If you’re a fan of spaghetti bolognese (spag bol), there’s a simple method to make it even more decadent and flavourful. All you need is a key ingredient to take your dinner to the next level

Spaghetti bolognese (spag bol) is a firm favourite for many — yet there’s a straightforward technique you can use to make it even more delicious. All it takes is a key ingredient to elevate your evening meal to new heights, while simultaneously lending the sauce a far richer, deeper flavour.

For those who love food and take pleasure in cooking, this is a tip well worth keeping in mind, as it can truly transform the finished dish. After all, most of us occasionally seek out simple ways to breathe new life into our favourite recipes, and this particular method is a genuinely brilliant trick to have up your sleeve.

This isn’t the first time such advice has done the rounds, either. Previously, it was also claimed there is an additional ingredient capable of boosting the dish’s flavour considerably.

Allison Brentnall of Slimming World Kitchen believes the secret to a truly outstanding bolognese lies in a single ingredient that could make all the difference. She said: “Adding dried porcini mushrooms to this classic recipe adds depth of flavour in the sauce, and is good if you’re short on time.”

And that, it seems, is all there is to it. The technique is remarkably straightforward, and there’s a very good reason why it works so effectively.

Why it works

Adding dried porcini mushrooms to your spaghetti bolognese can significantly intensify its flavour profile. The ingredient introduces a wonderful umami depth while helping to develop a beautifully rich, complex sauce that is well worth the minimal effort involved.

Bear in mind that the mushrooms must be soaked in warm water prior to use. Upon purchase, the packet will contain instructions detailing exactly what to do.

Once they are ready, drain and roughly chop them before incorporating them into your dish. Adding them to the pot while it is simmering should result in an even more flavoursome meal.

Sometimes the smallest adjustments can have a significant impact on our cooking — and it turns out this is one such instance.

The recipe

You’ll need:

• 1 onion
• 1 pepper
• 1 carrot
• 120g chestnut mushrooms
• 2 garlic cloves
• 50 smoked bacon medallions
• ½ beef stock cube
• 5g dried porcini mushrooms
• 250g beef mince (5% fat or less)
• 200g pasta (wheat)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 400g chopped tomatoes

The recipe, according to Slimming World, is as follows:

• Peel the onions and finely dice, then deseed the pepper and dice into 1cm squares. Finely dice the carrots into 1cm cubes, and quarter the chestnut mushrooms. Peel and crush the garlic.
• On a separate board, trim any visible fat from the bacon medallions then roughly chop.
• Dissolve the stock in 200ml boiled water, add the dried porcini and leave to soak.
• Spritz a large non-stick frying pan with cooking spray and put it over a medium-high heat. Tip in the bacon and fry for two minutes. Add the mince and fry for five minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned all over. Remove the meat from the pan and set aside.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta in boiling water and then drain. At the same time, scoop the porcini from the stock and finely chop. Put the frying pan back over the heat and fry the onions, pepper, carrots, chestnut mushrooms, garlic, porcini and oregano for four to five minutes.
• Return the bacon and mince to the pan, add the tomato purée and cook for one minute. Pour in the stock and chopped tomatoes, lightly season and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Stir the pasta through the bolognese and serve.

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — It has welcomed marathon runners, rock stars and the first modern Olympic athletes. Now it’s time for a monumental scrub.

Athens’ U-shaped Panathenaic Stadium — made entirely of white marble — is getting its first systematic cleaning in more than a century.

Rebuilt for the first modern Olympics in 1896, the site is the ceremonial send-off point for the Olympic flame, including for Los Angeles 2028.

A fresh look in Athens ahead of LA 2028

The stadium is made of the same glittering marble used on the Acropolis, making the cleanup job delicate.

The work is revealing a monument changed by time, weather and millions of visitors. Cleaners in white and blue overalls move across the stadium’s 47 steep tiers with thin spray lances, using clean water at carefully controlled, low pressure. Machines vacuum up the runoff as they go.

“The goal of cleaning is not to make everything white. It’s to remove the dirt and the first layers of organic material that are deposited on the surface,” said Dimitris Selemis, a senior conservator at the site.

“The idea is to clean all the material that (contains) dirt from the surface, so we have a better understanding of the monument,” he said, noting that there is more weed growth and dirt in areas that receive less direct sunlight.

Dealing with chewing gum, high heels and soft-drink stains

Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time. Stadium officials say chewing gum, high heels and soft-drink stains are among the main culprits that stain the marble.

Now slowly being revealed, the original gleaming look of the venue earned it the widely used Greek nickname “Kallimarmaro,” or beautiful marble.

