Month: June 2025

CHRISTINE Lampard has given a rare glimpse of her children Patricia and Freddie during a luxury family holiday.

The Loose Women anchor and husband Frank, both 46, jetted to Dubai with little ones for half term.

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And Christine – who keeps her children out of the spotlight – couldn’t resist giving fans a little glimpse inside their fun.

She posted a video montage from the break, showing Patricia, six, swimming while dressed as a mermaid.

The video also saw Freddie, four, copying his famous dad’s pose as they went out for dinner.

Posting the clip on Instagram, Christine wrote: “A half term dose of sunshine and mermaids.”

Frank is also dad to Luna, 19, and Isla, 17, from his relationship with Elen Rivas.

Christine and Frank tied the knot in 2015.

As well as her work on Loose Women, Christine often steps in for Lorraine Kelly on her chat show.

During a recent run as guest host, Christine interviewed Kate Ferdinand – and was quick to ask the former Towie star about life with a blended family and made a rare revelation about her own.

She said: “What do your two little ones think about the big ones in your household?

“Because I know my two little ones, their big sisters walk in, and it’s like god-like female creatures have walked into the house.”

Tammy Beaumont hits a century for the second consecutive match to set England up in a commanding position of 257-1 in the second One Day International against West Indies in Leicester.

FOLLOW LIVE: England Women v West Indies Women – second ODI

Available to UK users only.

Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes in Syria since December 2024, averaging one every three to four days.

The Israeli military says it shelled targets in Syria in response to a pair of projectiles that fell in open areas in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights on Tuesday.

Since December 10, 2024, just two days after the stunning collapse of more than 53 years of the al-Assad family, Israel has waged a campaign of aerial bombardment that has destroyed much of Syria’s military infrastructure, including major airports, air defence facilities, fighter jets and other strategic infrastructure.

Over the past six months, Israeli forces have launched more than 200 air, drone or artillery attacks across Syria, averaging an assault roughly every three to four days, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project (ACLED).

The map below shows the ACLED-recorded Israeli attacks between December 8 and May 30.

The bulk of the Israeli attacks have been concentrated in the southern Syrian governorates of Deraa, Damascus and Quneitra, which account for nearly 60 percent of all recorded Israeli attacks.

• Deraa was the most targeted governorate, with 57 recorded attacks, focusing on former regime military sites and suspected arms convoys.
• Damascus governorate, which hosts key military highways and logistics hubs, was attacked at least 49 times. Whereas Damascus city, the capital was attacked 18 times.
• Quneitra, adjacent to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, was attacked at least 25 times; many attacks were aimed at radar and surveillance infrastructure.

Israel’s movement on the ground

In the immediate aftermath of al-Assad’s ouster, Israeli troops advanced into the Syrian side of the Golan Heights, including areas within the United Nations-monitored demilitarised zone, violating the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria.

The incursion drew widespread international criticism. The UN, along with several Arab nations, condemned Israel’s actions as breaches of international law and violations of Syria’s sovereignty.

Despite these condemnations, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said in February that Israeli forces would remain in the area indefinitely to “protect Israeli citizens” and “prevent hostile entities from gaining a foothold” near the border.

Satellite imagery captured in February and analysed by Al Jazeera’s Sanad verification unit showed six military bases were being constructed in the UN-supervised buffer zone on the border with Syria.

Since taking power following the overthrow of al-Assad, President Ahmed al-Sharaa has consistently stated that his government seeks no conflict with Israel and will not permit Syria to be used by foreign actors to launch attacks.

He has condemned Israel’s continuing strikes on Syrian territory and its gradual expansion beyond the already-occupied Golan Heights.

A history of Israeli air strikes on Syria

While Israel’s air attacks on Syria have escalated in recent months, Israel has been attacking targets in Syria for years.

ACLED data collected since January 2017 shows how Israeli attacks have been steadily increasing.

The animated chart below shows the frequency of Israeli attacks from January 2017 to May 2025.

The Dutch government collapsed on Tuesday after far-right politician Geert Wilders pulled out of the right-wing coalition after a dispute over anti-immigration measures his party had proposed.

Wilders’ decision prompted the Dutch cabinet and Prime Minister Dick Schoof to resign.

Here is what triggered the government’s collapse, and what happens next:

Why did Wilders withdraw?

Wilders announced the withdrawal of his right-wing party, the Party for Freedom (PVV), from the 11-month-old right-wing Netherlands coalition government. Wilders said the other three parties in the coalition had failed to back his plans to crack down on asylum for refugees.

