Anton Lundell got a shorthanded goal in the third period and Sam Bennett also scored for the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Panthers, who rebounded from a 7-3 loss against the Ducks to get their first victory on their four-game West Coast road trip.
Marchand has scored a goal in three straight games since returning to the Panthers from a one-game absence to travel to Nova Scotia to support a close friend who lost his daughter to cancer last month. The veteran tied the game late in the first period after taking the puck from Anton Forsberg behind the Kings’ net, and he added his ninth goal of the season in the third.
Sergei Bobrovsky made 24 saves.
Anze Kopitar got the first goal of his 20th NHL season and Corey Perry also scored for the Kings, who have lost three of four.
Forsberg stopped 19 shots for the Kings, who have started 1-4-2 at their downtown arena after being the NHL’s best home team last season.
Bennett put the Panthers ahead just 2:06 in, controlling and converting the rebound of Jeff Petry’s long shot.
Kopitar scored on the power play midway through the first, and Perry put the Kings ahead on a breakaway set up by a spectacular long pass from Mikey Anderson.
Reinhardt put the Panthers back ahead in the second, getting to the slot and firing a backhand for his seventh goal.
Lundell scored on a short-handed breakaway in the third after a turnover by Adrian Kempe.
Several members of the back-to-back World Series champion Dodgers were the Kings’ guests at the game, getting multiple loud ovations.
Up next for Kings: at Pittsburgh on Sunday to open a six-game trip.
Dame Judi Dench has revealed a worrying update amid her ongoing health battleCredit: GettyThe 90-year-old previously told how she ‘can’t leave home alone’Credit: GettyThe former Bond actress, who suffers from age-related macular degeneration, has told how she can’t see anymoreCredit: Rex
Macular degeneration is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, affecting more than 700,000 people.
AMD is an eye disease that can blur an individual’s central vision.
According to the National Eye Institute, age-related macular degeneration “happens when aging causes damage to the macula – the part of the eye that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision.”
The disease does not cause total blindness, but it can make everyday activities difficult.
LIFE-CHANGING
Judi has been candid in addressing her worsening health battle.
During an interview on Trinny Woodall’s Fearless podcast, Dame Judi says “somebody will always be with me” when she leaves the house.
She continued: “I have to [have someone] now because I can’t see.
What is age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?
DAME Judi Dench has spoken openly about her diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Yet what is it?
Macular degeneration is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, affecting more than 700,000 people.
It first affects people in their 50s.
AMD is an eye disease that can blur an individual’s central vision.
According to the National Eye Institute, age-related macular degeneration “happens when aging causes damage to the macula – the part of the eye that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision.”
The disease does not cause total blindness, but it can make everyday activities difficult.
In a study of more than 500,000 people, scientists from the Hubei University ofMedicineinChinafound a link between instant coffee intake and the risk of dry AMD – one of the forms of the sight-robbing disease.
In contrast, groundcoffeeand decaffeinated brews bore no links to AMD.
“And I will walk into something or fall over.
“I’m always nervous before going to something.
“I have no idea why. I’m not good at that at all.
“Not at all. Nor would I be now.
“And fortunately, I don’t have to be now because I pretend to have no eyesight.”
Dame Judi made her professional debut in 1957 with the Old Vic Company and is now referred to as one of Britain’s best actresses.
After landing roles on TV and in movies from the late 50s, she has starred in a plethora of big titles, with IMDB crediting her for 120 on-screen productions.
Some of her notable roles include Chocolat, Notes on a Scandal, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Philomena and Iris and also her role as “M” in several James Bond films.
She’s a ten-time Bafta winner including winning Best Actress in A Fine Romance (1981) in which she appeared with her late husband, Michael Williams.
Judi has also been nominated for six Oscars and won one of these as Best Supporting Actress for Shakespeare in Love in 1998.
She has also won seven Laurence Olivier Awards and has a further eight nominations under her belt for her professional theatre work.
She was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1970, and a Dame of Order of the British Empire in 1988.
Dame Judi told how she can’t see theatre shows any moreCredit: GettyYet she told how she hd been keeping up to date with pal Celia Imrie’s progress on Celeb Traitors via word of mouthCredit: BBCThe screen queen has told how she can’t leave the house unaccompaniedCredit: Rex
Rooney’s former club are also enjoying a resurgence, with a 4-2 win over Brighton making it three on the trot and lifting them up to sixth place – level on points with Manchester City and one clear of Liverpool.
Part of that success has been down to the form of forward Bryan Mbeumo, who has scored three of his five goals in the last two games.
Rooney admitted he was not convinced when United brought him to the club in the summer for £65m from Brentford, but said the 26-year-old Cameroon international is now living up to expectations.
“His energy, his work-rate, his desire, is what you need to be a United player. I did say that I was a little bit unsure, but I think what he’s shown is he belongs there,” added Rooney.
“He’s been consistent with his performances, I think that’s the main thing. If you’re consistently getting into the right positions, and getting chances, you will score 20 goals a season.”
KATIE Price showed off some worrying bumps on her forehead after revealing concerns about her health and weight loss.
The 47-year-old mum-of-five took toSnapchat to share a close-up selfie of her forehead where she pointed to the series of “humps” that protruded from her skin.
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Katie Price showed several bumps on her foreheadCredit: InstagramThe bumps come after her unexplained weight lossCredit: SplashKatie also had a major facelift done in AugustCredit: Louis Wood
“I’ve got HUMPS on my forehead,” Katie captioned the post.
The selfie, which she also shared to her Instagram Stories, showed several bumps from her eyebrows up to the middle part of her forehead, with the biggest bump in the centre.
On her Snapchat, Katie posted a video of her ‘before’ getting the botox, where there was a number of black marker dots on her forehead, presumably injection points for the botox.
“I’ve gone from this,” she said in the first video and it quickly changed to the next Snapchat where she spoke about the bumps on her skin.
“At the moment, it looks like I’ve got humps on my face, my ‘lovely lady lumps’,” Katie said referring to the Black Eyed Peas song, My Humps, which she had playing over the video.
Bumps are a common reaction to Botox and could occur because of a reaction to the needle or allergic reaction to the Botox itself.
TheCelebrityBig Brotherwinner told her fans on Snapchat at the time: “I’ve been up early at the doctors so she could do some bloods and because my veins are so s*** they had three attempts.
“They could only fill two tubes up, so I’ve got to go back in two weeks.
“And I’ve got to have my stitches out then because they looked at my little stab wound that I did.”
Her boyfriend, JJ Slater, worried that Katie might be running herself into the ground.
“It’s not an easy thing to sit back and watch your partner running themselves into the ground health-wise.”
They added this concern was a consensus among the star’s wider family and said: “JJ and Katie’s family think she is putting way too much pressure on herself.
“She’s been constantly on the move with tour shows, but isn’t right mentally or physically – something she knows deep down.”
Katie’s health woes come amid more personal drama as her ex-husband Kieran Hayler was charged with raping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl.
The former stripper will appear at Crawley Magistrates Court on November 19.
STOCKTON — Four of California’s gubernatorial candidates tangled over climate change and wildfire preparedness at an economic forum Thursday in Stockton, though they all acknowledged the stark problems facing the state.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, stood apart from the three other candidates — all Democrats — at the California Economic Summit by challenging whether the spate of devastating wildfires in California is linked to climate change, and labeling some environmental activists “terrorists.”
After a few audience members shouted at Bianco over his “terrorists” comment, the Democratic candidates seized on the moment to reaffirm their own beliefs about the warming planet.
