According to US Central Command, the large-scale strikes were carried out at around 12.30pm eastern time (5.30pm in the UK). It said in a statement that the operation was part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, authorised by Donald Trump "in direct response to the deadly ISIS attack on US and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria, on 13 December" last year. "That ambush, carried out by an ISIS terrorist, resulted in the tragic deaths of two American soldiers and one US civilian interpreter," the military command said. The US president previously vowed to "retaliate" over the strikes toward the end of last year. The ⁠statement did not note whether anyone was killed in the strikes. Footage shared by the command showed a series of explosions. "Our message remains strong," Central Command added. "If you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world, no matter how hard you try to evade justice." Resharing the statement on X, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said: "We will never forget, and never relent." Read more from Sky News:Russian oil depot fire after Ukrainian strikeUS stands ready to help Iran, Trump says It marks the latest strike from the US in Syria as part of the operation, with a similar attack on ISIS targets being carried out on 20 December. It also comes after RAF Typhoons bombed a suspected weapons stockpile ⁠previously used by Islamic State in Syria last weekend.

The long-awaited sequel by developer Rockstar Games is expected to drop in November - 13 years on from the record-breaking GTA V. The game was due to be released in autumn 2025 but was pushed back to May 2026 before once again being delayed. Rockstar said the extra time would allow the team to "finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve". Once launched, players will be returning to the Miami-flavoured metropolis of Vice City in the fictional state of Leonida. The Bonnie and Clyde-style story will follow criminal couple Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos - the first playable female character in the series' history. GTA has always poked fun at American culture, with, arguably, some aspects of the nation's past decade of politics like something out of the game. GTA VI looks certain to continue the series' tradition of satire, and from the footage released so far it appears no expense has been spared in regards to bringing the sun-soaked streets of Vice City to life. The GTA series - which was created in Dundee, Scotland - is one of the biggest franchises in the industry. GTA V became the fastest entertainment product in history to make $1bn (in its first three days) and has since sold more than 220 million copies worldwide - making it the second best-selling video game of all time after Minecraft. GTA VI is similarly expected to be snapped up across the globe and achieve colossal sales. If history repeats itself, GTA Online will be the moneymaker. The persistent online world offers endless monetisation opportunities - with gamers enticed to splash out on new vehicles, weapons, properties, businesses and cosmetic upgrades. Expert research analyst Michael Pachter previously told Sky News he believes Rockstar and parent company Take-Two Interactive Software will be able to charge $100 (about £75) for the base game alone with little complaint. However, the GTA series boasts two winning ingredients that some other games do not have - brand power and fan loyalty. If other AAA (Triple-A) game publishers attempt to follow suit and raise their own starting prices, they may find that any accepted GTA increase is the exception rather than the rule. As career criminal and former bank robber Trevor Philips (GTA V character) nicely put it: "I said something nice, not expensive." Fable The long-awaited Fable reboot is expected to drop sometime in 2026 following a delay from its initial 2025 release window. It will be the first new instalment in the action-RPG franchise since Fable: The Journey in 2012. The series has been on a hiatus since Microsoft's cancellation of Fable Legends and the subsequent closure of original developers Lionhead Studios in 2016. Playground Games, behind the successful Forza Horizon series, is developing the reboot for parent company Xbox Game Studios. Still set in the fictional world of Albion, the series will be updated with contemporary gameplay mechanics and visuals in a bid to attract a new generation of players. From the footage released so far, fans can expect a classic fantasy adventure filled with "life and death stuff". The storybook-styled world features scenic horseback riding, magical creatures, playful dialogue, and player-driven choices. As well as action-heavy combat, Fable's signature chicken-kicking option appears to be alive and well. While not much is known about our hero, British comedians Richard Ayoade and Matt King will be playing a giant and a once-great champion turned mentor respectively. The game will release on Xbox Series X/S as well as Xbox on PC and will be playable from day one via Games Pass. Given the IP (intellectual property) is owned by Microsoft, it's unlikely the game will make its way to PS5 any time soon after its initial release. 