Cardiff: Winnett; Beetham, Millard, B Thomas, Grady; Sheedy, A Davies; Barratt, Belcher (capt), Sebastian, McNally, Nott, Lawrence, D Thomas, Basham.

Replacements: D Hughes, Southworth, Assiratti, Thornton, E Rees, Mulder, I Lloyd, Bowen.

Yellow card: Beetham 65

Leinster: O’Brien; Kenny, Ioane, Henshaw, Moloney, Byrne; Gunne, Cahir, McKee, Sparrow, Spicer, Deeny, Deegan (capt), Penny, Culhane.

Replacements: McCarthy, Usanov, Slimani, Snyman, Ericson, McGrath, Tector, Osborne.

Yellow card: Tector 12

Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)

Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse (Wales) & Carwyn Sion (Wales)

TMO: David Sutherland (Scotland)

Outrage in New York after 56-year-old Rohingya refugee Nurul Amin Shah Alam, nearly-blind and medically vulnerable, was found dead days after US Border Patrol agents released him at a Tim Hortons restaurant miles from home. Officials say it was a “courtesy ride”.

US President Donald Trump said the US is in talks with the government of Cuba and that “we could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba.” The country is facing a severe energy shortage after the US imposed a fuel blockade.

Aidan Turner and Lesley Manville appeared on Friday’s The One Show to talk about their new production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses at Lyttelton Theatre in London

Rivals star Aidan Turner left The One Show host, Clara Amfo, floored on Friday’s episode as he revealed his past career.

During the latest instalment, host Clara, 41, and co-host JB Gill welcomed Aidan, 42, Lesley Manville, and James Buckley to the iconic green sofa.

Aidan and Lesley, 69, appeared on Friday’s episode to talk about their new production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses at Lyttelton Theatre in London.

However, chat soon got onto Aidan’s career before acting, leaving Clara stunned. Clara said: “Now, Aidan, I didn’t know this until today, that you, Mr Turner…”

To which Aidan interjected with: “What are you going to say? I have no idea…” before adding: “Are you the last person to ever hear about this?

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.

Clara then revealed: “I was today years old learning that you had a former career as a ballroom dancer!”

To which Aidan explained: “I don’t know if you’d call it a career. I mean, I started when I was eight and finished when I was about 17. But, yeah, I danced. I was a ballroom and Latin American dancer from Dublin!”

It comes as the second series of Disney+’s 80s bonkbuster Rivals is to launch on May 15, complete with big hair, huge moustaches and acres of shoulder pads.

David Tennant is set to declare war in a sneak peek trailer for the eagerly awaited second series as his character television tycoon Lord Tony Baddingham survives from series one’s cliffhanger.

The trailer opens with the Doctor Who actor, 54, emerging from a helicopter and quipping: “Sorry I’m late, darling. I’ve had a terrible headache.”

This follows a suspenseful cliff-hanger at the end of the previous series, which left audiences questioning the fate of Lord Baddingham after Cameron Cooke (Nafessa Williams) struck him on the head to prevent him from assaulting her, leaving him lying motionless in a pool of his own blood.

Elsewhere, Irish actor Aidan – playing journalist Declan O’Hara – can be heard commenting: “It’s entertaining. In the most delightful way.”

Billy Idol’s Mony Mony provides the soundtrack to the trailer, giving viewers a taste of the drama to come, which includes updates on Danny Dyer’s character businessman Freddie Jones, Alex Hassell’s character Rupert Campbell-Black and Bella Maclean’s Taggie O’Hara.

The One Show continues on weeknights at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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Feb. 27 (UPI) — The global cocaine market is the fastest-growing segment of the illicit drug trade, driven by rising production in South America and increasing demand in Africa and Asia, according to a United Nations report released this week.

Ecuador, meanwhile, has become one of the countries most affected by violence and the expansion of drug trafficking routes, the report said.

The findings appear in the 2025 report of the International Narcotics Control Board, the U.N. body responsible for monitoring compliance with international drug control treaties. It was published Thursday.

Global cocaine production exceeded 3,700 metric tons in 2023, a 34% increase compared with 2022, according to the control board.

The expansion is largely attributed to Colombia, where both the area under illicit coca cultivation and the production capacity of clandestine laboratories increased.

“The global cocaine market continues to expand and diversify,” the board said, warning that trafficking routes now reach “all regions of the world.”

While Western and Central Europe and North America remain the main destination markets, the report highlights rising consumption and seizures in Africa and parts of Asia.

In Africa, seizures rose 48% in 2023 compared with the previous year, which the report said reflects an expanding market rather than merely a transit region.

Between 2013 and 2023, the number of cocaine users worldwide increased from 17 million to 25 million, according to U.N. data.

Against this backdrop, Ecuador has emerged as a critical hub.

“In South America, the impact of increased cocaine trafficking has been felt particularly in Ecuador, which in recent years has experienced a wave of lethal violence caused by both local and transnational criminal groups,” the control board said.

Ecuadorian authorities seized more than 290 metric tons of cocaine in 2024, an unprecedented figure and approximately 30% higher than in 2023.

The surge in trafficking has coincided with a deterioration in security. The country recorded 6,964 violent deaths in 2024, with a homicide rate of 38.76 per 100,000 inhabitants, meaning the rate has quintupled over five years.

The report notes that Ecuador has become a major maritime export hub for cocaine shipments bound for the European Union.

In March 2025, Ecuadorian and European authorities dismantled an intercontinental criminal network that shipped tons of cocaine in maritime containers from South America to Europe.

In that operation, 73 metric tons of cocaine were seized in Ecuador and several European Union countries. Authorities arrested 14 people in Germany and Spain and 36 in the port city of Guayaquil, according to the report.

The control board also warned that traffickers are using increasingly sophisticated concealment methods to evade controls, including chemically altering cocaine to hinder detection during routine inspections, embedding the drug in plastics and textiles and using double-bottom compartments in legitimate goods.

Offshore deliveries coordinated through geolocation systems have also been seen.

