Syrian delegation meets Israelis in Paris amid sovereignty breaches

According to state news agency SANA, a delegation from Syria, led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and General Intelligence Directorate Chief Hussein al-Salameh, is engaging in new rounds of negotiations with Israeli counterparts in Paris, which are being coordinated and mediated by the United States.

The resumption of these negotiations, according to a government source, reflects Syria’s unwavering commitment to restoring its non-negotiable national rights, according to a source in the government.

Since Bashar al-Assad’s assassination, Israel has continued to rule Syria’s territory beyond the Golan Heights and carried out numerous raids and bombardments in southern Syria.

Israeli forces have been conducting , nearly daily incursions  into southern Syria, particularly in the quneitra governorate, for months, causing growing public outcry and unrest.

The talks are primarily aimed at reactivating the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, ensuring that Israeli forces are positioned prior to December 8, 2014, within the framework of an equitable security agreement that prioritizes full Syrian sovereignty and prevents any form of interference in internal affairs, according to the source.

Despite less direct military threats, Israeli forces continue to carry out airstrikes that have resulted in civilian casualties and the destruction of Syrian army installations.

According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), Israel has carried out nearly two attacks every day in Syria over the past year, with an average of almost two per day.

Disengagement agreement

Following al-Assad’s assassination, Israel canceled the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, which was brokered following the 1973 conflict and where Syria failed to regain control of the occupied Golan Heights.

Israel has since violated the UN-patrolled buffer zone, expanding further into Syrian territory.

Israel claims the agreement no longer applies while conducting air raids, ground incursions, reconnaissance flights, setting up checkpoints, and arresting or disappearing Syrians. Syria has not launched attacks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in late December that Israel was eager to secure a peaceful border with Syria, and Donald Trump, the president of Israel, vowed to support Ahmed al-Sharaa, who spearheaded a lightning offensive to overthrow al-Assad in late 2024.

Since months, discussions have been stalled in order to reach a consensus on a security agreement between Israel and Syria, with no agreement or concrete progress being made.

Syria has no intention of adhering to Trump’s Abraham Accords, which recognize Israel only after a small number of Arab countries do so.

Heartbroken Good Morning Britain star scatters ashes in ‘our special place’ after death

Following a tragic loss of a family, the dear Good Morning Britain star was left devastated a few months ago.

A Good Morning Britain star has been supported by fans after opening up about where she has scattered a dear family member’s ashes.

Journalist Katy Rickitt joined the long-running ITV show way back in 2012 as a news correspondent, and has covered a range of stories ever since.

Away from the programme, Katy is married to actor Adam Rickitt, who is best known for playing Nick Tilsley on ITV’s long-running soap Coronation Street from 1997 to 2004.

The pair first met when Katy interviewed Adam back in 2011 on GMB. Three years later, the couple tied the knot in a winter wonderland wedding in December 2014.

Katy and Adam also have successful individual careers and are the owners of Dexter and Jones, a artisan bottle store in Knutsford, Cheshire.

However, in December, the pair were left devastated when their beloved four-legged family member: Daphne sadly died – with both Katy and Adam left “blindsided” by her passing.

And on Sunday (January 4) Katy took to her Instagram and revealed they had scattered Daphne’s ashes. Alongside a video montage of clips of Daphne, Katy wrote: “Today we scattered our baby Daphne in our special place, Tatton park.

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She now bears the branches and forms the base of Rufus, which she also shares with him. Our happiest dog walks as a family featured this dog attacking the gate and @adamrickitt’s feet!

We left, and the clouds gave the impression that she was finally Princess Daphne in the Wobble-bouncing through the Blancmond clouds. You will always be our true baby, and we will always be yours. With big brother Rufus, you can rest peacefully and content. Until we return, “xx”

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Fans expressed their support for Katy and Adam in the comments section. I’m so sorry, Katy and Adam, for sending you so much love.

Another phrase was added: “Aww Katy and Adam, I’m sure Princess Daphne and King Rufus are running free and will be waiting for you all to be together once more.” They are currently known to be peaceful and together. I sincerely love you all. A third chimed in, “Bless your hearts thinking of you.” Enjoy Rufus and Daphne together in heaven.

