We look at the sectarianism that persists in Lebanon, undermining the country’s unity.
Lebanese social media pages were filled recently with heated exchanges and views, with people commenting on developments that reflect the deep sectarianism in the country. From a Christmas decoration to stand-up comedy material to the right to citizenship, people in Lebanon are not holding back.
Presenter: Stefanie Dekker
Storm Byron has swept across the Gaza Strip, killing at least 14 people and injuring others as harsh winds, relentless rain and collapsing structures crush families already displaced by Israel’s devastating assault on the enclave, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Interior and National Security.
The ministry said five people died overnight into Friday after a house sheltering displaced civilians in Bir an-Naaja, in northern Gaza, collapsed during the storm.
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At dawn, two more people were killed when a wall gave way and fell onto tents in Gaza City’s Remal neighbourhood. A day earlier, another person died after a structural collapse in Shati refugee camp, while a newborn in al-Mawasi succumbed to the freezing temperatures.
Medical staff in Gaza report an alarming rise in deaths linked to exposure. A source at al-Shifa Hospital told Al Jazeera Arabic that nine-year-old Hadeel al-Masri died in a shelter west of Gaza City, while baby Taim al-Khawaja died in Shati camp.
In Khan Younis, eight-month-old Rahaf Abu Jazar died after rain flooded her family’s tent.
Relatives said the family had been seeking refuge in a roofless, bombed-out home after an Israeli air strike destroyed their own house.
“Yesterday, we were surprised to hear his mother screaming, saying, ‘My son is blue!’ so we carried the boy and went to al-Rantisi Hospital,” the child’s grandfather said. “His temperature remained between 33 and 34 degrees [Celsius; 91.4 – 93.2 degrees Fahrenheit], which has affected all his organs. His brain began to deteriorate, and that was the end of it.”
Al Jazeera’s Ibrahim al-Khalili, reporting from al-Mawasi in southern Gaza, said Storm Byron has turned flimsy shelters into deadly traps.
“Officials are warning that there could be floods, heavy rain and hail, continuing through today. It is expected to threaten some 850,000 people, including many children, sheltering in 761 sites,” he reported.
“Here, tents have been destroyed due to the heavy rain and wind, leaving families facing ruined makeshift shelters.”
Large sections of the shoreline have collapsed, further endangering tents pitched metres from the sea.
Al-Khalili said families, pushed from place to place through more than two years of Israeli bombardment, now face “an added layer of suffering”.
“The tents are collapsing; the cold is unbearable. Basically, they don’t have anywhere to go. What is unfolding is devastating,” he said. “It’s not just a storm; it’s a new wave of displacement even after the war has stopped. Many people here told me that a new war has really begun after this flooding, and people are being forced to flee whatever fragile shelters they had.”
Reporting from Gaza City, Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary said at least 10 houses collapsed in the last 24 hours, with more expected to crumble at any time.
Palestinians remain inside these buildings because they have no tarpaulins, no tents and no alternative shelter as Israeli authorities continue to block winterisation supplies.
“Most of Gaza’s population is currently homeless,” she said.
Civil defence crews say they retrieved one body and rescued two injured children from the rubble in Bir an-Naaja, with more people believed trapped beneath collapsed homes.
The Ministry of Interior said emergency teams have received more than 4,300 distress calls since the storm began, and recorded at least 12 collapses of buildings previously hit by Israeli strikes.
![A displaced Palestinian boy carries belongings in a flooded tent camp on a rainy day in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, December 12, 2025. [Mahmoud Issa/Reuters]](https://i0.wp.com/www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/reuters_693bfe0d-1765539341.jpg?w=696&ssl=1)
Despite having almost no equipment or fuel, police and civil defence teams continue rescue operations, the ministry said. It urged international actors to pressure Israel to allow critical aid and shelter materials into the Strip.
“What is happening now is a wake-up call for everyone to face up to their responsibilities,” the statement read.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem described the deaths linked to the storm as a “continuation of the war of extermination” and evidence of the catastrophic conditions Israel’s bombardment has left behind.
“The successive collapses of homes bombed during the war of extermination on the Gaza Strip, caused by the storm, and the resulting deaths, reflect the unprecedented scale of the humanitarian disaster left by this criminal Zionist war,” he said.
Glasgow Warriors going up against the mighty Toulouse at Scotstoun on Saturday might well be the match of the weekend in round two of the Champions Cup.
The six-time European champions are as close to rugby’s version of Real Madrid as you will find, and like the Spanish footballing giants in their ‘Galacticos’ era, they are stacked with world-class stars.
Chief among them is incredible France scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who most would agree is the world’s best player. Some would argue he is the game’s greatest ever.
“Everyone sees it, whenever he plays, he makes a massive difference to not only Toulouse, but to the French squad as well,” said Glasgow Warriors’ Ollie Smith, who will start on the wing at Scotstoun.
“I think he has a lot of firepower and it doesn’t matter if he’s on the back foot or the front foot, he seems to create things and see space that no-one else sees. He always seems to pop up in the right position, so he’s definitely going to be difficult to play against.
Warriors started their European campaign with an impressive bonus-point victory away to English Premiership side Sale last weekend, but Toulouse represent a significant step up in class.
“I don’t think there’s a bigger challenge in rugby at the moment,” added Smith.
“I think when you look at their team, there’s internationals and stars across that pitch. It’s a game you kind of bookmark when you see the fixtures, Toulouse coming to Scotland. I think it’s going to be a pretty awesome occasion.”
Glasgow head coach Franco Smith says his team have made no special plans to try to limit Dupont’s influence, not least because the French giants have numerous other X-factor players who can break a game open when given the chance.
Classy France fly-half Romain Ntamack will – alongside his half-back partner Dupont – be marshalling a brilliant backline that also includes majestic Italy international Ange Capuozzo, France’s intelligent full-back Thomas Ramos and a man familiar to most of the Warriors players, Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn.
It’s a cast list that might make an opposition coach break out in a cold sweat, but Smith is relishing the opportunity for his side to test itself against the one of the world’s top teams.
“This is the type of rugby we want to play, measured against the best,” he told BBC Scotland.
“They have won this competition six times, they are competing at the top end of this competition and the top end of the Top 14 every year.
“They are a class outfit, they’ve got a very good squad, they obviously invest heavily and Toulouse is a well-known rugby city.
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or for a loved one this festive season, you can’t go wrong with a good pair of headphones. Ideal for fending off noise on the morning commute, helping to concentrate while working or studying, or for relaxing to favourite tunes or podcasts, noise-cancelling headphones have become a must-have in day-to-day life.
But, what are the best noise-cancelling headphones or earphones on the market? We’ve found five options to peruse for a wide range of budgets this Christmas.
READ MORE: Bose’s ‘excellent’ noise-cancelling earbuds to rival AirPods Pro get whopping £100 off
READ MORE: Stacey Solomon wears cosy and half-price drying robe to stay warm on winter walk
Shop here for £129
Shopping Writer Meghan has a pair of these earphones, which are currently on offer for a whopping £100 less than their normal price. Meghan says: “These are the best earphones I’ve owned. They’re super comfortable and come with various noise-level settings to choose from: totally off, aware (allowing in ambient noise while muffling harsh sounds), or quiet, which is nearly complete noise cancellation. While I’ve noticed certain high-volume sounds do still break through, they’re substantially quieter and barely noticeable beneath audio. The sound quality is unbelievable, as you’d expect from a renowned brand, and they even come with a nifty sensor feature that automatically pauses and plays when the earbud leaves your ear, so you don’t have to manually pause or lose your place in your audiobook or podcast if the earphone gets knocked out.”
Shop here for £179.95
Part of the same range as the above, Bose’s QuietComfort headphones are widely considered one of the best noise-cancelling options on the market. With all the comfort of over-the-ear headphones that won’t fall or slip while you go about your day-to-day, whether you’re walking to work or heading out on a jog. Boasting customisable “legendary” noise-cancelling and adjustable EQ, these headphones promise a customisable audio experience that is sure to make them a staple accessory.