As an example, the report cited the 2024 seizure of 13 metric tons of cocaine at the port of Algeciras in Spain, hidden in a shipment of bananas from Ecuador and described as the largest cocaine seizure in the country’s history.

The report further warns that sustained increases in production and the diversification of routes reflect a structural transformation of the global cocaine market, with criminal networks operating in an increasingly transnational manner and with greater logistical capacity.

The board stressed that the phenomenon is no longer limited to traditional production or consumption regions but now involves multiple continents at different stages of the drug trafficking chain.

For decades, Pakistan was the Afghan Taliban’s closest supporter. Islamabad helped the Taliban rise in the early 1990s, seeking “strategic depth” in its rivalry with India. Pakistan welcomed the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, with then-Prime Minister Imran Khan describing it as Afghans “breaking the shackles of slavery.”

However, the alliance soon frayed. Islamabad found the Taliban less cooperative than anticipated, particularly regarding insurgent groups that targeted Pakistani territory. Border clashes, insurgent attacks, and fragile ceasefires have repeatedly disrupted trade, security, and civilian life along the rugged frontier.

Escalating Tensions: From Ceasefires to “Open War”

Tensions have been mounting since late 2025, following deadly cross-border clashes in October that killed dozens of soldiers. Ceasefires mediated by Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia temporarily eased the situation, but attacks persisted.

The latest escalation came after Pakistan cited “irrefutable evidence” that Afghan-based militants were behind recent attacks and suicide bombings targeting Pakistani forces. Air and ground strikes targeted Taliban posts, headquarters, and ammunition depots in multiple sectors, with both sides reporting heavy losses. Pakistan’s defence minister labeled the situation an “open war.”

The Trigger: Attacks by Afghan-Based Militants

Pakistani security sources linked several recent attacks to militants operating from Afghan territory. These include seven incidents since late 2024, the most deadly being the Bajaur district attack that killed 11 security personnel and two civilians, claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Islamabad argues that Taliban inaction allowed the TTP and Baloch insurgents to operate freely, while Kabul denies the allegations.

Who Are the Pakistani Taliban?

The TTP, formed in 2007, is a coalition of militant groups mainly active in northwest Pakistan. It has carried out attacks on markets, mosques, airports, military bases, and police stations, occasionally gaining territory along the Afghan border and deep inside Pakistan. Its most notorious act was the 2012 attack on schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai, who later received the Nobel Peace Prize.

The TTP has historically fought alongside the Afghan Taliban against U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan and used Pakistani territory as a base for operations. Pakistan’s previous military offensives against the group, including the 2016 operation, temporarily reduced attacks but did not eliminate the threat.

Diverging Interests: Pakistan vs. Afghan Taliban

Historically, Pakistan’s support for the Taliban was based on shared strategic interests. Today, those interests are diverging:

• Pakistan’s Perspective: Taliban inaction against TTP and Baloch insurgents threatens Pakistan’s internal security. The continued use of Afghan territory as a safe haven fuels Islamabad’s justification for strikes.
• Afghan Taliban Perspective: Pakistan allegedly harbors fighters from Islamic State

Analysis

Pakistan’s sudden escalation against the Afghan Taliban is a striking example of how strategic calculations can shift dramatically when security threats directly affect domestic stability. Historically, Islamabad viewed the Taliban as a partner a way to secure influence in Afghanistan and counterbalance India. Today, that calculation has reversed: the Taliban are now seen as enabling militants who attack Pakistani territory, undermining the very national security Pakistan sought to protect.

From my perspective, this is as much about perception as capability. Pakistan’s frustration reflects not just the TTP threat, but the Taliban’s unwillingness or inability to control insurgent groups. Even if the Taliban are technically powerless to fully rein in these groups, Islamabad interprets every attack as a breach of trust, eroding decades of strategic alignment.

Another important dimension is geography and asymmetric warfare. Despite Pakistan’s overwhelming conventional advantage its larger military, air force, and nuclear arsenal the border region’s terrain favors smaller, agile forces like the Taliban. History shows that superior firepower does not always translate into quick resolutions in insurgency-heavy zones, and repeated airstrikes may inflame, rather than contain, cross-border tensions.

This conflict also signals that Pakistan’s security calculus is increasingly domestic-focused. While in the past its Afghan strategy prioritized influence over immediate risk management, the TTP’s growing attacks within Pakistan have shifted the priority toward internal stability. From this angle, the strikes are a defensive measure designed to project strength and send a warning to the Taliban that safe havens for insurgents will no longer be tolerated.

Finally, the regional implications are worrying. Repeated clashes threaten civilian populations, disrupt trade, and could destabilize Afghanistan’s already fragile governance structures. Mediation by third parties may temporarily ease hostilities, but without long-term mechanisms to hold both sides accountable, the cycle of violence is likely to continue.

In short, Pakistan’s attack reflects the intersection of historical strategy, modern security threats, and the practical limits of alliances. It highlights that even long-standing partnerships are fragile when domestic security imperatives collide with regional politics—and that conventional power advantages may not guarantee quick solutions in border conflicts dominated by asymmetric warfare.

With information from Reuters.

Death in Paradise is set to welcome some very exciting guest stars on Friday’s episode including a The Crown actor

Death in Paradise series 15 launched earlier this year and in Friday’s episode five, the BBC show is set to welcome a The Crown star.

In an exclusive first look obtained by the Mirror, Friday’s episode will see a touring theatre company in town for their final performance of Shakespeare’s Tempest on one of Saint Marie’s pristine beaches.

It comes as a Death in Paradise star has shared their delight at returning to a beloved role on the BBC crime series, calling it “wonderful”.

During a raucous drinking scene, one of the leads keels over dead after drinking from a bottle of red wine. Later, tests worryingly reveal that the liquid contained a lethal quantity of cyanide.

However, in a confusing development, two other actors drank from the same bottle both before and after the victim yet emerged unscathed. So how on earth did only one person perish?

To solve the case, DI Mervin Wilson, played by Don Gilet, and his team must grapple with the grand egos of this ‘motley group of thespians’.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Mattie Fletcher, played by Catherine Garton, is troubled when one of the cast members pursues a very personal vendetta against her.

