"Red Panda" was originally one of six characters that had been due to perform in the Masked Singer's latest launch show Kieron McCarron/ITVThe Masked Singer bosses have opened up about the decision to pull a performance from Saturday night’s broadcast at the eleventh hour. AdvertisementHowever, mere hours before Saturday’s broadcast, it was reported that the show was being cut short by 10 minutes, and it was later revealed that one of the characters, known as “Red Panda”, would not be included as part of the episode after all. In a statement to TV Zone, a Masked Singer spokesperson said: “In light of the tragic events in Switzerland, we took the decision to remove Red Panda’s performance on The Masked Singer in tonight’s programme owing to potential insensitivities within the theme and lyrics of the song.”AdvertisementThey added that viewers would still “get to see Red Panda perform in the coming weeks”. The Masked Singer judges Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Maya Jama and Jonathan Ross Kieron McCarron/ITVIn their inaugural performance, Red Panda was seen in firefighter attire, while their performance of The Trammps’ Disco Inferno was still included in the version of The Masked Singer shown on the streaming service ITVX. AdvertisementMeanwhile, early speculation has suggested that the likes of Sugababes singer Keisha Buchanan, reality star Sam Thompson and comedian Tom Allen are under some of the remaining disguises.

Meanwhile, Venezuelans are hunkering down as they wait for more information about what the Trump administration has in store for their country. Here’s what to know:What happened during the military operation? The Trump administration struck various parts of Caracas, Venezuela’s capital city, in the early hours of Saturday, January 3. Experts and members of Venezuela’s opposition say that the oil industry cannot be revitalized without political stability. Matias Delacroix/APHow are Venezuelans dealing with the fall out of the military operation?

Caracas, Venezuela —The morning after US forces bombed Caracas, dragged President Nicolás Maduro out of bed, carted him over the Caribbean and installed him in a Brooklyn jail, many Venezuelans hurried to the grocery store. Ledezma, who lives near one of the airbases hit by US airstrikes, told CNN the noise from the attack woke her up. CNNThe government in Caracas wants Venezuelans out and about, though the streets are quiet, apart from a few militia members mustering with their motorcycles. Venezuelan Vice President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodriguez gives a news conference at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, on March 10, 2025. “The motorways are unfinished.”All told, Valdez said, he was unsurprised by Maduro’s abduction.

Trump declared Sunday evening that the US was running Venezuela through its pressure on Rodríguez, now the acting president. Jesus Vargas/Getty ImagesThe Trump administration is now wrestling with the complex aftermath of their boss’s headline-grabbing order of a daring military raid. As Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told CBS News on Saturday, “President Trump sets the terms. But she’s long been a key face of the Maduro regime and that of his predecessor Hugo Chávez. This Trump administration pragmatism is fueling anger on Capitol Hill.

Israel has emerged from yearslong conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran emboldened as the dominant military power in the Middle East and less interested in compromise when it believes its security interests are at stake. Its recognition of Somaliland, a rare instance in which it has signed such an agreement with a Muslim-majority entity without public U.S. assistance, cements its newfound confidence in the international arena.

Post on Facebook Post on Flipboard Share on LinkedIn Post on Reddit Share on Threads Share on X Send through WhatsappSurprise hits buyers as $449 Xreal 1S debuts January 4, 2026 at CES and undercuts premium AR buzz. What Xreal’s $449 1S means for buyers and rivals in 2026Xreal unveiled the 1S at January 4, 2026 CES; price is $449 . Why a $449 1S launch at CES 2026 shifts price expectationsThe CES reveal matters because Xreal packaged a measurable hardware upgrade with a clear retail price, turning a technology demo into a buyable product this quarter. If retailers and carriers begin stocking $449 AR eyewear, adoption barriers shrink and software ecosystems (streaming, gaming, productivity apps) face a much larger potential audience this year. How will a $449 AR headset shape your choices in 2026?

AdvertisementWith thinly veiled threats, Trump is rattling hemispheric friends and foes alike, spurring a pointed question around the globe: Who’s next? Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place,” Trump told reporters as he flew back to Washington from his home in Florida. She also reminded Trump that Denmark already provides the United States, a fellow member of NATO, broad access to Greenland through existing security agreements. Then Trump put the spotlight back on Greenland less than two weeks ago when he said he would appoint Republican Gov. Rubio, in an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” said Cuban officials were with Maduro in Venezuela ahead of his capture.

