After losing at Brighton two weeks ago, Liverpool and Slot would have hoped that the international break would have provided the reset required before one final push until the end of the season.

The announcement that Mohamed Salah will leave in the summer, while significant, was not a surprise and had the potential to galvanise fans and players alike to give a club legend a memorable send off.

On top of that, the return of club-record signing Alexander Isak to team training after more than three months out provided another boost.

But 92 minutes in Manchester quickly did for any such optimism, with the number of potential trophies that might garnish Salah’s farewell swiftly halved.

Even a consolation goal was beyond them as Salah saw his second-half penalty saved – a moment Slot admitted “probably sums us up today and probably large parts of our season”.

“To get embarrassed like they did today is going to stick with them,” ex-Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin added on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Difficult as it is, though, Slot must find a way to rally his players before kick-off in Paris on Wednesday evening.

Another abject defeat could end Liverpool‘s hopes of progressing even before the second leg, at which point the season would become solely about trying to scrape back into the Champions League next season.

For all the mitigation that Slot can point to for the issues this season – injury problems, a severely disrupted pre-season, an unbalanced squad and, above all, the tragic death of Diogo Jota – failure to do so would leave him extremely vulnerable.

“We have to react to this defeat and this disappointing season,” he said. “There is a chance for us on Wednesday. We have shown today for only 35 minutes that we can compete.

“We can take positives from those 35 minutes but if we defend like the 20 minutes afterwards we will have a big problem. That is what we have to address.”

Time is fast running out for Slot to find those solutions and salvage something from Liverpool‘s season.

What that means for his future remains to be seen but those joyous scenes of last spring certainly seem a long time ago now.

President Donald Trump’s son and his fiancée could tie the knot at the White House, a new report reveals.

Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson, a socialite from Palm Beach, Florida, have considered hosting their wedding at the White House, according to People. But the timeline could be impacted by the president’s $400 million White House ballroom project.

“The ballroom probably has to be finished,” a source told the outlet.

Trump demolished the White House’s East Wing to make room for the ballroom last year — but now, the project’s future is unclear. Earlier this week, a federal judge ruled that Trump needs congressional approval to continue with construction.

The president pushed back on the ruling in a Truth Social post.

“In the Ballroom case, the Judge said we have to get Congressional approval. He is WRONG!” he wrote Tuesday. “Congressional approval has never been given on anything, in these circumstances, big or small, having to do with construction at the White House.”

A White House wedding could also have political implications for the president’s son, one source told People.

“This would set them up for future political roles, whether Don Jr. goes after the presidency or something else,” they said. “This is a consideration.”

The Independent has contacted the White House and Trump Jr.’s office for comment.

Trump Jr. and Anderson announced their engagement in December at a White House event.

“I want to wish all of you guys an incredible holiday season, a merry Christmas, a very happy New Year and to thank Bettina for that one word, ‘yes’,” Trump Jr. said.

Anderson added: “This has really been the most unforgettable weekend of my life, and I get to marry the love of my life, and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”

In 2005, Trump Jr. married Vanessa Trump, who is currently dating Tiger Woods. The pair had five children together before divorcing in 2018. Their oldest daughter, 18-year-old Kai Trump, is set to attend the University of Miami later this year and play for the school’s golf team.

Trump Jr. later dated Kimberly Guilfoyle, who was once married to California Governor Gavin Newsom and currently serves as the U.S. ambassador to Greece. The pair even got engaged in 2020, but in December 2024, Page Six reported they had broken up.

“Kimberly and I will never stop caring for each other and will always keep a special bond,” Trump Jr. told Page Six at the time.

Guilfoyle addressed Trump Jr.’s engagement during an interview with The New York Times published in January.

“I’m happy for Don,” she said. “I wish him, of course, all the best.”

Former President Joe Biden’s granddaughter Naomi Biden and Peter Neal were the last couple to get married at the White House. The pair exchanged vows on the South Lawn in November 2022.

