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Inside the geopolitical drama threatening to overshadow T20 Cricket World Cup

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Inside the geopolitical drama threatening to overshadow T20 Cricket World Cup

Cricket’s most profitable tournament is set to start this weekend in a significantly diminished form, bereft of both a major qualifying nation and the single biggest fixture in terms of the potential viewership it can attract.

A complicated mesh of diplomatic disputes among the South Asian nations involved, including co-hosts India, mean the T20 Cricket World Cup begins on Saturday under a shadow of geopolitical turmoil.

It all began with Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the tournament, kicked out by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and replaced by the next-closest team to qualifying in Scotland. Bangladesh had refused to play any of their scheduled fixtures in India and demanded they be moved to co-hosts Sri Lanka, a request that was rejected.

Then, Pakistan announced that they would not play their group-stage match against arch-rivals India, due to take place in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo on 15 February. No reason was initially given, but Pakistan’s prime minister has since confirmed this was in solidarity with Bangladesh.

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These developments have put the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at the centre of a dispute blending geopolitics, commercial power, and long-running grievances about how world cricket is run.

Pakistan’s players unveil ICC T20 World Cup 2026 jersey after their match against Australia at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 1 February 2026

Pakistan’s players unveil ICC T20 World Cup 2026 jersey after their match against Australia at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 1 February 2026 (Getty)

Bangladesh’s withdrawal followed a formal request to move its scheduled matches to Sri Lanka, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) citing security concerns for its team and fans amid escalating political tensions between it and India.

Relations have dramatically deteriorated in the past 18 months since street protests brought down the Sheikh Hasina regime in 2024 and compelled the former prime minister, an ally of India, to flee to Delhi. India has ignored Dhaka’s requests for Hasina’s extradition to Bangladesh, where she has been found guilty of crimes against humanity.

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Since Hasina’s government collapsed, India and India-based rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns over the safety of members of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. In December, a Hindu man accused of blasphemy was beaten to death by a mob, triggering protests by Hindu nationalist groups in India.

Against this political backdrop, the Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman in January after being instructed to do so by the BCCI.

Bangladeshi authorities responded by banning broadcasts of the IPL in their country.

The BCB then renewed its request for their team’s matches to be shifted out of India.

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Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman during the T20 World Cup match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Grand Prairie, Texas, on 7 June 2024

Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman during the T20 World Cup match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Grand Prairie, Texas, on 7 June 2024 (AP)

The ICC rejected the request on the grounds of an “absence of any credible security threat”, and gave Bangladesh 24 hours to confirm its participation.

The Independent understands that no efforts were made to provide proof of the security threat faced by Bangladesh’s team, and when the deadline passed, Scotland were invited to take the vacant place. The governing body said it was keen not to establish “precedents that could undermine the neutrality and fairness of ICC events”.

Pakistan initially indicated they might withdraw entirely in response to Bangladesh’s removal. They later confirmed participation but said their team would not play India. Pakistan’s government said it had granted “approval” for the team to compete in the tournament but that players “shall not take to the field” against their arch-rivals.

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The India-Pakistan fixture has historically been the most-watched and commercially valuable match in global cricket. More than 600 million people watched on the Indian streaming platform JioHotstar when the teams met in last year’s Champions Trophy.

Cricketing ties between the two neighbours have been shaped by decades of conflict. They have not played a bilateral series since 2013, and India have not toured Pakistan since 2008.

Pakistan did not host any touring nations between 2009 and 2019 following an attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore that killed six policemen and two civilians.

Pakistani players have been barred from the IPL since the 2009 Mumbai attacks, which left 174 people dead.

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Last year, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, eventually playing their matches in the UAE.

That led to an agreement stating that when either country hosted an ICC event, matches between them would be held at neutral venues.

India celebrate their Asia Cup Final victory against Pakistan in Dubai on 28 September 2025

India celebrate their Asia Cup Final victory against Pakistan in Dubai on 28 September 2025 (Getty)

Tensions between the neighbours escalated in the wake of a four-day military conflict last April, sparked by a militant attack on tourists in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir.

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At the Asia Cup in September, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav declared that his team’s victory in the final was a “perfect reply” to Pakistan.

His team skipped post-match handshakes, later saying: “A few things in life are above sportsman’s spirit.”

Match officials later confirmed the captains had been asked to skip handshakes, prompting protests from Pakistani officials and criticism from Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who called the episode “utterly disappointing”.

India refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi, who is also chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as well as the country’s interior minister. It ended with Naqvi walking away with the trophy.

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Former PCB chairman Ehsan Mani, who also served as the ICC chief between 2003 and 2006, told the Hindustan Times the latest row about matches between India and Pakistan was likely a fallout from the Asia Cup.

“You’ve got to look at the background to this,” he said. “I don’t think the PCB chairman was happy with the Indian players’ refusal to shake hands with the Pakistani players at the Asia Cup, then their refusal to take their trophy from him. You’ve really got to look at the whole picture; it’s not a good relationship between the countries, which is sad, because we always worked very closely with the BCCI, and their attitudes have changed significantly.”

He urged the ICC chairman Jay Shah, who is the son of India’s home minister Amit Shah, to engage with the PCB and the Pakistan government over their stance.

“The PCB is simply going to say that it is following government instructions, the same as India did for refusing to come to Pakistan in the last ICC event,” he said. “And this is all very unfortunate. I do hope that the chairman of ICC, after all, he represents all the countries, including Pakistan, is talking to Pakistan to see how they can overcome Pakistan’s position. In fact, he should be engaging not only with PCB but also with the government of Pakistan.”

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Taskin Ahmed of Bangladesh celebrates the wicket of Aiden Markram of South Africa during their 2021 ICC T20 World Cup match in Abu Dhabi

Taskin Ahmed of Bangladesh celebrates the wicket of Aiden Markram of South Africa during their 2021 ICC T20 World Cup match in Abu Dhabi (Getty)

The ICC responded to Pakistan’s position by calling it “difficult to reconcile” with the premise of global competition.

“Selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions,” it said in a statement and warned of “significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country”.

While acknowledging the role of governments in national policy, it said Pakistan’s decision wasn’t in the interest of the game or fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan.

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The Independent has reached out to the ICC, BCCI, BCB, and PCB for comment.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi accused the ICC of mishandling the situation. “It’s regrettable that Pakistan won’t play India, but I stand behind my government’s decision,” he wrote on X.

“This is the moment for the ICC to lead and prove through decisions, not statements, that it’s impartial, independent and fair to every member.”

Former PCB chairman Najam Sethi said the standoff reflected long-standing resentment over how power and revenue were distributed in world cricket. He accused the BCCI, the sport’s wealthiest board, of using its influence to dominate decision-making.

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“I’m not a spokesman for the PCB, I’m giving you my view. The PCB consulted the government and they made this decision. There are 10-15 days to go before that match. My sense is that there are negotiations that are taking place, and my hope is that those negotiations will bear fruit,” he said.

Sethi linked Pakistan’s position to wider opposition to the so-called Big Three arrangement, under which India, Australia and England receive the majority of ICC revenue.

