sale

A Palestinian mother from Gaza says she recognised her missing son, Mohammed Sharab, when he was shown shackled, blindfolded and listed as ‘for sale’ in a post shared by Israeli soldiers.

As Paramount moved Monday to sweeten its bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, a high-stakes political battle is playing out behind the scenes.

Paramount’s latest offer enhanced its earlier $30-a-share bid, valued at $108 billion, said a person familiar with the process who was not authorized to comment publicly. Details of the revised proposal, first reported by Bloomberg, were not immediately available.

The firm is leveraging both the dynastic wealth of Larry Ellison’s empire and his ties to the Trump administration to dismantle Netflix’s rival $82.7-billion deal for Warner, which owns CNN, HBO and the premier Hollywood film and television studios, according to people close to the auction.

Over the weekend, President Trump turned up the heat, demanding that Netflix “IMMEDIATELY” fire Susan Rice — a former Obama and Biden administration official — who serves on Netflix’s 13-member board or “pay the consequences.”

Trump, in a Saturday night social media post, called the former ambassador “deranged … She’s got no talent or skills — Purely a political hack!”

Trump previously said he would not get involved in the pivotal Warner Bros. auction, instead leaving the matter to the Department of Justice, which is investigating whether a Netflix takeover, or Paramount’s alternative bid, would harm competition. Trump has been an outspoken critic of CNN and many of its on-air hosts.

Netflix won the bidding for the storied studio and HBO in December, prompting the spurned Paramount executives to launch a multipronged strategy to scuttle the Netflix deal.

Netflix co-Chief Executive Ted Sarandos sought to downplay the latest controversy, saying during a BBC interview Monday: “This is a business deal, it’s not a political deal.”

But Paramount, which declined to comment for this article, has not been shy about playing its political cards.

Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank.

(Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)

The company, overseen by Larry Ellison’s son, David, is trying to convince Justice Department regulators and Warner Bros. shareholders that the Netflix deal is too dicey and that they should instead side with Paramount, said sources who were not authorized to comment publicly.

Paramount has attempted numerous maneuvers to gain the upper hand.

“This deal was never going to be decided on the merits of the offer or rigid antitrust considerations,” said Gabriel Kahn, a professor at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. “This was a classic Trump administration deal where proximity to the president counts a lot more than financial terms.”

Trump’s Saturday night outburst came after Rice, during a podcast interview last week, said that “it is not going to end well” for corporations, media outlets and law firms that “bent the knee” to Trump should Democrats regain control in Washington.

The comments of Rice, a Netflix director for eight years, came as Paramount-owned CBS was involved in a headline-grabbing dust-up with late-night talk-show host, Stephen Colbert, over Trump’s Federal Communications Commission chair‘s threat to modify a rule requiring that broadcasters to give political candidates equal time. Colbert has accused his company of kowtowing to Trump, which CBS has denied.

Netflix’s Sarandos and Paramount’s David Ellison have made separate treks to the White House.

In October, Paramount hired a former Trump administration official, Makan Delrahim, who oversaw the Justice Department’s antitrust division during Trump’s first term, to quarterback Paramount’s campaign to win over regulators and politicians.

A formidable ally — Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) — recently visited Delrahim on Paramount’s Melrose Avenue lot in Los Angeles. While there, Cruz said he was a fan of the CBS show “NCIS,” which prompted Paramount executives to put together an impromptu tour of the “NCIS Origins” soundstages, according to a person familiar with the visit.

In December, Delrahim made a tactical move to apply for Justice Department approval of Paramount’s deal — despite the absence of a signed agreement with the Warner Bros. board and the consent of its shareholders. The gambit was meant to speed the agency’s approval should the Netflix deal crumble. Warner stockholders are expected to vote March 20.

Last week, Paramount announced that a major deadline had passed without pushback from the Justice Department. “There is no statutory impediment in the U.S. to closing Paramount’s proposed acquisition of WBD,” Paramount said in a regulatory filing.

Paramount faces a separate deadline late Monday to improve the finances of its proposed takeover to shake the support of Warner Bros. Discovery’s board members for the Netflix deal.

Paramount wants to buy all of Warner Bros. Discovery, including CNN.

Netflix, in contrast, does not want the bulk of cable TV channels beyond HBO, and has offered $27.75 a share. It has the right to match any improved Paramount proposal.

Warner is planning to spin off the bulk of its channel portfolio, including HGTV, TBS and Cartoon Network, in a separate company. Its shareholders will receive stock in that entity, slated to be called Discovery Global.

Concerns over Netflix’s deal have been mounting.

