Israeli attack kills al-Jamaa al-Islamiya leader in Lebanon

A top commander of the armed wing of the Lebanese party al-Jamaa al-Islamiya has been killed in an Israeli drone attack in Lebanon.

The attack on Hussein Atoui’s car south of Beirut was one of two deadly strikes launched by Israel on Tuesday. The strikes were part of a wave of ongoing violations from both sides of the border of the ceasefire agreement struck last November between Israel and Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah, risking a flare-up of hostilities.

Lebanon’s Civil Defence confirmed that “an Israeli drone targeted a car” near the coastal town of Damour, about 20km (12. 5 miles) south of Beirut, and rescuers recovered a man’s body from the vehicle.

Al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, which is allied with Iran-linked groups Hezbollah and Hamas in Palestine, confirmed the death of Atoui, calling him an “academic leader and university professor” who had been “targeted” in his car as he travelled to work, in a statement.

The AFP news agency, quoting an unnamed security official, said Atoui was a leader of al-Jamaa al-Islamiya’s armed wing, al-Fajr Forces.

Separately, Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health said another Israeli attack on the southern Tyre district also killed one person.

‘Delicate’

Al-Jamaa al-Islamiya claimed responsibility for multiple attacks against Israel during more than a year of cross-border hostilities, including two months of all-out war that saw thousands killed in Lebanon in Israeli air raids before the November ceasefire deal was struck.

Under the truce, Hezbollah, a powerful political and military force in Lebanon, was to withdraw fighters from south of the Litani River, about 27km (17 miles) north of the border with Israel, and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure there.

Israel was to withdraw all its forces from south Lebanon. However, it has maintained troops in five positions it deems “strategic”.

It has pointed to continued sporadic rocket fire from across the border to justify its continued attacks. On Sunday, it said it killed two senior Hezbollah members in strikes.

The United Nations said last week that Israeli forces have killed at least 71 civilians in Lebanon since the ceasefire.

Lebanon, meanwhile, says it is trying to meet its obligations to disarm Hezbollah and other groups and have its military take control of southern regions.

After unclaimed rocket fire against Israel in late March, the Lebanese army said last week it had arrested several Lebanese and Palestinian suspects, while a security official said they included three Hamas members.

However, the United States has been applying sustained pressure on Beirut to accelerate the process of disarming Hezbollah.

In Vatican City, mourners and the curious gather after Pope Francis dies

Vatican City – Thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square on Monday to pay their respects to Pope Francis after his death that morning.

A multitude of languages could be heard as people, many carrying flowers, spoke to each other in hushed tones.

As the sun set, a prayer was held for the late Argentinian pontiff, who died at the age of 88 following a stroke and heart failure.

His death came at a symbolic time, not just because it was Easter Monday, a day marking resurrection and new life, but also because it is the year of the Jubilee, a Catholic pilgrimage that occurs every quarter of a century.

Pope Francis had opened the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica just four months earlier to mark the beginning of the Jubilee as he welcomed millions of pilgrims to the Vatican.

He had invited the world in, and now, as Cardinal Kevin Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church announced on Monday morning, he has “returned to the house of the Father”.

Pope Francis ‘felt authentic’

Miguel Cofarro, a 61-year-old devout Catholic from Rome, was at St Peter’s Square with three friends on Monday evening.

He said he felt like he had lost his grandfather – an “honest” character who had the people’s best interests at heart.

“Pope Francis took charge of the Vatican, fought corruption, and was more open with information. He felt authentic,” he said firmly, his friends nodding in agreement.

When Cofarro finished work, he made his way to the square with no real plan. He was, he said, like many Romans, still in shock.

Jessica Hernandez, a 39-year-old hotel worker originally from Mexico, said although she is not particularly religious, she was raised in a Catholic household, and the news had been a “powerful and upsetting shock”.

She had spent most of the evening on the phone to her mother in Mexico, describing the mood in St Peter’s Square.

