The NBA is planning to launch an independent European league under the working title of NBA Europe.

Talks remain ongoing, but plans lead towards it starting as a league of 12-16 teams that could include a merit-based qualification system as well as promotion and relegation.

London, Manchester, Paris and Berlin are expected to have teams in NBA Europe.

The league is expected to consist of existing teams, new sides and football clubs that currently do not have associated basketball teams.

Talks are in preliminary stages, but there is optimism around the plans and, under the NBA’s running, they have the potential to transform European basketball’s landscape.

London is being tipped to be among the key cities for the NBA’s European hopes, despite its lack of basketball presence.

It is unlikely that London will be a franchise that is part of a football team, with the city earmarked to become a model city to be emulated at other NBA Europe locations.

This is also in part because of London’s global appeal to US audiences, and infrastructure that includes the O2 and a reported new indoor arena in the process of being built.

“We know that here in London in particular, in many ways we think this market is tastemakers for much of Europe,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

“The last I looked, I think the O2 is the leading arena throughout Europe and, from a revenue standpoint, exceeds most arenas around the United States.

“Culturally, all the top acts come through there. There is this New York-London connection from a fashion and music standpoint.”

An increasing number of international players in the NBA, a growing viewership in the league across Europe, and the fact that five of the NBA’s past seven Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards have been won by Europeans point towards a prime opportunity for the NBA to capitalise.

The NBA has worked on European plans in collaboration with the International Basketball Federation (Fiba), the sport’s international governing body.

As well as Silver describing interest from potential investors and sponsors as “significant”, current and former players have been showing their support for a European NBA league.

“The NBA has been such a successful brand and they have talked about expansion for 20 years ever since I was in the league, so I’m excited that this next step is finally here,” Dirk Nowitzki, the first European to win the MVP award, told BBC Sport.

“If the NBA normally does something, they do it right. Hopefully it is going to be good for European basketball and exciting.”

WHEN it comes to planning the ultimate holiday, no one does it better than cabin crew.

With a superior knowledge of secret beachside restaurants and where to find the best weather in January, they know it all – and that includes Jet2 cabin crew Gio Michalakis who recently made his TV debut on ITV’s The Great Escapers.

If you’re still struggling to find a destination for your 2026 break, Jet2‘s Gio Michalakis says there’s no place better than his favourite Greek island, Rhodes.

Talking to Sun Travel, he said: “I know Rhodes like the back of my hand, it’s my second home.

“I go back every year, it’s where my family are from. Last year I was there for 10 days in August, and I’m planning on going back this July. If I can fit it into my work schedule, I try and visit over winter too.

“There’s a gorgeous beach restaurant in Rhodes – and when I say beach restaurant, you’re right on the rocks.

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“It’s called Tambakio in the town of Lindos. It’s absolutely stunning, and great vibes whether you go in the morning for breakfast, brunch, afternoon or evening.”

The restaurant sits on the shore of St Paul’s Bay offering classic mezze dishes, fresh seafood and plenty of local wine.

Rhodes itself is the largest of the Dodecanese islands famous for its pretty UNESCO Old Town, ancient ruins and party scene in Faliraki.

The average flight time from the UK is four and a half hours with flights from £43 in June and July according to Skyscanner.

When it comes to food and drink, the average cost of a pint is around €4 (£3.48) and a glass of local wine is around €3 (£2.61).

A meal for two can be as little as €20 (£17.39) making it much more affordable than some of its well-known neighbours like Mykonos and Santorini.

Let’s not forget the weather. While it might not be as lively with certain places closed for off-peak season, Rhodes can see highs of 18C in January.

In the months of July and August the island sees average highs of 30C.

Another Greek island that Gio recently visited was Kos.

He said: “I’d never been before and surprisingly, it was quite different from Rhodes. Although it’s still a Greek island, it’s different in its own right.

“While I was there I actually I spoke to the Jet2 rep there who was fantastic and recommended we go horse riding.

“We went across the beach as well which was a big highlight and something I wouldn’t normally do – I quite like to sit and do nothing when I go on holiday.”

Gio recently made his TV debut on ITV‘s The Great Escapers, which starred the likes of Loose Women’s Katie Piper and Denise Welch.

Four groups of celebrities competed to create the best holiday experience with unique excursions from joining in a human tower festival to racing buggies around the Algarve.

Gio was there to help and oversee it all and out of all the Jet2 Holidays excursions he helped pick out, one took the biscuit.

He revealed: “It was 100 per cent the catamaran trip that Katie Piper organised on the Costa Brava.

“It was meant to be work, but I genuinely felt l was on holiday, and I got to go along too. The Loose Women were filming on one side and I was on the other – that’s the magic of TV.

“I’d love to do it again although I’m not sure I could charter a whole boat. Maybe that’s one for a big friend holiday.”

When it comes to going on holiday, Gio said there is one easily avoidable mistake that lots of travellers make.

He said: “Don’t try out a TikTok holiday because it gives a false sense of reality – and you might not get what you want out of a break.

“Instead, speak to your Jet2 customer helper because they genuinely know the hidden gems – it’s much better than using Google search.

“They can tailor experiences to what you want and their local knowledge is fantastic.”

For the series, Gio travelled across Europe including his favourite island of Rhodes, but there was another Mediterranean destination that impressed him too.

Gio said: “I didn’t realise how much Malta had to offer.

“It’s not a place that’s been on my radar but it has a great bar scene, places to relax, it’s gorgeous.

“I think the island is suited for everyone too: couples, families, or friends’ holidays. I’d love to go back with my partner and explore the streets of Valletta properly.

“When I was filming with the celebs we were on such a tight schedule, so I’d love to go back. I passed so many hidden bars and restaurants, down the side streets – and you’re pretty much guaranteed good weather all year-round.”

Watch all episodes of The Great Escapers on ITVX.

Katie Piper reveals the ‘hidden gem’ in Spain that’s her new favourite family holiday spot…

Katie Piper ditched the gloomy UK weather for a slice of Spain alongside Sunetra Sarker and Denise Welch for The Great Escapers – and discovered a hidden gem along the way.

Katie stayed in Tossa de Mar, on the Costa Brava coast which has pretty beaches, coves and is centred around a walled medieval old town.

Katie is a mum of two, Belle, 11, and Penelope, 7, and heading to the Costa Brava has meant it’s been added to their family’s travel list.

She said: “I think I’ll go back with my girls, the kids will watch the show and go ‘it’s so unfair you got to go’. It’s affordable and accessible, you can go self-catering or stay in an Airbnb – I think we will plan a trip there.”

“I’ve been to other much more touristy Spanish places, like the Costa del Sol. The Costa Brava is a bit of a hidden gem, it’s touristy enough to take your kids out and walk on foot to restaurants.

“But it’s not lost its culture, like along the strip there’s lots of architecture like gorgeous churches, cliffs, castles – it’s not neon signs and karaoke. It’s a great place for families as well because it’s such a short flight.”

For more on Rhodes, check out what Head of Travel (Digital) Caroline McGuire made of her recent family holiday where she found Ibiza-style beach clubs.

Plus, discover the four less-popular Greek islands are set to be huge in 2026.

Many travellers have been sharing their tips on how to get an upgrade on a flight, but a flight attendant has debunked some of the most popular hacks

A flight attendant has lifted the lid on the reality of securing an upgrade, debunking popular social media myths in the process. For those of us relegated to economy, the allure of premium or business class can be tantalising – yet expensive.

In response, globetrotters have taken to TikTok to share their supposed secrets for bagging that coveted upgrade. These range from donning smart attire to lavishing cabin crew with gifts and coffee.

