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A beautiful deserted island needs two café managers, but there’s one big problem.

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A beautiful deserted island needs two café managers, but there’s one big problem.

Great Blasket Island, located off the coast of Dunquin near Dingle, Ireland, is looking for a pair to take charge of the coffee shop and the island’s night accommodation from April to October.

07:00, 08 January 2026 Updated 07:06, 08 January 2026

 

 

Ruins on rocky coast with green grass and blue sea, Blasket Island, Dunmore Head, Ireland, Europe
Great Blasket Island has no permanent residents, but that doesn’t mean the caretakers won’t be busy (Image: Getty)

 

A breathtaking deserted island is looking for two intrepid people to operate a coffee shop during the spring and summer – though there’s one significant hurdle. The picturesque Great Blasket Island, located off the coast of Dunquin near Dingle in the Republic of Ireland, is looking for a couple to manage the café and island guest accommodation.

Caretakers will be responsible for maintaining the three holiday cottages, “cleaning and painting,” “looking after visitors,” and, of course, making tea and coffee while maintaining “day-to-day activities.”

Great Blasket Island, a wildlife refuge, is sure to attract those seeking an off-grid existence, but its lack of permanent residents won’t leave caretakers idle.

The job listing states, “The role of the caretakers is to manage the coffee shop and 3 holiday cottages on Great Blasket Island.”

Great Blasket Island, Dingle, Kerry, Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
This island is completely uninhabited (Image: Getty)

 

It says, “This includes meeting and greeting overnight guests, cleaning and painting the three holiday cottages, serving tea and coffee and snacks from the coffee shop to day visitors and making sure the daily routine is being met.

“We are looking for a hard-working, responsible and reliable couple who have great people skills and initiative. Please be aware that this is not a holiday job. The season can be very busy, and you will be on your feet most of the day.”

The list places even greater emphasis on the demanding nature of the role, warning that the island can be “very busy” and describing it as an “intense” situation, with carers needing to accept that the location offers “very little” in the way of resources.

Successful candidates should plan to reach the island during the last week of March, weather permitting, from April 1 to mid-October.

Beautiful view of Great Blasket Island in County Kerry, Ireland
Successful applicants will ideally travel to the island around the last week of March (Image: Getty)

 

The list also mentions that the weather “determines” holiday days. For example, a prolonged period of inclement weather may mean no sailing, while four solid weeks of sunshine may again mean an “intensive” time for carers.

However, the job is not without its benefits, as carers will, in addition to their salary, also enjoy food and meals, although it is pointed out that alcohol and toiletries are not part of the daily routine.

As with last year, the successful candidate will rest in quarters above the café and will have access to the site’s kitchen facilities. In a separate note about their duties, the app also acknowledges that “general DIY or maintenance” is encouraged in the event of prolonged inclement weather or days off.

Designated a ‘Special Area of ​​Conservation’, the island stretches for four miles and covers 1,100 acres. Empty of inhabitants since 1953, Great Blasket Island was once one of the most isolated Irish-speaking areas of Corca Dhuibhne.

A major attraction of the island is its wildlife; lucky visitors may spot a number of species, including Risso’s, common and bottlenose dolphins, as well as basking sharks, grey seals and whales.

The island also showcases a diverse bird life, boasting species like gannets, puffins, Arctic terns, guillemots, and cormorants.

Visit the website to apply for a job here.



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Excavations at Thetford have revealed an Iron Age war trumpet and a boar standard.

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Excavations at Thetford have revealed an Iron Age war trumpet and a boar standard.
Excavations at Thetford have revealed an Iron Age war trumpet and a boar standard.
BBC/Rare TV Iron Age Carnyx head emerging from a block of sandy soil. It is lying on the shore and half buried. It has the head of an animal, with an open mouth and a crest.BBC/Rare TV
The discovery of a carnyx (above) and a boar’s head flag standard in the same collection has been described by archaeologists as “the discovery of a lifetime”.

Archaeologists have been stunned to find two rare Iron Age objects in the same excavation.

The Pre-Construct Archaeology team was working on a construction site a few miles from Thetford, Norfolk, when they came across the deposit last year.

At its centre was the most complete war trumpet or carnyx, ever found in Europe – and the first boar’s head flag standard ever found in Britain.

Senior project officer Gary Trimble told BBC Two’s Digging for Britain that cornices are “extraordinarily rare… a boar standard; it’s even rarer.”

Norfolk Museums Service The head of an Iron Age Carnax resting on its side on a white pillow. The instrument is in the shape of an animal with a long neck, a crest along its neck, pierced with a pattern, a long nose and its mouth open. Below, a black-gloved hand can be seen holding a very fine brush, while a very broad brush brushes the animal's snout. Norfolk Museums Service
Conservator Jonathan Carr said Carnax has “an amazing little eye, which is a remarkable survivor and you can’t help but be impressed and mesmerised by it.”

“We have our fair share of hoarding in Norfolk, but this is very, very different – ​​it’s really, really special,” he said.

Excavation leader Peter Crowley said he had a strong feeling about the site before excavations began.

“It felt like it was one of those special sites that you come across every so often,” he said.

BBC/Rare TV View of a field showing a group of people during the filming of Digging for Britain. On the left is a woman wearing a jumper and jeans, holding a brass-coloured carnexa in her right hand with her mouth open. In the middle are bales of straw and on them are sitting a man in a plaid shirt and blue jeans, a woman in a black jacket and black jeans and a man in a plaid shirt and blue jeans. They are all laughing. BBC/Rare TV
Musician Letty Stott plays a replica of the Carnyx for Fraser Hunter, presenter Alice Roberts and Gary Trimble during the filming of Digging for Britain.

Celtic tribes throughout Europe used war trumpets to intimidate their enemies and to inspire and direct warriors during battle.

They included the Iceni tribe of East Anglia, led by Queen Boudica, who took part in their unsuccessful revolt against the Romans in 60 to 61.

Carnis attracted the Romans, who often depicted them as war trophies.

Norfolk Museums Service Jonathan Carr is sitting at a table in a laboratory and looking through a magnifying glass on his arm as he removes clay from a bag containing a block of Iron Age deposits. Norfolk Museums Service
Carr said he was aware of the risks as he painstakingly removed the brittle remains from blocks of clay.

Conservator Jonathan Carr said the Thetford discovery was made from “extremely thin sheets of metal that have become extremely brittle after 2,000 years in the ground”.

as well as being One of only three cornices found in Britain He said, “It was the most complete carnyx ever found, with the pipes, mouthpiece and bell all uniquely intact.”

Dr Fraser Hunter, Iron Age and Roman Curator at the National Museum of Scotland, said, “I have seen carnivorans from across Europe, and the full research and conservation of these incredibly delicate remains will reshape our view of sound and music in the Iron Age.”