Kevin de la Rosa, a 26-year-old bar worker from Venezuela, sat watching people gather at a heavily guarded, fenced-off area in front of the grand facade of St Peter’s Basilica, which is flanked by colossal statues of saints and opens onto the vast expanse of St Peter’s Square.

He said he came to the Vatican out of curiosity to witness how people were reacting and to experience the atmosphere on the historic day, which he described as “sombre” and “respectful”.

For de la Rosa, the mood evoked many childhood memories of his home country, where he attended a Catholic school.

Seeing how the pope’s death has moved people in Rome has helped him rediscover his respect for the Church, he said, explaining how, for him, the pontiff was an important figure who stood up for the poor.

Rome, Vatican braces for mourners from across the world

Luciano Biteno, a member of the International Red Cross, looked out over the square, adjusting his walkie-talkie as he communicated with 20 colleagues or so who were deployed to the area.

About a dozen ambulances flanked the periphery of the square.

Biteno said Monday was calm and there had been no medical emergencies to handle, but he expected many more people to arrive from around the world over the next few days.

He said all the authorities, including the police and military, are increasing their presence in the Vatican to handle the anticipated increase in the number of visitors following the pope’s death.

Hernandez said the hotel she works at is now fully booked for the next 15 days, and hotel staff have been told to prepare for overtime.

On Tuesday, she said, “Rome will change. It will be full of people – we have bookings from all over the world, and it feels like everyone is coming to this city. ”

For now, the seat of St Peter is vacant, and the papal apartments are sealed.

Celebrity Big Brother’s JoJo Siwa dealt blow as partner ‘not coming to final’

Celebrity Big Brother fans are convinced JoJo Siwa won’t be greeted by her partner Kath Ebbs when she leaves the ITV house following her flirty friendship with Chris Hughes

JoJo Siwa may not be supported by partner Kath Ebbs at the final(Image: Variety via Getty Images)

JoJo Siwa’s partner Kath Ebbs may not be there to support her when she exits the Celebrity Big Brother house amid her very close bond with Chris Hughes. Fans are convinced Kath will swerve the live final of the ITV show after going mysteriously quiet online.

Kath, 27, had vowed to post updates every day JoJo was in the iconic house, yet their show of support has suddenly dried up. Many are convinced Kath could be struggling following the very touchy scenes between JoJo and Love Island’s Chris that have flooded each episode.

Dance Moms star JoJo, 21, has been dating Kath, who is nonbinary and uses they/she pronouns, since January. They went official earlier this year and have proudly shared loved up snaps online.

However, as fans picked up on the flirty nature of Chris, 32, and JoJo’s friendship, Kath’s social media presence dramatically changed. JoJo and Chris caught the eye of viewers after they were spotted cuddling in bed, writing messages on each other’s hands, holding onto each other and massaging each other.

JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes
JoJo has formed a close bond with Chris(Image: ITV1)
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Kath previously defended JoJo after Mickey Rourke made homophobic comments about the Dance Moms star. Meanwhile, they last posted on both TikTok and Instagram on April 11.

Kath has been flooded with messages from trolls who have brought up the JoJo and Chris drama. One troll penned: “Have you seen JoJo and flirting with Chris??? You was quick to make a TikTok on Mickey where are you hiding now [laughing emojis]”.

Another cruel comment read: “How’s it feel knowing JoJo is flirting with Chris? I hope they hook up now. ” The radio silence from Kath has left many fans now speculating JoJo will not be greeted by her partner when she leaves the house.

A Reddit thread has gone viral as viewers tried to work out if Kath would be there. One user wrote: “So JoJo said quite early on that her partner is coming to get her from the final, does anyone think that Kath will actually show up after all this carry on with Chris?”