Also during the episode, Mervin is informed that his half-brother, Solomon, is set to inherit everything from their deceased mother and promptly sell it off.

Mervin is desperate to hold onto some kind of memento of her. However, Solomon will not return any of his calls and with time slipping away, Mervin may need to go to unexpected lengths to reach his brother.

In an exclusive first look clip, it sees one of the theatre members, Jez Gorman, pester Mattie. Jez is played by actor, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, who is best known for playing Mark Bolland in The Crown. Other roles include Sanditon, The Next Level, I Fought the Law, Industry, and film Me Before You.

Jez is waiting for Mattie after work as he offers her a drink, saying: “I thought I could help you wind down after a hard day’s policing the streets. I’ve got some beers, a picnic blanket, and thought we could find a quiet beach… get to know each other!”

However, Mattie is quick to say: “Mr Gorman, did we not already have this conversation?” to which Jez replies: “We did, yes, but I thought what was happening was you were on duty, you had your colleagues around you, and I think you were saying what you felt you had to say.

“Come on, I’m not on this island for very long, how often do you get to do this with someone like me? Let’s just have some fun!”

At first, it seems as though Mattie is accepting the drink as she sits down next to Jez and takes the bottle of beer.

However, in a hilarious twist, she soon pours the beer over him and says: “Actually, now that I think about it… I did say that I was going to meet my friend… what’s the time?”

After pouring her beer over Jez, she exclaims: “Oh, what a shame! I do have somewhere to be right now though… do not bother me again unless it’s related to the case, Mr Gorman, you understand? Good, enjoy the rest of your evening!”

Death in Paradise airs on Fridays at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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PHOENIX — It is never too early for hyperbole.

No major league team has won more than 116 games. The Dodgers had yet to play an exhibition game last spring when former Times columnist Dylan Hernández declared they could win 120.

Not to be outdone, the Dodgers were one week into the season when Bill Plaschke posted a column with this headline: “Who says the Dodgers can’t go 162-0?”

The Dodgers won 93 games. They also won the World Series, becoming the first back-to-back champions in 25 years.

One week into spring training, the Dodgers are the only undefeated team.

Reality check: The Dodgers are not going to win every game, yet they play in a market where everybody expects them to win every game.

“They do,” manager Dave Roberts said.

What would be a realistic number of wins?

“I don’t know what’s realistic,” he said. “We win a lot of games. Honestly, we showed last year that the regular season certainly does matter but, at the end of the day, you’ve got to be playing your best baseball at the right time.”

During the Dodgers’ 13-year playoff run, they‘ve won 100 games five times. When doing that, they‘ve made it to the World Series once, losing to the cheating Houston Astros. In 2023, they won exactly 100 games in the regular season and exactly zero in the playoffs.

It is one of baseball’s eternal verities that wins and losses in spring training do not matter.

“It’s always fun to win,” said Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations. “That is always way more fun than losing. But so much of spring training is, just don’t get a call from our trainer. Keep guys healthy.

“That is far and away the biggest priority: get guys ready for the season and keep them healthy.”

Noah Miller runs the bases during a spring training game against the Angels on Feb. 21.

(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)

If winning in spring training is not predictive, neither is it irrelevant. For an organization that would rather prime a pitcher for the postseason than dare use him for 200 innings in the regular season, and juggle a roster spot all summer so Kiké “Mr. October” Hernández can be available in the postseason, depth is critical.

“While there is no direct correlation between that and how you are going to do in the regular season, I do think it is some kind of proxy for the depth that you have,” Friedman said. “After three or four innings, there is a line change, and minor league players are coming in. I think being able to maintain a high level of play in these back-side innings speaks to depth.”

Friedman is no great fan of the Cactus League grind.

“So much of spring training, it feels like, is just downside,” he said. “You’re just waiting for that phone call [from the trainer]. You’re doing everything you can to stave that phone call off.”

The upside is on the business side. As of Thursday, tickets for Saturday’s exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs started at $97. The starters are likely to play half the game. Shohei Ohtani is in Japan, preparing for the World Baseball Classic.

So, to the point: It does not matter that the Dodgers are undefeated in spring training, and they’ll probably win somewhere around 100 games. They did, after all, repair their two glaring weaknesses by committing $300 million to All-Stars in the prime of their careers: outfielder Kyle Tucker and closer Edwin Díaz.

Baseball Prospectus projects the Dodgers to win 104 games. Fangraphs projects 99.

But this is the season of hyperbole, so the Dodgers still have a chance to go 194-0 between the Cactus League and the regular season.

I had to ask Roberts how good he thought the Dodgers’ chances would be this season if they never lost.

He chuckled.

“Pretty good,” he said.

Feb. 27 (UPI) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Israel Monday and Tuesday to discuss Iran and other issues, the State Department announced Friday.

The visit comes amid concern that the United States will attack Iran, despite continued negotiation between the two. On Thursday, the U.S. embassy in Israel told its staff that they could leave because of “safety risks,” though there is no emergency.

“Persons may wish to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available,” the State Department said in its new guidance. “In response to security incidents and without advance notice, the U.S. Embassy may further restrict or prohibit U.S. government employees and their family members from traveling to certain areas of Israel, the Old City of Jerusalem, and the West Bank.”

CNBC reported Friday that Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi will meet Friday with Vice President JD Vance and other officials in Washington for “previously unreported talks in an effort to stave off war with Iran.”

Al-Busaidi has mediated talks between American and Iranian officials to ease tensions over President Donald Trump‘s demands that Iran abandon its nuclear program.

Rubio’s visit to Israel is to “discuss a range of regional priorities including Iran, Lebanon and ongoing efforts to implement President Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan for Gaza,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.

Democrats are speaking out against a potential strike.

“The American people are still waiting for the strategic justification for a war with Iran that puts thousands of American personnel across the region in harm’s way,” Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said on X. “What is the evidence of an imminent threat?”

Trump said in his State of the Union speech Tuesday that he is still planning to work the differences out diplomatically.

