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NEED TO KNOW

• Kaia Gerber and Lewis Pullman spent time together in Los Angeles on Dec. 12

• The pair held hands and rode in a Porsche convertible for their daytime outing

• Gerber and Pullman first sparked dating rumors in January
  

Kaia GerberandLewis Pullmanwere out and about in Los Angeles.

The model and actress, 24, and the actor, 32, were photographed together on Friday, Dec. 12.

During the daytime outing, Gerber and Pullman held hands, and they also rode in a Porsche convertible together.

Pullman kept warm in a black top and blue jeans, matching Gerber, who added a green scarf to her attire for a pop of color.

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Gerber and Pullman were romantically linked in January, when they were spotted cozying up atTop Gun: Maverickstar's birthday party, just weeks after theSaturday Nightactress' split fromAustin Butler.

"They've been spending time together the last few weeks,"a source told PEOPLE at the time, adding, "They're a cute couple and very low-key."

The two were later spotted in Italy over the summer at the Venice Film Festival, where Pullman's movie withAmanda Seyfried,The Testament of Ann Lee,premiered.

Gerber and Pullman, the son ofBill Pullman, were then seen exchanging smooches during a PDA-packed date night.

In October, the model and actress made herfirst public commentsabout her relationship with Pullman.

During an episode of theTherapuss with Jake Shanepodcast, Gerber shared insight into how their romance has made a positive impact on her life.

"A lot is being healed in this relationship," she said, as hostJake Shaneagreed that the pair make a "healthy couple."

Gerber also explained how dating a "friend" has proven to be beneficial.

"I really feel like if you have the opportunity to date a friend, do it, because it just is so much better," she said. "I would never want to fight with my friends. I never want to be mad at my friends. I respect my friends. It just is a whole other thing."

Gerber — whose parents areCindy CrawfordandRande Gerber— then spoke about how Pullman was easily integrated into her inner circle, even going as far as describing him as her friend group's "boyfriend."

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Another dating topic Gerber spoke on is her outlook on age gaps. She and Pullman have eight years between them. (Gerber and her ex, 34-year-old Butler,dated with a 10-year gapbetween them.)

"I would completely just change my personality and my values for someone. I always dated people that were older than me, and so I was very willing to give up everything," she told Shane, 26.

"I was like, I can show you I love you by completely, giving up my life for you, which is actually not how you build respect and trust and is not good in the long run," Gerber added. "Then you start to bring a little bit more of who you really are into the relationship and they're like, no, I like that person before."

Read the original article onPeople

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What's better than aFriendsmarathon? A marathon of the iconic sitcom's best Christmas episodes, of course.

Now that you've binge-watched all ofFriends' Thanksgiving episodes, it's time to light the fire, curl up under the blankets and enjoy a few laughs with our favorite pals: Ross (David Schwimmer), Monica (Courteney Cox), Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Chandler (Matthew Perry), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) and Joey (Matt LeBlanc).

Sure, there are plenty ofChristmas movies streaming, but sometimes you need to take a break and enjoy a bite-sized taste of the holiday shenanigans. Fortunately, there are episodes across the NBC show's 10 seasons that deliver the yuletide joy, coupled with a healthy mix of hilarious and heartfelt moments.

From Ross and Monica's famous (maybe infamous) dance routine to Chandler quitting his job to make it back to New York City in time for the holidays, these festive installments will be there for you and your loved ones towatch on HBO Max.

Keep reading for the complete list ofFriends' Christmas-themed episodes.

Season 1, Episode 10: "The One with the Monkey"

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With the holidays approaching, Ross introduces the gang to his new roommate: Marcel the monkey. The episode's other main storyline revolves around the friends throwing a no-date New Year's Eve party, a concept that everyone — besides Ross — eventually breaks when they end up in relationships. By the end of the night, however, everyone is single again.

Watch "The One with the Monkey" on HBO Max

Season 2, Episode 9: "The One with Phoebe's Dad"

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The season's first Christmas episode centers on Phoebe trying to track down her father after she realizes the photo she'd had of him is just a generic photo that comes in a frame, bringing Joey and Chandler along for the ride. Elsewhere, Ross and Rachel have a lovers' quarrel, and Monica's Christmas party is a disaster after the heater breaks and turns the apartment into a sauna.

Watch "The One with Phoebe's Dad" on HBO Max

Season 3, Episode 10: "The One Where Rachel Quits"

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On this episode, Rachel decides to quit her job as a waitress at the gang's local hangout, Central Perk, in the hopes of landing a career in fashion. After Ross causes a Girl Scout named Sarah Tuttle (guest starMae Whitman) to break her leg, he sets out to help her sell holiday cookies out of guilt. In tragic news, Phoebe learned what happens to unwanted Christmas trees.

Watch "The One Where Rachel Quits" on HBO Max

Season 4, Episode 10: "The One with the Girl from Poughkeepsie"

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It's the holiday season once again for the N.Y.C. crew, and Rachel is over relationships and ready for a fling while Ross meets various women on the train to varying degrees of success — and distance. Meanwhile, Monica is having work troubles at her new job as head chef at Allesandro's restaurant involving an insubordinate kitchen staff, and Phoebe sets out to write a Christmas song for her friends but struggles with rhymes.

Watch "The One with the Girl from Poughkeepsie" on HBO Max

Season 5, Episode 10: "The One with the Inappropriate Sister"

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Phoebe decides to give back and collect money for those in need by dressing as Santa to spread holiday cheer. The three male friends face conflict living in one apartment, and Monica and Chandler continue to hide their relationship from the others. Rachel discovers her boyfriend, Danny (George Newbern), is weirdly obsessed with his sister, Krista (Julie Lauren).

Watch "The One with the Inappropriate Sister" on HBO Max

Season 6, Episode 10: "The One with the Routine"

Warner Bros./Courtesy: Everett Collection

Ross and Monica attempt to steal the show at the taping ofDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve,while Joey tries to get a kiss from Janine (Elle Macpherson) at midnight. Back home, Phoebe, Chandler and Rachel frantically search for Monica's hiding spot for their Christmas presents.

In 2021, Coxrecreated the dance routineshe and Schwimmer did onFriendswith pop starEd Sheeran. In Sheeran's poston Instagramfeaturing the video, he hilariously wrote, "#obviouslybetterthanross."

Watch "The One with the Routine" on HBO Max

Season 7, Episode 9: "The One with All the Candy"

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Despite not knowing her neighbors, Monica decides to make candy for them. When the neighbors put pressure on Monica to produce more candy, Chandler steps in to defend her. Elsewhere, Rachel and Tag (Eddie Cahill) fail to keep their relationship secret at work, and Ross attempts to teach Phoebe how to ride a bicycle after he learns she never owned one.

Watch "The One with all the Candy" on HBO Max

Season 7, Episode 10: "The One with the Holiday Armadillo"

Ross dresses up as an armadillo to teach his son, Ben (Cole Sprouse), about Hanukkah and their Jewish heritage. However, Chandler impresses him more when he dresses up as Santa — and don't get us started on Joey as Superman. Elsewhere, Phoebe tries to drive Rachel out of Joey's apartment and move back in with her after her apartment renovations are done.

Schwimmer said this episode was the one he was most looking forward to showing his daughter when she was old enough,tellingGlamourin January 2016, " 'The One with the Holiday Armadillo' was fun! I mean, it wasreallyfun."

Watch "The One with the Holiday Armadillo" on HBO Max

Season 8, Episode 11: "The One with the Ross' Step Forward"

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Ross voices his concerns to Mona (Bonnie Somerville) when she decides to send a Christmas card with both of them. Meanwhile, Chandler gets stuck hanging out with his recently divorced boss, Doug (Sam McMurray), and Rachel — pregnant with Ross' baby — struggles with her hormones, making her lust after every guy she sees.