But now, a Virgin Atlantic crew member has set the record straight on what actually works when it comes to securing a superior seat, reports the Express.

Popular social media myths debunked

Smart clothes

Countless social media profiles advocate dressing sharply if you’re hoping to nab a superior seat. The theory goes that you should dress for the cabin you aspire to be in.

Yet the flight attendant revealed: “The rumour we hear all the time is that if you dress really smart, you’ll get upgraded. It’s a fun idea, but honestly, it’s pretty outdated.

“Upgrades these days are all down to things like availability and booking details, not whether you’re wearing a blazer. Looking nice never hurts, of course, but it’s definitely not your golden ticket to a free seat in a higher cabin.”

Presents for crew

Passengers have achieved viral fame on social media by bringing small tokens such as chocolates, coffee or gift vouchers to distribute amongst onboard staff. Some employ this tactic hoping to charm flight attendants and boost their upgrade prospects.

An anonymous Virgin Atlantic crew member has shed light on the common misconception that bringing treats for the crew can lead to free upgrades. They said: “Bringing treats for the crew is always such a kind surprise, and it genuinely brightens our day, but it won’t lead to free upgrades or anything like that.”

However, they did admit that when passengers show extra kindness, the crew are inclined to reciprocate in small ways, such as offering additional snacks or meals from another cabin.

Special trips

If you’re jetting off for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary, you might assume your chances of an upgrade are higher. However, the flight attendant confessed that this “rarely happens”.

They explained: “Upgrades are generally based on availability, loyalty status, and operational needs. That said, on very rare occasions, the crew onboard can make exceptions for genuinely special circumstances.”

Injury

Some travellers have claimed on social media that mentioning an injury led to an upgrade. The flight attendant clarified to Travel Insurance specialist InsureandGo that while they can reseat passengers for comfort, it doesn’t equate to a luxury upgrade. Moreover, passengers must still meet the “fit to fly” requirements to be allowed to travel.

Frequent flyer programmes

Loyalty truly does have its perks, particularly when it comes to bagging an upgrade. In fact, it remains one of the most reliable tricks in the book.

The flight attendant revealed: “We really do look after our top-tier members. If there are spare seats and the situation allows, we’ll always try to get our gold-card passengers into their preferred spot.”

How to actually secure an upgrade

According to the flight attendant, the most foolproof method of securing an upgrade is being prepared to pay for it. Complimentary upgrades are few and far between, so stumping up a bit of cash dramatically improves your odds of switching cabins.

The most affordable and efficient approach is to enquire whilst already on the aircraft. They explained: “If you’d like to upgrade once you’re on board, you can simply ask any member of the cabin crew. We’ll check the availability and the cost, and if you’re happy with the price, we can take payment and move you as soon as possible. Upgrading on board is often one of the cheapest options.”

Butlin’s in Skegness has been voted in the top 10 ‘happiest’ destinations in the world – beating out all other seaside resorts in the UK

The UK’s ‘happiest’ seaside resort has been revealed – and it’s got cheap family getaways and a no frills attitude.

Butlin’s in Skegness, Lincs., has appeared in a top ten list of the world’s happiest destinations beating out all other seaside stays in the UK – and fans of a beautiful beach and a low-cost family break are encouraged to beat the January blues by booking a holiday there.

Research done by AttractionTickets.com revealed that four of the top 10 happiest places in the world are in the UK. While the Eiffel Tower in Paris beat everywhere to number one, Butlin’s, Skegness took seventh place.

With a possible top score of 25 on the happiness scale, Butlin’s Skegness got 22.95 – with perfect 5 out of 5s in ‘happy’ and ‘perfect’ review scores. Butlin’s Skegness was where the holiday camp’s story began after being founded by Billy Butlin in 1936.

Now, 90 years later, it’s as popular as ever and families can book short breaks from as little as £39pp during quieter periods – we even found some working out at £107pp for a family of four in August, during the school holiday dates.

On site, there’s heaps for families to explore including the impressive Butlin’s Skypark attraction – a large, inclusive outdoor playground designed with kids of all ages in mind – and Splash Waterworld – 3,000sqm of flumes, rapids and pools. Then there are the shows, games and jam-packed programmes with fun activities to ensure you’re not ever sat twiddling your thumbs.

Butlin’s also has holiday parks Minehead and Bognor Regis but it was Skegness in particular that was voted the ‘happiest’ resort in the UK. With its traditional seaside fun, Skegness has a mixture of nostalgic, traditional attractions and vibrant, family-friendly things to do.

Its beach holds the prestigious Blue Flag award, meaning it’s among the cleanest in the world, and Skegness Pier – built over 100 years ago – was the fourth longest in England at the time of its build.

Tripadvisor reviews tell the story of a popular town with one commenter writing: “Skeggy is THE seaside town to visit’.

They added: “It has everything that you expect from a trip to the coast – but the best part was the beach, immaculate golden sands with plenty of places to buy ice cream, fresh food and drinks.”

Another reviewer wrote: “Skegness is a town that is worth a visit whether you are a family with kids or adults looking for a bit of fun, there is an endless choice of things to do.”

Other top areas of happiness in the UK, according to AttractionTickets.com are Warner Bros, Studio Tour in London which came in at number 3, Center Parcs at Longleat Forest at number 6 and the Natural History Museum in London at number 10.

Is there town you think we should be shouting about? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

A BALKAN resort has topped an index of Europe’s most affordable ski destinations – boasting £1 beers and slope access for under £50 a day.

Bansko in Bulgaria took the top spot after researchers compared average prices for lift passes, ski hire, hotels, transport and beer.

The resort, just two hours from the capital Sofia, sits at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, where skiers can hire equipment for around £15, with accommodation costing roughly £45 a night.

Białka Tatrzańska, a resort tucked away just a couple of hours south of Kraków, is regarded as a good option for beginners, families and social groups.

The site is known for its down-to-earth atmosphere and ability to make the pound – or złoty – stretch.

Borovets, which ranked closely behind in third place, as part of easyJet’s Cheap Ski Index, is Bulgaria’s oldest resort and offers an impressive 58 kilometres of slopes.

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It is divided across three zones in the Rila Mountains, Borovets is a favourite for intermediates seeking broad, well-maintained pistes.

Kevin Doyle, easyJet’s UK country manager, said: “As people start to look at booking a break on the slopes, we hope that our new index spotlights just some of the resorts where equipment hire, hotels and hospitality can be found for fantastic value.

“So that Brits can comfortably experience the beauty of some of the most underrated mountain towns.”

Italy’s Bardonecchia claims fourth place, often flying under the radar, it offers a high-Alpine ambiance and Olympic heritage.

Its panoramic slopes such as Colomion and Les Arnauds are often overlooked despite the resort’s role in the 2006 Winter Olympics and total daily costs remaining under £50.

Reachable by flights to Barcelona or Toulouse, Pal-Arinsal is the Andorran resort for those wishing that the Alps came with cheaper après, slightly less attitude and a touch of tapas.

Offering up a tale of two resorts, the Pal side is a welcome sight for beginners with wide slopes and soft gradients, whilst Arinsal offers up more dramatic altitudes and lively red slopes for intermediates seeking a challenge.

Tucked away in a vibrant corner of Italy’s Via Lattea (the Milky Way) is sun-soaked Sauze d’Oulx.

Praised for its lively mountain atmosphere energetic mountain buzz – perhaps fuelled by Aperol Spritz – Sauze is proudly Italian and has been welcoming Brits into its glittering amphitheatre of slopes for decades.

