More than 40 million Americans under winter storm warnings or weather advisories as heavy snow expected.

Published On 27 Dec 202527 Dec 2025

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Thousands of flights have been cancelled and delayed in the United States due to winter storm Devin, airline monitoring website FlightAware reports, dealing a blow to air travel during peak holiday time.

A total of 1,581 flights “within, into or out of the” US were cancelled and 6,883 delayed as of 4pm US Eastern Time (21:00 GMT) on Friday, according to FlightAware, which describes itself as the world’s largest flight tracking data company.

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The delays and cancellations came as the US National Weather ⁠Service warned of winter storm Devin causing “hazardous travel conditions” and heavy snow forecast across parts of the Midwest and northeast.

More than 40 million Americans were under winter storm warnings or weather advisories on Friday, plus another 30 million under flood or storm advisories in California, where a so-called atmospheric river has brought a deluge of rain.

New York City, the largest US city, was bracing for up to 250mm (10 inches) of snow overnight on Friday, the most expected in four years. Temperatures were forecast to drop into the weekend when an Arctic blast is expected to swoop down from Canada.

New York’s John F Kennedy airport, ⁠Newark Liberty international airport and LaGuardia airport warned travellers of potential delays or cancellations. More than half of the flight cancellations and delays took place at these three airports, according to FlightAware.

JetBlue Airways cancelled 225 flights on Friday, the most among the US carriers, closely followed by Delta Air Lines, which cancelled 212 flights. Republic Airways cancelled 157 flights, while 146 were cancelled by American Airlines and 97 by United Airlines.

“Due to winter storm Devin, JetBlue has cancelled approximately 350 flights today and tomorrow, primarily in the Northeast where JetBlue has a large operation,” a JetBlue spokesperson told the Reuters news agency.

On the US West Coast, powerful winter storms brought the wettest Christmas season to Southern California in 54 years.

There was still a risk of more flash flooding and mudslides on Friday despite slackening rain around Los Angeles, the National Weather Service warned.

Firefighters rescued more than 100 people on Thursday in Los Angeles County, with one helicopter pulling 21 people from stranded cars, officials said.

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Israel has become the first country to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state, a breakthrough in its quest for international recognition since it declared independence from Somalia 34 years ago.

The Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, announced on Friday that Israel and Somaliland had signed an agreement establishing full diplomatic relations, which would include the opening of embassies and the appointment of ambassadors.

The recognition is a historic moment for Somaliland, which declared its independence from Somalia in 1991 but until now had failed to be recognised by any UN member states. Somaliland controls the north-west tip of Somalia, where it operates a de facto state, and is bordered by Djibouti to the north-west and Ethiopia to the west and south.

The Israeli prime minister’s office said the declaration was “in the spirit” of the Abraham accords, a series of normalisation agreements between Israel and mostly Arab states signed in 2020.

It posted a video of Benjamin Netanyahu speaking via video call with Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, in which he invited him to visit Israel and described the friendship between the two countries as “historic”. Abdullahi said he would be “glad to be in Jerusalem as soon as possible”.

Donald Trump said he opposed US recognition of Somaliland in an interview with the New York Post published on Friday, adding: “Does anyone know what Somaliland is, really?”

The US administration is reportedly split over the recognition of Somaliland, with some fearing such a move could endanger military cooperation with Somalia. The US has troops deployed there, where it supports Somali forces in their fight against the Islamist movement al-Shabaab.

Somalia’s foreign ministry said in statement the decision was a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty that would undermine peace in the region, a sentiment echoed by the African Union (AU).

The AU said it “firmly rejects” Israel’s move, warning: “Any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia … risks setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent.”

The pan-African body’s head, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, said Somaliland “remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia”, which is a member of the AU.

Israel’s move was also condemned by Egypt and Turkey, which said in a statement: “This initiative by Israel, which aligns with its expansionist policy and its efforts to do everything to prevent the recognition of a Palestinian state, constitutes overt interference in Somalia’s domestic affairs.”

Sa’ar said the recognition came after a year of talks between the two countries and that he had instructed Israel’s ministry of foreign affairs to immediately “institutionalise ties between the two countries”.

Israeli analysts have said recognition of the breakaway state could be in Israel’s strategic interest, given Somaliland’s proximity to Yemen, where Israel has conducted extensive airstrikes against the Houthi rebels over the past two years.

A report in November by the Institute for National Security Studies, an Israeli thinktank, said: “Somaliland’s territory could serve as a forward base for multiple missions: intelligence monitoring of the Houthis and their armament efforts; logistical support for Yemen’s legitimate government in its war against them; and a platform for direct operations against the Houthis.”

The Somaliland authorities already host a military base operated by the United Arab Emirates in Berbera, which has a military port and an airstrip for fighter jets and transport aircraft. Analysts have suggested that the base is a key part of the UAE’s anti-Houthi campaign in Yemen.

Somaliland’s president revealed in May that US military officials, including the most senior officer in the Horn of Africa, had visited Somaliland and that another US delegation was expected to visit soon. “It’s a matter of time. Not if, but when and who will lead the recognition of Somaliland,” Abdullahi told the Guardian.

Project 2025, which was published in 2023 and is alleged to have guided much of the doctrine of Donald Trump’s second administration, called for the recognition of Somaliland as a “hedge against the US’s deteriorating position in Djibouti”, where Chinese influence is growing.

This August, the Texas Republican senator Ted Cruz wrote to Trump asking him to recognise Somaliland. Cruz said Somaliland was an ally of Israel and that it had expressed support for the Abraham accords.

Somaliland has a population of a little more than 6.2 million. The breakaway state has a democratic system that has had peaceful transfers of power, though the Washington-based non-profit organisation Freedom House noted an “erosion of political rights and civic space” in recent years, with journalists and opposition figures facing repression from authorities.

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Ukraine’s president last met President Donald Trump at the White House in October

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he will meet his US counterpart Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday, as talks continue on ending Russia’s full-scale war.

