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Brooklyn Beckham pals lift the lid on ‘great shame’ amid young star’s latest snub

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When Gordon Ramsay’s children, Jack and Holly, were younger, Brooklyn Beckham and Gordon Ramsay were close friends because of how they both handled the ups and downs of being the offspring of famous people.

Brooklyn Beckham will not be present at Holly Ramsay and Adam Peaty’s wedding on Christmas Day, it is reported.

The aspiring chef’s absence from the ceremony in Bath, Somerset, as described as a “great shame” because he was close to Holly and her twin brother Jack growing up. The three young people went through the ups and downs of being the offspring of famous people.

David and Victoria Beckham will be at the wedding with their three three children, Romeo, Cruz and Harper, but Brooklyn, 26, is expected to spend the festive period in the US with his wife Nicola Peltz and her family.

According to a source, David and Victoria consider Tana and Gordon to be close to family. The children all had a common ancestor. Although Brooklyn has always loved spending time with them, his and Jack’s friendship hasn’t really developed, which is unfortunate because Gordon and Tana have both expressed anger over the breakup. They adore Brooklyn a lot. Since he was a baby, they have known him.

READ MORE: Brooklyn and Nicola’s ‘hidden plot to silence Beckhams after cut-throat warning’READ MORE: Brooklyn Beckham feud with family in full as brother claims they’ve been blocked

Brooklyn, according to sources close to the wedding, “will of course be missed,” according to sources familiar with the ceremony. They will avoid a awkward encounter with David and Victoria because he is spending Christmas at the in-laws’ Palm Beach mansion.

The family row hit an all-time low this week when Brooklyn has blocked his whole family on Instagram, including his 14-year-old sister Harper who has seemingly been caught in the crossfire.

Brooklyn has aggressively distanced himself from his entire family over the past year, preferring to spend time with Nicola’s parents over his own. He missed significant milestones like his dad’s 50th birthday celebrations and his knighthood.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the insider added: “Should Brooklyn have been there (at Holly and Adam’s wedding), there would have been quite the scene, what with his parent being there… Brooklyn doesn’t appear to see many of his friends he hung out with before Nicola any more and that is very sad. These are people who he goes way back with and Holly is one of them.”

It is reported David and Victoria see Brooklyn’s move as a sign of “complete estrangement”. Despite the feud, both sides had – until the weekend – continued to keep relations friendly on Instagram, where their lives are played out in a never-ending stream of posts and short-form videos.

It then emerged Brooklyn, who is a former model, asked his parents to “back off” in order to give he and Nicola “peace at Christmas”. It is thought the couple want David and Victoria “to leave them alone” during the holiday season.

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Trump warns Maduro not to ‘play tough’ as Russia, China back Venezuela

As Washington intensifies its pressure campaign, which has received sharp rebukes from Russia and China, President Donald Trump has issued a new warning to Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. He said “it would be smart” for the Venezuelan leader to step down.

After four months of mounting pressure on Caracas, Trump made the suggestion that he was prepared to further escalate the conflict with his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Monday. He was accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

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When asked if the goal was to remove Maduro from office, Trump responded, “Well, I think it probably would… That’s up to him what he wants to do.” I believe that his actions would be wise. However, we’ll learn more.

The US leader continued, “If he wants to do something, if he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he can play tough.”

Trump threatened to retaliate by chasing a third oil tanker, which the US Coast Guard described as a “dark fleet” used by Venezuela to avoid US sanctions, for a second day.

Trump said, “It’s moving along, and we’ll eventually get it.”

The coastguard has seized nearly 4 million barrels of Venezuelan oil so far, and the US president also promised to keep the two ships.

“Maybe we’ll sell it,” he said. We might keep it, perhaps. He said, “We might use it in the strategic reserves.” We continue to do so. We also keep the ships in tact.

Maduro responds with a rip.

Venezuela’s crucial oil sector is the target of a significant US military deployment whose stated goal is to combat drug trafficking, as well as more than 20 strikes on suspected drug traffickers in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, both of which are carried out close to the South American nation.

More than 100 people have been killed in the attacks, which have raised questions of their legality.

Venezuela denies involvement in drug trafficking and asserts that Washington wants to seize Maduro’s largest oil reserves in the world.

The US’s vessel seizures have been labeled as “international piracy,” according to Caracas.

