As refugees return to Syria, millions in the country remain displaced. Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid visited Atmeh Camp in Idlib, where many still live, unable to return to their homes destroyed in the war.
Lewis Cope has shared further insight into his brutal elimination from Strictly Come Dancing and revealed the toll it’s had on his girlfriend.
The star released an emotional statement about his time on the BBC dance show and admitted the experience was “tough” on his girlfriend of eight years. The 30-year-old Emmerdale actor became the latest celebrity to leave the show after losing the judges’ vote in the dance off on Sunday night’s show.
Katya was left in floods of tears and said she’d finally found a partner who could ‘match’ her in Lewis.
Hartlepool-born Lewis has now opened up about his time on the show, calling his pro partner Katya Jones “extraordinary, strong, bold, funny, intelligent” and his 11 weeks on the series a “life changing experience” that will stay with him forever – but also admitted it “has been tough” on his girlfriend Rachel Lopez.
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“I am so proud of us and I wouldn’t change a thing,” he said of his partnership with Katya, 36. “Your strengths rubbed off on me and we were a solid team. We always had each others back. You taught me how to embrace new emotions I was scared to, brought me out my shell and have ultimately changed me. I didn’t just fall in love with dance, I fell in ln love with life again.”
Lewis and Rachel have been together for around eight years but don’t make regular red carpet appearances, choosing instead to spend their free time traveling and exploring. She has been a regular fixture in the audience at the live shows and regularly updated her social media followers on Lewis’s progress.
In his Instagram post, Lewis wrote: “This show has brought me so much joy and I’m glad we could share the joy with you. There are so many moments that will live with me forever and I am so grateful I was lucky enough to experience them. Hartlepool, my family I will never not be grateful for the love I have received.”
He continued, “@rachmayalopez I know this experience has been tough but you have been there every step of the way with love. You are a diamond, I love you so much!”
On his new friendship with Katya, who first lifted the glitterball with Joe McFadden in 2017, Lewis added: “From the moment I met you I knew something special was about to happen.
“We clicked, the energy aligned, our values connected and we knew we were going to give this our best shot. You handled this unknown experience for me with grace and kindness and it has created the most beautiful, heartwarming memories.”
Lewis and Katya were favourites to win for much of the series, but lost out in the dance-off against Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin to become the ninth couple to leave the show.
On Monday night’s It Takes Two, Katya broke down in tears several times as she said that she blamed herself for Lewis’ exit.
Pontypool’s Levi Batchelor says he is determined to finish the year on a high as he prepares for his second PFL bout against France’s Rayan Balbali in Lyon on Saturday, 13 December.
The 23-year-old made an impressive start to life in the PFL in July, submitting Fahdi Khaled with an Ezekiel choke in the third round after dominating the contest on the scorecards.
“I’m always looking for the finish,” Batchelor said.
“That was less than a minute left in the fight. I was quite easily three rounds up and I was still hunting the finish. That’s what the fans want, that’s what the PFL wants.”
Batchelor will open a stacked card at the LDLC Arena, which features two world title fights including MMA great Cris Cyborg.
“Cris Cyborg is seen as one of the best women fighters of all time,” Batchelor added.
Batchelor’s opponent Balbali is 1-0 in his professional career and will have home advantage for the bout.
However, the Welsh bantamweight insists he has learned to enjoy competing on “enemy territory”.
“Keep feeding me the energy, I thrive from it,” Batchelor said.
“If anything, it takes the nerves off me because I know all the booing is because they want the other guy to perform. If I’m not allowing him to do that, it just means I’m winning.”
Batchelor has continued his preparations at Shore MMA, supplemented by training camps in Dubai and Thailand.
While overseas he worked alongside world-class coaches and athletes, including UFC flyweight contender Amir Albazi.
As well as aiming to make another statement in the cage, Batchelor has ambitions beyond his own career and hopes to help bring a PFL event to Wales in the future.
“I want to be that guy to bring the PFL back to Wales,” he said.
“I think we’re more than capable of having a big show here. There are multiple venues available, and I want to give myself the opportunity to do that — but I also want to give other fighters in Wales the opportunity to perform on a big stage.”
