DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. State Department evacuations of non-emergency personnel and family reached six nations Tuesday with the inclusion of the United Arab Emirates.

The UAE, home to Dubai and Abu Dhabi and long considered a safe corner of the Middle East, has been dragged into the Iran war with interceptions and attacks.

The other countries include Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan. Kuwait and Qatar.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Airstrikes targeting an air base in southeastern Iran killed at least 13 Iranian troops there, local media reported.

The semiofficial Tasnim news agency and the Hammihan daily newspaper reported the strike in Kerman, 800 kilometers (500 miles) southeast from Iran’s capital, Tehran. The Kerman Air Base is known to house military helicopters.

Earlier, Iran struck the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia’s capital with a drone early Tuesday as it kept hitting targets around the region, while the United States and Israel pounded Iran with airstrikes in what U.S. President Donald Trump suggested was just the start of a relentless campaign that could last more than a month.

The attack from two drones on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh caused a “limited fire” and minor damage, according to Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry, and the embassy urged Americans to avoid the compound. It followed an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, which announced Tuesday it had been closed until further notice. The U.S. State Department also ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel and family in Kuwait, as well as Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar and Jordan as a precaution.

Across Iran’s capital, explosions rang out throughout the night into the early morning, with witnesses describing hearing aircraft overhead. It was not immediately clear what had been hit. And in Lebanon, Israel launched more strikes on Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia group, and said its soldiers are “operating in southern Lebanon.” Explosions could be heard and smoke seen in a southern suburb of Beirut.

The expansion of Iranian retaliation across the Gulf and the intensity of the Israeli and American attacks, the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the lack of any apparent exit plan portend a possibly prolonged conflict with far-reaching consequences.

Many countries deemed safe havens in the Mideast have been hit by Iran in retaliation for the U.S. and Israeli strikes, with recent targets including two Amazon data centers in the United Arab Emirates and a drone impact near another in Bahrain that caused damage, the company said Tuesday. Iran has also hit energy facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and attacked several ships Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil traded passes, sending global oil and natural gas prices soaring.

“The Strait of Hormuz is closed,” declared Iranian Brig. Gen. Ebrahim Jabbari, an adviser to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, threatening to set fire to any ships attempting to transit. “Don’t come to this region.”

The U.S. State Department urged U.S. citizens to leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries due to safety risks, as have many other countries, though with much of the airspace closed many remain stranded.

Trump said operations are likely to last four to five weeks but that he was prepared “to go far longer than that.”

He later added on social media that the U.S. had a “virtually unlimited supply” of munitions and pre-positioned “high grade weaponry.”

“Wars can be fought ‘forever,’ and very successfully, using just these supplies,” he wrote.

Hundreds dead in Iran and dozens in Lebanon along with 11 in Israel

The Iranian Red Crescent Society said the U.S.-Israeli operation has killed at least 555 people. In Israel, where several locations were hit by Iranian missiles, 11 people were killed. Israel’s retaliatory strikes against Hezbollah killed 52 people in Lebanon.

“Military escalation would force more families from their homes and hit civilians hard,” said Amy Pope, director general of the International Organization on Migration as she called Tuesday for the international community to press for de-escalation.

“Millions are already displaced in the region,” she said.

The U.S. military has confirmed six deaths of American service members. All six were Army soldiers in a logistics unit in Kuwait, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Three people were killed in the United Arab Emirates, and one each in Kuwait and Bahrain.

The chaos of the conflict became apparent when the U.S. military said Kuwait had “mistakenly shot down” three American fighter jets while Iran was attacking it with aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones. U.S. Central Command said all six pilots ejected safely.

Israel and U.S. target nuclear facilities and missile infrastructure

Iranian state TV said strikes caused two explosions early Tuesday at a broadcasting facility in Tehran, but said no one was injured.

Reza Najafi, Iran’s ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, told reporters that airstrikes targeted the Natanz nuclear enrichment site on Sunday.

“Their justification that Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons is simply a big lie,” he said.

