leaves

Audi team principal Jonathan Wheatley has left the team with immediate effect.

The development comes a day after news broke that the 58-year-old Englishman had been approached by Aston Martin to be their team principal.

A statement from Audi said Wheatley was leaving for “personal reasons”.

Mattia Binotto will take over the responsibilities of team principal in addition to his role as head of the Audi F1 project while the company takes its time to consider its next steps.

The move comes after an Audi board meeting on Friday with Wheatley and Binotto in attendance.

Wheatley had been under contract with Audi for at least the remainder of this year but a decision was made that he should leave immediately. It is the third management restructure in less than two years at Audi.

He will have to serve a period of ‘gardening leave’ before joining another team, the length of which will have to be negotiated between himself, Audi and potentially a future employer.

Key among Wheatley’s reasons for leaving were a desire to return to the UK by the end of this year.

Audi are not expected to look for a direct replacement for Wheatley, and are more likely to appoint someone to a role that is in charge of running the race team while Binotto retains overall control.

Aston Martin have not confirmed their interest in Wheatley but owner Lawrence Stroll has made him an offer to run the team under managing technical partner Adrian Newey.

Newey, who joined Aston Martin in March last year, has been acting as team principal since the position’s former occupant Andy Cowell was moved into a different position.

Cowell is now focusing on helping engine partner Honda resolve its problems with its new engine, which has started the 2026 season lacking performance and reliability.

In a statement on Friday, Stroll re-emphasised his commitment to and relationship with Newey, who is regarded as the greatest F1 designer in history.

Stroll said: “I would like to reaffirm that Adrian Newey is my partner and an important shareholder. He is AMR’s managing technical partner, and he and I have a true partnership built on a shared vision of success for the company.

“We do things differently here, and while we don’t currently adopt the traditional team principal role that you see elsewhere – it is by design.

“As the most successful engineer in the history of the sport, Adrian’s primary focus is on the strategic and technical leadership where he excels. He is supported by a highly skilled senior leadership team to deliver on all aspects of the business, both at the campus and trackside.”

Stroll met with former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner again this week, but Newey is said by sources to be opposed his former colleague joining Aston Martin.

Newey left Red Bull in April 2024 because his relationship with Horner had soured after nearly 20 years together.

If Stroll and Wheatley finalise their agreement, the new arrangement would free up Newey to focus on the key areas where he can make a difference without the distractions of other responsibilities.

Aston Martin are last in the championship after two races this season, with a car that is behind on development compared to its rivals and an engine that is beset by major vibration problems and is short on internal combustion power and energy recovery and deployment.

Gaza City, the Gaza Strip – On February 28, Lama Abu Reida was just a few hours away from what she hoped would change the fate of her sick infant daughter, Alma.

The family had finally been informed that the baby girl – fewer than five months old and unable to breathe without an oxygen machine – was eligible for medical evacuation.

The small travelling bag was packed, the medical documents in order, and Abu Rheida ready to go. All that remained was to exit the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt and from there head to Jordan, where Alma could undergo a surgery that was not available in the Gaza Strip.

But just one day before the scheduled March 1 trip, Israel shut Gaza’s crossings “until further notice”, citing security reasons. The decision coincided with the launch of a joint military attack alongside the United States on Iran – and shattered Abu Rheida’s hopes.

“They told me the crossing had been closed without any warning because of the war with Iran,” the mother says in a choked voice.

Alma, who suffers from a lung cyst, has been at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, for more than three months now, with her mother staying by her side day and night.

“She cannot do without oxygen at all,” Abu Rheida says. “Without it, she becomes extremely exhausted.”

‘I don’t know what might happen’

The Rafah crossing, Gaza’s main gateway to the outside world, was closed for long periods during Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in the Strip that began in October 2023.

On February 1, Israel announced a limited reopening as part of a trial phase following a “ceasefire” with the Palestinian group Hamas. This allowed some movement under the agreement’s arrangements, particularly for medical cases.

But only a few patients were able to travel, and thousands remained on waiting lists until the February 28 closure, which stopped the transfer of wounded patients abroad, as well as medical evacuations of patients like Alma.

Doctors had told her family the only option for Alma, who was previously admitted to intensive care three times within a month, was to have surgery abroad to remove the cyst from the lung. While not particularly risky, such an operation cannot be done inside Gaza due to limited medical resources.

“My daughter’s life depends on a single surgery, and afterwards she could live a completely normal life,” Abu Rheida says.

“If her travel is delayed any longer … I don’t know what might happen. Her condition is not reassuring,” she adds in despair.