Undefeated in his pro career at 2-0, Batchelor says he is focused on steady, sustainable progress as he climbs the PFL ranks, taking inspiration from the Welsh fighters who have succeeded on the world stage before him.
“I take this one step at a time,” he said.
“I’m not trying to catapult myself to the top, and I’m not looking to sit on the sidelines either.
Jean Louisa Kelly was just 17 when she burst on the movie scene through her starring role in family comedy classic Uncle Buck.
Now, 36 years later, she’s barely aged a day, as far as her appearance goes. At 53, she still looks youthful and incredible, and she’s as enthusiastic about her career as ever, having recently spoken about a “frighteningly delicious project” she’s been involved in.
Back in 1989, Jean introduced herself to the world as rebellious teen Tia Russell. She held her own opposite comedy legend John Candy and the film catapulted her into the spotlight.
However, she didn’t rest on early success and instead enrolled at Columbia University, walking away with a degree in English in 1994 – an unusual move for a young actor at the time.
After graduating, Kelly re-entered Hollywood with renewed determination. She starred in the drama Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995) and took on the role of Luisa in the movie musical The Fantasticks — proving that she could not only act but also sing and dance when the spotlight demanded it.
Between 2000 and 2006 she became a fixture in living rooms across the US as Kim Warner on the sitcom Yes, Dear – a far cry from her feisty teen character in Uncle Buck.
As her two kids grew, Jean returned to her musical roots. In 2013 she released a children’s album, and later a more personal EP reflecting on life, parenthood, and growth. In 2023 she even debuted a solo show in New York – a one-woman concert tracing her journey from small-town New England to Hollywood.
Describing the show, she posted on Instagram: “Folks! I am making my NYC concert #debut on 1/21 at the Beechman Theatre! Accompanied by award-winning musical director Paul Bogaev, the show is a biographical hour of story and song — it’s uplifting and fun!”
The concert was a success and sold out, prompting encore performances at the same venue. She told Digital Journal: “It’s my personal journey in and out of show business and throughout my life, that starts when I am 11 and it comes up to present day. It’s a very individual journey and it’s a hopeful one. The fans will hear songs from all kinds of different Broadway musicals and films. It has a little bit of everything, and it’s uplifting.”
In the blockbuster smash Top Gun: Maverick, Jean appeared as Sarah Kazansky, the wife of “Iceman” Tom Kazansky.
She’s now set to star in upcoming horror film White Sands and said: “I loved being Auntie to a gorgeous and charismatic group of young actors in this frighteningly delicious project!”
The film, said to be in post production, focuses on an aspiring food-blogger who joins her boyfriend for a beachside birthday weekend at a seaside motel run – but they’re quickly disturbed by a “sinister force tied to the motel’s occult history.”
Describing being an actress in the digital age, Jean said: “There are a lot of opportunities. It’s amazing how much content there is out there, and I am excited about it. I do love how much good material there is for women, and especially women over 50, and it’s all opening up, and it’s very exciting.”
She also shared advice for young and aspiring actors, saying: “First of all, be you and don’t try to be somebody else, and trust that this is valuable.
Israel killed more journalists in 2025 than any other country, according to a report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Israeli forces carrying out the genocidal war in Gaza were responsible for the deaths of 29 Palestinian reporters, RSF said in its annual report published on Tuesday. It was the third year running that Israel was named the top killer of journalists by the NGO.
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Overall, 67 journalists were killed around the world this year, one more than in 2024.
“This is where the hatred of journalists leads!” said Thibaut Bruttin, RSF’s director general, in a statement. “It led to the death of 67 journalists this year – not by accident, and they weren’t collateral victims. They were killed, targeted for their work.”
Bruttin blamed the “failure” of international organisations to protect journalists in armed conflicts for the rise, a consequence, he said, of a global decline in the “courage of governments”.
“Journalists do not just die – they are killed,” he said.
Mexico was the second most dangerous country in the world for journalists, with nine killed in the past year.
War-ravaged Ukraine, where three journalists were killed in 2025, and Sudan, where four journalists were killed this year, are other highly dangerous countries for reporters, according to RSF.