Rory McColl, from Edinburgh, was only hours into his trip to Thailand when he accidentally picked up a woman’s phone in a bar – now his family says he is unable to come home and faces jail

A dad is facing jail in a Thai hellhole prison after he accidentally picked up a woman’s phone in a bar, his family said.

Rory McColl, from Edinburgh, told how he confused the woman’s phone with his own and picked it up just hours after arriving for a holiday in Bangkok on March 9.

The 37-year-old owned up to the mistake but was accused of theft and spent the first two nights of his trip in a filthy cell, the Daily Record reports.

After forking out £1,000 in bail money to be released from jail, cops seized Rory’s passport. He has now been stranded in the south-east Asian country for almost a month as he waits for a court date.

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His sister Joanna McLaughlin fears her brother will be sentenced to jail time.

She said: “Rory was arrested on the first night of his holiday due to a misunderstanding. He normally keeps his phone in his pocket and had forgotten that he had a travel waist bag where he was keeping his valuables.

“At some point, he went to get his phone, couldn’t find it in his pocket and saw the same phone as his sitting on the bar. He picked it up thinking it was his and put it in his pocket.

“The girl whose phone it actually was saw him taking it and involved the police, thinking he had stolen it. By the time Rory realised his mistake, the police were arresting him and taking all his belongings.”

Rory claims he was subjected to “horrendous conditions” in a Thai jail cell for two nights. Joanna said after his release, he went to the Embassy but was advised that they can’t get involved in criminal cases.

Rory, who works at Buck’s Bar in Edinburgh, is now awaiting his fate in a cheap hotel in Pattaya. Grim Thai prisons include Klong Prem Central, which has a brutal reputation, while another possibility is high-security and the overcrowded Bang Kwang Central.

Loved ones have set up a GoFundMe appeal to cover living costs and legal fees.

Joanna said: “A lawyer will be very expensive. He has already had to pay £1,000 bail money and various payments to the police.

“His travel insurance won’t cover the costs of missing his flight home and he hadn’t budgeted to pay for hotels for all this time.

“As a family, we are desperate to get Rory home. He has to get back for his son and his work. We are also extremely concerned that the police are still talking about jail sentences when he is innocent of the crime of theft.”

Chelsea are without Enzo Fernandez, who has been dropped for two games as a result of recent comments that cast doubt on his future at the club. Skipper Reece James is also still sidelined as Liam Rosenior ponders his selection against a Port Vale side who are all but certain to be back in the fourth tier next term, sitting 15 points adrift of safety with eight games left.

From soap star Beverley Callard to former football manager Harry Redknapp, the South African camp will see a group of famous faces take on even more challenges.

With the trials in South Africa being described as even tougher than those in Australia, you might be wondering how you can watch all the action in the new series.

I’m A Celebrity South Africa lineup 2026

The series, which is the second to be filmed in South Africa, will feature the following stars:

• Former football manager Harry Redknapp
• Reality star Gemma Collins
• Soap actress Beverley Callard
• Olympian Sir Mo Farah
• Former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt
• Champion boxer David Haye
• Actor Adam Thomas
• Former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts
• Comedian Seann Walsh
• Pop star Sinitta
• Red Dwarf star Craig Charles
• Ex-footballer Jimmy Bullard

How did the lineup do in previous I’m A Celeb series’?

Scarlett Moffatt was crowned Queen of the Jungle back in 2016, while Harry Redknapp won the show in 2018.

Winners of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here

David Haye made it to the final in 2012, but Jimmy Bullard had a less successful run in the camp in 2014 and was the first campmate to be voted off.

Is I’m A Celeb South Africa pre-recorded or live?

I’m A Celebrity South Africa is pre-recorded, so the show has already been filmed, unlike the Australian series, which sees Ant and Dec present it live with some pre-recorded elements.