BBC presenter reveals sad family news just weeks after tragic death

Following a difficult year marked by an unexpected family change and a tragic death, BBC Radio 2 presenter Jo Whiley expressed hope for a quieter 2026.

Following a number of unexpected and heartfelt family transitions, Jo Whiley described 2025 as a “volatile year” for her. The Radio 2 presenter was struggling to contain her tears when she revealed that her husband had accidentally run over their cat, Simba, in August.

Jo became a carer for her parents, which caused other unexpected changes to her personal life in addition to the tragedy.

Reflecting on last year, she told her co-star Zoe Ball on their Dig It podcast: “Towards the end of the year, just to say, my parents have had loads of health issues, so I’ve suddenly hit that point of my life, which I know a lot of our diggers are at as well, so suddenly becoming a carer and sorting out lots of hospital appointments.

In addition, the second half of this year featured significant growth in the number of things that were important, such as caring for them and being a sibling of a person with a learning disability.

“I’m still on the rollercoaster right now, as we all are,” she continued. It’s been a rollercoaster of a year, it’s not been an easy year.

The 60-year-old said she is now anticipating a calmer 2026 after what she described as a “manic” year.

She wrote, “Literally, I don’t believe I’ve ever had a day where I haven’t been doing anything.”

So next year, I’m trying to relax, spend more time with my friends and family, and do a little less, continuing to do the pod, radio, and my 90s anthems show, but kind of, not do so many, maybe.

I’m going to try to run and swim more, and I’m also getting back into shape.

She claimed that she had signed up for a half marathon in April, saying that the training required that you do. It’s undoubtedly the only way I can handle it.

While reflecting on 2025, Jo also revisited the heartbreaking loss of their family cat.

She recalled that her husband Steve had previously told her the depressing news to Zoe when she was returning from a vacation.

Jo explained that Steve initially believed the cat had left after moving her out of the way on their driveway.

She said, “We just can’t figure out what happened.”

Jo continued, stating that the incident left her husband grieving, particularly because of the close friendship he and Simba shared.

“He’s in a world of pain,” she said. “We had to spend the whole day yesterday – luckily the kids weren’t at home when it happened – and a vet came over and put [Simba] out of her misery.

Continue reading the article.

We simply had to wait and figure out what to say and tell the kids.

Public holiday to celebrate Scotland’s World Cup return

Getty Images A man clad in Scotland gear holds a replica gold World Cup trophy above his head. He is wearing a tartan hat, Scotland strip and sunglasses with saltires on the lenses. He is standing in front of an empty blue stand. Getty Images

Scotland’s men’s national team will play in its first World Cup since 1998 on a public holiday.

On Sunday, June 14 at 2:00 BST, Scotland will face Haiti in Boston before hosting Morocco and Brazil in their final group games in the United States.

The 15 June should be designated as a national bank holiday, according to First Minister John Swinney.

Scotland will “stack” at a “standstill”

Swinney said at a Glasgow event that “the entire country will come to a standstill in June,” and that is even more so in July once Brazil has defeated Brazil and advanced to the knockout stages.

28 years in the waiting, and I want to see as many people as possible share the occasion.

Fans in Scotland will have the opportunity to witness our men’s team playing in their first World Cup game in almost 30 years, win business there, foster tourism and hospitality interest, and form lasting cultural and sporting bonds, he added.

Scotland has the ability to designate its own bank holidays from the rest of the UK.

By royal proclamation, a day can be designated as a bank holiday in Scotland.

On June 19, Brazil and Scotland square off in Miami. At 23:00 BST, both games begin.

A profile image of news correspondent Jamie McIvor

Simply put, the Scottish government is unable to provide extra, specific day off work to people all over the country, including those employed by the private sector or those employed by the UK government.

Individual employers are responsible for making the decisions regarding whether or not to give employees a day off.

Bank holidays and public holidays are not required by employers to provide paid leave.

Bank holidays are a choice of an employer when a worker takes a statutory annual leave.

Employers are typically required to take a certain number of days off annually, including bank holidays, according to employment contracts.

There is also no justification for closing a private company. On bank holidays, there are no hours of restriction on what hours of operation are allowed.

Even the biggest Scottish high street banks currently observe English bank holidays, keeping up with their sister companies south of the border.