“The impacts of climate change are proven and undeniable,” said Tony Thurmond, a Democrat and California superintendent of public instruction. “You can call them what you want. That’s our new normal.”
The fires “do have a relationship with climate change,” said former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Besides environmental issues, the hour-and-a-half forum at the business-centric California Forward’s Economic Summit focused primarily on “checkbook” topics as the candidates, which also included former state Controller Betty Yee, offered gloomy statistics about poverty and homelessness in California.
Given the forum’s location in the Central Valley, the agricultural industry and rural issues were front and center.
Bianco harped on the state and the Democratic leaders for California’s handling of water management and gasoline prices. At one point, he told the audience that he felt like he was in the “Twilight Zone” after the Democrats on stage pitched ways to raise revenue.
Other candidates in California‘s 2026 governor’s race, including former Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and former Rep. Katie Porter, were not present at Thursday’s debate. Former Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon planned to come, but his flight from Los Angeles was delayed, audience members were told.
All are vying to lead a state facing ongoing budget deficits caused by overspending. A state Legislative Analyst’s Office report released this month cited projected annual operating deficits ranging from roughly $15 billion to $25 billion through 2029. At the same time, federal cutbacks by the Trump administration to programs for needy Californians, including the state’s Medi-Cal healthcare program, will put more pressure on the state’s resources.
All of the candidates had different pitches during the afternoon event. Asked by moderator Jeanne Kuang, a CalMatters reporter, about ways to help rural communities, Thurmond cited his plan to build housing on surplus property owned by the state. He also repeatedly talked about extending tax credits or other subsidies to groups, including day-care providers.
Yee, discussing the wildfires, spoke on hardening homes and creating an industry around fire-proofing the state. Yee received applause when she questioned why there wasn’t more discussion about education in the governor’s race.
Villaraigosa cited his work finding federal funds to build rail and subway lines across Los Angeles and suggested that he would focus on growing the state’s power grid and transportation infrastructure.
Both the former mayor and Yee at points sided with Bianco when they complained about the “over-regulation” by the state, including restrictions on developers, builders and small businesses.
Few voters are probably paying much attention to the contest, with the battle over Proposition 50 dominating headlines and campaign spending.
Voters on Nov. 4 will decide whether to support the proposition, which is a Democratic-led effort to gerrymander California’s congressional districts to try and blunt President Trump’s attempt to rig districts in GOP-led states to retain control of the House of Representatives.
“Frankly, nobody’s focused on the governor’s race right now,” Yee said at an event last week.
It was a sombre Thursday afternoon in Alesi, a community in Ikom Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River State, in South South Nigeria. Inside the village head’s palace, men and women gathered in silence, their faces drawn with grief. Some stared blankly ahead; others fought back tears.
“We have lost another son. Our hearts are heavy, our eyes are bleeding. Our people are continuously being killed as a result of boundary disputes, and we are increasingly being forced to take up arms,” Nzan Osim, a community leader, addressed the mourners.
A day earlier, Fidelis Akan, a cocoa farmer from Alesi, was beheaded on his farm, close to the boundary with Ochon, a neighbouring community in Obubra LGA. His elder brother, Lawrence Akan, said Fidelis had gone to the farm with his daughter that morning to harvest cocoa when they heard gunshots.
“As they came out to see what was happening, a group of boys, allegedly from Ochon, caught them. When they found out that he was from Alesi, they beheaded him,” he narrated. Fidelis’ daughter escaped and raised the alarm. His body was later recovered and buried the same day, leaving behind a wife and six children.
In the aftermath, angry residents allegedly set fire to a truck loaded with cocoa, believing it belonged to an Ochon farmer.
Lawrence Akan at the palace in Alesi. Photo: Arinze Chijioke/HumAngle
A long battle over land
Since 2022, Alesi and Ochon have become flashpoints for deadly clashes, rooted in a long-running boundary dispute and the struggle for farmland to cultivate cocoa, one of Cross River’s most valuable crops.
Yet, for decades, both communities coexisted peacefully, trading and even intermarrying across the boundary without violence. Many locals believe the recent tensions are being driven by increased competition for farmland and the growing economic value of cocoa.
The disputed land falls within the Ukpon River Forest Reserve, a protected area established by the state government in 1930 to preserve forest resources and biodiversity. Both communities continue to claim ownership of the area, with residents of Alesi accusing their Ochon counterparts of trespassing and attempting to seize land around Adibongha, the nearest clan to the boundary.
The tension has often turned violent. In July, several houses were burnt and many families were displaced after an attack on Adibongha, according to Kelvin Eyam, a resident.
“We have documents to prove our claim, but the Obubra people don’t want us at the boundary. They want to seize the entire land. The boundary is clearly marked at the centre of the river. There’s even a document that shows this, but attempts have been made to wipe it out,” said Nzan, a community leader from Alesi.
The traditional ruler of Obubra, Robert Mbinna, disagrees and insists it is Alesi that has been trespassing and illegally occupying their land. “There is a court order to that effect,” he said, adding that his own people have also lost lives in the crisis.
While both sides referred to documents supporting their claims, they did not present any to HumAngle for verification.
Beyond the legal arguments, residents say the human toll continues to rise. “A lot of people have been maimed, kidnapped and not seen till today. We dread to see one another and no longer enter the same vehicle with those from Obubra,” Nsan added.
Aside from the lives lost, the protracted crisis between these communities is also impacting the livelihoods of residents. Farmers say vast farmlands have been abandoned for fear of attacks, while others have watched their cocoa trees destroyed in the clashes.
Daniel Eguma, a cocoa farmer from Ukanga in Ikom, is one of them. Just a day before Akan’s brutal murder, he escaped from Okokori, a community near the boundary where he would always pass the night after working on his farmland.
“I slept at a primary school field and made arrangements with a driver who took me away at 3 a.m. after I heard of an impending attack. I left behind my six hectares of cocoa farmland and a motorcycle,” he told HumAngle.
Daniel Eguma cannot go back to his farm for fear of being killed. Photo: Arinze Chijioke/HumAngle.
Daniel was already planning to harvest his cocoa in a week, but he cannot go back to his farm again. Usually, when criminals notice that farmers have abandoned their farms, they go in and steal. He said he could not even begin to estimate the value of what he has lost — but after years of labour and investment, it is substantial.
‘The Prevent Council’
As violence persisted despite repeated police deployments, civil society actors began searching for ways to prevent further bloodshed.
Nine months after at least eight people were killed and about 2000 displaced following a clash between the communities in March 2022, the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), a non-profit organisation, launched the Prevent Council initiative. The project aimed to strengthen community peacebuilding structures by engaging traditional rulers as positive influencers and conflict mediators in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Delta states.
PIND says it currently has 10,113 peace actors in its network, who have intervened in over 2000 conflicts since 2013.
In Cross River, at least 25 traditional rulers and community leaders in five LGAs, including Ikom and Obubra, were trained and made peace ambassadors. PIND’s Executive Director, Tunji Idowu, said that the initiative recognised the critical role that traditional rulers play in maintaining peace and security within their communities.
“The central goal of the Prevent Council is to promote and sustain social cohesion and peaceful coexistence in society with no one left behind. It emphasises that sustainable peace must involve multilateral engagements with traditional institutions as critical positive influencers and conflict mediators in their respective states and communities,” Tunji explained.
Participants received training on early warning and response, conflict mapping, mediation, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Between 2023 and 2024, PIND peace ambassadors intervened when clashes erupted between Alesi and Ochon. Using their training manuals, they engaged both sides to de-escalate tensions.
