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Disney star shows horrific injury after being ‘shot in the face’ on husband’s birthday trip

Former Disney child star shot in the face at husband's birthday Christy Carlson Romano/ getty images/ rex features
A former Disney child star revealed she was shot in the face at husband’s birthday (Picture: @thechristycarlsonromano/Getty)

A former Disney star was shot in the eye while out with her husband on his birthday.

Christy Carlson Romano, best known for voicing the titular character global crime-fighting hero Kim Possible and starring in Even Stevens, assured fans that she’s ‘doing OK’ after nearly losing her eye while shooting clay pigeons with her husband Brendan Rooney.

Taking to Instagram Stories, the 40-year-old actress explained how someone ‘unsafely fired in the wrong direction and shot me in the face.’

Christy showed what appeared to be a large bruise underneath her eye with some bruising, explaining that the pellet is ‘still inside’ her face.

In the caption, she said the fragment lodged behind her eye is ‘too risky’ to surgically remove at this time, adding that she can still ‘see normally.’

‘I’m very grateful to first responders as a whole. I mean, they’re just the most amazing, superhero people to take care of us at our most desperate times,’ Christy said during the clip.

Continuing to show her eye injury, she continued: ‘This is really bad tonight. Everything’s kind of clearing out, but I got to say I got shot in the face and lived to tell the tale.

‘Be grateful for every day,’ she concluded.

Fans and fellow celebrities wished the actress a speedy recovery with Nope actress Keke Palmer, 31, commenting: ‘I hate hearing this but I am grateful God that you’re still with us!! I’m so sorry that you’ve gone through this and praying for a full and safe recovery.’

EVEN STEVENS - Donna Pescow as "Eileen Stevens", Tom Virtue as "Steve Stevens", Shia LaBeouf as "Louis Stevens", Christy Carlson Romano as "Ren Stevens", Nick Spano as "Donnie Stevens" and Steven Anthony Lawrence as "Beans" on "Even Stevens" on the Disney Channel. (Photo by George Lange/Disney Channel via Getty Images) DONNA PESCOW; TOM VIRTUE;SHIA LABEOUF;CHRISTY CARLSON ROMANO;NICK SPANO;STEVEN ANTHONY LAWRENCE
Christy starred alongside Shia LaBeouf in the Disney Channel series Even Stevens (Picture: Getty)

Former Nickelodeon actress Daniella Monet added: ‘Holy moly Christy! What a miracle you’re ok and in good decent spirits. So so strong! Hope you heal soon.’

Sabrina the Teenage Witch icon Melissa Joan Hart replied: ‘I’m so sorry! Praying for full healing and recovery.’

Following her long-running Disney Channel stint, Christy now hosts several podcasts including Vulnerable, where she interviews former child stars, along with I Hear Voices with her former Kim Possible co-star Will Friedle, and Even More Stevens with her former Even Stevens co-stars Nick Spano and Steven Anthony Lawrence.

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MPPSC Pre Admit Card 2025

MPPSC State Services SSE Pre Admit Card 2025 Author: Sarkari Exam Team Tag: Graduate Job Short Information :Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) has released the exam and date admit card for the post of State Services Examination (SSE). This recruitment has been issued for 158 posts. Applications for MPPSC State Services SSE Pre Recruitment 2025 ... Read more

The post MPPSC Pre Admit Card 2025 appeared first on Sarkari Exam.com.

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NTA AISSEE Sanik School Exam Date 2025

NTA All India Sainik School AISSEE Exam Date 2025 Author: Sarkari Exam Team Tag: VI / IX Admission Short Information : National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the exam date for the All India Sainik School Entrance Exam AISSEE Admission 2025. Applications for NTA AISSEE Sanik School Online Form 2024 were filled from 24 December ... Read more

The post NTA AISSEE Sanik School Exam Date 2025 appeared first on Sarkari Exam.com.

