MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Thousands of people are rallying Saturday in the cradle of the modern Civil Rights Movement to mobilize a new voting rights era as conservative states dismantle congressional districts that helped secure Black political representation.

“The bottom line is we are seeing a full-fledged, coordinated attack on Black political power that can actually reshape the entire political landscape, not just on the South but throughout the nation,” said LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter.

The rally will begin in Selma, where a violent clash between law enforcement and voting rights activists in 1965 galvanized support for passage of the Voting Rights Act. It will then move to the state Capitol, where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “How Long, Not Long” speech that same year.

“We’re picking up where it was left because we still have unfinished business,” Brown said. “There will not be a new Jim Crow.”

A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling involving Louisiana hollowed out voting rights law that was already weakened by a separate decision in 2013 and then narrowed further over the years. That helped clear the way for stricter voter ID laws, registration restrictions, and limits on early voting and polling place changes, including in states that once needed federal preclearance before they could change voting laws because of their historical discrimination against Black voters.

Veterans of the Civil Rights Movement are alarmed by the speed of the rollbacks, noting that protections won through generations of sacrifice have been weakened in little more than a decade.

Kirk Carrington, 75, was a teen in 1965 when law enforcement officers attacked marchers in Selma on what became known as “Bloody Sunday.” A white man on a horse wielding a stick chased Carrington through the streets.

“It’s really just appalling to me and all the young people that marched during the ’60s, fought hard to get voting rights, equal rights and civil rights,” Carrington said. “It’s sad that it’s continuing after 60-plus-odd years that we are still fighting for the same thing we fought for back then.”

Montgomery is home to one of the congressional districts that is being altered in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling.

A federal court in 2023 redrew Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District after ruling that the state intentionally diluted the voting power of Black residents, who make up about 27% of its population. The court said there should be a district where Black people are a majority or near-majority and have an opportunity to elect their candidate of choice.

But the Supreme Court cleared the way for a different map that could let the GOP reclaim the seat. While the matter remains under litigation, the state plans special primaries Aug. 11 under the new map.

Democratic Rep. Shomari Figures, who won election in the district in 2024, said the dispute is not about him but rather people’s opportunity to have representation.

“When Republicans are literally turning back the clock on what representation, what the faces of representation, look like, what the opportunities, legitimate opportunities for representation look like across this country, then I think it starts to resonate with people in a little bit of a different way,” Figures said.

Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, a Republican, said the Louisiana ruling provided an opportunity to revisit a map that was forced on the state by the federal court.

“People tend to forget what happened. When this thing went to court, the Republican Party had that seat, congressional seat two,” Ledbetter said last week. “There’s been a push through the courts to try to overtake some of these red state seats, and that’s certainly what happened in that one.”

Evan Milligan, the lead plaintiff in the Alabama redistricting case, said there is grief over the implosion of the Voting Rights Act but it is crucial that people recommit to the fight.

“We have to accept that this is the new reality, whether we like it or not,” Milligan said. “We don’t have to accept that this will be the reality for the next 10 years or two years or forever.”

Nothing has worked for the 49-year-old Toronto woman, who described herself as “functionally terminal”, no longer able to work, leave the house or speak with her loved ones. She is now enrolled in a psychiatric care programme at a local hospital that, she said, is designed to support people with severe and persistent mental illness who have exhausted all treatment options.

A Scottish woman has opened up about being denied breast reduction surgery after doctors allegedly said she was “too fat”. Summer Robert, 28, has told people how it all happened

A woman claims she has been told she is “too fat” to undergo surgery that could potentially transform her life. Summer Robert, 28, has previously stated she has the “biggest boobs in the UK”, a condition that brings with it a host of significant consequences.

Summer’s breasts currently measure a 30R and weigh approximately 25kg (55lbs), which is roughly the equivalent weight of a small child. For around 10 years, she alleges she pleaded with doctors for a reduction, only to be met with a firm “no”. It appears her breasts are so heavy that her BMI (body mass index) remains technically elevated, leading doctors to dismiss her as “too fat” for the procedure, despite her petite frame.

This is not the first time she has spoken out about her difficulties either. Previously, she has admitted that women can troll her simply because she has large breasts.