Israel and the U.S. have not acknowledged strikes at the site, which the U.S. bombed in the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June. Israel has said it is targeting the “leadership and nuclear infrastructure.”

Trump said the military campaign’s objectives are to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, wipe out its navy, prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon and ensure that it cannot continue to support allied groups like Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which fired missiles at Israel on Monday.

Iran has said it has not enriched uranium since June, though it has maintained its right to do so and says its nuclear program is peaceful.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintained, however, that Iran was rebuilding “new sites, new places” underground for making atomic bombs in an interview broadcast late Monday on Fox News Channel’s Hannity.

“We had to take the action now and we did,” said Netanyahu, who offered no evidence to support his claim.

Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press showed limited activity at two nuclear sites in Iran before the war. Analysts said Tehran was likely assessing damage from the 2025 U.S. strikes and possibly salvaging what remained.

Attacks on Iran have drawn in proxy forces from around region

The conflict has also spread to Lebanon, where the Iranian-supported militant group Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel on Monday, prompting Israel to retaliate.

At least 52 people have been killed and 154 wounded so far, according to Lebanese authorities.

Israel hit Beirut with more airstrikes early Tuesday morning, saying it was targeting “Hezbollah command centers and weapons storage facilities.”

Hezbollah also said it launched drones targeting an Israeli air base. The Israeli military said it downed two drones.

An Iranian-linked militant in Iraq has also claimed strikes on U.S. military facilities there. The Israeli military said its troops operating in southern Lebanon were positioned at several points near the border in what it described as a “forward defense posture.”

It said the deployment is part of a broader effort to increase security for residents in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon. It has also beefed up troops and air defenses in the area.

The army said there are no plans to evacuate Israeli residents of border areas.

___

Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, Hallie Golden in Seattle, Washington and Giovanna Dell’Orto in Miami contributed to this report. Rising reported from Bangkok and Magdy from Cairo.

Here are you rugby headlines on Tuesday, March 3.

Wales to stick with midfield strategy

Wales look set to stick with the strategy of a second playmaker at inside centre despite calls to switch Eddie James to 12 and utilise a more direct approach.

Attack coach Matt Sherratt’s preference for a ball-playing 12 has seen Ben Thomas and Joe Hawkins share the jersey under Steve Tandy, with Hawkins the incumbent over the past two matches.

After two disappointing performances against England and France, Wales were much-improved against Scotland last time out, with James in particular having his best game for his country.

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The likes of Jonathan Davies and Graham Price, as well as a number of fans, have called for Wales to ditch Sherratt’s preferred strategy to give Wales some much-need gainline power at 12. James has played more as an inside centre at regional level, with many feeling that is his best position.

But Sherratt believes Wales are on the right path. Asked if the centre combination of Hawkins and James was now settled, he said: “Certainly the style of it is. I do think what helps as well is that familiarity. Against Scotland, Sam, Joe and Eddie play for the same team so in the white hot atmosphere of a Test match, they’re used to each other, they know each other’s traits so that helped. I think we’ve got a really good array of centres coming through.

“They all need time in the saddle, so there will be different combinations at different times because we have to develop people for the future. But Joe and Eddie; that kind of second-receiver type player, Joe is physically very good as well to be fair and Eddie, a very big athlete, runs good lines coming off him.

“We’re starting to see some nice combinations. It is genuinely that type of competition is that we’re trying to get into the team. Ben steps in, Louie, Max when he’s back available, so we’re growing some good depth in that area.”

Lions star dies

Scotland and Lions back row Ken Smith has died at the age of 96, it has been announced.

Smith represented Scotland between 1957 and 1961, earning selection for Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1959. He made 17 appearances for the Lions, including playing in four of the Test matches.

Smith, who won 18 caps for Scotland, went on to be a huge figure in rugby administration. He served as tour manager for Scotland when they travelled to New Zealand in 1981 before becoming chairman of World Rugby (then known as the IRB) in 1990/91.

He then became president of the Scottish Rugby Union in 1994/95 and was made a CBE during that time.

