As near-daily ceasefire violations continue, two people have died in an Israeli drone strike on a minibus in eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanese state media.
The drone struck the vehicle on the Hosh al-Sayyed Ali road in the Hermel district on Thursday, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).
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After more than a year of international attacks in the genocidal war in Gaza, Israel and the Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah reached a ceasefire in November 2024. Since then, Israel has attacked Lebanon almost daily.
A “terrorist operative” was the target of the Israeli military’s attack on al-Nasiriyah in eastern Lebanon, according to Avichay Adraee, a spokesman for the Israeli military.
A drone strike by Israel that targeted a car in the Tyre district of southern Lebanon late on Wednesday caused a passerby to suffer injuries.
Approximately 127 civilians have been killed by Israel in Lebanon since the ceasefire ended last year, according to the UN. Almost 1,600 Israeli forces targeted Lebanon between January and late November, according to information gathered by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED).
It justifies its nearly daily airstrikes by claiming to be aimed at Hezbollah’s fighters and its infrastructure and demands that the organization be completely deposed under the ceasefire agreement.
As the deadline for disarmament approaches, Hezbollah is still defiant.
Hezbollah has argued that its weapons are necessary to protect Lebanon from Israeli attacks and occupation for a long time. In light of concerns about an Israeli-led escalation in Lebanon, the group demanded on Wednesday that the Lebanese government reject Israel’s threats to disarm the organization.
The organization urged the authorities in Lebanon to take a stand and refrain from following the enemy’s orders to humiliate our army and people and violate our sovereignty.
Meanwhile, the government of Lebanon has claimed that the country is close to finishing the Lebanese group’s disarmament project south of the Litani River before the end of the year.
In addition to a ceasefire, Israeli forces were scheduled to leave southern Lebanon in January, but they only partially, continuing to maintain a military presence at five border crossing points.
More than 64, 000 people are still displaced, according to the UN, the majority from southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese presidency stated in a statement last week that the ceasefire agreement’s “entry point” should be “an entry point for addressing all other details.”
James Martin describes an “amazing childhood” as an “amazing childhood” because of a personal struggle that left him “irresistant.”
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James Martin has opened up on his childhood(Image: ITV)
James Martin says it was like “hell on earth” as he made a heartbreaking personal admission. The 53-year-old celebrity chef grew up on the Castle Howard estate in North Yorkshire.
James helped his mother prepare food there, and that is when he discovered his love of food. Despite enjoying success at home, James has been open about his academic struggles.
The Saturday Morning star admits he “hated” much of his time in education. James admits he “failed all of my exams” and “left with no qualifications”.
On the podcast My Life in a Biscuit Tin, he revealed some of his early life. James said, “School was hell on earth, but I had an amazing childhood. I loved every minute of it.”
Because they never had the academic life, your parents said, “Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean anything when you can come back home and say, Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean anything.” They understood that if one worked hard enough, they would succeed.
“I was quite different from anyone else, I had a very different school background, and I had a very different home.” I simply would work, and I didn’t understand why anyone else was.
James has previously stated that his dyslexia contributed to some of his academic difficulties. He claims in particular that he struggled “on Wednesdays” because his class would have spelling tests that day.
James and Mark Wogan discussed the Spooning podcast: “I hated it. At school, I failed every exam. I found it difficult to enjoy. I enjoyed cooking, but I was unable to study for my exams because I had to pass everything in my life.
I left school without any qualifications. Although I once detested Wednesdays, I’m not proud of it. A spelling test was conducted on Wednesday. On a Wednesday night, I would be crying and have 20,000 words of writing because I was certain that I would be wrong.
James explained how his dyslexia affected his education, saying that “I was a massive dyslexic and that I have never read a book in my life other than Peter and Jane level B2, which I believe was probably my last book when I was in primary school. I simply aspired to cook, and my weekend job and academic performance were also a requirement.
James left school and began a career there, working in London before moving to Saint-Émilion, France, to train as a chef. He later became a chef at Roanne’s three Michelin-starred restaurant Maison Troisgros.
