The 2025 World Press Photo of the Year features a poignant image of a nine-year-old amputee from Gaza. In an Israeli airstrike, Mahmoud Ajjour lost both arms. Samar Abu Elouf, a Palestinian photographer, took his portrait for The New York Times. Jjour discussed regaining his life and pursuing his national goal of regaining his life with Al Jazeera.
More than half of the victims were in Gaza City and northern Gaza, according to medical sources who spoke to Al Jazeera on Friday. In addition, deadly attacks took place in the south of the Palestinian Strip, including in Khan Younis and Rafah.
Israel’s military reported that troops were stationed near Rafah’s Shaboura and Tal as-Sultan areas, as well as in northern Gaza, where large areas of Gaza City are now under Israeli control.
Israel Katz, Israel’s defense minister, reiterated on Friday that Israel intended to pursue its war goals.
He stated in a statement that the Israeli army is currently working toward a decisive victory in all ways, including the release of the hostages and Hamas in Gaza.
In Gaza, however, the attacks caused Palestinian Christians to keep holding temperate gatherings during Easter.
Ihab Ayyad, who spoke to Al Jazeera from a nearby church, claimed that he used to gather with other believers and go to his neighbors’ homes to celebrate each year.
We didn’t go to the museum this year because of the total destruction that has occurred all over, according to Ayyad, who said the Israeli occupation forces have levelled the majority of my relatives’ and my neighbors’ homes. “Many of my neighbors and relatives have been killed or displaced elsewhere.” Because we are deeply depressed, we haven’t celebrated.
Ramez al-Soury claimed to have traveled for the holy week from Gaza to Bethlehem or Jerusalem.
However, Gaza is now “atmosphere of war.” “Everywhere, there is a death odor. He claimed that the smell of murder and destruction is putting a lot of pressure on us.
Hani Mahmoud, a journalist from Gaza City, claimed that the Christian community is restraining their faith and gathering in one of the world’s oldest churches in Gaza without defiance but in devotion.
He said that Good Friday is the strength of those who still believe in peace despite the fact that the world is merely a stage for violence and death in Gaza.
In the West Bank, Rituals were also held to celebrate Good Friday and Easter.
In the area, there are about 50 000 Palestinian Christians. However, Israeli authorities forbid them from visiting Jerusalem, making it difficult for many people to attend those celebrations.
According to Al Jazeera Arabic on Friday, Israeli settlers and the military also reportedly attacked Palestinians on their land in the Salfit governorate of the occupied West Bank, bringing about a heightened mood.
A Palestinian was hurt in the attack, according to the Palestine Red Crescent.
Local sources also reported to Al Jazeera Arabic that the Israeli army guarded the town of Beita when dozens of settlers stormed Jabal al-Urma, a hill.
Israeli nationals who illegally reside on private Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem are known as the “settlers.”
Tensions appeared to erupt in the Celebrity Big Brother house in scenes that aired on Friday night – leaving viewers torn over a possible bitter feud. Fans of the reality show tuned in at the end of the week for the live eviction – which would see either EastEnders star Patsy Palmer or Olympic hero Daley Thompson given their marching orders.
However, the housemates let down their hair after completing a task with a cat in the day before’s highlights. A karaoke party with a host of songs available for the stars to perform was a reward for the family.
However, Bob Marley and the Wailers’ song Three Little Birds and chart-topping star Chesney Hawkes and Love Island star Chris Hughes reportedly got in trouble. Chesney pointed out that Daley had chosen the song as the one he wanted to perform when Chris began to sing the song.
Ella Rae Wise, the star of TOWIE, and Chris took to the stage and declared, “We’re going to sing, Three Little Bird.” However, Daley reacted with the statement, “No you’re not,” and Chesney yelled, “No you’re f***ing not!”
Chris was being questioned about the fact that he was singing the song, Chesney said, “We already took that one.” Are you going to have a fight with Thompson if you don’t? Chesney and Daley were then invited to perform the song’s iconic song at the microphones by Chris. However, the other two rejected the offer, and Chesney later claimed he was joking throughout the discussion but insisted he was no longer friends with Chris.
Then, it became clear whether or not Chris was genuinely annoyed and whether or not he was. In a once-in-a-lifetime conversation, Chesney made an appearance to try to settle things down by asking Chris, “Are you f***ing eyeballing me?” in reference to an erupting feud between Chris and Hollywood star Mickey Rourke, who had since been ejected.
However, Chris refused to acknowledge the in-joke and steamrolled on to Chesney’s question about his level of resentment. Meanwhile, Daley lamented that the two had gotten into a fight over karaoke.
Viewers, housemates and even Celebrity Big Brother hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best were unsure if the argument had been real or not. Later, Chris took Coronation Street star Jack P Shepherd to one side and said: “I thought Chesney and Daley were kicking off.”
However, Jack later admitted that Chesney was “one hundred percent serious.” And AJ and Will later admitted their convictions that the One and Only singer was serious.
One fan wrote, “I’m not being funny, but I feel really awkward watching Chesney now,” in response to the argument on X. Although I am aware of why he behaved in that manner, I don’t believe it was that serious or that he was required to be so. #CBBUK”.
Another wrote, “But Chesney was obviously taking things seriously.” Some viewers then remarked that Chris made an effort to lighten the tone, with one commenting, “One of my favorite things about this series is how the housemates bring out,” “I’m eyeballing you, man”? When they need to lift their spirits, #CBBUK.
And yet another typo: “and #chris misses the joke by talking over him. Are you f***ing eyeballing me. again #CBBUK”.
Fans now believe there might be consequences when the stars enter the Diary Room to submit their nominations. On X, someone wrote, “I wish I could wager that Chesney and Chris would vote for each other in the #CBBUK nominations.”
