A SNOW-capped mountain towers behind an ancient clock tower, its frosty peak protruding a whopping 36-metres into a cloudy sky.

At its foot, a wooden-rimmed postbox is waiting to receive a bundle of postcards, Arendelle’s first ever mail, while a magnificent snowflake-shaped fountain sparkles in the centre of the street.

No detail has been spared on ensuring Disneyland Paris’ new World of Frozen is its most magical venture yet.

I was taking an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the much-hyped area of the theme park, scheduled to open on March 29 next year with a bundle of new rides and activities based entirely on the animation blockbuster.

Visitor postcards sent home from the fictional kingdom of Arendelle, over which Frozen characters Elsa and Ana rule, are just one small part of what makes this land so special.

The clock tower, complete with mini Ana and Elsa figurines, sparks into song every 15 minutes and flickering lanterns dangle from pastel-coloured buildings.

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Classic cuddly toys have been scrapped and in their place sits Rúna, an animatronic teddy-sized troll doll that interacts with its owner.

Only available to buy at World of Frozen’s themed shop, for a rather hefty 70 euros, this doll communicates not just with its owner, but the park too.

As kids carry their Rúna doll towards certain trigger points, he’ll vibrate with excitement or gossip enthusiastically about the ride he’s approaching – something that hasn’t been seen at any Disney park before.

I’d like to know what Rúna thinks about the food at the kingdom’s local boozer, Nordic Crowns Tavern, where dishes have been inspired by the flavours of Norway.

It’s certainly not your typical Disney fare – think fermented goods, smoked fish and light cakes shaped into an icy snowflake, in fitting with the Frozen theme.

But that’s just the pub. There’ll be a whopping 13 other dining venues in Arendelle alone, including food stalls serving sticky cinnamon rolls and the grand Regal View, World of Frozen’s character-dining venue.

This spot is impressive enough without the meet-and-greets. Disney Princesses have been painted into fresco-like murals across the walls and curved chandeliers dangle from the ceiling.

Parents haven’t been forgotten about either. How does a flight of kir royales sound?

Knock them back to keep you going until the nightly fireworks displays.

These are the pinnacle of any Disney trip and the fiesta here promises to be spectacular.

Technological enhancements have been made to a team of drones, which can withstand most weathers as they flash to the beat of the music, morphing into characters in the sky and concluding with an explosive fireworks finale.

You won’t need to panic about securing a decent spot, either, like many do for the displays at the main park, with the show taking place above the circular lake, offering 360-degree views.

And of course, no trip to Arandelle would be complete without a visit to the kingdom’s impeccably dressed Elsa and Ana.

And the duo won’t just appear on the street; they will dramatically sail across the lake via a huge wooden vessel, preparing to greet their fans at the “Royal Encounter” in the castle.

A lifesized and hyper-realistic Olaf will make an appearance, too. But unlike every other character at Disneyland Paris, Frozen’s star snowman has been built using clever robotics that allow the character to talk and even waddle away on his stumpy snow feet.

And what about the rides? The highlight will most definitely be the lands boat ride, Frozen Ever After, which will carry riders through the snowy forest towards the Valley of the Trolls and Elsa’s sparkling Ice Palace.

Animatronics promise to bring scenes to life as riders approach Arendelle Bay which will be showered in snowflake-shaped fireworks.

It’s not all about Elsa and Ana, though. Rapunzel has left her mark on the Raiponce Tangled Spin ride.

This is a reinvention of the classic teacups where a series of wooden boats twirl underneath a ceiling of swaying pastel lanterns.

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It was the postbox that stuck out for me, though.

What could be more special than returning home to a self-written letter, delivered straight to your door all the way from Arendelle?

Disneyland Paris has officially confirmed the opening date for its World of Frozen land in 2026 – and we got a sneak peek into the land where guests can meet Anna, Elsa, Olaf and more

Disneyland Paris has finally confirmed an opening date for its highly-anticipated World of Frozen land – and we’ve got an exclusive first look inside the Arendelle kingdom.

From March 29, 2026 , Disney fans will be able to explore the home of Anna and Elsa with a host of experiences including a brand new ride, character meet and greets, new shows and exclusive food and drink.

I was lucky enough to be one of the first to get a sneak peek at the new Frozen land in the Walt Disney Studios Park (which will rebrand as Disney Adventure World when the Frozen land also opens). From the moment you arrive, it’s clear that Frozen fans aren’t going to be disappointed.

As you walk up to the area, you can see a huge snowy mountain with Elsa’s ice palace visible in the distance, Nordic inspired buildings that look like the stuff of Instagram dreams, and pretty fountains with icicles because – well, it’s Frozen. I also spotted some Mickey-shaped detailing for those who like to search for hidden Mickeys in the park!

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As for the character meet and greets? There is a brand new little Olaf animatronic who you’ll be able to spot with the princesses; he’s absolutely adorable and kids are no doubt going to love him. It’s very impressive technology; he waddles around, talks and waves, and had everyone awwing and cheering as he wandered about, joined by Anna and Elsa. The Olaf animatronic is a first-of-its-kind in the world, and really brings the character to life especially when he interacts with the princesses.

If you want to meet the princesses, you’ll need to book a slot at the Arendelle castle – the perk being that you then can enjoy the rest of the park rather than waiting around for hours. The good news is that it won’t be the only character interaction available throughout the land. There’ll be chances to meet Oaken (‘Yoohoo, big summer blowout’), some of the adorable baby trolls, and villagers ready to share some quirky stories about life in Arendelle.

There will be a show occurring multiple times a day within the bay in the Frozen village including a float of boats led by Kristoff and Olaf, with a chance to spot the princesses as they wave to their guests from their own gorgeous boat. The 15-minute colourful show will include a chance for the audience to sing along with characters too, including iconic songs like ‘Let It Go’ or ‘Show Yourself’.

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Foodies, you won’t want to miss the abundance of snacks; at the Nordic Crowns Tavern you can create your own bowl for lunch/dinner including a base, protein, veg and sauce. Apparently, chefs went through 30 different types of mashed potato before they settled on the one that’s used in the restaurant. The restaurant will also include vegan and gluten-free options.

For those who fancy a tipple, The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge is the place to be. It’s so pretty with murals inspired by the princesses – and yes, you can book Character Dining to meet the princesses at the restaurant. The vibe is gorgeous florals, dark green furniture and heaps of nods to all of the princesses, not just Elsa and Anna. Meanwhile the lounge bar – a first for these parks – felt quite fancy for a theme park, especially with the impressive range of Kir Royale and Champagne cocktails on offer.

We didn’t get a sneak peek at the new ‘Frozen Ever After’ ride (it’s still under construction!), but it will involve a gentle boat ride taking families from a snowy forest to the Valley of the Trolls, through Elsa’s dazzling Ice Palace, before ending in Arendelle Bay lit by snowflake-shaped fireworks.

As for that all-important merchandise, one highlight has to be the adorable Rúna troll, at the Fjord View Shop. This little toy is a bit like a Furby, in that it interacts with you. The Runa can talk, it can be ‘put to sleep’ with rocking, and if you have more than one, it interacts with other toys. However, one of the coolest features is that if you carry it around the Frozen land, it will interact with specific ‘trigger points’ in the land, for example by fountains or certain buildings.

Anyone who buys one will be given a map to show you the areas where you can find these interactions, although you won’t be given the specific locations as part of the fun! These dolls will cost €70 each which didn’t feel wildly overpriced considering how much you can get out of the toy if you buy it before going around the land.

Frozen won’t be the only exciting attraction at Disney Adventure World. The theme park already boasts Marvel and Pixar inspired lands, and is set to undergo another expansion with a Lion King land over the next few years.

As you walk towards World of Frozen, you’ll get to enjoy two new adorable attractions; one swing-style carousel inspired by Up, and a teacups-esque ride inspired by Tangled.

Disney fans will also get to see a new nighttime show above the large Adventure World lake that offers a central point leading out to the lands; we got a sneak peek and it involves drones, pyrotechnics, fountains and some very impressive special effects, including nods to beloved films like Moana.