“My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy, but one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s No. 1 sponsor of terror — which they are by far — to have a nuclear weapon,” he said.

Residents of Kabul, Afghanistan are cleaning up broken glass and describing how they tried to run to safety when Pakistan attacked in the middle of the night. Meanwhile in Karachi, Pakistan, people are celebrating the offensive as a “positive development”.

A HOLLYWOOD beauty whose resurgent career saw her bag a Golden Globe last year looked unrecognisable at Milan Fashion Week today.

The 80s and 90s pin-up wowed in a sexy all-leather look with an on-trend short hairdo and oversized shades.

She sat on the front row of a star-studded Gucci show and held her tiny pet chihuahua on her lap.

On the catwalk itself, Kate Moss and Emily Ratajkowski led the glam, while Brit actor Bobby Brazier also modelled.

Joining the Hollywood star on the sidelines was Romeo Beckham, Donatella Versace and Paris Hilton.

So who is the rock chick turning heads in Italy?

LESS IS MOORE

Age-defying Demi Moore wows in plunging see-through playsuit at TV premiere

GIMME MOORE

Demi Moore’s X-rated sex confessions, from pre-wedding romp to celeb threesome

Well it’s age-defying Demi Moore, 63.

Just months ago, Demi capped off a stellar career comeback by being named Glamour’s Woman of the Year.

She was interviewed by her Substance co-star Margaret Qualley for the mag and said: “With everything I’ve been through, which has been a lot, I wouldn’t trade where I am today.”

She added a difference with her younger self is the “freedom to know I don’t have to have the answer, and life is not going to be completely stolen from me if I somehow don’t know”.

During Demi’s emotional Golden Globes acceptance speech last year, she spoke of having been at a “low point” and not thinking she was “enough”.

The actress has battled countless traumas and rejections during her life – including her biological dad leaving before she was born, saving her drug addicted mum from suicide, two spells in rehab and being raped aged 15. 

The star of Ghost, Indecent Proposal and A Few Good Men’s return to form in the satirical horror movie The Substance is one of the greatest Hollywood comebacks of all time.

Having struggled to land a hit movie over the past couple of decades, Demi thought “this was it.”

In her speech, Demi said: “In those moments when we don’t think we’re smart enough, or pretty enough, or skinny enough, or are basically just not enough, I had a woman say to me, ‘Just know you will never be enough but you can know the value of your worth if you just put down the measuring stick.’”

Demi didn’t follow up her win by bagging an Oscar, that award went to Mikey Madison, however she wasn’t upset by it.

She told Time: “I didn’t feel gutted.

“I didn’t feel any of those kinds of things.

“I just trusted, and am in trust of, whatever is going to unfold.”

She is set to present an award at this year’s ceremony on March 15 in LA, alongside other A-list talent lie Javier Bardem, Adrien Brody and Zoe Saldaña.

WASHINGTON — President Trump just can’t seem to choose among friends in the Texas Senate Republican primary.

So when he travels to the state on Friday for his first post-State of the Union trip, where he plans to promote his energy and economic policies, Trump will have all three candidates in the competitive race join him — just days before his party casts ballots in the primary race.

Sen. John Cornyn is battling for his fifth term and is being challenged by state Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt in a primary fight that has become viciously personal. And all three men, missing the coveted endorsement from Trump, have been trying to highlight their ties to him as they ramp up their campaigning ahead of Tuesday’s vote.

For his part, Trump will be seeking to ride the message of his State of the Union address from Tuesday, where he declared a return to economic prosperity and a more secure America — two centerpiece arguments for Republicans as they campaign to keep their congressional majorities this fall.

Trump’s hesitation to endorse in the Texas Senate primary speaks to the tricky dynamics of the race.

Cornyn is unpopular with a segment of Texas’ GOP base, in part for his early dismissiveness of Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign and for his role in authoring tougher restrictions on guns after the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. But Senate GOP leadership and allied groups see Cornyn as the stronger general election candidate, in light of a series of troubles that have shadowed Paxton.

Paxtonbeat impeachment on fraud charges in 2023, and has faced allegations of marital infidelity by his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, have urged Trump to endorse Cornyn. They and allied campaign groups argue that the seat would cost the party hundreds of millions more to defend with Paxton as the candidate.

“It is a strong possibility we cannot hold Texas if John Cornyn is not our nominee,” Scott told Fox News on Wednesday.

Hunt, a second-term Houston-area representative, was a later entry to the race, but claims a kinship with Trump, having endorsed him early in the 2024 race. Hunt campaigned regularly for Trump and earned a prime-time speaking slot at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

If no candidate reaches 50% in Tuesday’s primary, the top two finishers will advance to a May 26 runoff.

Cornyn’s campaign and a half-dozen allied groups have poured more than $63 million into the race since last fall, chiefly trying to slow Paxton but recently attacking Hunt in an effort to keep him from making it to the runoff.

Earlier this month, Trump feinted toward weighing in on the race when he said he was taking “a serious look” at endorsing in the Texas primary. He has since reaffirmed his neutrality.

Still, you wouldn’t know it from watching TV in Texas. Cornyn has been airing ads since last year touting his support for Trump’s agenda, even though his relationship with the president has been cool at times. Paxton and Hunt both have ads airing now featuring them standing with Trump.

“I like all three of them, actually. Those are the toughest races. They’ve all supported me. They’re all good. You’re supposed to pick one, so we’ll see what happens. But I support all three,” Trump said earlier this month.

The GOP battle comes as Democrats have a contested primary of their own in Texas between state Rep. James Talarico, a self-described policy wonk who regularly quotes the Bible, and progressive favorite U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett.

Trump hasn’t been shy about wading into other contested Republican primaries in the state. Parts of Corpus Christi fall within Texas’ 34th congressional district, where former Rep. Mayra Flores is fighting to reclaim her seat against the Trump-endorsed Eric Flores. (The two are not related.) The winner of the primary will face off against Democratic Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, long a target of the GOP, whose district was redrawn to make it easier for a Republican to win.

