Seattle record an emphatic win in a match where Miami’s Luis Suarez appeared to spit on a Sounders staffer post-game.
Published On 1 Sep 20251 Sep 2025
Alex Roldan converted from the penalty spot late in the second half and had an assist during the first half as hosts Seattle Sounders defeated Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami 3-0 to win the 2025 Leagues Cup final.
The match on Sunday was marred by a melee at the final whistle involving multiple players from both teams. Miami striker Luis Suarez appeared to be one of the players at the middle of it, and video cameras appeared to capture him spitting at a member of Seattle’s staff post-game as the melee died down.
The Leagues Cup is held jointly by Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX with Concacaf sanctioning, and thus has a disciplinary committee independent from both leagues or the continental federation. Presumably, it would be responsible for deciding any discipline for the incident, though potentially MLS could also get involved.
Roldan set up Osaze De Rosario’s fourth goal of the tournament for the opener for Seattle, which won its second Concacaf honour and ninth all-time major trophy since beginning MLS play in 2009.
It is the Sounders’ first since they defeated Mexico’s Pumas UNAM over two legs to win the 2022 Concacaf Champions League, ending a run of 16 consecutive Mexican champions in that event.
Paul Rothrock scored the third in the final moments of a win that guaranteed Seattle a first-round bye into the round of 16 at the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Sounders midfielder Paul Rothrock, centre, celebrates with teammates, including forward Pedro De La Vega, left, after scoring the third goal against Inter Miami in the 89th minute at Lumens Field in Seattle [Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo]
Miami failed to secure their third major trophy since Messi’s arrival during the summer of the 2023 season and their second Leagues Cup title after winning the 2023 event.
The Herons are still guaranteed a Concacaf spot next year, but they will start in the first round unless they win the 2025 MLS Cup.
Seattle were dominant during the first half and went deservingly in front in the 26th minute.
Jesus Ferreira played the initial ball out wide to Roldan on the right, and Roldan curled in an outswinging cross to the far post, where De Rosario met it with a decisive header.
Miami wasted two excellent chances to level early in the second half, with Suarez providing the link-up play.
In the 50th minute, it was Messi, arriving just above the six-yard box to Suarez’s spinning, cutback pass, but the Argentinian star fired over goalkeeper Andrew Thomas.
Then in the 60th minute, Tadeo Allende was on the end of Suarez’s clever backheel, but he sent his strike wide of the right post as Thomas charged off his line.
That proved costly when Sounders substitute Georgi Minoungou got free down the left side of the field in the 82nd minute. With Yannick Bright tracking back to defend, Minoungou attempted a cutback and was caught by Bright’s sliding challenge.
Roldan coolly converted the penalty past Oscar Ustari in the 84th minute to turn tension into joy for most of a crowd of 69,314 at Lumen Field – a Leagues Cup and club single-game attendance record.
A video camera that was posted on social video appeared to show Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez, left, spitting on a Sounders staffer after the full-time whistle [Lynne Sladky/AP Photo]
Chinese leader pledges $280m in aid to members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at summit in Tianjin.
Published On 1 Sep 20251 Sep 2025
Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged regional leaders to oppose “Cold War mentality” at a gathering of a security bloc that Beijing has touted as an alternative to the Western-led international order.
In a speech to attendees of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on Monday, Xi said that member states are facing increasingly complicated security and development challenges as the world becomes “chaotic and intertwined”.
“Looking back, despite tumultuous times, we have achieved success by practising the Shanghai spirit,” Xi said.
“Looking to the future, with the world undergoing turbulence and transformation, we must continue to follow the Shanghai spirit, keep our feet on the ground, forge ahead, and better perform the functions of the organisation.”
Calling for an “equal and orderly multipolarisation” of the world, Xi said the bloc should work towards the creation of a “more just and equitable global governance system”.
The Chinese leader said Beijing would provide 2 billion yuan ($280m) in aid to member states this year and a further 10 billion yuan ($1.4bn) of loans to an SCO banking consortium.
“We must take advantage of the mega-scale market… to improve the level of trade and investment facilitation,” Xi said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko are among the more than 20 world readers attending the two-day SCO summit, which opened on Sunday in China’s northern city of Tianjin.
Established in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation began as a grouping of six Eurasian nations – China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – but has since expanded to comprise 10 permanent members and 16 dialogue and observer countries.
Analysts say that China intends to use the gathering to promote an alternative to the United States-led global order and repair ties with India amid a shifting geopolitical environment under US President Donald Trump.
AT least 250 people have been killed and hundreds more injured after multiple earthquakes struck eastern Afghanistan.
A 6.0 quake, the strongest, struck the the Jalalabad area at around midnight local time, with tremors felt as far as Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, nearly 200 miles away.
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The larger red circle shows the 6.0 quake in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, AfghanistanCredit: German Research Centre for Geosciences
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An injured Afghan boy receives treatment at a hospital following the earthquakesCredit: AFP
Towns in the province of Kunar, near Jalalabad, were near the epicentre.
The Kunar Disaster Management Authority said in a statement that at least 250 people were killed and 500 others injured in the districts of Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi and Chapadare.
Rescuers are working in several districts of the mountainous province where the quake hit.
Officials have said the terrain is making it tricky to reach survivors – and they expect the death toll to rise.
The 6.0 magnitude quake struck at 11:47pm, 17 miles northeast of Jalalabad, according to the US Geological Survey,
Its epicentre was 5 miles below ground.
There was a second earthquake in the same province about 20 minutes later, with a magnitude of 4.5 and a depth of 6.2 miles.
