Month: October 2026

Tuesday 6 October Earthquake Memorial Day in Turkmenistan

At 1:12am on October 6th 1948 an earthquake struck Turkmenistan. The earthquake was recorded as having a magnitude of 7.3 and the epicentre was just south of the capital, Ashgabat.

Within a matter of minutes, Ashgabat and about 40 surrounding villages were reduced to rubble, with almost all brick buildings collapsing and concrete structures heavily damaged.

Details of the damage were censored by the Turkmen government, so estimates of casualties vary. At the time, deaths were estimated at 10,000. After independence from Soviet rule, it was revealed that the number was closer to 110,00, which was 10% of the population of the country at the time.

That’s not to say that the Soviets didn’t try to respond. A thousand doctors and medical employees immediately arrived in Ashgabat from all parts of the former Soviet Union to assist the survivors and the surrounding Soviet states offered help in whatever way they could.

On Earthquake Memorial Day in 2009, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov said about 176,000 people suffered due to the Earthquake.

“One of the most powerful earthquakes in the world occurred in Ashgabat and its surroundings on October 6th 1948, at 1:12… [the] Natural disaster was a severe test for Turkmen people and razed to the ground the city with 198,000 people for 15-20 seconds,” Berdymukhamedov said.

In 2002, the government of Turkmenistan commemorated the devastating event by issuing special coins featuring images of President Suparmurat Niyazov and his family members.  The earthquake killed Niyazov’s mother and the rest of his family, leaving him an orphan.

James Bond actress Léa Seydoux says films will ‘never be the same’ after Amazon takeover

Lea Seydoux played the psychologist Dr. Madeleine Swann in the James Bond films Spectre and No Time to Die when Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson were in charge of 007.

Actress Léa Seydoux says the James Bond films will “never be the same” after Amazon bought the rights and gained creative control of the franchise. Lea played the psychologist Dr. Madeleine Swann in the James Bond films Spectre and No Time to Die in 2015 and 2021 when Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson were in charge of 007.

The daughter and stepson of Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, who launched Bond in 1962 have now stepped down and Amazon will now decide which actor will take over the famous character from Daniel Craig.

Speaking to Elle UK, Lea said “I really loved working with [former Bond producer] Barbara Broccoli and her brother Michael [G Wilson]. It was one of the best experiences, a pure delight. And I don’t know, it will be different.”

She added that the next film’s director Denis Villeneuve was a great choice but added: “Let’s see. I’m curious how they will reinvent it. But for me, it will never be the same because it was Barbara’s father who initiated the Bond movies. Now, I don’t know, it became American… I hope they will keep the British spirit.”

Lea also gave her thoughts on who should play the next Bond. She said: “He needs to be layered, you know? And that’s something that’s hard to find in young actors.”

James Norton, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Theo James have been among the bookmakers’ favourites to fill Craig’s shoes over the past few years.

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Lea has been at the Cannes Film Festival this summer where she launched two new films including Gentle Monster which is released at the end of the month and saw her in nude scenes which she filmed soon after the birth of her second son.

She said: “They were difficult for me, of course, but it’s the body I had at the time I made those films. I think it’s important to see bodies that you can relate to… to make it more believable in a way. It was a few months after I gave birth, and I’m proud to show my body, that is, a real body.”

She has also learned to accept her own body and how she isn’t always the most efficient person on a film set.

Lea explained: “I’m not someone who’s very efficient – but I think it’s good not to be. I don’t want to stick to one thing. I tried when I was younger to fit in more. Now I’m accepting this part of me, and I like it. There’s a great freedom in that. It’s something AI will never replicate.”

* The November issue of Elle UK is on sale from Thursday. Gentle Monster will be in select UK cinemas from October 30 and on Netflix from November 18.

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Chargers’ Rashawn Slater could be placed on injured reserve

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh shared several sobering injury updates Monday in the wake of Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Left tackle Rashawn Slater sustained a high ankle sprain and is a candidate for injured reserve, Harbaugh said. Right tackle Joe Alt (neck) is still being evaluated but is less likely to be placed on IR. Offensive lineman Trevor Penning is in concussion protocol.

Safety Derwin James Jr. (hamstring) is week-to-week, but is expected to stay off IR. Cornerback Donte Jackson (hamstring) is also week-to-week.

Wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who has already fought through a cracked rib this season, is day-to-day with a foot injury.

“Next man up,” Harbaugh said. “Putting the plan together and treating it like it’s a one-game season. That’s what we’re doing.”

Harbaugh said guard Kayode Awosika (fibula), wideout Brenen Thompson (quad), defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (hamstring) and tight end Charlie Kolar are “all making good progress” with their injuries.

Harbaugh added that offensive lineman Branson Taylor and fullback/defensive lineman Scott Matlock, who were placed on injured reserve for undisclosed reasons before Week 1, have a “good chance” to open their practice windows this week. However, linebacker Denzel Perryman (undisclosed) isn’t “quite there yet.”

The 0-4 Chargers host the Denver Broncos (2-2) on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.

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Trump officials pursue record number of cases to strip US citizenship | Donald Trump News

The United States Department of Justice has filed 40 new cases seeking to strip naturalised Americans of their citizenship over alleged crimes they have committed.

In a statement on Monday, federal prosecutors said they were targeting individuals accused of “serious offenses”, including money laundering, child sexual abuse, visa fraud and tax evasion.

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The statement touted the 40 cases as the largest volume of denaturalisation petitions submitted in such a short period under President Donald Trump. The petitions were filed from late August through early October.

“Today’s announcement marks the largest denaturalization effort in modern history,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Justice will continue to employ the denaturalization process to maintain our national security and protect the American people.”

The 40 citizens targeted in Monday’s announcement include people from a range of countries, including Mexico, Pakistan, China and Sierra Leone.

They are accused of concealing criminal acts and other facts about themselves as they sought to obtain citizenship. Their criminal convictions largely came after they took their oaths of citizenship.

Two people on the list are also accused of engaging in espionage on behalf of China. Committing these crimes before they became citizens, the Department of Justice alleges, meant these individuals lacked “good moral character” and should have been denied citizenship.