Eric Flores will be at the Trump event at the Port of Corpus Christi, which technically is located in a neighboring district.

Elsewhere in the state, the president has also endorsed Rep. Tony Gonzales, who is fighting calls from his own party to resign from Congress after reports of an alleged affair with a former staffer who later died after she set herself on fire. Gonzales is refusing to step down and has said that there will be “opportunities for all of the details and facts to come out” and that the stories about the situation do not represent “all the facts.”

Gonzales is facing a primary challenge from Brandon Herrera, a gun manufacturer and gun rights influencer who Gonzales defeated by fewer than 400 votes in their 2024 runoff. The White House did not return a request for comment on Thursday on whether Trump stands by his endorsement of Gonzales.

Kim and Beaumont write for the Associated Press. Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Ia. AP writer Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix contributed to this report.

Blame AI or the White House social media employee who put controversial, profane words in the mouth of U.S. Olympic men’s hockey star Brady Tkachuk.

Either way, Tkachuk doesn’t appreciate the doctored video published Sunday on the official White House TikTok account that made it appear he was disparaging Canadians in the aftermath of the stirring U.S. gold medal victory at the Milan-Cortina Olympics.

Tkachuk’s day job, you see, is star player and team captain of the NHL Ottawa Senators.

The video features footage from a year-old news conference, except that Tkachuk’s words are freshened through AI. With U.S. Olympics goal song “Free Bird” playing in the background, Tkachuk was made to say, “They booed our national anthem, so I had to come out and teach those maple syrup eating f—s a lesson.”

The clip included a disclaimer that it used AI-generated media. After it had been viewed by more than 12 million people, Tkachuk indicated the stunt annoyed him.

“Well, it’s clearly fake, because it’s not my voice, not my lips moving,” he said Thursday in Ottawa. “It’s not my voice. It’s not what I was saying. I would never say that.

“That’s not who I am, so I guess I don’t like that video because that would never come out of my mouth, and I never had that thought.”

In its efforts to celebrate the U.S. victory, the White House has come off as tone deaf to many of the players. Sportsmanship and maturity seem less important than disparaging Canadians.

The U.S. players have made it abundantly clear that they respect their Canadian brethren. Several U.S. players — including Tkachuk— play for NHL teams north of the border.

And the men’s players admire the U.S. Olympics women’s hockey team that also won gold despite their spontaneous laughter at President Trump’s attempt at humor during his congratulatory call.

Trump invited the men’s team to the State of the Union address, saying: “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” adding with a laugh that if he didn’t also invite the women, “I do believe I probably would be impeached.”

It was as if the president was talking to third graders afraid they might get cooties from the girls. Tkachuk explained the wonderful relationship between the men’s and women’s Olympics players while expressing regret at the laughter.

“[We’re] just coming off the ice, and I think it was 15 minutes later, you have the President of the United States calling you,” Tkachuk told reporters Thursday. “You just can’t really believe, you’re still riding the high of being a world champion, and for the President to take the time and call.

“When it comes to the women’s team, one of my favorite memories from the Olympics is after we won and after the women’s team came back from the closing ceremonies, both our teams are just in the dining hall hanging out having fun, just kind of being on top of the world.

“You have two gold medalist teams just hanging out before we’re going back to our respective cities. And it was just great to hear their experience.”

BUESOS AIRES, Feb. 27 (UPI) — Argentina’s government took a new step in its strategy to meet upcoming dollar-denominated debt maturities without again relying on international markets. In a challenging financial context, President Javier Milei’s administration launched a new U.S. dollar bond aimed at raising up to $2 billion.

The goal is to get ahead of payments scheduled for July, when about $4.2 billion in private loans come due. Instead of seeking funds on Wall Street or using the swap line negotiated with the United States, the Economy Ministry chose to raise those dollars domestically.

The decision comes amid a recent increase in Argentina’s sovereign risk, an indicator that reflects how investors perceive a nation’s ability to repay its debt and that, when it rises, makes external borrowing more expensive.

With that roadmap, the economic team faced the first test of the new instrument on Wednesday. In the initial issuance, it placed $150 million at an annual rate of 5.89%, below what market analysts had estimated.

The response exceeded official expectations. The Finance Secretariat reported receiving bids totaling $868 million, nearly six times the amount ultimately taken by the government. For the government, that level of interest confirms there is demand for Argentine dollar debt even in a volatile environment.

The bond, which can only be subscribed to and paid for in U.S. dollars, will be included in the regular biweekly auctions alongside peso-denominated securities. In each initial auction, up to $150 million will be offered, with the possibility of expanding by another $100 million in a second round the following day, until the planned program is completed.

Identified as BONAR 2027 or AL27 in some markets, the security will mature on Oct. 29, 2027, after Argentina’s 2027 presidential election. It offers a 6% nominal annual rate, with monthly interest payments, and will repay principal in a single installment at maturity.

The initiative comes at a key moment for Argentina, which faces heavy foreign-currency commitments midyear. In that context, securing dollar financing without turning abroad becomes central to organizing the payment schedule and maintaining investor confidence.

Financial adviser Gastón Lentini, founder of consulting firm Doctor de tus Finanzas, told UPI that the dollar bond launched by Argentina has sparked strong interest among local investors.

“Unlike almost any bond issued before, this one pays interest every month,” he said.

In practice, this means that if someone invests $10,000, they will receive $50 each month until October 2027, when the bond matures and the invested principal is returned.

Economist Elena Alonso, co-founder of consultancy Esmerald Capital, noted that anyone can invest in this bond.

“The minimum amount is one dollar. Anyone who has never invested before only needs to open an investment account,” she said.

Lentini explained that in July the government faces a debt payment of about $4.2 billion, which includes interest and principal repayments on certain bonds.

“The limited level of international reserves and restricted access to dollars forces the government to be creative in raising the necessary funds and meeting payments,” he added.

Regarding the decision to finance domestically instead of going to international markets, the specialist said the current sovereign risk level would require Argentina to offer rates above 9% if it turned to foreign investors.

