BALLOUNEH, Lebanon (AP) — Before becoming one of the Middle East’s most acclaimed cooks and food writers, Anissa Helou had no intention of either path. She entered the world of cooking and writing almost by accident when she was in her late 30s.

Now 74, Helou has a wide following in the region and elsewhere and has released nearly a dozen books since the 1990s about food in the Middle East and beyond. Last month she received Britain’s prestigious Guild of Food Writers Lifetime Achievement Award.

The daughter of a Lebanese mother and a Syrian father, Helou was born into a Christian family and grew up watching her mother, grandmother and paternal aunt cooking. It opened her eyes to the food traditions of the two countries, both widely known in the region for their varied and flavorful cuisine.

“I was always fascinated by the kitchen, by their movements (and) by how they put things together, by the chopping,” Helou said about her mentors. “I love being in the kitchen with them and of course I loved eating.”

Helou’s latest book, “Lebanon: Cooking the Foods of My Homeland,” was officially released in late June in Beirut in a ceremony at Lebanon’s Tourism Ministry attended by scores of people including food critics and restaurant owners.

An homage to the cuisine of Lebanon’s war-battered south

The book, which comes as the country has been battered by two wars in the past three years between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group, includes a section about food in some of the southern Lebanese villages that have suffered the worst destruction.

During her repeated visits there, most recently in October 2023, she found residents had their own regional variations of traditional cuisine. They include mujadara, a dish mainly consisting of lentils that is often cooked with rice, but in southern Lebanon is more likely to be made with bulgur.

“I discovered more, like, variations and added dishes, rather than something that was a complete revelation,” Helou said.

She has picked walnuts from a tree growing along the giant wall separating southern Lebanon from northern Israel and met residents who have lost their homes and businesses in the Hezbollah-Israel conflict.

Helou recalled Moussa Ibrahim from the southern village of Dibbine, which has been the site of intense clashes between Israel troops and Hezbollah fighters. Fighting there in 2024 caused Ibrahim to lose his business producing mouneh: vegetables, fruits, grains and dairy preserved with traditional Lebanese techniques including sun-drying, salting, pickling or submerging in olive oil.

Representing the Middle East and Muslims through recipes

Helou, who has traveled the world to sample food, said she loves Korean and Japanese in addition to Middle Eastern cuisine.

“Lebanese, Iranian and Moroccan are among the greatest cuisines,” Helou said earlier this month in her late mother’s apartment in the Mount Lebanon town of Ballouneh.

“Lebanese cuisine is kind of a little bit more sophisticated, a lot fresher, more vibrant” compared with some other Middle East food, Helou said as she prepared a traditional Lebanese lamb confit called awarma.

Famed for its centuries-old covered market, which was badly damaged during Syria’s civil war beginning in March 2011, Aleppo is known for varied and elaborate cuisine with influences from Persia, North Africa and Armenia.

“I think that Aleppo is undoubtedly the gastronomic capital of the Middle East, regardless of me being Syrian,” she said.

Global anti-Islamic sentiments rose dramatically after the Islamic State group took large parts of Syria and Iraq and declared a caliphate in 2014, launching deadly attacks in the region and the world.

Helou responded with a book of about 300 recipes of dishes from Muslim countries.

“I was thinking, one way of presenting Islam and Muslim people positively could be through their foods,” she said.

Starting late in the world of cooking

Helou, who left Lebanon at the age of 21, holds citizenship in Lebanon, Syria and the United Kingdom and has spent much of her time in Britain and Italy. She still regularly visits Lebanon, cooking and asking people how they make specific dishes.

Helou refused to cook for years while she was a young woman and told her partner at the time not to expect her to make meals.

“I didn’t want to be domesticated. I was like a feminist and so I didn’t cook for a very long time,” she said.

One day a friend prepared a meal at their home and Helou saw the happiness it gave her partner, prompting her to think she should start cooking.

Her decision to become a food writer came in 1992 when a discussion with a group of Lebanese living abroad gave Helou the idea of filling a gap in Lebanese cookbooks with a collection of her mother’s recipes. As it happened, there was a publisher looking for someone to write such a book.

“That’s how I started, by sheer coincidence,” Helou said.

