Five severed heads found hanging on Ecuador beach amid escalating gang clashes
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Five severed human heads were found hanging from ropes on a beach in southwestern Ecuador Sunday in a gruesome display linked to ongoing gang violence sweeping across the country, according to reports.
The killings came amid a wave of bloody violence tied to drug trafficking and organized crime, which has surged across Ecuador in recent years.
The Associated Press reported that the grim discovery underscores the tactics used by criminal groups competing for control of territory and trafficking routes, especially along the country’s coastline.
Drug trafficking gangs leave five human heads on Ecuador beach with a threatening message to fishermen, police said, as violence surges along the country’s coastal trafficking routes. (Kike Calvo/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Police said the heads were found on a tourist beach in the small fishing port of Puerto Lopez, in Manabi province.
The images shared by Ecuadorian media and on social media showed the severed heads tied with ropes to wooden poles planted in the sand, with blood visible at the scene.
A wooden sign left beside the heads carried a threatening message aimed at alleged extortionists targeting local fishermen.
The message warned those demanding so-called “vaccine cards” protection payments commonly extorted by gangs that they had been identified, the report said.
RUBIO IDENTIFIES ‘SINGLE MOST SERIOUS THREAT’ TO THE US FROM WESTERN HEMISPHERE
Members of the Marines detain a suspect during security operations in southern Guayaquil, Ecuador on October 19, 2021. – Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso on October 19 declared a state of emergency in the country grappling with a surge in drug-related violence. (AFP via Getty Images)
Authorities said the display was likely the result of a conflict between criminal groups operating in the area.
Drug-trafficking networks with links to transnational cartels are active along Ecuador’s coast and have used fishermen and their small boats to transport illicit shipments, according to local police.
President Daniel Noboa launched an armed campaign against gangs and declared states of emergency in several provinces, including Manabi, deploying the military to support police operations.
Despite his efforts, violence has continued to escalate with police increasing patrols and surveillance in Puerto Lopez following recent massacres in the province, the Associated Press said.
MS-13 GANG LEADER ACCUSED IN MURDER OF EX-HONDURAN PRESIDENT’S SON ARRESTED IN NEBRASKA
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa addresses supporters after early returns show him in the lead in the presidential election runoff at his family home in Olon, Ecuador, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
In 2025, at least nine people, including a baby, were killed there in an attack that authorities blamed on clashes between local gangs also.
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As previously reported by Fox News Digital, in 2025, infighting between factions of a gang vying for control over territory in Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil, left nearly two dozen people dead.
Ecuador ended the year with a record homicide rate of 52 per 100,000 people, according to the Organized Crime Observatory, making it the deadliest year on record.
Gold prices in Pakistan Today – January 12, 2026 | The Express Tribune
A goldsmith weighs gold jewellery inside a showroom. PHOTO: REUTERS
Gold and silver prices climbed to record levels in both international and local markets on Monday, driven by a strong rally in the global bullion market.
In the international bullion market, the price of gold rose by $77 per ounce to reach a new all-time high of $4,586.
The surge was reflected in domestic markets, where the price of 24-carat gold increased by Rs7,700 per tola to Rs480,962. The price of gold per 10 grams also rose sharply by Rs6,602 to Rs412,347.
Silver prices followed a similar upward trend. In the local market, the price of silver per tola climbed by Rs430 to a new record of Rs8,895, while the price per 10 grams increased by Rs369 to Rs7,626.
Spot gold jumped 1.7% to $4,584.74 per ounce by 0752 GMT. Bullion hit a record high of $4,600.33 earlier in the day.
US gold futures for February delivery added 2.1% to $4,595.30.
Spot silver rose 5.1% to $84.06 per ounce after hitting an all-time high of $84.60 earlier in the day.
Spot platinum climbed 3.3% to $2,348.74 per ounce after scaling a record high of $2,478.50 on December 29.
Palladium gained 2.7% to $1,864.19 per ounce.
Read: Gold, silver prices rise for second straight day
Earlier on Saturday, gold and silver prices extended gains across international and domestic markets.
