Majdal Shams, home to the Druze, perches uneasily at the edge of war

Christian Kist hit a nine-darter but lost his PDC World Championship first-round match to Madars Razma, becoming the first player to achieve this feat in the tournament since 2023. Despite the loss, Kist collected £60,000 for the achievement, with the same amount also awarded to a lucky spectator. The Latvian opponent bounced back to win 3-2, as Nathan Aspinall advanced to the next round with a 3-1 victory over Leonard Gates. Full Article

Senator Dick Durbin engaged in a heated exchange with a CNN reporter over lawmakers potentially receiving a pay raise for the first time since 2009. Durbin mocked CNN for getting paid consistently despite losing viewers, prompting a discussion on media salaries and public trust in institutions. The exchange highlighted differing perspectives on congressional pay raises and media accountability amid shifting public opinion. Full Article

Brittany and Patrick Mahomes recently attended a themed party dressed as their friends Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, with Brittany wearing a sparkly mini dress and curled hair resembling Swift's look, and Patrick in a tuxedo reminiscent of Kelce's outfit. Fans reacted positively to their costumes on social media, with one fan thanking them for making every Swiftie's life sweeter. The expecting parents, who have been married since 2022 and share two children, announced they...

Gavin & Stacey fans are eagerly anticipating the show's final episode airing on BBC One over Christmas, resolving the epic festive cliffhanger from five years ago. The characters' surnames, Shipman and West, are a nod to infamous British serial killers Fred and Rose West, as well as Dr. Harold Shipman, with the show subtly referencing these dark connections in its script. Additionally, Pete's surname in the show, revealed in the Christmas special, pays homage to...

In County Durham, Danielle Massey was jailed for manslaughter after her baby son, Charlie Goodall, drowned in a bathtub while she played a cooking game on her phone. Massey pleaded guilty to manslaughter, admitting fault for the unstable bath seat and possession of cannabis. She claimed she left Charlie briefly unsupervised to get a towel and found him unresponsive upon her return, calling emergency services. Full Article

The United States announced additional sanctions targeting four entities involved in Pakistan's ballistic missile program for their contribution to proliferation and delivery of such weapons. The U.S. Department of State emphasized its commitment to combating proliferation and related procurement activities of concern. The sanctions aim to address threats posed by the proliferation of ballistic missiles. Full Article