In a speech aired on public television hours after Trump’s most recent speech, Maduro claimed that if he focused on his own nation’s problems rather than threaten Caracas, he would be better served.

If he took care of his country’s affairs, Mauro claimed, “He would be better off in his own country on economic and social issues, and he would be better off in the world.”

A UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday to address the growing crisis was the subject of the escalating rhetoric.

In a telephone call with Venezuela’s counterpart Yvan Gil, the country’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov expressed “deep concern” about Washington’s Caribbean operations and the potential impact of regional stability and international shipping.

In the current circumstances, Moscow “reaffirmed its full support for and solidarity with the Venezuelan leadership and people,” according to a statement from the Russian foreign ministry.

US embargo on the country

China also criticized the US’s most recent actions as a “grave violation of international law.”

Beijing “opposes any actions that violate the objectives and principles of the United Nations Charter and infringe on the sovereignty and security of other countries,” according to Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

“Venezuela has the right to grow independently and work with other countries in a way that benefits both.” China agrees with Venezuela’s position regarding the protection of its fundamental rights and interests, he continued.

Rubio had earlier rejected Caracas’s support last week.

He claimed that because “they have their hands full in Ukraine,” Washington was “not worried about an escalation with Russia with regard to Venezuela.”

Trump has expressed frustration with Moscow over the lack of a resolution to the Ukraine war, which has caused US-Russian relations to deteriorate recently.

Gil, the Venezuelan foreign minister, meanwhile read a letter on state television, signed by Maduro and addressed to UN member nations, warning that the US embargo on the country would disrupt global oil and energy supplies.

Venezuela “reaffirms its vocation for peace,” he said, adding that it is “ready to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and resources in accordance with international law.”

Chris Rea: Cute moment rock singer found inspiration for Driving Home for Christmas

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Chris Rea, who passed away after battling pancreatic cancer and a stroke, had success with 1988’s Driving Home for Christmas, which has been a top UK singles artist since 2007 and has been charting since then.

Chris Rea found the inspiration for Driving Home for Christmas 10 years before it was released — after a sweet interaction with a driver on the M1.

The rock singer’s wife Joan had collected him from London’s Abbey Road studios in their Austin Mini to take him back to his hometown Middlesbrough, Teesside, for Christmas in 1978. However, they got stuck in traffic during heavy snowfall on the M1 and Chris noticed all the other motorists “looked miserable”.

However, the enthralling entertainer wound down his passenger side window to wish his family a happy Christmas and to spread the cheer. By that time, he had already sold out of the UK singles with Fool (If You Think It’s Over). He was struck by the idea for a tune that would depict the trials and tribulations of Christmas travels, but it didn’t for another ten years until the tune was released.

And even then, Mistletoe and Wine by Cliff Richard only managed to top the charts at the time, peaking at number 53. However, it has resurrended in the decades since and has since appeared in the UK Singles Chart every year since 2007 in part as a result of the streaming services.

READ MORE: Meghan Markle lists her favourite Christmas songs she plays ‘on rotation at home’READ MORE: Incredible gift Chris Rea gave wife Joan when singer discovered he had cancer

Chris died this week, days before Christmas, following a battle with pancreatic cancer and a stroke. The 74-year-old star is best remembered for Driving Home for Christmas, which has since been covered by numerous artists, including Engelbert Humperdinck and Stacey Solomon.

In an interview in 2016, he had revealed the nature of its creation. Chris recalled the lengthy trip up to Teesside, saying, “I wished this person next to us a happy Christmas by staring down at the lights.” “

As the song’s popularity grew, loyalty checks were issued every year. As Chris, one of seven children, was impressed with Auberge in 1991 and Nothing to Fear in 1992, it served as a springboard for success. The former was praised by Billboard for its “rockabilly guitar backdrop,” “psychedelic organ vibes,” and “lighthearted horn riffs.”

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However, Chris would later refute his claims that he wasn’t a rock star. In an interview, the modest Middlesbrough father-of-two said, “I am not one at all. I’m not a rock star at all.

Meghan Markle lists her favourite Christmas songs she plays ‘on rotation at home’

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Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, wished her Instagram followers “a safe and cozy Christmas” and shared an intriguing insight into her musical preferences.

Meghan Markle’s Christmas playlist features traditional carols and Mariah Carey’s classic.