“No signature under our asylum plans. The PVV leaves the coalition,” Wilders wrote in an X post on Tuesday after a brief meeting in parliament with party leaders. Besides PVV, the coalition comprised People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB) and the New Social Contract (NSC).

On May 26, Wilders announced a 10-point plan to extensively slash migration, deploying army officials at the Dutch land borders and rejecting all asylum seekers. Wilders threatened, back then, that his party would pull out of the coalition if migration policy was not toughened.

The four parties cumulatively held 88 seats in the country’s 150-seat House of Representatives.

The PVV won the latest November 2023 election with 23 percent of the vote and 37 seats, the highest number of seats in the parliament out of all parties.

The majority mark in the House is 76 seats. The withdrawal leaves the coalition with only 51 seats.

When did Schoof step down?

After Wilders announced the withdrawal, an emergency cabinet meeting was called. After this, Schoof announced that he would step down, hours after the PVV withdrawal.

“I have told party leaders repeatedly in recent days that the collapse of the cabinet would be unnecessary and irresponsible,” Schoof said in the emergency cabinet meeting. “We are facing major challenges both nationally and internationally that require decisiveness from us.”

How did other Dutch leaders react?

Other leaders in the coalition called Wilders “irresponsible” and blamed him for putting his own political interests ahead of the country.

“There is a war on our continent. Instead of meeting the challenge, Wilders is showing he is not willing to take responsibility,” said Dilan Yesilgoz, leader of the VVD, which has 24 seats in the the House.

“It is irresponsible to take down the government at this point,” NSC leader Nicolien van Vroonhoven said about Wilders. The NSC has 20 seats.

Head of the opposition GreenLeft-Labour alliance Frans Timmermans said he could “see no other way to form a stable government” than early elections.

What’s next?

Schoof will now formally submit his resignation to the head of state, Dutch King Willem-Alexander. After this, elections are expected to be called. It is likely that the election will be held sometime in October or November, based on previous cycles.

As of May 31, polls show that Wilders’ PVV has lost a little of its support, from 23 percent in the 2023 election to 20 percent.

This brings the party almost at par with the GreenLeft-Labour alliance, which has 19 percent of support and 25 seats in the lower house of parliament, the second highest number of seats after the PVV.

The fragmented politics of the Netherlands makes it difficult to predict which party will win the election. It is unlikely for a single party to win the 76-seat majority and it takes months for a coalition to form. According to the Dutch election authority’s data, no single party has ever won a majority since the first direct elections in 1848.

What happens until elections?

Schoof has said he and the other ministers of the coalition will continue with their positions in a caretaker government until a new government is formed after elections.

The political crisis comes as the Netherlands is scheduled to host a summit of NATO leaders at The Hague on June 24-25. Mark Rutte, the current secretary-general of NATO, was the prime minister of the Netherlands from 2010 to 2024. Rutte was affiliated with the VVD.

Schoof had also been involved in European efforts to provide support to Ukraine in its war against Russia. In February, the Dutch PM was present at a meeting with other European leaders in Paris where the leaders pledged to provide Ukraine with security guarantees.

Hardcover fiction

1. The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong (Penguin Press: $30) An unlikely pair develops a life-altering bond.

2. Nightshade by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown & Co.: $30) The bestselling crime writer returns with a new cop on a mission, this time on Catalina Island.

3. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (Berkley: $29) Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of an heiress.

4. Never Flinch by Stephen King (Scribner: $32) Holly Gibney is back on the case, this time facing both a serial killer and a stalker.

5. My Friends by Fredrik Backman (Atria Books: $30) The bond between a group of teens 25 years earlier has a powerful effect on a budding artist.

6. Spent by Alison Bechdel (Mariner Books: $32) The bestselling writer’s latest comic novel takes on capitalism and consumption.

7. James by Percival Everett (Doubleday: $28) An action-packed reimagining of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”

8. Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen (Knopf: $30) Two Floridians are plunged into a mystery involving dark money and darker motives.

9. My Name Is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende (Ballantine Books: $30) A young writer in the late 1800s travels to South America to uncover the truth about her father.

10. Audition by Katie Kitamura (Riverhead Books: $28) An accomplished actor grapples with the varied roles she plays in her personal life.

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Hardcover nonfiction

1. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins (Hay House: $30) How to stop wasting energy on things you can’t control.

2. Original Sin by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson (Penguin Press: $32) Inside President Biden’s doomed decision to run for reelection and the hiding of his serious decline by his inner circle.

3. Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson (Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster: $30) A call to renew a politics of plenty and abandon the chosen scarcities that have deformed American life.

