NATO: All allies met defense spending target for first time last year
March 27 (UPI) — All 32 NATO nations met or exceeded the alliance’s target for defense spending last year, Secretary-General Mark Rutte said, as Canada and several ally nations increased their investment in defense amid war in Europe and the Middle East.
“We see clearly that our world is constantly changing. And we are adapting to ensure we remain prepared,” he said during a press conference in Brussels, as he released the alliance’s 2025 Annual Report.
“The threat picture across 2025 made clear that we need to do more. And throughout the year, NATO continued to come together to ensure that we are ready and able to respond to any threat, across all domains, both now and in the future.”
The defensive military alliance has called on member states to invest at least 2% of their gross domestic product in defense since at least 2006, with allies in 2014 pledging that those below the guideline would move toward it within a decade — though few nations did so for years.
Amid what he described as a more dangerous security environment — including Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Kremlin’s support from China, Iran, North Korea and Belarus, as well as the broader instability centered on Iran — countries are stepping up, he said, calling 2025 “a landmark year for NATO.”
Amid the protracted war in Europe and uncertainty about the United States’ cooperation with the alliance, defense ministers last year made a commitment to investing 5% of GDP annually in core defense requirements by 2035.
Among nations Rutte highlighted for reaching the 2% benchmark was Canada, which, under the Liberal government of Prime Minister Mark Carney, has sharply increased its defense spending as its once iron-clad relationship with the United States has frayed under the weight of U.S. President Donald Trump‘s incendiary rhetoric, threats of annexation and tariffs.
In the last 10 months of the Carney government, Canada has spent more than $23.8 billion on defense and security, pushing it over the 2% threshold for the first time since the end of the Cold War — and well ahead of the 2032 pledge made by former Defense Minister Bill Blair in 2024.
“As a result of our efforts, this morning, NATO confirmed that Canada has achieved its 2% defense expenditure target — half a decade ahead of the original schedule,” Carney said during a press conference held Thursday aboard a Royal Canadian navy vessel in Halifax Harbor.
“Canadians are responding to our renewed commitment and call to serve.”
The Liberal leader described the 2% target as “the foundation” for further investment in the country’s defense expenditure, as he announced a further $2.1 billion defense package for Atlantic Canada.
“Over the past 11 months, one of our government’s key priorities has been to reinvest in rebuilding and rearming the [Canadian Armed Forces] to provide you with the support you need to achieve mission success,” he said.
“We will continue our efforts with the same speed and determination that we have shown from the very beginning.”
Ukraine signs deal with Saudi Arabia offering drone expertise
On Thursday, in a video message to the Joint Expeditionary Force, a security alliance which held a summit meeting in Helsinki, Zelensky said: “The key is not only producing new weapons – especially drones – not just technology, but also real experience in using it, and integrating it with radars, aviation, and other air defence systems. We have this experience,” he added.
Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo seen in emotional clash in Raising Chelsea trailer
Former Made in Chelsea stars Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo are starring in their own three-part series, which focuses on their romance and journey to becoming parents
Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo seen in emotional clash in Raising Chelsea trailer(Image: Youtube/Disney Plus)
Jamie Laing and wife Sophie Habboo are seen in a tense, emotional clash in a new trailer for their upcoming series Raising Chelsea.
The Made in Chelsea couple, who wed in April 2023, are the stars of a brand new series with Disney+ which is due to premiere next week. Ahead of the three-part series’ release, Disney+ has released a teaser trailer to give a glimpse of what fans can expect from the show.
The candid trailer traces their journey to parenthood – and opens with a clip of Jamie, 37, and Sophie, 31, in the back of a car as Jamie explains: “We’re currently heading to the Lindo Wing,” before Sophie adds: “We think it’s happening,” in reference to the birth of their first child.
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The teaser then turns back time as a montage looks at the couple meeting, tying the knot and their career highlights – including Jamie’s Strictly stint and Sophie recording their podcast. Before the pair announce: “And we’re having a baby!”
“I’ve always wanted to be a mum,” Sophie confesses as the montage moves on to focus on the couple’s journey to parenthood – from planning to conceive to midwife appointments. “Pregnancy is a rollercoaster,” Sophie confesses as she is seen having an ultrasound scan. Another clip shows Sophie in tears as Jamie tells her: “Nothing’s the matter, I promise you.”
Meanwhile, Jamie is seen in a confessional telling the camera: “The dynamic between Sophie and I; she’s the boss and I’m the intern.” Before it cuts to more clips and Jamie is heard telling the camera: “We’re bringing you on our journey. There’s c-sections, vaginal birth, births out your butthole…”
As the montage continues it cuts to a particularly tense clash between the couple as a wide-eyed Jamie is seen sharply saying: “I’m stressed, I’m tired.” The camera then cuts to an emotional Sophie, who is seen tearing up as she says: “But you just go behind my back. That’s so unacceptable.”
The camera then cuts to a confessional of Jamie’s mum Penny Baines who says: “This pregnancy, you’d think the Messiah was coming.” The clips then cut to show images of Sophie in hospital as she’s under observation as she smiles. Before Jamie gives an update on the birth, telling the camera: “Bad news is that the baby, his arm is through the cervix, she needs to have an emergency C-section.”
Emotional scenes follow as Jamie is seen reassuring Sophie while she undergoes the C-section before a newborn cry is heard and a doctor says: “Hear that sound?” As the elated couple are overwhelmed with emotion. The scenes then cut to a quiet moment of Sophie at home, feeding her baby son Ziggy, who was born in December.
The trailer ends with the date the series will be available to stream, which is April 2.
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Inside world’s first hotel staffed by futuristic robot dinosaur receptionists
One hotel is offering a unique experience when it comes to its check-in staff. Instead of humans, guests at the hotel are greeted by robot dinosaurs to help them check-in to their room
Guests at one hotel based in Japan are greeted by robot dinosaurs to help them check-in(Image: Henn na Resort & Spa)
Most of us like to encounter unique experiences when we travel, and one hotel based in Japan is certainly offering that with its check-in staff. Instead of humans, guests at the hotel are greeted by robot dinosaurs to help them check-in to their room. The unique experience was shared over on Instagram, with influencer Anna-Lynne posting a reel about it. Her video saw her walk in to a ocean-themed room as robot dinosaurs greeted her at the check-in desk.
Overlay text read, ‘POV, it’s 8pm in Japan, you’re tired and you just want to check in to your hotel…’ Following up in the caption, she wrote: “Booked this stay not knowing I’d be checked in by dinosaurs and low-key, I was terrified.
It was 8pm, I was exhausted after a flight, and I had to walk from the train station in pitch dark just to get here. Then these prehistoric receptionists welcome me and I was like uhhh the f**k.
