Roberto Carlos, the legend between Brazil and Real Madrid, described the procedure as “a preventative medical procedure” as “a recovery well.”
The former left-back, 52, kept fans informed of his condition on Instagram, which included a photo of him smiling in a hospital bed.
He also refuted rumors that he had a heart attack.
He wrote, “I would like to clarify recent information that has been circling.”
“My medical team and I recently planned a preventative medical procedure in advance. I’m feeling well and the procedure went well. I didn’t have a heart attack.
I’m recovering well, looking forward to returning to full fitness, and resuming my professional and personal commitments soon.
“I sincerely appreciate everyone’s messages of support, concern, and care.” There is no reason to worry, in my opinion.
The entire medical staff for taking care of me is in my heart.
In addition to his 527 Real Madrid appearances, Carlos won four La Liga titles and three Champions League titles, as well as the 2002 World Cup victory over Brazil.
In retaliation for US President Donald Trump’s decision to forbid their citizens from entering the US visa this month, Mali and Burkinabe have announced they will impose full visa bans on their citizens.
The two West African nations are the latest to impose “tit-for-tat” visa restrictions on the US, which are both governed by the military. These are in addition to Trump’s new visa restrictions, which are currently in effect for 39 African, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American nations. According to the White House, they were put in place for “national security” reasons.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation informs the country and the world that the government of the Republic of Mali will immediately impose the same restrictions and requirements on American citizens as they do for Malian citizens, according to a statement from the ministry.
Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore, the foreign minister of Burkinabe, referenced a reciprocity rule in a separate statement regarding the visa ban in his country.
Which nations have outlawed US citizens from applying for visas?
Laos, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria are among the countries that are currently exempt from US visa restrictions, as announced in the US directive on December 16.
The Palestinian Authority’s travel documents were also prohibited from entering the US as a result of the order.
For the reason for the ban, the US cited the countries’ poor screening and vetting capabilities, information-sharing practices, visa overstay rates, and refusal to accept back their deported citizens.
Countries were also surveyed based on their “significant terrorist presence,” according to Trump’s order, which included a list of nations.
On Thursday, the US ban will become effective.
For years, armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) have been using violence in Mali, Burkinabe, and neighboring Niger. Millions of civilians have been displaced by the violence there.
Niger imposed a ban on entry for US citizens on Friday, citing the US’s ban on citizens as well. Similar to its neighbors Mali and Burkinabe, the nation is also militarily governed. In order to address security issues and strengthen trade relations, all three formed the Alliance of Sahel States in July 2024.
With an exception for US officials, Chad stopped issuing visas to Americans on June 6 in its own reciprocal move. Prior to June 9, only US citizens who were issued visas are now permitted to enter the country.
The United States was first listed among the 12 countries whose citizens the Trump administration imposed a full visa ban on starting June 9.
On December 23, 2025, at the Alliance of Sahel States summit in Bamako, Mali, Ibrahim Traoré, president of Burkinabe, poses with Assimi Gota, second from left.
Which nations are impacted by the ban on US visas?
According to the US-based Council on Foreign Relations think tank, citizens of 39 nations are currently subject to full or partial immigration restrictions.
Those that are completely prohibited are:
Afghanistan
Burkinabe
Chad
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Laos
Libya
Mali
Myanmar
Niger
Congo Republic
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Yemen
Additionally, Palestinian Authority travelers’ travel documents are essentially prohibited.
Those who are partially restricted are:
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Benin
Burundi
Cuba
Dominica
Gabon
Gambia
Ivory Coast
Malawi
Mauritania
Nigeria
Senegal
Tanzania
Togo
Tonga
Turkmenistan
Venezuela
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Trump specifically aims to ban visas in Africa.
In his second term as president of the United States, Trump addressed the issue of visa entry for people from three African countries, including Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Iran, with the exception of his first administration’s “Muslim ban.”
Sudan was added while Chad was added in later versions of the ban.
