At least three killed in Israeli attack on southern Lebanon’s Sidon
Deadly Israeli air strike is latest in Israel’s near-daily violations of 2024 ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. At least three people have been killed in an Israeli attack near the southern Lebanese city of Sidon, the country’s National News Agency (NNA) is reporting, in the latest Israeli breach of a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. Lebanon’s Ministry of Health said on Monday that the three people were killed in an Israeli air strike on a vehicle on Quneitra Road in the southern Sidon district, according to NNA. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list The Israeli military said in a statement that it had targeted Hezbollah members in the Sidon area, without providing further details. The deadly strikes come a day after another Israeli attack on southern Lebanon on Sunday killed one person and wounded two others. The Israeli army said it killed a Hezbollah member in that attack. Israel has repeatedly violated the November 2024 ceasefire agreement with the Lebanese group, carrying out near-daily attacks across Lebanon, particularly in the south, that have drawn widespread condemnation. Between January and late November, Israeli forces carried out nearly 1,600 strikes across Lebanon, according to data compiled by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED). Late last month, the United Nations said at least 127 civilians had been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since the ceasefire took effect, prompting a call from the United Nations human rights office for a “prompt and impartial” investigation. Delegations meet in southern Lebanon Israel’s attacks have continued despite the November 2024 ceasefire agreement, which includes provisions for Hezbollah’s disarmament in parts of southern Lebanon and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. Advertisement On Saturday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Lebanon was close to completing the disarmament of Hezbollah in the area south of the Litani River. That is a key provision of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which designates the zone between the Litani River and the Israeli border as an area where only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers are permitted to operate. Hezbollah has long rejected calls for full disarmament, saying its weapons are necessary to defend Lebanon against Israeli attacks and occupation. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has consistently said the group will end its military presence south of the Litani River in line with the ceasefire, but insists it will retain its weapons elsewhere in Lebanon. Under the 2024 ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces were also required to withdraw fully from southern Lebanon, south of the Litani River, by January. But Israeli troops have only partially pulled back and continue to maintain a military presence at five border outposts inside Lebanese territory. Hezbollah officials have previously said the group would not fully implement its commitments under the ceasefire while Israeli forces remain deployed in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, a committee overseeing the ceasefire agreement continues to hold talks in southern Lebanon as Israel and the United States increase pressure on Hezbollah to disarm. Civilian and military delegations from Israel and Lebanon met in the southern town of Naqoura on Friday in closed-door discussions. Following the talks, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with diplomat Simon Karam, who has been appointed as Lebanon’s chief civilian negotiator. Hezbollah has been critical of the appointment of Karam, who has previously served as the ambassador of Lebanon to the US. In a statement, the Lebanese presidency said Aoun stressed that enabling tens of thousands of displaced Lebanese civilians to return to their villages and homes was “an entry point for addressing all other details” of the agreement. Aoun said the committee’s next meeting is scheduled for January 7. He also welcomed a separate diplomatic agreement reached in Paris between the US, France and Saudi Arabia to organise an international conference in early 2026 to support the Lebanese army and internal security forces. Adblock test (Why?)