“But real talk they were somehow more polite than some humans I know. The check-in was smooth, and this place is super clean and quirky in the best way.”
The hotel in question is Henn na Resort & Spa Kansai Airport in Japan.
The unique, high-tech hotel in the Izumisano area is famous for being the world’s first hotel brand staffed primarily by robots, including dinosaur receptionists.
It is located along the coast with scenic views of Osaka Bay and airplanes landing at the nearby airport.
As well as guests being greeted and checked in by multilingual dinosaur robots in the ocean-themed lobby, they can also make use of many facilities such as indoor and open-air baths with bay views, a mineral mist sauna, and a dry sauna.
The on-site restaurant, Seian (Aoi-an), serves Japanese cuisine made with local ingredients and is supervised by a Michelin 1-star chef.
In addition to standard rooms, the hotel offers unique concept rooms like Ninja, Pirate, and Peach Aviation collaboration.
The hotel is approximately 15 minutes by car or one train stop (6 minutes) from Kansai International Airport (KIX). It is a 10-minute walk from Rinku Town Station.
Attractions nearby include Rinku Premium Outlets, Rinku Park, and the Seacle shopping mall, which are all within walking distance.
The hotel is often highly praised for its magnificent views, clean modern rooms, and the fun novelty of the robot staff. However, some guests found the walk from the station difficult with heavy luggage and noted that the automated check-in may occasionally require human assistance.
People were loving the look of the robot dinosaur staff from Anna-Lynne’s video, with it racking up more than 811,000 likes.
One person exclaimed: “Wait this is so epic.”
While another added: “My introverted self would prefer the awkward robot dinosaurs.”
However, many others predicted they’d encounter a few issues too.
“Lol, this would send me over the edge of laughter and despair,” one person wrote.
While another added: “Imagine trying to complain about room service and staying serious.”
Meta boosts Texas AI data center spend to $10B
Meta boosts Texas AI data center spend to $10B
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American goes to Benidorm for first time and is immediately confused by 1 thing
American travel enthusiast Kalani made his way over to Spanish holiday hotspot Benidorm for the first time, and went on to share his honest opinions, including one thing that left him confused
An American shared his honest opinion after visiting Benidorm for the first time (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
The Spanish coastal city of Benidorm has long been a favourite among British holidaymakers looking to enjoy some sunshine and relax on holiday. But one American was shocked when he visited the Spanish city for the first time by just how much influence the influx of British visitors has had on the destination.
British pubs and chippies aren’t a common sight in Spain, nor is a Full English being served in every café – but they can be found all over the famous strip in Benidorm, making Brits feel like they’re in a home away from home, just with much better weather. To experience it for himself, American travel enthusiast Kalani, who has visited the UK several times, decided to head to Benidorm after having been told about it from British friends.
Taking to TikTok, where he has more than 3.3 million followers, Kalani documented his time in Benidorm and everything it had to offer. At the end, he went on to share his honest thoughts about his holiday, also revealing that there were some things that had left him confused.
Starting off by saying that a lot of people had also warned him against visiting Benidorm, describing it as ‘like Blackpool with more sun’, Kalani said he agreed the famous Strip matched this description, but argued the city also has so much more to offer.
“For me, I could probably only do about one night on the Strip, it’s just too much for me,” he said. “That’s not really my scene anyway.”
However, he added anyone who does enjoy that sort of experience should definitely give it a go. He went on to say that his highlight had been exploring the Old Town of Benidorm.
“Really good views, and then they have Tapas Alley, which we went to last night and you can get authentic Spanish food,” he said. “It’s a really cool atmosphere.
“And if you’re looking to have a little bit more Spanish culture and not just going to Benidorm strip and having a fry up every day, it’s a good spot to go.”
The American went on to say that, while he understood why some people might have urged him to avoid Benidorm, he wondered if these people had visited Old Town, saying this was the highlight of his holiday. He said: “You can experience a part of Benidorm that isn’t as in-your-face as the Strip.”
However, Kalani also revealed that there were some parts of his visit to Benidorm that had left him confused, including repeatedly being asked about ‘Charlie’.
“I need someone to tell me about who Charlie is,” Kalani said, explaining that several people had asked him if he wanted ‘Charlie’ after exploring the Strip one night. Viewers were soon quick to tell him that Charlie is a common nickname for cocaine.
He also explained the various ‘weird‘ things he had spotted on the Strip, including a vending machine with a variety of ‘pleasure products’, a drunk woman driving a mobility scooter with a man holding on behind her, as well as the famous Sticky show.
“But you know what, I’m having a great time,” Kalani said. “I think it’s really beautiful, great views. The other part of Benidorm, I’d have to do in very small doses.”
DHS attorney said agents in Los Angeles should have ‘started hitting’ protesters, emails show
WASHINGTON — A lead attorney for the Department of Homeland Security suggested that federal agents should have “just started hitting the rioters and arresting everyone that couldn’t get away” during an anti-ICE protest in Los Angeles last June, internal emails show.
The note was in an email chain obtained by the nonprofit watchdog group American Oversight through the Freedom of Information Act and shared exclusively with The Times.
In it, attorneys for Homeland Security appear to be discussing the June 9 lawsuit filed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom over President Trump’s deployment of thousands of California National Guard troops to Los Angeles.
Under the subject line “California DOD Lawsuit,” officials coordinated legal filings defending the Trump administration and included a draft declaration by the Los Angeles field office director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement supporting the deployment of military forces.
The final email in the thread was from Joseph Mazzara, then-acting DHS general counsel, and he appears to be referring to an incident in which protesters tried to breach a protective line at a federal building.
On June 11, he wrote: “Every time I read about the battering ram incident I’m just floored at how wild that is.”
Referring to law enforcement as “they,” he continued: “They should have, when they brought the line in, just started hitting the rioters and arresting everyone that couldn’t get away from them. No one likes being hit by a stick, and people tend to run when that starts happening in earnest.”
The Department of Homeland Security didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Mazzara was later appointed deputy commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Politico reported that Mazzara is among 10 staffers who followed former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to the State Department after she was fired this month from DHS and given a new role as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas.
The battering ram incident Mazzara referred to is detailed in court documents for the lawsuit.
A June 19 order from a panel judges from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals states that Trump administration attorneys presented evidence of protesters interfering with federal officers. The protesters threw objects at ICE vehicles, “pinned down” several Federal Protective Service officers and threw “concrete chunks, bottles of liquid, and other objects,” the order said.
Protesters also “used ‘large rolling commercial dumpsters as a battering ram’ in an attempt to breach the parking garage of a federal building,” the order states.