At the age of 22, he took over as head chef at the Hotel Du Vin after working as a pastry chef at the Chewton Glen Hotel. His early television roles included James Martin: Yorkshire’s Finest and Ready Steady Cook.
He later went on to present Saturday Kitchen for over a decade before launching James Martin’s Saturday Morning on ITV One. He will return today (December 25) at 1pm on ITV One with James Martin’s Christmas Day.
The Kansas City Chiefs are out of contention for this season’s NFL play-offs and so too are their conference rivals Cincinnati.
I just don’t see the Baltimore Ravens getting in either. They need to win their last two games to have a chance, so in terms of quarterbacks, that would be a three-headed monster missing from the AFC – Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes.
All three having injuries this season is just wild, and Jackson went off with another in Sunday’s loss to New England. He’s already missed three games and in each of the past six weeks has missed at least one day of practice.
I don’t think he’s ever fully recovered from the main hamstring injured he had. There was one game where it was like “hey, he’s back. He’s moving like the Lamar Jackson that we’re used to”.
But if you look at his other injuries – toe, ankle, knee, and now his back – I feel like he’s a bit more fragile at the moment, after all the hits he’s taken. He’s had injuries adding up over the years, so is his style of play sustainable?
I really hope his Super Bowl window hasn’t closed because he’s so wonderful to watch.
I just think there needs to be a bit of a shake-up at Baltimore because there were some odd moments in Sunday’s game, with the play calling and top players making big mistakes in big moments. At the end of the season, someone’s got to take responsibility.
The two main things they’ve struggled with is Lamar not being healthy and having zero pass rush. I just don’t understand it – defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike went down early in the season, so why you wouldn’t find an impact player from a pass-rush perspective?
The Ravens used to have this attitude. Teams used to be scared of that pass rush, that defensive line, and they’ve kind of lost that.
It’s the same with the Bengals and Chiefs. Although you keep winning, and that means you don’t have high draft picks, you’ve got to be able to build depth in those moments.
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I worry more about Joe Burrow’s window closing because since reaching that LA Super Bowl in 2022, Cincinnati have not looked the same.
I don’t know if I trust their organisation to draft and bring in the depth they need. In Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Bengals have the NFL’s most expensive offence, from a salary cap perspective.
It’s always been able to hum a little, but the offensive line still needs strengthening and the defensive line, in particular, has been anaemic.
They had this weird pre-season, not wanting to give Trey Hendrickson the contract he wanted, and they’ve drafted some good young players, but why did they not do this years ago?
When the Bengals had a back-up QB in there, it showed how much Burrow does for the team and how he really extends plays. He is a freak of nature.
He’s the kind of guy that you want in the play-offs, in the Super Bowl, because he gets more dangerous as the season goes on. But it’s sad to think all three of these quarterbacks won’t be there this time.
Other teams are stepping up, because you’re drafting to kind of beat the guys in your division. In the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers have always been consistent, but 100% it should have been the Ravens or Bengals winning that division this season.
The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers have been building out their rosters to beat the Chiefs in the AFC West. What happens now the tables have been flipped? What will next season look like now the Chiefs will have higher draft capital?
You hope that they’re able to bring in or develop some star receivers. I know they wanted Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy to be that. But really, since Tyreek Hill left in 2022, they’ve not had that number one, true threat receiver.
I like that in their last two games they’ll be able to get some of their young guys true NFL game experience. That’s going to be crucial and will probably give them an upper hand long term.
They’ve been working in some of the younger tight ends, but if Travis Kelce retires, what does that look like? Who becomes that reliable player that Mahomes feels comfortable throwing to because, especially coming back from injury, he’s going to need somebody he can trust.
This is a really big recovery for him. I would be amazed if he’s able to recover to the point where he can start next season and be mobile. But he’s always going to have an opportunity because of who he is as a quarterback and a competitor.
The Chiefs have a lot of pending free agents so how they manage that – who they’re bringing back, who they’re bringing in – will be a really big piece of the puzzle for them.
My concern for them getting back to the play-offs next season is that the AFC West is really competitive. Are the Chiefs going to beat the Broncos twice a year? Are they going to beat the Chargers twice a year?