Cambodia-Thailand fighting continues as ceasefire talks loom
NewsFeed Fighting between Cambodia and Thailand continues despite talks, with communities in Phnom Penh facing fear and economic anxiety, while life in Bangkok appears largely unaffected. Al Jazeera’s Assed Baig and Tony Cheng report on the contrasting realities on both sides of the border. Published On 22 Dec 202522 Dec 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)
Texas town battles nonstop noise from bitcoin mine
NewsFeed A rural Texas community says nonstop noise from a bitcoin mine is destroying their lives. Residents in Hood County describe the 24/7 hum of cooling fans as “torture,” while operators defend the project as a major jobs and tax boost. Al Jazeera’s Phil Lavelle says AI data centres may bring even bigger battles ahead. Published On 22 Dec 202522 Dec 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)
Malaysian court rejects Najib’s bid to serve sentence under house arrest
High Court says a royal document allowing the ex-PM’s transfer to house arrest was not valid. By News Agencies Published On 22 Dec 202522 Dec 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share A court in Malaysia has dismissed jailed former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s bid to serve the remainder of his sentence for corruption at home, ruling that a royal document allowing the move was not valid. The ruling on Monday dealt another blow to Najib, who has been imprisoned since August 2022 for his role in the multi-billion dollar 1MDB scandal. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Najib had sought to compel Malaysian authorities to confirm the existence of and execute a royal order that he said was issued last year as part of a pardon by the then-king, entitling him to serve the remainder of his sentence at home. Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Alice Loke said on Monday that the existence of the order was not in dispute, but the former king should have consulted the country’s pardons board before making the order to allow Najib house arrest. “The court ruled that the king could not grant house arrest independently of the pardons board,” she wrote. “I’m of the view that a house arrest order is not capable of execution, no legal provision for such a mechanism in Malaysia.” Najib did not show much emotion, and later smiled when his lawyer described the ruling as “shocking” after the judge left the courtroom. The lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told The Star newspaper that the former leader will appeal the verdict. Najib denies wrongdoing, alleging that Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho duped him. Low, thought to be the mastermind of the scandal, remains at large. Former Malaysian parliament member Charles Santiago, who had pushed for the prosecution of Najib, hailed Monday’s ruling in a social media post. Advertisement “Faith in the judiciary restored,” he wrote. The country’s pardons board announced last year that it had reduced to six years the original sentence of Najib, who was convicted and sent to jail for 12 years for corruption. Najib is set to be released on August 23, 2028, and fines imposed on him were reduced to 50 million ringgit ($10.6m) from 210 million ringgit ($44.5m), according to the pardons board. Separately on Friday, the former leader will also find out if he is acquitted or convicted in a second graft trial that ties him directly to the 1MDB scandal. The High Court will rule on four charges of abuse of power to obtain over $700m from 1MDB that went into Najib’s bank accounts, and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount. If found guilty, Najib faces up to 20 years in prison for each count of abuse of power and up to five years for each of the money laundering charges. Najib set up the 1MDB development fund shortly after he took office in 2009. Investigators allege at least $4.5bn was stolen from the fund and laundered by Najib’s associates through layers of bank accounts in the US and other countries. The funds were allegedly used to finance Hollywood films and extravagant purchases that included hotels, a luxury yacht, art and jewelry. A national outrage over the 1MDB scandal led to the historic 2018 election defeat of the party that had governed Malaysia since independence from the United Kingdom in 1957. Despite his conviction, Najib still holds clout in his party, the United Malays National Organization, which is now part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim‘s unity government that took power after elections in 2022. Adblock test (Why?)
New clashes erupt on Thai-Cambodia border as ASEAN convenes peace talks
DEVELOPING STORYDEVELOPING STORY, Fighting resumes hours before regional foreign ministers meet in Malaysia to discuss steps to de-escalate hostilities. New fighting has broken out along the Thailand-Cambodia border, hours before Southeast Asian foreign ministers are due to meet in Malaysia to find a resolution to the deadly conflict between the two neighbours. The clashes early on Monday threaten to undermine diplomatic efforts by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to revive a ceasefire deal that was first brokered in July by Malaysia and United States President Donald Trump. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list The conflict, since it resumed on December 8, has killed at least 40 people and displaced nearly one million people on both sides of the border. The Cambodian Ministry of National Defence on Monday accused Thailand of deploying F-16 fighter jets that dropped four bombs in the Banteay Meanchay province and of firing “toxic gas” in the area of the Prey Chan village, according to the Agence Kampuchea Press state news agency. “The Ministry emphasised that Cambodian forces are monitoring the situation closely. They remain brave and steadfast in their defence against the aggressors, remaining vigilant in their duty to protect Cambodia’s territorial integrity,” the report said. Video footage posted online showed civilians, including young children, sheltering from the bombardment. Some of the children could be heard wailing as the residents crowded together. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Thailand’s Morning News TV 3 reported an “exchange of fire” in the Sa Kaeo Province early on Monday morning, with Cambodian forces firing “heavy weapons”, igniting fires and damaging homes in the Khok Sung district. Advertisement The Thai government has yet to comment on the renewed fighting. Earlier on Monday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet’s office announced that as of Sunday evening, an estimated 525,000 civilians have been displaced on their side of the border. Thai authorities have reported that 400,000 people were displaced in their territory. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, meanwhile, insisted that Thailand has never acted as the aggressor, telling reporters on Sunday that nearly all areas “previously been encroached upon” by Cambodian forces have now been reclaimed. A man with protective gear inspects a garage damaged after a reported Thai air strike in Poipet town, Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia [Handout: Agence Kampuchea Press Photo via AFP] In the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, representatives from Thailand and Cambodia were set to attend the ASEAN gathering, their first face-to-face meeting since the fighting resumed. Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs Prak Sokhonn will attend the meeting, according to his office. Malaysia said the ASEAN talks, chaired by Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamad Hasan, will consider steps the regional bloc can take to help de-escalate the tensions and end the fighting. An ASEAN team is expected to present satellite-monitoring data provided by the US, alongside field observations. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed hope that the meeting will enable Thailand and Cambodia to negotiate openly, resolve differences and achieve a fair and lasting solution. Last week, he told reporters that Thailand’s Anutin and Cambodia’s Hun Manet were both “keen to achieve an amicable resolution as soon as possible”. The US Department of State on Sunday urged both sides “to end hostilities, withdraw heavy weapons, cease emplacement of landmines, and fully implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords”. It said it welcomed “ASEAN leaders coming together this week to support Cambodia and Thailand fully honoring their commitments to end this conflict”. In addition to the regional push, the US and China have pursued separate diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, although neither has yielded tangible results. Bangkok and Phnom Penh continue to trade blame for violations of the July ceasefire, as well as another extended agreement signed in October. Adblock test (Why?)