Mazzara’s comment in the email thread with other Homeland Security attorneys was given to American Oversight with a watermark showing the agency had intended to withhold it. American Oversight also received a version of the documents with that statement redacted.
Chioma Chukwu, executive director of American Oversight, said it’s no wonder the administration wanted to keep Mazzara’s comments hidden.
“They reveal a level of hostility toward protesters that is deeply at odds with the government’s obligation to protect civil liberties — and there’s no FOIA exemption that justifies hiding them,” she said.
Kerry Doyle, the former top ICE attorney during the Biden administration, said Mazzara’s comments show a shocking carelessness about the potential for harm against both the general public and the officers he was employed to protect.
The email, she said, “seems to encourage, or, at the very least, support constitutional violations by the operators that are supposed to be getting legal counsel from him to avoid violating the law.” Plus, commenting on operational strategy is outside the scope of his responsibilities, she said.
“He’s doing a disservice to the people that are on the front line, that rely on him and his colleagues to give them the parameters of what they can and can’t do,” Doyle added. “If you give them bad legal advice, you are setting them up for liability.”
Noem’s removal came amid backlash against an escalation of violence during Trump’s crackdown on immigration, including the shooting deaths of U.S. citizen protesters by immigration agents.
Doyle said part of the secretary’s job is to set the tone for the agency so the rank and file know what is expected of them. Mazzara’s comments, she said, show how that tone has permeated all facets of the agency.
After the U.S. Supreme Court cast doubt on the Trump administration’s legal theory for using troops in domestic law enforcement operations, the president in December began removing the National Guard from Los Angeles and other Democratic-led cities.
The protests last summer caused significant property damage in a small section of downtown Los Angeles. But grand juries refused to indict many demonstrators accused by federal prosecutors of attacking agents, and a Times review of alleged assaults found that most incidents resulted in no injuries.
Mikael Granlund’s hat trick gives the Ducks a win over the Flames
CALGARY, Canada — Mikael Granlund capped his hat trick scoring on the power play with one second remaining in overtime on Thursday night to give the Ducks a 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames.
Granlund has seven goals during a four-game goal streak that has him up to 19 on the season as the Ducks extended their winning streak to four games.
The Pacific Division-leading Ducks have a five-point lead on the Edmonton Oilers and a six-point lead on the Vegas Golden Knights.
Rookie Matvei Gridin and Blake Coleman scored for Calgary, which extended its point streak to five games (4-0-1). Gridin stretched his point streak to four games (one goal, three assists).
Ville Husso, who made 23 saves, improved to 9-7-1.
Devin Cooley, who had 30 stops, fell to 9-10-4.
The game got off to an inauspicious start for the Flames. First, Pavel Mintyukov’s turnover in the opening minute of the game resulted in a 3-on-0 breakaway for Calgary but Gridin, Morgan Frost and Matt Coronato over-passed it and never got a shot on goal.
Three minutes later, it appeared that Yegor Sharangovich had given Calgary the lead, but the Ducks challenged for offside and the goal was overturned. It was the fifth goal the Flames have had waved off by video review during its homestand.
Calgary eventually took the lead on Coleman’s goal 1:06 into the second period when he redirected Joel Farabee’s pass inside the post. But Granlund tied it on an unassisted goal two minutes later.
The Ducks lost two defensemen to injury. Radko Gudas (lower body) left the game late in the second period and Mintyukov got hurt when he took a shot from Olli Maatta high in his chest in the third.
The best literary and books events in L.A. right now
“What happened to my dreams? Simply put: they changed,” reads Phil Augusta Jackson aloud to a crowd in a furniture store. Tonight’s theme is change. From a podium, the television writer reflects on the long, thorny odyssey of his career. A pinball machine blinks in the background. Behind him, dreamy abstract prints hang on the wall, their shapes seeming to melt in the unseasonable spring heat.
Alongside mid-century furnishings and art in Echo Park, siblings Madeline Walter and Evan Walter host their wildly popular reading series, Essays. It’s a warm spring night. In a tender essay, Evan considers what he’s inherited from his idiosyncratic father. “I scream-sneeze like him now,” he reads. “It feels like a mess figuring out what parts of your parents you’re going to keep.”
In March 2024, the Walter siblings began the reading series in a friend’s backyard. “It was cold and wet, and we were so nervous nobody would come,” says Madeline. Since then, the show has moved through a series of venues before settling into a home at The Hunt Vintage. In just two years, it has grown into a local phenomenon, regularly drawing crowds of more than 150 people into the singular space.
The idea for Essays took shape during a conversation about creative constraints. Both writers and comedians, the siblings wanted to host a show that pushed beyond snappy punchlines and polished half-truths. “The objective is different from just being funny,” Madeline says. “It’s to tell me about yourself. Tell me something you’re thinking about.”
Siblings Madeline and Evan Walter host a popular monthly reading series called Essays at Echo Park’s Hunt Vintage.
(Ryan Wall )
Like many readings across Los Angeles, Essays taps into a growing appetite for sincerity. “People are really craving a space where you can be funny, be vulnerable, laugh at yourself — and where there’s an earnestness,” Evan says. That sensibility feels familiar to them. They grew up in what Madeline describes as a “very NPR-coded household that loved David Sedaris-style stuff.” She adds: “Doing something in the essay space feels like a surprising return to form.”
“One of my roommates describes it as a church-like experience, because everything is just so emotionally0driven and connective,” says Kaitlyn Kilmer, a longtime attendee.
The legacy of the series has begun to ripple outward. Their reading series has created a complementary Substack. Kilmer is now hosting a reading in her living room among friends.“We decided that we wanted to do our own, so I gathered a few friends who had been fans of the Essays show,” she says.
Essays exists in a larger network of reading series that make up Los Angeles’ diverse and ever-evolving literary scene. “There are so many readings now,” explains non-fiction writer Diana Ruzova, who frequently attends readings. “I’m not mad at it, though, mostly grateful that L.A. has a thriving literary community.”
In Los Feliz, Skylight Books continues to host intimate book launches for some of the most anticipated literary releases, drawing local favorites and celebrities.
“Our vibe is cozy,” says Mary Williams, general manager of Skylight Books. “We set up chairs under the big tree that grows in the middle of the store, and we hope this is a go-to place for our community to see their favorite authors while mingling with other book lovers.”
Elsewhere, at Heavy Manners Library, the tone of literary events leans more toward the experimental. “Experimental, unpolished writing can be shared and reflected on in an accessible, communal setting,” says program assistant Jane Shin.
