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James Matthews, US correspondent
Jan 5
Nicolas Maduro is in a jail housing America's 'most unwanted' - and it's far from presidential

To look at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Centre (MDC), you would hardly know it housed America's "most unwanted" if it wasn't for the add-ons across the street - the media and protesters out in their numbers. The only outward sign of high security was a trio of armed officers, in military fatigues, on shuttle patrol between the flyover at one end of the building and the refuse tip at the other. Follow live: Trump issues fresh warning to Venezuela This is an industrial corner of Brooklyn and the MDC deals in the justice business, top end. Previous inmates include Sean Diddy Combs, Ghislaine Maxwell and Sam Bankman-Fried, the crypto fraudster. They were afforded accommodation arrangements that ensured degrees of separation from the general population, as much for their safety as anything else. It's to be assumed Nicolas Maduro will be subject to similar. At the MDC, they call it "special administrative measures", which is more as in 'measures' than 'special'. The tight security and isolation would test any man. And that's before you get to the conditions inside, commonly criticised as unsafe and insanitary. Presidential, it's not. If the operation to get Maduro to the US was one logistical adventure, his journey from Brooklyn to a Manhattan courthouse will be another. Today, he faces an arraignment hearing at midday local time (5pm UK time) - at which charges are typically read to the accused and they are invited to enter a plea. It is a landmark case and it is box office. Read more from Sky News:Trump's demands over GreenlandMilitary calls for Maduro's releaseTrump's focus is Venezuela's oil A number of professional "line sitters" have been hired to reserve places for media organisations wanting a space in court 26A for USA v Maduro Moros. They typically charge $25 (£18.60) an hour and are more used to queuing for Broadway shows. 👉 Follow Trump100 on your podcast app 👈 Trump in Venezuela is the reality performance everyone wants to see and, despite mixed reviews, it's one he may yet take on tour. Cuba, Colombia and Greenland have all attracted the attention of the belligerent president in the hours since he captured Maduro. There is much more to this developing story than what happens inside a New York courtroom. Nicolas Maduro's court appearance may be the hottest ticket in town but it's almost, already, starting to feel like a sideshow.

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Sadiya Chowdhury, news correspondent
Jan 3
The Voice Of Hind Rajab: Brad Pitt-backed film about death of child in Gaza set for UK release

The January 2024 killing of Hind Rajab shocked the world after her desperate telephone calls with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) emergency services were recorded in real time and made public. Hind and six of her relatives (the Hamada family) had been attempting to escape the fighting in Gaza City when their car came under attack. The Voice Of Hind Rajab, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, fuses Hind's actual voice with a dramatised performance to tell the story of her desperate cries for help. Set inside the charity's West Bank call centre, the film reconstructs the resolute efforts of Red Crescent workers during a hopeless negotiation with the Israelis over a safe route for the rescue. Over 90 minutes, an avoidable tragedy is played out from the perspective of the call handlers who listen, refuse to abandon hope, and sometimes fight over the rules of sending an ambulance out to a deadly mission. The film invites an audience that already knows how the story ends to feel the long and frustrating wait, and to experience the complex Israeli protocols Palestinians have to live by. What unfolds is an uncomfortable watch as day turns to evening and the child's voice pleads: "Please don't leave me, I'm afraid of the dark." 'The magical power of cinema' Director Kaouther Ben Hania says the film was not about investigating the death. Speaking to Sky News, she said she wanted to let audiences feel what life is like for Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. "This story was investigated by The Washington Post and Sky News, so in terms of explaining what happened, this was done," she said. "I asked myself what can cinema bring to the table? Cinema has a magical power of empathy - you experience 'otherness', you live the life of others. And I thought, we are done explaining, now let's feel. "What does it mean to be Palestinian, working in the Red Crescent? Your mission is to save lives, and you have this system making your life impossible." PRCS staff kept Hind on the line for hours through multiple calls before an ambulance could finally be dispatched. By 6pm, the ambulance crew were close to the family car, telling dispatchers they had their emergency lights on but no siren. "Oh, there she is," a paramedic said, just before communication ended abruptly with the sound of heavy gunfire. Both paramedics were killed, and all nine bodies were found 12 days later. 'I felt my heart going to explode' Palestinian actor Motaz Malhees plays Omar, the first call handler to take Hind's call. He told Sky News how repeatedly hearing the child's voice during the making of the film took its toll on the cast and crew. "Thinking about it and hearing her voice begging to be rescued, I was feeling so powerless," he said. "There were some moments I felt I had panic attacks, and during one of the scenes I felt my heart is going to explode." Awards buzz and big name backing The film is a contender at this year's Oscars and received a record 23-minute standing ovation at the 2025 Venice Film Festival where it won the Grand Jury Prize. Hollywood elites Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix signed on as executive producers, which Malhees said felt like "a great honour." The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it was not in the area on the day of Hind's death, but it made its presence there public, perhaps mistakenly. Twelve days after the attack, on the same day the car and ambulance were found, the IDF published a press release about its activities in Gaza, saying "over the last two weeks" it had "conducted raids on terror targets" with forces operating in Shati and Tel al Hawa neighbourhoods in Gaza. Tel al Hawa is the same neighbourhood where Hind Rajab, the Hamada family, and the paramedics were killed. The press release was later deleted from the IDF website and a Sky News investigation found a number of Israeli tanks were indeed present and likely to have fired at civilians. The Voice Of Hind Rajab is set for UK and Irish theatrical release on 16 January.