Recommended reading:

However, ITV will include a live episode for the final of the show so viewers can vote for the winner of the series, according to the Radio Times.

How to watch I’m A Celeb’s new South Africa series

I’m A Celebrity South Africa’s first episode will air on Easter Monday (April 6).

ITV1 will broadcast the pre-recorded episode from 9pm until 10.30pm or you can watch it on ITVX.

What has been your favourite I’m A Celebrity series so far? Let us know in the comments below.

Olivia is now 6 weeks postpartum and has stepped back into the ring

The circus has arrived back in Belfast, and it has a brand new member in tow. Ringmistress, Olivia Mulvaney, 26, gave birth to baby Luca just over 6 weeks ago.

Belfast Live caught up with her to find out how she is finding the balancing act of motherhood with an incredibly unique job.

Olivia’s family has been running circuses for almost 20 years. Her grandfather and brothers started a circus over two decades ago, and then they all split off and started their own circuses, and Circus Vegas officially began in 2004.

The main attractions at Circus Vegas are the motorbike stunt team, which includes their FMX riders and globe of death riders. They also have a brand-new clown, ‘Lupino’, who is a real crowd-pleaser. There are no animals at all used in this circus, and it focuses on thrills, stunts and laughter to keep everyone entertained.

A Ringmistress or Ringmaster would oversee the day-to-day running of the circus as well as the flow of the show to keep the audience engaged. On top of this, she will work with each act to ensure everything is safe and that the artists are happy to perform. She has the final say on whether an act can actually go on, so it carries a lot of responsibility.

Typically, in most portrayals, we see it as a Ringmaster, so it is quite rare to see a woman step into the role. However, Olivia said it is becoming much more common to see women in the job across Ireland.

Olivia enjoys the leadership aspect of the role and said that “it’s nice to see more women being involved in it”.

However, at 6 weeks postpartum, she has stepped back into the ring. It’s a “nice feeling coming back”, and she believes she is in a lucky position, being able to work with her baby by her side.

She added that it is “unusual to live and work with your whole family”, most of whom work in the circus in some capacity. But sees the benefits because she has her support system with her at all times, and they can help lighten the load even at work.

It goes beyond family, and everyone who works in the circus has come together to support her and baby Luca. Olivia also added that “without them, it would be difficult”.

“He’s been absolutely amazing”, says Olivia about how Luca has been doing, especially in the mix of a busy circus environment. She believes he got used to the loud noises during the pregnancy and even falls asleep to the sound of motorbikes, finding it soothing.

There’s more to the circus than the performances we see on stage, Olivia says. With an almost entirely new cast each year, it allows her to meet new people from all walks of life.

She said it also brings in new cultures and different personalities, and she’s even managed to learn a few words in other languages. One of her favourite parts of the job is being able to “socialise with people from all over the world”.

Circus Vegas has returned to Boucher Road Playing Fields in Belfast until April 12. Tickets are on sale now.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

It’s been named one of Britain’s poshest villages

A picturesque Cambridgeshire village with a 500-year-old pub has been named one of Britain’s poshest. Hemingford Abbots was included in a list published by the Telegraph.

The tiny village is just a few miles to the east of nearby Huntingdon and sits against the banks of the River Great Ouse. The stunning village is perhaps best known for its thatched cottages, wildflower meadows, historic pub and large playing fields.

It was the county’s only entry in the Telegraph’s listing of posh villages, which they compiled having reviewed house prices, community assets, the location and whether it has classic village features including a green, duck pond and thatched cottages.

The Telegraph wrote of Hemingford Abbots: “This small, historic village three miles east of Huntingdon traces its roots to Roman times. It sits proudly in a conservation area on the banks of the Great Ouse where the annual Hemingford Regatta, the oldest village rowing regatta in the UK, is held in July, featuring races and riverside picnics.