This was later followed by a 5.2 earthquake at the same depth.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.
The most successful Welsh side since regional rugby was launched in 2003 with four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup triumph.
Warren Gatland famously named 13 Ospreys in his first Wales team in 2008.
But that star-studded squad of ‘Galacticos’, with the likes of Shane Williams, Gavin Henson and Ryan Jones as well as All Blacks Justin Marshall, Marty Holah and Jerry Collins, should have achieved more.
The region has produced genuine superstars, such as Alun Wyn Jones, Shane Williams, Dan Biggar, Adam Jones and James Hook. This summer it provided one of only two British & Irish Lions players from Wales – Jac Morgan flying to Australia along with Gloucester’s Tomos Williams.
Ospreys also have population on their side in Wales’ second-biggest city and have opted to leave the often soulless Swansea.com Stadium and spend this 2025-26 season in Bridgend while they redevelop St Helen’s.
But Swansea council have safeguards if professional rugby in the city is impacted by the WRU decision.
The region, taken over by Y11 Sport & Media in 2020, came close to a merger with the Scarlets in 2019, while talk of a merger with Cardiff in 2023 was denied.
The WRU would be keen for those discussions to begin again.
Sept. 1 (UPI) — One person is dead and three others were injured following a midair collision between two planes that were attempting to land at a northeastern Colorado airport over the weekend, authorities and officials said.
The collision involved a Cessna 172 and an Extra Flugzeugbau EA300 at about 10:40 a.m. MDT Sunday at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which, along with the National Transportation Safety Board, is investigating the crash.
Fort Morgan, a city of about 11,800 people, is located roughly 80 miles northeast of Denver.
The FAA said there were two people aboard each small plane, and that the planes collided while attempting to land at the airport.
The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office said the Cessna was on final approach when it was struck by the Extra Flugzeugbau.
“Both aircraft crashed and caught fire,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
One occupant of the Extra Flugzeugbau was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was transported to a local hospital, the sheriff’s office said, adding that the two occupants of the Cessna sustained only minor injuries and were released at the airport.
The extent of the hospitalized victim’s injuries was unknown.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim in this tragic event,” the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office said.
It can be hard to beat the crowds when it comes to Europe’s most popular destinations, however a travel vlogger has revealed that September is the perfect month to visit this much-loved country
September is the best time to visit this popular European country(Image: Getty Images)
A travel expert has revealed that September is the best time to visit this popular European destination if you’re looking to escape the crowds.
While many of Europe’s top destinations end up rammed during the summer months, September remains an underrated time for holidaymakers. With mild weather, fewer crowds and kids back in school, it can actually be the best way to experience a new place – regardless of whether you want to unwind or explore.
However, there is one European country in particular that is a must-see once the crowds die down, according to travel vlogger Clara Alessandria. In a TikTok video, Clara revealed that September is one of the best times to visit Italy. Not only is the weather easier to handle, but there are far fewer crowds.
September is an ideal time to visit Italy(Image: Simona Sirio via Getty Images)
The TikTokker has lived in Italy for over 20 years and has made several guides allowing visitors to “travel like a local”, which means she has plenty of experience with the country’s tourism industry.
She explained: “[In September] the weather is still super warm, but not boiling hot like during summer, so you can visit cities and countryside without having to sweat all day long.” As an added bonus, she explains that the sea is also at its most pleasant as it has been “warming up all summer”.
Plus, it’s also a much quieter time to visit. She continued: “While you will find some tourists around, there will be nowhere near as many as in summer, which makes it a lot more enjoyable – especially for visiting touristy places.”
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Many commenters were quick to confirm that September was an idyllic time to go. One wrote: “I can attest to this! I spent 3.5 weeks in Italy mid-September to early October and it was INCREDIBLE!!!!”
A second added: “Agree! September is such a great month for a feel-good Italian vacation.” A third even jokingly chastised her for spilling the “secret”. They wrote: “Noo, why did you say the secret, the first three months of summer are for tourists and September is for locals.”
Sassi di Matera, Basilicata, Italy(Image: Getty)
If you’re wondering where in Italy to visit, there are plenty of popular options, including Rome, Florence and Sicily.
However, if you’re looking for somewhere a little more under the radar, a travel journalist recently revealed her favourite Italian holiday spot, as previously reported by The Mirror.
Writing in Business Insider, Kaitlyn Rosati, who has explored every region in Italy, said she considered the region of Basilicata to be “the country’s best-kept secret”.
Revelations in a new book saying Queen Camilla was the victim of an attempted indecent assault as a teenager dominate Monday’s papers. The Daily Mail leads with the detail that the future Queen fought off her attacker on a train by “hitting him with her shoe”. Also splashed on the paper is Labour’s “civil war”, as it features shadow cabinet minister Alex Burghart saying senior figures in the party are more concerned with “jockeying” to take over from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer than dealing with problems facing the country.
The Daily Telegraph headlines with “Queen fought off sex attacker”. The paper says the incident, detailed in Power and the Palace by Valentine Low, occurred when the Queen was “16 or 17”. The Telegraph adds that the episode was relayed by the Queen to former PM Boris Johnson in 2008.
“Camilla whacked groper in goolies” is the Sun’s take. The paper notes the Queen’s campaign for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic abuse, and features a quote from the book of her saying she defended herself by doing “what my mother taught me to”.
The Times leads with a report that says the UK withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights will not jeopardise peace in Northern Ireland. The paper says the study by the Policy Exchange think tank says the argument is “entirely groundless”. Also front and centre is some “black magic” brought by actress Alicia Vikander, as she poses on the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival.