Department of Justice regulators have sent inquiries to the three companies, according to one senior executive who was not authorized to speak publicly. The department is said to be looking at Netflix’s historic business strategy of steering most of its film releases to its streaming platform, often bypassing movie theaters. Sarandos has promised to maintain a 45-day theatrical window for Warner Bros. films.

Bloomberg has reported that regulators also are trying to determine whether Netflix has exerted leverage over creators in negotiations when acquiring programming to build its catalog.

This month, Republican lawmakers blasted Sarandos during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights hearing to explore antitrust implications of the Warner Bros. sale. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) sent Netflix a series of pointed follow-up questions, including: “If allowed to proceed, what effect will the merger have on future competition?”

Ted Sarandos, left, and David Zaslav at the 2026 Golden Globes.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The hearing also veered into culture wars, with Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) suggesting Netflix was promoting a “transgender ideology” to children, which Sarandos denied.

Another Missouri Republican, Sen. Eric Schmitt, accused Netflix of making some of “the wokest content in the history of the world.”

“Netflix has no political agenda of any kind,” Sarandos told the lawmakers.

David Ellison also was invited to appear at the Feb. 3 hearing, but he declined — which raised the eyebrows of some members of the panel.

Skydance Media founder and Chief Executive David Ellison, who leads Paramount, is shown in 2023 in New York.

(Evan Agostini / Invision / Associated Press)

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) challenged Ellison for failing to answer lawmakers’ questions under oath, including about his dealings with the president.

Ellison instead responded with a statement but Booker and other lawmakers wrote back, saying Ellison’s statement “failed to address” the issues raised by Booker.

“The pattern of evasion, combined with Paramount’s apparent confidence that a politically sensitive transaction will clear without difficulty warrants serious scrutiny,” Booker, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and others wrote in the Feb. 19 letter.

The Democrats instructed Ellison “to preserve records related to the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery transaction.”

The move came days after Gail Slater, the Justice Department’s antitrust chief, was bounced from her job, reportedly after becoming a thorn in the side of some business interests. Slater’s former top deputy, who also left the Justice Department, publicly warned that antitrust decisions are being influenced by corporate lobbyists — not in the interest of ordinary Americans.

“We see this happen again and again,” USC’s Kahn said.

“Let’s not forget that Larry Ellison’s Oracle was part of the consortium that purchased the U.S. operations of TikTok. Repeated complaints from the FCC about content at CBS have been heeded by the Ellison regime,” Kahn said, adding: “This is the reality of trying to do any business in the Trump administration: It’s about payoffs and proximity.”

WANTING to go on holiday but don’t want to spend much money? Well, British Airways has just launched a sale.

British Airways is offering up to 25 per cent off flights to Europe and beyond, including popular destinations such as Malta, Marrakech, Madeira and Faro.

The sale on return flights operated by Gatwick-based subsidiary airline, BA Euroflyer, is running from February 19 to 24 and is available on travel between March 1 and July 31.

Passengers will also get a complimentary drink and snack onboard, as well as hand luggage allowance.

For example, you could head off to Faro in Portugal from London Gatwick from £104 return.

The city is the capital of southern Portugal‘s Algarve region and is known for its historical buildings including the 13th century Faro Cathedral.

Read more on travel inspo

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

TAKING OFF

I’ve visited 50 countries & this much-loathed budget airline is the world’s best

Visitors can also head to the Municipal Museum, which is inside a 16th-century convent and boasts a collection of prehistoric displays and medieval artefacts.

Or perhaps you want to go further afield? Well, you could travel to Marrakech in Morocco from £118 return.

Dubbed the ‘Red City’, Marrakech features a large medina – which is the old walled city that was built centuries ago.

In the medina, visitors can explore a network of narrow, winding alleyways with hidden treasure shops selling everything from brass lamps to freshly made flatbreads.

Elsewhere in the city, you can head to Ville Nouvelle, where you will find the modern part of the city with art galleries, boutiques and cafés.

Want to spend less than that? Travel to Majorca, Spain, for £84 return.

This Spanish island is loved for its blue waters, sandy beaches and secret coves.

You can spend time exploring charming villages, but there are also a number of world-famous beaches to venture to.

Make sure to try some of the local food, which consists of Mediterranean dishes with pork, lamb, fresh vegetables and olive oil.

And it isn’t just flights you can save on…

British Airways Holidays is also offering up to £200 off European holidays.

Currently, you can get £200 off a £5,000 holiday, which includes flights and a hotel.

Or £100 off a £2,500 holiday, which includes flights, hotel and car reservations.

There is also a £50 discount on £1,250 holidays and £25 off of £625 holidays.

