many have thought the town to be an unsafe place to visit, but a £16 million cash injection has revived the once-faded seaside resort.

Now, Southend is swapping tacky for trendy, with a line-up of brand new restaurants, hotels and revitalised shores.

The well-known Essex Mimosa restaurant has opened up a stylish location on Southend’s seafront, and the brand-new boutique Seven Hotel has added a splash of luxury to the resort.

Plus an £8m refurbishment of the popular Cliffs Pavilion arts venue is underway, which will see a major restaurant expansion, a modern new entrance and brand new outdoor piazza.

Another major change the town has seen is the introduction of a “green oasis” on the seafront.

Work is underway to create luscious gardens which will both prevent flooding and add a pretty landscape of canopies and greenery.

Alongside these new additions, classic attractions such as Adventure Island continue to bring in hoards of thrill-seeking tourists.

Many continue to return to Southend year after year for the ever-popular pier and railway, chasing a wave of childhood nostalgia from bucket and spade summer holidays.

Now in the coming years, the seaside town is set to offer the perfect mix of classic coastal charm and modern design.

TRAVELERS visiting America’s famed national parks are going to face an extra $100 entry fee this week.

It comes as the National Park Service announced a new initiative, called the “America-first entry fee policy”.

Under the policy from January 1 2026, citizens of the US will be prioritized for free entry, while international visitors will now face higher entry fees overall.

This will bring the cost of annual passes for non-residents to $250, while US residents will continue to pay $80.

The parks will no longer offer free admission at all on select days of celebration including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which falls on the third Monday of January, or Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19.

Though Flag Day (June 14), the anniversary of the NPS (August 25), Constitution Day (September 17), and President Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (October 27), will be acknowledged as fee-free days.

So if you’re planning a trip as a US citizen, these are the best days to aim for.

Eleven national parks will be affected, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.

In total, there will be eight free-entry days in 2026, up from six in 2025, but only for American citizens and residents. 

Fees and increases will continue to vary by park, so it’s always best to check online before you book or travel.

The changes will make sure US taxpayers “continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum posted on X.

The increased fees come months after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to increase entry fees for foreign tourists.

BEFORE I headed to the Greek island of Alonissos, a waiter in neighbouring Skiathos told me: “It’s too quiet there, I prefer to party here.” 

Now I was looking forward to the trip even more. 

While most tourists tend to land at Skiathos airport and stick to that lively destination, many are making the short ferry ride to Alonissos or Skopelos, where scenes for 2008 film Mamma Mia! were shot. 

These two beautiful islands rising out of the Aegean sea offer alternatives to bars and restaurants blasting out music from competing sound systems. 

My first stop was the relatively untouched Alonissos. 

With just 5,000 beds for tourists and 3,000 locals living on this slender, 12-mile-long island, I was immediately struck by how quiet and unhurried everything is. 

THINK PINK

Stunning island with pink beaches is one of the ‘best places to go in 2026’

ISLE GO

‘Hawaii of Europe’ that rivals the Canary Islands are cheaper and just as warm

Even though there is only one main snaking road, I hardly encountered another car.

And at the first beach I tried, Agios Dimitrios, to the north of the island, the chatter on the sun loungers was soft, no phones rang and no music disturbed the peace at the closest taverna. 

The tourists had sensibly decided that the pristine turquoise waters, facing another island so that you might think you are in a lake, were captivating enough.

Other beaches to lay your towel on include the crescent of pebbly sand at Kokkinokastro, backed by towering red cliffs, and Chrisi Milia, with its shallow water.

Further down the coast, the tiny port of Kalamakia is well known for its fresh fish restaurants.  

One such restaurant is Corali, overlooking the tranquil bay and run by two sisters. They served us the delicious local specialty — a cheese pie, which is fried rather than baked.  

Up above the main port of Patitiri, its old town, thoughtfully rebuilt following a 1965 earthquake, is pedestrianised and you won’t be harassed by scooters while attempting to navigate the steep stone steps. 

Rarely have I relaxed into holiday mode so quickly on a break. 

If you want maximum splendid isolation, join Albedo Travel’s day trip to meet the sole monk living at a 17th century clifftop monastery on the otherwise uninhabited Kyra Panagia island. 

With 90 per cent of the guests at the Atrium hotel where I stayed hailing from Britain, it is clear that I was not alone in wishing to escape the crowds

The excursion, which takes in three breathtaking swimming stops, is led by the white-bearded maritime entertainer Captain Pakis, who has honed his patter such as “GMT time is Greek Maybe Time” to perfection. 