Zelensky said he expected the meeting to focus on a US-brokered peace plan, and separate proposals for US security guarantees. But a senior Russian official said the plan was “radically different” to the one it was negotiating with the US.

Moscow has spoken of “slow but steady progress” in talks but has not commented on Zelensky’s offer to withdraw troops from Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, if Russia pulls back too.

On Saturday night, blasts were heard in Kyiv, in what Ukrainian officials said was a new Russian aerial attack.

Kyiv Major Vitaliy Klitschko said Ukraine’s air defence forces were repelling the attack, urging residents of the Ukrainian capital to go shelters. It was not immediately clear whether there were any casualties.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The regions are collectively known as Donbas.

Ukraine has sought to secure guarantees from the US as part of a peace deal, and Zelensky has suggested that a demilitarised “free economic zone” is a potential option for areas of Donbas that Russia has failed to take by force.

On Friday, Zelensky told reporters that the 20-point plan was 90% complete: “Our task is to make sure everything is 100% ready.”

He wrote on social media: “We are not losing a single day. We have agreed on a meeting at the highest level – with President Trump in the near future. A lot can be decided before the new year.”

But in an interview with Politico published on Friday, Trump said his Ukrainian counterpart “doesn’t have anything until I approve it”.

“I think it’s going to go good with him. I think it’s going to go good with [Vladimir] Putin,” Trump said.

He also said he expects to speak with the Russian president “soon”.

Trump also told Politico that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would visit him in the coming days.

Putin’s senior aides have held further talks with US officials over the phone, after Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev returned from a meeting in Florida last weekend.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov was positive about latest developments, but accused Ukraine of trying to “torpedo” talks on the US plan.

“I think December 25, 2025, will remain in all our memories as a milestone when we truly came close to a solution. But whether we can make the final push and reach an agreement depends on our work and the political will of the other side,” he said in comments to Russian state TV on Friday.

Shortly after details of Zelensky’s imminent visit to Florida emerged, the mayor of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city in the north-east, said two people had been killed and several others wounded in a Russian air strike.

Reuters

Ukrainian soldiers were pictured eating a Christmas meal together as fighting continued along the front line

Zelensky has met Trump several times this year, since an initial White House meeting in February descended into a hostile shouting match. Their most recent meeting at the White House in October was far more amicable.

Confirmation of planned top-level talks came after the Ukrainian leader said he had spoken to Trump’s chief negotiators, special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, for an hour over the phone on Christmas Day.

He said the latest round of negotiations had generated “new ideas” on how to end the war, and described it as a “really good conversation”.

The White House has proposed establishing what would in effect be a demilitarised zone in eastern Ukraine where both sides agree not to deploy troops – a compromise that would avoid settling the intractable question of legal ownership over the contested territory.

Zelensky signalled on Wednesday that if Ukraine were to pull back by up to 40km (25 miles) from the front line in the east to create an economic zone, then Russia would have to do the same from Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine’s industrial heartland in the Donbas.

Ukraine has secured a number of changes to an earlier 28-point draft plan, which was formulated by Witkoff but widely seen as being favourable to Russia.

Zelensky told reporters on Friday that the weekend talks in Florida would focus on several documents, including US security guarantees and a separate economic agreement.

However, Zelensky has repeatedly said the question of territory has proved to be the most difficult issue to resolve, along with the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

The White House has proposed Ukraine and Russia split the energy generated by the plant, the largest in Europe. Russian troops currently control it.

Russia is unlikely to agree to a number of points in the updated US plan, especially its territorial proposals. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused “groups of states, primarily Western European” of seeking to derail the diplomatic progress that had been made.

Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.

Zelensky outlined the latest version of the plan this week, the first time since the original 28-point draft was leaked in November.

Latest proposals commit the US and Europe to providing security guarantees modelled on Nato’s Article 5, committing allies to providing military support in the event Russia launches a renewed invasion.

The deal would also see Ukraine’s military maintained at 800,000 personnel, a level the Kremlin has demanded be cut.

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NEED TO KNOW

• Actress Amanda Peterson was in Annie and the TV series Boone, before rising to fame in 1987’s Can’t Buy Me Love
• She later struggled with drugs and died at 43 of an accidental morphine overdose
• Her parents later gave an interview revealing she’d been raped at 15 and never recovered from the trauma

Amanda Peterson is going viral for her hard-hitting solo in the 1982 film Annie, in which she played an orphan who belted out a line about Rover in the song “Sandy.”

Instagram user Ian McConnell posted a clip of the actress’ solo, noting, “It takes real nerve shushing a girl when she’s absolutely EATING during her solo.” The clip has been viewed 2.2 million times.

Who is the adorable on-screen orphan with the big voice?

She is no other than actress Amanda Peterson, who later became best known for her role opposite Patrick Dempsey in the 1989 teen comedy Can’t Buy Me Love, in which she played popular girl Cindy Mancini. In the film, Dempsey’s nerdy Ronald Miller pays Peterson to hang out with him to make himself more popular.

After starring in the hit film, Peterson fell out of the spotlight and struggled with drug addiction.

Peterson was arrested several times, including in March 2010, following a fight with another woman in Fort Collins, Colo. According to a police report, Peterson “appeared intoxicated” and “was slurring” and had been drinking earlier at a bar. Her then-boyfriend told police that Peterson was taking medication for bipolar disorder and ADD and was not supposed to drink.

Two years later, she was arrested for a DUI and for possessing narcotic equipment.

On July 5, 2015, Peterson was found dead at the age of 43 in her Greeley, Colo., home. The Weld County Coroner’s report revealed Peterson died of an accidental morphine overdose.

Amanda Peterson.

According to a coroner’s report obtained by TMZ, Peterson reportedly had a deadly cocktail of prescription drugs in her system at the time of her death, including benzodiazepines, opiates and phenothiazines (an anti-psychotic medication).

The report also stated the actress told someone a week before her death that she was self-medicating to manage pain. She was found to have six times the normal level of Gabapentin in her system. The report noted she died of a “morphine effect,” which triggers respiratory failure.

