Latest news with #ChristmasEve
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jake Delhomme's 51-yard touchdown pass is the Saints Play of the Day
We've reached Day 51 in our countdown to the New Orleans Saints' 2025 season opener, so we're looking back to 1999 for our Saints Play of the Day. A rookie quarterback stunned the Dallas Cowboys in front of a big crowd when Jake Delhomme scored a 51-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eddie Kennison. You can see it for yourself right here. While the Saints jumped out to a surprising 10-0 lead early on, the Cowboys fought back to get ahead 17-10 midway through the third quarter. So imagine their surprise when Delhomme struck back to tie it all up? It was a great throw off of play action, traveling from the New Orleans 41-yard line to the Dallas 19, where Kennison corralled the catch and jogged into the end zone. The Cowboys had Hall of Famers like Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Deion Sanders on their side, and it didn't matter. This is a game we've highlighted before; Saints cornerback Fred Weary picked off Aikman and scored the game-winning touchdown on a Smith fumble recovery. Good on him and Delhomme for making such a difference. This was a big win for a Saints team that really needed it. New Orleans went into the game with a 2-12 record, and this ended up being a great gift for fans on Christmas Eve. They couldn't sustain that success, but with wins so rare in those days, this became an easy rallying point for fans to enjoy late in a lost season.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Mum-of-22 Sue Radford says she'll NEVER meet her biological mother & she had ‘tension' with husband Noel when he met his
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NOEL Radford may have finally met his birth mother, but now, his wife Sue has shared that she will 'never' look for hers. After being given up for adoption at just ten days old, earlier this week, Noel, the 22 Kids & Counting star opened up about meeting his birth mother for the first time. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 As Noel Radford goes on a journey to meet his birth mother, mum-of-22 Sue has claimed that she has no desire to dig deeper into her past Credit: Channel 5 8 But Sue and Noel's "different opinions" has caused "tension" between the parents Credit: Channel 5 8 Noel looking for his birth mother "caused upset for Sue" Credit: Channel 5 8 The Radford dad claimed that the rift between him and Sue has been "upsetting" Credit: PA Noel, now 54, was born on Christmas Eve in 1970 in Stockport, but less than two weeks later he was handed over to his new parents who, he stressed, he will always regard as his mum and dad. But eager to get more answers about his childhood, in scenes that will be aired during the new series of the couple's hit Channel 5 reality series this Sunday, the father of Britain's biggest family enlisted the help of adoption expert Glesni Evans to help seek answers once and for all. However, during the first episode of the latest series of the highly anticipated show, Noel's wife-of-32-years Sue, who turned 50 in March, revealed she has no desire to meet her real parents. In dramatic and emotional scenes of 22 Kids & Counting: Noel's Long Lost Mum, after Noel established contact with his birth mother, old wounds opened for Sue about her own adoption. And not only has it been challenging for the mum-of-22, but it's also caused 'disagreements' between the couple. Sue, who had her first child at the age of 13, admitted: 'It has been quite difficult for me, it has caused a few disagreements between me and Noel. 'We have very different opinions about our birth parents. 'I can't put myself into my birth mother's position because I could never give a child up. 'As a mother, you have that child inside you for nine months, you grow that child and then you give birth to that child and for me, I could never, ever imagine handing that child over.' Having said that, the family's matriarch confessed that her feelings did change slightly after their 17th child, Alfie, was stillborn on 6 July 2014. Emotional moment Noel Radford learns his birth mother has been found - and he has a brother Sue, who was adopted as a baby, continued: 'I didn't feel quite so strongly about not ever finding my birth parents until we did go through the loss of losing Alfie. 'When you do lose a child, you don't have that option, do you? I could never want to find anything out about my birth parents. But that's just how I feel Sue Radford 'You don't have the option to put that child up for adoption, that choice was taken away from you because that child is gone. 'For me, when we lost Alfie, it definitely changed my mindset on adoption.' 'It's difficult' Despite this, Sue, who recently missed her 21-year-old daughter Katie give birth whilst she on holiday in Dubai, added: 'My mum and dad are my mum and dad and that's it. 'I could never want to find anything out about my birth parents. But that's just how I feel, obviously Noel doesn't feel like that.' Meet the Radfords' 22 kids Christopher, 36 The oldest Radford child, Chris works as a glazier and is married to Nicole Spencer. They have three children: Maise-Paige, eight, Jacob, five, and Oakland, three. Sophie Rose, 31 Sophie has her own cleaning company, Time for Sparkle, and shares three children with husband Joseph Bradley: Daisy, 12, Ayprill, 10, and Leo, nine. Chloe Anne, 29 Chloe's a make-up artist and is mum to daughter Milla, two, and son Bodhi, three months, with her boyfriend, Jake Wallace. Jack Richard, 28 Publicity-shy Jack prefers to stay out of the limelight, and hasn't publicly shared his relationship status or career. Daniel Leon, 26 After training to be in the RAF, Daniel had a near-fatal car crash in Bristol, which played out on his parents' TV show. He overcame his subsequent fear of driving in