You can find out more on disneylandparis.com

Nov. 24 (UPI) — The Chilean city of Valparaíso has the fastest fixed broadband Internet in the world, according to the Speedtest Global Index, which ranks average connection speeds based on user tests.

The port city leads the latest ranking with an average download speed of 398.21 megabits per second, surpassing major cities such as Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, which placed second with 376 Mbps and Lyon, France, which ranked third.

In the United States, Los Angeles is the first city to appear in the ranking, in 11th place, followed by New York in 12th.

Valparaíso ranked ahead of Chile’s capital, Santiago, because it sits in a strategic location for technology companies that use the city as a hub for developing fiber-optic infrastructure for Chile, South America and connections to Oceania.

“Valparaíso is the landing point for submarine cables such as Google’s Curie, América Móvil’s Mistral and SAC, which add capacity and redundancy to the connectivity ecosystem, while Google’s Humboldt transpacific cable with the Chilean government is set to land in Valparaíso in 2027,” Danilo Bórquez, who holds a doctorate in complex systems engineering and is a professor at the Adolfo Ibáñez University’s engineering school, told UPI.

He added that residents of Valparaíso have faster and more stable Wi-Fi.

“With more than 300 Mbps you can have several users online at the same time. Video calls run smoothly and game or photo downloads and backups are much faster. You can also hold classes or use educational platforms without interruptions, with materials downloading in seconds or minutes,” Bórquez said.

At the national level, fiber-optic adoption is high. “In Chile, it accounts for about 70% of fixed connections, which drives the typical speeds measured by Speedtest. There are companies that can migrate or extend fiber to another 4.3 million households in Chile, which increases the base of users with high-speed plans.”

Marco Aravena, director of Modernization and Digital Transformation and a computer engineering professor at the University of Valparaíso, told UPI that service providers come to the city to expand fiber-optic Internet access.

“In Valparaíso you have Las Torpederas beach, where one of the submarine cables that brings fiber-optic connections from other parts of the world comes ashore. We are one of the technology hubs through which internet arrives in Chile. It’s not that users connect directly to that fiber, but they have more direct access to it,” he said.

Experts say these factors make Valparaíso attractive for people who want to work in hybrid or remote roles.

“Valparaíso is becoming a hub that allows people to come live and work here because of its strong connectivity. It also attracts students because there are many universities in the city,” Aravena said.

However, the city has significant investment in technology and networks but little investment in infrastructure or economic development.

According to the latest 2024 Urban Quality of Life Index from the Catholic University, Valparaíso scored medium-high in connectivity and mobility, but low in housing and surroundings and medium-low in health and the environment.

The federal government seeks to develop tailored artificial intelligence (AI) solutions and drive significant cost savings by leveraging AWS’s dedicated capacity.

Amazon is set to invest up to $50bn to expand artificial intelligence (AI) and supercomputing capacity for United States government customers, in one of the largest cloud infrastructure commitments targeted at the public sector.

The e-commerce giant announced the investment on Monday.

The project, expected to break ground in 2026, will add nearly 1.3 gigawatts of new AI and high-performance computing capacity across AWS Top Secret, AWS Secret and AWS GovCloud regions through new data centres equipped with advanced computing and networking systems.

One gigawatt of computing power is roughly enough to power about 750,000 US households on average.

“This investment removes the technology barriers that have held the government back”, Amazon Web Services (AWS) CEO Matt Garman said.

AWS is already a major cloud provider to the US government, serving more than 11,000 government agencies.

Amazon’s initiative aims to provide federal agencies with enhanced access to a comprehensive suite of AWS AI services. These include Amazon SageMaker for model training and customisation, Amazon Bedrock for deploying AI models and agents and foundational models such as Amazon Nova and Anthropic Claude.

The federal government seeks to develop tailored AI solutions and drive significant cost savings by leveraging AWS’s dedicated and expanded capacity.

The push also comes as the US, along with other countries such as China, intensifies efforts to advance AI development and secure leadership in the emerging technology.

Tech companies, including OpenAI, Alphabet and Microsoft, are pouring billions of dollars into building out AI infrastructure, boosting demand for computing power required to support the services.

On Wall Street, Amazon’s stock was up 1.7 percent in midday trading.

Other tech stocks surged amid the recent investments. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, closed in on a $4 trillion valuation on Monday and was set to become only the fourth company to enter the exclusive club. Its stock was up 4.7 percent.

Last week, Nvidia announced expectations of higher fourth-quarter revenue — a month after the tech giant announced a partnership to build supercomputers for the US Department of Energy — a deal that sent the company’s valuation topping $5 trillion.

Nvidia stock was up by 1.8 percent in midday trading.

Malcolm Fairley was at the heart of one of Britain’s largest manhunts in 1984, earning the nickname The Fox.

Malcolm Fairley was the man at the centre of one of Britain’s biggest manhunts but where is he now?

Manhunt: Chasing The Fox is now available to stream on Netflix after the two-part true crime docu-series was released on Sunday, November 23.

Back in 1984, Michael Fairley was a sex predator and burglar who earned the nickname “The Fox” as he lurked inside his victims’ homes, creating makeshift “dens” from blankets and furniture.

He would consume their food, watch their telly and rummage through their belongings while Fairley patiently awaited his victims’ return, often armed with a shotgun.

Six months passed with The Fox still at large and, by the time he was apprehended for crimes including rape and indecent assault in September 1984, he had racked up 81 offences.

Where is Malcolm Fairley now?

Malcolm Fairley was handed six life sentences at St Albans Crown Court in February 1985 for sexual offences, burglaries and possession of a firearm during his crime wave across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.

Forty-two years post his conviction, Fairley passed away in May 2024, aged 71, at HMP Hull, where he was discovered alone on his prison cell floor.

An inquest concluded that he had died of natural causes, specifically a heart attack.

Fairley had a history of heart issues and was diagnosed with angina in 2019 and was on regular medication.

Fairley was actually up for parole consideration in October 2023 but his application was turned down by the parole board.

As reported by the St Albans and Harpenden Review, during Fairley’s conviction, judge Justice Caulfield told him: “There are degrees of wickedness beyond condemnatory description.

“Your crimes fall within this category. You desecrated and defiled men and women in their own homes… You are a decadent advertisement for evil pornographers.”

Manhunt: Chasing The Fox can be streamed on Netflix.

Hi, and welcome to another edition of Prep Rally. My name is Eric Sondheimer. It’s championship week in high school football. It’s also the 10-year anniversary of one of best and most entertaining high school basketball teams in history — the unbeaten 2015-16 Chino Hills Huskies, led by the Ball brothers

Looking back at greatness

LiAngelo Ball, center, is flanked by his brothers Lonzo, second from left, and LaMelo in 2016.

(Los Angeles Times)

High school basketball fans, sportswriters and coaches had the time of their lives watching the creation of Chino Hills’ 35-0 team from 2015, with brothers Lonzo, LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball in starring roles. They helped entertain and draw so many Oohs and Aahs that they became nationally recognized, along with their always talkative father, LaVar.

The tales of showing up with a lawn chair two hours before a game to make sure you got a seat before the gym sold out are legendary. The talent and chemistry of the Balls, along with Onyeka Okongwu and Eli Scott, was something to behold all the way to Chino Hills winning the state championship in March of 2016 in Sacramento.

Here’s a look back from a sportswriter’s perspective and that of the head coach, Steve Baik.

Keawe Browne (2) celebrates after a blocked Mater Dei field-goal attempt gives Corona Centennial 28-27 win.

(Craig Weston)

Who had Santa Margarita facing Corona Centennial in Friday’s Southern Section Division 1 final at the Rose Bowl? Both teams earned the spot, the first time St. John Bosco or Mater Dei have failed to participate in the championship game since 2012.

Here’s how Centennial beat Mater Dei 28-27 in the semifinals with a blocked field goal at the end of the game.

Santa Margarita took care of business in the other semifinal to defeat Orange Lutheran. The Eagles are surging because of their terrific defense and the threat Trent Mosley offers any time he touches the ball. Here’s the report.