007 First Light 007 First Light is a James Bond origin story and will follow the resourceful recruit during his time within the MI6 training programme ahead of becoming the world-famous spy we know and love. The action-adventure game is due to be released in May - having been pushed back from March - and is inspired by Ian Fleming's novels and short stories. The original narrative is expected to follow Bond as he embarks on a mission that will earn him his licence to kill. This is the first Bond game since 007 Legends in 2012. The franchise went on an extended hiatus after previous publisher Activision had its non-exclusive licence to produce James Bond video games revoked by Eon Productions and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 2013. IO Interactive, best known for developing the Hitman and Kane & Lynch franchises, is behind 007 First Light. Expect a heart-pumping blend of close-quarters combat, car chases, stealth kills, glamorous locations, gadgets galore, and appearances from the likes of M, Q and Miss Moneypenny. At The Game Awards 2025, famed musician Lenny Kravitz was unveiled as Bond villain Bawma. The "unpredictable and charismatic" antagonist has been described as someone who "rose from nothing, broke free, and built his own Kingdom of Aleph". The game should whet fans' appetite ahead of Bond 26 - which Denis Villeneuve is set to direct and will mark a new era of 007 films following the conclusion of Daniel Craig's run. Resident Evil Requiem Capcom takes us back to Raccoon City with Resident Evil Requiem. The survival horror game is scheduled to be released in February, with the developers promising a "heart-stopping experience that will chill you to your core". Fans will be introduced to a new leading lady - FBI intelligence analyst Grace Ashcroft, who is the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from the Resident Evil Outbreak games. Grace's nightmare begins after she is dispatched to investigate a mysterious death at an abandoned hotel where her mother was murdered eight years prior. As Grace investigates the team's person of interest - Victor Gideon - her path converges with that of veteran agent Leon S. Kennedy. The fan favourite returns to the series as a playable character, with both Grace and Leon forced to face their pasts in a bid to uncover the truth behind the Raccoon City incident that changed the world forever. The game follows on from Resident Evil Village, with players once again expected to go head-to-head with the horrors that await through combat, puzzle-solving and resource management. Previous antagonist Lady Dimitrescu proved to be a social media hit, so the next relentless stalker monster has big boots to fill.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is also expected to end the government's legal duty to automatically support destitute asylum seekers. A Home Office source told The i Paper it would allow the minister to remove accommodation and weekly allowances from some migrants. It is understood Ms Mahmood will target asylum seekers who can support themselves financially but choose not to, those who have a right to work, those who break the law or are working illegally and those who refuse an order to leave the country. The government hopes the move will help to speed up asylum hotel closures this year, with Ms Mahmood looking at further shutdowns by April. Home Office figures from November showed 36,273 people were staying in temporary accommodation in September, while waiting for a decision on their asylum claims. That marked an increase of 13% compared with June. The issue became national news last year in the wake of demonstrations in Epping, Essex, where a series of protests were held over the summer over the sex offender and Ethiopian national, Hadush Kebatu. The government has pledged to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers entirely by 2029, and insists it has halved the number of hotels in use since it came to power, from 400 down to around 200. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC on Sunday: "I want us to close hotels. I think over coming months you'll see evidence of that." Read more:Who says what on asylum hotels: Numbers, protesters and governmentPeople disappearing 'daily' from asylum hotels, says whistleblower Other measures are set to be introduced, including beginning removals to Syria - now seen as safer by ministers following the revolution that led to the fall of the Assad regime in 2024. Alternative housing for asylum seekers is expected to involve former military barracks, multiple-occupation houses, known as HMOs, and a council housing pilot. The government is also due to expand its 'one-in, one-out' returns deal with France and strike a new one with Germany.