Watch "The One with the Ross' Step Forward" on HBO Max

Season 9, Episode 10: "The One with Christmas in Tulsa"

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Chandler makes a huge decision to quit his job after his co-worker, Wendy (Selma Blair), attempts a pass at him. He finally returns home just in time for the holidays, much to Monica and his friends' delight. The rest of the episode is essentially a bunch of clips, so there are flashbacks galore for nostalgic fans to enjoy.

Watch "The One with Christmas in Tulsa" on HBO Max

Read the original article onPeople

LONDON (AP) — Medics and health charities on Saturday praisedKing Charles IIIfor giving a publicupdate on his cancer treatment, saying his call for people to get tested for the disease could save lives.

In a strikingly personal video statement, the British monarch acknowledged that a cancer diagnosis can feel "overwhelming," but said catching the disease early brings "the precious gift of hope."

Here's what to know about the king's condition and his message.

A royal health update

The 77-year-old king said in a statement broadcast Friday that his treatment schedule will be reduced in the new year, "thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to 'doctors' orders.'"

He encouraged others to take advantage of screening programs such as those for breast, bowel and cervical cancer offered by Britain's public health service.

"Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives," the king said in the statement aired during a "Stand Up to Cancer" telethon on TV station Channel 4. He said catching the disease early had allowed him "to continue leading a full and active life even while undergoing treatment."

Charles has received outpatient treatment for almost two years. Buckingham Palace did not say the king is in remission, but that his treatment is moving to a "precautionary phase" and his condition will be monitored to ensure his continued recovery.

Diagnosed in 2024

Charles announced in February 2024 that he had beendiagnosed with cancer, and, in a break from centuries of secrecy about royal health, he has since spoken about the illness, using his story to promote cancer awareness and treatment.

The openness has limits, though. The king has not disclosed what type of cancer he has or what kind of treatment he is receiving. The palace saidit was an intentional decisiondesigned to ensure his message reaches the widest possible audience.

The king's cancer was discovered after treatment for an enlarged prostate. While doctors ruled out prostate cancer, tests revealed "a separate issue of concern," palace officials said last year.

Charlessuspended his public appearancesfor about two months after his diagnosis. Since returning to the public eye, he has visited cancer treatment centers across the country and shared stories with fellow patients.

Setting an example

British cancer charities said the number of people seeking information about cancer jumped after the king revealed he was undergoing treatment.

"I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming," he said in his video statement. "Yet I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams – and, to their patients, the precious gift of hope."

Gemma Peters, chief executive at the charity Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "We are incredibly grateful to His Majesty the King for continuing to share his experience of cancer with such openness and honesty."

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of the charity Cancer Research UK, wished the king well and said that "when public figures speak openly about their cancer diagnosis, it can prompt others to check in on their health."

Broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, the king's authorized biographer, said the statement was "a remarkable thing for a monarch to do."

"It takes guts, and the fact that he came out and did that will save lives," Dimbleby said.

The Princess of Wales, who announced her own cancer diagnosis six weeks after her father-in-law, has also given updates on her treatment. Kate, 43, announced in January that her cancer is in remission.

Find more of AP's coverage athttps://apnews.com/hub/royalty

First of two stories looking at the role of ICE in the changing landscape of immigration enforcement.

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Back when he was in uniform, everywhere the airman went Americans adored him, thanked him for his service, offered to buy him lunch.

Then he joined ICE.

Now – in the midst of newly aggressive immigration enforcement – the U.S. Air Force veteran is more likely to hear insults and slurs from the public than thanks. He became an ICE deportation officer because he thinks of himself as "a law-and-order guy." And because ICE is the family business.

His father is an ICE deportation officer. And his sister. And his twin brother.

"All we want to do is create a safer America," said John, who asked that USA TODAY withhold his full name for fear of being targeted for his work. His fellow officers and family "put their lives on the line," he said, "and I'm willing to do the same."

PresidentDonald Trump, acting with broad voter support, has made deporting millions of immigrants the centerpiece of his second presidency. Masked ICE agents have become the face of that nationwide deportation campaign.

Trump supporters view the effort as a necessary response to historically high migration under PresidentJoe Biden. An influx ofroughly 6 million migrants between 2021 and 2024pushed the percentage of foreign-born people in the United States to a century high and drove a political crowbar into an America sharply divided by immigration.

Millions of Americans now support mass deportation at whatever cost. Polls, protests and viral videos suggest millions of others believe the efforthas already gone too far, and organized resistance is growing.

John and his family have long considered themselves public servants charged with enforcing the law Congress enacted.

But this view is increasingly at odds with the shocking headlines and viral videos of detentions many Americans see as unjust or overly violent.

Agents smashing car windows.Piling out of a Penske truckto grab workers at a Home Depot. Pursuingfarmworkers through strawberry fields. Rappelling from aBlack Hawk helicopterinto an apartment building.Chasing a caregiver into a daycare, hauling her out by force.

ICE is taking the heat, though most of those incidents were led by U.S. Border Patrol, a separate agency under the Department of Homeland Security. But for a growing number of Americans, especially in immigrant communities, the insignia on a badge matters less than the tactics they see as overly aggressive, even unjust.

John and his family agreed to talk to USA TODAY – with permission from their superiors – to counter what they see as false impressions of their work.

To cover their perspective, which has been largely absent from the public debate on immigration, USA TODAY went behind the scenes of the Trump administration's deportation campaign. In November, we spent three days with ICE in Kansas City, part of the Chicago field office tasked with immigration enforcement in a sprawling, six-state region of the Midwest that includes Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

USA TODAY withheld the full names of family members at their request, given the charged climate around immigration enforcement and because they are not official spokespeople for their agency. They each used one of their given names.

John recalled that, as an airman, "I had people wanting to buy me lunch in an airport or, you know, looking at me like I'm some sort of hero.

"Then when I come to this side of the aisle – where I'm still putting my life on the line to enforce the law and wanting to create a safer America – now all of a sudden, I'm not that hero."

More:Exclusive look inside ICE: How the agency operates in Trump's America

ICE on a recruitment push

In August, amid an $8 billion hiring spree, Homeland Securityposted an ICE recruitment flyerthat depicted a grizzled agent with a salt-and-pepper beard beside a fresh-faced youth in camo and body armor.

The tagline read: "We're taking father/son bonding to a whole new level."

Nationwide, ICE is working to hire as many as 10,000 deportation officers in addition to the nearly15,000 federal law enforcement officersdetailed to immigration enforcement. A year ago, ICE had 6,000 deportation officers in total.

We're taking father/son bonding to a whole new level.https://t.co/nZkBEj3GGipic.twitter.com/sg5QwuDDwG

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov)August 6, 2025

John, his brother James, and their sister Danielle had already followed in their father Robert's footsteps, graduating the ICE training academy during a 2024 presidential election dominated by the immigration debate.

As a family, they hold the gamut of jobs within ICE.

Robert drives a commercial van transporting ICE detainees between facilities or medical care. John, briefly detailed to Kansas City from his home base in Florida, makes street arrests as a deportation officer. James picks up immigrants arrested on criminal charges from area jails. And Danielle works a desk job arranging the travel documents required for immigrants to be deported

Inspired by their dad's quarter-century of service, the siblings landed at ICE after other careers. John spent six years in the Air Force, including one overseas deployment. James, the younger brother by five minutes, worked for the Bureau of Prisons. Danielle, the eldest, was first a schoolteacher, then worked for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Robert was nearing the end of his career just as his kids were joining the force. They worked together for six months, an opportunity that made Robert emotional: "Seeing them in the morning when I get to the office, it's just hard to explain..." At 57, he came up on mandatory retirement in May.

He bought a sportscar, packed up his desk and was about to take his wife, Michelle, for their first real vacation in years when an email from the new Trump administration hit his personal inbox in June: Retirees could return to ICE, with a $50,000 bonus.