4. The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad (Random House: $30) A guide to the art of journaling, with contributions from Jon Batiste, Salman Rushdie, Gloria Steinem and others.

5. The Creative Act by Rick Rubin (Penguin: $32) The music producer on how to be a creative person.

6. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad (Knopf: $28) Reckoning with what it means to live in a West that betrays its fundamental values.

7. Steve Martin Writes the Written Word by Steve Martin (Grand Central Publishing: $30) A collection of greatest hits from the beloved actor and comedian.

8. Mark Twain by Ron Chernow (Penguin Press: $45) The Pulitzer-winning biographer explores the life of the celebrated American writer.

9. Notes to John by Joan Didion (Knopf: $32) Diary entries from the famed writer’s journal.

10. Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane (W. W. Norton & Co.: $32) The naturalist explores rivers as living beings whose fate is tied with our own.

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Paperback fiction

1. All Fours by Miranda July (Riverhead Books: $19)

2. Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood (Berkley: $20)

3. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (Ecco: $20)

4. Orbital by Samantha Harvey (Grove Press: $17)

5. Sandwich by Catherine Newman (Harper Perennial: $19)

6. Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar (Vintage: $18)

7. The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden (Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster: $19)

8. I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman (Transit Books: $17)

9. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune (Berkley: $19)

10. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (Bloomsbury

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Paperback nonfiction

1. On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder (Crown: $12)

2. The Wager by David Grann (Vintage: $21)

3. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (TarcherPerigee: $20)

4. All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley (Simon & Schuster: $19)

5. Cultish by Amanda Montell (Harper Perennial: $20)

6. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz (Amber-Allen: $13)

7. All About Love by bell hooks (Morrow: $17)

8. The Art Thief by Michael Finkel (Vintage: $18)

9. The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (Penguin: $19)

10. The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan (Knopf: $36)

SOCAL REGIONAL PLAYOFFS

BASEBALL

TUESDAY’S RESULTS

FIRST ROUND

DIVISION 1

#1 St. John Bosco 2, #8 St. Augustine 1

#5 Villa Park 5, #4 Granite Hills 4 (9 innings)

#3 Crespi 4, #6 Mater Dei 3

DIVISION II

#4 Eastlake 4, #5 Glendora 1

#6 Point Loma 6, #3 El Camino Real 4

DIVISION III

#1 Dos Pueblos 10, #8 St. Anthony 2

#5 University City 5, #4 Birmingham 2

#3 Venice 5, #6 Trinity Classical Academy 2

#2 Mt. Carmel 5, #7 Elsinore 0

DIVISION IV

#1 Wilmington Banning 3, #8 Lemoore 2

#5 Rancho Mirage 7, #4 Ramona 3

#2 Ridgeview 13, #7 Riverside Notre Dame 3

DIVISION V

#1 Corcoran 9, #8 LA University 5

#3 Pioneer 6, #6 Mountain View 3

#7 High Tech SD 3, #2 Fillmore 1

WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE

FIRST ROUND

DIVISION I

#7 Patrick Henry at #2 Santa Margarita, 12 p.m.

DIVISION II

#8 Rancho Bernardo at #1 Fountain Valley, 3:15 p.m.

#7 San Dimas at #2 Santa Maria St. Joseph, 4 p.m.

DIVISION IV

#6 Mary Stat of the Sea at #3 Estancia, 3:45 p.m.

DIVISION V

#5 Port of Los Angeles vs. #4 Nuview Bridge at Mystic Field

THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE

(All games at 4 p.m. unless noted)

SEMIFINALS

DIVISION I

#5 Villa Park at #1 St. John Bosco

#3 Crespi vs. #7 Patrick Henry or #2 Santa Margarita

DIVISION II

#4 Eastlake vs. #1 Fountain Valley or #8 Rancho Bernardo

#6 Point Loma vs. #7 San Dimas or #2 St. Joseph

DIVISION III

#5 Universal City at #1 Dos Pueblos

#3 Venice at #2 Mt. Carmel

DIVISION IV

#5 Rancho Mirage at #1 Wilmington Banning

#3 Estancia or #6 Mary Star of the Sea at #2 Ridgeview

DIVISION V

#5 Port of Los Angeles or #4 Nuview Bridge at #1 Corcoran

#7 High Tech SD at #3 Pioneer

Note: Finals in all divisions Saturday at higher seeds.