RSF also records the number of journalists jailed for their work. China is the leading offender with 121 reporters behind bars. Russia (48) and Myanmar (47) are the next most repressive countries.
As of December 1, 2025, 503 journalists were being detained in 47 countries.
The report also found that 135 journalists are missing in 37 countries, and that 20 others are currently being held hostage.
The killing of 43 percent of the 67 journalists that died in the past 12 months was carried out by the Israeli military in the besieged Gaza Strip, according to the press freedom group.
The deadliest single attack in the enclave was a “double-tap” strike on a hospital in the south of Gaza on August 25, in which five journalists were killed, including Al Jazeera photographer Mohammad Salama, as well as contributors to Reuters and The Associated Press news agencies.
Nearly 300 journalists and media workers have been killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza in 26 months of genocidal war – or about 12 journalists every month – according to a tally by Shireen.ps, a monitoring website named after Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was shot dead by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank in 2022.
When it comes to beauty fanatics, there’s one thing that’ll be at the top of their Christmas list this year; an LED face mask. The at-home treatment has become a must-have for those invested in their skincare routines, but with so many to choose from – and some coming in with a hefty price tag – it can be tricky to know which one to buy.
So to make it a little easier to choose, we spotted this one at Boots – and not only is it affordable, but it’s gotten rave reviews from shoppers. The Lustre ClearSkin Renew Pro Facewear LED Mask is usually priced at £449.99, but it’s now on sale until December 30 for just £224.99 – saving you £225.
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The Lustre ClearSkin Renew Pro Facewear LED Mask uses wireless technology and fully customisable LED light therapy to help tackle all of your skin’s concerns/ From anti-ageing and skin rejuvenating to improving skin texture and reducing blemishes, the LED mask does it all.
It’s made from a semi-flexible silicone which fits around your face’s natural contours, and requires just a 10 minute session three to four times a week to see results. There’s even built-in eye protection to reduce the glare from the surrounding lights when you wear it.
The Lustre ClearSkin Renew LED Mask has targeted light therapy which includes blue lights to target breakouts and blemishes, red to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and near infrared to help improve firmness and texture. However you can also sync it up to the dedicated app, which lets you track your skin’s progress and customise your sessions by selecting specific combinations of lights and target different facial zones.
If even with the discount the Lustre ClearSkin Renew LED Mask is still a little pricey for you, you can pick up the Lustre ClearSkin Revive LED Mask for £124.99 (down from £249.99) which has two different light colours to choose from. Other great deals include the Silk’n Facial LED Mask with 100 LEDS which is now £99.99 down from £160 at LookFantastic, and the Stylpro LED Wavelength Face Mask which has been slashed from £100 to £75 at Debenhams.
The Lustre ClearSkin Renew Pro Facewear LED Mask has only recently launched at Boots, but it’s already gone down well with shoppers, who’ve given it a 4.9 out of 5 star ratings – with all but one review being a five star one.
One said: “I was very skeptical about LED skincare, but after just 1 month of using this mask, my skin feels so much smoother and healthier, and I’ve noticed a big difference in fine lines and breakouts. The fit is comfortable, and I love the simple app-guided sessions. I’d 100% recommend this mask!”
Whilst another raved: “I’ve had the Renew LED mask for a month and absolutely love it. I alternate the colours and my menopausal oily skin breakouts have settled right down, and think fine lines are starting to improve. Wish I’d taken a photo at the start! Am delighted with it and have been telling friends to take the plunge and invest in one. Definitely worth the initial outlay!”
A third added: “This mask exceeded my expectations – in the first week of use, I noticed my skin feeling firmer and plumper, and my general complexion looking brighter. I try to use it every evening, it is only 10 minutes and shuts off automatically, which is a plus. I have actually found myself needing to use less makeup, as my skin looks glowing!! Really love this mask and would recommend for anyone looking to treat themselves.”
In fact the only reviewer not to give five stars to the Lustre ClearSkin Renew Pro Facewear LED Mask was this four star one: “The mask is very pleasant and easy to use. I use it either at night before sleep or in the morning before getting up. Either gives me ten mins of ‘me’ time. I have been using for nearly 4 weeks but haven’t noticed much difference yet. I will keep using it though to see how my skin improves.”