“It’s the attitude of the BCCI, that’s the problem. At every stage, they’ve been bullying people,” he said, recalling negotiations during the tenure of former BCCI chairman N Srinivasan.

“Nine members signed on and Mr Srinivasan came to me and said, ‘Why do you want to be left alone, blah blah blah, you will be isolated’, and the rest of it,” Sethi said. He described agreeing to revised revenue terms and an India-Pakistan series that later collapsed. “The contract was fine, but a year later, on the eve of the series, the BCCI, without a word, pulls out,” he recalled. “Can you think of a bigger insult?”

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Sethi argued that Bangladesh’s removal had created the conditions for a broader challenge. “They have been treating us very badly. Now that Bangladesh have been snubbed in a sense, we feel there are 400 million people on one side. We can all stand up,” he said. “There may be temporary losses, but at the end of the day, we will get a better, reformed ICC.”

Players have largely deferred to governments and administrators. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said the boycott was beyond the team’s control.

“Well, they are our brothers. I thank them for supporting us,” he said of Bangladesh. “And it’s really sad to see that they are not playing the World Cup.”

The India match, he said, was not in their control. “It was the government’s decision.”

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Yadav said India would travel to Colombo as scheduled. “We have not refused to play, they have. We’ve booked our flight and we are going,” he said.

Imad Wasim of Pakistan bats during a Men's T20 Cricket World Cup match against India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on 9 June 2024

Imad Wasim of Pakistan bats during a Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup match against India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on 9 June 2024 (Getty)

While the ICC continues to hope that Pakistan will backtrack – especially with the governing body having warned of possible sanctions – former BCCI chief selector Chetan Sharma has predicted the PCB will reverse its stance after the 12 February election in Bangladesh, arguing the decision is politically driven.

“What was Bangladesh players’ fault? None. This is politics. Bangladesh has elections on the 12th. After that, you will see a U-turn. There will be a statement saying, ‘Considering public sentiment, cricket shouldn’t suffer, Pakistan will play against India.’ This stance is still about the Bangladesh election only,” he told India Today.

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“I’ve been a politician, I’ve contested elections. After the elections, maybe even the military chief will say sport should be kept free of politics and the match should go ahead.”

Former England captain Nasser Hussain questioned whether the ICC had applied its rules consistently.

“If India, a month before a tournament, said ‘our government does not want us to play in a country for a World Cup’, would the ICC have been so firm and said, ‘You know the rules, bad luck, we’re knocking you out?’” he asked on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.

Scotland, promoted into the tournament, said preparations had been unusual. “It’s been unique circumstances for us. Preparations have been different than other teams. Every opportunity, we want to make most of,” captain Richie Berrington said.

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If Pakistan do boycott the match versus India, their opponent will receive two points. They face the Netherlands, USA, and Namibia in their remaining group games. Only the top two teams from each group progress, leaving little margin for error. It’s unclear what would happen if India and Pakistan were drawn to meet in the final.

There’s precedent for teams refusing to play. Australia and the West Indies declined to travel to Sri Lanka during the 1996 World Cup, while England refused to play Zimbabwe in 2003, citing security concerns. Those teams forfeited the matches but were not fined.

The ICC constitution, however, allows for sanctions where governments interfere in cricket administration and requires boards to operate autonomously.

Zimbabwe were suspended in 2019 on account of government intervention and Sri Lanka lost hosting rights for an Under-19 World Cup four years later following the dismissal of its board.

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Cricket analysts say the financial implications of an India-Pakistan no-show will be severe. Former ICC media head Sami Ul Hasan said: “The biggest hit, if the biggest game of the tournament doesn’t take place, will come from media rights.”

The losses will be felt by member boards.

Hasan pointed to the origin of the crisis in the removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL.

“We must remember that this situation arose due to one player’s removal and one administrator’s statement,” he said, referring to comments by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who at the time blamed “recent developments that are going on all across” – a comment widely understood to refer to the protests by Hindu nationalist groups.

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.As the T20 World Cup gets started, the ICC says its priority is the delivery of the tournament. It is calling on all members to protect its integrity.

The World Cup is due to begin on 7 February and will conclude on 8 March. Viewers in the UK can watch every game live on Sky Sports. A live stream will be available via Sky Go and NOW.

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Mariah Carey accused of ‘ruining the Winter Olympics’ after opening ceremony performance

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Mariah Carey accused of 'ruining the Winter Olympics' after opening ceremony performance
Mariah opened the Winter Olympics in Milan (Picture: EPA)

Mariah Carey has come under fire after an underwhelming performance at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

The 55-year-old singer wore a silver dress and sang a version of Domenico Modugno’s popular 1950s classic ‘Nel blu, dipinto di blu’, also known as ‘Volare’.

Sadly, despite the glitz and glamour of her performance, viewers were unimpressed with her singing.

Fans complained she was lip-syncing and one went so far as to claim she had spoiled the whole games.

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‘Mariah Carey has just ruined the Winter Olympics for everyone,’ wrote @DFranciscoReal on X.

‘Countless great Italian singers and we get Mariah Carey singing in the worst Italian I’ve ever heard on a national stage,’ added @arcanedonovan.

epa12709968 US recording artist Mariah Carey performs during the Opening Ceremony at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, 06 February 2026. EPA/PETER KNEFFEL / POOL
Fans weren’t pleased with her ‘stiff’ performance. (Picture: EPA)

While @DoronTam asked: ‘Why would they bring Mariah Carey out to stand there and lip-synch while staring out into space bored out of her mind??’

It wasn’t just X where people criticised Mariah.

On Reddit, one user complained, ‘[Mariah] was stiff as a board, it was insane. It could’ve been a Mariah cardboard cutout, and I wouldn’t have noticed a difference’.

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Others, meanwhile, questioned why they chose an American singer to open the games in Italy.

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 6: Mariah Carey performs during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium on February 6, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Others wondered why they didn’t get an Italian performer (Picture: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

‘Love Mariah but thought it was odd that they didn’t feature Italian singers,’ wrote kitcassidy. ‘Andrea Bocelli coming out near the end—and not as the finale—was an odd choice too.’

Still, Mariah had her fair share of supporters online as well.

‘You did a great job,’ wrote @jeffsheehan. ‘The original Volare song, recorded by Domenico Modugno, was an integral part of my life as a young child. It’s nice to see it resurrected on the world stage after so many years’.

‘There really is no one better at not actually signing live any more than Mariah Carey,’ claimed @IAmMapes.

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Mariah wasn’t the only singer to perform last night. Andrea Bocelli treated everyone to his version of Nessun Dorma while the Chinese pianist Lang Lang performed the Olympic Anthem.

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Storm Leonardo forces more than 11,000 in Spain and Portugal to evacuate their homes | World News

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Volunteers wade through a flooded street in Alcacer do Sal. Pic: Reuters

A ‘storm train’ of consecutive winds and rains battering Spain and Portugal has already forced 11,000 people to flee their homes. 

A man, believed to be about 70, died in Portugal‘s southern Alentejo region on Wednesday after his car was swept away by flood water, local authorities said.

And on Friday, police said a body was found not far ​from where a woman was swept away by a river in Malaga, as she tried to rescue her dog.