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No Writer
Jan 4
UK government refuses to say if US broke international law over Maduro capture

Darren Jones, chief secretary to the prime minister, told Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips it was "for the Americans to set out the legal basis for their operation". He also confirmed the UK was not involved and was not informed beforehand. Venezuela latest: Maduro seen in US 'perp walk' video However, former Conservative foreign secretary Priti Patel said the UK should "absolutely" have anticipated what was going to happen as "it's pretty clear that was the direction of travel". US airstrikes were carried out across Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday morning, when President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and flown to the US, arriving in New York on Sunday, where they were charged with narco-terrorism. Mr Trump said on Saturday the US will "run" Venezuela until a "proper transition" can take place. In the UK government's first reaction to that, Mr Jones said they are "not entirely clear yet what President Trump meant by those comments" and insisted no assumptions should be made - but said they are "not in favour of colonialism". He refused multiple times to say whether the US had violated international law, which several other nations have questioned - including France, Spain, Canada, Germany, as well as UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Mr Jones said: "We're advocates for international law and the rules based order. But I can't give you a view right now on President Trump's legal basis for his operation, because that's for the Americans to explain." He added: "It's for international courts to make judgments on international law." Sir Keir would also not be drawn on whether the US broke international law, telling the BBC he was waiting to establish all the facts but would not "shy away from this", adding he was a "lifelong advocate of international law". Read more:Trump has started with Venezuela but he may not stop thereRecruitment drive launched for new magistrates Ex-MI6 chief: Americans law unto themselves The head of MI6 from 2009 to 2014, Sir John Sawers, told Trevor Phillips the US operation would "not have passed muster" in the UK or Europe as Mr Trump's government is relying upon a law enforcement legal basis rather than defence. "I'm not surprised Keir Starmer and his government have distanced themselves from this operation without actually making any criticism of it, because it wouldn't pass muster here in the UK," he said. "But Americans are a law unto themselves."

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Rob Dorsett, Dan Khan and Vik Varange
Jan 5
Ruben Amorim at Man Utd: Growing tension between head coach and club hierarchy including director of football Jason Wilcox

While there is disagreement over their January transfer window strategy, there is a wider disagreement about the team's tactical approach going forward. Amorim has been bullish about moving away from his preferred 3-4-3 system this season, which is understood to be at the root of an increasingly strained relationship with his bosses. Amorim: I came to Man Utd to be a manager, not a head coachMan Utd news & transfers🔴| Man Utd fixtures & scoresGot Sky? Watch Man Utd games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺 When it comes to the transfer window, Amorim wants United to spend to help drive them into the Champions League places, while the club are currently continuing their long-term plan to develop the squad. As Sky Sports News revealed last week, that includes a priority to sign at least one - maybe two - top central-midfield players in the summer, as well as potentially another winger, striker and centre-back. From United's point of view, they are determined to avoid a return to short-term transfer spending and will stick to their long-term financial plan to develop the squad strategically over successive transfer windows. Sky Sports News has been told that, while United's bosses are aware of how stretched the squad is right now, the feeling is that it will be considerably eased when three key players - Bryan Mbuemo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui - return from the Africa Cup of Nations over the next fortnight. Clearly, Amorim is not currently satisfied with the amount of work being done behind the scenes to bring new players in sooner. It is a common theme at football clubs, especially in January, that managers and head coaches want reinforcements to achieve an objective, while club bosses tend to show more restraint, and it creates tension. However, this does feel somewhat different with Amorim. His latest outburst, following the draw at Leeds, in which he said he joined United to be their manager, not their head coach, came after two weeks of subtle comments in his media commitments targeted at the club's hierarchy. He said on Christmas Eve to play his "perfect 3-4-3, we need to spend a lot of money - I'm starting to understand that is not going to happen", then a few days later spoke about the importance of finding "middle ground" between himself and Wilcox. His mood, especially in his pre-match news conference ahead of the Leeds game, was notably different and cold compared to what the weekly media contingent have been used to and that continued in the lead-up to his explosive comments after the 1-1 draw at Elland Road. Amorim has also made explosive statements before that have thrown his situation at the club into the air, quickly followed by some sort of clarification, blowing over in a week, especially if the next result is positive. Carragher: Amorim is not good enough to be Manchester United boss Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher: "I don't think he is in any position whatsoever to be questioning the people who appointed him. Because he's not good enough. He's not good enough to be Manchester United's manager. He's barely competent enough to be a Premier League manager right now." On why Amorim is speaking out: "It can only be two things. It can either be about the January transfer market, that he's not being backed. Or the people above him are questioning that he's flip-flopping between systems. "It started to look like he was getting somewhere with a back four, he went back to a five at the back against Wolves and it was possibly the worst performance from a team we've seen against Wolves this season." Neville: Amorim is starting to unleash Speaking on his Sky Sports podcast, Neville said: "Something has happened in the last week which means that Amorim is starting to unleash a little bit. "It looks to me that he is not happy with something in the hierarchy." "Obviously, something is annoying him, he's obviously not feeling the support. He's obviously letting go. When you say that you came to the club as a manager... I thought he was appointed as the head coach and quite clearly appointed to coach the team. "Manager is a title that we don't see anymore. Manager suggests that he's saying he wants to manage more than just the training ground performance, he wants to oversee other parts of the club." Timeline: Amorim's destructive quotes December 24: Amorim admits that he may not get the money necessary to perfect his 3-4-3 system. In his pre-Newcastle press conference, Amorim said: "I have the feeling that if we have to play perfect 3-4-3, we need to spend a lot of money and we need time, I'm starting to understand that is not going to happen and maybe I have to adapt." Dan Khan's analysis: "This was the first sign of Amorim admitting that there had clearly been some background conversations around his system and that their January spending may have to be rethought. "It was also the first time the United boss had admitted he may have to adapt his system due to these factors. Previously, Amorim had mentioned he would evolve his system when he feels it is the right time, but that choice may be taken out of his own hands." December 26: Amorim says common ground has to be found with the board and director of football Jason Wilcox. Speaking after the Newcastle game, Amorim said: "We are doing things sometimes, I have one idea, Jason and board have another idea - every decision that we make, we need to reach a common ground. "That is really important because you don't need to make everything for the manager because a manager can change and you need to change everything, but you always need to understand that the manager understands the way of playing. "We are trying every player who comes here, if you don't reach common ground, the player will not come." January 2: Amorim has an unsettling news conference with an evident mood change. You said recently you are now starting to understand that to play your 3-4-3, you'd have to have a lot of top players and you're starting to understand that's not possible - why didn't you realise that when you first came into the club or can you clarify what you meant exactly? "I don't want to talk about that, I just focus on the Leeds game." It's not like you to not want to talk about it? Do you regret it? "No, no but I don't want to talk about that." Has something changed with regard to the budget, something you've been told, has Jason Wilcox maybe talked to you about it? "I don't want to talk about that, but you are very smart." Dan Khan's analysis: "This was about what Amorim did not say rather than what he did. As soon as the United boss walked into the room, the energy felt different. "Even after difficult results against Grimsby and Brentford this season Amorim had always come into his next news conference with a smile and maybe a joke - easing the tension in the room ahead of tough questions. There was a coldness to his answers, the spark in his eyes was not visible." January 4: Amorim sensationally claims that he joined Manchester United to be their manager, not their head coach. Dan Khan's analysis: "Despite being appointed as United's head coach over 12 months ago, his repeated assertion that he will be the 'manager' of the club and just the 'coach' was a clear sign of how he feels. "To call out the names of Thomas Tuchel, Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho - and almost self-depreciate himself but at the same time demand the same respect was an interesting method to signify his point." Man Utd's next five fixturesJanuary 7: Burnley (A) - Premier League, kick-off 8.15pm, live on Sky SportsJanuary 11: Brighton (H) - FA Cup third round, kick-off 4.30pmJanuary 17: Man City (H) - Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm, live on Sky SportsJanuary 25: Arsenal (A) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky SportsFebruary 1: Fulham (H) - Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports

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No Writer
Jan 5
Denmark's PM urges Donald Trump to stop threats to take over Greenland

Mr Trump has long advocated for the mineral-rich island, a self-governing Danish territory, to become part of the United States. Speaking a day after the US captured Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, Mr Trump told The Atlantic: "We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence." Follow latest: Handcuffed Venezuelan PM in US custody In a statement issued on Sunday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said: "It makes absolutely no sense to ⁠talk about the US needing to take over Greenland. "The US has no right to annex any of the three countries in ​the Danish Kingdom." Ms Frederiksen continued: "I would therefore strongly urge the ‌US to stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people, who have very clearly ​said that they are not for sale." Trump comments 'disrespectful' Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has also criticised Mr Trump's latest comments, labelling them "disrespectful". He said in a statement: "When the President of the United States says ‍that 'we need Greenland' and links us to Venezuela and military intervention, it's not just wrong. It's disrespectful." Mr Trump's latest comments came a day after he said Washington will temporarily "run" Venezuela following the detention of its hard-left president, which has heightened concerns that something similar could happen to Greenland. After the raid, a former Trump administration official turned podcaster, Katie Miller, posted an illustrated map of Greenland in the colours of the US stars and stripes with the caption: "SOON." Responding to Ms Miller, who is married to Mr Trump's influential deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, Danish ambassador to the US, Jesper Moller Sorensen, said: "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark." France also reiterated its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Greenland and Denmark, with foreign ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux ‍telling TF1 TV: "It is solidarity with Denmark...Greenland belongs to Greenland's people ‌and to Denmark's people. It is up ‌to them to decide what they wish to do. Borders cannot be changed by force." UK government minister Mike Tapp refused to say if it would be wrong for Mr Trump to invade Greenland during an interview on Sky News' Mornings with Ridge and Frost. After dodging the question from Sophy Ridge three times, he said: "This isn't for me to sit here and talk about hypotheticals. We could go on forever." Why is Trump interested in Greenland? The president has long been interested in the US owning Greenland - and once suggested buying it in what would "essentially [be] a large real estate deal". The Arctic island's strategic position between Europe and the US makes it a key site for a ballistic missile defence system. Its mineral wealth is also attractive as the US hopes to reduce its reliance on Chinese exports. Read more:Can Trump halt Venezuela's oil production decline?White House gives Maduro the meme treatment Greenland, a former Danish colony, depends heavily ​on Danish subsidies but has the right to declare independence under a 2009 agreement. Denmark has sought to repair strained ties with Greenland over the past year, while also investing in Arctic defence as part of efforts to ease tensions with the Trump administration.