Feyi-Waboso sparkles, trash-talking Searle and Quirke conundrum – Prem talking points

Images courtesy of Getty
  • 25 Comments

In terms of entertainment, Prem Rugby compiles a number of charts to compare it to other rugby competitions each year at the back of the annual salary cap report.

The scorelines’ closeness, the number of attempts, and the variety of title winners are all plotted.

In recent years, in some respects, the Prem has slipped back.

In Prem games that were played between 2021 and 2022, 46% of those games ended with the two teams within seven points of each other.

Eight tries per game was the all-time high for the previous season, but more scores were achieved with fewer close games.

Less than 32% of were decided by seven points or fewer.

Three out of the five matches this weekend met that standard.

However, perhaps the report from the following year’s edition should only include a photo of Bath owner Bruce Craig yelling in delight from the comfortable seats.

    • a day ago

Thrilling entertainment.

There might be more cheer for the Chiefs than the champions when they are split apart in the cold light of the team’s analysts.

An early blitz was the foundation of Bath’s victory.

Four tries inside the first 20 minutes gave them the earliest attacking bonus point of the season by some distance. All of those scores came against 14 men, but Exeter’s Campbell Ridl received a 20-minute red card for kicking opposite number Henry Arundell in the air.

Comeback specialists Exeter were the better team when it switched to 15 v 15 and recovered from 26 points down to win.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso looked particularly impressive.

Even though the 23-year-old is third in the league in metres made (530) and joint top in line breaks (17) going into the game, it seems like there is more to come from him.

It arrived on Saturday. He successfully chased down Harvey Skinner’s kick-off at the start of the game and went on to beat 12 defenders and make 72 metres from his 12 carries. No one in the league has more power, pace, determination, or footwork than they do in a league game.

Henry Slade, Tom Hooper and Greg Fisilau, and Tom Hooper and Greg Fisilau were the highlight of a strong visiting pack elsewhere in the visiting ranks.

It was a first defeat after five straight top-flight wins for Exeter, but there were plenty of positives before Bristol arrive at Sandy Park on 24 January in the next round of Prem action.

Saracens choked on Radwan’s gas

Adam Radwan in mid-air as he dives in to score against SaracensImages courtesy of Getty

There is a corner of Mattioli Woods Welford Road – where the East Stand meets the Crumbie Stand – that photographers keep their lenses trained on.

Adam Radwan in mid-air as he dives in to score against SaleImages courtesy of Getty

His top-dive finish on the same spot on Sunday summed up the differences between the teams.

It came at the end of a first-phase move that began on Tigers ‘ own 22-metre line and cut through a pedestrian Saracens ‘ side with disarming ease.

    • 18 hours ago

At home, Leicester have now won five out of five games. Billy Searle summed up their resolve and quality.

The 29-year-old was signed from second-tier French side Agen in the summer as Tigers hunted a replacement for Handre Pollard. The South African hasn’t been missed out on so far thanks to him and Australia’s veteran James O’Connor.

With clever grubber kicks and a ball in hand, Searle was a threat all the way up to Radwan and Freddie Steward.

Late on Searle riled Elliot Daly, who had earlier been sin-binned for a late shot on the fly-half, by taunting him for a poor pass. When the retaliation arrived, Lewis was properly punished. Searle’s smile remained unmoved.

“I’m loving life, I feel like I have really fitted in well here”, he told BBC Sport afterwards.

Quirke’s wing cameo ends in injury

Raffi Quirke with his arms outstretchedImages courtesy of Getty

One of the keys to South Africa’s seven-one bench split has been the ability of a pacey scrum-half – either Cobus Reinach or Grant Williams – to cover wing from among the replacements.

Raffi Quirke of Sale had a chance to demonstrate his ability to defeat Bristol in a similar way.

Instead of calling on specialist wing Gurshwin Wehr from the bench when Alex Wills was completely wiped out by a Bill Mata tackle in the closing seconds, Sale chose to move Quirke wide.

For 50 minutes or so it worked. As you would expect from a quarterback with his passing speed, Quickie was quick, powerful, and had a fantastic relationship with Joe Carpenter at fullback.

    • two days ago

Another trademark late run into the play-off spots now seems vanishingly unlikely for Sale.

The path back into Test rugby seems tense for Quirke, whose last appearance for England, a try-scoring cameo in a win over South Africa, was more than four years ago.

