Skip next section Zelenskyy to meet with Trump this Sunday in Florida12/26/2025December 26, 2025

Zelenskyy to meet with Trump this Sunday in Florida

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he plans to meet with US President Donald Trump this Sunday in Florida.

Zelenskyy earlier posted to social media that a meeting would take place in the coming days (see below).

But Ukrainian media and others earlier reported a meeting between the two leaders was likely going to take place on Sunday, at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

Trump is spending his Christmas break there.

“This meeting ‍is specifically for the ​purpose of finalizing everything as ⁠much ​as we can,” Zelenskyy ‌said.

Kyiv and Washington have been working out details of a 20-point peace plan to present to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

The meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump comes after a flurry of diplomatic activity last weekend in Miami.  

Kyiv holds firm on territory as Russia, US talk in Miami

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

https://p.dw.com/p/55znt

Skip next section WATCH: Coping with uncertainty on Ukraine’s Donetsk front line12/26/2025December 26, 2025

WATCH: Coping with uncertainty on Ukraine’s Donetsk front line

DW traveled to Ukraine’s occupied Donetsk region to speak with residents living under Russian aggression since 2014. After a decade of conflict, many say they remain resolved to hold on to their freedom.

Coping with uncertainty on Ukraine’s Donetsk front line

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

https://p.dw.com/p/55zfZ

Skip next section Russian forces hit energy infrastructure in Odesa

12/26/2025December 26, 2025

Russian forces hit energy infrastructure in Odesa

Ukrainian energy providers in the Black Sea port of Odesa reported two power supply facilities were damaged in Russian drone attacks on the coastal city.

Teams were working to restore power to Odesa residents, according to regional military administrative chief Sergei Lysak.

“Today, the enemy attacked our city again,” he said in remarks carried by Ukrainian agency Ukrainski Novini, describing the attack as a drone strike and adding he had no reports of casualties.

Russia has been escalating its attacks on Odesa for several weeks, including attacks on its port facilities, an apparent attempt to degrade Ukraine’s access to the Black Sea.

https://p.dw.com/p/55zeL

Skip next section EU can rely on US on defense despite Trump, says NATO chief Rutte

12/26/2025December 26, 2025

EU can rely on US on defense despite Trump, says NATO chief Rutte

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says the EU does not need to become fully independent of the United States, despite the direction of Donald Trump’s administration

He added he was “absolutely convinced” that the US was fully invested in the alliance. “There’s no doubt,” he told the dpa news agency.

While the EU was now required to invest more in defense and take more responsibility, the goal was to do so alongside the US, he added.

Many voices in Europe have questioned US’ commitment to its allies amid negative signals coming from the Donald Trump’s administration, including inflammatory rhetoric and economic pressure. On Ukraine, Trump’s has sparked particular concern by feuding with Volodymyr Zelenskyy while making perceived overtures to Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

The latest US security strategy also points out that “the days of the United States propping up the entire world order like Atlas are over,” based on Trump’s “America First” slogan.

Talking to dpa, Rutte pointed out that three-quarters of NATO’s economic output come from outside the EU due to countries such as the US, the UK, Canada, Norway and Turkey.

“Let’s not forget that when it comes to Europe (and) NATO, there’s more than the EU,” he said.

https://p.dw.com/p/55zV1

Skip next section Russia claims it shot down 7 Storm Shadow missiles in a week

12/26/2025December 26, 2025

Russia claims it shot down 7 Storm Shadow missiles in a week

A day after Kyiv claimed hits on Russia’s oil refineries with Storm Shadow missiles, the Russian defense ministry said its forces shot down seven of the UK-made rockets in one week.

The ministry also said its air defenses destroyed 8 HIMARS-launched missiles and more than 1,350 drones. The numbers could not be independently verified.

Storm Shadow cruise missiles have a range of more than 250 kilometers (155 miles), fly low to avoid detection, and are designed to blast through hardened enemy targets. They were supplied to Ukraine by the UK in 2023. Initially, the UK limited the missiles’ use to targets within Ukrainian territory, but Kyiv has since used them to strike locations inside Russia.

Germany, allies drop range limits on arms to Ukraine

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

https://p.dw.com/p/55zRP

Skip next section Putin says willing to agree limited land swap in Ukraine

12/26/2025December 26, 2025

Putin says willing to agree limited land swap in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that he might be open to swapping some territory held by Russian forces in Ukraine, while insisting that Moscow wants full control of the Donbas region, according to the Russian newspaper Kommersant.

The newspaper reported that Putin outlined the position during a late-night Kremlin meeting with senior business leaders on Wednesday.

Kommersant correspondent Andrei Kolesnikov wrote that Putin said Russia remained ready to make the same concessions discussed previously, summing up the position as “Donbas is ours.”

The term Donbas refers to the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Outside Donbas, Kolesnikov reported, a partial exchange of territories controlled by Russia was not ruled out.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Kyiv and Washington have moved closer to finalizing a 20-point plan during talks held over the weekend in Miami.

However, Zelenskyy said Ukraine and the United States have not found common ground on demands that Kyiv cede parts of Donbas it still controls, or on the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is held by Russian forces.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly pledged to end the war, the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two.

https://p.dw.com/p/55zE4

Skip next section Zelenskyy says he will meet with Trump soon

12/26/2025December 26, 2025

Zelenskyy says he will meet with Trump soon

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that he had agreed to a meeting with US President Donald Trump in the “near future.”

“A lot can be decided before the New Year,” he posted on social media.

The announcement follows weeks of stepped-up diplomatic efforts to end Ukraine’s war with Russia.

On Thursday, Zelenskyy gave a positive assessment of his conversation with Trump representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about ending the war.

This followed his presentation of a 20-point draft peace plan developed with US officials on Tuesday.

The draft marked a sharp shift from earlier proposals that would have forced Kyiv to give up territory and abandon NATO ambitions.

It calls for security guarantees to prevent future Russian attacks and includes measures to rebuild Ukraine. It also demands Russia to withdraw from several regions, including Kharkiv and Mykolaiv, while Ukraine would create a demilitarized zone in parts of Donetsk, but only if Moscow reciprocates.

However, the Kremlin, buoyed by battlefield gains, is unlikely to accept the deal. It said it was analyzing proposals brought back from the US.

President Vladimir Putin reiterated last week that Ukraine must leave Donetsk and Luhansk and rule out NATO membership.

https://p.dw.com/p/55z3q

Skip next section North Korea’s Kim orders factories to make more missiles in 2026

12/26/2025December 26, 2025

North Korea’s Kim orders factories to make more missiles in 2026

North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, has ordered a major boost in missile production.

State media reports that he visited munitions factories and told officials to expand capacity and build new plants to meet growing military demand.

“The missile and shell production sector is of paramount importance in bolstering up the war deterrent,” Kim said according to state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Pyongyang has sharply increased missile tests in recent years, aiming to improve precision strikes and challenge the United States and South Korea. Analysts say the weapons are also being prepared for export to Russia.

North Korea and Russia have strengthened ties since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Pyongyang has supplied troops, artillery shells and rocket systems, while Russia provides financial aid, technology and food.

https://p.dw.com/p/55z49

Skip next section Welcome to our coverage 12/26/2025December 26, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

Could Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump meet before the New Year?

The Ukrainian president seems to think so.

On Friday, Zelenskyy said he had agreed to meet with his US counterpart, adding: “A lot can be decided before the New Year.”

Washington and Kyiv appear close to finalizing a plan to end the war in Ukraine, though questions remain about Russia’s response and lingering disputes.