On Sunday, Israeli authorities said ⁠the Rafah crossing will ⁠open again on Wednesday for ”limited movement of people” in both directions.

‘The closure killed my children’

The very thing Abu Rheida fears is something Hadeel Zorob has already endured.

Zorob’s six-year-old son, Sohaib, died on March 1, 2025, while her eight-year-old daughter, Lana, passed away on February 18 last month. The two children suffered from a rare genetic disease that causes gradual deterioration in the body’s functions.

They were both waiting for medical referrals to travel abroad for treatment – but that never happened.

“I watched my children die slowly in front of my eyes, one after the other, without being able to do anything,” says Zorob, 32, breaking down in tears.

Lana was only a few days away from travelling before she passed away.

“My daughter’s travel had been scheduled around the same period when the crossing was later closed, but she died before that,” Zorob says.

“When the news of the crossing closure came, my grief for my daughter returned all over again as I remembered the many children who will suffer the same fate.”

Zorob says her children were still able to move and play relatively normally in the early stages of their illness.

Before Israel’s war on Gaza, both children were receiving specialised hospital treatment, which helped stabilise their condition to some extent. But as the Israeli attacks intensified, their condition gradually worsened until it reached a life-threatening stage. The collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system left the family struggling to access the medications they relied on.

“We even tried to bring the medicine from the West Bank, and I asked the Red Cross and the World Health Organization, but nothing worked,” Zorob says.

During the war, she and her family had to leave their home and move into a tent in the al-Mawasi area. The new displacament conditions made caring for the children much harder.

“Both were bedridden … in diapers, and their blood sugar needed regular monitoring. We had to give fluids and watch their food … all this in a tent with no basic necessities.”

Zorob says she feels like “going crazy” when she thinks that her children might have survived and improved if they were able to get treatment abroad.

“The closure of the crossings killed my children!” she adds, her voice filled with anguish. “The world gives no value to our lives or to the lives of our children … this has become something normal.”

Zorob says she is trying to stay strong for her third child, four-year-old Layan, despite the persisting pain.

“All I want is that what happened to my children does not happen to any other mother … that the crossing be reopened and that children and patients be allowed to travel.”

‘Is that too much to ask?’

According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, more than 20,000 patients and wounded people are waiting to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Among them are about 4,000 cancer patients in need of specialised care unavailable in Gaza, and roughly 4,500 children.

The lists also include around 440 “life-saving” cases needing urgent intervention and nearly 6,000 wounded people who require continued hospital care outside of Gaza.

The Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights has called the Rafah crossing’s closure a form of collective punishment for civilians in Gaza, warning that it “sentences more patients to death” and deepens Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

For Amal al-Talouli, the closure of the Rafah crossing was another devastating blow in her battle with cancer.

The 43-year-old has been suffering from breast cancer for about five years. Although she underwent treatment before the war, the disease returned and spread to other parts of her body, including the spine.

“Praise be to God, we accept our fate,” the mother of two says. “Still, why should our suffering worsen because we are prevented from travelling and the crossings are closed?”

Al-Talouli is currently living with relatives after losing her home in the Beit Lahiya project area, in northern Gaza, during the war.

Displacement was not an easy choice due to her health condition, she says. The situation is compounded by a severe shortage of medications and specialised medical staff – a reality also experienced by other cancer patients in Gaza.

“There is a shortage of everything,” al-Talouli says. “I developed osteoporosis and eye fluid from chemotherapy. Chemo needs good nutrition, but malnutrition and famine made it much harder.”

Al-Talouli says the shutdown of the crossings made things worse.

“[It] affects us very, very much. No medicines are entering, and no essential treatments are coming in,” says al-Talouli, whose name was on a waiting list to travel outside of Gaza for treatment.

She stresses that cancer patients in Gaza urgently need support.

“Now I only want the crossing to reopen so I can have a chance to recover and continue my life with my children,” she says. “Is that too much to ask?”

Barrow head coach Dino Maamria has left the League Two strugglers after only 28 days in charge.

The 54-year-old took over on 11 February but managed only one win from his six games, leaving the Bluebirds outside the relegation zone on goal difference with 11 matches remaining.

“We recognise that this has been a very disappointing season with far too much managerial change,” Barrow said in a statement., external

“As the board of directors, we understand that the buck stops with us. We believe this change gives us the best chance of remaining in the football league.”

Experienced midfielder Sam Foley, 39, has been handed the interim head coach role until the end of the season with coaches Simon Ireland and David Worrall remaining in their roles.