Sir Keir has vowed to tackle Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s “scare tactics”, repots the Daily Mirror. The paper says the PM is ready with a range of policices that “offer genuine hope” and accuses Farage of “talking down” to the British people. Sharing the top spot is Liverpool’s “stunner” of a win over Arsenal, after a “hotshot” made by Dominik Szoboszlai.
“The deadly war on journalism in Gaza” leads the Guardian, as the paper fills its front page with pictures of some of the reporters killed in the region during the3 conflict with Israel. A special report by the Guardian says at least 189 journalists have been killed in 22 months in Gaza. Alongside, the paper reports doctors have found a drug that is better than aspirin at preventing heart attacks and strokes. It says the “stunning” discovery could transform health guidelines worldwide.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen says Europe is laying the “road map” for deploying troops in Ukraine, according to the Financial Times. In an interview with the paper, von der Leyen says European capitals are working on “pretty precise plans” for potential military deployments to support Kyiv as part of post-conflict security guarantees. Filling the top picture spot is the protests in Indonesia as people continue express their “rage at MPs” over politicians’ salary perks.
The Metro declares a “rail tickets revolution”, as the trialling of a pay-as-you-go ticketing app for passengers starts on Monday in England. The paper says the system which allows people to check in and out of rail journeys using an app on their phone could make travel “simpler and cheaper”. Elsewhere, the Metro teases a three-way “battle of the Bonds” between actors Aaron Taylor Johnson, Callum Turner and Jacob Elordi.
The Daily Express announces their new campaign to “halt the shoplifting crisis” costing stores “more than £2.2bn a year”. The paper is demanding that police attend every reported theft as it says “opportunistic stealing sprees” have soared to record levels.
Finally, the Daily Star announces “Nessi’s back!” as it reports on what it says is a new sighting of the Loch Ness monster. The paper dubs the return of “Britain’s fave monster” as the “best in 30 years”.
The Times leads on a report, backed by former Labour Home Secretary Jack Straw, that finds withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights would not jeopardise peace in Northern Ireland.
It says the study – by the Policy Exchange think tank – dismisses the argument widely cited to oppose leaving the ECHR as “entirely groundless”.
Straw is quoted as saying the report “helps clear the ground” for a debate about leaving.
The Daily Mail focuses on the “sleaze crisis” surrounding Angela Rayner after the Conservatives argued that criticism of the deputy prime minister was being fuelled by a civil war within Labour over who should succeed Sir Keir Starmer.
Shadow cabinet minister Alex Burghart tells the paper it is “very likely” that Labour rivals of Rayner are behind leaks about her personal life and tax affairs.
The Mail says Rayner’s allies insist she is the victim of a smear campaign.
An asssertion by the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, that she was offered a place at a prestigious US medical school has been described as “impossible” and “implausible”, according to the Guardian.
It says Badenoch has told multiple interviewers she was invited to study at Stanford University in California when she was 16, but academic and admissions experts have said such an option does not exist at that age.
A spokesman for Badenoch insists she was offered the place and says the Tory leader questions “hysterical efforts” to disprove this.
The party’s deputy leader Richard Tice is quoted as blaming high fees and bad investments for wasting taxpayers’ money.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says it does not recognise Reform’s assertions about the Local Government Pension Scheme.
The Daily Express is demanding action to halt what it calls the shoplifting crisis.
It wants police to attend every reported theft as part of its “stop the shoplifters crusade”.
The policing minister, Dame Diana Johnson, tells the paper the government’s neighbourhood policing plan will reverse a decade of decline under the Conservatives.
Annabelle Chang recommends books for a living. If you were to ask which one she finds most “criminally underrated,” she’d tell you it’s Katie Henry’s “This Will Be Funny Someday.”
“It is truly one of my favorite books I’ve ever read, not just my favorite YA books, just one of my favorite books that I think will really appeal to everyone,” Annabelle, 19, told The Times. “I read it at such an important time in my life. I was 16. The protagonist is also 16.”
“Annabelle’s love for this book actually inspired our entire family to read it,” her older sister Alexandra Brown Chang, 25, added. “I think it’s absolutely fantastic. I read it when I was 23, but I still resonate with it.”
Annabelle’s knack for recommending great young adult books led her to start an Instagram and blog during the COVID-19 pandemic. After seeing the positive response from readers of all ages, she began selling titles online and at pop-up events, including the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. At 16, she opened a brick-and-mortar store in Studio City: Annabelle’s Book Club LA, the first young adult-focused bookstore in the country.
“I actually had my heart set on this one space in West Hollywood and I was so sad when it didn’t work out. The landlord at the time said that nobody would ever come to a bookstore, which I was very sad to hear,” Annabelle said. “But it all worked out for the best and I truly could not imagine a better place for the bookstore.”
At 16, Annabelle Chang opened a brick-and-mortar store in Studio City: Annabelle’s Book Club LA, the first young adult-focused bookstore in the country.
(Annie Noelker / For The Times)
On Sept. 2, Annabelle’s Book Club, which was recently featured in a scene in the film “Freakier Friday,” will host an extra special event: a launch party for her sister’s debut novel, “By Invitation Only.” Inspired by Alexandra’s own experience as a “debutante dropout,” the coming-of-age story follows two seemingly different female protagonists, Piper and Chapin, whose worlds collide at the elite La Danse des Débutantes in Paris. Together, Annabelle and Alexandra strive to amplify young adult narratives.
