Ronald Araujo is set to join Liverpool on a season-long loan from Barcelona, where one of his lows came in a Champions League quarter-final loss against Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique once described Ronald Araujo as Barcelona’s biggest weakness in a brutal piece of analysis. A clip of Enrique’s criticism has resurfaced after Liverpool agreed a deal to sign Araujo, 27, on a season-long loan.

The deal includes an option to buy for €55million (£47m), with the Reds covering his wages in full. Liverpool supporters are keen to get the lowdown on their newest signing, who is set to have a medical on Sunday before linking up with his team-mates.

But they won’t be enamoured by listening to what Enrique told his players about Araujo in 2024, especially since PSG have knocked Liverpool out of Europe in each of the last two seasons. The PSG manager was preparing his side to face Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, as they trailed 3-2 on aggregate after losing the home leg.

Firstly, during a staff meeting which was later shown in a documentary about Enrique, he said: “Let Araujo come with the ball. When he comes with the ball, when he releases it, we pressure him.”

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When it came time to address his squad, the Spaniard explained: “Let this gentleman (a magnet on a board) be Araujo, who is a high-level player, no doubt about it. But he is the player with the most problems. Every time the ball gets to Araujo – whether it’s a support, a pass and so on – when the ball comes in motion, cover the passing line and go.”

Enrique’s game plan looked to be out of the window when Raphinha gave Barcelona the lead on 12 minutes, extending their advantage. But then came the turning point, as Araujo played a misplaced pass after being pressed by Bradley Barcola exactly in the way Enrique had instructed him to.

Scampering back as Barcola raced away, Araujo clumsily fouled the French winger and got himself sent off, paving the way for PSG’s comeback. Enrique’s team ran out 4-1 winners on the night and progressed to the last four.

Will Ronald Araujo prove his doubters wrong? Give us your prediction in the comments section.

The incident has haunted Araujo’s career at Barcelona ever since, and he was also culpable for a crucial goal in their Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter Milan in 2025 when Hansi Flick’s men were seconds away from going through. The Champions League has been a particular source of frustration for Araujo, who was also sent off against Chelsea last season.

That red card prompted him to take a mental health break which Barcelona granted him, telling Mundo Deportivo: “I’d been dealing with anxiety for a year and a half that turned into depression, and I was playing like that. That doesn’t help, because on the field you don’t really feel like yourself.”

Barcelona faced PSG in the Champions League again last season, and when Enrique’s comments were put to Flick, he replied: “What happened in the past is no longer valid; now is different. I have full confidence in all my players. He’s incredible and has proven it in recent games. I’m very happy with him.”

Araujo will hope that his move to Anfield serves as a fresh start. Blessed with pace, strong and boasting a towering 6ft 3in frame which makes him a threat in both boxes, Andoni Iraola likes what he sees from the Uruguay international, who didn’t feature at the World Cup due to a calf injury.

His ability to play at right-back should also come in handy for Liverpool, who need cover in the position due to Conor Bradley’s injury. Last month, centre-back Joe Gomez suffered an injury, making it a bigger priority to recruit a defender.

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The nine-year-old died at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee after she was found seriously injured at Elliot Industrial Estate in Arbroath in the early hours of Monday August 3.

Arbroath FC will hold a minute’s silence today in memory of tragic schoolgirl Minnie Merriman after her alleged murder in the town.

The nine-year-old died at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee after she was found seriously injured at Elliot Industrial Estate in Arbroath in the early hours of Monday August 3.

The youngster and her family, from West Yorkshire, were camping in the area at the time. Three other members of Minnie’s family were also taken to hospital.

Christopher Rice, Minnie’s father, appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court last week, where he faced a single charge of murder.

The Red Lichties announced that it would hold the tribute in her memory before their championship match against Inverness at Gayfield.

A statement read: “We ask all fans to join us in observing a minute’s silence before kick off in memory of nine-year-old Minnie Merriman, following her recent passing and those affected by the recent events in Arbroath.”