Some Alesi residents at the village head’s palace. Photo: Arinze Chijioke/HumAngle
“We went into the communities where we spoke with elders and youths about the need to embrace peace,” said Agbor Clement, a participant from Ikom LGA.
However, since the return of the violence this year, both Agbor and Mbinna, a participant from Obubra LGA, admit that their effort have not tackled the root causes. Agbor noted that Ikom also shares boundaries with Boki and Etung local government areas; however, there have been no reported boundary disputes, as the borders are properly demarcated.
Local government officials agree. According to Daniel Eyam, a Special Adviser on Political and Executive Matters to the Ikom LGA chairperson, although PIND’s activities are well-intentioned, the system itself prevents peace from taking root.
“In communities, when there is a land dispute, you go to the elders because they are the custodians of facts that pertain to the disputed area, and when they speak the truth, matters are resolved. Sadly, many of them have refused to do that,” he said.
Daniel stressed that beyond offering training, PIND should push relevant agencies to speak the truth and take action.
Daniel Eyam says elders are refusing to speak the truth about the disputed area. Photo: Arinze Chijioke/HumAngle
Another challenge facing PIND’s Prevent Council is a lack of resources to enable peace ambassadors to respond immediately during conflict situations.
“We were supposed to meet with stakeholders after the latest crisis, but we are handicapped because our work usually ends after training,” said Victor Okim, a PIND ambassador in Obubra. “We cannot go into the communities to drill down on what we have learned because we don’t have the resources. There is no continuous monitoring and evaluation of Prevent Council activities.”
“If we have the support that we need, we can do more because we are part of them, and they trust us so much to listen when we speak,” he added.
Nkongha Daniel, the PIND Coordinator for Ikom, said women are often the biggest losers in crises because they lose their husbands and children. She suggested the foundation invest more in training women on how to respond in times of crisis.
PIND did not respond to interview requests, so it remains unclear whether the organisation is aware of the renewed violence or has taken steps to address these challenges. However, in its Niger Delta Weekly Conflict Update for March 2022, it recommended stronger collaboration between stakeholders and the state government to tackle the root causes of land conflicts and redress historical grievances.
Government efforts fall short
On July 30, the Cross River State Government ordered the immediate suspension of all farming activities on the disputed land, saying it was part of its efforts to bring peace to the area until proper boundary demarcation was carried out.
Community leaders and stakeholders of the two warring communities met in Calabar, the state capital, with the Deputy Governor, Peter Odey, and other government officials, including Anthony Owan-Enoh, who is overseeing an eight-person Peace Committee that was inaugurated to identify the root causes of the conflict and recommend a sustainable resolution framework.
Community leaders and stakeholders from Ikom and Obubra after a meeting with the Cross River State Deputy Governor on July 30. Photo: Cross River Watch
During the meeting, community leaders were instructed to submit all relevant documents relating to the crisis on or before Aug. 1. HumAngle confirmed that the papers were submitted, and a follow-up review meeting was slated for Aug. 13 to assess compliance, monitor the committee’s progress, and tackle emerging issues.
However, several community leaders noted that no meaningful progress has been made.
“They gave us two weeks to stay off our lands, saying they were coming to carry out boundary demarcation. But after the visit, nothing happened. We have not been told whether we can return to our farms,” said Kelvin Eyam, a community leader from Alesi, lamenting that the government appears indifferent as violence continues.
Nzan says government watches as lives are lost: Photo: Arinze Chijioke/HumAngle
Nzan claimed that on Sept. 4, the Secretary to the State Government asked both parties to provide surveyors for an urgent meeting with the state’s Surveyor General. However, when he called to find out the outcome of the meeting the next day, he was informed that it didn’t hold because the surveyor from Obubra could not come.
“This is what has been happening, and the government continues to keep calm, give us excuses and watch lives get lost,” he lamented.
Neji Abang, a member of the Peace Resolution Committee for the Ikom-Obubra communal conflict, said that the committee visited both communities shortly after its inauguration to conduct fact-finding. According to him, the state’s Surveyor-General was invited and subsequently deployed a technical team to the disputed boundary.
“We had a meeting where they presented their findings, and the chairman of the committee had invited 10 representatives from each of the communities to the meeting,” he said.
But the presentation was rejected by the Alesi delegation, who argued that the demarcation was different from the original boundary record in their possession. They claimed the survey relied on a previous court judgment that had awarded the disputed area to Ochon and therefore demanded a fresh exercise.
Neji also confirmed Nzan’s earlier account that Obubra failed to bring its own surveyor, despite a directive from the committee chairperson instructing both communities to provide independent surveyors to work alongside the state’s team at the disputed site on Sept. 3.
When asked why the state government had not formally demarcated the boundary despite having records of all boundaries in the state, Abang said, “That is what we will eventually do if it addresses the crisis.”
A map showing the Ukpon Forest Reserve. Source: Medcrave
What’s the way out?
As government interventions stall, community members and peace ambassadors are proposing alternative paths toward a lasting solution.
Members of the PIND Prevent Council noted that it is also important to look into training community members on livelihoods and alternative means of survival because the conflicts are often rooted in economic struggle.
“Young people can be empowered through skills acquisition programs and grants so they can look away from cocoa, which is a major reason why there is a struggle for land,” Nkongha explained. “Many of the youth are jobless and turn to hard drugs, hence they become willing tools for conflict.”
Nkongha Daniel says economic empowerment could address boundary conflict: Photo: Arinze Chijioke/HumAngle
She explained that Ikom and Obubra, for instance, are big producers of garri, plantain, palm oil, yams, and groundnuts.
“We can establish industries that process these crops where young people can be employed to work and earn for themselves,” she noted.
For Agbor, another way out of the conflict will be for the government to take over the disputed area and set aside days when farmers on each side can go and harvest their crops, accompanied by security operatives.
Emmanuel Ossai, a peace and conflict expert who has researched violence in the region, said that interventions, like that of PIND, need to consider widening existing partnerships by involving more strategically placed youth, traditional, religious, and women leaders across the communities in conflict management training regularly.
“There might be several possible reasons for the violence that are not under PIND’s direct control, but expanding partnerships and training more local leaders in conflict management would be helpful,” he suggested.
Emmanuel added that regular follow-ups are necessary after training to assess whether community leaders are applying the conflict management skills they acquired to achieve greater impact.
This story was produced under the HumAngle Foundation’s Advancing Peace and Security through Journalism project, supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
OLIVER GLASNER, Fabian Hurzeler and Andoni Iraola are among the coaches under consideration to replace Ruben Amorim if he is sacked by Manchester United.
Amorim suffered his 17th Premier League defeat out of 33 games in charge of United against Brentford on Saturday, who have lost three of their six league matches this term.
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Manchester United have struggled under manager Ruben AmorimCredit: Javier Garcia/Shutterstock
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Although Amorim retains United chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s backing, potential replacements are being consideredCredit: Lucy North/PA Wire
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Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is being eyed by Man UtdCredit: BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images
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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is also being targeted by Man UtdCredit: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Although Amorim retains the club’s backing, United are keeping an eye on potential replacements amid their alarming form.
Club sources insist they do not have a successor to Amorim lined up but accept the speculation around the manager’s role.
Erik ten Hag was dismissed after four defeats from the first nine league fixtures last term, though the United hierarchy is more invested in Amorim, the first managerial appointment under co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
United initially placed an emphasis on Premier League-proven signings in the summer with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo and could apply that to their next managerial search.
That has had an impact on former England manager Gareth Southgate’s chances – he has not managed in the Premier League since Middlesbrough were relegated in 2009.
Southgate has suggested he may not return to management while his friend and ally, United director Sir Dave Brailsford, is no longer visible at the club after his disastrous attempt to improve performance at Old Trafford.