Two Palestine Action hunger strikers in UK prisons admitted to hospital
London, United Kingdom – Two Palestine Action-affiliated remand prisoners on hunger strike have been taken to hospital, according to a family member and a friend, adding to fears that the young Britons refusing food in protest could die at any moment. Twenty-eight-year-old Kamran Ahmed, who is being held at Pentonville prison in London, was hospitalised on Saturday, his sister, Shahmina Alam, told Al Jazeera. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Amu Gib, 30, who has not eaten food for 50 days at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, was taken to hospital on Friday, said the Prisoners for Palestine group and friend Nida Jafri, who is in regular contact with them. Gib uses the pronoun they. Ahmed and Gib are among six detainees protesting across five prisons over their alleged involvement in break-ins at the United Kingdom’s subsidiary of the Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems in Bristol and a Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire. They deny the charges against them, such as burglary and violent disorder. “It’s day 42 [of Ahmed’s hunger strike], and at this point, there’s significant risk of organ damage,” said his sister, Alam. “We know that he’s rapidly been losing weight in the last few days, losing up to half a kilogram [1.1lbs] a day.” Ahmed’s last recorded weight was 60kg (132lbs). When Al Jazeera first interviewed Alam on December 12, Ahmed, who is 180cm (5′ 11”), weighed 64kg (141lbs), having entered prison at a healthy 74kg (163lbs). On Thursday, Alam told journalists at a news conference in London that he weighed 61.5kg (136lbs). Advertisement Ahmed’s speech was slurred in a call with the family on Friday, said Alam. He is said to be suffering from high ketone levels and chest pains. “Honestly, I don’t know how he’s going to come out of this one,” said Alam. It is the third time Ahmed has been hospitalised since he joined the hunger strike. Shahmina Alam with her younger brother, Kamran Ahmed, a Palestine Action-linked hunger striker [Courtesy of the Alam family] ‘Critical stage’ The hunger strikers’ demands include immediate bail, the right to a fair trial and the de-proscription of Palestine Action, which accuses the UK government of complicity in Israel’s war crimes in Gaza. The UK government banned Palestine Action in July, branding it a “terror” group, a label that applies to groups such as ISIL (ISIS). The protesters have called for an end to their alleged censorship in prison, accusing authorities of withholding mail, calls and books. They are also urging that all Elbit sites be closed. The six are expected to be held for more than a year until their trial dates, well beyond the UK’s six-month pre-trial detention limit. Qesser Zuhrah, a 20-year-old who has refused food for 50 days, is also in hospital, having lost 13 percent of her body weight, according to her lawyers. The other protesters are Heba Muraisi, Teuta Hoxha and Lewie Chiaramello, who is diabetic and refuses food every other day. There was no immediate comment from either Pentonville or HMP Bronzefield. ‘I’m scared’ Gib called their friend, Jafri, on Thursday from prison, telling her they needed a wheelchair to attend a doctor’s appointment where their vital signs would be checked. Prison staff at first “refused” to provide a wheelchair, and later, after offering one, “refused to push” it, Jafri said. “So they laid there with … no check of their vitals on day 47 of their hunger strike,” Jafri said. When they are hospitalised, the prisoners are unable to call their loved ones, as they can from jail. Jafri told Al Jazeera, “I’m scared they’re there alone with no phones and no calls allowed.” Gib, who has lost more than 10kg (22lbs), is below the normal range for most health indicators, which is “highly concerning” for their immune system, their lawyers have said. Prison officials have “failed to provide [Gib] with thiamine [a vitamin] consistently, and Amu is feeling the effects on their cognitive function”, the lawyers said. Gib’s eyes are also “sore with the bright [prison] lights”, Jafri said. Amu Gib (left) with their friend, Nida Jafri [Courtesy: Nida Jafri] The lawyers have demanded a meeting with Secretary of State for Justice David Lammy, hoping his intervention could be life-saving. Thousands of everyday Britons, hundreds of doctors and dozens of MPs have urged Lammy to heed their call. But so far, he has refused, leading critics to accuse the UK government of wilfully ignoring the issue. Advertisement The UK media have also been accused of downplaying the protest and its dangers. The protest is said to be the largest coordinated hunger strike in UK prisons since 1981, when Irish Republican inmates led by Bobby Sands refused food. “In contrast to the robust media coverage of the Irish hunger strikes in the 1980s, the Palestine Action hunger strikes have been largely met with media silence,” wrote Bart Cammaerts, a professor of politics and communication at the London School of Economics. “What will it take for the British media to pay attention to the plight of jailed pro-Palestinian activists? The death of an activist? Or the awakening of a moral conscience?” Adblock test (Why?)