SOFTBALL

TUESDAY’S RESULTS

FIRST ROUND

DIVISION II

#1 El Cajon Christian, bye

#4 Monache 3, #5 Long Beach Poly 2

#6 Eastlake 3, #3 Bakersfield Christian 2

#2 Westlake 5, #7 Rancho Bernardo 3

DIVISION III

#1 Point Loma 9, #8 Port of Los Angeles 2

#4 Olympian 7, #5 West Ranch 6

#3 St. Bonaventure 6, #6 Southwest EC 5

#2 Legacy 5, #7 Elsinore 4

DIVISION IV

#1 Pioneer Valley, bye

#4 Rio Hondo Prep 9, #5 Taft 3

#2 Woodlake, bye

DIVISION V

#1 Rancho Mirage 9, #8 San Diego Lincoln 8

#4 Culver City 20, #5 Westchester 7

#6 Hueneme 9, #3 North Hollywood 4

#2 Orcutt Academy 17, #7 Cathedral City 0

WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE

FIRST ROUND

DIVISION I

#5 Poway at #4 Ayala, 4 p.m.

DIVISION IV

#6 Marquez at #3 Irvine University, 2 p.m.

THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE

(All games at 4 p.m. unless noted)

SEMIFINALS

DIVISION I

#5 Poway or #4 Ayala at #1 El Modena

#3 Bonita Vista at #2 Chula Vista Mater Dei

DIVISION II

#4 Monache at #1 El Cajon Christian

#6 Eastlake at #2 Westlake

DIVISION III

#4 Olympian at #1 Point Loma

#3 St. Bonaventure at #2 Legacy

DIVISION IV

#4 Rio Hondo Prep at #1 Pioneer Valley

#6 Marquez or #3 Irvine University at #2 Woodlake

DIVISION V

#1 Rancho Mirage at #4 Culver City

#6 Hueneme at #2 Orcutt Academy

Note: Finals in all divisions Saturday at higher seeds.

June 4 (UPI) — Ukrainian officials were set to update U.S. senators on Wednesday on the war and discuss arms purchases and efforts to pressure Russia to negotiate a peace deal, including a tough new bipartisan sanctions bill due to come to the floor of the upper chamber next week.

The delegation, which included Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, Deputy Defense Minister Serhii Boyev and Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak, arrived Tuesday, a day after a second round of Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Turkey broke up without a breakthrough.

Yermak said in a social media post that the delegation was bringing a “comprehensive agenda” of issues that were important to Ukraine to actively promote to members of both parties and President Donald Trump‘s team.

“We plan to talk about defense support and the situation on the battlefield, strengthening sanctions against Russia, including Senator [Lindsey] Graham’s bill. We will also discuss the Agreement on the Establishment of the Reconstruction Investment Fund, which we signed earlier,” wrote Yermak.

He said the delegation would also raise the issue of getting back Ukrainian children deported by Russia and support for the process.

The bill that Sen. Graham, R-S.C., plans to introduce in the Senate aims to ratchet up economic pressure on Russia, targeting its trade partners by slapping 500% tariffs on imports from countries that continue to purchase Russian products, including gas, oil and uranium.

China and India are the two biggest markets for Russian energy exports.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., told Politico that he and Graham would host a closed-door meeting with the Ukrainians on Capitol Hill to which all Senators had been invited.

He said support for the sanctions bill was gaining very strong momentum with 82 members of the Senate split down the middle of the aisle agreeing to co-sponsor it.

Blumenthal said the secondary sanctions could be a “game changer.”

“It’s a pivotal moment in Ukraine — and crunch time for the Senate on this bill.”

He also pushed back on what he said was a growing but false belief that Ukraine was losing the war, saying recent offensive assaults deep into Russian territory, such as Sunday’s so-called “Operation Spiderweb,” in which Ukrainian drones destroyed 41 strategic Russian bomber aircraft, proved otherwise.

Blumenthal argued that such feats could help shift the dial among the administration’s foreign policy team, helping persuade them to bolster military and other assistance for Ukraine and to support the sanctions bill.

That in turn would help overcome the reservations of some lawmakers, he said.

“Events will move the White House — and maybe some of the president’s friends here [Capitol Hill]. Congress can move ahead. [Trump] doesn’t have to support it.”

Current U.S. flows of arms and equipment to Ukraine are all under drawdowns on assistance packages approved under former President Joe Biden, with no fresh approvals since as the Trump administration shifts to a more mercantile approach under which Ukraine will buy the weapons rather than receiving them as aid.

Dr Bassem Zaqout, director of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, says US-backed aid distribution efforts in Gaza have been marred by shootings and a lack of organisation.

The news comes as the airport’s massive £1.3billion project to revamp T2 reaches another key milestone, with work to build a new road starting and the first trials of new taxiways on the airfield completed successfully.