Expanded use of denaturalisation law

The laws to denaturalise US citizens have been used for decades, but historically, they have been reserved for serious crimes.

After World War II, for instance, the US government moved to denaturalise dozens of citizens accused of concealing involvement in the Holocaust or engaging in war crimes.

Notable cases include that of Emma Goldman, a Lithuanian-born anarchist and women’s rights activist who was jailed in 1917 for her antiwar activities, before being denaturalised and deported to the Soviet Union.

But the practice has become much less frequent since the end of the Cold War.

Top officials in the Trump administration, however, have sought to expand denaturalisation as part of a push to conduct the largest deportation operation in US history.

Under US law, prosecutors can ask courts to strip citizenship from those born outside the country if they wilfully concealed a “material fact” during their citizenship application that would have otherwise disqualified them.

But Trump’s efforts to widen denaturalisation proceedings have received pushback from human rights groups, which argue they could leave people stateless.

Critics have also warned that Trump has sought to leverage denaturalisation against specific groups he perceives to be political rivals or enemies.

Last year, for instance, the Trump administration indicated it would seek to denaturalise large numbers of Somali Americans after allegations emerged in Minnesota of daycare fraud involving the Somali diaspora.

“Send them back from where they came, Somalia, perhaps the worst, and most corrupt, country on earth,” Trump wrote at the time.

Members of Trump’s Republican Party, notably Representative Andy Ogles, have also floated the possibility of yanking citizenship from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was born in Uganda. Trump himself has falsely suggested Mamdani may be in the country illegally.

At one point, Trump even floated the idea of withdrawing citizenship from tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, a close ally and adviser to his second administration, after the two men had a falling-out in 2025.

Trump has also pushed to do away with birthright citizenship, which is granted to virtually all children born in the US. The few exceptions include the babies of diplomats and foreign military forces.

Birthright citizenship is protected under the US Constitution and cannot be taken away the way naturalised citizenship can.

In June, the US Supreme Court struck down Trump’s efforts to dismantle birthright citizenship, but legal battles continue after the president issued a second executive order also seeking to restrict how birthright citizenship is applied.

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The Blue Planet and Gandhi composer George Fenton dies aged 76

After composing the score for the BBC’s Trials of Life in 1990, Fenton went on to create the music for what became known as David Attenborough’s Earth Trilogy: The Blue Planet, Planet Earth and Frozen Planet.

Fenton’s music perfectly complemented the stunning visuals of the ocean’s depths and the polar ice caps, adding an emotional weight to the narrative, using the full might of the orchestra to evoke everything from wonder and awe to tension and suspense.

Following the success of the documentaries, Fenton created a show – The Blue Planet in Concert – which has been performed by leading orchestras in venues around the world.

Among his other well-known soundtracks were The Long Walk Home, You’ve Got Mail, Sweet Home Alabama, The Lady In The Van and Mrs Henderson Presents.

Fenton also scored more films for British director Ken Loach than any other composer.

Their 18 collaborations included Ladybird, Ladybird; I, Daniel Blake and The Wind That Shakes the Barley, which won the Palme d’Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.

He also founded the Association of Professional Composers, which later merged with The Ivors Academy; and he is one of only a handful of musicians to receive the Academy’s fellowship, alongside Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Elton John, Kate Bush, Bruce Springsteen and George Michael.

In addition, Fenton was a visiting professor at the Royal College of Music and the University of Nottingham. He was made a CBE for services to music in 2023.

The composer often said that his musical career had been an accident, but nothing gave him greater joy than seeing his work come to life.

On his episode of Desert Island Discs, Fenton chose one of his own compositions – Reunion, from the soundtrack to the movie Accidental Hero – as it reminded him of watching pianist John Lowe play the melody in the studio.

“If I was sitting on a desert island and thinking about what a good time I’d had writing music, which I have, I want just one thing to remind me about the best part – which is the fact that you write something and then you’re so surprised and thrilled at the way it’s played,” he told Sue Lawley.

“For a composer, that’s the biggest kick you can get.”

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Tragic last pic of Michael Flatley’s wife Niamh meeting Pope months before death at 52 as heartbroken star pays tribute

THIS is the heartbreaking last picture of Michael Flatley’s beloved wife, Niamh O’Brien, in public meeting the Pope months before her death.

The 52-year-old died earlier today following “a period of illness” leaving the Lord of the Dance star devastated.

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Niamh O’Brien was last seen during a meeting with the Pope in May Credit: Vatican Media
Michael Flatley and Niamh O'Brien at the Raindance Film Festival photocall.
Niamh died after a ‘period of illness’, a representative said Credit: Getty

The mum-of-one passed away peacefully at the Beacon Hospital in Dublin, a representative said.

She was last pictured in public meeting then-incoming Pope Leo XIV on April 29 with her husband.

The pair travelled to the Vatican to meet the Shepherd of the Flock with their son, Michael St James.

Flatley was inspired by the visit where he kissed the Pope’s ring and had his “cherished” rosary beads blessed by the pontiff.

And classy Niamh donned an all black outfit for the occasion where she was seen smiling alongside her husband.

Michael St James had also opted for a black monochrome look and was pictured standing beside his beloved mum.

The happy pair were both smiling as Flatley exchanged words and shook hands with the pontiff.

Flatley later said: “It was an incredible honour to meet His Holiness.

“I am so moved. I didn’t think I’d ever have that opportunity.”

He also spoke about his own Catholic faith, having grown up to a working- class Irish immigrant father on the south side of Chicago.

He said: “My parents were hard-working Irish Catholic people. And we went to Mass every Sunday and we worked every day, just the way we were brought up.

“It’s my honor and my joy to carry on their traditions and spread as much joy as I can.

“Jesus Christ gave me every opportunity to become a great dancer and to travel the world and meet the world leaders, but my greatest day was today, meeting the Holy Father and God’s representative on earth.”

The Lord of the Dance also extended an invite to Ireland to Pope Leo on behalf of the Irish people.

Flatley paid tribute to his late wife earlier tonight in a heartbreaking social media post.