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Jenness Mitchell, Scotland reporter
Jan 3
The most anticipated films coming to cinemas in 2026

Film fans flocked to the cinema in 2025, with Ne Zha 2, Zootopia 2, Lilo & Stitch and A Minecraft Movie dominating the worldwide box office. Wicked: For Good bowed out with a bang despite the musical being received less enthusiastically than its predecessor. The sequel surpassed the first film to earn the highest opening weekend for a Broadway adaptation but left critics less spellbound amid complaints of messy pacing, weak new songs, a lack of colour and inconsistent lighting. We said goodbye to Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning as we welcomed David Corenswet's Clark Kent in Superman. It was a fantastic year for horror with Sinners and Weapons at the front of the pack. A number of Marvel Studios pictures that would normally reap billion-dollar rewards had disappointing box office runs, including Thunderbolts*, Captain America: Brave New World, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Jurassic World Rebirth was deemed a box office success - stomping past $800m worldwide - but received mixed reviews from audiences. Meanwhile, Snow White, M3GAN 2.0, and Tron: Ares completely flopped despite high expectations. As we head into 2026, here are some of the pictures that will be aiming to entice film lovers to the cinema this year. Dune: Part Three Denis Villeneuve's epic science fiction space opera will come to a close with this third and final instalment in his Dune film trilogy. Based on Frank Herbert's 1969 novel Dune Messiah, it will continue the journey of Paul Atreides/Muad'dib (Timothee Chalamet) as he rules as emperor but finds himself burdened by the devastating consequences of his holy war. The film - which already boasted a stacked cast including Zendaya (Chani), Rebecca Ferguson (Lady Jessica), Josh Brolin (Gurney Halleck), Florence Pugh (Princess Irulan) and Anya Taylor-Joy (Alia Atreides) - has added Robert Pattinson to the bill. And although previously playing coy, it would be surprising if Javier Bardem (Stilgar) failed to return as the Fremen leader as his character appears in the book. Dune: Part Three is scheduled for release in December. The Odyssey A number of blockbusters are set to duke it out in a bid to be crowned champion of the summer box office. Oscar-winning director Sir Christopher Nolan will be looking to emulate the success of Oppenheimer with his adaptation of the classic Greek myth, The Odyssey. Written and directed by Nolan, the action fantasy film is based on Homer's ancient epic. The story follows Odysseus, legendary king of Ithica, on his long and perilous journey home after the Trojan War. During his dangerous voyage, the hero encounters a number of mythical creatures - including the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, and witch-goddess Circe. Nolan loves an ensemble cast and The Odyssey does not disappoint with the likes of Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Mia Goth, Jon Bernthal, Elliot Page and Samantha Morton just a few names on the star-studded bill. The Odyssey is scheduled for release in July. Spider-Man: Brand New Day Tom Holland has once again suited up to play Marvel's friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the 38th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the fourth in the MCU Spider-Man series. The story will pick up after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Peter Parker made the ultimate sacrifice to stop the multiverse from collapsing. The former Avenger lost his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), as well as his friends, and went back to fighting street-level crime as opposed to world-ending events. The solitary hero doesn't look like he'll be on his own for long, however, with violent vigilante Frank Castle/Punisher (Jon Bernthal) set to join him. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon will reprise their roles as Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson and Ned Leeds respectively, with Mark Ruffalo also expected to appear as Bruce Banner/Hulk. Stranger Things star Sadie Sink is a new addition to the cast, but the powers that be are yet to confirm what character she'll be playing. Some fans have speculated that she could be May "Mayday" Parker, Mary Jane Watson, Gwen Stacy, or indeed X-Men mutant Jean Grey. Filming took place across the UK, including at Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey, Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, and at Battersea Park in London. In Glasgow city centre, streets were transformed into New York as crowds lined up to watch one of the film's action set pieces. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled for release in July. Avengers: Doomsday Avengers: Doomsday is the 39th film in the MCU and the fifth in the Avengers series. It is set to follow on from the events of Thunderbolts* and will see the Avengers, Wakandans, Fantastic Four, New Avengers and X-Men team up to take on Doctor Doom. It would be quicker to list those not in the sequel - with directors Anthony and Joe Russo securing an all-star cast of previously seen superheroes. Chris Evans will return as Steve Rogers, with Chris Hemsworth also set to reappear as Thor. Most notably, Robert Downey Jr will be playing supervillain Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom. Although he last stepped out in the MCU as Tony Stark/Iron Man, it's not unusual for actors to reappear in another Marvel role. Among multiple others, Evans was Johnny Storm/Human Torch before he was Steve Rogers/Captain America, Ryan Reynolds was Hannibal King before becoming Wade Wilson/Deadpool, and Jon Favreau was Franklin "Foggy" Nelson before Harold "Happy" Hogan. Alternatively, the Russo brothers could explain Doom's appearance by way of a darker Iron Man variant from the multiverse, or even that the villain is manipulating his looks to resemble the fallen Avenger. The casting has been criticised by some as nostalgia-baiting. And again, while not unusual, it was reported the filmmakers were shooting without a finalised script, which has sparked concerns the production could end up a hot mess. The critical and commercial success of the MCU did taper off following Avengers: Endgame. Doomsday has the potential to bring that shine back, but fans will be expecting more than green screen overuse. At the moment, it's set to go head-to-head with Dune: Part Three - so we have another potential Barbenheimer (the simultaneous theatrical release of Barbie and Oppenheimer). However, don't be surprised if one of the competing studios buckle and move their release date to avoid the blockbusters from cannibalising each other at the box office. Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for release in December. Michael The life and career of Michael Jackson is being brought to the big screen by acclaimed director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer trilogy). Written by John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator), the film will tell the tale of the King of Pop from his time with The Jackson 5 as a child to becoming a global icon in the years that followed. If the timeline charts Jackson's life right up to his death in 2009, it will be interesting to see how the filmmakers approach the highly publicised child sexual abuse allegations levelled against the late American singer-songwriter. It was due to be released in 2025, but the troubled production suffered delays and reshoots. Jackson's daughter, Paris, has distanced herself from the biopic, claiming she had "0% involvement" in the film. However, there is certainly appetite for the film. The teaser trailer was viewed 116.2 million times within its first 24 hours - breaking a Lionsgate record and making it the most-viewed music biopic or concert trailer of all time, surpassing the 96.1 million for Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour. Jackson is being played by his own nephew, Jaafar Jackson, alongside a cast that also includes Miles Teller as entertainment lawyer John Branca, Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson. Michael is scheduled for release in April. Psycho Killer 2026 is gearing up to be another great year for horror - with Psycho Killer at the top of that list. The film revolves around a Kansas highway patrol officer (Georgina Campbell) who sets out on a journey to track down her husband's murderer. As the hunt progresses, she comes to realise the man responsible (James Preston Rogers) is a sadistic serial killer with a sinister agenda more twisted than anyone could have imagined. Writer Andrew Kevin Walker also penned David Fincher's Seven and Joel Schumacher's 8mm - with both crime thrillers leaving a long-lasting impression on audiences. Gavin Polone, who produced 8mm, is making his directorial debut with the satanic panic-themed production. Expect creepy jump-scares and an ending that will most likely leave you bruised. Psycho Killer is scheduled for release in February. Scream 7 The