The plans were submitted to the council in June 2026

Plans could see an office building in a Cambridgeshire city converted into apartments, if approved. A proposal has been submitted to Peterborough City Council requesting permission to convert Blenheim Court in Peppercorn Close, Peterborough.

The plans would see the building become 20 apartments made up of 10 studios and 10 one-bedroom apartments. The change of use application, if approved, would turn the building from commercial use to residential use.

The proposal was submitted by applicant Shaz Nawaz last month. The application states: “The project is the change of use from commercial office space to residential dwelling houses (apartments). The site comprises of two office units, 05 & 06 Blenheim Court.

“Each unit will have 10 individual self contained apartments (5 studios and 5 one bed apartments), total 20 apartments across both office units.”

The site offers vehicle access and 20 parking spaces split evenly between the two sites, which the applicant said is “enough to cover the proposed 20 residential units”. The site lies within flood zone one, the lowest level and so has no known flood risks, the applicant claims.

The site is located nearby to amenities such as Maskew Retail Park and Boulevard Retail Park and a range of restaurants including Subway and The Lounge. Queensgate Shopping Centre is also just a short drive away.

The city council will now consider whether the plans can be approved.

Need to know

England booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a victory over Mexico

Everything you need to know about England’s potential World Cup schedule

1. Round of 16 result against Mexico: England booked their place in the quarter-finals after claiming a dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico in the round of 16. Jude Bellingham grabbed a quickfire brace, and Harry Kane converted a vital penalty to ensure the side defeated the host nation within normal time, despite Jarell Quansah receiving a red card in the second half.
2. Upcoming Norway fixture: The Three Lions are now gearing up to take on an Erling Haaland-led Norway in their pivotal quarter-final encounter. The Manchester City forward bagged a brace to guide Norway past five-time champions Brazil 2-1 and secure their hard-earned place in the last eight.
3. Quarter-final schedule: This eagerly awaited quarter-final against Norway is set for Saturday, July 11. In the UK, the match will be a 10pm kick-off, taking place at the spectacular Miami Stadium in Florida.
4. Semi-final schedule: Should England overcome their quarter-final challenge, they will contest their semi-final fixture on Wednesday, July 15. The match will begin at 8pm and require the squad to head back to the Atlanta Stadium.
5. Potential semi-final opponents: A triumph over Norway would arrange a challenging semi-final against another side in the knockout bracket. Their possible rivals at this point include Argentina, Egypt, Switzerland or Colombia.
6. Final schedule: If England reach the final, the match will be played on Sunday, July 19. The showpiece occasion will kick off at 8pm at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
7. Potential final opponents: Making it to the final would mean facing a formidable side that has battled through the other half of the knockout bracket. Among the possible opponents standing in the way of the ultimate prize are France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, the USA or Belgium.

READ MORE: Where can I watch England vs Mexico World Cup highlights this morning?

England’s 2026 World Cup kits

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A manhunt has been launched for a father convicted of causing the death of his seven-month-old daughter in a drink-driving crash after he failed to appear for his trial and sentencing.

Police are appealing for information to trace Emmanuel Sakyi, 31, from Milton Keynes, who was convicted in his absence of causing death by dangerous driving and jailed for 15 years.

The renewed appeal comes after officers arrested a 40-year-old woman on suspicion of assisting an offender as part of efforts to locate Sakyi. She has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Sakyi disappeared before proceedings at Aylesbury Crown Court and remains on the run.

The case relates to a crash on December 4, 2022, when Sakyi drove his grey Peugeot 508 on the wrong side of the road between Bond Avenue roundabout and Fenny Lock roundabout in Milton Keynes.

He was more than two-and-a-half times the legal drink-drive limit when his car collided head-on with a Fiat 500.

His daughter, Emmanuela, who was just seven months old, suffered fatal injuries.

Prosecutors said she was not properly secured in a suitable child seat at the time of the collision.

Sakyi was driving his grey Peugeot 508 on the wrong side of the road between Bond Avenue roundabout and Fenny Lock roundabout in Milton Keynes and was more than two-and-a-half times the legal drink-drive limit when his vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with a Fiat 500

After the crash, Sakyi fled the scene on foot before he was later arrested by police.

However, he failed to appear for his trial and sentencing, leading to his conviction in his absence and the launch of an ongoing manhunt.