Shop here for £64.99
Flagged as Amazon’s Choice, these headphones are described as “delivering superb sound” thanks to their award-winning technology. With Dual Noise Sensor technology that precisely captures and cancels unwanted noise, these headphones also allow you to switch to Ambient Sound Mode, keeping you aware of your surroundings. Plus, these headphones are praised for their longevity, boasting up to 50 hours of battery life (NC off), letting you stay immersed in your music all day. Plus, the quick charging provides up to 60 minutes of playback from just a 3-minute charge.
Shop here for £30.99
Moving on to the more affordable options, the JBL Vibe Buds 2 boast Active Noise Cancelling with Smart Ambient and JBL Pure Bass sound, offering top-quality audio on a more reasonable budget. Featuring a similar design to the Bose earbuds, these little gadgets are ideal for a range of activities. And, these beauties are water- and sweat-resistant, so you can wear them come rain or shine, without fear of damage during a rainy walk or a sweaty workout.
Shop here for £23.99
Matty Healy might be in the biggest band, but he’s “chuffed” that his mum, Denise Welch, is becoming a star across the globe. The actress, who first appeared on screens in the Eighties, is no stranger to taking on big roles.
She played Natalie Barnes on ITV’s Coronation Street for three years and has since appeared in The Bill, Holby City, before taking on the role of bubbly French teacher, Steph Haydock, on BBC’s Waterloo Road between 2006 and 2010. She’ll reprise her role in the school drama next year.
But while Denise, 67, is known for her acting career, she’s since become famous across the globe thanks to social media and is often referred to as the “Queen of the Huns”. Her eldest son, Matty, is the frontman of The 1975, and she is often mobbed by fans at his concerts, with many referring to her as “the Queen”.
Now, in a new interview, Denise has revealed Matty’s reaction to her newfound fame and the perks that come with it – including her own Christmas song, Slayy Bells.
Posing for the cover of i-D magazine, Denise revealed that Matty is “quite chuffed” with the love surrounding his mum at the moment. She went on to reveal: “Even my cool son is going, ‘I’ve never done a shoot for i-D before!'”
But while Denise is beyond proud of Matty’s music success and the success of her youngest, Louis, who starred as Henry Creel, the lead role in Stranger Things: The First Shadow on the West End, she’s proud of their lives outside of work.
She told the outlet: “If I’m watching Matty headline Glastonbury, or Louis do Stranger Things, everyone around me is going, ‘My God, you must be so proud.’ But I’m more proud of who they are. I’m proud of how they treat the people around them.”
While Matty and his bandmates have had five number one albums, sold out arenas across the globe, and, of course, headlined Glastonbury Festival this year, they’ve not had a number one single. However, Denise could be on course to become the first member of the family to top the singles charts with Slayy Bells.
She told the Official Charts Company: “Matty’s had several Number 1 albums, but never a Number 1 single. I might pip the family charts, you know? Maybe he’s secretly quite worried.” However, Matty is extremely supportive of his mother.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Denise’s return to Waterloo Road would be on screens in just a matter of months. Speaking previously about reprising her role of the fun and flirtatious French teacher, Denise said: “I’m thrilled to see the return of Steph to Waterloo Road. 15 years older, but certainly not wiser.
“She’ll soon show that time has certainly not dulled her shine! Still unmarried but eternally hopeful, Steph is back as a supply teacher. What she is supplying remains to be seen, but I am having a great time stepping back into the shoes of a character I love. It’s also been great to reunite with some of my old castmates, like Jason Merrells (who plays Jack Rimmer).
“Steph and Jack go back a long way, but will they move forward?! You’ll have to wait and see.”
Waterloo Road returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on January 6.
Politicians say ECHR out of date while opponents argue human rights at risk.
Twenty-seven European nations that are signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) want the treaty changed to restrict migration.
Opponents say altering it will weaken fundamental human rights protections in place for years.
So what are the arguments?
Presenter: Adrian Finighan
Guests:
Michael O’Flaherty – Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights and former director of the European Union Fundamental Rights Agency
Jennifer Nader – Cofounder of the Compassion in Politics think tank in London