Former Burton, Oldham and Stevenage boss Maamria replaced Paul Gallagher at Barrow, who himself lost all five of his games during a 40-day spell at the helm, having replaced Andy Whing in January.

Tunisian Maamria’s only victory came in a late 1-0 win over Colchester United last month which was followed by four defeats from five games, culminating in a 2-0 home loss to fellow strugglers Bristol Rovers on Tuesday.

“Sometimes I want to boo the players, I understand the frustration (of the fans) I think we all know the problems and my job is to fix the problems,” he said in his final post-match interview on BBC Radio Cumbria.

Barrow are at home to Accrington Stanley on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Bruce Johnston, a six-decade member of the Beach Boys’ live band, announced he will step away from the group.

The 82-year-old Johnston told Rolling Stone that “It’s time for part three of my lengthy musical career! I can write songs forever and wait until you hear what’s coming! As my major talent beyond singing is songwriting, now is the time to get serious again.”

The Beach Boys’ Mike Love also said in a statement that “Bruce Johnston is one of the greatest songwriters, vocalists, and keyboardists of our time. We’ve had the honor of his performance and participation for many many years with the Beach Boys. Change is always promised in life; today we find ourselves in a chapter of change, but not an end.”

Johnston originally joined the group in 1965, filling in as a live vocalist in place of frontman Brian Wilson, and earning a vocal credit on “California Girls.” He left the band in 1972 to pursue solo work, and penned Barry Manilow’s hit “I Write The Songs.”

Johnston returned to the Beach Boys in 1978, and continued to tour as the only member besides Love from the band’s original era. He also wrote several songs for the group, including “Disney Girls (1957),” “Deirdre” and “Tears in the Morning.” Johnston will be replaced by Chris Cron, vocalist for the Beach Boys tribute band Pet Sounds Live.

After Wilson’s death last year, Beach Boys fans still have several occasions to hear the catalog live. Love’s long-running edition of the Beach Boys will play three nights at the Hollywood Bowl over July 4 weekend (which Johnston said he’ll sit in on). Founding member Al Jardine is touring with Brian Wilson’s former backing ensemble, now called the Pet Sounds Band, with a set focused on the1977 LP “The Beach Boys Love You.”

The tumult continues at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the National Symphony Orchestra’s executive director, Jean Davidson, steps down from her role to become executive director and chief executive of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Davidson will assume her new position May 4, the Wallis announced Friday.

Davidson is not new to L.A., having served as the president and CEO of the Los Angeles Master Chorale at the Music Center from 2015 to 2023. She left the Master Chorale for the NSO in Washington, D.C., where she worked for two years until President Trump began his controversial takeover of the Kennedy Center, firing its board and installing himself as chairman. Major artist defections ensued, culminating with a board vote to rename the center the Trump Kennedy Center in December and February’s surprise announcement that the center would close for two years for renovations, beginning July 4.

“I’ve learned a lot in the last three years, and I think it’s no secret that it’s been a hard year,” Davidson told The Times, adding that the politicization of the Kennedy Center was a factor in her decision-making. “I had intended to stay through the [orchestra’s] 100th anniversary in 2031, but found it more and more difficult to achieve the goals that we had set out to achieve given the external forces that are at work that are just so far beyond my control.”

It seemed like “I had reached a natural ending point,” she said.

With the imminent closure of the Kennedy Center, speculation has swirled around the NSO’s future, especially in light of the Washington National Opera’s decision in January to cut ties with the storied venue, which has been its home since 1971. The Kennedy Center’s Trump-appointed leadership, however, made it clear that it intended to support the NSO in the long term, and the orchestra’s board chair assured musicians that the orchestra and its staff would remain intact.

Davidson said the NSO is in the process of identifying venues for the next two years, and that the orchestra has been told by the Kennedy Center that its financial support is not in question.

“Many venue operators in the D.C. area have been very generously reaching out to us, asking how they can help,” she said. “Of course, we plan our seasons years in advance, and so next season was already planned. We already have conductors and soloists and all of that, and so it’s a bit of a jigsaw puzzle aligning our existing programming and obligations to those artists with venues that are appropriate for those programs.”

It will take several more weeks to come up with a cohesive plan and it will probably include several venues, “but we will have a season,” Davidson said. “And we hope that everybody will come.”

In many ways, Davidson said, the NSO is stronger than it has been in quite some time. During her tenure, Davidson helped reboot the orchestra’s international and domestic touring, which includes upcoming shows at New York’s Carnegie Hall in May and at the Hollywood Bowl in August. The orchestra also extended acclaimed music director Gianandrea Noseda’s contract through 2031.

