MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez was carried off on a stretcher with a left leg injury during Manchester United’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Martinez sustained the injury as he stretched to make a challenge on Palace forward Ismaila Sarr in the 76th minute.
The 27-year-old Martinez was in tears as he left the field at Old Trafford to applause from United fans.
United was losing the game 1-0 at the time.
Martinez had an injury-hit campaign last season, including time out with knee ligament damage.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was seen in tears as he was carried off the field on a stretcher after suffering a knee injury during a match.
The Argentine center-back had been an integral part of the team’s defense this season, and his absence will surely be felt in the upcoming games. Martinez’s emotional reaction to the injury was evident as he was being taken off the pitch, with teammates and fans showing their support for him.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expressed his concern for Martinez, stating that the severity of the injury was still unknown but that the club would do everything possible to support him in his recovery.
The news of Martinez’s injury has left fans devastated, as they had grown fond of the defender’s passion and commitment on the field. The team will now have to regroup and find a way to cope with his absence as they continue their season.
Our thoughts are with Lisandro Martinez as he begins his journey towards recovery, and we hope to see him back on the pitch stronger than ever.
The airline carried more than 2.2 million passengers in December 2024.
Cathay Pacific and HK Express carried a combined total of more than 28 million passengers for the whole of 2024, reflecting a 30.7% year-on-year (YoY) increase.
The airline carried a total of 2.24 million passengers in December 2024, a YoY increase of 26.4%. The month’s revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) also increased by 27.9% YoY.
Passenger load factor climbed by 3.6 percentage points to 84.8%, whilst available seat kilometres (ASKs) increased YoY by 22.5%.
Meanwhile, Cathay Cargo carried a total of 1.5 million tonnes of cargo during 2024, which was 11% higher than 2023.
In December 2024, the airline carried 143,564 tonnes of cargo marking an increase of 11.7%. The month’s cargo revenue tonne kilometres inched up 6.5% YoY. The cargo load factor increased by 61.4%, whilst available cargo tonne kilometres grew by 5.5% YoY.
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Cathay Pacific’s carried passengers jumps 30% YoY in 2024
Cathay Pacific, one of the leading airlines in Asia, has reported a significant increase in the number of passengers carried in 2024. According to the latest data, the airline saw a 30% year-on-year jump in the number of passengers flying with them.
This impressive growth can be attributed to several factors, including the easing of travel restrictions, increased demand for air travel, and the airline’s commitment to providing exceptional service to its passengers. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, Cathay Pacific has managed to attract more passengers and maintain its position as a preferred choice for travelers.
The airline’s strong performance in 2024 is a testament to its resilience and ability to adapt to changing market conditions. With a focus on safety, comfort, and customer satisfaction, Cathay Pacific continues to be a top choice for travelers looking for a reliable and convenient flying experience.
As travel restrictions continue to ease and demand for air travel rebounds, Cathay Pacific is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing opportunities in the aviation industry. With its commitment to excellence and dedication to customer service, the airline is set to continue its growth trajectory in the coming years.
Cathay Pacific carried 143,564 tonnes of cargo in December 2024, an increase of 11.7 percent compared with December 2023.
The December 2024 cargo revenue tonne kilometres (RFTKs) increased 6.5 percent year on year, cargo load factor increased by 0.6 percentage points to 61.4 percent and available cargo tonne kilometres (AFTKs) increased by 5.5 percent year on year, says an official release.
For CY2024, cargo carried increased 11 percent year-on-year to 1.5 million tonnes with RFTKs up five percent and capacity up 8.6 percent.
“For cargo, the healthy market momentum seen in previous months continued into December, resulting in the highest tonnage of any month in 2024,” says Lavinia Lau, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, Cathay Pacific. “Demand for e-commerce shipments from Hong Kong and the rest of the Greater Bay Area remained robust during the year-end festive season. We also saw significant demand for perishables and seasonal produce from the South West Pacific and the Americas to Hong Kong and other parts of Asia.
“Meanwhile, we observed an increase in tonnage of our Cathay Expert solution arising from the movement of machinery and engines, particularly from North Asia.”
Outlook “In terms of cargo, we anticipate demand to be softer during the first half of January before picking up again towards the Lunar New Year holiday.
“Looking ahead, we remain firmly focused on further strengthening Hong Kong’s status as a leading international aviation hub, adding more flights and destinations for both passengers and cargo customers,” adds Lau.
