Venezuela, Venezuela, and China’s expanding footprint are discussed by Mario Lubetkin on Washington’s resurrected sphere-of-influence doctrine.
Latin America was first used as the country’s strategic sphere of influence in the 1800s, and now the United States is doing so. Critics warn of legal violations and rising regional unrest as Washington expands maritime operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
Published On 20 Dec 2025
The world was stunned when news of the Ziggy Stardust legend’s death, aged 69, broke two days after the release of his poignant masterpiece in January 2016.
Bowie’s producer Tony Visconti vividly remembers how Bowie hugged him and told him he had liver cancer. Tony, who worked with the superstar for 50 years, says: “I remember going to his offices and a girl who worked there opened the door and she had been crying.
“Her eyes were red,” she said. She said, “David will be with you in a minute,” and led me into this tiny room with a small table and a seat either side.
“David then sits in front of me and he has got a woolly cap on. He has no eyebrows, which is what I notice first. I said, “I know what that is. It is chemotherapy’. I cried out in my eyes.
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Tony, who produced 14 albums for Bowie including Blackstar, says: “He is my lifetime friend since the 60s. I started mumbling things like ‘don’t worry, we will get through this. We will get the best doctors in the world. You’re strong. You are going to get over this’. I just started blabbering sh*t like that and he comes to my side of the table and he starts hugging me. Given what he knew about his own health, I think he wanted to make the best album of his life.”
Tony, who helped create the iconic hits Heroes, Young Americans, Diamond Dogs, Ashes to Ashes and Fashion, says musicians were sworn to secrecy as they worked on Blackstar in New York. He says: “Before he started the album he said to everyone ‘Guys, I have something to tell you’. He pulls his cap off and he stands there bald in front of them and they are looking at each other like ‘who wants to run away? Who wants to crawl under their piano? What the f*ck do you say?’
” The song I Cant Give Everything Away on the album makes me very tearful. He discusses his illness. Elvis wouldn’t have said it, which would be the worst thing to ever happen to someone who knew he was ill. The Beatles would not have done it. And he ranks alongside the other notable men in the top ten.
Blackstar keyboardist Jason Lindner says Bowie remained professional despite his illness, saying:” We were all pretty nervous and on edge to meet David Bowie. When he entered, we almost sat up as soldiers watched intently. He said, “gentles, sit down and unwind.” David told us in the beginning ‘ I don’t know what this is going to be. We’ll simply create some fantastic music. He would be asked how he was doing, but he refused to give a detailed explanation. He wanted to focus on the music. “
A new documentary, Bowie: The Final Act, which charts his early years, his breakthrough as Ziggy Stardust, his mainstream success in the 1980s, his wild years of the 1990s, and his triumphant comeback at Glastonbury in 2000, tells the story of the superstar’s final days. More than 250, 000 people tuned in to see Bowie as he crossed the millennium by dominating the legendary festival, 29 years after his debut performance as a rising glam rock act there in 1971.
Yet veteran music promoter John Giddings says it nearly didn’t happen, as Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis was unimpressed with Bowie’s dabble with drum ‘n’ bass during the 90s. John, who runs the annual Isle of Wight Festival, says: “In the 90s, David was not over happy with anyone suggesting he should play Ziggy Stardust and the songs that went with it. He felt like it was the past and he was more interested in the future. I had the genius idea of ‘why don’t we play Glastonbury?’ We were playing The Astoria in London with drum ‘n’ bass and I invited Michael Eavis.”
But Michael left half way through – disappointed not to hear his favourite Bowie hits and doubting his suitability as a headline act. John continues, “I was asked if I had any gossip the day after Bowie’s PR, Alan Edwards, invited me to see The Spice Girls.” I came up with the idea that Glastonbury are pleading with David Bowie to play the show next year.