After Amanda’s death, her mother, Sylvia Peterson, told Entertainment Tonight that her daughter struggled with drugs when she was younger. However, Sylvia said her daughter had been clean for a long time and that “this was not, in any way, a drug thing.”

In September 2015, Amanda’s parents and sister gave an interview on The Doctors, where they revealed their daughter had been raped when she was 15.

“She just felt so ashamed. She didn’t want people to know,” Sylvia said during the episode, later adding, “I think it affected her forever.”

Amanda’s father, Dr. James Peterson, said he noticed a marked difference in her personality after the alleged rape.

“After that she became so defensive, less trusting. Some of the sparkle was gone,” James said, adding that “she did have significant bipolar problems.”

Sylvia noted that her daughter never wanted to press charges against her attacker, who was described as a man who was “27 years older – double her age.” Her voice began to break when she recounted the time Amanda asked to see a counselor, and she didn’t take the request seriously.

“She had said to me one time, ‘Mother, I think I need a therapist.’ And I thought, ‘This is just Hollywood,’ ” she said. “I didn’t say, ‘Why? What’s going on? Let’s find someone.’ I said [dismissively], ‘Oh, that’s a good idea.’ ”

Amanda’s sister, Ann-Marie Peterson, also said on the show that her sister kept the burden of her trauma inside.

“She did not tell me about it. She did not talk about it with anyone,” she said. “I think for her to carry this secret, this burden of his assault must have been overwhelming.”

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After Amanda’s death, Sylvia spoke with PEOPLE and shared some of her daughter’s final moments.

“She was in bed, and she’d had a wonderful day, and we were planning on a dinner the next day,” Sylvia said of her chatting with her daughter. “So it was just a very, very big surprise.”

Photographer Ryan Hartsock later recalled working with Peterson on what would be her last ever photoshoot in 2012.

“She had the greatest smile. I know it brightened her day when she got all the emails and fan mail from everybody,” he told PEOPLE in 2015. “Really, any time that we were together, she was a kindhearted, great person.”

The photographer says the star’s death was a shock, and that Peterson seemed in good health whenever he spent time with her.

“I always thought she was healthy. I’ve never thought otherwise. She was a great gal,” he said.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

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By JAMES CIRRONE, US NEWS REPORTER

Published: 00:03 GMT, 27 December 2025 | Updated: 01:46 GMT, 27 December 2025

A 36-year-old woman was stabbed to death last month in an unprovoked attack outside a Dollar General store in Florida, according to police.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said Cheyenne Kastens was ambushed by Lemar Beasley, 54, in the parking lot in Fruitland Park, a town in Central Florida.

Beasley stabbed her more than 40 times, according to the State Attorney’s Office.

There is no indication that Kastens knew Beasley, nor is there evidence the two interacted before the attack. Kastens was rushed to the hospital and was pronounced dead.

Beasley ran away and was found inside a nearby camper, where he was apprehended and taken to jail.

‘No words can bring back the irreparable harm to Ms. Kastens’ family and friends caused at the hands of a stone-cold killer,’ Sheriff H.D. ‘Gator’ DeLoach said. 

‘However, I hope they can take solace in knowing the intent to hold Lemar Beasley accountable for his actions.’

Beasley is a convicted sex offender who was released from prison in July after serving just over four years for not complying with registered offender requirements.

Beasley was convicted of a series of violent offenses throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, including burglary, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, armed robbery with a firearm and sexual battery.

Cheyenne Kastens, 36, was killed last month in a random attack outside a Dollar General in Fruitland Park, Florida

Kastens was attacked in the parking lot of this Dollar General. Police and prosecutors are treating this as an unprovoked stabbing

Records also indicated he was charged with escaping from law enforcement custody in May 2000, but those charges were never pursued.

Beasley was indicted by a grand jury on December 1 for first-degree murder in the killing of Kastens.

On December 18, prosecutors filed a motion with the court stating their intent to seek the death penalty.

‘The capital felony was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel,’ Assistant State Attorney K. Mark Johnson wrote in a signed letter. ‘[It] was a homicide and was committed in a cold, calculated, and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification.’

In her obituary, Kastens was remembered as someone who ‘filled the world around her with light, humor, and an unmistakable spark that was entirely her own’.

She was described as ‘kind, intelligent, and genuine, someone who cared deeply for the people and animals she loved’.

Police say career criminal Lemar Beasley, 54, stabbed Kastens 40 times. Prosecutors have announced their intent to seek the death penalty for him

Shawn Kastens, the victim’s brother, started a GoFundMe to pay for his sister’s funeral costs.

‘She worked on boats and absolutely loved the life that came with it. She was fun-loving, kind, smart, and always ready with a joke to make someone smile. She loved her cats and animals, cherished time with her friends, and brought joy to every room she walked into,’ he wrote.

‘This loss has shattered our family. While the suspect is currently in custody, nothing can ease the pain of losing Cheyenne far too soon,’ he added.

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Woman, 36, stabbed to death in Dollar General parking lot by stranger in unprovoked attack

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Jason Kenney, 47, allegedly shot his wife Crystal after she asked him to turn off an NFL game on Sunday, before turning the gun on their 13-year-old daughter who begged him not to shoot

01:09, 27 Dec 2025Updated 01:09, 27 Dec 2025

Jason Kenney took his own life after police tracked him down(Image: Facebook/ Polk County Sheriff’s Office)

A teenage girl made a heartbreaking plea to her stepdad after he allegedly shot her in the face after he reportedly murdered her mum in a drunken fury.

Jason Kenney, 47, is alleged to have shot his wife, Crystal, after she asked him to switch off the San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts game on Sunday, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd at a press conference.

Kenney had been drinking when his wife requested him to turn off the telly, sparking an argument so severe that Crystal asked her 12 year old son to dial 999. As the boy ran to a neighbour’s house, he heard the chilling sound of gunshots.

