News
Iconic Photos of Messi and Baby Lamine Yamal Resurface
In 2007, a young Lionel Messi participated in a charity calendar photoshoot at Camp Nou in Barcelona, posing with a baby in the dressing room. At 20 years old, Messi was already establishing himself as a football prodigy, destined to become one of the greatest players of all time. However, the baby he held that day would also make a significant impact in international football less than 17 years later.
The baby, now 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, has been making headlines at the European Championships. His goal against France in the semi-final on Tuesday is being hailed as legendary, making him the youngest scorer in the tournament’s history at 16 years and 362 days.
The photo of Messi and Yamal recently resurfaced when Yamal’s father posted it on Instagram with the caption: “The beginning of two legends.” The photos were taken by Joan Monfort, a freelance photographer for the Associated Press, as part of a UNICEF raffle in the town of Mataró, where Yamal’s family lived.
“They signed up for the raffle to have their picture taken at the Camp Nou with a Barça player. And they won the raffle,” Monfort told the Associated Press.
The photoshoot was challenging. “Messi is a pretty introverted guy, he’s shy,” Monfort recalled. “He was coming out of the locker room and suddenly he finds himself in another locker room with a plastic tub full of water and a baby in it. It was complicated. He didn’t even know how to hold him at first.”
Following in Messi’s footsteps, Yamal has joined Barcelona, becoming the club’s youngest ever starter and goalscorer, as well as the youngest scorer in the Spanish league. Monfort only realized the baby was Yamal when the photo went viral last week.
“It’s very exciting to be associated with something that has caused such a sensation,” Monfort said.
In a devastating incident in eastern India, at least 46 people, including 37 children and seven women, have drowned while celebrating the Hindu Jivitputrika festival. The fatalities, which occurred across 15 districts within the past 24 hours, resulted from victims ritually bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent flooding.
The three-day festival, which honors children’s wellbeing, is traditionally marked by mothers fasting and families participating in ritual baths. This year, the swollen water bodies, exacerbated by recent floods, have turned the celebratory ritual into a deadly disaster.
Local disaster management officials have expressed fears that the death toll could rise further. State authorities have promised compensation for the families and relatives of the victims.
Fatal accidents during religious festivals are not uncommon in India, where large gatherings often take place with insufficient safety measures. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such gatherings, especially during adverse weather conditions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted airstrikes in Beirut, reportedly killing Mohammad Hussein Surur, a senior Hezbollah air unit leader. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed two deaths and 15 injuries from the attack. The strikes come amid escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire throughout the night and into the morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the IDF would continue to fight “with full force” against Hezbollah, aiming to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group. This marks a significant intensification of hostilities between the two sides, which have been exchanging rockets and airstrikes for days. The Lebanese health ministry also reported that 28 people were killed today by Israeli airstrikes.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched 80 missiles targeting northern Israeli cities, including Safed. Israeli authorities have reported no casualties but noted significant property damage in Safed and Rosh Pina.
Amid the intensifying conflict, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin renewed calls for a diplomatic solution. The U.S., along with 11 other allied nations, has urged both Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a ceasefire to prevent further escalation and civilian casualties.
Ferry travel between the Isle of Man and Lancashire continues to face disruption due to strong winds over the Irish Sea. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has cancelled Thursday’s 08:45 BST sailing of the Manxman to Heysham and its scheduled 14:15 return journey. This follows the cancellation of the vessel’s return trip from the Lancashire port on Wednesday evening.
The disruptions have affected postal services, with the Isle of Man Post Office reporting delays in deliveries from the UK. While local deliveries within the island remain unaffected, items posted on Wednesday for UK delivery may not reach Royal Mail’s network in time for Friday delivery.
Additionally, the ferry cancellations have caused a delay in newspaper deliveries, with no papers available on the island on Thursday, as confirmed by the island’s wholesale distributor.
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