Michelle asked what he was thinking.

"It's a no-brainer," he told her. "It's time to go back."

A blitz and a backlash

In September, Robert and another returning officer were settling into a closet-sized office decorated with a Kansas City Chiefs banner when DHS surged federal agents to Chicago. Danielle got orders to depart for the operation named "Midway Blitz" at 10 p.m. the night before she would leave. It was a monthlong detail.

The same week, on September 25, a shooter perched on a hotel rooftop fired into the garage of an ICE facility in Dallas,fatally woundingtwo detained immigrant men. Authorities said the shooter had "specifically intended to kill ICE agents."

The anti-ICE movement was exploding.

A continuous street protest was underway at the local ICE headquarters in Broadview, Illinois, when Danielle arrived. Amid clashes with clergy and activists, a protestor held a sign with a Biblical message: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." Danielle walked through clouds of tear gas to get to work.

Danielle, active in her Kansas City church, confided to other churchgoers that she worked for ICE and would be deployed to the "blitz" – how else to explain her sudden, prolonged absence?

She was met by some with understanding, by others with accusations. One woman confronted her about her work.

Danielle said, "It's hard to have a conversation about it because there isn't any trust. A lot of people like the lady from church are going to just assume that I am blowing smoke and not being honest."

Immigrant families feared their loved ones being taken by ICE, or sent to far-flung detention centers. Robert and Michelle worried about their kids being deployed to Chicago.

"It's never exactly safe, but now you have people that are protesting and getting physical and burning things, and it just … it's hard to watch," Robert said.

At least six protestors were indictedin Chicago in November on charges of assaulting, resisting and impeding federal officers. Agents deployed tear gas and fired pepper balls, injuringtwo church pastors in separate incidents.

A week after Danielle came home, James was deployed to Chicago. Robert watched the furious crowds on the news, the flares of violence directed at ICE agents. At his kids.

"I saw the protests, I know how close they're getting to the facility there," he said. "Not a whole lot of room to get around without engaging. You know, people yelling 'fascist' and all sorts of things."

"It was like where you just don't want the phone to ring," he said.

What ICE does: 'We're targeted enforcement'

On a Tuesday in November, in a two-story building with minimal signage, the Kansas City ICE office was noisy with change. Builders made a racket with power tools on the second floor, outfitting the space for ICE to double its personnel in the coming months.

At 6 a.m., Danielle was already in her cubicle under the glare of fluorescent lights, country music playing softly on her cellphone.

There were echoes of her schoolteacher days: a hand-drawn sign that said "Shhh... I'm working! Thanks," with a heart for punctuation. Every available surface was stacked with brown file folders, each corresponding to someone detained, or someone ICE was planning to arrest. Sticky notes on cardboard file boxes read "removal docs" and "pending court date."

"We're targeted enforcement," she said, "so we know who we're going after."

While Danielle searched for embassy contact information to process a deportation, John readied handcuffs for that morning's arrest: a Venezuelan man living in Kansas City illegally with a rap sheet that included sexual assault and drunk driving.

James was on his way to pick up an immigrant in the federal penitentiary who had finished a criminal sentence. Robert, meanwhile, had departed at dawn for a 12-hour round trip transporting detainees.

During his tenure and the kids' short time in the agency before Trump took office, ICE prioritized going after undocumented immigrants who had serious criminal records. The agency's traditional work method has long been to surveil, surround and make an arrest as quickly and quietly as possible – no spectators.

Things have changed.

This year, pressed to deliver on Trump's promise of "mass deportation," the White House began ratcheting up pressure on ICE to raise its arrest and deportation numbers.

A quota circulated; the administration wanted 3,000 arrests per day. To achieve it, Homeland Security pushed U.S. Border Patrol – ICE's bigger, bolder sister agency – into a lead role, launching flashy operations in major American cities. ICE agents were ready to double-down on arrests after years of what they saw as leniency under past administrations.

In Kansas City, ICE officers including Robert and his kids are working long hours now – six-, sometimes seven-day weeks. Lately, Danielle stops at her parents' house for dinner after a 12-hour workday, then returns to the office to keep processing paperwork, each folder holding an immigrant's fate in the balance.

With John home for a few days from his post in Florida, the family gathered for dinner. Michelle made lasagna. The house was already decorated for Christmas.

They bowed their heads. Michelle prayed: "Dear Lord… We ask that you would help us to live a life that you find worthy, unto you, and forgive us of our sins."

'Half the country hates you'

After Chicago, after Dallas, Robert took new precautions. For the first time in his 25-year career, he started checking the rooftops of buildings near the office before getting out of his car.

"It seems like half the country loves you and half the country hates you," Robert said. "Congress has the power to change the laws if they want to change the laws. All we're doing is enforcing the laws that are on the books."

The twins often wear masks in public, when carrying out street arrests. They do it, they say, to protect their family – full stop. There is no federal law that prohibits them from doing so.

Danielle is analytical. The public deserves to know who their law enforcement officers are, she says. But there is no escaping the current reality, in which many members of the public don't trust ICE, and ICE doesn't trust them.

They hear the rage firsthand, slurs they say aren't true.

Fascists. Nazis. Cowards.

Before she became a federal worker, Danielle taught in a Kansas City high school, in a classroom where some students had undocumented parents or were undocumented themselves. She saw the trauma children suffered when a parent was deported. Still, in her view, the law is the law.

"There are collaterals," she said. "We are going after people who are in the system, who have a criminal history, who you don't want on the street, whether they are here illegally or not."

Legal or illegal? It's open to interpretation

Immigration law, housed in Title 8 of the U.S. Code, is notoriously complex and sometimes contradictory.

For example: It's illegal to cross the U.S. border between ports of entry. It's also legal to seek asylum at the border, even after crossing illegally.

The law – which hasn't been updated since before the twins were born in the late-90s – gives ICE broad authority to detain immigrants, including those in a legal process to stay. But detention is costly and jail space limited. That led prior administrations to prioritize holding immigrants with criminal records or who recently crossed.

The Trump administration and a Republican-led Congress are now pumping $45 billion into ICE to dramatically expand detention space, and the agency is increasingly flexing its detention authority. The number of immigrants held on a given day surged above 65,000 in November – a record high – from fewer than 40,000 a year earlier, according to ICE data.

Though ICE officers carry out judges' orders, they are vested with some discretion over how to handle individual cases, particularly if there are children involved.

The following day, a Wednesday, James parked a van into the secure garage of the Wyandotte County jail.

A 33-year-old Mexican man, in the country illegally since he was 2, had been arrested on drug possession charges. A judge ordered him to appear in January 2026. He posted bond. Jail officers notified ICE.

Hundreds of county jails in so-called "sanctuary" communitiesrefuse to call ICEwhen releasing a person in the country illegally, citing their mandate not to detain people after a judge has ordered their release.

James handcuffed the man, loaded him into the van and brought him to the holding area at the Kansas City ICE office. James asked him why, since he had U.S. citizen children, he hadn't applied for legal status. The man said he had no contact with his kids. He was detained, while waiting to see an immigration judge.

Not their father's agency

ICE is rapidly evolving from the force Danielle, John and James got to know on "take your kid to work" days.

Trump's mass deportation goal has led tostreamlining and shortcuts. Many new ICE hires were put through an accelerated academy. Some gun-and-badge carrying former law enforcement officers have been exempted from in-person training.

And the "operations" continue, from Los Angeles, to Chicago and Charlotte, N.C., to New Orleans and Minneapolis. The administration has indicated it will target cities across the country. The enforcement surge may come to Kansas City, too.

It was his father's example that drew John to the agency. "I always wanted to be an ICE agent because of my dad," he said. "One of the coolest things that I've seen him do is actually put really bad guys out of the United States."

