7+ min ago (936+ words) CARACAS, Venezuela'English phrases once bothered Venezuelan President Nicol's Maduro so much that he urged his State of the Union address audience to phase out words like "skatepark" and "fashion." But as the White House threatens a potential U.S. military strike on Venezuela, Maduro is embracing English, singing John Lennon's "Imagine," advocating for peace and dancing to a remix of his latest English catchphrase, "No War, Yes Peace." While his turnaround is seen as a sign of desperation by supporters of Venezuela's political opposition, whose leaders have repeatedly told their backers in Washington that the threat of military action would crack Maduro's inner circle, months of pressure have yet to produce defections or a government transition. Behind this knack for staying in power is a system that punishes disloyal associates harshly and allows loyal ministers, justices, military leaders and other officials to…...

25+ min ago (327+ words) A look at The Times" top 25 boys" basketball rankings for the Southland after Week 2. Rk. School (Rec.); Comment; ranking last week 1. SIERRA CANYON (4-0): Brandon McCoy is a dunk machine this season; 1 2. SANTA MARGARITA (6-0): Six-foot-eight Drew Anderson has improved offensive firepower; 2 3. REDONDO UNION (3-0): Showdown with Crespi coming on Saturday; 3 4. ST. JOHN BOSCO (2-0): Christian Collins is the player to watch; 4 5. HARVARD-WESTLAKE (4-1): Texas commit Joe Sterling is delivering; 5 6. SHERMAN OAKS NOTRE DAME (3-1): Knights still not at full strength; 6 7. CRESPI (4-0): Games against Village Christian, JSerra, Redondo Union; 7 8. CORONA CENTENNIAL (5-1): Huskies lose 60-56 in Tennessee; 8 9. JSERRA (5-1): Big game for Jaden Bailes vs. Oak Hills; 11 10. FAIRMONT PREP (5-1): Carlsbad hands Huskies their first defeat; 9 11. CREAN LUTHERAN (4-1): Good win over St. Bernard; 13 12. DAMIEN (6-1): Lost to St. Bernard 53-51; 10 13. SAN GABRIEL ACADEMY (0-2): Tough schedule continues with Redondo Union on Wednesday; 12 14. ETIWANDA (4-0): Eagles are soaring early; 18 15. ROLLING HILLS PREP (5-0): Nick Welch Jr....

43+ min ago (738+ words) NEW ORLEANS'About 250 federal border agents are expected to launch a months-long immigration crackdown Monday in southeast Louisiana and into Mississippi. The operation dubbed "Swamp Sweep," which aims to arrest 5,000 people, is centered in liberal New Orleans and is the latest federal immigration enforcement operation to target a Democratic-run city as President Trump's administration pursues its mass deportation agenda. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who has led aggressive operations in Chicago, Los Angeles and Charlotte, N.C., is expected to lead the campaign. Many in the greater New Orleans area, particularly in Latino communities, have been on edge since the planned operations were reported this month. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry said he welcomes the federal agents. Bovino has become the Trump administration's go-to operative for leading large-scale, high-profile immigration enforcement campaigns. During his operation in Chicago, federal agents rappelled from a helicopter into…...

43+ min ago (738+ words) NEW ORLEANS'About 250 federal border agents are expected to launch a months-long immigration crackdown Monday in southeast Louisiana and into Mississippi. The operation dubbed "Swamp Sweep," which aims to arrest 5,000 people, is centered in liberal New Orleans and is the latest federal immigration enforcement operation to target a Democratic-run city as President Trump's administration pursues its mass deportation agenda. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who has led aggressive operations in Chicago, Los Angeles and Charlotte, N.C., is expected to lead the campaign. Many in the greater New Orleans area, particularly in Latino communities, have been on edge since the planned operations were reported this month. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry said he welcomes the federal agents. Bovino has become the Trump administration's go-to operative for leading large-scale, high-profile immigration enforcement campaigns. During his operation in Chicago, federal agents rappelled from a helicopter into…...