order to emigrate to Australia. Luke James, 24 Luke came out to his parents as bisexual in 2021 - warming viewers' hearts after Sue and Noel attended a Pride festival with him that summer. He works for the family's pie business. Millie Jo, 23 Millie is married to Harley Passmore and is mum to three children: Ophelia, four (from a previous relationship), and Chester, three, and Elodie, one (whom she shares with Harley). Katie Louise, 22 Katie works at a nursery and shares one nine-month-old son, Ronnie, with her boyfriend Connor Carter. James Edward, 21 James is busy working in the family's pie shop and hopes to run it someday. Ellie May, 20 Ellie's training to be a hairdresser, and has also worked part-time in a hotel housekeeping job. Aimee Elizabeth, 19 Aimee's also qualified to be a hairstylist and has famously practised her skills on family members in video clips. Josh Benjamin, 18 According to his parents, Josh was a 'nightmare' at school and he didn't commit to his studies - but that all changed when he found his passion as a sports coach. Max Joseph, 16 Max was diagnosed with autism in 2021, and has since struggled with socialising. Working in the pie shop has apparently helped him. Tillie May, 15 One of Tillie's legs stopped growing when she was just 18 months old, due to an infection. In 2019, she was fitted with a frame to help strengthen the limb, but - last year - it was revealed she'd need further treatment and potential surgery. Oscar Will, 13 Oscar has been described as having 'incredible initiative' at school. Casper Theo, 12 Casper always dreamt of being a footballer, but was gutted on his family's show when he didn't make it into a Premier League club's youth team. Alfie Thomas Alfie would have been the Radfords' 17th child, but he was tragically stillborn at three months. The Radfords refer to him as their 'missing heartbeat'. Hallie Alphia Beau, 10 Hallie's middle name was given in tribute to her late brother, who died just a year before her birth. Phoebe Willow, eight Phoebe has been awarded prizes at school for her achievements, much to her parents' pride. Archie Rowan, seven As the 20th Radford baby, Archie was expected to be the last - marking 'a nice, even number' in Sue's words. Bonnie Raye, six Again, Bonnie was expected to 'finish' the brood, but plans changed. Heidie Rose, five The youngest Radford child, mum Sue has since insisted: 'No, that's it now!' Moments later, Noel, who broke down in tears on the last series, confessed: 'It's tough, I totally get where Sue is coming from, she doesn't want to find her birth mum and I can understand why she doesn't. 'She might not understand why I do quite so much. It's difficult.' In the following scenes, some of the older Radford kids gathered to discuss the growing 'tension' between Noel and Sue. I think there's tension in the sense that there's one person on one side and one on another James Radford Chloe, 29, who recently became a mum-of-two following a 'brutal' birth with her second child, explained: 'When I first found out that dad was reaching out to his birth mum, I didn't really have any concerns or anything about how it would affect us. 'I was more concerned because mum and dad have very different views on meeting their birth parents, so what's gonna happen?' Her younger brother James, 21, then added: 'I think there's tension in the sense that there's one person on one side and one on another. 8 Chloe shared her "concern" about her parents' "different views" Credit: Channel 5 8 Her younger brother James also discussed the "tension" Credit: Channel 5 'I definitely understand why mum feels the way she does. Blood doesn't really matter to mum. 'Dad's quite vulnerable during the whole process…it's concerning. He struggles to process it. I think closure is what dad is looking for. 'I definitely see both sides. I'll support dad doing it and I'll support mum not doing it.' The Radford Family's TV history THE first ever episode of 22 Kids and Counting aired on Channel 5 on 22nd February, 2021. After the first series - which had just four episodes in it - performed well, Channel 5 commissioned a 10-episode second season, which was broadcast in 2022. They went on to commission a third series, which included a Christmas special aired in December 2023. The fourth season began airing in January 2024, but fans were left disappointed when it stopped after six episodes. Sue and Noel reassured viewers that they were just taking a little break, and the next episode will be airing on 21st July. You can catch up on all previous episodes of 22 Kids and Counting on My 5, here. 'Growing tensions' Later in the episode, Noel headed out for a walk by himself, as he admitted: 'There's not just me to think about. It's become difficult in the house now.' Reflecting on recent events, he stressed: 'Me doing this has caused upset for Sue. We can't even talk about it anymore, which is upsetting. It was more of an emotional clash and I totally get why Sue doesn't want to meet her parents and that's fine Noel Radford 'It's a massive thing. To upset Sue along the way is the last thing I want. But I've started this process now. Not only have the couple been open about Noel's search to find his mother on their TV show, but in a recent interview with The Sun, Sue set the record straight and highlighted: 'As far as I am concerned I didn't and still don't want to find my birth mum. "Noel is very different and it's always bothered him. 'It's been hard. We are both adopted and with our different views, we did clash at times.' Following this, Noel reassured: 'There were no headlocks or anything. 'It was more of an emotional clash and I totally get why Sue doesn't want to meet her parents and that's fine.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club 8 Finding his birth mum had "always bothered" Noel Credit: Channel 5
Japan Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