Storm Leonardo struck the Iberian Peninsula on Tuesday – with Spanish state weather agency AEMET warning that another storm, Marta, is on its way.

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A person takes a picture of flooded streets. Pic: Reuters

Thousands are now being forced to evacuate amid fears of more flooding.

Pic: Reuters
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Pic: Reuters


Areas near the Guadalquivir River in Cordoba have been evacuated ‌overnight due to the dramatic rise in water levels.

A volunteer gathers and selects donations for people forced to flee from their homes. Pic: Reuters
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A volunteer gathers and selects donations for people forced to flee from their homes. Pic: Reuters

Andalusia’s regional leader, Juan Manuel Moreno, told a press conference that they expect 30mm of rainwater on Saturday.

He said: “In other circumstances that would be little water but right now it ​is a lot as the soil is unable to drain and the rivers and reservoirs are full.”

Read more from Sky News:
Police search Mandelson addresses
Summer camp leader jailed

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Meanwhile, in the mountainous Spanish village of Grazalema, 1,500 residents were evacuated as water seeped through walls.

Volunteers help residents out of their homes in Alcacer do Sal, Portugal. Pic: Reuters
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Volunteers help residents out of their homes in Alcacer do Sal, Portugal. Pic: Reuters

Worse still, the mountains are made of a permeable rock that dissolves if they absorb too much water – potentially leading to their structural collapse.

In the Portuguese town of Alcacer do Sal, residents told how they had to flee with nothing but the clothes on their back.

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“I’m left with nothing,” one told Reuters. “Nothing.”

A resident carries his belongings after he is evacuated from his home. Pic: Reuters
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A resident carries his belongings after he is evacuated from his home. Pic: Reuters

Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said late on Thursday his government had extended a state of calamity in 69 municipalities until mid-February, ​adding “unprecedented” rainfall and flood risks threatened several regions.

The commander of Portugal’s ANEPC civil protection service, Mario Silvestre, said there were six rivers at risk of major flooding.

The Tagus river basin was placed on red alert on Thursday due to the abrupt rise in water flow.

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Dales meeting: anger over changes to home-to-school transport

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Dales meeting: anger over changes to home-to-school transport

The meeting was held at Kettlewell Village Hall on Tuesday evening amid concern in Upper Wharfedale and Littondale about a change made by North Yorkshire Council.

The authority introduced a new policy in September which means free school transport is only available to a child’s nearest school, meaning families are unable to get paid transport to their catchment school if it is not also their closest.

The policy was altered in a bid to help the council reduce its annual school transport bill of more than £50m.

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But the new rules have caused concern among families and community leaders in the Dales with journeys to nearest schools being over hazardous moorland routes in some cases.

At the meeting, Councillor Richard Ingram, chair of Buckden Parish Council, urged residents to campaig for changes to the policy, describing the new rules as “discriminatory”.

Parish council deputy chair Peter Vetch highlighted several areas of concern,  including the removal of transport to selective schools such as Ermysted’s Grammar School and Skipton Girls’ High School, despite North Yorkshire operating a selective education system.

Cllr Vetch said the policy had introduced a strict “nearest school” rule based on walking distance rather than road distance or route safety.

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He cited examples from Oughtershaw, where the school classed as nearest on foot was significantly further and less practical to reach by road than the school previously attended by children from the area.

Cllr Vetch said that in some cases, children would be expected to travel over Fleet Moss to reach their designated school – a route residents widely regard as unsafe, particularly during winter conditions.

Families from Oughtershaw and Greenfield have already submitted appeals, arguing that these circumstances should be treated as exceptional.

However, the appeals were rejected, with factors such as safety, cost and the impact on attendance ruled outside the scope of the process.

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Cllr Vetch added: “Speakers at the meeting warned of serious long-term consequences, including unsafe journeys for children, increased financial strain on families forced to fund private transport, and falling pupil numbers in local schools.”

Concerns were also raised about the wider sustainability of rural communities, including the impact on farming families and the future of village schools.

Anne Vetch, former chair of Upper Wharfedale Primary Federation (UWPF), said after the meeting:” The Upper Wharfedale community, teachers and parents have worked tirelessly over the years to ensure the school as part of UWPF not only has survived but thrived and has a promising future, demonstrated by an increase in numbers, financial sustainability, and a good Ofsted.

“You can imagine my dismay and that of others when we find this work seriously undermined by the school transport policy.”

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A spokesperson for STAG, which was represented at the meeting, said: “This is one of several meetings that parishes are organising all around the county – with Sheriff Hutton and Scorton near Richmond also included in that list.

“We are not surprised that residents are getting together to challenge this. North Yorkshire Council were warned about the impact this policy would have on rural communities and now they are going to have to answer to the people who are fighting for the future not only of their children, but also of their villages.”

North Yorkshire Council has repeatedly defended the policy change, which is due to be reviewed later this year, saying it brings services in line with government guidance and will help control rising school transport costs, which have more than doubled since 2018/19.

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Peter Andre reveals surprising truth about Mysterious Girl hit | Culture

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Singer and television presenter Peter Andre has made a big confession about his smash hit song Mysterious Girl.

The 1995 reggae-pop song, featuring Bubbler Ranx, shot to number one in the UK in 2004 following a re-release and remains Andre’s signature track.

Appearing on James Martin’s Saturday Morning show on ITV on Saturday (7 February), the 52-year-old explained why the track was originally titled Mystery Man.

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Andre explained how making one big change to the track “worked”.

He added: “The rest is history.”

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Can Japan’s first female PM, ultra conservative Sanae Takaichi, tighten her grip on power? | World News

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Japan's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. Pic: Reuters

Japan is holding a snap election on Sunday, in the first electoral test for the country’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, since she became leader.

Her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is projected to win a decisive mandate, thanks to the “sanamania” among younger voters who idolise the 64-year-old leader, her favourite pink pen and her rice cracker snacks.

A recent poll suggests about 90% of voters under 30 support Ms Takaichi, while her overall popularity stands at around 60%. Her personal approval ratings are almost double that of her party, according to a new poll by public broadcaster NHK.

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The Japanese prime minister hopes to gain a strong majority in the lower house of parliament. Pic: AP

Known for being ultra-conservative on social issues such as gender and sexual diversity, Ms Takaichi hopes to win back voters who flocked to emerging populist parties in recent elections.

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So who is the PM, why is she so popular, and what has she done to enflame tensions with China?

Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’

A protege of late prime minister Shinzo Abe, Ms Takaichi was elected by the LDP as their new leader in October, making her country’s first female prime minister, leading a governing coalition with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party (JIP).

The presidential election came after her LDP predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, was forced to step down due to significant losses in the 2024 lower house and 2025 upper house elections. Analysts said the LDP’s failed economic policies and political corruption were behind the loss in voter support.

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This was her third bid for leadership of the LDP, after attempts in 2024 and 2021.

Read more from Sky News:
Winter Olympics under way with opening ceremony
Mystery as Russian general shot at close range

During her most recent campaign, Ms Takaichi, whose mother was a police officer and father worked at a car company, said she wanted to become the “Iron Lady” – a homage to Margaret Thatcher, the daughter of a Grantham grocer who became Britain’s first female prime minister.