In the international bullion market, the price of gold rose by $37 per ounce to $4,509, triggering a corresponding increase in local bullion rates.
In Pakistan’s domestic market, the price of 24-carat gold climbed by Rs3,700 per tola to Rs472,262, while the price of 10 grams increased by Rs3,172 to Rs405,745.
Silver prices also moved higher, with the per-tola rate rising by Rs270 to Rs8,465 and the price of 10 grams increasing by Rs232 to Rs7,257.
Sinners actor reveals her pregnancy on Golden Globes red carpet
Actor Wunmi Mosaku used the Golden Globes red carpet to announce her second pregnancy, simultaneously calling for greater recognition of the anxieties and vulnerabilities inherent in gestation.
The Sinners star expressed her hope that the profound journey of pregnancy is “truly honoured,” particularly for Black women.
The 39-year-old British-Nigerian actress, who features alongside Michael B Jordan in the action horror, appeared in a custom Matthew Reisman bright yellow gown, cradling her baby bump ahead of Sunday’s award ceremony.
Mosaku spoke to Vogue about her decision to stop trying to conceal her pregnancy, choosing instead to embrace the moment. She explained: “Baby has seen me through ever so carefully, and I want to celebrate how wonderfully we’ve done together to get here as a team, as demanding as it’s been.”
She added that the Yoruba saying, “Iya ni Wura which means ‘mother is golden’,” inspired her choice of the yellow dress for the significant occasion.
The Bafta-winning actress also candidly addressed the struggles of pregnancy, especially for Black women, advocating for less scrutiny around women’s bodies during such a vulnerable period.
“Matrescence is a journey — often a very difficult one. No matter how ‘easy’ a pregnancy may appear, you have no idea what someone has endured to arrive there. The trials. The tears. The tests,” she stated.
She further highlighted the societal lack of gentleness towards pregnant individuals: “We know, in theory, that it isn’t simple — but we don’t practice the gentleness required when speaking about, or to someone who is, or might be, or has been, or is trying to become pregnant.”
Mosaku powerfully articulated the unique fears faced by Black women during pregnancy: “Being pregnant as a black woman, you’re not just worrying about whether your baby will be OK, you’re praying you will be too. Holding joy and fear at the same time is not abstract – it’s rooted in lived experience, medical bias, and real statistics. Black maternal mortality is always on our minds.”
She concluded by emphasising the extreme nature of childbirth: “Pregnancy and labour are among the most extreme and dangerous things a person can naturally endure. I wish we truly honoured that: the vulnerability, the anxiety, the anticipation, the profound transformation in motion. We remember the mothers who were ignored, who had traumatic labours, and the precious lives lost.”
Mosaku is also known for her roles in the hit series Luther with Idris Elba, her Bafta-winning performance as Gloria Taylor in Damilola Our Loved Boy, the 2020 horror film His House, and alongside Tom Hiddleston in Loki.
U-Haul truck drives through Iran protest crowd in Los Angeles, one person struck and driver detained
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One person was struck after a U-Haul truck drove through a crowd during a Los Angeles protest in support of anti-regime demonstrators in Iran, with the driver taken into custody, authorities said.
The incident occurred at around 3:30 p.m. Sunday along Veteran Avenue near the Federal Building in the Westwood neighborhood, according to the the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
“At approximately 1530 hours, the driver of a U-Haul truck collided with individuals marching along Veteran Avenue in the area of the Federal Building,” LAPD said in a statement.
Police said the adult male driver has been detained pending further investigation.
CALIFORNIA MAN ACCUSED OF RAMMING CAR INTO LA CROWD IS CONVICTED FELON OUT ON PAROLE, POLICE SAY
One person was struck and treated at the scene after a U-Haul truck drove through a crowd. (KTTV)
“At this time, one person was confirmed struck by the vehicle (an adult male); however, no significant injuries have been reported,” LAPD said. “A Rescue Ambulance treated the individual at the scene. No one has been transported to the hospital for medical treatment.”