A White House meeting could seal the deal, or go off the rails, as one earlier this year did.

We’ll bring you the latest updates right here in this blog.

https://p.dw.com/p/55z3o

SOURCE PAGE

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Nigeria said it shared intelligence with the U.S. ahead of Christmas night airstrikes on ISIS targets in the country.

The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Friday that it was “engaged in structured security cooperation” with other nations, including the U.S., adding that the cooperation “led to precision hits on terrorist targets.” The ministry said that the joint security efforts include the sharing of intelligence and strategic coordination.

“Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity. Terrorist violence in any form whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security,” the ministry wrote in a statement posted on X.

TRUMP’S WARNING TO NIGERIA OFFERS HOPE TO NATION’S PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS

Members of St. Leo Catholic Church hold a procession to mark Palm Sunday in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, on April 13, 2025. (Adekunle Ajayi/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump announced the Christmas night airstrikes in northwest Nigeria, saying the targets were ISIS militants who he accused of killing Christians. The president also included a warning that further attacks would take place if the violence against Christians continued.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!” Trump said Thursday on Truth Social. 

“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.

“Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper,” he continued. “May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”

A drone view of Christians departing St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church after a Sunday mass in Palmgrove, Lagos, Nigeria, Nov. 2, 2025. (Sodiq Adelakun/Reuters)

NIGERIAN CHRISTIAN LEADER CALLS TRUMP’S SPOTLIGHT ON VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA AN ‘ANSWERED PRAYER’

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Christian charity, Open Doors said its sources in Nigeria said, “the airstrikes have hit terrorist camps in Jabo, a rural community in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, with multiple ISIS militants reportedly killed.

Jabo is a predominantly Fulani town in Sokoto State and has been identified as a haven for militants and a link to neighboring states like Kebbi and Zamfara. To the best of our knowledge there is no church presence in Jabo.

Right now, there are fears of retaliation because of the airstrike.”

Open Doors is a global Christian charity supporting Christians persecuted for their faith.

Gunmen pick up the belongings left behind by worshippers who ran for cover after hearing gunshots, as they walk into a Church in Eruku, Kwara state, Nigeria, November 18, 2025, in this picture obtained from social media. (Social media/via Reuters)

US AMBASSADOR MICHAEL WALTZ DECLARES ATROCITIES AGAINST CHRISTIANS IN NIGERIA ‘GENOCIDE’

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz, who has been outspoken about the violence against Christians in Nigeria, praised the strikes. The ambassador said the precision strikes showed Christians in Nigeria and around the world that Trump would “fight for them.”

Last month, Trump threatened to “do things in Nigeria that Nigeria is not going to be happy about” and “go into that now disgraced country guns-a-blazing.”

That warning set the stage for the Christmas-night strikes, which Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said fulfilled the president’s demand that the killings stop. Hegseth also included in a post on X a reference to the U.S.-Nigeria cooperation that led to the strikes.

“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Hegseth wrote on X. “The [War Department] is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come… Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation. Merry Christmas!”

This photo released by the Christian Association of Nigeria shows the dormitories of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School after gunmen abducted children and staff in Papiri community in Nigeria, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. (Christian Association of Nigeria via AP)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Christians and Christian institutions in Nigeria have been under attack in recent months, prompting global outrage and drawing the ire of the Trump administration.

In November, armed gunmen stormed the Christ Apostolic Church, killed two people and kidnapped dozens. The 38 abducted worshipers were freed almost a week later.

The attack on the Christ Apostolic Church was preceded and followed by attacks on Christian schools in Nigeria.

In the days before the attack, gunmen kidnapped 25 girls from a boarding school in Nigeria’s Kebbi State and killed at least one staffer. One of the girls managed to escape on the same day as the kidnapping, while the remaining 24 were rescued about a week later, The Associated Press reported.

Days after the attack on Christ Apostolic Church, armed attackers raided the Saint Mary’s School and kidnapped more than 300 students and staff. School officials said 50 of the students were able to escape in the following days, while 253 students and 12 teachers remain captive.

Fox News Digital’s Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.

Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.

SOURCE PAGE

Heavy flash flooding has hit southern California over Christmas, forcing hundreds to evacuate and leaving four dead.

An “atmospheric river storm” brought 11 inches (27 cms) of rainfall to some parts of Los Angeles County, triggering huge mudslides which resulted in power outages and road closures.

Video footage shared by San Bernadino County Fire on Wednesday (24 December) shows fast moving floodwater battering properties in a mountain resort.

California’s Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday in Los Angeles and other southern Californian counties. The California National Guard was placed on standby.

SOURCE PAGE

NEED TO KNOW

• Lance Bass speaks with PEOPLE in honor of Bath & Body Works’ Semi-Annual Sale
• The *NSYNC member tells PEOPLE which classic scents from the brand hold a deep nostalgia for him
• Bass also shares his favorite Bath & Body Works products to buy in the big sale

Lance Bass has his ’90s girlfriend to thank for introducing him to Bath & Body Works.

The *NSYNC member, 46, who is partnering with Bath & Body Works for their Semi-Annual Sale, which kicks off on Friday, Dec. 26, spoke with PEOPLE about the items he’ll be stocking up on, his favorite scents and the smell that will forever remind him of his ’90s girlfriend.

The highly anticipated sale is full of can’t-miss deals, including select candles retailing from $7.99 to $12.99, 75% off select bodycare items, $3.50 for select wallflowers (a particular favorite in Bass’ household) and half off select soaps and sanitizers.

“This is the best sale of the year,” Bass tells PEOPLE. “This is the time you stock up for your whole year. I mean, I literally have a cabinet full of all of my favorite things, from the moisturizers to the fragrances to the candles, of course. The plug-ins are big at our house … I definitely stock up on all the candles. Lots of hand sanitizer.”

Lance Bass with Bath and Body Works bag.

Bath and Body Works

For Bass, collabing with Bath & Body Works was a no-brainer, considering he’s loved the brand since his boy band days.

“Since the ’90s, I’ve loved … this is how old I am, I would always get my girlfriend the pear-smelling, the fragrance sprays and all that,” he says. “That always reminds me of my girlfriend in the ’90s. That always holds a special memory for me.”

The classic Pearberry scent is still in rotation at Bass’ home, which he shares with his husband, Michael Turchin, and their 4-year-old twins, Alexander James and Violet Betty. These days, it’s part of a lineup of scents that he uses in a special guest room in his historic Palm Springs home, which once belonged Marilyn Monroe.

“I’ll always have the Pearberry. I also love the Pink Chiffon,” he shares. “Palm Springs is where I live half the time. It’s a really cool history of the house. Marilyn Monroe lived at this house, so I have her room always full of really fun things, like Pretty as a Peach or Pink Chiffon or Fairytale, those things that just remind me of whimsical Hollywood.”

Lance Bass.

Bath and Body Works

As for his current go-to scents, the children’s book author shares that he’s a seasonal guy, so he loves switching things up: pumpkin spice in the fall and Christmasy scents like Brown Sugar & Fig during the holidays. However, one of his perennial favorites — and a great gift for guys — is a Mahogany Teakwood candle.

“For guys, my go-to is always the Mahogany Teakwood. I’ve been burning that one for years and years and years,” he says. “It’s just my favorite, especially the Intense one.”

Bath & Body Works is also a key part of the actor and musician’s self-care routine, which he notes is extra important in the winter months. “Obviously, the ’90s were huge for me. That’s where I got introduced to Bath & Body Works, again, through my girlfriend, but that’s when I started to really appreciate just self-care at an early age,” Bass explains. “I love lighting a candle, relaxing, taking a nice, hot bath with amazing fragrances.”