If you are more adventurous, Alonissos has become a popular scuba-diving spot due to the presence of a 5th century BC shipwreck 66ft underwater.

The island is also home to Europe’s first national marine park, established in 1992 to protect the endangered population of Mediterranean monk seals. 

With 90 per cent of the guests at the Atrium hotel where I stayed hailing from Britain, it is clear that I was not alone in wishing to escape the crowds. 

This lovely little hotel’s hillside location means there are stunning sea views from all of the rooms.  

Travellers seeking a middle ground between party Skiathos and quiet Alonissos can opt for Skopelos, which sits between them. 

Chic pool area 

With 30,000 tourist beds and 4,500 locals, it is far more developed, with busy bars, coffee shops and restaurants vying for your custom at the harbour to the main port, Skopelos town.  

One of the big attractions is its connection to hit musical Mamma Mia!, starring Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried. 

As I sat on a small coach waiting for my four-hour Mamma Mia! tour of the island to begin, I started to get nervous because the music sounded like someone had asked ChatGPT to play Abba in a Greek style.

Every detail of the boutique hotel and spa has been immaculately planned, from the modern take on colonial styling to the best breakfast buffet I’ve experienced

But Dolphin Of Skopelos’ trip proved to be enormous fun, taking in Saint John’s Chapel’s 199 steep steps, which Donna (Streep) climbed for the wedding of Sophie (Seyfried), and Kastani beach, which was the backdrop to the Does Your Mother Know sequence. 

The tiny Saint John’s church has incredible views that shouldn’t be missed. 

The party vibe is more obvious here, with a DJ on the decks at the bar behind Kastani.

But when I drove to Panormos beach on another day, the atmosphere was relaxed as a waitress brought drinks to the free sun beds in front of the serene bay. 

And at the new 5-star Minno hotel in Skopelos town, the chic pool area makes you feel you’re winding down with the jet set. 

Every detail of the boutique hotel and spa has been immaculately planned, from the modern take on colonial styling to the best breakfast buffet I’ve experienced. 

The restaurant offers fine dining for a price comparable to burger and chips in a London pub. 

If you are looking for amazing food, quiet, clean beaches and welcoming locals you should be saying I Do, I Do, I Do to both islands. 

Caracas, January 3, 2026 (venezuelanalysis.com) – US President Donald Trump has claimed that US Special Forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a miltary operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday.

In a social media message, Trump stated that the US had “successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela” and that Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores had been “captured and flown out of the country.”

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed that Maduro and Flores’ whereabouts are unknown and demanded that the Trump administration provide proof of life.

US attacks began around 2 am local time, with loud explosions felt in the capital and nearby states.

Multiple military sites, including Fuerte Tiuna in Caracas, were reportedly bombed. Social media users reported low flying aircraft and active air defenses. The port in La Guaira was likewise among infrastructures hit.

Videos on social media also showed helicopters flying over the Venezuelan capital, with military analysts claiming that US Special Forces were deployed.

In a statement published on state outlets, the Venezuelan government accused the United States of carrying out a military attack against Venezuelan territory, describing it as a violation of the UN Charter and a threat to regional peace.

Authorities announced the activation of national defense plans, the deployment of the armed forces, and the declaration of a state of “External Commotion” nationwide. The Maduro government also called for popular mobilization and said it would raise formal complaints before international bodies, including the United Nations.

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez issued a statement confirming US bombings in Caracas and surrounding areas.

Padrino reported that Venezuelan authorities are assessing damages and casualties from the attacks, claiming that US helicopters fired missiles on residential areas. The armed forces chief urged the international community to condemn Washington’s “criminal aggression.”

The Trump administration has escalated regime-change threats against Caracas im recent months and vowed to strike land targets.

[Story in development]

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

One of the bummer parts of any awards season is how it leads to a narrowing down of what movies are getting talked about and subsequently remembered from any given year. There are always way more than five or 10 titles from any given year that deserve the spotlight.

Which is why it was so exciting this week when Envelope editor Matt Brennan chose Mona Fastvold’s “The Testament of Ann Lee” and Angus MacLachlan’s “A Little Prayer” as his favorite movies of the year. “A Little Prayer” first premiered at Sundance in 2023, but didn’t get a theatrical release until this past summer. The delicate jewel of a film features warm, tender performances by David Strathairn and Jane Levy as a man and his daughter-in-law both reconciling themselves to the fallout of problems in her marriage. The movie is available now on digital platforms and is well worth seeking out.