“We call it Kallimarmaro because it is made of the finest marble, the best that was ever produced … We are very proud of it,” Isidoros Kouvelos, president of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, told The Associated Press in an interview.

“It needed to be cleaned of everything that has accumulated over all these years,” he said. “This way the Panathenaic Stadium will show all its brilliance and will once again be the foremost monument of humanity for the Olympic Movement.”

Built into a natural ravine, the stadium’s site was used for ancient Greek athletic contests and later Roman spectacles before falling into centuries of disuse.

An African celebration planned in Athens

Since its 1896 revival, it has staged fashion shows, rock concerts, boxing matches and national celebrations — as well as lavish patriotic ceremonies ordered by a military dictatorship in the 1960s.

Today, it’s a popular draw for tourists. Apart from the cleanup, the Kallimarmaro is also getting a new track, upgraded lighting and fresh support facilities. The project is privately funded by a shipping company and overseen by the Hellenic Olympic Committee with guidance from Culture Ministry experts.

The work will continue through 2026 but is currently concentrated on the stadium’s “sling,” or curved end, in time for the next torch-passing ceremony on Sept. 10.

That will be for the Dakar Youth Olympics, scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 13 in Senegal, which will be the first Olympic competition ever hosted in Africa.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry, a swimming gold medal winner from Zimbabwe, is due to attend the Sept. 10 ceremony, Kouvelos said.

M&S shoppers have been raving about an ‘eye catching’ transitional cardigan they say is ‘perfect for casual wear or work’

A cardigan is a wardrobe essential for this time of year, adding warmth on breezy summer evenings and transitioning into autumn worn as a top or open for layering. It’s no secret that some of the most sought-after M&S styles sell fast, and now we’ve spotted a £24 buy that fans love for its easy to style design and fit that ‘doesn’t gape.’

The Air-Yarn Striped Cropped Cardigan comes in sizes XS-XL and has been reviewed over 170 times on the retail giant’s website. Featuring a classic stripe design, it could easily be teamed with shorts and dresses now and trousers or jeans once autumn well and truly hits.

Featuring a lightweight material, it’s been designed in a flattering slim fit that also makes it ideal for wearing as a top. The contrasting buttons instantly elevate the casual piece with a stylish tortoiseshell effect.

READ MORE

Elsewhere on the high street, Uniqlo’s 100% Merino Crew Neck Cardigan comes in a variety of colours and costs £34.90. Meanwhile, at H&M, the staple £14.99 fine-knit cardigan also comes in various styles ideal for everyday wear.

Back to M&S, and reviewers rate the Air-Yarn Striped Cropped Cardigan highly, with its average review score standing at an impressive 4.8 out of five stars from over 170 reviews.

Get the look

Shop the Air-Yarn Striped Cropped Cardigan at M&S

One person said: “Lovely soft cardigan . Looks lovely with cream palazzo jeans I bought last year.

“Also looks very nice with brown palazzo linen trousers. Perfect for in between seasons. Comes up small so I sized up to medium for a more comfy fit.”

A second raved: “Great top for all occasions. Very comfy warm cardigan. I’m 5ft, medium fitted well. Loved the length, sits in just the right place. Other colours please.”

Another five star review reads: “Lovely super soft perfect for casual or work wear super cute.” Meanwhile someone else said: “This is a well fitting, stylish cardigan. It is fitted, but not clingy. And, hurrah, it’s not boxy or too short!”

It is worth noting that one buyer said they had a minor concern about the sleeves, writing in their four star review: “Sleeves are a tad too long.”

Despite this, someone else said: “The best cardigan I have ever bought, it looks good dressed up or down. I have worn it constantly since I got it.

“Washed it a few times and it’s washed lovely, not too much bobbling either considering how much its been worn and washed.”

Another five star review says: “Lovely soft cardigan which looks really nice with my brown linen trousers. My friend liked it so much she bought one too.”

Someone else hailed the cardi ‘eye catching’ writing: “Great quality. Worn the cardigan a couple of times and had lots of compliments about it.”

A final reviewer felt the cardigan suited curvy figures, writing: “Beautiful soft cardigan which goes with everything. Buttons don’t gape which is very important for curvy people. Not washed yet but the quality is great and I expect it will wash well.”

A reader asks Google what the most essential qualities are for making a good video game, and how it is that Zelda: Breath Of The Wild and Elden Ring get everything right.

I have just been sat in the garden enjoying the sunshine and a question popped into my musings. What is the perfect video game? An interesting and very subjective question.