“A week later the newspapers were saying Glastonbury want David to headline and then Michael Eavis gets all these faxes and phone calls and he made me an offer for David to play. I called David, and he responded, “Great.” Many thanks, but I’m unable to do it. I was like ‘ what do you mean you can’t do it? ‘” John continues, “Well, if you don’t do it, someone like Madonna will do it,” in a desperate attempt to persuade him. He eventually expressed his frustration with himself. David Bowie should play Glastonbury ‘”
And he continued to play. Bowie’s performance at Worthy Farm rekindled his career, which had fallen flat in the 1990s after being mocked for “selling out” with hits like Let’s Dance. He was also critically panned for his dalliance with rock band Tin Machine. For 30 years, I accompanied David, John continues. He became a superstar after letting dance create this worldwide following.
However, John believes Bowie preferred to explore various avenues of fame. He adds: “When he did Tin Machine and wanted to play hard rock my heart said ‘ that is a great thing to do ‘ and my head said ‘ financially, it is a disaster'”. Nine years after he disappeared from public life after suffering a heart attack while on his A Reality Tour, Bowie’s Glastonbury gamble paid off, opening the door to acclaimed albums like Heathen, Reality, and his 2013 comeback, The Next Day.
The global jaunt was the longest of Bowie’s career, spanning 112 shows from October 2003 to June 2004, covering Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Sadly, he fell ill during a show in Prague forcing him to cut his set short. The star’s long-time pianist Mike Garson recalls: “As a pianist, there is a connection and I could feel my hands tightening up when I was accompanying him. Something was going on. He was in pain. On a telepathic level I was feeling that. He saw a doctor and they told him it was a muscle spasm.”
Just two days later Bowie collapsed after coming off stage at the huge Hurricane Festival in Germany. His guitarist Earl Slick says: “He looked like hell. His skin colour did not look good I thought ‘Oh f*ck. They are not telling us everything’. He had a heart attack. It was a very weird ending. There was kind of silence for a while…nine years of it.”
Earl, who featured on albums Young Americans, Station to Station, Heathen and Reality, says Bowie also kept his struggles with depression from fans. There were a few different Davids, he claims. The 1970s David, the 1980s David, and the 21st Century David were all present. I loved the 21st Century David to death.
We both had really bad depression at times, despite our older and better health. Really awful Winston Churchill called it The Black Dog. Everyone in the band would try to talk to him when he was like, but I would avoid him. He will figure it out, I said to myself.
Today, Bowie’s band members continue to tour the world in various forms as part of their own way of paying homage to Bowie’s legacy. However, they all acknowledge that they are in need of the Starman, who has always provided new musical direction. The song “Lazaraus on Blackstar” had a lot of grace, according to pianist Mike Garson. He came to grips with death and he was able to express it through his music. He wrote the song’s own requiem. Who is that”?
Bowie: The Final Act runs in selected cinemas from Boxing Day and airs on Channel 4 on January 3 at 9.30pm.
Vernon Kay has shared a heartfelt tribute ahead of his wife Tess Daly’s final live appearance on Strictly Come Dancing. Tonight sees Tess and Claudia Winkleman take to the dance floor for the last time, as the remaining three finalists compete for the coveted Glitterball trophy.
After co-hosting the main program together for 11 years, the presenting pair announced in October that this would be their last season.
As the duo prepare for their final farewell, Vernon dedicated a portion of his BBC Radio 2 programme to his beloved wife of 22 years.
He declared, “I’ve got to say this, it’s Tess’ last Strictly on Saturday,” while broadcasting live on Friday.
It’s been an incredible 21 years, but I can’t say too much because I’m going to get emotionally.
He continued, “She has been at the helm of that show with Claudia [Winkleman] and Bruce Forsyth, and it has been nothing but ruckus fun.”
Our two children have also seen their two children arrive through the show, which has been the nation’s favorite since it began.
Vernon recalls his wife expecting their eldest daughter, Phoebe, during the first series, and then seeing her grown up and watching from the audience for the first time in the last 21 years.
It’s the entire team, he continued, “Strictly Come Dancing is not just Tess, it’s not just Claudia, it’s not just Tess and Bruce.”
“I just observe from the outside, and the entire team has made it such a joy to work on. Strictly Come Dancing has just swept me away in its whirlwind.
Congratulations to Tess on a fantastic run, I just have to say. Although it seems like we’ve lost a friend, she does an outstanding job on that program.
