DEIR EL-ZOUR, Syria (AP) — A Syrian man on Saturday buried his wife and four of his five children, killed in the massive wave of Israeli strikes that pounded Beirut earlier this week, laying them to rest in Deir el-Zour province in northeastern Syria.

It was not the homecoming they had anticipated when they fled to Lebanon six years ago.

The bodies, along with that of his six-month pregnant daughter-in-law, arrived in wooden coffins on a bus from Lebanon, their names scribbled on the sides. Men stood beside the bus crying before the burial procession in al-Sour town, as mourners gathered to offer condolences.

The remains of one of his two daughters were still missing, believed to be trapped under rubble, as search operations concluded Saturday, three days after the attacks.

The strike was one of roughly 100 carried out by Israel on Wednesday without warning, targeting what the Israeli military said were Hezbollah-linked sites across Beirut and other parts of Lebanon. More than 350 people were killed that day, a third being women and children, making it the deadliest day in nearly six weeks of war.

Many of the strikes hit commercial streets and densely populated neighborhoods in central Beirut, far from conflict zones, where repeated Israeli evacuation warnings have been issued since March 2, when the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah fired missiles into Israel in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.

A father’s grief

The father, Hamad al-Jalib, survived because he was away fetching a gas canister while working as the building’s concierge. When he heard that a strike had hit the Ain Mreisseh neighborhood, where he lives, he rushed back, only to see a plume of smoke rising from a building behind a mosque across from Beirut’s famous seaside promenade — usually crowded with people walking and exercising.

“The Israeli attack killed my girls, they are innocent, just sitting at home,” al-Jalib said. “They were having lunch.”

He said it took rescue teams three days to extract the bodies of his family from under the rubble. “And I still have a daughter missing, her name is Fatima Hamad al-Jalib.” She is 10 years old. His other daughter was 12 while his sons were 17, 14 and 13 years old.

Three other Syrian relatives were also killed in the Ain Mreisseh strike and were buried on Saturday in the town of al-Shuhail in Deir el-Zour, after the family split upon returning to Syria.

Al-Jalib said his family had been displaced from their area and moved to Lebanon in 2020, as local tensions grew involving tribal groups and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

Syrian refugees among the dead and wounded

The casualties from Wednesday’s strikes and others across the country have pushed the death toll in more than a month of Israel’s war with Hezbollah to over 1,950 killed and more than 6,300 wounded, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The toll includes at least 315 Syrians killed and wounded.

It remains unclear how many of those killed on Wednesday were non-Lebanese, as the Health Ministry did not provide a breakdown by nationality. Officials have reported that at least 39 Syrians were among the dead.

Dalal Harb, a spokesperson for the U.N. refugee agency, said the family killed in Ain Mreisseh was not registered with the UNHCR. There are about 530,000 Syrians refugees registered with UNHCR in Lebanon, with hundreds of thousands more believed to be unregistered.

While hundreds of thousands of Syrians have returned from Lebanon since the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December 2024, many others remain reluctant to go back because of the lack of jobs and ongoing violence.

Al-Jalib’s brother, Jomaa, who also lived in Lebanon, said he was about 150 meters (500 feet) away at work when the first blast hit. “We ran and we ran, then the second strike happened.” He said he was arriving at the building as it began to collapse. “It was too late to get anyone out. We yelled for them, but no one answered.”

He said ambulances later recovered the bodies, which he identified at a hospital.

Following the burial on Saturday, men stood shoulder to shoulder in prayer over the fresh graves.

——-

Associated Press writer Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed to this report.

The incident took place this afternoon (Saturday, April 11), at around 1pm, with the ambulance service and police in attendance.

Images from the scene show that a cordon had been put in place near the petrol station of the supermarket.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the incident involved a road traffic collision between a pedestrian and a car.

(Image: PHIL TAYLOR)

They added that a man was taken to hospital and the driver remained at the scene.

No arrests have been made in relation to the incident.

Morrisons has not commented on the incident, but a spokesperson confirmed that they are assisting police with their inquiries.

The North West Ambulance Service has also been contacted for comment.

Emergency services were called to Great Western Road, at the junction with Lincoln Avenue, after the alarm was raised at around 2pm on Saturday, April 11.

A major road in Glasgow has been blocked off following a crash this afternoon.