Israeli strike hits Gaza church, killing 3
FILE -Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, Latin parish priest of Gaza Strip, left, prays during the midnight Christmas Eve mass at Deir Al Latin Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City, Dec. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Adel Hana, File) By WAFAA SHURAFA and MELANIE LIDMAN An Israeli shell slammed into the compound of the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing three people and wounding 10 others, including the parish priest, according to church officials. The late Pope Francis, who died in April, had regularly spoken to the priest about the war's toll on civilians. The shelling of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza also damaged the church compound, where hundreds of Palestinians have been sheltering from the 21-month Israel-Hamas war. Israel expressed regret over what it described as an accident and said it was investigating. Pope Leo XIV on Thursday renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in response to the attack. In a telegram of condolences for the victims, Leo expressed 'his profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region.' The pope said he was 'deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack,″ and expressed his closeness to the wounded priest, Rev. Gabriel Romanelli, and the entire parish. President Donald Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express his frustration over the strike on the church, the White House said. Netanyahu later released a statement saying Israel 'deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza's Holy Family Church.' The church compound was sheltering both Christians and Muslims, including a number of children with disabilities, according to Fadel Naem, acting director of Al-Ahli Hospital, which received the casualties. The Catholic charity Caritas Jerusalem said the parish's 60-year-old janitor and an 84-year-old woman receiving psychosocial support inside a Caritas tent in the church compound were killed in the attack. Parish priest Romanelli was lightly wounded. 'We were struck in the church while all the people there were elders, innocent people and children,' said Shady Abu Dawood, whose mother was wounded by shrapnel to her head. 'We love peace and call for it, and this is a brutal, unjustified action by the Israeli occupation.' The Israeli military said it was investigating. It said it 'makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites, and regrets any damage caused to them.' Israel has repeatedly struck schools, shelters, hospitals and other civilian buildings, accusing Hamas militants of sheltering inside and blaming them for civilian deaths. Palestinians say nowhere has felt safe since Israel launched its offensive in response to Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni blamed Israel for the strike on the church. 'The attacks on the civilian population that Israel has been demonstrating for months are unacceptable,' she said. The church is just a stone's throw from Al-Ahli Hospital, Naem said, noting that the area around both the church and the hospital has been repeatedly struck for over a week. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which also has a church in Gaza that previously sustained damage from Israeli strikes, said the Holy Family Church was sheltering 600 displaced people, including many children, and 54 people with disabilities. It said the building suffered significant damage. Targeting a holy site 'is a blatant affront to human dignity and a grave violation of the sanctity of life and the inviolability of religious sites, which are meant to serve as safe havens during times of war,' the Church said in a statement. Separately, another person was killed and 17 wounded Thursday in a strike against two schools sheltering displaced people in the Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, according to Al-Awda Hospital. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the strike. The Gaza Health Ministry said that over the past 24 hours, local hospitals received the bodies of 94 people killed in Israeli strikes and another 367 wounded. In the last 18 months of his life, Francis would often call the lone Catholic church in the Gaza Strip to see how people huddled inside were coping with a devastating war. Francis had repeatedly criticized Israel's wartime conduct, and last year suggested that allegations of genocide in Gaza — which Israel has rejected as a 'blood libel' — should be investigated. The late pope also met with the families of Israeli hostages and called for their release. Only 1,000 Christians live in Gaza, an overwhelmingly Muslim territory, according to the U.S. State Department's international religious freedom report for 2024. Most are Greek Orthodox. The Holy Land's Christian population has dwindled in recent decades as many have emigrated to escape war and conflict or to seek better opportunities abroad. Local Christian leaders have recently denounced attacks by Israeli settlers and Jewish extremists. There has been little visible progress in months of indirect talks between Israel and Hamas aimed at a new ceasefire and hostage release agreement, after Israel ended an earlier truce in March. According to an Israeli official familiar with the details, Israel is showing 'flexibility' on some of the issues that have challenged negotiators, including Israel's presence in some of the security corridors the military has carved into the territory. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were discussing ongoing negotiations, said Israel has shown some willingness to compromise on the Morag Corridor, which cuts across southern Gaza. However, other issues remain, including the list of Palestinian prisoners to be freed by Israel and commitments to end the war. The official says there are signs of optimism but there won't be a deal immediately. Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack and abducted 251 people, most of whom have since been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Fifty hostages are still being held, less than half of them believed to be alive Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed over 58,600 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which has said women and children make up more than half of the dead. It does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its tally. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government but is led by medical professionals. The United Nations and other international organizations consider its figures to be the most reliable count of war casualties. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Dr Upton did not sexually harass Sandie Peggie says official