For those drawn to more familiar Alpine destinations, French resorts Les Deux Alpes and Morzine appear, proving that authentic Alpine experiences need not come with luxury price tags.

In these resorts, flexibility and value are at the heart of the offering, with daily costs remaining competitive at £80, compared to neighbouring ski areas.

Kevin Doyle added: “With a flurry of snow set to dust Europe in the coming weeks, last minute ski getaways are sure to be top of mind for many.

“Direct flights from 13 airports across the UK make all ten destinations easily accessible, offering more choice and connectivity for snow sports lovers across some of Europe’s best hidden-gem resorts.”

More than eight in 10 foreigners hold a favorable view of South Korea, the highest level since the annual survey began seven years ago, a government report showed Tuesday.

According to the 2025 survey on South Korea’s national image conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 82.3 percent of respondents said they viewed South Korea positively, up 3.3 percentage points from a year earlier. The figure marks the highest since the survey was launched in 2018.

By country, the United Arab Emirates recorded the most positive sentiment at 94.8 percent, followed by Egypt (94 percent), the Philippines (91.4 percent), Turkey (90.2 percent), India (89 percent) and South Africa (88.8 percent).

Perceptions improved sharply in Britain and Thailand, which rose 9.2 and 9.4 percentage points to 87.4 percent and 86.2 percent, respectively. Britain was the only European country to show above-average favorability toward Korea.

Even in countries where views were traditionally lukewarm, such as China and Japan, positive opinions gained ground. China’s score climbed 3.6 percentage points to 62.8 percent, while Japan rose 5.4 points to 42.2 percent — more than double its 2018 level of 20 percent.

Cultural content, such as K-pop, dramas and films, was cited as the biggest factor influencing positive perceptions, mentioned by 45.2 percent of respondents. The impact was strongest in Asian countries, including the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam. Modern lifestyle, products and brands, and the economy also contributed to Korea’s appeal.

The survey found that video platforms were the most common source of exposure to Korea at 64.4 percent, followed by social networks (56.6 percent), websites (46.7 percent) and broadcast media (32.8 percent).

In-depth interviews with international students and foreign correspondents in South Korea highlighted positive assessments of the “resilience” of the country’s democratic system, demonstrated by the process of its recovering from the aftermath of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law fiasco, which occurred nearly a year before the interviews.

The survey was conducted on 13,000 people aged 16 and older in 26 countries, including South Korea, from Oct. 1-31 last year. Korean respondents were excluded from the results to gauge the country’s favorability among foreigners.

Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency prohibits its content from being redistributed or reprinted without consent, and forbids the content from being learned and used by artificial intelligence systems.

STACEY Dooley has opened up about experiencing an ectopic pregnancy and the dramatic operation she faced in the wake of the news.

The TV star has got candid in a new interview discussing the hugely difficult time in her life.

Stacey is mum to daughter Minnie with her partner, Strictly Come Dancing star Kevin Clifton, 43, but the 38-year-old was left heartbroken last year when she went through an ectopic pregnancy.

It affects one in every 80 – 90 pregnancies, or 11,000 pregnancies each year, the NHS says.

It happens when a fertilised egg implants outside the womb and tragically means the unborn baby cannot survive.

Speaking on the “What’s the Tea, Amy?” podcast with model and actress Amy Jackson Westwick, Stacey – who has been open about her maternity struggles in the past – said: “I fell pregnant last year, and it didn’t go brilliantly.

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“I couldn’t talk about it for such a long time without bursting into floods of tears.

“But now I can. It was ectopic and it was all dramatic.”

She said: “It happened in Liverpool. And I was at Liverpool Women’s Hospital this time.

“Everything was quite dramatic and it was like ‘you’re bleeding internally’ and I had to go for immediate surgery.”

Stacey added: “I remember I was lying on the bed, about to go under, because it was all going t*** up,” before she told how she felt she was in “capable hands”.

The BBC documentary-maker, who lives in Merseyside with her family, added: “That environment, you know the Women’s hospital, they are renowned for being absolutely amazing.”

STACEY’S BATTLE

Previously, the Luton lass choked back tears as she revealed her personal news on her Stacey Sleeps Over TV show.

“I have experienced what it is like to struggle to have a child,” she said in a confessional after speaking about surrogacy with Barrie Drewitt-Barlow.

Barrie was Britain’s first legally recognised gay father, who praised surrogacy in the episode.

“We obviously wanted to expand our family, and last year I fell pregnant and it didn’t go brilliantly,” Stacey added in her confessional moment.

Ectopic Pregnancy – what is it?

STACEY Dooley has bravely opened up on her ectopic pregnancy. Yet what is it, and how common is it?

An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilised egg implants outside the womb.

Fertilisation, when the sperm meets the egg, happens in a fallopian tube, and usually the egg should travel to the womb where it implants.

In an ectopic pregnany, the fertilised egg attaches itself somewhere it cannot grow.

Most of the time this is on the fallopian tubes, but it can also happen on the ovaries, the cervix (neck to the womb) or another organ inside the pelvis.

The pregnancy does not usually last longer than 12 weeks, as symptoms will occur before then.

Sadly the pregnancy always has to be terminated. The egg will be removed in an operation or using medicine.

It affects one in every 80 – 90 pregnancies, or 11,000 pregnancies each year, the NHS says.

Getting emotional, she added: “It was ectopic.”

Stacey went on: “I am so sorry because this is so predictable.

“I am sat here, crying on a bed.

“It was ectopic, and it was really f***ing difficult.”

Reflecting on the ordeal, Stacey said: “Of course, when you go through something like that, you are forced to think of alternatives.

“S**t happens, and if you want a bigger family, you have to think how you’re going to do that.”

FAMILY LIFE

Stacey is in a relationship with professional dancer Kevin whom she met in 2018.

The TV presenter and broadcaster met Kevin, 42, when they were paired up with each other on Strictly.

They even lifted the Glitter Ball trophy together when they won the series.

Stacey and Kevin started dating the following year.

They welcomed their first child in January 2023, a daughter named Minnie.

During his first term, President Trump was both praised and condemned for being wildly unpredictable, pushing boundaries and disregarding long-standing norms in Washington.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, then-Vice President Kamala Harris — Trump’s opponent — spoke directly to his volatile leadership style in her final pitch to voters, saying their choice would determine “whether we have a country rooted in freedom for every American or ruled by chaos and division.”

Of course, Americans returned Trump to the White House. And in the year since, they have watched Trump once again take stunning and unprecedented action — sometimes in line with his campaign promises, other times in direct conflict with them.

Deploying immigration forces, troops

Residents and protesters clash with federal agents in Chicago on Oct. 14.

(Joshua Lott / Washington Post via Getty Images)

During his campaign, Trump promised to launch the “largest deportation operation in American history.” The rollout has been tense as masked agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other agencies have swarmed into American cities and detained large numbers of people — including many with no criminal convictions and some who are U.S. citizens.

The agents’ use of aggressive tactics and deadly force, including in the recent fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minnesota, has sparked protests and concern among local leaders and members of Congress.

Trump has responded to some protests by ordering National Guard troops into cities, including Los Angeles. He also sent U.S. Marines into L.A. Those deployments were challenged in court, and — after a loss in the Supreme Court — Trump ended them. However, he has since threatened to send troops into Minnesota by invoking the Insurrection Act.

Threatening to take Greenland

Vice President JD Vance arrives in Pituffik, Greenland, in March.