“The orchestra is just playing at such a high level and they really have never sounded so good,” said Davidson, echoing what notable critics have also been saying. “We’re still welcoming many new players after our audition process, and I think that’s all very positive for the NSO.”

Davidson knows that leaving her role will be difficult for the orchestra, but she believes it will emerge stronger.

“I care deeply about the NSO and I am so proud of everything that we’ve accomplished together. I think the world of Gianandrea, of [principal conductor] Steven Reineke, our musicians, our staff and board — it’s a great community of people,” said Davidson.

Davidson also believes that the upcoming renovations to the Kennedy Center will ultimately result in a better experience for audiences and artists. She just wishes there had been much more advance notice.

“Usually orchestras will plan for being out of their hall years in advance, and we only have months to do that, so it is causing a bit of strain,” she said. “I think the most important thing is that our audiences and donors continue to support the NSO during this transition period.”

Davidson will now embark on her own transition as she moves from D.C. to L.A., rejoining her husband who has stayed in the area as a music professor at UC Irvine.

“This is an opportunity that’s been on my bucket list of things that I want to do in my life and it seems like the right time,” said Davidson of her new role at the Wallis in Beverly Hills.

Compared with the NSO, the Wallis is practically brand new, having opened in 2013.

Davidson is excited that there is lots of room for growth, and that the Wallis has evolved into one of the region’s most exciting multidisciplinary performing arts presenters and home base to a variety of local arts groups.

“I think anytime you’re starting a new role, there’s a lot of learning that needs to occur,” Davidson said. “And I’m not somebody that is prone to walking in with a big vision that’s going to suddenly change course. I think they’ve been doing a lot of great work and so I’m looking forward to collaborating with the team that’s there — to learn and to create a shared vision for the future.”

It’s an exciting time to be in Los Angeles, Davidson said.

“The last decade or so has seen a lot of growth in the art sector, and there are so many talented artists and organizations in L.A. that need a place to perform.”

The Queen delivered a moving message about children’s literacy as the BBC 500 Words writing competition winners were announced at Windsor Castle

The One Show viewers were touched as Queen Camilla delivered a heartfelt message.

The Royal was present to announce the winners of the children’s writing competition, 500 Words, on the BBC show on Friday evening (March 6). The special episode was hosted by Alex Jones and Roman Kemp at Windsor Castle, reports Wales Online.

Camilla attended the ceremony, where she shared with the audience: “I hope you have enjoyed taking part in the 500 Words, but in doing so you have discovered a secret. A secret that reading and writing are the best fun ever. And don’t just take my word for it.”

She continued: “Many years ago, a famous author said this, ‘In the main, writing is just the thrill. The thrill of exploring.’ Now the man who found writing so thrilling was AA Milne, who exactly a hundred years ago published the first book that introduced us to his beloved bear, Winnie the Pooh. Pooh like all of us here, had firm views about storytelling. He didn’t much like long, difficult words. But rather short or easy words. Like, ‘What about lunch?'”

When it was time to reveal the winners, the Queen stated: “Let me leave you with one more quote from our author of the day AA Milne. ‘Always remember, you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and and smarter than you think.’ Which makes you all winners.”

She then told Alex and Roman: “I think to get children reading and writing stories, especially nowadays, is so important. And also, it gives them time to get away from some of their phones!”

The speech resonated deeply with audiences, prompting one viewer to post on X, formerly Twitter: “I’m not crying.”

Another gushed on Instagram: “What a nice clever and inspiring speech!!” A fellow viewer described it as “marvellous”. One fan remarked: “How thoroughly lovely,” whilst numerous others flooded the platform with heart emojis.

One audience member declared the initiative “brilliant” whilst another commented: “Her Majesty is just an extraordinary woman. Truly inspiring.”

The BBC Bitesize-supported competition attracted over 46,500 submissions from throughout the UK. Six young writers were honoured as champions during the finale.

Famous faces including Jodie Whittaker, Joanna Page, Sara Cox, Bradley and Barney Walsh, Big Zuu and Paterson Joseph participated in the ceremony, whilst Paddington made a special appearance to perform The Explorer and The Bear from Paddington The Musical and West End sensation Marisha Wallace delivered a rendition of A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman.

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website

The One Show airs at 7pm on BBC One on weekdays

EastEnders have been using Nigel Bates in a dementia storyline, exploring the effects of the illness on those suffering from it and their loved ones, particularly those caring for them

BBC soap EastEnders has aired emotional scenes about Nigel Bates‘ dementia, as the fans become sure he will die soon. The character has been part of a “heartbreaking” dementia storyline that has highlighted the impact of the illness on those caring for a sick loved one.