To start answering this question I went to Google, to see what its AI answer would be. I was a tiny bit surprised by the answer it gave me. The top three were:

• Super Mario World
• The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
• Elden Ring

I suppose the surprise omission would be Zelda: Ocarina Of Time. The highest rated game of all time, according to Metacritic. Although this has been open to debate recently. But surely it would have featured in the AI response.

Having not much to do today I asked the next question to Google. What makes the perfect video game? This is the answer it gave:

• Great control: the game reacts fast and feels good to play.
• Clear rules: you always know what to do or how to learn.
• No wasted time: levels or worlds are fun to explore from start to end.
• Good style: the art, music, and sound fit the world.

It all seems so obvious. Why aren’t all games following this simple premise?

One of my biggest complaints about one of the most successful games, GTA 5 is the shocking controls. I don’t know how other people feel about them, they must be doing something right with them as it’s so successful, but to me the two main staples of the game are driving and combat and its awful. It does however get the last three right very well.

With the advent of the Soulslike genre, the whole games industry wants to hide the rules and leave it up to you to find out what to do. Some games get it very right, like the two games mentioned, but so many get it oh so wrong. This kind of bleeds into the next heading of no wasted time.

Before I cover that, a bit more on clear rules. Back in the day, we had game manuals. They covered all the controls and also laid out what you need to get on and learn new techniques. Very few companies make the effort to even put stuff on the game website, it’s all YouTube. Watch someone else show you how to proceed. Doesn’t that kind of take the fun away?

Over the winter I got into Path Of Exile 2. I had a lot of fun with that game. To me it really hit the no wasted time. I know it’s not a massive open world like Breath Of The Wild but it was filled to the brim with enemies and bosses, and it was fun to explore.

In comparison, something like Assassin’s Creed’s open worlds are behemoths that become overwhelming with all the map icons. The opening world is normally pretty small and tight, and is fun to explore, but by the end of the game your just worn out. Time is a very precious commodity. We don’t want to waste it riding a horse with dodgy controls for 10 minutes, talk to a character, then wander 10 minutes back.

Good style. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 anyone? That got it pretty right but I think lots of games get this aspect right. There are loads of games where even a small snippet of the music or a bit of artwork can bring back memories. As I read the Google answer, my answer to good style was WipEout. That really blew it out the water. But the games that get it wrong are long forgotten.

There you go gamers, give that some thought and see what conclusions you draw up. Do you agree with Google AI? Should Metacritic be the authority?

By reader Dirtystopout

The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot.

Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you won’t need to send an email.

MORE: Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls is further proof of the Marvel video game curse – Reader’s Feature

MORE: How I’m dealing with my video game backlog of 48 titles – Reader’s Feature

MORE: The Elder Scrolls 6: Sentinel has been revealed and I’m already disappointed – Reader’s Feature

Here is your round-up of the key cases that were heard before Northern Ireland courts during the week of August 10-14

Cases before the courts this week in Northern Ireland include a man who was sparred jail despite being convicted of causing life-changing injuries to his three-week-old daughter.

Another case saw a man being accused of knocking his partner unconscious with a frying pan during a “jealous rage” which formed part of an alleged five year campaign of domestic abuse.

A 50-year-old Co Down man who was convicted of a violent hammer attack was bailed from prison in order to spend time with his sick father. This was despite 27 previous breaches and reports of reoffending.

Here is your round-up of the key cases that were heard before Northern Ireland courts during the week of August 10-14.

Man allegedly used frying pan to knock partner unconscious in jealous rage

Prosecutors claimed Mindaugas Morkevicius, 39, left a woman bleeding heavily from a serious head injury inflicted during a drunken assault last month. He is also accused of previously scarring her with a knife as part of a five-year campaign of domestic violence.

Morkevicius, of The Old Mill in Killyleagh, remains in custody on charges of causing grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence. He faces three further counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and a domestic abuse offence.

Police were alerted after the woman attended a shop in the village on July 24, wounded and carrying her young child.

“She was covered in blood, the back of her head was matted and it was dripping out of her hair,” Crown counsel said. The woman claimed Morkevicius had been drinking spirits at home but became angry and jealous when she had to leave for work.

“It then escalated and the applicant hit her over the head with a frying pan, causing a large laceration to the back of her head and knocking her temporarily unconscious,” the prosecutor submitted.

