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BBC axes RuPaul’s Drag Race after 11 series amid ‘financial pressures’

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RuPaul’s Drag Race UK catapulted the likes of La Voix, Baga Chipz and Danny Beard into the public eye during its 11 series run

The BBC has axed RuPaul’s Drag Race UK after 11 series as it battles “financial pressures”. The British version of the reality TV show, which has made stars of the likes of Baga Chipz, Danny Beard, and Strictly Come Dancing favourite La Voix, launched in 2019.

Since then it has aired eight series of the regular show and three series of the spin-off, RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs the World. But on Wednesday it was confirmed the show had been dropped from the BBC schedule.

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Instead it will air on WOW Presents Plus. A BBC spokesperson told The Mirror : “As the BBC continues to navigate significant financial pressures and deliver the savings required of us, we have had to make some very difficult choices, none of which have been taken lightly.

“We can therefore confirm together with World of Wonder, that RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will be leaving the BBC and moving to WOW Presents Plus.

“The BBC is incredibly proud of all eleven series of this groundbreaking show and we would like to thank RuPaul, World of Wonder and everyone involved, both on and off screen. We are certain that viewers will enjoy the eighth series, which is currently airing on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three.”

A source told the Mirror that it was a “huge surprise” to see the show cut. They said: “It’s been doing so well and it’s the only show of its kind. Staff were told that there was nothing that could be done.”

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK currenty averages around one million viewers per episode for the BBC. It was launched more than a decade after drag superstar RuPaul, known for hits like Supermodel, launched the format in the US.

The most recent series of RuPaul’s Drag Race launched just days ago and is currently airing. Last year saw Bones emerge as the victor.

BBC director-general Matt Brittin, the former Google executive who took over from Tim Davie, unveiled plans to cut around £80million from programming on TV, radio and news as part of corporation wide cuts earlier this year. Amongst the confirmed changes announced, BBC One’s Breakfast slot on a Sunday morning was ppulled, and the production teams making Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg and Newsnight will merge.

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Radio 4’s The World Tonight is set to end next year, while the number of permanent presents on Today will be reduced to four from five, with just one single anchor operating on Saturdays. World Tonight is being replaced by Newshour, and Breakfast on Sunday is being replaced by the BBC News Channel.

Confirming the move, Brittin said: “We will reduce commissioning spend across Content, News and Nations by around £80 million in 2027–28 and review our broadcast TV channels and radio network portfolio as audiences move online.”

He added: “The scale of savings requires tough choices, careful work and won’t all be ready at once. We are committed to letting you know as soon as we have plans in your area. All divisions will be making significant savings.”

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London has fallen? The truth is revealed in major new study

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London has fallen? The truth is revealed in major new study

Professor Bobby Duffy, director of KCL’s Policy Institute, said: “London has become a lightning rod in our national debate – deeply connected to arguments about crime, immigration and the direction of the country – with the sense that ‘London has fallen’ now a recurring theme in political, media and social media narratives.

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Melania’s top aide reveals their true thoughts about Natalie Harp

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Melania’s top aide reveals their true thoughts about Natalie Harp

Melania Trump’s top aide has revealed their true thoughts about Natalie Harp, whose close relationship with her boss, Donald Trump, has fueled recent speculation.

Harp, Trump’s executive assistant, has been thrust into the political spotlight in recent weeks with reports that she slept in the locker room at Trump’s Bedminster golf club and even hopped in the trunk of an SUV to stay close to the president.

Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat from Georgia up for re-election, made headlines for his quip about Trump, telling a crowd in Atlanta last month, “He doesn’t want to do the job. He wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie.”

Marc Beckman, senior advisor to Melania, dismissed any rumors that her husband’s relationship with Harp is anything but above board on an episode of conservative media personality Stella Escobedo’s YouTube show released Tuesday.

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“The mainstream media…they’re endlessly obsessed with garbage tabloid gossip about Natalie Harp, who, by the way, is a hard-working, loyal White House aide to President Trump—a cancer survivor—who POTUS helped get off labeled treatment for and saved her life. I mean, what do you make of that?” Escobedo asked Beckman.