Manchester Airport has opened a new security screening area that should speed up the boarding process.

Bosses at the northern travel hub have invested heavily in extending and refurbishing Terminal 2, which was first opened in 1993. Now the airport has officially opened its new Security East screening area, which is fitted with 10 high-tech scanners, meaning passengers will no longer need to remove their liquids from their luggage during the screening process.

“T2 check-in area just got even better with the opening of Zone C and a new WHSmith unit in Zone D. Zone C provides 12 new hybrid check-in desks and an entrance route through to the new T2 Security East,” the airport’s Facebook page announced today.

A spokesperson for Manchester Airport described the installation as a “major milestone”, while also announcing a change to how passenger drop-off will work. “We also completed the final element of our new T2 dual-forecourt operation, meaning that passengers can drop off at the lower forecourt as well as the existing upper forecourt, outside of T2,” the page continues.

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It is all change at Manchester Airport, where work is ongoing to expand Terminal 2 and 3. Last month it released computer-generated images of Terminal 3 which showed the anticipated look of the new terminal once the redevelopment is completed next year.

This announcement coincides with another significant progress in the airport’s colossal £1.3 billion project to overhaul Terminal 2. LEGO has signed up to the new-look terminal, as well as other retailers including Pandora, World Duty Free, Rituals and Wetherspoon.

The existing entrance to Terminal 1 will be transformed into the new Terminal 3 entrance. The revamped terminal will feature shops, stores, a 500-seat bar area offering views of the airfield, and a new dining hall. More space and seating are also part of the plan.

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Once the refurbished Terminal 2 is fully operational, which is expected later this year, Terminal 1 will be permanently closed. The renovation plans for Terminal 3, primarily serving domestic routes and originally opened in 1989, will incorporate part of the Terminal 1 building, given their adjacent locations and interconnected structure.

Even the emblem of Manchester – the worker bee – is acknowledged in the design, with honeycomb lights reflecting the style of the new Terminal 2, as shown in the images. The airport has outlined the key aspects of the investment in Terminal 3.

Airport chiefs have kicked off the initial phase of a major project, with the grand unveiling set for next year.The airport has announced that the scheme aims to declutter and enhance the traveller’s journey.

A spokesperson for the airport told MEN: “The project will remodel the entrance to the terminal, the security hall and the departure lounge – creating extra space for passengers and for new retailers, as well as updating the look and feel of the building.

“The Northern hub launched its ambitious transformation programme in 2015. It involves doubling the size of Terminal 2 and closing Terminal 1 – but now we have set out how we plan to use some of the space in Terminal 1 after it closes to expand the adjoining Terminal 3.”

The transformative journey began with the first phase, which saw Terminal 2 swell to twice its original footprint. The expanded terminal, operational since 2021, has already welcomed over 30 million passengers and snagged an esteemed international architecture and design accolade.

The project’s second act is slated for completion later this year, promising to elevate the existing structure to match the new extension’s calibre, complete with over 20 fresh retail, dining, and drinking spots.

Upon the project’s culmination, the revamped T2 is poised to accommodate over 70 per cent of the airport’s footfall. Following T1’s shutdown, parts of it will be repurposed to bolster T3, as revealed in today’s announcement.

This Morning host Ben Shephard was forced to issue an apology at the end of the show after a remark made by a guest earlier on in the ITV programme

This Morning swiftly tackled a comment made by a guest earlier on in the show.

As the programme was drawing to a close, host Ben Shephard stated: “We just want to take a moment to apologise if viewers were offended by a phrase that we used, by one of the teams that we had on the show today.

“If anybody was, we would like to say sorry.”

The moment of contrition followed a segment where Gyles Brandreth and Sayeeda Warsi were discussing topical stories.

Sayeeda had remarked during a chat about the social role of hairdressers, reports Wales Online.

She said: First of all, hairdressers are the place people go and offload. For a lot of people, especially older people, hairdressers are one of the few places where they still get regular company.”

“They don’t have a lot of human contact, many of them who may be living on their own. Particularly for black men or coloured men, or Asian men, I know I have doctors who say when men of certain backgrounds come in to hospital and you talk to them about how much pain they’re in, they always undersell because they’re brought up to not share their feelings and to try and be tough.”

Viewers rapidly moved to express their dismay on Twitter regarding the choice of words.

One viewer tweeted: “‘Coloured Men’, it’s 2025, this type of language!!!” While another challenged: “”Coloured men” What colour were they? #ThisMorning”

One viewer expressed their outrage, stating: “‘Coloured Men’ it’s not the 50s 60s 70s ffs how has she not been reprimanded.”