“Historically, YA hasn’t been taken as seriously as it should be, but I think we are at a moment where that is changing and people are really recognizing the power of these stories,” Annabelle said. “They’re impactful for readers of all ages, and they address universal themes and are just incredibly important for everyone.”
“I’ve wanted to write a young adult novel for a very long time, and I think that coming-of-age stories have pretty much proven to be evergreen because every generation seems to be finding new ways to tell them,” added Alexandra, who graduated from Stanford in 2022. “I think that we don’t really come of age once. We keep coming of age because every single new stage of life, whether it’s going to college or experiencing your 20s, it forces you to reevaluate who you are and who you want to be.”
Annabelle and Alexandra grew up in a literary household. Their mom, Amanda Brown, wrote the 2001 book “Legally Blonde,” which was later adapted into the Reese Witherspoon-starring blockbuster and a Broadway musical. The girls recall their mom and dad, technology investor Justin Chang, reading to them every night, which helped inspire their love for books and storytelling. Among Alexandra’s favorites were “Eloise,” “Madeline” and “Sweet Dream Pie.”
“I loved ‘Pinkalicious,’ which I think makes sense as the bookstore is also very pink,” Annabelle added. “It’s always been my favorite color and one of my favorite stories to this day.”
“I’ve wanted to write a young adult novel for a very long time, and I think that coming-of-age stories have pretty much proven to be evergreen because every generation seems to be finding new ways to tell them,” said Alexandra Brown Chang.
(Annie Noelker / For The Times)
At 14, Alexandra started the fashion blog Alex and Ella with her close friend, and later launched her own site, the Zeitgeist, where she continued to write about fashion, art, travel and more. While in high school, she interned for designer Zac Posen in New York, an experience she called “life-changing.”
“It really allowed me to learn so much more about fashion, the business side of fashion, but also the design aspect,” Alexandra said. “And it really helped me see fashion in all of its amazing ways and as an art form.”
In “By Invitation Only,” fashion takes center stage as the girls prepare for their debutante debuts. Especially through Chapin’s character, Alexandra argues that fashion should be treated as a serious craft — similar to young adult literature.
“When all of the debutantes are wearing custom gowns, it makes sense that all of them would have an incredible amount of time and thought put into them,” she said.
Earlier this month, Alexandra took part in the festivities at Annabelle’s Book Club for Bookstore Romance Day — an annual celebration of romance books at independent bookstores across the country. In addition to hosting perfume making and lipstick reading — which is like tarot card reading, but with lipstick — the store gave away an advance copy of “By Invitation Only.”
While there are romantic elements throughout “By Invitation Only,” the heart of the story lies in the complicated relationship between Chapin and Piper. Unlikely friendships are one of Alexandra’s favorite tropes, she said.
“Piper and Chapin come from completely different backgrounds when their lives unexpectedly collide in Paris, and they really do change for the better,” Alexandra said. “And I think that’s a great message that everyone could use right now, and it certainly is true for myself and so many of my closest friends, and I really value those friendships.”
Alexandra spent about five years writing her novel and sent several early drafts to her sisters, including Annabelle; Audrey, Annabelle’s identical twin; and 15-year-old Ames. “I was really excited to get their input as the target age demographic as well,” she said of her younger siblings.
After the launch at Annabelle’s Book Club, Alexandra will head to bookstores across the country to promote her book, including Kepler’s Books in Menlo Park and Book Passage in San Francisco. Meanwhile, Annabelle is getting ready for her second year at Stanford, where she plans to major in product design and minor in creative writing. Still, she continues to juggle her responsibilities as a student and a business owner.
“It is certainly a balance. I feel incredibly lucky that we have such a wonderful team at our store, who can run the day-to-day when I can’t be there,” Annabelle said. “I find myself going back quite often for events and meetings.”
Even as they pursue their individual paths, Annabelle and Alexandra savor every opportunity they get to collaborate with each other.
“I love that we’re able to spend even more time together and that we have this common interest,” Alexandra said. “It’s really special.”
The Sparks won a critical game Sunday, defeating the Washington Mystics 81-78 to keep their slim playoff hopes alive heading into the final two weeks of the regular season.
Washington hit a trio of three-pointers in the final minute, but Dearica Hamby‘s jumper in the paint and Kelsey Plum‘s two free throws in the final 20 seconds were enough to seal a Sparks win.
Hamby led the Sparks with 20 points and 12 rebounds, recording her 11th double-double of the season. Plum added 18 points, four rebounds and six assists. Rickea Jackson contributed 16 points and Azurá Stevens had 12 rebounds.
“Dearica was just a beast on the boards and finishing in traffic with those-and-ones,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said. “She’s just so strong and athletic,”
It was a critical win for a ninth-place Sparks team that is three wins behind the Indiana Fever for the final playoff spot.
The Sparks (18-20) likely will need to win a majority of their remaining games to have a chance at the postseason. Their final six-game slate includes two tests against Atlanta this week and games against Phoenix and Las Vegas to close the regular season.
They also need the Valkyries, Fever and Seattle Storm to lose. Golden State, which beat Indiana on Sunday night to move ahead of Seattle and into sixth, also owns the playoff tiebreaker after winning the season series against the Sparks.
The Sparks could help their cause with a road win over Seattle (22-19) on Monday night.
Before Sunday’s win, Roberts wanted to see better pacing from her team. She got that, along with better shot execution. Unfortunately, 13 turnovers allowed the Mystics to stay on the Sparks’ heels most of the game.
The Sparks came out strong in the first quarter, building a double-digit lead of 13 points.