The Norfolk Museums Service has a boar's head standard on its side, with its nose facing right. Below two hands dressed in black can be seen, with the left hand holding a coarse brush and the right hand holding a much finer brush. Norfolk Museums Service
The boar’s head standard was also made from a thin sheet of metal and is an even rarer find than the musical instrument.

The standard boar’s head was made from sheet bronze. It was held aloft like a flag in battle and used as a rallying point for soldiers.

symbolism of the boar speaks volumes about his strength

Hunter said, “They were very ferocious animals to face in the hunt, so the symbolism of the boar speaks volumes about his strength – a very suitable opponent in battle.”

The hoard, which dates to around 50BC and AD50, included five shield bosses and an iron object of unknown origin.

After its discovery, before conservation began, it was carefully lifted from the earth in a clay block and scanned to determine where the objects were located.

Norfolk Museums Service Iron Age hoard revealed from a block of sandy soil in a laboratory. Only the top layer can be seen, with three shield bosses in the middle and a boar's head visible on the right, Norfolk Museums Service
The collection included shield holders, while the boar’s head can be seen on the right and the carnos is behind

The coroner has been notified of the find, and an investigation will determine if it’s treasure. Its long-term future has not yet been decided.

Historic England is working with Preconstruct Archaeology, Norfolk Museums Service, and the National Museums of Scotland to coordinate the research and conservation of the discoveries.

BBC/RARE TV Professor Alice Roberts stands in front of a ruined castle. She has pink hair and is wearing a red jacket. Her arms are folded and she is smiling broadly. BBC/Rare TV
Anatomist, author, and broadcaster, Professor Alice Roberts, has presented Digging for Britain since it first launched.

Dr Tim Pestell, Senior Curator of Archaeology at Norfolk Museums Service, said, “This discovery is a powerful reminder of Norfolk’s Iron Age past which, through the story of Boudica and the Iceni people, still retains its ability to captivate the British public.

“The Norfolk Carnicks Hoard will provide archaeologists with a unique opportunity to examine many rare objects and ultimately tell the story of how these came to be buried in the county over 2,000 years ago.”

Historic England’s co-CEOs Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE said it was a “remarkable discovery”.

“We are keen to uncover and share the story of the Norfolk community that owned and used these objects,” the pair said.

The story of the discovery will be screened on BBC Two’s Digging for Britain on 14 January at 21:00 GMT or on BBC iPlayer.



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Senior Citizens Savings Scheme: At 8.2% interest rate, how does SCSS compare to bank FDs, RBI bonds, and mutual funds? Explained

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Senior Citizens Savings Scheme: At 8.2% interest rate, how does SCSS compare to bank FDs, RBI bonds, and mutual funds? Explained

Senior Citizens Savings Scheme: At 8.2% interest rate, how does SCSS compare to bank FDs, RBI bonds, mutual funds? Explained
SCSS accounts help earn interest payments on a quarterly basis. (AI image)

Senior Citizens Savings Scheme or SCSS, is a popular post office investment and savings scheme for senior citizens and retired individuals.

The government-backed scheme is considered a guaranteed cushion for regular interest income flow, especially for individuals who are looking for high interest rates but low-risk options.

SCSS accounts help earn interest payments on a quarterly basis and with the investment limit having doubled to Rs 30 lakh from Rs 15 lakh a few years ago,

The Senior Citizens Savings Scheme continues to attract substantial flows. But is investment in SCSS sufficient for retirees?

How do other investment options like bank fixed deposits, small savings schemes, and mutual funds compare on a return and taxation basis? We break it down for you:

Senior Citizens Savings Schemes (SCSS): Eligibility, Investment Limits, Taxation – Top Points

  • The Senior Citizens Savings Scheme is open to resident Indians – any individual who is 60 years and above at the time of opening the account.
  • In special cases, individuals aged 55 years or above but below 60 years may also open an SCSS account if they have retired on superannuation or otherwise.
  • However, this can be done when the SCSS account is opened within three months of receiving their retirement benefits.
  • Retired members of the defence services, excluding civilian defence staff, are also permitted to open an account on attaining the age of 50 years, subject to compliance with the prescribed conditions.
  • Furthermore, the spouse of a government employee who attained the age of 50 years and died in harness may open an account under this scheme.
  • A joint SCSS can also be opened but in this case, the entire deposit is treated as belonging solely to the first account holder.
  • For an SCSS account, the minimum account opening balance is Rs 1,000. The total investment account across all accounts cannot exceed Rs 30 lakh. Both spouses can open individual accounts or joint accounts with one another, subject to a maximum deposit of Rs 30 lakh per account, provided that they both meet the eligibility criteria independently.
  • SCSS accounts lock in the money for a period of five years and can be prematurely closed subject to certain conditions.

Senior Citizens Savings Scheme Scheme - Top PointsSenior Citizens Savings Scheme – Top Points

  • In case any amount above the maximum limit is deposited, it is refunded, and the interest on such an excess amount is payable only at the Post Office Savings Account rate for the period from the date of excess deposit until the date of refund.
  • Investments made under the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme are eligible for deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 – which means that individuals filing their tax return under the old tax regime can avail this tax benefit.
  • Tax is deducted at source (TDS) if the total interest earned across all accounts, including SCSS, exceeds the prescribed threshold during a financial year, unless Form 15G or Form 15H is submitted, as applicable.
  • An account holder may extend the SCSS account for additional blocks of three years any number of times. The extension must be requested within one year from the date of maturity or from the end of each three-year extension period, using the prescribed form at the concerned post office.
  • The extended account earns interest at the rate applicable on the date of original maturity or the date of extended maturity, as the case may be. If the account is closed before one year from the date of extension, a deduction of 1 per cent of the deposit is made.
  • The extension is considered effective from the original maturity date, regardless of when the application is submitted.

Senior Citizens Savings Schemes (SCSS) involve the calculation of interest.

The interest on your SCSS account is calculated and paid on a quarterly basis from the date of deposit.

for the quarters ending on 31 March, 30 June, 30 September, and 31 December. According to the rules, the interest amount is credited to the SCSS depositor’s savings account on 1 April, 1 July, 1 October, and 1 January, respectively.

Account holders may opt for automatic credit of interest to their savings account or through the ECS facility. Unclaimed interest in a quarter does not earn further interest.

Senior Citizens Savings Scheme Interest CalculationsSenior Citizens Savings Scheme Interest Calculations

At the current interest rate of 8.2%, if a senior citizen were to invest the maximum limit of Rs 30 lakh,

The quarterly interest earnings would stand at Rs 61,500, which is Rs 2.46 lakh in a year. Over a period of 5 years, the total interest earnings on the Rs 30 lakh investment will stand at Rs 12,30,000/-

Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS): Is it a worthy investment bet?

Experts believe that the guaranteed returns and an interest rate higher than most investment products make SCSS an essential part of a senior citizen’s investment portfolio.