In one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history, National League North Macclesfield, formed five years ago from the ashes of Macclesfield Town, started the day 117 places below Premier League Palace and became the first non-League team in 117 years to beat the FA Cup holders - ironically since then-Southern League side Palace beat Wolves in 1909. While Macclesfield celebrated a well-deserved 2-1 success, Palace boss Glasner looked stunned after seeing his side meekly surrender the trophy they won in May - the club's first major honour - and the Austrian said things need to change. FA Cup fixtures | Latest newsGot Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW 📺Download the Sky Sports app | Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp Speaking to the BBC, Glasner said: "Congratulations to Macclesfield. We lacked any kind of quality today. Conceding a set-play from a header - we had to do better. The second goal was slapstick. "At the other end, if you can't create clear-cut chances... it's just a lack of quality what we've shown today. We lost and we deserved to lose. "I was looking for quality from everyone. I brought on more attacking players [at half-time], but I have no explanation for what I've seen today. "You don't need tactics in these kinds of games. You just have to show what you're capable of and show a little bit of pride, and you'll perform in a different way. "But today we lacked everything." 'U21s would have done better' When asked what he said to his players in the aftermath of the defeat, Glasner told TalkSPORT: "Not a lot. "I think when you play here against a non-League team, I think you don't need tactics, I think you don't need a manager, honestly. "I was a player for 19 years so I know these things can happen, but the way we played - their goalkeeper could be man of the match and we could be in unlucky situations - but it wasn't that. "So that is what disappoints me most and this is what we have to change, we've seen this in the last weeks as well. "We conceded another set-play goal, so all the things, losing a header because we have no timing and the attack, it's no physicality, no pace, no dribbling, and then it's tough against any team. "But, on the other side, I think our U21s would have done better than we have done today. Therefore, things have to be changed." Crystal Palace are now without a win in their last nine matches in all competitions. They have lost six games in that run with their last victory coming against Shelbourne in the Conference League on December 11, and Glasner is now concerned for his side for the second half of the season. When asked if he was worried about his side's form, he said: "When you ask me straight after this game, yes, massively. "On the other side, I know the team and I know we need players back. "Looks like players who get the chance can't take it, maybe are not good enough, and it means we need all the others back because I've seen, a few weeks ago, a different team playing better. "We can see if we have five, six new players in the squad like we had today, didn't train the last month, then we have no structure and the individual quality is not good enough to win." 'Palace have been an embarrassment' Former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison on Soccer Saturday: "Crystal Palace were nowhere near good enough. "Macclesfield were the better team. They were outstanding. "Palace were an embarrassment. I praise them all the time but they need calling out. Nowhere near good enough. "They thought they could just turn up at Macclesfield and win. "It's got nothing to do with the pitch. It's about going there and competing but Macclesfield wanted it more. "It's an unbelievable result for Macclesfield."

The people of Iran have been here before. In 2009, over perceived electoral fraud; in 2019, over fuel prices; in 2022, over the abuses of the morality police. The authorities have honed their playbook, through the thuggery of the revolutionary guard and the Basij militias, the killing of protesters, mass detentions, public executions and the shutting down of the internet. That last point is hugely significant. It means that people don't know if anyone else is going out. They can't connect. They won't know whether it's worth continuing to stick their heads above the parapet after the last two nights of protest, which had been signposted and communicated in advance. The videos they'll see are those on state TV where they'll hear the threats to use the death penalty on protesters dubbed 'vandals' or 'terrorists' and see pro-government crowds, and tempered but still sinister crackdowns. It is hard to keep momentum going across Iran's 31 provinces, especially a protest with no apparent leader (at least within Iran itself), if people are left in an information black hole. Reza Pahlavi, son of the former shah, clearly has some support on the streets, but he is in the US, and his calls for strikes and further protest may have problems filtering through. And of course, the shutdown allows the authorities to crack down as they choose, without the visibility that connectivity would confer on them. That's what happened in 2019 when at least 1,500 protesters were killed. We are still a long way from those kinds of numbers, although given the scarcity of information, it is hard to tell. The one barrier to the regime extending that blackout indefinitely is the economic toll it will take on an already gasping economy. But there is a long way to go in terms of how much they could crack down, and they have shown no sign of relenting. Revolutions would require elite buy-in - for elements of the security apparatus to decide that continuing to defer to the 86-year-old supreme leader no longer makes sense. That doesn't look like it's happening either. Read more:Who is Iran's exiled crown prince?Most serious threat since 1979 revolution The wild card is Donald Trump. He has promised to hit Iran hard if the regime opens fire on protesters. And then there is Israel, too, which might take the opportunity for another strike. Iran's Islamic theocracy is more vulnerable than it has ever been. But it was born of a revolution itself, and the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not about to show weakness.