A large crowd gathered to listen to Ms Takaichi appealing for votes for an LDP candidate in January. Pic: AP
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A large crowd gathered to listen to Ms Takaichi appealing for votes for an LDP candidate in January. Pic: AP

Ms Takaichi was first elected to parliament as an independent in 1993 to represent the constituency that includes her hometown of Nara, before briefly joining the liberal New Frontier Party in 1994 and then moving to the LDP, when it won the general election in 1996.

She has taken on several roles within her party and in government over the last three decades, including minister of economic security, internal affairs, and gender equality.

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What are her politics?

Ms Takaichi has called for a stronger military, more fiscal spending for growth, promotion of nuclear fusion, cybersecurity and tougher policies on immigration.

She supports the imperial family’s male-only succession and opposes same-sex marriage and a law allowing wives to have separate surnames from their husbands.

The new prime minister has stuck with old-fashioned views favoured by male LDP heavyweights, backing financial support for women’s health and fertility treatments as part of her party’s policy of having women serve in traditional roles of being good mothers and wives.

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But she also recently talked about her struggles with menopausal symptoms and stressed the need to educate men about female health to help women at school and work.

Ms Takaichi is ultra-conservative and a wartime history revisionist. Pic: AP
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Ms Takaichi is ultra-conservative and a wartime history revisionist. Pic: AP

Ms Takaichi is a wartime history revisionist and China hawk who recently enflamed tensions with Beijing over her remarks on Taiwan.

In November, she appeared to suggest that Japan could become involved if China takes military action against Taiwan, a self-governing island Beijing considers part of its territory, as this would qualify as “an existential threat”. In retaliation, China increased economic and diplomatic retribution.

Endorsed by Trump and friends with Meloni

US President Donald Trump who is trying to maintain a fragile trade truce with China, asked Ms Takaichi not to further aggravate Beijing in a private phone call in November, sources told Reuters.

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Trump hails ‘golden age’ of Japan relations

But he had already endorsed her leadership during his visit to Japan in October. He said he was looking forward to hosting her at the White House in March after lauding Ms Takaichi for breaking Japan’s glass ceiling.

She appears to have found a political best friend in fellow right-wing populist Giorgia Meloni after singing happy birthday to the Italian prime minister and presenting her with cake and gifts during a meeting in Tokyo last month.

The women snapped a selfie together – with Ms Meloni later posting an anime version next to the caption: “Two distant nations, but ever closer. Friendship and harmony.”

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An anime-style selfie of Ms Meloni and Ms Takaichi. Pic: x.com/GiorgiaMeloni
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An anime-style selfie of Ms Meloni and Ms Takaichi. Pic: x.com/GiorgiaMeloni

Ms Takaichi presented her counterpart with some gifts. Pic: Reuters
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Ms Takaichi presented her counterpart with some gifts. Pic: Reuters

The pair shared a long hug as they said goodbye, with the Italian prime minister telling her Japanese counterpart: “Count always on me, okay? For whatever you need. I know it’s not easy but we’ll do it together.”

Why is she so popular with young voters?

A drummer in a heavy-metal band and a motorbike rider as a student, Ms Takaichi has built a large social media following that tops any of her rivals, with 2.6 million followers on X compared to about 64,000 for Yoshihiko Noda, the leader of Japan’s main opposition party.

Many of her posts have gone viral, including clips of her drumming to the hit song Golden from Netflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters film alongside South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, or her serenading Ms Meloni.

Ms Takaichi playing the drums with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. Pic: Reuters
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Ms Takaichi playing the drums with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. Pic: Reuters

Her upbeat image has earned her strong approval ratings.

“She has a clear, decisive way of speaking,” Takeo Fujimura, a 24-year-old clerical worker, said. “She communicates in a bright, positive way and I think that energy resonates with young people.”

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Her personal style has also been praised by fans, who rushed to snap up the £660 black leather bag Ms Takaichi regularly carries, causing a nine-month backlog at the brand Hamano.

Ms Takaichi carries Japanese leather goods maker Hamano's tote leather bag. Pic: Reuters
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Ms Takaichi carries Japanese leather goods maker Hamano’s tote leather bag. Pic: Reuters

There is a similar hype around the pink ballpoint pen she uses for note taking in parliament and the shrimp rice crackers she has been spotted holding while travelling by train.

But some analysts question whether enough young people will actually go and vote for Ms Takaichi, as younger people have historically been less likely to vote than older generations that had helped the LDP to a near-unbroken post-war rule in Japan but are not the guarantee of power they once were.

Why has she called an election?

Ms Takaichi’s call for this month’s snap election in January has been seen as an attempt to capitalise on her strong approval ratings of around 70% to help her beleaguered governing party gain more seats.

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She has gained a massive following on social media. Pic: AP
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She has gained a massive following on social media. Pic: AP

Polls show that the LDP could capture around 300 seats in the 465-seat lower house – the more powerful of the parliamentary chambers.

This would be a major improvement on the current razor-thin majority the LDP and its coalition partner JIP have in the lower house after losing many seats in 2024 and being defeated in the upper house election last July.

The LDP and JIP are hoping they can secure a supermajority of more than two-thirds, which would give Ms Takashi’s coalition the ability to push through legislation even if it doesn’t secure enough votes in the upper house.

In December, Ms Takichi’s cabinet approved a record 122.3 trillion yen (£565 billion) budget that needs parliamentary approval before the upcoming fiscal year starting April to fund measures to fight inflation, support low-income households and projects to help economic growth.

Winning the election would help her pass this budget after opposition leaders criticised her for delaying it with the snap election.

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Polling and media reports suggest that some voters have not been convinced by Ms Takaichi and her party, as her promised fiscal largesse has been partly credited for the yen sliding.

But opposition groups in Japan are seen as too splintered to win an election, with several polls putting Ms Takaichi’s party and coalition partner firmly in the lead.

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Ex-British Prime Minister ‘took part in threesome with Ghislaine Maxwell’ royal author claims

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Ex-British Prime Minister 'took part in threesome with Ghislaine Maxwell' royal author claims

A FORMER British Prime Minister took part in a threesome with sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, a royal historian has sensationally claimed.

Author Andrew Lownie also said there was “lots more” to come out on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in the latest tranche of the Epstein files.

Royal historian Andrew Lownie made the incredible claim on the Daily Mail’s Deep Dive PodcastCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
He had been discussing the latest batch of files released by the US Department of JusticeCredit: Reuters
The author also said there was ‘lots more’ to come out on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

Lownie, author of Andrew’s unauthorised biography Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, made the claims on the Mail’s Deep Dive Podcast.

He had been discussing the latest batch of three million documents released by the US Department of Justice last week.

Yesterday, cops searched Lord Mandelson’s two homes as they probe intelligence leaks to his paedo pal Jeffrey Epstein.

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But Mr Lownie has since incredibly claimed another political heavyweight is engulfed in the Epstein scandal.

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HARRY COLE

Trump’s Epstein files release set off bomb that’s blown apart British politics

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MANDY RAID

Mandelson’s house searched by cops probing misconduct in public office

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He alleged an ex-PM had been sexually involved with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, the ex-partner of the disgraced financier.

