Israel committed to ‘intensified’ Gaza operation despite US captive release

Israel has not agreed to any ceasefire or prisoner swap with Hamas ahead of the expected release of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander, but is continuing to prepare to intensify its military operations in Gaza, its prime minister has stated.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement released on Monday that ceasefire negotiations “will continue under fire, during preparations for an intensification of the fighting”. The Israeli leader insisted that military pressure had forced Hamas to make the release.

“Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind” or the release of Palestinian prisoners, but has only agreed to allow safe passage for the release of Alexander, the last surviving United States captive held in Gaza, the statement said.

A Hamas source told the AFP news agency later on Monday that mediators had informed the Palestinian group that Israel would pause military operations in Gaza for the handover.

‘Final deal?’

Hamas said on Monday that Alexander’s release was imminent. The armed group agreed to release him as a goodwill gesture to US President Donald Trump, who is due to arrive in the Middle East later.

The previous day, the Palestinian group had revealed that it had agreed to the release in talks with the US. Arab mediators Qatar and Egypt called it an encouraging step towards a return to ceasefire talks for war-torn Gaza.

Khalil al-Hayyah, a Hamas leader in Gaza, said the group was ready to “immediately start intensive negotiations” to reach a final deal for a long-term truce, including an end to the war, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and remaining Israeli captives in Gaza, and the handing over of power in the enclave to an independent body of technocrats.

Alexander’s family said they hoped the decision would open the way for the release of the 59 other captives, only 21 of whom are believed to be alive.

Families of the captives and their supporters in Israel have pressed the government to reach a deal to secure the release of those still held in Gaza, but Netanyahu has faced heavy pressure from hardliners in his cabinet not to end the war.

Last week, Netanyahu announced that Israel plans a total conquest of Gaza in an intensive military operation. Israeli officials have said that the step-up in military action would not start until Trump wraps up his Middle East visit.

Israel continues to bombard the enclave.

Gaza’s Civil Defence agency reported on Monday that several people were killed and many more injured in an overnight air attack on a school housing displaced people.

“At least 10 [dead], including several women and children, as well as dozens of wounded, were transported following an Israeli air strike on the Fatima Bint Asad school, which is home to more than 2,000 displaced people in the city of Jabalia,” Civil Defence spokesman Mahmoud Basal said.

GB to face Japan in BJK Cup quarter-finals

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Great Britain will play Japan in the quarter-finals of September’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, China.

The winners will face either the USA or Kazakhstan in the semi-finals, with the other quarter-finals being played between Italy and China and Spain v Ukraine.

The finals feature eight teams competing in a knockout format and will take place between 16-21 September.

Britain qualified by beating the Netherlands and Germany in The Hague last month, with Jodie Burrage and Katie Boulter’s superb doubles performance sealing their place.

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Jeremy Clarkson’s new glam farmhand labelled ‘fake’ in bitter family feud

Jeremy Clarkson’s new farmhand Harriet Cowan has been branded ‘fake’ by her bitter step-sisters, who have exposed a family feud ahead of her debut in series four of Clarkson’s Farm

(Image: (Image: Harriet Cowan Instagram))

Clarkson’s Farm is ready to drop its fourth season on Prime Video in just a fortnight, and Jeremy Clarkson has enlisted a new, glamorous farmhand to cover for his usual right-hand man, Kaleb Cooper. With Kaleb off on tour with his show The World According to Kaleb, 24-year-old Harriet Cowan steps into the limelight at Diddly Squat Farm, charming audiences early on in the season as she deftly takes on everything from livestock feed to farm fencing.

But it’s not just her farming prowess turning heads; as a nurse and part-time farmer, Harriet’s casting has also sparked drama closer to home. Elina Clifford, who shares a complicated family connection with Harriet, spoke candidly about the behind-the-scenes tension. Talking in a new interview, Elina, a professional chiropodist, didn’t mince words about her estranged step-sister.

READ MORE: What to shop this weekend: Coastal-themed buys from £13, including new Lake Como-inspired EDP

Jeremy Clarkson's new farmhand labelled 'fake' as bitter family feud is exposed
Jeremy Clarkson’s new farmhand labelled ‘fake’ as bitter family feud is exposed(Image: (Image: Prime Video))

She said to MailOnline: “She loves to be the centre of attention, often at others’ expense,” branding Harriet as “self-absorbed” and “fake,” and sending out a stark warning to Jeremy: “She is fake in the way she behaves, so Jeremy Clarkson, beware!”.