He continued, “Tess and Claudia are the most successful entertainment shows on the BBC, some might say of all time,” praising both women.
Vernon wrapped up his heartfelt tribute and wished his wife the best of the “great weekend” ahead, confirming that he will be cheering on his wife’s final live broadcast.
Look out for me in the background if you’re watching Strictly Come Dancing’s final on Saturday, where I’ll be making some funny faces, he said.
It’s going to be pretty impossible to hide my tears, but after 21 years of being in our family, it’s going to be.
This evening will also signal the finale for the three remaining partnerships; Karen Carney and Carlos Gu, Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin, and George Clarke and Alexis Warr. One duo will claim the crown as the newest Strictly Come Dancing champions, determined exclusively by public voting.
Each partnership will perform a show dance, a routine from their previous collaboration, and their favorite duo performance in order to captivate viewers.
George Clarke and his Strictly Come Dancing partner, Alexis Warr, have spoken out about a major departure from the programme in a “sad” update. Tonight’s episode (Saturday, December 20) will see the 2025 series reach its climax as the final three couples – George and Alexis, Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin, and Karen Carney and Carlos Gu – battle it out for the coveted Glitterball Trophy during the Strictly Grand Final.
Speaking on George’s Useless Hotline podcast, which he co-hosts with Max Balegde, the duo reflected on the looming exit of Strictly presenters Claudia Winkleman (who’s also known for her work on The Traitors) and Tess Daly following the conclusion of this series.
George highlighted that whilst the pre-recorded Christmas special would mark the final episode to feature the beloved presenting duo, tonight’s finale represents their last time presenting the massively popular BBC dancing show live.
Even though it’s my first season, Alexis explained, “I feel like I’ve known them for so long, and I just see how you can just fall absolutely in love with them.”
And they’re so good, and they’re just… a contestant or, what do you call it, a competitor? What am I trying to say about the role that your host plays on the show, who you are, how you develop a close relationship with them, and how much they contribute? “.
She explained that the duo make things “lighter”, as she recounted a time when she appeared on the US reality show So You Think You Can Dance, hosted by Cat Deeley, whom Alexis described as “like a breath of fresh air”.
Alexis went on to say: “And so you just see how much people love them, and so it’s definitely like bittersweet, and even though it’s my first year, I feel like I’ve known them for a long time, and it’s gonna be sad, but I think it’s gonna be a heartwarming and bittersweet.”
Max said, “I think the fact that you’ve only been there for a year and you feel that way speaks to how lovely they are as people.” Like, I constantly consider, “Imagine how the judges feel.”
Claudia and Tess, two seasoned Strictly hosts, announced their departure in a shocking revelation in October.
Taking to Instagram, the pair said they “loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream”.
They added that they believed it was the right time to leave together and that they were “always going to do so.”
Strictly Come Dancing’s grand finale will air on BBC One on Saturday, December 20, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Students at the Islamic University of Gaza have re-enrolled in in-person classes for the first time in two years as a result of Israel’s genocide against the besieged Palestinian enclave.
About 500 displaced families are now residing in these buildings that Israel’s relentless assault has rendered hollow shells. This Gaza City university, which reopened following the ceasefire in October, is now a home to.
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The former lecture halls’ original locations, which were stark examples of Gaza’s dual crises of homelessness and educational collapse, are now covered in tents.
One of the students looking for safety on campus, Atta Siam, said, “We came here after being displaced from Jabalia because we had nowhere else to go.” However, this is a place for education. It’s a place where our kids can study, not as a shelter.
Despite conditions that don’t closely resemble a functioning university, thousands of students have rekindled hope as a result of the partially resumed classes.
Since the start of the war in October 2023, UNESCO estimates that more than 95 percent of Gaza’s higher education facilities have suffered significant damage or destruction.
Youmna Albaba, a first-year medical student, claimed she had a dream about enrolling in a university that was properly equipped.
She said, “I need a place where I can concentrate fully and with all the necessary qualifications.” “But I didn’t find what I had imagined here,” she continued. I do still believe that everything is being built from scratch.