Hundreds of people had gathered in the Westwood neighborhood as part of a march backing protesters in Iran, local outlet NBC4 Los Angeles reported.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show a U-Haul truck moving quickly through a dense crowd as people screamed. In one video, a person appeared to hang onto the side of the vehicle and bang on a window as it continued moving.
A banner displayed on the side of the truck read, in all capital letters, “NO SHAH. NO REGIME. USA: DON’T REPEAT 1953. NO MULLAH,” along with another banner written in a foreign language.
Additional video appeared to show the driver being punched as several people tried to pull him from the large truck. The vehicle’s windows were also smashed, according to NBC4 Los Angeles.
Law enforcement has not yet released the driver’s identity.
IRAN’S COLLAPSE OR SURVIVAL HINGES ON ONE CHOICE INSIDE THE REVOLUTIONARY GUARD
In this frame grab from video obtained by the AP outside Iran, a masked demonstrator holds a picture of Iran’s Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi during a protest in Tehran, Iran, on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (UGC via AP)
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The protest comes amid ongoing unrest in Iran, where demonstrations that began over economic grievances have spread nationwide, evolving into a direct challenge to Iran’s clerical leadership.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports 583 people have been killed since unrest erupted in Iran two weeks ago.
Solidarity protests with Iranian demonstrators have also emerged in major European cities, including Paris and Berlin. A protest also took place outside the White House in Washington, D.C.
Fox New’s Digital’s Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.
58 who? Julia Roberts’ age-defying Golden Globes glow has the internet screaming – The Times of India
Julia Roberts didn’t just show up at the 2026 Golden Globes, she walked in like the rules don’t apply to her anymore. Fifty-eight? Sure. But the way she looked on that red carpet, you’d honestly forget the number. She had that easy, lived-in glow that feels less like makeup and more like good energy and great skin days in a row.Her skin was the first thing you noticed. It wasn’t flat or overly matte – it had that soft, creamy shine that makes you think she sleeps well, drinks water, and laughs a lot. There was a warm flush on her cheeks, like she’d just heard a really good joke backstage. Her eyes were gently defined, nothing harsh, just a whisper of shimmer that caught the lights and made them look bright and awake. And then that glossy pink lip – not loud, not trying too hard, just…right. It felt youthful without pretending, which is a hard balance and she nailed it.And her hair – honestly, that was its own moment. Middle part, honey-blonde waves, the kind that move instead of sitting like a helmet. They framed her face so beautifully, soft around the edges, like classic Julia but with a polished, modern twist. You could tell the hair was healthy, not just styled into submission. There was shine, there was bounce, and there was that relaxed “I didn’t overthink this” vibe that only true stars can pull off.
The whole look felt like her. Nothing costume-y, nothing screaming for attention. Just confident, glowing, and ridiculously photogenic. Even the accessories that cute diamanté strawberry pendant and the matching ring, added personality without shouting over her face or hair.She didn’t stand there trying to prove she’s “still got it.” She just…has it. That easy charm, that ageless beauty that isn’t frozen or overdone, but alive and warm and expressive.Watching Julia Roberts on that red carpet felt like a reminder: sometimes the most powerful beauty move is simply feeling good in your own skin, and letting everyone see it.
Some Americans say they’ll go without health insurance as ACA rates spike
When Kassidy Hooter learned in December how much her health insurance costs were going to rise this year, she went into panic mode.
The Shreveport, Louisiana, resident and mother of three knew she urgently needed care — Hooter is in the final trimester of a high-risk pregnancy. But the family could no longer afford their Affordable Care Act plan coverage now that a federal tax subsidy was lapsing on Dec. 31, 2025, meaning they would face thousands of dollars in additional out-of-pocket costs.
“We heavily considered that it might just be cheaper to give birth at home,” Hooter, 24, told CBS News. “Just because that’s an insane amount of debt to take on.”
In the end, Hooter decided to forgo insurance altogether.
Courtesy of Kassidy Hooter
A local medical center offered three months of financial aid that will carry her through her due date in February and into late March. After that, she will have to bear any medical expenses on her own. Her plan now is to get her newborn on Medicaid, a government health plan for low-income Americans, as quickly as possible.
“I’m just hoping for the best,” she told CBS News.