Summer, from Scotland, who has amassed over 300,000 followers on Instagram, has always been candid about her battles with body image. In recent years, however, she has grown to love and embrace her body far more.

It has now reached the stage where she no longer desires the surgery. She explained: “I no longer want it as I have come to terms with how beautiful my body is. I was also told even if I get it they will just come back.”

Summer suffers from a condition called Macromastia, which is the medical term for having abnormally large breasts, and it can lead to various complications like chronic back, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, bra strap grooving and difficulty carrying out daily activities.

While it’s a condition that brings its fair share of struggles, she has learned to cope with the challenges it presents. It was nonetheless a blow to discover that nothing could be done about it.

“The doctors told me that my BMI was too high because my boobs weigh too much,” she added. “⁠I felt deflated, but I’m glad in the long-run.

“⁠The doctors can’t guarantee that they won’t stop growing, but they also can’t say if they will. It’s a grey area.” She now believes her best course of action is to embrace herself for who she is and simply accept her body.

She came close to having a reduction when she was 24, however. Following a health scare involving a non-cancerous lump in her breast, specialists eventually recommended a reduction. But, just as she was preparing for the surgery she had longed for since childhood, the Covid-19 pandemic struck, bringing all non-emergency procedures to a standstill.

“Actually, I’m really happy that Covid happened,” Summer admitted. “It sounds crazy because of all the people that died, but it meant that I didn’t get a reduction, and then I wouldn’t be where I am now. I wouldn’t be successful.”

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During the lockdown period, Summer began producing saucy content online, and this proved to be a turning point for her. For the first time, she discovered a community that didn’t regard her body as a strange medical oddity, but rather as something to be celebrated.

The change in outlook was dramatic and swift. Summer added: “My whole life, people have told me that my body’s weird because my boobs are so big.

“No one’s ever been nice about it. They’ve always just been like, ‘yeah, it’s weird that she has massive boobs and she’s so young.’ Then everyone celebrated the fact that I have a different body.

“Realising that my body is actually beautiful instead of weird, like everyone else said, it changed everything.”

This newfound confidence has had a positive impact on her personal life too. After spending years feeling that her body was a problem to be corrected in order to satisfy others, including former partners and their families, she now regards her boobs as her “big money maker” and a source of immense pride.

She said: “The only reason I would want a reduction was to, like, appease other people, to make other people feel better and make my ex-boyfriend’s parents not judge me. But now, I genuinely love my boobs, and I love my body so much.”

Millions of UK patients taking statins are warned to avoid this food

Millions of people could be forced to permanently cut a specific food from their diets to avoid serious heart complications, according to medical experts. Failing to do so could result in a potentially “toxic” reaction developing inside the body.

Statins, a widely prescribed drug commonly given to those with high cholesterol levels, are taken by around seven to eight million people across the UK, according to the British Heart Foundation. These once-daily tablets work by reducing cholesterol production and removing LDL, commonly known as ‘the bad cholesterol’, from the bloodstream.

Keeping this ‘silent killer’ in check is crucial, as high cholesterol typically shows no warning signs until it reaches a considerably advanced stage. If your blood vessels become blocked, this dramatically increases the risk of suffering heart attacks and strokes.

Statins work by restricting the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver while helping it to remove existing cholesterol from the blood. They also help to stabilise plaque, a waxy substance that can accumulate within artery walls, and can reduce inflammation throughout the arterial walls.

The NHS states that the vast majority of people taking statins will likely need to continue taking them for life. If the treatment is stopped for any reason, cholesterol levels may gradually begin to rise once more.

As a result, patients need to be aware that certain foods and drinks are not appropriate to consume while undergoing statin therapy. One surprising item that is frequently overlooked is the need to avoid grapefruit, reports Bristol Live.

Experts at Harvard Health Medical School have explained why this particular citrus fruit, along with its juice, should be eliminated from your diet when taking specific medications. The chemical reaction between certain drugs and the fruit can cause problems, sometimes leading to “toxic” outcomes.

Statins are broken down in the intestines through an enzyme known as CYP3A before entering the bloodstream, a process that is disrupted after eating grapefruit. Grapefruit juice contains furanocoumarins, substances that inhibit CYP3A, leading to higher drug absorption and potentially making it “toxic in some cases”.

