Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of Chelsea v Arsenal in the Women’s Champions League. 

A thrilling all-English clash awaits as Chelsea look to use their home advantage to overturn a 3-1 deficit at Stamford Bridge in their second leg against the reigning European champions. 

Arsenal saw off their Women’s Super League rivals in a dramatic contest last week at the Emirates, where goals from Stina Blackstenius, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo helped the home side to a convincing win. 

Lauren James’s deft chip was the only positive for Chelsea on a night which left Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor fuming at the standard of refereeing after her side had two goals scratched off. 

Arsenal will fancy their chances after a resounding 5-2 North London derby win over Tottenham last weekend, although they can expect Chelsea to rouse a strong response as they bid to progress to a fourth consecutive European semi-final. “We know we can overturn this result,” were the confident words of Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze at full time.

The stats, though, are against Chelsea. Arsenal having progressed on all four previous occasions when they have gained a two-goal first-leg lead in a Uefa competition two-legged tie.

The Champions League is the one major honour missing from Chelsea’s trophy cabinet. While the club have dominated domestically, European success remains the ultimate goal – something they never managed to achieve under former manager Emma Hayes. 

Despite winning the League Cup last month, they have endured a sub-optimal season by their own lofty standards. They are nine points adrift of WSL leaders Manchester City and with three games of the league season remaining, their recent dominance in English women’s football looks set to come to a shuddering halt. 

Netflix has shared never-before-seen Age of Attraction footage exposing a love story that was completely cut from the reality series

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Netflix has released deleted scenes from Age of Attraction that unveil a hidden romance fans never got to witness. The reality programme brought together 40 singles ranging in age from 22 to 60, each given the opportunity to find love without ever discovering one another’s ages.

A Netflix synopsis teases: “Age is thrown out the window when singles search for their soulmates in this dating series. Is love truly ageless, or will the years come between them?”

The initial contestants were narrowed down to just five couples by the final commitment ceremony, where each pair decided whether they wished to continue their relationship outside of the experiment. Among them was Andrew Wheeler, 38, who departed the show with girlfriend Libby Vodicka, 22.

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However, it turns out Andrew had another significant connection that was cut entirely from the reality series. Tudum has unveiled previously unseen footage revealing Andrew’s romance with 39-year-old Ashley, whom he began pursuing a connection with during the retreat stage of the experiment, reports the Mirror.

The exclusive clips show Andrew and Ashley engaging in a flirtatious conversation as they reflect on their experiences in the show. Andrew is then heard drawing comparisons between his relationships with Libby and Ashley. He told Ashley: “Libby has been fun. I feel like my connection with her is a little bit different than, my connection with you. I feel like we have… it’s very calming, very chill.”

Business owner Ashley then opened up about her previous relationships, disclosing that she is a virgin and her ex “thought he could handle it but he couldn’t”.

She explained: “I haven’t told anyone else here this. I am a virgin that has been waiting for marriage. I get that’s different. I get that’s probably weird.

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“I understand it’s not for everyone. I don’t expect the person I’m with to have done that [abstinence] either. This is a very personal choice I made when I was younger, and it ties to the romantic side of me.” While Ashley was apprehensive about Andrew’s reaction, she visibly relaxed following his understanding response.

He said: “I don’t feel any type of way about that. I think if anything, it shows how strong of a person you are. And you should be proud of yourself. ” Despite their spark, Andrew subsequently ended things as he felt a stronger connection with Libby.

The new footage also uncovers little-known friendships and romances that were left on the cutting room floor. Fans will also be pleased to hear that Age of Attraction has already been commissioned for a second series, with hosts Natalie Joy and Nick Viall set to return.

Age of Attraction is streaming now on Netflix

The Met Office has placed two yellow wind warnings across Scotland over Easter as gusts are set to reach up to 90mph.

The Met Office has warned Scots to prepare essential items over the Easter weekend as two weather warnings have been put in place. The warning extends to over 59 parts of the UK across North Wales, northern England and Northern Ireland but Scotland is the only country to be included in both yellow warnings.

The national weather forecaster has advised that wind speeds could reach a staggering 90mph at times over the Easter weekend as the first yellow wind warning will cover almost all areas of Scotland. A large number of areas across north east and north west England as well as Northern Ireland and Wales will also be affected.

The warning is in place from 6pm on Saturday, April 4 until midday on Easter Sunday, April 5. The Met Office has warned that delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely, and there is a chance of power cuts too.

Some buildings may also be damaged and there is a small chance of injuries “from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties”.

It added: “A rapidly deepening area of low pressure is likely to move northeastwards close to or across northwestern parts of the UK during Saturday evening and night, clearing to the North Sea by Sunday.

“Whilst there is some uncertainty over the exact track, intensity and shape of this area of low pressure, a period of strong west to southwesterly winds is expected during Saturday night and into the first part of Easter Sunday, before gradually easing through the day.

“Peak gusts of 50-60 mph will be possible fairly widely, with 60-70 mph in more exposed locations.

“There is a slight chance of some very strong winds across parts of Scotland, particularly in the west, where gusts of 80-90 mph may be possible in exposed areas for a time.”

It also urged people to prepare for power cuts by gathering “essential items” as well as torches, batteries, and a mobile phone power pack.

A second yellow warning for wind is in place for all day on Easter Sunday.

It states: “Peak gusts of 60-70 mph will be possible fairly widely, with a slight chance of 75-85 mph in some exposed areas for a time.”

The warning covers Orkney and Shetland.

Scots in these areas are again being urged to prepare essential items due to the risk of power cuts.

The warning adds: “Prepare to protect your property and people from injury.

“Check for loose items outside your home and plan how you could secure them. Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds, and fences.”

Areas covered by Met Office warning weathers over Easter Weekend

Central, Tayside & Fife

• Angus
• Clackmannanshire
• Dundee
• Falkirk
• Fife
• Perth and Kinross
• Stirling

Grampian

• Aberdeen
• Aberdeenshire
• Moray

Highlands & Eilean Siar

• Na h-Eileanan Siar
• Highland

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders

• Dumfries and Galloway
• East Lothian
• Edinburgh
• Midlothian Council
• Scottish Borders
• West Lothian

Strathclyde

• Argyll and Bute
• East Ayrshire
• East Dunbartonshire
• East Renfrewshire
• Glasgow
• Inverclyde
• North Ayrshire
• North Lanarkshire
• Renfrewshire
• South Ayrshire
• South Lanarkshire
• West Dunbartonshire

Orkney & Shetland

• Orkney Islands
• Shetland Islands

Chelsea have stepped up their interest in Jules Kounde and are ‘keeping a close eye’ on the defender ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports in Spain.

Kounde has established himself as a regular in Hansi Flick’s starting XI and Barcelona’s hierarchy have no active plans to bring in an upgrade at right-back for next season.

And while Kounde’s level of consistency has dropped off a little from last term, when he scored the decisive goal against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, he still has plenty of admirers in Catalonia.

There had been some positive signs of Kounde returning to his best over the winter, only for the full-back to go down with a muscle injury a month ago, meaning he has missed Barca’s last five matches in all competitions.

The France international was recently linked with Liverpool, who are in the market for a more defensive-minded right-back after capturing Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Kounde has since appeared on the radar of several other top European clubs – and Barca could consider the player’s departure should they receive a suitable offer.

The Spanish champions are well aware that Kounde has a number of potential suitors keeping tabs on the situation, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all said to be circling.

City are known to be long-term admirers of Kounde, while concrete interest from both Liverpool and Chelsea in a newer development. It’s claimed all three Premier League giants are ‘keeping a close eye’ on the versatile defender.

Kounde’s current deal at the Camp Nou runs through to June 2030.

After Kounde put pen to paper on a contract extension last August, Barca’s sporting director Deco confirmed that Manchester City had made an approach for the 27-year-old.

‘There wasn’t an offer as such, but City called to ask if he was available,’ Deco explained at the time.

‘Since we told them no, there was no offer.’

While Barca ideally wish to keep Kounde ‘to avoid a potential problem’, the possibility of a sale cannot be completely ruled out, especially if the player is no longer satisfied with the salary increase he received last summer and agitates for a move.

Eric Garcia, Xavi Espart and Ronald Araujo are all capable of providing cover at right-back. Barca are also exploring a deal with Al Hilal to extend a loan for Joao Cancelo, who can operate on both flanks.

The report adds that Barca would ‘find it difficult’ to walk away from a deal for Kounde should they receive a bid in the region of €80million for the former Sevilla and Bordeaux man.

The La Liga leaders are determined to bring in an elite level striker this summer and a big-money agreement for Kounde would raise some much-needed funds for a player such as Julian Alvarez, who has emerged as their primary target up front.

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The application by housing developer Persimonn Homes on land near Cross Lane, Sacriston, was approved by Durham County Council’s planning committee. 

A mix of bungalow and two, three, and four-bedroom homes will be built at the site, which the developer said would improve opportunities for locals to get onto the housing ladder. 

Of the 104 homes, 16 properties will be marketed to potential buyers as ‘affordable’. 

How the new estate could look. (Image: Persimmon Homes)

Tim Robson, county councillor for Sacriston and Witton Gilbert, said residents have “deep concerns” about the amount of new homes being built in the area, but said the council is at the mercy of government-imposed housing targets. 

He told the committee: “I grew up looking out over corn fields and I understand the concerns residents have. It is quite disconcerting for those living in the area. 

“I believe in protecting green belt and farmland, however, this is a central government mandate we cannot stop.”

Local parish councillors also warned about the impact the new houses would have on healthcare and education facilities. 

Kimblesworth and Plawsworth Parish Council said: “Many local people struggle to access GP appointments. While it is acknowledged there is a formula for money to follow additional patients, it would seem most likely that additional patients will make the situation even worse. 

“Opportunities for patients to register with existing NHS dentists are very rare. A similar concern was raised in relation to local school places.”

But Persimmon said it will contribute financially to local education, open space and healthcare services. 

Homes will be arranged along tree-lined streets and overlook open spaces. 

Praising the plans, Cllr James Stephenson, Reform member for Shildon and Dene Valley, said: “It’s a shame to lose the farmland but it’s a pretty good project. 

“There’s plenty of open space, it is well-related to Sacriston, and it has good access to Durham and Chester-le-Street. It’s a really good proposal.”

Work is expected to start on the site later this year. 

Olly Thompson, land director at Persimmon Durham, said: “We’re delighted to have these plans for new homes in Sacriston approved.

“This development will provide high-quality homes for first-time buyers, families and local residents alike.

“We look forward to engaging with residents and the Council to bring these exciting plans to fruition.

More than 100 new homes will be built despite concerns over a lack of local facilities. 

The application by housing developer Persimonn Homes on land near Cross Lane, Sacriston, was approved by Durham County Council’s planning committee. 

A mix of bungalow and two, three, and four-bedroom homes will be built at the site, which the developer said would improve opportunities for locals to get onto the housing ladder. 

Of the 104 homes, 16 properties will be marketed to potential buyers as ‘affordable’. 

Tim Robson, county councillor for Sacriston and Witton Gilbert, said residents have “deep concerns” about the amount of new homes being built in the area, but said the council is at the mercy of government-imposed housing targets. 

He told the committee: “I grew up looking out over corn fields and I understand the concerns residents have. It is quite disconcerting for those living in the area. 

“I believe in protecting green belt and farmland, however, this is a central government mandate we cannot stop.”

Local parish councillors also warned about the impact the new houses would have on healthcare and education facilities. 

Kimblesworth and Plawsworth Parish Council said: “Many local people struggle to access GP appointments. While it is acknowledged there is a formula for money to follow additional patients, it would seem most likely that additional patients will make the situation even worse. 

“Opportunities for patients to register with existing NHS dentists are very rare. A similar concern was raised in relation to local school places.”

But Persimmon said it will contribute financially to local education, open space and healthcare services. 

Homes will be arranged along tree-lined streets and overlook open spaces. 

Praising the plans, Cllr James Stephenson, Reform member for Shildon and Dene Valley, said: “It’s a shame to lose the farmland but it’s a pretty good project. 

“There’s plenty of open space, it is well-related to Sacriston, and it has good access to Durham and Chester-le-Street. It’s a really good proposal.”

Work is expected to start on the site later this year. 

Olly Thompson, land director at Persimmon Durham, said: “We’re delighted to have these plans for new homes in Sacriston approved.

“This development will provide high-quality homes for first-time buyers, families and residents alike.

“We look forward to engaging with residents and the council to bring these exciting plans to fruition.

The Artemis 2 mission will soon send four astronauts farther into space than anyone has ever been as humanity returns to the Moon for the first time in decades

The Artemis 2 mission – NASA’s first manned mission to the Moon in 54 years – is about to launch.

The four Artemis astronauts have said their goodbyes and entered the Orion capsule on NASA‘s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The launch is scheduled for 11.24pm UK time tonight, weather permitting.

The crew will travel 685,000 miles inside the tiny Orion space capsule, going roughly 4,500 miles beyond the Moon – farther from Earth than anyone has ever been before.

Commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch from NASA, and Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency, are the lucky four who get to take part in the mission that will pave the way for Artemis 3. Artemis 3 aims to land a crew on the Moon’s south pole as early as 2028.

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The rocket will launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. For those who live in and around the US state, they will be able to catch a glimpse of Artemis 2 as it launches through the sky and into space.

Sadly, those of us in the UK will not be able to see it launch with the naked eye. You can however watch the launch live here. The graphic below from NASA shows where it will be visible, Manchester Evening News reports.