I feel more confident in the Bengals and Ravens, and either of them winning the AFC North. The Ravens are probably the most whole team. They need a couple more pieces on defence.
The Bengals need an entire defence, but at least they’ve got an offence that can be high-powered. I feel like the Chiefs are going to have to start from ground zero.
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If Sir Alex Ferguson told you to come and sit next to him in the Manchester United dugout in the middle of a European match, what would you say?
On one stormy night in Moscow in 1992, photographer Magi Haroun was “literally dripping” from the downpour and found herself in the unlikely scenario of being asked to do exactly that by the then Manchester United manager.
Haroun faced a choice between a soggy spot for the perfect shot or a dry seat between Ferguson and his assistant Brian Kidd.
As a female photographer – the first to be given Premier League accreditation, while working for the Today newspaper – unlikely positions were pretty regular occurrences for her at that time and so she chose the dugout.
Magi Haroun
‘Come and sit between Kiddo and me’
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After a 0-0 draw in the Uefa Cup first round first leg in Manchester, the skies opened during the return fixture in the Russian capital and with that came a game as unpredictable as the weather.
Haroun said she had “never seen rain like it. It was going sideways… it was dreadful”. Her gear was “soaking” and her cameras would stop working “any minute”.
In the second half, the soaked photographer was spotted by Ferguson, who asked her: “Magi, are you a bit wet?” and told her to “come and sit between Kiddo and myself”.
She spent the rest of the match there, although admits said she would “rather be behind the goal” for better photographs.
Following another goalless draw, United were beaten by Torpedo Moscow on penalties, leaving Gary Pallister – who missed the final spot-kick – “sobbing into his shirt”.
Pallister was facing towards the dugout – and Haroun, who saw the opportunity for a snap she knew would become the back page splash the following morning.
Ready to take the shot, she said: “I had my flash and my wide angle. I thought to myself, ‘Alex will be really annoyed at this’.”
Magi Haroun
‘I was picked on because I’m a woman’
Haroun’s family connections meant she had been around Manchester United since she was six years old and knew all the players well.
Her uncle, Louis Edwards, was the chairman of the club from 1965. Her cousin, Martin Edwards, took over when his father died in 1980, and became one of the chairmen who helped form the Premier League.
Magi’s father Denzil Haroun was also a director at Old Trafford.
But her experiences as a female photographer were not always as great as sitting in the dugout next to the manager of the club she has supported all her life.
Haroun said she had a tough time being “taken seriously” in the almost entirely male-dominated industry that was being a photographer in the Premier League.
“According to the stewards and the police, I was always picked on because I was the weakest link,” said Haroun, who graduated from Manchester Art College.
Despite this, she was not going to let other people stop her, even if that meant getting into trouble.
At a fixture between Leeds and Manchester United at Elland Road, with fans “colliding”, Haroun found herself “in the middle of it” and thinking “mind my cameras!”
Magi Haroun
Try to run the Wright way
Being so close to the action also posed other occupational hazards.
“Trabzonspor versus Aston Villa, I was suddenly knocked out because of the supporters throwing rocks,” said Haroun.
Rocks were not the only danger, it was footballing legends taking shots on goal, too.
“Wayne Rooney, [while] practising, knocked me out one day,” she added.
“Denis Irwin, he shot at goal, but he knocked me out and I think it was Bryan Robson who turned round and said: ‘If you’re going to kill a photographer, Denis, make sure it’s not the chairman’s cousin!’
Sometimes, though, the players were helpful when trying to get the perfect shot.
Before one European match involving Arsenal, Haroun had a word with Gunners legend Ian Wright and told him to celebrate in front of her if he scored.
Wright did score, but started running in the opposite direction.
To Haroun’s relief, the striker realised his mistake.
A cat named Carrington
Magi Haroun
Haroun is not only known for her football photography, but also a cat lover – she currently has seven.
And that was once the cause of an unexpected phone call.
Because of her personal connection with Manchester United, Haroun formed a close relationship with many of the staff, including Kath Phipps, the receptionist at their Carrington training ground, who worked for the club for more than 50 years, and who died in December 2024.