Health insurance as “luxury”
Since its introduction in 2010, the ACA has been instrumental in cutting the share of uninsured Americans from approximately 15% to 8%, according to Nima Sheth, vice president of health justice at the National Partnership for Women and Families, a nonprofit advocacy group.
However, the number of people without health insurance is likely to surge if Congress fails to come up with a solution for the 22 million Americans who received an ACA tax credit, experts warn.
Americans in most states have until Jan. 15 to enroll in an ACA marketplace plan, according to healthinsurance.org.
Without the tax credits, premiums for ACA enrollees who previously relied on the subsidies will increase by an average of 114%, estimates KFF, a nonprofit provider of health policy news and research.
“What we’re seeing here is a policy choice — is, in effect, turning insurance into a luxury item and medical debt into the default,” Michelle Sternthal, interim senior director of policy and strategy at health care advocacy group Community Catalyst, told CBS News.
The House of Representatives on Thursday approved a three-year extension of the expired ACA tax credits. The legislation faces an uphill climb in the Republican-led Senate, although lawmakers think it could provide a starting point for a compromise that would keep the credits alive in some form.
“It’s weighing extraordinarily heavily on me”
Plantation, Florida, resident Stacy Kanas, whose family also received an ACA tax credit, is now considering going without health insurance after realizing that her monthly premium to cover her and her husband would rise to $2,500 — more than double what she was paying last year to cover both of them plus her 20-year-old daughter.
“It’s weighing extraordinarily heavily on me,” Kanas, 59, told CBS News. “My husband had a major surgery about five years ago, and we don’t want to be uninsured.”
Although in decent health, the small business owner worries about what could happen if someone in her family falls seriously ill. “You’re one catastrophic event away from perhaps having a financial disaster,” she said.
Even people who keep their ACA coverage could end up skipping out on care to avoid out-of-pocket expenses, experts said.
“If you’re underinsured and you have high deductibles, the coverage that you’re getting is designed to dissuade getting care, including preventative care, so you’re going to delay your care until there are emergencies,” Sternthal said.
Robert Myers, a consultant based outside of St. Louis, Missouri, was on a silver ACA plan last year, but switched to a bronze plan after learning his premiums would rise to $400 a month, up from $17 in 2025.
Under his new plan, the 31-year-old does not have a monthly premium. However, Myers could owe much more in out-of-pocket costs due to $80 co-pays and an $8,000 deductible. As a result, he’s planning on scaling back on doctor’s visits, a trend experts say ends up driving more people to the emergency room for care.
“They’ll kind of go to the ER and get what they need fixed with a band aid, and then not get long-term care,” Sheth said.
This can have wider ripple effects because an increase in uncompensated hospital care can drive up costs for other patients, as facilities seek to recoup the costs, according to Sternthal, who supports an extension of the ACA tax credits.
“Every delay locks families into decisions that harm their health and their financial stability, but then also reverberates out into the business community, the local community,” she said.
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles never figured out their offense — and now their season is over
The NFL will officially crown a new Super Bowl winner this season.
The defending champion Philadelphia Eagles, who were dominant during a run through Super Bowl 59 a year ago, were eliminated from the playoffs Sunday in a 23-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. And the Eagles’ season-long issue proved to be costly in the defeat, namely, their pedestrian offense.
Last season, Philadelphia averaged 36.3 points and 361 yards across four playoff games. Against the 49ers on Sunday, the Eagles were held under 20 points and finished with only 307 total yards — mustering a middling 4.3 yards per play — a subpar effort that ultimately sank the season.
The game was hard-fought enough that Philadelphia still had a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. After San Francisco scored the go-ahead touchdown, quarterback Jalen Hurts and the offense had two minutes and 54 seconds to come up with their own go-ahead score. But drops by A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith proved costly, and a Hurts incompletion on fourth-and-11 from the 49ers’ 21-yard line effectively ended the game.
Pick an offensive issue from the Eagles’ regular season, and it showed up against San Francisco.