The BBC Sport presenter posted a picture of her father playing for Wales on Instagram today, saying: "Rest in Peace Dad. "Our hearts are broken. Your love and legacy lives on." The post also included other images from his football career. Yorath made close to 200 appearances for Leeds during a nine-year spell in the 1960s and 70s and was a member of the team that won the 1974 First Division title. A year later, he became the first Welshman to play in a European Cup final. He also had spells as a player with Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur and Bradford City. Yorath also made 59 appearances for Wales. In a statement, his children said: "To most he was a revered footballing hero, but to us he was Dad; a quiet, kind and gentle man. Our hearts are broken but we take comfort knowing that he will be reunited with our brother, Daniel." Read more from Sky News:How UK helped US seize tanker - and how it tried to escapeWhat is a weather bomb and how often do they affect the UK? In addition to Gabby Logan, Yorath had three other children - Daniel, Louise and Jordan. Daniel died from the genetic heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy aged 15 in 1992 while playing football at home with his father. Logan left Wednesday's Match of the Day programme part-way through and was replaced by Mark Chapman, who confirmed it was due to "a family emergency". Yorath moved into management in 1986 after retiring from playing, with spells in charge of clubs including Swansea City, Bradford City and Cardiff City. He was a player-coach at Bradford in May 1985 and in the dugout at the Valley Parade fire, which killed 56 fans and injured 270 during a match against Lincoln City. Yorath also had stints in charge of the Wales and Lebanon national teams in the 1980s and 90s, and guided his country to the brink of the World Cup finals.

The money, announced by Defence Secretary John Healey during a visit to Ukraine on Friday, will deliver new vehicles, communications and counter-drone protection to ensure troops are ready if required. The government said this will equip UK forces to secure Ukraine's future and reinforce long-term security guarantees, as part of a Multinational Force for Ukraine (MNFU). It follows the declaration of intent signed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris this week, which confirmed UK and French troops will deploy to Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement. Mr Healey said: "As we approach the fifth year of Putin's full-scale invasion, the Ukrainians continue to fight with huge courage - civilians and military alike. "We are surging investment into our preparations following the prime minister's announcement this week, ensuring that Britain's armed forces are ready to deploy, and lead, the Multinational Force Ukraine, because a secure Ukraine means a secure UK. "As we look towards a potential peace deal, we continue to step up for Ukraine in the fight today - strengthening its air defences while backing British industry, jobs and innovation at home." The money is being funded from the government's core defence budget. Sir Keir said this week that MPs will get a vote before troops are sent to Ukraine. The idea for a joint peacekeeping force was first floated last year, after Sir Keir and Mr Macron formed a coalition of the willing. Read more from Sky News:Pope slams how nations use force to assert dominionWhat we know about Russian hypersonic missile Mr Healey discussed further details of the military plans for the MNFU with Mr Zelenskyy during the visit to the war-hit country on Friday. During those meetings, Mr Healey also confirmed that production of British-built Octopus interceptor drones will begin this month, which the government said would boost Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian drone attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, Russia fired a hypersonic missile overnight at a target in Ukraine near the border with NATO-member Poland. The Oreshnik hit Ukraine's western Lviv region, although officials there did not mention any casualties. Kyiv's European allies said the attack was an attempt to intimidate them from supporting President Zelenskyy. It was only the ​second time that Russia has fired the Oreshnik at Ukraine.

Set 160 to win on the final day at the Sydney Cricket Ground after England added 40 to their overnight score for the loss of their final two wickets, Australia stumbled their way to 121-5 before Alex Carey (16no) and Cameron Green (22no) ticked off the remaining 39 runs required to avoid an embarrassing final defeat. Josh Tongue (3-42) was incisive with the ball again for England, taking his wicket tally to 18 over the final three Tests, and making his omission for the first two even more glaring. He should have added Marnus Labuschagne to his haul, only for Jacob Bethell to make his first error in the Test when putting down a sharp chance at gully when Labuschagne, who was eventually run out for 37, was on 20. Scorecard: Australia vs England, fifth Ashes Test, SydneyAshes Daily Podcast with Nasser and Athers in AustraliaChoose the Sky Sports push notifications you want England might also wonder what might have been had Jake Weatherald been dismissed for 16 instead of 34 as the series was plagued by yet more Snicko controversy. The third Ashes Test in Adelaide was dominated by doubts over the reliability of the Snickometer technology used to detect edges off the bat, and the issue reared its head again when replays appeared to show a faint nick behind by Weatherald off Brydon