Scottish Rugby said: “Scottish Rugby is saddened to learn of the death last week of former Scotland and British & Irish Lions back-row forward, SRU Past President and IRB past Chairman, Ken Smith. He was 96.”

England hold clear-the-air meeting

Ben Earl insisted England have a “glint in their eye” following a clear-the-air meeting in which players put their hands up to underperforming against Scotland and Ireland.

Senior players gathered last Wednesday to pick apart the reasons for the successive emphatic losses which removed the team from Guinness Six Nations title contention with two rounds still to play.

Italy in Rome are the next assignment and Earl, who will win his 50th cap at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, believes England are ready to emerge from the ruins of another disappointing championship.

“These are the weeks where boys have a little glint in their eye. They mean business,” the British and Irish Lions back row said.

“You look at some of the big guys in our squad and go ‘something good is coming’. We’re all hoping that is going to materialise on Saturday.

“It’s come from within. If we’re being honest, there’s been some challenge from within the playing group. A few of us had a meeting last Wednesday and we’ve stripped it bare.

“There are people in the squad who don’t feel like they’ve pulled their weight or performed well enough. Some people have come forward and said they need to be a lot better at this or have been a bit off on that.

“Once you get that out there, it’s about how you move forward. There’s no point sulking about it.

“Hopefully it’s something we can look back on again when we play more big games over the next 18 months and we can say ‘I won’t forget those conversations’.

“I don’t want to say it’s a turning point and I don’t want to downplay it. But it’s another big moment on our journey – what’s happened over the past couple of weeks.

“This team has always performed well when it’s been challenged from within and from outside.

“Whether the result comes on Saturday or not is kind of indifferent for us, it’s about the feeling within the group.”

Ireland play down Triple Crown talk

Assistant coach Paul O’Connell insists Ireland will not be sidetracked by talk of a potential Triple Crown following the jubilation of a historic win over England.

Andy Farrell’s side return to Guinness Six Nations action at home to winless Wales on Friday evening after celebrating a record 42-21 victory at Twickenham in round three.

Ireland, who retain an outside chance of winning the championship title, will then take on Scotland in Dublin on Saturday, March 14.

“I think particularly after a good result against England, you just want to focus on the next game and the next thing, and even the next training session really is what the lads were talking about,” O’Connell told reporters on Monday.

“It’s only about getting better from the last performance, even though it was a good result.

“There’s plenty of things we have to improve on and that’s been the sole focus. We haven’t discussed trophies or silverware or anything like that.

“We might. I think we always come into a campaign trying to win it and we don’t shy away from it. I’m sure Andy has a meeting tomorrow, he might mention it, I don’t know.

“Really, the focus for us as coaches and players has just been about getting set for the Welsh game.”

Following an emphatic 36-14 opening defeat in France and an unconvincing 20-13 home win over Italy, Ireland silenced their critics with an outstanding performance in south-west London.

Wales slipped to an agonising 26-23 loss to Scotland before the rest week in the tournament and have suffered 14 successive Six Nations defeats.

“I think the week off was good for us, probably came at a good time, three weeks in after a win, it gives you a chance to reflect as you head into the next game,” said forwards coach O’Connell.

“With the group that will play this weekend, I think they will be very hungry to produce a similar and better performance.”

Bundee Aki has bolstered Farrell’s squad following his four-match suspension for “verbal abuse and disrespect” towards match officials.

Fellow centre Robbie Henshaw and versatile back Jimmy O’Brien have recovered from injuries to also join the group.

“Yeah, it’s great, he’s a brilliant personality to have around the place,” O’Connell said of Aki’s return to camp. “He trained quite well today and it just adds to the group.

“It’s great to have that leadership, that kind of personality around the place, helping guys, talking to guys.”

Head coach Farrell will name his team for the Wales match on Wednesday afternoon.

A main road in the town will be closed from 8pm.

Drivers in Ramsbottom have been warned to expect delays as a busy main road is due to shut overnight on Tuesday, March 3. A road closure on Bolton Road West (A676) is taking place so United Utilities can carry out urgent works.