Washington (16-25) responded in the second quarter and tied the game 24-24. Plum then split a pair of free throws to put the Sparks ahead and they pulled away to take a 40-31 lead by halftime.
The Sparks continued to stay ahead in the third quarter, but six points from Kiki Iriafen coupled with a Stefanie Dolson three-pointer gave Washington a 56-55 lead with 8:21 left. The Sparks retook the lead before a Sonia Citron three-pointer tied the score at 61-61 with 5:35 remaining.
Hamby then made a couple of free throws and scored on a two-foot layup to put the Sparks ahead for good.
Iriafren finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds, securing her 15th double-double of the season. Shakira Austin added 11 points and seven rebounds. Citron chipped in 12 points.
With some much at stake in days ahead, Stevens knows the Sparks can’t afford to lose their focus.
“We know the circumstances, but all we can control is the next possession.” Stevens said, “Just taking it day by day and really focusing on us, our defense, our rebounding, our pace on offense.”
Roberts also would like to see more from her players Monday night against Seattle.
“We’ve got to be better at putting teams away and not making it a close game, but we took care of business [tonight],” Roberts said.
Tropical Storm Kiko formed Sunday over the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Photo courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Aug. 31 (UPI) — A new tropical storm formed over the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, making Kiko the 11th named storm in the Eastern North Pacific this year.
Tropical Storm Kiko formed early Sunday and had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph as of 5 p.m. HST Sunday, according to an update from the National Hurricane Center.
It was located about 1,120 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California and was moving west at 9 mph.
The forecasters said they expect Kiko to steadily strengthen over the next couple of days. An NHC discussion on Kiko states they believe it will likely cross into the central Pacific basin in four to five days.
It is expected to grow to hurricane strength in a day or two.
“Kiko is currently a compact system,” NHC forecaster John Cangialosi said in the discussion.
“Although it is forecast to get larger, the model guidance suggests that it will likely be on the smaller side through the week.”
The two foreign ministers presented their argument in the letter directed at EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas. They contended that the EU should impose carefully planned sanctions on Israeli government ministers and settlers of the West Bank. In addition, they demanded simultaneously new sanctions against the Hamas leadership in Gaza. The letter was dated August 27. It called on the EU to act fast. The ministers emphasized that restrictions should be imposed on those people who will encourage illegal settlement activity. Moreover, they further cautioned that ministers who act against a two-state solution need to be held answerable.
The West Bank, which is left in a state of occupation, has seen Israelis perpetrating recurrent incursions against the Palestinians. Maria Malmer Stenergard, the Swedish Foreign Minister, has been talking about it for months. She has called for sanctions on far-right Israeli cabinet officials since May. A big number of them advocate apparent annexation of Palestinian territory. This was announced by Stenergard on Thursday in Swedish public radio:sanctions need to cause such ministers to face difficulties. Her words emphasize an augmented annoyance of the situation in Europe as Israel continues to advance settlements.
The Dutch standing too has become hard. But action was postponed by internal quibbling. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp quit last week. He was unable to give national sanctions against Israel through his cabinet. He was recently superseded by Ruben Brekelmans, who co-signed the new letter.
The ministers went further. They insisted on cessation of the commercial part of the EU-Israel association deal. However, free trade in many areas such as agriculture and industry is allowed in this agreement. Falling victim to cutting off this benefit would cost Israel extremely economically. Over the years, opponents have claimed that Israel cannot be provided with preferential trade access as it continues to expand settlements on the occupied territory. Conserving this, the Swedish and Dutch ministers now want to make that argument into policy.
In the letter, the focus is not solely on Israel. The EU foreign services are required to present additional propositions to pressurize Hamas. The organization already managing the Gaza Strip is declared as a terrorist organization by the EU and a few of the Western states.
Nevertheless, the ministers insist there is still a need for further sanctions. They are worried that Hamas continues being an important factor in the struggle. They would like to add an additional stress layer by attacking the political hierarchy of Hamas.
Furthermore, the position adopted by Pakistan is unambiguous. Pakistan identifies with the entire community of states that champion humanity, justice, and long-term peace. The foreign policy has stood firmly behind the Palestinian cause, and the country has made numerous demands for a fair and peaceful resolution of the conflict. It is the country’s position that all countries should respect international law as well as humanitarianism. Besides, to assert this is the moral duty of the world community to act firmly for the innocent civilians that are being killed and starved.
The appeal of Pakistan to the EU to act immediately and in unison is by itself essential. It is said to be essential to this move to prevent constantly recurring atrocities and implement international humanitarian law. Pakistan also sincerely requests the EU to follow the appeal concerted by Sweden and the Netherlands. The era of contemplation is over; the call to act is on.
The timing of the letter is not random. There was an official announcement of famine in Gaza by the United Nations on Friday. The UN accuses Israel of what it terms systematic defiance on the facilitation of aid. The crisis is the result of over 22 months of war that led to considerable loss of civilian lives and the destruction of many properties.
The humanitarian catastrophe has brought the appeal for more forceful steps in Europe. It has been said that assistance cannot be delivered to the needy without pressure on Israel by the politicians. Others think that the strategies of Hamas also extend the suffering.
The problem this time will be brought to the EU foreign ministers on Saturday. Proposals will be debated there by the member states. The extent to which Sweden and the Netherlands will collect support is not certain. There are those governments in the EU that like conservative diplomacy. Others fear that quotas might carve up relationships with Israel or with the United States. Yet momentum is building. Notably, the urgency has been introduced through the famine declaration.
