Aryna Sabalenka took issue with a reporter suggesting she had been partying in the lead up to the US Open – prompting a fiery response from the Belarusian

Aryna Sabalenka told a reporter at the US Open to “think before you speak” after taking issue with suggestions she was partying in the lead up to the tournament.

The World No 1 is the two-time defending champion in New York and has made light work of her opening two games, winning them both in straight sets in double quick time.

Sabalenka has been at the top of the women’s game for years and her personality has long made her a big draw for sponsors and brands. As a result she’s been involved in several activities prior to the US Open kicking off.

But the four-time Grand Slam champion took great issue when asked about whether she was now fully focused on the tournament because “obviously last week it’s lots of parties and fun and stuff like that..”

The 28-year-old immediately shook her head and responded: “You guys are like a joke. Parties. Fun. Why would you even say that? Why would you even think about that? Like, what kind of question is that? Just because I posted some activities with brands and you think that I’ve been partying?”

The reporter attempt to clarify that whilst parties were happening, he didn’t want to imply that Sabalenka herself was going to the parties, but she hit back: “You literally said that.”

Afterwards the reporter attempted to get Sabalenka back onside and asked: “Now that the tournaments started, do you find you’re getting quite serious and combative?”

But that only provoked an equally frustrated response and she said: “Oh yeah, I wasn’t serious before that. Next question.” After a pause she then went back and claimed: “Think before you say stuff.”

The exchange happened after Sabalenka had secured one of the quickest Grand Slam wins of her career with a 53-minute pummelling of US Open debutant Polina Iatcenko in the second round. She will now play Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round.

Sabalenka started the year in blistering form but has only reached one WTA semi-final in the past five months as she faces a battle to keep hold of top spot in the rankings.

Elena Rybakina, who beat Sabalenka to win the Australian Open, is eyeing the No 1 spot. Even if Sabalenka were to retain the title, Rybakina would still rise to the summit by reaching the semi-finals.

Becky Chorlton has made a living on reselling items online, and now claims she’s come across ‘the cheapest’ charity shop she’s ever been to, and it’s located in Manchester

A woman was baffled after visiting ‘the cheapest’ charity shop, with most items costing just 50p each, and it’s located on the outskirts of Manchester. While charity shopping and shopping second hand items has been on the rise in recent years, with many enjoying browsing through Vinted or their local charity shops for anything that catches their eye, many have also complained about the increasing prices in most charity shops, making items more expensive than previously.

But sometimes, you might still be able to find a true bargain worth more than you paid for it. Becky Chorlton, 28, from Cheshire often share her various visits to charity shops and car boot sales, as she has created a business of reselling the various things she finds on Vinted, which has earned her hundreds of thousands of pounds.

She also has an impressive following on social media, as viewers love to see the various ways she finds bargains in charity shops. Becky recently visited a charity shop in the outskirts of Manchester, which she went on to praise as one of the ‘cheapest charity shops in the entire world’, as she was left impressed by its offerings and low prices.

“This is not a drill because I genuinely think I’ve found the cheapest charity shop in the whole entire world,” Becky claimed at the start of the video. “And if you don’t believe me, almost everything is 50p each.”

The charity shop in question is the Beehive Community Centre, located in Mosley Common in Tyldesley, just north West of Manchester. As she walked in, Becky showed off the rows of racks of clothes, as well as shelves and boxes filled with items for sale, with most items costing just 50p each.

“This is what I’d describe as a proper old school charity shop,” she added. “It’s organised chaos in the best way possible, and you’ll really have to rummage to find the best stuff.”

But that’s not all, as there were also boxes of free items outside the store, as well as food and pastries available, where you could also leave a donation to get. On top of this, Becky said that all kids’ clothes were about 5p per item.

“It didn’t stop there, though, because there’s an outhouse with Christmas stuff in, and a short walk away, there’s a garage where they keep all the furniture,” Becky revealed.

“We ended up getting quite a few things, including a pair of jeans apparently worth £100,” she revealed. In a different post, she mentioned that the jeans in question were by the brand Evisu, that sell jeans for prices of up to £300 per pair – but she’d only paid 50p for hers.

People quickly took to the comment section to share their thoughts, as many were impressed by the charity shop in question.

“Now this is how a charity shop should be run!!!!” one person wrote. Someone else said: “This is what it should be everywhere charity shops are so expensive in London its a joke.”

And it seems like not even locals knew about the charity shop, as someone else commented: “2 mins from my house and I never knew!!”

A damning report from the Accounts Commission warned a homelessness crisis in the city and equal pay costs are piling pressure on the already struggling City Council.

