Prisoners released from jail in Belarus as part of a sanctions-relief deal with the US have reunited with their loved ones in Ukraine and Lithuania, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatsky and activist Maria Kolesnikova.
The 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government is ongoing at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
The summit, which will include a Special Debate on the Future of the Community, is also expected to include deliberations on key regional priorities, including political stability, security cooperation, and economic integration.
Regional leaders have arrived in Nigeria for the session to be chaired by the President of Sierra Leone and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Julius Maada Bio.
According to a brief statement from Bio’s office, the ECOWAS boss arrived in Abuja on Saturday.
“At this important gathering, the regional leaders are expected to discuss various critical issues impacting West Africa, with particular focus on recent incidents involving Guinea-Bissau and Benin,” the statement read.
Key agenda items include discussions on the future of the ECOWAS Community, presentation of the 2025 Annual Report on the State of the Community, updates on regional security and mediation efforts, progress on the political transition in Guinea, and a review of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS).
The summit is expected to end with the adoption of a final communiqué, followed by a joint press conference.
Hamas has confirmed that Israel killed its senior commander Raed Saad in a strike which killed at least four other people and wounded 25 Palestinians in Gaza. Hamas has called on Trump to compel Israel to abide by the US-brokered ceasefire which Israel has violated continuously.
I’m A Celebrity star Alex Scott enjoyed a fun date night with her girlfriend Jess Glynne after her stint in the jungle. Alex, 41, traded the sizzling temperatures in Australia to wrap up warm as she and Jess, 36, braved the cold to enjoy a night at the festive themed event at London’s Hyde Park.
The pair were seen laughing and enjoying each other’s company after being separated during a tough time, while they went on rides and walked around taking in the sights of the theme park with friends. Alex and Jess were seen taking on the ice slide, wearing orange safety helmets as they slid down the icy ramp in inflatable rubber rings.
They queued up to go down the ramp multiple times, with Alex filming herself on her mobile phone as she slid down the fast paced ramp. They were also spotted screaming with delight as they rode on a rollercoaster speeding through the twists and turns of the ride.
The night out comes after the former Arsenal footballer and sports pundit skipped the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! final after becoming the first celebrity to leave the camp on November 28 after two weeks in Australia. Alex was the only star from the series not to return to see Angry Ginge crowned the King of the jungle.
At the time of her exit Alex admitted she had almost pulled out of the show at the last minute due to her girlfriend Jess Glynne’s mother suffering a medical emergency when she had a stroke.
Following her eviction from camp Alex broke I’m A Celeb tradition and returned home to the UK immediately to be with her girlfriend of two years at the difficult time.
Exiting campmates usually stay in the lavish JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort and Spa, where they remain, relaxing and getting re-accustomed with life in the real world until the grand finale. Alex said after her exit: “It’s been tough because I want to be here for the wrap party and I have to get home straight away.
“She’s my Jessica, and I’m going home to be her rock. My campmates knew what I was going through and I just want to thank everyone at ITV and my campmates because they’ve all shown me so much support.”
Fans learned of the situation with Jess’ mum when Alex was greeted on the exit bridge by her friend Regan Coleman instead of Jess. The singer then posted on Instagram to explain her absence.
She wrote: “I know people will wonder why I wasn’t there at the end of the bridge, so I wanted to share something personal. Over the last few weeks, my mum suffered a stroke and needed urgent brain surgery.
“It’s been a really serious, life-altering time for my family, and I’ve had to stay close to home. Alex would always want me to be where I’m needed most.”
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First Dates star Fred Sirieix is on fine form as we catch up on a video call, where he speaks to us from the study of his South East London townhouse. The French accent, the twinkle in his eye and the innate confidence are a heady mixture, and they’ve helped make him a household name here in his adopted country.
The straight-talking Limoges native chats happily about life with the woman he affectionately calls “Fruitcake”. They tied the knot in an idyllic ceremony at the Pattoo Castle in Jamaica in February, and judging by the smile on his face, married life is clearly suiting the 53-year-old.
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“It’s going really well – we’re having a good time,” he says. “There are lots of fun conversations – and lots of silly arguments. They might be about me not wiping the counter properly, or not sweeping the floor – even though I was planning on doing it later. These kinds of things.”
Domestic disputes aside, Fred and Fruitcake work – he’s just not entirely sure why, he laughs. “We are very different,” he explains. “We’re chalk and cheese in our characters and our approach to life. But we enjoy each other’s company – and the stupidity of our own jokes! Oh, and we don’t mind farting in front of each other. That’s important.”
Fred’s now gearing up for Christmas, and his parents are flying over from France to be with him and the family. And his plans sound wonderfully decadent – just how you’d imagine the maître d’ extraordinaire to be spending Christmas Day. “It will be Champagne from 10am with breakfast,” he declares. “But you don’t want to overdo it, you’ve got to last all day.”