Read the full story here

Man who caused ‘life-changing’ injuries to three-week old spared jail

The defendant, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his now eight-year-old daughter, was handed a sentence of two years and ten months which was suspended for four years. He appeared at Belfast Crown Court where he was sentenced by Judge Mark Reel for causing grievous bodily harm to his baby daughter.

The court heard that whilst he has accepted he was the sole carer of his 22-day-old daughter when she sustained the injuries, he not provided an explanation for how the harm was caused.

On the afternoon of December 30, 2017, the baby’s mother had gone to the hairdresser and left the child with her partner. When the mother left her house, the baby had been fed, changed, was sleeping and was due a feed at around 2pm.

She received a text from her partner saying the baby had not woken for her bottle and she replying by telling her partner to change the nappy at this usually woke the baby up.

The defendant then told his partner that the baby was breathing funny which prompted her to leave the hairdressers early and return home. When she got home, the baby was in her father’s arms and her eyes started fluttering and her lips were smacking.

Read the full story here

Accused who attacked man with hammer and wrecked bar bailed to see sick dad

A Co Down man awaiting sentence for attacking another man with a hammer and wrecking bar has been granted bail to allow him to spend time with his ailing father. The 50-year-old from Jubilee Park in Dromore has admitted charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent dating back to August4, 2024 and is due to be sentenced next month.

Objecting to McCourt’s release, Crown barrister Kate McKay spoke of 27 previous breaches of bail and re-offending whilst on bail. Saying alcohol appeared to be a “major issue”, Ms McKay said McCourt’s most recent arrest was in Belfast in May after he tried to get into parked vehicles and caused criminal damage whilst intoxicated.

When Judge Reel asked about the incident in August 2024, he was told by a Constable from the PSNI it was a “sustained assault” upon the injured man who said he was beaten with a hammer and wrecking bar in a house in Banbridge.

The police officer also revealed the injured party suffered “considerable injuries” and added: “He is now deceased – not as a result of his injuries but he did pass away in the interim, before the matter was dealt with by way of a plea from Mr McCourt.”

Read the full story here

Man who sought bail for John George search denied bid to holiday in Alicante

Last January Gerald Verner was denied a bail variation sought to enable him to travel to Spain to help in the search for murdered Belfast man John George, whose remains were subsequently discovered on the outskirts of Alicante.

The 37-year old former soldier was back in court today where the application to vary his bail to allow him to go on a four-day holiday with his partner was made and refused.

From Inverary Avenue in Belfast, Verner is facing a number of offences including firearms and drugs charges. Asking for a variation of his client’s bail at Belfast Crown Court, a solicitor told Judge Mark Reel that Verner’s partner had booked a four-day trip to Alicante.

Providing details of the flight plans and the hotel, Verner’s solicitor said dates for the holiday were this Friday to next Monday.

Opposing the application, a Crown barrister raised several concerns including a risk of further offending.

Read the full story here

Four men remanded over alleged £1.7million cocaine bust in Belfast

Brian McMullan, 34, Lee McKee, 26, Michael Moyes, 27, and Abdullah Hassan, 33, were arrested following transportations from a city centre apartment block to two waiting vehicles on Monday evening. All four men appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on charges including possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

An investigating detective said police observed the suspected handovers at locations close to a block of flats on McAuley Street. McMullan, of Madrid Street in Belfast, allegedly left the complex with a large bag before carrying out separate interactions with his co-accused in the neighbourhood.

It was claimed that Moyes, of Stanhope Street in the city, received a package containing five blocks of cocaine while he waited in a Renault Clio car.

Mullan also passed a further three blocks into a Mercedes van jointly occupied by McKee, of Alexandra Terrace in Crumlin, and Hassan, from St James’ Crescent in Belfast, according to police.

Read the full story here

Dad-of-seven who carried out sex act in Belfast city centre is jailed

Petru Guti will not be freed from custody as he is expected to be deported back to his home country. The 53-year-old, formerly of Runnymede Parade, in the Malone Road area of south Belfast, appeared at Belfast Crown Court via video link from custody for an arraIgnment hearing before Judge Mark Reel.

He faced two counts of committing a solo sex act which was of a “lewd and disgusting nature and outraged public decency” on August 6, 2025, in Bedford Street. When the charge was put to him by the court clerk through a Romanian interpreter, Guti replied: “Guilty.”

Following his guilty plea, prosecution lawyer David McNeill told the court that the second count of committing a lewd sex act the following day in the same street was being “left on the books in the usual terms”.

Read the full story here

Mum admits causing death of 8-week-old son and attempted murder of daughter

A 34-year-old woman wept in the dock of Belfast Crown Court today (Thursday), where she admitted causing the death of her baby son and attempting to murder her daughter. The woman, who can’t be named due to a reporting restriction, will be sentenced for the two offences later this month.