The senior official at the health board suggested Ms Peggie should have gone to her line manager instead. READ MORE Ms Peggie, an A&E nurse at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, is suing her employer after being suspended following a confrontation with the transgender medic on Christmas Eve 2023. When she entered the changing room and saw Dr Beth Upton, she said, in her view, the medic was a man and should not be in the room. Dr Upton made a formal complaint shortly afterwards. Following their complaint, Ms Peggie was placed on 'special leave' in late December 2023 and suspended in January 2024, pending an investigation into 'alleged unwanted behaviours towards another member of NHS Fife staff'. During the subsequent investigation, Dr Upton made further allegations about Ms Peggie, including a claim she left a patient 'unseen'. All four gross misconduct allegations were dismissed by NHS Fife on Tuesday following an investigation. Ms Malone told the tribunal that Ms Peggie had raised concerns in August 2023 by email. NHS Fife had taken advice at the time, she said, and determined that Dr Upton was entitled to use the female changing room. Ms Malone told the tribunal: 'I find it unacceptable that any colleague would confront another colleague in the manner described. 'I think that was already raised back in August. I wouldn't have expected that to be face-to-face on Christmas Eve.' She added: 'The female changing room was not the right space to raise concerns.' Asked by Ms Peggie's counsel, Naomi Cunningham, whether there was any way for Ms Peggie to express her views about sharing facilities with a trans colleague without facing discipline, Ms Malone said: 'I believe there were other options. She should have taken it to her line manager.' Later, during further questioning, Ms Cunningham asked: 'So it was discriminatory to raise the issue at all?' Ms Malone replied: 'Yes.' The tribunal also heard evidence about the decision to suspend Ms Peggie. Ms Malone said this had followed a risk assessment conducted by the nurse's line manager, Esther Davidson. When asked whether she had seen the risk assessment herself, she said: 'I can't recall.' A document from NHS Fife HR discussed the matter, stating: 'We discussed suspension being last resort and options to mitigate risk… Esther felt it would be almost impossible to keep them apart so spoke to Gillian Malone… she believes there is a patient safety issue due to seriousness of the allegation and therefore wishes to suspend.' Ms Cunningham suggested this showed Ms Malone was 'essentially behind the decision to suspend.'Ms Malone insisted: 'It was Esther who completed the risk assessment.' READ MORE The hearing also raised questions about how the internal investigation was handled, particularly regarding confidentiality. The tribunal heard that on December 29, 2023 — four days before Ms Peggie was suspended — Dr Kate Searle, Dr Upton's line manager, emailed more than 20 NHS consultants with Dr Upton's version of events. Ms Malone said she disagreed with that decision. 'It should not have been handled in that way,' she said. Ms Malone agreed it was inappropriate, though she did not directly respond to a question about whether the 'integrity and confidentiality' of the investigation had been 'hopelessly lost'. Ms Cunningham contrasted this with the treatment of Ms Peggie, suggesting there had been an effort to prevent her from discussing the case or speaking to colleagues who may have shared her concerns. The tribunal was shown an email referencing a July 2024 media inquiry, which although not naming either party, discussed the case in detail. Ms Peggie was later reminded of her duty to maintain confidentiality. Ms Malone rejected that suggestion, saying she did not believe Ms Peggie's gender-critical views were being 'intentionally suppressed'. The tribunal also heard Ms Malone agree that there are two biological sexes and that sex is a 'medically salient fact'. Ms Cunningham asked Ms Malone about a hypothetical male NHS worker called Peter, who walked in on a female colleague changing. She asked the manager if that violated boundaries and if she thought it was an example of sexual harassment. Ms Malone said it was unwanted behaviour and harassment. Ms Cunningham then asked if a male member of staff had installed a webcam in the female changing room, whether that would count as sexual harassment. She said it would and she agreed he would be suspended. Ms Cunningham then asked what would happen if Peter said he was a woman — would the investigator say he was obviously a man and not trying to change? Ms Malone agreed. During re-examination by counsel for NHS Fife, Jane Russell KC, Ms Malone was asked if, based on her knowledge of the allegations on Christmas Eve, she believed Dr Upton had sexually harassed Ms Peggie. The witness said: 'No, I don't believe Dr Upton sexually harassed Ms Peggie. I believe it was unacceptable behaviours, unprofessional behaviours, which warranted investigation.' The tribunal continues.