This spring, literary events across the city run the gamut — from independent book fairs to poetry workshops, from the bizarre to the deeply vulnerable — welcoming everyone from curious newcomers to die-hard bookworms.
US seaside town Britons say is like Brighton named top destination for pensioners
This beautiful seaside town has been named among the best places to relocate to in America
Best city in the US to relocate to that Americans say is frozen in time(Image: Getty)
A recent study conducted by The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin examined working and living standards throughout the United States to identify the most desirable location to move to in America. The investigation took into account elements including annual earnings, insurance provision, living expenses, safety rankings, housing affordability, and general standard of living.
New Jersey was identified as one of the finest states to relocate to in 2026, for both living and employment purposes. Expatriates in New Jersey can anticipate generous wages, a secure setting, and pleasant weather conditions.
Among the premier retirement destinations in New Jersey is Cape May, a stunning coastal resort that “feels frozen in time”.
Cape May is a pedestrian-friendly historic town, and ranks amongst the most established seaside resorts, boasting 19th-century Victorian properties, delightful shops and excellent restaurants.
The area experiences a humid subtropical climate characterised by sweltering, muggy summers. According to Great Family Vacations, Cape May ranks as one of the top places to retire in the United States.
The picturesque town provides pensioners with a tranquil seaside way of life, picturesque shores, and a lively and hospitable community. The travel specialists stated: “Cape May, on the southernmost tip of New Jersey, is much more than another seaside retreat.”
American pensioner Michael Potts remarked: “Cape May is a nice Victorian town. It has terrific restaurants, great beaches and is laid-back. It has exactly what we were looking for.” Another pensioner remarked: “There’s endless walking in town and a path along the beach. The beaches are clean; the architecture is beautiful.”
British expats flocked to Tripadvisor to voice their opinions, with one noting that the American town feels like travelling back in time as it boasts “the largest concentration of Victorian houses in the US”.
Another resident said it brought back memories of Brighton. “The shops are especially similar. The beach in Brighton was all stones, which made it quite hard to walk. The pier in Brighton reminded me of some of the boardwalks in Wildwood or Ocean City, NJ.”
Video: Children’s toys found in rubble of US-Israeli strike in Iran | US-Israel war on Iran
Rescue teams from the Iranian Red Crescent Society have been searching the rubble of residential buildings hit in US-Israeli attacks in Iran, where officials say around 2,000 people have been killed.
Published On 27 Mar 2026
Venezuela: Judge Refuses to Dismiss Maduro Case, Challenges US Blocking of Defense Funding
Solidarity activists gathered outside the courthouse and demanded the release of Maduro and Flores. (Katrina Kozarek / Venezuelanalysis)
Caracas, March 26, 2026 (venezuelanalysis.com) – US Judge Alvin Hellerstein ruled out dismissing the case against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores in a hearing on Thursday in Brooklyn.
The defense team for Maduro and Flores—who face charges including drug trafficking conspiracy and weapons possession—requested that the case be thrown out after the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) denied them authorization to use Venezuelan state funds to pay for legal counsel. OFAC had initially granted the license on February 9 but revoked it three hours later.
New York Southern District Judge Hellerstein declined to throw out the charges due to the blockaded funds, calling it “a serious step based on hypotheticals.” However, he did not formally rule and left the door open to revisit the decision in the future.
US Justice Department prosecutor Kyle Wirshba argued that allowing access to Venezuelan state funds would undermine existing sanctions policy, adding that if the defendants are unable to hire private attorneys, court-appointed counsel could be assigned. Maduro attorney Barry Pollack countered that such a measure would violate their Sixth Amendment right to choose their own legal representation.
During the hearing, Hellerstein challenged the prosecutors’ arguments, adding that OFAC’s personal sanctions against Maduro and Flores would also block them from using personal funds. The judge likewise disagreed with the prosecution’s claims that the blocking of funding for the defense was a matter of national security, stating that Maduro and Flores “no longer represent a threat.”
He further remarked that “things have changed” and that the United States is already “doing business” with Venezuela.
According to observers in the courthouse, Maduro and Flores, both in beige prison uniforms and handcuffed, appeared calm throughout the hearing, using headphones for simultaneous translation. Neither spoke. Observers noted that Maduro appeared thinner. Flores’ attorney, Mark Donnelly, made an urgent request for a medical evaluation, specifically an electrocardiogram, citing a pre-existing condition. The judge approved the request.
Hellerstein will set a new court date in the coming days. Maduro and Flores have not requested bail and were returned to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn after the hearing.
Maduro and Flores, who is also a lawmaker, were kidnapped by US special forces during a military attack against Caracas on January 3. They pleaded not guilty at their arraignment two days later. Despite recurring “narcoterrorism” accusations over the years, US officials have not presented evidence tying high-ranking Venezuelan leaders to narcotics activities. Specialized agencies have consistently found Venezuela to play a marginal role in global drug trafficking.
Trump calls for additional ‘charges’
Prior to the hearing, US President Donald Trump argued before reporters that additional charges should be brought against the Venezuelan president.
“He emptied his prisons into our country, and I expect that at some point he will be charged for that,” he said. Trump has repeatedly raised unfounded claims that the Venezuelan government “emptied” prisons and mental institutions into US territory.
Outside the courthouse, a heavy police presence separated Venezuelan opposition supporters from solidarity activists demanding the release of Maduro and Flores and an end to US attacks against the Caribbean nation.
In Caracas, social movements gathered at Plaza Bolívar to express support for the president and first lady. The demonstration followed another mobilization earlier in the week demanding the lifting of US economic sanctions against Venezuela.
Speaking at the rally, lawmaker Nicolás Maduro Guerra—the president’s son and also facing US Justice Department charges—described his father as “a worker” who identifies “as a son of God above any political office.” Days earlier, in a social media post, Maduro Guerra had said his father would appear “in high spirits” and “in good shape” due to regular exercise.
He was joined by Caracas Mayor Carmen Meléndez, while the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) also called for Maduro’s release in a public statement.
For her part, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has yet to comment on Thursday’s hearing. Venezuelan authorities have also not publicly addressed US efforts to block the funding of Maduro and Flores’ legal expenses.
Since January 3, the Rodríguez administration has led a diplomatic rapprochement with Washington, with several White House officials visiting Venezuela in recent weeks. A Venezuelan government delegation arrived in the US capital on Thursday, led by Vice Minister Oliver Blanco, who reported meetings with State Department officials to boost “mutually beneficial” relations.
Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.
JK Rowling reacts to Harry Potter trailer after ‘millennial slop’ allegations
The new Harry Potter series is winging its way to HBO, but the show, based on the smash-hit books by author, JK Rowling, has divided die-hard fans of the boy wizard
First look at HBO Harry Potter cast including Snape and Dumbledore
JK Rowling has given her take on the new Harry Potter trailer – which has seriously divided fans. The new series on HBO, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, is set to debut on Christmas Day this this year.