John has been thinking about the strangers who thanked him in one uniform and despise him in another.

"I wonder if that person that was willing to buy me a lunch in an airport, coming home as a soldier, would look at me the same now knowing that I'm an ICE agent," he said. "Nothing's changed for me. I'm the same person."

Lauren Villagran covers immigration for USA TODAY. She can be reached at lvillagran@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Family of ICE agents wants to create a 'safer America'

WhenVolodymyr Zelenskyylast asked Ukrainians to vote for him, he wasa political newbie, a former comedian eager to change his country and talk withRussiato end a protracted conflict.

Six years later, Zelenskyy — transformed by theKremlin's full-scale invasion— is facing sudden pressure from the United Statesto hold a new election, even as he navigates Washington's push for apeace dealthat could threaten Ukraine's future.

President Donald Trump, frustrated by a lack of progress in peace talks, criticized Zelenskyy this week for "using war not to hold an election." It's a narrative that Moscow has exploited to label Zelenskyy's government "illegitimate" and thus impossible to negotiate with.

Yet an election would currently be illegal, sinceUkrainian lawprohibits holding elections while martial law is in effect.

Nonetheless, Zelenskyy now appears to be playing ball. But huge questions hang over the idea, from security to logistics, given the fierce fighting on the front lines and the daily Russian aerial assaults on Ukraine's cities.

"I do not want Ukraine to have a weak position, so that someone could use the absence of elections as an argument against Ukraine," Zelenskyy said Thursday. Elections could happen in 60 to 90 days, he has said, provided that Ukraine's allies help provide security on the ground.

Ukraine was scheduled to hold a presidential election in early 2024, but it was postponed because martial law was introduced after Russia's February 2022 attack.

After Trump's comment, Zelenskyy said he had asked lawmakers to prepare proposals "enabling changes to the legal framework" that would make elections possible.

Beyond martial law, there are two major challenges, Zelenskyy said: security and the army.

First, how would Kyiv ensure that people who come out to vote won't be hit in a sudden missile or drone strike? The Kremlin's attacks regularly plunge Ukrainian cities into frigid darkness for hours, which could complicate voting and ballot counting.

"Elections always involve crowds," said Kyiv-based political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko. "What do you do about air raid alerts and safeguarding electoral paperwork? If a siren goes off, do you just grab a bunch of election protocols and run into a shelter? I am having a hard time imagining how that could work."

The White House did not respond to NBC News' request for comment on how the U.S. might help.

Kyiv would also have to figure out how hundreds of thousands of soldiers fighting on the front lines would vote.

Some forces could perhaps be rotated out to vote in relatively safer areas, but Ukraine is already low on manpower and could risk jeopardizing critical battlefield positions.

To that end, Zelenskyy has called for a ceasefire during the election process. The Kremlin swiftly shot down the suggestion, having long rejected any ceasefire before a full peace deal is reached.

Without a pause in fighting, more than 800,000 personnel in Ukraine's armed forces would be effectively shut out of any election process, said Yevheniia Kravchuk, a lawmaker with Zelenskyy's Servant of the People party. It would be unsafe for people overseeing the voting, too, she said. "I don't see any observers coming to the front line where you can be killed by a first-person view (FPV) drone like every 15 minutes," Kravchuk said in an audio message sent to NBC News on WhatsApp.

Kravchuk pointed to the country's five different presidents since Vladimir Putin came to power in Russia in 2000. "Ukrainians understand that during the war, the first goal is to survive and to keep the country, keep the sovereign state," she said.

Zelenskyy has been under domestic pressure, too, thanks toa corruption scandal. But even his opponents seemed skeptical of a wartime vote.

It would take at least half a year after the end of martial law to organize elections that would be truly free and fair, said opposition lawmaker Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. "But discussing all of this right now has little to do with the reality on the ground," Klympush-Tsintsadze, who represents the European Solidarity Party, said in an audio message on WhatsApp. "We are very far from the real end of this war," she added.

Another complicating factor is thatmillions of Ukrainiansfled the country when the war broke out and now live overseas. Millions more have been internally displaced by the fighting or now live in areas occupied by Russia (about 20% of Ukraine's territory), so simply working out who is eligible to vote and how to reach them would pose an immense challenge, said Fesenko.

Trump and Putin may think that the lack of an election undermines Zelenskyy's legitimacy, but Ukrainians don't seem to agree.

Anopinion pollconducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology in September found that 63% of Ukrainians believe elections should be held only after a final peace agreement and a complete end to the war. Only 11% support holding elections right now, even without a ceasefire, according to the poll.

Should an election be held in the near future, there is only one candidate who could challenge Zelenskyy, Fesenko said — Gen.Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, the former commander in chief.

Zaluzhnyi has remained a popular figure after leading the Ukrainian army through much of the war. He wassacked by Zelenskyyin early 2024 and isnow servingas Ukraine's ambassador to Britain. Although Zelenskyy's position has been weakened by the corruption scandal, the president would still be a front-runner alongside Zaluzhnyi, Fesenko said. "It's just these two," he said. "Everyone else has much lower ratings."

"In the fourth year of the war, everyone is deeply exhausted," marketing specialist Ivan Datsko told NBC News on the phone from Kyiv on Wednesday.

Datsko, 33, said he felt that elections could be held but that there must at least be a ceasefire. "No rockets, no [drones] — and conditions that allow our soldiers to rotate safely. And of course, all Ukrainians who have left the country must also have the opportunity to vote," he said.

"If all these conditions are met, it could become a strong step toward real peace talks," Datsko added. "First, silence on the front line, then elections, and after that, an agreement that truly protects Ukraine from future aggression and gives us a chance for peace and a normal life," he said.

Russia has accused Zelenskyy of trying to cling to power. Last month, Putin said signing a peace deal with Zelenskyy would be "pointless" because he has lost his legitimacy after being too "afraid" to run again. The Kremlin said Friday that Zelenskyy's declared readiness for an election may simply be his latest attempt to freeze the conflict before negotiating a deeper peace deal — something Moscow has frequently rejected.

Other countries have held elections in wartime and elected officials' democratic mandate becomes weaker the longer they are postponed, but elections also need to be practically possible, said Janina Dill, an international law expert on the use of force and a professor of global security at the University of Oxford.

"And calls for an election must not be used to weaken Ukrainian agency and resolve in the midst of an existential struggle for national survival," Dill added.

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Belarusian authorities on Saturday freed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, key opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova and other prominent political prisoners, a human rights group confirmed.

Their release comes as authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko seeks to improve relations with Washington. The U.S. earlier on Saturday announced lifting sanctions on the country's potash sector. In exchange, Lukashenko pardoned a total of 123 prisoners, the Belta state news agency reported.

A close ally of Russia, Minsk has faced Western isolation and sanctions for years. Lukashenkohas ruled the nationof 9.5 million with an iron fist for more than three decades, and the country has beenrepeatedly sanctioned by Western countriesboth for its crackdown on human rights and for allowing Moscow to use its territory in the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Belarus has released hundreds of prisoners since July 2024.

John Coale, the U.S. special envoy for Belarus, announced the lifting of sanctions on potash after meeting Lukashenko in Minsk on Friday and Saturday.

Speaking with journalists, Coale described the two-day talks as "very productive," Belarus' state news agency Belta reported Saturday. He said that normalizing relations between Washington and Minsk was "our goal."

"We're lifting sanctions, releasing prisoners. We're constantly talking to each other," he said, according to Belta. He also said that the relationship between the countries was moving from "baby steps to more confident steps" as they increased dialogue.

Bialiatski and Kolesnikova among those released

Pavel Sapelka, an advocate with the Viastan rights group, confirmed to The Associated Press that Bialiatski and Kolesnikova were released from prison.

Human rights advocate Bialiatski won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, along with the prominent Russian rights group Memorial and Ukraine's Center for Civil Liberties.