As part of the renewed appeal, Thames Valley Police has released collision reconstruction footage and images of the crash in an effort to help locate him and highlight the consequences of dangerous and drink-driving.

Sakyi is described as a Black man of medium build with black hair and brown eyes. He is around 5ft 3in tall.  

Detective Inspector Justin Thomas, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: ‘Nearly four years ago, seven-month-old Emmanuela lost her life because her father chose to drink-drive. Emmanuel Sakyi should be behind bars. Instead, he remains at large.

‘We have made an arrest and are continuing our enquiries to locate Sakyi, but we still need the public’s help.

‘We are releasing the collision reconstruction footage and damage to Sakyi’s car today to demonstrate the catastrophic consequences of the choices he made that day. Emmanuela’s death was entirely preventable.

‘Her mother, Ruth Oppong, aged 34, was sentenced to one year and nine months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, following a trial at Aylesbury Crown Court after being convicted of aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving and causing unnecessary suffering or injury to a child.

‘We know there are people within the community who know where Sakyi is or have information that could help us find him.

‘I would urge anybody who is assisting him, harbouring him, or helping him evade justice to consider the seriousness of this case and do the right thing.

‘Emmanuela lost her life and Sakyi has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment. Our determination to locate him has not diminished.

‘We hope those who knew Emmanuela, and those who have followed this case, will help us ensure that justice is served.

‘If you know where Sakyi is, or have any information which could assist our investigation, please contact Thames Valley Police.’

Anyone with information about Sakyi’s whereabouts should call 101 or make a report online, quoting reference 20260622-2396.

Police are advising the public that if they see Sakyi, they should not approach him and instead call 999 immediately.

Information can also be provided anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.

Historic Market Weighton sits roughly half-way between York and Hull and on the site of Roman trade routes.

Today, its traditional high street bustles with independent shops, cafes, pubs and local trades.

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The town is a perfect refuelling stop for those walking the Yorkshire Wolds Way, a 79‑mile National Trail that follows the gentle chalk hills of the Yorkshire Wolds from Hessle on the Humber Estuary to Filey Brigg on the North Sea coast.

At less than half-way into the traditionally followed route from the shadow of the Humber Bridge, the town is marked by a small detour off the main A1079 York to Hull road.

The Londesborough Arms in the centre of Market Weighton began life in the late 18th century as The Devonshire Arms, an old coaching inn built around the 1780s for the 5th Duke of Devonshire and connected with the nearby Londesborough estate (Image: Kevin Glenton)

This scenic East Yorkshire town in the Vale of York is loved by visitors who pass through – even if some say its name wrong.

The name as read causes confusion and many newcomers ask how to say it, much as they do the village of Sleights in North Yorkshire.

For the avoidance of doubt, the proper local pronunciation is Market WEE-ton, or even WEE-tn, but not the commonly mispronounced “Market WEIGH-ton, or WAY-ton”, due to the spelling.

The proper local pronunciation is Market WEE-TON, or WEE-TN (Image: Kevin Glenton)

Market Weighton’s history was detailed in the Domesday Book of 1086 before which it was known as Wictsun.

The town acquired the “Market” tag later, when a charter was granted in 1251, after which it grew into a robust trading hub, particularly for sheep.

William “Giant” Bradley, born in Market Weighton in 1787, was the tallest recorded British man and is still celebrated in his hometown with a statue, heritage trail and Giant Bradley Day. (Image: Kevin Glenton)

The town’s most famous resident is William “Giant” Bradley, born in Market Weighton in 1787.

The “Yorkshire Giant” was Britain’s tallest recorded man and is immortalised with a statue in the town centre, a bypass on the A1079 is named after him and the town continues to proudly host the well-liked Giant Bradley Day annually.

This year’s event is on Sunday July 12 in Market Weighton’s High Street.

Ofsted highlighted that ‘each pupil is supported to feel valued as part of this inclusive and caring community’

A Huntingdon school has been praised by Ofsted in its latest Ofsted report. St Peter’s School on St Peter’s Road received a rating of ‘expected standard’ across all areas assessed.

The report, published on Friday, July 3, recognises significant improvements across the school, and was rated ‘expected standard’ in seven areas. These are: achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance, personal development and wellbeing and post 16 provision.