“There’s a 500-year-old pub (Axe and Compass), a village hall and a sports pavilion with cricket teams, tennis and bowls. The children’s novelist, Lucy M Boston, based her beloved ‘Green Knowe’ books on a 12th-century manor house in the village.”

The village shares numerous facilities with bordering Hemingford Grey, including a shop, post-office, primary school and sports pitches. It is also well-connected with its walks, containing routes that can take people through St Ives, Godmanchester Nature Reserve, Houghton Mill and its beautiful wildflower meadows.

At the heart of the village is the Axe and Compass pub, which dates back to the 15th century. It is the only one of its kind in the village. providing a lovely country pub atmosphere with a garden that’s perfect for a relaxing day out.

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The pub has continued to survive into 2026 against the backdrop of challenges towards pubs nationally. It remains incredibly popular with a 3.9 rating out of five from more than 400 reviews on Tripadvisor.

But the area’s key selling point is its thatched cottages and enormous houses in large gardens, which helps the village earn its posh factor. The Telegraph state the average house price in Hemingford Abbots as being £1.037m, although Rightmove lists it at even higher and £1.7m.

The home favourite Chisora, now 42 years old, comes into the affair with a 36-13 record, but with just one defeat in his last four outings. Wilder, meanwhile, is two years his junior but has lost four of his last six outings, which have come over the course of the last six years. Once considered one of the sport’s greatest talents, his skills have dulled somewhat in recent years, but this fight gives him the chance to end his career on a high.

Tonight, heavyweight icons Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder will clash in front of a baying London crowd.

This will be the final fight in Chisora’s storied, up-and-down career; at least the Briton (36-13, 23 KOs) claims it will be, though retirement has long seemed a daunting prospect to the 42-year-old. Across the ring at the O2 Arena, Wilder’s own career may be on the line, even if the ex-world champion suggests he will carry on regardless of the result.

The American, 40, enters this fight on a 2-4 run after his long, dominant title reign, and has appeared reluctant to use his generational power in recent bouts. But Wilder (44-4-1, 43 KOs) will need it against Chisora, given the latter’s trademark resilience and engine.

The fight is set to go ahead despite late drama, with Wilder complaining about his gloves on Friday before the issue was resolved.

Follow live updates and results from Chisora vs Wilder and the undercard, below. Purchase the fight on DAZN, here.

Mohanad Abdullaahi Goobe lost his life at the height of a bitter social media conflict

It began with a petty insult during a TikTok live stream and spiralled into a murderous war on the streets of a Manchester suburb.

Teenagers – obsessed with pride, ‘beef’ and settling scores – discussed ‘cheffing’ rivals as tensions simmered.

Mindless bravado fuelled increasingly violent social media threats. Fist fights saw ‘winners’ crowned and ‘losers’ licking their wounds as they plotted revenge.

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Soon, boys were arming themselves for one final battle. At the height of the bitter conflict, Mohanad Abdullaahi Goobe lost his life. Just 15-years-old, he was dragged to the floor and knifed in the chest.

For the past four weeks, the events of that day – and the build-up – have been the subject of a tense Bolton Crown Court trial. Three boys – referred to in press reports as ‘Boy A’, 16; ‘Boy B’, 15; and ‘Boy C’, 14, were in the dock. They cannot be named for legal reasons.

It is not known who delivered the fatal blow. This week, ‘Boy A’ and ‘Boy B’ were found guilty of murder. ‘Boy C’ was convicted of manslaughter.

Mohanad’s devastated family said in the wake of the tragedy: “[He] deserves to be remembered for the young man who was loved by his family and loved big in return, not as the boy whose life was taken with no thought or reason.

“We will not allow his name to be known as yet another statistic in the rise of knife crime.”

Here, the Manchester Evening News looks back at the evidence in the case…

‘Who are you talking to?’

‘Boy A’, the court was told, was scrolling on TikTok when he came across a live stream. The person filming noticed his handle. ‘Boy A’ said he was called a ‘p***y’.