Mohit Gang, co-founder and CEO of Moneyfront, explains that SCSS’s being a government-backed scheme works in its favour. “

The scheme is currently offering 8.2% interest, which is higher than fixed deposit interest rates from all the banks,” he notes. “

SCSS offers a regular income to senior citizens in the form of quarterly interest payouts on deposits up to Rs 30 lakh for a 5-year lock-in, which is extendable by another 3 years.

The deposit amount can also be claimed as a deduction under Section 80C,” he tells TOI, listing the advantages of the scheme.

Rohit Shah, Certified Financial Planner & Founder of Getting You Rich, points out that the interest rate for SCSS is among the highest in government-backed small savings.

It also typically beats senior-citizen bank fixed deposits on a safety-adjusted return, he says. “The appeal is clear:

sovereign guarantee, quarterly interest for regular income, capital protection, and Section 80C benefits on investments up to Rs 1.5 lakh. For risk‑averse retirees who want predictable cash flows, it is a strong core product,” Rohit Shah tells TOI.

How does SCSS compare to bank FDs for senior citizens?

A post-tax comparison of SCSS and bank fixed deposits reveals an interesting picture.

While both instruments generate interest income that is fully taxable as per the investor’s income tax slab, SCSS has a clear edge with its 8.2% rate, compared to typical bank FD rates of around 7–7.5% for seniors.

“More importantly, SCSS offers rate certainty.

So once you lock in the 8.2%, it stays fixed for the entire 5-year tenure, regardless of future rate movements,” says Dev Ashish, SEBI Registered Investment Advisor and founder of StableInvestor.com.

Mohit Gang of Moneyfront also notes that SCSS proves to be better than bank fixed deposits on a post-tax, inflation-adjusted return basis for senior citizens in India, primarily due to its higher interest rate and tax deduction benefits.

  1. SCSS offers a fixed 8.2% annual interest rate as compared to bank FDs, which are currently offering interest rates in the range of 6 to 7.25% depending on the bank.
  2. Both have fully taxable interest but SCSS principal of up to Rs 1.5 lakh qualifies for Section 80C deduction, unlike most FDs (only 5-year tax-saver FDs qualify). SCSS proves to be better on a post-tax basis because of its higher interest rate.

Senior‑citizen bank FDs generally offer around 6.5–7%. Some NBFC and corporate FDs may match or exceed SCSS’s 8.2%, but they come with higher credit and liquidity risk.

which many retirees should avoid, says Rohit Shah. “Thanks to its rate advantage of roughly 100 bps over most bank FDs, SCSS will typically deliver superior post‑tax income for the same risk level.

However, adjusted for inflation, both SCSS and FDs still struggle to fully keep pace with real‑life inflation.

especially in healthcare and services,” he adds. Dev Ashish highlights an often overlooked practical reality. Most retirees don’t have substantial income sources beyond their investments.

Consider a senior citizen couple parking Rs 60 lakh in SCSS (Rs 30 lakh each). At 8.2%, this generates Rs 4.92 lakh in annual interest income. Even if we add another Rs. 3–4 lakh from other sources,

Their total income typically stays well below Rs 8-9 lakh annually.

Under the new income tax regime with its Rs 12 lakh tax-free threshold (via enhanced standard deduction and Section 87A rebate for income up to Rs 12 lakh), many retired couples will pay zero income tax on their investment income.

This dramatically improves the post-tax returns from SCSS, he says. “So while we discuss taxation of interest income,

The ground reality is that for a large section of middle-class retirees without pension or rental income, the effective tax impact on SCSS returns is often negligible.

This makes the 8.2% rate even more attractive —you’re essentially getting the full gross return as your net return.

This is a significant advantage that shouldn’t be underestimated when comparing SCSS with other investment options where capital gains are taxed irrespective of the quantum of gains,” he adds.

Comparing SCSS with other investment options and determining the appropriate portfolio mix is essential.

So, what are the alternatives to SCSS, how do they compare on a post-tax basis and what is the right portfolio mix for senior citizens? Experts are of the view that SCSS is a very good investment option; others can be made use of for portfolio diversification. Mohit Gang elaborates:

  1. Post Office Monthly Savings Scheme: Provides fixed monthly interest income at 7.4% per year with a fixed 5-year tenure. There is no tax benefit for this scheme
  2. Bank FDs: Generally, banks and NBFCs offer an additional interest rate of 0.50% over the normal fixed deposit rates. The tenure is flexible, as investment can be done from 7 days to 10 years in duration.
  3. Mutual funds: For senior citizens, who focus on capital safety, low-equity options such as debt funds and conservative hybrid funds are generally more suitable.

How SCSS compares to other optionsHow SCSS compares to other options

Rohit Shah lists some of the alternatives worth considering: •⁠ ⁠Government of India/RBI floating‑rate savings bonds (7‑year, floating coupon). •

⁠ ⁠NSC (National Savings Certificates), with attractive compounded rates but lower liquidity.

•⁠ ⁠The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) provides monthly payouts at a slightly lower yield.

“NSC can marginally outperform SCSS on returns but locks in money for longer and does not provide quarterly income. POMIS is useful for steady income but generally yields less than SCSS,” he says.

Is SCSS sufficient for retirement needs?

According to Dev Ashish, the real question isn’t just whether SCSS is good in isolation, but rather it’s about understanding where it fits in a senior citizen’s overall retirement portfolio.

The portfolio should not only meet the income needs of the retirees but also maintain a moderate growth rate to match their life expectancy.

Dev Ashish asserts that investing in annuities can alleviate concerns about longevity risk and money depletion, despite the lower rates.

“While SCSS, in my view, is an excellent debt option – safe, high-yielding, and tax-efficient –

It is still advisable not to treat it as the entire portfolio but rather as a core part of the fixed-income (debt) side of the portfolio.

It’s best to combine it with liquidity buffers and modest equity exposure for sustainable retirement, beat long-term inflation, and preserve purchasing power,” Dev Ashish tells TOI. The approach he advocates is a bucketing strategy:

The first bucket (typically 60–70% of the retirement corpus) should comprise debt instruments like SCSS, POMIS, and PPF, as well as debt funds and annuities. This bucket generates regular income for day-to-day expenses. SCSS fits perfectly here as a core holding.

But the second bucket is equally critical. This is the growth bucket where equity allocation (20-30% for most retirees) should be invested in well-diversified equity funds.

Why? Because without equity exposure, your portfolio will struggle to beat inflation over a 20- to 30- year retirement period.

The goal isn’t to chase returns but to ensure you don’t run out of money before running out of years.

Mohit Gang is of the view that SCSS can serve as a core part of retirement but not as a standalone component in the portfolio because of limitations such as the Rs 30 lakh individual limit.

The interest earned from SCSS is fully taxable, and it does not provide any growth linked to equity. He recommends an asset mix of 30% in SCSS + 30% in debt mutual funds + 20% in hybrid mutual funds + 20% in equity funds.

Rohit Shah also says that SCSS should be a core component, not the only one. “A smart retirement portfolio for someone over 60 should mix SCSS with other safe investment options like quality fixed deposits, bonds, and annuities, along with some investments in growth assets like stocks or conservative hybrid funds,” he tells TOI.

The exact allocation must depend on each retiree’s risk profile, health, other income sources and legacy goals.

The key is simple: use SCSS for stability and income, and complement it with carefully chosen products that offer liquidity and long‑term inflation protection, he advises.

Bottom line – SCSS is a fantastic investment product for senior citizens, but it is by no means sufficient and must be supplemented with other avenues. ( Disclaimer:

Experts provide their own recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes, and personal finance management tips. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India.

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Crystal Palace 0 – 0 Aston Villa

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Crystal Palace 0 – 0 Aston Villa

Crystal Palace frustrated Aston Villa yet again as a scrappy 0-0 draw unfolded at Selhurst Park.

Oliver Glasner’s side are now unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Villa, winning five of these fixtures, but their own winless run extends to eight games across all competitions.

Both sides had chances to win the fixture, albeit they were few and far between. Brennan Johnson came close to marking his home debut at Selhurst Park with a goal but Emiliano Martinez’s tipped save ensured the scoreline remained level.

Crystal Palace's Tyrick Mitchell (left) attempts a headed shot towards goal
Image:
Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell (left) attempts a headed shot towards goal

Ollie Watkins would suffer the same fate, with one effort smothered by Dean Henderson and a late header grazing the outside of the post.

Villa looked better but fell off as time went on, while Palace pushed on in search of their opener but fell short.

“Game of two halves, I think,” said Villa centre-back Ezri Konsa, as both he and England teammate Marc Guehi impressed the evening, knowing Thomas Tuchel was in the stands watching on.

“I thought in the first half we dominated —we kept the ball well and created a couple of chances. In the second half, they applied more pressure and created some chances themselves.”

Player ratings: England’s CB duo shine

Crystal Palace: Henderson (8), Devenny (6), Canvot (5), Lacroix (7), Guehi (8), Mitchell (7), Wharton (7), Hughes (6), Johnson (6), Pino (6), Mateta (6).

Subs: Sosa (n/a).

Aston Villa: Martinez (6), Cash (6), Konsa (8), Lindelof (6), Digne (6), Kamara (6), Tielemans (7), McGinn (6), Sancho (5), Rogers (6), Watkins (6).

Subs: Bizot (6), Maatsen (6), Buendia (6), Bogarde (6)

Players of the Match: Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa.

A point was a fair result on an evening that lacked quality in the final third. Palace were without 10 first-team players for this outing and will likely walk away with their heads held high, given the lack of depth and recent struggles, while the same cannot be said for their opponents.

A lacklustre showing from Villa, who had the chance to move above Manchester City in second following their 1-1 draw with Brighton, will leave a bitter taste in the mouth of Unai Emery, who has yet to beat Glasner and was animated at full-time before storming down the tunnel.

Glasner has Emery’s number…

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery remains without a win against Oliver Glasner in seven top-flight games (D2 L5), his worst winless record against any manager.

Guehi: That is a vital point for us; hopefully we can build on it

Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi speaking to Sky Sports:

“I’m proud of the team today. We know that they like to play in the pockets a lot, so it was important that we shut the middle and showed them the outside.

“It’s not always easy, but I think everyone worked hard and we had chances for ourselves on the break. On another day, they go in.

“It’s a vital point – it’s critical. The league’s so tough this year, so any point is valuable. A point tonight is good and hopefully we can build on it.”

The story of the match in stats…

What’s coming up in the Premier League?



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The US has launched a bold raid on a Shadow Fleet tanker off the UK, risking confrontation with Russian ships and a submarine security vessel.

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The US has launched a bold raid on a Shadow Fleet tanker off the UK, risking confrontation with Russian ships and a submarine security vessel.

American troops have reportedly launched a daring mission to capture a rogue Shadow Fleet tanker with ties to Russia after hunting it across the Atlantic.

Vladimir Putin has deployed a submarine and naval ships to protect the rusting Marinera tanker as it attempts to avoid capture after failing to break Donald Trump’s Venezuela blockade.

A helicopter was seen flying close to the sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker, Marinera Credit: X
Russian state media claimed the photos showed a US military helicopter approaching the ship shortly before 1 p.m. Credit: X
The US military has stopped the Rusting Marinera in the North Atlantic, according to Reuters.

The US Coast Guard and the US Army are carrying out a dramatic operation An anonymous American official told reuters,

The pictures show a lone helicopter approaching Marinera shortly before 1pm.

According to Russian state media outlet RT, the helicopter, believed to be carrying US special forces, then attempted to land on an oil tanker.

The ageing sanctions-evading ship, which Russia claims has nothing on board, has been closely monitored by US and UK forces after fleeing the Caribbean two weeks ago.

Find out more about the chaos surrounding the tanker.

showdown

The US sub hunter is facing off against Putin’s ships that are guarding the tanker, while Trump ‘plans to seize’ it.

in our view

The moment a US ship chased the ‘Axis of Evil’ tanker through fog near the British Isles was significant.

Tensions over what the Rustbucket was doing so close to Venezuela quickly escalated as the US began preparations to seize the ship by force.

Elite soldiers from US Navy SEAL Team 6 – the squad that killed Osama bin Laden – and commandos from the SAS-style Delta Force unit that captured Nicolas Maduro at the weekend are both believed to be involved in the mission after arriving in Britain on Tuesday.

It is unclear what Washington thinks is on the ship, with fears that it may be carrying top-secret military cargo such as missiles to Caracas.

Flight tracking data from this morning showed a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft moving towards the tanker’s last known coordinates off the UK coast.

The jet took off from Keflavik, Iceland, as it was flown with a KC-135 Stratotanker for refuelling.

Boeing uses its Poseidon aircraft for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence and surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

This raid reportedly took place last month. A helicopter attack on another sanctioned tanker, The Skipper, occurred when US Marines, Special Forces, and the Coast Guard attacked the ship in the sea.

Planespotters reported witnessing a trio of V-22 US Ospreys practicing rapid rope pulls, while Poseidon naval spy planes monitored the tanker until it was captured.

Formerly called Bella 1 but now known as Marinera, the Venezuelan tanker is accused of being part of the so-called “shadow fleet,” a group of boats that illegally ship oil.

These ships that avoid sanctions help evade penalties, allowing “Axis of Evil” dictators like Nicolas Maduro and Putin to continue trading.

According to reports, the US Coast Guard also intercepted another tanker belonging to Venezuela in Latin American waters this afternoon.

The US Coast Guard attempted to board Bella 1 in the Caribbean last month, suspecting it was bound for Venezuela.

At the time, Washington suspected he might have been transporting Iranian oil.

They were unable to seize the ship, as its captain immediately changed course before heading to Venezuela.