One day, Phipps rang saying: “Magi, we’ve got this cat. It’s been abandoned, I think it’ll have a good life with you.”
Already owning 23 cats at the time, she was reluctant to say yes, but a familiar Scottish voice on the other end of the phone told her: “Magi, take the cat!”
Brooklyn posted a photo showing his tattoo dedicated to his wife and said she means “everything”.(Image: brooklynpeltzbeckham/Instagram)
Brooklyn Beckham has declared his wife Nicola is ‘my everything’ in a loved-up Christmas post on Instagram post days after blocking his family on social media.
The son of David and Victoria Beckham shared a photo holding hands with his 30-year-old wife while celebrating the festive season with her billionaire parents in Miami, Florida. The name of his wife is also tattoed on his hand.
In a clear show of the strength of their relationship, he captioned the post: ‘My Everything’. By contrast his family seem to mean next to nothing to him.
The move follow on from another post which was taken by some to be a dig at his parents. On his TikTok page for his latest business venture, Cloud 23 sauce, he was seen walking down the street as Lady Gaga’s mega-hit “Telephone” played over the clip.
While the song has dozens of parts that Brooklyn could have chosen, he chose the segment featuring the lyrics: “Sorry, I cannot hear you, I’m kinda busy.” The lyrics were also highlighted on the video, which was shared with the account’s 9313 followers. And the wording comes shortly after he blocked his parents on social media.
The comment section instantly saw social media users criticising Brooklyn due to his ongoing feud with his family.
The rest of the family are celebrating Christmas back in the UK without him and they will not even be able to see his instagram posts anymore after he blocked them. Problems first emerged around the time of David’s 50th birthday celebrations earlier this year as fans noticed Brooklyn and his wife were nowhere to be seen in the lead up to the event and then snubbing the party.
And the duo snubbed the footballer entirely on his big day without even sending him best wishes – and are now living their own lives far away in the USA. Brooklyn and Nicola later renewed their vows without any of the Beckhams in attendance.
Relations have soured so much further that Brooklyn has unfollowed his parents on social media – with fans then accusing Victoria and David of doing the same in return. However, Brooklyn’s younger brother Cruz, hit back, insisting: “NOT TRUE. My mum and dad would never unfollow their son… Let’s get the facts right. They woke up blocked… as did I.”
Back in the UK The Beckhams are doing their best to put on a brave face and ignore any comments from Brooklyn which could look at veiled digs or attacks, with Victoria showing David preparing a tree and decorating it.
The retired footballer appeared in an extra festive mood as he posed with a Santa hat. He enjoyed the decorative activity. And he and his wife later let their hair down to enjoy martinis, which Victoria revealed had been prepared by their youngest son, Cruz, 20.
Brooklyn’s parents have so far stayed silent on the feud, and in interviews to promote her Netflix documentary questions about Brooklyn were not thought to be permitted.
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After two years of Israel’s genocidal war on the Strip, Gaza City’s Holy Family Church has officially lit its Christmas tree. The main prayer hall’s main prayer hall is packed with Christmas Eve devotees. Many of them are joyful and excited because they are still alive, not just because Christmas is approaching.
The harsh reality that the conflict in Gaza left behind was unmasked by the glowing lights on the large Christmas tree and holiday decorations. The church made the decision to limit the celebrations to a brief family gathering and a prayer service, but the loud bells rang out.
In the church in Gaza, the Christmas tree is lit during prayers, with no celebrations being halted due to the circumstances of the Strip [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera].
Dmitri Boulos, 58, missed Christmas while serving in the war. After heavy Israeli shelling hit his home in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, south of Gaza City, he was forced to flee along with his wife and two children in the first few days of fighting.
At the time, we fled to the church in search of safety, but it turned out there wasn’t anywhere safe, according to Boulos. We lost friends and loved ones there at the time the church was struck twice while we were inside.
He recalled that nothing in particular had no flavor. For the people we lost, there was great anxiety and grief. When everything is hurt and depressed, how can we celebrate? ”
Since the beginning of the genocidal war in Gaza, Dmitri Boulos, 58, has fled the church with his family [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera].