Cathay Pacific’s cargo business saw a significant increase in demand during the month of December, with a 12% rise in volumes carried. This spike in cargo shipments can be attributed to the growing popularity of e-commerce, which has driven up the need for efficient and reliable shipping services.
The airline’s cargo division, Cathay Pacific Cargo, has been working tirelessly to meet the surge in demand, ensuring that packages are delivered in a timely manner and with the utmost care. With the holiday season in full swing, more and more consumers are turning to online shopping, further fueling the need for reliable cargo services.
Cathay Pacific’s ability to adapt to the changing landscape of the industry and meet the needs of its customers has positioned it as a leader in the cargo business. As e-commerce continues to grow, the airline is well-equipped to handle the increasing demand and provide top-notch service to its clients.
Overall, the 12% increase in cargo volumes carried by Cathay Pacific in December is a testament to the airline’s commitment to excellence and its ability to thrive in a rapidly evolving market.
Tags:
Cathay Pacific Cargo, e-commerce demand, air freight growth, Cathay Pacific e-commerce shipping, cargo industry trends, air cargo statistics, Cathay Pacific cargo services, e-commerce logistics, air freight market analysis
French aircraft have bombed Islamic State positions in Syria, the country’s defence minister Sebastien Lecornu has announced.
The strikes are the first on Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
“Our armed forces remain engaged in battling terrorism in the Levant,” Lecornu posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, while on a New Year visit to French UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.
“On Sunday, French air assets carried out targeted strikes against Daesh on Syrian soil,” he added, using the Arabic name for IS.
The defence ministry told AFP that France’s Rafale fighter jets and US-made Reaper drones “dropped a total of seven bombs on two military targets belonging to Daesh in central Syria”.
France has belonged to the Inherent Resolve international coalition against IS since 2014 for Iraq and 2015 for Syria.
French troops involved in the operations are based in the region, including in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
As Assad’s fall to a shock offensive by Syrian rebels led by a radical Sunni group rapidly reshapes the country, observers fear space could be left for IS to regather its strength.
The group has survived in both Iraq and Syria despite the destruction of its so-called caliphate that lasted from 2014-19.
Washington said in mid-December that it had doubled American troop numbers fighting jihadists in Syria, to about 2,000.
Its Central Command – responsible for the Middle East – said it wanted to ensure that IS “does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria”.
Key events
Summary
As the time approaches 3pm in Tel Aviv, Israel, here’s a roundup of today’s news in the Middle East.
A UN report has said Israel’s attacks on hospitals in and around Gaza have led the area’s healthcare system to the brink of “total collapse”. The UN Human Rights Office says its report raises concerns about how much Israel is complying with international law.
Meanwhile The head of Unrwa – the UN agency for aid in Gaza – Philippe Lazzarini says “horrors continue unabated” 15 months since the war broke out between Israel and Gaza, triggered by the Hamas terror attack.
More than 250 members of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (Unrwa) had been killed since the start of the conflict, and more than two-thirds of Unrwa buildings have been damaged or destroyed, he said.
The president of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, Ola Awad, said the Gaza Strip’s economy crumbled this year during the continued Israeli operations in the territory.
Palestinian news agency Wafa reported: “By the end of 2024, estimates indicate that the unprecedented sharp contraction in the GDP in the Gaza Strip will continue by more than 82%, accompanied by an increase in the unemployment rate to 80%.”
The Palestinian Civil Defence agency said it has received hundreds of distress calls from displaced people whose tents and shelters have been flooded by rainwater after heavy rain.
Palestinian health authorities say 45 people have been evacuated from the Gaza Strip for general hospital treatment in the United Arab Emirates. They include a 10-year-old boy suffering from kidney failure.
French aircraft have bombed Islamic State positions in Syria, the country’s defence minister Sebastien Lecornu has announced. The strikes are the first on Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
Syria’s new rulers have confirmed the appointment of Murhaf Abu Qasra as defence minister in the new interim government, according to a statement released on Tuesday.
The new Syrian government has reportedly appointed former foreign fighters to its armed forces, Reuters has reported.
The new figures include Uyghurs, a Jordanian and a Turk as Damascus tries to shape a patchwork of rebel groups into a professional military, two Syrian sources told the news agency.
Israel has warned Yemen’sHouthi rebels that they face the same “miserable fate” as Hamas and Hezbollah if they continue with rocket attacks.
Gaza’s healthcare system on brink of ‘total collapse’, says UN report
A UN report has said Israel’s attacks on hospitals in and around Gaza have led the area’s healthcare system to the brink of “total collapse”.