“Who are you talking to?,” he wrote in the comments. “Come have it on,” the lad streaming responded. Hours later on August 25 they were squaring off in an alley off Great Western Street in Moss Side.

There was pushing and shoving. Punches were thrown, but none connected. ‘Boy A’ headbutted his opponent, knocking him to the ground. Less than a minute later, the fight was over. ‘Boy A’ told jurors he was the ‘winner’.

“He squared up to me and we started fighting,” ‘Boy A’ said. “I headbutted him about 40 seconds in and knocked him unconscious. He tried to continue, but had to give up and I won.”

The court heard the defeated boy knew Mohanad. Speaking on Snapchat, another friend said the loss had ‘put [them] in aura debt’. A ‘rematch’ would be arranged.

Before that meeting, ‘Boy A’ fought another of Mohanad’s friend of at Alexandra Park. He told the jury he couldn’t remember why or what the scrap, five days after the first, was about.

Captured on video, the two boys were seen brawling in the middle of a large group. Among the crowd was Mohanad and ‘Boy B’. It wasn’t clear what, or who, started the fight. Footage showed spectators shouting encouragement as the two lads swung at each other.

There were numerous ’rounds’ as the fight went on. It ended in ‘Boy A’s’ opponent sitting on him.

That night, things got heated online. It soon became clear in court these weren’t simply schoolyard scuffles. Something much darker was brewing. These were boys wanting to play men.

In Snapchat messages, ‘Boy A’ told a rival he had ‘a bag of shanks’. In court, he said he didn’t have knives and said it to ‘intimidate’ the other boy.

‘These man had a shank and there was 20 of them’

On August 30, ‘Boy B’ filmed a mate as he showed a large knife to the camera. Only his hands could be seen as he unsheathed the blade.

That night, the three of them went to hospital as ‘Boy B’ had a cut on his thumb. He claimed he did it chopping vegetables, but ‘Boy A’ later told jurors he did it ‘swinging the knife about’.

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Days later, ‘Boy A’ and pals ‘jumped’ a friend of Mohanad. Boy A was said to be armed with a knife.

Asked by a friend on Snapchat why he ‘let’ that happen, Mohanad replied: “These man had a shank [knife] and there was 20 of them.” The group saw ‘Boy A’s’ alleged possession of a knife as an ‘escalation’.

“Wallahi [I swear to God] the mandem are patterning [getting] these shanks,” Mohanad wrote. “Get the gloves, IDGAF I’m riding out every day, I might chef [stab] one of them,” he added. “I expect every single one of us to ride out.”

The next day, Mohanad posted stills from a clip of the fight at Alexandra Park, between ‘Boy A’ and his friend. ‘Boy A’ told him to meet for a ‘one-on-one’, but Mohanad refused.

In a group chat, Mohanad wrote: “Imagine cheffing was haram [forbidden] and not illegal… I would chef every single one of them.”

In the days leading up to the fatal fight, one of Mohanad’s friends live on TikTok to ‘p**s off’ the other group. Within hours, a group chat was set up by ‘Boy A’ and a plan for revenge was hatched.

“Tensions were developing and not dying down,” prosecutor Alex Leach KC said.

‘F***ing kill them’

On September 14, Snapchat discussions turned to tactics for the ‘rematch’ on September 15. ‘Boy C’ suggested taking a dog for ‘intimidation’. He and his friends talked about forming three rows of people, with ‘Boy A’, ‘Boy B’ and ‘Boy C’ at the front.

“I want at least 30 people there,” ‘Boy C’ wrote. As plans were put formed on both sides, a boy acting as a ‘go-between’ for the two groups messaged Mohanad advising him to ‘get it over with, no shanks, fists only’.

“You man already took it there,” Mohanad replied. He told another friend to ‘just not go’. The two groups traded insults, with the go-between pressing Mohanad to get involved.