In the EU, Sweden and the Netherlands have frequently been active participants in Middle East debates. Their last move indicates that they are ready to go to greater extremes. Accountability of settlement expansion, in the case of Stenergard, is the question. In the case of Brekelmans, it is the policies of Israel as well as the activities of Hamas.
The way they did things reflects a broader European trend. Greater information is frustrating governments that the peace process is not forthcoming. Settlement expansion is seen by many as the greatest barrier to a two-state solution. It is also claimed by others that diplomacy is compromised by the constant attacks by Hamas.
Despite these cries, the EU has internal cracks. Such nations as Germany and Hungary have always feared sanctioning Israel. France and Spain have assumed more hardline stances, but they are also wary of trade measures. Getting consensus will not come easy.
Nevertheless, the Swedish Akademisk holändsk Bulletin is a telling sign. The pressure on Israel no longer remains a fringe concept in the EU. It is entering into mainstream debate. This is in the wake of United States and Israel negotiations on post-war Gaza. Washington has called on restraint, yet it is on the side of Israel militarily. On the same day, Tel Aviv reported that a complete evacuation of Gaza City is inevitable. These trends make EU decisions more important. The sanctions would become a landmark should they be passed. The Israeli settlement policy has received many criticisms from the EU, but very few measures have been taken by the body. The most powerful thing that could be done, however, is to suspend the trade deal.
The Netherlands and Sweden have gone bold. Their open letter to Kaja Kallas asks to target sanctions against violent settlers and monopolist Israeli ministers. It also requires additional actions against the political leadership of Hamas. Also, they desire that the EU-Israel trade agreement be suspended.
The proposals come at a time when Gaza struggles with famine and when the war will turn 23 months old. The EU foreign ministers meeting in Copenhagen will debate the issue. The result may remodel the policy of Europe in the Middle East. Somehow the sanctions may pass or not pass, but one thing is evident. Increasing pressure is within the EU. The humanitarian crisis and the continuing conflict are moving governments to action. With the strikes by Sweden and the Netherlands, the issue of sanctions now rests squarely on the European stage.
In the second season of the Netflix series, we saw three pairs tie the knot: Kieran and Megan, Kal and Sarover and Billy and Ashleigh.
However, it seems the latter two couples have since called it quits not long after the show finished filming.
It comes after fans were concerned that Billy would turn Ashleigh down at the altar, after previously expressing concerns about their different work schedules would impact the relationship.
In an exclusive interview, Cabin Crew Manager Ashleigh opened up about the breakdown of her marriage to Billy, admitting they now ‘don’t speak much’.
Ashleigh felt ‘reassured’ on their wedding day(Image: Netflix)
She revealed that their relationship had ended “within a day” of fellow ex-couple Sarover and Kal, who also tied the knot on the show but split soon after.
Speaking about their difficult break-up, Ashleigh explained: “There was a follow-up conversation two weeks later.
“But yeah, we left the experiment; he said ‘yes’ to me and I was like, ‘This is all I needed. Billy has reassured me with that yes that this is going to work.
“‘He’s getting married for the second time, this is the real deal,’” she added.
“But unfortunately it wasn’t the real deal and he walked away with no fight. It was three months where I felt I was problem solving and looking to the future and he was just walking away from me.
“And I think, when you fall in love with someone, you grow to love them even more when the cameras are away and it’s just us now,” she reflected.
Fans wondered what Billy would say on the wedding day (Image: Netflix)
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“But I felt he was more and more cold towards me and icy and my friends and family saw that side of Billy.
“And he walked away with no fight in January and we haven’t really spoken much since,” she admitted, as Sarover also confirmed that she and Kal “don’t speak either”.
Sarover had a similar perspective on her relationship with Kal, saying: “We tried to make it work, I was in love with him and he just ended it and I was blindsided.
“That was it, there was no conversation to be had, he just walked away.”
Meanwhile, Jed and Bardha have also called it quits after Bardha said ‘no’ to Jed at the altar, and Katisha and Javen have also parted ways following her decision to leave the process early.
Nonetheless, one happy marriage has come out of the experiment, as Kieran and Megan have confirmed it is still “all plain sailing” for their relationship.
Love Is Blind UK season 2 is available to stream now, exclusively on Netflix.
This ultra-secluded British beach features red sand, cliffs and breath-taking coastal views. The one catch? It can only be entered through a centuries-old tunnel
Visitors can enter Ness Cove through the Smuggler’s Tunnel(Image: Visit South Devon)
If you’re looking to enter this stunning British beach you’ll have to go through a secret tunnel first.
Ness Cove in Shaldon, near Exeter looks like it was dreamt up in a storybook: a secluded beach, tall red cliffs and a secreted entrance. As one of Devon’s best kept secrets, many don’t even notice it’s there until they stumble through the dark, hidden tunnel and are greeted by the stunning view.
Known as the Smugglers Tunnel, it was thought to have been used by smugglers transporting their goods from the boats to the village in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, little else is known about its origins. It appears as a small entrance built into the rocky wall and, once inside, the passage is dark and winding, lit only by a string of lights on the ceiling.
Regardless, this special feature only adds to the beach’s draw. While England’s southwest is normally filled with day-trippers and tourists, particularly in the warmer months, Ness Cove offers a rare feeling of privacy.
The beach is further protected by the fact that it takes a bit of a walk to get there. There are 86 steps, with the tunnel taking around five minutes, and at the end you’re met by a steep drop (which means a tough trek back up).
However, the reward is an untouched, quiet beach, featuring soft red sand. The surrounding cliffs also keep it well-sheltered, meaning it’s often warmer than other spots around the coast.