She stood trial in 2023 on charges of murdering her eight-week-old son and attempting to murder his two-year-old sister. Both children sustained stab wounds inflicted by their mother in their home on July 27, 2021.

They were rushed to the Accident and Emergency department at the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children. Whilst the young girl was successfully treated for a stab wound to her chest, her baby brother was pronounced dead at 9pm.

At the conclusion of the trial in March 2023, the woman was convicted by a jury on both charges, and the following month, she was handed a minimum 20-year sentence.

Read the full story here

Woman burgled house and dressed up in the owner’s clothes, court told

Angel-Louise Horner, 20, of Fairview Park, Articlave in Coleraine, has been in custody on charges of burglary, attempted theft, criminal damage and failing to provide a specimen.

Belfast Crown Court heard that on August 31, 2025, police received a report at 10.45am from the owner of a house on the Kilraughts Road in Ballymoney who said that when she arrived home she found a female in her property.

“The female was in the woman’s downstairs bathroom. Police arrived and spoke to the homeowner who said the female had entered the property through an upstairs bathroom and caused the room to flood,” said prosecution barrister Daniel McCarthy.

“This damaged the floorboards and brought down the ceiling in the kitchen below. The injured party told police the female was wearing the homeowner’s clothes and she found a number of her own belongings in an empty handbag.”

The attempted theft charge related to a vehicle log book, keys, costume jewellery and tobacco found in the handbag.

Read the full story here

Man breached Sexual Offences Prevention Order just days after release

A Co Fermanagh man who breached the terms of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order just days after being released from prison has been handed another custodial sentence. As he imposed a 12-month term upon Emmet Ryan Rice, which was divided equally between custody and licence, Judge Brian Sherrard warned that repeated breaches of court orders would lead to longer prison sentences.

Dungannon Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard that Rice was made the subject of a five-year SOPO imposed at Enniskillen Magistrates Court in October 2022.

The 28-year old breached that court order twice last December by having contact with both the mother of a victim of his previous offending and a vulnerable adult.

Police called to Rice’s address at Main Street in Maguiresbridge on December 8, 2025 to investigate claims there had been associations and interactions with a vulnerable female at the start of that month. Whilst at the flat, the mother of a victim of Rice’s was in the property with him.

Read the full story here

Man breached bail by drinking after woman fell off his boat and drowned

Craig Mark David Price, 37, of Ballybeen Square in Dundonald, is currently awaiting trial next month on charges of non-fatal strangulation or asphyxiation and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. He is further accused, and denies, a domestic abuse offence and threats to damage property.

Belfast Crown Court heard Price is awaiting sentence after pleading guilty to common assault and threatening and abusive behaviour to his ex-partner.

In relation to charges which Price is to stand trial on at Downpatrick Crown on September 28, 2026, prosecution barrister Breige Gilmore said there was an incident on January 1, 2025 in relation to the same female. She said Radius Housing informed police that there had been an activation of a domestic violence alarm relating to Price’s ex-partner.

“Once the alarm is activated it starts to record and operators said they could hear a male person threatening the injured party,” outlined Ms Gilmore.

“They heard the male say: ‘You’re going to get a bullet in the head’.”

Read the full story here

Man who admitted offences aggravated by domestic abuse gets Probation Order

Vincent Brian Francis Kane, who is 24 and from McArthur Avenue in Ballymoney, was told his offending “smacks of immature entitlement.” Dungannon Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard all the offences committed last August were aggravated by way of involving domestic abuse.

At 9am on Saturday August 30, 2025 the injured party, who at the time was Kane’s girlfriend of around two weeks, called police from her bedroom requesting Kane be removed from her property.

When officers arrived a short time later, Kane had left but they were informed he had broken into the property via a first-floor window and that the female occupant was frightened of him due to previous violence.

In a further statement, the injured party said she had entered into a relationship with Kane around the second week of August. She spoke of a number of different incidents before she called the PSNI to her home on August 30.

Kane subsequently pleaded guilty to a total of five offences he committed between August 14 and 30 – namely criminal damage, three counts of common assault and one count of domestic abuse.

Read the full story here

Chloe Mitchell’s family welcome judge’s push for murder trial to be listed

The family of Chloe Mitchell have welcomed a judge’s statement that he wants the trial of a man accused of murdering the Co Antrim woman to be listed “as soon as possible”. In a statement, Ms Mitchell’s family described it as a “big step forward”.