Featuring a new cast, including Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, each series will adapt each of Rowling’s seven books across seven seasons over the course of a decade. The teaser opens exactly where fans would expect—at the Dursleys’ house. We see Harry hidden in the now-iconic cupboard, with Petunia Dursley dismissing him as “nothing special”. But almost immediately, the tone shifts. A letter arrives. A door opens. And just like that, the magic starts to happen.
READ MORE: First look at HBO Harry Potter cast including Snape and Dumbledore as release date teasedREAD MORE: True cost of HBO’s Harry Potter – death threats, mounting pressure and ironclad contracts
Responding to the trailer, many fans were excited, as one took to X, exclaiming: “The trailer for the new Harry Potter looks b****y marvellous. I cannot wait, and as it seems to me, neither can the rest of the world.” However, others were not convinced, with one claiming the new offering was little more than “millennial slop”.
On Thursday, Rowling threw her support behind the project, insisting she’s “so happy” with the teaser trailer for the series adaptation of her novels, sharing her reaction to the first look with fans on social media. “It’s going to be incredible,” she exclaimed on X, adding: “I’m so happy with it.”
However, at least some of the book’s fans would disagree, with several slamming the new series in comparison to the Harry Potter films, which were released from 2001 to 2011.
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Several have also complained about the race-swapping of Severus Snape with actor Paapa Essiedu, who recently revealed he’s received racially-motivated death threats over his casting.
Giving their take on the trailer, one fan quipped: “The new Harry Potter show is truly amazing to me. Leftists won’t like because of JKR, right wingers won’t like it because JKR retconned a bunch of characters to try and be woke, and the kids of today won’t like it because it’s literally f******g millennial slop.”
Meanwhile, Rowling’s controversial views on the trans community have also called the series into question, with one fan tweeting: “You cannot ‘separate the art from the artist’ with Harry Potter.”
Scheduled to premiere on Christmas Day, Harry Potter began filming in the UK last summer.
Its cast includes McLaughlin as the titular boy wizard, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
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Holiday warning for Brits as UK Foreign Office says ‘expect long queues’ at the airport due to new travel rules
THE UK Foreign Office has warned Brits heading abroad to be wary of longer-than-usual airport queues ahead of new travel rules being fully rolled out next month.
The new EES requirement has already resulted in lengthy wait times at airports and are predicted to only get worse across the next few weeks.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is the new travel system replacing the need for a passport stamp by automatically checking when a person enters and exits an EU country.
Non‑EU residents have to register their details on their first visit to a Schengen area country.
This is done using the EES machines at airports and ferry terminals to log their fingerprints, facial images and scan passports.
With lots of Brits are still yet to register, and with an influx of families heading abroad over the upcoming Easter break – it’s anticipated that this will result in delays and queues at the EES machines.
New advice on the government website reads: “Ahead of the Easter holidays, Brits are being advised to be aware of extra border checks – the EU’s Entry Exit System (EES) – and allow additional time at the border when travelling to the EU.”
It added: “EES checks should take only a few minutes per person, although longer waits at border control are possible, including for your journeys back to the UK.”
From April 10, EES will be fully operational with with every participating border crossing using the system.
Previously, there have been reports of delays of up to four hours with Brits lining up in the airport to use the EES machines.
Travel Reporter Alice Penwill queued for three hours through Lanzarote Airport.
Other airports that have seen long delays include Brussels, Lisbon and Prague.
Some passengers could be subject to further delays – especially those heading to Spain as ground staff are planning to strike at 12 airports across the country.
Several Spanish unions are set to begin an indefinite strike too from today.
Walkouts are planned to take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, across three time slots: from 5am to 7am, from 11am to 5pm and from 10pm to midnight.
Other baggage handling staff have planned 24-hour strikes on March 28-29 and April 2-6.
Airports that could be disrupted by these strikes include Madrid-Barajas, Málaga-Costa del Sol, Alicante-Elche, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona-El Prat, Bilbao, Valencia and Bilbao.
It could disrupt also affect airports on popular Spanish islands too, like Gran Canaria, Tenerife Sur and Norte, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Ibiza.
Here are Sun Travel’s top tips on how to deal with EES travel chaos…
Here are our top tips on how to ease the travel chaos if you’re caught up in EES delays…
- Sit at the front
First off is quite simple, book a seat at the front of the plane. If you want to get to border control before the rest of the passengers on your flight, then by being at the front, you’ll be able to get off first. - Early flights
When you’re booking, it might ease wait times if you go head out on one of the first flights of the day. There are generally fewer scheduled flights and they experience less disruption. - Anticipate delays
If you are taking a connecting flight, we’d advise to anticipate delays. Of course this varies from airport to airport, but some travellers might find it will take longer to get through because of the EES requirements. Similarly, if someone’s collecting you perhaps give them a bit more time – especially if they’re in one of the pick-up zones that costs money. - Go for a bigger airport
If you can go to a bigger airport and take a longer road transfer, it could be worth it At a larger airport there’s likely to be more EES machines than at one of the smaller ones For example, Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski found there were plenty more of the machines in Spain‘s Alicante Airport than in Austria‘s Salzburg. - Bring entertainment
If you have children, or are generally just bored of queues (and who can blame you?) – think about entertainment It could be worth setting the kids up with an iPad or something that will keep them occupied. Bring a reserve of snacks because standing in line means no access to the airport’s cafes and shops. - Get into the priority lane
For those who are disabled and require assistance make sure to let the airline know in advance as you would usually. After landing, staff should escort you straight through to the front of border control queues. Many major airports offer priority family lanes at passport control for families with young children (usually under 12 years old). - Use the plane facilities
Quite simply, if you are going to be waiting in line for yours, then you want to be comfortable. So before landing, go to the toilet on the plane. If you’re queueing along corridors before heading into border control, then the chances are there won’t be access to toilets
For more on Easter breaks, here are 10 European getaways under £200 per person from beach resorts to cool cities.
And here are 10 of the most affordable English seaside towns for Easter holidays with £1 rides, £2 pints & mega cheap hotels.
Football quiz: Name England’s line-up from their 2014 World Cup match with Uruguay
England take on Uruguay in a friendly on Friday and to mark the match we’re looking back to the last time the two played each other at the 2014 World Cup.
Luis Suarez starred in the Group D encounter, helping Uruguay to a 2-1 win which, after other results went against England, essentially knocked Roy Hodgson’s side out of the tournament.