Newcastle finally dealt winning hand

Newcastle celebrate win over SaracensImages courtesy of Getty

With a deserved 25-19 victory over Gloucester on Friday night, the Newcastle Red Bulls ended a year-plus, 19-game losing streak.

However, a few cards played a role in the outcome.

With a quarter of an hour gone and the hosts seven points ahead, Gloucester’s Arthur Clark tackled opposite number Jamie Hodgson. Hodgson appeared to hit Clark in the head on the ground. Clark reacted by retaliating with a forearm and wrestling his way into Hodgson’s face.

    • two days ago

A difficult decision was made. But the scoreline quickly got loose.

The lead reached 12 points when Brett Connon kicked to the corner and Tom Christie burrowed over from the line-out that followed.

Ollie Thorley’s overly eager kick-off chase in the second half resulted in an unintentional head-curling fight with Alex Hearle from Newcastle. Thorley was shown a 20-minute red card.

Gloucester opened the scoring with two tries before it was too late when the gap was filled once more when it was restored to its full complement.

Harlequins ‘ bosses issue vote of no confidence

Harlequins fall off tackles as Edoardo Todaro scoresImages courtesy of Getty
A stock photo of a branded ball and a headline that reads “Club Statement” are always depressing.

What transpired on the Harlequins website turned out to be a club hierarchy vote of no confidence in the team.

“Some elements of change will take a relatively short period of time to implement”, was one particularly foreboding line.

Under the direction of Jason Gilmore, their team has only won once this season and has already scored 40 points in three games.

The latest underappreciative sight of a soft-centred season was Edoardo Todaro, a young wing from Northampton who shrugged off four tacklers on his way to the line as Saints won with a 10-try victory.

related subjects

  • Chiefs of Exeter
  • Sale
  • Rugby Union
  • Tigers of Leicester
    • 18 hours ago
    Harlequins player Marcus Smith looks dejected as his team-mates walk the other way with their backs to the camera
    • a day ago
    Alex Coles, wearing the gold, green and black of Northampton Saints, breaks through to go on and score against Harlequins.

More on this story.

Feyi-Waboso sparkles, trash-talking Searle and Quirke conundrum – Prem talking points

Images courtesy of Getty
  • 25 Comments

In terms of entertainment, Prem Rugby compiles a number of charts to compare it to other rugby competitions each year at the back of the annual salary cap report.

The scorelines’ closeness, the number of attempts, and the variety of title winners are all plotted.

In recent years, in some respects, the Prem has slipped back.

In Prem games that were played between 2021 and 2022, 46% of those games ended with the two teams within seven points of each other.

Eight tries per game was the all-time high for the previous season, but more scores were achieved with fewer close games.

Less than 32% of were decided by seven points or fewer.

Three out of the five matches this weekend met that standard.

However, perhaps the report from the following year’s edition should only include a photo of Bath owner Bruce Craig yelling in delight from the comfortable seats.

    • a day ago

Thrilling entertainment.

There might be more cheer for the Chiefs than the champions when they are split apart in the cold light of the team’s analysts.

An early blitz was the foundation of Bath’s victory.

Four tries inside the first 20 minutes gave them the earliest attacking bonus point of the season by some distance. All of those scores came against 14 men, but Exeter’s Campbell Ridl received a 20-minute red card for kicking opposite number Henry Arundell in the air.

Comeback specialists Exeter were the better team when it switched to 15 v 15 and recovered from 26 points down to win.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso looked particularly impressive.

Even though the 23-year-old is third in the league in metres made (530) and joint top in line breaks (17) going into the game, it seems like there is more to come from him.

It arrived on Saturday. He successfully chased down Harvey Skinner’s kick-off at the start of the game and went on to beat 12 defenders and make 72 metres from his 12 carries. No one in the league has more power, pace, determination, or footwork than they do in a league game.

Henry Slade, Tom Hooper and Greg Fisilau, and Tom Hooper and Greg Fisilau were the highlight of a strong visiting pack elsewhere in the visiting ranks.

It was a first defeat after five straight top-flight wins for Exeter, but there were plenty of positives before Bristol arrive at Sandy Park on 24 January in the next round of Prem action.