For example, you could head to Majorca for seven nights and stay at the five-star Hotel De Mar Gran Melia costing from £1,229 per person between May 1 and 31.

If you don’t fancy spending quite that much, then head to Morocco for seven nights, staying in the four-and-a-half-star Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech from £879 per person between May 1 and 31.

In other holiday news, here are cheap holidays for under £250 – city breaks and family deals not to miss.

Plus, 10 cheap holiday spots about to go BIG in 2026 that you’ve probably never heard of – with a week away from £189.

ONE popular city in Croatia is preparing to ban the sale of alcohol after 8PM this summer.

The reason for the ban is to stop rowdy tourists from disturbing locals after exhibiting bad, drunken behaviour.

The mayor of Split, Tomislav Šuta, announced this week that a strict ban of the sale of alcohol at shops in the city centre could be put in place as soon as this summer.

A proposal has been submitted to the Trade and Hospitality Act, to regulate the working hours for the sale of alcohol at shops and liquor stores within the city.

The mayor said: “We are moving towards limiting nighttime work in accordance with the new law, with the aim of introducing order.

“The City of Split will participate in the discussion and public consultation so that we can reach a decision that is important for our residents by consensus.”

GO SEA IT

£9.50 holiday spot with shipwrecks, seals offshore & horseshoe-shaped waterfalls

SIGHT SEA

£9.50 holidaymakers’ favourite Skegness activities… away from the beach

There’s a high concentration of clubs, bars, and shops that are open all night in the city centre.

According to the mayor, the late night openings result in “situations” that “impair the safety and quality of life of tenants”.

He continued to say that the that scenes of drunken tourists in the heart of the city are unacceptable.

The mayor then added that extending the rules to other parts of Split has not been “ruled out” either.

The restrictions will apply to grocery and liquor shops between the hours of 8PM and 6AM, but not to clubs and restaurants.

So visitors can still enjoy drinks in licensed venues after 8PM.

Split is popular with Brits and is known for its high concentration of bars and clubs – it’s even been said to have some of the most diverse nightlife in Croatia.

Some of the most popular spots for drinking are around the Diocletian’s Palace and the Riva seafront promenade.

There are already bans on tourists drinking in public spaces within 100 metres of schools, kindergartens, and in the historic city centre – which can result in a fine of up to €300 (£261).

Other bans in Split that affect tourists include the ban on walking shirtless or in swimwear in places other than the beach.

If found sleeping in public places like parks and squares, there’s an on-the-spot fine between €150–€300 (£130 – £261).

There are other bans in Croatia in place. On Hvar, which is one of the country’s most famous “party islands”, there is a noise restriction.

During the summer, noise must be limited to 85 decibels – which is the equivalent of a food blender, a noisy restaurant or the cinema.

The hope is to make Hvar less of a party island and more attractive as a tourist destination for families.

Similarly, one of Europe’s prettiest cities is set to ban restaurants and bars from having outdoor tables.

For travelling this summer, here’s everything you need to know before you travel in 2026.

Feb. 5 (Asia Today) — South Korea’s Board of Audit and Inspection said Thursday it will begin a first-half audit of public institutions’ asset management, including the sale of broadcaster YTN, amid allegations that some state-linked assets were disposed of at below-market prices.

The audit agency released its 2026 annual plan and said it will focus on high-risk areas tied to financial soundness, including large public-sector projects, asset sales and the operations of overseas offices.

A Board of Audit and Inspection official said the agency will conduct a comprehensive review of cases in which assets were sold or leased at low prices without sufficient valuation, citing claims that public institution assets, including YTN, were subject to “fire-sale” pricing.

YTN became the center of controversy in October 2023 over allegations of forced privatization and a rushed or preferential sale after a 30.95% stake held by KEPCO KDN and the Korea Racing Authority was transferred to the Eugene Group, according to the report.

President Lee Jae-myung ordered ministries in November 2025 to halt and reexamine state asset sales, the report said.

The audit plan also includes reviews described as “visible to the public,” covering illegal drug customs clearance management, defect handling in multi-unit housing and the operation of information security certification systems.

In addition, the agency said it will conduct “innovation support audits” in new technology areas such as artificial intelligence and research and development. The plan also calls for an audit of relaxation facilities, including a cypress sauna and a bedroom, installed at the Yongsan presidential office during former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s tenure, according to the report.

An audit agency official said the board will aim to drive institutional changes that the public can feel.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260206010002246

FEBRUARY in Britain is officially a washout – so now’s the perfect time to book your next holiday.

ClubMed has just launched a massive flash sale, slashing 20% off a bundle of luxury all-inclusive ski holidays.