David Straithairn and Jane Levy in the movie “A Little Prayer.”

(Music Box Films)

And we talked about “Ann Lee” here last week and will likely have more to say about it as awards season moves on. Matt’s list also included films such as “Sinners,” “One Battle After Another,” “Sentimental Value” and “Sirāt” along with “Sorry, Baby,” “Nouvelle Vague,” “Hedda,” and “The Alabama Solution.”

Meanwhile, with 2026 so fresh and new, it’s almost sacrilegious to start thinking about a future best-of-year list. But we’ve got one anyway: Here are the 14 movies we’re most excited to see in 2026. Christopher Nolan, Greta Gerwig, Steven Spielberg doing aliens again — at least on paper, there’s a lot of promise here.

4K premiere of Friedkin’s ‘Sorcerer’

An image from William Friedkin’s 1977 movie “Sorcerer.”

(Criterion Collection)

On Friday night, the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre will host the West Coast premiere of a new 4K restoration of William Friedkin’s 1977 thriller “Sorcerer” scanned from the original camera negative.

The film was a notorious flop when first released, in part because it had the misfortune of opening a week after the first “Star Wars.” An adaptation of the same novel that spawned Henri-George Clouzot’s 1953 adventure “Wages of Fear,” “Sorcerer” follows four desperate men tasked with transporting a truckload of volatile nitroglycerine through a South American jungle.

Friedkin, who died in 2023, spoke to The Times’ Kenneth Turan in 2013 before receiving a lifetime achievement award from the Venice Film Festival. The only movie shown as part of the tribute was “Sorcerer.” As Friedkin said at the time, “Every one of the films that I made, even the ones that haven’t worked, are films that I had to envision, that I had to see in my mind’s eye. And ‘Sorcerer’ is the film that came closest to my vision of what I wanted to make.”

In a January 1977 interview conducted when he had just completed filming, star Roy Scheider said that working with Friedkin “was not always to my liking as an actor. He is organized and meticulous but difficult, opiniated and tough. He can even be cruel at times. When Friedkin works on a film, nothing gets in his way, including the actors.”

Roy Scheider in the movie “Sorcerer.”

(Criterion Collection)

The film’s initial reception is perhaps well summarized by Charles Champlin’s originalLos Angeles Times review, in which he writes, “William Friedkin’s ‘Sorcerer’ is one of those movies that must make executives, no less than critics, shake their heads in stunned glum wonder. What the hell went wrong?

“A first-rate and proven piece of material. Executed with loving and meticulous care on a damn-the-cost basis by a prize-winning director with two large commercial successes behind him. But it all ends up a swollen, leaden and almost totally uninvolving disappointment that seems fairly unlikely to be saved commercially by its detonations, special effects and strenuous physical sequences.”

Champlin did seem to enjoy one element: the synthesizer score by Tangerine Dream (later of “Thief” and “Risky Business”), music that he calls “a new flavor, Latin Anxious, that works well.”

‘The Godfather Part II’

Al Pacino in the 1974 sequel “The Godfather Part II.”

(Paramount Pictures)

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, an original I.B. Technicolor 35mm print of Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather Part II” will screen at the New Beverly. It’s a rare and unusual way to see a great movie that can sometimes be flattened by overfamiliarity but remains as fresh and revealing as ever. The movie would go on to win six Oscars including best picture (the first sequel to ever do so).

The story cross-cuts between Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in the 1950s and Robert De Niro playing his father Vito Corleone in the early 1900s. The film shows the growth of the Corleone family empire and what it takes to keep it running.

In a January 1975 interview, Coppola talked about his motivations in approaching the sequel, saying, “The finished film makes what I consider a tough statement for a $13 million mass-audience picture. It says that this country is in danger of losing its soul, like Michael did. That power without humanity is destructive. … I didn’t want Michael to be destroyed by another gang or by a Senate investigation of organized crime. I wanted him to destroy himself. And to juxtapose his fall with flashbacks of his father’s rise a half-century earlier.”

Coppola, candid as ever, continued, “And, to be completely honest, there was the possibility of my making so much money I could bankroll some of my other projects.”