It’s not a game England fans remember too fondly, but can you pick out the players who started the match? We’ve given you their positions and clubs at the time as a clue.
Now in power, Nepal’s rapper-politician Balen Shah faces new challenge | Politics
For the first 18 years of post-monarchy Nepal, the country had 14 prime ministers — leaders changing almost every year, with some taking office, being forced out, and then returning again a few years later.
On March 5, Nepal appeared to draw a line in the sand. Months after a Gen Z-led uprising ousted the then prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, millions of voters chose rapper-turned politician Balendra Shah — or Balen as he is widely known — and his Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) to lead the nation. On Friday, March 27, Shah was sworn in as Nepal’s prime minister.
The RSP is barely four years old, and Shah’s only prior political experience is as mayor of the capital, Kathmandu.
Now, with a landslide win, analysts and voters say that Shah and the RSP have an historic opportunity to build on the popular 2025 revolt and deliver on the aspirations of young Nepalis. But with that opportunity comes risks, they add.
“There is so much excitement with the heavy mandate. This is a historical and unprecedented opportunity for him to execute his agenda because his party is likely to have close to a two-thirds majority,” political analyst Bishnu Sapkota told Al Jazeera. But, he added, “ expectations are enormous. I do not think it is realistic for him to fully meet them.”
Too big a mandate?
In the election, Shah defeated Oli in a constituency that had been the former prime minister’s stronghold for decades. The RSP won 125 of the 165 first-past-the-post seats in parliament. Seats determined through proportional representation — 110 seats are up for grabs — are yet to be divided among parties, but everything points to a two-thirds majority for the RSP.
That’s a larger mandate than even the RSP itself expected.
“We were expecting just over a 50 percent majority, but a two-thirds mandate was beyond our expectations,” RSP leader Shishir Khanal told Al Jazeera. Khanal, who was a lawmaker in the outgoing parliament, won re-election on March 5.
“The challenge is that such a mandate creates very high expectations among people, who want fast results. Given Nepal’s institutional capacity and almost stagnant economic growth, delivering those results will be extremely difficult.”
One immediate test for Shah will be implementing the findings of the Karki Commission, formed by the interim Sushila Karki government that took charge after Oli’s ouster last year. The commission was tasked with investigating the killings and property damage during the Gen Z movement last year. The panel submitted its report to the government last Sunday. This interim government is expected to hand over the investigation to the incoming Shah government to implement.
“There is a popular demand that the report be made public and implemented quickly,” Sapkota, the analyst, said. “If the interim government hands over the report as promised, implementation will have to happen in stages. As soon as he begins doing that, political reactions will follow, and he will have to manage them carefully.” The protests last year were driven by public anger over corruption, poor governance and lack of accountability, issues that voters expect the new government to address urgently. High-profile corruption investigations involving politicians are likely to be among the upcoming government’s first major tasks.
That won’t be an easy challenge to address.
Shah joined the RSP only weeks before the election, and was nominated as its prime ministerial candidate, while Rabi Lamichhane, the television presenter-turned-politician who founded the party, remains its president.
Lamichhane himself remains a controversial figure, facing allegations of fraud, organised crime and money laundering. He has previously served jail sentences and is currently out on bail. Lamichhane is accused of illegally holding two passports, US and Nepali, which is forbidden under Nepali law.
Two power centres?
The relationship between Shah and Lamichhane — and the balance of power between them — will also come under scrutiny, say experts.
Gehendra Lal Malla, professor of political science at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, described their alliance as a “marriage of convenience”.
“Balen needed a party to contest the election, and Rabi needed Balen’s popularity,” he said. “But differences could emerge later.”
Malla said Shah will also face a difficult test in dealing with the ongoing charges against Lamichhane. “We have a culture in Nepal where politicians protect each other,” he said. “Shah must uphold the rule of law and not protect anyone from his own party.”
At the same time, Malla noted that Shah’s popularity was the main factor behind the RSP’s success. “Balen’s appeal was the reason the party gained such a huge mandate,” he said. “He could end up having a stronger grip on the party than its president.”
Analyst Sapkota said that the RSP leadership, including Lamichhane, would need to acknowledge that the overwhelming mandate they received was largely because of Shah’s appeal. “They have to recognise that and give Shah absolute freedom to form the cabinet of his choice. Of course, the party can give their inputs and suggestions,” said Sapkota.
Khanal said, based on the conversation and an agreement they had signed, Shah will lead the government and Lamichhane the party. “From that perspective, they have their individual role sorted out, and both will have to face challenges and manage expectations on their own respective front,” Khanal told Al Jazeera. “I have observed them work very closely together within the last election cycle and campaigning. Their decision-making has also been in collaboration. So, with what I have experienced so far, there wouldn’t be any friction between them.”
The first 100 days
For Sapkota, Shah’s political novelty might work in his favour. “He doesn’t have the baggage of party cadres and internal factions,” Sapkota said. “That gives him more freedom compared to previous prime ministers.”
RSP leaders say the government plans to move quickly. “In the first 100 days, the honeymoon period, people will begin to see changes,” Khanal said.
The party has planned to prioritise anticorruption measures, including investigations into the wealth of senior officials and politicians since 1990. “We want to form a commission to investigate the assets of high-level officials and reopen high-profile corruption cases that were paused,” Khanal said.
These steps respond directly to the demands of last year’s Gen Z protests.
For many young activists who drove the protests, the election result represents hope, but also a new government that must be held accountable.
Gen Z activist Yujan Rajbhandari, 23, said the new government must prioritise good governance and protect civic freedoms, or face pushback from the same movement that enabled its rise. “With the RSP’s large majority, parliamentary opposition will be weak,” he said. “So the streets will play a major role as opposition.”
Beyond immediate reforms, Nepal is in the middle of a debate about whether to introduce broader constitutional reforms — with questions about how decentralised power needs to be.
Khanal said the party plans to establish a committee to review whether amendments may be necessary.
Shah’s critics have also questioned his diplomatic skills, citing past social media posts attacking Nepal’s neighbours, including India and China, and important partners such as the US. As Kathmandu mayor, he briefly banned Indian films and displayed a “Greater Nepal” map that showed Indian territory as part of an aspirational larger Nepal.
Sapkota said those concerns were being overblown.
“When he made those remarks, he was a mayor, not a national leader responsible for foreign policy,” he said. Sapkota argued that Shah’s lack of political baggage could allow Nepal to pursue a more independent diplomacy. “This is a clean slate,” he said. “Previous leaders had historical ties and obligations with different countries. Shah does not have that baggage, which could give Nepal greater independence.”