A P-8A Poseidon is reportedly involved in a daring maritime attack. Credit: Alamy.
The plan reportedly mirrors last month’s helicopter-borne attack on another sanctioned tanker, the Skipper

According to reports, it managed to escape from the Caribbean and was heading towards the Russian port of Murmansk.

The ship, which can carry up to £37m worth of oil, changed its name to Marinera in December and bizarrely changed its flag from Guyanese to Russian.

Marinera has displayed Panamanian flags on various occasions before, but it is originally from Iran.

Ship tracking data detected the ship instantly reappearing 500 miles west in the North Atlantic, Ireland.

Tense footage taken by one of the boat’s crew shows the USCG Legend-class cutter carefully following behind the rogue tanker in the water this week.

American cargo planes loaded with Special Forces helicopters entered RAF Fairford as Marinera approached.

Soldiers from the US 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment – ​​known as the Nightstalkers – brought in Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters as they began planning to board the ship.

Three V-22 Ospreys from RAF Mildenhall also joined the force along with RAF Typhoon jets and KC2 refuelling aircraft, which were seen operating near the tanker’s last known position.

The pursuit comes as Washington squeezes Venezuela’s oil lifeline harder than ever.

on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers,

Since December 16, when Trump imposed a “complete and total blockade” on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, more than a dozen ships have fled the country in what officials describe as a coordinated breakout effort.

Donald Trump continues his war against Venezuela and its allies. Credit: Getty
The US is increasing its military presence at RAF Fairford, where 99th Reconnaissance Squadron U-2s are visible in flight. Credit: SWNS.

Sixteen tankers—mostly supertankers bound for China—escaped using deceptive tactics, including fake ship names, false locations, and turning off tracking signals to operate in “dark mode.”

Satellite imagery shows some sailing in tight formation to the east. Others have disappeared from tracking systems entirely.

US officials see the migration as a direct challenge to US power at sea and a test of Trump’s blockade.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called the quarantine “one of the largest in modern history” and said it is “crippling” the regime’s ability to raise cash.

Oil exports are Venezuela’s economic lifeblood.

Cutting them off is central to Washington’s strategy to suppress the remnants of the Maduro network and stabilise the country under interim leadership.

Trump also announced on Truth Social that up to $50 million worth of oil from Venezuela would be delivered to him in the coming weeks.

By avoiding sanctions, tankers are able to continue trading with ‘Axis of Evil’ dictators like Nicolas Maduro and Putin. Credit: Reuters

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Warner Bros. has once again rejected Paramount’s latest hostile bid, according to media reports.

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Warner Bros. has once again rejected Paramount’s latest hostile bid, according to media reports.

The board of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has unanimously rejected Paramount Skydance’s latest attempt to acquire the studio, saying its revised $108.4 billion hostile bid is a risky leveraged buyout that investors should reject.

In a letter to shareholders on Wednesday, the WBD board said Paramount’s offer depends on “an extraordinary amount of debt financing” that increases the risk of closing.

It reaffirmed its commitment to streaming giant Netflix’s $82.7 billion deal for film and television studios and other assets.

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However, some investors pushed back at Warner Bros. Matthew Halbower, CEO of Pentwater Capital Management, said the media giant’s board had “made a mistake” by not considering Paramount’s bid.

On Wednesday, Hellbower described the deal on CNBC as “economically sound.”

Paramount’s financing plan would leave the smaller Hollywood studio with $87 billion in debt after the acquisition closes.

The Warner Bros. board informed shareholders on Tuesday, after voting against a $30-a-share cash offer, that the deal would result in the largest leveraged buyout in history.

The letter was accompanied by a 67-page amended merger filing that contained Paramount’s rejection of the offer.

The Warner Bros. board deemed the Paramount deal ‘inadequate’.

The amended Paramount offer “is inadequate, particularly given the inadequate value it provides,

the lack of certainty in Paramount Skydance’s ability to complete the offer, and the risks and costs to be borne by WBD shareholders if Paramount Skydance fails to complete the offer,” the Warner Bros. board wrote.

Paramount, which has a market value of about $14 billion, proposed using $40 billion in equity, which would be personally guaranteed by Oracle’s billionaire co-founder Larry Ellison, whose son David is Paramount’s CEO, and $54 billion in debt to finance the deal.

Warner Bros’s board said its financing plan would further weaken its credit rating, which S&P Global already rates at the junk level, and put pressure on its cash flow, increasing the risk that the deal will not close.

Netflix, which offered $27.75 per share in cash and stock, has a market value of $400 billion and an investment-grade credit rating.

The decision keeps Warner Bros. on track to pursue a deal with Netflix, even though Paramount amended its bid on Dec. 22 to address earlier concerns about the lack of a personal guarantee from Ellison, who is Paramount’s controlling shareholder.

Paramount and Netflix are competing to win control of Warner Bros and its prized film and television studios and its extensive content library.

Its lucrative entertainment franchises include Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Friends and the DC Comics universe, as well as iconic classic films like Casablanca and Citizen Kane.

Netflix appreciates

Netflix co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters welcomed Warner Bros.’s decision on Wednesday, saying it recognised the streaming giant’s deal as “the superior proposal that will deliver the greatest value to its shareholders, as well as consumers, creators and the broader entertainment industry”.

Warner Bros. Chairman Samuel Di Piazza told CNBC that the company is not currently in talks with Paramount but is open to a transaction with the Ellison-led company and that both deals have a path to regulatory approval.

“From our perspective, they have to put something on the table that’s compelling,” he said, referring to the Paramount offer.

Wednesday’s filing said Warner Bros.’s board met Dec. 23 to review Paramount’s revised proposal and noted some improvements, including Ellison’s personal guarantee and a higher reverse termination fee of $5.8 billion, but found “significant costs” were associated with Paramount’s bid compared to the Netflix deal.

Warner Bros. will be forced to pay a $2.8 billion termination fee to the streaming service.

Warner Bros. will also have to pay $1.5 billion in fees to its lenders and incur approximately $350 million in additional financing costs for abandoning its merger agreement with Netflix. Overall,

Warner Bros. said it would incur about $4.7 billion, or $1.79 per share, in additional costs to end its deal with Netflix.

The board reiterated some of the concerns raised on December 17, such as that Paramount would impose operating restrictions on the studio that would harm its business and competitive position.

including blocking plans to spin off the company’s cable television networks into a separate public company, Discovery Global.

Warner Bros. said that Paramount offered “inadequate compensation” for the loss to the studio’s business if the deal did not close.

The board wrote “despite clear direction” on the shortcomings in its bid and potential solutions, Paramount “repeatedly failed to present the best offer” to Warner Bros. shareholders.

The jockeying for Warner Bros. has become Hollywood’s most-watched acquisition battle, as studios vie for a bigger move amid growing competition from streaming platforms and volatile theatrical revenues.

While the headline price of Netflix’s offer is lower, analysts have said it presents a clearer financing structure and less execution risk than Paramount’s bid for the entire company, including its cable TV business.