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The author said: “I have heard lots of talk about threesomes – including a threesome between Ghislaine and a British Prime Minister.”

When asked by host Sarah Vine if it was a recent PM, he responded: “A former Prime Minister, but it’s not Winston Churchill.”

Mr Lownie did not elaborate any further on the bombshell allegations.

Separately, in the latest dump of Epstein files, further details of Lord Mandelson’s relationship with the paedophile have come to light.

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Documents appeared to show him passing confidential information to Epstein while he was Business Secretary.

Other files also include photos showing Mandelson in his underpants and a t-shirt while standing alongside a bathrobed female.

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And last night, plain-clothed Met officers descended on the disgraced Labour peer’s properties in Camden, North London, and Wiltshire.

Cops arrived at his four-storey home near Regent’s Park at around 3.30pm yesterday, and a large box was later taken in.

His partner Reinaldo Avila da Silva could also be seen inside speaking to an officer.

Sir Keir Starmer is facing fresh calls to quit over his appointment of Mandelson as US ambassador.

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In a grovelling apology this week, the Prime Minister promised he was not aware of the “depth and the darkness” of the pair’s relationship.

Speaking on the podcast, Mr Lownie also went on to suggest there was “much more” to come out about the disgraced former Duke of York.

Just this week, more files emerged with Andrew telling Jeffrey Epstein he wanted to be his “pet” in one creepy email.

Allegations also emerged that a stripper performed “various sex acts” on Andrew and paedo pal Epstein after they demanded a threesome.

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The unnamed woman was “treated like a prostitute” after dancing for the pair at Epstein’s Palm Beach home in 2006, her lawyer claimed.

Mr Lownie said: ‘I have heard lots of talk about threesomes – including a threesome between Ghislaine and a British Prime Minister’Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Mr Lownie has incredibly claimed another political heavyweight is engulfed in the Epstein scandalCredit: Reuters
Separately, in the latest dump of Epstein files, further details of Lord Mandelson’s relationship with the paedophile have come to light

And cops confirmed they are assessing claims the disgraced financier trafficked a second woman to the UK.

It is alleged she had sex with Andrew in Royal Lodge before having a tour of Buckingham Palace.

Her bombshell claims mark the first time an Epstein accuser has alleged a sexual encounter at a royal property.

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The Met said it was “aware of reports about a woman said to have been taken to an address in Windsor in 2010 for sexual purposes”.

We revealed how Andrew had been quietly booted out of Royal Lodge under the cover of darkness on Monday night.

He is staying temporarily at Sandringham’s Wood Farm cottage before moving next door to his permanent home Marsh Farm from April.

He is understood to have been kicked out earlier than planned after King Charles became increasingly concerned with the shocking ­revelations.

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always vigorously denied any wrongdoing relating to his relationship with Epstein.

Mr Lownie did not elaborate any further on the bombshell allegationsCredit: Reuters

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How much trouble is Keir Starmer in?

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How much trouble is Keir Starmer in?

Keir Starmer is in the middle of his worst crisis yet following further damaging revelations about Peter Mandelson’s friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Emails released by the US government revealed the depth of Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein and confirmed that it continued after Epstein’s conviction in 2008.

Starmer insists that Mandelson lied to him and to the team responsible for vetting him as a candidate to be the UK ambassador to the United States. According to Starmer, Mandelson’s answers gave the impression that he barely knew Epstein.

When emails came to light in September showing that the relationship was deeper than claimed, the prime minister dismissed him. Starmer has, however, now admitted that he knew at the time of the vetting that Mandelson had remained in contact with Epstein after he was convicted of sex offences.

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À lire aussi :
What exactly is misconduct in public office and could Peter Mandelson be convicted?


The prime minister’s judgement over appointing Mandelson as his ambassador was being called into question even before these latest revelations. Mandelson had previously resigned twice (in 1998 and 2001) from Tony Blair’s government following scandals, and it was public knowledge that he had been friends with Epstein. All of this should have ruled him out of consideration.

Pressure has been mounting on the government to release documents detailing Mandelson’s vetting to show how much was really known about his ties to Epstein. It is these documents specifically that are at the centre of the latest speculation that Starmer cannot survive in his job.

The Conservative party tabled a humble address motion in the House of Commons on February 4 calling for all vetting documents and related correspondence to be made public. Humble address motions, if passed, compel the government to carry out the actions specified in the motion.

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Starmer has a large majority and could have fought off this manoeuvre had he had the support of his own MPs. But they are furious with him. Some have briefed that this scandal is the final straw after a series of poor judgement calls from the prime minister (previously mostly in relation to policy, where U-turns have been required).

They made it clear to the whips that they would rebel if instructed to vote against the Conservative motion. As a result, the government decided to table an amendment to the motion to give itself control over which documents would be released.

Its stated aim was to prevent any material that could be prejudicial to national security or international relations from being made public. Starmer has also said that a police investigation into Mandelson also precludes publication of some documents because they may prejudice any case against him.

This amendment was tabled the night before the debate and vote but it quickly became clear that trust in the prime minister and his government had completely evaporated and that Labour MPs would not support the amendment. In response, a last-minute manuscript amendment was drafted and tabled to ensure that documents pertaining to Mandelson’s appointment would instead be given to the (cross-party) Intelligence and Security Committee for review and publication. That would prevent the government from deciding what to release.

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This amendment was suggested in the chamber by Angela Rayner (the former deputy prime minister and deputy Labour leader) and is a sign of how serious the situation has become for the prime minister. It signals clearly that his own MPs no longer trust him or his government to handle the release of documents appropriately.

Peter Mandelson and Keir Starmer pictured in February 2025.
Flickr/Number 10, CC BY-NC-ND

The government has now lost control of the process, and this could lead to the publication of documents that further damage its reputation — not only regarding what the government did or did not know about Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein, but also potentially embarrassing correspondence about Donald Trump and members of his administration.

The wording of the government’s initial amendment attempted to block the release of documents that might affect international relations. That suggests there may be damaging revelations of the kind that forced one of Mandelson’s predecessors as US ambassador, Kim Darroch, to resign. Darroch was forced to stand down as ambassador in 2019 after leaked emails showed he’d called the first Trump administration “”clumsy and inept”.

Labour MPs have had enough

The level of frustration on the Labour backbenches is now comparable to that of Conservative MPs during the final months of Boris Johnson’s premiership. The focus of retribution is currently directed at the prime minister’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who MPs blame for this error of judgement (as he was a political ally of Mandelson). They see McSweeney has having given poor advice to the prime minister and blame him for the poor operation of Downing Street over the past 18 months.

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Even if the immediate pressure is on McSweeney, losing him would still be destabilising for the prime minister. A similar dynamic played out under Theresa May when her party forced her joint chiefs of staff, Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy, from office after the 2017 election.

Either way, Starmer’s days as prime minister appear to be numbered. The real question is how long he can remain in office. Labour MPs are not naturally inclined toward regicide – indeed, the party has never removed a sitting prime minister from office before. Any challenger needs the support of 80 MPs to trigger a leadership election – one in which Starmer would be entitled to stand himself. That remains a high threshold.