The report by the UN Human Rights Office, titled Attacks on hospitals during the escalation of hostilities in Gaza, examines attacks between October 2023 and June 2024 and said successive attacks raise “serious concerns” about the extent to which Israel is complying with international law.
It says there had been 136 strikes on 27 hospitals and 12 other medical facilities, leading to “significant” casualties among doctors, nurses, medics and other civilians.
It warns that under international law, the “deliberate” destruction of healthcare facilities may constitute a war crime.
The UN high commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said it had led to hospitals becoming a “death trap”.
He said: “As if the relentless bombing and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza were not enough, the one sanctuary where Palestinians should have felt safe in fact became a death trap. The protection of hospitals during warfare is paramount and must be respected by all sides, at all times.
“This report graphically details the destruction of the healthcare system in Gaza, and the extent of killing of patients, staff, and other civilians in these attacks in blatant disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law.”
France bombs Islamic State targets in Syria
French aircraft have bombed Islamic State positions in Syria, the country’s defence minister Sebastien Lecornu has announced.
The strikes are the first on Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
“Our armed forces remain engaged in battling terrorism in the Levant,” Lecornu posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, while on a New Year visit to French UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.
“On Sunday, French air assets carried out targeted strikes against Daesh on Syrian soil,” he added, using the Arabic name for IS.
The defence ministry told AFP that France’s Rafale fighter jets and US-made Reaper drones “dropped a total of seven bombs on two military targets belonging to Daesh in central Syria”.
France has belonged to the Inherent Resolve international coalition against IS since 2014 for Iraq and 2015 for Syria.
French troops involved in the operations are based in the region, including in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
As Assad’s fall to a shock offensive by Syrian rebels led by a radical Sunni group rapidly reshapes the country, observers fear space could be left for IS to regather its strength.
The group has survived in both Iraq and Syria despite the destruction of its so-called caliphate that lasted from 2014-19.
Washington said in mid-December that it had doubled American troop numbers fighting jihadists in Syria, to about 2,000.
Its Central Command – responsible for the Middle East – said it wanted to ensure that IS “does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria”.
Gaza Strip’s economy collapsed in 2024 amid Israeli bombardment, says Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
The president of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, Ola Awad, said the Gaza Strip’s economy crumbled this year during the continued Israeli operations in the territory.
According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, Awad said there had also been a sharp decline in the productivity in the West Bank.
Wafa reported: “By the end of 2024, estimates indicate that the unprecedented sharp contraction in the GDP in the Gaza Strip will continue by more than 82%, accompanied by an increase in the unemployment rate to 80%.”
The West Bank’s economy shrunk by more than 19%, with unemployment now standing at more than 35%.
Among the sectors affected were external trade, construction and industry.
Palestinian health authorities say 45 people have been evacuated from the Gaza Strip for hospital treatment in the United Arab Emirates.
They left the European hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis early on Tuesday, Associated Press reports, and travelled through the Kerem Shalom Crossing into Israel.
The patients are accompanied by over 100 of their relatives, according to the hospital.
Among them was a 10-year-old boy, Abdullah Abu Yousef, suffering from kidney failure. The child was accompanied by his sister after the Israeli authorities rejected his mother’s application to join him. Israel says it screens escorts for security.
“The boy is sick,” said his mother, Abeer Abu Yousef. “He requires hemodialysis three to four days a week.”
The Health Ministry says several thousand Palestinians in Gaza need medical treatment abroad.
Israel has controlled all entry and exit points since capturing the southern city of Rafah in May.
Israel’s offensive, launched after Hamas’ attack in October 2023 has gutted the territory’s health care system and forced most of its hospitals to close.
Those that remain open are only partially functioning.
Syria’s new rulers have confirmed the appointment of Murhaf Abu Qasra as defence minister in the new interim government, according to a statement released on Tuesday.
Reuters had initially reported the appointment of Abu Qasra, a leading figure in the insurgency which toppled Bashar al-Assad, on 21 December after speaking to an official source.
‘Horrors continue unabated’ in Gaza 15 months after conflict started, says head of Unrwa
The head of the UN aid agency for Gaza said “horrors continue unabated” 15 months since the war broke out between Israel and Gaza, triggered by the Hamas terror attack.
Philippe Lazzarini said more than 250 members of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (Unrwa) had been killed since the start of the conflict, and that more than two-thirds of Unrwa buildings have been damaged or destroyed.
Lazzarini, in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, said at least 20 Unrwa staff are in Israeli prisons. Those who have been released have reported “mistreatment, humiliation and torture”, he said.