Bialiatski, awarded the prize while in jail awaiting trial, was later convicted of smuggling as well as financing actions that violate public order — charges widely denounced as politically motivated — and sentenced to 10 years in 2023.

Kolesnikova was a key figure in themass protests that rocked Belarus in 2020,and is a close ally of an opposition leader in exile,Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

Kolesnikova, known for her close-cropped hair and trademark gesture of forming a heart with her hands, became an even greater symbol of resistance when Belarusian authorities tried to deport her in September 2020. Driven to the Ukrainian border, she briefly broke away from security forces at the frontier, tore up her passport and walked back into Belarus.

The 43-year-old professional flautist was convicted in 2021 on charges including conspiracy to seize power and sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Others who were freed

Others who were released, according to Viasna, include Viktar Babaryka — an opposition figure who had sought to challenge Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election, widely seen as rigged, before being convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison on charges he rejected as political.

Viasna said that the group's imprisoned advocates, Valiantsin Stefanovic and Uladzimir Labkovich, and prominent opposition figure Maxim Znak, were released as well.

Most of them were brought into Ukraine, Franak Viachorka, Tsikhanouskaya's senior adviser, told the AP.

"I think Lukashenko decided to deport people to Ukraine to show that he is in control of the situation," Viachorka said.

Eight or nine others, including Bialiatski, will be brought to Lithuania on Saturday, and more prisoners will be taken to Lithuania in the next few days, Viachorka said.

Ukrainian authorities confirmed that Belarus handed over 114 civilians. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said five of them were Ukrainian nationals.

Lukashenko wants a rapprochement with the West

The last time U.S. officials met with Lukashenko in September 2025, Washington announced easing some of the sanctions against Belarus while Mink released more than 50 political prisoners into Lithuania. With that September release, the number of prisoners freed by Belarus since July 2024 exceeded 430, in what was widely seen as an effort at a rapprochement with the West.

"The freeing of political prisoners means that Lukashenko understands the pain of Western sanctions and is seeking to ease them," Tsikhanouskaya told the AP on Saturday.

She added: "But let's not be naive: Lukashenko hasn't changed his policies, his crackdown continues and he keeps on supporting Russia's war against Ukraine. That's why we need to be extremely cautious with any talk of sanctions relief, so that we don't reinforce Russia's war machine and encourage continued repressions."

Tsikhnouskaya also described European Union sanctions against Belarusian potash fertilizers as far more painful for Minsk that those imposed by the U.S, saying that while easing U.S. sanctions could lead to the release of political prisoners, European sanctions should push for long-term, systemic changes in Belarus and the end of Russia's war in Ukraine.

Sanctions have hit the key Belarus export hard

Belarus, which previously accounted for about 20% of global potash fertilizer exports, has faced sharply reduced shipments since Western sanctions targeted state producer Belaruskali and cut off transit through Lithuania's Klaipeda port, the country's main export route.

"Sanctions by the U.S., EU and their allies have significantly weakened Belarus's potash industry, depriving the country of a key source of foreign exchange earnings and access to key markets," Anastasiya Luzgina, an analyst at the Belarusian Economic Research Center BEROC, told AP.

"Minsk hopes that lifting U.S. sanctions on potash will pave the way for easing more painful European sanctions; at the very least, U.S. actions will allow discussions to begin," she said.

The latest round of U.S.-Belarus talks also touched on Venezuela, as well as Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Belta reported.

Coale told reporters that Lukashenko had given "good advice" on how to address the Ukraine war, saying that Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin were "longtime friends" with "the necessary level of relationship to discuss such issues."

"Naturally, President Putin may accept some advice and not others," Coale said.

Amy Schumerand her husband, chefChris Fischer, announced their divorce on December 12, after seven years of marriage. In a post on Instagram, Schumer wrote that the split was amicable and that the pair were going to stay focused on co-parenting their son, Gene.

In the Instagram post, theTrainwreckactresswrote the following:

"Blah blah blah Chris and I have made the difficult decision to end our marriage after 7 years," Schumer posted. "We love each other very much and will continue to focus on raising our son. We would appreciate people respecting our privacy at this time. blah blah blah not becisse [sic] I dropped some lbs and thought I could bag s basket and not because he's a hot Janlmes [sic] beard award winning chef who can still pull some hot tail. Amicable and all love and respect! Family forever."

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The post addressed recent rumors surrounding her dramatic weight loss, which led to speculation about her divorce. According toPeople, in a now-deleted Reel, she confronted the rumors regarding the weight loss and stated, "I had a disease that makes your face extremely puffy that can kill you, but the internet caught it, and the disease has cleared." Schumer was diagnosed with Cushing syndrome in 2024.

"Whatever ends up happening with Chris has nothing to do with weight loss or [his] autism," she wrote. "Fingers crossed we can make it through. He's the best."

According toPeople, a source close to the couple revealed that "there's nothing ugly. It's a cohesive split. They've just been finalizing a few things."

The pair began dating in 2017 and have been married since February 2018. They share a son, whom they welcomed in May 2019.

Reactions to the news have been overwhelmingly positive, with friends and fans wishing her well and sending love.Debra Messing,Jillian Bell, activistBillie Lee, comic Carla Johnston, and country singerMargo Pricehave all offered heart emojis in support of the comic/actress as she moves on with the next stage of her life.

Read the latest entertainment news onTV Insider.

• Billy Ray Cyrus is seeking over $7,000 from a woman who claimed to be Miley Cyrus' mom in a lawsuit.

• The woman, Jayme Lee, filed the lawsuit in May, which alleged that she is Miley's true biological mother and that Billy Ray committed fraud in an adoption agreement they forged after Miley's birth.

• Billy Ray confirmed that Tish Cyrus is Miley's real mom and demanded the suit get dismissed by court.

While things are looking up inBilly Ray and Miley Cyrus' relationship, a woman who isnotTish Cyrus is claiming that she is Miley's real mother—but Billy Ray is not having it.

According to court documentsobtained byUs Weeklyon Wednesday, Billy Ray filed a request for the woman, Jayme Lee, to be ordered to pay him the $7,564.13 in legal bills he accrued while defending himself against the claims that Lee is Miley's true biological mother.

Lee's lawsuit, filed in May, alleged that she "entered agreement with [Billy Ray] regarding the adoption of the child." The terms of the agreements allowed Lee to choose the name of the child and to serve as the nanny, but the agreement was breached when Billy Ray "subsequently took the child and wrongfully assumed the role of the child's father without [Lee's] consent."

"[Billy Ray] subsequently took the child and wrongfully assumed the role of the child's father without [Lee's] consent," the documents read. "[Billy Ray's] actions have resulted in the wrongful deprivation of [Lee's] rights to maintain her agreed-upon relationship with the child."

Lee wanted to be named as Miley's mother and demanded that the court issue damages against Billy Ray for fraud and emotional distress. Billy Ray, however, countered with a November 11 statement from his lawyer that stated Lee's claims were entirely false.

"Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus-Purcell are the biological father and mother, respectively, of Miley Cyrus," his lawyer said. "[Lee's] action before this Court is clearly brought for the purposes of harassing [Billy Ray] and his family and needlessly wasting this Court's time and resources."

Billy Ray's lawyer added that "allegations contained within [Lee's] complaint are absurd and ridiculous on their face. As a matter of public record, Miley Cyrus, who is now 32 years old, is the daughter of [Billy Ray and Tish]. [Lee's] delusional claim that she is the mother of Miley Cyrus, and [Lee's other claims against Billy Ray] are barred." The country star demanded that the suit be thrown out of court; the suit was dismissed on December 5.

As for what Billy Ray is up to now? He's waiting to see if a judge will allow him to get back the money he spent on legal bills. His lawyer also toldUson December 12, "Now that the Court has dismissed the lawsuit, Mr. Cyrus is focusing his attention on the upcoming Christmas holiday to spend time with family and friends." So uh...happy holidays to the Cyrus clan, I guess?