A ‘murder-suicide’ claimed the life of Crystal and Jason Kenney, but Crystal’s 13-year-old daughter survived the shooting in a “Christmas miracle”(Image: Facebook/ Polk County Sheriff’s Office)

Police found Crystal dead inside the home, and her 13 year old daughter had been shot in the face and shoulder. “‘I begged him, don’t shoot me, don’t shoot me, don’t shoot me, and he shot me anyway,'” the girl told investigators, according to Judd.

She was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition and is now recovering. The bullet that hit her face “hit her on the bridge of the nose, went straight up and out the top of her head,” Judd said, describing it as a “Christmas miracle.”, reports the Mirror US.

The boy who ran for help wasn’t injured, nor was the couple’s 1 year old daughter, who was found asleep in her cot, police confirmed. Kenney fled the scene and rang his sister, confessing that he had “done something” terrible, and they would never converse again. He then drove to his father’s house, where the police located him.

Crystal sent her 12-year-old son to the neighbor’s house and told him to call 911 as the fight escalated(Image: Facebook/ Polk County Sheriff’s Office)

Officers attempted to coax him out of a shed, but Kenney tragically took his own life, reported Judd. During a search of the family home, officers discovered a note penned by Crystal to her husband, pleading with him to seek help for his substance misuse issues.

“You’re drinking, you’re using cocaine again. This is not the way the family should be. You need God,” the note read, according to Judd. The children are now in the care of their grandparents.

“The entire family was destroyed,” Judd stated. “Our homicide detectives are distraught. When you go in there, there is a beautiful Christmas tree with lots of Christmas presents under it, just like the nuclear family should be.”

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These are the key developments from day 1,402 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Published On 27 Dec 202527 Dec 2025

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Here is where things stand on Saturday, December 27:

Fighting

• The Ukrainian capital Kyiv came under a “massive” Russian attack early on Saturday, according to reports, with air defences in operation and the military warning of the impending deployment of missiles. Witnesses said air defences were in action in the city. A military Telegram channel said Russian cruise and ballistic missiles were being deployed to target the city.
• Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed that its forces captured the Ukrainian village of Kosivtseve in the southeastern Zaporizhia region, adding that it had taken more than 23 square kilometres (9sq miles) of territory to secure the village.
• Ukraine’s military has acknowledged that one of its units committed errors in “an unfortunate incident” when a group of just three infiltrating Russian soldiers deceived Ukrainian forces into abandoning a post in Huliaipole town, which encompasses Kosivtseve.
• Russian overnight drone attacks damaged vessels under the flags of Slovakia, Palau and Liberia in ports in Ukraine’s Odesa and Mykolaiv regions, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba said in a statement on Telegram. Kuleba said that there were no casualties in the attacks.
• Kuleba also said that a separate drone attack damaged a locomotive and a freight car at the northwestern Kovel railway station, about 60km (37miles) from the Polish border.
• A blaze ignited by a Ukrainian drone attack at Russia’s Azov Sea port of Temryuk has been extinguished, a local task force said. Temryuk port handles LPG, oil products and petrochemicals, as well as grain and other bulk food commodities.
• Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed that during the past week its forces had downed seven British-made Storm Shadow missiles, Russian news agencies reported.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of using ordinary apartment blocks on the territory of its ally Belarus to attack Ukrainian targets and circumvent Kyiv’s defences. “It is unfortunate that Belarus is surrendering its sovereignty in favour of Russia’s aggressive ambitions,” Zelenskyy said.
• Poland deployed fighter jets to intercept a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying near its airspace over the Baltic Sea and said dozens of aerial objects – believed to be balloons used by smugglers – approached its airspace from Belarus overnight, warning that the separate incidents during the holiday season may signal a provocation by Moscow.

Regional security

• Moscow is likely stationing new nuclear-capable hypersonic ballistic missiles at a former airbase in eastern Belarus, a development that could bolster Russia’s ability to hit European targets, two United States researchers have found by studying satellite imagery, according to an exclusive Reuters news agency report.

• The American researchers said reviews of the Planet Labs imagery revealed a hurried construction project that took place between August 4 and 12 and showed features consistent with those of a Russian strategic missile base, the report added.
• Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said that Russia was “somewhat” delaying the export of Russian-made weapons and military equipment to prioritise deliveries to its own armed forces, according to Interfax news agency.

Peace talks

• President Zelenskyy said he wants to discuss territorial issues, the main stumbling block in talks to end the war, with US President Donald Trump in Florida, as negotiations on a 20-point peace framework and a security guarantee deal near completion.

• Zelenskyy said in a WhatsApp chat with reporters that a security guarantee agreement between Ukraine and the US is “almost ready” and that a draft of the 20-point plan was 90 percent complete.

• In a separate interview with the Axios news site, Zelenskyy said that the US offered a 15-year deal on security guarantees that could be renewed, and Kyiv wanted a longer-term agreement.
• Zelenskyy was also cited by Axios as saying that if he is not able to push the US to back Ukraine’s “strong” position on the land issue in the peace proposal, he is willing to put the 20-point plan to a referendum – as long as Russia agrees to a 60-day ceasefire to allow Ukraine to prepare for and hold the vote.

• Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Kyiv’s version of the 20-point plan was radically different from what Russia has been discussing with the US, according to Interfax-Russia.
• Ryabkov also accused Ukraine of trying to “torpedo” the talks, adding that Moscow’s ability to make the “final push” and reach a deal will depend “on our own work and the political will of the other party”.
• Russia’s Kommersant newspaper reported that President Vladimir Putin told some of Russia’s top businessmen that he might be open to swapping some territory controlled by Russian forces elsewhere in Ukraine, but that in exchange, he wanted the whole of the Donbas.

• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with Zelenskyy and discussed the latest developments in the ongoing peace talks, Carney’s office said in a statement. During the call, Carney “emphasised the need to maintain pressure on Russia to negotiate”, the statement added.

• Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev participated in talks with members of the US administration along with the Kremlin’s foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov, Reuters reported, citing a source close to the talks.

Politics and diplomacy

• North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared that his nation and Russia had shared “blood, life and death” in the Ukraine war, as he sent President Vladimir Putin New Year’s greetings. Pyongyang has deployed thousands of troops to Russia to help in the fight against Ukraine.

• A Moscow court has sentenced a former Russian diplomat, Arseniy Konovalov, to 12 years in a maximum-security penal colony for selling secrets to US intelligence while on a posting to the US, the Federal Security Service (FSB) said.

• Russia’s Kommersant newspaper said Konovalov worked in the US from 2014 to 2017 and served as second secretary of the Russian Consulate General in Houston, Texas.

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Australia is bracing for two extremes over the next week with parts of the west facing days of extreme fire danger and a cyclone and flood watch issued for parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Residents who evacuated their homes ahead of an out-of-control bushfire near Boddington, 130km south-east of Perth, were still unable to return home on Saturday, Western Australian fire authorities said.

The fire has burned through more than 4,000 hectares and caused significant damage to the Newmont Boddington goldmine. Many residents were forced to spend Christmas night in an evacuation centre.

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It was downgraded to a watch and act level on Saturday morning, but WA’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said there was still a possible threat to lives and homes.

Bushfire in Boddington in Western Australia. Photograph: Darlington Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade

“It is not safe to return due to unstable fire and weather conditions,” DFES said.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Jonathan How said a cool change would help to ease the fire danger but there were still eight fires burning.

The milder conditions across the rest of the state will persist through Sunday but more heat is on its way, with large parts of WA expected to see temperatures remain above 30C.

Meanwhile, large parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory are expecting monsoonal rain, with the possibility of thunderstorms and floods.

Boddington fire in Western Australia. Photograph: Darlington Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade

“We have seen the monsoon trough develop across northern Australia and with that we are expecting very widespread monsoonal rain and storms,” How said.

The flood watch currently sits over “a very large area”, from the Mackay coast up towards Townsville, and then inland all the way to the west and south-west of Queensland, through to the NT into Tennant Creek.

North-west Queensland, particularly around the Gulf Coast, is expected to be hit with between 300 to 500 millimetres of rain – enough to cut off roads, isolate communities and halt travel.

A flood warning has also been issued for areas between Townsville and Cairns, with forecast rainfall of 50 to 100 millimetres, increasing to 150 millimetres early next week.

Most of the rest of the country is expected to have warm weather for the next few days, with temperatures in the mid to high 30s for Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra. Hobart will be a little cooler, staying in the low 20s.

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Israel has officially become the first country to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent nation, marking a significant diplomatic development for the state.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the decision Friday, Dec. 26, along with Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Moshe Sa’ar and the president of the Republic of Somaliland. 

Israel and Somaliland signed a mutual declaration “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” which were brokered by President Trump.

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Sa’ar shared in a statement on X that relations between Somaliland and Israel have grown, “based on extensive and ongoing dialogue.”

Full diplomatic relations include Israel’s appointment of ambassadors and opening of embassies in the state, according to Sa’ar.

Somaliland’s President, Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, said in a statement that the Republic of Somaliland, “warmly welcomes and deeply appreciates” Israel’s decision to recognize the state’s sovereignty.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed a joint agreement recognizing Somaliland as a sovereign nation Friday, Dec. 26.  (Benjamin Netanyahu via X)

“This recognition represents a milestone in Somaliland’s longstanding pursuit of international legitimacy, reaffirming its historical, legal and moral entitlement to statehood,” Abdullahi said in the statement.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Somaliland said this decision was a “constructive contribution to peace, stability and cooperation” in the Horn of Africa and across the Middle East in a release issued Friday.

US DRAMATICALLY ESCALATES SOMALIA AIRSTRIKES AS TRUMP ADMIN TARGETS ISIS, AL QAEDA TERRORISTS

“The Republic of Somaliland hereby expresses its firm intention to accede the Abraham Accords, … Somaliland looks forward to engaging with the State of Israel on the foundation of formal diplomatic relations and mutual recognition,” said Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Shortly after Israel’s decision, South Sudan reportedly became the second country to officially recognize Somaliland, with some now questioning whether the U.S. will follow suit.

President Donald Trump was reportedly “looking into” the recognition of Somaliland in August. The official recognition would land the U.S. a new foothold in the Horn of Africa through a new air and sea base near the entrance of the Red Sea at Berbera Port. 

President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the West Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C., Sept. 29, 2025 (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

When asked about the state’s recognition and the potential resettlement of Gazans there, Trump told reporters Aug. 8, “We’re looking into that right now.”

This would position U.S. defense forces directly across from Yemen and the Houthi fighters, an armed political group prominently known for its attacks against Israel and shipping in the Red Sea, according to reports. 

Thirty percent of the world’s container ship traffic is reported to pass through its waters en route to or from the Suez Canal, according to previous Fox News reports.

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Trump is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu Monday, Dec. 29, at his Mar-a-Lago residence to discuss “next steps” in the Gaza peace deal. 

Despite previous talks, Trump is reportedly, “not ready” to embrace Somaliland’s independence and was reportedly “unimpressed” by its expressed interest in joining the Abraham Accords.

Trump told the New York Post he has to “study” Netanyahu’s pitch and asked from his golf course, “Does anyone know what Somaliland is, really?”

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdallah on a phone call with Netanyahu Friday, Dec. 26. (Benjamin Netanyahu via X)

“We’ll study it. I study a lot of things and always make great decisions, and they turn out to be correct,” Trump told the Post.

Somalia has been battling Islamist fundamentalist fighters for decades, with the U.S. Africa Command increasing attacks against ISIS and al-Shabab terrorists, according to previous Fox News Digital reporting.

The breakaway has allegedly “eliminated radicalism” and aligned itself with the U.S. Somaliland Minister of the Presidency Khadar Hussein Abdi said that, for over three decades, Somaliland has “remained democratic, peaceful and self-governing — unlike Somalia.