Scream series has been scaring audiences for 30 years. However, the departure of Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) from the franchise caused a devastating split in the fanbase. The Mexican actress was fired from the slasher sequel after her pro-Palestinian social media posts were deemed "antisemitic" by production company Spyglass Media Group. Wednesday star Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) subsequently left the project, which most likely has brought an end to the Carpenter sisters' storyline. Given the controversy, disgruntled fans have been sharing potential spoilers online and have vowed a boycott. As part of filmmaker efforts to win over unhappy cinemagoers, Scream 7 welcomes back original final girl Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott. Campbell returns to the series after being absent from Scream VI. This time round, the frightening game of cat-and-mouse sees killer Ghostface target Sidney's daughter, Tatum (Isabel May) - aptly named in honour of Rose McGowan's best friend character from the first film. Courteney Cox will return as Gale Weathers, with Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding additionally reprising their roles as twins Mindy and Chad Meeks-Martin. Anna Camp, Mckenna Grace, Michelle Randolph, Asa Germann and Joel McHale join the franchise. Scream 7 is scheduled for release in February. Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come Since the release of Ready Or Not in 2019, fans have been screaming for a sequel to the snappy horror-comedy. Samara Weaving is set to return as Grace MacCaullay - the former daughter-in-law of the devil-worshiping Le Domas family who was forced to fight for survival during a deadly game of hide-and-seek on her wedding night. The sequel picks up immediately after the first film, with scream queen Weaving catapulted into a new nightmare. The honeymoon is well and truly over as she goes head-to-head with the wealthy high court families who have been tasked to hunt her down in a bid to control the world. This time round she is joined by younger sister Grace, played by Kathryn Newton. From the trailer, Sarah Michelle Gellar appears to channel her inner Buffy The Vampire Slayer for a cool stake-style battle move. However, her character Ursula Danforth does not seem to be a hero and is instead one of the big bads. The all-star affair also includes Shawn Hatosy, Elijah Wood, Nestor Carbonell, Kevin Durand, and legendary horror master David Cronenberg. Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come is scheduled for release in March. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple was shot back-to-back with 28 Years Later and is the fourth film in the franchise. It takes place after the events of the previous entry - which ended with the shock scare of a cult styled after prolific sex offender Jimmy Savile. As youngster Spike (Alfie Williams) is inducted into Sir Jimmy Crystal's (Jack O'Connell) gang of sadistic killers, Dr Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) makes a discovery that could alter the post-apocalyptic world. Erin Kellyman (Jimmy Ink), Emma Laird (Jimmima), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Jamie) and Chi Lewis-Parry (Samson) additionally reprise their roles from 28 Years Later. There are rumblings Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy, who starred as Jim in the first film, could appear to set the stage for the next planned instalment. Nia DaCosta was behind the camera for this instalment, which was once again written by Alex Garland. Director Danny Boyle is set to return for the currently untitled fifth film. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is scheduled for release in January. Scary Movie 6 Scary Movie 6 will reboot the Wayans brothers' much-loved horror-parody franchise. Fan favourites Anna Faris (Cindy Campbell) and Regina Hall (Brenda Meeks) are returning, as are Marlon Wayans (Shorty Meeks), Shawn Wayans (Ray Wilkins), Jon Abrahams (Bobby Prinze), Lochlyn Munro (Greg Phillippe) and Dave Sheridan (Doofy Gilmore). It has been 13 years since Scary Movie 5 was released. In that time, the Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer franchises have continued. Other horrors we could see parodied include Get Out, Nope, Longlegs, Heretic, Sinners, the Terrifier films, The Conjuring Universe, Midsommar, M3GAN, Smile, The Substance, A Quiet Place and It. Scary Movie 6 is scheduled for release in June. The Devil Wears Prada 2 The Devil Wears Prada was a critical and commercial hit when it was released in 2006. The film helped to launch Emily Blunt's Hollywood career and would later spawn a West End musical. Now 20 years on, we're finally getting a sequel with Meryl Streep (Miranda Priestly), Anne Hathaway (Andrea "Andy" Sachs), Stanley Tucci (Nigel Kipling) and Blunt (Emily Charlton) reprising their roles from the first film. The original novel was written by Lauren Weisberger, who briefly worked at Vogue as an assistant to then editor-in-chief Dame Anna Wintour. Weisberger wrote a sequel, Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns, set a decade after the events of the first book. It is not yet clear how closely the second film will resemble the novel, which sees Andy about to get married and now a successful magazine editor in her own right. The teaser trailer gives nothing away, but reports have suggested it will follow tyrannical magazine editor Miranda as she navigates the decline of traditional print journalism. The Devil Wears Prada 2 is scheduled for release in May. Masters Of The Universe Mattel's Masters Of The Universe franchise has been entertaining children for decades. There's been plenty of comics, cartoons, action figures and games, but only one live-action He-Man film - the 1987 cult classic starring Dolph Lundgren and Courteney Cox. There have been numerous attempts over the years to get another film over the line, but each time the planned productions found themselves stuck in development quagmire. Once Amazon MGM Studios snapped up the rights, work steamed onward on the superhero flick. It will reportedly follow a young Prince Adam of Eternia as he crash-lands on Earth and becomes separated from his magical power sword. After tracking it down years later, he must uncover the mysteries of his past if he is to take on the mantle of He-Man in the battle for his home planet against the evil forces of Skeletor. Nicholas Galitzine is a fine choice for the role of Prince Adam/He-Man, and he has bulked up to play the hero. Meanwhile, Jared Leto will be hoping his performance as the villainous Keldor/Skeletor proves a critical hit - he needs a boost after his last three films flopped (Morbius, Haunted Mansion and Tron: Ares). One of the most exciting castings is Alison Brie as Professor Evelyn Powers/Evil-Lyn. Brie has a larger-than-life personality so we should see her having a lot of fun playing the dastardly sorceress. Camila Mendes, who earned her stripes at the school of Riverdale, will also have an opportunity to show off her action capabilities as Teela - captain of the guards and Man-At-Arms' adoptive daughter. Idris Elba (Duncan/Man-At-Arms), Morena Baccarin (Sorceress of Castle Grayskull), James Purefoy (King Randor), Charlotte Riley (Queen Marlena Glenn) and Kristen Wiig (Roboto) are also part of the cast. Masters Of The Universe is scheduled for release in June. Mortal Kombat II / Street Fighter Fans of both the Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter video game series are in for a treat this year. It feels like the 1990s all over again, but we've come a long way from the Christopher Lambert and Jean-Claude Van Damme cult classics. Mortal Kombat II is a follow-up to the 2021 reboot, with Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) joining the champions of Earthrealm as they are forced into battle against one another as they attempt to resist the dark rule of Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford). In Street Fighter, estranged fighters Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo) are thrown back into combat when the mysterious Chun-Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament. As the pair take part in the brutal clash of fists, fate and fury, they unearth a deadly conspiracy that forces them to face off against each other and the demons of their past before it's game over. The cast also includes Jason Momoa as Blanka, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson as Balrog, and David Dastmalchian as M Bison. Mortal Kombat II is scheduled for release in May, with Street Fighter following in October. The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping is based on Suzanne Collins' prequel novel which revolves around Haymitch Abernathy's experience during the 50th edition of the deadly competition. The story explores Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games and how the horrific experience and aftermath of the Second Quarter Quell shapes Haymitch into the mentor Katniss Everdeen later knows. The dystopian action film is