This secret beach can only be entered through a tunnel(Image: Visit South Devon)
Since the beach is so concealed, you’re also protected from the noise of traffic, leaving you to enjoy the view in relative peace. Although, it is important to note that if you want to use the toilet, you will have to head back through the tunnel.
One TripAdvisor reviewer described the cove as “a hidden gem”. They wrote: “The access to the cove is through a tunnel. I was a bit apprehensive to go there but it was well lit and easy enough although we were a bit out of breath climbing up about 86 steps.
“Once you come out of the tunnel you are greeted with a most beautiful secluded cove with fresh water streams running down from the cliff and gentle waves of the sea in front. Not windy as it is protected by the cliffs on three sides.”
Another reviewer remarked on how quiet it was. They said: “The five-minute walk through the tunnel itself is it’s very own experience, but absolutely worth it for the views at the end.
“The beach is hidden away between two cliffs, but a great place to visit and a lot quieter than the surrounding tourist beaches.”
Fin Graham won his fourth successive road race World Championship title as Great Britain’s Para-cyclists brought home nine medals from Belgium.
Graham, 25, launched an attack inside the final kilometre and held off France’s Thomas Peyroton Dartet to retain his C3 crown.
His victory came two days after he won time trial bronze in Ronse.
“To win a first world title back in 2022 was a dream come true, so to now be retaining that for the fourth year in a row, is something that I could never have imagined,” he said.
“To do it here in Belgium, with that crowd, was phenomenal. I was made to work for it; it was such a hard race.
“It has finished off a really good week for our squad. Retaining this title, as Paralympic champion, is very special. To race in the rainbow stripes for another year is still a pinch me moment. I’ll never get tired of looking down and seeing the rainbow bands.”
Earlier on Sunday, Sophie Unwin – with her pilot Jenny Holl – won bronze in the women’s B road race, while Morgan Newberry won the same colour in the C5 equivalent.
Those followed silvers for both riders on Friday in their respective time trials.
There was a bronze medal too for Archie Atkinson in the C4 road race, while Felix Barrow finished third in the T2 race.
On Thursday, Callum Russell became the first British man to win a World Championship hand bike medal when he won bronze in the H4 time trial.
Kim Jong Un’s visit comes ahead of planned trip to China to attend military parade with Xi Jinping.
Published On 1 Sep 20251 Sep 2025
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inspected a new missile production line and missile-manufacturing automation process, according to state media.
His visit on Sunday to the missile production line came ahead of a planned trip to Beijing to attend a military parade along with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
North Korea is under heavy international sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, which were developed in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Experts and international officials say the sanctions have lost much of their bite amid growing economic, military and political support from Russia and China.
Kim said that the modernised production process would help increase major missile units’ combat readiness, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Monday.
North Korea has sent soldiers, artillery ammunition and missiles to Russia to support Moscow in its war against Ukraine.
North Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also criticised US cooperation with Japan and South Korea, singling out a recent trilateral joint statement that warned of cybersecurity threats from Pyongyang.
The ministry “strongly denounces and rejects” the United States, Japan and South Korea for using cyberspace as a “theatre of geopolitical confrontation and hostile propaganda”, a spokesperson said in a statement carried by KCNA.
“The more the US persists in its anachronistic and malicious hostile acts against the DPRK through the intensified collaboration with its satellite countries, the more distrust and hostility will be piled up between the DPRK and the US,” the spokesperson added, using the initials of North Korea’s official name.
Police set up checkpoints across Jakarta in anticipation of further demonstrations.
Published On 1 Sep 20251 Sep 2025
Indonesian authorities have ramped up security after six people were killed in unrest over economic hardship that escalated into violent anger against the nation’s police force.
The deadly protests, which began last week over financial perks for lawmakers, have forced President Prabowo Subianto to make a U-turn over the measures.
Demonstrations had begun peacefully, but turned violent against the nation’s elite paramilitary police unit after footage showed one of its teams running over 21-year-old delivery driver Affan Kurniawan late on Thursday.
Protests have since spread from the capital, Jakarta, to other major cities, including Yogyakarta, Bandung, Semarang and Surabaya in Java, and Medan in North Sumatra province, in the worst unrest since Prabowo took power.
More gatherings of students and protesters were planned in several locations around Indonesia’s vast archipelago on Monday.
Police set up checkpoints across the capital, Jakarta, on Monday, and a police spokesman told broadcaster Kompas TV that officers were also patrolling the city to “protect” citizens and give a sense of security.
Police had deployed a convoy of armoured cars and motorbikes to parliament late on Sunday, in a show of force as they attempted to warn off protesters.
The crisis has forced Prabowo to cancel a planned trip to China this week for a military parade commemorating the end of World War II.
His close ally, Minister of Defence Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, warned Sunday that military and police would take “firm action” against “rioters and looters”, after the Minister of Finance’s house was pillaged.
At least three people were killed after a fire on Friday started by protesters at a council building in the eastern city of Makassar.
Another victim died in Makassar on Friday after he was beaten by a mob on suspicion that he was an intelligence officer, local disaster agency official Muhammad Fadli Tahar told AFP on Sunday.
In Yogyakarta, the Amikom Yogyakarta University confirmed the death of its student, Rheza Sendy Pratama, in protests, but the circumstances around his death remain unclear.
In anticipation of further unrest, TikTok on Saturday temporarily suspended its live feature for “a few days” in Indonesia, where it has more than 100 million users.
A MUM is ho-ho-home and dry for Christmas already — with £2,000 of gifts all set to go under the tree.