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Peter Greene, the actor known for playing villains and criminals, including in his role as Zed in "Pulp Fiction," died at his New York City home Friday, his manager confirmed. He was 60.

Greene was found dead inside his Lower East Side apartment, manager Gregg Edwards said. He did not disclose a cause of death.

Greene's death was first reported by theNew York Daily News.

He played the character Zed, a sadistic rapist security guard, in the 1994 Quentin Tarantino film "Pulp Fiction," and he also was known for the role of villain Dorian in the Jim Carrey movie "The Mask," also in 1994.

"Nobody played a bad guy better than Peter," Edwards said in a phone interview. "But he also had, you know, a gentle side that most people never saw, and a heart as big as gold."

Edwards said he was told that there had been music playing in the apartment for over 24 hours, and that prompted a wellness check. Edwards said he spoke with Greene earlier this week.

In addition to his supporting roles, Greene starred in the 1993 film "Clean, Shaven" in which he played a man with schizophrenia who is suspected in a murder and who at times self-mutilates.

A New York Times reviewat the time said Greene's performance turned the role he played "into a compellingly anguished, volatile character, someone who didn't even have to slice himself up to get an audience's attention."

As a character actor, Greene also had roles in "The Usual Suspects" and "Training Day," among others.

Greene played the fence Redfoot in "The Usual Suspects," who informs the crime crew of an opportunity to rob a jeweler who ends up killed during the subsequent heist.

In "Training Day," Greene played Jeff, a detective who is shot by Alonzo Harris — famously portrayed by Denzel Washington — as the corrupt group tries to concoct a story to cover up a cold-blooded murder of a former narcotics officer.

After Harris kills the former narcotics officer in his home, Greene as the detective agrees to be shot in his bullet-resistant vest to make it appear as though the police were fired upon first.

"Kiss me, baby," Greene says in a memorable line before Washington's Harris shoots him twice.

Greene was born in Montclair, New Jersey, on Oct. 8, 1965. He began acting in his 20s while living in New York City,according to his biography on the website IMDB.

Edwards said that Greene is survived by a sister and a brother.

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NEED TO KNOW

• Roberts Elementary School in Medford, Mass., remains closed after more than 130 students and staff members were sickened with what officials believe is norovirus

• Health officials examined the school's kitchen and do not believe it is the source of the outbreak

• A professional company was brought in to deep-clean the school

A school in Massachusetts remains closed for deep cleaning after an outbreak of the virulentnorovirus infectionhas sickened more than 130 students and staff members.

Roberts Elementary School in Medfordoriginally announcedthe closure on Dec. 10, explaining that "there were over 130 student absences at the Roberts today, with further students and staff reporting at school today feeling symptoms of an upset stomach."

"We believe the cause of this outbreak is related to the increased spread of suspected Norovirus," the statement read.

As a result, the school would be closed the following day, Dec. 11; That's when Suzanne B. Galusi, Interim Superintendent of Medford Public Schools, and Michelle Crowell, Roberts Elementary Principal, sent anothercommunicationthat the school would remain closed for a second day due to additional cases of suspected norovirus.

"More families have informed building and district leadership in the last 24 hours of their child experiencing symptoms of a stomach bug. Additionally, at this time, over 20 staff members at Roberts have notified the district of experiencing similar symptoms. Student and staff attendance rates are normal across all other schools in the district, both yesterday and today," the statement read.

Roberts Elementary remains closed for an extended deep clean. School officials explained, "A professional company is currently performing a deep clean of the school today, which includes all classrooms, door knobs, kitchen equipment, and frequently touched surfaces. They will finish their deep clean later today."

The U.S. is at the beginning of a norovirus surge, with the virus at "high" levels in wastewater, according toToday,which reports that in the coming weeks, cases are expected to rise.

Norovirus — which can cause uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhea, along with stomach pain and nausea — commonly spreads in close quarters. Outbreaks frequently happen in dorms, schools and on cruise ships. An AIDA Cruises ship currently on a 133-day world tour with stops in the U.S., England, Mexico, Japan, and South Africa is dealing with an ongoingoutbreak of the virusthat has sickened more than 100 passengers and crew members.

The way it spreads is as nauseating as the virus itself: "You can get norovirus by accidentally getting tiny particles of feces (poop) or vomit in your mouth from a person infected with norovirus," theU.S. Centers for Disease Controlsays. "If you get norovirus illness, you can shed billions of norovirus particles that you can't see without a microscope. It only takes a few norovirus particles to make you and other people sick."

Prapass Pulsub/Getty

That's why it also spreads so easilyvia food, when meals are prepared by an infected person who didn't correctly wash their hands. However, school officials shared that the cafeteria and kitchen were inspected by the Medford Board of Health & the Department of Public Health, and reported that the outbreak "is not related to any school or kitchen equipment."

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The best way to curb the spread of norovirus is by washing your hands, the CDC says — and Roberts Elementary School officials reminded families of that in their letter. "The best way to avoid the spread of Norovirus is to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water; hand sanitizer is not effective," they wrote.

They also urged all students and staff to wait at least 24 hours after experiencing "vomit-like symptoms" before returning to school. The letter concluded, "Maintaining a safe and clean learning environment for our students and staff is our top priority, and we thank you for your understanding."

Read the original article onPeople

BURLINGTON — Floodwaters began to recede on Friday afterhistoric inundation in Washington state, but the areas hardest hit by flooding could face another wave of atmospheric river next week, and more inundation is looming.

"This situation is not over and it's not going to be over again in a couple of days," said Robert Ezelle, the director of Washington state's emergency management division, and that several river systems were expected to see another wave of moderate flooding.

For most in the state, Friday offered a respite. Officials had worried that a system of dikes along the Skagit River would fail, and potentially inundate parts of Mount Vernon, a riverside town of about 35,000.

And while the river did see record flows at Mount Vernon, both the dikes and a downtown floodwall held up. The city isn't out of the woods yet — Ezelle said the Skagit could return to a major flood stage next week.

In the nearby town of Burlington, the river did overtop a slough off the Skagit. Officials sent a warning early Friday morning to evacuate for all 11,000 Burlington residents as some neighborhoods and roadways flooded, though not all of them ultimately needed to leave.

"In the middle of the night, about a thousand people had to flee their homes in a really dire situation," Gov. Bob Ferguson said in a news conference on Friday afternoon.

The flood eventhas set records across Washington state and it prompted officials to ask about 100,000 people to evacuate this week, forced dozens of rescues and caused widespread destruction of roads and other infrastructure.

Washington state is prone to intense spells of fall rainfall, but these storms have been exceptional. The atmospheric rivers this week dumped as much as 16 inches of rain in Washington's Cascade mountains over about three days, according to National Weather Service data.

Because many rivers and streams were already running high and the soil was already saturated, the water tore through lowland communities. The Skagit River system is the third biggest on the U.S. west coast, and at Mount Vernon, this is the highest the river has ever run in recorded history.

"There has been no reported loss of life at this time," Ferguson said. "The situation is very dynamic, but we're exceedingly grateful."

By Friday afternoon, while many roadways near Burlington remained closed, parts of downtown bustled with car traffic, as national guardsmen were waving people away from road closures and curious residents were out snapping photos of the swollen Skagit. Downstream, in the town of Conway, a tree trunk and the metal siding of a trailer could be seen racing away in the current.

The dramatic week of flooding sets the stage for a difficult recovery, in a growing state that's already struggling to provide shelter to homeless residents. It's not clear how many homes have been damaged, but neighborhoods in dozens of towns and cities took on water. Recovery won't be quick — afterflooding in 2021, some residents who lost their homes were displaced for months.