Carse, only for the third umpire to fail to give the decision. Retiring after the Test, Usman Khawaja was dismissed for six in his final innings - bowled off an inside edge by Tongue - as part of Australia's middle-order wobble, before Carey and Green saw the hosts over the line. The result rubber-stamps a convincing series win for Australia, who had already retained the Ashes within 11 days of action as they won the first three Tests in convincing fashion, before England claimed a consolation victory inside two days on a poor pitch in Melbourne. It remains to be seen whether changes will be made to the England management team after such a convincing series defeat, with the team's preparation - or lack thereof, having played only one intra-squad warmup game - coming under particular scrutiny. Captain Ben Stokes is likely to stay in his role, while head coach Brendon McCullum is helped by the fact he is due to lead England's white-ball side in the T20 World Cup beginning in February. Managing director Rob Key could also keep his job, seeing as both were his appointments when assuming his role in 2022. England give Australia final-day scare in Sydney England came into the fifth and final morning of the series in Sydney with a 119-run lead and Bethell 142 not out following his magnificent maiden first-class hundred on day four. He ticked his score beyond 150 but could add only 12 to his overnight total before perishing for 154 to the second new ball, nicking off to a sharp-rising Mitchell Starc delivery that was too close to cut. Starc (3-72) then cleaned up Tongue (6) to end the innings and take his series-leading wicket tally to a staggering 31 claimed at 19.93 a pop. Travis Head and Weatherald helped Australia off to a strong start in pursuit of England's seemingly modest target, sharing in a 62-run opening partnership across the opening 10-and-a-bit overs before Head became Tongue's first victim for the innings. Tongue added Weatherald on the stroke of lunch, with there being zero doubt over his top edge down the throat of deep fine leg following his earlier Snicko reprieve. Will Jacks bowled a befuddled Steve Smith (12) with an off-spinner's dream delivery - bowled through the gate from the rough outside off - shortly after the interval as England began to believe they could pull off the upset. England swiftly spurned a couple of chances that would have only added to their growing confidence, Khawaja edging one past Stokes at slip off Jacks and Labuschagne being put down by Bethell off Tongue. Though both would depart in swift succession soon after, their demise came after Labuschagne hit Jacks out of the attack by smashing 16 priceless runs off his next over. There'd be no fairy-tale finish for Khawaja, though the 39-year-old did receive a warm send-off from the SCG crowd after his dismissal, while Labuschagne looked utterly crestfallen when run out following one of numerous mix-ups Carey had with his partners late on in Australia's chase. Australia still required a further 39 runs to win at that stage but despite Carey's dodgy calling between the wickets, he and Green ultimately saw the home side to victory and to a deserved 4-1 series triumph. Stokes: We play too much 3/10 cricket England captain Ben Stokes, speaking to TNT Sports: "I think that for a while now teams have understood how to operate against us. When we get into a situation with the bat where things look easy, opposition teams are doing the same thing to us. "We need to work out what we do in those situations. We play too much 3/10 cricket in terms of the chances of it coming off, and if you play like that the chances are it is not going to fall your way in big moments. "We did some unbelievable things as a team the first couple of years in terms of result and getting the best out of people who might not have known they were as good as they were. Now we need to do that consistently. "How we develop is by being honest and straightforward. You don't progress unless you have those conversations. "I have been young and had things thrown at me I didn't quite like but I can look back and know that was told to me for the right reasons. "I just want the best for the guys in the dressing room and to give them the best chance of being very successful international players, which I know they can be. We just need a recalibration." [On his groin injury]: "I have been better, been worse. I won't know [the extent] until I get home." 'Snicko nonsense shows inequality of system' Former England spinner Graeme Swann, commentating for TNT Sports, on Jake Weatherald's non-dismissal on 16: "There was clearly a murmur, exactly the way Stokes was out in the first innings. Herein lies the nonsense of Snicko; it shows the inequality of the system. "The third umpire has to be held to account. I think that is one of the most ludicrous decisions I have seen in a long time. "You can't have a system that everyone knows is a joke - how they have kept using it is beyond me. "It was shown up to be farcical in Adelaide and it has just got worse and worse. The players lose faith and play the system rather than cricket. "When you have to be strategic about your use of dodgy technology, the world has gone mad. England have every right to be mad and perplexed." Ashes series in Australia 2025-26 Australia win five-match series 4-1 First Test (Perth): Australia won by eight wicketsSecond Test (Brisbane): Australia won by eight wicketsThird Test (Adelaide): Australia won by 82 runsFourth Test (Melbourne): England won by four wicketsFifth Test (Sydney): Australia won by five wickets