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“It’s time for Somalia to focus on its own challenges and to be constructive. The illusion of Somali unity ended long ago.”

Netanyahu reportedly invited Abdullahi to Israel and “praised his leadership and commitment to promoting stability and peace.”

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Law enforcement are responding to reports of an active shooter in the downtown area of Wallace, Idaho.

The Mineral County Sheriff’s Office said it is dispatching reinforcements to assist in the neighboring county and has asked people to stay away from the downtown area.

“The online reports of an active shooter at the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office in Wallace, Idaho are accurate,” Mineral County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook. “We are sending reinforcement to help our neighbor. Please pray for all law enforcement.”

Local news outlets report police are forming a perimeter near the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office.

The Shoshone County Courthouse, sheriff’s office and county jail are all located within the same building.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office has deployed SWAT units to the scene, according to Spokane, Washington’s KREM 2 News.

Several local businesses in the downtown area report a heavy law enforcement presence in the area, according to local news outlets.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

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Ring in the new year in celebrity-worthy style — without blowing your budget. 

From glittering sequins to luxe-looking satins, some of our favorite stars have already delivered plenty of outfit inspiration that’s perfect for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Whether you’re hosting a cozy get-together, heading to a glamorous party, or dialing up the sparkle just because, looks worn by Martha Stewart, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Jane Seymour, and Reba McEntire prove there’s no single way to shine. 

Ahead, we broke down how to recreate each standout ensemble with similar pieces starting at just $20 — so you can toast to 2026 feeling confident, festive, and fabulously dressed.

New Year’s Eve Outfits Inspired by Celebrities

• Martha Stewart: Alltb Sequin Cardigan, $36
• Viligo Faux Leather Pants, $40 (orig. $53)
• Jennifer Aniston: Ever Pretty Floor-Length Glitter Evening Gown, $80 (orig. $85)
• FashionPuzzle Crossbody Clutch with Chain Strap, $25
• Kate Hudson: Phicia Satin Halter-Neck Backless Maxi Dress, $51
• Simplee Faux Fur Coat, $40
• Jane Seymour: Arach & Cloz Pleated Sweater Dress, $51
• Easy Fox Pointed-Toe Knee-High Boots, $69
• Reba McEntire: Anna-Kaci Track Sequin Bomber Jacket, $50 (orig. $59)
• Amazon Essentials Classic-Fit Turtleneck Sweater, $19

Sparkly Cardigan Inspired by Martha Stewart

Todd Owyoung/NBC; Amazon

This New Year’s Eve, consider swapping your go-to cardigan or blazer for a sequined version instead. Recreate Martha Stewart’s effortlessly festive look by layering a chocolate-hued sparkly cardigan over a high-neck blouse, then balance the shine with black leather flare pants. Finish with gold sandals for a party-ready touch — or dress it down with denim for future nights out.

Complete the Look

Sparkly Gown Inspired by Jennifer Aniston

Gilbert Flores/Variety; Amazon

Take cues from Jennifer Aniston’s classic black sequin gown for a timeless New Year’s Eve moment. Since her shoes and accessories aren’t on display, we’d style the look with sleek kitten heels for comfortable elegance and a clutch that converts to a crossbody bag — great for dancing, mingling, and keeping essentials close all night long.

Complete the Look

Satin Dress Inspired by Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson/Instagram; Amazon

Channel Kate Hudson’s old Hollywood-inspired glamour by pairing a champagne satin maxi dress with a coordinating faux fur wrap to stay warm in style. Top off the look with a black rhinestone clutch and pearl drop earrings, which add just the right amount of contrast and polish for a picture-perfect New Year’s Eve ensemble.

Complete the Look

Sweater Dress Inspired by Jane Seymour

Thats4Entertainment/Celeb Photo Ops,LLC/Courtney Kom; Amazon

Make like Jane Seymour and opt for a burgundy sweater dress that feels equal parts cozy and polished. Look for a ribbed style that’s fitted at the waist with elegant pleating and a full-length silhouette. Finish the outfit with pointed-toe black booties, and you’ve got a cute and comfortable New Year’s Eve look with minimal styling required.

Complete the Look

Sparkly Jacket Inspired by Reba McEntire

Trae Patton/NBC; Amazon

Copy Reba McEntire’s The Voice on-set style, where her sequin blazer stole the spotlight. Let it shine by pairing it with a sleek black fitted turtleneck, tall black suede boots, and a long layered silver necklace for extra drama. It’s bold, confident, and made for ringing in the New Year like a star.

Complete the Look

Whether you’re drawn to head-to-toe sparkle or subtle shimmer, these celebrity-inspired looks prove there’s a festive style for every New Year’s Eve plan.

Viligo Faux Leather Pants

Amazon

Amazon Essentials Slim-Fit Sleeveless High-Neck Top

Amazon

Joy in Love Chunky Platform Block Heels, $44 with Prime

Amazon

FashionPuzzle Crossbody Clutch with Chain Strap

Amazon

Genshuo Slingback Pointed-Toe Kitten Heels

Amazon

Boutique De FGG Crystal Evening Bag

Amazon

Simplee Faux Fur Coat

Amazon

Easy Fox Pointed-Toe Knee-High Boots

Amazon

Amazon Essentials Classic-Fit Turtleneck Sweater

Amazon

Dream Paris Chunky Heel Knee-High Boots

Amazon

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Almost £1 million of taxpayer cash is being spent on compiling an archive of African films in a ‘reparatory justice’ project.

The UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is paying £850,000 for scholars to explore Africa’s ‘audiovisual heritage’.

A further £250,000 is being provided by Oxford, King’s College and Liverpool universities, which are leading the work.

One of the focuses will be films about ‘decolonisation’ of African countries and exploration of anti-colonial movements.

Scholars also aim to ‘repatriate’ footage currently kept in the ‘Global North’ so that it can be more easily seen by people in Africa.