President Donald Trump on Friday signed the state's request for an expedited emergency declaration, which will enable people to seek individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for things like temporary housing and home repairs. The measure will also allow state and local governments to seek federal assistance to remove debris and repair roads, bridges, water facilities and other infrastructure.

The Trump administration has made suggestions it would overhaulFEMAandprove less disaster relief to states. In left-leaning Washington, the president's pen to paper offered another an initial sigh of relief.

"One of the challenges that we've had with the administration in the past is that they don't really want to do longer term recovery," said Rep. Rick Larsen, who represents Burlington and Mount Vernon. In an interview with NBC News, Larsen added that the declaration was "an indication that they understand how disastrous this particular disaster is and we're not out of it yet."

The next atmospheric river storm on tap will likely arrive Sunday night.

Jeff Michalski, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Seattle, said a few days of dry weather will allow most rivers to recede, before they begin to swell again on Tuesday, as the rainfall pulses downstream.

Lowland parts of western Washington will receive about an inch of rain during the storm; the mountains could get up to three.

"It could possibly either prolong flooding or cause renewed flooding on some of the rivers," Michalski said. "A few rivers may bump back into flood stage moving into the Tuesday, Wednesday time frame, but we're not expecting widespread major flood levels like we have seen."

After Wednesday, the forecast calls for more rain in lowland Washington and heavy snow in the Cascades.

"It does not let up," Michalski said.

Ferguson said the situation would remain "dynamic and unpredictable" over the next week.

"This is not just a one- or two- day crisis. These water levels have been historic and they're going to remain very high for an extended period of time," Ferguson said. "That puts pressure on our infrastructure. The infrastructure has, for the most part, withstood the challenge so far."

The last time Sota Keisuke's friend saw him, his mangled body was being dragged into a bush, staining the forest floor red with blood.

Search and rescue teams followed a trail of discarded clothing before finding the 26-year-old hiker's body still hanging lifeless in the killer's mouth.

Keisuke was the latest in arecord number of peoplekilled by bears in Japan this year.

Climate change and a poor nut harvest have forced the animals out of hibernation in the mountains and into residential areas, leading to 13 deaths, around 230 attacks and tens of thousands of sightings this year.

Bears have been spotted entering gardens, homes, supermarkets, schools and bathrooms, forcing the government to deploy the army and issue warnings.

As sightings soar, local governors say they are unable to stop the surge in attacks that have led Japan to name 2025 the "year of the bear".

The encounters are often bloody and at times deadly.

When Keisuke's parents were called to identify the body, police advised them to only look at his face due to the extent of his injuries.

Data from his GPS watch found by rescuers showed that his body was moved after his death, suggesting the bear came back after the kill and dragged him away.

Japan's shrinking and ageing population has also left elderly villagers in rural areas particularly vulnerable.

In July, Seiko Takahashi, 81, was found lying in a pool of blood at her home in Akita, northeastern Japan, with animal footprints dotted around her corpse.

In October, an elderly mushroom picker was found decapitated in woods near Iwate – in the same northeastern region of Tohoku–with scratches covering his body.

And in November, the body of Kiyo Goto, 79, was found in the mountains of Akita. Police believe she had also been picking mushrooms. The severity of her facial injuries suggest she was mauled to death.

Japan is home to two types of bears: brown bears, which can weigh more than 450kg and are found in Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, and Asiatic black bears, which weigh between 80kg and 200kg and are found on the mainland.

The bears predominantly eat acorns, beechnuts and chestnuts, but a decline in harvests because of warmer temperatures and erratic rains has left the bears hungry and more likely to venture down from the mountains in search of other food, officials say.

Scientists have found that rising winter temperatures are also disrupting hibernation, keeping bears awake and in need of food when they should be asleep.

Urbanisation has also left many of Japan's rural areas less inhabited, giving bears the opportunity to venture more freely than they once would have.

Human populations in the hotspot areas of Akita and Iwate have dropped by 30 per cent in two decades. Meanwhile, experts estimate there are 44,000 Asiatic black bears in Japan today, up from 15,000 in 2012, and 12,000 brown bears, more than double its population 30 years ago.

Dr Dave Garshelis, a former wildlife research scientist and bear expert in the US, told The Telegraph: "People are moving towards urban areas for work. As they leave, the areas are becoming more wild so bears can move in.

"Now there's no buffer any longer between the wild bear population and even the urban interface. They butt right up against these places with dense housing developments.

"As they get habituated to people, they end up walking down the street like a dog and looking in garbage cans."

Hunting also used to help control population numbers, but licences are down from 517,800 in 1975 to 213,400 in 2020.

The spate of attacks has fuelled a row between the government, conservationists, hunters and the public in Japan, with groups at odds on how to protect themselves and the animals.

Some call for leniency for the bears, casting them as victims of human-caused climate change. Others say the deadly animals should be culled.

Dr Garshelis said: "The number of attacks is more than anybody would have expected.

"The attacks are not really caused by things that people are doing wrong – sometimes people are just walking in some area and a bear comes bolting out and attacks them, which is pretty unusual. It's not a prey thing and it's not like the bears are malnourished."

The scientist recommends "habitat manipulations" to make the urban areas less attractive, including using bear-proof bins.

He also believes in culling, suggesting that Japan could invite international hunters to help control numbers.

"The part of this demographic issue is that the people that were the traditional hunters have aged and there isn't a crop of young people who want to hunt, so the level of hunting has become quite low," Dr Garshelis added.

"There needs to be more emphasis on having prefectural governments hiring wildlife biologists to manage and track populations."

Ohnishi Naoki, a scientist and expert on bears, said the casualty numbers are comparable to natural disasters like tsunamis.

He told Japanese news outlet Nippon: "In the short term, I support combining local government and hunting association efforts with self-defence force assistance. Police should also use rifles and municipalities should employ 'government hunters'.

"In the medium to long term, we'll have to go into the mountains and actively reduce the bear population," he added.

The government has now allocated a larger budget to recruit bear hunters and relaxed gun laws to make it easier for people to shoot bears.

Robot wolves with red eyes are also being used to deter the animals, glowing red and making noises when approached.

However, experienced hunters are still often left to deal with the dangerous animals themselves.

Katsuo Harada, an 84-year-old bear hunter, trains two apprentices and still goes into the wild to hunt down the animals, according to CNN.

Nearly 20 years ago, a bear gouged out his eye and mauled his ear.

The animal's skull still sits beside him today, a reminder of how quickly predator can become prey.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.

AfterAndy Dick's drug overdose this weekprovoked panicked concernamong friends, he's checked himself into rehab … Dick himself tells TMZ.

Andy tells TMZ he is currently entering a rehabilitation facility in the Palm Springs, California area.

Andy was very animated on the phone with us … he's cracking jokes and it's clear he's ready to commit to clean up … he tells us he's grateful to be getting help.

Andy tells us … "JennyGimenezis my sister who saved me with Tim" …Tim Ryanis Jen's husband. They're both sober.

Jennifer was on "Celebrity Rehab" with Andy. They've been friends for 20 years.

Jenny and Tim tell TMZ they got Andy a "full ride scholarship offer" because of their connections to the center … meaning his stay won't be on his own dime.

Boston Blue's newest episode really affectedDonnie Wahlberg's character, Danny, who got emotional about his relationship with son Sean.

During the Friday, December 12, episode of the hit CBS series, Danny (Wahlberg) and Lena (Sonequa Martin-Green) were put on a case involving a young child who saw his father get murdered. Danny was visibly shaken up and continued to be drivenby his personal connection to the incident.

He was able to solve the case by the end of the episode, which only made Danny want to call his son Sean (Mika Amonsen) — and father Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) — even more once the job was done. Boston Blue has touched on Danny's attempts to mend his previously strained relationship with his son.