1+ hour, 10+ min ago (442+ words) MEDAN, Indonesia'Some residents of the flood-stricken Indonesian island of Sumatra have resorted to stealing food and water to survive, authorities said Sunday, while Sri Lankan officials said the number of deaths from floods and mudslides in that island nation had risen to 193. The floods, which hit Indonesia nearly a week ago, have killed 442 people with the number expected to rise as more bodies are recovered and displaced 290,700 people as nearly 3,000 houses damaged, including 827 that were flattened or swept out by floods. The deluges triggered landslides, damaged roads, cut off parts of the island and downed communication lines. Relief operations have been hampered by limited internet access. An additional 402 people are missing in Indonesia's three provinces of North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Aceh, according to the National Disaster Management Agency. The challenging weather and the lack of heavy equipment also hindered…...

1+ hour, 10+ min ago (442+ words) MEDAN, Indonesia'Some residents of the flood-stricken Indonesian island of Sumatra have resorted to stealing food and water to survive, authorities said Sunday, while Sri Lankan officials said the number of deaths from floods and mudslides in that island nation had risen to 193. The floods, which hit Indonesia nearly a week ago, have killed 442 people with the number expected to rise as more bodies are recovered and displaced 290,700 people as nearly 3,000 houses damaged, including 827 that were flattened or swept out by floods. The deluges triggered landslides, damaged roads, cut off parts of the island and downed communication lines. Relief operations have been hampered by limited internet access. An additional 402 people are missing in Indonesia's three provinces of North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Aceh, according to the National Disaster Management Agency. The challenging weather and the lack of heavy equipment also hindered…...

1+ hour, 20+ min ago (390+ words) Animated movie "Zootopia 2" hopped to the top of the box office in a big weekend for family-friendly films. The sequel to the 2016 film from Walt Disney Co. brought in $156 million in the U.S. and Canada over the five-day Thanksgiving weekend, according to studio estimates. The film's production budget was estimated at $175 million to $200 million. In total, "Zootopia 2" collected $556 million in global box office revenue, including $272 million in China, a once-massive market for Hollywood films that has cooled in recent years. The haul for "Zootopia 2" in China marked that country's highest opening ever for a nonlocal animated movie. Disney's 2016 animated film "Zootopia" still ranks as China's biggest Hollywood animated film. But since then, the market has changed. The movie probably benefited from its strong franchise recognition in China; Disney opened a "Zootopia"-themed land at Shanghai Disneyland in 2023 and embarked on an…...

1+ hour, 20+ min ago (417+ words) Animated movie "Zootopia 2" hopped to the top of the box office in a big weekend for family-friendly films. The sequel to the 2016 film from Walt Disney Co. brought in $156 million in the U.S. and Canada over the five-day Thanksgiving weekend, according to studio estimates. The film's production budget was estimated at $175 million to $200 million. In total, "Zootopia 2" collected $556 million in global box office revenue, including $272 million in China, a once-massive market for Hollywood films that has cooled in recent years. The haul for "Zootopia 2" in China marked that country's highest opening ever for a non-local, animated movie. Disney's 2016 animated film "Zootopia" still ranks as China's biggest Hollywood animated film. But since then, the market has changed. The movie likely benefited from its strong franchise recognition in China " Disney opened a "Zootopia"-themed land at Shanghai Disneyland in 2023 and embarked on an…...

1+ hour, 33+ min ago (1013+ words) BEIRUT'Pope Leo XIV challenged Lebanon's political leaders Sunday to be true peacemakers and put their differences aside, as he sought to give Lebanon's long-suffering people a message of hope and bolster a crucial Christian community in the Middle East. Leo arrived in Beirut from Istanbul on the second leg of his maiden voyage as pope. He came to encourage the Lebanese people to persevere at a precarious moment for the small Mediterranean country as it faces economic uncertainty, deep political divisions and fears of a new war with Israel following years of crises. Leo is fulfilling a promise of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who had wanted to visit Lebanon for years but was unable to because of its crises and as his health worsened. Lebanon's political system, based on sectarian power-sharing, has been prone to deadlock with lengthy power vacuums…...

2+ hour, 40+ min ago (285+ words) Lakers star LeBron James will miss Sunday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans as he manages a right foot injury, the team announced. The Lakers (14-4) are playing the first of two games in as many nights at home. They host the Phoenix Suns on Monday, which will be the team's third game in four days after a win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Playing in just his fourth game of the season, James played 34 minutes in the 129-119 win, scoring 13 points with seven assists. He missed the beginning of the season for the first time in his 23-year NBA career because of right sciatica that sidelined him for 14 games. Anthony Davis lost to the Lakers in Los Angeles for the first time since he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Despite James' limited time, the Lakers have still thrived behind…...