UNICEF tells Al Jazeera what Gaza urgently needs but doesn’t have
NewsFeed ‘The scale of needs is so huge.’ As Gaza’s displaced Palestinians suffer from winter storms after surviving two years of genocidal war, UNICEF’s Jonathan Crickx explains how many clothes, blankets and tents are needed to save children from dying. Published On 21 Dec 202521 Dec 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)
Epstein files: Whose names and photos are in the latest document drop?
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has released thousands more documents relating to the prosecution of the late sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein, including photographs of prominent figures he spent time with. But campaigners behind the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which compelled the Justice Department on Friday to release all files still sealed, say far too much information in them has been redacted. Furthermore, according to US media, at least 16 of the files – which they said were disclosed late – have since “disappeared” from the website where they were released. The deleted files included a photograph showing President Donald Trump. The Epstein Files Transparency Act, which Trump signed into law after it passed through Congress in November, required the government to release all remaining unclassified material in its possession relating to Epstein’s and his girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex trafficking cases. Maxwell is currently serving 20 years in prison for her part in the scandal. Despite heavy redaction of many of the documents, which has angered Democrats and some Republicans alike, there is some new information about the powerful people who associated with the disgraced late financier. The Justice Department said it will release more documents in the coming weeks. Here’s what we know about what’s been released so far: A painting of former US President Bill Clinton wearing a dress is displayed inside the Manhattan home of Jeffrey Epstein in this image from his estate released by the US Justice Department on December 19, 2025 [Handout/US Justice Department via Reuters] What’s new in this tranche of Epstein files? This is just the latest release of documents relating to the prosecution of Epstein, who died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019. The first tranche of about 950 pages of court documents was made public in early 2024. Advertisement One document released this time around confirms that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was tipped off about the convicted sex offender’s crimes nearly a decade before he was first arrested. In September 1996, Epstein survivor Maria Farmer complained to the FBI that the late financier was involved in child sex abuse. Farmer said officials failed to take steps to investigate. While the name of the complainant is redacted in the document relating to this complaint to the FBI, Farmer has confirmed it was made by her. Now in her 50s, Farmer said in a statement via her lawyers after the release on Friday that she feels “redeemed” and this was “one of the best days of my life”. “I want everyone to know that I am shedding tears of joy for myself but also tears of sorrow for all the other victims that the FBI failed,” she said. Newly released transcripts of grand jury proceedings also include testimony from FBI agents who described interviews that they conducted with girls and young women describing their experiences of being paid to perform sex acts for Epstein. The youngest interviewee was 14, according to local media. One woman, then aged 21, told a grand jury that Epstein had hired her when she was 16 to perform a sexual massage and that she had gone on to recruit other girls to do the same. “For every girl that I brought to the table, he would give me $200,” she said. They were mostly people she knew from high school, she said, adding that she told them that if they were under age, “just lie about it and tell him that you are 18.” Much of the material published had already been circulating in the public domain after years of court action and investigations. However, many of the new photos – some of them heavily blacked out – feature well-known public figures. From left from second from left, Ghislaine Maxwell, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and former US President Bill Clinton are seen in this image, part of the latest trove of documents from US government investigations into Epstein [Handout/US Justice Department via Reuters] Who features in the newly released photos? Among the documents released on Friday are photographs in a folder labelled “DOJ Disclosures”. Most of the photographs were seized by the FBI during various searches of Epstein’s homes in New York City and the US Virgin Islands. New photos show the musicians Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross in photographs