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Sky unveils two brand new TV devices with three big upgrades and a thinner Glass model coming soon

SKY has unveiled a duo of new TV products with a series of big updates.

The broadcasting giant is overhauling its Sky Glass device with a new gen 2 TV and a thinner Sky Glass Air.

Sky Glass gen 2 TV on display.
Jamie Harris / The Sun
Sky Glass gen 2 will be available from tomorrow[/caption]

Sky Glass gen 2 will be available from tomorrow (February 12) but Sky Glass Air won’t be released until later this year.

On the new Sky Glass gen 2, the built-in soundbar has been boosted with an extra speaker, going from six to seven, with a dual sub-woofer.

Sky says this will provide richer base and vocal clarity for your favourite shows and movies.

The display has also been improved, using a 4K UHD display with more LEDs for darker dark tones, brighter whites and improved angle of viewing.

Sky Glass gen 2 will come in three updated colours, silver, blue and black – and the woven mesh over the built-in soundbar is also colour matched.

The overall design remains true to the first Sky Glass but the back has been made smoother so it fits tighter to the wall.

An upgraded mount for the TV provides the ability to swivel and tilt as viewers see fit.

And for those who prefer a stand that’s been improved too so you no longer need a screwdriver.

At an event in London the firm didn’t reveal too many details about Sky Glass Air.

The firm said it will provide “smarter TV for less”.

Early images seem to show a much thinner Sky Glass model.

It’s not clear whether this will include a built-in soundbar.

The move may come as a blow to customers hoping for a new Sky Q satellite box.

Bosses says it continues to invest in the existing Sky Q experience.

Some 90 per cent of new customers are choosing Sky Glass or Sky Stream.

The gen 2 will start from £14 per month for the 43-inch model, based on a 48 month contract.

There’s also a 55-inch again at £19 per month and 65-inch at £24 per month.

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Silent Witness legend Emilia Fox shares poignant tribute to show creator after his death

SILENT Witness legend Emilia Fox shares a poignant tribute to the show’s creator after his death.

Nigel McCrery who was also behind New Tricks, died aged 71 after being diagnosed with a terminal illness in October last year.

Portrait of Nigel McCrery, author and scriptwriter.
Alamy
Silent Witness legend Emilia Fox shares a poignant tribute to the show’s creator after his death[/caption]
Emilia Fox as Dr. Nikki Alexander on the phone.
BBC/Rekha Garton
Emilia shared a heartfelt message explaining how sorry she was at hearing the very sad news[/caption]
Emilia Fox as Dr. Nikki Alexander in Silent Witness, writing on a clipboard.
BBC
She said Nigel had created something very special in Silent Witness[/caption]

His agent confirmed the news of his death “with a heavy heart”.

United Agents wrote on social media: “It’s with a heavy heart that we share the news of screenwriter, author and producer Nigel McCrery’s passing.

“As the creative mind behind such hits as the much loved long running BBC drama series Silent Witness and New Tricks, Nigel captivated and inspired audiences for years with his work.

“His numerous contributions to the arts will always be remembered. Nigel had an incredible career and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

Posting on Instagram, Emilia shared a heartfelt statement about Nigel explaining how she was so sorry to hear the sad news.

“I am so sorry to hear the terribly sad news about the passing of Nigel McCrery.

“In creating Silent Witness he brought something special to so many audiences around the world, and to those of us lucky enough to work on the show.

“Its success and longevity are testament to Nigel and his brilliant idea in the first place – and of course many other shows too,” her statement read.”

She continued: “I was hugely fond of him personally. He was always kind and warm and spoke devotedly of his own family as an extremely proud parent and grandparent.

“I am grateful that he remained connected to the show ongoingly and always wanted to know what plans there were for it.

“His great friend the forensic pathologist Helen Whitwell, who inspired the Sam Ryan character played by Amanda Burton, also sadly passed away recently.

“They will both live on through Silent Witness and we will do our best to make them proud. He will be missed by so many and my thoughts are with his family.”