As for what he’ll be rustling up in the kitchen, Fred says the jury’s still out. “Perhaps a fish feast on the barbecue,” he says. “Or something more traditional, like a boeuf bourguignon. I’ve done turkey the last three years, so I think I’m going to move away from that.”
But before the festivities, Fred’s new show, First Dates Beach Club, will be here to bring some sunshine to those dreary winter nights.
Explaining the concept, Fred says, “The beauty of it is, it’s totally First Dates but instead of being in a restaurant, it’s in a beach club. It’s the essence of the show that everyone loves, the matchmaking, but there are new twists and turns.”
He adds, “If you realise someone else at the bar is more your type, you can go and speak to them. But then if you go on a date with the person you’re matched with and it’s not quite right, you go back to the guy at the bar. It’s fascinating!”
Bartender Merlin Griffiths is also back, mixing up all the best cocktails, and Fred says his friend is doing well following his health battle (Merlin was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in 2021, but thankfully was given the all-clear in 2023).
Fred’s been dishing out relationship advice on First Dates since 2013 – and jokes that he wants to beat the late Cilla Black’s 18-year stint with Blind Date. “We’ve got to at least match Cilla!” he jokes. “She was the OG. I wish I’d met her.”
So, what’s the most important thing Fred has learned over the years about love? “I’ve learned that in love, everything and anything goes,” he says. “If it works for you, that’s enough. It’s not trying to create the relationship that you ‘think’ you should have, or that you’ve seen somewhere else. We’re only here for a short time, so you’ve got to do you.”
People come to Fred “all the time” for relationship advice. “These are the very same conversations I was having constantly when I was 16, 17 in catering college, about love, sex, girls, boys… it’s like a continuation of that – it’s part of who I am,” he explains.
Another key part of who Fred is, is a traditional Frenchman – never happier than with some bread and cheese, washed down with a glass of “vin”.
To this end, he’s partnered with French cheese brand Boursin for its Christmas campaign, including reenacting some cheesy romcom scenes – and says it’s a real trip down memory lane. “I’ve been in the UK since 1992 – longer than I’ve been in France,” he reveals.
“To partner up with Boursin is like going full circle. It was, still is, in my parents’ house in France. After every meal, it comes out. It’s such a fun brand, one I grew up with – it’s nostalgic for me. The French are nostalgic anyway, and we all remember that ad in the 70s, ‘Du pain, du vin, du Boursin!’”
The star was in the I’m A Celebrity jungle in 2023 – the third campmate to be eliminated. And Fred is back on the small screen in January, for the second series of Tour De Fred, travelling between Waterford and Cork.
He was so enthralled by playing road bowling in Cork, he now plans to take his 78-year-old dad back there with him next September, to represent France in the next Kings and Queens of the Road. “He’s excited, he’s telling everybody,” Fred says.
So, does Fred have any New Year ’s resolutions himself? “I’m going to carry on! My resolution is always the same. Work hard, work harder – have fun, then have more fun,” he shares. “In my life, I’m quite obsessed with having a good time. What are we here for, otherwise?”
Don’t miss Fred’s cheesy rom-com debut this Christmas on the @boursinuk Instagram account
Creating the perfect festive atmosphere goes beyond your average Christmas decorations; shoppers are keen to add a seasonal scent to their homes to cap off the holiday feel. And what better way to do that than with this Yankee Candle that “smells just like Christmas”? Plus, it won’t break the bank either, as it’s currently up for grabs for a nifty 20% less.
Boasting traditional holiday scents of a warm hearth, sugared plums, and candied fruits, this Yankee Candle would normally cost £29.99, but Debenhams shoppers can currently pick up the 567g candle for the lower price of £23.99.
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Touted as a refreshing take on Yankee Candle’s iconic Jar Shape, this candle is designed to create the best experience to date. This is the largest Jar Candle in the collection at 567g, ensuring plenty of festive aromas to last through the season, and for many more to come.
Armed with two wicks and a premium soy-wax blend, this candle is designed to create a beautiful ambience for your home throughout the Christmas period. Finished with a hand-illustrated label and boasting a vibrant wax colour that is perfectly matched to Yankee Candle’s signature exclusive, featuring tried-and-true fragrances that create an inspired addition to your home.
Plenty of shoppers have been quick to sing this scent’s praises, with 5-star reviews pouring in. One thrilled buyer beams: “Love this , reminds me of so many Christmas holidays, beautiful scent that really fills the room, long, even burn.”
Another happy shopper shares: “Love love love this scent! Christmas is in the air (quite literally) when it’s lit. Stunning! Recommend!”
Further adoration comes from this customer, who writes: “Always have these burning around the house at Christmas. Infuses the house with a warm seasonal fragrance.”
One buyer does note one mild disappointment, saying: “Very subtle, it didn’t give a huge amount of fragrance.”
Though plenty of others have been quick to comment on the scent, with one shopper enthusing: “Beautiful smell, very strong, one of my favourites.”
And another buyer gushing: “Smells just like Christmas as a child. Aroma completely fills your room.”