Here’s a look at how Santa Margarita and Centennial cracked the code to create a new championship game.

In Division 2, two league rivals, Los Alamitos and San Clemente, will play for a second time this season on Saturday night at San Clemente.

Here’s this weekend’s championship schedule.

Here’s a look at the top individual performances from last week.

Crenshaw pulled off the win that few expected when the City Section season began last August. The Cougars handed Birmingham its first defeat after 55 consecutive wins over City opponents 12-7 in the City Open Division semifinals. What a coaching job by interim coach Terrence Whitehead. His team will face Carson for the City title on Saturday at L.A. Southwest College. Here’s a look at Crenshaw’s journey this season.

Carson first-year coach William Lowe has his team trying for a 12th City title.

(Nick Koza)

Carson is playing like a No. 1 seed after dominating Garfield in the semifinals. With quarterback Chris Fields’ ability to run or pass, the Colts will have an advantage against a Crenshaw team that hasn’t faced many teams with balanced offenses.

South Gate quarterback Michael Gonzalez tries to console William Smith of Dorsey in an act of sportsmanship after South Gate win.

(Nick Koza)

In Division I, South Gate will take on Marquez on Saturday. South Gate defeated Dorsey in its semifinal and Marquez toppled top-seeded Venice. Here’s a look at South Gate players showing sportsmanship after their game. Dorsey had to play on Monday after playoff game against Eagle Rock had a power blackout. Here’s a look at the Dons’ win.

In Division II, Cleveland rallied for a win over Fairfax and will face San Fernando. Here’s a report. In Division III, Hawkins will play Santee.

Basketball

Brandon McCoy of Sierra Canyon had nine dunks and 25 points in win over JSerra.

(Craig Weston)

The Trinity-Mission League Challenge at Pauley Pavilion produced lots of dunks and competitive games. The best game ended up being the last, with St. John Bosco beating Harvard-Westlake 57-55. Santa Margarita rallied for a 77-73 win over Sherman Oaks Notre Dame behind 28 points from Brayden Kyman. Brandon McCoy had nine dunks in his Sierra Canyon debut, a win over JSerra.

Here’s a look at the games and top performances.

Here’s this week’s top 25 rankings by The Times.

In girls basketball, defending Southern Section Open Division champion Ontarior Christian started with two wins and Kaleena Smith scoring 45 and 35 points.

Redondo Union is hosting a tournament beginning Monday that includes Etiwanda.

Harvard-Westlake unveiled freshman Lucia Khamenia, the sister of Nikolas. Here’s a report.

Legacy of the Kymans

Brayden Kyman of Santa Margarita.

(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)

The Kymans have been a sports family for years. Bernie Kyman was a coach and athletic direct. Son Coley starred in football and volleyball at Reseda and Cal State Northridge. His son Jake won a CIF title at Santa Margarita before playing for UCLA basketball.

Now Brayden is a senior basketball player at Santa Margarita. The family is moving to Montana after this season. A look at the impact and legacy of the Kymans.

Girls tennis

The Calabasas High girls tennis team won the Southern Section Division 2 championship.

(Courtesy Calabasas High)

Corona del Mar completed an unbeaten Southern Section girls tennis season with a victory over Portola in the Division 1 championship match. Here’s a report.

Calabasas defeated Harvard-Westlake for the Division 2 title. Here’s a report.

Alexa Guerrero holds the championship plaque as she and her Marshall teammates celebrate their City Section Open Division flag football championship win over Eagle Rock.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

Marshall has climbed to the top in City Section flag football with a 20-0 win over Eagle Rock in the Open Division final.

Here’s a look at the newest City champions.

Cross country

Irvine senior Summer Wilson won the Southern Section Division 2 cross-country title.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

On the rain course at Mount San Antonio College, Summer Wilson ran away with the Division 2 championship at the Southern Section cross-country championships. Here’s the report.

The City championships were held at Elysian Park, and Palisades won boys and girls titles. Here’s the report.

The state championships will be held Saturday at Woodward Park in Fresno.

Girls volleyball

Mater Dei, Harvard-Westlake and Cypress won state championships in girls volleyball.

Here’s the report.

Notes . . .

Justin Utupo is out after one season as football coach at Long Beach Poly. The Jackrabbits (5-5) lost six players to ineligibility by the Southern Section and the school administration refused to allow the team to participate in the playoffs. The program has won 20 Southern Section football championships but last won a Division 1 title in 2012 under Raul Lara. Here’s the report. . . .

Aaron Huerta has resigned after one season as football coach at Bishop Alemany. . ..

The CIF state championship football games will be played Dec. 11-12 at Buena Park High, Fullerton High and Saddleback College. . . .

Bo Beatty, the co-head football coach at Bonita, has resigned to return to Azusa Pacific where he was a long-time assistant coach. Steve Bogan is the co-head coach. . . .

Defensive lineman James Moffat of Crespi has committed to UCLA. . . .

Santa Margarita won its third state title in girls golf at Poppy Hills Golf Course. . . .

It was the year of Newport Harbor in boys water polo. The team lost one match all season and avenged its only defeat with a win over Cathedral Catholic in the regional final. . . .

Kacey Norwood has been named interim girls’ lacrosse coach at St. Margaret’s. . . .

JD Hill, a defensive lineman at Mission Viejo, has committed to Washington. . . .

Cooper Javorsky, a lineman from San Juan Hills who decommitted as a UCLA recruit after the firing of DeShaun Foster, has recommitted to the Bruins. . . .

Here’s a report and update on former San Juan Hills linebacker Weston Port and his Mormon mission in Spain. . . .

From the archives: Carson Schwesinger

Former Oaks Christian and UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger.

(Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

Former Oaks Christian and UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger is having a successful rookie season for the Cleveland Browns. After being selected No. 33 overall in the NFL draft, he’s been starting and earning rave reviews.

He went to UCLA as a walk-on and became a star.

Here’s a story from 2021 on Schwesinger walking on at UCLA.

Recommendations

From the Washington Post, a story on a high school football lineman who didn’t know how to put on pads three years ago and became an Oregon recruit.

From the San Diego Union-Tribune, a look at the top high school basketball teams in San Diego.

From NFHS.org, a story of sportsmanship across the country in high school sports.

From the Las Vegas Review Journal, a story on changes in Nevada’s football playoff system that will allow Bishop Gorman only one nonleague game starting in 2026.

Tweets you might have missed

Until next time….

Have a question, comment or something you’d like to see in a future Prep Rally newsletter? Email me at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com, and follow me on Twitter at @latsondheimer.

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An Israeli air strike on Beirut has killed Haytham Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah’s chief of staff.

Tabatabai was the highest-level Hezbollah official targeted by Israel since a ceasefire came into force a year ago between the armed group and Israel’s military.

There have been frequent Israeli breaches of the agreement, but observers say the latest attack is a major escalation.

So why is this strike coming now – and what are the implications?

Presenter:

Imran Khan

Guests:

Joe Macaron – Geopolitical analyst specialising in US strategy in the Middle East

Nadim Houry – Executive director of the Arab Reform Initiative

Alon Pinkas – Former Israeli ambassador and consul general of Israel in New York

European allies of Ukraine have given a cautious welcome to efforts to refine a United States peace proposal initially criticised for appearing to be weighted in favour of Russia’s maximalist demands.

The leaders Germany, Finland, Poland and the United Kingdom were among those agreeing on Monday that progress had been made in the previous day’s talks between Washington and Kyiv in Geneva that yielded what the US and Ukraine called a “refined peace framework”.

Still, the European leaders stressed work remained to be done.

“It was possible to clear up some questions, but we also know that there won’t be peace in Ukraine overnight,” said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, adding that the peace plan initially drafted by the US had been “modified in significant parts”.

He welcomed the “interim result”.

“The next step must be that Russia must come to the table,” he said from Angola, where he was attending a summit between African and European Union countries. “This is a laborious process. It will move forward at most in smaller steps this week. I do not expect there to be a breakthrough this week.”