They will take the archives on tour in Africa to ‘sites of encounter with young African creatives’.

It comes following a long-running campaign at Oxford to tear down a statue of the British Imperialist Cecil Rhodes by those who want ‘decolonisation’ of the university.

The project also comes at a time when public funding is tight.

Almost £1 million of taxpayer cash is been spent on compiling an archive of African films in a ‘reparatory justice’ project (pictured: students marching in a 2020 anti-colonialism protest at Oxford, which is taking part in the research)

AHRC, which hands out £70 million a year in grants, is a subsidiary of UK Research Innovation (UKRI) which is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The three universities are funded by a mixture of Government grants, taxpayer-provided tuition fee loans and some private cash.

Last night, Professor Anthony Glees, politics expert at Buckingham University, said: ‘They are funding this project for cynical political reasons. They are beyond woke.

‘It looks very like they’re trying to use the money to appease the “Rhodes Must Fall” campaigners, building on the idea of systematic racism in British institutions and the UK’s former African colonies.

‘Using films to make a political point and getting almost £1 million for doing so is hardly a sensible use of money when there’s so little of it, especially in some universities.’

William Yarwood at the TaxPayers’ Alliance added: ‘At a time when families are being squeezed from every angle, pouring almost £1 million into an academic project involving “decolonisation film archives” is staggeringly out of touch.

‘AHRC’s funding record increasingly looks like a conveyor belt for activist scholarship that delivers no meaningful benefit to British taxpayers. AHRC should be defunded and abolished.’

The UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is paying £850,000 for scholars to explore Africa’s ‘audiovisual heritage’ (pictured: Oxford professor Dan Hodgkinson, who is part of the research team and has campaigned on ‘decolonisation’)

It comes following a long-running campaign at Oxford to tear down a statue of the British Imperialist Cecil Rhodes (pictured) by those who want ‘decolonisation’ of the university

The two-year project looks at films spanning a period from colonial rule to the early 2000s.

It is led by Professor Erica Carter, professor of German and Film at King’s, who will work with 12 international experts including Oxford’s Dr Dan Hodgkinson, who has been involved in ‘decolonising’ activism in the past.

Dr Hodgkinson was among a group of academics at Oxford who carried out an academic boycott of Oriel College in 2021 over its decision to keep the Rhodes statue in place. 

The ‘African film heritage restitution’ process will focus on two countries, Ghana and Sudan, with the researchers gathering footage to form new archives.

They will then look for ‘Africa-led solutions’ to overcome copyright and technology issues to make them more accessible to people in those countries.

Scholars, archivists and film makers in Cairo, Accra, Tamale, Berlin, Khartoum and London will develop and test new approaches to audiovisual heritage restitution.

A brief for the project says: ‘For twentieth-century anti-colonial movements and postcolonial states, cinema was a key medium for articulating and popularising decolonisation.

‘Yet years of resource poverty and political inaction have left a film heritage landscape marked by neglect and material destruction.

‘Vast swaths of newsreels, documentary and feature films—films that captured the major events and experiences of the decolonisation years—are either lost, or sequestered in the archives of the Global North.’

Project organisers said it comes in a climate of ‘demands’ for repatriation of treasures taken during ‘British colonial conquest and rule’.

This includes the Benin Bronzes, some of which have been returned to Nigeria from British institutions.

Dr Hodgekinson said: ‘There’s a lot of talk these days about redress, decolonisation, and restitution, relating to all sorts of historical artefacts and issues.

‘But there’s much less clarity on what actually needs to be done.

‘[Our project] tackles these issues head on – and all of us in the project, from Tamale to Cairo, can’t wait to get started.’

Featuring prominently in the project will be the work of Sudanese artist and film-maker Hussein Shariffe, who studied at Cambridge in the 1950s and later went on to make films touching on his both his country’s history and his experience of being in exile.

The African film project is the latest to raise questions about how British taxpayers’ money is being spent in higher education.

Other controversial AHRC grants include nearly £850,000 on a study entitled The Europe that Gay Porn Built, 1945-2000 and funding for PhDs in subjects such as lesbians living on canal boats, performance practice in sex work and the history of ‘queer fat activism’.

Meanwhile another UKRI subsidiary, the Economic and Social Research Council, awarded £668,244 in funding to Pregnant Men: An International Exploration of Trans Male Experiences and Practices of Reproduction.

A recent analysis of around 150,000 grants approved by UKRI since the early 2000s found the terms ‘equity’, ‘diversity’ and ‘inclusion’ rose four-fold in frequency from the mid-2000s to 2020 before doubling again in the four years up to 2024.

The study by Buckingham University Centre for Heterodox Social Science warned that spending on ‘explicitly activist’ research had huge political risks for UKRI given that much of the public does not share its priorities.

A UKRI spokesman said: ‘UKRI’s investments in the arts, humanities and social science research broaden our knowledge, support the growth of key sectors such as the creative industries, and find new and innovative ways to benefit citizens.

‘This includes advancing knowledge by exploring challenging subjects, asking difficult questions about our society and working with international partners to investigate our shared history.’

A King’s College spokesman said: ‘It is not true that this project is about decolonisation, the purpose… is to preserve digital archives that document major events in the 20th century and restore films and documents that may otherwise be lost to authoritarian regimes and war.’

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Tragic boxing star Ricky Hatton has left a significant fortune to his children after building a property empire with the earnings from his world champion career

23:01, 26 Dec 2025Updated 23:02, 26 Dec 2025

Ricky Hatton was a family man and had three children who are now grieving the premature loss of their dad(Image: Instagram)

The late, great Ricky Hatton has left a £40million legacy to his three children after building a property empire before his death. The former boxing world champion has left his family well taken care of, having invested the fruits of his career into a variety of businesses.

Hatton was found dead at his home by his manager and long-time friend Paul Speak, in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on September 14. A full inquest will take place on March 20.

The late Mancunian was survived by his children, Campbell, 24, Millie, 13, and Fearne, 12. Documents have revealed that his fight earnings were used to finance some sound business investments, according to The Sun.