Melania Trump’s top aide has revealed their true thoughts about Natalie Harp, whose close relationship with her boss, Donald Trump, has fueled speculation
Melania Trump’s top aide has revealed their true thoughts about Natalie Harp, whose close relationship with her boss, Donald Trump, has fueled speculation (Getty Images)

Harp, who says she was diagnosed with bone cancer, gained national attention in 2019 for crediting Trump for saving her life with a law he signed in 2018 that provided her access to experimental treatments.

“The liberal media is ridiculous. They don’t know anything about the first lady’s personal and private life,” Beckman told Escobedo. “They don’t even take the time to put us on air to cover these incredible achievements that our first lady has accomplished.”

“What they need to do is look in the mirror because they’re all attacking this hardworking, very talented, very intelligent person in Natalie Harp,” he said, adding that the mainstream media is “obsessed with the gossip with the first family. And I can tell you firsthand that it’s time for them to become journalists and stop looking at the gossip.”

Melania's aide accused the mainstream media of 'attacking this hardworking, very talented, very intelligent person in Natalie Harp'
Melania’s aide accused the mainstream media of ‘attacking this hardworking, very talented, very intelligent person in Natalie Harp’ (Getty Images)

The public started to pay closer attention to Harp after The Washington Post reported last month that she was one of the select few who got to ride with Trump in a catering truck that transported them from Air Force One to a smaller jet amid a potential assassination threat from Iran while they were leaving the NATO summit in Turkey. During Trump’s escape, Air Force One, which carried unsuspecting D.C. reporters and senior Trump officials, served as a decoy.

Harp —who reportedly received a $45,000 holiday cash gift from Trump — wrote in a letter to Trump in 2023, “You are all that matters to me,” The New York Times reported shortly after the president’s 2024 election victory in an article announcing that she would follow him to the White House after joining his team in 2022.

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While Harp seems to never leave Trump’s side, Melania has been largely absent from the public eye during her husband’s second term.

Over the summer, Melania missed Senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral, the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and the dignified transfer of the remains of four service members killed in the Middle East.

NBC News reported on August 17 that Melania has made about half as many public appearances as she did at that point in Trump’s first term.

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Team Sussex hit back after Uganda pulls out of the Invictus Games over the ‘Harry-Meghan nonsense’… and claims the move is ‘clearly a consequence’ of King’s letter insisting they are ‘private citizens’

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Harry and Meghan Markle's team appear to have hit back at Uganda's decision to withdraw from the Invictus Games today (The couple are pictured in April)

The Sussexes appear to have blamed Uganda’s decision to withdraw from the Invictus Games on a letter written by King Charles which insisted they are ‘private citizens’. 

Ugandan General Muhoozi Kainerugaba insisted on Wednesday morning that his nation would not participate in any event without approval from Charles, adding that he felt motivated to quash ‘that Harry-Meghan nonsense’.

The move came less than 48 hours after the King outlined that the duke and duchess are still not working royals despite the couple relocating to the UK a fortnight ago.

The letter was said to have blindsided Harry and Meghan, who claimed they did not have enough time to clarify the King’s points before the guidance was released to the media. 

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And the Sussexes have now reportedly blamed Uganda’s decision to withdraw from the Invictus Games on the letter, which was released on His Majesty’s instruction by his Lord Chamberlain on Monday. 

A source close to Harry and Meghan told ITV News tonight: ‘Intended or unintended, this is clearly a consequence of the Lord Chamberlain’s guidance regarding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that was rushed out without consultation on Monday. 

‘Sadly, the only people who will suffer are the Invictus Games competitors.’

Harry launched the Invictus Games, a Paralympics-style competition, himself in 2014 to aid the recovery of injured or sick military veterans and servicemen. Next year’s edition will take place in Birmingham. 