Glasner guided Crystal Palace to their first piece of silverware in the FA Cup last season and the Eagles are the only unbeaten side in the top flight, having ended Liverpool’s winning run with a 2-1 triumph on Saturday.
Iraola took charge of Bournemouth two years ago and led them to ninth last season.
However, there is not believed to have been any interest from the Red Devils as yet.
Amorim insists he’s right man
Amorim signed a two-and-a-half year contract with United when he was appointed as Ten Hag’s replacement last November but the club finished 15th last season, their worst top-flight finish since the team was relegated in 1974.
United have invested £256.82million in six signings on Amorim’s watch but the team have plunged to 14th following Saturday’s loss.
Sunderland travel to Old Trafford next week before the October internationals and United resume their schedule against Liverpool at Anfield on October 19.
United are winless in their last ten at Anfield and have not won there since January 2016.
Asked if he can turn it around at United, Amorim replied: “I’m always confident as I know what to do.
“When you lose, you go back to the same place and you fight again for one win that can help you to create the momentum.”
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Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola completes Man Utd’s shortlistCredit: Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
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Gareth Southgate’s star is waning in United’s eyes and there are concerns over his compatibility with the club’s summer transfer approachCredit: Stu Forster/Getty Images
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Xavi is said to be interested but there are no indications that that interest has been reciprocatedCredit: AP
Should have done better with a header when presented with a great chance to equalise but a strong performance from the full-back.
CRISTHIAN MOSQUERA – 4
His mis-kick gifted Newcastle the corner that led to their opener and he didn’t recover.
Billy Vigar dead: Ex-Arsenal star dies aged just 21 after suffering ‘significant brain injury’ hitting head during match
Struggled once the game turned into a scrap and by half-time his manager had seen enough as he was replaced by William Saliba.
GABRIEL – 6
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Gabriel Magalhaes netted the winnerCredit: PA
Looked rattled up against Woltemade and his weak attempt to buy a foul allowed the German to nod home.
His head had gone after that and he was fortunate when no VAR check caught his swing at Woltemade before the break.
Looked a lot more confident and composed once Saliba joined him in the backline and he put a difficult afternoon behind him by holding off Dan Burn to head home the winner at the death.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
Marshalled Jacob Murphy well in the first half but offered little going up the other way.
Was fuming when the referee put a stop to him using a towel for a long throw.
Got hooked midway through the second half as the Gunners had to go for it, but not before going into the book for a daft foul.
EBERECHI EZE – 6
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Eberechi Eze almost scored at St James’ ParkCredit: Getty
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Forced Pope into an early save and unleashed another great strike before the break.
Was a constant threat throughout but he was bought to get goals in these big games and he failed to do that.
MARTIN ZUBIMENDI – 6
Struggled with the pace of the game at times and also failed to provide enough protection defensively, fortunately, he had Rice alongside him to help.
He did produce a fantastic outside of the boot pass to put it on a plate for Timber but that was the highlight of his afternoon.
DECLAN RICE – 8
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Declan Rice impressed in the midfieldCredit: AP
Tried his best to make things happen and did brilliantly to track Jacob Murphy and deny him a second.
Covered a lot of ground and got his reward when Merino capitalised on his brilliant cross.
BUKAYO SAKA – 6
Enjoyed a good battle against Dan Burn but the Toon defender just about edged it.
Helped out full-back Timber really well but just wasn’t his day up the other end.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
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Leandro Trossard was not at his bestCredit: AP
Another who tried his best to make something happen but he just couldn’t make it click.
Replaced late on without really causing too much of a threat.
VICTOR GYOKERES – 6
Headed straight at Nick Pope early on and then became the pantomime villain after being denied the penalty.
Rarely had a sniff after that as he struggled against the imposing Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman.
SUBS
WILLIAM SALIBA (for Mosquera, 46) – 7
Helped manage the physicality of Woltemade a lot better than the man he replaced.
The Gunners looked a lot more composed defensively while he was on the pitch.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI (for Saka, 70) – 6
Struggled to really get involved upon his arrival. Had one long-ranger late on but that was about it.
MIKEL MERINO (for Calafiori, 70) – 7
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Merino’s perfect header levelled the scoresCredit: AP
Injected fresh life into the middle to keep Arsenal’s hopes of a comeback going and produced a great header to equalise.
MARTIN ODEGAARD (for Zubimendi, 82) – 6
Could see Arsenal’s confidence grow as soon as he got on and he provided the magic for a winner. His brilliant corner was placed perfectly for Gabriel to head home.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY (for Trossard, 88) – 5
His pace was a threat during the closing stages but failed to carve open a clear-cut opportunity.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The loose ball tumbled through the end zone, slipping through one set of fingertips, then another, blue-and-orange bodies clawing desperately aside cardinal-and-gold ones. So much had gone wrong for USC all afternoon, from its struggling secondary to its stifled pass rush to its inconsistent quarterback, but at the most critical moment in its season thus far, here was a particularly fortunate twist of fate, as linebacker Eric Gentry punched out a fumble and, somehow, some way, Christian Pierce had recovered it.
After a seamless 4-0 start to its season, the deck had seemed stacked against the Trojans all afternoon. Their starting left tackle was out. Their starting center soon joined him. Their top red-zone target was limited, and their defensive leader, Kamari Ramsey, was up all night puking.
For a while, that seemed to be the least of the problems facing USC on Saturday. The rushing attack couldn’t find room. Both lines were being blown off the ball, and the secondary was struggling to stop the bleeding. Then there were the self-inflicted mistakes, the very same ones that had marred the season to date.
All that, however, would be washed away with that loose ball in the end zone, the second fumble Illinois had coughed up that close to the end zone. A sliver of hope immediately turned to ecstasy as quarterback Jayden Maiava launched a rope to the corner of the end zone that found Makai Lemon for a go-ahead score with under less than two minutes remaining in the game.
But that hope was erased just as quickly, fading once again into the frustration, as Illinois drove the field for a game-winning field goal as time expired, beating USC, 34-32.
Illinois (4-1, 1-1 in Big Ten) gave the Trojans (4-1, 2-1) opportunities to take over the game. It fumbled on the goal line the first time just before halftime, and struggled to move the ball to start the third quarter.
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) rushes for a touchdown during the first half in a win over USC.
(Craig Pessman / Associated Press)
But back-breaking mistakes continued to mar the Trojans on both sides of the ball. Driving with a chance to tie the score in the third quarter, Maiava threw an ill-advised pass over the middle that was intercepted.
USC’s defense forced a rare three-and-out on the next drive, only for its own offense to go three-and-out in response.
Illinois wouldn’t waste its opportunity after that, as Kaedin Feagin caught a swing pass, shook one USC defender, turned the corner and saw nothing but open field in front of him. His 66-yard touchdown would secure Illinois’ lead until that late fumble gave USC life.
The Trojans might have been in better shape before that if it weren’t for their defense, which struggled mightily throughout Saturday. USC gave up 502 yards and was generally picked apart by Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer, who had 331 passing yards and two touchdowns.
The Trojans also struggled again with penalties, committing eight for 69 yards. The most crucial came on the final drive when cornerback DJ Harvey was called for a critical pass interference penalty.
USC’s quarterback was not exactly at his best on Saturday. Under more pressure than he’d faced all season, Maiava sailed several passes and missed multiple open receivers. He also threw his first interception of the season.
But he did make his share of eye-popping passes downfield, including hitting Lemon in the corner of the end zone for that 19-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown. Maiava finished with 364 yards and two touchdowns.