The reported tensions are rooted in Harriet’s tense ties with Elina’s mum, Vicky – a trauma nurse wedded to Harriet’s dad, farming bloke Eddy Cowan. Elina alleged that Harriet was “horrible” to her stepmum, stirring up family strife.

She added: “Not many people we know like her and our family has never liked her. My mum finds her behaviour unnecessary”, reports the Express.

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Harriet has impressed Jeremy with her skills
Harriet has impressed Jeremy with her skills(Image: (Image: Harriet Cowan Instagram))

Maddie, Elina’s older sister and a teacher by profession, shared the same view: “We don’t have a good relationship with her. Our mum is with her dad now, and there was a lot of drama a couple of years ago. There is a family feud, and Harriet was not being very nice to mum, and it was very upsetting.”

Moreover, Maddie claimed that although Harriet appears to hold strong connections with her biological sister Izzy and their mother Jacqui’s side, she’s pretty much alienated from theirs.

Both sisters accused Harriet of exploiting her stint on Clarkson’s Farm to swell her social media influence, alleging she joined just for the fame because she’s “obsessed with herself”.

Harriet and James selfie Clarkson's Farm
She is dating fellow farmer James(Image: (Image: Harriet Cowan Instagram))

The irony of the siblings slating their step-sister’s self-preoccupation while chatting to the media seemingly escapes them.

Elina threw shade at Harriet’s intentions, questioning her authenticity in the local farming scene of Belper, Derbyshire, and hinting that her newfound fame might not sit well with the locals.

“And the farming community in Derbyshire, where she lives, won’t like what she is doing. She is only doing a farming show to boost her social media profile. It is really sad and desperate,” Elina remarked.

Despite the digs at her character and doubts about her reputation among Belper’s farmers, Harriet has managed to amass a significant online following, boasting 35,000 TikTok fans and an expanding Instagram audience. Her bio invites followers to “come and watch the craziness,” and she’s even snagged a brand deal with cow-themed sock brand Country Moos.

Family drama aside, early footage shows Harriet flourishing on the farm, earning accolades from none other than Clarkson himself, who complimented her on-screen: “She’s brilliant.”

The teaser also welcomed back Kaleb Cooper, who seemed to hit it off with his new colleague.

The Mirror have reached out to Prime Video for comment.

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Home Bargains’ ‘perfect’ £20 garden lounger is ideal ‘for summer days’

The sun lounger was praised by Home Bargains shoppers, who said they “want” and “need” it

Home Bargains shoppers love the new item(Image: Getty)

Home Bargains shoppers are heaping praise on a new sun lounger they’ve spotted online – just in time for the warmer weather. The retailer is well known for it’s budget homeware items and now a new favourite may have arrived.

The Outdoor Living Collection Nevada Folding Sun Lounger was shared on social media by Facebook page Money Saver By Dansway. The post featured a photo of the product alongside it’s price tag of £19.99.

The post proved popular, racking up likes and comments from interested shoppers. Among them, one person tagged a friend and said: “perfect for you”, while the other person replied: “aww fab thanks babe.”

Tagging a friend, a third shopper wrote: “U wanna treat me.” A different person said: “Get 2.”

The praise continued, with one shopper writing: “On my way I’m buying 20.” A second said: “I want this” and a third commented: “For summer days!”

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A fourth impressed shopper wrote: “That’s the cheapest I’ve ever seen it! Have to go get 2 before they sell out!!”

A fifth said: “Oooh love this.” Another shopper keen on picking up the lounger wrote: “I need to go.”

Online, the Home Bargains product description reads: “Relax in comfort with The Outdoor Living Collection Nevada Folding Sun Lounger. This lightweight, multi-position lounger is easy to store in winter and features a convenient carry handle.”

The retailer added: “Multi-Position lounger to find ultimate comfort and relaxation. Easy to fold and store away for the winter with carry handle and lightweight.”

The Outdoor Living Collection Nevada Folding Sun Lounger is not currently in stock on the Home Bargains website. However, shoppers can sign up to be notified when it returns.

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We tried Claudia Winkleman’s BAFTAs sculpting leggings and can see why she won’t take them off

Claudia Winkleman brought her signature The Traitors style the the BAFTAs red carpet last night in a pair of £58 leggings our head of fashion also swears by

Zoe put Claudia Winkleman’s go-to leggings to the test(Image: Getty / Zoe Cripps)

Last night at the BAFTAs, Claudia Winkleman once again proved that comfort and style can indeed go hand in hand. Ditching a traditional gown, she opted for her signature Spanx Seamless Leggings, pairing them with a tailored blazer and her ever-present fringe. It was a masterclass in modern elegance– nothing short of what I’ve come to expect from her.