Danny's journey in New York was featured on CBS'Blue Bloods, which ran from 2010 to 2024. The spinoff, which premiered in October, kicked off with Danny visiting Boston after Sean ended up in a coma. This version of Sean looked a little different after the role was previouslyplayed byAndrew Terraciano.

Boston Blue's Shocking Recasting of Donnie Wahlberg's Son Sean From 'Blue Bloods' Explained

"There's been some negativity, for sure," Amonsen exclusively toldUs Weeklylast month about taking over the role. "But when I look under those posts that have the negativity, there's a lot of fans rallying for Sean and people saying that they really enjoyed this character that I've created — or my version of character."

Amonsen noted thathe wanted to makeBlue Bloodsfans happy with his performance, saying, "They're really enjoying the show and they love where it's going in terms of Sean and that makes me happy."

The actor recalled feeling "a ton of pressure" over the situation.

"I felt the pressure to respect an actor before me because I wanted to respect Andrew the best I could. There were even certain visual choices that I made that I wanted to keep in terms of hair styling and certain ways of being [as Sean]," he continued. "I really want to maintain Sean as close as I can in the ways that I do it out of respect for this character that everyone loves — but also the character Andrew built."

He continued: "When I booked the show, it all happened really quickly. It was within about a week's time and I was really thrown into it quickly. I did binge watch as much as I could and I found doing the later seasons was more helpful. I wanted to get a sense of who Sean was toward the end of the show. I really wanted to get a sense of his character at that point into adulthood and his relationship with Danny."

Terraciano, meanwhile,broke his silence toUsabout the shakeup.

'Blue Bloods' Family Guide: Meet the Reagans Amid CBS Spinoff 'Boston Blue'

"I had somebody call me — actually the day that I was graduating — and they had spoken to my mom and she called me [crying]. They were like, 'They might be looking for a different Sean,'" Terraciano shared withUsin December about the onscreen change. "Shortly after we got the news, Donnie called me. It was a really beautiful moment of getting to hear from an old friend but also somebody that you respect so much and have learned so much from."

Terraciano expressed gratitudefor his time onBlue Bloods.

"It's beautiful because you'll always remember every single line and every day that you had the opportunity to be that character," he shared. "It doesn't mean for even a second that somebody else can't go and do something beautiful with it."

Terraciano continued: "I got the joy of playing Sean, and I got to send him off into the world. Now somebody else gets that joy. We're both getting to show what we do and then send Sean off into the world."

Boston Blueairs on CBS Fridays at 10 p.m. ET.

Kevin Mazur/Getty for The Recording Academy; Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott; Taylor Swift/Instagram

What a year it's been forTaylor Swift.

When it seemed impossible for her to top her colossal 2024 — which included the release of her 11th albumThe Tortured Poets Departmentand the end of her record-breakingEras Tour— the pop star managed to outdo herself in 2025. In February, she attended theGrammysas a nominee and supported her soon-to-be fiancéTravis Kelceat theSuper Bowl. They made headlines by revealing theirengagementin August, on top of Swift announcing her 12th studio albumThe Life of a Showgirl.

Her new LP smashed sales records upon release in October, and she closed out the year by dropping her highly anticipated Eras Tour documentary,The End of an Era. OnThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert, she said that she strived for"longevity,"and 20 years into her career, she has accomplished just that.

As she celebrates her 36th birthday on Dec. 13, 2025, look back on Swift's successful year in photos.

February: Taylor Swift Attends the 2025 Grammys

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Swift attended the2025 Grammysas a nominee in six categories, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. She also presented the award for Best Country Album, whichBeyoncéwon forCowboy Carter.

Throughout the ceremony, the superstar looked to be having the time of her life, dancing withMargaret Qualley, the wife of close collaboratorJack Antonoff, toastingKendrick Lamarand celebrating Beyoncé'sAlbum of the Year victory.

February: Taylor Swift Attends the Super Bowl

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A week later, Swift touched down in New Orleans to support her boyfriend Kelce as the Kansas City Chiefs attempted to win their third Super Bowl in a row. Notably, when the jumbotron showed the singer in the stands and the crowd booed, sheshrugged and laughed the momentoff.

May: Taylor Swift Buys Back Her Masters

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Six years after her Big Machine Records catalog was sold toScooter Braun, Swift penned a heartfelt letterannouncing that she had reacquired the mastersfor her first six albums.

"I've been bursting into tears of joy at random intervals ever since I found out that this is really happening," she wrote in astatement on her website. "I really get to say these words: All of the music I've ever made... now belongs... to me. And all my music videos. All the concert films. The album art and photography. The unreleased songs. The memories. The magic. The madness. Every single era. My entire life's work."

June: Taylor Swift Performs in Nashville

Kane Brown/Instagram

For her first performance since wrapping her Eras Tour in December 2024, the singer-songwriterpopped out at her boyfriend's Tight Ends & Friends concertin Nashville, surprising the crowd by singing "Shake It Off" withKane Brown.

"We would like to dedicate this to our favorite players who are going to play and these are the tight ends," she said to introduce the hit single.

An exclusive source told PEOPLE, "The crowd lost their minds! At the end of her performance she made sure to thank the band and gave each one of them a hug."

July: Travis Kelce Hard Launches Taylor Swift on Instagram

Travis Kelce/Instagram

Kelceposted photos with Swift on his Instagram for the first timeon July 24 in his off-season recap. They posed together in his-and-hers caps that read "Captain" and "First Mate," and they matched in sleek black outfits in a cute dinner snap. In another photo, the two had a snow day withErin Andrewsand other close friends, likely taken during theirwinter getawayto Montana.

"Had some adventures this offseason, kept it 💯," he captioned the slideshow, cheekily referring to his girlfriend's then-unreleased song "The Fate of Ophelia."

August: Taylor Swift Announces Her New Album on 'New Heights'

New Heights/YouTube

The star made herhighly anticipated debuton the Aug. 13 episode of boyfriend's podcastNew Heights, which he co-hosts with brotherJason. During her appearance, the trio chatted about herrelationshipwith Travis, her Eras Tour, her masters and, most importantly, her upcoming album:The Life of a Showgirl.

August: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Get Engaged

Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce

Kelce and Swift broke the internet with the biggest engagement announcement of the year on Aug. 26.

"Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married 🧨," the "Opalite" singer captioned the intimate, lavish garden proposal that took place in Kelce's backyard after they taped theNew Heightsepisode.

September: Taylor Swift Attends Selena Gomez's Wedding

In September, Swift supported her best friendSelena Gomezas theOnly Murders in the Buildingactress wedBenny Blancoin California. Over the next few weeks, the former Disney star shared photos from her nuptials, including a video of Swiftreactingto Gomez's wedding dress.

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October: Taylor Swift Releases 'The Life of a Showgirl'

Mert Alas & Marcus Piggot

The Life of a Showgirlwas released on Oct. 3 to unprecedented commercial success. The album, produced byMax Martinand Shellback, received the most streams in one day on Apple Music and Spotify, and in its first week, itsold over four million album-equivalent units— the most for any LP in history.

"I'll never forget how excited I was in 2006 when my first album sold 40,000 copies in its first week. I was 16 and couldn't even fathom that that many people would care enough about my music to invest their time and energy into it," she wrote onInstagramto celebrate the accomplishment.

Swift continued, "I have 4 million thank yous I want to send to the fans, and 4 million reasons to feel even more proud of this album than I already was."

December: Taylor Swift Releases 'The End of an Era'

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To cap off this year, she did a victory lap of her last three. On Dec. 12, she premieredThe End of an Era, a six-part docuseries on Disney+ that gave a behind-the-scenes look into the making of her Eras Tour, the highest-grossing tour of all time.

"We wanted to remember every moment leading up to the culmination of the most important and intense chapter of our lives, so we allowed filmmakers to capture this tour and all the stories woven throughout it as it wound down," she explained onInstagram.

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