Ross Baines, an analyst at eMarketer, said, “WBD doesn’t want to sell to Paramount, so it will continue to reject Paramount as long as it is able.”

“But this process is not over…Paramount will have the opportunity to make further efforts.”

Harris Oakmark, Warner Bros.’s fifth-largest investor, previously told Reuters that Paramount’s revised offer was not “substantial”, noting that it was not enough to cover the breakup fee.

Paramount has argued that its bid would face fewer regulatory hurdles, but a combined Paramount-Warner Bros. entity would create a formidable competitor to industry leader Disney and merge two major television operators and two streaming services.

The valuation of Warner Bros.’s planned Discovery Global spin-off, which includes cable television network CNN, TNT Sports and the Discovery+ streaming service, is seen as a major sticking point. Analysts have valued the cable channels at up to $4 per share, while Paramount has suggested only $1.

Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns about further consolidation in the media industry, and US President Donald Trump has said he plans to consider this landmark acquisition.

On Wall Street, Warner Bros. Discovery is up 0.3 per cent in afternoon trading amid news of the rejected bid. Netflix is ​​also up 0.3. Meanwhile, Paramount is down 0.1 per cent.



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Observe as American soldiers board an oil tanker flying the Russian flag while helicopters circle the vessel.

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Observe as American soldiers board an oil tanker flying the Russian flag while helicopters circle the vessel.

WATCH: US troops board Russian-flagged oil tanker; helicopters hover near the ship

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Wednesday that the Coast Guard conducted back-to-back operations to board two “ghost fleet” tanker ships.

Noem claimed that the motor tanker Bella I and the motor tanker Sofia were last docked in or en route to Venezuela during these operations.

In a post on Twitter, Noem warned narco-terrorists that her best team is ready to find and eliminate them to protect the American people.

The United States released footage showing a helicopter hovering over the ship as armed soldiers were lowered onto the deck.

The soldiers boarded the ship and took control of it.

where they boarded and took control of the ship.“ In two pre-dawn operations today,

the Coast Guard conducted back-to-back, carefully coordinated boardings of two “ghost fleet” tanker vessels –

one in the North Atlantic Sea and one in international waters near the Caribbean.

“Both ships – motor tanker Bella I and motor tanker Sofia – were either last docked in Venezuela or on their way there,”

she said. The US seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker belonging to Venezuela and imposed sanctions on the ship M/T Sofia.

According to US Southern Command, Bella-1 violated US sanctions and M/T Sofia was operating in international waters and conducting illegal activities.”

President Trump’s bold and visionary leadership enabled the U.S. Coast Guard tactical teams worked closely with their counterparts at the Department of War.

Department of Justice and State to use their specialised expertise to conduct these operations and conduct two safe, effective boardings within hours of each other.

One of these tankers, the Motor Tanker Bella I, has been trying to elude the Coast Guard for several weeks, in a desperate and unsuccessful attempt to escape justice.

The tanker even lost its original flag and painted a new name on the hull. Added. In a post on X,

Noem praised the military and said that the “gallant crew of the USCGC Monroe” pursued the ship and helped board the “Ghost Fleet”.“

The heroic crew of USCGC Monroe pursued this ship through high seas and through dangerous storms –

keeping diligent watch, and defending our country with the determination and patriotism that Americans are proud of.

These brave men and women deserve the gratitude of our nation for their selfless devotion to duty.” He said,

“The criminals of the world are on alert. You can run, but you cannot hide.

We will never waver in our mission to protect the American people and disrupt the funding of narco-terrorism wherever we detect it.

This is our nation’s greatest fighting force. It is America’s first force at sea.”

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What would happen if you refused to serve in the UK when WW3 broke out? UK | news

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What would happen if you refused to serve in the UK when WW3 broke out? UK | news

often refused to fight for Britain

During World War I, people would wave white feathers at men in the streets – as a symbol to shame those who refused to stand up and fight for their country. These ‘conscientious objectors’ often refused to fight for Britain in the 1914–1918 conflict against Germany for moral reasons. And as a result, ‘The White Feather Campaign’ was organised by women to publicly present men not in uniform with a white feather, as a symbol of cowardice.

It feels as if, with global tensions rising, the threat of another global conflict is closer than in the past – and the prospect of compulsory military conscription, especially for young men, may be very real. 2026 is mere days old, but the US has already invaded Venezuela and is holding urgent security meetings over threats to use its military to occupy Denmark’s sovereign territory, Greenland.

The prospect of WW3 is not something anyone relishes, but as Vladimir Putin’s push into Ukraine continues – and the US clashes with Iran over the Israel-Palestine conflict and threats to take nuclear weapons – it’s fair to say that the threat of a new global conflict feels more real than ever.

Ministers have said the UK needs to be prepared for ‘war in our homeland’, placing greater emphasis on a society prepared for the outbreak of conflict as well as pandemics, extreme weather and other national emergencies such as cyber attacks or infrastructure failure.

We don’t know exactly what recruitment would look like today, but we do have some historical precedents from the last global conflict, World War II.

Those who were conscientious objectors were sent to tribunals to have their cases heard. They had to go to court to argue their reasons for refusing to join, and if their cases were not dismissed, they were given exempt status and offered a non-combat job to aid the war effort.

The Parliament’s website explains: “Conscientious objectors had to appear before a tribunal to argue their reasons for refusing to join. If their cases were not dismissed, they were given one of several categories of exemption and given non-combat jobs.”

Even today, the rights of conscientious objectors are recognised by European courts.

A report on recruitment released in March 2025 by the UK Government outlines how it operates in other European countries in relation to the National Service today.

It states: “Most countries oblige men to serve, while offering women the opportunity to volunteer if they wish. Many countries also offer alternative civilian options for conscientious objectors. Some use a lottery model, meaning only a small proportion of eligible men are required to serve.”

It states: “The European Parliament’s Research Service briefing on compulsory military service states that all EU Member States with active conscription systems have recognised the rights of conscientious objectors through national legislation.”

For example, in Finland, men are required by law to serve, but conscientious objectors may be given non-military service.

In Greece, it is similar, with minimum conditions: “less than 12 months of military or 15 months of civilian service for conscientious objectors.”

Of course, while you may be offered a non-combat role should World War III break out, that won’t stop people on the street from waving white feathers at you.

As explained by the Peace Museum via the University of St Andrews: “The women of the ‘White Feather Campaign’ were militants in more ways than one: with passive aggression, they tried to shame men into joining and fighting in the war, believing that military participation was necessary and right.

“The symbol they used took some well-known peace imagery – the classic white dove – and twisted it to fit their public campaign. It is important to remember that, in their militarism, many of these women felt that they were ultimately working towards global peace: in their view, joining the ‘war effort’ was the best way to end the First World War. Their views were in sharp contrast to the moral pacifism of conscientious objectors, who sought a means to resolve the conflict. As argued against violence.