In his original Dec. 1974 review of the film, our Charles Champlin wrote, “In its way, ‘Godfather II’ is more daring than the original … The risks were worth taking, and the reward is that a single monumental segment of the American experience is neither glorified nor patronized, but made comprehensible and real, transmuted into drama of both scope and depth.”

Points of interest

‘The Birds’ in 35mm

Tippi Hedren and children are attacked by crows in a scene from Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds.”

(Screen Archives / Getty Images)

On Monday the Academy Museum will show Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 “The Birds” in 35mm. The film is showing as part of a series about nature’s revenge on humans — a fun group of titles that also includes “Jaws” and “Orca” (both playing in 35mm), “Creature from the Black Lagoon” in 3D, “Alligator” with director Lewis Teague in person and “The Revenant” in 4K.

Transporting Daphne du Maurier’s original story to the setting of Bodega Bay in Northern California, “The Birds” presents a classic, apocalyptic what-if scenario when humans are suddenly attacked from above.

Star Tippi Hedren, who turns 96 later this month, made her movie debut in the film and over the years she has been open about how difficult the process of shooting was for her. In an April 1963 interview with Hedda Hopper, she said, “The Humane Society was there to protect the birds but there was no one to protect me.”

In a March 1963 review, The Times’ Philip K. Scheuer wrote, “Are actors people? No matter. Alfed Hitchcock, who filmed ‘The Birds’ at Universal, was once widely quoted as saying he hated actors. After his 1960 ‘Psycho’ and now ‘The Birds,’ it must be fairly obvious that he has extended his abhorrence to the whole human race.”

Oliver Lax’s ‘Fire Will Come’

Amador Arias, left, and Benedicta Sánchez in ‘Fire Will Come’

(KimStim)

Spanish filmmaker Oliver Laxe’s “Sirāt” has become one of the most celebrated films of the year, popping up on critics list and making a strong showing on the recent Oscars shortlists. On Tuesday, Acropolis Cinema will present the Los Angeles premiere of Laxe’s 2019 film “Fire Will Come” at 2220 Arts + Archives (its original release was curtailed by the pandemic). Laxe is scheduled to attend in person.

In the film, Amador (Amador Arias) has just been released from prison for arson, after having started a wildfire that ravaged the local mountains. Living with his mother, he has to overcome the suspicions and distrust of everyone in the community.

Reviewing the film in 2020 for a digital release, Carlos Aguilar called the film “quietly phenomenal,” adding, “Its discourse on forgiveness simmers in one’s mind inextinguishably.”

Joachim Trier tribute

Director Joachim Trier, photographed at the Los Angeles Times Studios at RGB House during the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

The American Cinematheque is launching a tribute to Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier this week. He will be appearing person with co-writer Eskil Vogt following screenings of “The Worst Person in the World” and his current movie “Sentimental Value.”

These are also rare opportunities to see two of Trier’s earlier films — his 2006 debut “Reprise” and 2011’s devastating “Oslo, August 31st” — in a theater.

“Sentimental Value” directly engages with the legacy of Scandinavian cinema, with Stellan Skarsgård playing an arthouse filmmaker trying to get a new project off the ground with his daughter (“Worst Person” star Renate Reinsve).

Going all the way back to “Reprise.” Trier has been making a case for a new kind of Scandinavian cinema: “I would hope young people would see this not as the old, dreary, dandruff-on-the-shoulders, slow European film,” he said in 2008. “I wanted to make something more sexy and relevant to people.”

Eric Neff’s tenure at the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office ended after he was placed on administrative leave in 2022 over accusations of misconduct in the prosecution of the CEO of Konnech, a software company that election conspiracy theorists said was in the thrall of the Chinese government.

Now, three years later, Neff is serving as one of the Trump administration’s top election watchdogs.

Late last year , his name began appearing on lawsuits filed by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, listed as “acting chief” of the voting section.

Neff’s appointment, first reported by Mother Jones, has prompted renewed scrutiny of his work at the L.A. County district attorney’s office.

The Times interviewed several of Neff’s former colleagues, who revealed new details about claims of misconduct that emerged from the Konnech case, and said they were alarmed that someone with almost no background in federal election law was named to a senior position.

Neff led the 2022 investigation of Konnech, a tiny Michigan company whose software is used by election officials in several major cities. In a criminal complaint, Neff accused the company’s CEO, Eugene Yu, of fraud and embezzlement, alleging the company stored poll worker information on a server based in China, a violation of its contract with the L.A. County registrar’s office.