And, in the first instance, none of the apparent heirs to the leadership are currently positioned to launch a credible challenge. Andy Burnham was prevented from standing in the upcoming Gorton and Denton byelection, so won’t become an MP any time soon. Angela Rayner has yet to resolve the tax issues that forced her resignation from government last year. Wes Streeting is viewed as being too closely aligned politically with Mandelson to mount a challenge over this scandal.

There are, however, further moments of danger on the horizon. The loss of the Gorton and Denton byelection could weaken the prime minister further. Some in the party are still angry over Burnham being blocked, which many believe may have cost Labour a winnable seat.

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Upcoming local elections in England, as well as the parliamentary elections in Scotland and Wales, also look set to be torrid for Labour. It is likely that Starmer will limp on into the local elections, but beyond that his future will depend on his MPs – specifically, whether they choose to fire the starting gun on a leadership challenge or whether they can talk him into announcing his resignation as leader of the party, thereby triggering a leadership election.

Labour’s 2024 manifesto front cover simply read “Change”, but in recent weeks politics has felt uncomfortably reminiscent of 2022. That is Labour’s problem.

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Woman could feel 17cm spoon ‘moving inside of her’ after accidentally swallowing it | News World

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Woman could feel 17cm spoon ‘moving inside of her’ after accidentally swallowing it | News World
Reymy Amelinckx swallowed the spoon after her dog jumped on her (Picture: Jam Press/Reymy Amelinckx)

A woman accidentally swallowed a 17cm-long spoon when her dog jumped on her lap while she was eating yoghurt.

Reymy Amelinckx said she had to decide between ‘choking or swallowing the spoon’ but felt the implement ‘sliding down into my stomach smoothly’.

The 28-year-old said she was sitting on the couch with the yoghurt when her energetic Hungarian Vizsla named Marley suddenly jumped on her.

Reymy, from Rumst, Belgium, said: ‘I put the spoon in my mouth so I had my hands free to reply to a message.

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‘Just then, Marley decided to jump on me. I was so startled I jerked my head back, and before I knew it, the spoon was lodged in my throat.

‘I stood up and started to panic.’

Reymy, who works as a medical representative, tried to remove the spoon with her hand.

Story from Jam Press (Woman Swallows Spoon) Pictured: Reymy Amelinckx showing the X-ray of the spoon inside her after accidentally swallowing it. 'I accidentally swallowed 17cm spoon while I was eating yoghurt ? I was too embarrassed to tell my boyfriend' A woman accidentally swallowed a 17cm-long spoon when her dog jumped on her lap while she was eating yoghurt. Reymy Amelinckx said she had to decide between ?choking or swallowing the spoon?. She felt the implement ?sliding down into my stomach smoothly?. The 28-year-old said she was sitting on the couch with the yoghurt when her energetic Hungarian Vizsla named Marley suddenly jumped on her. ?I put the spoon in my mouth so I had my hands free to reply to a message,? Reymy, who comes from Rumst in Belgium, told?What's The Jam. ?Just then, Marley decided to jump on me. ?I was so startled I jerked my head back, and before I knew it, the spoon was lodged in my throat. ?I stood up and started to panic.? Initially, Reymy, who works as a medical representative, tried to remove the spoon with her hand. ?But everything happened so fast, it was either swallow or choke,? she said. When her boyfriend came home from work, she said she felt too embarrassed to tell him so she ?pretended nothing was wrong?. ?I didn't feel bad at all ? so I didn't say anything about it right away. ?It wasn't until after dinner that I realised it was actually quite serious. ?There was a 17cm spoon in my stomach. ?Online, everywhere said the same thing: go straight to the emergency room. ?It was only then that I realised how dangerous it could be.? Doctors told her the spoon was too large to pass naturally, so she had to return home and wait until a gastroscopy could be scheduled. Reymy said: ?That night was difficult, I felt the spoon moving, sometimes even between my ribs. ?It was truly terrifying. ?I felt bloated and nauseous, and I couldn't eat without feeling strange. ?Sleeping was difficult because every position reminded me of the spoon in my stomach.? The utensil was removed two days later under local anaesthetic. ?I wasn?t allowed to swallow while they pulled it up,? Reymy said. ?They had to rotate it in my stomach, which caused a small gastric haemorrhage. ?It wasn't pleasant, but I felt pure relief when it came out.? She added: ?I?m so glad the spoon was eventually removed with a gastroscopy and that they didn't have to surgically cut open my stomach.? A few hours later, the spoon swallower was allowed to go home. ?After the removal, I recovered quickly,? she said. ?I had a sore throat due to damage to my oesophagus, a few minor gastric bleeding episodes, and a sensitive stomach for a while, but no permanent damage. ?I did, however, gain a lifelong reputation as ?that girl with the spoon?.? She added: ?The next day, I went back to work as usual. ?My colleagues didn't believe me until I showed them the X-ray.? Despite the nasty experience, Reymy decided to keep hold of the spoon in question as a keepsake. ?My boyfriend wants to turn it into a work of art,? she said. ?He doesn't know exactly what yet, but it will definitely be a unique piece. ?That's the least such an adventure deserves." Reymy shared some advice for fellow dog and yoghurt lovers ? or those thinking of going hands-free with a utensil in order to text. She said: ?Enthusiastic dogs + eating on laps = risk zone. ?Teach them a ?wait? or ?quiet? command for jumping moments. ?For yogurt eaters: don't eat with cutlery completely in your mouth. ?Don't multitask with animals, and avoid jump scares and laughing with your mouth full. ?If you swallow something that really shouldn't be there: seek medical attention immediately. ?Embarrassment is temporary, internal damage isn't.? Reymy added: ?It's a bizarre story, but one with a happy ending ? and a legendary anecdote for parties.? ENDS EDITOR'S NOTE:?Video Usage Licence: (NON-EXCLUSIVE) We have obtained a non-exclusive licence from the copyright holder. A copy of the licence is available on request. Video Restrictions: None.
Reymy Amelinckx said she had to decide between ‘choking or swallowing the spoon’ (Picture: Jam Press/Reymy Amelinckx)
Story from Jam Press (Woman Swallows Spoon) Pictured: Reymy Amelinckx?s X-ray of the spoon inside her after accidentally swallowing it. 'I accidentally swallowed 17cm spoon while I was eating yoghurt ? I was too embarrassed to tell my boyfriend' A woman accidentally swallowed a 17cm-long spoon when her dog jumped on her lap while she was eating yoghurt. Reymy Amelinckx said she had to decide between ?choking or swallowing the spoon?. She felt the implement ?sliding down into my stomach smoothly?. The 28-year-old said she was sitting on the couch with the yoghurt when her energetic Hungarian Vizsla named Marley suddenly jumped on her. ?I put the spoon in my mouth so I had my hands free to reply to a message,? Reymy, who comes from Rumst in Belgium, told?What's The Jam. ?Just then, Marley decided to jump on me. ?I was so startled I jerked my head back, and before I knew it, the spoon was lodged in my throat. ?I stood up and started to panic.? Initially, Reymy, who works as a medical representative, tried to remove the spoon with her hand. ?But everything happened so fast, it was either swallow or choke,? she said. When her boyfriend came home from work, she said she felt too embarrassed to tell him so she ?pretended nothing was wrong?. ?I didn't feel bad at all ? so I didn't say anything about it right away. ?It wasn't until after dinner that I realised it was actually quite serious. ?There was a 17cm spoon in my stomach. ?Online, everywhere said the same thing: go straight to the emergency room. ?It was only then that I realised how dangerous it could be.? Doctors told her the spoon was too large to pass naturally, so she had to return home and wait until a gastroscopy could be scheduled. Reymy said: ?That night was difficult, I felt the spoon moving, sometimes even between my ribs. ?It was truly terrifying. ?I felt bloated and nauseous, and I couldn't eat without feeling strange. ?Sleeping was difficult because every position reminded me of the spoon in my stomach.? The utensil was removed two days later under local anaesthetic. ?I wasn?t allowed to swallow while they pulled it up,? Reymy said. ?They had to rotate it in my stomach, which caused a small gastric haemorrhage. ?It wasn't pleasant, but I felt pure relief when it came out.? She added: ?I?m so glad the spoon was eventually removed with a gastroscopy and that they didn't have to surgically cut open my stomach.? A few hours later, the spoon swallower was allowed to go home. ?After the removal, I recovered quickly,? she said. ?I had a sore throat due to damage to my oesophagus, a few minor gastric bleeding episodes, and a sensitive stomach for a while, but no permanent damage. ?I did, however, gain a lifelong reputation as ?that girl with the spoon?.? She added: ?The next day, I went back to work as usual. ?My colleagues didn't believe me until I showed them the X-ray.? Despite the nasty experience, Reymy decided to keep hold of the spoon in question as a keepsake. ?My boyfriend wants to turn it into a work of art,? she said. ?He doesn't know exactly what yet, but it will definitely be a unique piece. ?That's the least such an adventure deserves." Reymy shared some advice for fellow dog and yoghurt lovers ? or those thinking of going hands-free with a utensil in order to text. She said: ?Enthusiastic dogs + eating on laps = risk zone. ?Teach them a ?wait? or ?quiet? command for jumping moments. ?For yogurt eaters: don't eat with cutlery completely in your mouth. ?Don't multitask with animals, and avoid jump scares and laughing with your mouth full. ?If you swallow something that really shouldn't be there: seek medical attention immediately. ?Embarrassment is temporary, internal damage isn't.? Reymy added: ?It's a bizarre story, but one with a happy ending ? and a legendary anecdote for parties.? ENDS EDITOR'S NOTE:?Video Usage Licence: (NON-EXCLUSIVE) We have obtained a non-exclusive licence from the copyright holder. A copy of the licence is available on request. Video Restrictions: None.
Reymy, who works as a medical representative, tried to remove the spoon with her hand
(Picture: Jam Press/Reymy Amelinckx)