Emergency services were called to Great Western Road, at the junction with Lincoln Avenue, after the alarm was raised at around 2pm on Saturday, April 11.

An image shared with the Record shows a significant number of police officers and fire crews at the scene. Ambulance crews are also in attendance.

Unconfirmed reports suggest emergency crews are working to cut a passenger out of the back seat of a taxi following the collision.

The number of vehicles involved and the nature of any injuries is not yet known.

An eyewitness said: “Avoid Great Western Road at the Lincoln Avenue junction. Horrendous smash affecting both sides of the road. They’re trying to cut a passenger out the back seat of a taxi by the looks of it. Hope everyone involved is okay.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that two engines are currently on the scene to assist.

The Record has contacted Police Scotland for comment.

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The full closure of the M1 westbound between junction 7 and junction 8 at Sprucefield, Lisburn has taken place following an incident. PSNI officers have been confirmed as attending the scene.

TrafficWatch NI reported that the incident happened shortly after 3pm on Saturday afternoon.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Road users are advised of the full closure of the M1 westbound between junction 7 and junction 8, Sprucefield.

“All westbound traffic can exit at junction 7 and return at junction 8. Eastbound traffic can exit at junction 8 and return at 7.

“Please seek an alternative route at this time.”

Follow our live updates in the blog below…

Hold for 1…2…3… and release.

Women have long been doing their Kegel exercises, squeezing their pelvic floor muscles while sitting on the sofa or on their office chairs, unbeknownst to those around them.

They’re recommended by the NHS to combat a variety of health concerns, mostly commonly urinary incontinence, associated with pregnancy and childbirth.

But let’s be real, it’s not just the girlies who need to look after their pelvic floor.

‘Penis Kegels’ are a thing too — also recommended by the NHS — and those who choose to incorporate the simple exercises into their daily routine could see an improvement in bladder control, prostate health — and even sexual performance.

That’s right, stronger erections could be on the horizon.

Here’s everything the guys out there need to know about squeezing those pelvic floor muscles. We’re doing ours right now…

Why are ‘penis Kegels’ beneficial?

Urologist Dr Ashwin Sridhar tells Metro: ‘The pelvic floor muscles act like a hammock supporting your internal organs. So, when these muscles are strong, they provide several health benefits.’

• Bladder Control. According to Dr Ashwin, Kegels prevent ‘post-urination dribble’ (leaking a few drops after leaving the toilet) and help manage urinary incontinence, especially after prostate surgery.
• Bowel Control. Kegels can help prevent fecal incontinence.
• Prostate Health. They can help manage pain and swelling associated with prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and BPH (enlarged prostate).
• Core Stability. As part of the ‘deep core,’ Kegels contribute to overall pelvic stability and lower back support.

Can penis Kegels improve sexual performance?

It’s not just your bladder that Kegels have a positive impact on.

Dr Ashwin shares that one of the ‘most significant motivators for men to perform Kegels’ is, in fact, to do with sexual function.

‘Strong pelvic floor muscles directly influence the mechanics of erection and ejaculation,’ he explains.

Kegels can help with erectile dysfunction, for example: ‘The pelvic floor muscles help trap blood in the penis to maintain an erection. Strengthening them can lead to harder, longer-lasting erections.’

Penis kegels can also help with premature ejaculation (PE). Dr Ashwin notes how ‘Kegels give you better control over the ejaculatory reflex. Men with strong pelvic floors can often voluntarily “squeeze” to delay orgasm.’

Interestingly, by doing regular penis Kegels, men can also develop a ‘stronger contraction during ejaculation’ which Dr Ashwin explains can lead to ‘more intense and pleasurable orgasms.’

How do Kegels for men work?

There are a couple of ways men can practice their Kegels. But Dr Ashwin specifically recommends starting with the standard Kegel to ease yourself in.

Step 1: Find the muscle

Dr Ashwin reminds men, ‘you cannot strengthen a muscle you cannot feel.’ So, first things first, is to locate it. There are two main ways you can do this.

There’s the delicately named Stop Gas Method. This involves imagining you’re in a crowded elevator and need to stop yourself from passing gas. The muscle you squeeze to pull your anus inward is the pelvic floor.

Next, you can try the Stop Pee Method.