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Greenland? Colombia? Six countries where the “Don-Roe doctrine” could lead to Trump

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Greenland? Colombia? Six countries where the “Don-Roe doctrine” could lead to Trump

President Trump is not ruling out the possibility of a further U.S. expansion, intervention, or occupation efforts in the Western Hemisphere. The army’s success in looting Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from Caracas over the weekend Face drug trafficking charges in US,

He has already received threats of capture Greenland. And Canada predicted that the governments in Cuba and Colombia would fall. Now, Mr Trump is again making similar remarks and raising new questions about what he plans to do next.

Mr. Trump said on Saturday that under his administration, “American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never again be questioned”—dubbing his approach the “Don-Roe Doctrine,” a spin on a 19th-century foreign policy concept.

It is unclear whether the president will follow through on his threats against other countries.

Here’s the latest on countries and territories that have been the subject of the president’s interventionist comments:

greenland

Mr Trump has long desired Greenland and said it was necessary US national security He said one thing again on Sunday.

“We need Greenland as a national security situation. It is very strategic. Russian and Chinese ships are currently encircling Greenland, he stated. “We need Greenland from a national security perspective.”

Mr Trump added, “Denmark will not be able to do that; I can tell you that.” “To increase safety in Greenland, they added another dogsled.”

White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt said administration officials were discussing “a range of options”, including using military force to acquire Greenland. said on Tuesday,

The President also nominated Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry Last month he served as special envoy to Greenland to represent U.S. interests on the island, which is an autonomous region of Denmark. “It is an honour to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the United States,” Landry said in a social media post addressed to Mr Trump.

In March, Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland and told a reporter while there that “what we think is that the Greenlanders are going to choose through self-determination to become independent from Denmark, and then we are going to negotiate with the Greenlandic people from there.”

The leaders of both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly said the vast Arctic island is not for sale and will decide its own future.

A post Saturday from Katie Miller, wife of top White House aide Stephen Miller, showed Greenland covered with the American flag along with the comment “soon”, which has led some to wonder whether a merger is on the horizon.

When CNN asked Stephen Miller on Monday if he could deny that the United States planned to take over Greenland by force, he responded, “There’s no need to think or talk about a military operation in the context that you’re asking about.” No one is going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.”

Mr. Trump told reporters on Air Force One over the weekend that, although nothing was imminent, “We’ll worry about Greenland in about two months.” Let’s talk about Greenland in 20 days.”

Jens Frederik Nielsen, Prime Minister of Greenland scolded Mr Trump In a social media post, the merger suggestions were called “fantasies” and wrote: “Enough is enough.”

On Tuesday,leaders of europe “Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively by working with NATO allies, including the United States, while upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders. These are universal principles, and we will never stop defending them,” the government stated.

iran

growing opposition There has been tension in Iran for more than a week regarding the poor economic situation and such reports have also come Dozens of people have died In response, hours before the Venezuelan operation began, Mr Trump posted on social media that if Iran “violently executes peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States will come to their defence.” He said America is “closed and loaded”.

The president said of the demonstrations in Iran on Sunday, “We are watching it very closely. Should they resume their past practices of killing people, I believe the United States will retaliate strongly.

America executed air strikes in June against its major nuclear facilities, Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, in an effort to destroy Iran’s nuclear enrichment capability.

Cuba

Returning to Washington on Sunday, Mr. Trump told reporters, “It looks like Cuba is ready to fall,” adding that he did not know “if they are going to hold up.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s comments Saturday indicate Cuban leaders should be concerned: “If I lived in Havana and was in the government, I would be at least a little concerned.” A day later, on NBC News’ “Meet the Press”, he said of Cuba, “They’re in a lot of trouble.”

Rubio did not detail any plans for Cuba or its leaders, but said, “We clearly dislike the Cuban regime, which, by the way, was supporting Maduro.”

Rubio highlighted the close ties between Venezuela and Cuba, noting that Maduro relied on Cuban bodyguards for protection and saying that they were in charge of the Venezuelan government’s “internal intelligence.” The Cuban government reported that the military operation to capture Maduro resulted in the deaths of 32 Cubans.

For now, Mr Trump is content to see how things are going on the island.

“I don’t think we need any action in Cuba,” he said, adding that Cuba “has no income now – they get all their income from Venezuela, and Venezuelan oil. They’re not getting any of it. And Cuba is literally ready to collapse.”

Last year, Cuba’s oil imports from Venezuela fell 15% to 27,400 barrels a day. reuters It also said that Mexico’s supply to Cuba has fallen 73% to just 5,000 bpd in the same period from January to October.

Colombia

The president appears to have less patience for Colombian President Gustavo Petro, whom he accuses of illegal drug production and trafficking.

“Colombia is also very sick, run by a sick man who loves to make cocaine and sell it to the United States, and he won’t be doing that for very long, let me tell you,” Mr Trump told reporters on Saturday. Asked whether he was threatening a military operation in Colombia, the president responded, “That works for me. You know… they kill many people.”

The Trump administration has claimed that cocaine production has increased during Petro’s presidency, and Treasury Secretary Scott Besant sanctions announced Petro in October because he “allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to stop this activity.”

Petro has accused the US of violating international law by attacking alleged drug boats, which have now killed at least 115 people, and suggested some innocent civilians may have been killed in the attacks. The US refutes the claim that any of the boat attacks killed innocent civilians.

Petro – Joe Once belonged to a guerrilla group – warned Mr Trump against taking action in his country, writing on X that he had “sworn never to touch a weapon again,” but “for the Motherland I will take up weapons I do not want.”

Canada

While Mr Trump has talked about this before, making Canada the “51st State”, they have not raised it again since the Venezuela operation.

But Mr Trump has imposed punitive tariffs against Canada, raising tariffs to 35% in August, although a large portion of the goods are exempt because they are covered under the 2020 U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.

In October, Mr Trump threatened to end trade negotiations with Canada after an anti-tariff ad using Ronald Reagan’s voice ran in Ontario. Ontario Premier Doug Ford removed the ad, saying, “Our intention was always to start a conversation about what kind of economy Americans want to build and what the impact of tariffs will be on workers and businesses.”

Panama Canal

Mr Trump argued early in his term that the US should gain control of the strategic Panama Canal – drawing criticism from the government of Panama. America inspected the construction of the canal in the early 20th century and controlled it for decades but began ceding the canal and surrounding lands back to Panama in 1979.

He claimed in March he was “reclaiming the Panama Canal,” referring to a deal by a US-led consortium to buy a controlling stake in the company that operates ports near the canal. The President of Panama accused Mr Trump of “lying again”.

What is the Monroe Doctrine?

In 1823, James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States, presented to Congress an outline of America’s policy toward its neighbours in the Western Hemisphere. It was initially intended to ward off European colonialism, but the Monroe administration also wanted to increase America’s influence and trade alliances.

During the Cold War, the US cited the Monroe Doctrine to defend against the expansion of communism in Latin America.