“My self-care routine is pretty specific,” he continues. “I love the mornings. I love to take a colder shower to wake you up. For me, it’s always starting with a candle, even in the morning and at night. It’s just what makes me happy, especially [at] nighttime, because the candles, the white and blue light just really keep you awake. Just having the candlelight is just nice to have. Yeah, so I’ll take a nice, cold shower in the morning, but nice and warm at night.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Lance Bass.

Bath and Body Works

From there, it’s all about the skincare for Bass. “The different thing I love, especially right now, in the morning, I’ll use the Eucalyptus Spearmint, the moisturizing body wash, and then I’ll do the layer of, like, a Bourbon Body Cream, and then I’ll finish it off with a fragrance mist.”

He is also a fan of “the OG” scents, including “the Bali Mango, which I’m so glad that they’re bringing that back, because it just makes me so happy,” and it’s “just very fresh and a good start of the day.”

Bass adds that it’s easy to forget that the brand’s lotions “are really nourishing and dermatology-tested,” and last for up to 48 hours. He continues, “Ever since the ’90s, I’ve been taking care of my body. I think even at 46, my skin is super soft, thanks to Bath & Body Works.”

The Bath & Body Semi-Annual Sale is happening now online and in stores.

SOURCE PAGE

He can’t vote, can’t drive a car, and still needs a permission slip for field trips — but 14-year-old Dean Roy believes he’s ready to run Vermont.

While most high school freshmen set their eyes on student council or homecoming king, Roy is looking to make history with an eye-popping campaign for governor.

‘I really hope that this mission of mine leads to more youth getting involved,’ Roy told the Daily Mail.

If elected he’d be the first-ever US governor under the age of 18. 

In 2018, 13-year-old Ethan Sonneborn ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic gubernatorial primary in Vermont. The youngest-ever US governor was Democrat Stevens Mason, who had just turned 24 when he began serving his term in Michigan in 1835.

Speaking from his bedroom with an American flag hanging vertically behind him, Roy spoke told Daily Mail his long-shot campaign all started with an offhand comment. At his 8th grade graduation, his teacher joked that he wanted the campaign manager job if Roy ever ran for office.

What was likely intended as a throwaway comment struck a moment of curiosity for Roy, who rushed home and looked up the requirements to run.   

He found that Vermont is the only state with no age restrictions to run for governor. A handful of states allow citizens to run at 18, but the majority require a candidate to be 30 at the date of election.

Dean Roy, 14, is running to be the youngest-ever governor in US history

Roy is a freshman at Stoew Middle & High School in Vermont. Pictured: Dean Roy and his parents, Chessie and  James, who are small business owners with a pizza shop the town over

Roy’s classmate Charlie Bass, 14, is running as lieutenant governor. Both are working to collect the 500 signatures needed to get on the ballot – and they only need a few dozen more to make the cut

That unnamed teacher decided to keep his day job, but Roy and his fellow 14-year-old Lieutenant Governor candidate Charlie Bass are now collecting signatures and shaking things up in the halls of Stowe High School in northern Vermont.

Roy and Bass are hoping to mobilize young voters on social media. Both are active on Instagram, regularly posting Reels expressing political stances and promoting the long shot bid to be the youngest governor and lieutenant governor in US history. 

And what’s on the ballot for the high schoolers?: Housing, freedom from electric vehicle mandates and restructuring the school system in Vermont.

‘The cornerstone of my platform is housing, by far housing is the biggest issue for Vermont, for New England and for the country,’ Roy said in a Zoom interview with the Daily Mail, echoing an issue championed by New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. 

The son of small business owners, Roy said that it’s his goal to build houses for $150,000 or lower so ‘younger generations could actually afford’ to buy a home in Vermont.

‘We seriously need new young people in Vermont because our population is aging out,’ the 14-year-old claimed. ‘We are a dying state. We need new workers to keep our economy alive. The only way to get new workers is to incentivize young people to live here.’ 

Vermont is home to one of the oldest politicians in America – 84-year-old Senator Bernie Sanders. Vermont’s median age is 43, making it the third oldest state in the country, behind Maine and New Hampshire.

Roy isn’t running as a Democrat or Republican. And while that decision is partially strategic to avoid a primary, it’s also in-line with his political beliefs and allows him to also become the youngest person ever to found a political party – the Freedom and Unity Party.

He likes the Republican Party in Vermont but thinks the national level stances are too far right, while he believes the Vermont Democratic Party is too far left. Therefore, a third-party bid made the most sense to Roy.

‘I don’t align with the Vermont Democrats politically. They are probably one of the more left Democratic parties in America. And I personally do not sit that far to the left.’

So he made a party with a name paying homage to the Vermont state motto.

If the gubernatorial run isn’t successful, it won’t be the end of the political road for Roy. He hopes the bid will help him in future aspirations for office. He also plans to continue the Freedom and Unity Party.

Current Vermont Governor Phil Scott, a Republican, is eligible for another term – as there are no limits in Vermont. He has not yet announced if he will run for a sixth term. If he does not run, Lieutenant Governor John Rodgers has been mentioned as a successor.

On the Democratic side, Attorney General Charity Clark is considering a statewide run, possibly for governor; also reportedly exploring a bid is State Treasurer Mike Pieciak.

No formal declarations have been made outside of Roy’s longshot bid. 

If anything, Roy hopes his gubernatorial campaign will at least inspire young people to get more involved in politics.

On the off chance he does win, Roy told the Daily Mail that he would finish off high school with online classes while serving his duties in the Vermont government.

Roy says he spends time at the Post Office to meet older voters, present his platform and garner the 500 signatures he needs to make it on the Vermont ballot

Roy spent six weeks during the winter of his 8th grade year working as an intern in the Vermont State House, and says that work ‘really inspired me to start getting involved in politics’

Roy says he spoke with the Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas (pictured) to make sure his run is legally sound

The high school freshman has spoken with the Vermont Secretary of State and says he was assured his run is legally sound.

The requirements to run for governor in Vermont are being a resident of the state for at least four years, obtaining 500 signatures and filing on the specified date to make sure your name appears on the ballot. That’s it.

Roy has lived all 14 of his years of life in Vermont, needs only 20 more signatures and is prepared to file the first day he’s able. Major parties must file by the Thursday after the fourth Monday in May of an election year.

But for a minor party candidate, like Roy, he must file by early August – which is usually when the primary election takes place.

The gubernatorial hopeful spends time door knocking for signatures and hanging out at the local Post Office to make inroads with older voters, whom he says have had a very positive reaction to his bid.

Roy’s parents Chessie and James own a pizza shop and were shocked but supportive when their son decided to embark on a longshot bid.

They help him with rides and collecting signatures but have otherwise let Roy take the lead on his political aspirations.

(And don’t worry, Roy’s parents gave the Daily Mail permission to interview their son.)

SOURCE PAGE

The United States has launched “powerful and deadly” strikes against groups it claims are affiliated with ISIL (ISIS) in Nigeria, President Donald Trump said on Thursday.

The unprecedented Christmas Day strikes came after weeks of accusations from Trump and top Republicans about an alleged “Christian genocide” they say has been enabled by the Nigerian government. They represent the first known direct US military intervention in the troubled, conflict-racked country.

Recommended Stories

list of 4 itemsend of list

Neither side has shared precise information about the identity of the targets struck and the results of the strikes. Security analyst Kabir Adamu from Beacon Security and Intelligence in Abuja told Al Jazeera the likely targets are members of “Lakurawa”, an armed group linked to an offshoot of ISIL, and which has only recently become known. Its profile is still being studied by researchers.