Since Trump’s election on January 20, most nations have been subject to US entry restrictions. 26 of the 39 affected nations are African.
How have trade relations between the US and Africa changed under Trump?
Tradewise, the US has switched from its preferential African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade regime to a tariff-based tariff-based system, which has also been used by most other countries worldwide as a result of Trump’s tariffs policy.
From 2000, AGOA granted African nations duty-free access to US markets, boosting their ability to export a range of goods, including cars and wine.
According to the US-based Center for Strategic International Studies, AGOA created 300, 000 jobs in African nations and indirectly sustained another 1.2 million.
However, AGOA expired in September as a result of the US Congress’s delaying. No steps have been taken to revive the program despite the Trump administration’s declaration that it supports a one-year extension.
Instead, tariffs are frequently high for African nations because the US occasionally uses political justifications to justify them.
For instance, after Trump refuted claims that there was a “genocide” against the country’s white Afrikaner minority, South Africa, the richest nation, was subject to a 30% tariff. Since then, the US government has given Afrikaners’ resettlement as refugees priority.
When Trump met with him at the White House in May, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa explained that crime in the nation targeted the entire population, not just its white citizens. However, he was unable to persuade him.
In a bid to compete with China, which processes 90% of the world’s rare earth metals and mines about 60% of them, Trump’s administration is also giving priority to its access to crucial rare earth minerals, which are used to create high-tech devices.
Following the DRC government’s suggestion to negotiate a minerals deal with the US, Trump stepped up as a mediator in the conflict between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring Rwanda this year. Rwanda is accused by the US and the UN of supporting an M23-led rebellion in the eastern DRC.
Trump, who underwent diplomatic pressure on Rwanda on December 4, successfully secured a peace agreement between the two nations. He did not agree to US military action in the DRC.
Despite the peace agreement, M23 continues to attack civilians.
The DRC’s and Rwanda’s mineral reserves, which include cobalt, copper, lithium, and gold, were granted to US companies with a provision in the pact.
On May 21, 2025, US President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa meet in the White House’s Oval Office.
What about collaborating in security and aid?
Many African nations who were incredibly dependent on the US Agency for International Development, the largest donor of humanitarian and medical aid, were affected by the Trump administration’s decision to close the US Agency for International Development in early 2025.
Since then, Somalia, northern Kenya, and northeastern Kenya have reported rising hunger.
Additionally, health experts and analysts have raised concerns about the potential harm to efforts to stop and stop the spread of HIV in Lesotho and South Africa.
Officials in northern Cameroon have discovered a rise in malaria deaths as a result of decreased drug supplies. Under the condition that Cameroon raises its own annual health spending from $22 million to $450 million, the US unilaterally pledged $400 million in health funding to the nation over the next five years.
When Trump recalled 30 career diplomats from 29 nations last week, former president Joe Biden was also among the most seriously affected African countries.
Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, and Uganda were the 15 of them who were stationed in Africa.
Similar to the strikes carried out by Trump during his first term in office, which included those against ISIL and al-Qaeda, between 2017 and 2021.
According to the US-based New America Foundation think tank, the US launched strikes in Somalia in September in response to al-Shabab and the ISIL affiliate in Somalia Province.
On Thursday, the US made its first offensive against ISIL and al-Qaeda-linked groups in northwest Nigeria.
The two nations engaged in a narrative war even though those strikes were carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian government.
The US claims to be “saving” Nigerian Christians from a genocide.
ExCLUSIVE: Rick Astley, a popular 1980s pop star, has revealed his 2026 New Year’s resolution, which includes a tour of the UK and abroad before turning 60.
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Rick Astley reveals his New Years resolution(Image: PA)
Before his April tour, Rick Astley has pledged to get in shape in 2026 and is incorporating one particular pop icon as inspiration.