Club Med: 20% off ski holidays

Whether you fancy skiing the French peaks or the Italian slopes, you can bag a serious bargain with the travel operator – but only for the next few days.

This promotion launched earlier today (3rd February) and runs until midnight on Friday (6th February).

Best of all, it covers holidays all the way from November 2026 to May 2027.

The discounts on offer are for a wide number of ClubMed resorts across the European Alps.

At Alpe d’Huez, you get ski-in, ski-out access to a massive 250km piste area.

When you aren’t carving up the snow, you can also try dog-sledding or hit the PAYOT spa.

You can even enjoy a legendary apres-ski session at the beautiful lobby bar.

If you want to go all out, Grand Massif offers contemporary chalet-apartments with private fireplaces.

Guests there even enjoy a daily glass of champagne from 6pm.

Meanwhile, Les Arcs Panorama is a family dream, featuring a Scandinavian enchanted forest design.

You can even soak those sore legs in an open-air jacuzzi while looking out over the Paradiski area.

Because it’s all-inclusive, your lift passes and lessons are usually sorted, meaning there are no nasty, hidden-cost surprises.

ClubMed ski holiday deals this February

The 20% discount is automatically applied to these price drops (per person, per week):

• Val Thorens, £1,226 (was £1,440) – book here
• Tignes, £1,397 (was £1,594) – book here
• Les Arcs Panorama, £1,414 (was £1,661) – book here
• Peisey Vallandry, £1,522 (was £1,788) – book here
• Val d’Isere, £1,549 (was £1,820) – book here
• Valmorel, £1,614 (was £1,896) – book here
• La Rosiere, £1,616 (was £1,899) – book here
• Pragelato, £1,644 (was £1,931) – book here
• Alp d’Huez, £1,659 (was £1,949) – book here
• Serre Chevalier, £1,730 (was £2,033) – book here

Remember, it’s savvy holidaymakers who plan months or even years in advance.

This is a chance to get a late-2026 or 2027 adventure locked in for less.

But don’t hang about: this sale is only runs for a few more days.

Further afield, there’s a Balkan resort with £1 beers has been named Europe’s most affordable ski destination.

The flash sale launches today and offers up to 20% off peak date ski trips for 2026/27

Ski fans and families looking to hit the slopes for the 2026/27 season can get ready to bag some big deals, as Club Med has announced its highly anticipated Winter 2027 sale. Short but sweet: the sale will run from today until February 6, 2026.

The promotional deal offers up to 20% off all Ski Resorts for stays between three and 28 nights. Those looking for a bit of luxury can bag 20% off premium rooms (including deluxe rooms, suites, and villas), while standard superior rooms are discounted by up to 15%.

With a travel window running from November 14, 2026, to May 5, 2027, this three-day flash sale offers plenty of flexibility for shoppers. Crucially for parents, the discounts also apply to peak dates, meaning half-term and Christmas holidays are also included.

READ MORE:

The travel experts at Club Med are promising a “worry-free” winter by locking in all-inclusive prices now. Premium mountain getaways start from £1,085 per person, including several “hidden extras” that usually send ski budgets racing downhill.

Club Med offers families a way to hit the slopes, with children under 4 staying for free and bookings secured with a £150 per person deposit. Their premium all-inclusive packages eliminate hidden costs by covering dining, drinks and a range of sports and activities, and Kids Clubs are included for those aged four to 17, with additional childcare services also available.

Save 20% on deluxe rooms, suites and villas at all Club Med Ski resorts

Prices vary

Club Med

Book Here

Kids under 4 stay free, with bookings secured from £150pp, and guests can enjoy a premium all-inclusive experience with food, drinks, sports, activities and Kids’ Clubs (extra cost for under-4s).

A spokesperson for Club Med said: “With our upcoming Winter 2027 sale, we are offering our best deals of the season across all dates. By booking during this window, guests can secure their dream room and preferred peak dates at a price that simply won’t be beaten later in the year.”

For those looking to hit the French or Italian Alps, several top-tier resorts are expected to be popular next winter. Nestled at 1,460 metres behind spruce trees, Club Med Valmorel features architecture inspired by traditional Beaufortain mansions with stone roofs and colourful facades.

The resort offers plenty of activities ranging from sledding and skiing in the Grand Domaine to snowshoeing through the Aigueblanche valley and relaxing in the indoor pool. Guests can upgrade to the “Le Lodge” Exclusive Collection space to enjoy elegant suites, private ski rooms and luxury perks like champagne service from 6pm.