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Harry and Meghan Markle’s team appear to have hit back at Uganda’s decision to withdraw from the Invictus Games today (The couple are pictured in April)

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba of Uganda announced that the country would be withdrawing from the games on Wednesday morning

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba of Uganda announced that the country would be withdrawing from the games on Wednesday morning

The move came less than 48 hours after King Charles reiterated that Harry and Meghan are no longer working royals despite their return to the UK (Charles is pictured last week)

The move came less than 48 hours after King Charles reiterated that Harry and Meghan are no longer working royals despite their return to the UK (Charles is pictured last week)

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The letter was released on behalf of the King by Richard Benyon, Charles' Lord Chamberlain

The letter was released on behalf of the King by Richard Benyon, Charles’ Lord Chamberlain

Outlining the reasons for Uganda’s decision, General Kainerugaba, the president’s son, said in a post on X this morning: ‘In order not to be construed as being opposed to His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom, whom we deeply revere, Uganda hereby withdraws from the Invictus Games. 

‘We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval.’

Asked by The Times why he made the announcement, General Kainerugaba said: ‘I have factions in the Ministry of Defence that support that Harry-Meghan nonsense. I had to quash it straight away. I support the monarch. Period.’

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Veteran royal reporter Richard Palmer described the intervention as ‘extraordinary’. 

Two months ago, Uganda’s defence minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka posed for photographs with a smiling Harry at an Invictus Games gathering in London.

During the ceremony at Chatham House on July 7, Uganda was announced as the 26th country to join the competition and the first from east Africa.

Harry posed for a picture with Uganda’s delegates and held a roundel with the nation’s name – making the guests laugh as he jokingly held it like a frisbee. 

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Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the ordeal today. But it is understood that the King – who is the Head and Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces – encourages all organisations and endeavours in support of wounded service personnel.  

General Kainerugaba’s father Yoweri Museveni, whom he hopes to succeed as president, described Charles as ‘our good friend in the conservation of nature’ in a condolence message following the death of the late Queen in September 2022.

Mr Museveni also sent a congratulatory message for his coronation eight months later in May 2023, citing ‘brotherly and cordial relations’ between Britain and Uganda.

The late Queen made the last visit by a UK monarch to Uganda in 2007, when she attended a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala with Philip.

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It is understood that Harry and Meghan’s team were notified about the release of Charles’ letter on Monday at 1.59pm, around an hour before it was sent to the media.

Team Sussex sent a response back to Buckingham Palace at 2.19pm asking whether the guidance had already gone out, in the hope of letting the duke and duchess know ahead of the media, and for the team to have the chance to clarify one or two points.  

Meanwhile, Harry, who was pictured at Tower Bridge Studios in London in an Instagram post by the recording studios on Monday, was in a meeting and could not be contacted until 3.09pm when he was told a letter had been drafted and his team were seeking guidance on whether it had been distributed.

Prince Harry meets a delegation from Uganda during at an event at Chatham House in London on July 8 as the country was announced the newest Invictus Games community member

Prince Harry meets a delegation from Uganda during at an event at Chatham House in London on July 8 as the country was announced the newest Invictus Games community member

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Prince Harry and Invictus boss Rob Owen, left, present a commemorative plaque in London in July to Kiryowa Kiwanuka, second left, Uganda's defence minister

Prince Harry and Invictus boss Rob Owen, left, present a commemorative plaque in London in July to Kiryowa Kiwanuka, second left, Uganda’s defence minister

Prince Harry and Meghan at a David Foster Foundation event in Canada on August 7

Prince Harry and Meghan at a David Foster Foundation event in Canada on August 7

Team Sussex then received confirmation at 3.11pm it had already been sent to the media. A spokesman for Harry and Meghan said: ‘We were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance.’

The disclosure of the private behind-the-scenes dealings is likely to fuel speculation of growing tension between the Sussexes and the Royal Household, just two weeks after Harry and Meghan returned to the UK.

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The letter was revealed ahead of a reported meeting this week of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which is responsible for making decisions about royal security.

Harry is waiting to hear the conclusion of the Risk Management Board’s threat assessment and Ravec is expected to decide at the meeting as to whether the Sussex family should be entitled to taxpayer-funded security now they live in the UK.

Lord Benyon’s letter reiterated the King’s stance in August, when Harry and Meghan announced their return, that there would be no alteration to their role and status as private individuals and non-working royals.

It read: ‘It follows that there is no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used.

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‘The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity. In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.’

The Sussexes stepped down as working royals in 2020 and moved to the US for a new life of personal and financial freedom.

But the couple have now moved back to the UK for an ‘extended period’, enrolling their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in British schools.

There are also rumours that Meghan is set for a return to acting following the move

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Trump puts a date on when he believes Iran war will end as he looks to rally sinking Republicans: ‘They can’t hold out’

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President Donald Trump speaks to the media before boarding Air Force One for a trip to the Republican National Midterm Convention, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland,

President Donald Trump has once again predicted an end to the Iran war as he headed to Dallas to rally Republicans ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Unsurprisingly he delivered a politically favorable prediction.  

‘I think the war’s going to immediately end after the election,’ Trump told reporters on Wednesday, because the Iranians ‘can’t hold out any longer.’

The comment comes as the unpopularity of the Iran war looms over the president’s party as it faces losing both the US House and Senate this fall. 

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The Iran war has now lasted more than six months and claimed the lives of 18 American service members.

It has also  become the heaviest political weight his party carries. 

Sixty-eight percent of Americans disapprove of his handling of it, according to a UMass Amherst poll taken in late August.

An NBC News survey finished on September 1 put approval of Trump’s Iran policy at just 31 percent. 

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President Donald Trump speaks to the media before boarding Air Force One for a trip to the Republican National Midterm Convention, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland,

A still image from undated archive footage released by Iranian media on August 24, 2026, shows Mojtaba Khamenei attending a meeting before he assumed the role of Iran's Supreme Leader, at an unknown location

A still image from undated archive footage released by Iranian media on August 24, 2026, shows Mojtaba Khamenei attending a meeting before he assumed the role of Iran’s Supreme Leader, at an unknown location

An Iranian crude oil carrier identified as M/T Riesco burns after being struck, which US Central Command says it targeted after attempted Iranian missile attacks on a US Navy warship over the past two days, at an unknown location in this still image taken from video released September 8, 2026

An Iranian crude oil carrier identified as M/T Riesco burns after being struck, which US Central Command says it targeted after attempted Iranian missile attacks on a US Navy warship over the past two days, at an unknown location in this still image taken from video released September 8, 2026

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It remains to be seen if Trump mentions the war in his convention speech later Wednesday.

In true Trumpian fashion, the president will speak both nights of the Dallas convention.

But the guest list tells its own story about Trump’s cratering popularity.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is not speaking, a snub that follows Trump’s frustration with the South Dakotan over stalled pieces of his agenda, even as other House and Senate leaders were handed slots.

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Several candidates in the country’s most competitive races are also skipping the main stage, among them Maine’s Republican Senator Susan Collins, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson who is running for the US Senate in Iowa, and John E Sununu, the Republican nominee trying to flip New Hampshire’s Senate seat red.

Most prognosticators expect Democrats to win back the US House of Representatives, but the Senate will be tougher with battleground races in Maine, Ohio, Michigan and Alaska set to determine control.

Trump’s own trip to Texas was delayed Wednesday after his new Qatari-gifted Air Force One deployed its emergency evacuation slide.

Pressed on whether the aircraft was safe to fly, Trump responded: ‘Yeah, I am, or I wouldn’t be on it.’

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Minutes after the oddity unfolded, the slide was reportedly seen being taken away from the new plane gifted to Trump from Qatar.

After speaking with the press for a prolonged period as the slide was being dealt with, the President boarded the plane as the cameras were still rolling. 

President Donald Trump steps off Air Force One on September 9th, 2026 at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Texas. Trump is traveling to Dallas to attend the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention where he is scheduled to deliver the keynote address

President Donald Trump steps off Air Force One on September 9th, 2026 at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Texas. Trump is traveling to Dallas to attend the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention where he is scheduled to deliver the keynote address

Air Force personnel remove an emergency inflatable slide after it deployed on Air Force One before President Donald Trump arrived to board at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland

Air Force personnel remove an emergency inflatable slide after it deployed on Air Force One before President Donald Trump arrived to board at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland

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Vice President JD Vance was pressed about the case of one Air Force widow at Thursday’s White House briefing, when a CNN reporter asked him to make sure the family received its benefits.

The widow of a US soldier killed in the Iran war shared online that she was told her family would miss out on combat benefits because the Pentagon, under Pete Hegseth’s leadership, does not officially classify the conflict as a war.

Libby Klinner said that when she questioned her husband’s final paycheck, the officer assigned to support her after his death told her the family would not receive hazard pay or combat-related tax breaks because ‘we were not at war.’

Her husband, Major Alex Klinner, 33, died on March 12 when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq while supporting US operations against Iran. The Alabama-based airman served with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron and was among six crew members killed in the crash.

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He left behind three young children; a two-year-old son and twins who were seven months old when he died.

The couple married in 2019, with Libby moving to the Pacific Northwest for his job before they relocated to Birmingham, Alabama, in 2022.

‘My husband lost his life because we’re in a war,’ she told the Associated Press. ‘It all comes down to principle.’

After her statement circulated online, the Air Force contacted her again and said it had itemized her husband’s benefits incorrectly, and that combat pay and tax exclusions were in fact included.

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Klinner said officials acknowledged on Thursday they had provided her inaccurate information and confirmed she had received everything her husband was owed.

Vance asked for Klinner’s name and promised the administration would contact her directly after the briefing.

‘We want to be as helpful as we can and ensure she gets everything that she is entitled to,’ he said.

Elsewhere in the briefing, Vance disputed calling the Iran conflict a war, saying there was ‘no active shooting’, although he acknowledged places where fighting had flared up.

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Senior commanders warned Hegseth that prolonged Iran operations could weaken US defenses elsewhere, including at home, the Washington Post reported last week.

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Best friends build six-figure business booked to late 2026

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Best friends build six-figure business booked to late 2026

Chad Scatchard and Max Scott launched Elegant Projects Ltd earlier this year, offering renovations, extensions and full refurbishments across Thirsk, Northallerton and surrounding areas.

In just a few months, the pair have secured enough work to fill their schedule until late 2026 and have opened their first office in Thirsk.

Mr Scatchard said: “People sadly expect tradespeople to cut corners or take the easy route.

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“We’re proving that wrong on every job.

“Max and I have complementary skills, what one of us spots, the other checks.

“Nothing gets missed.”

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Mr Scott, who grew up in the construction industry, said their upbringing shaped the way they work.

He said: “We know what good work looks like, and we know what customers actually want – clear communication, no mess left behind, and the job done properly the first time.”

Unlike single-trade contractors, both men are multi-skilled, allowing them to manage entire projects in-house without the need for separate electricians, plasterers, or carpenters.

Their services cover everything from small building jobs to single-storey extensions and full property transformations.

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A key part of their approach is transparency.

Elegant Projects offers fixed-price quotes with no hidden costs and places a strong emphasis on customer communication.

Mr Scatchard said: “We’ve had customers tell us they’ve never had builders communicate like we do.

“That shouldn’t be rare.

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“It should be standard.”

Mr Scott credits his entrepreneurial spirit to his father, Stuart Scott, who built a business empire in the home improvement sector and has invested in their venture.

Mr Scott said: “My dad built a business up from nothing and he was my inspiration to do the same.”

However, the pair were determined to build something of their own.

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Mr Scatchard said: “We wanted to prove we could do this ourselves, not because anyone doubted us, but because we needed to know we could build something from scratch.

“Every client we win, every project we complete, that’s ours and we’re proud of that.”

Elegant Projects Ltd is now exploring grant funding to expand into larger commercial projects.

The company is currently accepting new project enquiries for early 2027, though a recently hired building team has limited availability for 2026.

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Their growth comes as the construction industry faces a chronic skills shortage.

The Construction Industry Training Board estimates that an additional 251,500 workers are needed by 2028 to meet national demand.

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Mikel Arteta ‘rages’ at three Arsenal players during Champions League win over Napoli | Football

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Mikel Arteta 'rages' at three Arsenal players during Champions League win over Napoli | Football
Mikel Arteta during Arsenal’s win over Napoli (Picture: Getty)

Mikel Arteta was seen ‘raging’ at three of his players during Arsenal’s Champions League win over Napoli.

The Gunners won all eight of their European league phase games last season and made an impressive start to this season’s campaign, beating Napoli 1-0 in Italy.

Arsenal were the better side throughout but it looked as though their wastefulness in front of goal would cost them the three points until in-form Martin Odegaard popped up with a 75th-minute winner.

Arteta was impressed with his team’s performance out in Naples and said his only disappointment was their inability to kill the game off sooner.

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‘We fully deserved the three points,’ Arteta told TNT Sports after the game. ‘The performance probably doesn’t reflect the result, the team was superb.

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‘We showed quality in a lot of moments to break them down and it was a shame because we missed so many great chances.

‘On any other day the result would be different. We should have done it in a different way because of the amount of chances we created but we got the win in the end.’

Martin Odegaard fired Arsenal past Napoli (Picture: Getty)

On Odegaard’s latest influential performance, Arteta added: ‘Martin is contributing with goals that are impacting results which is what we want from our attacking players.

‘We want them to be decisive and certainly he was again today.’

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While Arteta returned to north London a happy man, he was left ‘absolutely raging’ at three of his players as they looked to kill the game off.

Odegaard celebrates Arsenal’s European win (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal wasted a glorious chance to score a second late on and TNT Sports co-commentator Lucy Ward noticed Arteta screaming at Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Christos Tzolis to track back as Napoli attempted to counter.

‘Mikel Arteta was absolutely raging on the sidelines that Havertz, Madueke and Tzolis weren’t recovering after that attack,’ she said.

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‘It was so interesting. As the Arsenal attack finished, those three all sort of ambled back, and Mikel Arteta ran down the sidelines and shouted at them to recover.’

Arsenal, who reached the Champions League final last season while lifting the Premier League trophy, have now won all five of their first games of the 2026-27 campaign.

Assessing Arsenal’s performance against Italian giants Napoli, Arteta added: ‘I’m very, very happy.

‘A really tough place to come and a really different environment to play football – a beautiful one, by the way – against a really good team.

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‘I love the way we attacked the game, the way we competed, the hunger that we showed, the desire to dominate, to come here, to own the pitch, and the quality that we showed against a team that it’s so difficult to create chances against.

‘We created a huge amount of them and the result doesn’t reflect what we saw on the pitch.

‘The players were immense, and to play with that personality, with that conviction and with that quality in the Champions League away from home, it’s something that I’m extremely pleased about.’

Arsenal’s next Champions League fixture is against Ligue 1 side Lille after the upcoming international break.

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Joe Cole surprised by ‘unbelievable’ Chelsea signing | Football

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Joe Cole surprised by 'unbelievable' Chelsea signing | Football
Chelsea legend Joe Cole (Picture: Getty)

Joe Cole insists he’s ‘not been this excited’ about Chelsea ‘for a long time’ and has praised ‘unbelievable’ summer signing Morgan Rogers.

Cole’s former club finished just 10th in the Premier League last season, failing to qualify for any European competition and going through two permanent managers.

The potentially shrewd appointment of former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso over the summer improved the mood at Stamford Bridge, as did some high-profile signings.

Chelsea’s biggest signing of the summer was a stunning £117m deal for Morgan Rogers which made the England star the most expensive British player of all time.

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Alonso’s side began the 2026-27 season with three successive wins, beating Fulham and Brighton in the Premier League and Luton Town in the Carabao Cup.

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Chelsea suffered their first defeat of the season at the weekend, losing 2-1 to reigning champions Arsenal, but responded with a thrilling 6-3 win over Leeds United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

An impressive start to the season has left Cole hugely ‘excited’ about Chelsea’s potential, with the Blues boasting ‘as good’ a front-three as anyone in the Premier League.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - September 6, 2026 Chelsea's Morgan Rogers celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Tony O Brien EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..
Chelsea’s £117m summer signing Morgan Rogers (Picture: Reuters)
Chelsea beat Leeds 6-3 in a cup thriller (Picture: Getty)

‘I thought it was a sensational game,’ Cole said on talkSPORT when asked about Chelsea’s narrow defeat to Arsenal. ‘I’ve not been this excited about a Chelsea team for a long time.

‘The front-three are blistering… I knew Morgan Rogers was a top player but he’s been unbelievable. He’s so powerful and the energy to get into the box from midfield is fantastic.

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‘Chelsea didn’t have much possession against Arsenal but they look like they can carve teams open at any moment. There’s still problems defensively but I’m just excited.

Xabi Alonso took over at Chelsea in the summer (Picture: Getty)

‘If you add Moises Caicedo into that team at the weekend, I think Chelsea get something out of the game.

‘Our front-three now is as good as anything in the Premier League and that’s the first time in a long time I’ve been able to say that.’

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Chelsea were on course for a disappointing Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Leeds, who took a 2-0 lead at Stamford Bridge through Tarik Muharemovic and Brenden Aaronson.

But Alonso’s side scored four goals in 12 second-half minutes to turn the tie around, Cole Palmer netting a quickfire brace before Pedro Neto and Danny Welbeck got on the scoresheet, with Rogers playing a part in three of those.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave the visitors renewed belief with Leeds’ third but late goals from Valentin Barco and Welbeck sent Chelsea into the fourth round.

‘I’m happy with the result and the reaction,’ Alonso said after an eventful cup tie. ‘There was so many changes, that was a risk.

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‘Things weren’t going the way we planned, so we had to change. I take responsibility with the first half. The players that came on made an impact, for sure.’

Chelsea talisman Palmer added: ‘The boss told us to up the intensity at half-time. He thought the first half was flat, so we upped the tempo.

‘Leeds are a good team so it wasn’t easy but we stepped it up. I think we still have a bit to go, but we are getting results which is the main thing.’

Chelsea, currently sitting fourth in the Premier League, return to action on Saturday against newly-promoted Hull City.

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Family pay tribute to ‘much loved’ cyclist killed in Port Glasgow crash

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Daily Record

The family of cyclist Iain McTavish have paid tribute to the 46-year-old after he was killed in a crash on the A8, in a crash that injured three others.

The family of a cyclist killed in a horror crash while out training with teamates on the A8 have paid tribute to a “much loved” man who was a highly accomplished rider.

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Iain McTavish, 46, died after a collision involving a blue Ford C-Max Zetec and three cyclists on the westbound carriageway between the Langbank and Woodhead roundabouts at around 7.10pm on Tuesday, September 8.

Emergency services attended but Iain, who was riding one of the bicycles, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His devastated family said he had studied at Glasgow University, where he gained an MA honours and Masters in Philosophy.

They said Iain was also a “very active cyclist” who competed in events across Scotland and was “much loved” by those who knew him.

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In a statement released by Police Scotland, they said: “Iain studied at Glasgow University and gained an MA honours and Masters in Philosophy.

“He was a very active cyclist who competed in events throughout Scotland.

“He was much loved and a valuable member of the community. I will miss him every day.”

Iain was a member of Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club and had been out on a training ride with fellow cyclists when the crash happened.

His death has also prompted an outpouring of tributes from across Scotland’s cycling community.

Johnstone Wheelers described Iain as “one of cycling’s good guys” following the tragedy.

The club shared a photograph of Iain taking part in a group ride just days before his death.

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In a social media tribute, they said: “Today we’re all reeling from the awful news yesterday. Iain McTavish was killed yesterday evening whilst riding with the bunch.

“This will take a long time to sink in and process, but for now suffice it to say that we are devastated at the loss of one of cycling’s good guys. Here he is at the forefront of the Thursday bunch. RIP Iain”

Scottish Cycling also paid tribute to the 46-year-old, describing him as a “vital member” of the community and a “stalwart” of the Renfrew bunch and Georgetown TTs.

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The organisation said Iain had attended every round of Track League last year and had also served as rider representative on its committee.

They described him as a “reliable and friendly face” who could always be counted on to turn up for a ride.

Two other male cyclists, aged 37 and 27, were taken to hospital following the collision.

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The 33-year-old male driver of the Ford C-Max was also taken to hospital but has since been released.

Police Scotland said enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the crash.

Sergeant Jack Swindells said: “Our thoughts are with Iain’s family at what is an extremely difficult time for them.

“Enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances and we are continuing to appeal to anyone who witnessed the crash to come forward.

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“If you were driving in the area at the time, please check any dash-cam footage to see if it has captured anything which could assist our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 2967 of Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

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Channel 4 The Jury’s Cambridge star shares ‘intense’ impact of series after verdict struggle

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A Cambridge care worker has opened up about his emotional experience on Channel 4’s The Jury

A Cambridge care worker has revealed the huge pressure he faced after finding himself at the centre of Channel 4’s gripping murder trial experiment.

James, 29, was chosen to sit on the jury in the latest series of The Jury – and ended up taking on the added responsibility of becoming its foreperson. Rather than spending his days looking after people, James was placed in a mock courtroom environment and asked to consider evidence in a recreated murder trial alongside fellow members of the public.

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The experience became particularly challenging when the group had to leave the courtroom and decide what verdict they believed was justified. James has now described the deliberations as some of the hardest the programme has seen.

Speaking to Cambridge Live, he said it was one of the toughest deliberations the show had seen across its previous two seasons, admitting that the jury found it extremely difficult to reach an agreement.

James was also given an important role within the group after being voted in as the jury’s foreperson. That meant the Cambridge contestant had the responsibility of helping guide discussions while also making sure every member had the opportunity to give their view.

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The case featured in the latest series involves two brothers accused of killing their stepfather following allegations of abuse and violence within the family. The names of the defendants have been changed for the programme, with the teenage brother known as Daniel and his older brother as Luke.

Among the evidence the jury were given, included the chaotic and untidy condition the children were living in, which appeared to be a sensitive subject for jury member James.

He admitted that the trial was “close to home” as he said: “It was way more intense than I ever imagined, because it was really close to home.

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“Obviously minus the crime, because I’m not a murderer, but I went through a lot of the things that the kids went through at home before they actually committed the act. Obviously, not to the extent.”

He went on: “However, it was a very visceral and surreal experience for me because it took me back to places I hadn’t been for a long time and sort of boxed away. But actually, at the same time, it was liberating.”

James added that the experience forced him to confront personal issues he had previously kept hidden, but said he ultimately learned a great deal about himself. Despite how intense he found the process, he described taking part as a “really, really good experience.”

You can stream the new season of The Jury on Channel 4

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King’s unexpected letter blamed for setback to Harry’s Invictus Games

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Another twist in the ongoing saga between the King, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has unfolded today

Uganda has pulled out of Prince Harry’s Invictus Games as a ‘consequence’ of the King’s cutting letter on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s royal status, a source has claimed.

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On Monday ‘guidance’ was issued by Buckingham Palace on behalf of the King, declaring the couple have not returned to the UK as working royals.

A spokesperson for the Sussexes hit back at the announcement, claiming: “We were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance” with the publication of the letter said to be catching the returning Sussexes off-guard.

Now Uganda will no longer be taking part in the Games, the country’s military chief has said, out of respect for King Charles amid division over the “Harry-Meghan nonsense”, reports the Mirror.

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However, a source close to the Sussex’s camp told ITV: “Intended or unintended, this is clearly a consequence of the Lord Chamberlain’s guidance regarding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that was rushed out without consultation on Monday.

“Sadly, the only people who will suffer are the Invictus Games competitors.”

The withdrawal was announced on social media by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of the Ugandan president.

He wrote: “In order not to be construed as being opposed to His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom, whom we deeply revere, Uganda hereby withdraws from the Invictus Games. We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval.”

Speaking to The Times, General Kainerugaba he made the decision to withdraw from the Games due to his support for King Charles.

He said: “I have factions in the Ministry of Defence that support that Harry-Meghan nonsense. I had to quash it straight away. I support the monarch. Period.”

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On Monday the King issued a letter to “senior stakeholders” where he made it clear – despite being back in the UK – his son and Meghan should be considered “private citizens”.

In a firm letter statement on his behalf, it stated the Sussexes’ should not use their HRH styles, which are still in abeyance, and they “do not represent the sovereign” while out making public appearances.

It was sent under the King’s instruction by his most senior official, the Lord Chamberlain, to offer clarity over Harry and Meghan’s royal status after requests for guidance. It has been sent to those in government, the military and lord lieutenants up and down the country.

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Leading up to the Sussexes’ return to Britain, the King was said to be glad to be able to spend more time with the family, but remained adamant they would not be working royals and there was no half-in, half-out option.

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