with Epstein and at times with other people whose faces have been blacked out. In one image, Jagger can be seen sitting between Epstein and former US President Bill Clinton. Popstar Jackson is also pictured standing next to Clinton and posing for a photo with Epstein in front of a painting in another. From left, Michael Jackson, Bill Clinton and Diana Ross are seen in this image released by the Department of Justice [Handout/US Justice Department via Reuters] Other famous men featured in the newly released photos include the actor Kevin Spacey, comedian Chris Tucker, billionaire Richard Branson, former UK ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor – formerly known as Britain’s Prince Andrew – and his former wife, Sarah Ferguson. Advertisement In one black and white image, Andrew can be seen lying across the laps of five people whose faces have all been blacked out while Maxwell stands behind them. The Justice Department did not include any details about the contents or context of the photos. Ghislaine Maxwell and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor are seen in this image released by the Department of Justice [Handout/US Justice Department via Reuters] Virginia Giuffre, who was one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers and who died by suicide in April aged 41, accused Mountbatten-Windsor of sexual abuse when she was 17. He settled a lawsuit with her in 2022 but continued to deny the allegation. Another prominent figure among the photos is Clinton. One photo shows him in a swimming pool with Maxwell and another person whose face has been blacked out. Another photo shows the former US president in a hot tub with a woman whose face is also
Mo Salah focused on Egypt success at AFCON with Liverpool crisis behind him
Liverpool and Egypt star forward Mohamed Salah is centred on winning his first Africa Cup of Nations title. By News Agencies Published On 21 Dec 202521 Dec 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Egypt captain Mohamed Salah has put aside his travails at Liverpool and is focused on Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) success with his national team, coach Hossam Hassan said on Sunday. Egypt’s talisman is at the tournament in Morocco on the back of a fiery outburst after being dropped by the Premier League champions, but his comments and subsequent apology to teammates have had no impact on his form, Hassan said ahead of Egypt’s opening Group B match against Zimbabwe in Agadir on Monday. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list “Salah’s morale in training is very high, as if he were just starting out with the national team, and I believe he will have a great tournament with his country,” said the coach. At 33, it is arguably Salah’s last chance to win an elusive trophy with Egypt and add international honours to an impressive collection of medals at club level. “I believe Salah will be among the best players at the tournament, and he will remain an icon and one of the best players in the world. “I support him technically and morally, because we cannot forget that Salah needs to win the Africa Cup of Nations,” Hassan added. Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush, right, will pair with Mohamed Salah to form an awesome front-line attack for Egypt at AFCON [File: Ahmed Mosaad/NurPhoto via Getty Images] Liverpool struggles on the backburner Salah goes into Monday’s match having last started for Liverpool in their 4-1 home loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League at the end of November. He was dropped for the next game against West Ham United, and after a draw with Leeds United on December 6, lashed out at the club and Liverpool coach Arne Slot, telling journalists he felt he had been made a scapegoat for their poor start to the season and suggested that he may not have long left at Anfield. Advertisement Hassan said he had kept in touch with his captain throughout the controversy. “There was constant communication with Mohamed Salah during what I don’t want to call a crisis because any player can have a difference of opinion with his coach at his club.” Salah has not scored since Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa at the start of November, including an outing with Egypt in a friendly against Uzbekistan last month. “The same situation happened with Salah when he went through a period of not scoring goals with Liverpool,” Hassan told reporters. “Then he returned to the right path through the national team, and as a result, he came back at a level even better than before. I believe he will deliver a strong tournament alongside his teammates.” Salah has twice been a Cup of Nations runner-up, in 2017 and 2021. Egypt have won a record seven AFCON titles, but their last success was in 2010. Adblock test (Why?)
LIVE: Tottenham vs Liverpool – Premier League
blinking-dotLive MatchLive Match, Follow our live build-up, with full team news coverage, before our text commentary stream of the EPL clash in London. Published On 20 Dec 202520 Dec 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)