He said: “My heart is broken. I have lost my beautiful wife, Niamh, and my best friend.

“My gorgeous bride of twenty years has gone to the Lord in Heaven.

“She was the most loving mother, wife and person, and our lives will never be the same without her.

“Thank you for all the love and kindness you have shown us. Please keep Niamh, Michael St James, and our family in your thoughts and prayers.”

And a representative said: “The Flatley and O’Brien families are devastated by Niamh’s sudden passing and have asked that their privacy be respected as they come to terms with this heartbreaking loss.

“They express their sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Beacon Hospital who cared for Niamh over the past few weeks, and to everyone who has offered their kindness and support to the family.”

Niamh’s funeral details will be announced in due course, a spokesperson has said.

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Legendary Angels and Padres scout Bob Fontaine Jr. dies at 73

The baseball world was captivated by left-handed pitching prospect Jim Abbott ahead of the 1988 major league draft mostly because he didn’t have a right hand. Seven teams passed on him before the Angels picked him.

Why? Largely because Angels scouting director Bob Fontaine Jr. ignored the potential limitations that others fixated on when evaluating Abbott. Rather than dwelling on the absence of a right hand, Fontaine saw something wondrous coming out of Abbott’s left hand — a cut fastball.

“He’s actually more suited to the pro game than the amateurs with the aluminum bats,” Fontaine told The Times after the draft. “He’s going to be breaking off a lot of these wood bats with that cut fastball.”

As usual, Fontaine, who died Saturday at age 73, was prophetic in his assessment. Abbott became the rare pitcher to go straight from college — he’d starred at Michigan — to the major leagues, skipping the minors entirely and enjoying a 10-year MLB career while inspiring numerous fans in disabled communities.

Bob Fontaine Jr. as director of player development for the Seattle Mariners.

Bob Fontaine Jr. as director of player development for the Seattle Mariners.

(Seattle Mariners)

“I think every scout, if they scout for any length of time, is going to have one player that just is special to you. Jimmy Abbott was that,” Fontaine told JapanBall in 2022. “There were people that were even kind of saying, ‘Oh, they did it for a publicity stunt.’ I remember saying, ‘Yeah, we took the eighth player in the country for a publicity stunt? Give us some credit!’”

Fontaine was showered with plenty of posthumous credit over the weekend. He scouted for six teams, and a highlight of his resume was drafting the nucleus of the Angels’ roster that won the 2002 World Series.

“What a character … what a storyteller … and what a talent evaluator … there is no 2002 World Series title for the #Angels without Bob Fontaine Jr. … RIP,” wrote former longtime Times baseball writer Mike DiGiovanna on X.

“Crushed regarding Bob Fontaine Jr.’s passing, as he was a special man who I was lucky to work closely with three times @WhiteSox @Mariners, and @BlueJays. Fun as hell, elite evaluator, and phenomenal people skills. RIP, Robert,” added former Dodgers general manager Dan Evans.

“A gifted talent evaluator and mentor, Bob helped shape generations of Angels by overseeing the signing and development of numerous Halos, including Jim Abbott, Jim Edmonds, Garret Anderson, Tim Salmon and Darin Erstad,” the Angels said in a statement. “Bob left a lasting mark on baseball by devoting over five decades to the game. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

The Angels frustrated Fontaine at times by declining to spend big on players from talent-rich Latin America. Rather than sulk, however, he scoured the globe, in 1992 signing three players from Russia and a fast-pitch softball player from New Zealand named Gus Leger.

Asked by The Times’ Bill Shaikin if he had ever played baseball, Leger responded, “I haven’t. Would it help?”

The experiment failed — none of the quartet advanced beyond Class A — yet Fontaine maintained the sunny outlook he inherited from his father. Bob Fontaine Sr. was a scout who worked under the legendary Branch Rickey with the Brooklyn Dodgers before becoming scouting director of the Pittsburgh Pirates for 18 years and the first scouting director of the expansion franchise San Diego Padres. He also served as general manager of the Padres from 1977 to 1980.

“[My father] told me when I got started, ‘Don’t you ever, ever not appreciate where you are and what you’re doing, because you’re lucky. You’re going to a ballpark to make a living, so your bad days aren’t that bad,’” Fontaine Jr. said. “I never forgot that, I never forgot how lucky I am.

“Hey, you’re looking at a guy that barely squeaked through high school, who doesn’t have any ability, and I lasted almost 50 years. It’s because in baseball, if you listen, and you’re not afraid to take a chance once in a while, even somebody with my lack of ability can stay around for a while,” he said.

Fontaine got his foot in the door through his father. His first job as a teenager was as a minor league bat boy with the Pirates. Next he became a peanut vendor at Forbes Field. By age 19, he caught on with the Padres as an area scout.

Both Fontaines were scouts well ahead of the deep empirical and objective analysis of baseball data — sabermetrics is the catchall term — that some believe has made scouts obsolete. Fontaine maintained the best evaluations come when scouting is utilized along with numbers.

“What the traditional scout gives you is personal reference, like with things I learned on players that I missed on,” he said. “Analytics didn’t do that. I’m a firm believer that the best video camera is your eyes, the best model is your brain, and the best way to make a tough decision is with your heart.”

Fontaine’s methods produced results. Under his guidance in 1977, the Padres drafted future Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith in the fourth round. Four years later Fontaine plucked another future Hall of Famer, taking outfielder Tony Gwynn in the third round.

And when Fontaine moved to the Montreal Expos in 1985, he took a 6-foot-11 left-handed pitcher out of USC named Randy Johnson in the second round — another Hall of Famer.

Fontaine co-authored a memoir in 2021, “In Search of Millionaires (The Life of a Baseball Gypsy): The Accounts of Bob Fontaine Jr.”

“Baseball has provided me with a fabulous opportunity to see the world and work in an industry that most people envy,” he wrote in the book. “I didn’t get rich, except in experiences. To meet and work against so many fine people, as well as some great general managers and owners, has been a privilege.”

Times sports columnist Bill Shaikin contributed to this story.

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Trump’s approval hits new low among Hispanic voters ahead of midterms | Donald Trump News

Hispanic voters are twice as likely to favour Democratic Party over Trump’s Republican Party in the November elections.