Next time you urinate, try to stop the flow mid-stream. If you succeed, you’ve found the muscle.

Step 2: The technique, aka ‘the squeeze and lift’

Once you know where the muscle is, the next step is the actual Kegel itself – you can do this sitting, standing, or lying down.

You’re going to isolate (aka squeeze) the muscle you identified in step one. Then, imagine you’re trying to lift your scrotum upwards into your body.

A thing to remember, Dr Ashwin notes, is that you should not hold your breath, clench your buttocks, or tighten your thighs.

‘Your body should look completely relaxed from the outside; the work is all internal.’

Step 3: The routine

It’s recommended that you perform 10 repetitions in a row, aiming for three sets per day – in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

‘While squats and glute bridges help the general area, the standard Kegel is the most effective isolation exercise for these specific muscles,’ the expert adds.

He continues: ‘Also, the “relax” phase is just as important as the squeeze. If you don’t fully relax between reps, you risk over-tightening the muscle (hypertonicity), which can cause pelvic pain.’

Is it too late to start penis Kegels?

While there isn’t a specific ‘start date’, the sooner you start these kegels, the better.

‘Muscles naturally weaken with age,’ Dr Ashwin explains.

‘Starting in your 20s or 30s establishes a strong baseline that can prevent incontinence and ED later in life.’

Simon Minty posted an Instagram update confirming his future on Gogglebox after not feeling well, with fans rushing to support the Channel 4 star

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A much-loved Gogglebox star has shared an update on their future on the programme after “not feeling so well”.

Simon Minty first appeared on the long-running Channel 4 show back in 2021, alongside sister Jane – and it didn’t take long for the pair to become firm favourites amongst viewers.

Over the years, Simon and Jane – who are based in Surrey – have had fans in stitches with their witty one-liners and amusing reactions to the week’s television highlights.

Away from the Gogglebox sofa, Jane works as a chef, while Simon, who was born with restricted growth, is a committed disability rights advocate.

The duo have also made their return for the new series of Gogglebox that launched last month, and during Friday’s (April 10) episode the siblings made their comeback following Simon’s bout of illness, reports the Mirror.

On Instagram, the pair shared a photograph of themselves on the sofa. In the caption, Simon wrote: “Gogglebox should be a lot of fun tonight.

“Happy to be back too after not feeling so well. Hope you enjoy it and you have a lovely weekend ahead.”

As anticipated, his followers swiftly flooded the comments section with messages of support. One person said: “Sorry to hear you haven’t been well. Hope you’re feeling much better now.”

Another added: “Pleased to hear you are feeling better x See you both later.” Echoing the sentiment, a third wrote: “Lovely to see my two favourite people back on Gogglebox Hope you’re feeling much better Simon Sending you both much love as always.”

To the delight of fans, Simon and Minty have continued to appear on Gogglebox for a number of years. However, last year, ahead of the 2025 series, it was confirmed that popular favourites Roisin Kelly and Joe Kyle would not be making a return.

Following Roisin and Joe’s exit, Gogglebox introduced a fresh set of faces to its lineup. Among them are Jake and Calum from Glasgow, the Gordon family from Surrey, and married couple Andrew and Alfie from the Cotswolds.

Mother-and-daughter-in-law duo Sara and Lara from Yorkshire also made their first appearance on the show.

Gogglebox airs every Friday at 9pm on Channel 4

The Grand National is the most famous and popular horse race in the calendar, watched by millions and seen as one of the biggest sporting events in the UK. While it is regarded as something of a national institution, it has not been without controversy over the years, with many horse deaths sparking criticism from animal welfare groups.

Changes have been made in recent years to make the race safer, not least a cut in the number of runners from 40 to 34 and an earlier start time of 4pm. The first fence was also moved 60 yards closer to the start, while there is no longer a parade of the field in an effort to keep the horses calmer and the height of the 11th fence has been lowered by two inches to 4ft 10ins. However, the changes have not been enough to prevent more deaths and injuries.

In total, 89 horses have died after being entered in the race. Last year saw Celebre d’Allen die a few days after the main Aintree race after collapsing on the track.

After modifications to the course were introduced in 2012, six horse deaths have occurred, but a total of 65 have died since 2000 across all races at the three-day festival. There were two at this year’s Grand National festival prior to the start of the main race at 4pm on Saturday.