“Taking advantage of the restrictions that still exist on taking foreign currency out of the country, the economy minister is managing to finance with Argentines’ own dollars at a rate close to 6%, which is an achievement for the government,” he said.

On the currency swap line with the United States, Lentini said it will not be necessary. According to him, the combination of agro-industrial exports, oil, gas, minerals and incentives from the RIGI program allows the country to gather enough dollars to meet its obligations.

“The swap line serves as an additional backstop, but the strategy of paying with its own money strengthens investor confidence in respect for contracts,” he added.

Finally, Lentini said it would be positive for sovereign risk to decline to facilitate a debt rollover — a restructuring or refinancing of maturities — though if that does not happen, he does not see a risk of default this year, noting that Argentina is one of the few countries in the world with a surplus.

Alonso agreed that resorting to the swap line will not be necessary, as the country’s dollar reserves are growing. She also noted that, for the first time in years, private debt issuances and repurchase agreements with banks helped cover maturities.

“The swap line with the United States remains available as a backstop, but the government seeks to build credibility by using its own resources first,” she said.

Users expect apps to be easy to use and operate smoothly without odd crashes or bugs. However, to reach success and, of course, revenue, having a functional app is not enough. The app, for one, needs to embrace the latest innovations, and the app type must also be in demand. Let’s explore some of the app trends that will persist in 2026, from their functionality to their very purpose.

AI influence on app development and functionality

AI has left almost no industry untouched, and general app development and final functionalities are no exceptions. For one, developers can craft apps in weeks or months with assistance from Claude AI or similar products. However, besides assisting in the actual building of the apps, AI is sure to leave its mark in the following ways:

• AI-powered features that let users use AI through the app to achieve their intended results faster. For example, that could include an online shopping app that lets you upload your photo and see how certain outfits would look on your body.
• AI will make apps more personalized to users than ever before.
• Apps will start to adapt to your behavior and habits even more.

More productivity and online earning apps are appearing

Besides boosting productivity, various apps also build work discipline and empower users to earn more on the side. One option is picking up micro jobs online; a variety of apps offer them. Essentially, people use a service like JumpTask to find tasks, such as answering surveys, testing other apps, or browsing promoted social media channels. In exchange for your work, you get paid, and you can pick up tasks as flexibly as you like. Such options are highly useful for students who need to build up their responsibility and ownership of their work slowly.

One-can-do-it-all apps

For example, an app could have started as an instant messaging app, but now you might even use it as a digital wallet, note-taking software, and a general scheduling tool. Such apps, also called super apps, are only meant to become more popular, and many of the apps you use will integrate additional features to match the market demand.

Online shopping stores should also introduce more personalized and immersive experiences. One innovation that we have already noticed is the use of AI to make highly personal outfit recommendations.

Furthermore, we already see lots of livestream shopping, where sellers directly communicate with their clients and sell their products. Additionally, people can now engage in social commerce, meaning they can purchase items directly on social media platforms (without leaving them).

Lastly, social media apps in general are much more relevant for the consumers’ journeys. After all, millions of people purchase items after watching a TikTok or YouTube video. Furthermore, such promotional content has proven much more effective than any ad because it comes across as more realistic and less polished. For example, brands might believe that using celebrities in their product commercials will increase sales. However, people prefer imagining themselves as the person, and knowing the privileges celebrities have, it is no wonder they have beautiful hair, and this product is likely irrelevant.

Conclusion

IT was supposed to be the glittering triumph of Lacey M’ ‘s very short, but highly lucrative career. 

A lavish, red-carpet bash at Boxpark Liverpool, complete with DJ sets, special guests, and endless designer makeup, all to celebrate the young beauty influencer’s 12th birthday. 

But less than a month later, the glitter has well and truly settled, and the reality of internet fame has come crashing down. 

Lacey M – the self-described “Queen of Chaos” who gained 1.7 million followers since launching in 2024 – has been unceremoniously banned from TikTok.

Now, a bitter war of words has erupted online. The internet finds itself divided between loyal super-fans who believe a talented young girl’s dreams are being crushed, and deeply concerned critics who fear this is a textbook case of child exploitation in the digital age.

And if you thought a permanent ban would be the end of the drama, think again. 

Within days of her original account vanishing from the platform, lo and behold a brand-new profile – @Laceym.xandmum – popped up. 

Billed as a “joint account” and stamped “PARENT MANAGED,” Lacey is back on our screens, this time flanked by her mother, Laura, and her auntie, Natalie.

But behind the scenes, tech bosses are seething. For TikTok insiders have pulled no punches regarding the controversial comeback, warning that the family is walking on very thin ice.

One source told me: “TikTok bosses are really not happy with the way the Lacey M drama played out.”

“They take a very dim view of people trying to break their rules, particularly when the company is being scrutinised amid concerns about child safety.

“They are keeping a really close eye on this new account with Lacey and her mum Laura, and also her aunty Natalie. They are pushing their luck and TikTok are ready to step in and shut them down if they keep abusing the system. Enough is enough.”

The stark warning highlights a massive headache for social media giants as they wrestle with the dilemma of how to police the murky world of child influencers. 

TikTok’s terms of service are clear. They strictly dictate that users must be at least 13 years old to hold an account. 

Also amid politicians calling for the age to be lifted to 16, TikTok confirmed that they are launching new technology “to help us better detect people who may not be old enough to use our app.” 

‘Boiling point’

Yet, loopholes involving “parent-run” accounts have long been exploited by ambitious families eager to cash in on their children’s viral appeal.

And cash in, they have. Lacey M is not just a kid making lip-sync videos in her bedroom. She is a bonafide brand ambassador. 

She is closely tied to the wildly successful UK cosmetics giant P. Louise, run by businesswoman Paige Williams – who herself boasts 4.3 million TikTok followers on her personal and business account. 

She signed up Lacey to be an “official P.Louise Bestie”, and now the youngster even boasts her own custom makeup bundles including a Lacey In A Sticky Situation with my Bestie Box. 

The pack sells for £55 and features customisable drink cups alongside high-end cosmetics. 