Hurts’ inability to throw the ball downfield? After Philadelphia finished the regular season averaging just 194.3 passing yards per game, Hurts threw for even fewer Sunday, finishing with only 168 yards on 35 attempts.
Trouble getting Brown touches? The Eagles’ star receiver had only three catches for 25 yards — and no receptions after the first quarter.
Brown frustrated with those lack of touches? He got into an argument with head coach Nick Sirianni during the game.
A running game that could no longer compensate for the passing offense? Philadelphia averaged under 4 yards per carry in the loss. A season ago, the Eagles ran for 5 yards a rush all the way through the Super Bowl.
All those struggles added up to only 19 points against a 49ers team that was dealing with massive injuries on both sides of the ball but still found a way to win on the road.
Even as Philadelphia managed to win 11 games this season, there were concerns from the fan base over the direction of the offense under new coordinator Kevin Patullo. The team finished 19th in the NFL in points per game, 24th in yards per game and 22nd in yards per play.
Hurts himself even alluded to frustrations with Patullo when he was asked in the lead-up to Sunday’s game about why he wasn’t running the ball more often.
“No, the season has just gone the way it is,” Hurts told reporters when he was asked whether he was running less to keep himself healthy. “The approach this year, and the way the games have been called with this coordinator — with coach [Patullo] —it’s just kind of gone that way. I’ve taken it in stride and given my best with the position they’ve put me in.”
Though the Eagles will be only one season removed from a championship by the time they take the field again, it’s clear what the biggest task for Philadelphia will be this offseason: fixing an offense that fell off greatly over the course of one year.
Raphinha shines as Barça get thrilling win over Madrid in Supercopa final
Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 in an enthralling Clásico on Sunday to retain the Supercopa de España in Saudi Arabia.
The Brazilian struck the winner in the 73rd minute as Barça celebrated a third successive final victory over Madrid under Hansi Flick, following last season’s Supercopa and Copa del Rey successes.
Heading into the final 20 minutes, the tie had been delicately poised following a wild first half, which yielded three stoppage-time goals after Raphinha’s opener in the 36th minute.
First, Vinícius Júnior leveled, then Robert Lewandowski nudged Barça back ahead and there was still time for Gonzalo García to restore parity before halftime.
Madrid brought on Kylian Mbappé, back from a knee injury, in the second half, but it was Raphinha who proved the hero as Madrid’s Álvaro Carreras and Raúl Asencio spurned great late chances to take the game to a penalty shootout after Frenkie de Jong had been sent off. — Sam Marsden
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Barça win first trophy of the season, avenges October’s Clásico loss
Barça can now look back on the LaLiga defeat to Madrid in October as a blip. After winning all four Clásicos last year, there was the slight suggestion earlier this season that the tide could be turning after Xabi Alonso’s side earned a 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu.
For that reason, Barça’s players were desperate to reassert their dominance over their biggest rivals and they will feel they did that in Jeddah on Sunday.
For large parts of the game, they completely controlled proceedings, accumulating almost 70% of the possession by full time. They deserved their lead when Raphinha netted, with Madrid’s two equalizers feeling like sucker punches.
That’s not to say Madrid didn’t also create chances on the counter. Both teams ended with eight shots on target, but the xG totals paint a better picture of who created the best openings, with Barça’s 2.6 considerably more than Madrid’s 1.38.
That is now four trophies Barça have won under Flick. The German coach spoke this past week about the Supercopa last season, providing the platform for them to go on and win LaLiga and the Copa del Rey. With a four-point lead at the top of the league, more silverware looks likely, although it’s the UEFA Champions League that this set of players is so desperate to get their hands on. — Marsden
Vini Jr steps up, ends 16-game goalless streak
With Mbappé fit enough for only a place on the substitute’s bench — eventually being introduced in the 76th minute — there was more pressure than ever on another of Madrid’s star names to deliver: Vinícius Júnior.
But Vinícius hadn’t scored in 16 games, an unprecedented dry spell. It’s not just that he hadn’t been scoring; his lack of impact has seen him whistled by the Bernabéu crowd. His performance in the semifinal in Jeddah was notable only for his touchline war of words with Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone.