Never Gonna Give You Up singer Rick, who turns 60 in February 2026, has revealed his New Years resolution in an exclusive interview with the Mirror. When asked about his goals for 2026, the hit 1980s pop singer-songwriter revealed: “We’re touring in April and we’ve got a bunch of gigs throughout the summer actually – and abroad as well and everything. One of my things that I’m conscious of – just ’cause I’m the youngest of four kids – is I need to gett fitter than I am.”
Rick, who is the youngest of four siblings, revealed that his desire to get fitter is motivated by his upcoming tour, The Reflection Tour, as well as his family’s recent health issues, but he didn’t go into specifics. He stated, “I’m watching my brother John, who’s retired as well as my sister Jayne go through some things.” I’m the youngest, and we’re all complaining about physical things right now.
Meanwhile, Ricky revealed watching Take That star Gary Barlow’s “impressive” fitness routine and tour prep has also inspired him to step up his game.
The singer admitted ahead of the Nordoff and Robbins Carol Service earlier this month that, “I very frequently watch Gary Barlow – goddamn Gary Barlow – on his Instagram getting fit for a tour.
For the love of God, I’m like, “Gary, please calm down, please. he laughed, do you understand what I mean? Therefore, I believe that is essentially a New Year’s resolution. I need to get more active because I’m already fairly active, but I really need to step up.
When asked if Gary would inspire him to travel again in 2026 with Take That, Rick sighed and admitted, “I don’t know about that. Gary, he’s a machine.
The pop sensation then added: “One thing I’d say about him – because I opened for them on a tour some years ago in 2019. One of the things that I thought was amazing about all three of them [Gary, Mark Owen and Howard Donald] was how conscientious they were about the gigs.”
Rick continued, “I believe they’re doing it right now, Gary is doing it online and in other ways.” They perform at those venues.
They don’t like going, “Oops, give us the money, we’ll just roll out and play a few tunes,” they say. No, this tour has to be just as good or better than anything we’ve ever done before, every time. And I was kind of like, “Wow!” when I went and did that.
And I do know Gary a little, too, but I was kind of like, “This is really impressive,” this is not three guys just going, “Ok, whatever, we’ll be fine.” We’ll just let go of our arses, and all will be well. They put in a lot of effort. And I believe it comes from their supporters in turn.
They can’t half measure it, Rick said, and their gigs are “mayhem.” He then said, “I don’t dance routines that’s the other thing you see, but I’m not saying that’s rubbed off on me – and I’ve got a few years on them, by the way, I’m a little older than them.”
He made the joke that I occasionally swing my guitar and snoop around. However, I still need to improve my fitness.
The 2026 appropriation bill, which amounts to 1.39 trillion, was approved by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Tuesday in contrast to the adjusted allocation of 1.65 trillion for 2025.
Following Dr. Itorobong Etim, the chair of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Dr. Itorobong Etim submitted the report, which included a total of 355 billion dollars for current expenditure and a total of 1.035 trillion for capital projects.
The Assembly’s deputy chief whip, Sampson Idiong (APC), and the representative for Oruk Anam State Constituency, made a motion to accept the report, which was supported by the House’s entire delegation.
Gov. ‘s “Population’s Budget of Expansion and Growth” The House of Assembly was given a total budgetary framework of $1. 39 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year on November 25, 2025, for evaluation by Omo Eno.
The House had previously established a Committee of Supply to review the 2026 appropriation, and the bill went through third reading before being approved.
According to Etim, she submitted to the House the 2019-2026 revenue and expenditure estimates for Akwa Ibom in accordance with Section 14 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the applicable provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2004 for consideration.
She noted that the committee held a public hearing on the budget and invited MDAs, non-governmental organizations, and other interested parties to participate in the committee’s legislative budgetary process.
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Members of the Committee of Supply voted unanimously to approve the report, which was followed by the ratification of the appropriation bill.
In his observations, House of Assembly speaker Udeme Otong praised lawmakers’ commitment and synergy, which helped to get the budget approved quickly.