One town which appeared to have been hit was Jabo in the northwestern Sokoto State, but no ISIL-linked terror cells are known to operate there. Furthermore, when Trump and other US right wingers have referred to a “Christian genocide” In Nigeria, they have usually mentioned an entirely different area in central Nigeria.

Launching the strikes on Christmas Day and on locations in northwest Nigeria, where the Sokoto Caliphate, responsible for the spread of Islam into Nigeria and revered by Nigerian muslims, is highly symbolic, analyst Femi Owolade of the UK’s Sheffield Hallam University told Al Jazeera, and plays into the Trump administration’s narrative of “saving” Nigerian Christians.

“Striking on Christmas Day reinforces perceptions of a religiously motivated confrontation or a renewed religious ‘crusade’,” he said.

Here’s what we know about the strikes:

[Al Jazeera]

What happened?

US President Donald Trump revealed in a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday that the US had launched “numerous perfect” strikes on “ISIS positions” in northwest Nigeria.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!…”

Trump did not disclose details about which or how many targets were hit, but he added that they would continue if the alleged slaughter of Christians did not stop.

The US Africa Command said in a statement that an initial assessment of the strikes had revealed “multiple ISIS terrorists were killed in the ISIS camps”.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth thanked Nigeria for cooperating with the strikes. The (US) “is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight – on Christmas. More to come…,” he posted on social media platform X.

In another post on X, the US Defense Department shared a video showing what appeared to be the moment a bomb was fired from a US warship in an unmarked location. Conflict analyst Murtala Abdullahi from Nigeria’s Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience in Abuja, who tracks aerial activity in Nigeria, said it was likely that the US had launched missiles from a position in the Gulf of Guinea.

In a statement on Friday morning, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed the attacks and said they targeted elements based in the northwest of the country.

Nigerian authorities have vehemently denied allegations of a “Christian genocide”, and said the strikes had been carried out within an international cooperation framework that allows the sharing of intelligence and strategic coordination with the US and others, “consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty and shared commitments to regional and global security”.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar said both parties closely cooperated on the attack and that the US Secretary of State had called him before the strikes were launched. Tuggar, however, added that Nigeria faces a complex security challenge that is also affecting other countries in the region, and that the strikes were not religion-based.

“It is a regional conflict, it is not a Nigeria Christian-Muslim conflict,” he said.

What do we know about the targets?

At least one town – Jabo in Nigeria’s northwestern Sokoto State – was confirmed to have been hit, analyst Adamu said. Photos shared on social media by residents there appear to confirm the location, with some posting what appear to be fragments of a bomb and others posting videos of a large fire on a farm. The information could not be independently verified by Al Jazeera.

“There were no casualties as of this morning,” Adamu said, adding that it’s unclear why Jabo was chosen, as there are no known ISIL-linked terror cells there.

Locals on social media also questioned why their town had been targeted.

A spokesperson for the Nigerian Foreign Ministry told Al Jazeera that the strikes had been carried out based on intelligence provided by Nigeria.

“The air strikes covered a precise area, and what people are seeing are fragments that fell in Jabo,” he said.

Is ISIL operating in Nigeria?

Yes, about six ideological armed groups exist in Nigeria, all of them linked to either ISIL (ISIS) or al-Qaeda.

They have targeted both Christian and Muslim communities in their areas of operation in the country’s predominantly Muslim northeast and northwest regions.

The strikes on Thursday likely targeted a faction called Lakurawa, which has recently emerged, and whose profile is still not fully known.

Here are some of the factions explained:

Boko Haram: The most recognised armed group is Boko Haram, which is based in Borno State, northeast Nigeria.

The group gained international notoriety for kidnapping 300 school girls from their dormitory in Chibok, Borno State, under the leadership of Ibrahim Shekau in 2014.

It was most active between 2012 and 2015. At the height of its activities, the group targeted military installations and civilians around Borno and the neighbouring Yobe and Adamawa states. It also spread across porous borders into Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

Boko Haram used suicide bombing and mass kidnapping tactics against both Christian and Muslim communities, attacking churches and mosques alike. Its main hideout was the Sambisa Forest in Borno, but it also controlled large swaths of rural territory where it taxed locals and operated as a government.

At least 30,000 people died, and millions were displaced at the height of Boko Haram’s operations. The group has been largely deflated by infighting and pressure from the Nigerian military. Since 2015, it has lost much of the territory it controlled.

ISWAP: The ISIL-affiliate in West Africa Province (ISWAP) broke away from Boko Haram in 2016 following disagreements between top military leaders. The two groups have maintained a violent rivalry.

ISWAP is believed to have between 8,000 and 12,000 fighters, according to the United Nations. It is currently active around the Lake Chad basin area in northeast Nigeria, and has active cells in the northwest of the country.

It controls local communities, where it attempts to win support by providing basic amenities while taxing local farmers and fishermen.

Lakurawa: A newly emerged faction, the group operates in remote parts of the country’s northwest Sokoto State, including in the Tangaza, Gudu, Illela, Binji and Silame local governments. It is also present in northwest Zamfara and Kebbi states.

Jabo, which is located in Sokoto and was struck on Thursday, is known for harbouring bandits, but analysts say there’s no strong presence of Lakurawa or other ISIL cells in the town.

Nigerian officials confirmed the group’s existence in November 2024 and designated it a terror group in January.

Before its emergence, ragtag bandit groups had been targeting remote communities in Sokoto and neighbouring Zamfara. In 2017, local leaders invited armed fighters from Mali and Niger, mostly from the Fulani pastoral ethnic group, to fight the bandits, as government presence was failing to deter them, according to researchers James Barnett and Vincent Foucher. However, some of the arriving fighters were affiliated with armed groups operating in Niger and Mali, including the ISIL in Sahel Province (ISSP), also known as Islamic State Greater Sahara (ISGS).

By 2018, the fighters had moved on from rescuing victims from bandits to enforcing Islamic law on villages.

Lakurawa elements have since grown bolder and more lethal in recent years, targeting security outposts.

Researchers do not believe there is a single, homogenous Lakurawa group, but suggest that many factions are being clumped together by the government, potentially hampering an effective response. Some also say the group’s alllegiance could be to al-Qaeda, rather than ISIL.

In 2024, a United Nations Security Council report confirmed the presence of ISGS affiliates in northwest Nigeria’s Sokoto State. It’s unclear to what extent ISWAP and Lakurawa coordinate.

Why is the Trump administration targeting Nigeria now?

President Trump maintains that the US strikes have been carried out to protect Christian communities in Nigeria.

United States Senator Ted Cruz first accused Nigeria’s government of enabling a “massacre” against Christians in October 2025, citing a rising number of attacks against the community in the country’s central Middle Belt region, which is separate from the violence in the north. He claimed, without proof, that 50,000 Christians had been killed since 2009. In September, he introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act which, if it passes Congress, would sanction Nigerian officials seen as complicit in the killings of Christians.

Cruz was echoing claims from within the Christian political right in the US of a Christian genocide in Nigeria for the past few years.

Then, in November, Trump also accused Nigeria of a Christian genocide, referring to ISIL, and appearing to link the two separate issues. He also referred to Nigeria as a “Country of National Concern”.

But while Cruz and other far-right US voices identified the Middle Belt region of Nigeria as the site of the alleged “Christian genocide”, the US strikes on Thursday targeted a town in Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim north. Jabo is a largely Muslim town, and Muslim communities there have been the targets of bandits who kidnap them for ransom.

What is really happening in Nigeria?