Lemon did his best to carry USC on his own, especially with Ja’Kobi Lane out because of an injury. He caught 11 passes for 151 yards.
From the start, it was a difficult day for the Trojans.
Just as USC started to find its stride early, Waymond Jordan burst through a hole on second down and lost control of the ball. The fumble, his second on an opening drive in three weeks, bounced right into the arms of Illinois defensive back Jaheim Clarke, and the Illini mounted a 10-play touchdown drive from there, striking with a 10-yard touchdown run from Altmyer.
In spite of the fumble, USC went right back on the ensuing possession to the rushing attack and Jordan, who punched in a one-yard score. But Illinois punched back with an even longer drive, capped by a trick-play touchdown from Altmyer.
USC pulled out a trick play of its own a few minutes later, as Jordan, running toward the sideline, tossed the ball to Maiava for a perimeter flea flicker. He immediately launched a pass downfield to Lemon, who juked two defenders out of their shoes on his way into the end zone.
But the 75-yard score was ultimately called back on account of backup center J’Onre Reed being too far downfield.
The penalty was nearly a devastating one. USC’s 13-play drive stalled just past midfield, as Maiava threw three consecutive incompletions, and the Trojans turned the ball over on downs. Illinois proceeded to march down the field, all the way to the USC two-yard line.
In desperate need of a break just before halftime, USC got a gift at the goal line. As Feagin tried to force his way through traffic, the ball came loose, and USC recovered.
The sequence was significant. Without enough evidence to overturn the call, the Trojans charged down the field in time to secure a field goal. What perhaps should have been a two-score lead for the Illini coming out of the half was instead just four.
Borg won 66 singles titles, spent 109 weeks as world number one and claimed a record 41 successive wins at Wimbledon.
His retirement at 25 – a time when tennis players are starting to peak – was a shock.
“I had enough. I lost the interest and the motivation,” he said.
“If I knew what was going to happen in the years after, I would continue to play tennis.”
In his autobiography, Heartbeats: A Memoir, co-written with his wife Patricia, the notoriously private Borg speaks about his post-playing career struggles.
“I had no plan. People today, they have guidance. I was lost in the world,” he said.
“There was more drugs, there was pills, alcohol, to escape myself from reality.
“I didn’t have to think about it. Of course it’s not good, it destroys you as a person.”
EX-I’m A Celebrity winner Vicky Pattison is finding Strictly rehearsals difficult and admits: “I’d take kangaroo balls over glitter balls any day. I’m really done in.”
One international student after another told the University of Central Missouri this summer that they couldn’t get a visa, and many struggled to even land an interview for one.
Even though demand was just as high as ever, half as many new international graduate students showed up for fall classes compared with last year.
The decline represents a hit to the bottom line for Central Missouri, a small public university that operates close to its margins with an endowment of only $65 million. International students typically account for nearly a quarter of its tuition revenue.
“We aren’t able to subsidize domestic students as much when we have fewer international students who are bringing revenue to us,” said Roger Best, the university’s president.
Signs of a decline in international students have unsettled colleges around the U.S. Colleges with large numbers of foreign students and small endowments have little financial cushion to protect them from steep losses in tuition money.
International students represent at least 20% of enrollment at more than 100 colleges with endowments of less than $250,000 per student, according to an Associated Press analysis. Many are small Christian colleges, but the group also includes large universities such as Northeastern and Carnegie Mellon.
The extent of the change in enrollment will not be clear until the fall. Some groups have forecast a decline of as much as 40%, with a huge impact on college budgets and the wider U.S. economy.
International students face new scrutiny on several fronts
As part of a broader effort to reshape higher education, President Trump has pressed colleges to limit their numbers of international students and heightened scrutiny of student visas. His administration has moved to deport foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian activism, and new student visa appointments were put on hold for weeks as it ramped up vetting of applicants’ social media.
On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security said it will propose a rule that would put new limits on the time foreign students can stay in the U.S.
The policies have introduced severe financial instability for colleges, said Justin Gest, a professor at George Mason University who studies the politics of immigration.
Foreign students are not eligible for federal financial aid and often pay full price for tuition — double or even triple the in-state rate paid by domestic students at public universities.
“If an international student comes in and pays $80,000 a year in tuition, that gives universities the flexibility to offer lower fees and more scholarship money to American students,” Gest said.
A Sudanese student barely made it to the U.S. for the start of classes
Ahmed Ahmed, a Sudanese student, nearly didn’t make it to the U.S. for his freshman year at the University of Rochester.
The Trump administration in June announced a travel ban on 12 countries, including Sudan. Diplomatic officials assured Ahmed he could still enter the U.S. because his visa was issued before the ban. But when he tried to board a flight to leave for the United States from Uganda, where he stayed with family during the summer, he was turned away and advised to contact an embassy about his visa.
With the help of the University of Rochester’s international office, Ahmed was able to book another flight.
At Rochester, where he received a scholarship to study electrical engineering, Ahmed, 19, said he feels supported by the staff. But he also finds himself on edge and understands why other students might not want to subject themselves to the scrutiny in the U.S., particularly those who are entirely paying their own way.
“I feel like I made it through, but I’m one of the last people to make it through,” he said.
Colleges are taking steps to blunt the impact
In recent years, international students have made up about 30% of enrollment at Central Missouri, which has a total of around 12,800 students. In anticipation of the hit to international enrollment, Central Missouri cut a cost-of-living raise for employees. It has pushed off infrastructure improvements planned for its campus and has been looking for other ways to cut costs.
Small schools — typically classified as those with no more than 5,000 students — tend to have less financial flexibility and will be especially vulnerable, said Dick Startz, an economics professor at UC Santa Barbara.
Lee University, a Christian institution with 3,500 students in Tennessee, is expecting 50 to 60 international students enrolled this fall, down from 82 the previous school year, representing a significant drop in revenue for the school, said Roy Y. Chan, the university’s director of graduate studies.
The school already has increased tuition by 20% over the last five years to account for a decrease in overall enrollment, he said.
“Since we’re a smaller liberal arts campus, tuition cost is our main, primary revenue,” Chan said, as opposed to government funding or donations.
The strains on international enrollment only add to distress for schools already on the financial brink.
Colleges around the country have been closing as they cope with declines in domestic enrollment, a consequence of changing demographics and the effects of the pandemic. Nationwide, private colleges have been closing at a rate of about two per month, according to the State Higher Education Executive Officers Assn.
The number of high school graduates in the U.S. is expected to decline through 2041, when there will be 13% fewer compared with 2024, according to projections from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.
“That means that if you lost participation from international students, it’s even worse,” Startz said.
Vileira, Seminera and Binkley write for the Associated Press.
Former US Open champion Coco Gauff has stumbled into the second round of the tennis Grand Slam, squeezing past Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in an error-strewn three-hour battle.
Third seed Gauff punched her ticket to the second round on Tuesday, after overcoming a litany of self-inflicted errors to win 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 7-5 in a match that lasted 2hr 57min.
“It was a tough match. Ajla was tough; she was getting so many balls back,” 2023 winner Gauff said after her win.
“It wasn’t the best but I’m happy to get through to the next round.”
Gauff, the reigning French Open champion, had prepared for the US Open by shaking up her coaching team on the eve of the tournament in an effort to fix her shaky service game, replacing coach Matt Daly with Gavin MacMillan, a biomechanics specialist.
However , on the evidence of Tuesday night, the 21-year-old American still has plenty to work on if she is to have any realistic chance of mounting a deep run in New York.