Neighbouring India has already signalled a willingness to work with Nepal’s new leadership.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated both Shah and Lamichhane after the election and expressed hopes for stronger bilateral relations. Shah responded by emphasising the importance of maintaining the “historical, close and multifaceted relations” between Nepal and India and congratulating India for their recent T20 Cricket World Cup win.
For Malla, another important element to watch would be Shah’s relationship with the media. “Balen should engage more with the press once he becomes prime minister,” he said. “In the past, he has often said he prefers to work more and talk less. But as a national leader, communication and accountability are essential.”
How extensive is Russia’s military aid to Iran? | US-Israel war on Iran News
“A bit” is what United States President Donald Trump thinks about the scale of Russia’s military aid to Iran.
Moscow “might be helping them a bit”, he told Fox News on March 13.
A day later, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated laconically that Moscow’s military cooperation with Tehran was “good”.
His words seemed to confirm earlier media reports that Russia is providing Iran with satellite and intelligence data on the locations of US warships and aircraft.
It may not sound like much, given the superiority of Western military satellites and Russia’s battlefield losses and communication problems after Elon Musk’s SpaceX company switched off smuggled Starlink satellite Internet terminals.
But data on US military assets Iran is receiving most likely comes from Liana, Moscow’s only fully functional system of spy satellites, according to an expert on Russia’s space programme and military.
“The [Liana] system has been created to spy on US carrier strike groups and other navy forces and for identifying them as targets,” Pavel Luzin, a senior fellow at the Jamestown Foundation, a US think tank, told Al Jazeera.
Eyes in the sky
Russia also played a key role in the development of Iran’s space programme and its key satellite, the Khayyam.
Launched in 2022 from Russia’s Baikonur cosmodrome, the 650kg (1,430 pound) satellite orbits the Earth at 500 kilometres (310 miles) and has a resolution of one metre (3.3 feet).
Moscow “can, in theory, receive and process data from Iran’s optical imaging satellite and share data from its own several satellites”, Luzin said.
On Wednesday, Tehran claimed to have struck the Abraham Lincoln carrier with multiple cruise and ballistic missiles, but the Pentagon called the claim “pure fiction”.
On Sunday, Iranian media claimed that a “massive blaze” was caused by a strike on a US destroyer refuelling in the Indian Ocean.
Washington did not comment on that strike.
Russia has, for decades, supplied weaponry to Iran, including advanced air defence systems, trainer and fighter jets, helicopters, armoured vehicles and sniper rifles, worth billions of dollars.
Since Washington and Tel Aviv began their strikes on February 28, Russia has continued aiding Iran with “intelligence, data, experts and components” for weaponry, Lieutenant General Ihor Romanenko, former deputy chief of Ukraine’s general staff of armed forces, told Al Jazeera.
While Moscow and Tehran loudly proclaim their strategic partnership, they do not have a mutual defence clause, and Moscow has not intervened in the conflict directly.
But the arms supplies have been mutual. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Tehran has provided Moscow with ammunition and artillery shells, firearms and short-range ballistic missiles, helmets and flak jackets.
Drones with ‘comets’
And then there are the Shahed kamikaze drones – slow, noisy, yet cheap to manufacture – which have been launched on Ukrainian cities in swarms of dozens and then hundreds. Ukraine became so adept at bringing these down – now mass-producing cheap interceptor systems specifically to target Shaheds – that it is now providing its own know-how to Gulf states where US military assets have come under fire from Iran in recent weeks.
In the course of its war with Ukraine, Moscow has manufactured and modernised Shaheds, making them faster and deadlier, and equipping them with cameras, navigators and, occasionally, artificial intelligence modules.
And now, some of the upgrades have made their way back to Iran.
A Shahed drone with a pivotal Russian component launched by Iran-backed Hezbollah from southern Lebanon was able to hit a British airbase on Cyprus on March 1, the UK’s Times newspaper reported on March 7.
It reportedly contained Kometa-B (Comet B), a Russian-made satellite navigation module that also acts as an anti-jamming shield, making drones more resistant to interference.
Russia has also perfected the tactic of sending waves of real and decoy drones to exhaust and overwhelm Western-supplied air defence systems in Ukraine.
These days, the scheme helps Iran hit targets in the Gulf, Western officials say.
“I think no one will be surprised to believe that Putin’s hidden hand is behind some of the Iranian tactics and potentially some of their capabilities as well,” British Defence Secretary John Healey said on March 12 after Iranian drones struck a base used by Western forces in Erbil, northern Iraq.
However, if Iran is suffering a shortage of drones – as some analysts believe it is – that would render the use of Russian tactics, as well as Russia-supplied satellite data useless, experts say.
“Russia does supply data, it’s obvious, the data helps Iran, but not much,” Nikita Smagin, a Russian expert who has written extensively on ties between Moscow and Tehran, told Al Jazeera.
After four days of intensive strikes using up to 250 drones a day in early March, Iran has been launching only up to 50 drones a day, according to Nikolay Mitrokhin, a researcher with Germany’s Bremen University.
“Iran ran out of steam really fast,” he told Al Jazeera.
‘A goodwill gesture’
Moreover, Moscow is not necessarily particularly interested in an Iranian military victory, as the war is benefitting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s own conflict in Ukraine.
Skyrocketing oil prices make “Putin financially capable of further hostilities,” Lieutenant General Romanenko said.
As Iran strangles shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the price of Brent crude – the international benchmark – has soared past $100 a barrel in the past three weeks. US President Donald Trump was forced to temporarily suspend sanctions on shipped Russian oil to ease the economic backlash. The result has been tankers laden with Russian oil bound for China making U-turns in the open ocean to divert to India, as countries scramble to grab Russian oil cargoes out at sea. The price of Urals crude has bounced.
Putin “hasn’t achieved his goals in Ukraine and will therefore use anything, including the war [in Iran] and lies to achieve his vision, press with his ultimatums,” Romanenko said.
The Kremlin “doesn’t pursue a breakthrough in this war, doesn’t help Iran break the United States and Israel,” Ruslan Suleymanov, an associate fellow at the New Eurasian Strategies Center, a US-British think tank, told Al Jazeera.
The current intelligence and military aid is “more of a goodwill gesture, an attempt to create an illusion of help, to show Tehran that despite the lack of formal commitments, Russia doesn’t leave its friend in need”, he said.
And Tehran fully understands how insufficient Moscow’s aid is – and therefore relies on its own stratagem of expanding hostilities to the entire region through strikes on neighbouring states and of crippling the global economy with soaring oil prices.
“Iranians understand that the forces are not equal and it’s impossible to defeat the United States and Israel on the battlefield, and no Russian aid is going to help,” he said.