The situation in Nigeria is far more complex than has been presented by the Trump administration, which appears to conflate two separate issues.

Nigeria is a vast country of 200 million people from more than 250 ethnic groups. It suffers not just at the hands of the ideological armed groups but also as a result of ethnoreligious violence.

The fertile Middle Belt region of the country, which Cruz referred to, has long been a hotbed of violence between predominantly Muslim herders from the majority Fulani ethnic group and Christian farming communities from different minority ethnic groups who have repeatedly clashed over land and water resources.

The violence has grown in scale and weaponry over the past few years, and has largely targeted Christian farming communities.

The farmers say herder groups attack their communities in lethal raids using sophisticated weapons, burn whole villages to the ground and massacre civilians. They also target infrastructure like schools, clinics, grain reserves, churches and boreholes.

In May, Amnesty International reported that close to 10,000 people had been killed since 2023, including children, in the worst-affected states of Benue and Plateau, and that more than 500,000 people have been displaced.

Nigeria’s government has long termed this a “local farmer-herdman crisis”, but the affected communities reject this classification, saying it oversimplifies the problem and means an inadequate response. One community leader in Benue called recent killings a “full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits”.

How much of a say did Nigeria have in the US strikes?

The Nigerian Foreign Ministry said the strikes had been carried out with the consent of Nigeria. Locally, however, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has come under fire from opposition politicians who say the US strikes represent a violation of the country’s sovereignty.

“Judging by the nature of the confirmed strike on a village in Sokoto, it is clear that the US President under whose authority this operation occurred neither understands nor genuinely cares about Nigeria or Nigerians,” Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate and leader of the African Action Congress, said in a statement on X.

“It is deeply troubling that Nigeria [Africa’s most populous nation] lacks the capable and sovereign leadership required to protect its people and its territory.”

Analyst Owolade told Al Jazeera it is unlikely that the US would launch strikes without Nigeria’s green light, but pointed out that the way the US has referred to the cooperation is quite different from how Nigeria is wording it.

“This suggests a cooperative but unequal partnership, shaped by Nigeria’s dependence on external intelligence and military capacity, and the US’s desire to frame the tension in Nigeria as genocide against Christians and project counter-ISIS resolve in West Africa,” he said.

What’s the history of US-Nigeria security collaboration?

The US has cooperated with Nigeria and other West African countries to combat the regional threat of armed groups, mainly through training and weapons sales. This is the first time the US has directly conducted air strikes in Nigeria, however.

During the peak of the Boko Haram crisis, the US intensified training cooperation and supported Nigeria with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, especially under the joint Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). The group includes Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin, which are all connected by Lake Chad, and which are all experiencing armed incursions.

However, the joint task force has begun to break down. Niger’s military government has been at odds with Nigeria since June 2023, when the military there seized power. Niger is also at odds with the US and other Western partners like France. In August 2024, the US military began withdrawing from its important bases in the country, from where it monitored armed groups in the Sahel.

Niger pulled out of the MNJTF in April, and Chad is threatening to withdraw. Analysts from the Institute for Security Studies link the coalition’s breakdown to increased armed group activity across the region.

SOURCE PAGE

Jolene Foo’s route to Chinese drama fandom happened after moving from her native Malaysia to Norway in her late 20s. Foo, who grew up as a “third-generation Chinese kid,” was looking for a way to reconnect with her homeland. Her friends recommended Chinese dramas, or C-dramas for short. 

“What really drew me in was the cultural dimension,” she told DW. “As someone who is of the Chinese diaspora, watching C-dramas became a way of reconnecting with my roots.”

Tanvir Khan had just finished his secondary school exam in 2018 and was surfing Facebook. He came across a short video from a serialized C-drama, entitled “The Story of Yanxi Palace.” He was enthralled.

“I don’t know whether I can explain it properly or not, but you know when you see a scene and something inside you just clicks?” Khan, who is now in his final year of undergraduate studies in Dhaka, Bangladesh, told DW. “It’s like your mind tells you, Yes, this is exactly what I wanted to watch.”

From that moment on, Khan said, he was hooked. He is now an administrator for a Facebook group for C-drama fans with over 700,000 members from around the world and regularly translates subtitles from English into his native Bengali.

“I know that these are quality dramas. That is why I want to share it with my Bengali friends!” said Khan.

China’s AI dating blurs love and technology

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

A growing phenomenon

The global rise of Chinese entertainment began in the early 2000s when the poetic martial arts and sweeping visuals of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” put Chinese storytelling on the map. That momentum carried into television, where dramas evolved from historical epics to modern romances and fantasy hits.

In the 2010s, Netflix and Viki introduced these dramas to global audiences and since 2020, have moved to video-on-demand (VOD) apps. Many are now being streamed on YouTube and Facebook with local language subtitles, making them accessible to even more people around the globe.

According to Myat Pan Phyu of Media Partners Asia, an independent research firm tracking Asia-Pacific’s video entertainment industries, Chinese dramas are “a structural pillar of Asia’s premium VOD landscape, delivering sustained audience engagement and cross-border reach.”

Demand is strong in markets like Taiwan and Thailand and is rapidly growing in Southeast Asia. Though trailing in popularity to Korean drama, or K-drama, C-dramas now reach tens of millions of viewers across the region.

“Since 2022, C-dramas have expanded their share of premium VOD hours most sharply in Singapore, Taiwan and Indonesia, with moderate gains in Malaysia and the Philippines,” she added.

Journalist Naman Ramachandran tracks the entertainment industry in Asia for the American trade publication Variety. He has witnessed the rise of Chinese dramas into an industry powerhouse. But lately, he said, there has been a shift.

“The longer dramas do exist and they are doing well,” said Ramachandran. “But many of the traditional players are now going towards the shorter formats simply because that’s where the attention is.”

China vs. USA: Who will lead the global economy?

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Big drama in micro doses

These new, shorter programs are called microdramas. They are ultra-short, scripted series delivered in vertical format optimized for mobile viewing, often just a few minutes per episode. Microdramas have exploded in popularity on streaming apps, offering short, fast-paced stories on romance, family conflicts, workplace struggles, revenge plots and aspirational lifestyles.

“The storytelling and the plots, everything is heightened,” said Ramachandran. “There is no room to pause and breathe as everything has to happen in those two minutes. It hooks you!”

A recent report by Media Partners Asia forecasts that globally, microdramas will hit a revenue of $9 billion (€7.6 billion) by 2030 outside of China, up from a reported $1.4 billion in 2024.

One of the main players in the production of microdramas is COL Group, the Beijing-based digital content company behind two of the most popular apps for microdramas, ReelShort and FlareFlow.  

The company started focusing on short, vertical content for the phone in 2021, when most dramas were being produced for movie theaters or television, said Timothy Oh, General Manager for Southeast Asia at COL Group.

“It is easy to watch for people who are not necessarily ready to commit to a full drama series,” said Oh. “I wouldn’t say it’s an evolution of purely Chinese dramas, but it is an evolution of how content is being consumed.”

The company is betting big on microdramas and will open the industry’s first dedicated microdrama studio near Macau featuring a 10,000-square-meter facility. It also boasts 30 international production teams across major cities allowing the company to localize content for different audiences. Both ReelShort and FlareFlow are seeing significant growth in both the US and Germany.

“I think this shows that Chinese content travels and translates well,” said Oh, adding “they are usually just simple stories from a universal perspective.”

Can China’s new aircraft carrier compete with US warships?