Another chimed in with: “#thismorning coloured men? ! How is this allowed and you’ve let her keep talking?!”.

A social media user questioned: “How is it acceptable for Sayeeda to say” coloured men”? @sayeedawarsi #thismorning.”

While another was shocked, tweeting: “Coloured men”??Did she just say that on national TV like it’s nothing?””

This isn’t the first time This Morning has faced a backlash from its viewers, as earlier in the week, many labelled one segment ‘cruel’.

On Monday, Cat and Ben were joined by two dogs and their owners, who had participated in this year’s annual Greenwich dog show.

However, they competed in a new category introduced for 2025, the Best Bridgerton Lookalike.

Appearing on the ITV programme, the dogs were dressed in costumes complete with wigs while their owners discussed the competition.

Despite many viewers expressing anger at seeing the dogs in costumes on the show, the two hosts addressed the potential criticism they might face.

Cat pointed out how content the dogs seemed, while Ben added: “There will be people asking, ‘Are the dogs happy?’ because dressing dogs up can sometimes get some criticism. Are they happy wearing the outfits? She seems pretty unbothered.”

Charlotte’s owner responded: “She’s pretty used to wearing clothes in general; when we go out, I tend to dress her up and try to coordinate our outfits.”

This Morning is available to watch on ITVX.

The United Kingdom has announced a major investment in defence in response to a “new era of threats” driven by “growing Russian aggression”.

The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR), unveiled on Monday, includes new investments in nuclear warheads, a fleet of new submarines and new munitions factories. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the SDR would bring the country to “war-fighting readiness”.

“The threat we now face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War,” Starmer said as he delivered the review in Glasgow, Scotland.

The SDR described Russia as an “immediate and pressing” threat, and referred to China as a “sophisticated and persistent challenge”.

European nations have rushed to strengthen their armed forces in recent months, following Trump’s repeated demands that Europe must shoulder more responsibility for its security.

What are the key features of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review?

The defence review, the UK’s first since 2021, was led by former NATO Secretary-General George Robertson. Among the 62 recommendations in the SDR, all have been accepted by the government.

Starmer said the measures recommended in the review would bring “fundamental changes” to the armed forces, including “moving to war-fighting readiness”, re-centring a “NATO first” defence posture and accelerating innovation.

“Every part of society, every citizen of this country, has a role to play because we have to recognise that things have changed in the world of today,” he said. “The front line, if you like, is here.”

Boosting weapons production and stockpiles

Based on the recommendations in the review, the government said it would boost stockpiles and weapons production capacity, which could be scaled up if needed.

A total of 1.5 billion pounds ($2bn) will be dedicated to building “at least six munitions and energetics factories”, with plans to produce 7,000 long-range weapons.

In turn, UK ammunitions spending – just one component of overall military spending – is expected to hit 6 billion pounds ($8.1bn) over the current parliamentary term, which ends in 2029.

New attack submarines

There are also plans to build up to 12 new attack submarines by the late 2030s as part of the AUKUS military alliance with Australia and the United States – equivalent to a new submarine every 18 months.

This accounts for nearly half the projected spending outlined in the SDR.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) also said it would invest 15 billion pounds ($20.3bn) in its own nuclear warhead programme.

New F-35 fighter jets

The SDR recommended procuring new F-35 fighter jets and the Global Combat Aircraft Programme, a sixth-generation fighter produced jointly with Japan and Italy.

Use of technology to improve the army

The target size of the army will remain roughly the same, but the SDR recommended a slight increase in the number of regular soldiers “if funding allows”. There are currently about 71,000.

Instead of a dramatic increase in troop numbers, the SDR recommends using technology, drones and software to “increase lethality tenfold”.

To do this, the MoD plans to deliver a 1 billion pound ($1.35bn) “digital targeting web”, an AI-driven software tool designed to collect battlefield data and use it to enable faster decision making.

Investment in defence companies

More details about the SDR will be provided in the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy, expected in the coming weeks, but UK defence companies will be among the big winners from the new SDR.

Though supposedly a 10-year review, past SDRs suggest its shelf life might be more limited.

The last SDR was published in 2021 and recommended “a strategic pivot towards the Indo-Pacific region to counter China’s influence and deepen ties with allies like Australia, India, and Japan”, in line with strategic priorities of the time.

This SDR, undertaken in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has re-oriented the UK’s geographical priorities. In the coming years, those could change again.

Can the UK afford this defence expansion?

Proposals to prepare the UK’s armed forces to be “battle ready” will cost at least 67.6 billion pounds ($91.4bn) through to the late 2030s, according to costings and estimates provided in the SDR.