The club paid tribute after it emerged a health board is investigating a potential data breach after the youngster’s heath records were allegedly accessed by a member of staff.

NHS Tayside confirmed an investigation has been launched after Minnie’s health records were allegedly accessed without permission or a clinical need.

Laurie Merriman, Minnie’s mum, also paid tribute to her “first true love” in a heart-breaking message this week following her daughter’s death.

She wrote: “You have always and will continue being my strength, we are connected eternally, I have never felt a love so deep and a connection so strong.

“My first true love, my twin, I am connected to you in life and in death, and my girl that cannot be broken, I will fight to stay strong for your little brothers.

“I will hold my head high, knowing you will always be holding my hand for the rest of my life. I will see you again, that I know for sure. I love you eternally.”

In another tribute, headteacher of Hendal Primary School in Wakefield, Kelly Ashton, described her as a “kind and thoughtful girl”.

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Hundreds of tourists have fallen ill after visiting UK beaches, new figures have revealed. 

Marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) received more than 700 reports of sickness across 406 locations this year alone, including from ‘Blue Flag’ beaches which must pass strict tests for cleanliness. 

While more than 15,000 days – equivalent to 41 years – have been taken off work due to sickness contracted from the UK’s waters since 2019. 

The polluted water, the charity said, has caused swimmers to suffer from illnesses such as gastroenteritis and ear infections, which has led to hospitalisations and time spent off work. 

Some 765 people contacted SAS about their illness in 2026, with nearly half – 322 – reporting sickness since the UK’s temperatures rose on May 1. 

This prompted Britons to flock to the nation’s coast and beaches to cool off from extreme heat. 

The findings come as the UK faces its fifth heatwave this year, with highs of 36C (97F) expected next week – and a prediction that the annual record for days exceeding 30C (86F) will be broken.

Bournemouth was the most reported location in the study, with 16 reports of illness, as thousands have visited the coastline during this year’s unprecedented UK summer.

Marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage received more than 700 reports of sickness across 406 locations this year alone, including in Exmouth (pictured)

Women enjoyed the weather in Polzeath in Cornwall, nicknamed the ‘poshest’ seaside town

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Sunbathers soaked in the rays on a beach in Swanage in Dorset 

Three of the reports came from Durley Chine beach, which won the Blue Flag status in 2026.

While 13 people reported sickness from Croyde Bay in Croyde, north Devon, and from the popular Polzeath in Cornwall. 

Polzeath – nicknamed the UK’s ‘poshest’ seaside town – has been a favourite of the royals, with Prince William and Prince Harry favouring it for a summer retreat in 2012. 

The small resort town has an average house price of £1.25million, while it is understood 43 per cent of properties are valued at more than £1million. 

Former prime minister David Cameron, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and TV chef Gordon Ramsay have also owned property in the Cornish town. 

In the charity’s rankings, Rest Bay in Porthcawl in Bridgend, Wales, followed Polzeath with 12 people reporting they were unwell to SAS. 

Some ten people reported illness from Exmouth in Devon, as nine said they became unwell after visiting a beach in Portreath, a north Cornwall coastal town.

While eight people suffered after visiting Saunton Sands in north Devon, Swanage Central in Dorset and Ogmore in Barry, Wales. 

The charity received seven reports from people who had visited Woolacombe Village, north Devon.

Britons have flocked to the coast and beaches to cool off from extreme heat, including to Brighton in East Sussex (pictured)

The UK faces its fifth heatwave this year, with highs of 36C expected next week, which will prompt people to flop on the nation’s beaches (Pictured: Portreath in Cornwall)

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Three women lie in the sun on the beach in Brighton, East Sussex, on Friday

Surfers line the shore of the sea on Porthcrawl Rest Bay Beach in Bridgend, Wales

SAS said sewage dumping by water companies is ‘making us sick’, which it said has been going on for ‘decades’, adding the new data reveals the scale of the illness. 

In 2024, water companies in England recorded 2,487 pollution incidents, while 4.7million hours was spent dumping sewage into UK waters.  

This comes as the charity’s findings revealed 15,362 days were taken off work due to sickness ‘contracted’ from the UK’s waters since 2019. 

The most reported location – of 1,014 days – was St Mary’s Bay in Kent.

Notably, there is no indication what could be behind sickness at the Blue Flag locations. 

The ‘Blue Flag’ is awarded to beaches with high water quality, minimal waste, good biodiversity and are both safe and accessible. 

SAS has received 8,313 reports of sickness from Britain’s beaches since 2019. 

Jo Morley, head of campaigns at SAS, said: ‘Thousands of water users are reporting this to us, and this is likely just the tip of the iceberg. 

‘From gastroenteritis and ear infections, to weeks off work and hospitalisations. This is a public health crisis. 

‘We know that sewage is pouring into our waters, even during this summer’s exceptionally dry weather, and it’s totally unacceptable that people are getting ill in any case, especially after using bathing waters rated as “excellent”.’

‘There is no official Government data, and no legal protections for people using the water,’ Ms Morley added.

‘This is symptomatic of a totally broken system that has put profits first for too long, allowing polluters to cash in whilst dumping sewage without punishment, and this has to change.’

Polzeath has been a favourite of the royals, with Prince William (right) and Prince Harry (centre) visiting it for a summer retreat in 2012 

SAS urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s Government to end the privatised water industry, adding: ‘The PM must take back control of failing water companies and remove the profit motive and restructure them, starting with Thames Water.’

Vitor Matos insists Zan Vipotnik’s future at Swansea City has not been affected by Ross Stewart’s arrival – and says he’s happy to accommodate three senior strikers for the new season.

Stewart completed a free transfer to the Swans on Thursday, becoming Swansea’s sixth new signing of the window.

He has signed a three-year deal at the club, and his capture will be seen as a huge statement of intent given the player’s Championship pedigree.

Stewart scored 11 goals in 33 appearances in all competitions for Southampton last season, and his arrival will inevitably spark further questions over Vipotnik’s future at the club, with clubs in England and Europe taking an interest.

As things stand, however, there is nothing on the table from anyone, and Matos clearly hasn’t ruled out the possibility of keeping all three strikers on board.

“I think one thing we tried is to increase the competition or the healthy competition inside of the squad,” he said.

“I think that’s what we’ve done. There’s a lot of challenges, a lot of games to come, a lot of competitions as well to participate in and I think having a squad with depth in all positions was quite important for us.

“It’s something that we felt last season in some moments was a little bit tricky.

“I still remember when I was sitting here in December everyone asked why we only had Zan Vipotnik as a striker and I needed I think maybe three press conferences to try to justify it.

“I think it’s important to have that depth, of course, and then with that trying to squeeze the best out of the squad and that’s what we will do as well.”

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LONDON (AP) — Former U.S. President Joe Biden ’s prostate cancer has spread to other parts of his body and is causing him pain, even as he continues to speak out on public issues, his son Hunter said in an interview.

In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC broadcast late Friday, Hunter Biden grew emotional as he discussed his father’s condition, describing it as very sad to watch.

“The cancer has spread, metastasized into his bones and further,” he said. “It’s very painful and it’s very debilitating in many respects.”

Biden, 83, was the oldest man to serve as U.S. president and his age was a source of concern for much of his four years in office. He and his White House advisers have faced intense criticism for allegedly concealing the extent of his problems, especially after he was forced to abandon his bid for re-election after a disastrous debate with his eventual successor, Donald Trump.

The former president revealed his cancer diagnosis in May of last year, less than four months after he left the White House.

Hunter Biden said the diagnosis had been tough on the family.

“It’s really sad to watch,” Biden said. “The only thing that I’d say about my dad, about his health right now, is I wish he would complain more, because it’s not good.”

But Biden said his father remains “out there,” speaking publicly about the issues that are important to him.

“He’s still doing his thing,” he said. “He so believes in this country.”

Biden will publish a memoir, “Promise Me, America,” after the mid-term elections.

The scheme, run by Proper Pubs, will recognise individuals who go above and beyond to make a difference in their communities.

Nominations are open via QR codes displayed on posters, table talkers, and digital screens inside participating pubs, directing customers to an online entry form.

The Bolton pubs taking part include: 

• Alma Inn
• Beeley’s Bar
• Gilnow Arms
• Keg & Thread
• Lamb Hotel
• Lord Raglan
• Royal Hotel
• Victoria

An independent panel will select a winner for each pub, with winners receiving a certificate and a bottle of fizz.

Three national winners will also receive £1,000 to donate to a local charity or community group of their choice. 

An awards event will be held for national and local pub winners on the week commencing  November 23 at their local Proper Pub. 

These pubs are part of Proper Pubs, the award-winning community wet-led operator division of Admiral Taverns, which has more than 220 pubs across England, Scotland, and Wales. 

Jorge Messi, a businessman and agent for his superstar footballer son, Lionel, had been ill for a significant period of time and passed away on Friday in his home city of Rosario, Argentina

Lionel Messi’s father has died at the age of 68 following a long battle with illness. Jorge Messi passed away in hospital on Friday in his home city of Rosario, Argentina.

His family said during the World Cup in June that Jorge had been dealing with a ‘health-related situation’. Messi’s former club, Newell’s Old Boys, confirmed his passing on Saturday.

A statement read: “Club Atletico Newell’s Old Boys bids farewell with deep sorrow and grief to Jorge Messi, who passed away at the age of 68 in the city of Rosario. Recognised leproso fan, businessman, and father of the Argentine national team captain, Lionel Andres Messi.

“Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor, and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini. His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas to the pinnacle of world football glory.

“Thank you for teaching him to love these colours. The Board of Directors, members, athletes, and the entire leprosa family embrace with affection Celia, Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias, and María Sol, and all their loved ones and close ones in this difficult moment.”

His son was seen crying after a World Cup match which prompted speculation about his father’s wellbeing. “Why was I crying? It had absolutely nothing to do with football. I have had a few difficult days,” the Argentina captain said post-match.

A subsequent statement read: “The Messi family wishes to inform you that Jorge Messi is currently dealing with health problems. He is currently under medical supervision and is recovering well.

“Given the reports, rumours and speculation that have been circulating in recent hours, the family wishes to express its deep concern about the lack of sensitivity, respect and discretion with which some people have treated a strictly private family matter.”

There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.

Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story.

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The former first minister insisted she is not “at war” with the billionaire writer of the Harry Potter novels.

Nicola Sturgeon has claimed Harry Potter author JK Rowling is “obsessed” with her – and branded a former SNP MP’s book as “s***”.

The former first minister made the comments during an appearance with broadcaster Iain Dale the Edinburgh Fringe – just a day after the billionaire author’s most recent criticism of the ex-MSP.

In a social media blast, Rowling described the former SNP leader as a “world-class misogynist” and “profoundly disloyal” to her party following criticism of its election campaign in a new foreword for her book.

Asked by Dale if she wanted an “amnesty” with the Harry Potter author, Sturgeon said she was not “at war”.

“She seems to be at war with me,” she said. “So if we’re going to get an amnesty, I think it’s probably going to have to come from her.”

Rowling has been an outspoken critic of the former first minister, particularly on gender issues – which have become a hot-button issue in Scotland since Ms Sturgeon’s attempt to reform gender recognition laws in 2022.

“We disagree on more than one thing – we disagree about independence, we clearly disagree on trans rights,” Sturgeon said. “My god, that woman is obsessed with me.

“I don’t spend as much time thinking about her as she does thinking about me.”

The former first minister also hit out at Joanna Cherry KC – the former SNP MP who has been one of her most vociferous critics.

Sturgeon described the former MP’s book, which was heavily critical of her time as SNP leader and first minister and was published earlier this year, as “shit”.

Cherry “seems to have an obsession with me that is not reciprocated”, she said when asked if there was a question she would like to put to the former MP when she appears in a later edition of the show.

“It’s not a question, it’s a challenge,” Ms Sturgeon said.

“Can she get through more than 30 seconds of the answer to any question without talking about me?”

Asked if she had read Cherry’s book, the former first minister said she had not.

“One of the things that distresses me most the older I get is that realisation of all of the books I’ll never get to read,” she said.

“Why on earth would I spend time reading one that’s shit?”

Responding to Sturgeon’s comments, Cherry said: “It appears that the criticisms JK Rowling and I have made of Nicola Sturgeon’s politics and her behaviour, in particular her attack on the rights of women, have so discomforted her that rather than addressing them, she has resorted to a foul-mouthed rant.

“I think people can see through this.”

US President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer Todd Blanche has been narrowly confirmed as attorney general – the nation’s top law enforcement official.

The vote brings to an end a lengthy standoff between Senate Republicans and the Trump administration over Blanche, who has served as acting attorney general since April.

Blanche won confirmation in a 50-49 vote overnight, with two Republican senators, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, joining all Democrats to oppose his nomination.

Senator Bill Cassidy cast the deciding vote, a decision closely watched in Washington given the years of acrimony between the Louisiana Republican and Trump.

Some Republican senators had raised concerns about Blache’s handling of the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents and his role in establishing Trump’s $1.8bn (£1.3bn) “anti-weaponisation” fund.

The fund was planned to provide compensation to individuals who alleged government persecution but critics including Murkowski feared it would go to individuals who were prosecuted for participating in the 6 January attack on Congress.

Blanche eventually pledged to walk back the fund after blowback from Republican senators during his confirmation hearings.

It remains unclear whether the commitment is legally binding or whether Trump could later persuade Blanche, his former personal attorney, to revive a similar scheme under another name.

These issues meant Collins and Murkowski held off from backing Blanche, with the latter citing her lack of confidence in Blanche to “check the worst impulses of this administration”.

Murkowski announced on Friday she would oppose Blanche, citing concerns over the “politicisation” of the justice department.

A Scottish Greens politician has sparked outrage after saying that rape exists ‘on a spectrum’ and rapists should not be ‘demonised’.

MSP Q Manivannan, who also described the idea of ‘monster rapists’ as a ‘myth’, made the comments during a podcast recording with Dr Sindhu Rajasekaran for The Subjective Space in February 2025.

Manivannan, who is trans non-binary and currently in Scotland on a student visa, was elected as an MSP for the Edinburgh and Lothian East region in this year’s local elections.

They are currently in the process of applying for a graduate visa and ‘global talent visa’ – one of which they must secure if they are to serve a full-term in Holyrood.

The global talent visa would enable Manivannan to live and work in the UK for the entire five-year parliamentary term and beyond.

A student visa includes a series of restrictions such as only being able to work part-time during term time for a maximum of 20 hours a week, and not being able to fill a permanent vacancy. 

Asked by Dr Rajasekaran about compassion in forgiving acts of violence such as rape, Manivannan said: ‘This question also leads to an imagination of what a just society would be. It is parallel to questions of abolitionism, of what it means to think of rehabilitating rapists, for instance, into society.

‘I think our distaste towards rape is toward the idea of and the act of it, not towards the myth of this monster rapist that we’ve now been born to be thinking of it that way. 

‘Because there definitely is a demonisation of rape in the sense of it [rape] is a spectrum.