the sixth instalment in the series and serves as both a sequel to The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes and a prequel to The Hunger Games. Joseph Zada, who recently appeared in Amazon Prime Video's We Were Liars, takes the lead as Haymitch. Mckenna Grace is playing District 12 tribute Maysilee Donner, while Ralph Fiennes takes over from Tom Blyth and Donald Sutherland as the tyrannical President Coriolanus Snow. The always amazing Jesse Plemons is playing a younger Plutarch Heavensbee (previously the late Philip Seymour Hoffman), with Elle Fanning in the role of Effie Trinket (previously Elizabeth Banks) and Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman (previously Stanley Tucci). Legendary actress Glenn Close will most likely steal a few scenes as venom-tongued Capitol loyalist and District 12 escort Drusilla Sickle. The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping is scheduled for release in November. Wuthering Heights Wuthering Heights, first published in 1847 and the only novel by author Emily Bronte, is often considered a classic of English literature. The passionate and tumultuous love story between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff is set against the backdrop of the rugged West Yorkshire moors. Saltburn writer and director Emerald Fennell is behind this loose adaptation of the gothic novel, with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as the star-crossed lovers. The production has attracted controversy - with some critics suggesting Robbie, 35, is too old to play the role of a young maiden. Others have singled out an apparent lack of historical accuracy in relation to the design of a wedding dress. Owen Cooper, the youngest male actor to win an Emmy for his performance as teenage murder suspect Jamie Miller in hit Netflix miniseries Adolescence, is set to portray the young Heathcliff. Meanwhile Charli XCX, the musician behind the cultural phenomenon Brat Summer, is contributing an album of original songs for the soundtrack. The question on everyone's lips though - will the erotic psychological drama feature a scene similar to Saltburn's jaw-dropping bathtub moment? Wuthering Heights is scheduled for release in February. Narnia: The Magician's Nephew The Magician's Nephew is the sixth published but first chronological novel in CS Lewis' The Chronicles Of Narnia series. It tells the tale of two children - Digory and Polly - who become ensnared in otherworldly travel by Digory's eccentric uncle. Their adventures lead them to witness the creation of Narnia by lion Aslan and how evil sorceress Jadis becomes the White Witch. Writer and director Greta Gerwig (Barbie) is bringing the story to the big screen, reuniting with rising star Emma Mackey - who's playing Jadis, the future antagonist of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. BAFTA-winner Carey Mulligan and former 007 Daniel Craig are also part of the cast. The Netflix film will enjoy a limited theatrical run before dropping on the streaming service on Christmas Day. Narnia: The Magician's Nephew is scheduled for release in November. Disclosure Day Steven Spielberg's next project is a UFO film based on his own original idea. The legendary filmmaker is no stranger to Close Encounters of the Third Kind - with Disclosure Day vibing more with War of the Worlds rather than the softer E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The film, written by Jurassic Park's David Koepp, appears to revolve around a global secret that looks set to be revealed to the world's public all at once. The tagline states: "If you found out we weren't alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you? "This summer, the truth belongs to seven billion people." The cast includes Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Wyatt Russell, Josh O'Connor and Colman Domingo. The film is scheduled for release in June. The Mandalorian And Grogu Star War series The Mandalorian has been a hit for streaming service Disney+. Director Jon Favreau created the show, which revolves around a lone bounty hunter who protects a mysterious and powerful Force-sensitive infant of the same species as Yoda. Favreau and co-writer Dave Filoni had initially written a fourth season, but production was delayed by the 2023 Hollywood labour disputes. Lucasfilm re-evaluated its plans for the franchise and instead decided on a film over a series. In this exciting new adventure, the Galactic Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, legendary Mandalorian Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and young apprentice Grogu are enlisted to help in the epic battle of good versus evil. The Mandalorian And Grogu is scheduled for release in May. Supergirl Supergirl is the second film in the DC Universe (DCU) and is part of the media franchise's Chapter One: Gods And Monsters phase. We got our first sighting of Kara Zor-El/Supergirl (Milly Alcock) in James Gunn's Superman. Her character drunkenly thundered in, which is a great introduction as audiences join her on her transformation from hot mess to superhero. It's based on Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow, a comic book miniseries by writer Tom King and artist Bilquis Evely. Directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Ana Nogueira, the film will follow Kara as she battles her own personal demons while travelling across the galaxy with her mischievous dog Krypto. Along the way, she meets young Ruthye Marye Knoll (Eve Ridley) and encounters a tragedy that leads her on a murderous quest for revenge against Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts). Supergirl is scheduled for release in June. Clayface Clayface is the third film in the DCU and is also part of the Chapter One: Gods And Monsters phase. James Watkins (Eden Lake, Speak No Evil) is directing from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan (Doctor Sleep, Midnight Mass) and Hossein Amini (Drive, The Snowman). The shape-shifting character is mostly known to haunt Gotham City as an adversary of Batman, so expect the body horror to deliver a psychological punch rather than the traditional comic fanfare. Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries will be playing Matt Hagen/Clayface, with British actress Naomi Ackie in the role of fringe scientist Dr Caitlin Bates who ultimately transforms his body into clay. Clayface is scheduled for release in September. Project Hail Mary Hollywood heartthrob Ryan Gosling takes the lead in this sci-fi adventure based on Andy Weir's 2021 novel. Project Hail Mary revolves around Dr Ryland Grace - the sole survivor of a space crew sent to the Tau Ceti solar system in search of a solution to a catastrophic event on Earth. In his hunt for answers, the teacher-turned-astronaut must rely on his vast array of scientific knowledge, sheer ingenuity and human will - but as it turns out, he may not have to search alone. Project Hail Mary is scheduled for release in March. Focker In-Law Focker In-Law is the fourth film in the Meet The Parents franchise. The comedy will mirror the original, but this time round Gaylord "Greg" Focker (Ben Stiller) is now the parent. Expect similar in-law mishaps and chaos as Greg's son Henry (Skyler Gisondo) announces his intention to marry Olivia Jones (Ariana Grande), a strong-willed woman who appears to be his complete mismatch. Most of the original cast are set to reunite, including Robert De Niro (Jack Byrnes), Blythe Danner (Dina Byrnes), Owen Wilson (Kevin Rawley) and Teri Polo (Pam Byrnes Focker). Focker In-Law is scheduled for release in November. Toy Story 5 It's toy meets tech in this fifth instalment of Pixar and Disney's beloved franchise. This time round, Woody and the gang's jobs are under threat when young Bonnie becomes enamoured with what children are obsessed with today - electronics. Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Joan Cusack (Jessie) and Tony Hale (Forky) return to the animation, with Anna Faris (Lilypad), Ernie Hudson (Combat Carl) and Conan O'Brien (Smarty Pants) joining the cast. Toy Story 5 is scheduled for release in June. Minions 3 Minions 3 is the seventh film in the Despicable Me franchise. Universal Pictures has remained tight-lipped on the plot, but the mischievous yellow creatures will no doubt be getting up to more comical hijinks. Minions 3 is scheduled for release in July. Moana Disney has given its 2016 animation Moana a live-action makeover. The action-packed voyage follows adventurous teenager Moana as she sets sail on a daring mission to save the people of Motunui. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is returning as shape-shifting demigod Maui, with Catherine Laga'aia replacing Auli'I Cravalho in the titular role. Cravalho is still part of the production, but this time serving as an executive producer. The adaptation has attracted criticism, with some believing it too soon for a remake and others taking umbrage at the CGI-laden trailer. It's set to be a summer release so will either sink or swim at the box office. Moana is scheduled for release in July.