(Jim Watson / Pool / Getty Images)

Trump has repeatedly threatened to seize Greenland from Denmark, a NATO ally, and the White House has declined to rule out military force.

Despite an existing agreement allowing the U.S. to maintain a strong military presence there, Trump has said full U.S. control of Greenland is necessary for regional security and to prevent Russia or China from taking control. “Anything less than that is unacceptable,” he said.

A U.S. seizure of the island would mark a stunning abandonment of NATO, which has linked the security of the U.S. and Europe for more than 75 years. European leaders have staunchly opposed any such move and called on the Trump administration to back off. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said a U.S. takeover of Greenland would end the NATO alliance.

Demolishing the East Wing

Architect Shalom Baranes shows a site plan for a new $400-million White House ballroom during a meeting this month of the National Capital Planning Commission.

(Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

In October, Trump surprised historic preservationists and other political leaders by demolishing the East Wing of the White House, which was built in 1902 under President Theodore Roosevelt and rebuilt in the 1940s under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Trump argued the historic building — which housed the first lady’s offices for half a century — needed to be cleared to make way for a $300-million ballroom for state dinners and other large events, which in the past have been hosted in tents on the White House lawn. Some defended the choice, saying a larger hosting space was long overdue.

Still, the demolition of the iconic site riled many, not least because Trump carried it out without adhering to established processes for altering historic federal buildings — including by failing to submit his ballroom plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, which oversees renovations and additions to federal buildings in Washington.

Deposing Maduro of Venezuela

President Trump and CIA Director John Ratcliffe monitor U.S. military operations in Venezuela, from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club on Jan. 3.

(Molly Riley / White House via Getty Images)

On Jan. 3, Trump announced that U.S. special forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife during an overnight military operation involving more than 150 U.S. aircraft entering Venezuelan airspace. Venezuelan authorities said 100 people were killed, including Venezuelan and Cuban security forces, and denounced the operation as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty.

Trump administration officials said the operation was to bring Maduro to justice on drug, weapons and conspiracy charges, to which Maduro has pleaded not guilty. Several foreign allies and adversaries, and many Democratic leaders in Congress, denounced the operation as a violation of international law that would embolden Russia and China to act with similar regional aggression.

Trump cited the legal case against Maduro but also Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, which he said would be tapped to uplift Venezuelans, repay debts to American oil companies and fund U.S. oversight of the country. Some critics were surprised Trump was so forthright about his interest in Venezuela’s oil.

Pardoning Jan. 6 rioters

Ben Pollock awaits the possible release of his children outside of the DC Central Detention Facility on Jan. 20, the day President Trump was sworn in for his second term.

(Bryan Woolston / Getty Images)

One of Trump’s first actions in office was to pardon or commute the sentences of those involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, in which his supporters beat U.S. Capitol police officers in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying President Biden’s 2020 election.

Trump had telegraphed that he might pardon some of those charged in the assault, after downplaying the attack and calling them “hostages.” However, he surprised many when he pardoned or commuted the sentences of everyone involved — more than 1,500 people, including those charged and convicted of the most violent attacks on officers.

Among those freed by Trump was David Dempsey, a Van Nuys man who had been described by federal prosecutors as “one of the most violent rioters.” Dempsey had been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting a law enforcement officer with a dangerous weapon and breaching the seat of Congress.

Berating Zelensky of Ukraine

President Trump and Vice President JD Vance meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office on Feb. 28. Vance said Zelensky was being “disrespectful” and had failed to thank Trump for his support, even though Zelensky had thanked him.

(Andrew Harnik / Getty Images)

In February, Trump and Vice President JD Vance raised diplomatic eyebrows around the globe when they publicly berated Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in an unprecedented exchange in the Oval Office, accusing the U.S. ally of being ungrateful for American help in combating Russian attacks.

Vance said Zelensky was being “disrespectful” and had failed to thank Trump for his support, even though Zelensky had thanked him.

Then, after Zelensky said Ukraine would require security guarantees as part of any deal to end the war, and that a ceasefire was untenable because Russia would use it to regroup, Trump laid into him, saying, “The problem is, I’ve empowered you to be a tough guy. And I don’t think you’d be a tough guy without the United States.”

He said Zelensky would make a deal with Russia or the U.S. would “be out,” which he said wouldn’t be “pretty” for Ukraine. “You don’t have the cards,” Trump said, before accusing Zelensky of “gambling with World War III.”

Investigating political opponents

Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi departs after testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee in October.

(Alex Wong / Getty Images)

One after another, Trump’s political opponents have been targeted with investigations led by political appointees in the Justice Department, often despite career prosecutors raising concerns.

Several have been pursued by Bill Pulte, the Trump-appointed director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, for allegedly committing fraud when securing home mortgages years ago, including by claiming multiple homes as their primary residence. Mortgage allegations have been made against Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin), New York Atty. Gen. Letitia James and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.

In addition, former FBI Director James Comey was charged with allegedly lying to Congress and obstruction. And just this month, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the Justice Department had threatened the central bank with a criminal indictment over Powell’s testimony about Fed building renovations — which he said was a pretext for the administration to undermine the Fed’s independence in setting interest rates.

Trump has defended the investigations as legitimate efforts to hold powerful people accountable for alleged crimes. However, many experts have argued the cases smack of political persecution. Charges against James and Comey were tossed.

Instigating tariff wars

President Trump displays a list of tariffs he announced at a White House event in April.

(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Trump has repeatedly destabilized global markets by instituting, lifting and reimposing sweeping tariffs on foreign nations. On April 2, Trump held a “Liberation Day” event at the White House where he announced “reciprocal tariffs” against nations around the world — which he said were in response to the U.S. for decades being “looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike.”

Trump help up a poster board with new tariff rates, including a 67% tariff on China and a 39% tariff on the European Union. He said the latter, a close U.S. ally, is seen as “friendly,” but “they rip us off.”

Experts immediately questioned the methodology Trump used for calculating the figures, said the tariffs were not reciprocal and raised concerns they would destabilize markets and increase costs for American consumers — which they did.

The tariffs have also raised billions of dollars for the U.S. Treasury, but harmed some of the poorest nations in the world and sparked tensions with the nation’s largest trading partners, including China, Canada and Mexico.

Bombing Iran’s nuclear sites

President Trump addresses the nation in June following the announcement that the U.S. had bombed nuclear sites in Iran.

(Carlos Barria / AFP via Getty Images)

In June, the U.S. joined Israel in attacking Iran, sending American stealth bombers to drop “bunker-buster” bombs on three sites associated with Tehran’s nuclear program. The attack followed Israeli strikes to destroy Iran’s air defenses and offensive missile capabilities.

In an address to the nation, Trump said Iran’s key nuclear facilities were “completely and fully obliterated.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the attacks, saying the bombings “showed that the United States is the primary instigator of the Zionist regime’s hostile actions.”

Many worried the attack would be the precursor to a larger conflict, but Tehran’s response was muted.

Waffling on the Epstein files

Donald Trump in shown in 2000 at Mar-a-Lago with his then-girlfriend and future wife, Melania Knauss, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

(Davidoff Studios Photography / Getty Images)

During his campaign, Trump promised to release the Epstein files — a trove of records from investigations into disgraced billionaire and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a one-time friend of Trump’s who died in federal prison in 2019. Many Americans, including Trump’s supporters, have long demanded the records, in part to assess whether other powerful men were complicit or involved in the abuse.

However, after taking office, Trump — who has long denied any wrongdoing — worked to prevent the release, pressuring members of Congress not to back a bill mandating it. Not until Congress appeared poised to pass the bill anyway did Trump relent, reverse course and sign the measure into law.