Six weeks after a complaint was filed, prosecutors dropped the case and launched an investigation into “irregularities” and bias in the way evidence was presented against Konnech, the D.A.’s office said in a 2022 statement.

The county paid Konnech $5 million and joined a motion to find Yu factually innocent as part of a legal settlement.

The internal probe was focused on accusations that Neff misled supervisors at the district attorney’s office about the role of election deniers in his investigation, according to two officials with direct knowledge of the case who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.

Neff also allegedly withheld information about potential biases in the case from a grand jury, according to the two officials.

In a civil lawsuit filed last year, Neff said the internal review by the D.A.’s office cleared him of wrongdoing. The two officials familiar with the probe who spoke on the condition of anonymity disputed Neff’s characterization of the findings.

A spokesman for Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman declined to comment or provide the results of the investigation into Neff, which the officials said was conducted by an outside law firm that generated a report on the case. Neff’s attorney also did not provide a copy of the report.

A Department of Justice spokesman declined to comment.

Neff’s attorney, Tom Yu — no relation to the Konnech CEO — said his client had no obligation to provide background information about the origins of the case to the grand jury.

Neff’s appointment comes as President Trump continues to remake the DOJ in his own image by appointing political loyalists with no criminal law background as U.S. attorneys in New Jersey and Virginia and seeking prosecutions of his political enemies, such as former FBI Director James Comey.

Trump has never recanted his false claim that he won the 2020 election.

When then-L.A. County Dist. Atty. George Gascón announced the charges against Konnech in 2020, Trump said the progressive prosecutor would become a “National hero on the Right if he got to the bottom of this aspect of the Voting Fraud.”

The Konnech case was centered on contract fraud, not voter fraud or ballot rigging. Six weeks after the charges were filed, the case disintegrated.

The D.A.’s office cited Neff’s over-reliance on evidence provided by True the Vote, the group that pushed the unfounded Chinese government conspiracies about Konnech and also appeared in a film that spread claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.

Gascón initially denied that True the Vote was involved in the case, but weeks later, a D.A.’s office spokesman said a report from the group’s co-founder, Gregg Phillips, sparked the prosecution. Phillips testified in court in July 2022 that it was Neff who first contacted him about Konnech.

The two officials who spoke to The Times said that Neff withheld True the Vote’s role from high-level D.A.’s office staff, including Gascón, when presenting the case.

Gascón declined an interview request, noting he is named in Neff’s pending lawsuit, which is slated for trial in early 2026.

Neff’s attorney insisted the case against Konnech was solid.

“He was let go because Trump tweeted a statement of ‘Go George Go’,” the attorney said. “That’s why Eugene Yu was let go. Because Gascón was so scared he was going to lose votes.”

Calls and emails to an attorney who previously represented Eugene Yu were not returned.

In his lawsuit, Neff claimed he had evidence that “Konnech used third-party contractors based in China and failed to abide by security procedures” to protect L.A. County poll worker data. The evidence was not attached as an exhibit in the lawsuit.

A DOJ spokesperson declined to describe Neff’s job duties. His name appears on a number of lawsuits filed in recent months against states that have refused to turn over voter registration lists to the Trump administration.

Neff is also involved in a suit filed against the Fulton County clerk’s office in Georgia seeking records related to the 2020 election, records show.

“We will not permit states to jeopardize the integrity and effectiveness of elections by refusing to abide by our federal elections laws,” Asst. Atty. Gen. Harmeet Dhillon, the California conservative who now leads the civil rights division, said in a recent statement. “If states will not fulfill their duty to protect the integrity of the ballot, we will.”

Dhillon declined to comment through a DOJ spokesman.

The voting section “enforces the civil provisions of the federal laws that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act,” according to the DOJ’s website.

It does not appear that Neff has any background working on cases related to federal election law. He first became an L.A. County prosecutor in 2013 and spent years handling local crime cases out of the Pomona courthouse. He was promoted and reassigned to the Public Integrity Division, which investigates corruption issues, in 2020, according to his lawsuit.

While there, he handled only two prosecutions related to elections. One was the Konnech case. The other involved allegations of election rigging against a Compton city council member.

In August 2021, Isaac Galvan, a Democrat, was charged with conspiring to commit election fraud after he allegedly worked to direct voters from outside his council district to cast ballots for him. Galvan won the race by just one vote, but was booted from office when a judge determined at least four improper ballots had been cast.