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NASA may be forced to delay the launch if weather conditions aren’t favourable, but the space agency said in its latest update that there’s still an 80 per cent chance the weather will be good enough.

The US space agency has been targeting a launch window that starts tonight on April 1. Speaking at a press conference, Ms Blackwell-Thompson added: “Our team has worked extremely hard to get us to this moment and I am so very proud of the work that they have done.”

The mission was originally planned for February but after problems during testing, the launch has been pushed back to a six-day launch window in April. The launch will mark the first time since 1972 that astronauts have flown to the Moon.

Timing is crucial for the mission to work properly, the space agency said. “The trajectory for a given day must ensure Orion is not in darkness for more than 90 minutes at a time so that the solar array wings can receive and convert sunlight to electricity, and the spacecraft can maintain an optimal temperature range.”

Israel’s security has been a political mantra for Benjamin Netanyahu during his decades in office. In the early days of the war in Iran, he said Israel had already changed the Middle East, and its own power within it, but more than a month into the campaign the regime in Tehran is still in power, still firing missiles at Israel, and still in possession of its stockpile of highly-enriched uranium – enough, experts say, to make around a dozen nuclear bombs if further refined.

The Metropolitan Police have vowed to crack down on disorder in Clapham, south London, said to be fuelled by an online trend, which has seen teenagers storm the local high street twice in recent days.

Officers responded to reports of antisocial behaviour involving a group of several hundred young people in Clapham High Street and Clapham Common, from around 5pm on Tuesday, according to the Met.

Young people were reported to be attempting to access shops and a restaurant on Clapham High Street as well as lighting fires and setting off fireworks on Clapham Common, the force said. Similar behaviour took place in the same area on Saturday night, with videos shared widely on social media on Monday.

Footage circulating on social media appeared to show large crowds of young people, many wearing masks, gathering on Clapham High Street on Tuesday evening, as several supermarkets closed their doors.

In one TikTok video, smoke could be seen billowing from Clapham Common while a number of police officers attended the scene. A caption on the video read: “Do NOT attend Clapham Courts linkups.”

A dispersal order was put in place on Tuesday night, while around 100 officers were involved in the police response.

Five people were assaulted, including four police officers. One officer was taken to hospital as a precaution after suffering an injury to his arm while making an arrest.

Three girls, including a 17-year-old and two aged 13, were arrested on Tuesday night on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker. The 17-year-old has been charged and bailed to appear at court later this month. The two 13-year-olds have been granted bail.

The Met said more arrests would follow in the coming days, adding that officers are also working to identify those who played a leading or organising role.

Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Bond, who leads policing in the area, said: “We have a clear plan in place should any further disorder take place in the coming days, and are in close contact with our partners and businesses in the area.

“Our officers will continue to maintain a strong, visible presence around Clapham, and we will respond robustly to any reports of disorder, thefts or planned meet-ups.

“I’d urge those young people who think this is just a bit of fun to carefully consider the consequences. Events like this, fuelled by online trends and viral content on platforms such as TikTok, can quickly escalate and lead to serious outcomes.

“If you join in or cause further disorder, you should expect to be arrested and risk a criminal record, which can have long-lasting consequences for your future, including employment opportunities and potentially your ability to travel.

“There is widespread CCTV coverage on streets and in businesses in the area, and we’re already reviewing that footage, as well as officers’ body-worn video cameras, to identify those who committed offences on Saturday and last night.

“The parents/guardians of those involved in last night’s disorder also have a role to play. I’d appeal to them to take responsibility – to be proactive in knowing where their children are and who they’re with, and to take steps to make sure they’re not involved in this sort of unacceptable antisocial behaviour.”

Elaine Canning, store manager at Tapi Carpets and Floors on Clapham High Street, said a pregnant woman was among those who sheltered inside her store while the chaos took hold on Tuesday.

Ms Canning told The Independent on Wednesday: “On Saturday there were some people that came and stood in the shop, just people walking by that came in for cover.

“Last night, as well, there was a pregnant lady and her husband, they came in for about 10 to 15 minutes.”

She added: “She would be [panicked], being pregnant, you would be worried about being knocked over. But I don’t think [the young people] were physically threatening towards members of the public, to be fair.”

The store manager described the scenes that unfolded as “scary”, but said that those who gathered were mainly targeting food shops.

Ms Canning said she had been told by other people who worked on the road to be vigilant on Tuesday afternoon, as they had heard of another planned gathering that appeared to have been advertised on social media.

During more than two hours of arguments, U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer sought to convince the justices that the 14th Amendment – which establishes birthright citizenship and was extended to formerly enslaved people – and subsequent court rulings and laws passed by Congress all mistakenly expanded birthright citizenship.