He added: “I reiterate my call for independent investigations into the systematic disregard for the protection of humanitarian workers, premises and operations. This cannot become the new standard and impunity cannot become the new norm.”
He called for the release of all detained humanitarian staff, and hostages, and for Israel to facilitate humanitarian access and lift the “siege” on Gaza.
The Palestinian Civil Defence agency said it has received hundreds of distress calls from displaced people whose tents and shelters have been flooded by rainwater after heavy rain.
“Our crews can only evacuate citizens from their damaged shelters to other places that are mostly unsuitable to shelter, and they remain in the open – under the rain and bitter cold,” it said on Telegram, Al Jazeera reports.
“We appeal to people of conscience to rush to save these families and help them move to suitable shelters that protect them from rainwater,” it added.
The statement added that displaced people in the refugee camps in central Gaza City, al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, Rafah and western Deir el-Balah, in particular, need help.
UN agencies estimate that some 1.6 million people in Gaza are living in makeshift shelters that do not protect them from the cold of winter, with nearly half a million in flood-prone areas.
On Monday Reuters reported a baby had died in a tent amid freezing temperatures and heavy rain. His brother was being treated in intensive care.
The new Syrian government has reportedly appointed former foreign fighters to its armed forces, Reuters has reported.
The new figures include Uyghurs, a Jordanian and a Turk as Damascus tries to shape a patchwork of rebel groups into a professional military, two Syrian sources told the news agency.
The move to give official roles, including senior ones, to jihadists may alarm some foreign governments and Syrian citizens fearful about the new Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) administration’s intentions, despite its pledges not to export Islamic revolution and to rule with tolerance towards Syria’s large minority groups.
Syria’s new rulers, drawn mainly from HTS, have indicated that foreign fighters and their families may be given Syrian citizenship and be allowed to stay in the country because of their contributions to the fight against Assad.
A Syrian government spokesperson did not reply to a request for comment on the thinking behind the appointments.
The sources said that out of a total of almost 50 military roles announced by the Defence Ministry on Sunday, at least six had gone to foreigners.
Reuters and the Guardian have not been able to independently verify the nationalities of the individuals appointed.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, the HTS-leader-turned de facto ruler of Syria, has purged dozens of foreign jihadi fighters as part of a campaign to Syrianise and moderate his group.
In remarks broadcast on Sunday, Sharaa said the new Syria “cannot be run by the mentality of groups and militias”
Israeli ambassador to the UN tells Houthis ‘Israel will defend its people’ after recent attacks
Israel has warned Yemen’sHouthi rebels that they face the same “miserable fate” as Hamas and Hezbollah if they continue with rocket attacks.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said the Iran-backed group would be targeted by Israeli military after recent attacks by the Houthis on Israel.
Hours after the warning by Danon, Israel’s military said it had intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, as air raid alarms were sounded.
The Houthis targeted Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv and a power station south of Jerusalem using a hypersonic ballistic missile and a Zulfiqar ballistic missile, respectively, the group’s military spokesperson Yahya Saree said.
Danon told the United Nations: “To the Houthis, perhaps you have not been paying attention to what has happened to the Middle East over the past year.
“Well, allow me to remind you what has happened to Hamas, to Hezbollah, to Assad, to all those who have attempted to destroy us. Let this be your final warning. This is not a threat. It is a promise. You will share the same miserable fate,” Danon said.
Before the meeting, Danon told reporters: “Israel will defend its people. If 2,000 kilometres is not enough to separate our children from the terror, let me assure you, it will not be enough to protect their terror from our strengths.”
On Tuesday, France carried out a bombing raid on Islamic State targets in Syria, according to the country’s defense minister. The operation was part of ongoing efforts to combat the terrorist group and its activities in the region.
The French defense minister confirmed the airstrikes in a statement, saying that the targets were successfully hit and destroyed. The operation was carried out in coordination with international partners and in accordance with international law.
This latest attack comes as part of France’s continued commitment to fighting terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of its citizens. The country has been actively involved in the fight against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq for several years, working alongside other countries in the region.
The French government has reiterated its determination to eliminate the threat posed by Islamic State and other terrorist organizations, both at home and abroad. The airstrikes in Syria are just one example of the country’s efforts to combat extremism and protect its citizens from harm.
As the situation continues to develop, it is important for all countries to remain vigilant and united in the fight against terrorism. The international community must work together to address the root causes of extremism and prevent further attacks from occurring. France’s latest bombing raid is a clear indication of the country’s commitment to this important cause.