The block will be put in place between 8pm to 10pm near the junction with Ada Street so the water company can replace an access chamber cover. Diversion will be in place and will be ‘clearly signed’.

Residents will have to access Ada St, Smith St, and Mary St via Alfred St. Drivers can avoid the closure via Lumb Carr Rd.

Bury Council said the works have been planned in the evening ‘to reduce disruption’, including on the nearby Hazelhurst Community Primary School. But motorists are warned to ‘plan ahead and allow extra travel time’.

The closure coincides with maintenance being carried out by BT between Cemetery Rd and Adelaide St, where temporary traffic lights are also in place.

The works should only take one evening to complete.

George was saved by Dr Mellor and two other NHS employees, who stopped to perform CPR.

A student is set to run the Cambridge Half Marathon two years after his heart stopped during the same event. George Collyer, 23, was close to the end of the 13.1 mile course in March 2024 before he collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest.

He is from South London but is studying architecture at Loughborough University. Back in 2024, George said: “The half marathon was going very well and I was on for a good pace.

“I was pushing myself hard and I remember feeling really tired. I was about 1km from the finish and then the next thing I remember, I woke up in an ambulance having survived a cardiac arrest. I’m lucky that three people with medical expertise were passing as without their swift actions, I might not be here today.”

Dr Greg Mellor, a consultant cardiologist and electrophysiologist at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, stopped to perform life-saving CPR on George, alongside two other runners – also NHS employees.

Dr Mellor, Dr Ben Straughan, anaesthetic registrar, and Dr Helen Nuttall, trauma and orthopaedic registrar, were able to restart George’s heart without a defibrillator. George was then taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for testing.

He was transferred to Royal Papworth Hospital where he received a new type of cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implanted by a team led by Dr Mellor. An ICD is a small device usually implanted under the skin that helps protect against sudden cardiac arrests by delivering defibrillation.

Dr Mellor added: “I was running the half-marathon with my brother when we came across George on the ground, experiencing a cardiac arrest. Instinct just kicked in and between myself and two other NHS colleagues who stopped to help, we started CPR whilst also calling for an ambulance and a defibrillator. Thankfully the CPR was successful in restarting George’s heart.”

He continued: “George had no known heart condition and no abnormalities were found as a result of extensive testing, so ultimately we don’t know what happened to him. However we do know that up to 25% of individuals who survive an unexplained cardiac arrest will have another arrest within five years.

“Nobody knows what George’s personal risk will be in the future, but we were very open with him and his family that the consequences of another cardiac arrest without the protection of an ICD could be fatal.”

George added: “I was informed in hospital that Dr Mellor was one of those who had helped resuscitate me. A couple of days later he came in, introduced himself and explained his background. I couldn’t believe it and it feels like fate that he is now overseeing my care.

“From our early discussions it became apparent that an ICD might be an option for me and after discussions with family, it was a fairly straightforward decision.”

George was given an Aurora EV-ICD from Medtronic, which is the first major development in ICD technology in over 10 years. In January 2024, the first people in the UK were fitted with this device and were also Royal Papworth Hospital patients.

Dr Mellor continued: “Patients with EV-ICDs have no limitations placed on them in the long-run. We would anticipate and hope for our patients to return to their normal activities, involving exercise, travel, driving or whatever they want to do.

“Of course there are recovery periods after anyone’s operation and depending on people’s underlying heart condition, there may be recommendations to avoid certain activities. However we are very supportive of George going back to running and there are no restrictions. That includes running the Cambridge half marathon again.”

Since his surgery, George has spent a year working in Canada, on placement from university. The Aurora EV-ICD also has the ability to provide remote monitoring that links to the device and sends data back to Royal Papworth Hospital.

If any anomalies are detected, the NHS team will be in touch with George immediately. George said: “I’m aware of my device but it’s not uncomfortable and it never stops me from doing anything. Thanks to the remote monitoring there’s also a real peace of mind that the hospital will get in touch if anything ever comes up again.”