Before Monday’s announcement, the government had already pledged to increase spending on defence from 2.3 percent currently to 2.5 percent by 2027, an increase of about 6 billion pounds ($8.1bn) per year. This would raise 60 billion pounds over 10 years – a bit shy of the cost projected by the SDR.

The government has said it will cut overseas aid to fund that 0.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) rise in defence spending.

Critics say this will not be enough and that the measures outlined by the SDR will cost more like 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary, said the “authors of the strategic defence review were clear that 3 percent [not 2.5 percent] of GDP ‘established the affordability’ of the plan.”

In February, the Labour government said it had “an ambition” to raise defence spending to 3 percent in the next parliament (after 2029), but Cartlidge said: “That commitment cannot be guaranteed ahead of the next general election.”

According to researchers at the Institute for Fiscal Studies – an independent, London-based research organisation – raising defence spending to 3 percent of GDP by 2030 would require an extra 17 billion pounds between now and then, which the government has not yet accounted for.

But the UK could be required to raise spending even more than this. In discussions taking place in advance of the NATO summit in The Hague later this month, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is understood to be pushing for member nations to commit 5 percent of GDP towards defence-related spending.

Rutte has proposed that NATO’s 32 members commit to spending 3.5 percent on hard defence and 1.5 percent on broader security, such as cyber, by 2032.

“At this Ministerial, we are going to take a huge leap forward,” Rutte stated before a meeting of defence ministers in Brussels on Thursday this week. “We will strengthen our deterrence and defence by agreeing ambitious new capability targets.” He specified air and missile defence, long-range weapons, logistics, and large land manoeuvre formations as among the alliance’s top priorities, according to a briefing note from NATO on Wednesday.

“We need more resources, forces and capabilities so that we are prepared to face any threat, and to implement our collective defence plans in full,” he said, adding: “We will need significantly higher defence spending. That underpins everything.”

Will taxes have to rise in the UK?

On Monday, Starmer refused to rule out another raid on the aid budget to fund higher military spending, and signalled that he was hopeful the extra investment could be supported by a growing the economy and generating more taxes to pay for defence.

After the SDR’s announcement, Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, warned that the prime minister will need to make “really quite chunky tax increases” to pay for the plans.

Alternatively, increased defence spending could be siphoned off from other parts of the budget – for instance, through reduced state spending on areas like transport and energy infrastructure.

LEGENDARY football journeyman Jefferson Louis has retired at the age of 46 after playing over 900 times for 42 clubs.

The iconic striker had been slogging it out on the field since 1996 with Risborough Rangers.

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Louis’ travels saw him play for an incredible 42 sides, including Oxford United, Bristol Rovers and Wrexham.

He was most recently playing Thame United in the Southern League Division One Central.

But after 903 career appearances, and more than FIFTY transfers, Louis has finally retired.

However, fans will be pleased to hear that he hasn’t quit football for good.

That’s because he has immediately taken an assistant coaching role at Slough Town, who compete in England’s sixth tier in the National League South.

Louis made five appearances there as a player in 2023.

During that time, he also worked as a performance coach for teammates.

And manager Scott Davies believes Louis has the right skills to become a hit in the dugout.

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He declared: “Football these days for me is more about mentality than ability. 

“Every player at the level has ability which has allowed them to get to this point, but it’s so important that we, as a management team can tap into their psychological side too.

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“Throughout the season, individuals will need one-to-one chats when things aren’t going as well as they may have hoped.

“And I strongly believe that with myself, Yella and now Jefferson joining the group, we’ve got all bases covered with the wealth of experience we have that we can now give back to the players.”

Slough fans reacted with delight at the news.

One said “Class this, great gaffer to learn off.”

Another declared: “Superb appointment, welcome back.”

One noted: “Absolutely love this, welcome Louis.”

Another added: “So much experience and knowledge at this level.”

Two Belgian men have claimed they hid in a toilet at Munich’s Allianz Arena for 27 hours in order to watch last weekend’s Champions League final for free.

Neal Remmerie and Senne Haverbeke told Belgian broadcaster VRT News they managed to get into the ground the day before the match then emerged to watch Paris St-Germain’s 5-0 win over Inter Milan.

The pair uploaded a video, external on the social media platform TikTok which showed them sticking a homemade ‘out of order’ sign on two toilet cubicle doors before they waited in silence for more than a day as stadium staff used the facility.

“We had a backpack with snacks and we played around on our phones to kill time,” Remmerie said.

“The lights were on all the time and the sitting position was uncomfortable, so sleeping was almost impossible. That made it physically and mentally difficult.”