A new poll from the news agency Reuters and the research firm Ipsos has found that United States President Donald Trump’s approval rating remains at a record low as the midterm elections approach in November.

The six-day survey, completed on Monday, found that just 32 percent of US voters approve of the job Trump is doing as president.

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While that low rate has held steady since September, the latest Reuters-Ipsos poll suggests his support among Latino voters is continuing to slide.

Trump’s approval rating shrunk this month to 24 percent among Hispanic voters, its lowest point in either of his two terms in office.

The Republican leader had previously made substantial inroads with that constituency.

The Pew Research Center estimated that Trump and his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, were within three percentage points of each other in the 2024 presidential race, earning 48 percent and 51 percent of the Hispanic vote, respectively.

That rate marked a significant jump for Trump over the 2020 election, when he only earned 36 percent of the Hispanic vote.

Experts have credited the boost in Hispanic support with helping Trump win the 2024 race. His 2020 bid, by contrast, ended in defeat to Democrat Joe Biden.

The Monday poll found that Trump’s gains among Hispanics have largely evaporated.

About 52 percent plan to vote for the Democrats in the November midterms, compared to 26 percent for Republicans.

The upcoming midterm is largely viewed as a referendum on Trump’s second term and will decide whether the Republicans maintain their majorities in the US House of Representatives and the Senate.

Democrats have seized on Trump’s low approval ratings, hoping to translate frustration with the president into voter momentum for their party.

A Democratic majority in one or both houses of Congress would place substantial constraints on Trump’s agenda for the remainder of his time in office.

But Trump has also faced rumblings from within his Republican Party as the November 3 midterms approach.

One Republican incumbent, Representative Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida, released a campaign advertisement last month that addressed Trump directly, saying, “The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

She cited Trump’s hardline immigration crackdown as a source of tension. “Some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far,” she said, pointing to the detention and deportation of immigrants with no criminal record.

Experts have also warned that the president’s shrinking popularity, driven in part by concerns about the cost of living and his decision to launch a war on Iran, could weigh down Republican candidates in key races across the country.

Still, Trump has continued to express confidence about the prospects of his Republican Party in the upcoming midterms.

He has also defended his decision to place himself at the centre of the Republican election campaign strategy. Trump recently launched a 32-day blitz of cross-country rallies ahead of the November 3 midterms.

“Just so you understand, they all want me to go,” Trump said, denying that some Republicans would prefer he keep his distance. “They all want me to go campaign.”

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‘Smash the patriarchy’: Activists graffiti Cornell hall over gang rape case | Sexual Assault News

Student groups call for the abolition of Greek life and punitive action in wake of fraternity assault allegations.

Protesters in the United States have shattered a glass door at Cornell University’s main administrative headquarters and spray-painted messages on the building’s walls as backlash continues following allegations about a 2024 gang rape at a local fraternity.

In the early hours of Monday, the glass panes on an entrance door for the building, Day Hall, were smashed, leaving shards strewn across the floor.

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Activists, outraged at the school’s handling of the case, also graffitied nearby walls with slogans like “At Cornell rapists are protected protesters are expelled” and “Smash the patriarchy”.

The predawn incident came ahead of a rally demanding “justice for survivors” by student groups on Monday.

Cornell spokesperson Kyle Kimball said Monday that the university was investigating the vandalism.

“We understand the frustration and strong emotions being expressed across our community,” Kimball said. “Those concerns deserve to be heard, but damaging property is not the answer.”

Cornell, a prominent Ivy League university in the state of New York, has been at the centre of a national firestorm over sexual violence on US campuses, after an anonymous student, Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit last month alleging a gang rape at the fraternity Chi Phi.

Her complaint accuses seven former students of perpetrating “heinous criminal sexual acts” against her during a fraternity party on the night of October 19, 2024, after she says she was pressured to drink and take the drug ketamine.

The fraternity, Cornell University and others are named as co-defendants in the suit. Lawyers for two of the former students have rejected claims that they participated in sexual assault.

The case has elicited outcry over how sexual assault is handled on campuses across the country.

At Monday’s demonstration, students demanded an overhaul of the university’s sexual assault complaint process, the termination of certain school officials and stricter disciplinary action against alleged abusers.

In a statement to the student news outlet The Cornell Daily Sun, student organisers wrote that they were calling for the “abolition” of the Interfraternity Council system on campus and the “expulsion/revocation of degrees for all Chi Phi members involved in the rape”.

They also demanded that Cornell’s Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards be replaced by a “democratic disciplinary system”. Monday’s protest, they added, was designed to draw attention to the systemic failures that allow sexual violence to occur.

“We wanted to ensure that Day Hall, the centre of Cornell’s administrative function, was not able to continue business as usual,” the students told the campus paper.

The alleged crime at the fraternity, they wrote, was part of a “rampant pattern of sexual assault perpetrated by members of Greek life at Cornell University and hundreds of other academic institutions throughout the country”.

Under pressure by New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James, the university announced this week it would be appointing a law firm to conduct an independent internal review of how it initially handled the case.

A transcript, obtained by US media, shows that although no charges were filed, Doe told campus police at the time that she could “say with 100% confidence I was raped”.

Her lawsuit also alleges that Cornell “afforded” the accused fraternity members “the opportunity to mitigate their conduct by submitting essays” to the school. Two were later expelled, and another two were suspended.

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Sass Jordan dead: Rock star, ‘Canadian Idol’ judge was 65

Sass Jordan, the Canadian rock star known for hits such as “Make You a Believer” and “Tell Somebody” who served as a judge on all six season of “Canadian Idol,” has died. She was 65.

Jordan died Friday surrounded by her family, according to an announcement posted to Instagram Saturday. No cause of death was provided, but she had reportedly canceled a number of performances in Ontario, Canada, in September “due to a serious medical condition.”

“She remains in our hearts, an inimitable force of nature,” her family wrote in the statement accompanying a photo of Jordan cuddling a cat. “An irreplaceable being of light and joy!”