However, grapefruit does not significantly affect all statin treatments, meaning a blanket ban is not always necessary. A doctor may suggest switching from those medications most severely affected, including atorvastatin, lovastatin and simvastatin.

Medical guidance may range from complete abstinence from grapefruit to limited intake. It is vital not to carry out personal experiments or modify treatment without the advice of a qualified medical professional.

The precise quantity of grapefruit needed to trigger an adverse reaction remains uncertain. For some people, just one glass of grapefruit juice could cause complications, while others may need to consume larger amounts of the fruit or its juice before encountering any problems.

Those taking statins can generally enjoy oranges and other citrus fruits without worry, however.

H2O Hair 2 Order, on Halliwell Road, was forced to operate through its back door for months while repairs were carried out following the crash.

Owner Victoria Welsby, 55, said all the hard graft has now been completed after the salon’s frontage was badly damaged.

She said: “Thankfully all the work is now finished.

The car crashed into the shops shutters over Christmas. (Image: Victoria Welsby)

“It was very stressful. I was traumatised by that original incident, and I’m always in fear because it’s such a busy road.”

The crash happened on Boxing Day when a vehicle smashed through the salon’s shutter and front windows.

The business reopened on January 17, but it used a rear entrance before a new shop front was installed in March.

Victoria said repairs to the salon interior have only just been completed, including a new floor, reception desk and window.

She added: “It certainly affected the business because we looked closed.

(Image: Victoria Welsby)

“Something good has come out of something bad, and it looks gorgeous now.”

Victoria said she is now planning a grand reopening event after returning from holiday.

The salon offers hair cutting, colouring, wedding hair and other hairdressing services.

Victoria added: “We will survive, get through anything. It’s going to be a new and improved business.”

(Image: Victoria Welsby)

She also raised concerns about speeding on Halliwell Road following the crash.

She said: “They speed up and down Halliwell Road. They should have cameras on it. It’s dangerous.”

The Bolton News previously reported that emergency services attended the scene on Boxing Day after the car crashed into the salon and the driver was taken to hospital.

The River Ure marks the backdrop for the walk, which includes Aysgarth Falls, Bolton Castle, and pretty Redmire.

Head across the fields from Redmire towards the village of Castle Bolton.

The path heads directly for Bolton Castle (it’s the village name which is Castle Bolton – confusing), certainly the best-preserved castle in the area.

Highlights on Wensleydale map (Image: Johathan Smith)

Bolton Castle is most famous as the ‘prison’ of Mary Queen of Scots for 6 months as she awaited the pleasures of Elizabeth I.

It is worth paying the entrance fee at least for the gardens, which are impressive throughout the spring and summer.

However, the walking has hardly started so it is soon time to move.

From the castle, leave via a gate to the west of the castle car park (follow the farm track to keep your height) and head initially through fields of sheep but soon on to the open moors.

The views both up and down Wensleydale are excellent.

Where the farm track runs out, follow the bridleway as it bends south/left and starts to drop steeply down towards the village of Carperby.

Aysgarth Upper Falls (Image: Johathan Smith)

The bridleway turns into a lane just above the village and enters on its eastern fringes.

Take your time walking through this lovely village, exactly as the ‘real’ James Herriott (Alf Wight) did on his honeymoon in November 1941.

I find walking from Carperby to Aysgarth Falls not very satisfying, my best suggestion is to take the road heading south from the west end of the village for 350 metres and then head along the footpath in the fields to your right.

This soon enters the car park and visitor centre at Aysgarth Falls.

If you have not visited the falls previously, the most interesting circuit is to the east of the road near the visitor centre, where there are viewing platforms and some lovely woodland walking.

You can also get to the Upper Falls, to the west of the road near the road bridge at the foot of the road.

It is a good time to stop and enjoy a bite and a brew.

Cross the River Ure at the road bridge and immediately in front of you some steep steps climb through some buildings into the grounds of St Andrews Church, a grade 2 listed building set in a large churchyard.

Pick your way through the gravestones to emerge at its east end and start four and a half miles of excellent riverside walking.

It is rare in the Dales that you can stick so close to a river on a public footpath for so long.

It is well signposted.