John Swinney has blamed the UK Government for a homelessness crisis that threatens to effectively bankrupt Scotland’s largest local authority.

The finances of Glasgow City Council are in a “critical” state and councillors must find a further £110m in savings to plug a financial blackhole, a damning report by the Accounts Commission has warned.

The watchdog said rising homelessness, which has been fuelled by a refugee crisis, and equal pay costs are piling pressure on the already embattled city council.

Spending on homelessness in Glasgow has increased from £38 million in 2025-26 to an expected £56 million in 2026-27, and will hit almost £75 million in 2027-28.

The SNP Government has already committed to covering a “meaningful” part of the council’s housing bill but pressure is mounting to find a sustainable solution.

The rise in homelessness applications has been linked to the asylum backlog in the city, which houses most of Scotland’s asylum seekers.

Swinney today pinned the blame for the city’s dire finances on the UK Government, which controls the asylum process.

Speaking to a news agency, he said: “What’s happened is that the Home Office and the way in which they’ve taken forward the decisions about leave to remain have essentially created a significant implication for public services without the financial support to address those issues.

“The city council is absolutely right to press the Home Office to make sure that it addresses the implications of the decisions the Home Office have made, which is a reasonable expectation for Glasgow City Council to have.”

Swinney added: “We obviously work very closely with Glasgow City Council and other local authorities around the country to maximise the financial support that we make available to individual local authorities.

“Glasgow, as the Accounts Commission report indicates, is dealing with some very significant financial pressures, not least of which from the implications of resolving the equal pay claims that the city council has been wrestling with.

“We will of course work very closely with the city council in making sure that it reaches a position of financial sustainability, and the Government, of course, is strongly supporting local authorities with financial assistance.”

SNP councillor Richard Bell, who is expected to become the next leader of Glasgow City Council, warned the city is “carrying the burden for the whole of Scotland” in housing asylum seekers.

“That can’t be right,” he said today. “It can’t fall on the taxpayers of Glasgow to support all of these people across the whole country.”

Bell said Finance Secretary Jenny Gilruth had promised to make a “meaningful contribution” towards Glasgow’s costs.

He said: “We’re now in very close discussions with the Government about what ‘meaningful’ means, so that we can actually tie that down to a pounds and pence contribution.”

He said the Scottish Government must either change its homelessness legislation or fund its consequences, adding: “At the moment, we’re kind of in the middle of that, and they’re doing neither.”

It comes as a Scottish Labour leadership candidate called for a review of Holyrood’s liberal homelessness laws to help Glasgow cope with the refugee crisis.

Joe Fagan said rethinking the abolition of “priority need” for help with housing should be done in a “rational” way.

Council chiefs believe the UK Government’s decision to clear a backlog of asylum seeker cases is behind the increased spending.

Asylum seekers who have been housed in Glasgow by the Home Office are declaring themselves homeless in the city after they are allowed to stay in the UK.

However, Holyrood’s decision to scrap the ‘priority need’ test for homelessness in 2012 is also under scrutiny.

Critics believe the decision has made Glasgow attractive to single male refugees from all over the UK.

Amelia Dimoldenberg has revealed the future of her hit YouTube series Chicken Shop Date after more than a decade

Amelia Dimoldenberg has revealed the future of her hit YouTube series Chicken Shop Date after more than a decade as she shared a personal statement with fans.

The comedian and presenter began the series as a column at the age of 17, interviewing celebrity guests around various chicken shops in London, with a slightly flirty and awkward tone.

She has since interviewed a string of big-name stars, such as Louis Theroux, Billie Eilish, Cher and even The Beatles legend Paul McCartney. But one of her most popular romantic conquests for her hit series was Hollywood actor Andrew Garfield after the pair met on the carpet of the GQ Men of Year awards and again at the 2023 Golden Globes.

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However, on Thursday (September 3), Amelia announced that Chicken Shop Date will end after 12 years. “When I was 17, I thought that I might meet the love of my life on a date in a chicken shop,” she said as she penned a personal message on Instagram.

She continued: “Since then, I’ve spent my entire twenties sat across from the most incredible people, people I’d always dreamt of meeting. All of them charmed me (some more than others), and I definitely charmed them.

“To me, the show is my very own romcom, and I have loved being able to share it with you. I am so grateful to everyone who has followed me on this journey and found a bit of joy in these episodes. I never thought I’d end Chicken Shop Date. I thought maybe it would be a part of my life forever, and in some way it always will, but I feel like it’s now time to move on from this adventure and onto the next one.”

Amelia, whose YouTube channel has more than 3.4 million subscribers, confirmed that she had a few more final dates to share before things come to a final end. She added: “But before I say goodbye forever, I want to celebrate everything Chicken Shop Date has been for me with a few final dates…coming very soon.”

And fans were quick to respond. @thelittlelondonvegan said: “Nooooooo. End of an era. This was such an iconic series – can’t wait to see what comes next!” @corirella declared: “NOOOO AMELIA!!!!!! THIS FEELS LIKE A BREAKUP FR!!!!” @bambi_dexter commented: “Thank you for giving us so many dream dates. We can’t wait for what your creative mind brings to us next!”

@isabellaglynch replied: “She got Paul McCartney and said yeah I’m done… thank you for your service maam.” @supaarwoman wrote: “This breakup is going to hurt the most.” @dand.monium added: “Honestly, this is more upsetting than some shows I’ve seen cancelled. I will miss this part of your journey so much.”

Natalie McDonald, 34, died alongside her seven-year-old niece Valentina Foster in the blaze on Birchington Avenue, Grangetown, on Wednesday, August 26.

Natalie McDonald, 34, died alongside her niece Valentia Foster, seven, in a house fire (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

Natalie married husband Anthony McDonald nine months ago, and her family said they had “the biggest, most beautiful wedding”.

They said: “Natalie Louise was known by everyone as Natalie Louise Kirton, she is Natalie Louise McDonald having married Anthony McDonald only nine months ago.

“She had the biggest, most beautiful wedding; she sparkled like the shining beauty she was. She was loved by everyone, she was bright, bubbly and full of life, the heart and soul of our street and community, loved by all.

“Her family has lost its beautiful, kind soul. She was the life and soul of every party, and she will be sadly missed by our family, her two brothers and sister, all who are broken.

“Her nieces and nephews, with her being such a big part of their lives, being like a second mother to them. Her nana, grandad, mam and dad are all heartbroken.

“Also, her only daughter; Lilyrose Kirton, who will forever miss her mam.

“Our Nat will be forever missed.”

Valentina Foster, seven, and Natalie McDonald, 34, have been named locally as the two victims who died following a house fire in Grangetown. (Image: Provided)

A man accused of murdering Natalie and Valentina is due to stand trial next year.

Jaden Wright, 23, is charged with two counts of murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

He did not enter pleas during a 10-minute hearing at Teesside Crown Court.

Prosecutor Richard Wright KC said the trial was expected to last three weeks.

Judge Jonathan Carroll set the trial to start on April 14.

Wright was remanded in custody until a hearing on September 23, when he is expected to enter pleas.

Valentina Foster (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

The family previously also paid tribute to seven-year-old Valentina Foster, who also died in the fire.

They said: “It is with overwhelming sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that our beloved daughter has passed away.

“She was deeply loved and will be missed beyond words by her family, friends, and everyone whose life she touched. Our lives have changed forever, and we are struggling to come to terms with this devastating loss.

“Our daughter will always be in our hearts, and her memory will live with us forever. 

“Forever missed by her brothers and sisters.”

Floral tributes left at the scene of the devastating fire on Birchington Avenue, in Grangetown (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)

Dozens of floral tributes were left at the scene for the pair.

Police at the scene of the fire on Birchington Avenue in Grangetown (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

A 31-year-old man arrested over the incident was released without charge on Sunday.

The force is not treating the fire as linked to the fatal crash on the A66 which killed seven, including police officers PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough. 

As of the latest condition update last Friday, a 48-year-old woman remained in a critical but stable condition at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, while a 27-year-old man was receiving treatment at James Cook University Hospital and two teenage girls had been discharged.

Dr Jolyon Medlock, Head of Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology at UKHSA, said: “While Aedes aegypti can transmit diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus in countries where these infections are circulating, the risk to the public from this finding is assessed as very low.

By GETHIN HICKS, REPORTER

Published: 12:44 BST, 3 September 2026 | Updated: 13:02 BST, 3 September 2026

EA Sports has revealed 12 new Hall of FUT cards coming to EA FC 27, giving Ultimate Team fans a brand-new way to unlock iconic cult heroes

A dozen new Ultimate Team special cards have been confirmed for EA Sports FC 27. More details have emerged about the new Hall of FUT player items coming to the game when it launches in September.

Gamers who pre-ordered the Ultimate Plus Edition of EA FC 27 will get a special 1 of 5 player pick as a pre-order reward as soon as they log on when EA FC 27 launches early access on Friday, September 18, a week ahead of the official September 25 release.

Unfortunately, the Ultimate Plus Edition is no longer available as it ceased to be an option for fans as of August 31. But EA Sports has confirmed a new method to getting these special player items.