Oscar-nominated Irish actor Colin Farrell has opened up about one of the most difficult decisions of his life – placing his 21-year-old son, James, into a long-term care facility.
James, who was born in 2003, was misdiagnosed with cerebral palsy as a toddler. It wasn’t until he was around two and a half that doctors correctly identified Angelman syndrome – a rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system and causes severe physical and learning disabilities.
Nonverbal and needing round-the-clock support, James’s life expectancy is near-normal, but he will always require assistance. “It’s tricky,” Colin said in a recent interview with Candis Magazine.
READ MORE: Colin Farrell shares heartbreaking reason he’s put disabled son in care
Some parents will say, “I want to take care of my child myself,” and I agree with that. What would be my horror, however, if James’ mother had a car accident tomorrow and I had a heart attack? James is then independent.
While James is still alive and well, Colin and Kim made the wise decision to assist him in entering the care system.
We want to find a place where he can live a full and content life and feel connected, Colin said.
The Batman actor has long been open about raising James, both personally and professionally. From James’ first steps at age four to learning to feed himself by age 19, he has spoken poignantly about the misdiagnosis, the emotional toll, and the small victories.
He told InStyle, “We share in the smallest victories.” I nearly nearly split up when James took his first steps.
Colin also revealed that James, who had struggled with addiction for years, was the catalyst for his decision to end his drug habit in 2006. He once said, “I wasn’t suicidal, but I never had much of a will to live a long time. I want to be his friend and his father as my son grows up.
James’s conservatorship will continue to be managed by Colin and Kim, who filed for him in 2021 in addition to overseeing his medical care, legal affairs, and personal affairs.
The actor’s passion for supporting adult children with intellectual disabilities led to the establishment of the Colin Farrell Foundation, which he helped to establish as a result of his concern for James as he grew into adulthood.
Farrell has used his platform to promote Angelman syndrome and draw attention to the struggles of families who deal with special needs through their experiences.
He made the decision to speak out publicly about James for the first time at the 2007 Special Olympics in Shanghai, saying, “He has enriched my life… but I don’t want to minimize the struggles that so many families go through.”
READ MORE: Hair growth solution with over 6,000 five-star reviews is now on sale for under £22
Gallagher Premiership
Newcastle (10) 34
Cons: Connon 3 Pen: Connon 3 Tries: Blamire, Doherty, Hearle, Hearle, Stevenson, Pepper
Northampton (28) 35
With a five-try victory at Newcastle, the Northampton Saints kept their slim Premiership title defense alive.
After Jamie Blamire scored a try, Saints rallied to score four tries before half-time from hooker Craig Wright, prop Luke Green, Fin Smith, an early replacement, and debut winger Will Glister.
Before Saints scrum-half Tom James went over to push the visitors into a 35-15 lead, Connor Doherty, the center, gave the Falcons a reply shortly after the break.
In their final eight games, eight points clear of fourth-placed Gloucester, they must earn the most points to maintain their position as eighth in the table.
As Wright, age 21, scored on his first Premiership try for their opening try, they quickly opened up what appeared to be an unassailable lead in the north-east.
The game appeared to be over when James added a fifth try following Smith’s break and a pass inside from center Burger Odendaal.
Hearle finished well on the right wing when they swung play, and Stevenson then floated a pass to Ollie Fletcher in the corner.
Newcastle got their first point after Pepper intercepted and ran 80 yards for just one point in the final three minutes.
Alan Dickens, the senior coach for Newcastle, stated to BBC Radio Newcastle:
They scored three tries at the end of the first half, which was disappointing because we did a lot of good and put pressure on them.
To receive two bonus points for playing in the final fifteen minutes is a step in the right direction.
Replacements: Spencer, Rewcastle, Palframan, Baker, Leatherbarrow, Pepper, Arnold, and Fletcher.
Northampton: Glister, Odendaal, Hutchinson, Seabrook, Charlie Savala, James, West, Wright, Green, Munga, Lockett, Scott-Young, Pearson, Mapu, and Glister.
Walker, Haffar, Millar Mills, Mayanavanua, Augustus, Mitchell, Smith, and Witheat replace each other.
Rugby World Cup
Edinburgh (10) 17
tries: Thompson, Ritchie, and Lang
Hollywoodbet Sharks (6) 18
Makazole Mapimpi’s last-gasp try for the Sharks broke Edinburgh’s hearts and dented their hopes of qualifying for the Rugby World Cup play-offs.
Sean Everitt’s team persevered until the clock ran out and the Springbok wing Mapimpi dived into the corner while facing several double World Cup winners.
The raucous Hive Stadium fans, who had watched their side take the lead for the majority of the game but were ultimately left with just one point and vulnerable to dropping out of the top eight, had a sickening experience.
With six other teams within four points of them, they are currently in seventh place.
After some excellent pairing play with Matt Currie, James Lang launched himself up and into the corner after a nice hand to the far corner, and Jamie Ritchie touched down in a similar spot.
And just before the restart, Lukhanyo Am cut a break and added Aphelele Fassi to give the Sharks the lead and reaffirm their star power.
However, minutes later, Am was sent to the sin-bin for cynical play after being kicked through. After an incredible scrap, Edinburgh drew blood when Springbok team-mate Eben Etzebeth and Edinburgh’s Sam Skinner joined him.
After receiving a tap penalty in front of the posts, Edinburgh’s four-point lead was restored by Ross Thompson.
Following a thirty-hour battle, Edinburgh was held up over the try line in the scoreless final minutes before Sharks won a crucial scrum penalty that gave them position in the dying moments.
They exploited everything ruthlessly. Before Siya Musuku spun a flawless pass over Mapimpi, the forwards made the Edinburgh defense more sluggish.