There are only two things to disturb the walk; meeting the busy A684 for 100 metres as it crosses Bishopdale Beck and a little further on where you may (and should not) be tempted to shorten the walk by crossing the stepping stones across the Ure.

The first bridge crossing of the Ure east of Aysgarth is at Bolton Hall, a lovely country house set in its own grounds.

Take it.

Continue north on the estate road, cross the busy road to Wensley and continue up the footpath to the attractive (another one!) village of Preston under Scar, a history dominated by lead mining.

A footpath heads west through the village and some woodland for three-quarters of a mile before emerging at a road, turn left and drop the final half mile back into the village of Redmire.

FACT BOX:

Distance: Roughly 13.5 miles.

Height to Climb: 400m (1,310 feet).

Start: SE 047912.

There is parking in Redmire to its north end.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard.

A long walk but straightforward and easy to follow.

The riverside section can be muddy after rains.

Refreshments: The Bolton Arms at Redmire is a lovely traditional Dales pub.

Be Prepared:

The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk.

You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer OL30) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass.

You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors.

Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk.

Please observe the Countryside Code and park sensibly.

Jonathan runs Where2walk, a walking company based in the Yorkshire Dales:

He has written 3 books on walking in the Dales; ‘The Yorkshire 3 Peaks’, ‘The Dales 30’ mountains, and the long-distance path ‘The Bracken Way’.

Buy them direct from Where2walk.

Jonathan runs Navigation Training Courses.

The next Beginners Course is on Saturday, June 27th from Long Preston, near Settle.

You can buy Dales 30 Guide Book, T-shirts, and branded caps from the NEW Dales 30 website.

Start the challenge today.

Where2walk.co.uk features hundreds of walks with descriptions across Yorkshire and beyond, from easy strolls to harder climbs.

Visit the website for details of all these walks, guiding days, and navigation.

This could also be damaging to your mental health

A neurologist has shared a warning about a common night-time issue that he claims “destroys your body”. According to the expert, this could be damaging not just your physical health but your mind too.

In a video uploaded to social media platform TikTok, neurologist Dr Baibing Chen, explained that a poor sleep schedule could lead to medical issues and even an “earlier” death. This is because consistency in your sleep pattern might be “just as important” as quantity.

Dr Chen, who is known as Dr Bing online, said: “Science shows that if your sleep schedule is inconsistent and all over the place, you are more likely to have medical problems and die earlier. And here’s why.

“We used to think that sleep was just about getting seven to nine hours, which still matters a lot. But new research shows that consistency might be just as important.”

Changing your sleep pattern regularly could make your brain feel like it’s constantly “flying across time zones”. Dr Bing continued: “So, for example, if you sleep from 10pm to 6am during the week, then the weekend hits, and now you sleep from 1am to 11am, you’re still getting eight hours.

“But to your brain, that’s like flying across time zones every single weekend. And if you do this over and over again, over the long run, your body and your brain are not going to like it.”

This is due to something called your circadian rhythm. “This is because your brain has an internal clock called your circadian rhythm,” Dr Bing said.

“And that clock helps control your hormones, blood pressure, your metabolism, your body temperature, and your immune functions. And when your sleep schedule keeps shifting, that clock gets confused, and your body starts releasing hormones at the wrong times.

“And things like cortisol, melatonin, and insulin regulation all get disrupted over time.” This can have a severe impact on your health.

He said: “That’s then linked to higher rates of heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, depression, and earlier death. And this doesn’t just affect how long you can live, but can actually affect your quality of life.

“Because irregular sleep doesn’t just affect long-term health, but it can hurt your mood, focus, your reaction time and energy.”

His advice therefore, was to sleep seven to nine hours a night, via a consistent pattern. He added: “Right now, this is why I always recommend to my patients, whether they have brain fog or migraines or seizures or cognitive decline, that they need to sleep consistently. And they need to sleep seven to nine hours a day.”

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Research

His advice is backed by one study, which suggests that an irregular sleep pattern can raise your risk of cardiovascular issues. The findings, published in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, showed that people who had both an irregular sleep schedule and got under eight hours of sleep per night were more likely to experience a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE).