Someone replied: “I wouldn’t if I was her,” as another added: “Neither would I. “

JoJo Siwa and Kath Ebbs
Fans think Kath won’t be at the final(Image: WireImage)

A fourth fan shared: “My guess is that they will come, but will ask to be kept out of the crowd/no interview/no camera time. I think they’ll want to speak to JoJo in person asap but without the public prying. “

Another shared: “I’m going to guess not, but who knows. ETA: I personally wouldn’t come all the way from Aus to the UK, especially if I had been receiving the comments Kath has on socials, then all the speculation about JoJo and Chris’ relationship. I wouldn’t put myself through it tbh. “

Kath was last seen pictured throwing out cardboard boxes outside their Sydney home. Their appearance last week came just as cosy scenes between JoJo and Chris aired.

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The last comment Kath made was about Mickey’s shocking homophobic comment to JoJo. Along with a video of JoJo and Mickey talking it out, Kath wrote: “This is why I adore this human with all my heart. She is genuinely one of the most empathic, kind and patient people I ever met.

“Not every can offer grace in the face of bigotry, justifiably so. But for those that have the capacity to hold space through hate and dig into the depths of humanity (doesn’t mean you can’t have boundaries) offer an incredible gift to the world. “

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Royal rushed to hospital in air ambulance as Palace issues statement

It has been revealed that Queen Sonja of Norway, 87, was flown to hospital in Oslo an air ambulance after falling ill while on holiday over the Easter weekend

Queen Sonja of Norway (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

A royal was rushed to hospital in an air ambulance after falling ill over the Easter weekend. It has been revealed that Queen Sonja of Norway was admitted to hospital in her home country after experiencing “breathing difficulties”.

The 87-year-old had been flown to the Royal Hospital in Oslo last night from the royal chalet in Sikkilsalen, where she and King Harald of Norway had been spending the Easter weekend. However, in a statement released by the Norwegian royal palace today, it was announced that she had now left hospital, although would be postponing royal duties for the week ahead.

Queen Sonja pictured earlier this month
Queen Sonja pictured earlier this month (Image: NTB/AFP via Getty Images)

In an update released yesterday, the palace said: “Her Majesty the Queen was admitted to the National Hospital this evening for examinations due to shortness of breath. The Queen was transported by air ambulance from the Prince’s Cabin in Sikkilsdalen, where the Royal Couple spent the Easter holiday. ” Her trip to hospital comes after Sonja had a pacemaker fitted earlier this year with the procedure said to have been successful.

In recent weeks she took part in a state visit to Norway by the President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, and her husband Björn Skúlason. She was there for the welcome ceremony in the Palace Square as well as for the gala dinner.

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Queen Sonja’s husband, King Harrald is Europe’s oldest reigning monarch at age 88. The pair married in 1968 and have two children, Prince Haakon, who is the heir to the throne, and Princess Martha Louise.

The Prince and Princess of Wales with King Harald and Queen Sonja in 2018
The Prince and Princess of Wales with King Harald and Queen Sonja in 2018(Image: Getty Images)

Over the past 12 months, the Norwegian royal house has been mired in controversy following the arrest of the stepson of Haakon. In August, Marius Borg Hoiby, 27 was arrested and charged with assaulting an ex-girlfriend and threatening to set fire to her clothes, which he admitted to.

Borg Hoiby has no royal title and is the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit – a product of a brief relationship the future Norwegian Queen had before she met and married Crown Prince Haakon.

Mette-Marit was born a ‘commoner’ and was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis – a chronic lung condition – back in 2018, which has forced her in recent months to take an extended sick leave. When her diagnosis was announced, she noted that her “working capacity will vary” as she moves forward and that she would have to take on less official engagements if her health worsened.

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Another point of controversy for the Norwegian royal house has been Princess Martha Louise, who stepped back from any official royal duties after marrying a so-called “shaman” – Durek Verett.

Harald, 88, himself has also faced health challenges in the last year, with a serious infection seeing him admitted to hospital during a visit to Malaysia, as well as having to have a pacemaker fitted. The monarch now uses crutches, but has said he has no plans to step down from his position as King, and the oldest European monarch.