“Just do something when you man see us,” Mohanad replied, but agreed to ‘back’ the fight later that day. “This kid should have stayed out of it,” ‘Boy A’ wrote, referring to Mohanad.

‘Boy B’ told ‘Boy A’: “Let’s get the wap [weapon] from the bush.” One of their group said ‘Boy A’ should ‘f***ing kill them’. “Who said I am going to kill another man?,” he replied.

‘Boy B’ messaged someone on TikTok asking: “You coming tomorrow? How many you got left? Any big ting?” In his evidence, ‘Boy A’ said he said he thought it would be a ‘fist fight’ and denied taking knives.

Prosecutors said the earlier video taken by ‘Boy B’ on August 30, showing a friend holding a knife in a plastic bag with its sheath nearby, showed he was ‘involved’ in the acquisition of blades.

“When you look at the messages on September 14, the intention is clear,” prosecutor Alex Leach KC said. “Boy B was in the business of getting a large knife for the following day.”

‘I threw a blow back’

On the day of the fight, September 15, ‘Boy A’ put on his school uniform to trick his mum into thinking he was going to lessons. Instead, he met up with ‘Boy B’ at his house while his parents were at work.

‘Boy B’ filmed ‘Boy A’ as they admired two large knives on his bed. ‘Boy A’ said another friend took the blades over.

After, they got changed and left to meet their group at Whitworth Park. Body cam footage from two patrolling officers at the park shows members of the group with their faces covered.

The boys left, with CCTV footage later showing them walking behind Mohanad’s group along Moss Lane East. As they reached the junction with Monton Street, a fight broke out between the two groups. Up to 20 lads were involved.

Footage showed the violence quickly escalated, with members of both groups running across the road. During the chaos, Mohanad was stabbed.

He was dragged to the ground and kicked before the being stabbed in the chest. He died in hospital later that day. Giving evidence, ‘Boy A’ claimed Mohanad had swung towards him first.

“What did you do?,” his barrister asked. “I threw a blow back, it connected. I was trying to defend myself. I didn’t see if he was injured,” ‘Boy A’ said.

He claimed in the dock he had no prior issues with Mohanad. “Did you arm yourself that day and have a knife?,” he was asked. “No,” Boy A said. “Did you stab Mohanad?,” he was asked. “No,” he said.

Ultimately jurors concluded ‘Boy A’ and ‘Boy B’ were guilty of murder, with ‘Boy C’ convicted of manslaughter. They will be sentenced on May 21.

‘Not just another statistic’

Paying tribute Mohaned following his death, his family said he was ‘quick to laugh, easy to love, with a ready smile’.

His loved ones added: “Mohanad was our 15-year-old son, and a younger sibling to his sister and brother. Mohanad was the baby of the family, he was quick to laugh, easy to love, with a ready smile. Our son had an uncanny ability to make you laugh, making it sometimes difficult to be serious with him.

“Mohanad had many friends, he was loyal and often played the class clown, simply to see them laugh. Mohanad’s life has been cut tragically short, it is difficult to comprehend that seeing your son head off for school in the morning, would be the last time that we would see that handsome face.

“Mohanad deserves to be remembered for the young man who was loved by his family, and loved big in return, not as the boy whose life was taken with no thought or reason.

“We will not allow his name to be known as yet another statistic in the rise of knife crime. Remember Mohanad with love in your heart and a kind word on your lips.”

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Alex Wilkinson, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Our thoughts first and foremost remain with the friends and family of Mohanad following this horrific incident.

“I would like to thank them for their courage and strength during the trial, and I hope the verdict will help them in their steps towards justice for Mohanad.

“Our investigators worked tirelessly across this investigation – from undertaking several warrants, speaking to countless witnesses and scouring hours of CCTV footage to understand the elements that have led up to Mohanad’s death.

“One life lost to knife crime is one too many, and we will continue our commitment to get justice for families who have been affected by knife crime.”