Instead, gamers will be able to unlock Hall of FUT cards for their squads in Ultimate Team by completing sets in the FUT Gallery; the game mode’s newest feature. The FUT Gallery is a new way for gamers to “create records” of player items that arrive at their FUT clubs.

It is built around Gallery Sets that focus on different themes such as leagues, nations, clubs and player types. FUT players submit their player items, all of which have individual FUT Gallery scores, to these sets for grading.

EA Sports has now confirmed that base Hall of FUT items will be available in the Gallery Store – which can be bought using the Gallery Tokens gained from completing and grading Gallery Sets. And while we knew the first five of those players, a host of others have now been added to the Hall of FUT.

The Hall of FUT, EA Sports says, is meant to “honour the memories” created by these players who had an impact on Ultimate Team over the years. The first five – confirmed previously as being Adebayo Akinfenwa, Giovani dos Santos, Marouane Fellaini, Loic Remy and Eljero Elia – are a perfect example of that.

Now, there are a total of 22 player items in the Hall of FUT. Some of these are FUT Heroes who have been removed from that rarity. Serie A’s terror trio of Gervinho, Seydou Doumbia and Victor Ibarbo, as well as Micah Richards, are the clearest examples of ex-Heroes.

But there are also now 12 more Ultimate Team cult heroes back in the game. They include players like David Luiz, Alexandre Pato and the Bundesliga’s only representative, Jakub Blaszczykowski.

You can check out the full list of Hall of FUT player items below.

EA FC 27 Hall of FUT players – full list

• RB: Alessandro Florenzi (Serie A) – 84 rated
• RB: Micah Richards (Premier League) – 85 rated
• LB: Miguel Layun (Liga Portugal) – 84 rated
• CB: David Luiz (Premier League) – 85 rated
• RM: Aidan McGeady (Premier League) – 84 rated
• RM: Antonio Valencia (Premier League) – 85 rated
• RM: Jakub Blaszczykowski (Bundesliga) – 85 rated
• CM: Fredy Guarin (Serie A) – 84 rated
• CM: Marouane Fellaini (Premier League) – 85 rated
• RW: Hulk (Liga Portugal) – 85 rated
• RW: Victor Ibarbo (Serie A) – 84 rated
• RW: Theo Walcott (Premier League) – 85 rated
• LW: Eljero Elia (Eredivisie) – 84 rated
• LW: Gervinho (Serie A) – 84 rated
• ST: Emmanuel Emenike (Turkish Super Lig) – 84 rated
• ST: Alexandre Pato (Serie A) – 85 rated
• ST: Loic Remy (Premier League) – 84 rated
• ST: Adebayo Akinfenwa (EFL League One) – 84 rated
• ST: Balotelli (Premier League) – 85 rated
• ST: Giovani dos Santos (La Liga) – 84 rated
• ST: Seydou Doumbia (Serie A) – 84 rated

A federal judge in Boston will hear arguments Thursday on whether to extend her prohibition against the U.S. Postal Service requiring states to use a new mail balloting system for the midterms as part of an executive order by President Donald Trump.

The hearing in the closely watched case comes the day before the first state begins sending mail ballots to voters.

U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani is considering whether to order a preliminary injunction that would bar the Postal Service from requiring the new system to be used for the midterms. Last week, she imposed a 14-day temporary restraining order to keep it from being used. That order expires next week as more states begin sending out mail ballots.

Talwani has been here before. In June, she prohibited the administration from trying to implement Trump’s order for the November election, ruling the changes came too close to the election for the federal government to embark on such a project. But the Supreme Court late last month ruled that Talwani’s order was premature because the Postal Service had not yet published regulations governing how it would apply Trump’s order. The agency did so just before the high court ruling came down, prompting Democrats and voting rights groups to swiftly re-file their lawsuits.

They counter that the president has no authority to set election rules, which is a power designated in the Constitution to the states and in some cases Congress.

They won an initial victory with Talwani’s restraining order, which has already been appealed by the administration. It’s likely the case will again end up before the Supreme Court.

Trump has long opposed mail voting and falsely blamed it for his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden, even though he often uses that method to cast his own ballot.

Election officials say there’s simply no way they can comply with the Postal Service directives, which could require a complete overhaul of their operations. Before it delivers mail ballots for any state, the Postal Service would have to approve the design of the envelopes that contain them and have the state upload a list of voters receiving them to an online portal.

A whistleblower report made public this week warns that the postal system’s requirements could lead to millions of mail ballots never being sent. The new rule requires all ballots to be physically brought to post offices before being mailed to voters, but if a single one’s bar code registers an error, the whole batch gets thrown out, even if it contains tens of thousands of legitimate ballots.