But when Vinícius picked up the ball late in the first half, in the second minute of added time, none of that mattered. Wide on the left, one-on-one with Jules Koundé, this was suddenly Vinícius at his absolute, unplayable best: teasing Koundé with the ball before smoothly nutmegging the right back, dancing into the box and finishing low past Joan García. His celebration, racing across to kick the corner flag, was an explosive release of emotion.
Vinícius badly needed this goal, and so did Real Madrid. As the second half began, he looked like a different player than the one we’ve seen in recent weeks, freed of so much tension and baggage. Twice, he went close to scoring again, Koundé unable to cope. Only late in the second half, perhaps tiring, the Brazil international was less of a threat, and he was replaced by Arda Güler in the closing minutes.
Vinícius’ goal didn’t end up mattering. Madrid lost the game. But if there’s one positive they can take home from this final, and this tournament, it’s that one of the world’s best players — on his day — has refound the form that made him a Ballon d’Or contender. Now we wait to see if it was just a mirage or something more concrete. — Alex Kirkland
Madrid’s safety-first setup almost works
Madrid started this game with what looked like a deeply conservative, defensively minded system. Often, when Barcelona had the ball and were pushing forward, Madrid were dropping into a deep block with a back five, as Federico Valverde dropped into right back, and Aurélien Tchouaméni joined Dean Huijsen and Raúl Asencio in the middle, with Carreras on the left.
Logically, Barça dominated. In the first half, they had 76% possession to Madrid’s 24%. There were legitimate reasons for Madrid’s approach: They were without key defenders such as Éder Militão and Antonio Rüdiger, and with the team having struggled to really convince for months now, they could be forgiven for taking the risk-averse, cautious approach.
Madrid suffered some heavy defeats to Barça last season, including a 5-2 loss in the Supercopa final. They could not afford a similar scoreline this time, especially given the precarious situation coach Alonso finds himself in, where a humiliation in this final might have cost him his job.
And in that sense, the night was a success: Madrid avoided that kind of defeat. There were five goals, but divided between the teams in a way that allowed them to emerge with some credit. They competed, they fought, and they lost by a single goal.
But it wasn’t the “rock ‘n’ roll” style we were promised from an Alonso team, and it wasn’t an approach Madrid can expect to replicate frequently without facing criticism for a playing style unbefitting a big team.
On Sunday night, it worked to a point. Madrid were in with a chance right until the very end, when they spurned two great opportunities to equalize in added time. But it isn’t a template for the future. — Kirkland
Raphinha continues his scoring streak
Raphinha absolutely thrives against Madrid. With the benefit of hindsight, it is perhaps no coincidence that Barça lost their first Clásico under Flick in October when the former Leeds United forward was sidelined with an injury.
Madrid had no such luck here. Raphinha returned at the end of November and has been slowly regaining his top form since. He sent a warning to Madrid with two goals in the semifinal win against Athletic Club and should have opened the scoring in the first half in Jeddah, shooting wide after receiving a fine pass from Lamine Yamal.
Given his tireless running, it didn’t take long for his next chance to arrive, and he took it brilliantly to open the scoring in the latter stages of the first half. The winner was slightly more fortuitous, taking a deflection to deceive Thibaut Courtois, but if anyone had earned it, it was Raphinha.
His recent record against Madrid is phenomenal. That is now seven goals and three assists in his past six appearances against them. Three of those matches have been finals: two now in the Supercopa and one in the Copa del Rey.
Meanwhile, he has 11 goals in 19 games this season. If this latest trophy is to prove a springboard for more Barça success this season, you would imagine they will need to keep Raphinha fit. It’s not just goals and assists he contributes, but the energy and intensity he supplies in heaps in defense and attack. — Marsden
Barca’s defensive and clean sheet mirage ends
Barcelona’s run of five straight clean sheets in all competitions, their longest such streak since 2020, always felt a little deceptive and so it proved against Madrid.
Vinícius deserves credit for his brilliant equalizer, but that is unlikely to alter how the first-team analysts dissect the defending beforehand. Questions need to be asked about Kounde’s role in the goal, as the Brazilian player skipped past him. The Frenchman has been below par throughout this season, although he could also have benefited from some help from Pau Cubarsí this time. The young center back was a spectator as Vinícius came on to his right foot.