More than 750, 000 Palestinian students have been left without education for two consecutive academic years by what human rights organizations and experts from the UN have called “scholasticide,” according to the Gaza-based organization Al Mezan Center for Human Rights.
Recent statistics reveal that 137 of the country’s 494 schools and universities have been completely or partially destroyed, with 137 of those destroying themselves. According to Al Mezan’s report from January, there were 12,800 students killed, along with 760 teachers, educational staff, and 150 academics and researchers.
In January 2024, Israeli forces destroyed Isra University, which was the last remaining university in Gaza.
In the face of power cuts, equipment shortages, and subpar learning environments, professors at the Islamic University are using whatever resources are available. Dr. Adel Awadallah compared using plastic sheets to accomodate as many students as possible by covering exposed walls with plastic sheets. He claimed that we have borrowed motors to run the university’s equipment.
Taus of students rely on these temporary arrangements to continue their education despite only four classrooms being operational.
In April 2024, UN experts warned that the destruction might be a deliberate attempt to scuttle Palestinian society’s foundations.
Their statement read, “As schools are destroyed, so are hopes and dreams,” referring to the pattern of attacks as systematic violence against the educational infrastructure.
Beyond just physical destruction, the difficulties are greater. Families with limited access to food, water, and medicine find it nearly impossible to support children’s education.
Electricity blackouts, internet outages, and ongoing displacement have undermined the Ministry of Education and UNRWA’s remote learning initiatives.
Yet, students continue to study. They have consistently identified returning to school as a top priority, a chance to reclaim normalcy and their futures, despite the trauma of more than two years of Israeli bombardment and the loss of family members.
When the president of your nation congratulates you in writing, you can tell that you have accomplished something special.
Following his historic victory at the PDC World Championship on Thursday, Kenyan David Munyua received exactly that from William Ruto.
Know that the country is standing in your way as you move on to the next stage, Ruto wrote. Bring home the trophy, please.
World No. 18 Mike de Decker defeated debutant Munyua in the first round, which was one of the biggest upsets in the history of the tournament.
The 30-year-old made his debut at Alexandra Palace by two sets before winning 3-2 over the 2024 World Grand Prix winner.
“That was huge for everyone,” said Co-founder of Sirua Darts, the organization’s official affiliate, the Kenya Darts Association, Dann Korori.
Before making the trip to London for the World Championship, Munyua had never left Africa. He practices as a full-time veterinary technician at home.
The location of his shock victory was close to Chelsea’s home games at Stamford Bridge, which he and his wife enjoy playing there.
Before making his debut appearance on the stage, Munyua reportedly purchased his match-winning Cam Crabtree-design darts from a nearby store a few days prior.
Munyua and De Decker competed in a five-set thriller with the help of some impressive dance moves, plenty of passion, and a close encounter with the wasp from Alexandra Palace.
He also seems to be very upbeat in this regard. We had to instruct him to “tone it down until he wins a set,” Korori explained.
“I think that’s why, when he had a double to win the second set, I think it got to his head.
He has a golf switch in Kenya that reads “On the stage.” The fishing net is then thrown into the water by him as he swings his hands. After each leg, he pulls that. He seemed happy to see him enjoying himself on stage.
It was a good stage for him because he interacts well with the fans who were behind him. Fans, in my opinion, had a lot of motivation for him. He took advantage of the opportunity.
Munyua’s work as a vet frequently sees him balancing his darts career with looking after animals in addition to his passion and adoration for the fans.
“We played the Nairobi Darts Masters last week.” He was chosen for the knockouts, Korori said.
He then said, “Oh tomorrow morning, I have to look after a few cows, then I’ll be here by ten.”
Munyua is Kenya’s first-ever PDC World Championship representative. The most successful African player in PDC history, Devon Petersen, sent Munyua a video wishing him well before facing De Decker.
Peter Wachiuri, a native of Kenya, impressed on his Modus Super Series debut this year.
Football and athletics are Kenya’s main sports. They hope this will pique new interest in the sport for those who play darts around the nation.
Korori continued, “It’s something that has been cooking, and we were just waiting for that one moment for this to blow up.”
Everyone is now using it, they say. We should fill an Ally Pally, in my opinion, in the next year or two.