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Soft, dramatic power

Shaoyu Yuan, a professor at Rutgers University in New Jersey, has been following the growth of C-dramas. For him, China’s surge in drama production isn’t just about entertainment or revenue, it’s part of a broader strategy of soft power. The state shapes this ecosystem through boundaries, censorship and incentives, then amplifies stories that fit its preferred messaging.

“It is a hybrid model, market-led in creation but state-shaped in the environment, which is why the growth looks sudden even though it has been building for a long time,” said Yuan.

C-drama fan Foo says that for international viewers, China’s drive for soft power is visible through how accessible C-dramas have become. Many of these platforms now host full series on YouTube, often with multiple subtitle options released quickly and consistently.

“I don’t think that kind of accessibility happens by accident,” said Foo. “It feels to me as a pretty clear signal that they want to reach global audiences and lower the barrier to entry.”

However, for Foo and many viewers across the world, these shows offer something they cannot get anywhere else: a glimpse into contemporary China.

“While these stories are fictional and not a direct reflection of reality, they still provide a small but valuable window into a society that is often oversimplified or misunderstood,” said Foo.

For Yuan, when viewers binge Chinese dramas, they spend hours immersed in Chinese culture, its stories, romance, social norms and even the language, instead of politics. And this repeated exposure contributes to a softer, more human image of China.

“Dramas do not magically erase political concerns, but they do change the emotional baseline,” said Yuan.

Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru

SOURCE PAGE

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox

Get our free Inside Washington email

Get our free Inside Washington email

A GOP lawmaker is mourning the death of his Senate campaign manager, whom he described as the “heart and soul” of his team.

Tatum Dale, who had previously served as Rep. Andy Barr’s deputy chief of staff, died on Christmas Eve, with the Congressman sharing a lengthy statement about his former colleague shortly after.

“Tatum loved her family, her faith, and her Commonwealth,” Barr wrote in the statement. “She made me a better Congressman, our staff better public servants, and we will all miss her forever.

“From Murray to Lexington and everywhere in the Commonwealth that she touched, we hope you will all join us in praying for Tatum’s family and friends — and be forever inspired by her memory to serve others.”

open image in gallery

Tatum Dale was working as Congressman Andy Barr’s campaign manager before her death (Andy Barr)

Dale began working for Barr, who is the representative for the Lexington area in Kentucky, in 2012 when he launched a bid for Congress.

According to Barr, Dale became instrumental in running his political operation, writing that she had held “almost every job in my office.”

When Barr announced he would run for the seat to replace retiring former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2026, Dale took over as manager of his congressional campaign.

Dale’s cause of death has not yet been made public.

Meanwhile, tributes from her Republican colleagues have flooded in on social media.

open image in gallery

Andy Barr is the US representative for the Lexington area in Kentucky. He hopes to succeed Mitch McConnell as Kentucky Senator (Andy Barr)

Former Senator Ralph Alvarado, who is running to replace Barr, wrote on X that he was “devastated” to hear about her death.

“Tatum was an amazing person, a highly respected political operative, and a truly loved and dear friend to all who were fortunate enough to know her,” he continued.

Daniel Cameron, who is running against Barr to replace McConnell, described Tatum as a “friend.”

“She will be truly missed,” he wrote on X. “Makenze and I will be praying for her family and all of Team Barr.

Sean Southard, a communications director for Montana GOP Governor Greg Gianforte, said that he was “truly shocked” by Dale’s death.

“Tatum was one of those hardworking people who seemed to be at every GOP event,” he wrote. “Praying for her family and her work colleagues.”

open image in gallery

Senator Mitch McConnell has warned, ‘This is the most dangerous period since before World War Two’ (Getty)

Dale’s death comes as the race to replace McConnell continues to heat up.

McConnell is the longest-serving senator in Kentucky history.

The 83-year-old has come under widespread criticism for remaining in power due to his advancing years. He has been recorded falling and freezing during interviews on the Hill.

SOURCE PAGE

I believe in being warm and cozy all winter long, which is why I practically live in comfy lounge sets. They’re truly the foundation of my winter wardrobe. I wear them while I’m working from home, running errands, having brunch with friends, shopping at the farmer’s market, flying on planes — you name it, there’s a lounge set for it.

But here’s the thing: I own so many matching sets that I don’t want to spend a fortune on them. While scrolling through Amazon’s after-Christmas sale, I happened to discover the loungewear jackpot — we’re talking thousands of lounge sets on sale for under $40. I found 10 options to get me through the winter in cozy style, and they start at just $12.

Best Amazon After-Christmas Sales on Lounge Sets

• Lightweight Jersey: Fruit of the Loom Long-Sleeve Tee and Wide-Leg Pants Set, $12 (orig. $33)
• Soft Ribbed-Knit: Evaless Ribbed-Knit Collared Top and Drawstring Pants Set, $30 (orig. $40)
• Wear Separately or Together: Wiholl Buttoned Henley and Drawstring Joggers Set, $30 (orig. $41)
• Bold Stripes: Prettygarden Crewneck Sweatshirt and Joggers Set, $36 (orig. $40)
• Oprah-Inspired: Anrabess Fuzzy Crewneck Sweater and Drawstring Pants Set, $37 (orig. $42)
• Comfy PJs: Hanes Midnights Long-Sleeve Top and Printed Pants Set, $20 (orig. $48)
• Basic Black: Aloodor Crewneck Sweatshirt and Jogger Pants Set, $32 (orig. $40)
• Over 20 Colors: Ekouaer Waffle-Knit Crewneck Top and Wide-Leg Pants Set, $30 (orig. $33)
• Soft Sweater Set: Grecerelle Chunky Sweater and Wide-Leg Pants Set, $30 (orig. $40)
• Stylish Side Slits: Ofeefan Side-Slit Top and Wide-Leg Pants Set, $39 (orig. $55)

Fruit of the Loom Long-Sleeve Tee and Wide-Leg Pants Set

Amazon

I was already enamored by this lounge set because of its lightweight jersey material, slightly slouchy fit, and contrast trim on the shirt collar and pant hems, and then I discovered it’s on sale for only $12. Plus, satisfied shoppers said the outfit is “extremely comfortable” and “holds up beautifully through laundering,” so I’m sold.

Evaless Ribbed-Knit Collared Top and Drawstring Pants Set

Amazon

This matching set includes a collared top with a V-neckline and banded cuffs, and wide-leg pants with a comfy drawstring waist, both in a “super soft and cozy” ribbed-knit material, per a reviewer. It comes in a variety of colors like light gray, black, dark green, and pink, plus sizes S–XXL.

Wiholl Buttoned Henley and Drawstring Joggers Set

Amazon

I love so many of the style details on this two-piece set, like the three-button Henley top and jogger pants with deep patch pockets and exposed seams. I’m especially eyeing it in khaki and caramel, but it comes in over 25 colors and patterns.

Prettygarden Crewneck Sweatshirt and Joggers Set

Amazon

This lounge set is the perfect match for so many of my winter activities — I’m already envisioning wearing it with ankle booties to weekend brunches, grocery store runs, and coffee dates with friends. I especially love the bold stripe details across the chest and around the arms.

Anrabess Fuzzy Crewneck Sweater and Drawstring Pants Set

REI

I spotted Meghan Markle and Oprah Winfrey in white sweater sets recently, and this one with a crewneck sweater and drawstring pants is a sleek yet cozy way to try the trend. One happy shopper said it’s “so soft and snuggly but makes you feel put together to stay home or leave the house for a casual outing.”

Hanes Midnights Long-Sleeve Top and Printed Pants Set

Amazon

I’ve been slowly upping my pajama game by tossing old, ratty sweats and tees in favor of more stylish matching PJ sets. This one definitely fits the bill, thanks to a subtly oversized, long-sleeve Henley T-shirt and straight-leg pants with a bold print and comfy elastic waistband.