The defending for the second goal was arguably worse. Cubarsí again didn’t deal with a corner well, while Pedri, who had just supplied a fine assist for the Lewandowski goal, was also too loose on García. Barça complained about stoppage time overrunning, but they would have done well to take some advice from Roy Keane and, rather than worrying about that, do their jobs.
So, there is still work for Flick to do at the back. Whether the arrival of the attacking full back João Cancelo will help remains to be seen, but for the neutral, it means much more fun, such as in the recent run of Clásicos and last season’s Champions League semifinal loss to Internazionale, should always be just around the corner. — Marsden
What does it all mean for Xabi Alonso?
So, where does this leave Real Madrid’s coach?
Alonso has faced several match points now, and he’s saved them all. Before Christmas, when the pressure on him was near-unbearable following losses to Celta Vigo and Manchester City, Madrid won three games in a week to ensure Alonso stayed in the job over the Christmas break. On their return to action in 2026, Madrid beat Real Betis 5-1 before a narrow, 2-1 win over Atlético Madrid in Thursday’s Supercopa semifinal. And now this: a 3-2 final defeat to a good team.
In a way, it all leaves Alonso back where he started. The doubts about him among senior figures at the club remain, because nothing that’s happened since has been significant enough to shift them. But there also hasn’t been anything bad enough to force a change. Madrid have been winning, without playing especially well — or here, they lost, while doing OK.
It means that barring something unexpected — always a possibility at Real Madrid — the most likely scenario is that Alonso stays in his job, and stays under pressure. For that to change, Madrid need to not just win games, but do so playing with a persuasive shape and style that feels like the team’s future, rather than a reaction to circumstances.
“We have to move on as soon as possible,” Alonso said afterward. “It’s the least important of the competitions we play. We have to look forward.” — Kirkland
Stellan Skarsgård honoured at Golden Globes 2026
Stellan Skarsgård was honoured at the 2026 Golden Globes with a win for Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Film Role, a moment that highlighted both his long-standing career and his belief in the power of cinema.
The veteran actor received the award on Sunday for his performance in Sentimental Value, using his brief but heartfelt speech to reflect on filmmaking and the importance of watching movies on the big screen.
Taking the stage, Skarsgård admitted the win came as a surprise.
“I of course was not prepared for this, because I thought that I was too old,” he said, drawing warm laughter from the audience.
He went on to thank his wife, Megan Everett-Skarsgård, describing her as “a brutal support, tough lover, and very educational.”
He also credited his children, joking that they helped shape his performance.
“I am playing a father that is a bad father, and my children have really told me what a bad father is,” he said, keeping the mood light while acknowledging the personal connection to the role.
Beyond personal thanks, Skarsgård emphasized what the win meant for the film itself.
He expressed pride that Sentimental Value, a small Norwegian production with limited resources, was being seen on such a global stage.
He noted how meaningful it was for a film without major advertising to reach audiences around the world through recognition like this.
Skarsgård closed his speech with a passionate message about the theatrical experience.
“Hopefully you will see it in the cinema, because they are an extinguished species now. In a cinema, where the lights go down and eventually your chair…the pulse with some other people. That is magic. Cinema should be seen in cinemas.”
His words earned strong applause, resonating with many in an industry still navigating changes in how films are watched.
Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier, stars Skarsgård alongside Renate Reinsve and Elle Fanning.
The film centers on a well-known director trying to mend his relationship with his daughters while preparing a new movie starring an American actress.
Skarsgård’s performance has already gained international attention, earning him a nomination for best European actor at the European Film Awards.
He previously won a Golden Globe for his work in the television miniseries Chernobyl.
At this year’s ceremony, Skarsgård competed in a strong supporting actor category that included Benicio Del Toro, Jacob Elordi, Sean Penn, Paul Mescal and Adam Sandler.
His win added another milestone to a celebrated career and reinforced his message about why cinema, especially in theaters, still matters.