Saracens choked on Radwan’s gas

Adam Radwan in mid-air as he dives in to score against SaracensImages courtesy of Getty

There is a corner of Mattioli Woods Welford Road – where the East Stand meets the Crumbie Stand – that photographers keep their lenses trained on.

Adam Radwan in mid-air as he dives in to score against SaleImages courtesy of Getty

His top-dive finish on the same spot on Sunday summed up the differences between the teams.

It came at the end of a first-phase move that began on Tigers ‘ own 22-metre line and cut through a pedestrian Saracens ‘ side with disarming ease.

    • 18 hours ago

At home, Leicester have now won five out of five games. Billy Searle summed up their resolve and quality.

The 29-year-old was signed from second-tier French side Agen in the summer as Tigers hunted a replacement for Handre Pollard. The South African hasn’t been missed out on so far thanks to him and Australia’s veteran James O’Connor.

With clever grubber kicks and a ball in hand, Searle was a threat all the way up to Radwan and Freddie Steward.

Late on Searle riled Elliot Daly, who had earlier been sin-binned for a late shot on the fly-half, by taunting him for a poor pass. When the retaliation arrived, Lewis was properly punished. Searle’s smile remained unmoved.

“I’m loving life, I feel like I have really fitted in well here”, he told BBC Sport afterwards.

Quirke’s wing cameo ends in injury

Raffi Quirke with his arms outstretchedImages courtesy of Getty

One of the keys to South Africa’s seven-one bench split has been the ability of a pacey scrum-half – either Cobus Reinach or Grant Williams – to cover wing from among the replacements.

Raffi Quirke of Sale had a chance to demonstrate his ability to defeat Bristol in a similar way.

Instead of calling on specialist wing Gurshwin Wehr from the bench when Alex Wills was completely wiped out by a Bill Mata tackle in the closing seconds, Sale chose to move Quirke wide.

For 50 minutes or so it worked. As you would expect from a quarterback with his passing speed, Quickie was quick, powerful, and had a fantastic relationship with Joe Carpenter at fullback.

    • two days ago

Another trademark late run into the play-off spots now seems vanishingly unlikely for Sale.

The path back into Test rugby seems tense for Quirke, whose last appearance for England, a try-scoring cameo in a win over South Africa, was more than four years ago.

Newcastle finally dealt winning hand

Newcastle celebrate win over SaracensImages courtesy of Getty

With a deserved 25-19 victory over Gloucester on Friday night, the Newcastle Red Bulls ended a year-plus, 19-game losing streak.

However, a few cards played a role in the outcome.

With a quarter of an hour gone and the hosts seven points ahead, Gloucester’s Arthur Clark tackled opposite number Jamie Hodgson. Hodgson appeared to hit Clark in the head on the ground. Clark reacted by retaliating with a forearm and wrestling his way into Hodgson’s face.

    • two days ago

A difficult decision was made. But the scoreline quickly got loose.

The lead reached 12 points when Brett Connon kicked to the corner and Tom Christie burrowed over from the line-out that followed.

Ollie Thorley’s overly eager kick-off chase in the second half resulted in an unintentional head-curling fight with Alex Hearle from Newcastle. Thorley was shown a 20-minute red card.

Gloucester opened the scoring with two tries before it was too late when the gap was filled once more when it was restored to its full complement.

Harlequins ‘ bosses issue vote of no confidence

Harlequins fall off tackles as Edoardo Todaro scoresImages courtesy of Getty
A stock photo of a branded ball and a headline that reads “Club Statement” are always depressing.

What transpired on the Harlequins website turned out to be a club hierarchy vote of no confidence in the team.

“Some elements of change will take a relatively short period of time to implement”, was one particularly foreboding line.

Under the direction of Jason Gilmore, their team has only won once this season and has already scored 40 points in three games.

The latest underappreciative sight of a soft-centred season was Edoardo Todaro, a young wing from Northampton who shrugged off four tacklers on his way to the line as Saints won with a 10-try victory.

related subjects

  • Chiefs of Exeter
  • Sale
  • Rugby Union
  • Tigers of Leicester
    • 18 hours ago
    Harlequins player Marcus Smith looks dejected as his team-mates walk the other way with their backs to the camera
    • a day ago
    Alex Coles, wearing the gold, green and black of Northampton Saints, breaks through to go on and score against Harlequins.

More on this story.