Nigel, who served with the Nottinghamshire Constabulary, began Silent Witness about a police pathologist in 1996 with the BBC.

His 1950s-set medical drama Born And Bred, co-created with Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, aired during the 2000s.

Silent Witness cast past and present

Silent Witness has been on our screens for 28 years and now with the next two series guaranteed, we look back on the characters past and present.

By Donna Richardson

PAST

Amanda Burton

Amanda who was in Brookside and Peak Practice before becoming Sam Ryan in Silent Witness, was in the very first episode until series eight episode two. She went on to become Clare Blake in ITV’s The Commander

Tom Ward

Tom was Dr Harry Cunningham from 2002 to 2012, joining in the sixth season of the crime drama. Prior to this he played the role of George Osborne in Vanity Fair and had a role in Anna Karenina.

William Gaminara

William played Leo Dalton in the 11th series of the show. He exited the show in 2013 to pursue other roles.

Liz Carr

Liz played the role of Clarissa Mullery from 2013 to 2020. She went on to star in the OA as Dr Marlow Rhodes and in 2021 joined the cast of the Witcher and then Good Omens in the same year. She was also Judge Gamble in Loki.

PRESENT

Emilia Fox

Emilia has played the role of Nikki Alexander for 19 years. Before that she was in Pride and Prejudice and Rebecca and other drama adaptations. She has also been in starring film roles in The Pianist amongst others.

David Caves

David Caves is Jack Hodgson and has been in the show since 2012, appearing in the first episode of series 16 called Change.

Rhiannon May

Rhiannon first appeared in Silent Witness Series 24. She is Jack’s neice Cara Connelly for three seasons

Aki Omoshaybi

Aki is Professor Gabriel Folukoya in the show, a neurologist and pathologist. He arrived in the first episode of Silent Witness series 26. Elsewhere he appeared in Star Wars Episode VIII.

The TV writer also launched New Tricks, which follows the fictional Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad, in 2003 with Roy Mitchell.

Nigel also wrote non-fiction books about sport, the First World War and the Second World War.

These included The Footballers Who Fought And Died In The Great War, Into Touch: Rugby Internationals Killed in the Great War and Season in Hell: British Footballers Killed In The Second World War.

His book, The Vanished Battalion, was made into the 1999 war drama All The King’s Men starring Sir David Jason and Dame Maggie Smith.

In October 2024, he told BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live programme that he had been told he was terminal recently, which he called “quite a shock”.

“I mean people deal with their deaths in different ways, and I think it’s all very, very individual to each of us,” he said.

“But I think for a little while you do go into shock – or I did, and I was in a bit of a state.”

Silent Witness airs on BBC1 and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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Major chain to shut high street shop for good in WEEKS with 100 branches still at risk

A MAJOR fashion chain is to shut an “amazing” high street shop in just weeks with 100 more branches still at risk.

New Look has confirmed its St Austell branch in Cornwall will close Tuesday March 4 with signs in store reading “it’s time to say goodbye.”

New Look flagship store on Oxford Street, London.
New Look has confirmed another store closure with others at risk

New Look has confirmed a flurry of closures in recent weeks including a branch in Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Loughborough.

The latest news comes shortly after reports emerged that the fashion retailer is accelerating plans to close nearly 100 stores, following challenges linked to the Autumn Budget tax changes.

Shoppers in Cornwall have expressed their disappointment over the closure on social media.

One said: “[It’s such a shame that all our high street stores are going. There will be nowhere for the local communities to shop soon.”

Another said: “There will be nothing left in St Austell, such a shame!!”

A third added: “Absolutely shocking. One more reason not to go in the town!”

New Look has two other stores in Cornwall in Truro and Falmouth.

What’s happening at New Look?

New Look is ramping up a store closure programme ahead of April’s employer National Insurance Contribution hike.

Approximately a quarter of the retailer’s 364 stores are at risk when their leases expire.