The Justice Department released a massive but extensively redacted trove of records in response to the new law in December. They contained references to Trump being involved in or aware of Epstein’s sexual abuse, which the White House called untrue.

Declaring end to birthright citizenship

Trump has signed a wave of executive orders radically altering U.S. policy and the federal government. One that stands out is his order purporting to end birthright citizenship for the U.S.-born children of many immigrants — which is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of 1868, which states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and the state wherein they reside.”

The Trump administration has argued that language applies to freed slaves, not the children of immigrants in the country temporarily or illegally. California, other states and private groups challenged the order in court, and federal judges have put it on hold.

Last month, the Supreme Court said it would hear arguments on Trump’s order — teeing up a major test of Trump’s power.

“I’m not stupid. I feel like they [the crowd] weren’t all there of their own accord, shall we say, and it was quite a small venue.

“Everything needs to start somewhere, but as long as people walk away from the week and are like, ‘You know what, we really enjoyed the darts’, and it gets good coverage.”

BBC Sport has contacted the PDC for comment.

Saudi Arabia has staged many major sports events in recent years, including Formula 1 and golf, and will host the men’s football World Cup in 2034. But the regime has been criticised for its record on human rights and environmental impact.

“It was a lot better than I thought. There were a lot more people than I expected,” said Aspinall.

Darts is known for its boisterous crowds but with the Saudi event being free of alcohol, Aspinall said the atmosphere “was different” before adding, “but you know what, I enjoyed it. Whenever I looked out into the crowd, you could actually tell they were watching it”.

A HOSPITALITY group that operates hotels across Europe has filed for insolvency.

The white label operator, which has a portfolio of 260 hotels, is set to be restructured under self-administration.

Revo Hospitality Group, formerly known as HR Group, operates hotels across 12 European countries and 146 cities.

Founded in 2008, the group has become Europe’s largest white label operator, with a mix of hotels under major franchise brands such as Accor, Wyndham, Hilton, Marriott, and IHG.

It also has its own brands, including Vagabond Club, Hyperion, and Aedenlife.

The recent move affects about 140 companies within the group, however, all 125 hotels in Germany and Austria will remain operational with all 5,500 employees.

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The process will be overseen by administrators appointed by the Charlottenburg District Court in Berlin.

“Around 140 companies belonging to the REVO Hospitality Group have filed for insolvency under their own management at Charlottenburg District Court,” the hotel group said in a press release.

“The approximately 125 hotels in Germany and Austria will continue to operate with all 5,500 employees. The proceedings will be supervised by court-appointed administrators.” 

The future of the 125 hotel locations currently remains unclear.

The group cited the current “economic crisis” as the main factor behind the move, explaining: “140 companies, including the management and holding company, got into difficulties”.

“In particular, increased wage costs and the sharp rise in minimum wages, but also higher costs for rent, energy and food, are weighing on the business,” the statement continued.

“Above all, the strong expansion of the Revo Hospitality Group in recent years led to duplicate structures and integration problems.”

Since 2020, Revo Hospitality Group has reportedly expanded from 51 to 250 hotels, now generating around £1.1 billion in annual revenue and employing around 8,300 staff across Europe.

The Sun has reached out to Revo Hospitality Group for comment.

Syrian government forces have been searching for dozens of ISIL fighters who escaped prison during heavy fighting between the Syrian army and Kurdish-led fighters, hours after a ceasefire was agreed.

The destruction comes as Israel clamps down on NGOs providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

Israel has begun bulldozing the headquarters of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in occupied East Jerusalem as the far-right government clamps down heavily on humanitarian groups that provide desperately needed aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

UNRWA said on X on Tuesday that Israeli forces had confiscated staff devices and forced them out of their headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.

“This is an unprecedented attack not only against UNRWA and its premises. It constitutes a serious violation of international law and the privileges and immunities of the United Nations,” it said.

Local sources reported that an Israeli army group, accompanied by bulldozers, stormed the agency’s compound after sealing off the surrounding streets and intensifying its military presence in the area, and proceeded to demolish structures inside the compound, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Israel has repeatedly attacked UNRWA for what it terms pro-Palestinian leanings and accused the body of ties to Hamas, without providing evidence, which the UN agency has vehemently denied.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the demolition was following through on a new law that banned the organisation.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said in a statement that he had accompanied crews to the headquarters and called it a “historic day”.

Israel has faced global condemnation after a ban on dozens of international aid organisations working to provide life-saving assistance to Palestinians in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip came into effect weeks ago.

Israel has revoked the operating licences of 37 aid groups, including Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, for failing to comply with new government regulations.

The new rules require international NGOs working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to provide detailed information on staff members, as well as their funding and operations.

Last week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he could take his country to the International Court of Justice if it does not repeal laws targeting UNRWA and return its seized assets and property.

In a January 8 letter to Netanyahu, Guterres said the UN cannot remain indifferent to “actions taken by Israel, which are in direct contravention of the obligations of Israel under international law. They must be reversed without delay.”

Israel’s parliament passed a law in October 2024 banning UNRWA from operating in Israel and prohibiting Israeli officials from having contact with the agency. It amended the law last month to ban electricity or water supply to UNRWA facilities.

Israeli authorities also seized UNRWA’s occupied East Jerusalem offices last month. The UN considers East Jerusalem occupied by Israel, while Israel considers all of Jerusalem part of the country.

Flickr

The US Supreme Court has seemingly leaned in favour of West Virginia and Idaho laws banning trans athletes from sports.

On 13 January, the Court heard oral arguments in two high-profile cases – West Virginia v BPJ and Little v Hecox – challenging legislation that bans trans youth from competing in interscholastic and intercollegiate sports.

Lambda Legal, Legal Voice, and the ACLU filed two challenges on behalf of two trans female athletes, Lindsay Hecox and Becky Pepper-Jackson (B.P.J.).

While attending Boise State University in 2020, Hecox – who is now 24 years old- attempted to try out for the school’s women’s track and cross-country teams, but was barred from doing so under Idaho’s overarching Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.

B.J.P., who has identified as a girl since she was in third grade and has taken puberty blockers to avoid male puberty as well as hormone therapy with estrogen, faced a similar roadblock in West Virginia under the state’s Save Women’s Sports Act.

As a result of the girls’ respective lawsuits, federal courts have blocked the enforcement of the two aforementioned bans.

During the nearly three-and-a-half-hour oral arguments, the pair’s legal representation – Kathleen Hartnett and Joshua Block – argued that the two laws violate the rights of both trans and cisgender female students under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

They also argued that West Virginia’s law violates Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs, with Block adding: “unlike the case of a cisgender boy, excluding B.P.J from the girls’ teams excludes her from all athletic opportunity while stigmatising and separating her from her peers.“

Idaho solicitor general Alan Hurst defended the state’s ban, arguing that the law “classifies on the basis of sex because sex is what matters in sports.”

Michael Williams, West Virginia’s solicitor general, echoed similar sentiments to Hurst, telling the Court that the state’s law “is indifferent to gender identity because sports are indifferent to gender identity.“

The Supreme Court’s liberal justices – Ketanji Brown Jackson, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor– seemed to be sympathetic to the Hecox and B.P.J, with the former questioning why the laws should apply to a transgender girl “who does not have, because of the medical interventions and the things that have been done, who does not have the same threat to phyiscal competition and safety and all the reasons that the state puts forward.”

On the other side of the spectrum, conservative justices seemed to lean in favour of the two states, questioning the plaintiff’s arguments that the bans widely discriminate on the basis of sex and gender identity.  

“For the individual girl who does not make the team or doesn’t get on the stand for the medal or doesn’t make all league, there’s a, there’s a harm there. I think we can’t sweep that aside,“ Justice Brett Kavanaugh argued.

However, Kavanaugh seemingly suggested that states that allow transgender girls to participate in school sports should be allowed to do so.

“Given that half the states are allowing it, allowing transgender girls and women to participate, [and] about half are not, why would we at this point, just the role of this court, jump in and try to constitutionalise a rule for the whole country, while there’s still, as you say, uncertainty and debate?“ he asked.

The Supreme Court is expected to issue rulings on the two cases by spring or early summer. 

While reflecting on the oral arguments, Sasha Buchert, counsel, Nonbinary & Transgender Rights Project director, Lambda Legal, said in a statement: “Becky simply wants to be with her teammates on the track and field team, to experience the camaraderie and many documented benefits of participating in team sports.

“It has been amply proven that participating in team sports equips youth with a myriad of skills – in leadership, teamwork, confidence, and health. On the other hand, denying a student the ability to participate is not only discriminatory, but harmful to a student’s self-esteem, sending a message that they are not good enough and deserve to be excluded. That is the argument we made today and that we hope resonated with the justices of the Supreme Court.”

Block echoed similar sentiments in a separate statement, adding: “This case is about the ability of transgender youth like Becky to participate in our schools and communities.

“School athletics are fundamentally educational programs, but West Virginia’s law completely excluded Becky from her school’s entire athletic program even when there is no connection to alleged concerns about fairness or safety. As the lower Court recognised, forcing Becky to either give up sports or play on the boys’ team–in contradiction of who she is at school, at home, and across her life–is really no choice at all. We are glad to stand with her and her family to defend her rights, and the rights of every young person, to be included as a member of their school community, at the Supreme Court.”

You can listen to the full oral arguments for West Virginia v BPJ here and Little v Hecox here.

IF you want Maldives-like overwater bungalows without the long flight, thankfully there is a holiday resort much closer.

Found across the popular resort of Antalya, the resort even has a private beach.

DoubleTree by Hilton Antalya Kemer has been dubbed the Maldives of Turkey thanks to its unique beach cabanas.

With just eight at the resort, each of the rooms are built on stilts overlooking the ocean – just like ones in the Maldives.

It is also a lot closer, with flights to Antalya around four hours, compared to the Maldives ten hours.

While you can’t stay in the huts, each can be privately hired with their own sunloungers and hot tub.

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In the middle is a secluded decking area too, complete with sunloungers and bar.

Outside of the beach huts, the resort has so much to do.

There are ‘festival like’ food trucks scattered across the hotel as well, with snacks including pizza, kebabs and crepes.

If you want a sit down meal, there are five restaurants too with everything from local cuisine to international.

Along with the private beach, there is also a huge central pool with waterslides for both kids and adults.

An indoor freshwater pool, a kids pool and huge kids club is also onsite, while adults can make the most of the onsite spa.

Previous guests have rave about it too, with many praising the friendly staff and high quality food.

One said: “This is the best hotel I have ever stayed in.”

Another agreed: “One of the best all inclusives I’ve been to.”

If you’ve been tempted, it’s also cheaper than the Maldives too.

Basic rooms start from £120, with the beach cabanas costing around £75pp a day.

This is is for four people, and includes butler service, drinks and lunch.

Tour operators like TUI and Jet have package deals too, although the cheapest deal is with Loveholidays.

A seven night stay and flights can be found for £489pp, on an all-inclusive basis, while even in the peak summer deals are around £1,000pp.

With the average cost of a Maldives holiday being around £4,500 – it’s a cheaper (and closer) option.

There’s also an area dubbed the Maldives of Italy.

And in Spain, there is a holiday resort which has overwater rooms too.

Boulter endured a difficult 2025 season, dropping from 24th in the world to outside the top 100, and lost her British number one ranking amid injury struggles.

Seeking a fresh start this season, the Briton ended her partnership with long-term coach Biljana Veselinovic and is now being assisted by American Michael Joyce, who helped Maria Sharapova win two Grand Slams and reach world number one.

It is also a significant year for Boulter away from the court, with her wedding to Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur planned for later in 2026.

Speaking before the tournament, Boulter said: “I’m getting married this year. It’s going to be an unbelievable year, one of the best ones in my life, no matter what happens on the tennis court. I think for me that’s already given me a positive push.

“I feel like having a new coach, having a new set-up, everything is fresh and exciting again. Whereas I feel like I was dragging my feet a little bit at the end of last year just trying to get through the whole entire year without injuries.”

Now British number four, Boulter has won only four tour-level matches since Wimbledon.

She tore an abductor in her final event of last year in Hong Kong and returned to action at the ASB Classic in Auckland earlier this month, losing in the second round.

Jayne Harrison-Bond and husband Ian landed, enjoyed some sun, sand, and beers, then flew home

A couple jetted off to a Spanish island for some New Year’s Eve sunshine – and still made it back in time to ring in 2024 with family. Jayne Harrison-Bond, 52, and her husband Ian, 53, managed to squeeze in three hours of beach time in Lanzarote while still being home to celebrate with their adult children.

Community nurse Jayne, from Loughborough in Leicestershire, organised the spontaneous getaway after realising December 31 was her only free day during the festive season due to her hectic work schedule.

The adventurous pair secured £75 return flights from East Midlands Airport just three days beforehand, rising early to catch their 5.45am departure to the Canary Islands.

Their entire escapade cost under £100 each – covering flights, beach transport, meals, drinks, and a taxi back to Lanzarote Airport for their 6.05pm return journey. Jayne reflected: “It was lovely, a spur-of-the-moment thing, really. I was the only person at work on New Year’s Day with a sun tan, so I’ll take that.

“Somebody on a Facebook group put about going (to Lanzarote for the day) and we’re reasonably close to East Midlands (airport) ourselves.

“I was working all over Christmas but I had that day (the 31st) off. I said to my hubby, ‘that would be a good day trip’ kind of laughing about it, then ended up booking it on the Sunday.”

Welder Ian and Jayne touched down in Lanzarote at 10.15am, reaching Playa Honda beach by 10.35am after hopping on a bus for €1.40 each. “We did very little apart from the beach,” Jayne shared. “We had some nice tapas and a couple of nice drinks. The object of the day was just to utilise some rest time.”

The pair shelled out €4 each for beers at a beachside bar, before heading to Goliath Terraza for more food and drinks, setting them back €11 each. “My hubby had a large pizza and fries”, Jayne revealed. “I opted for a chicken caesar salad and we both enjoyed another drink.”

A €10 taxi fare got them back to the airport in time to catch their flight home, arriving just before midnight. Jayne recalled: “We’ve got two adult children still living at home; we raised a glass of Buck’s fizz with them. I was back to work the next day at 8am. It was well worth it.”

Jayne’s workmates were taken aback by her whirlwind trip, but the travel enthusiast – who has also made day trips to Alicante and Malaga recently – assured them she managed to get up for work without any issues.

She added: “They said, ‘I don’t know how you went that far for a day out’ but we weren’t exhausted after it or anything. It was a very straight-forward, everyday thing so I would recommend it to anyone.”

Jan. 20 (UPI) — President Donald Trump early Tuesday threatened to impose a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne in an effort to pressure France to join his intergovernmental Board of Peace organization.