A barrister told Belfast Crown Court that the trial is expected to take four to five weeks. The case was mentioned on Friday, where legal teams discussed ongoing psychiatric evaluations of the accused, Brandon John Rainey.

Ms Mitchell, 21, was found dead in Ballymena, Co Antrim, days after going missing in June 2023.

Rainey, 29, formerly of James Street in Ballymena, has been charged with murdering Ms Mitchell and attempting to prevent the burial of her body. He pleaded not guilty to those charges at a hearing in 2024.

Proceedings in the case had already been delayed in March this year when Rainey parted company with his legal representatives.

Read the full story here

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Islam Makhachev retained the UFC welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry on Saturday, and the victory marked a major piece of history.

As Makhachev outpointed the divisive Irish star in the main event of UFC 330, he reached a record-breaking 17th consecutive win in the promotion.

In doing so, he went clear of the legendary Anderson Silva, although there were moments when victory looked far from assured.

Makhachev, the UFC’s pound-for-pound No 1 fighter, was largely able to avoid tense striking exchanges with Machado Garry in the first two rounds, using his supreme wrestling to control the challenger.

In fact, Makhachev surprisingly dropped Machado Garry with a head kick in round two, as the pair separated after a spell of wrestling against the fence.

But Machado Garry, 28, bounced back well to deny Makhachev, 34, a takedown in round three and seemingly steal the frame with some varied striking late on. What ensued was a crucial round, which Makhachev appeared to win as he was able to take down Machado Garry again, despite looking exhausted throughout.

Machado Garry did manage to damage Makhachev with close-range strikes while defending the Russian’s grappling, but it was not enough to win him the necessary rounds.

The scorecards ultimately read 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 in Makhachev’s favour. With that, his first defence at welterweight was successful, after his record-breaking four defences at lightweight, where he outdid his childhood friend Khabib Nurmagomedov.

“Ian is a great fighter, he gave me a hard time, but I prove [myself] every fight,” Makhachev told Joe Rogan in the cage after the fight in Philadelphia, where the fans were vocally anti-Machado Garry.

“Oh, let’s see [if it’s the most-difficult fight I’ve had]. Maybe the first one in Australia [against Alexander Volkanovski], it was also very hard.

“I feel the guys have more power [at 170lb], very hard to submit them, but still my game is working. I take down all my opponents and give them a hard time there.”

“Nothing surprised me,” Machado Garry added. “I have nothing but respect for Islam.

“I believed in my heart and in my soul I was better than him tonight; he won, I have no complaints, no excuses. This was the best camp of my life.

“I love my wife, my little boy, I fight to make them happy. I’m 28 years of age, I have a decade of domination in this sport [ahead]. This man won today, that’s okay. I’m as f***ing bulletproof as I could be up here [mentally].

“To all the fans that doubt me, I’ll be back. I don’t need any of you, so go f*** yourselves!”

In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern retained the women’s strawweight title, outpointing Gillian Robertson.

By DOLLY BUSBY, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER

Published: 22:07 BST, 15 August 2026 | Updated: 05:45 BST, 16 August 2026

If you’re trying to piece together who will be the next James Bond, there are plenty of clues – they just all point to different actors.

The true answer to the conundrum may be imminent, however, as The Mail on Sunday can confirm the final round of auditions is taking place this month.

The spy franchise’s casting director, Nina Gold, is said to be whittling down the shortlist of would-be 007s in London.

While the names are shrouded in secrecy, sources have claimed the number of actors in the running is between ‘five to seven’ at this late stage. 

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Top contenders are said to include Master Of The Air star Callum Turner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson of Marvel fame, Bridgerton‘s Jonathan Bailey and – most recently – Slow Horses’ Jack Lowden.

But could a flurry of sponsorship deals offer fans vital leads as to who will replace Daniel Craig in the tuxedo? Several of the actors named in connection to the role have taken on deals to front brands associated with 007.

Experts say the deal British actor Turner, 36 – who wed pop star Dua Lipa this summer – signed to front the spy’s preferred whisky, Johnnie Walker, is a hint. In the last Bond film, 2021’s No Time To Die, a bottle of Johnnie Walker was visible in the spy’s Jamaican villa.

Meanwhile, Taylor-Johnson has recently become global ambassador for Omega, the watchmaker whose time-pieces have appeared in nine Bond films. And Bailey has signed a deal with Martini, the tipple 007 orders shaken not stirred.

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Media expert, Mark Borkowski, told The Mail on Sunday: ‘What we’re seeing is a string of calculated PR moves. None of these brands have signed the actors by accident, they know they could be the future 007.

Join the discussion

Should brands influence who becomes the next James Bond or should casting be purely about talent?

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Experts say the deal British actor Turner, 36 – who wed pop star Dua Lipa this summer – signed to front the spy’s preferred whisky, Johnnie Walker, is a hint

Jonathan Bailey has signed a deal with Martini, the tipple 007 orders shaken not stirred

Aaron Taylor-Johnson has recently become global ambassador for Omega, the watchmaker whose time-pieces have appeared in nine Bond films

Jack Lowden of Slow Horses’ is also said to be a top contender for the role

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‘The question of who might be the next Bond creates massive speculation, and betting is always hot, but if you are a brand and you have managed to do a deal with a potential Bond, and that Bond gets chosen, it’s quids in. It’s a punt for companies but if they get it right, Christmas has come early.

‘As for the actors, they get visibility and are seen to fit the bill which entices directors towards them. Casting directors don’t have to picture them in the role anymore, it’s right there for them.’

One Bond hopeful who may have dented his chances is Lowden, 36. The Slow Horses star fronted an ad campaign for Mini Cooper last summer – a marque some way removed from 007’s Aston Martin.

The next Bond is expected to be confirmed by the end of the year, which would allow Amazon MGM, which now controls the Bond franchise, to start filming the next movie in 2027. Confirming that the audition process was reaching an end, Bond producer Amy Pascal has said: ‘I would say the end of the year is a good bet.’

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Casting director Ms Gold is understood to have been meeting with candidates since June. Other names in the mix include Happy Valley star James Norton, Spider-Man actor Tom Holland and The Gentlemen’s Theo James.

Operation Coronation was launched last May on the Thornbank Estate off Deane Road in Deane after repeated reports of drug crime and vulnerable people being exploited.

Police say that by working with Bolton Council and housing provider Be One Homes, they have cut crime by nearly 30 per cent and incidents by nearly half.

Sergeant Oliver Cooper from Greater Manchester Police’s Neighbourhood Team in Bolton said: “This operation has been significant in increasing public confidence and safety.

“Ensuring people feel safe amongst their own homes and communities is the main focus of neighbourhood policing, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see the impact this operation has had for residents and overall community well-being.

The policing team on the estate (Image: GMP)

“I’m truly proud of my officers and teams for the immense work they’ve put in for this operation.

“Their commitment and dedication to this work has had visible results and had an extremely positive impact amongst the public.

“The operation has transformed a high-demand estate, protected vulnerable people, disrupted crime, and most importantly, delivered meaningful and lasting change.”

The operation was rounded off this week (Image: GMP)

There were two closure orders for flats in the area that were linked to crimes and drugs, while another three were closed through tenancy action or voluntary surrender.

The operation was rounded off this week with the opening of a new UCAN centre.

Bolton Council Leader Cllr Akhtar Zaman said: “This is a great example of partnership working to ensure residents of the Thornbank Estate can live in a safe and secure community that they can be proud of.

Officers helping clean up the estate (Image: GMP)

“The success of Operation Coronation lies in the right mix of engagement and cooperation while also taking tough direct action where necessary.

“The support available at the UCAN centre will ensure this positive work will continue into the future.”

Officers say they hope the opening of the UCAN centre will mark the end of Operation Coronation but the start of a new initiative to have a base of operations in the community.

Officers helped clear up the estate (Image: GMP)

Visiting the new centre earlier in the week, Cllr Ayyub Patel, of Rumworth, said: “The new UCAN hub will make a tangible difference to people’s lives.

“It brings support directly onto the estate, meaning residents no longer have to travel or struggle to access help with housing, money matters, employment, wellbeing, or community development.

“For many families, having this support on their doorstep is the difference between coping and falling behind.”

The operation focused on the Thornbank Estate (Image: GMP)

Police say their work disrupted organised crime, displaced suspects, and created a safer and more welcoming area for residents.

Stop searches have also increased since previous years, highlighting a proactive approach to tackling crime while arrests increased mid-operation, and have since decreased.

Officers say this shows how they have cut crime on the estate and moved to a more preventative approach.

A special day was held to mark the end of the operation (Image: Public)

Be One Homes enforcement manager Gemma Hotchkiss said: “We’re committed to working in partnership to address antisocial behaviour and improve the quality of life for our residents.

“The progress made through Operation Coronation shows what can be achieved when organisations work together, alongside residents, to tackle issues that matter to local communities.