This equates to about 91 stores, with a significant impact on it’s 8,000 strong workforce.

The company has restructured its store estate twice in the past six years, reducing its portfolio from around 600 UK stores in 2018.

For the time being, stores remain open as usual, while decisions regarding closures are made.

The move to accelerate store closures is understood to be driven by the forthcoming increase in employer National Insurance contributions, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in October.

Employers currently pay NICs for most workers earning more than £9,100 a year.

The sum they pay is the equivalent of 13.8% of the employee’s earnings above that threshold.

For an employee earning £30,000, the employer would pay NICs of £2,884.20.

However, in the Autumn Statement, the Treasury announced it would increase the tax rate to 15% and reduce the threshold at which firms must pay to £5,000.

The British Retail Consortium has predicted that these changes will create a £2.3billion bill for the sector.

The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.

It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.

Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”

A New Look spokesperson said: “Our store estate is an important part of our business, alongside our best-in-class website and app.

“We have recently invested over £3million in our stores in Greater Manchester to trial new omnichannel initiatives to improve customer experience.

“We also continue to invest in our thriving online platform which has resulted in a strong online sales performance, with volumes significantly outpacing last year and an improved online margin.

“On occasion we do have to close stores, either due to the landlord’s request or because the site becomes unviable.

“However, we always remain on the lookout for appropriate new opportunities across the country and continue to invest in our existing store estate.”

HISTORY OF NEW LOOK

FOUNDED in 1969 by Tom Singh with a modest loan of £5,000 from his parents, the first shop opened in Taunton, Somerset.

Singh’s vision was simple but revolutionary: to offer the latest fashion trends at accessible prices.

This focus on “fast fashion” proved a winning formula, propelling the brand’s rapid growth throughout the following decades.

By the 1990s, New Look had expanded significantly, growing from 200 to an impressive 1,000 stores.

This period saw the introduction of new lines, including menswear, teen, and maternity wear, further broadening the brand’s appeal.

Embracing the digital age, New Look launched its online store in 2007, bringing its trendy offerings to an even wider audience.

The brand’s success wasn’t confined to the UK. New Look expanded internationally, establishing a presence in numerous countries across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

At its peak, the company boasted over 900 stores internationally and employed over 18,000 staff.

New Look’s ownership structure has also evolved over the years. In 2004, the company went private, with founder Tom Singh, chief executive Phil Wrigley, and private equity investors taking the reins.

In 2015, South African investment firm Brait SE acquired a 90% stake in New Look for £780 million, with the Singh family and management retaining the remaining 10%.

Tom Singh himself announced his departure from the company in 2019, marking the end of an era for the brand he built.

What’s happening across the retail sector?

More than 70 businesses, including TescoAsda and Sainsbury’stold Rachel Reeves in an open letter last year that the changes announced in the Autumn Budget mean price hikes are a “certainty”.

But, new research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April.

A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024.

Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure.

Shevaun Haviland, the group’s director general called the situation “a pressure cooker of rising costs and taxes.”

“Firms of all shapes and sizes are telling us the national insurance hike is particularly damaging,” she said.

“Businesses are already cutting back on investment and say they will have to put up prices in the coming months.”

Almost 170,000 retail workers lost their jobs in 2024 after a challenging year for high street firms.

End-of-year figures compiled by the Centre for Retail Research showed the number of job losses spiked amid the collapse of major chains such as Homebase and Ted Baker.

It said its latest analysis showed that a total of 169,395 retail jobs were lost in the 2024 calendar year to date.

This was up 49,990 – an increase of 41.9% – compared with 2023.

It is the highest annual reading since more than 200,000 jobs were lost in 2020 in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced retailers to shut their stores during lockdowns.

The centre said 38 major retailers went into administration in 2024, including household names such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Homebase, The Body ShopCarpetright and Ted Baker.

Around a third of all retail job losses in 2024, 33% or 55,914 in total, resulted from administrations.