In the context of the study, this included heart attack (acute myocardial infarction), unstable angina, stroke, heart failure hospitalisation, or cardiovascular disease death. Study authors wrote: “They concluded: “Among the participants with sleep durations under eight hours, irregular sleep timing was a significant risk factor for MACEs. Specifically, variability in bedtime and sleep midpoint, but not in wake-up time, was associated with increased risk.

“These findings highlight the importance of consistent sleep behaviour, particularly regular bedtimes, as a potential target for health promotion.”

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How to improve sleep

The NHS states that the average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep a night. To improve your sleep, the NHS recommends that you:

• Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day
• Relax at least one hour before bed, for example, take a bath or read a book
• Make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet – use curtains, blinds, an eye mask or ear plugs if needed
• Exercise regularly during the day
• Make sure your mattress, pillows and covers are comfortable
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol, tea or coffee at least 6 hours before going to bed
• Do not eat a big meal late at night
• Do not exercise at least four hours before bed
• Do not watch television or use devices, like smartphones, right before going to bed, because the blue light makes you more awake
• Do not nap during the day
• Do not drive when you feel sleepy
• Do not sleep in after a bad night’s sleep and stick to your regular sleeping hours instead

The health body says you should see a GP if changing your sleeping habits has not helped your insomnia, you’ve had trouble sleeping for months, or your insomnia is affecting your daily life in a way that makes it hard for you to cope.

A new documentary has explored how the Duchess of Edinburgh helped the Princess of Wales when she became part of the Royal Family by supporting her through her royal duties

When Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, married into the Royal Family in 1999 after tying the knot with Prince Edward, she was thrown in the deep end as she worked to maintain her newfound royal identity and her career in public relations.

But as the Duchess transitioned into a more full-time role within the monarchy, she quickly became a guiding light for the younger generation of royals to follow her lead as she undertook her work with the Firm with grace. And a new documentary has explored Sophie’s life from the early days of her relationship with the late Queen’s youngest son, to one of the Royal Family ’s most valuable assets.

READ MORE: King Charles makes candid joke about ageing at Buckingham Palace garden partyREAD MORE: Meghan Markle ‘planning TV comeback’ with Suits revival role

In the new documentary, titled Royal Peacemaker: Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, a group of royal experts discuss how Sophie became a shoulder for the Princess of Wales to lean on as she learned the ropes of her new royal role.

As Sophie’s prominence has risen over the years, she has become more of a guide to others joining the Royal Family, such as Princess Kate. Royal commentator Emily Andrews explained: “When she saw younger members marrying into the Royal Family, like Catherine Middleton and Meghan Markle, she was very happy to offer to be a mentor of sorts. Sophie had seen it all. She’s been there and done that.”

The documentary said that Princess Kate in particular was very welcoming of the mentorship from Sophie, who welcomed her with open arms into the Firm.

“Sophie is really a natural mentor for Kate in many ways,” royal correspondent Victoria Murphy said. “We’ve seen their relationship grow over time, and witnessed little glimpses of it in the public domain.”

The royal expert went on to recall one such moment from Princess Eugenie’s wedding, when Kate’s skirt began to fly up in the wind, with Sophie instinctively helping the princess to keep her dress down, standing in front of her to make sure she was covered.

Victoria continued: “We’ve seen her be quite protective of Kate. We saw this at the Remembrance Sunday Service in 2024 when they were walking back inside and Sophie put a comforting hand on Kate’s back.”

“It was quite a sisterly gesture, and I think shows the depth of the relationship that these two women have,” she added.

While Sophie was a welcome mentor for the Princess of Wales in her early years in the Firm, Meghan Markle allegedly turned down the offer of royal advice from the Duchess of Edinburgh.

As Emily Edwards explained in the documentary: “Sophie did the same thing for Meghan. They met up a couple of times and Sophie said ‘Anything I can do, anything I can help with, let me know’. And apparently Sophie was a bit surprised that she was never invited back to Frogmore Cottage where Harry and Meghan were living at the time.”

Sophie’s role as mentor for younger royals was a testament to the trust placed in the Duchess by the late Queen Elizabeth, with whom she had a warm and loving relationship.

As Ailsa Anderson, press secretary for the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, said in the documentary: “I think the late Queen saw Sophie as a safe pair of hands, as she could always be relied on. Sophie was a true confidant for the Queen, which is quite rare in the royal world.”