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Jan 5
Power to seize phones from small boat migrants comes into force

Officers will begin taking electronic devices from people at Manston processing centre in Kent, where they will use on-site technology to download data from them in a bid to gather intelligence. Border security minister Alex Norris said: "We promised to restore order and control to our borders, which means taking on the people smuggling networks behind this deadly trade. "That is exactly why we are implementing robust new laws with powerful offences to intercept, disrupt and dismantle these vile gangs faster than ever before and cut off their supply chains. "These operational measures sit alongside sweeping reforms to the system, to make it less attractive for migrants to come here illegally and remove and deport people faster." A total of 41,472 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel last year - the second-highest annual figure on record. The yearly total was 13% higher than the figure for 2024, when 36,816 migrants made the journey, and 41% higher than 2023's total of 29,437. It was 9% below the all-time high of 45,774, recorded in 2022. The new powers are hoped to speed up investigations and come after the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act became law in December. The government's new law also introduces criminal offences, with anyone found guilty of storing or supplying boat engines to bring migrants to the UK via the English Channel smuggling route facing up to 14 years in prison. Smugglers downloading maps on where to depart on small boats, or researching the best places to buy equipment for dinghies, could be jailed for up to five years. Read more:Teen educated in UK confirmed dead after Swiss bar fireWhite House gives Maduro the meme treatment Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said Labour has confined itself to "cosmetic tweaks", adding that there was no deterrent to those crossing the Channel. He has instead pressed for the government to quit the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to take effective action. Labour has rejected this in favour of reforming the treaty to address the issue.