Oasis fans hope for new song as Liam Gallagher shares ‘latest track’ ahead of tour

Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher will reunite with his brother Noel for a series of sold-out UK and Ireland shows later this year – and fans are convinced new music is on the way

Oasis fans are hopeful Liam Gallagher’s recent post hints at a ‘new song’ (file)(Image: Debbie Hickey, Getty Images)

Oasis fans believe Liam Gallagher has hinted at a new song title on his X account earlier this week. The Oasis lead singer is set to reunite with his brother Noel Gallagher for a series of sold-out shows across the UK and Ireland later this year. The tour will kick off in Cardiff on July 4, and fans are speculating that the rock and roll star may have teased some new material.

A post on the r/Oasis subreddit sparked speculation about whether the band, whose last album release was over a decade ago, might be releasing new music. Oasis’ last album, Dig Out Your Soul, was released in 2008, and fans are hopeful for fresh tunes from the group. One fan took to the Oasis Reddit page to ask: “Is Liam leaking the name of a new song? “

This came after Gallagher’s post on X where he shared an image with the words “Stay On The Paths. ” No caption accompanied the picture, leading to the speculation on Reddit.

Fans are divided on whether the band will debut new songs during their upcoming tour. This comes as other iconic 1990s bands that dominated the British music scene have confirmed new releases.

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Blur’s reunion two years ago resulted in a new album, The Ballad of Darren, along with two Wembley Stadium shows.

Pulp is also set to release new music, with their album, More, dropping the day before their UK and Ireland tour. Oasis fans are hoping the Gallagher brothers will follow suit, although no official announcement has been made yet.

On the Reddit forum, a user expressed optimism, saying “I want to believe. “

Another fan speculated that it could be a title or even an album name, commenting “Might be! It’s a great title, maybe even an album name. ” A third fan simply wrote “Yes. “

However, others were skeptical about the possibility of new material, as there had been no official announcements from the band. One fan wrote “Not happening. “

Another stated: “There is no new song. ” A third fan simply wrote: “No. “

On X, fans were also unsure about the meaning of Gallagher’s post, with one user asking “what path” he was referring to. Gallagher replied “THE RASTA PATH. “

This comes as fans eagerly await more tour dates from Oasis, although it seems unlikely that there will be a secret show before July 4.

One fan asked on the forum if anyone thought the band might have a pre-tour show in May, before their scheduled show in Cardiff.

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Some fans are hopeful that this might happen, with one writing “I think there is a fair chance they do a small warm up similar to how The Stones Roses played Warrington Town Hall before they kicked off their reunion tour in 2012. “

“It gives not just the band an opportunity to warm up and possibly fine tune the setlist, but also allows the production crew to battle test things like lighting/video queues and changes in the mix prior to taking the show on the road.

Everything leaving Netflix in May from huge action film to fan favourite tear-jerker

Fans only have days left to watch some of their favourite films and shows, as Netflix UK’s library will be sizeably cut down this May, with several titles departing from the streaming service.

Some of Netflix UK’s biggest and best titles will be leaving the streaming service in May(Image: Daily Mirror)

Netflix UK will be losing a sizeable list of titles from its extensive library, with several movies and TV shows departing from the streaming service in May. Fans only have days left to watch critically acclaimed heavyweights like Hidden Figures, Legends of the Fall, 1917, and Zero Dark Thirty and commercially successful mammoths like Jumanji: The Next Level and Penguins of Madagascar: The Movie, on Netflix before the titles make their exit from the streamer.

Netflix Originals like Earth Playlist, Get in, and Inhuman Resources, will also stop streaming on the OTT platform this May.

Boasting a 93 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes, Hidden Figures tells the remarkable true story of three African American women — computer whiz Dorothy Vaughan, mathematician Katherine Johnson, and engineer Mary Jackson — who battled the odds and emerged as key figures at NASA during the pivotal years of the space race in the 1960s. The highly acclaimed Oscar-nominated film will be leaving Netflix on May 1.