Trump made the comments early Tuesday to reporters at Palm Beach International Airport before boarding Air Force One to take him to Washington, D.C.

“I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he’ll join,” Trump said, referring to President Emmanuel Macron of France, who is reportedly not planning to accept his offer to join the U.S.-led Board of Peace.

The Board of Peace is a U.S.-led intergovernmental organization proposed by Trump in connection with his Gaza cease-fire plan, which was endorsed by the United Nations Security Council in a resolution related to its Gaza peace mandate.

Though initially conceived as a mechanism to establish peace in Gaza, the charter now makes no mention of the Palestinian enclave, suggesting it may have larger ambitions to address global conflicts, The New York Times reported. The Times also reported that the United States is asking participating countries to pay more than $1 billion to join the board.

Several countries have already accepted Trump’s invitation, including Hungary, Vietnam and Morocco.

Trump told reporters early Tuesday that he has invited Russia, led by authoritarian President Vladimir Putin.

When asked about Macron reportedly turning aside his invite, Trump responded with an insult: “Well, nobody wants him because he’s going to be out of office very soon.”

France is to hold presidential elections next spring, with Macron ineligible to run again due to the country’s constitutional two-term limit.

Trump frequently uses tariffs as a bargaining tool, employing the economic measures as a negotiation tactic. However, those he has imposed during his second term have been challenged in court, as Congress constitutionally controls the nation’s taxing authority.

He recently announced a 10% tariff on goods from several European nations, including France, over their opposition to his plan to seize Greenland from Denmark.

Trump later Tuesday posted online what he said was the text of a message Macron had sent him seeking to arrange a dinner in Paris on Thursday while he is in Europe for the World Economic Forum, running Monday through Friday.

“I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland,” Macron wrote, according to Trump.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has deployed a military radar in the Somali region of Puntland as part of a secret deal, amid Abu Dhabi’s ongoing entrenchment of its influence over the region’s security affairs.

According to the London-based news outlet Middle East Eye, sources familiar with the matter told it that the UAE had installed a military radar near Bosaso airport in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region earlier this year, with one unnamed source saying that the “radar’s purpose is to detect and provide early warning against drone or missile threats, particularly those potentially launched by the Houthis, targeting Bosaso from outside”.

The radar’s presence was reportedly confirmed by satellite imagery from early March, which found that an Israeli-made ELM-2084 3D Active Electronically Scanned Array Multi-Mission Radar had indeed been installed near Bosaso airport.

READ: UAE: The scramble for the Horn of Africa

Not only does the radar have the purpose of defending Puntland and its airport from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, but air traffic data reportedly indicates it also serves to facilitate the transport of weapons, ammunition, and supplies to Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), further fuelling the ongoing civil war in Sudan.

“The UAE installed the radar shortly after the RSF lost control of most of Khartoum in early March”, one source said. Another source was cited as claiming that the radar was deployed at the airport late last year and that Abu Dhabi has used it on a daily basis to supply the RSF, particularly through large cargo planes that frequently carry weapons and ammunition, and which sometimes amount to up to five major shipments at a time.

According to two other Somali sources cited by the report, Puntland’s president Said Abdullahi Deni did not seek approval from Somalia’s federal government nor even the Puntland parliament for the installation of the radar, with one of those sources stressing that it was “a secret deal, and even the highest levels of Puntland’s government, including the cabinet, are unaware of it”.

READ: UAE under scrutiny over alleged arms shipments to Sudan

EXCLUSIVE: Death in Paradise star Shantol Jackson confirmed the exit of one beloved character

Death in Paradise has welcomed a new police officer to the fold, following Ginny Holder’s notable absence from the latest series. Viewers will now meet Police Sergeant Mattie Fletcher, portrayed by actress Catherine Garton.

Darlene was similarly absent from the Death in Paradise Christmas special, making only a brief appearance via video link. Don Gilet returns as Detective Mervin Wilson, joined by Shantol Jackson as DS Naomi Thomas.

Don Warrington reprises his role as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, with Elizabeth Bourgine back as Catherine Bordey, whilst Shaquille Ali-Yebuah returns as Officer Sebastian Rose.

The series will also feature several high-profile guest appearances, including Sarah Hadland, Siobhan Finneran, Hermione Norris, Steffan Rhodri, Ben Willbond, Gary Wilmot, and Tim McMullan.

In an exclusive chat with Reach PLC and other media, the cast addressed Ginny’s departure, with Shantol Jackson confessing, “We’ll miss her,” reports the Express.

Shantol, who portrays Naomi Thomas, explained, “We definitely Miss Ginny because Ginny’s character, she was like…so Catherine comes in and she’s the older sister, or, you know, the older cousin, but Ginny was like, Queen Mother.”

Shaquille, who plays Officer Rose, added, “She was the auntie.”

Shantol continued, “And the beautiful thing about Ginny was that she was auntie of the police station, so Darlene…she carried that in her character, and then that’s how she was outside of set.

“So, you know, we’ll find that we miss the character and miss the person, but you know, thankfully, Catherine has done so exceptionally well that you don’t feel like there is an empty gap.

“It doesn’t feel like, oh, ‘we are missing a person, or we are missing a character’. It doesn’t feel that way at all. You miss the person, but that space. I think Catherine has done a really good job in carrying Jonny’s baton, and so we’re just really grateful for that.”

Additional guest stars featuring in Death in Paradise include Julian Rhind-Tutt, Ace Bhatti, Louis Davison, Scarlett Alice Johnson, Sean Delaney, Lizzie Davidson, Kojo Kamara, Layo-Christina Akinlude, Sandra James-Young, Phoebe Sparrow, Antonia Bernath, and Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge, who portrayed Selwyn Patterson’s successor when he departed Saint Marie.

The synopsis for the series reveals, “As DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) continues to adjust to life in Saint Marie, he and the police team must face a myriad of baffling cases.

“But whilst attempting to connect with his recently discovered half-brother Solomon (Daniel Ward), Mervin’s newfound familial happiness soon turns to frustration as he discovers the pair are not quite as similar as he hoped they might be.”

The synopsis continues: “A returning Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) confronts the impact of his recent period of absence, and after some tough love from old friend, Catherine Bordey (Elizabeth Bourgine), he’s determined to win back the trust of the island.

“Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) and Officer Sebastian Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah) help new recruit Sergeant Mattie Fletcher (Catherine Garton) settle into the fold, which might be easier said than done as shadows from her past begin to reveal themselves.”

Death in Paradise is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website**

Jan. 20 (UPI) — On this date in history:

In 1265, Britain’s House of Commons, which became a model for parliamentary bodies, met for the first time.

In 1778, James Cook became the first European to step foot on the Hawaiian Islands. He called them the Sandwich Islands.

In 1783, U.S. and British representatives signed a preliminary “Cessation of Hostilities,” which ended the fighting in the Revolutionary War.

In 1801, John Marshall was appointed chief justice of the United States.

In 1892, the first officially recognized basketball game was played at the YMCA gym in Springfield, Mass.

In 1936, Edward Albert, Prince of Wales, was formally proclaimed King Edward VIII.

In 1937, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt took the oath of office for his second term as president. It was the first Inauguration Day held on January 20, a result of the 20th Amendment.

In 1945, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the only president to be elected to four terms in office, was inaugurated to his final term. FDR died three months later and was succeeded by Harry S. Truman.

File Photo courtesy of FDR Library

In 1961, John Fitzgerald Kennedy began his presidency with inauguration ceremonies on the newly renovated east front of the Capitol.

In 1981, 52 American hostages were released by Iran after 444 days in captivity.