Jordan made her solo debut with her 1988 album, “Tell Somebody,” which led to her winning the Juno Award — the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy — for most promising female vocalist the following year. She moved to Los Angeles in 1990 before releasing her follow-up album, “Racine,” in 1992.

“Racine” remained one of Jordan’s biggest solo albums, with tracks including “Make You a Believer,” “I Want to Believe,” “You Don’t Have to Remind Me” and “Goin’ Back Again.” She also recorded a duet with Joe Cocker, “Trust in Me,” for the 1992 film “The Bodyguard” that year.

“I always think of music as medicine and as healing for myself and for anyone else who wants to join in,” Jordan said in a 2023 interview with the CBC about audiences still responding to her earlier hits when she performed. “[S]o it’s an extremely uplifting thing. … It’s amazing and it’s incredible to see that. It’s incredible to see people responding to something that is genuinely, like you said, 20 years old.”

Born on Dec. 23, 1960, in Birmingham, England, Sarah “Sass” Jordan moved from France to Montreal with her family at age 3 when her father, a French literature professor, took a job at Concordia University, according to a statement shared by her publicist Eric Alper after her death. Seeing David Bowie in concert as a young teenager inspired Jordan to dream of a career in music. She began singing and playing guitar with friends in Westmount Park and by age 16 she was performing with bands in downtown Montreal nightclubs.

“I’m an expert on rebellion,” Jordan told The Times in 1992, reflecting on why she ran away from home at 14. “I didn’t want that clean, wholesome life … It felt so fake. I identified with real people, oppressed people who were outside that life. I wanted to taste real life — street life.”

Throughout her career, Jordan would tour alongside acts including Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, AC/DC and Van Halen. Her touring band in 1994 included Taylor Hawkins, who would go on to become the drummer for the Foo Fighters. Jordan’s most recent release is the live album from that tour, titled “Live in New York Ninety-Four.” Hawkins died in 2022 at age 50.

For six seasons, Jordan served as one of the judges on the reality competition series “Canadian Idol.” The show aired from 2003 to 2008 and mirrored the format of shows like “Pop Idol” and “American Idol.”

“Over four decades, she gave Canadian rock one of its most recognizable voices, carved out space for women in a genre long dominated by men, and opened doors for the young musicians who came through her band,” Alper said in his statement. “Sass Jordan leaves a catalogue that shaped Canadian rock through the late ’80s and ’90s, a blues renaissance in which her voice grew richer with each record, and a generation of artists, from Idol hopefuls to a future Foo Fighter, who learned from her what it means to give a song everything.”

Jordan is survived by her husband Derek Sharp, daughter Stella Jordan-Sharp, stepdaughter Brianne Sharp and brother Daniel Jordan.



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NFL suspends 2 officials, including 1 who appeared to curse at player

The NFL has issued suspensions for two officials involved in confrontations with players during Sunday’s games, including one who was caught on camera apparently cursing at Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride.

“The NFL confirmed today that line judge Jeff Seeman has been suspended for two games and referee Adrian Hill has been suspended for one game, each for an instance of unprofessional conduct toward a player in Sunday’s Arizona-New York Giants (Seeman) and Miami-Minnesota games (Hill),” the league said Monday in a statement. “The suspensions were issued by NFL Vice President of Officiating Ramon George.”

Late in the Cardinals’ 36-24 loss to the New York Giants, McBride argued a non-call with Seeman. A video of part of the interaction between McBride and Seeman, posted on X by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, appears to show the line judge shouting, “F— you!” at McBride two times.

NFL Players Assn. executive director JC Tretter posted a clip of the interaction that zoomed in on Seeman as he shouted toward McBride.

“This kind of behavior from an official towards a player is unacceptable,” Tretter wrote. “Players are consistently held accountable when the roles are reversed. We expect the NFL to hold officials to the same standard.”

CBS reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala reposted Tretter’s post and commented that she was “standing right there” during the interaction between McBride and Seeman.

McBride “was heated for sure, but I never heard a curse from him,” Kinkhabwala wrote. “The harshest he got was, ‘You’re ruining the game.’”

The other incident took place early in the Minnesota Vikings’ 15-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins. On a play that was whistled dead because of a neutral zone infraction, Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson appeared to be shoved into Hill, who was knocked to the ground. When Wilson attempted to help Hill to his feet, the official jumped up and appeared to yell at the player and point for him to move away.

“That was funny, honestly,” Wilson told reporters. “I ended up apologizing to him and explained the situation. He was cool about it. He understood what was happening. He just said he was trying to get me — he didn’t want us fighting apparently, me and the Dolphins guy. So he was just trying to break us up.”

The NFLPA said it had no further comment on either incident other than Tretter’s X post. The NFL Referees Assn. did not immediately respond on Monday to multiple requests for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Super-subs help France demolish Belgium with late flurry | Football News

Michael Olise and Desire Doue help France score four goals in closing stages to overturn 1-0 deficit at home to Belgium in Nations League Group A1.

France came from a goal down to beat Belgium 4-1 in their Nations League Group A1 meeting at the Stade de France on Monday.

Zinedine Zidane secured his first home win in charge, three days after a 1-1 draw against Italy, thanks to his substitutes.

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Belgium’s Dodi Lukebakio put the visitors ahead in the 35th minute, but Desire Doue, Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise, all on the bench at kickoff, turned the match on its head in the final 15 minutes.

Doue levelled with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box in the 77th minute. Four minutes later, Cherki put his side in front, finishing from an Olise cross.

Olise then completed a brace just before and during stoppage time, the second latching onto Doue’s slick pass after a clinical break.

France's Michael Olise celebrates scoring their third goal
France’s Michael Olise celebrates scoring their third goal [Benoit Tessier/Reuters]

In the same Nations League group, Italy secured a 3-1 victory over Turkiye with Gianluca Scamacca, Riccardo Calafiori and Pio Esposito scoring. Turkiye’s Aral Simsir had equalised earlier, just after the hour mark.

France sit top of Group A1 with 10 points, three ahead of Italy and four clear of Belgium. Turkiye are at the bottom with four defeats from four matches.