Boulos hopes that all the suffering and restrictions on Gaza will be lifted this Christmas and the new year.
Even though the reality is difficult, he said, “We are trying to make ourselves and our children feel better.” We anticipate that things will turn around. ”
Beyond the Strip, the only Catholic parish in Gaza, the Holy Family Church, has a long history of symbolic significance. The late Pope Francis called the parish almost daily throughout the conflict, keeping a direct line to the besieged area.
The majority of Palestine’s Christians reside in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, with about 47,000 to 50,000 of them residing in Gaza before the war.
In recent years, there has been a decline in the number of Christians in Gaza. There are only a few hundred registered today, a significant decrease from the 3,000 in 2007.
Israeli attacks during the conflict targeted a number of Christian places of worship where many displaced Palestinians sought refuge.
The other churches in Gaza City, including the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius and the Anglican St. Philip’s Church, were not placed by Israel in the areas designated for expulsions.
However, the nearly 550 displaced people who are staying in the Holy Family Church still have reservations about Israel’s military. Despite Israeli assurances that it does not target places of worship, the church has already been attacked numerous times.
Many of those people continue to experience trauma and attempt to rekindle normality.
As she watched the worshippers outside the Holy Family Church’s courtyard without engaging them, Nowzand Terzi said, “My heart is still heavy with the tragedies and exhaustion we endured during the war.”
After suffering during the war, Nowzand Terzi, 63, doesn’t want to celebrate. [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera]
We were evacuated here two years ago because of bombardment. After remembering her 27-year-old daughter, who did not make it on time to the hospital as a result of the war, I lost my home in an Israeli strike, and then I lost my daughter, who passed away suddenly last year and passed away,” said Terzi as her voice swelled.
She wished peace and safety for all and that God may bless those who have lost loved ones in the Gaza Strip.
Nearly two million people in the Gaza Strip are suffering from ongoing Israeli attacks and ceasefire violations, as well as a lack of food, medicine, shelter, and basic services.
According to the Gaza Government Media Office, more than 288,000 families are facing a shelter crisis as a result of Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid.
UN figures show that more than 80% of Gaza’s buildings have been damaged or destroyed during the conflict, leading to significant displacement.
Even though Edward Sabah is only 18 years old, he is well-versed in the horrors of war and displacement. He found refuge in the Saint Porphyrius Church in the Zeitoun neighborhood of eastern Gaza City after being forced to leave his house during the war. In an Israeli attack that resulted in 18 casualties on October 19, 2023, the church was bombed.
When a massive explosion struck one of the church buildings, Sabah recalls, “We were gathered in the church courtyard.”
After skipping his high school studies while fighting [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera], Edward Sabah [Abdelhakim Abu Riash] hopes to resume his studies.
The church was targeted, but it did happen. During the war, nothing unusual happened. He continued, adding that he and his family managed to survive and later moved to a different church, where they resided for a year and a half.
We made an effort to create a sense of sadness during the past two Christmases, he said. He also has a lifelong desire and a sense of hope.
Although the intensity is lower this year, we are still concerned about what might occur. Sabah added that he hopes to finish his high school education by decorating the church and making an effort to make the atmosphere joyful.
Many Christians in the Gaza Strip and the rest of Palestine have a sense of joy and relief as a result of this Christmas. Despite the suffering, tragedies, and wars, many Palestinians still describe their sense of belonging and kinship with their land.
For the first time in two years, Gaza-based 32-year-old Janet Massadm made the decision to style her hair and sew new clothes in honor of Christmas.
Janet Massadm, who resides in the church with her parents and siblings, hopes the war will end so she can resume her psychology work [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera].
We are sick of losing so much of our lives and our years, Massadm said emotionally.
Because of what we witnessed, she continued, “Inside, I am completely exhausted.” What can we do, though? We must strive to bring about happiness. ”
Massadm fled the Remal neighborhood of central Gaza City with her family, her parents, her brother, and sister after being bombarded by the government.
Following two years of fighting [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera], Christian families in Gaza hope to bring some Christmas cheer this year.