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Jan 5
Gary Neville: Ruben Amorim sounds unhappy with Manchester United hierarchy | Jamie Carragher: He's not good enough

But Jamie Carragher has scoffed at Amorim's criticisms, claiming the Portuguese "is barely competent enough to be a Premier League manager right now". Amorim told reporters after the 1-1 draw at Leeds that he had joined Manchester United to be their manager rather than a head coach and seemingly indicated that he will leave the club at the end of his contract. "Something has happened in the last week which means that Amorim is starting to unleash a little bit," said Neville on his podcast. "It looks to me that he is not happy with something in the hierarchy." Amorim: I came to Man Utd to be a manager, not a head coachMan Utd news & transfers🔴| Man Utd fixtures & scoresGot Sky? Watch Man Utd games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺 Amorim's comments followed a suggestion on Christmas Eve that he has not received the backing he anticipated in the transfer market to play with his preferred tactical system. But his remarks received a scathing rebuke from Carragher, with the Sky Sports pundit insisting that Amorim should not be in charge of Manchester United. "I don't think he is in any position whatsoever to be questioning the people who appointed him," responded Carragher. "Because he's not good enough. He's not good enough to be Manchester United's manager. He's barely competent enough to be a Premier League manager right now." Pressed on what might be the cause of Amorim's gripes, Carragher suggested: "It can only be two things. It can either be about the January transfer market, that he's not being backed. Or the people above him are questioning that he's flip-flopping between systems. "It started to look like he was getting somewhere with a back four, he went back to a five at the back against Wolves and it was possibly the worst performance from a team we've seen against Wolves this season." Neville: 'There's a fire being created' Neville continued: "Obviously, something is annoying him, he's obviously not feeling the support. He's obviously letting go. When you say that you came to the club as a manager, I thought he was appointed as the head coach and quite clearly appointed to coach the team. "Manager is a title that we don't see anymore. Manager suggests that he's saying he wants to manage more than just the training ground performance, he wants to oversee other parts of the club. "I played under a manager and they basically have a greater say in what would be other parts of the club including recruitment, academy, style of play, pre-season friendlies and other things. "I think he's suggesting that he needs to be given the ability to manage more departments of the club. "I actually thought against Leeds, defensively United were very strong. I thought they were very solid in the game I thought they handled the atmosphere well. I thought they fully deserved the point out of the game that's why I was surprised at the end to hear of Ruben Amorim's comments because I thought you've got a point away from home. "You've just had a disastrous result against Wolves at home but there's Burnley to go in three days, there's no real need for a fire right now but there's a fire being created. "He's always been authentic, he's always had integrity in his press conferences. He's always said what he believes and he thinks and he should do, he should carry on as he was but it does look like he's now starting to point upwards which ordinarily does bring pressure with it."

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