Still from Hidden Figures
Hidden Figures will leave Netflix on May 1(Image: Loughborough Echo)

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Starring Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt, James Gandolfini, and Kyle Chandler, Zero Dark Thirty chronicles the maddening hunt, subsequent capture, and ( spoiler ) eventual death of al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. The Academy Award-winning movie will stop streaming on Netflix from May 16.

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John Krasinski starrer 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi will also be leaving Netflix UK on May 15, while a kid’s favourite, Peppa Pig: My First Cinema Experience, is due to make its exit from the streamer on May 15 as well. The last day to watch Netflix Originals Earth Playlist and French-language thriller, Get In, is April 30.

What’s leaving Netflix UK in May 2025

May 1:

  • 1917 (2019)
  • The 5th Wave (2016)
  • A Man Wanted (2017)
  • The Adolf Eichmann Trial (2011)
  • All We Had (2016)
  • Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher (2013)
  • Big Fat Liar (2002)
  • The Bronze (2002)
  • Calais, the End of the Jungle (2017)
  • The Death of Stalin (2017)
  • Diana (2013)
  • Earth Playlist (Season 1) Netflix Original
  • Emma’s Chance (2016)
  • Escorts (2015)
  • From Russia with Cash (2015)
  • Fury (2014)
  • Get In (2019) Netflix Original
  • Hatton Garden (Season 1)
  • Hidden Figures (2016)
  • Legally High (2013)
  • Legends of the Fall (1994)
  • Life (2017)
  • Maggie’s Plan (2015)
  • Masterminds (2016)
  • The Mauritanian (2021)
  • Mission: Joy – Finding Happiness in Troubled Times (2021)
  • Murder in Successville (2017)
  • O Brother, Where Art Thou (2000)
  • The Paedophile Hunter (2014)
  • Penelope (2006)
  • Pixels (2015)
  • The Possession of Hannah Grace (2018)
  • Proud Mary (2018)
  • Psych (2014)
  • Rough Night (2017)
  • Sleepless (2017)
  • Terror at the Mall (2014)
  • Three Days of Terror: The Charlie Hebdo Attack (2016)
  • The Throwaways (2015)
Still from Zero Dark Thirty
Last day for fans to watch Zero Dark Thirty is May 15(Image: Daily Record)

May 2:

  • 24 Hours in Tesco (2023)

May 4:

  • Family Blood (2018)
  • Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
  • The Last Witch Hunter (2015)
  • Luccas Neto In: Summer Camp 2 (2020)

May 6:

  • Brother in Love 2 (2021)
  • Like a Rolling Stone: The Life & Times of Ben Fong-Torres (2022)
  • Si, Mi Amor (2020)

May 7:

  • A Drop of Blood (2016)
  • Emergency Travel (2019)
  • Red Card (2017)
  • Ride Along (2014)
  • Ride Along 2 (2016)
  • Si Doel the Movie 2 (2019)
  • Waking Ned (1998)

May 8:

  • Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
  • The Hitman’s Apprentice (2012)

May 12:

  • Baby Ruby (2022)

May 13:

  • Bigger Than Africa (2018)
  • Journey of an African Colony (2018)

May 14:

  • Dilan 1991 (2019)
  • The Heroic Legend of Arslan (2015)

May 15:

  • 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016)
  • Confess, Fletch (2022)
  • Crossroads (2002)
  • Inhuman Resources (2020) Netflix Original
  • Murphy’s Law (2007)
  • Peppa Pig: My First Cinema Experience (2017)
  • Ready or Not (2019)
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May 16:

  • BlacKkKlansman (2018)
  • Mary, Queen of Scots (2018)
  • Penguins of Madagascar: The Movie (2014)
  • Sisters (2015)
  • Zero Dark Thirty (2012)