As soon as the duo heard fans using the toilets on matchday they emerged from the hiding place and made it past another ticket check before taking a seat in a stand.

“We looked carefully at which security guard was paying the least attention. While on the phone and with food in our hands, we just walked on, and suddenly we were inside,” Remmerie added.

“PSG won 5-0 and we were also in the supporters’ section of the winning team. It was the most beautiful football match we have ever seen.”

BBC Sport has approached the Allianz Arena and Uefa for comment.

Carrick started his coaching career with Manchester United, with whom he won five Premier League titles in his playing days, after retiring in 2018.

He had a spell in caretaker charge of the team in November 2021 after the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but left when Ralf Rangnick was appointed in December.

Boro turned to him in October the following year after a disastrous start to the season saw them sack Chris Wilder with the club in the relegation zone.

Carrick immediately turned their fortunes around as they flew up the table and into promotion contention.

They ultimately finished fourth for a first play-off campaign in five years but were beaten by Coventry in the semi-finals.

They fell just short of another Premier League push in the following season, as they finished eighth, four points off sixth.

Last season was similar as they headed into the final six games in the play-off spots but came up short in the end.

TESCO has axed a popular product, leaving customers devastated.

Its store brand southern fried chicken instant flavour noodles has now permanently disappeared from supermarket shelves.

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The snack, which can be made with boiling water, was a fan favourite with shoppers.

It cost around 50p and was available in store and online.

Confused customers have taken to social media to find out where the popular snack had gone.

Writing in a Reddit thread one shopper said: “These are my go to quick food and my local Tesco has none on the shelf and they’ve disappeared off of the website too.

“I’ll be gutted if they’ve discontinued them.”

Another fan replied: “Probably, if you liked them, these stores always stop what people like!

The Sun reached out to Tesco to find out what happened to the savoury snack

The supermarket confirmed the product was no more, adding that it had been replaced with a Chicken flavour that customers could buy.

The news will come as a blow to customers who in the past said it was the only noodles they “enjoy” to eat.

Some customers said Super Noodles make a similar product for a quid, but the upset shopper said they were too dear.

Another said Pot Noodles lost the pot chicken champion, could be an alternative and also costs 50p.

It’s not the first time that Tesco has axed a popular product.

Shoppers were heartbroken when Tesco cut its own-brand tomato and basil soup from its chilled range.

Tesco stated that it adjusts its soup range throughout the year to reflect seasonal demand.

The supermarket will expand its offering again in the autumn.

Tesco shoppers were also shocked to find the supermarket no longer stocks six-pint cartons of milk.

OTHER DISCONTINUED PRODUCTS

Tesco is not the only supermarket that has shaken up what it sells in stores.

Asda also recently confirmed it has discontinued its store-brand Creamy Peppercorn Sauce.

The Sun revealed that Alpen cereal bars have permanently disappeared from supermarket shelves.

The snack, usually topped with chocolate or yogurt, has been a staple in many Brits kitchen cupboards since the early noughties.

Alpen bars were also loved by many watching what they eat or following a Slimming World or Weight Watchers diet plan, as the treat was low in calories.

Alpen’s entire cereal bar range, which includes Alpen Light and Alpen Delight has been discontinued.

However shoppers can continue to buy it’s range of muesli, which costs around £3 from major supermarkets.

Kellogg’s also recently confirmed it’s not bringing back its chocolate flavour Corn Flakes.

Why are products axed or recipes changed?

ANALYSIS by chief consumer reporter James Flanders.

Food and drinks makers have been known to tweak their recipes or axe items altogether.

They often say that this is down to the changing tastes of customers.

There are several reasons why this could be done.

For example, government regulation, like the “sugar tax,” forces firms to change their recipes.

Some manufacturers might choose to tweak ingredients to cut costs.

They may opt for a cheaper alternative, especially when costs are rising to keep prices stable.

For example, Tango Cherry disappeared from shelves in 2018.

It has recently returned after six years away but as a sugar-free version.

Fanta removed sweetener from its sugar-free alternative earlier this year.

Suntory tweaked the flavour of its flagship Lucozade Original and Orange energy drinks.

While the amount of sugar in every bottle remains unchanged, the supplier swapped out the sweetener aspartame for sucralose.

There was confusion and panic on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla on Tuesday night after a drone was spotted circling overhead, prompting the crew to issue a distress signal while sailing outside Greek territorial waters. The drone was later identified as belonging to the Hellenic Coastguard. The Gaza-bound mission continues undeterred, a month after another flotilla ship was bombed by a drone and set ablaze.