For a child to be the face of a brand that also sells items with risqué names like “Bad B*tch Energy” lip kits, certainly raises some ethical questions. 

The backlash reached a boiling point following Lacey’s recent birthday extravaganza – tickets for the party cost £38, and organisers reportedly raked in £54,000 after thousands attended.

For a child to be the face of a brand that also sells items with risqué names like “Bad B*tch Energy” lip kits, certainly raises some ethical questions

Critics accused P. Louise of inappropriately sponsoring a child’s party – something she denies – and turning a young girl’s birthday into a corporate branding exercise.

Taking to Instagram, the beauty mogul was forced to address the scandal and defended her relationship with the young influencer and slammed the “assumptions” made by online trolls.

She wrote: “This is exactly what’s wrong with the internet, assumptions being made instead of truth being checked.

‘Cash cow’

“So let me be clear: I never took a penny from Lacey’s party, and I did not sponsor the event. What I did do was gift goody bags to a little girl who has shown nothing but loyalty, love, and passion for my brand over the years. She’s someone who dreams big.

“Someone who supports every launch, never misses a moment, always pays in full, and proudly shares my brand because she genuinely believes in it.”

The makeup boss went on to argue that ambition should not be gatekept by age. Then baffled fans by saying it was an issue of female empowerment rather than child safety.

She said: “That kind of dedication deserves to be celebrated, not questioned.”

“Dreams don’t come with an age limit. There is no expiration date on hope, ambition, or becoming the person you’ve always imagined. Whether you’re young or grown, you deserve encouragement, support, and people who believe in you.” 

“Supporting dreams will always matter to me. And once again, it’s disappointing to see women in business judged by a different standard, measured with a different ruler simply for showing kindness, generosity, and heart. We rise by lifting others. Always.”

She’s 12 years of age and she’s making money for her parents, for her auntie and her mom. And P. Louise is using her as a cash cow

User

While many applauded P Louise for her fiery stance, many accused her of ignoring the core issue for child safety and exploitation. 

One wrote: “I think it’s absolutely amazing that Lacey’s got banned because she shouldn’t be on here.”

“She’s 12 years of age and she’s making money for her parents, for her auntie and her mom. And P. Louise is using her as a cash cow.”

Another chimed in: “She’s twelve. Twelve year olds cannot sign contracts, fully understand brand exploitation, consent to any legal or long term digital footprint.”

“So why are we acting like she’s a 25 year old influencer who has lost her livelihood?

“She’s a child. And if she’s devastated. I do feel for her because that emotion will be real. But the responsibility, that sits squarely with the adults, parents, guardians, managers.”

And the hurt of the ban was not just felt by Lacey, but also her very large, young fanbase. One teenager named Riley, who attended Lacey’s birthday party, started a petition to get her reinstated. 

He said: “Let’s get her account back, cause honestly, she actually worked so hard for them. She’s got 1.7 million followers at the age she is. She built such, like, a community and such, like, a massive following, and we can’t let her account stay banned.” 

Others rallied to “show their support” by inundating P Louise website with orders for Lacey’s make-up bundles. 

The controversy surrounding Lacey M taps into a growing, global anxiety about ‘sharenting’ and the monetisation of children. 

I think it’s absolutely amazing that Lacey’s got banned because she shouldn’t be on here

User

Experts point out there are no limits on how many hours a child can spend filming content, no psychological support for dealing with online trolls, and crucially, no legal framework in the UK to ensure that children actually see a penny of the revenue their faces generate.

Critics point out that while Mum Laura and Auntie Natalie are officially “managing” the new @Laceym.xandmum account, it is ultimately Lacey’s face, Lacey’s personality, and Lacey’s childhood that is being sold to the masses. 

For now, Lacey and her mum are continuing to post on their new joint account, which has amassed 50,000 followers in a week, while trying to stay one step ahead of the moderators. 

But with insiders saying TikTok are “ready to step in and shut them down,” the clock is ticking.

Having reached Euro 2025, the first major women’s tournament in the nation’s history, Wales’ next target is to reach a first World Cup.

However, the path to qualification is not simple, with no automatic route available to Wales because they are not in League A.

Assuming they do not finish bottom of a group which also features Albania, Wales will face play-offs late in 2026.

Should Wales finish top of the group, their first-round play-off would be against a side who finish second or third in a League B pool.

But if Wilkinson’s team finish second or third, they would face a side who finish in fourth place in League A or a Group B winner.

The second round of the play-offs is seeded and should Wales get that far, they would be likely to face League A opposition.

A major airport sparked debate around airport dress codes when it announced it wanted to become the “world’s first Crocs-free AND pyjama-free airport”, and travellers have been left divided by the X post

A major airport has ignited controversy over appropriate airport clothing with an X post declaring “We’ve had enough.” Tampa International Airport took to X (formerly Twitter ) yesterday (February 26) with an announcement claiming it aspired to become the “world’s first Crocs-free AND pajama-free airport”.

The post opened with the declaration “We’ve seen enough. We’ve had enough.” before stating “The madness stops today.” The airport took aim at travellers sporting pyjamas in broad daylight, encouraging people to have a “difficult conversation” with relatives who might be guilty of such a fashion misstep, reports the Express.

While the airport went on to confirm to USA Today that the post was lighthearted, it nevertheless triggered a discussion about appropriate flying attire and whether dress codes ought to be enforced.

Its statement explained: “Tampa International Airport regularly shares lighthearted, satirical social media content as part of our ongoing effort to engage with our followers. Today’s post about ‘banning’ pajamas was another playful nod to day-of-travel fashion debates. We encourage our passengers to travel comfortably and appreciate our loyal followers who enjoy the online humor.”

While airports typically don’t enforce dress codes, there have been cases where passengers have been refused boarding or removed from planes based on their attire. In 2024, two women sporting crop tops were removed from a Spirit Airlines flight leaving Los Angeles after declining to cover up with their jumpers.

In 2025, the budget carrier updated its contract of carriage, warning that travellers who are “barefoot or inadequately clothed” could face boarding refusal or removal from the aircraft. Spirit’s terms and conditions specify this includes “see-through clothing; [being] not adequately covered; exposed breasts, buttocks, or other private parts”.