France head to Milan to face the Azzurri in their penultimate group game next month before hosting Turkiye.

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Five of the best ‘Cinderella’ destinations that are becoming MORE popular among Brits with new flights and low prices

IT’S out with the old and in with the new, as holiday-makers seek out less visited destinations.

This year will see growing interest in “Cinderella destinations”, previously overshadowed by more heralded neighbours, finds research for operator Riviera Travel.

Romania’s Bran Castle, inspiration for the Dracula tale Credit: Getty
Dracula, played by Christopher Lee in 1958 Credit: Alamy

Bookings for South Korea are up 167 per cent, year on year, while those for Uzbekistan have risen by 42 per cent.

So, before securing next year’s getaway, take a look at Sophie Swietochowski’s alternative suggestions . . . 

TRANSYLVANIA

You might think Transylvania, a Romanian region strongly linked to vampires, should only be visited at this time of year as we approach the spooky season.

But there’s so much culture and fascinating history to be explored, beyond the Dracula myths.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands


TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Glorious hiking trails make it a rambler’s paradise while animal lovers should keep their eyes peeled for brown bears, which are highly concentrated in this area of Romania.

This eight-day Transylvania and Bucharest tour will tick off the must-sees, from tiny villages with medieval squares and clocktowers to Bran Castle, inspiration for the Gothic lair in the Dracula books.

GO: The eight-day trip costs from £1,749pp based on two people sharing and including return flights and transfers, accommodation in four-star hotels, daily breakfast, two lunches and two dinners, and 12 experiences. For details, check out rivieratravel.co.uk.

SRI LANKA

Go Bananas and spot monkeys in Sri Lanka Credit: Getty

While Sri Lanka is not exactly an undiscovered destination, it has become more popular in recent years as more and more travellers favour it over the much-visited Thailand.

Tourist numbers are lower than for other nearby destinations, meaning prices are still cheaper and travellers can get more bang for their buck.

Also, you won’t be dealing with mega crowds and tourist traps.

Instead, you can expect high-end accommodation and loads of wildlife (a half-day safari trip should be top of your list of things to do).

If wildlife is what you’re after then a stay at the 5H Sun Siyam Pasikudah offers great value for money — and you’re likely to spot monkeys and cows strolling the beach or elephants in the backstreets nearby.

GO: Seven nights’ half-board at the 5H Sun Siyam Pasikudah is from £1,379pp including flights from Gatwick and transfers on April 13. Book by October 15. See travelbag.co.uk or call 0203 393 9620.

SLOVENIA

Peak time viewing in the Slovenian Alps Credit: Getty

Those on the hunt for glorious alpine views and vast lakes tend to make a beeline for Switzerland or Austria.

These destinations can make a heavy dent in the wallet, though.

So why not look to Slovenia instead?

Its glacial rivers and snow-drenched peaks could rival those in the fanciest resort towns of popular holiday countries, with the dramatic Lake Bled offering the most glorious backdrop for tourist snaps.

Make sure to visit the Vipava Valley, too.

It’s Slovenia’s answer to Tuscany and home to some unique white wines that you won’t find anywhere else.

GO: Seven nights’ room-only at the 4H Triglav Bled is from £459pp including flights from Luton on February 22. See loveholidays.com.

UZBEKISTAN

The Shah-i-Zinda in Samarkand, which was built between the 11th and 15th Centuries Credit: Getty

Brits can visit Uzbekistan visa-free for up to 30 days, which is more than enough time to indulge in the country’s fascinating architecture.

Turquoise domes and colourful mosaics are a key feature of many notable buildings, including the Shah-i-Zinda in Samarkand, which was built between the 11th and 15th Centuries.

The ancient trading route that makes up the Silk Road passes through the heart of the country and, if you have got cash to splash, you can soak up the best of it on an 11-day adventure.

The trip starts in Tashkent before heading to the Ayaz-Qala desert fortress, Khiva (a Unesco World Heritage city), Bukhara and Samarkand.

GO: The Silk Road trip is from £3,249pp based on two people sharing, including return flights and transfers, nine nights in three to four-star accommodation, daily breakfast and nine meals, plus ten experiences. For details, check out rivieratravel.co.uk.

SOUTH KOREA

The wondrous Gyeongbokgung Palace in South Korea Credit: thianchai sitthikongsak

Forget Japan, South Korea’s K-pop music, quality beauty products and fascinating culinary scene have the younger generations hooked.

And with the recent launch of direct Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow to South Korean capital Seoul, the country is now easier than ever to reach.

So if this sounds like your cup of tea (or bowl of kimchi), book now before visitor numbers skyrocket.

Seoul, in particular, blends history and culture with modern-day living — palaces sit between skyscrapers, and traditional markets are close to contemporary shopping areas.

GO: Eight nights’ room-only at the 5H Grand Hyatt Incheon is from £1,458pp including flights from Heathrow on May 12. Check out virginatlantic.com/holidays.

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Trump says US ready to aid Russia with plague outbreak in Siberia | Donald Trump News

Russian authorities quarantine hospital, monitor 200 contacts after suspected pneumonic plague death in Siberia.

President Donald Trump says the United States is ready to help Russia with a suspected pneumonic plague outbreak.

“We are looking at it very strongly. We just heard about it,” Trump said, adding that he had not spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin about it but is prepared to offer US support.

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“It’s a disease we used to be able to control,” Trump said. “Even with great advancement, the germs have really become relatively stronger than they were, and things that used to work on pneumonia don’t work anymore … anyone that has that kind of problem, we will help.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) said based on unofficial information it has received, the “public health risk to the general population appears to be low”.

Earlier on Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplayed the danger as well. “I don’t think it’s cause for alarm, but it is cause for focus and a cause to just keep an eye on it,” Rubio said.

Russian authorities have quarantined a hospital and are tracing the contacts of an employee at a plague research institute in the remote Siberian region of Irkutsk who died of a suspected pneumonic plague infection. Local media identified the employee as 28-year-old laboratory technician Darya Shipilova.

Official details about the incident have been limited, and Russian media reports say authorities in Irkutsk have placed nearly 200 people under medical observation.