It seems that Trump’s assessment that Moscow “might be helping them a bit” may not be too far wide of the mark.
Venezuela Fury, 16, looks amazing in gold dress and tiara as she celebrates hen do with mum Paris ahead of her wedding
BRIDE-TO-BE Venezuela Fury, 16, looked amazing in her gold dress and tiara as she celebrated her hen do with mum Paris ahead of her wedding.
The teen has enjoyed a whirlwind engagement after it was revealed her boyfriend Noah Price, 17, got down on one knee at her 16th birthday party and popped the question.
The young couple have not yet announced a date for their wedding, but as the hen do was last night, this could be a big hint their big day is getting closer.
Venezuela, who appears in the Fury family’s hit Netflix reality series At Home With The Furys, pulled out all the stops as she stepped out for her bachelorette party.
The teen was dressed in a stunning metallic dress, and matching strappy heels.
Venezuela wore her hair up on top of her head with a tiara and bridal veil.
She also made sure to flash her huge engagement ring as she made her way into her hen do, which was held at Morecambe Football Club
As Venezuela walked into her party, she told The Daily Mail: “I can’t wait. I’m really looking forward to married life. I’m very happy and excited.”
The youngster was joined by her glam mum Paris, 36, who looked incredible in her white bodycon dress.
The mother-of-eight showed off her stunning figure in the skintight dress.
It has been reported that Venezuela had an estimated 300 guests at the hen party.
According to the Mail, party goers were treated to a huge buffet, Karaoke and a DJ.
When it was announced last September that the teenager had got engaged, there was some backlash from fans, due to her age.
Venezuela has since been forced to hit back at trolls who have said that she is too young to marry.
Earlier this month the teen’s mum Paris, who has seven other children, shared her thoughts on the upcoming wedding.
“I didn’t feel old enough for this, but Venezuela is over-the-moon happy,” she told The Mirror.
“The two of them are in their own little bubble. And, look, I got married myself at 18.”
Although Paris is delighted for Venezuela and Noah, she insisted it is “too soon” for the pair to start having children – saying they want to travel first.
The mother-of-eight also admitted that she’s worried about herself when her eldest child eventually moves out.
She said: “I’ll feel like I’ve lost my arm. It’s going to hit me hard.
“Right now, Tyson’s in training camp in Thailand, the kids are in school, and Venezuela and I… basically co‐parent!
“But I do let her have her space. The weekends are her time. I know she’ll be fine, getting on with an exciting new life. It’s me I’m worried about.”
It comes as bride-to-be Venezuela recently revealed she is already packing up items to move into a house with her fiance Noah, who is a boxer and an East Midlands belt holder.
In a Q&A with fans on Instagram, the teenager confirmed she would be staying with her parents until she is married.
Venezuela told followers: “I’m trying to get everything booked for May/June time, but I’m not sure when it will be.
“I will be in my mam and dad’s home til I’m married.”
In order to get ready to set up her marital home, Venezuela has been buying home items ready and showed off the results from a haul.
Paris also recently opened up about her feelings surrounding Venezuela’s engagement, which has sparked controversy among fans regarding her age.
But speaking to The Sun, the matriarch insisted she’s “really pleased” for her daughter, adding: “I got engaged at 17, so even though I feel she’s young, I did it.
“I wouldn’t change a thing.
“So if that’s what she wants to do, then 100 per cent, me and her dad support her.”
Paris also dropped some hints about Venezuela’s upcoming wedding as she says the teen isn’t “rushing to plan weddings” – in sharp contrast to her daughter’s Instagram remarks.
“She’s not rushing to plan weddings or get married,” she said.
“We have very different tastes.
“She has said she wants a smaller wedding, so if that’s what she wants, I’ll go along with it.”
Ion Beam Applications SA GAAP EPS of €0.43, revenue of €620.2M
Ion Beam Applications SA GAAP EPS of €0.43, revenue of €620.2M
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England: Will Uruguay be Thomas Tuchel’s toughest test so far?
England won all eight of their qualifying games, scoring 22 goals and conceding none to finish comfortably clear at the top of Group K.
However, their group opponents were Albania, Andorra, Latvia and Serbia – four sides ranked outside the top 20 in the world.
Indeed their toughest test in terms of ranking last year was a friendly against Senegal, who were 19th in the world at the time. England lost 3-1.
It may have been a non-competitive match, but the Three Lions’ performance in that game was concerning.
“No discernible plan. No identity. No improvement – arguably even a regression – since Sir Gareth Southgate stepped down after defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin,” wrote BBC Sport’s chief football writer Phil McNulty after the game.
“[Tuchel] may offer up mitigating circumstances as he made 10 changes from the World Cup qualifying win against Andorra, plus this was a friendly at the end of a long season. But it was still a sobering, alarming evening as Senegal outclassed England.”
While that result and performance may have been a blip, England needed to face higher-ranked opponents to test them before heading to the World Cup – and they should get that against Uruguay and then Japan, who are 19th in the world.
Ryanair explains why thousands of flights have been cancelled
Ryanair is calling on passengers to act
Ryanair chiefs have explained (Image: tupungato via Getty Images)
Thousands of Ryanair flights have been cancelled, with the budget carrier continuing its campaign to “keep EU skies open”.
Ryanair has set up a a petition, aimed at the European Commission, to reduce the impact of French Air Traffic Control (ATC) strikes on EU flights. The campaign has now garnered support from more than two million people, with thousands of flights scrapped – and more disrupted – in 2025 alone. In October of last year, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said: “It is inexcusable that Europe’s worst performing ATCs in France, Spain, Germany and the UK continue to inflict avoidable delays and cancellations on millions of EU citizens every month.
“Despite warnings, Europe’s ATC performance is not improving, as national providers fail to properly staff and manage their operations. EU ATC needs reform and its passengers who are paying the price.
“ATC delays have already disrupted 33m citizens so far this year, with France, Spain, Germany and the UK consistently failing to staff and manage their services properly.”
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported last month that Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) delays in Europe have “grown sharply” in recent years, with this “far outpacing traffic growth”. ATFM delays, it said, “have cost airlines and passengers an estimated EUR 17.5 billion since 2015 (in 2025 prices), of which over 70% is linked to capacity shortages and staffing issues”.
The Council of the European Union said last year that “the air traffic control system is increasingly struggling to manage this growing demand”, noting that while “close coordination has been underway for many months between the European Commission and EUROCONTROL as well as ongoing planning between the EUROCONTROL Network Manager, airlines, airports, air navigation service providers and the military … resolving the issue also requires political will at the national level as each country is responsible for providing adequate air traffic services and making the necessary investments to support these services.”