It recorded that the remainder of the jobs lost were through “rationalisation”, as part of cost-cutting programmes by large retailers or small independents choosing to close their stores for good.

Professor Bamfield added: “The comparatively low figures for 2023 now look like an anomaly, a pause for breath by many retailers after lockdowns if you like.

“The problems of changed customer shopping habits, inflation, rising energy costs, rents and business rates have continued and forced many retailers to cut back even more strongly in 2024.”

Independent retailers, small businesses generally with between one and five stores, shed 58,616 jobs in total during the year.

Experts have said small high street shops could face a particularly challenging 2025 because of Budget tax and wage changes.

Professor Bamfield has warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.

“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”

RETAIL PAIN IN 2025

The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.

Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April.

A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024.

Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure.

The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.

It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.

Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”

Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.

“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

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Masked Singer’s Dressed Crab ‘is Fear the Walking Dead star’ claim fans after spotting clue

THE Masked Singer fans have been desperately trying to crack the case of the Dressed Crab – with a new wild theory believing it’s a Hollywood star.

As the ITV guessing game continues, Dressed Crab has become a firm favourite thanks to their belting singing voice and elaborate costume.

Potted Shrimp contestant on The Masked Singer.
ITV
Dressed Crab has been impressing the judges on the ITV talent show[/caption]
Joel Dommett and the Dressed Crab on The Masked Singer.
ITV
Can this megastar really be behind the mask?[/caption]
Colman Domingo at the Critics Choice Awards.
Getty
Some fans believe it is the Hollywood star Colman Domingo[/caption]

Now fans are beginning to think it’s a two-time Oscar nominated actor who shot to fame in Fear The Walking Dead.

Following the latest clues this week, fans took to X to share their theories.

“Really hope it’s not Billie Porter (sic) as dressed crab and it’s Colman Domingo,” wrote one.

“Crab sounds like Colman Domingo or Gregory Porter,” said a second.

“Is Colman Domingo a crab on the masked singer rn?” noted a third.

Colman Domingo shot to fame as Victor Strand in Fear The Walking Dead, the first spin-off of the beloved Walking Dead franchise, appearing in 109 episodes.

He’s now up for Best Actor again at this year’s Academy Awards for his leading role in Sing Sing, and earned a nod last year for his performance in Rustin.

Other credits include Euphoria, Netflix’s The Madness, The Color Purple and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

On top of his acting skills, Colman become beloved for his acting abilities as well as his red carpet style – often stealing the show thanks to his elaborately-designed bespoke designer suits.

The Masked Singer has made hints that Dressed Crab is an American actor, previously showing an American football helmet, NFL insignia, and a film roll.

There’s also been suggestions they’re known for their fashion sense, stating: “This Dressed Crab is the style of the season, and like all great trends, I’ll just keep coming back”

However, there’s also been suggestions they could be connected to the Marvel Universe, which Colman is yet to be a part of, and connections to riddles.

Song choices for Dressed Crab so far include Lenny Kravitz’s Are You Gonna Go My Way? and the classic Lean On Me by Bill Withers.

Previous suggestions included ex-NFL linebacker Terry Crews, ex-Strictly star Jason Bell, Randy Newman, Billy Porter, Billy Ocean or Clarke Peters.

Who has left The Masked Singer 2025 so far?

Much to the delight of telly fans, The Masked Singer is back in 2025.

Twelve celebrities have been hidden behind intricate costumes, with their identities concealed.

Sadly, not all of this year’s whacky and wonderful characters can make it to the end of the show, as there can only be one winner.