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Head of nursing ‘can't recall' risk assessment behind Sandie Peggie's suspension
Ms Peggie was suspended after she complained about having to share a changing room with Dr Upton at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife – where they both worked – on Christmas Eve 2023. She was placed on special leave and then suspended after Dr Upton made an allegation of bullying and harassment and cited concerns about 'patient care'. Ms Peggie has lodged a claim against Fife health board and Dr Upton, citing the Equality Act 2010, including sexual harassment; harassment related to a protected belief; indirect discrimination and victimisation. On Thursday, Ms Malone, told the tribunal she perceived a Datix report from January 3, 2024 regarding a conflict on Christmas Eve to be 'a discriminatory allegation'. She said she had no role in the investigation, that she had never met Ms Peggie, and had no awareness of 'tension' between either the nurse or Dr Upton. But she said she was aware of the nurse's concerns due to an email from August 2023. Ms Malone told the tribunal the decision to suspend Ms Peggie was made following a risk assessment carried out by Esther Davidson, the nurse's line manager, however when asked if she had seen the risk assessment, she said: 'I can't recall.' Giving evidence, she said: 'When I read content of Datix I thought the comments were concerning. 'At this time they were allegations, I did believe there was behaviour in there which could constitute bullying and harassment which were of concern and could require investigation.' She added: 'Within original Datix there is a comment that there has been other work-related incidents.' During cross-examination by Ms Peggie's barrister, Naomi Cunningham, Ms Malone – the most senior staff member to appear at the tribunal – said she agrees there are two biological sexes and that sex is a 'medically salient fact'. Ms Cunningham read from an email sent by an HR worker, which said: 'We discussed suspension being last resort and options to mitigate risk… 'Esther felt it would be almost impossible to keep them apart so spoke to Gillian Malone… she believes there is a patient safety issue due to seriousness of the allegation and therefore wishes to suspend.' Sandie Peggie and Dr Beth Upton both worked at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife, at the time (PA) Ms Cunningham said: 'It looks as though you were essentially behind the decision to suspend.' Ms Malone said: 'It was Esther who completed the risk assessment.' She was also asked about an email titled 'Formal Complaint' sent by Dr Upton on June 11. Ms Cunningham then suggested the reason Ms Peggie was suspended was 'because she had told Dr Upton she wasn't happy about him using the women's changing room'. Ms Cunningham said: 'That is the first documentary trace shown to the tribunal of the document 'Formal Complaint' which contains earlier incidents, being passed on to anyone from hospital management at all. Do you say that document was already in the hands of somebody, either as a printed out statement or sent as an email, before June 11?' Ms Malone said: 'I'm not aware of that.' Ms Cunningham said: 'Do you agree that if the tribunal finds that the reason for suspension was about the incident on Christmas Eve and wasn't about the prior allegations relating to patient care, that wasn't sufficient justification for suspension?' Ms Malone said: 'The justification for suspension was based on a risk assessment which wasn't undertaken by me.' Asked to identify what she perceived to be most unacceptable in the allegations made by Dr Upton, Ms Malone replied: 'I find it unacceptable that any colleague would confront another colleague in the manner described.' She added that Ms Peggie should have raised concerns through her line manager rather than 'face-to-face on Christmas Eve'. Ms Cunningham said: 'If the tribunal finds that the claimant didn't ask about his genes, would you say otherwise that was a point she was entitled to make, that he shouldn't be there? If she said to Dr Upton 'I don't think you should be here because you're a man', even if she didn't say anything about chromosomes?' Ms Malone said: 'I think that was already raised back in August, I wouldn't have expected that to be face-to-face on Christmas Eve.' Ms Cunningham added: 'I'm suggesting that by challenging Dr Upton's presence in the changing room she was complaining he was harassing her; it was her rejection of that harassment which gave rise also to the disciplinary and suspension, it was her refusal to tolerate what he was doing.' Ms Malone said: 'It was the manner in which she raised it.' The tribunal continues.