In Thursday’s episode (March 5), Nigel (Paul Bradley) was thrown a going-away party at the Vic before moving to his new care home. While he was able to smile and laugh in the pub, as those around him reminisced, he was unable to remain completely in the present and struggled with his illness.

As he hopped in a taxi, Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) noted that Nigel was unlikely to ever be back to Albert Square – and fans agree.

READ MORE: Danniella Westbrook’s surgery – everything she’s had done to her faceREAD MORE: Holby City legend to join EastEnders for role that will cause major drama for Walford

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When he arrived at the care home, Nigel became agitated and then unresponsive. His behaviour was deeply distressing for Phil (Steve McFadden), who had been caring for his friend. Breaking down in tears, Phil apologised to Nigel and gave his hand a squeeze, but Nigel did not move. As such, many fans think Nigel will die soon.

“I don’t know why, but I feel maybe next week, maybe Nigel’s final week,” one wrote. “I don’t know because seeing this episode made it feel like his time is near, and it’s so devastating and heartbreaking.”

Another added that Nigel’s unresponsive behaviour made it look like he was already dead. “Very much looked like he died at the end of the episode as he didn’t react to the door slamming or the card falling.”

Others shared that they thought this would become a euthanasia storyline. “I genuinely thought Phil was gonna suffocate Nigel OMG,” one wrote.

A second said: “For a minute there I thought Phil was gonna ease his pain by suffocating him by putting the jacket on him, but I’m glad it didn’t happen as it would have been even more heartbreaking.”

They later added that they loved a conversation between Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) and Nigel’s wife Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) and felt this was leading towards Nigel’s death too: “I thought they were gonna go down the route of euthanasia.”

As part of Nigel’s dementia storyline, his daughter, Clare Bates (Gemma Bissix) has returned to the Square for a short stint. Clare is Nigel’s adoptive daughter. They became family in 1994 when he married her mother, and he continued to care for her after her mother died a year later.

Though Nigel and Clare both left the show shortly after, Clare made a comeback in 2008 without him, and she has made a return again. Her return was not such a happy one, as she had been estranged from her father, and he failed to recognise her for most of the episode. Eventually, Julie helped Nigel remember his daughter in a touching moment.

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The Channel 4 documentary is said to be “both harrowing and moving in equal measure”

A “moving” true crime documentary newly released on Channel 4 has left viewers “crying all the way through”.

The Dunblane Tapes takes viewers back to 1996 to a tragic mass shooting that saw over a dozen primary school children killed. The heartbreaking documentary spans across 73 minutes as it tells the devastating impact of those still dealing with the loss, as well as the successful campaign launched to ban weapons in the UK.

With previously unseen footage, a Channel 4 synopsis states: “After the 1996 mass shooting at Dunblane, a campaign was launched to ban private handguns in the UK. This remarkable story is now told through unseen footage filmed by a bereaved parent.”

The documentary, released to mark the event’s anniversary, was previously aired on Channel 4 last month, but is now available to stream online for those who missed it.

It has been dubbed an “emotional roller coaster” and viewers have been left in tears following the harrowing instalment. Taking to social media, one viewer previously wrote: “Just finished watching The Dunblane Tapes on Channel 4. Extremely upsetting watch, but the families who were devastated by what happened changed the law of the land and definitely stopped it happening again.

“Also extremely pleased the perpetrator’s name was not mentioned, I won’t mention it either as he doesn’t deserve to be mentioned. Please watch it, it’s humbling and devastating and I remember it like it was yesterday, it was 13th March 1996.”

One TikTok viewer, who was wiping away tears while discussing the film, said in a video: “Well I went into this documentary knowing it was going to be sad but oh my God… It is heartbreaking.”

They added: “It’s awful it’s so sad but definitely give this a watch. It’s really well made, just heartbreaking.”

In another video, one person said: “It’s meant to be an absolute emotional rollercoaster. I’m not sure if I can handle this one I’ll be honest.”

Another replied: “I just blubbed the whole way through the Dunblane Tapes”, as one person commented: “Cried all the way through the Dunblane one so so sad.” A third commented: “The Dunblane Tapes was so moving. I cried my eyes out.”

Over on X, one Channel 4 viewer said: “Watching #TheDunblaneTapes.. 7 mins in and I’m already in tears. Gonna be a difficult watch. So close to home.”