Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has been open about his disappointment after the Reds failed to initiate contract talks with the Argentina star in the summer

Alexis Mac Allister has dropped another hint that he may not stay at Liverpool beyond his current contract after insisting that nothing has been decided when it comes to his long-term future.

The Argentina midfielder dropped a bombshell earlier this month when he admitted he had been left ‘very sad’ to have not been offered a new deal by the club over the summer unlike team-mates Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch.

Mac Allister’s comments fuelled speculation that the former Brighton man was considering his future with his contract now having less than two years to run.

The 27-year-old insists that is not the case – but he also failed to offer any guarantees that he would be at Anfield beyond those terms.

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Mac Allister told ESPN: “There isn’t a final decision set in stone. The reality is that I still have two years left on my contract.”

He continued: “I’m going to give my absolute best. I have two years left, and a lot can happen in two years, there are plenty of possibilities

“From my side, I really enjoy being where I am. Hopefully, I’ll stay for more years, but if it ends up being just two, that’s fine too.”

Mac Allister has cemented his reputation as one of the Premier League’s finest midfielders since joining the Reds for a bargain £35million fee in the summer of 2023, becoming a key figure under Jurgen Klopp and then his successor, Arne Slot.

He revealed there were opportunities for him to leave the club in the summer transfer window whilst speaking about his future before Liverpool’s Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid, adding that there were no talks with him directly.

“There was no direct conversation with me, it was with my agent,” Mac Allister said earlier this month. “I don’t want to say things they never said, but what I got from my agent is they weren’t in a position to renew me.

“It’s really sad, we won Premier League together and went through difficult times together and I will always give my best. We will see what happens but of course it makes me sad.”

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Professor Celestine Iwendi, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Greater Manchester and Head of the Centre of Intelligence of Things, argues that AI is already transforming society and that the UK risks falling behind if it fails to embrace the technology.

The internationally recognised expert, who has more than 25 years of professional and academic experience and has been recognised by the Royal Academy of Engineering under its Exceptional Talent Scheme, believes artificial intelligence is no longer a technology of the future.

“AI is the future and the present at the same time,” he said.

Why slowing AI down would be a “blunder”

Professor Iwendi’s comments come as governments, academics and technology leaders continue to debate how artificial intelligence should be regulated.

First Secretary Louise Haigh warned that artificial intelligence poses “huge risks” to national security unless the proper protections are put in place.

Ms Haigh, who serves as the Government’s de facto deputy prime minister, acknowledged that AI has the potential to transform public services, drive economic growth and accelerate scientific progress.

However, she said people were right to be concerned about the speed of technological change and argued that the Government has a “solemn duty” to intervene where necessary.

The professor says he supports safeguards and oversight, and rejects suggestions that the pace of development should be deliberately slowed.

He described such an approach as a “blunder”.

“Regulation is fine, but regulation should not replace funding,” he said.

“You can’t be saying regulation while others are doing something in the back.”

According to Professor Iwendi, countries that reduce investment in artificial intelligence risk being overtaken by nations that continue to develop and adopt the technology.

Rather than restricting innovation, he believes policymakers should focus on ensuring investment, education and responsible oversight keep pace with advances in the sector.

The new centre was opened with a special conference on artificial intelligence (Image: University of Bolton)

Bringing AI to everyone

At the University of Greater Manchester, Professor Iwendi has helped develop what he calls “Applied AI”, an approach designed to make artificial intelligence accessible regardless of academic background.

The concept allows students from subjects including law, psychology, criminology and statistics to learn how AI can be applied within their own disciplines.

“I created what we call Applied AI,” he said.

“Applied AI means you don’t need to know anything about AI.

“We have people from law, people from psychology, people from statistics, people from criminology.

“The aim is you don’t need to know AI, the model, to come in.”

Alongside university courses, Professor Iwendi has also developed shorter programmes aimed at professionals from a range of industries, helping them understand how artificial intelligence can support their work without requiring extensive technical knowledge.

Students around the country have been found to have been using ChatGPT (Image: Getty)

The workers who should be worried

One of the most common concerns surrounding artificial intelligence is its impact on employment.

From office-based roles to creative industries, fears have grown that AI could eventually replace large sections of the workforce.

He said: “People say AI will take my job so that is why we have to slow down or AI will take the music and I say no, AI would take the job of those who do not know AI.

“It’s as simple as that.”

He said the priority should be ensuring people have opportunities to learn how to use AI effectively rather than preventing its adoption altogether.
Rather than resisting the technology, he believes workers should focus on understanding how to use it effectively.

According to the professor, AI literacy will become an increasingly important workplace skill as organisations across multiple sectors adopt new tools and technologies.

The new centre was opened with a special conference on artificial intelligence (Image: University of Bolton)

If AI falls into the wrong hands

For Professor Iwendi, the implications of artificial intelligence extend far beyond employment.

He believes AI has become a matter of international competitiveness, security and global influence.

The professor warned that countries that fail to understand and utilise the technology could become increasingly dependent on those that do.

“The truth is, if AI falls into the wrong hands and you don’t know what to do, you will definitely be a subordinate,” he said.

“You will definitely be under the people who have AI.”

He believes world leaders must work together to establish common agreements governing the development and use of artificial intelligence.

“I believe the world leaders need to come together,” he said.

“There must be an agreement. Now there is not.”

Agreeing with the King?

Despite his views that AI should not be slowed down, Professor Inwendi backed King Charles’ recent call for careful stewardship when it comes to who controls the data and which safeguards are in place.

At a summit at Dumfries House on September 17, the King warned of the “existential dangers” of AI systems falling into the wrong hands, as he addressed tech leaders from around the world.

Reacting to concerns about AI being misused or falling into the wrong hands, Prof Iwendi said the debate must move beyond excitement about what AI can do to a deeper discussion about who controls it, who controls the data, and who remains accountable when AI systems make consequential decisions.

“The King’s concern is timely.

“AI is extraordinarily powerful, but power without governance can become dangerous.

“We must ask: who owns the data, who trains the systems, who has access, and where is the human in the loop?”

He added that countries should not respond by trying to stop innovation, but by investing in responsible AI, sovereign data capability, strong regulation, cybersecurity, education and human oversight.

“AI will continue to advance.

“The answer is not to slow innovation unnecessarily, but to make sure innovation is safe, transparent, explainable and used for the benefit of society.

“We must prevent powerful AI capabilities from being exploited for fraud, cybercrime, manipulation or other harmful purposes.”

Prof Iwendi said the challenge for governments is therefore twofold: accelerate national AI capability while simultaneously strengthening safeguards, accountability and public trust.

“Human beings must remain at the centre of the AI revolution.”

Human oversight remains essential

Despite his enthusiasm for the technology, Professor Iwendi stressed that ethical safeguards remain crucial.

He said regulation is important not because AI should be slowed down, but because public trust depends on the technology being used responsibly.

“When there is no regulation, it panics people like us because anything can happen,” he said.

“But ethics keeps us regulated.”

He also believes human involvement must remain central to important decision-making processes.

“It’s not to say leave everything to automate, there must be humans.

“If there is no human in the loop, there will be a problem.”

AI-powered X-ray decision-support system will read chest X-rays to identify potential lung cancer (Image: Bolton NHS FT)

Transforming healthcare

Professor Iwendi believes some of the biggest opportunities for AI can already be seen in healthcare.

From disease detection to predictive technology, he says artificial intelligence is helping researchers and medical professionals identify patterns and risks that may previously have gone unnoticed.

“AI is helping in every sector,” he said.

“That is why I can confidently say there will not be an epidemic again that will surprise the world because of AI because with AI we can know; we can predict before anything happens.”

He believes predictive technologies will play an increasingly important role in helping societies prepare for future health challenges and improve patient outcomes.

While experts continue to debate the extent of AI’s future capabilities, Professor Iwendi sees healthcare as one of the sectors where its impact is already becoming evident.

Investment and education

Professor Iwendi also called for greater investment in universities carrying out AI research and innovation.

He argued that institutions outside traditional research powerhouses should not be overlooked when funding decisions are made.

“Big things happen in small schools,” he said.

“They need to invest money, they need to look at those schools where things are happening, where ideas have been generated, where things are real solutions and where real-life impacts have been made.”

Looking ahead, he believes education systems will need to evolve to reflect the increasingly important role artificial intelligence will play in people’s lives and careers.

“All curriculums need to be changed,” he said.

For Professor Iwendi, the challenge facing society is not whether artificial intelligence should continue to develop, but whether governments, businesses and individuals are prepared to understand it, invest in it and use it responsibly.

It comes as the council’s cabinet approved an ambitious new plan they say will help the city overtake the likes of Manchester and Liverpool.

The new ‘city plan’ includes a proposals to boost the city’s economy amid fears it is falling behind rival cities across the country.

Also planned is a major expansion of council housing to help deal with a North East-wide homelessness crisis is also high on the agenda, with a recent report finding that 43,000 households across the region are either homeless or living in unsuitable accommodation.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting of the cabinet, portfolio holder for the economy Coun Owen Burbidge said: “If Newcastle does well regionally, the rest of the region will benefit. We’re unashamedly trying to be the regional capital for the north east and that will give us the opportunity for the whole region to prosper.

“This plan gives us the opportunity to articulate what Newcastle is, to articulate to our residents how we will build the Newcastle that gives them opportunities and improves their communities, while helping us to reduce the inequalities we’re seeing between different communities. It’s a really important starting point, but it’s not the end of that journey.

“It’s an opportunity to make Newcastle a place people chose to invest in. hopefully we will see investment trickling down and residents will feel the benefit of that.”

The likes of Manchester as well as Liverpool, Leeds, and Sheffield are said to have been growing economically at faster rates than Newcastle. The plan also includes promises to put more investment into youth services, reduce anti-social behaviour, and strengthen support for small businesses.

The previous Labour administration failed to garner enough support for its own council plan last year. The Liberal Democrats came to power under a minority administration at the council after May’s local elections, and as such other parties have had an input on the proposals.

Green Party leader Coun Nick Hartley, who sits on the cabinet as an observer, said: “Not only has this been cross-party, it has the voice of residents. That is why we have got a plan we can all get behind.

“This has been such a success of cross-party communications. Putting city ahead of party starts to change the way people engage with the council.

“Cross-party working has brought the best of us across the chamber and it has brought councillors together. All political parties have had the opportunity to shape this and all parties in the chamber have something to point to as a result.”

The cabinet unanimously agreed to endorse the plan. It will now need to be approved by the city council as a whole to be put in place.

Deputy leader of the council Coun Mark Mitchell added: “This is only the first of three actions. This is the plan – there is them delivery of the plan, which will be coming fairly soon, and how we actively report to the council and to residents, so they know this is not just a document that goes to the printers and then sits on a shelf, but is something that sets how the council operates day by day, week by week.”

The developers propose a ’20-minute neighbourhood’

A new “mixed-use community” with thousands of new homes, a new country park and local facilities could be built in a huge new development. Pigeon and Lands Improvement are bringing forward proposals for ‘Cambridge South’.

The Cambridge South site extends to around 190-hectares and is bordered by the M11 to the west, the Cambridge railway line to the south, Great Shelford to the east and Trumpington to the north. The proposed site is within a 15-minute walk of Cambridge South station, the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC) and the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway.

According to the new Cambridge South website, the development would deliver a “mixed use community located to the south of Cambridge”. It adds: “Our ambition is to create a well-connected, sustainable place that responds to local needs and opportunities, helping more people live close to jobs, services and green space.”

If approved, the development would deliver:

• Around 4,000 new homes, including 50 per cent affordable housing
• Homes for Cambridge Biomedical Campus key workers
• A new country park along the River Cam
• Direct access to Cambridge South station and the Guided Busway
• New walking and cycling connections
• A ‘20-minute neighbourhood’, with schools, healthcare, shops and community facilities

The Cambridge South proposals are still at an early stage and no planning application has formally been submitted yet. Pigeon and Lands Improvement are asking people to have their say and share their feedback. Two public exhibitions are being held so locals can find out more about the emerging plans.

The first one is due to be held on Monday, October 5 at Shelford Rugby Club in Great Shelford and the second will be held on Saturday, October 10 at Little Shelford Memorial Hall.

‘I can’t even really just unpack and settle’

Cambridge students have been left ‘frustrated’ after being told they can’t move into their new room before the new term starts. A number of University of Cambridge students are unable to move into their accomodation due to construction delays at their college.

The students were due to move into their accomodation at Fitzwilliam College on October 3. Now, they have been told their move in date has been postponed – and they will need to move into a different room, then move again two weeks later.

Fitzwilliam College, which was founded in 1869, is currently undergoing a £13m renovation of its student rooms which will include providing an ensuite. The college informed affected students in an email last week that they would not be able to move into their accommodation before term begins.

The email sent by the Bursar and Senior Tutor of the Cambridge College informed students that rooms would not be available until October 16 . The students will be offered “an alternative college-owned bedroom” which does not exceed the rent for their selected room. Students have been told “it is not possible to allocate a similar room type to all residents.”

A college spokesperson informed The Cambridge Tab that, under college’s ANUK accommodation accreditation, the college will pay “a level of compensation” to each student, which it anticipates will be £400. One affected student told The Cambridge Tab they were “very selective” about the accommodation they chose and now feel they could “end up in any kind of place.”

They said: “It’s also that period where we’re all supposed to be settling in with lectures. Instead I’m in some whole other place and I know I’m going to have to move all my stuff all over again.

“So I can’t even really just unpack and settle. I’ve spoken to [other] people in my block, and they’re also very frustrated.”

A Fitzwilliam College spokesperson said: “The college is in the final stages of a £13m renovation and new build of student accommodation to provide full ensuite rooms.

“The work will result in a major step in the decarbonisation of the college estate. The finalisation of the project means that approximately 65 per cent of the rooms will be returned at the start of the academic year (for the newly arriving first years).

“The rest of the accommodation will become available during Michaelmas term. The nature of the project has been that the college has recently finalised the arrangements with the contractor regarding timing of rooms being returned. The college has encouraged students to reach out should they have any questions or issues.”

The spokesperson added the college has “looked to ensure that students are placed in accommodation that meets their needs in term of facilities and that they are not disadvantaged financially.”

The University of Cambridge has been contacted for comment

The force said spiking involves giving someone drugs or alcohol without their knowledge or permission and can take a number of forms, including adding substances to drinks, food, cigarettes or e-cigarettes.

Police also warned of needle spiking, where drugs are injected into someone’s body using a needle or injector pen.

GMP said giving someone stronger drinks than they have agreed to, such as serving double measures instead of singles, can also amount to spiking.

The force is encouraging anyone who believes they may have been spiked to seek medical help, alert venue staff and report the incident to police as soon as possible and reminded the public that drugs can leave the body quickly, making early reporting crucial to any investigation.

They warned that symptoms can vary depending on what substance has been used and may be similar to the effects of excessive alcohol consumption, making it difficult for victims to know exactly what has happened.

The force stressed that anyone who suspects they have been spiked should still contact police, even if they are unsure.

A spokesperson said: “You are never wasting police time by reporting spiking, even if you are unsure.

“We are here to help you, and we will listen to you and take you seriously.”

As part of its advice, police are urging people on nights out to keep an eye on their drinks, look out for friends and avoid accepting drinks they have not seen being prepared.

The force also reassured people that concerns about having taken illegal drugs should not stop them from coming forward.

“Don’t let the fact that you may have taken illegal drugs put you off reporting.

“Unless driving, it is not illegal to have drugs in your system.

“We want to make sure you’re OK.”

Anyone who believes they have been spiked is encouraged to report it to police as soon as possible to help officers investigate and gather evidence.

By SHANE MCGRATH

Published: 07:36 BST, 22 September 2026 | Updated: 08:31 BST, 22 September 2026

The Israeli FA angrily took to social media on Monday to hit back at Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson’s comments when he used the word ‘genocide’ in previewing the upcoming fixtures.

The Icelandic boss used forceful language in defending his team as they prepare to take the field against a side that the Football Association of Ireland wanted to have suspended from competitions.

‘And I’ve said before, we’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide,’ he said at the weekend. ‘So, we’re playing against Israel. We’re not playing with Israel.’

As reports circulated that the Israelis were considering a complaint to UEFA, the Israeli FA posted on X on Monday night: ‘We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way,’ the post on X stated.

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‘Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by the Republic of Ireland team coach.

‘We’re not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity, we’re playing against the coach who embodies them.’

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Israel’s FA have accused Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson of ‘ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity’ after his ‘genocide’ comments

The Israeli FA are now set to report Hallgrimsson to UEFA.

The Ireland chief oversaw training at Abbotstown as he fine-tunes preparations for Thursday’s meeting with Kosovo in Pristina, but it’s the meeting with Israel in Debrecen in Hungary on Sunday, and in Backa Topola in Serbia a week later, that continue to dominate.

The Stop the Game campaign, meanwhile, published an open letter on Monday, signed by over 100 sporting figures, calling for the players not to fulfil the fixtures against Israel.

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Ciara Mageean, Louise Quinn, Tony Ward, Joe Brolly and Colm O’Rourke were among the signatories. The letter claims pressure was being applied to the players after attempts to influence governing bodies and the government came to nought.

‘The FAI, UEFA, and the Irish Government have all failed you by not taking decisive action and taking this out of your hands,’ it claimed.

The fire began in a derelict building in Brotherton, near Selby.

The A162 Old Great North Road has been closed both ways from Saddler’s Lane to Sutton Lane by emergency services.

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It comes after numerous crews from West Yorkshire, including fire and rescue teams from Selby, Tadcaster and York were called to the scene at 10.17pm on Monday (September 21).

Fire crews were seen tackling the blaze, with residents told to avoid the area and close their windows (Image: North Yorkshire Weather Updates)

The fire measured 25m by 20m, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

Residents were advised to avoid the area and keep their windows shut.

Crews were still battling the fire at 3.54am on Tuesday (September 22).

A service spokesperson said: “Good progress is being made to extinguish the fire.

“Further advice from the incident ground is for local residents and road users to avoid the A162 and Great North Road which are closed whilst this incident is ongoing.”