Adolescence, Frankenstein and Sinners all won big at the 2026 Critics' Choice Awards Netflix/Warner BrosThe hugely popular Netflix drama Adolescence has even more accolades to its name following Sunday night’s Critics’ Choice Awards. During the ceremony, Adolescence was the top TV winner of the evening, scooping Best Limited Series as well as individual acting prizes for cast members Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty. AdvertisementIn the movie categories, meanwhile, Frankenstein also came away with four wins, including a somewhat unexpected triumph for Jacob Elordi in the Best Supporting Actor category, as did the big-screen hit Sinners. Meanwhile, it was also a big night for Timothée Chalamet, Jessie Buckley and Amy Madigan, who also came away with prizes for their performances in some of the most acclaimed movies of the last 12 months. Best Variety SeriesLast Week Tonight With John OliverBest TV Special

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and President Donald Trump. Getty Images/YouTubeHouse Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries hammered President Donald Trump’s claims that he will “run” Venezuela after having attacked the country and ″captured” its leader. “Donald Trump claims that he’s gonna run Venezuela. He’s done a terrible job running the United States of America,” Jeffries said on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday. However, Jeffries argued that the administration had provided no evidence as to why the US even attacked Venezuela.

“The New York Times and Washington Post learned of a secret U.S. raid on Venezuela soon before it was scheduled to begin Friday night — but held off publishing what they knew to avoid endangering US troops,” Semafor reports. “The decisions in the New York and Washington newsrooms to maintain official secrecy is in keeping with longstanding American journalistic traditions — even at a moment of unprecedented mutual hostility between the American president and a legacy media that continues to dominate national security reporting. And it offers a rare glimpse at a thread of contact and even cooperation over some of the highest-stakes American national security issues.”

Your name NextIt's a new, fresh week, and what would be better than solving the LA Times today? A regular Crossword and a Mini Crossword sound just right when you have a way with words. Here are the LA Times answers for Crossword and Mini Crossword puzzles, then! LA Times Crossword Solutions for January 5, 2026Crossword Solutions for Today | Credits: The LA Times/FandomWireHere are the answers for today’s Crossword puzzle:Across1 Insurance company with a gecko mascot – GEICO6 “What __ is new?” – ELSE10 Freeway exit – RAMP14 Heavy coat? – EST64 Baby beaver – KIT65 Genesis matriarch – EVE66 Sleep cycle letters – REMLA Times Mini Crossword Solutions for January 5, 2026Mini Crossword Solutions for Today | Credits: The LA Times/FandomWireDone with the Crossword?

But with Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Jake LaRavia leading the way, the Lakers pulled out a 120-114 win. It was the second straight time LaRavia, who came in averaging 9.1 points, scored 20-plus. A back-and-forth game featured several lead changes in the fourth quarter, with the Lakers and Grizzlies taking turns delivering in tense moments. The Lakers finally took the lead for good at 100-99 on a basket by Doncic. Then James scored on a three-point play and made one of two free throws for a 104-99 lead with 3 minutes 49 seconds left.

Even before the first US military strike on an alleged drug-carrying boat from Venezuela in early September, the plan to remove Maduro from power was already in motion. The assets included a CIA source operating within the Venezuelan government who assisted the United States with tracking Maduro’s location and movements ahead of his capture, one source briefed on the operation told CNN. Caine said Maduro and his wife “gave up” to the US military personnel before being flown out of the country. Vance joined several late-night meetings via secure video conference with top national security officials leading up to the operation. Asked by CNN whether he’d taken into consideration the mixed track record of American efforts to oust dictators, the president set himself apart.

Venezuela’s Maduro and wife expected to appear in court this week ABC News investigative reporter Olivia Rubin breaks down the charges against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

LOADING ERROR LOADING“I have to say this very directly to the United States: It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the need for the United States to take over Greenland,” Frederiksen wrote in a statement on a Danish government website on Sunday. “The United States has no right to annex any of the three countries in the Commonwealth.”AdvertisementDanish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen published a warning to the U.S. about Greenland on Sunday. “We do need Greenland, absolutely. “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it, that I can tell you.” Then he insults Denmark: “To boost up security in Greenland. Additionally, she emphasized that the U.S. already possessed “wide access” to Greenland via a defense agreement with the Kingdom of Denmark.