On Sunday, Russia’s official TASS news agency reported that the country’s consumer protection agency, Rospotrebnadzor, said an employee at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East was diagnosed with “pneumonia of unknown aetiology” or origin. The agency also said it had expanded sample testing from the patient and found no microorganisms associated with her work.

On Saturday, the governor of neighbouring Buryatia region said in a post on his Telegram channel that a woman in Irkutsk had “died, maybe of the plague”.

In a statement to Al Jazeera, a US State Department official said: “We encourage Russian authorities to share accurate information quickly and openly.”

Pneumonic plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, usually found in small mammals and their fleas. According to the WHO, the plague is highly infectious and can be fatal if not treated early.

The plague ⁠comes in three forms affecting different parts of the body. Pneumonic plague, an infection of the lungs, triggers the patient to cough out infectious airborne droplets.

If identified quickly, antibiotics can treat the disease. Left untreated, it can be fatal in one to six days.

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Crying Big Brother housemate admits ‘I want to go home’ in ‘hard watch’ scene

Big Brother viewers were left emotional after one housemate confessed she wanted to leave the ITV2 show

A Big Brother housemate has admitted “I want to go home”.

It’s been three weeks since 16 contestants walked into the famous house, hoping to win over the British public and bag the huge cash prize. Among them was teacher Yasmin, who formed close bonds with her co-stars Omar and Rhianna.

But her relationships hit a rough patch earlier this week after she rushed to defend newcomer Twinks. It all started when Twinks admitted she identifies as a witch in a private conversation with three other housemates.

News of Twinks’ spiritual beliefs spread like wildfire across the house and Omar wasn’t impressed by her confession. He later had a heated conversation with Twinks, where he asked her if she has ever ridden a broomstick.

The 21-year-old went on to insist that the word ‘witch’ has negative connotations, but Yasmin begged him to “have some respect”. The fallout from their argument left Yasmin in tears during Monday’s episode (October 5) of the ITV show.

The emotional housemate was shown crying alone in bed as she confessed: “I want to go home.” Pauline was quick to console her and asked: “Why do you feel that way?”

Yasmin replied: “I miss my friends and family. I miss how normal everyone is.” Pauline then offered words of support, saying: “Whatever you need to get some peace in this house, take that time. You’ll be okay, my girl. You will be okay.”

It’s not just her clash with Omar that has left the ITV star heartbroken, she also found out that Rhianna has been “chatting s***” behind her back. Yasmin discovered that Rhianna believed she had a secret crush on Lynx in last night’s episode.

Reflecting on the revelation, she told Big Brother: “It’s not the comment that’s p**** me off. It’s the fact that you sat there chatting s*** about me, and it’s like, are we not friends?

“It just makes me think how much other s*** has been said? And I’m sat there going ‘Love you, sis. Hi, sis. How are you doing?’ And then all I’ve ever done in here is look out for Omar, and I just think it’s just been thrown back in my face.”

Although their friendship has lasted weeks, Yasmin told Big Brother that “there’s no coming back” from their latest argument. “The friendship is dead in the water,” she said.

Viewers at home were left heartbroken as they watched Yasmin break down. One shared online: “Watching Yasmin cry was hard, I’m so p**** with how she gets treated in there.”

Someone else said: “Feel for Yasmin so much right now #bbuk,” while a third added: “Oh bless Yasmin. I feel awful for her.”

And a final defender posted: “Yas has done nothing wrong they’re making fun of a new housemate which is rude as hell and she’s simply defending her what’s wrong with that… #bbuk.”

Big Brother is streaming on ITVX

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Tyreek Hill and Chiefs seem mutually intrigued by possible reunion

Tyreek Hill once was a superstar receiver with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning a Super Bowl and making six Pro Bowls during his six seasons with the team.

While that was several years ago at this point, it appears that Hill and the Chiefs have mutual interest in a possible reunion.

The Chiefs have a void at wide receiver. Fifth-year player Tyquan Thornton was having the game of his career Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders — registering triple-digit yardage (11) and multiple touchdowns (2) for the first time — before suffering a dislocated ankle in the fourth quarter that will have him out indefinitely.

Star receiver Rashee Rice suffered a hamstring injury in the first quarter of the Chiefs’ 30-27 win over the Raiders and did not return. His injury isn’t believed to be serious, though, with the team’s bye next week giving him a chance at possibly returning without missing a game.

His former team’s injuries at his position seemed to catch Hill’s attention on Sunday.

“Hm,” he wrote on X.

Hill played for the Miami Dolphins from 2022 through last season. He dislocated a knee and tore several ligaments, including his ACL, during a game against the New York Jets on Sept. 29, 2025, and was released by the Dolphins during the offseason. As Hill continues to recover from the injuries, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus has indicated that he could be ready to play in November.

In fact, Rosenhaus said he plans to begin negotiating a deal for his client on Monday with multiple teams, with the Chiefs in that mix, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. The Chiefs were interested in possibly bringing back Hill even before Sunday’s injuries, according to The Athletic’s Michael Silver, and the team reached out to Rosenhaus about that possibility after those injuries occurred.

Silver also quoted several Chiefs players who said after the game that they’d be in favor of such a move. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes said “it’d be pretty cool” if Hill came back to Kansas City.

“I’d love to have ‘The Cheetah’ back in this building,” tight end Travis Kelce added. “He’s a brother. He’s one of those people who, when he sets his mind to something, he usually delivers. You saw that with Miami, when all the haters were saying he couldn’t play and he went and had his best year. I’d be excited by what he could do.”

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Ethiopia’s PM insists on access to Red Sea despite regional conflict threat | Abiy Ahmed News

Neighbouring countries say coastal states must govern Red Sea as fighting escalates in northern Ethiopia.

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has insisted that his landlocked country must have access to the Red Sea, despite a conflict in the north of the country that risks escalating into a regional conflict.

Abiy made the demand as he was sworn in for another five-year term in power on Monday. His call came as Ethiopian forces were pushing back opposition forces in the northern Tigray region, which are backed by Eritrea, whose independence in 1993 blocked Addis Ababa’s access to the coast.