Otong also thanked the Assembly’s administration and staff for their assistance and input, as well as other parties involved, for their assistance and input in making the legislative process successful.
He gave instructions to the governor to send the House’s resolution to the House Clerk, Nsikak-Abasi Orok. For ratification, use Omo Eno.
As the winter arrives and communities are frantically searching for shelter, Israeli forces have begun demolishing dozens of buildings in the northern occupied West Bank that house Palestinian families.
On Wednesday, Israeli military bulldozers and cranes slammed through the Nur Shams refugee camp’s residential blocks, flattening about 100 homes. An AFP news agency journalist at the scene reported that as camp residents watched from a distance as thick clouds of dust rose over the camp.
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Mutaz Mahr, whose building was one of the ones that were destroyed, said, “It is deeply painful to be torn away from our homes, our neighborhoods, and our memories.”
He told AFP, “The occupation uses every means to wear us down and exert pressure on us,” referring to Israel.
As the bulldozers advanced, he said, “Our home is dear to us, the memories are dear to us, the family, the neighbors, and the good people are dear to us.” Our grandparents were displaced the first time, and now it’s the second time.
After being driven out of the camp, Mahr claimed that he and about 25 other relatives were residing in a 100-square-foot (120-yard) apartment.
The Israeli military claimed that the demolitions were part of a military operation aimed at Palestinian resistance groups, a claim that could not be independently verified. Palestinians who live there and support human rights organizations claim that the destruction constitutes forced displacement and collective punishment.
On December 31, 2025, an Israeli military excavator in the Nur Shams Palestinian refugee camp observes residents’ homes being destroyed.
Before the most recent raid, Nur Shams’ popular committee member Nihaya al-Jendi claimed the volume of displacement had already reached crisis levels.
More than 1,500 camp families are still unable to come back today, Jendi told AFP. “This is a major catastrophe unfolding before the eyes of the world, a genuine humanitarian disaster for Palestinian refugees.”
Nur Shams, Tulkarem, and Jenin are just a few of the refugee camps Israel claims to have attacked in the northern West Bank earlier this year.
According to Human Rights Watch, which analyzed satellite imagery, at least 850 homes have been destroyed or seriously damaged in each of the three camps. The destruction, according to the group, appears to be intended to “clear buffer” areas and permanently reshape the camps’ urban fabric, putting more pressure on Israeli control.
More settlements have been approved.
Israel is moving forward with the expansion of illegal settlements as refugee homes are reduced to rubble. According to Israeli media, Israeli authorities approved plans for 126 settler housing units in the Sa-Nur outpost in the northern West Bank on Wednesday.
According to a report from Channel 7, the High Planning Council approved a detailed plan that would allow illegal settlers to retake Sa-Nur, which was evacuated in 2005.
In accordance with then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s unilateral disengagement plan, which removed settlements from Gaza and four sites in the northern West Bank, the outpost was destroyed. When Israel’s parliament repealed the disengagement law through a bill known as the “Cancellation of the Disengagement Law,” that policy was changed in March 2024.
The new strategy, according to Channel 7, could become effective in two months.
Israeli actions against the UN
Israel is putting more pressure on the UN to deal with Palestinian refugees as a result of the demolitions and settlement approvals.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ statement on Wednesday criticized Israel’s decision to close UNRWA-owned facilities with no electricity or water.
The spokesperson added that the measure would “further impede” the agency’s ability to function. UNRWA, its property, and assets are still subject to the terms of the Convention, according to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, who noted that UNRWA is an “integral” component of the UN system.
The decision, according to UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, was part of a “systematic campaign to discredit UNRWA and thereby obstruct” its efforts to assist Palestinian refugees.
A law was passed in Israel’s parliament in 2024 that forbids officials from speaking to the agency and prohibits its operation. Despite Israel’s annexation claims, UNRWA continues to operate in occupied East Jerusalem, which the UN regards as occupied territory.