US President Donald Trump had blindsided Kyiv and its European countries last week with a 28-point peace plan criticised by some as a Russian wish list that called for Ukraine to cede more territory, accept limits on its military and abandon its ambitions to join NATO.

Britain, France and Germany responded by drawing up a counter-proposal that would cease fighting at present front lines, leaving discussions of territory for later, and include a NATO-style US security guarantee for Ukraine, according to a draft seen by Reuters news agency.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that Ukraine’s allies in the “coalition of the willing” – a broad term for about 30 countries supporting Kyiv – will hold talks about the negotiations on Tuesday by video.

The German Foreign Office said that chief diplomats of Germany, Finland, France, the UK, Italy and Poland consulted Monday with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha on further steps toward ending the war.

Also attending the summit in Angola, European Council President Antonio Costa said there was “new momentum” in negotiations.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union would “engage further tomorrow with our partners from the coalition of the willing”.

‘Big progress’

On Monday, Trump indicated Sunday’s talks had gone well.

“Is it really possible that big progress is being made in Peace Talks between Russia and Ukraine??? Don’t believe it until you see it, but something good just may be happening,” the US President wrote on Truth Social.

Trump had given Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is under the doubled pressure of Russia’s continued advance on the front line and a corruption scandal that has tainted his administration, until Thursday to agree to a framework to end the war. He also accused Zelenskyy of showing “zero gratitude” for peace efforts.

Zelenskyy said on X on Monday that he was expecting a full report that evening on the Geneva talks.

“To achieve real peace, more, more is needed. Of course, we all continue working with partners, especially the United States, and look for compromises that strengthen but not weaken us,” he said.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also said on Monday that negotiations were a “delicate matter” since “no one wants to discourage Americans and President Trump from having the United States on our side in this process”.

The Kremlin said it had not been informed of the results of the Geneva talks, but that it was aware that “adjustments” were made to the US proposal.

In a call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin repeated his view that the initial US plan could “serve as a basis for a final peace settlement”.

During the call, Erdogan said Turkiye was ready to support efforts to bring Russia and Ukraine together, including helping to facilitate direct talks between the two.

However, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said the European plan appeared “entirely unconstructive and unsuitable for us”, according to a report in the Russian state-run TASS news agency.

Reporting from Moscow, Al Jazeera’s Yulia Shapovalova said Russia was unlikely to accept the European revisions.

“If all Russian conditions and interests are not taken into account, Russia is ready to continue fighting because, according to Vladimir Putin, Russia is pretty successful on the battlefield and it wants to achieve its goals,” she said.

In comments made by video to a meeting at the Swedish Parliament, Zelenskyy had indicated that territory would still be a key sticking point, accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of seeking “legal recognition for what he has stolen”.

Grim reality

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has decimated the east of the country, forcing millions to flee their homes, ravaging towns and cities, and killing tens of thousands in Europe’s worst conflict since World War II.

On Monday, the war continued to grind on, with Russian forces keeping up their deadly and devastating strikes on civilian areas while making battlefield advances in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhia region.

Russian drones hit residential areas of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city overnight, killing four people and wounding 13, including two children, authorities said.

On Monday, Russian forces struck the city of Pavlohrad in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region with drones, wounding three people and damaging industrial facilities, according to regional authorities.

That morning, Russian shelling killed a 61-year-old woman in Kherson, according to the military administration of the city in southern Ukraine.

Across the border, Russian air defences downed Ukrainian drones en route to Moscow, forcing three airports serving the capital to pause flights.

A reported Ukrainian drone strike on Sunday knocked power out for thousands of residents near Moscow, a rare reversal of Russian attacks on energy targets that regularly cause power blackouts for millions of Ukrainians.

NICOLE SCHERZINGER has revealed an audience member fell ASLEEP during one of her Disney gigs.

The ex-Pussycat Dolls star, 47, had a hilarious response to the seemingly knackered attendee, whose mid-show nap has gone viral after a clip was shared on social media.

Nicole made light of the seemingly heavy sleeper during her Walt Disney Concert Hall debut in Los Angeles on Thursday last week, where he was filmed wide mouthed as she performed.

The footage, which shows the audience member enjoying a snooze as Nicole’s belting vocals echoed around the venue, was widely shared on Tiktok.

She then jokingly re-posted the footage on her Instagram account, where she captioned it: “Lullaby album pending”.

Her post has already received over 18,000 likes on the platform.

‘I’M A PUSSYCAT’

Nicole Scherzinger breaks silence on ‘diva’ claims & opens up on wedding

SHOCKZ AND SCHERZ

Inside Nicole Scherzinger’s stunning Albert Hall show with rude jokes

British singer Natasha Bedingfield chimed in on the action in the comments section, as she wrote: “I would definitely play that every night”.

While other pals and followers also left equally hilarious responses.

One wrote: “The performance of his dreams”.

While another added: “Bless him. He looks so relaxed bet he woke up for Don’t Cha”.

It comes as the star took the Royal Albert Hall by storm with a one woman show last month.

The performance, on October 6, received a stellar review from The Sun Bizarre’s Jack Hardwick, though she reportedly faced ‘diva’ allegations backstage, according to MailOnline.

She kicked off the evening by making a rude joke about hooking up with her fiancé, former rugby ace Thom Evans.

Dressed in a stunning tight black dress covered in a silver spiderweb pattern, Nicole told the crowd: “I want you to know that this little girl, this little ­Hawaiian, Filipina, Spanish, Chinese, ­Polish and Irish — that’s right, two per cent Irish, that counts — has come a long, long way.”

Smirking, she added: “I also have English in me. His name is Thom. That’s him over there.”

Lusting after her fiance may have left Nicole slightly confused, though. He’s actually Scottish.

The singer met Thom as she worked on The X Factor: Celebrity back in 2019.

The couple then went public with their relationship in 2020, as they made their red carpet debut.

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Nicole and Thom have been together for four years, and plan to get married following the former rugby ace’s beach proposal in 2023.

The pair seem loved up as ever. and regularly post cute snaps and work out clips together.

Published on
24/11/2025 – 18:20 GMT+1

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that Washington can reduce duties on EU steel and aluminium but only if the Europeans agree to ease the implementation of digital rules following a meeting in Brussels on Monday.

Lutnick, who is a close ally of President Donald Trump and negotiated on his behalf a trade deal with the EU over the summer introducing 15% tariffs, said that European should reassess the way they implement their flagship policies on digital regulation if they want further tariff relief. Lutnick did not call to remove the rules but did say the way in which they are applied should be “more balanced” for American tech companies.

Brussels is desperately seeking to obtain a reduction of the 50% tariffs that the Trump administration imposed on European aluminium and steel in June under pressure from the industry.

The US does want the EU “to put these rules away, but find the balanced approach that works for us,” he told reporters in Brussels. “Then we will, together with them, handle the steel and aluminium issues.”

“The enforcement is quite aggressive at times”

Lutnick and US trade representative Jamieson Greer were in Brussels meeting with EU27 trade ministers and Commission boss Maroš Šefčovič for a working lunch.

The implementation of the trade deal signed over summer was at the center of the discussion, which was “open and direct,” according to an EU diplomat.

The EU and the US clinched a trade deal in July in which the US tripled tariffs on EU while Europeans agreed to cut tariffs for most US industrial goods at 0%. US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium remain stuck at a much higher rate of 50% despite the deal.

Lutnick and Greer also met EU Tech Commissioner Henna Virkkunen who stressed in a statement the importance of the Digital Market Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA), the two landmark digital regulations applied in the EU. The comments suggest the Commission is not ready to water them further for the time being.

To counter the US offensive on its digital legislation, EU Trade Commissioner Šefčovič said that the EU is working hard to explain its legislation to the US and stressed that there no discriminatory practices applied to US companies. The rules, he argued, are the same for everyone operating in the EU single market regardless of their origin.

Still, the US insists that is not the case and American Big Tech is being punished.

“The enforcement is quite aggressive at times,” Greer said about EU tech rules, adding that the US government wants to make sure their companies do not see their global revenues “affected” by foreign rules. In his comments, Greer’s tone was severe.

Brussels recently launched investigations against Amazon and Microsoft under the DMA which prevents big platforms from abusing their dominance in the tech market. It also hit Google with a €2.95 billion over antitrust rules despite the threats from the US.

COLUMBUS, Ga. — It’s the longest walk in Georgia politics — the 600 steps from the mayor’s office in Atlanta’s towering City Hall to the governor’s office in the gold-domed state Capitol.

No Atlanta mayor has ever made the journey to the state’s top office, but Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms is undeterred.

“I’m going to be the first because I am working to earn people’s votes across the state,” she said after a campaign appearance in Columbus last week. “So just because it hasn’t happened doesn’t mean that it can’t happen.”

The former mayor must initially overcome six others in a Democratic primary in May. If she pushes through that thicket, Republicans lie in wait to attack Bottoms on how she managed crime, disorder and the COVID pandemic as mayor before jolting Atlanta politicos by not seeking reelection.

“She is the easiest to run against,” said Republican strategist Brian Robinson, who calls Bottoms “unelectable.”

While Georgia Democrats are elated after two unknowns won landslide victories over Republican incumbents in statewide elections to the Public Service Commission on Nov. 4, they need a nominee who can reach independents and even some Republicans for the party to win its first Georgia governor’s race since 1998.

Democrats hoped Joe Biden winning the state’s electoral votes for president in 2020 marked a lasting breakthrough. But Republican Gov. Brian Kemp handily defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams in their 2022 rematch despite Abrams outspending Kemp. And 2024 saw Donald Trump substantially boost Republican turnout in his Georgia victory over Democrat Kamala Harris.

Early advantages

For some Bottoms supporters, the primary is a process of elimination in a field highlighting many of the fissures Democrats face nationally, including suburban-versus-urban, progressive-versus-centrist and fresh faces-versus-old warhorses.

Former state Sen. Jason Esteves is backed by some party insiders but is unknown statewide. Former state labor commissioner and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has vast experience but is 72 years old and has historically been a weak fundraiser. Former Republican lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan’s party switch has drawn curiosity, but apologies for past GOP positions may not be enough for lifelong Democrats. State Rep. Ruwa Romman promises Zohran Mamdani-style progressivism, but may face an uphill battle among moderate Democrats. And state Rep. Derrick Jackson boasts a military record but finished sixth in the 2022 Democratic primary for lieutenant governor.

Bottoms starts with advantages. She’s the best-known of the Democrats running. She’s got executive experience. Being considered by Biden as a possible vice presidential nominee and then joining his administration gave her national fundraising connections. Additionally, Bottoms is the only Black woman in the Democratic field in a state where Black women are the backbone of the party. In 2022, for 10 statewide offices, Georgia Democrats nominated five Black women.

Sheana Browning, who attended the Columbus event, said she liked Bottoms’ promise of pay raises for Browning and fellow state employees. Like 70% of the roughly 125 attendees, Browning is a Black woman. She cited Bottoms’ “previous mayoral status and the fact that she’s a Black woman” as key reasons to vote for her.

But other Democrats bet Bottoms’ early support is soft. A Biden connection could leave many voters cold. And no Black woman has ever been elected governor of any state.

Reminding voters who she is

For Bottoms’ part, she’s seeking to reintroduce herself. She’s reminding voters that her father, a ‘60s soul crooner, went to prison for dealing cocaine and that her mother enrolled in cosmetology school at night to support the family. She’s also burnishing her mayoral record. She rattled off a string of accomplishments in questions with reporters in Columbus — building city reserves to $180 million, avoiding property tax increases, giving raises to police and firefighters, creating or preserving 7,000 affordable housing units.

“That sounds pretty successful to me,” Bottoms said.

Bottoms also touts an affordability message, saying she will exempt teachers from state income taxes and do more to create reasonably priced housing, including “cracking down” on companies that rent tens of thousands of single family homes in Georgia.

“I think can really put a dent into this affordability issue that we’re having,” Bottoms said.

A long shadow from 2020

But her mayoral record also poses problems, centering on the challenging summer of 2020. The high point of Bottoms’ political career may have come on May 30, 2020, when she spoke emotionally against violence and disorder in Black Lives Matter protests, upbraiding people who vandalized buildings, looted stores and burned a police car.

“We are better than this! We are better than this as a city, we are better than this as a country!” Bottoms said in a speech that raised her profile as a possible vice presidential pick for Biden. “Go home! Go home!”

But the low point followed weeks later on July 4, when an 8-year-old girl riding in an SUV was shot and killed by armed men occupying makeshift barricades near a Wendy’s burned by demonstrators after police fatally shot a Black man in the parking lot. A “blue flu” of officers called in sick after prosecutors criminally charged two officers in that shooting of Rayshard Brooks. Bottoms said she gave a City Council member more time to negotiate with protesters to leave without police intervention.

“She took the side of the mob over the Atlanta police over and over again,” is how Robinson puts it.

The reelection that never happened

In May 2021, Bottoms became the first Atlanta mayor since World War II not to seek a second term. She later served for a year as Biden’s senior adviser for public engagement, then joined his reelection campaign.

Esteves has been sharpening attacks, telling WXIA-TV that Bottoms is “a former mayor who abandoned the city at a time of crisis, and decided not to run for reelection” and saying Bottoms is one of several candidates who have “baggage that Republicans will be able to focus on.”

Bottoms denies she’s a quitter, saying her political position remained strong and that she would have won reelection. “I ran through the tape,” Bottoms said in May. “We ended the term delivering.”

In May, Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman and Atlanta City Council members Eshé Collins, Amir Farokhi and Jason Dozier endorsed Esteves. Shipman, elected citywide as City Council president in 2021, said voters told him that year that they were unhappy with crime, garbage collection, and efforts to split the city by letting its Buckhead neighborhood secede.

“I think that that frustration is something that people are going to have to revisit,” Shipman said of the 2026 governor’s primary, saying Democrats need “a fresh start” and “some new energy.”

But Bottoms says her experience and record should carry the day.

“Who I am is a battle-tested leader and what I’ve been saying to people across the state is, I know what it’s like to go into battle,” she said. “I know what it’s like to go up against Donald Trump. I know what it’s like not to back down against Donald Trump.”

Amy writes for the Associated Press.

The changes are part of a broader plan to reduce the number of vehicles in central London

Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned that electric vehicles (EVs) will no longer be exempt from London’s Congestion Charge in 2026. Previously, EVs benefited from the Cleaner Vehicle Discount, but they will now incur charges as part of a broader scheme to reduce the number of vehicles in the city centre.

Transport for London has revealed that January 2 is the exact date that many changes will come into effect. From then, drivers of electric vans and lorries will receive a 50% discount when entering the zone, while those driving electric cars will get a 25% discount.

This means that electric vehicle drivers will have to cough up a £13.50 charge to enter the zone, whilst electric van owners will be hit with a £9 fee. The BBC’s Top Gear has put the number of vehicles that have been registered for the discount at 112,000.

However, by March 2030, these discounts will be further reduced to 25% for electric vans and lorries, and 12.5% for electric cars. Meanwhile, the standard Congestion Charge for non-electric vehicles will increase from £15 to £18 from January 2, marking the first rise since 2020.

Residents living within the zone can look forward to reductions of up to 90%. However, those relocating into the zone after March 1, 2027, won’t receive a discount unless they drive an electric vehicle.

Discounts of up to 100% will continue to support low-income and disabled Londoners. According to the Mirror, Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said previously: “Keeping London moving by reducing congestion is vital for our city and for our economy.

“While the congestion charge has been a huge success since its introduction, we must ensure it stays fit for purpose, and sticking to the status quo would see around 2,200 more vehicles using the congestion charging zone on an average weekday next year.

“We must support Londoners and businesses to use more sustainable travel, so I’m pleased that substantial incentives will remain in place for Londoners who switch to cleaner vehicles, as we work to build a greener and better London for everyone.”

Christina Calderato, TfL’s Director of Strategy, added: “If we want to ensure that London remains a thriving city for everyone to enjoy, then it’s vital that traffic and congestion is kept under control and managed effectively.

“The changes to the Congestion Charging scheme play a key role in allowing us to do that, while striking a careful balance that enables drivers, businesses and other organisations to continue transitioning to cleaner vehicles and more sustainable forms of transport.”

Within Transport for London’s press announcement, Izzy Romilly, Sustainable Transport Manager at climate charity Possible, also said: “Tying the Congestion Charge to public transport fares is welcome. It’s only right to make sure that public transport doesn’t get disproportionately more expensive than driving. We’re also pleased to see new support for electric car clubs.

“We need to cut traffic and invest in accessible and affordable public transport, and make sure Londoners can walk, wheel and cycle safely. This will put us on the path to a healthier, fairer London – reducing air pollution and making the city safer for everyone.”

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Goalkeepers: Eartha Cumings (Manchester City), Lee Gibson (Glasgow City), Sandy MacIver (Washington Spirit).

Defenders: Georgia Brown (Sporting Club Jacksonville), Jenna Clark (Liverpool), Nicola Docherty (Rangers), Leah Eddie (Rangers), Sophie Howard (Como), Emma Lawton (Celtic), Rachel McLauchlan (Brighton & Hove Albion), Amy Muir (Glasgow City).

Midfielders: Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Freya Gregory (Newcastle United), Sam Kerr (Liverpool), Kirsty MacLean (Liverpool), Maria McAneny (Celtic), Miri Taylor (Aston Villa), Caroline Weir (Real Madrid).

Forwards: Lauren Davidson (Brann), Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa), Kirsty Howat (Crystal Palace), Mia McAulay (Rangers), Kathleen McGovern (Hibernian), Martha Thomas (Tottenham Hotspur).

Sudan’s army chief Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan blasted a new US-led ceasefire plan as “the worst one presented,” accusing mediators — including the United Arab Emirates — of bias. The RSF says it accepted the truce. Sudan’s 30-month war has killed tens of thousands and is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.

Young Palestinians in Gaza have used parts and fuel from abandoned Israeli military vehicles to create a pump to supply clean water for their community.

Legendary graffiti artist Daniel “Chaka” Ramos once claimed he had tagged more than 40,000 locations around Los Angeles.

He can now add seven more. And unlike decades ago — when Ramos had to sneak around in darkness to spray-paint his nickname in large, block letters all over the city and surrounding areas — this time it was fully permissible.

Earlier this month, Nike recruited Ramos to add his signature style to seven murals celebrating the Dodgers’ back-to-back World Series titles, which the team clinched Nov. 1 with a dramatic Game 7 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Ramos, an L.A. native and Dodgers fan, was more than happy to participate, adding his name and slogans crafted by Nike to each piece. He told The Times in an email that it was his “first major project with a corporate giant like Nike.”

A mural of Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is a temporary addition to the downtown Los Angeles skyline.

(Natasha Campos / Nike)

“They’re one of the most prolific creative forces in the world, and collaborating with them was a milestone for me,” the 53-year-old artist said. “The rush of graffiti can’t really be compared to commissioned or gallery work, but this experience came close.”

The Nike murals, which are scheduled to remain up through Nov. 30, are among the pieces included in a new and quickly expanding online map detailing the locations of Dodgers murals in and around L.A. The map was created by and is curated by Mike Asner, the mastermind behind a similar website that documents the locations of hundreds of Kobe and Gianna Bryant murals around the world.

Asner already has a full-time job as a marketing director in sports and entertainment, as well as maintaining the Bryant mural site. Still, the morning after the Dodgers clinched their second straight championship, Asner knew it was time to get to start tracking more murals.

“I think the reception from the fans and the artists I got to know from the Kobe mural project was very positive,” Asner, who also has an Instagram page highlighting Dodgers murals, said. “And the main thing I realized was it was helping people and providing a service to them and making things easier. … After the Dodgers won back-to-back championships, we started to see murals going up immediately, so I felt it would be the right thing to do again.”

The map currently includes 54 murals, located as far north as Van Nuys and all the way down to Lake Elsinore. One of the standouts for Asner is a sprawling painting by artist Royyal Dog in the Florence-Graham neighborhood in South Los Angeles (2619 Firestone Blvd.). It features portraits of many all-time Dodgers greats, including Tommy Lasorda, Fernando Valenzuela, Orel Hershiser, Clayton Kershaw, Justin Turner, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani.

A sprawling mural by Royyal Dog in South Los Angeles features images of Dodgers greats past and present, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto (second from right) and Freddie Freeman (far right).

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Another of his favorites is one by artist Gustavo Zermeño Jr. on the Eat Fantastic building in Redondo Beach (701 N. Pacific Coast Highway). A tribute to the 2024 World Series championship, the mural features Betts, Freeman and Ohtani but is highlighted by a larger-than-life image of Lakers legend Bryant wearing a basketball jersey with Dodgers colors and lettering.

The Nike-Chaka collaborations represent some of the newer artwork documented on Asner’s map. A Nike spokesperson said the idea was to give Ramos approved spaces in local neighborhoods to express the pride that Dodgers fans are feeling after back-to-back championships.

Two of the murals were painted directly on the walls by L.A.-based artists, with Ramos adding the slogans and his tag afterward. Artist Swank One painted the one at 2844 1st St. in Boyle Heights. It features relief pitcher Roki Sasaki and Smith embracing after the Dodgers clinched the National League pennant, with the slogan “On the Double.”

Graffiti artist Daniel ‘Chaka’ Ramos was commissioned by Nike to apply his tag to several temporary murals around Los Angeles celebrating the Dodgers’ back-to-back World Series championships.

(Natasha Campos / Nike)

Artists Enkone and Keorock painted at 4560 Whittier Blvd. in East L.A. The mural features pitcher Blake Snell, whose postseason included a one-hit, eighth-inning gem in Game 1 of the NLCS, with the slogan “Twice as Nice.” That mural has since been removed.

For four of the others, Nike licensed game photos from Getty Images, overlaid tag designs from Ramos and then had the images blown up and printed as murals.

Those include “Twice in a Blue Moon” in Silverlake (at Hollywood Boulevard and Hillhurst Avenue), featuring Max Muncy and Hyesong Kim; “Repeat Heroes” in Echo Park (at West Temple Street and North Boylston Street), featuring Smith and Sasaki; “Turn Two, Earn Two” in Echo Park (atSunset Boulevard and Marion Avenue), featuring Muncy; and “Dodgers Rule” — a play on Ramos’ longtime slogan “Chaka Rules” — in Westlake/Echo Park (at Beverly Boulevard and Commonwealth Avenue), featuring Sasaki.

The last mural features a photo of Yamamoto letting out a roar. The photo was blown up several stories high and installed several stories higher in downtown L.A. at 213 S. Broadway. Ramos then boarded a suspended scaffold and was lifted high above his hometown, where he spent four to five hours adding his tag and the slogan “Back 2 Back.”

It may not have been as daring as some of the stunts he pulled in the past, but Ramos definitely felt the rush.

“I’ve done graffiti at daredevil heights without a harness before, but nothing at this scale. This time I actually had to gear up with a harness — haha,” he wrote. “It was intense, but a lot of fun.”

The Nike-Chaka murals will be coming down soon, but Asner says he’s excited to see what other new creations might fill out the map in the aftermath of the latest championship run.

“We’re gonna see really amazing artwork going up, and we’re gonna see artwork of Dodgers that haven’t necessarily been on murals. like Will Smith and Yoshinobu Yamamoto,” Asner said. “There’s a lot of really big stars from this series that deserve to get credit for their amazing job. …

“You know, Ohtani was incredible, obviously, Friedman was incredible. But there were a lot of big players that stepped up — Miggy Rojas, right? Huge, huge reason they won. So it’s gonna be great to see what these artists do, and I’m looking forward to seeing it myself.”