The phrase “Don-Roe Doctrine” first appeared on the cover of the New York Post last year.



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Two sides of sombre, the singer shining in sadness

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Two sides of sombre, the singer shining in sadness

Ian Youngs, culture reporter

Getty Images Sombre sings into a microphone on a leaning stand in front of a red background in a shiny dark jacket at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.getty images

Fresh-faced alt-pop singer Sombre has landed third place on BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2026 list, which showcases the biggest new music artists for the next 12 months.

Going viral on TikTok, selling out a headline tour, appearing on Jimmy Fallon with a song about her ex (then finding her 15 missed calls), being enthusiastically endorsed by Taylor Swift, having hit films in the US and UK… Every time Sombre gets a big break, a bigger break soon follows.

Sombre’s nomination for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards in just a few weeks could be her next and biggest success yet.

Even at this stage of his career, this will not be the 20-year-old player’s first award.

In September, she won the Moonman Trophy at the MTV Video Music Awards and gave a performance aimed at introducing the public to her musical persona.

Or personality.

Getty Images The sombre half-open black shirt and black leather trousers hold a microphone stand and look moody on stage next to a guitarist at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.getty images
Sombre kicked off his MTV VMAs performance in rock god mode in September…
Getty Images The man in the sombre black suit is holding a microphone on stage, surrounded by several female dancers wearing short dresses with their hair blowing in the wind as they dance.getty images
…before switching to her dazzling pop star persona

Dressed in leather trousers and a black shirt half open to the chest, he launched into an angst-filled Back to Friends with a rock band covered in dry ice, in a set modelled after a dirty club, looking every inch the moody indie messiah.

Then, after quickly donning a shimmering black jacket, she was carried up onto the stage by scantily clad dancers, who twirled around (and against) her as she sang the distinctive disco 12 to 12 under a giant glitterball while Ariana Grande jumped up and down in approval.

That mash-up highlighted two sides of Sombre.

On one hand, he is a troubled indie artist who composed a comprehensive album filled entirely with songs—truly full—centered on themes of heartbreak and emotional pain.

On the other hand, he’s a flawless pop star who gives those songs catchy melodies and great production and delivers them with swagger in a cool suit.

He fills the void left by Jeff Buckley and Harry Styles.

Also included in the mix are excerpts from Matty Healy from The 1975, Jim Morrison from The Doors; and Justin Hawkins from The Darkness.

However, in today’s genre-fluid music landscape, you don’t have to pick a side. It’s possible for Dr Buckley and Mr Styles to be both cool and pop.

Getty Images A silver astronaut holds up the MTV VMA Moon Man trophy at the sombre 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.getty images
Sombre wins Best Alternative Video at the MTV VMAs

Sombre has named Buckley and Radiohead among his musical heroes and said that he has “always been an “alternative music” guy.”

In fact, their MTV award was named “Best Choice” for the video for Back to Friends.

All kinds of alternative music have always captivated me, he says.

“But at the same time, I grew up listening to pop radio in the car or with my parents, and my favourite pop act would be – if it’s even considered pop, I think it’s considered pop – Daft Punk.

“With my natural tastes and upbringing, I found it to be a perfect fit between the poppy hooks and production in some of it and my instrumentation and indie approach to writing.

“A lot of my songs are guitar-heavy. I can never make a full-blown pop song. It always has to have that alternative touch.”

Sombre, wearing a brown jumper, holds a microphone stand with both hands and looks away from the camera

New Yorker Shane Buss became sombre when he posted his first song, Gorgeous Wistful Caroline, on TikTok in 2022, at the age of 16.

He recalls, “I woke up the next day and it was viral, and almost every record label was in my inbox.” “So, as crazy as it sounds, it was an overnight success.”

However, it took three years to go from overnight success to mainstream success, and the path was not always straightforward.

They signed to Warner Records but had lost their way creatively by the end of 2024.

“I was 18 years old. I had just dropped out of high school when I signed a label, and, you know, I didn’t really know what I was doing. And I still don’t know…

“It’s always a strange experience when music transitions from being a hobby to becoming a business or a job.” Do you know what comes to your mind? I didn’t have any backup plan. Therefore, success is not a requirement for this endeavour.

last point

With his career on hold, Sombre was preparing for the possibility of moving back in with his parents, going back to school, and becoming Plain Shane again.

He says, “It was very slow going and it was having a creative effect on me because I started trying to make what I thought people wanted to hear, or what I thought would be beneficial, but that wasn’t working. That never works.”

“So I said, [Forget] this… I’m going to make exactly what I want to make right now. And that was Back to Friends.”.

PA Media Sombre performing on The Graham Norton Show in November 2025 in a half-open white shirt and black jacket with decorative embroidery, leaning on a microphone stand with one hand.pa media
Sombre performed on the BBC’s Graham Norton Show in November.

Sombre says writing not to please others but from the heart opens up everything.

And it was from the heart. Back to Friends is about the pain of spending a night with someone she considers merely casual and meaningless.

More content flowed in, all on the same theme of unrequited or lost love.

He says, “These songs are just about relationships and some of my experiences as a young person with love, loss, and life in between.” “It came out effortlessly.”

This brief description understates the painful sadness simmering beneath the surface of his songs.

Now you are breaking my spirit, my beloved,” Sombre lamented in Crushing, the opening track of her debut album, I Barely Know Her.

Lines from other songs are “You were never mine but I was always yours” (I wish I knew how to leave you); “I try to go on dates but none of them are you” (Canal Street); and “I don’t want any other man’s children to have eyes like the girl I’ll never forget” (With clothes removed).

When Sombre made his TV debut last May singing Back to Friends on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, he posted on TikTok that he’d come off the set to watch 15 missed calls from the girl who gave him all that inspiration by rejecting him.

What did his messages say? He said, “I just saw you on Fallen.” I changed my mind.’

“You know, that’s how it goes. The first thing I did was [show] that a career is getting serious. So I think he saw that.”

Like his songs, this is just his side of the conversation. Did he react or did he move on?

“I’ve moved on. There was no reaction from me and it’s in the past, you know?

“My experiences are now reflected in my art, and that is the only place they exist.”

dating game

Putting your most personal feelings out for public consumption has other unintended consequences.

In May, Sombre posted a clip of that line from Undressed with the caption: “Real question: How do I re-enter the dating scene after writing this song?”

How’s that going?

“Not good, man, not good,” he replies with a sarcastic smile. “I’m figuring it out.”

And after striking gold from a relationship experience, how did he find fresh inspiration to re-enter the field of songwriting?

He replied, “It is not a problem.” I am currently living a highly inspiring and dynamic life, so I am not experiencing significant difficulties.

“I’m travelling the world, doing what I love, seeing new places, meeting new people. So it’s not too hard.”

The action will continue in 2026 with more sell-out tours, TV slots, awards shows, and accolades — and hopefully, for her sake, some songs about falling in love, too.

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