‘But everything happened so fast, it was either swallow or choke,’ she said.

When her boyfriend came home from work, she said she felt too embarrassed to tell him so she ‘pretended nothing was wrong’.

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‘I didn’t feel bad at all – so I didn’t say anything about it right away.It wasn’t until after dinner that I realised it was actually quite serious,’ she said.

Doctors told her the spoon was too large to pass naturally, so she had to return home and wait until a gastroscopy could be scheduled.

Reymy said: ‘That night was difficult, I felt the spoon moving, sometimes even between my ribs.

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‘It was truly terrifying. I felt bloated and nauseous, and I couldn’t eat without feeling strange.

Story from Jam Press (Woman Swallows Spoon) Pictured: Reymy Amelinckx?s spoon she has kept. 'I accidentally swallowed 17cm spoon while I was eating yoghurt ? I was too embarrassed to tell my boyfriend' A woman accidentally swallowed a 17cm-long spoon when her dog jumped on her lap while she was eating yoghurt. Reymy Amelinckx said she had to decide between ?choking or swallowing the spoon?. She felt the implement ?sliding down into my stomach smoothly?. The 28-year-old said she was sitting on the couch with the yoghurt when her energetic Hungarian Vizsla named Marley suddenly jumped on her. ?I put the spoon in my mouth so I had my hands free to reply to a message,? Reymy, who comes from Rumst in Belgium, told?What's The Jam. ?Just then, Marley decided to jump on me. ?I was so startled I jerked my head back, and before I knew it, the spoon was lodged in my throat. ?I stood up and started to panic.? Initially, Reymy, who works as a medical representative, tried to remove the spoon with her hand. ?But everything happened so fast, it was either swallow or choke,? she said. When her boyfriend came home from work, she said she felt too embarrassed to tell him so she ?pretended nothing was wrong?. ?I didn't feel bad at all ? so I didn't say anything about it right away. ?It wasn't until after dinner that I realised it was actually quite serious. ?There was a 17cm spoon in my stomach. ?Online, everywhere said the same thing: go straight to the emergency room. ?It was only then that I realised how dangerous it could be.? Doctors told her the spoon was too large to pass naturally, so she had to return home and wait until a gastroscopy could be scheduled. Reymy said: ?That night was difficult, I felt the spoon moving, sometimes even between my ribs. ?It was truly terrifying. ?I felt bloated and nauseous, and I couldn't eat without feeling strange. ?Sleeping was difficult because every position reminded me of the spoon in my stomach.? The utensil was removed two days later under local anaesthetic. ?I wasn?t allowed to swallow while they pulled it up,? Reymy said. ?They had to rotate it in my stomach, which caused a small gastric haemorrhage. ?It wasn't pleasant, but I felt pure relief when it came out.? She added: ?I?m so glad the spoon was eventually removed with a gastroscopy and that they didn't have to surgically cut open my stomach.? A few hours later, the spoon swallower was allowed to go home. ?After the removal, I recovered quickly,? she said. ?I had a sore throat due to damage to my oesophagus, a few minor gastric bleeding episodes, and a sensitive stomach for a while, but no permanent damage. ?I did, however, gain a lifelong reputation as ?that girl with the spoon?.? She added: ?The next day, I went back to work as usual. ?My colleagues didn't believe me until I showed them the X-ray.? Despite the nasty experience, Reymy decided to keep hold of the spoon in question as a keepsake. ?My boyfriend wants to turn it into a work of art,? she said. ?He doesn't know exactly what yet, but it will definitely be a unique piece. ?That's the least such an adventure deserves." Reymy shared some advice for fellow dog and yoghurt lovers ? or those thinking of going hands-free with a utensil in order to text. She said: ?Enthusiastic dogs + eating on laps = risk zone. ?Teach them a ?wait? or ?quiet? command for jumping moments. ?For yogurt eaters: don't eat with cutlery completely in your mouth. ?Don't multitask with animals, and avoid jump scares and laughing with your mouth full. ?If you swallow something that really shouldn't be there: seek medical attention immediately. ?Embarrassment is temporary, internal damage isn't.? Reymy added: ?It's a bizarre story, but one with a happy ending ? and a legendary anecdote for parties.? ENDS EDITOR'S NOTE:?Video Usage Licence: (NON-EXCLUSIVE) We have obtained a non-exclusive licence from the copyright holder. A copy of the licence is available on request. Video Restrictions: None.
The spoon was removed with surgery, and is being kept as a keepsake (Picture: Jam Press/Reymy Amelinckx)
Story from Jam Press (Woman Swallows Spoon) Pictured: Reymy Amelinckx?s X-ray of the spoon inside her after accidentally swallowing it. 'I accidentally swallowed 17cm spoon while I was eating yoghurt ? I was too embarrassed to tell my boyfriend' A woman accidentally swallowed a 17cm-long spoon when her dog jumped on her lap while she was eating yoghurt. Reymy Amelinckx said she had to decide between ?choking or swallowing the spoon?. She felt the implement ?sliding down into my stomach smoothly?. The 28-year-old said she was sitting on the couch with the yoghurt when her energetic Hungarian Vizsla named Marley suddenly jumped on her. ?I put the spoon in my mouth so I had my hands free to reply to a message,? Reymy, who comes from Rumst in Belgium, told?What's The Jam. ?Just then, Marley decided to jump on me. ?I was so startled I jerked my head back, and before I knew it, the spoon was lodged in my throat. ?I stood up and started to panic.? Initially, Reymy, who works as a medical representative, tried to remove the spoon with her hand. ?But everything happened so fast, it was either swallow or choke,? she said. When her boyfriend came home from work, she said she felt too embarrassed to tell him so she ?pretended nothing was wrong?. ?I didn't feel bad at all ? so I didn't say anything about it right away. ?It wasn't until after dinner that I realised it was actually quite serious. ?There was a 17cm spoon in my stomach. ?Online, everywhere said the same thing: go straight to the emergency room. ?It was only then that I realised how dangerous it could be.? Doctors told her the spoon was too large to pass naturally, so she had to return home and wait until a gastroscopy could be scheduled. Reymy