Many of these include financing of freehold and leasehold flats, developments, and houses in Hyde, Greater Manchester, his hometown, as well as areas such as Leicestershire, London, and Kent.

The report claims Hatton was determined to ensure that he had a ‘financial legacy’ from his career.

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Hatton’s tragic death sparked nationwide mourning, and he was laid to rest in October. Fans lined the streets of Manchester before a service was held at Manchester cathedral.

Thousands of mourners paid tribute to Hatton, with the great and good of British boxing turning out. Tyson Fury, Tony Bellew and Frank Bruno, as well as former England cricket captain Andrew Flintoff and former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney attended the cathedral.

Hatton’s three children read eulogies during the service and, afterwards, the commemorative march headed to the Etihad Stadium, the home of Hatton’s beloved Manchester City.

Ricky Hatton’s son Campbell before the boxer’s funeral(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)

Speaking earlier this year, Campbell opened up about his father’s death. In an interview on Good Morning Britain, he said: “Yeah, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind the last few weeks.

“Obviously, we’ve been leading up to the funeral, which was unbelievable to see the amount of love everyone had for my dad. There were thousands in the streets, and there was a lot of comfort to take from that. It has been very up and down, really, but just as a family, we’re trying to take each day at a time, really.”

“He always said he was more proud of his fanbase than all the belts and his titles. Surprised is probably the wrong word because it was obvious how much he was loved by the amount of people that followed him all over the world to watch him box.

“To actually see everyone in the streets, it was a very long route that we went down, and there was never a point where the streets weren’t full. To actually see it in terms of the amount of people, it was surreal really.”

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British-Egyptian pro-democracy activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah has returned to the UK for the first time since his release after spending six years in prison in Egypt.

Mr Abd El-Fattah, 44, was released in September after being granted a presidential pardon for his charges of spreading false news, but a travel ban was in place until 20 December.

He had become one of Egypt’s most prominent political prisoners after spending much of his life in and out of detention due to his activism. His latest sentence came amid a far-reaching crackdown under president Abdel Fattah al Sisi.

Mr Abd El-Fattah has dual nationality through his mother, Laila Soueif, with whom he has now been reunited in the UK.

In a statement, his family said he would shortly be reunited with his 14-year-old son Khaled, who lives in Brighton with his mother.

Image:
Alaa Abd El-Fattah. File pic: Reuters

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed Mr Abd El-Fattah’s return, writing on X: “I’m delighted that Alaa Abd El-Fattah is back in the UK and has been reunited with his loved ones, who must be feeling profound relief.

“I want to pay tribute to Alaa’s family, and to all those that have worked and campaigned for this moment.

More on Alaa Abd El-fattah

“Alaa’s case has been a top priority for my government since we came to office. I’m grateful to President Sisi for his decision to grant the pardon.”

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Mr Abd El-Fattah became a prominent campaigner during protests in Cairo in 2011 that led to the ousting of former president Hosni Mubarak.

In 2014, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison – later reduced to five – for protesting without permission.

He was released in 2019 but arrested again for sharing a Facebook post about human rights abuses in Egyptian prisons.

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Palestinian death toll since the start of the truce in Gaza rises to 411 amid near daily Israeli violations.

Published On 26 Dec 202526 Dec 2025

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Israeli forces have fatally shot a Palestinian man east of Gaza City as they continue their ceasefire violations and carry out sweeping raids across the occupied West Bank.

The Palestinian news service Wafa reported on Friday that Israeli forces opened fire on Uday al-Maqadma while he was sitting near the entrance of a school in Gaza. He was taken to hospital in critical condition and died of his injuries at the hospital.

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Israel has been waging deadly attacks and placing severe restrictions on aid in Gaza, where at least 411 Palestinians have been killed and 1,112 injured, since the beginning of the truce agreement in October.

Wafa reported earlier this week that two Palestinians were shot and killed by Israeli soldiers, also east of Gaza City in the Shujayea neighbourhood.

Israeli restrictions on vital humanitarian aid have also persisted in defiance of the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas, denying displaced Palestinians essential goods and temporary housing during a period of harsh winter storms.

The Gaza Government Media Office said earlier this week that an average of just 244 aid trucks are entering the strip per day, well below the daily rate of 600 mandated by the truce agreement.

Attacks by Israeli settlers and raids by Israeli soldiers have intensified in the occupied West Bank, as well.

Wafa reported that a Palestinian municipal worker was injured after being attacked by a group of settlers outside of Nablus on Friday, while Palestinian farmers trying to work on their land were detained by Israeli forces east of Tubas.

Several Palestinians were also detained during Israeli raids targeting the communities of Yatta and Beit Ummar near Hebron, including a woman, four children, and an elderly man, who Palestinian activists say was arrested after settlers damaged the fence around his home.

Israeli authorities almost never hold settlers accountable for acts of violence against Palestinian communities.

Two people were also killed in northern Israel, where police and emergency authorities say that a Palestinian man from the occupied West Bank rammed his car into a crowd of people in the city of Beit She’an.

The attack comes one day after footage emerged of an Israeli settler running over a Palestinian man praying on the side of the road in the occupied West Bank.

Additionally to the violence against Palestinians, Israel has also been carrying our near daily attacks in Lebanon in violation of the ceasefire there.

United Nations peacekeeping forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Friday that they again came under “heavy machinegun fire” from Israeli positions in southern Lebanon. The UN forces said that live ammunition and a grenade made impact “close” to a patrol inspecting a roadblock in the village of Bastara.

“UNIFIL had informed the [Israeli military] about the activities in those areas in advance, following usual practice for patrols in sensitive areas near the Blue Line,” the UN forces said in a statement.

“Attacks on or near peacekeepers are serious violations of Security Council resolution 1701. We reiterate call to the [Israeli military] to cease aggressive behaviour and attacks on or near peacekeepers working for peace and stability along the Blue Line.”

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