Aloodor Crewneck Sweatshirt and Jogger Pants Set

Amazon

With a long-sleeve crewneck sweatshirt and drawstring jogger pants, this is a great matching set for long travel days. It’s available in almost 40 colors and patterns, plus sizes XS–3XL.

Ekouaer Waffle-Knit Crewneck Top and Wide-Leg Pants Set

Amazon

I had a waffle-knit tee in eighth grade that I wore religiously, and I’ve basically thought about it every day since. This waffle-knit lounge set is the next best thing — I love the slouchy V-neck top and drawstring pants with convenient side pockets.

Grecerelle Chunky Sweater and Wide-Leg Pants Set

Amazon

“This is the most comfortable sweater-feel lounge set ever,” a reviewer said of this two-piece ensemble. It includes an oversized crewneck sweater with stylish lantern sleeves and wide-leg pants with a drawstring waist. It comes in four neutral hues and sizes S–XL.

Ofeefan Side-Slit Top and Wide-Leg Pants Set

Amazon

With a stitched V-inset and side slits, this lounge set makes a stylish statement whether you wear it at home or on a casual day out. One satisfied reviewer said, “You feel like you are wearing your pajamas but look put together.” 

SOURCE PAGE

Prince William spotted ‘Diana’s biggest superfan’ in the crowd of people lined up to greet the royals at Sandringham yesterday. 

But the Prince delighted him further by calling out to royal fanatic John Loughrey, 70, by name – before introducing him to Charlotte, Louis, and George. 

Mr Loughrey, wearing a hat covered in pins of the Royal Family and bearing presents for William’s children, wished the family a merry Christmas and told Prince George: ‘Diana would be proud of you’. 

The royal children politely greet the superfan and thank him for their gifts, with Charlotte adding: ‘Thank you very much, that’s so kind’.

Even King Charles II recognised the man who has been called Princess Diana’s biggest superfan. 

As the monarch shook hands and greeted the festive well-wishers who were lined up outside the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk yesterday, he noted Mr Loughrey’s impressive badge collection, saying: ‘You’ve collected more badges since last year!’

John Loughrey, from Wandsworth, south west London, arrived at 9pm on Christmas Eve and spent the night on a fold up chair outside the gates and was first in the queue outside Sandringham’s War Memorial gates to greet the royals on Christmas Day.

He told the Daily Mail: ‘It was cold but I had heat pads inside my jumper and hand warmers.

Mr Loughrey brought Prince William a gift – a 2012 portrait of himself bearing the Union Jack

King Charles noted Mr Loughrey’s impressive badge collection, remarking that it had increased since last year 

Princess Kate looked radiant as she greeted fans yesterday wearing a silk scarf and purple tartan coat 

‘There’s something special about sharing Christmas Day with the royals at Sandringham.’

The royal megafan also came armed with a portrait of himself painted in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales, back in 2012, which he hoped to pass on to Prince William. 

The retired chef assist was painted by artist Rebecca Francesca Cartwright de Fontenelle and featured in the Royal Society of Portrait Painters 2012 exhibition. 

‘I have met him several times before,’ Mr Loughrey said of Prince William.

‘I last saw William at the Centrepoint homeless charity a few weeks ago and I told him I would bring a special gift for him to Sandringham.’ 

Mr Loughrey had also met William back in March when he visited mental health charity established in 2017 by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales called Mental Health Innovations (MHI) in White City. 

Prince William also stopped in March to greet Mr Loughrey then, where he discussed his plans to have more royal memorabilia commissioned.

The superfan well known to the Press is a regular visitor to St Paul’s Cathedral and, when the Queen died in 2022, he planned to camp outside Buckingham Palace for ten days in mourning. 

King Charles and Queen Camilla led the royals as they passed crowds of fans waiting for a glimpse of the family on Christmas Day

The Princess of Wales looked radiant as she greeted fans with her daughter, Princess Charlotte

An unexpected appearance was also made by Princess Beatrice and her husband Eduardo Mapelli Mozzi, despite rumours they would spend Christmas elsewhere

Yesterday, senior Royals greeted crowds as they passed to and from Mary Magdalene Church in traditional Christmas celebrations at Sandringham.

King Charles led the procession alongside Queen Camilla, who stood out in a bright red overcoat and matching hat. The couple appeared relaxed and cheerful as they acknowledged the crowds on the sunny but chilly morning.

After the hour-long service, the family returned to Sandringham House for a Christmas lunch hosted by the King, once again pausing to greet members of the public on their walk back.

The day also brought a surprise appearance from the King’s nieces, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who attended despite speculation they might spend Christmas elsewhere this year.

Beatrice was joined by her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, who later wished members of the press a merry Christmas as the family departed.

Other royals spotted included Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, with their children Lady Louise, 22, and James, Viscount Severn, 17, as well as Princess Anne and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence.

Zara and Mike Tindall attended with their children Mia, Lena and Lucas, while Peter Phillips was joined by his daughters Savannah and Isla. 

SOURCE PAGE

Police taped off an area of Glasgow after a 38-year-old man was found injured before he was rushed to hospital for treatment – where he sadly died on Christmas Day

Officers have launched a probe into the man’s death(Image: Daily Record)

Police have launched a probe after a man was found injured on a busy Glasgow street and tragically died on Christmas Day.

This is a breaking news story. Follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, Twitter, Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.

SOURCE PAGE

A US judge has temporarily blocked the Donald Trump administration from detaining British anti-disinformation campaigner Imran Ahmed.

It comes after the US permanent resident sued officials over an entry ban for the part he played in what the US government argues is online censorship.

Washington issued visa bans on Tuesday on Mr Ahmed, 47, and four Europeans, including French former EU commissioner Thierry Breton.

It accuses them of working to censor freedom of speech or unfairly hitting US tech giants with regulation.

Nigeria latest: US warns ‘more to come’ after claiming strikes on IS targets

Mr Ahmed is CEO of the US-based Center for Countering Digital Hate, which aims to protect human rights and civil liberties online.

He is a New York resident and is believed to be the only one of the five targeted by the visa ban currently in the country.

The move angered European governments, who argue regulations and the work of monitoring groups made the internet safer by highlighting false information and pushing tech giants to do more to tackle illegal content, including child sexual abuse material and hate speech.

Image:
US President Donald Trump. Pic: AP

For Mr Ahmed, it also sparked fears of imminent deportation that would separate him from his wife and child, both US citizens, according to a lawsuit he filed on Wednesday in the Southern District of New York.

When announcing the visa restrictions, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he had determined the presence of the five people in the US had potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the nation, which meant they could be deported.

Read more:
Why Trump administration is so annoyed with Europe’s online rules
Man reveals what it’s like celebrating Christmas in country where it’s banned

Mr Ahmed named Mr Rubio, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other Trump officials in his lawsuit.

He argued officials were violating his rights to free speech and due process by threatening deportation.

US District Judge Vernon Broderick issued a temporary restraining order on Thursday, instructing officials not to arrest, detain or transfer Mr Ahmed before he has an opportunity for his case to be heard, and scheduled a conference between the parties for 29 December.

Image:
Thierry Breton. Pic: Reuters

Mr Ahmed praised the US legal system’s checks and balances in a statement provided by a representative and said he was proud to call the country his home.

“I will not be bullied away from my life’s work of fighting to keep children safe from social media’s harm and stopping antisemitism online,” he said.

