closes

John Slusher shouldn’t admit this. When the former Nike executive signed on to oversee LA28’s commercial operations last year, he looked at the private organizing committee’s lofty financial goals with some concern. Sales were “incredibly slow.” There was momentum around the first Olympics in L.A. in more than 40 years, but not many results.

Yet.

Weeks after celebrating his one-year anniversary with the group responsible for organizing and delivering the 2028 Games, Slusher and his team delivered a $2-billion present.

After announcing 15 partnerships in 2025, LA28 met its goal of reaching $2 billion in corporate sponsorship by this year, which Slusher said puts the group well on track to meet or exceed its $2.52-billion goal for domestic partnerships that serves as the largest line item funding the 2028 Games.

“Each avenue of commercial, whether it’s sponsorship, licensing, ticketing, hospitality, they’re all just kind of smoking hot, if you will, right now,” Slusher said in a recent interview with The Times. “I think there’s a lot of momentum and a lot of excitement around driving the business. And I think we’re all super focused on delivering an amazing, financially responsible Games.”

Since its bid for the Games began in 2016, LA28 has promised to deliver and operate the event with private funds. The estimated budget is $7.15 billion for L.A.’s first Olympics since 1984. After last year’s Paris Olympics, focus has shifted to the United States as the country begins a major decade of major sports events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 Olympics and the 2034 Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City.

“There is still much work to do and I can assure you the team is not resting,” U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Chief Executive Officer Sarah Hirshland said during a media conference call. “But the reality is that this success puts the LA28 Games on track to be very successful while building significant commercial value for Team USA for many years to come. We couldn’t be more pleased with where we sit.”

Slusher, the chief executive officer responsible for revenue for LA28 and U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Properties, said the group is still selling for major sponsorship categories, including quick service restaurant, retail, tech and finance. Ticket registration begins on Jan. 14 with 14 million tickets available for the Olympics and Paralympics, which would break the record for Games tickets sold. Volunteering opportunities connected to LA28 in the community have already begun and volunteer applications for the Games open in the summer of 2026.

From record commercial growth to launching volunteer and community ticketing programs earlier than ever, our north star continues to be delivering a fiscally responsible Games with meaningful impact for L.A. and beyond,” LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover said in a statement. “We’re working day in and day out to make the Games more accessible than ever to the millions of people who want to get involved in a meaningful way.”

LA28 announced a ticket donation program with hopes of making tickets accessible to local fans through community groups. The Rams were the first participants, donating $5 million. Tickets will begin at $28 and LA28 plans to have one-third of tickets under $100.

Ticketing and hospitality is supposed to cover $2.5 billion of LA28’s total budget, the second-largest source of revenue for the Games.

A study done by the Southern California Assn. of Governments estimated the Games will generate between $13.6 billion and $17.6 billion in additional gross domestic product across a six-county region between 2024-2029. The study considered LA28’s $7.15-billion budget, estimated visitor spending and a portion of Games-related transportation infrastructure investments.

While only four of the Olympic venues are outside of L.A. County, the study estimates that five other Southern California counties — Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and Imperial — could still enjoy roughly 33% of the economic benefit because of visitor spending and work provided elsewhere in the region. Orange County, which will host the volleyball competition at Honda Center and surfing at nearby Trestles, could draw between $2.88 billion and $2.44 billion in gross domestic product from the Games, the second-most behind L.A.’s range of $8.96 billion and $11.97 billion.

The study was limited to only short-term gains up to five years after the Games, which does not take into account any “legacy effects.” The 2028 Games will have no permanent venue construction, but the planning agency notes that transportation infrastructure built to support the Games could benefit the region for decades in the future.

Transportation updates are largely the responsibility of the city, which is relying on federal grants to expand the Metro rail system and add more buses for the Games. Improvements to Los Angeles International Airport have been plodding: The People Mover train’s opening date has been delayed again to June 2026.

Outside of money used for infrastructure improvements, L.A. is also at risk to foot the first $270 million in potential overruns from LA28. If the private organizing committee’s debt goes further, the next $270 million would go to the state and anything remaining would return back to the city.

ONE of the most iconic spaces in London will close for a whole year as it goes under important upgrades.

The Barbican, which opened in 1982, home to a beautiful conservatory, theatre and a musical venue, will soon close its doors for important upgrades, but here’s everything you can do there before it does.

The centre that holds everything from performances to a Martini Bar is getting a makeover confirmed at £240 million for its first phase, which is set to begin in 2028.

According to The Standard, the total estimated cost will be £451million.

Major works are now needed to drag it into the future after decades of wear and tear and as a result ,the centre will close from June 2028 until June 2029.

So before that happens, here’s everything you can do there if you fancy a visit.

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Conservatory

The Barbican is home to the second biggest conservatory in London.

The ‘tropical oasis’ is filled with over a thousands species of plants including banana trees, cacti, yuccas and Swiss cheese plant.

There’s an Arid House for cacti and succulents, koi ponds with fish and terrapins, and walking paths.

Currently, the next dates available to visit are December 20 and 28, 2025 and January 2 and 4, 2026 – admission is free but sessions must be booked in advance.

The conservatory will undergo work as the roof has glazing that’s at risk of caving in.