Here’s who has been unmasked so far:

Bush – she didn’t fool viewers and the judges were so close, but Bush was in fact EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy. Davina McCall came closest, guessing Morgana Robinson, who does a mean impression of the Sonia actress

Bear – another success for new judge Maya Jama as she guessed correctly that the singing Bear was none other than singer, songwriter Example – real name Elliot Gleave

Snail – this singer certainly fooled the judges as the mask was lifted to reveal Andrea Corr. Jonathan Ross admitted to being a huge fan of The Corrs

Kingfisher – everyone was convinced this was Harry Hill, but the mask was lifted to reveal artist Sir Grayson Perry, who is known for his alter-ego Claire

Teeth – this character baffled judges and viewers with their changing voice. They were finally unmasked as former Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc. None of the panel managed to guess it was her

Tattoo – despite Davina McCall saying “you sound the same” after this character was unmasked, none of the judges guessed it was 80s singer Carol Decker, whose hit China In Your Hand was a No1 hit for five weeks

Toad In The Hole – a massive diva strop saw the character storm off the stage after the judges voted them off. They later returned to be unmasked as singer Macy Gray

Pegasus – the mythical horse was revealed to be Prue Leith, with judge Jonathan Ross correctly guessing her identity

Spag Bol – this character was first to be unmasked and was none other than Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway.

Plus there was one extra unmasking this season, with Giant Joel – a caricature of host Joel Dommett – unveiled as double-double Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah.

A still from *Fear the Walking Dead* showing two characters standing outdoors.
AMC
Colman shot to fame on Fear The Walking Dead[/caption]
Colman Domingo at the Directors Guild of America Awards.
Getty
The iconic star has become known for his sense of style at awards shows[/caption]
Colman Domingo as Muncie Daniels in The Madness, on a phone call.
© 2023 Netflix, Inc.
The star has appeared in Netflix’s The Madness, and is up for an Oscar this year for Sing Sing[/caption]

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Israel on ‘high alert’ to RELAUNCH Gaza war over hostage delay as Trump threatens to unleash hell ahead of crunch talks

ISRAEL is on “high alert” to relaunch the war in Gaza over the hostage delay after President Donald Trump threatened to unleash “hell” ahead of crunch talks.

The major confrontation comes just halfway through the agreed six-week deal which should see 33 hostages ruthlessly snatched on October 7, finally returned home to their loved ones.

People rush to collect humanitarian aid packages dropped by parachute in a war-torn area.
AFP
People rush to landing humanitarian aid packages dropped over the northern Gaza Strip[/caption]
Artillery strike in Gaza.
Dan Charity
Heavy artillery striking Gaza seen from Sderot, Israel[/caption]
Benjamin Netanyahu speaking at a podium.
EPA
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a discussion called on by the opposition on the release of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas[/caption] Illustration of a three-phase peace deal for the Middle East, including details on ceasefire, hostage release, troop withdrawal, and border zones.

The terror group have accused Israel of “violations” including blocking Palestinians from returning to their homes, targeting them with “shelling and gunfire,” as well as not allowing the agreed amount of humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.

Israel slammed Hamas over the claims, accusing the group of violating the ceasefire deal and chillingly warned that the IDF have been put on the “highest level of alert”.

Israel Katz, the defence minister, said: “Hamas’s announcement to stop releasing Israeli hostages is a complete violation of the ceasefire agreement and the deal to release the hostages.

“I have instructed the [Israel Defence Forces] to prepare at the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza and to protect the communities. “

He concluded that Israel would “not allow a return to the reality of October 7”.

On Monday, President Trump issued an ultimatum to Hamas as he warned “all hell is going to break out” if they refuse to release the final hostages.

The Republican said the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel should be cancelled if the remaining hostages are not all freed by midday on Saturday.

It comes after his comments last week when he said the US should take over the decimated Gaza Strip and create his vision of a “Riviera of the Middle East”.

Trump’s idea included relocating two million Palestinians to neighbouring countries like Jordan and Egypt while the US reconstructed the area he called a “demolition site”.

And the president is not backing down on his plans as he is to host Abdullah II, the king of Jordan, at the White House on Tuesday to turn the screws on the Arab nation to take in Palestinian refugees.

Trump also suggested on Monday that he would withhold US funding from Jordan and Egypt to force them to accept additional displaced people from Gaza.