Gauff finished with a whopping 59 unforced errors and 10 double faults, and her serve was broken six times. She heads to the second round knowing that a more ruthless opponent than Tomljanovic might have punished those mistakes.
As it was, Tomljanovic had her own problems, suffering eight breaks of serve and making 56 unforced errors before bowing out.
Gauff admitted that her unsettled build-up to the tournament had been draining.
“Honestly it’s been really tough, mentally exhausting,” Gauff said. “But I’m trying. It wasn’t the best today, but it was an improvement on last week [in Cincinnati]; I’m just trying to improve with each match.”
Jannik Sinner wrapped up his first-round win over Vit Kopriva in 98 minutes [Timothy A Clary/AFP]
There were no such problems for the reigning Wimbledon champions Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner, though, as they recorded emphatic victories.
World number one Sinner began his bid for back-to-back US Open titles by waltzing to a 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 win over Czech world number 89 Vit Kopriva, needing just 1hr 38min to advance to the next round.
“It feels great to be back here. Obviously it’s a very special tournament,” said Sinner, who is attempting to become the first man to repeat as US Open champion since Roger Federer won five in a row from 2004-2008.
Sinner, 24, faces Alexei Popyrin in the third round.
“I’m very happy that I’m healthy again,” said the Italian, who was forced to retire from last week’s Cincinnati Open final against Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner’s blistering start on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court was matched by Poland’s Swiatek, who was similarly emphatic in a 6-1, 6-2 rout of Colombia’s Emiliana Arango.
Iga Swiatek served up an easy first-round win at the US Open [Timothy A Clary/AFP]
The 24-year-old from Poland was always in control against 84th-ranked Arango, overwhelming the Colombian with some powerful groundstrokes mixed with some deft work at the net.
The win makes Swiatek the first woman in history to win 65 consecutive WTA-level first round matches, surpassing Monica Seles’s previous record of 64.
The six-time Grand Slam singles champion – a winner in New York in 2022 – will face the Netherlands’ Suzan Lamens in the second round.
IGA SWIATEK WORLD RECORD‼️
Iga Swiatek breaks Monica Seles’ record for most consecutive opening matches won in the Open Era. pic.twitter.com/iS9VFjfSLB
Meanwhile , two-time former champion Naomi Osaka had no difficulty in dispatching Belgium’s Greet Minnen 6-3, 6-4.
The Japanese former world number one revelled in returning to a venue that she regards as a home from home.
“Whenever I play here the atmosphere feels like home, and it is home for me,” said Osaka, who is seeded 23rd and will next face American Hailey Baptiste.
In other women’s draw results on Tuesday, Ukrainian 27th seed Marta Kostyuk took down Britain’s Katie Boulter 6-4, 6-4. Eighth seed Amanda Anisimova of the United States ousted Australia’s Kimberly Birrell 6-3, 6-2.
Brazil’s 18th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia advanced with a 6-3, 1-6, 6-1 win over Britain’s Sonay Kartal. But there was disappointment for rising French star Lois Boisson. Boisson, who captivated her homeland with a run to the semifinals of the French Open in June, exited in three sets to Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic, losing 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2.
Elsewhere, 10th seed Lorenzo Musetti outlasted big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-7(3) 6-3 6-4 6-4 at the Louis Armstrong Stadium and will face Belgian David Goffin.
After Daniil Medvedev’s chaotic exit on Sunday, Marin Cilic became the latest former champion to be knocked out as 23rd seed Alexander Bublik beat the Croat 6-4 6-1 6-4 on Grandstand, while American 14th seed Tommy Paul made short work of Denmark’s Elmer Moller 6-3 6-3 6-1 to book a second-round clash with Portugal’s Nuno Borges.
Third seed Alexander Zverev closed out the evening’s action on the main showcourt by beating Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo 6-2 7-6(4) 6-4 to set up a meeting with Jacob Fearnley.
MINNEAPOLIS — Ken Martin is in the fight of his life.
The low-profile political operative from Minnesota, just six months on the job as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is charged with leading his party’s formal resistance to President Trump and fixing the Democratic brand.
“I think the greatest divide right now in our party, frankly, is not ideological,” Martin told The Associated Press. “The greatest divide is those people who are standing up and fighting and those who are sitting on the sidelines.”
“We’re using every single lever of power we have to take the fight to Donald Trump,” he said of the DNC.
And yet, as hundreds of Democratic officials gather in Martin’s Minneapolis hometown on Monday for the first official DNC meeting since he became chair, there is evidence that Martin’s fight may extend well beyond the current occupant of the Oval Office.
Big Democratic donors are unhappy with the direction of their own party and not writing checks. Political factions are fragmented over issues such as the Israel-Hamas war. The party’s message is murky. Key segments of the Democratic base — working-class voters and young people, among them — have drifted away.
And there is deep frustration that the Democratic Party under Martin’s leadership is not doing enough to stop the Republican president — no matter how tough his rhetoric may be.
“There are no magic fixes,” said Jeanna Repass, the chair of the Kansas Democratic Party, who praised Martin’s performance so far. “He is trying to lead at a time where everyone wants it to be fixed right now. And it’s just not going to happen.”
At this week’s three-day summer meeting, DNC officials hope to make real progress in reversing the sense of pessimism and frustration that has consumed Democrats since Republicans seized the White House and control of Congress last fall.
It may not be so easy.
Confidence questions and money trouble
At least a couple of DNC members privately considered bringing a vote of no confidence against Martin this week in part because of the committee’s underwhelming fundraising, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation who was granted anonymity to share internal discussions. Ultimately, the no confidence vote will not move forward because Martin’s critics couldn’t get sufficient support from the party’s broader membership, which includes more than 400 elected officials from every state and several territories.
Still, the committee’s financial situation is weak compared with the opposition’s.
The most recent federal filings reveal that the DNC has $14 million in the bank at the end of July compared with the Republican National Committee’s $84 million. The Democrats’ figure represents its lowest level of cash on hand in at least the last five years.
Martin and his allies, including his predecessor Jaime Harrison, insist it’s not fair to compare the party’s current financial health with recent years, when Democratic President Joe Biden was in the White House.
Harrison pointed to 2017 as a more accurate comparison. That year, the committee struggled to raise money in the months after losing to Trump the first time. And in the 2018 midterm elections that followed, Harrison noted, Democrats overcame their fundraising problems and won the House majority and several Senate seats.
“These are just the normal pains of being a Democrat when we don’t have the White House,” Harrison said. “Ken is finding his footing.”
Martin acknowledged that big donors are burnt out after the last election, which has forced the committee to turn to smaller-dollar donors, who have responded well.
“Money will not be the ultimate determinant in this (midterm) election,” Martin said. “We’ve been making investments, record investments, in our state parties. … We have the money to operate. We’re not in a bad position.”
Gaza debate could get ugly
While Martin is broadly popular among the DNC’s rank and file, internal divisions may flare publicly this week when the committee considers competing resolutions about the Israel-Hamas war.
One proposed resolution would have the DNC encourage Democratic members of Congress to suspend military aid to Israel, establish an arms embargo and recognize Palestine as a country, according to draft language reviewed by the AP. The measure also states that the crisis in Gaza has resulted in the loss of over 60,000 lives and the displacement of 1.7 million Palestinians “at the hands of the Israeli government.”
The DNC leadership, led by Martin, introduced a competing resolution that adds more context about Israel’s challenges.
One line, for example, refers to “the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis” and notes the number of Israelis killed in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Martin’s version calls for a two-state solution, but there is no reference to the number of Palestinians killed or displaced, nor is there a call for an end to military aid or an arms embargo.