The renovation includes a proposal of a separate events space which allows the conservatory to be open to the public for longer.

There are also plans to rip out a staircase and a lift put in to improve accessibility, and put in toilets across all floors of the building.

Theatre

London is an incredible city when it comes to theatre, so it’s no surprise you can watch some great shows at the Barbican.

The Royal Shakespeare Company has had two major productions at the Barbican for late 2025/early 2026: Wendy & Peter Pan, and Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

Another upcoming performance will star Call the Midwife‘s Helen George and Felicity Kendal from Rosemary and Thyme in a production of High Society.

The show will have a full-size orchestra and will tell the story of a society wedding of the year which descends into chaos with old flames and new flames vying for attention.

Tickets for High Society start from £35 and the show will be on from May 29 to July 11, 2026.

Music

The Barbican hosts around 70 concerts a year in its Concert Hall which can seat almost 2000 people.

So, you can catch some incredible musical performances at the Barbican as it’s where the London Symphony Orchestra are based.

The London Symphony Orchestra holds around 50 concerts a year.

There are lots of classical performances throughout the year with at least one a day on the calendar – some of which are free and some are ticketed.

Cinema

Film buffs have got this venue on their radar – but the Barbican has an entire cinema complex with three screens.

It shows a range of films from arthouse to documentaries, blockbusters, classics and family-friendly.

There’s also an all-day café and bar for a complete movie experience.

During the summer, the Barbican Centre has an annual outdoor cinema series in its Sculpture Court during the summer.

Despite the year-long shutdown, cinemas on Beech Street and routes through the residential estate will stay open.

Library

The Barbican Library is a public space filled with books, spoken word recordings, DVDs, CDs and sheet music, which is available for loan to its members.

Anyone can enter and use the public areas of the Barbican Library, but you need to become a free member to borrow books or use certain resources.

Lakeside Terrace

When the sun is shining, there’s no better place to soak up the warm weather than outside the Barbican next to the courtyard pond.

It’s completely free to enter, and a great spot to enjoy a morning coffee.

During the revamp, the courtyard by the pond outside will also be repaved, which will stop water leaking down onto the Metropolitan Line below.

The outside area will also get a makeover with new fountains and seating for people to enjoy when the sun is shining.

Tours

For those who are more interested in the Barbican building you can book a guided tour.

Here you’ll learn facts like the Barbican’s theatre and concert hall go deeper underground than the nearest Tube line.

Tickets for the 90-minute tour start from £18.

Or if you’re in a bigger group then you can book to have a private tour of the Barbican estate.

Food and Drink

On the ground floor of the centre is the Barbican Kitchen where in the mornings you can grab a coffee and pastry.

At lunchtime, pick up a toasted sandwich, build-your-own salad, hand-made pizzas and seasonal street food menus.

During the evenings you can have some pre-show tapas, and mezze plates with a glass of wine or beer.

Children under 10 can enjoy a complimentary meal from our kids’ menu with every adult meal over £10 purchased.

On the first floor is the Barbican Bar & Grill where you can have a laid back lunch, and in the summer, dinner on the terrace.

Mains include gnocchi, poached salmon, Shepherd’s pie, and a salted beef sandwich

There’s also a pre-theatre menu which is set at two courses for £31 or three courses for £39.

Also on the first floor, there’s a Martini Bar which has views over the lakeside and is where you can get a simple Campari Spritz or Signature cocktail like The Brutalist.

Here, there’s happy hour from 5pm to 6pm every day where you can get two ‘classic’ cocktails for £17.

For more things to do, here’s London’s best free indoor attractions for families – perfect for rainy days.

And this popular family attraction will return to UK capital – 8 years after it was scrapped.

Dec. 13 (UPI) — Cambodian officials closed all border crossings from Thailand as fighting continues between the two nations despite a claimed cease-fire.

The Cambodian Defense Ministry said Thai forces had not stopped bombing targets in Cambodia on Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The border crossings with Thailand will remain closed until further notice, ministry officials said.

President Donald Trump on Friday night announced a cease-fire agreement had been reached between Thai and Cambodian officials after he spoke with them.

They agreed to “cease shooting effective this evening” and resume an agreement signed in October, Trump said in a social media post, adding that “both countries are ready for peace,” as reported by the BBC.

Leaders from the respective nations did not say they reached a cease-fire, though.

“Thailand will continue to perform military actions until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people,” Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnivirakul said, as reported by The New York Times.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet confirmed speaking with Trump regarding a cease-fire but did not say an agreement had been reached.

Officials in both nations reported that bombing and artillery fire continued on Saturday, and Thai officials told media that four of the nation’s soldiers had been killed.

Thai officials said a rocket attack launched from Cambodia injured several civilians, while the four military deaths raised the total since Monday to 15, along with 270 wounded and six civilians injured.

Cambodian officials have not updated that nation’s casualty reports for Saturday after reporting Thai fighter-bombers struck hotels and a bridge. They said 11 civilians had been killed and 59 injured as of Friday.

The fighting forced the evacuation of an estimated 700,000 civilians on both sides of the Thai-Cambodia border, which extends about 500 miles from Laos in the East to the Gulf of Thailand in the west.