The airline also prohibits clothing and body art deemed “lewd, obscene, or offensive in nature” and states it may refuse boarding to passengers with “an offensive odor unless caused by a qualified disability”.

British airlines and airports haven’t yet introduced clothing regulations, apart from suggestions to dress comfortably, though certain airport lounges do have dress codes. No1 Lounges, which operates facilities at major hubs including London Gatwick and Heathrow, states on its website: “Yes, we have a dress code in place. We ask all our guests to wear smart-casual clothing.

“Our dress code stipulates that we reserve the right to refuse admission to anyone wearing clothing which we deem to be unsuitable. This includes themed or fancy-dress outfits, clothes with slogans that may cause offence, sports shirts, beach flip flops, vests, and clothing that exposes midriffs or upper thighs.

“Our My Lounge spaces are designed to be a little more relaxed and informal, encouraging guests to dress comfortably and express their individuality. Casual clothing, trainers, flip flops, and athleisure are welcome at My Lounge.” The policy does clarify, however, that unsuitable items such as fancy dress are still banned in these areas.

Despite its tongue-in-cheek tone, Tampa International Airport’s social media post ignited discussion about appropriate flying attire. One commenter enthused: “I love this! Let’s go back to the way it was in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s!”, accompanied by vintage photographs showing impeccably dressed passengers from bygone eras.

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Another countered: “I’ll dress nice again when we’re not treated like cattle at the airport and on the plane.” While contributor questioned: “How are you even classifying clothing as pajamas to begin with? Are sweatpants, yoga pants, children wearing soft clothes pajamas?”.

Would you back dress codes at airports and on airplanes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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SEOUL, Feb. 27 (UPI) — OCI Energy, a U.S. affiliate of South Korea’s OCI Holdings, said its joint venture with Arava Power has secured nearly $400 million for Project SunRoper, a 347-megawatt solar project in Wharton County, Texas.

OCI Energy joined with Israel’s Arava Power for the project. As sole lead arranger, ING Capital will underwrite the financing package, which includes a mix of loans and letters of credit.

The total investment is estimated to be about $394 million, according to OCI Energy. The construction financing is backed by a 20-year power purchase agreement with a Fortune 100 company, whose identity OCI Energy did not disclose.

Situated some 60 miles southwest of Houston, Project SunRoper is expected to begin commercial operation in the third quarter of next year, supporting grid reliability and emissions reduction.

“The close of construction financing for Project SunRoper represents an important milestone for OCI Energy and our partners,” OCI Energy CEO Sabah Bayatli said in a statement.

“This transaction reflects our continued commitment to delivering high-quality, utility-scale solar projects that strengthen grid reliability and provide affordable energy infrastructure,” he said.

ING Capital Managing Director Sven Wellock said the new initiative would deliver reliable, affordable clean energy for years to come.

“This project exemplifies the high-quality renewable infrastructure we seek to finance — a strong sponsor partnership, a long-term contracted revenue profile and a well-located asset in one of the most dynamic power markets in the United States,” he said.

This is not the first time that OCI Energy has collaborated with ING. They previously worked together on financing for the Alamo City Battery Energy Storage System project in Texas.

IMAGINE if the Eden Project had a Disney makeover – well, one theme park in Europe achieves this and will be getting a new ride for 2026.

Terra Botanica theme park in Angers, France is often compared to the Eden Project in Cornwall due to its focus on plants.

But it also has rides…

And now the theme park has announced two new experiences for this year – Cleamolette’s tractor cabins and a new Terra Nocta show.

Cleamolette’s tractor cabins will be an immersive experience where visitors climb onboard the tractors and set off to meet Cleamolette, who is a ‘passionate inventor’.

There will be 10 tractor cabins in total, which will be able to host up to 500 people an hour.

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During the experience, visitors will get to discover Cleamolette’s botanical experiments.

The park will also have a redesigned discovery trail that sprawls across 1,200sqm.

The trail is entirely dedicated to vegetable plants and over the course of the season, visitors will be able to see more than 10,000 vegetable plants, 4,000 flowering plants, 500 perennials, 200 shrubs and 40 trees.

You might even get a glimpse at some rare species including pistachio trees, Brazilian guava trees, Japanese pickling eggplants and snake gourds.

Then, Terra Nocta – an evening event at the park with light and sound – will return from April 11 but with a new 150metre area that is an immersive water display with mist, waterfalls, sounds and lights to create the ultimate sensory experience.

This new area will allow visitors to discover aquatic biodiversity and learn about the role of water in ecosystems.

The show will also include eight performers from the National Institute of Music Hall Arts in Le Mans.

The theme park will be hosting Terra Spring Festival between March 28 and 29 as well, where attendees can see the theme park’s large plant market and meet lots of local sellers and makers.

The theme park is set to fully reopen for the 2026 season on April 4.

Connexion France previously described the park as “Cornwall’s Eden Project on steroids”, adding that it has “environmental ideas with a Disney twinkle”.

Other rides at the park include giant walnut shells, and a Canopy of Birds experience where you fly virtually through the air and a miniature land train.

You might also want to check out the Garden of Legends, where you will be greeted by a vegetable ogre as he takes you into a mysterious universe.

Other ‘lands’ at the park include a dinosaur reserve, where you can watch a 4D film where you can get behind the wheel of a Jeep and drive among dinosaurs – just like in Jurassic Park.

There are even boat trips, a greenhouse with over 100 butterflies from across the planet and a high ropes course with over 3,000sqm of netting to explore as well.

One person commented on TripAdvisor: “Great place, a bit like England’s Eden Project, only better.”

It is also cheaper than the Eden Project with tickets costing from €21 (£18.38) per adult and €17.50 (£15.32) per child.

In other theme park news, the world’s first Bluey rollercoaster is set to open in the UK next month.

Plus, a top US attraction is set to open its first indoor adventure park in the UK – with 16 slides and a ‘flying’ coaster.