Galvan’s criminal case is still pending; he recently pleaded guilty to charges in a separate corruption and bribery case in federal court. A spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles said there was no overlap between the D.A.’s election rigging case and the bribery case against Galvan. Federal prosecutors are not reviewing the Konnech case, the spokesman said.

Court filings show Neff was involved in Galvan’s L.A. County case, but the prosecution was led by a more senior attorney.

Justin Levitt, a constitutional law professor at Loyola Law School who served in the civil rights division during the Obama administration, said section chiefs normally have decades of experience in the area of law they’re meant to supervise.

“The biggest problem with somebody with Neff’s history is the giant screaming red flag that involves filing a prosecution based on unreliable evidence,” Levitt said. “That’s not something any prosecutor should do.”

Neff’s attorney, Yu, scoffed at the idea that his client was not experienced enough for his new role in the Trump administration, or that he was selected due to his involvement in the Konnech case.

“Eric got the job because he’s qualified to get the job. He didn’t get the job for any other reason. He got the job because he’s an excellent advocate,” Yu said. “I think the Justice Department is very fortunate to have Eric.”

Times Staff Writer Seema Mehta contributed to this report.

There have been good weeks and bad weeks for the Lakers this season.

Ahead of Friday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, they were trending downward after losing four of their last five games.

The Memphis game turned into a microcosm of that trend, with the Lakers building leads through effort and intensity only to see them crumble behind less-inspired play.

In the end, standout performances from Luka Doncic and LeBron James helped the Lakers surge late and hold on for a 128-121 win at Crypto.com Arena.

Doncic and James made sure the 15-point lead the Lakers held before it dissolved by the end of the third quarter wasn’t completely achieved in vain. Doncic made 17 of 20 free throws in scoring 34 points with eight assists and six rebounds, and James had 31 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

They got help from Jake LaRavia, who scored 21 points on eight-for-12 shooting in addition to nine rebounds and stellar defense. Marcus Smart had 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and Jaxson Hayes scored 12 points off the bench.

The Lakers improved to an NBA-best 11-0 when within five or fewer points of their opponent heading into the final five minutes.

“I think we have a lot of people that closed the game, especially (me), when LeBron, he took over today,” Doncic said. “(Jarred Vanderbilt) hit a big shot. Jake hit a big shot. Jaxson had a big dunk. So, it’s just everybody.”

Lakers center Jaxson Hayes dunks over Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (8) and center Jock Landale (31) in the fourth quarter Friday.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

It was a group effort that helped the Lakers seal the win in the fourth quarter. It also marked the first time since March that Doncic and James scored at least 30 points in the same game.

“It was just playing and playing in rhythm,” James said. “We’re trying to find ways that we can be productive. Obviously, Luka did a great job of getting to the free-throw line. … He made a step-back three, a big-time shot there.

“Myself, just trying to sprinkle in a little bit here, a little bit there. Just trying to be consistent and be super efficient with my play. So we worked well off each other today and we led the group.”

The Lakers (21-11) went down 110-109 in the fourth quarter before going on a 12-2 run to take the lead for good.

The teams will meet again here Sunday night.

“We made some big-time plays offensively and we were sharing the ball, and guys made some big-time shots,” James said. “Vando’s three, Jake’s three on the other side of their bench at the end of the shot clock, Jax had a big-time dunk down the middle. So, those are key moments. And then defensively, we were able to get a couple shots, get a couple rebounds. That allowed us to kind of start pushing the lead up.”

Vincent update

Gabe Vincent (lumbar back strain) missed his seventh straight game, but Redick said the team hopes he can practice Saturday and that if he does, it will “be modified.”

Redick said Vincent will not play Sunday against the Grizzlies, but the hope is that he can play either at New Orleans on Tuesday or at San Antonio on Wednesday.

“We’ve got to get him exposure to live play, and with the travel day on Monday, that’s gonna be tough,” Redick said.

The winter has made a life of relentless suffering worse for the people of Gaza, particularly for the wounded, children and elderly, with hundreds of thousands in the Palestinian territory displaced by Israel’s genocidal war desperately trying to survive on the scant humanitarian aid Israel is allowing in.

Nine-year-old Assad al-Madhna lost his left hand when Israeli fire hit a group of children playing in al-Zuwayda in central Gaza. The same attack also wounded him in the leg.