He said to reporters: “If they don’t, I would conceivably withhold aid, yes.”

Trump’s has sparked fury among Arab countries with Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia immediately rejecting the plan.

The relocation of Palestinians is a highly sensitive subject among the Arab world.

Palestinians fear a repetition of the 1948 events that saw some 700,000 fleeing their homes during the Arab-Israeli war.

Describing what he would do to the decimated Gaza Strip, the president said he would turn Gaza into the “most spectacular development on Earth” but Palestinians have argued they will reconstruct the area themselves.

The President also said Palestinians would not be able to return to their homes in Gaza under his new plans.

Close-up of Donald Trump looking up.
Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump looks up while speaking to reporters from his office aboard Air Force One[/caption]
Destroyed buildings in Gaza City after a ceasefire.
EPA
Palestinians walk past destroyed buildings in the streets of Gaza City[/caption]
An elderly Palestinian woman carries firewood amidst rubble, a young girl stands nearby.
Getty
Palestinian 63-year-old cancer patient Mine Zaanin collects firewood to cook for her family in Gaza City[/caption]

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said Trump’s statement was “irresponsible.”

He told Reuters: “We affirm that such plans are capable of igniting the region.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Republican’s clear plan to help rebuild the war-torn strip saying it will “change history”.

He also told how America “will do a job with it” if they own the Gaza Strip and take full responsibility to dismantle it safely after years of torment for the people of Palestine.

Trump’s Middle East envoy said they plan on creating a three to five-year timeline for the reconstruction of Gaza.

Detailed plans are yet to be revealed over the potential demolition plot but the newly-inaugurated President said it will involve a complete reconstruction.

He said they would destroy all of the buildings in the war zone before beginning to “create an economic development”.

The US president said he was losing his patience with the hostage deal after seeing footage of Eli Sharabi, Or Levy and Ohad Ben Ami, who appeared gaunt upon their release.

He told reporters at The White House: “If all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock, I think it’s an appropriate time.

“I would say, cancel it and all bets are off and let hell break out. I’d say they ought to be returned by 12 o’clock on Saturday.”

Speaking directly on the hostages, Trump added: “I don’t want a trickle. Not three and then two. I want them all.”

So far, Israel and Hamas have completed five exchanges in the first phase of the ceasefire, freeing 21 hostages and more than 730 prisoners.

Hamas had agreed to release 33 hostages for nearly 2,000 prisoners and detainees during this phase.

Despite the chilling ultimatum, Trump also said he fears that many of the remaining captives could be dead.

He ended the powerful statement by saying any move is ultimately up to Israel.

What happened on October 7?

ON OCTOBER 7, 2023, Hamas launched a brutal surprise attack on Israel, marking one of the darkest days in the nation’s history.

Terrorists stormed across the border from Gaza, killing over 1,200 people — most of them civilians — and kidnapping 250 others, including women, children, and the elderly.

The coordinated assault saw heavily armed fighters infiltrate Israeli towns, kibbutzim, and military bases, unleashing indiscriminate violence.

Innocent families were slaughtered in their homes, and graphic footage of the atrocities spread across social media, leaving the world in shock.

And as well as attacking people in their homes, they stormed the Nova music peace festival – killing at least 364 people there alone.

The massacre triggered a swift and massive retaliatory response from Israel, escalating into a full-scale war.

The attack not only reignited long-standing tensions in the region but also left deep scars on both sides of the conflict, setting the stage for the 15 months of devastation that followed.

Smoke rises from explosions in a residential area of Jenin, West Bank.
EPA
Smoke rises as the Israeli army detonate explosives in a residential area in the West Bank camp of Jenin[/caption]
Smoke and dust rising from a building explosion in Gaza City.
Getty
Smoke and dust rise from the al-Nasre apartment after the attack by the Israeli army on the apartment in the Nuseirat Refugee Camp[/caption]

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