Meanwhile, another proposed resolution would reaffirm the DNC’s commitment to “diversity, equity and inclusion.” Many Democrats, businesses and educational institutions have distanced themselves from DEI programs after Trump and other Republicans attacked them as Democrats’ “woke” policies.
Ultimately, Martin said the party needs to focus its message on the economy.
“There’s no doubt we have to get back to a message that resonates with voters,” he said. “And focusing on an economic agenda is the thing that brings all parts of our coalition and Americans into the conversation.”
“We have work to do for sure,” he added.
Presidential prospects on the agenda
The DNC is years away from deciding which states vote first on the 2028 presidential primary calendar, but that discussion will begin in earnest at the Minneapolis gathering, where at least three presidential prospects will be featured speakers: Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
Martin said the DNC is open to changes from the 2024 calendar, which kicked off in South Carolina, while pushing back traditional openers Iowa and New Hampshire. In recent days, Iowa Democrats have publicly threatened to go rogue and ignore the wishes of the DNC if they are skipped over again in 2028.
The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws committee this week is expected to outline what the next calendar selection process would look like, although the calendar itself likely won’t be completed until 2027.
“We’re going to make sure that the process is open, that any state that wants to make a bid to be in the early window can do so,” Martin said.
Speaking to The Times, Robert reflected that he’d accepted the Strictly offer as “these opportunities don’t come along very often.”
He said: “They don’t happen to everyone.
“And I’d just nearly died, so I thought, “This is no time to be sitting on the edges; why don’t you contribute and participate?”
“It all sounded like a good idea at the time.”
Robert added: “It all added up to a big mistake.”
Although he was in “quite good shape” on paper, the star struggled with Strictly’s intense schedule.
He explained: “That schedule is a law unto itself, and I just wasn’t anywhere close to being able to do that.
“I don’t even know if I could now. I don’t think it’d be a very good idea.”
New Strictly celeb Lewis Cope’s experience as a three-time world champion dance finalist
Robert said in a statement at the time of his exit: “I’m extremely sorry to have to announce that I’m withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing due to ill health.
“Two years ago I had open heart surgery and although I believed I was fit enough to take on Strictly and its demanding schedule, it became clear that I had bitten off way more than I could chew for this stage in my recovery.
“I had begun to feel symptoms that led me to seek an urgent consultation with my heart specialist, and it was her view that it would be better for the sake of my health to step back from the show.”
This struggle is best illustrated by the unlikely figure who created the side’s only ‘big chance’ of the game.
Goalkeeper Altay Bayindir was the only player to create such a chance, through his repeated use of long balls into the opponents’ half.
That chance came when a long ball from the Turk fell at Matheus Cunha’s feet, but Bernd Leno pulled off a smart save to tip the ball around the post with the Brazilian through on goal.
Fans of the club and neutrals alike were quick to comment on the bizarre statistic.
One X user derided the club, commenting: “When your GK is the playmaker, just know it’s peak banter era.”
Another user piled into the fray on social media, saying: “After spending over 200m on attackers they still need a goalie to create a chance.”
United Nations official says Palestinians in Gaza are experiencing ‘hell in all shapes’ as Israel steps up its Gaza City assault.
Bones and skin are all that is left of seven-year-old Mai Abu Arar.
The Palestinian girl is one of tens of thousands of children facing malnutrition in Gaza as Israel’s man-made famine deepens with the Israeli military stepping up its assault on Gaza City.
Mai’s mother, Nadia Abu Arar, says her child was once lively and joyous, but she is now fighting for her life after drastically losing weight.
“The doctors told me that she isn’t suffering from any disease or from any past condition. They’re saying it’s all due to malnutrition and I haven’t seen any improvement in her situation at all,” Nadia told Al Jazeera.
Hunger has weakened Mai to the point that she can now only consume liquid food through a syringe.
Hisham Abu Al Oun, paediatric director at the Patient’s Friends Hospital in Gaza City, said Israel has been preventing the delivery of medicines to the enclave, which has made it challenging to treat patients suffering from malnutrition.
“Potassium chloride is the easiest medication that any doctor can prescribe. We don’t even have that. We have babies dying because we don’t have it. Sometimes supplies come in, but unfortunately, very little,” he said.
On Friday, a United Nations-backed hunger monitor, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), confirmed for the first time that more than half a million people are experiencing famine in northern Gaza.
At least 289 people, including 115 childre,n have died due to starvation in the enclave so far.
Israel has been imposing a suffocating blockade on Gaza, allowing only a small amount of food through airdrops and the United States-backed group GHF, forcing Palestinians to risk their lives to reach aid sites deep inside areas under control of the Israeli military.
On Sunday, Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), said Palestinians in Gaza are experiencing “hell in all shapes”.
“This will haunt us. Denial is the most obscene expression of dehumanisation,” Lazzarini said in a statement.
“It’s time for the Government of Israel to stop promoting a different narrative + to let humanitarian organisations provide assistance without restrictions & allow international journalists to report independently from Gaza.”
In its report, the IPC said Israel’s ongoing war has led to at least 1.9 million people being displaced twice as the Israeli siege resulted in a man-made famine.
Liz Allcock, a rights advocate with Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), told Al Jazeera that hunger is affecting everyone in Gaza.
“It plays out in the entirety of the [Gaza] Strip and on a daily basis. It’s not only children, small children … It is also elderly people who are unable to get access to any kind of food. It is also healthcare staff, aid workers who are fainting on the job because they don’t have enough sustenance to keep them going,” she said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly denied that people in Gaza are experiencing starvation, blaming aid agencies and Hamas for not delivering supplies to people in the territory.
The UN has said that despite the growing amounts of aid ready for delivery at crossings near Gaza, Israel has not granted aid agencies the necessary authorisation to deliver and distribute the assistance.
UNCERTAINTY looms over Saudi Arabia’s plans to build a high-tech mountain ski resort in the middle of the desert.
The project has met such substantial woes that the country is even reportedly in talks to relocate the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
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Trojena is planned to feature 30km of ski-runsCredit: Dezeen
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Snow for the ski slopes would be artificialCredit: Dezeen
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NEOM’s many projects have been bogged down with delays and setbacksCredit: Dezeen
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These games had been expected to take place in Trojena – in the futuristic city of NEOM in the north of Saudi Arabia.
But the project has faced substantial difficulties as the desert Kingdom scrambles to complete the resort in time, the FT has reported.
Trojena is planned to feature 30km of ski-runs – which will include the Asian Games’ 400m slope.
Snow for the ski slopes would be artificial, and would be pumped from the Gulf of Aqaba 200km away.
“Trojena will become one of the most dazzling destinations in NEOM and across the world,” says a NEOM spokesperson.
But for all the promise of a glittering, high tech future, NEOM’s many projects have been bogged down with delays and setbacks, with Trojena being no exception.
Amid construction woes, South Korea and China are reportedly being considered as alternate venues for the games.
But a source familiar with the project told the Telegraph: “The difficulties have been magnified by the schedule imposed on the project.”
Another said: “The Saudis are really committed to building something there.
“Maybe not on the scale that they have imagined in the first place.”
Inside Saudi Arabia’s bloody £1TN Neom megaproject ‘with 21k workers mysteriously DYING & labourers trapped like slaves’
NEOMwas announced as part of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s Project 2030 in 2017.
It came as part of a major push to wean the oil-rich nation’s economy off its reliance on fossil fuels.
Human Rights Watch researcher Joey Shea previously told the Sun: “Unfortunately migrant workers in Saudi Arabia continue to face widespread abuses, some of which may amount to situations of forced labour, including at high profile gigaprojects.