Royal Peacemaker: Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh will air on Channel 5 on Saturday May 16 at 9pm.

Ex-Manchester United and Everton legend Wayne Rooney has become a successful pundit on the BBC

Wayne Rooney has transitioned from being one of the finest footballers of his generation to establishing a promising career in punditry. Manchester United’s all-time record goalscorer has impressed sufficiently in his new role to earn a place on the BBC’s coverage of this summer’s World Cup.

Following his retirement from playing, Rooney, 40, endured difficult managerial stints at Plymouth Argyle and Birmingham City, which ultimately led him to pursue a career as a pundit.

Having joined the BBC in 2025, he swiftly found his feet in the studio. Now a familiar face on Match of the Day, Rooney will have the opportunity to shine for the corporation in his most high-profile assignment to date, covering matches at the forthcoming tournament, which is being hosted across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

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Prior to that, however, he will be on duty at Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City on Saturday. Wales Online takes a closer look at Rooney’s punditry journey to date.

Wayne Rooney’s tears during a live broadcast

Rooney revealed his emotional side when he was brought to the brink of tears on the BBC after his younger brother, John, orchestrated Macclesfield’s remarkable FA Cup triumph over Crystal Palace in January.

John was released by Everton at the age of 12. He went on to represent Chester, Wrexham, Stockport, Oldham and Macclesfield. He took charge of the Silkmen for the first time last summer before presiding over one of the most stunning FA Cup upsets in living memory.

The moment was not lost on his elder brother. As the pair embraced at the final whistle, Rooney’s voice broke as he told the BBC: “I’m actually getting emotional. To see my younger brother achieve this, he’s not long been in management.

“To get to the fourth round of the FA Cup and beat a Premier League team in Crystal Palace, I’m so proud of him. He looked calm – I don’t know how. It’s such an achievement what he’s done today. Absolutely superb.”

Wayne Rooney’s BBC salary

Rooney’s swift rise on the punditry circuit has reportedly secured him a highly lucrative broadcasting contract. It is understood the former Everton striker signed a two-year deal with the BBC worth approximately £800,000 – placing him amongst the corporation’s highest-paid football pundits at around £400,000 per year.

That remarkable sum puts him just behind Match of the Day stalwart Alan Shearer. The former Newcastle United legend earned between £440,000 and £444,999 last year, according to BBC figures.

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BBC bosses were said to be eager to secure Rooney’s services following his impressive showing during Euro 2024, where his candid and perceptive analysis won widespread admiration from viewers.

The former England international already commands a considerable personal fortune, however. Thanks to his playing days, Rooney reportedly commanded wages exceeding £300,000 per week.

When combined with profitable sponsorship agreements with brands including Nike, Coca-Cola and EA Sports, his net worth is estimated to stand at approximately £127m, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

When recently asked if Jeremy Doku could reach the levels of Vinicius Jr and Lamine Yamal, Pep Guardiola was in no doubt.

“Yeah, for sure,” said the Manchester City boss. “And always accept being pushed. Always accept that. And that is so nice. We are really pleased. Now he is winning games. But he has always been really, really good.”

Doku has evolved as a player and is beginning to realise his immense promise at City after nearly three years with the club.

Still just 23, the Belgium winger was signed from Rennes for £55.4m in August 2023, with City aware of his high potential.

His pace and dribbling quality have always been best in class – underpinning a unique profile in the modern game.

Speaking to The Athletic, Shaun Maloney, one of Doku’s former coaches with Belgium, said that even during the Under-17 European Championships, the young winger’s quality immediately stood out.

“What you see now in terms of one-v-one dribbling was exactly him then. He was taking it in his own half and dribbling 70 and 80 yards,” Maloney said.

A few years later, during Doku’s first year playing for Rennes, Kylian Mbappe and his father sat in the stands watching on in awe.

“I was speaking with my father about a player I had noticed from the stands because of his pace,” said Mbappe.

“The player was Doku at Rennes. In my five years as a pro, I had never seen someone with so much explosivity in his first steps.”

With specific standout qualities, players can forge strong careers, but becoming the star of an elite side comes from pulling together those qualities in a complete manner – something Doku has now started to do.

Saturday will see him hoping to help secure Man City a second trophy of the campaign, when they face Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley.