Manchester United appear likely to be frustrated once again in their search for a new left-back with Alejandro Balde the latest player to snub a move to Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick’s defensive issues were laid bare last weekend when his side slumped to a 2-0 opening weekend defeat against newly-promoted Hull City.

With Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt not yet available for selection, United went into the new season with Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven as their central defensive pairing.

Once that pair recovers, United should have enough in that department, especially with Leny Yoro also in reserve, but it is at full-back where they look particularly short.

Luke Shaw featured in all 38 Premier League games last season but doubts remain over his durability, particularly given the Red Devils will have, unlike last term, European commitments to contend with.

Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall had represented United’s top left-back targe all summer, but the England international looks almost certain to remain at St James’ Park.

Indeed new Magpies manager, Matthias Jaissle, issued a stern hands-off warning following Sunday’s game against Liverpool when it was put to him by Peter Schmeichel, working as a pundit on TV, that Hall was of interest to United.

Frustrated in their efforts to sing the fomer Chelsea defender, United have been casting their net far and wide in order to find a solution for one of their problem positions which had led them to Balde.

Signing the 22-year-old, either permanently or on loan, had initially seemed like a realistic prospect and one which gained momentum after he didn’t make the squad for Sunday’s 5-0 win against Elche.

According to multiple sources in Spain, however, Blade is now minded to stay and fight for his place.

Balde has immediately been rewarded by Hansi Flick who has included him in his squad ahead of Monday’s game against Rayo Vallecano.

‘Alejandro Balde is part of the squad for tomorrow,’ said Flick on Wednesday.

‘I’ve spoken with him, and the important thing is that he’s fully committed to us. He’s 22 years old and very young; he has potential.’

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Richard Madeley fought back tears on Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain as he recalled interviewing the late Dolly Parton. 

It was announced on Tuesday that the music icon had died at the age of 80, with her death confirmed in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver.

And joining his co-stars on the latest instalment of the ITV daytime show, Richard, 70, became emotional as he remembered chatting to Dolly alongside his wife Judy Finnigan, 78, during their time as hosts of This Morning. 

Speaking on the show, Richard said: ‘That was an interview via satellite, a live interview, from a few years ago. Judy and I first met Dolly on This Morning…’ before his voice then cracked, telling his co-stars ‘two secs’.

His co-host Ranvir Singh, 49, then rubbed his back in support as Richard – who first met Dolly in 1999 before interviewing her again in 2001 – quickly composed himself before continuing his anecdote.

He shared: ‘Right! On This Morning. She was so funny and halfway through the interview, she kept putting her little legs out, sticking her legs out and I looked down and said “God, you’ve got really small feet, haven’t you?” and she went “Nothing grows in the shade honey!” 

It was announced on Tuesday that the music icon had died at the age of 80, with her death confirmed in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver 

‘Which I didn’t think she’d ever said before. A lot of people think her one-liners were crafted, and I suppose some of them were, but I think a lot were spontaneous – that was spontaneous!’

Paying tribute to the star, he added: ‘She had a real sharp wit, she was as smart as a whip.’ 

Agreeing with him, Richard Arnold, 56, added: ‘Grit and wit – honed from her upbringing, absolutely. We nicknamed her the ‘Dolly Lama’ amongst our group of friends because she had so many gems and pearls of wisdom. 

‘She could always distill a thought or a moment and just have that turn of phrase like a verbal gymnast and incredible lyricist.’

Dolly’s death was greeted with a flood of tributes, including from Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Sarah Jessica Parker, Pedro Pascal, Khloe Kardashian, Hillary Clinton and more. 

Her representatives confirmed the country superstar’s death in a statement to People, sharing that the Jolene singer died following a ‘brief battle with cancer‘. They did not disclose what type of cancer it was.

‘Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,’ the statement read.

‘After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.’

Richard, 70, became emotional as remembered chatting to Dolly alongside his wife Judy Finnigan, 78, during their time as hosts of This Morning [pictured in 2001]

Richard said: ‘That was an interview via satellite, a live interview, from a few years ago. Judy and I first met Dolly on This Morning…’ before his voice then cracked, telling his co-stars ‘two secs’

‘Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,’ the statement went on.

‘Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact.’

The legendary country singer’s death was first confirmed Tuesday in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also acted as her head of security.

She died Tuesday morning after being admitted Friday to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center with autoimmune and kidney problems, according to TMZ.

Dolly’s loved ones began racing to Nashville upon hearing news of her hospitalisation but not all were able to reach her while she was alive.

‘This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,’ Seaver said.

He hailed his aunt for having ‘lived in the light’ and said she was now ‘in the arms of Jesus’ and the company of her late husband Carl Dean, as well as her parents and ‘countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens’.

Dolly, who is often referred to as the Queen of Country, enjoyed an illustrious music career that spanned an incredible six decades and was arguably best known for her hits Jolene and 9 to 5.

Dolly died Tuesday morning after being admitted Friday to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center with autoimmune and kidney problems, according to TMZ

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Her passing came after months of health woes fueling fan fears for her wellbeing.

She pulled out of multiple public appearances, including a residency in Las Vegas and the opening of a new ride, NightFlight Expedition, at her Dollywood theme park.

The star was supposed to attend the ride’s grand opening on August 14. Instead, a video recording of the star addressing her fans was shared on a screen at the park, which is now regarded as her last public appearance.

Last October, the hitmaker’s younger sister, Freida Parton, worried fans when she asked for prayers for Parton.

However, hours later Freida returned to Facebook with an update, sharing she didn’t mean to ‘scare anyone’ and adding that Parton has ‘been a little under the weather’.

The songstress died just over a year after her husband Carl, whom she had been married to for nearly 60 years. 

The dad of a civil service worker who took her own life a day after a meeting with her managers has accused the Treasury of failing in its duty of care.

Chloe Moffat, 26, was a personal assistant to a Treasury director when she died on May 20 last year.

The day before her death, she had attended what she believed would be a routine one-to-one meeting with her line manager.

However, instead, a more senior manager was present as she was told about allegations that she had shared sensitive information about colleagues, which she denied.

Her father, David Moffat, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the family’s loss had ‘torn such a big hole in our lives’.

He also described the way that the meeting was handled by the Treasury as ‘beggars belief’.

‘Chloe’s first comment was, “Oh, this must be serious, there’s two of you here”,’ he said.

‘And then they worked through and put several allegations to her that she’d shared confidential information.’

During the meeting, Chloe repeatedly asked whether she could lose her job and whether she could have a friend present, but both requests were refused, her father said.

An inquest earlier this month found that the Treasury had not followed its written disciplinary policy, which stated that if the allegations were proven, the likely punishment would have been a written warning rather than a dismissal.

David added: ‘Even though she asked, they said they could not determine the outcome.’

Chloe was also locked out of her work emails immediately after the meeting.

The coroner found that the meeting with her managers had ‘materially contributed’ to her death.

‘There was no safeguarding, there was no support during or after that meeting, from what we’ve seen and what we’ve read,’ David continued.

‘It beggars belief that an organisation that is front and central in our government cannot get it right.’

Asked whether he believed the Treasury had taken responsibility for its role in Chloe’s death, David replied: ‘Not yet.’

He said he and his wife Anne now said that they are focused on ensuring that ‘lessons are learned’ after they received a letter from Treasury permanent secretary James Bowler, who also met him last August.

‘If something positive can come from this unbearable loss that we’re suffering, that’s all we look to achieve,’ David said.

The Moffat family has not yet said whether they are deciding to take further action against the Treasury.

A Treasury spokesperson told the BBC: ‘The Treasury’s deepest sympathies continue to be with Chloe’s friends and family, and the department continues to mourn our colleague.

‘We will learn the lessons from this tragedy. We are working urgently to respond to the coroner’s findings and we have introduced immediate changes to our guidance, support and wellbeing arrangements.’

Metro has contacted the Treasury for comment.

MORE: Treasury worker, 26, killed herself one day after anonymous complaint

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Tahir Rashid, 55; Mohammed Saleem, 47; Sucklane Shah, 47; Amjad Mahmood, 54; Iftaq Hussain, 46; and Arshad Mohammed, 56, deny the charges they face

Ukrainian long-range drones struck a major warehouse belonging to Russia’s biggest online retailer for the second time in just over a month, starting a massive fire that destroyed it completely, local authorities said Wednesday.

Ukrainian forces previously hit the depot in the Tambov region southeast of Moscow, several hundred kilometers (miles) from the Ukrainian border, on July 18, killing seven people and heralding the start of an aerial campaign that has delivered repeated blows to Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries. The company’s size and commercial importance have brought comparisons with Amazon.

Ukraine’s cutting-edge drone capabilities developed since Russia’s February 2022 invasion have allowed it to hit dozens of Wildberries facilities across Russia in recent weeks. Kyiv officials say goods sold by the company include gear and technical components used by Russia’s military. The attacks have also served Ukraine’s war goals by unsettling Russians living far from the front line and hurting the Russian economy.

Russia, meanwhile, has blasted Ukraine with ballistic and cruise missiles, powerful glide bombs and jet-powered drones, killing thousands of civilians.

Ukraine has been firing hundreds of drones at Russia almost nightly, hoping to overwhelm air defenses. The Russian Defense Ministry said that its forces overnight shot down 426 Ukrainian drones over 15 Russian regions and illegally annexed Crimea.

Wildberries confirmed the overnight attack and fire at its depot in the Tambov region and said the facility was evacuated, but it didn’t elaborate on the extent of the damage.

Tambov Gov. Yevgeny Pervyshov said that the fire completely destroyed the logistical center and injured two people — a 19-year-old man who suffered a concussion, and a 49-year-old woman, who broke her finger.

Elsewhere, two people were killed and two others were wounded in Russia’s Lipetsk region south of Moscow after a drone fell on a house, setting it ablaze, the region’s Gov. Igor Artamonov said.

Ukraine has also targeted Russian oil facilities that are the backbone of the country’s economy. Russia is one of the world’s largest energy producers.

Unconfirmed reports said that an oil refinery in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region was on fire Wednesday. The region has repeatedly been targeted by Ukraine. Local Governor Gleb Nikitin confirmed the attack and said that an unspecified “industrial facility” sustained damage, but didn’t provide any details about that facility.

Follow the AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

Gardeners are being urged to tackle one key task this week to help revive sparse, dry lawns and keep them lush through autumn

August represents a critical period for lawn maintenance, as the warmer months begin transitioning towards cooler conditions. Following the heat of summer, lawns can appear parched, sparse, patchy, and generally worse for wear.

With soil temperatures remaining warm and moisture levels beginning to rise, late summer offers the perfect window to help grass recover and prepare for what lies ahead.

A handful of straightforward tasks carried out now can promote stronger, healthier growth and leave lawns far better positioned to withstand autumn and winter.

Among the most beneficial jobs to complete before September arrives is overseeding, which can help fill in bare patches and revitalise a lacklustre garden.

According to Garsons, the “ideal” periods for overseeding lawns are spring, from March through early May, and late summer, towards the end of August.

They noted, however, that autumn was “by far” the optimal time to overseed, owing to the more favourable weather conditions.

How to overseed your lawn

The experts said: “Start by removing weeds and any fallen leaves in the way. You can also use a scarifier to remove moss if needed.

“Mow the lawn on a low setting and remove all clippings. Aerate your soil by forking holes into the lawn and adding a thin dressing layer over the area to be seeded. This only needs to be very thin and is called topdressing.

“Sow your seeds as per the packet instructions and lightly rake to ensure the seeds are in contact with the soil. Lightly press down, walk or pat the area.”

How to care for your overseeded lawn

Ensuring grass seeds remain moist is crucial, as they require adequate hydration to germinate successfully. Water gently using a fine rose attachment to prevent the seeds from being displaced.

The experts added: “Your lawn will need mowing, but start low in spring and raise the setting.

“For newly sown seeds, make sure the grass is at least 5cm to 8cm before you cut on a high setting.

“Keeping a nice lawn is one of the greatest pleasures, and it doesn’t have to be as hard as it looks. Overseeding will definitely help to keep it thick and green.”

Should your grass be struggling to thrive, the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) advises applying an autumn feed rich in potassium and phosphorus to promote stronger roots and greater resilience.

Craig White told the supported person: “Away to your bed, because ken why, nobody likes you,” or words to that effect.

A social care worker from Ayrshire was caught on camera causing “emotional distress” to a service user.

Craig White leaned over a supported person and told them: “Away to your bed, because ken why, nobody likes you,” or words to that effect.

The incident took place on or around 5 March 2026, while White was employed as a support worker with Parkcare Homes No.2 Ltd, at Newhouse, in Kilmarnock.

Now the industry regulator, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), has stepped in and removed White’s name from their register, saying White’s fitness to practise was “impaired” due to “misconduct.”

The supported person at the centre of the case was referred to as ‘AA’ in the SSSC report.

In their decision notice the SSSC told White: “Social services workers, in whom the public and service users place their trust and confidence, are expected to treat service users with dignity and respect at all times and to not be a source of harm to vulnerable service users in your care.

“We have established that your (White’s) behaviour caused emotional distress to ‘AA.’ Your behaviour was indicative of an intentional loss of self-control towards a vulnerable service user and found you to be an intentional source of harm to ‘AA.’

The decision notice continues: “We held your behaviours to be of the highest seriousness and indicative of a values issue that had a lasting impact on ‘AA.’

“It is apparent within the video that your (White’s) tone was aggressive and forceful and was at very close proximity to ‘AA’s face.”

White, it was said, had been registered with the SSSC since September 2019 without any previous finding of impairment. White also co-operated with the SSSC investigation to a “meaningful extent.”

However, the SSSC said his behaviour gave rise to “significant concerns” about values which related to his role.

The SSSC added: “The SSSC considers a Removal Order is the most appropriate sanction as it is both necessary and justified in the public interest and to maintain the continuing trust and confidence in the social service profession and the SSSC as the regulator of the profession.”

There’s no need to add extra oil when the chef’s method makes it cook even better.

Bacon is a breakfast staple, typically rustled up on leisurely mornings when a generously buttered sandwich is just what’s needed to kick off the day. However, cooking it in oil can frequently result in burnt rashers.

While frying bacon may seem the most natural approach, it often leads to grease spattering across the hob, the kitchen filling with smoke, and a pan that requires considerable scrubbing afterwards.

Oil may well be the most popular method for cooking bacon, but it actually causes it to cook far too rapidly, which can leave the edges charred before the pink centre is properly done. This commonly produces bacon that is simultaneously singed, soggy and excessively greasy, as the oil tends to overwhelm the natural flavour, meaning you never quite taste it as it should be.

However, Chuckie Hessong, a cookery class instructor and founder of Laughing Rooster Eats, has revealed there is a far easier approach — apparently, bacon turns out considerably better when cooked in water rather than oil, reports the Express.

Chuckie said: “Boiled bacon creates a meaty, crispy, tender bacon – every time without making a big ol’ mess of my stove or stinking up my house, hair, and clothes.”

Cooking bacon in water may sound utterly peculiar, but adding just a small amount of water to the frying pan actually helps produce crispier rashers that are far simpler to cook. Bacon is naturally high in fat, which should melt away from the meat during cooking, allowing the bacon to essentially cook in its own juices.

The problem arises when oil is added to the pan, as the white fatty parts tend to cook considerably faster than the pink meat, resulting in burnt, charred edges before the centre of the bacon has had a chance to cook through properly.

Water slows the cooking process just enough to allow the fat to render evenly, meaning every part of the bacon cooks simultaneously, leaving you with perfectly caramelised rashers straight from the pan.

It simply prevents the bacon from burning, greatly improves its texture, and stops the oil from scorching the pan — meaning you won’t be left scrubbing away at the dishes after your morning fry-up.

How to make tastier bacon

Start by placing the bacon in a cold frying pan, and don’t worry if the rashers overlap or touch one another, as they will shrink down during cooking.

Pour a small amount of water into the pan — just enough to barely cover the bacon, but take care not to add too much, or you’ll end up boiling rather than frying it.

Place the pan over a high heat until the water begins to bubble, then reduce to a medium heat and allow all the water to evaporate completely.

Wait for the bacon to begin sizzling, then leave it to cook for approximately two minutes until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. Remember to flip the bacon halfway through to ensure both sides cook evenly.

Once the bacon is cooked to perfection, remove it from the pan and place it on a buttered roll or slice of bread. The bacon should be golden-brown, juicy, and considerably more flavoursome than it would typically taste.

The 86-year-old has presented the popular BBC rural affairs show for 37 years, having started in 1989.

Prior to that, he had a 17-year stint on Newsround after originally launching it on the BBC back in 1972.

Away from TV, Mr Craven lives in a village near Banbury with his wife, where the couple brought up two daughters.

Now, Wales Online reports that the TV legend has shared a “poignant final wish” about returning home to his roots in Yorkshire.

In the article, which was published in recent days, Mr Craven was quoted as saying: “Still one of my favourite places in the world is Wharfedale and Otley Chevin, where I used to cycle with my mates.

“I love the coast too, especially Whitby, though we had family holidays in Bridlington because I suspect it was a bit cheaper.

“I’d like to come home and have my ashes scattered in Yorkshire, maybe on the top of Otley Chevin.”

This article comes after a recent interview with Farmers’ Guardian, in which Mr Craven opened up about the difficulties of filming in the early days of Countryfile.

He said: “In the very early days of Countryfile, it was very difficult to get cameras onto farms and to get farmers to speak to us.

“It took a long time to win farmers over and let them open the gates of the farm and let us in.”

Farmers are now more open and willing to share their experiences, he said, but warned there remain significant questions over balancing food production with environmental goals.

“We need to up the amount of food that is produced in this country,” he said.

“The balance between environmental concern and the need to produce more food, that is the big issue that faces the country today.”

The intimate reality series left viewers crying happy tears after its release back in April

Two cherished TV personalities have just secured a second series for their reality programme.

Last April, Made In Chelsea favourites Sophie Habboo and Jamie Laing chronicled their path to parenthood in an intimate three-part series called Raising Chelsea. The show captured how the pair managed pregnancy and childbirth while simultaneously overseeing major building work on their property.

The episodes featured cameos from relatives and fellow reality television personalities, including Jamie’s closest friend, Ollie Proudlock. The programme also confronted the raw realities of giving birth head-on.

Speaking to OK! at the time, Sophie disclosed that she became tearful “every time” she revisited the first series’ delivery scene. She explained: “I saw something the other day that the birth is like every emotion, like fireworks, like every single emotion you can imagine going off in your head.

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“That truly is what it’s like. It’s utterly wild. And it is quite amazing to have that captured and like be able to show your children later on in life.”

Disney Plus has now announced that a second series of Raising Chelsea has received approval. This instalment will follow how the couple have adjusted to parenthood with their son Ziggy, their professional comeback and, according to the synopsis, “new adventures that take them outside Chelsea.”

It adds: “The returning series will host brand new faces, together with the return of the couple’s mums Penny Baines and Sarah Wigley, plus Sophie’s sister Georgia Habboo, and Jamie’s best-friend, Oliver Proudlock.”

Speaking about the series renewal, Jamie and Sophie said in a joint statement: “We were blown away by the response to the show and are so excited to keep sharing our journey. The experience of working with Disney+ and Dorothy Street Pictures for season one made it easy for us to say yes.

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“We’ve always documented our lives over the years and continuing to do this on a bigger scale is just amazing. We hope that fans and viewers carry on enjoying our honesty as we continue to navigate raising Ziggy, together with balancing our family and professional lives. We can’t wait to bring you in more.”

Viewers described the opening season as “eye opening” with numerous people confessing to watching it all in a single sitting. One audience member revealed: “Not sure what’s wrong with me but I was a wreck. Cried for a whole 10 mins when he passed his driving test and sobbed when Ziggy was born. He [Jamie] for sure is still a Peter Pan but has grown up a lot too lol.”

A second commented: “Binge watched it. They are so funny and entertaining. Made for each other,” while a third wrote: “Loved this show. Was always a fan of Jamie. Thought they were both very honest. It was very entertaining and great to watch. Binge watched all three episodes.”

Raising Chelsea series one is streaming on Disney Plus. A release date for the second season is yet to be announced.