“We’ll continue to support residents and work closely with Greater Manchester Police and Bolton Council to ensure neighbourhoods remain safe and welcoming places to live.”

With United potentially set for a busy end to the window, we’re running Q&A sessions to give you the chance to ask the questions you want to be answered. Simply add your question here and our Senior Manchester United Correspondent, Tyrone Marshall, will get back to you.

Here are the answers to some of the latest questions:

Which current Manchester United player has the most to prove this season?

That’s a good question. Marcus Rashford feels like an obvious answer, but there are probably a few with something to prove or who need to back up impressive first seasons. I think all three forwards signed last summer fit into that category and can kick on.

It’s probably Rashford, but to be contrary, I’m going to go with Kobbie Mainoo. He had a superb second half of last season, but had a difficult World Cup experience and with more competition in midfield, he is going to feel like he has to nail down a place in the team.

What’s the plan for our No.6? We need a top box-to-box engine

I think that player has already arrived and it’s Andrey Santos. I’d be surprised if United signed an elite-level No.6 now at this stage of the window, the third midfield addition will be another in a similar price range.

United wanted technical midfielders this summer, with the mobility to get around the pitch. Santos fits that bill for me and I think he’s going to be a regular starter under Michael Carrick.

Was the way this summer’s transfer window has unfolded so far always part of United and INEOS’ plan? It seemed fairly clear that a significant overhaul of the midfield was expected this summer, yet here we are in mid-August and the only major business has been the £85m spent on Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans — both excellent signings, of course. Was this always roughly how the club expected the window to progress, or have things moved more slowly than they had hoped?

I think they have probably moved more slowly than they hoped. It was always the plan to take a breath after making that flurry of signings but I believe they thought they would be in a stronger position now.

I still think they will have a good end to the window and I think another two players will come in, a left-back and a midfielder, but it’s clear with a couple of weeks to go that they have work to do.

Is there a realistic possibility that the window could close without United making any further first-team signings? Cristian Orozco and Tynan Thompson have arrived, and there now appears to be interest in Louis Page, but none of them would be expected to make an immediate impact on the first team. Aside from the two midfielders and Karl Darlow as a back-up goalkeeper, that is essentially the extent of the senior reinforcement so far. It feels as though the patience of a large section of the United fanbase is beginning to wear very thin, so should supporters still expect more significant first-team business before the deadline?

I would be very surprised if this window ends with no more first-team signings. As I mentioned above, I actually think they will get a left-back and a central midfielder.

I’d be stunned if they don’t at least sign a left-back. I’ve heard that is the priority now and that is the area they are pushing on, so I think we’ll see some competition for Luke Shaw coming into the building.

Who is replace Bruno if the injured?

It’s been interesting to see Shea Lacey get a few games as a No.10 in pre-season and I think he will be considered a real option to step in for Fernandes next season. He looks a good player there and is a really creative player as well.

The other player I’d like to see there is Matheus Cunha. He will play on the left again but I think his best position is as a No.10 and he could do really well there.

It’s not just if Fernandes gets injured either. I think there will be games where he will need to be rested this season, so Michael Carrick needs an idea in his head about who to play there instead.

Is a move for Lewis Hall completely out of the question? I fully understand that Newcastle have made it clear he is not for sale, and that having already lost several key players, they would be extremely reluctant to allow another important player to leave — particularly to United. But similar things were said about Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimarães, and both ultimately managed to join the clubs they wanted to move to.

I think it’s very, very unlikely. I think it only changes if Hall really pushes to leave Newcastle and United make an exceptional offer, but neither of those feel likely at the moment.

If Hall handed in a transfer request and pushed for it, then I think United would have a look and try and make it happen. They would probably be willing to pay more for a player who makes it clear they want to move to Old Trafford.

But as I say, I’m not sure Hall will do that and it would be a shock to me if it happened now.

Luke Shaw did, remarkably, start all 38 Premier League matches last season, but I suspect very few people would confidently expect him to do the same again this season. With that in mind, a new left-back looks increasingly important, and Hall seems almost ideally suited to what United need. Is there genuinely no scenario in which United could test Newcastle’s resolve, particularly if the player himself were open to the move?

That last bit is the key here. Hall is open to the move but Newcastle have no need to sell and need to stop the exodus of first-team players.

United clearly need a left-back and they will sign one. Hall was the perfect age and has good Premier League experience for a 21-year-old. He looked the ideal successor to Shaw, but it’s difficult now.

There is always the possibility that they sign a lower-profile left-back this summer, then revisit Hall in 2027, when Shaw will be out of contract.