Charlotte Chandler started buying presents for her children Harley, 14, Evie, 13, and six-year-old Myles in June.
The 36-year-old says stocking up early takes off the pressure during the festive period.
She said: “Getting organised early makes a massive difference.
“I usually start in June but sometimes I start earlier.
“This way, I can spread the cost but also be less stressed nearer Christmas and have spare money for activities.
“Going through a busy shopping centre in December and fighting for a parking space is a no thank you.”
And she resists any urge to keep adding to her stockpile.
Charlotte said: “I don’t keep going until Christmas. I’m done now.”
The well-organised content creator, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, hides the presents in two 7ft cupboards with locks on them.
Besides the £2,000 on gifts, single mum Charlotte will add about £10 a week to her food shop to buy festive treats such as crisps, nuts, chocolates and fizzy drinks.
She said: “Anything to keep those stress levels down and enjoy Christmas.”
Christmas Eve boxes are out – the new trend parents are gifting kids instead, it’s cheaper & they’ll enjoy it more too
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Charlotte Chandler started buying presents for her children in JuneCredit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvinmedia
When in doubt, go with the one with fewer obvious risks.
In the tech and business world, no topic has been harder to avoid than artificial intelligence (AI). Over the past couple of years, it has been the topic. With this surge in interest has come a rise in the valuations of many tech stocks as investors rush to capitalize on new growth opportunities.
No two companies have benefited more from the AI hype than Nvidia(NVDA -3.38%) and Palantir(PLTR -0.89%). It has propelled Nvidia to the world’s most valuable public company and pushed Palantir’s stock price up over 810% since the beginning of 2024.
Both companies have produced generational returns, but if you had to choose one of the growth stocks to invest in, which is the better choice?
Image source: Getty Images.
What Nvidia has going for it
Nvidia is undoubtedly one of the most important companies in the AI world. It produces graphics processing units (GPUs) that power data centers, making it possible to train, deploy, and scale AI as we know it today. In its latest quarter, Nvidia’s data center revenue increased 56% from a year ago to $41.1 billion (88% of its total revenue).
Nvidia makes GPUs for gaming consoles, automotive applications, and networking, but data centers are its bread and butter. The company plans to go all in on becoming an AI infrastructure company.
This pivot has worked out in Nvidia’s favor and is expected to continue doing so, as the company anticipates AI infrastructure spending to increase between $3 trillion and $4 trillion over the next five years from some of AI’s largest spenders, including the “Magnificent Seven” stocks. Nvidia expects it can capture up to 70% of this spending.
What Palantir has going for it
Palantir is a software company that uses AI to turn vast amounts of data into actionable insights. It’s not as important to the AI ecosystem as Nvidia, but its use cases are continuously growing, which has fueled its growth over the past couple of years. Palantir’s initial focus was on government entities, such as the Department of Defense, CIA, and FBI, but it has expanded and shown it can be successful in the commercial sector, too.
Its U.S. government segment is still the bulk of its revenue (42% of total revenue), but its U.S. commercial segment is its fastest-growing segment. In the second quarter, U.S. commercial revenue grew 93% year over year to $306 million. The growth of both segments helped Palantir achieve its first billion-dollar quarter, more than doubling its revenue from just three years ago.
Palantir’s AI Platform (AIP) is responsible for its recent commercial success. As it continues to gain adoption across various industries, Palantir should see its revenue base diversify, enhancing its long-term appeal.
What downsides does each company have?
Nvidia’s largest “roadblock” is that it’s in the middle of a volatile relationship between the U.S. and China. The Trump administration imposed a ban on sales of the H20 chip (Nvidia’s China-compliant AI chip) to China in April, but reversed the decision in July after Nvidia agreed to pay the government a 15% tax on AI chip revenue generated in China (the deal is in place, but has not yet been finalized). It’s worth keeping an eye on how this plays out.
Palantir’s downside is its reliance on U.S. government contracts. These contracts can provide lucrative opportunities, but they can also be subject to changing government budgets and political priorities. As volatile as the current political environment is, it wouldn’t be far-fetched for some of these contracts to be restructured or canceled completely. Palantir’s commercial business is growing, but it still relies on U.S. government contracts to keep the lights on.
You can’t ignore how each company is valued
Although both companies have great growth prospects, you can’t decide on which is the better one to own without looking at their valuations. As of Aug. 28, Nvidia is trading at 41 times its forward earnings, while Palantir is trading at 242 times its forward earnings.
Nvidia’s 41 forward P/E ratio is expensive by most standards, but Palantir’s valuation is one of the highest in history. It has gotten to the point where an Economist article mentioned that Palantir “might be the most overvalued firm of all time.”
When I think of which is the better stock to own, I think about which one has more margin for error because growth stocks are known for being volatile — especially ones propped up by AI hype. Nvidia has little room for error with its valuation, but Palantir has virtually no room for error at its current valuation.
In my opinion, that makes Nvidia the better choice between the two.
Stefon Walters has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Nvidia and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Aug. 31 (UPI) —Rudy Giuliani, a former New York City mayor and one-time lawyer to President Donald Trump, was hospitalized with a fractured vertebra following a car crash in New Hampshire, his head of security announced Sunday.
The security official, Michael Ragusa, said Giuliani’s vehicle was struck from behind Saturday evening while he was traveling on a highway.
“He was transported to a nearby trauma center, where he was diagnosed with a fractured thoracic vertebrae, multiple lacerations and contusions, as well as injuries to his left arm and lower leg,” Ragusa said in a statement posted to X.
Giuliani “is in good spirits and recovering tremendously,” he added.
