Lebanese officials reported that eight people were killed in an October airstrike on a 19th-century Greek Catholic church in Derdghaya by the Israeli military targeting terrorists near cultural heritage sites. The Tibnin Castle, a historic site, was damaged by Israeli airstrikes during the conflict with Hezbollah, despite being added to the UN’s protected cultural sites list. The ceasefire in November did not prevent further damage to the castle and other antiquities in Lebanon, causing economic losses and impacting UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Tyre.
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New US ambassador Peter Mandelson’s foul-mouthed rant when pushed about Epstein friendship
Britain’s new ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, has faced criticism and pressure over his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. In an interview with the Financial Times, Mandelson expressed regret for meeting Epstein and dismissed questions about their relationship with a foul-mouthed rant, accusing others of being obsessed with the issue. Despite the controversy, Mandelson has taken up his role as ambassador, navigating diplomatic challenges amid scrutiny of his past associations. Full Article
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