France's rugby star Antoine Dupont expresses his motivation driven by World Cup disappointment as he gears up for an extraordinary 2024. The 27-year-old scrum-half will be absent from the upcoming Six Nations as he shifts to France's Sevens program in February, setting his sights on the Paris Olympics.
Women's Test matches are infrequent, making their outcomes often inconsequential in the broader context of the sport. While exceptions like the Ashes exist, where victory contributes to a multi-format series, the scarcity of women's Test cricket remains a challenge. Even cricket powerhouses like England, Australia, and India typically engage in a maximum of two Tests annually.
As the washed-up rock star Billy Mack, portrayed by Bill Nighy, finally conquers the lyrics to the festive rendition of Love is All Around (aptly transformed into Christmas is All Around), he comes to the realization of the song's dreadful nature. His grinning manager concurs, labeling it "solid-gold" rubbish. This sets the stage for Love Actually, a two-hour whirlwind of improbable, questionable, and outright absurd love scenes featuring a star-studded cast.
Chileans have rejected a proposed new constitution put forth by conservative delegates, which aimed to impact laws on various fronts, including abortion access, the right to strike, and indigenous rights. The intended replacement, drafted by a body of 51 representatives, 23 of whom belonged to the right-wing Republican Party, was voted down in a referendum on Sunday, with 56% of voters opposing it.
Northern Queensland is grappling with flash floods as tropical cyclone Jasper unleashes extreme weather, depositing a year's worth of rain in some regions. Attempts to evacuate a settlement hit by rising water have been hampered by heavy rain. The Cairns airport runway is flooded, trapping planes, and floodwaters in Ingham feature a 2.8m crocodile. Wujal Wujal's evacuation, with 300 residents, was called off due to adverse conditions.
Kerala state in India has called for caution in response to a surge in Covid-19 cases but emphasized that there is no need for panic. The uptick is linked to the identification of JN.1, a sub-variant of the virus, which has previously been identified in various countries, including the United States and China. The World Health Organization (WHO) assures that all authorized Covid-19 vaccines remain effective against JN.1.
Israeli officials have acknowledged that three hostages were mistakenly killed by soldiers in Gaza on Friday. The hostages, Yotam Haim, 28, Samer Talalka, 22, and Alon Shamriz, 26, who were being held by Hamas, had used leftover food to write signs pleading for help. The soldiers breached "rules of engagement" by shooting them, as they were holding a white flag.
Media tycoon Jimmy Lai, a prominent figure in the pro-democracy movement, is currently on trial in Hong Kong, facing charges related to breaching national security and colluding with foreign forces. At 76, Lai, who has been in jail since December 2020, could potentially receive a life sentence if convicted. The trial is viewed as a significant test of Hong Kong's judicial independence and has sparked international concern.
In a remarkable achievement, Pakistani actor Wahaj Ali has earned the prestigious title of the top celebrity of 2023, according to the esteemed UK showbiz publication, Eastern Eye. Wahaj secured the ninth position globally in the coveted "Top 50 Asian Celebrities In The World" list, underscoring his exceptional contributions to the entertainment industry.
Zahid Ahmed is expressing strong dissatisfaction with Instagram's alleged censorship. The actor claimed that Instagram removed his post discussing what he referred to as the "real face of terrorism," featuring images of Benjamin Netanyahu, Rishi Sunak, and Joe Biden. Ahmed criticized Instagram for this action, stating, "To hell with you Instagram. Will love to see you burn in hell on judgement day." The deleted post, still available on his public Facebook profile, juxtaposes the mainstream portrayal of terrorists with those in suits who hold influential positions.