Tags:
France bombing raid, Islamic State targets, Syria, defence minister, World news, France news, Syria news, military operation, air strike, terrorism, international news
Delta Air Lines posted a tribute to the late president along with a video on X.
During his presidential bid, Carter could be seen flying in “Peanut One” while campaigning, a nod to his humble days as a peanut farmer.(Photo by Tony Korody/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)
“Every time Jimmy Carter flew Delta, he shook hands with each person on the plane. Because that’s who he was. Someone who treated people as people,” the post read.
Video shot by a Delta passenger shows President Carter greeting fellow flyers, shaking hands with everyone on the plane.
“Today we celebrate his life – a great friend, family man, Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader who showed us all how to properly treat those around us,” Delta’s post added.
Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.(Library of Congress/Thomas J. O’Halloran/Handout via REUTERS )
Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts to find peaceful solutions when dealing with international conflicts, brokering peace between Israel and Egypt and humanitarian work.
Delta Air Lines paid tribute to the late president posting a video on X showing Carter shaking hands with fellow flyers “every time.”(James S., Delta customer)
Delta CEO Ed Bastian posted a tribute to President Carter on LinkedIn, highlighting Carter’s “life in service to others.”
“While the world will long remember his many contributions to democracy, I will also remember the countless days he spent at Habitat for Humanity International builds around the world, and the time he took to shake the hands of every single Delta customer and employee when he flew with us,” said Bastian’s post.
President Jimmy Carter is remembered by Americans with Delta (airline not pictured) posting a video of the former President greeting passengers.(ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP via Getty Images)
He added, “There is much we can learn from his kindness, compassion and humility. He and [his wife] Rosalynn meant a great deal to all of us at Delta Air Lines and will be sorely missed.”
“Their legacy lives on through the incredible work of The Carter Center and in the hearts of all those they’ve impacted,” wrote Bastian.
Former President Jimmy Carter had a unique travel ritual that he carried out every single time he boarded a flight. Despite his status as a world leader, Carter always made sure to shake the hand of every single passenger on the plane before takeoff.
This simple gesture of kindness and humility endeared him to those around him, and it became a well-known fact among those who had the privilege of flying with him. Carter’s willingness to connect with people on a personal level, even in the midst of his busy schedule, demonstrated his genuine care and concern for others.
Whether he was flying for official business or personal reasons, Carter never failed to uphold this travel ritual. It was a small but significant way for him to show respect and appreciation for those around him, and it left a lasting impression on all who had the opportunity to experience it.
In a world where many leaders seem distant and disconnected from the people they serve, Jimmy Carter’s simple act of shaking hands with every passenger serves as a reminder of the power of human connection and the importance of treating others with kindness and respect.
Tags:
Jimmy Carter, travel ritual, flight, President, travel routine, airplane, airport, Carter ritual, travel habit, presidential travel, air travel ritual, travel tradition, boarding a flight, president travel ritual
West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was carried off at Southampton on Boxing Day, as the Polish goalkeeper underwent lengthy treatment on the pitch after a collision.
The game was stopped for over seven minutes as Fabianski was treated and then stretchered off.
What is the latest on Fabianski?
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui gave the following update after the game.
“Fortunately, Łukasz is conscious and he’s well now in the dressing room, which is the most important thing,” Lopetegui said.
The Hammers had confirmed that a concussion substitution was used to replace Fabianski with Alphonse Areola in the first half.
Reports from the BBC on-site also said that Fabianski did not require to go to hospital.
What happened?
Fabianski cleared a cross at the back post but was caught by Southampton defender Nathan Wood as they both challenged for the ball.
Fabianski stayed down after being injured, as West Ham’s players gathered around him and Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale also spent time with Fabianski as the medical staff attended to him.
Fabianski was then applauded off the pitch by both home and away fans at Southampton, as West Ham’s goalkeeper had made two big saves early as they were being peppered with crosses by Southampton.
Lukasz Fabianski suffered a scary moment during West Ham’s match against Southampton as he had to be carried off the pitch due to an injury. The Polish goalkeeper was seen clutching his arm in pain before being stretchered off in the first half.
Fans were left concerned for Fabianski, who has been a key player for West Ham this season. However, there is some good news as reports have emerged that the injury is not as serious as initially feared. Fabianski is said to be recovering well and is being closely monitored by the medical team.
We all wish Lukasz Fabianski a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the pitch soon, doing what he does best – keeping clean sheets and saving goals for West Ham. Get well soon, Lukasz! #WHUFC #Fabianski #Recovery #WestHamUnited