“On NEOM, Human Rights Watch has found that ambitious targets set by Saudi authorities have tight and unrealistic deadlines which can lead employers to demand that workers continue to work under dangerous conditions.
“Migrant workers in Saudi Arabia experience illegal and exorbitant Recruitment Fees, limits to job mobility, obstacles exiting the country, as well as serious health and safety risks.”
One NEOM worker previously told The Sun that the project’s management has “overspent quite a bit” since its announcement.
He said: “They were focusing on way too many things at the same time.
“They just wanted everything at the highest level possible. The biggest entertainment complex in the world. The biggest media studio in the region.
“No matter how much money you throw at the thing, it takes more than just money to make it work.”
Top 5 blunders plaguing NEOM project
BY Juliana Cruz Lima, Foreign News Reporter
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project, despite its ambitious vision, has been criticized for several major blunders that have raised concerns about its feasibility, ethics, and overall execution.
Here are the top five major blunders associated with the project:
Forced Displacement of Indigenous Communities: One of the most significant controversies surrounding NEOM is the forced displacement of the Huwaitat tribe.
This indigenous community, which has lived in the area for centuries, was forcibly removed from their ancestral lands to make way for the development of the mega-city.
The Saudi government’s crackdown on those who resisted, including the killing of a tribal leader, Abdul Rahim al-Howeiti, has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organisations.
This blunder not only sparked international outrage but also tainted NEOM’s image as a forward-thinking, humane project.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability Concerns: NEOM has been marketed as an environmentally sustainable city, but the environmental impact of such a massive development is a major concern.
The project’s scale—covering over 26,500 square kilometers—poses significant risks to local ecosystems, particularly in the Red Sea, which is home to rich marine biodiversity.
Critics argue that the construction of artificial islands and extensive urbanisation could lead to irreversible ecological damage.
The enormous water and energy demands required to maintain a green city in the desert also raise questions about the project’s sustainability.
Economic Viability and Cost Overruns: NEOM is one of the most expensive development projects in history.
But there are serious doubts about its economic viability. Critics question whether the project can attract the necessary foreign investment and whether it will generate sufficient returns to justify the enormous expenditure.
The economic risks are further compounded by potential cost overruns and delays, which are common in megaprojects of this scale.
This financial gamble has led some to worry that NEOM could become a costly white elephant if it fails to meet its ambitious goals.
Technological Overreach and Ethical Concerns: NEOM is envisioned as a high-tech city, heavily reliant on artificial intelligence, robotics, and extensive surveillance systems.
While this technological ambition is central to NEOM’s identity, it also raises significant ethical concerns. The level of surveillance planned for the city could lead to unprecedented control over residents’ lives, sparking fears about privacy and civil liberties.
The lack of transparency about how AI will be used, coupled with concerns about job displacement, has also led to criticism that NEOM’s technological vision may be more dystopian than utopian.
Cultural and Social Disconnect: NEOM’s vision of a futuristic, liberalized society clashes sharply with Saudi Arabia’s deeply conservative cultural norms.
The project plans to introduce mixed-gender sports, entertainment events, and other liberal lifestyle elements that are rare in the kingdom.
This cultural shift has raised concerns about a potential clash between NEOM’s globalised vision and the traditional values of Saudi society.
The disconnect between the project’s ambitions and the broader cultural context has led to skepticism about whether NEOM can truly integrate into Saudi Arabia’s social fabric without causing significant friction.
HELEN Flanagan was flooded with praise as she shared her struggle to get her four-year-old off to bed.
The former Coronation Street actress was given a boost by her Instagram followers who gushed she was doing an “amazing job” and making little Charlie “feel safe” despite the night-time mayhem.
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Helen Flanagan has been praised as she struggled to calm down son Charlie, four, as he ran riot at 11.30pmCredit: Instagram
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The little boy was seen charging around the bedroomCredit: Instagram
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Helen, 35, told her son how much she loved himCredit: Instagram
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Helen shares three kids with ex fiance Scott SinclairCredit: instagram/hjgflanagan
Helen, 35, who shares three kids with her footballer fiancé exScott Sinclair, uploaded a video showing their hectic night time routine.
Their third child, son Charlie, was born on March 25, 2021, and was the centre of attention in the clip which saw Helen attempting to call him over as she said: “Charlie I love you, can you come over to mummy please.”
He could be heard playing in the background before he sprinted across the screen.
Helen, dressed in her pyjamas and nightwear, tried to emphasise her point and said: “Charlie can you listen please because I love you and want to give you a cuddle.”
She then suggested he. go to bed in the cot which prompted him to come over for a hug.
She asked him: “Do you love your mummy?” to which he replied: “Yes.”
The ITV soap star then placed his little hand on her heart and said: “I am calm, I love my mummy,” words which he then repeated.
Helen then told him they were going to stop “bouncing around” and go to sleep with “cuddles and kisses.”
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She conceded they could watch a film but needed to “relax” – in order to then “go crazy” in the morning.
Helen, who successfully kept the youngster chilled, then let out a sigh before turning the camera off.
MUM BATTLES
In her lengthy caption, the proud mum explained the toddler’s behaviour in more detail.
She wrote: “Took this video a few weeks ago of me trying to get Charlie to bed and I think it’s cute.
“Think it was about 11.30pm and he’s still bouncing around the room.
“Love my little boy to death he’s so beautiful, he just has SO much energy. I wouldn’t want him any other way though as I know he’ll be an amazing boy.
“I have to take him to soft play or the park every day to burn off some energy less he’d be swinging from the ceiling. Boys are so different to girls, is it the testosterone?
“I feel like he looks like his dad but personality wise is a boy version of me.”
Helen, who played Rosie Webster in Corrie, added: “I don’t like to label children as I think we can over label now and children can play up to it but I suppose I’m neurodivergent and I’m his mummy.
“I also get very triggered by too many sounds all at the same time and struggle to keep calm, I also get really touched out.
“I still co sleep with my kids. Matilda’s too big now but we all just sleep in the same room, it’s what works for us and I’m that exhausted by the end of the day that I just want to sleep.
“Matilda cuddles up to her brother and Delilah sleeps next to me. I’ve tried to get them into their own rooms but they just get really upset and anxious so I don’t bother as they will naturally grow out of it.
“It can be really hard when they are little but also I know that I’m going to want these times back one day too.”
Referring to her plush cream room featured in the video she added: “All I do is tidy up and my house is always a mess and it’s always chaos.
“Charlie’s pulled down these curtains before and smashed my window with a football.
“He’s a different boy for his dad than he is with me. I do feel like with a boy having a constant male presence really helps. When he’s naughty I get too tired and he’s too heavy for me to carry and too fast to catch.
“I also really struggle with car journeys with Charlie, he thinks it’s a game to unbuckle his car seat, so I try and drive when he’s sleeping.
“I think reception and starting school for Charlie will be really good for him, I haven’t done phonics or practised writing his name, it will be a task in itself to get him sitting on his bottom.”
FAN PRAISE
Helen was inundated with messages of support from her famous mates as well as fans.
RHOC alum Tanya Bardsley said: “He reminds me of my Ralphi a beautiful energy.”
MTV’s Charlotte Dawson added: “This is so cute and chaotic at the same time … wouldn’t have it any other way.”
One fan then wrote: “Think this is amazing. You kept calm and in turn that helped him it’s called Co regulation for the uneducated out there who are saying show him who is in charge.”
Another wrote: “Adorable @hjgflanagan you’re doing amazing job.”
A third put: “Well done mumma. This is beautiful. You’re making sure he feels safe and loved.”
One simply added: “Thank you for posting this. So real.”