Elsewhere at Club Med Alpe d’Huez in the Savoie ski area, serious skiers can enjoy direct ski-in/ski-out access to a vast 250km domain featuring Europe’s longest black run. The resort is designed for all generations and abilities though, with the “Happy Lounge” and indoor pool with adult-only sanctuaries such as “La Bulle” and the PAYOT spa.

Guests can enjoy panoramic mountain views from private balconies or take part in unique alpine experiences including dog sledding and vibrant après-ski at the lobby bar. For a real touch of luxury, Club Med Val d’Isère is the only Exclusive Collection Resort in the French mountains, offering a stylish blend of stone and wooden chalets nestled in a legendary alpine valley.

The resort caters to ski enthusiasts and wellness seekers alike with world-class slopes, yoga and a luxury spa, all within a setting designed for privacy and relaxation. A highly regarded resort for upscale skiers who appreciate the finer things in life, guests can enjoy enhanced premium services, including a dedicated concierge to cater to every need and a private shuttle service to the village centre.

Another choice is the Club Med La Rosière, perched 1,900 metres high with 180° south-facing views in the Haute-Tarentaise Valley. Families can explore the Espace San Bernardo – a cross-border ski domain once traversed by Hannibal – or enjoy the village’s famous Saint Bernards and freestyle competitions. For ultimate luxury, the Exclusive Collection space offers premium balconies overlooking the Tarentaise Valley in the shadow of Mont Blanc.

If the Italian slopes are calling, Club Med Pragelato Vialattea is a charming Piedmont resort designed like a traditional Italian hamlet, featuring clusters of cosy chalets set around a village fountain at 1,600 metres. The resort provides direct access to the Olympic slopes of the Via Lattea and Sestriere domains, complemented by alpine activities such as snowshoeing through pine forests and relaxing in a Finnish sauna. Families can experience the authentic Italian mountain lifestyle, pairing days on the slopes with après-ski treats like Genovese focaccia and evenings in the resort’s lounge.

Alternatively, Club Med Saint-Moritz Roi Soleil provides a glamorous Swiss Alps experience at 1,750 metres, just a short distance from the prestigious lake and high-end boutiques of St Moritz. The resort offers access to 350km of slopes that have hosted the Winter Olympics and World Championships, with activities including cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing through the Engadine valley.

Families can enjoy mountain-top lunches, horse-drawn carriage rides, and traditional Swiss fondue dinners, all included alongside premium amenities like a heated indoor pool and sauna. For skiers who are looking to go further afield, Club Med’s first North American mountain resort – Club Med Quebec Charlevoix – offers a unique “sea meets peaks” experience with contemporary Canadian architecture and sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River.

Located in the Charlevoix region, experienced skiers can tackle challenging slopes with direct ski-in/ski-out access, while year-round trails provide diverse opportunities for both winter sports and summer hiking. The resort is designed to immerse guests in an unspoiled natural landscape, blending premium all-inclusive comfort with the raw beauty of a UNESCO-designated biosphere.

Club Med’s ski holidays offer a fully all-inclusive getaway that most ski operators don’t match. But for ski fans looking for something different, TUI offers a range of ski holidays across Europe. Offering a range of hotels and self-catering accommodation, guests can book ski and lift passes, equipment passes and more before they travel.

Alternatively, British Airways has some European deals worth considering, including ski holidays in Bulgaria. As one of Europe’s best value resorts, Sofia is a good choice for skiers on a budget.

Ski fans who have already hit the piste with Club Med have left thousands of glowing reviews on TripAdvisor. One traveller who stayed at Val d’Isère left a five-star review, saying: “Stayed here recently and would certainly recommend.

“Such a good location, with pistes from the door, which is rare in Val d’Isere. Easy walk to town too if you fancy it. Bus stops at the front door too, if you don’t want the walk. Catering was the usual Club Med quality buffet, with loads of choice and variety every day.”

Another who visited Club Med La Rosière, was also delighted, sharing: “Club Med, all included and you don’t want for anything. It makes things very simple. The hotel is beautifully presented, looks very classy and modern, yet still comfortable. It was spotlessly clean and a comfortable temperature throughout. Staff are very friendly and always say hello and are very helpful if you have a query.”

However, a visitor who stayed at the Alpe d’Huez resort was less impressed, noting: “Everything is perfect except the noisy dining room. Lots of people, but the fact that the tables are very close exacerbates the problem.”

While another visitor at the same resort was bowled over, adding: “Of all the rest of the network that I have hosted, in fact, the ClubMed Alpe D’Huez is the best. The offer of services, the party climate and especially the team of ski teachers, plus an amazing piste made – at least for me – the best choice among the hotels of this network for a family looking to enjoy the trip with friends, have fun and even improve their skill in skiing.”