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Repeating previous assertions, Abiy said in a speech in Parliament that the country would work to secure a port on the Red Sea, saying that access was critical to Ethiopia’s “civilisation”.

“Based on the principle of give and take, we will work diligently to ensure that Ethiopia has an outlet to the sea,” he said.

Members of the Ethiopian pro-government Tigray Peace Force (TPF) ride in a pickup truck while Ethiopian federal and allied forces enter the Tigray capital of Mekelle, October 4, 2026 [AFP]
Ethiopian pro-government Tigray Peace Force fighters ride in a truck as federal forces entered Tigray’s capital of Mekelle, October 4, 2026 [AFP]

Abiy’s new term and call for Red Sea access come amid worsening relations between Ethiopia and its neighbours.

Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Egypt and Sudan of supporting opposition forces in the northern Tigray region, following a resurgence of fighting against Abiy’s government.

Lower-level clashes between the federal military and Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) began in August, violating a three-year-old peace deal that ended a devastating two-year war between the parties.

Fighting intensified following the formation of the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival – a coalition of seven armed movements, including the TPLF, which has committed itself to removing Abiy’s government.

In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Somalia did not object to Ethiopia gaining access to the Red Sea through Somali territory but added that the two countries would need to officially negotiate.

Four of the five countries bordering the Red Sea – Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia – met on Sunday in Egypt’s New Alamein, claiming that oversight of the coastline was reserved for bordering states.

The following day, Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry said discussions over the Red Sea must account for the country’s “legitimate interests and enduring connection” to the body of water.

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Freed Syrians recount torture in Israeli detention centre | Israel-Palestine conflict

Syrians released from Israeli detention have described abuse including sleep deprivation, violent searches, and dog attacks, while dozens of others remain detained. Al Jazeera’s Heidi Pett met with some of them, who recounted the torture they suffered behind bars.

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‘Really really sick’ Frankie Bridge forced to pull out of Paris Fashion Week

Frankie Bridge was forced to pull out of Paris Fashion Week last-minute after a brutal anxiety spiral left her bed-bound and unable to function properly.

The Saturdays singer, 37, revealed she had a “dark day” last week that left her in floods of tears before collapsing into bed for the entire rest of the day. 

Frankie Bridge was forced to pull out of Paris Fashion Week after she was left bed bound Credit: YouTube/Frankie Bridge
The Loose Women star said her anxiety spiralled and she was unable to function properly Credit: Getty

Frankie also said she has been suffering anxiety-related heart palpitations for the last six months and admitted she had not been eating or sleeping enough.

The mum-of-two had been due to travel to Paris for Fashion Week, which ends on Tuesday, but had to cancel the trip after it began triggering health issues.

Speaking in her YouTube vlog on Monday, Frankie explained: “Paris is like my favourite place, and it’s like my favourite part of fashion week, but it was just giving me anxiety.

The singer, who was due to attend one of the shows as a guest, said she spoke to her agent, who told her the trip was “just not worth it”.

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The mum-of-two had been due to travel to Paris for Fashion Week Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Frankie said she has been suffering anxiety-related heart palpitations for the last six months Credit: YouTube/Frankie Bridge

She added: “At the same time, I feel relieved, but also so disappointed and annoyed.”

Her decision came after a punishing few weeks including a trip to New York and her Faves Live runway event during London Fashion Week.

Frankie said sons Parker, 12, and Carter, 11 – her kids with her husband, ex-footballer Wayne Bridge, 46 – had returned to school, while a family member was “really really sick”.

She admitted: “I think I just didn’t realise how stressed I was and how tired and overwhelmed I was. And I just haven’t had a break or a moment to stop and think about any of it.”

The Loose Women star said: “I was really scared this week that I was heading towards burnout.

“On the way home from filming something on Wednesday, I basically cried the whole way home. I just haven’t been able to function. I think it just finished me off. That was a really dark day.”

Frankie said she had kept turning up for work but felt other parts of her life were slipping.

She revealed Carter went to school at the wrong time one day, adding: “I try and be the best mum that I can be, best friend, best wife, whatever.”

Frankie also revealed her physical health had taken a knock after falling ill. Describing the exhaustion, she said it felt like she had been “hit by a bus”.

She added: “I’ve had heart palpitations all day today, which is like a new thing for me like the last six months if I’m anxious or anything.”

Frankie also admitted stress had affected her appetite. She said: “I think I’ve just not been looking after myself.

“I think I’ve been really stressed, really busy, which I love. I thrive under pressure and stress, but it kind of came with not being hungry.

“So, I probably haven’t been eating enough. I haven’t been sleeping enough.”

Frankie has previously spoken openly about depression and anxiety and spending time in a psychiatric hospital aged 21.

She has also undergone ketamine-assisted therapy for her mental health.

She added: “This is just the reality of trying to do it all. You just can’t. And sometimes something’s got to give. And this week, that something was me.”

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Luke Littler: World number one knocked out of World Youth Championships in semi-finals

Luke Littler missed out on the chance to hold the senior and youth world titles simultaneously after suffering a surprise semi-final defeat at the World Youth Championship.

The 19-year-old world number one was beaten 6-5 by world number 68 Cam Crabtree, who will face German Jan Schmidt in the final on 29 November.

That match will take place on finals day at the Players Championship Finals in Minehead – an event Littler has also yet to qualify for having skipped the majority of Pro Tour events this season.

He is currently ranked 126th in the Players Championship order of merit and only the top 64 qualify.

Four Players Championship events remain, but two of those are in Den Bosch in the Netherlands – where Littler withdrew from events recently after being subjected to boos by the crowds.

Littler has won successive full World Championships and won the youth title as a 16-year-old in 2023, but the semi-final loss to 23-year-old Crabtree was his second successive exit at that stage having lost to Beau Greaves in 2025. He could though enter four more times, with the tournament open to players aged 23 or under at the start of the season.

The loss is the latest in a series of surprise exits for Littler, who was knocked out of the World Grand Prix in the first round by Luke Woodhouse and lost to Jonny Clayton in the quarter-finals of the World Series of Darts finals.

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