Manivannan, who also described the idea of ‘monster rapists’ as a ‘myth’, made the comments during a podcast recording with Dr Sindhu Rajasekaran for The Subjective Space, with clips now circulating online

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‘I don’t seek to lighten any kind of […] It is a spectrum, none of which is any worse, or less or more worse, but it is a spectrum of things that constitute one homogenised word rape. 

‘And I think there’s also different modes of not just consent but also context and conditions under which rape is, well, rape.’

They continued: ‘And I think in that circumstance, the idea that the rapist is the big burly man is not necessarily unfounded, because that’s the individual I’m most scared of on a daily basis, but it’s also an entity that is misconstrued because I think any individual is capable of rape.’

Clips of the exchange shared on social media have sparked outrage, with one viewer describing Manivannan as a ‘threat to victims’.

They said: ‘Manivannan has a very warped view and doesn’t want men who rape demonised and would like us to believe that rape is a spectrum.’

They continued: ‘He is a disgrace and is a threat to victims and potential victims with this way of thinking.’ 

A second viewer said: ‘This is not a nuanced academic debate. It is a sitting MSP minimising one of the most serious crimes there is. 

‘If your moral framework cannot bring itself to say clearly that rape is never acceptable and rapists deserve condemnation, then it is not progressive it is dangerous.’

Scottish Labour MP Tracy Gilbert said she was ‘alarmed’ by the comments, adding: ‘I am absolutely clear that there is no spectrum of rape and know that there is certainly no spectrum of suffering from the survivors of rape.

‘Studies have shown that 9 in 10 survivors of rape knew their attacker while half of survivors have said that their attacker was a current or former partner.

‘A survivor of rape never fully recovers. There can be serious physical and mental injuries from the attack, survivors often feel shame and feel isolated for a long period of time afterwards.

‘The consequences of rape are often felt for years and decades after the attack. I am grateful to the many wonderful organisations and individuals who support victims of rape and sexual assault.

‘The Scottish Greens MSP should fully retract and apologise for their comments and Gillian MacKay and Ross Greer should make clear that the views shared are not Scottish Green Party policy.’

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Responding to the criticism, Manivannan said the clip had been taken out of context and ‘misrepresented’.

They said: ‘This clip has been clearly misrepresented and taken out of context from a much longer interview. As a survivor of sexual violence, who has spoken openly about my recovery, I am clear that we need to focus on reducing the likelihood of perpetrators of rape reoffending.

‘The point I made about demonisation was that not all rapists fit a stereotype, and that all kinds of men can and do commit it.

‘The vast majority of sexual violence is from men who the victims know personally. Victims should be believed regardless of who the perpetrator was, and rapists should be punished in the strongest terms.

‘If we are to tackle rape and sexual violence we need to tackle wider issues in society, including the ways boys and men are socialised, the communities or lack thereof they’re in, and how they’re raised.

‘When talking about a spectrum I was making the point that laws often take a narrow definition of what rape and sexual violence is, which often allows it to continue without consequence. A full viewing of the interview clarifies this.

‘In a country where rape has the lowest conviction rates of any crime, and reoffending continues, this is an urgent and important conversation we need to have in Scotland.

‘Any suggestion that my statements minimise or excuse rape or sexual assault are deeply false and misleading.’

When contacted by the Daily Mail, the Scottish Greens declined to comment.

When elected in May, Manivannan, who was born in India, told cheering supporters: ‘My name is Q Manivannan, I am a transgender Tamil immigrant, my pronouns are they/them.

‘I am to some in this country everything that the hateful despise, and I am standing here as your MSP now with care.

‘They say politics is the art of the possible. A politics of care expands what is possible for everyone left behind, pushed out or never invited in.’

Manivannan was elected after MSPs agreed a change in law that extended candidacy rights to foreign nationals with limited leave to remain, including those on student visas.

Manivannan’s visa is due to expire at the end of this year and the Scotland Act states that an MSP would then be disqualified from holding office at Holyrood.

They have said they are taking steps to secure a new visa which would enable them to serve the rest of the term.