A HUGE new attraction is set for the UK with water, snow and dry land fun all in one place.

The £300million attraction, set to be in the Welsh Valleys, would feature a water park and the UK’s longest ski slope.

Known as the Rhydycar West Development, the new attraction will be located just off the A470 dual carriageway and 10 minutes from the Brecon Beacons National Park.

According to the Rhydycar West, it will be a world class leisure resort, open all year round.

Last week, the Welsh Government agreed not to call in the planning application following Merthyr Tydfil Council’s decision to back the planning application in March and as a result, have given the application the green light.

Now, the Local Planning Authority will move forward to grant planning permission.

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At the site there will be a number of different features including a waterpark with a tropical theme, set to be one of the largest waterparks in the UK.

Inside the waterpark, guests will find artificial beaches, swimming and bathing areas for all ages and abilities, waterslides and a number of other water-based attractions.

Then the 39,200sqm indoor snow centre would take over Chill Factore in Manchester – which is 180 metres long – to house the longest ski slope in the UK, measuring over 400 metres long.

The centre will also match the standards of the International Ski Federation (FIS).

And it will use special equipment to ensure the slope can remain open all year.

The site will be the home and national training headquarters for the Welsh and UK national, Olympic and Paralympic teams as well.

In addition to the snow centre, there will be an indoor and outdoor adventure centre.

Known as the Adventure Park, there will be a ‘mountain coaster’, clip ‘n’ climb, zip wires and other adrenaline-based activities and attractions.

Of course, the destination is also planning on creating accommodation.

When it comes to the 418-bedroom hotel, there would be three different wings.

The Resort Wing will feature conferencing and co-working spaces, whereas the Luxury Spa Wing will have leisure facilities such as a fully equipped spa.

Finally, in the Sport and Value Wing, visitors will find a more casual and relaxed feel.

But if you’re not a fan of hotels, there will be around 30 Woodland Lodges as well.

These will be in the heart of nature, located in the woodland, with value and premium options available.

Plans for the attraction were first announced back in 2017 and once open, it hopes to create 842 jobs and contribute £38.1million to the local economy.

Details including when the attraction will open are still unclear.

Many people have taken to social media to show their excitement for the project.

One person said: “Awesome news. Most importantly, are you planning an ice climbing wall?”

Another said: “That is awesome news and another milestone reached for what will be an amazing asset to GB Skiers.”

A third person added: “This will be transformational for the town, our economy and as importantly help and change how Merthyr Tydfil is often unfairly talked about!”

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In other attraction news, the UK’s biggest live action show reveals plans for new historical theme park.

Plus, a popular UK theme park reveals new plans for first-ever holiday village with 122 overnight lodges.

It’s not just surviving but thriving.

Tucked away on the UK coast is a seaside town packed full of independent shops and surprises. In its golden heyday, the Victorian age, the Isle of Thanet (the easternmost part of Kent) was packed full of popular holiday resorts. Trend-conscious people like Charles Dickens, swapping the London smog for the revitalising sea air, took the train down to one of them: Broadstairs.

They were enchanted by its sweeping Viking Bay, named in honour of the AD449 Viking invasion of Britain. And with them, they brought riches which helped the small town construct rows of grand houses and an imperial seafront. Unlike many seaside towns hit by the mid-20th-century boom in cheap foreign holidays and the more recent spike in arcade-killing energy prices, Broadstairs is surviving in 2025. In fact, it’s thriving.

I ventured down to the town of 25,000 on a brutal November day to find out if it’s a place that shutters up as the stormy season rolls in and discovered that it has not only found a way to withstand the passage of time but also the winter.

Councillor Kristian Bright, cabinet member for tourism, met me in Salt cafe and explained part of Broadstairs’s success where he told me: “It is one of the only places in Thanet that has an independent high street like this. 15 Square Metres is a great restaurant run by MasterChef finalist Tony Rodd. We have Bar Ingo. I love to spend an evening in there. There’s Kebbells Seafood Bar as well. There’s just so many great places. In the winter, people come down and have a really special time.”

In a way many other coastal spots are not, Broadstairs is protected from brutal seasonal swings by its changing population. The launch of Southeastern’s high-speed rail line in 2009 drew the town a commutable ride from London, while the working from home shift of Covid ensured those down from the capital could stay full-time.

Palace Cinema owners Corinna Downing and her husband Simon Ward are among their number, and now benefit from the new demographic’s love of foreign film. “The notion of local and independent cinema, with its own character, has worked in our own favour,” she explained.

The Palace is the only independent cinema in the area and now draws in punters from across Thanet. Winter, particularly Oscars season, is their time to shine. When they’re not busy showing Imitation of Life and L’Atalante, the cinema is being hired out by members of the thriving local film society – on one recent occasion, for a raucous Austin Powers dress-up night.

Just down the seafront is another business that makes the Palace’s 60-year history look fleeting. Mario Morelli opened an ice cream parlour bearing his family’s name in 1932, and his descendants are still serving up impossibly big sundaes almost 100 years later. Morelli’s is a testament to the idea that if a business does things well and looks after its staff and customers, it will succeed. On the grimmest of midweek mornings, its sensationally big ice creams, waffles, and coffees drew in 30 punters.

Chris Chalklands, the former manager and now semi-retired parlour prince, has been working there for 53 years. He explained what makes Morelli’s so special. “It’s a family-run institution. It’s more of your community hub (in the winter) retreat. We go down about 50% in the winter, but our busiest day is Boxing Day. Everybody comes out for a walk. From 10 to five, it’s standing room only. Broadstairs has changed from a bed and breakfast holiday resort to an Airbnb. I love the atmosphere, community, and general population,” he said.

Hussein, who runs the Fish Inn on the High Street, swapped his home country of Turkey for Broadstairs 15 years ago. More than Morelli’s and The Palace, his business is impacted by the winter months. “It’s a nice place in the summer. I’m not sure about the winter when it’s rainy, but generally it’s good. It’s a nice beach, there’s no trouble. In winter, it’s cold, people don’t want to come out.”

While I was the only chip eater that Wednesday morning, that might’ve been because a gale was flinging rain and fish and chip signs down the road. Usually, a steady trade of students from a local language school and deliveries keeps the 34-year-old Fish Inn ticking over.

There are, of course, tensions in Broadstairs. As they tend to, DFLers have brought money and pushed up house prices. The average home now costs £409,441, according to Rightmove, while the average worker in Thanet takes home £29,312. The pull of its incredible beach and tidal pool during the summer means there is a significant drop-off in tourism in the winter, which can be challenging for businesses.

But these issues seem relatively small and manageable. The council recently introduced a second-home tax, which saw Broadstairs property prices fall by the highest amount of anywhere in the UK last year. Add to that a high street packed with independent shops, and off-season events such as the Blues Bash and Food Festival, and the future prospects of this little coastal gem seem very strong.

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems.…They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists, and some, I assume, are good people.”

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign stop in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) ORG XMIT: IANH116

(Nati Harnik / Associated Press)

Trump called for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what the hell is going on.”

A memorial to the San Bernardino shooting victims near the Inland Regional Center on Dec. 8, 2015.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

After disavowing the endorsement of former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, Trump equivocated when he was asked in a nationally televised interview whether he would say flatly that he did not want the vote of Duke or other white supremacists.

“Well, just so you understand, I don’t know anything about David Duke, OK? I don’t know anything about what you’re even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists. So I don’t know.”

Former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke.

(Burt Steel / Associated Press)

“Look at my African American over here. Look at him.”

At a campaign rally in Redding, Donald Trump referred to a man in the crowd as “my African American.”

(Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

Trump said the Mexican ancestry of a federal judge born in Indiana should disqualify him from presiding over a fraud lawsuit against Trump because of his proposed border wall.

After he called U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel “a member of a club or society very strongly pro-Mexican,” a reporter asked Trump whether he would also feel that a Muslim could not treat him fairly because of his proposed Muslim ban. “It’s possible, yes,” Trump said.

U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel.

(John Gastaldo / TNS)

Trump defended his posting on Twitter of a six-pointed star, a pile of cash and an image of Hillary Clinton with the caption, “Most Corrupt Candidate Ever!” Widespread denunciations of the tweet as anti-Semitic led an aide to delete it, but Trump said it should have stayed up.

“Just leave it up and say, no, that’s not a star of David, that’s just a star,” he said. It “could have been a sheriff’s star,” he said.

“Our inner cities, African Americans, Hispanics are living in hell because it’s so dangerous. You walk down the street, you get shot.”

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton listens as Donald Trump makes his argument during their first debate at Hofstra University on Sept. 26, 2016.

(Joe Raedle / Getty Images)

Haitian immigrants “all have AIDS” and Nigerian immigrants will never “go back to their huts” in Africa.

President Donald Trump.

(Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images)

“I think there is blame on both sides.…You also had people that were very fine people on both sides.…Not all of those people were neo-Nazis, believe me. Not all of those people were white supremacists by any stretch.”

Members of the Ku Klux Klan arrive at a rally in Charlottesville, Va. on July 8, 2017.

(Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP/Getty Images)

“They’re trying to take away our culture. They’re trying to take away our history. And our weak leaders, they do it overnight. These things have been there for 150 years, for a hundred years. You go back to a university and it’s gone. Weak, weak people.”

A monument to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Va.

(Steve Helber / Associated Press)

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out. He’s fired. He’s fired!’”

San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid and quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneel during the national anthem before their game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 12, 2016.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

“You were here long before any of us were here. Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas.”

President Trump with Navajo Code Talkers in the Oval Office on Nov. 27, 2017.

(Susan Walsh / Associated Press)

Trump drew condemnation from British Prime Minister Theresa May for sharing three anti-Muslim videos from a far-right British nationalist who was recently arrested for inciting hatred and violence against Muslims. The videos purported to show Muslims engaged in violent or anti-Christian acts. One of them, titled “Muslim migrant beats up Dutch boy on crutches!” did not actually show a migrant beating the boy; the attacker was born and raised in the Netherlands.

President Trump retweeted videos from a far-right group on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017.

(Los Angeles Times)

mark.barabak@latimes.com | Twitter: @markzbarabak

michael.finnegan@latimes.com | Twitter: ​​​​​​​@finneganLAT

UPDATES:

Jan. 12, 2:25 p.m.: This article was updated with additional instances of President Trump’s racially charged language.

This article was originally published 6:30 p.m. Jan. 11.

IT’S as two Welsh women with a drinks trolley come through the carriage calling everyone “babes” that I know I’m not in London anymore.

Instead, I on a train from Paddington to Swansea, where I’m headed to experience the most glamorous event in the Welsh city’s social calendar.

Called Beaujolais Day, it’s a celebration of the first chance to try the new Beaujolais wine – the Beaujolais Nouveau – from the year’s harvest.

French law dictates that Beaujolais Noveau can only be sold from the third Thursday of November – and Swansea has earned a reputation for marking the occasion in style.

The annual event sees Swansea’s bars buzzing, and its hotels, restaurants and beauty salons fully booked up to a year in advance.

I’ve been lucky enough to grab a room at Travelodge Swansea Central, which is in stumbling distance from all the action.

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Yet I’m checking in the night before as I need to be on time for my sought-after salon appointment, with the standard of glam for Beaujolais Day off the scale.

“I’ve been doing make-up since 6am,” said make-up artist Morgan Thomas at The Colour Lounge, who started her day seeing clients at home, before heading to the salon for back-to-back appointments all day.

I’ve heard that in Swansea, Beaujolais Day is bigger than Christmas Day – is this true?

“Beaujolais, Christmas – it’s all mental!” says Morgan, who tells me: “Everyone wants full glam, lots of glitter, and heavy lashes.”

I wasn’t been lucky enough to snap up a slot with Morgan, but salon owner Benjamin Aldridge (aka Benjamin Stylist) has squeezed me in for a bouncy blowdry and pin curls.

My hair is washed and dried, then curled and individual sections are pinned to my head, using Kirby grips.

This is so the curls don’t drop before I go out, because my next port of call was to return to my hotel to get ready.

You’d think I’d feel self-conscious about walking through Swansea’s streets looking like Coronation Street cleaner Hilda Ogden.

However, nobody batted an eyelid, so I guess it was pretty standard to have left the salon like this on Beaujolais Day.

Having searched the hashtag #BeaujolaisDaySwansea on Instagram to look at posts from previous years, I had also been struck by the girls’ gorgeous dresses, which would not have been out of place in a Miss
World contest.

So back at the Travelodge, I squeezed into a Herve Leger bandage dress that I’d snapped up in TK Maxx ten years ago.

A bodycon dress isn’t the ideal attire for eating a slap-up meal, but the Swansea ladies had set the bar high and I could hardly head out in my jogging bottoms especially for an evening at Morgans, a Grade II listed, luxury four star hotel, and possibly the swankiest spot in Swansea.

Arriving at Morgans in the late afternoon, the place was so packed already that I could barely make my way across the dance floor to the staircase for dinner.

However, when I do make it to the dining room, it’s worth it, as the room was fully decorated with white tablecloths, red napkins and chairs decked out with gold bows.

As soon as I’m seated, a waitress brought me a glass of Prosecco before my first taste of Vichyssoise soup.

Pronounced veeshy-swarze (rhyming with cars) the soup is a clever choice for a Beaujolais Day dinner in Swansea, as it nods to both French and Welsh culture.

Created and named by a French chef, the main ingredient of Vichyssoise soup is a Welsh national emblem – the leek.

For the main, I enjoyed braised beef daube with bourguignon-style jus, carrots, green beans and mashed potato, combining a Burgundy dish with Welsh beef, followed by a lemon tart.

After eating, it was back downstairs to the busy nightclub area, despite it only being 7pm, still hours before a nightclub would usually open.

But what do the locals really think of the big day?

One of the first people I chat to is Rebecca, 35, who lives in Swansea and has been doing Beaujolais Day every year since she was 18.

She tells me it’s a family tradition, explaining: “It’s when we all get together for a catch-up before Christmas – and it’s adult time away from the kids.”

For Rebecca, Beaujolais Day started at 9am when she got her hair and
make-up done at her aunty’s Swansea salon, Gemma Davies Artistry of Hair.

“Six of us girls had wine and croissants in the salon while we got ready, and the boys went to Trams cafe for breakfast.”

After three hours of hair and make-up, the girls got changed in the salon and came straight to Morgans at lunch, spending the entire day there until their 10pm cabs home.

Like many people, Rebecca is drinking AU Vodka which she says is a Swansea tradition – the brand is co-founded by Swansea boy Charlie Morgan, son of Morgans Hotel owner and Swansea City Football Club
director, Martin Morgan.

The big question – did she drink any Beaujolais?

While they ordered it with her meal, she admitted it “wasn’t very nice, but its tradition”.

I also chatted to Michelle, 55, who lives in Swansea and is her first time celebrating Beaujolais Day in four years.

She said: “It’s the best day of the year! It’s wonderful to get together, and a lovely day out for all ages.

“Everyone dresses up and has a nice time.”

It’s not just Rebecca who wasn’t a fan of the famous wine – Michelle said they were sticking to the Sauvignon wine and gin.

Her friend Linda chipped in: “I’ve tried it before and it’s vile.”

Abbie, 28, who’s spending Beaujolais Day in Swansea for the first time, after previously celebrating in Cardiff, agreed too.

“I don’t like it,” she explained as she swapped her shoes for a pair of hotel slippers.

Although I’ve never seen this before when I’ve been out, Abbie’s wasn’t the only one wearing slippers, so perhaps it’s a life hack that’s exclusive to Swansea.

Jealous of Abbie’s comfy feet, I decided to call it a night and head back to my hotel via Wind Street, which is where everyone goes out, spotting long queues outside each bar.

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I was glad to get back to the Travelodge where Alison on reception offered to make me a hot chocolate.

It was my final drink of many that day… none of which included a glass of Beaujolais after all.