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, says she plays her mix “on rotation” at her home this time of the year as she prepares for the festive period. In a video she posted on Instagram, Meghan is seen baking, cutting up ribbons and wrapping presents at her mansion in Montecito, California.

The caption reads: “All the sounds of the season. Here is my personal list of favorite holiday songs on rotation in our home this time of year. Wishing you a safe and cozy (US spelling) Christmas! Enjoy.”

The 16 songs include Ole Santa by jazz legend Dinah Washington, which was released in 1959, and Wham’s Last Christmas, which finally became Christmas number one in 2023, nearly 40 years after it was made. It narrowly missed out this year to Kylie Minogue’s Xmas.

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Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is, however, at the top of Meghan’s list, which is reportedly her favorite holiday song. Although this song has been recorded by various artists over the years since Judy Garland’s original, she cites a version by Norah Jones and Laufey, which was released in 2023.

In her video, Meghan can also be seen pouring drinks, slicing cured meats, whisking an egg and writing on a chalkboard as she seems to prepare for the celebrations. It is though Meghan and Prince Harry will be spending a quiet Christmas in Montecito with their children; Prince Archie, six, and four-year-old Princess Lilibet.

It means it will be the seventh year that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been missing from the royal family festivities as the family feud rumbles on. The younger royal brother, 41, was once a key figure in the Sandringham celebrations, including the traditional walk to the St Mary Magdalene Church service, but has been absent from the family occasion since 2018.

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But the couple have defiantly maintained the festive spirit on social media this week, with the fun videos, music playlists and even sharing the family Christmas card. It featured the clearest photo yet of Archie and Lilibet, who were both born into the royal family in the UK before the Sussexes switch to the US.

Meghan’s Christmas music is on top.

  • Norah Jones & Laufey’s Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
  • Ella Fitzgerald’s Winter Wonderland
  • Ingrid Michaelson’s film looks like it’s been a cold, windy winter
  • Frank Sinatra’s song “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm”
  • Michael Bublé’s Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
  • Ray Charles’ Baby, It’s Cold Outside
  • Dinah Washington, Ole Santa
  • All I Want for Christmas is Mariah Carey.
  • Wham! Last Christmas (Single Version)
  • Eartha Kitt – Santa Baby (Live).
  • Etta James’ song Amen/This Little Light of Mine
  • Donny Hathaway presents this Christmas.
  • Otis Redding – Merry Christmas, Baby
  • Aretha Franklin and Kissin’ By the Mistletoe
  • James Taylor’s Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
  • Tracey Chapman, O Holy Night (Live from Washington, D.C.)

Cummins and Lyon out of Boxing Day Test

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Australia’s Boxing Day Test squad has been cut with skipper Pat Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon absent.

Cummins is resting as he continues to manage a long-standing back issue while Lyon is scheduled to undergo surgery on a torn right hamstring, which will render him unable to function for an extended period of time.

After only 11 days of play, Cummins missed the series’ first two Tests, but he made a third one in Adelaide, keeping Australia in the Ashes.

Meanwhile, Batter Steve Smith will lead the side after recovering from a illness that prevented him from taking the third Test.

Although they did not feature in Adelaide’s starting XI, Seam bowler Jhye Richardson and spinner Todd Murphy have been called back. Michael Neser, Beau Webster, and Brendan Doggett are still in the squad.

Fourth Test squad for Australia

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Sheeraz ordered to fight Pacheco for WBO title

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Following Terence Crawford’s retirement, Diego Pacheco and Hamzah Sheeraz have been given the task of capturing the vacant WBO super middleweight title.

American Crawford left the sport last week, adding that he has “nothing to prove” after defeating Saul ‘Canelo ‘Alvaraz in September to become the first man to hold uncontested titles in three weight divisions.

Crawford retired after winning all 42 of his professional fights, with the WBO directing Sheeraz to take on American Pacheco for the title.

After being previously ordered by the WBC to fight Christian Mbilli for the vacant super-middleweight title, the 26-year-old Sheeraz now has a second option.

Crawford was expelled before his retirement because he evaded paying his sanctioning fees.

Queensberry and Pacheco’s Matchroom, Sheeraz’s promoters, have 20 days to come to terms with a fight’s schedule, but if they can’t agree, they must still raise money, in accordance with WBO regulations.

Before defeating Edgar Berlanga in July, Sheeraz drew last February’s draw with WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames in a doozy of 12 rounds.

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