Now, as winter envelops the besieged enclave, Assad’s pain increases as the metal rods and pins holding his leg in place stiffen in the cold, making every step slower and agonising.

“I can’t play with other children as in winter, my legs and hands hurt a lot,” he told Al Jazeera.

“I haven’t received any prosthetic, struggle to change my clothes, and going to the toilet in this cold is a real challenge,” he said, adding: “Without my parents, I can’t manage it. At night, the severe cold becomes unbearable.”

A truce between Israel and Hamas since October 10 has been fragile, a ceasefire in name only, according to Palestinians and rights groups, after two years of destructive war.

Despite the truce, Palestinians in crowded camps – often in damaged tents and surrounded by mud – still face severe humanitarian conditions, trying to survive with few or no resources, making life the hardest for the most vulnerable.

‘No heating at all’

Eighteen-year-old Waed Murad survived an attack that wiped out her entire family – seven relatives in one strike.

She now lives with a life-altering injury, and when the temperatures drop, her nerve pain intensifies, sleep slips away, and the little recovery she had is threatened.

“I can’t keep myself warm because of the severe cold with the metal bars and pins always freezing,” she told Al Jazeera.

“I am living in a tent with no heating at all. Every time I hear the wind, I feel the pain will get worse, as the cold will affect the metal fixation devices even more.”

In the enclave, temperatures at night have ranged between eight and 12 degrees Celsius (46 and 53 degrees Fahrenheit) in recent days.

Nearly 80 percent of buildings in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed or damaged by the war, according to United Nations data.

About 1.5 million of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents have lost their homes, said Amjad Shawa, director of the Palestinian NGO Network in Gaza.

Of more than 300,000 tents requested to shelter displaced people, “we have received only 60,000,” Shawa told the AFP news agency, pointing to Israeli restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid into the territory.

Israel slammed for banning NGOs

Meanwhile, the international community has condemned Israel’s recent announcement of a suspension of the operations of several international nongovernmental organisations in the occupied Palestinian territory.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply concerned and called for the measure to be reversed.

“This announcement comes on top of earlier restrictions that have already delayed critical food, medical, hygiene and shelter supplies from entering Gaza.”

“This recent action will further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians,” Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary-general, said in a statement.

Several countries in the Middle East and Asia called on Israel to allow “immediate, full, and unhindered” deliveries of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip as winter storms lash the bombarded Palestinian enclave.

In a statement on Friday, the foreign ministers of Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkiye, Pakistan and Indonesia warned that “deteriorating” conditions in Gaza had left nearly 1.9 million displaced Palestinians particularly vulnerable.

“Flooded camps, damaged tents, the collapse of damaged buildings, and exposure to cold temperatures coupled with malnutrition, have significantly heightened risks to civilian lives,” the statement read.

Earlier this month, Gaza experienced a similar spell of heavy rain and cold.

The weather caused at least 18 deaths due to the collapse of war-damaged buildings or exposure to cold, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.

On December 18, the UN’s humanitarian office said 17 buildings collapsed during the storm, while 42,000 tents and makeshift shelters were fully or partially damaged.

Police have identified the first four bodies of people who were killed in a fire at a bar in a Swiss ski resort on New Year’s Eve.

The bodies of two Swiss women aged 21 and 16, and two Swiss men aged 18 and 16 have been returned to their families, police said.

“Extensive” work from officers and the Institute of Forensic Medicine made the identifications possible, Valais cantonal police said in a statement, and work to identify the remaining victims continues.

The blaze at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana killed 40 people and injured 119 others, officials have said. With many of the injured identified, families now face an agonising wait for information about those still missing.

The likely cause of the fire was sparklers on champagne bottles being carried too close to the ceiling, a preliminary investigation of how the fire began found.

Switzerland’s President Guy Parmelin called it “one of the worst tragedies” experienced by the country.

Further details about the identified victims, including names, have not been released.

A teenage golfer from Italy was the first death to be named, though Swiss and Italian officials have so far declined to confirm his death.

A helpline has been set up for concerned families: +41 848 112 117

Viewers have been praising a BBC drama that’s been gripping them for months. Some say it’s so good they keep rewatching it, with it being deemed “better than Night Manager”

If you’re hunting for gripping viewing to see you through the bleak January evenings, BBC viewers are currently singing the praises of a particular drama series. While the broadcaster’s iPlayer platform boasts an impressive catalogue, certain shows have a knack for completely capturing audiences.