On Friday, Gold Dancer died after picking up a fatal injury on the way to victory in the William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase. It was later revealed the horse broke its back.

Get On George was put down on Saturday shortly after the first televised race of the day.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “We are devastated by Gold Dancer’s death.

Aintree Racecourse issued a statement confirming the news, saying: “The winner of our second race of the day, Gold Dancer, was pulled up after the line and dismounted.

“He was immediately attended to by our expert veterinary team but sadly he could not be saved.

“Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.”

“This is the 42nd fatality linked to competitive horse-racing in the UK this year alone – and it is only April.

“Lessons must be learned from any tragedy like this – around the contributing factors, pre- and mid-race decision-making, and means of prevention.

“We will be speaking with the British Horseracing Authority later today (10 April) to discuss the incident, understand their assessment of what happened, and how it could have been prevented – including an update on the welfare of other horses who are reported to have fallen today.

“The RSPCA continues to engage with the industry in the hope of seeing greater safety measures introduced to the sport, and improvements for equine welfare both on and off the track.”

The number of Grand National race horse deaths since 2000

2025 – 1

2024 – 0

2023 – 3

2022 – 2

2021 – 1

2020 – N/A

2019 – 1

2018 – 0

2017 – 0

2016 – 0

2015 – 0

2014 – 0

2013 – 0

2012 – 2

2011 – 2

2010 – 0

2009 – 1

2008 – 1

2007 – 1

2006 – 1

2005 – 0

2004 – 0

2003 – 1

2002 – 2

2001 – 0

2000 – 0

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s agreement to hand Mauritius the Chagos Islands that are home to a strategic U.K.-American military base is on indefinite hold because U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has withdrawn its support for the deal.

The British government acknowledged Saturday that legislation to ratify the agreement for the islands in the Indian Ocean has run out of time in Parliament.

It’s the latest fallout from souring relations between Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government and the Trump administration.

Trump initially backed the deal, but changed his mind in January, calling a deal to transfer sovereignty of the islands, home to the joint military base on Diego Garcia, “an act of GREAT STUPIDITY” in a social media post.

The U.K. put the bill’s progress on hold, and the government now concedes it will run out of time to become law before the current session of Parliament ends in the next few weeks. It is not expected to be included in the list of bills announced by King Charles III for the next session of Parliament, which begins May 13.

Despite British frustration with the U.S. change of stance, officials still hope the deal can be revived.

“Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for both the U.K. and the U.S.,” the British government said in a statement. “Ensuring its long-term operational security is and will continue to be our priority — it is the entire reason for the deal.

“We continue to believe the agreement is the best way to protect the long-term future of the base, but we have always said we would only proceed with the deal if it has U.S. support. We are continuing to engage with the U.S. and Mauritius.”

Simon McDonald, who was head of Britain’s Foreign Office until 2020, said the government “had no other choice” except to put the deal on ice.

“When the president of the United States is openly hostile, the government has to rethink. So this agreement, this treaty will go into the deep freeze for the time being,” he told the BBC.

The strategic military base in focus

The remote chain of more than 60 islands off the tip of India, south of the Maldives, has been under British control since 1814.

A military base on Diego Garcia, one of the islands, has supported U.S. military operations from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan and as a base for American bombers in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Starmer initially blocked American planes from using British air bases for attacks on Iran. He later agreed to let the United States use bases in England and on Diego Garcia to strike Iran’s missile sites, but not other targets.

Trump has disparaged the United States’ NATO allies for their reluctance to join the war. He derided Starmer last month as “not Winston Churchill” and mocked the Royal Navy.

Starmer’s government says the deal protects the base from international legal challenge. In recent years, the United Nations and its top court have urged Britain to return the islands to Mauritius.

Britain’s opposition Conservative Party and Reform U.K. opposed the agreement, saying giving up the islands puts them at risk of interference by China and Russia. They have pushed the Trump administration to rescind its support.

Islanders who were displaced from Diego Garcia in the 1960s and 1970s to make way for the base say they weren’t consulted and worry the deal will make it harder for them to go home.

An estimated 10,000 displaced Chagossians and their descendants now live primarily in Britain, Mauritius and the Seychelles. Some have fought unsuccessfully in U.K. courts for many years for the right to go home.