In 1981, Ronald Reagan took the oath of office to become the 40th president of the United States.

In 1989, George H.W. Bush took the oath of office to become the 41st president of the United States.

In 1991, Iraq launched missile attacks on Saudi Arabia and paraded on television what Iraqi officials identified as seven captured allied airmen, including three Americans.

In 1993, Oscar-winning actress Audrey Hepburn died of cancer at her home in Switzerland. She was 63.

UPI File Photo

In 1993, Bill Clinton took the oath of office to become the 42nd president of the United States.

In 1996, Yasser Arafat was elected president of the Palestinian Authority with 88 percent of the vote.

In 2001, George W. Bush took the oath of office to become the 43rd president of the United States.

In 2006, Lawrence Franklin, a former U.S. State Department analyst and Iran expert, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for passing classified information to Israel and two pro-Israeli lobbyists. The sentence was later reduced to probation and 10 months of home confinement.

In 2007, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., became the first former first lady to seek the U.S. presidency when she entered the race for the 2008 Democratic nomination.

In 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the United States’ 44th president and the nation’s first Black chief executive.

In 2010, senior Hamas Commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh was assassinated in his hotel room while on a visit to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

In 2011, U.S. and local law officers arrested more than 100 suspected mobsters among seven families in New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island on a variety of charges, including murder, racketeering and extortion.

In 2017, Donald Trump took the oath of office to become the 45th president of the United States, the first person to hold the title without prior military or political experience.

In 2021, Joe Biden took the oath of office to become the 46th president of the United States, while Kamala Harris became the first woman to be sworn in as vice president.

In 2025, Donald Trump took the oath of office for the second time, becoming the 47th president of the United States. After Grover Cleveland, he was the second U.S. president to have non-consecutive terms in the White House.

File Photo by Kenny Holston/UPI

With much of the world’s attention on the growing rift between the United States, Denmark, and its allies over Greenland, the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) became the latest NATO operator to retire the iconic F-16 fighter. While the F-35A is already on duty to defend Denmark, the Danish F-16s will continue to serve with Argentina as well as Ukraine, the latter of which have already seen combat.

Yesterday, at just before 2:00 p.m. local time, at Skrydstrup Air Base, an F-16 touched down for the very last time while officially in RDAF service. Around two hours before that, three other RDAF F-16s had taken off for a final formation flight, departing from Skrydstrup in full afterburner to mark their retirement.

This was part of an official F-16 retirement ceremony at Skrydstrup, in southern Jutland, after more than four decades of service. The RDAF’s final Viper operator at the base was 727 Squadron.

“We never talk about the age of the F-16 because it has been maintained by probably the world’s best aircraft technicians and is flown by some of the world’s best pilots,” Gen. Christian Hvidt, the former Danish Chief of Defense, told attendees in Skrydstrup’s Hangar 3. “Congratulations to 727. What exciting and enormous challenges lie ahead,” he added.

Hvidt, with the callsign “VIT,” had touched down in the first Danish F-16 at Skrydstrup 46 years ago, in January 1980. He later became the commander of 727 Squadron, which was tasked with bringing the aircraft into operational service.

In what became known as the ‘Sale of the Century,’ Denmark acquired the F-16 — at that time still a General Dynamics product — as part of a European collaboration with Belgium, the Netherlands, and Norway in the late 1970s. In service with the RDAF, the F-16 replaced the F-100 Super Sabre, F-104G Starfighter, and Saab Draken.

Denmark acquired 77 F-16A/B Block 1/15 aircraft in two main batches, plus additional attrition replacement orders.

Multiple RDAF F-16s ‘thumping’ an airfield in a simulated multi-vector attack profile:

Specific features of the Danish F-16 included a floodlight, fitted in the port forward fuselage side, in front of the canopy, for night interceptions, something that was also found on Norwegian jets. Two underwing stations were adapted to accommodate the Terma Pylon Integrated Dispenser Stations (PIDS). These pylons have built-in approach warning sensors and can be fitted with electronic warfare jammers, as well as dispensers for decoy flares and chaff. The pylons are tied to the jet’s internal self-protection suite to provide synergistic effects.

Reconnaissance pods used by Danish F-16s included the Per Udsen (now Terma) Modular Reconnaissance Pod (MRP), which replaced the earlier Red Baron pod.

As a European Participating Air Forces (EPAF) member, Denmark took part in the Mid-Life Update (MLU) program and provided these modifications to 61 F-16s, with work completed locally, in Aalborg. This brought the jets to F-16AM/BM standard, broadly similar to the later F-16C/D Block 50/52, albeit without the more advanced radar.

Ultimately, F-16s were operated by four RDAF squadrons, 723 and 726 at Aalborg Air Base, in northern Jutland, and 727 and 730 at Skrydstrup.

An RDAF F-16 demonstration over Aalborg Air Base in 2012:

Danish Air Force F-16 DEMO-FLIGHT HD

International operations in which Danish F-16s were involved included Allied Force over the former Yugoslavia in 1999, Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan in 2002–03, Unified Protector over Libya in 2011, and Operation Enduring Freedom in the Middle East on two separate occasions in 2014–15 and 2016. Closer to home, RDAF F-16s participated in Baltic Air Policing and Iceland Air Policing and Surveillance, with a first deployment to Iceland in 2009.

In April 2023, the RDAF received its first F-35A at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, at which point the service still operated around 43 F-16AM/BMs, but the writing was by now on the wall for the Viper.

Denmark has now increased its F-35 orders from 27 to 43 aircraft. All aircraft are expected to be fully operational by next year, allowing the retirement of the F-16 at this point.

Explaining about the decision to replace the F-16 with the F-35, Steen Hartov, senior advisor in the Air Force Command’s Combat Aircraft Division, told guests at Skrydstrup yesterday: “In the future, we will see a completely different type of warfare. We will see significantly less fragmented battles, and instead we will see wars where battles on land, in the air, at sea, in space, and not least digitally will take place at the same time and directly influence each other.”

The RDAF itself stresses the F-35’s “revolutionary ability to scan large areas, gather information, and send it directly back to its own forces [providing] a clear overview and insight into the battlefield all on its own,” as its key advantage over fourth-generation types.

As for the RDAF’s F-16s, retirement in Denmark doesn’t mean the end of their operational careers.

“Despite the aircraft’s many missions and countless flights, they are still in such good condition that there is no need to retire them,” the RDAF says.

Some of the aircraft have been sold to Argentina, while others have been donated to Ukraine.

After months of discussion about whether to give Ukraine the F-16s, it became a reality in August 2023 when Denmark and the Netherlands officially pledged dozens of Vipers to Ukraine. You can read more about that here.

To date, Kyiv has been promised 87 F-16s from four different European nations. These comprise 24 from the Netherlands, 30 from Belgium, 19 from Denmark, and 14 from Norway. Since its introduction to service, Ukraine has lost four F-16s in different incidents.

In Ukrainian service, the former RDAF jets retain the distinctive Terma self-protection pylons.

After an incredibly protracted selection process, Argentina secured a deal for 24 former RDAF F-16s in 2024. This came after many years of false starts, during which numerous different fighter options were pitched to Argentina as a replacement for its veteran A-4 Fightinghawks. In December of 2025, the first six Danish F-16s were handed over to Argentina and flown from Skrydstrup to their new base with the support of U.S. tanker aircraft.

While the F-16 has now bowed out of Danish service, these aircraft are set to see out many more years of service and, in Ukrainian hands, are already being exposed to an intensity of combat operations that they never experienced with their original operator.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com