One such gem recently sparked discussion on Reddit when a user shared their obsession with a particular miniseries. They revealed they’d become utterly absorbed by it, watching it multiple times and discovering something new with each viewing. Since then, others have admitted how gripping it is, with some claiming it’s “even better than Night Manager”.

It’s not the only BBC drama to have audiences enthralled recently. Another adaptation of a well-known novel earned widespread acclaim just months back.

The Reddit user gushed: “The Little Drummer Girl is superb. At the risk of being a pretentious bore, the show really struck a chord with me. I watched it, and then immediately rewatched it. Now I’m watching it again.

“There’s a huge amount of depth here. It’s not Homeland, but it’s seriously good. Strongly recommended.”

The post triggered an enthusiastic response, with another viewer saying: “I agree with everything you just said! I LOVED Little Drummer Girl. Florence Pugh is fantastic in it. Very moving.”

On a separate thread, someone else declared: “I thought it was fantastic, one of the best spy thrillers I’ve ever seen. I chase the high of that show sometimes from other things, but nothing ever quite scratches the itch.”

A third gushed: “It’s a classic. My first exposure to Florence Pugh and loved her moments in just as she’s sassing Skarsgård. All episodes enraptured me to the very end. Excellent acting from everyone, excellent story, plot, masterful directing. Definitely would rewatch again. Recommended to anyone who enjoys political thrillers, espionage and/or spy fiction.”

Meanwhile, a fourth shared: “I watched the show first because I am a huge Park Chan-Wook fan and that is actually how I discovered Le Carré. I absolutely loved it. I thought the performances, cinematography and direction were phenomenal.

“Funnily enough, I haven’t actually read the book yet. When I tried to, I only read a few pages and put it down. Wasn’t in the right headspace for it, and was afraid I might dislike it.”

Other viewers have hailed the series as “magnificent”, calling it essential viewing. The stellar cast has also received widespread acclaim.

What’s the storyline?

For those unfamiliar, The Little Drummer Girl is a British spy thriller series adapted from John le Carré’s 1983 novel of the same title. The initial six-part series premiered on BBC One in 2018 and remains popular with audiences, still streaming on iPlayer.

The narrative unfolds in 1979, following a young English actress who gets recruited by Mossad. Her mission involves going undercover to infiltrate and dismantle a Palestinian organisation planning terrorist attacks across London and elsewhere in Europe.

The series features an exceptional cast, with stars such as Michael Shannon, Alexander Skarsgård and Florence Pugh all earning acclaim from viewers for their performances.

In certain cases, audiences have gone so far as to suggest the adaptation surpasses the original novel – remarkable praise by any measure. One viewer commented: “The book is a bit too long and meandering in parts, but the TV series definitely is worth watching.”

Another added: “Thought it was more engaging than Night Manager.”

Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek says tennis did not need the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka as the women’s game “stands on its own”.

Women’s number one Sabalenka and male player Kyrgios faced off in a highly publicised exhibition in Dubai a week ago.

Kyrgios won the match – played on a modified court designed to provide a level playing field – in straight sets.

But Swiatek says tennis has come a long way since the original ‘Battle of the Sexes’ between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973 which highlighted the women’s game fighting for legitimacy and prize money.

“I haven’t watched [Sabalenka v Kyrgios] because I don’t watch stuff like that,” the world number two said.

“I think for sure it attracted a lot of attention. It was entertainment, but I wouldn’t say that had anything to do with social change or any important topics.

“I think the name was just the same as the one from the Billie Jean King match in ’73. That’s it. There were no more similarities because I feel like women’s tennis stands on its own right now.

“We have so many great athletes and great stories to present, we don’t necessarily need to compare to men’s tennis.

“Honestly, there doesn’t need to be any competition.”

Swiatek said the mixed-team United Cup – which got under way in Australia on Friday – is a better way to celebrate men’s and women’s tennis.

Ties at the United Cup comprise of one men’s and one women’s singles match and a mixed doubles.

“Events like this one, United Cup, brings tennis together, and WTA fans and ATP fans can watch this event with so much excitement,” she said.

“Seeing also singles players that usually don’t have space to play mixed doubles together, playing these kind of matches, I think this is actually what makes our sport much more interesting and better.”

Emma Raducanu and Billy Harris are representing Great Britain at the tournament and play their first game against Japan in Perth on Sunday.