said: ?That night was difficult, I felt the spoon moving, sometimes even between my ribs. ?It was truly terrifying. ?I felt bloated and nauseous, and I couldn't eat without feeling strange. ?Sleeping was difficult because every position reminded me of the spoon in my stomach.? The utensil was removed two days later under local anaesthetic. ?I wasn?t allowed to swallow while they pulled it up,? Reymy said. ?They had to rotate it in my stomach, which caused a small gastric haemorrhage. ?It wasn't pleasant, but I felt pure relief when it came out.? She added: ?I?m so glad the spoon was eventually removed with a gastroscopy and that they didn't have to surgically cut open my stomach.? A few hours later, the spoon swallower was allowed to go home. ?After the removal, I recovered quickly,? she said. ?I had a sore throat due to damage to my oesophagus, a few minor gastric bleeding episodes, and a sensitive stomach for a while, but no permanent damage. ?I did, however, gain a lifelong reputation as ?that girl with the spoon?.? She added: ?The next day, I went back to work as usual. ?My colleagues didn't believe me until I showed them the X-ray.? Despite the nasty experience, Reymy decided to keep hold of the spoon in question as a keepsake. ?My boyfriend wants to turn it into a work of art,? she said. ?He doesn't know exactly what yet, but it will definitely be a unique piece. ?That's the least such an adventure deserves." Reymy shared some advice for fellow dog and yoghurt lovers ? or those thinking of going hands-free with a utensil in order to text. She said: ?Enthusiastic dogs + eating on laps = risk zone. ?Teach them a ?wait? or ?quiet? command for jumping moments. ?For yogurt eaters: don't eat with cutlery completely in your mouth. ?Don't multitask with animals, and avoid jump scares and laughing with your mouth full. ?If you swallow something that really shouldn't be there: seek medical attention immediately. ?Embarrassment is temporary, internal damage isn't.? Reymy added: ?It's a bizarre story, but one with a happy ending ? and a legendary anecdote for parties.? ENDS EDITOR'S NOTE:?Video Usage Licence: (NON-EXCLUSIVE) We have obtained a non-exclusive licence from the copyright holder. A copy of the licence is available on request. Video Restrictions: None.
Reymy could feel the spoon when she ate and slept (Picture: Jam Press/Reymy Amelinckx)

‘Sleeping was difficult because every position reminded me of the spoon in my stomach.’

The utensil was removed two days later under local anaesthetic. Doctors had to rotate it in my stomach, which caused a small gastric haemorrhage.

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She said: ‘It wasn’t pleasant, but I felt pure relief when it came out.’

‘I had a sore throat due to damage to my oesophagus, a few minor gastric bleeding episodes, and a sensitive stomach for a while, but no permanent damage.

‘I did, however, gain a lifelong reputation as “that girl with the spoon”.’

Despite the nasty experience, Reymy decided to keep hold of the spoon in question as a keepsake.

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‘My boyfriend wants to turn it into a work of art,’ she said. ‘He doesn’t know exactly what yet, but it will definitely be a unique piece.’

Reymy shared some advice for fellow dog and yoghurt lovers – or those thinking of going hands-free with a utensil in order to text.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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Man arrested near Glasgow Central as police swarm street amid ‘disturbance’

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Daily Record

Officers raced to Union Street after the alarm was raised at around 9.10pm on Friday.

A man has been arrested and charged after police were called to a street near Glasgow Central station. Officers raced to Union Street after the alarm was raised at around 9.10pm on Friday.

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Cops were responding to reports of a “disturbance” in the city centre. Images from the scene, which were shared with Glasgow Live, show at least ten police vehicles alongside medics.

Police have confirmed that a 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the incident. There were no reports of any injuries.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 9.10pm on Friday, February 6, 2026, we were called to a disturbance on Union Street, Glasgow. Officers attended and a 19-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection.

“There were no reports of any injury.”

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Singer Neil Young cancels tour of UK and other Europe dates | Ents & Arts News

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Neil Young has cancelled tour dates in the UK and other gigs in Europe. Pic: PA

Neil Young has cancelled his upcoming UK tour and other dates in Europe with rock band The Chrome Hearts.

The Canadian-American singer, 80, apologised to fans in a post on his official website on Friday night.

He said it is “not the time” to be playing live shows and said he had “decided to take a break”.

Young was due to go on tour this summer with dates scheduled for locations including Manchester, Glasgow, Woodstock in Oxfordshire, and Cork.

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‘I’m sorry to let you down’

A message posted to the Neil Young Archives website read: “I have decided to take a break and will not be touring Europe this time.

“Thanks to everyone who bought tickets. I’m sorry to let you down, but this is not the time.

“I do love playing live and being with you and The Chrome Hearts. Love, Neil. Be well.”

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He was due to perform with his backing band, The Chrome Hearts, who he started playing with in 2024.

Image:
Pic: Reuters

The tour was due to begin in June, at the Eden Project in Cornwall, finishing in Lucca, Italy, in July.

His now cancelled dates had also included Nancy in France, Weert in the Netherlands, and Zottegem in Belgium.

Young has scooped multiple awards in his six-decade career, including two Grammys and nine Juno Awards.

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He has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, once in 1995 as a solo artist, then again as part of rock band Buffalo Springfield in 1997.

His well-known hits include Cinamon Girl, Like A Hurricane and Rockin’ In The Free World.

Last year, he headlined Glastonbury and performed at BST Hyde Park.

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