The inspection, in May, highlighted a calmer, more purposeful learning environment and strong relationships between staff and pupils. The school, part of The CAM Academy Trust, which caters to ages 11 through to 18, was also praised for its inclusive ethos, with inspectors noting that pupils feel safe, supported and valued as members of the school community.

Emma Butler, Principal of St Peter’s School, said: “This report reflects the hard work and commitment of our whole school community. I am incredibly proud of our staff and our pupils.

“The improvements recognised by Ofsted are the result of a shared determination to provide the very best for every young person. We know there is more to do, but we are absolutely committed to continuing this journey.”

The education watchdog said: “Each pupil is supported to feel valued as part of this inclusive and caring community. Pupils grow to become confident, capable and compassionate young people.”

The inspection found that pupils demonstrate “growing confidence in applying key knowledge and skills” and they are “well prepared for their next stages of education, employment or training”.

Claire Heald, CEO of The CAM Academy Trust, said that this was a “very positive outcome” for the school and “reflects the strength of leadership and the dedication of staff”. She added: “The report recognises a school that is inclusive, ambitious and firmly focused on ensuring every pupil succeeds. We look forward to continuing to build on this strong foundation.”

The Guardian, external leads on the government crackdown on large political donations, as Nigel Farage faces further allegations of breaking Parliamentary rules in relation to gifts he received from a convicted fraudster. The Daily Mirror’s headline reads “Farage and the con’s cash”. The Daily Express, external quotes the Reform UK leader on its front page, who described the allegations as a “hit job”, saying he had done nothing wrong.

Dementia patients are being “cast aside” and treated as “second-class citizens”, according to the Daily Mail, external. Its report quotes the head of the Alzheimer’s Society, who claims patients are being sent home by the NHS with little more than an information leaflet. The Department for Health told the paper it wanted everyone affected by what it called the “devastating condition” to access high-quality, personalised support.

The Daily Telegraph, external says President Trump has warned Nato allies to step up defence spending “immediately”, or face the consequences. On the eve of a summit in Ankara, the US has complained that many countries are “lagging behind”, according to the paper. The Times, external says Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to face a rebuke from the President over his defence spending plans.

Financial regulators are warning of an “arms race” to keep up with the use of Artificial Intelligence in the sector, according to a report in the Financial Times, external. It says the Financial Conduct Authority is calling for greater powers to stay on top of the rapid growth of AI.

The sale of the weight-loss drug, Wegovy, at pharmacies from today leads the i Paper, external, but the paper says it is unlikely to be available for free on the NHS for another two years. It says pharmacies have warned there is already “huge demand” for the drug, with one online chemist pre-approving 10-thousand customers.

England’s late World Cup kick-off proved difficult for some of the papers. The Sun’s , externalfront-page admitted the game was on so late it couldn’t bring readers the score, instead asking “how’s the hangover?”, with a number of pubs staying open until just a few hours ago. The Daily Star , externaltakes a similar approach. “Hangover of God” reads its headline, a nod to Diego Maradona’s famous hand of god goal against England 40 years ago.

Around 1.4 million people from the subcontinent – now India, Pakistan and Bangladesh – are known to have served in the British Indian Army in WW1.

In the years that followed the war, officials visited every town and village in Punjab in an effort to record the names and fates of each of the 320,000 servicemen who came from that state alone.

Following India’s partition in 1947 the state of Punjab was split between India and Pakistan.

Scores of cracked, fragile, leather-bound volumes filled with hand-written records, and each embossed with a village name, now line shelves at the Lahore Museum in Pakistan.

Members of the UK Punjab Heritage Association initiated the project to digitise and analyse the records, a process that has taken several years.

“As a Punjabi myself I feel really proud that I can do this part for the community,” says Jasmin Basra, a PhD student at the University of Greenwich, who participated in the pain-staking research.

During the process, Basra unexpectedly stumbled across the names of two of her own relatives, a great-great-grandfather and his brother, who also served in WW1 fighting for the British Indian Army.

“That connection was emotional. As a second-generation British Punjabi, there is almost a disconnect from Punjab as well as not being fully connected to British history, but I think this is a tangible link to all of it,” she says.

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.