In response to questions about the case, a State Department spokesperson said: “The Supreme Court and Congress have repeatedly made clear: the United States is under no obligation to allow foreign aliens to come to our country or reside here.”

The Department of Homeland Security has been contacted for comment.

Legal permanent residents, known as green card holders, do not require a visa to stay in the US, but the Trump administration has tried to deport at least one already this year.

Mahmoud Khalil was detained in March after his prominent involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University.

He was released by a judge who argued punishing someone over a civil immigration matter was unconstitutional.

A US immigration judge in September ordered Mr Khalil to be deported over claims he left out information from his green card application, but he appealed that ruling and separate orders blocking his deportation are still in place.

SOURCE PAGE

BREAKINGBREAKING,

Syrian state media says security forces have imposed a ​cordon around ‌the area and are investigating.

Published On 26 Dec 202526 Dec 2025

Click here to share on social media

share2

Share

At least six ‍people ‍have been killed and more than 20 injured when an explosion ⁠struck a mosque ​in Syria’s Homs, according to Syrian state media reports.

The attack targeted the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dahab neighbourhood of Homs shortly after Friday prayers, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

State media said security forces had imposed a ​cordon around ‌the area and were investigating.

Local officials told the Reuters news agency it ‌may have been ‌caused by ⁠a suicide bomber or explosives placed there.

Ayman Oghanna, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Aleppo, noted that Homs is home to a diverse population of Alawites, Christians and Sunni Muslims. He said the attack targeted an Alawite mosque, warning it could “inflame sectarian tensions” across the country.

He said no group had claimed responsibility for the strike, but noted a recent surge in ISIL (ISIS) activity in Syria. He added that government forces had carried out an operation near Aleppo, arresting three alleged ISIL members.

Last week the United States bombed ISIL positions in Syria in retaliation for the killings of two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter. Damascus also joined a global anti-ISIL alliance in November, vowing to crush the remaining elements of the group.

Friday’s attack underscores the country’s fragile security situation, as the new authorities in Damascus struggle to assert control.

SOURCE PAGE

Key events

Show key events only

Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature

Nigeria provided US with intelligence for strikes on militants, foreign minister says

Nigeria provided the US with intelligence on jihadists before the strikes that took place in the country on Christmas Day, its foreign ministry said on Friday.

On Thursday, the US president, Donald Trump, said the US military had carried out strikes against Islamic State militants in north-west Nigeria, after spending weeks decrying the group for targeting Christians.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, the president said: “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!

“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.”

Now, Nigerian foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, has told broadcaster ChannelsTV that he was on the phone with the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and that Nigeria “provided” the intelligence.

“We spoke twice. We spoke for 19 minutes before the strike and then we spoke again for another five minutes before it went on,” Tuggar said.

He added that they spoke “extensively” and that President Bola Tinubu gave “the go-ahead” to launch the strikes.

Nigeria’s foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar. Photograph: Light Oriye Tamunotonye/AFP/Getty Images

Tuggar said the strikes would be an “ongoing process” that would also involve other countries. He gave no further details.

Trump has previously said he would launch a “guns-a-blazing” US military intervention in Nigeria, claiming that the country’s government has been inadequate in its efforts to prevent attacks on Christians by Islamist groups.

Share



SOURCE PAGE

Stripped of its context, it seemed an ordinary moment. A player tumbling to the ground. A referee’s whistle. A penalty scored. An early lead.

But as Manozh Noori raised a fist to the sky to celebrate her first international goal in her first international game, the significance to her and her teammates was overwhelming.

“It was the moment of happiness for everyone,” Noori told DW after the match.

“All of my teammates came to me and hugged me. It was such a great moment for all of us. I dedicate this goal to all of those in Afghanistan, because they deserve happiness.”

It has been a long time in the making. Afghanistan’s women’s football team last played an international match in 2021 before the Taliban returned to power in the country that same year. The Islamic fundamentalist nationalist movement has relentlessly repressed women since regaining power and, according to the United Nations, “is closer than ever to achieving its vision of a society that completely erases women from public life.”

Women and girls in Afghanistan see no hope for the future

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

All of the players on the pitch in late October were forced to flee, with playing sport in public placing a target firmly on their backs. Just over half the squad eventually found a home in Australia, while others settled in various European countries.

Sport a faraway, but achievable, dream

Since they were exiled, regaining their status as international footballers — which means recognition from the game’s global governors FIFA — has been the preoccupation for many. Though they are driven by playing at the top level, their deeper motivation is always front of mind.

“Girls in Afghanistan don’t have any rights right now. Playing sport is maybe a faraway dream, but just a very simple one is studying and having education and they don’t have it,” goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi told DW.

“It’s just the biggest motivation for us to do this for all those girls. We’re showing them that their dreams are valid.”

Fatima Yousufi was between the sticks for Afghanistan on SundayImage: Ann Odong/FIFA

Those thoughts and memories of their homeland were etched on the faces of the players as they saw their flag fly and heard their anthem play before kickoff against Chad, who eventually won 6-1 on Sunday, with tears flowing freely.

While FIFA started the process of recognizing the team in May this year, they are currently playing as Afghan Women United, a name picked in conjunction with the players that replaced their old status as the Afghanistan women’s refugee team. As such, the tournament they are playing in is comprised of friendly matches, with Libya and Tunisia also involved. Afghanistan’s men’s team continue to compete on the global stage under Taliban control.

Yousufi was one of those who played in the team’s last fixture as Afghanistan — before the Taliban retook control following the withdrawal of US and NATO forces. Women’s football has moved on rapidly since then, with increased professionalization, booming ticket sales in many countries and increased media interest.

Afghanistan have lots of catching up to do

With players scattered across the globe and having also to concentrate on building new lives in unfamiliar lands, Afghanistan have plenty of catching up to do. That process was not helped by the delay and last-minute change of venue for the tournament after the Afghan players’ visas were rejected by the United Arab Emirates, who had initially agreed to host, and play, in it. No official statement has yet been offered as to the reason for that rejection, but the UAE has strong diplomatic links with the Taliban.

Until a few days ago, some of Afghanistan’s players and staff hadn’t even met, now they are proud to be back on the international stageImage: Ann Odong/FIFA

“It’s very difficult, when you’ve not played international football for four years, to understand what the level is, because even in that time the game has changed a lot,” said the team’s Scottish coach, Pauline Hamill.

“I think you can see that there’s a level of potential there. I think it was a case of ‘Welcome to international football’ [in the first game], and now, how do we improve moving forward? I think that’s the key message.”

FIFA promises ongoing support

Afted another defeat to Tunisia, the Afghan side showed that improvement with a 7-0 win over Libya to end the tournament on a high. But after fighting so hard to be heard and recognized for four years, the Afghan players see this as merely a first step on the path back to a sporting existence somewhat like the one they had before their lives were upended.

FIFA  president, Gianni Infantino turned up to the team’s second match, posing for pictures and declaring the tournament the start of a “beautiful, beautiful story”. He has also promised to “continue to stand by all Afghan women” and “work tirelessly to ensure that every one of them receives the support they deserve to play the game they love.”

But what happens next is not yet clear. With a government unwilling to support them, competetive fixtures are currently impossible and none are arranged as the year ends. 

While they may not yet be representing their country in quite the way they want, this group of exiled women has shown their resilience time and time again. As Yousufi puts it, complete with a hint of Australian twang: “Never give up on your dreams, girls.”

Edited by: Chuck Penfold. This article is part of DW Sports’ Best of 2025 series in which we revisit some of our outstanding features from the past year. The article has been updated to reflect the latter stages of the FIFA Unites tournament.

SOURCE PAGE