As a fashion editor, I’ve personally tried countless leggings in my quest for the perfect pair. But these Spanx beauties have a special place in my wardrobe. They give a thick and sleek appearance of trousers without the stiffness, thanks to their soft, stretchy fabric. The high-rise waistband gives a flattering silhouette, smoothing out any lumps and bumps without feeling restrictive. And the best part? No awkward seams or camel toe in sight.

I’ve worn them to the office with a crisp white shirt and ballet pumps, and then transitioned to evening drinks by swapping in a silk blouse and heels. They’re thick enough to keep you warm on chilly days, yet breathable enough for warmer weather.

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Claudia went for a blazer and leggings combo instead of a gown
Claudia went for a blazer and leggings combo instead of a gown(Image: Getty)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 11: Claudia Winkleman attends the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises at The Royal Festival Hall on May 11, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
Claudia wore her Spanx leggings on the BAFTAs red carpet(Image: Getty Images)

You might be surprised to find these leggings are available on Amazon for £58, which, considering their quality and versatility, is a bargain. They come in a range of sizes from XS through to 2XL, so they’re incredibly size-inclusive. And with their durable material, they’re built to last, making them a worthy investment for any wardrobe.

I’m not the only one singing their praises, either. One Amazon shopper raved, “Omg my figure looks fab in these and lots of people comment and want to buy some. I am a 12-14 and the medium is a good fit.” Another shared, “Fits like a glove. I’ve got really long gangly legs and was a bit worried these would be half mast… but to my delight they are perfect!” And for those concerned about comfort, a reviewer noted, “They are just brilliant. They hold everything in perfectly and do not slip down at all. Highly recommend. Will buy more.”

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Though these seamless leggings are my favourites, I recently put three other Spanx leggings to the test, after being influenced by Claudia wearing them all through the most recent series of the Traitors. You can read my full review of all three pairs – and the one that gave me a subtle bum life – here.

Inside Liver King’s staggering net worth as influencer’s scandal explored in Netflix documentary

Brian Johnson, better known as the Liver King, made headlines for documenting his extreme lifestyle online

How much is Liver King Brian Johnson really worth today?(Image: Netflix)

A social media influencer known as ‘Liver King’ amassed millions of followers as he promoted an extreme lifestyle that included consuming raw meat (even testicles) and rejecting the modern comforts we’ve grown used to.

Brian Johnson’s commitment to the ‘ancestral’ way of life won him a dedicated fan base, with many claiming miraculous health improvements from adopting this simpler lifestyle. However, a public scandal led to a loss of faith in the star.

Despite being repeatedly questioned in numerous interviews about potential steroid use to achieve his muscular physique, Brian insisted it was purely down to the lifestyle and supplements he advocated. But a leaked email exposed his monthly expenditure of around $11,000 on performance-enhancing drugs, shattering the trust between him and his followers.

Liver King Brian Johnson wears a hat and bullet belt and looks stern as he looks off to the left
His life is the subject of a new documentary on Netflix(Image: Netflix)

Brian’s swift ascent to social media stardom and subsequent steroid scandal is the focus of a new Netflix documentary out this week. Untold: The Liver King, releasing tomorrow (May 13), traces the star’s journey and current life, offering a peek into the real-life dynamics of the Johnson family.

In one scene, his wife Barbara recounts how their son broke his leg but was unfamiliar with pain medication for relief. In another unforgettable moment, the entire family ventures out to hunt and kill a bull, before rushing over barefoot to consume it raw, reports Surrey Live.

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Liver King’s net worth

The Liver King pulls a truck on all fours
He has published his own reported net worth – and it’s staggering(Image: Netflix)

The Liver King has explored many different business avenues over his life, way before he built his social media empire.

Beyond viral content, he and his wife teamed up in the cosmetic realm to kickstart Krowa Beauty, an animal-based beauty brand. He has also outlined plans to establish a series of wellness retreats in the future, all in a ranch-like setting.

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As per his own claims in September 2023, Brian posits his net worth at a staggering $310m. He shared the figure on Instagram, sharing that he calculated it by his “assets minus debts”, broadly defining his assets as cash, real estate, equities and content.

In musing on his website about the idea of net worth, Liver King wrote:: “We can’t have true net worth without self-worth, and a man’s ultimate symbol of status is his family. As such, net worth is created by compounding interest… internal value (self worth).”