Dr Mellor continued: “It was a very unusual situation to be involved at both ends of George’s care. It was unique and a real privilege to be able to do that for him.”

George will be taking on the Cambridge Half Marathon this year on Sunday, March 8, in aid of Royal Papworth Charity.

Taking place on Friday, July 17, the evening promises to bring together top-quality racing and live entertainment from Scottish folk band Tide Lines, to celebrate 100 years of racing on the Bothwell Road site.

Hamilton Park have announced Jordan Electrics as the new title sponsor of their Glasgow Stakes Centenary Racenight.

Taking place on Friday, July 17, the evening promises to bring together top-quality racing and live entertainment from Scottish folk band Tide Lines, to celebrate 100 years of racing on the Bothwell Road site.

The Motherwell family-owned business, Jordan Electrics, has been providing expert electrical services across domestic, commercial, industrial and retail sectors since 1975.

Renowned for their commitment to quality, reliability and innovation, they are a trusted name across Scotland. Alongside their wide range of electrical expertise, the company is now placing a strong focus on renewable installations, including solar panel systems, supporting homes and businesses in the transition to greener, more energy-efficient solutions.

Brian Jordan, Director of Jordan Electrics, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be part of Hamilton Park’s centenary celebrations.

“Supporting such a historic evening in our local community is a great pleasure and we are looking forward to sharing the excitement with racegoers ahead of the night.”

The racenight takes place on the same mid-July double fixture as Hamilton Park’s very first opening race days in 1926, making the evening a centrepiece of the resort’s 100th year and promises to be one of the most memorable in the racecourse’s history.

Ashley Moon, Racecourse Managing Director at Hamilton Park, said: “The Jordan Electrics Glasgow Stakes Centenary Racenight is set to be one of the standout evenings of our 2026 season.

“It is one of the most valuable fixtures of our year, showcasing some of the best flat racing anywhere in Scotland, including the Scottish Stewards’ Cup and the British Stallion Studs EBF Glasgow Stakes, our highest-grade race of the season with record prize money of £80,000.

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“Sure to keep the celebrations going, after racing, we look forward to welcoming Tide Lines to the stage. Known for their anthemic indie folk sound and incredible live performances, they’ll bring a fantastic atmosphere to round off what promises to be an unforgettable evening both on and off the track.”

Early bird tickets for Glasgow Stakes Centenary Racenight featuring Tide Lines on Friday, July 17, are on sale now from only £27, saving £5 when booked in advance, with free entry for under 18s.

All tickets include access to both the day’s racing and after-racing entertainment from Tide Lines. For more information on fixtures and tickets visit www.hamilton-park.co.uk.

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READ MORE: Jail for man who punched woman on the face “multiple times” during an argument

The Daily Telegraph focuses on Donald Trump’s criticism of Sir Keir Starmer for, as he put it, taking “far too long” to let him strike Iran from British bases. “I am very disappointed in Keir” reads the paper’s headline. The Daily Mail quotes the Pentagon, which has accused the prime minister of “hand-wringing” and “pearl-clutching” over the operation. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says Sir Keir has distanced himself from US actions to placate voters who are swayed by conflicts in the Middle East, not the British national interest, according to the paper. The i Paper notes Sir Keir’s response to the criticism, in which he said the UK didn’t believe in “regime change from the skies”.

Mohammed Algasim, 20, was stabbed in the neck on August 1, 2025.

A family has paid tribute to a “dutiful” and “loving” 20-year-old student who was killed in Cambridge last year. Mohammed Algasim was stabbed in the neck in the late hours of August 1, 2025, in Mill Park.

On Monday (March 2) Chas Corrigan, 22, was found guilty of Mohammed’s murder following a two-week trial. Mohammed’s family have paid tribute to him.

In a statement, the family said: “Muhammad Yousef Algasim. A young man brimming with enthusiasm, brimming with chivalry and courage.

“He was a dutiful son, a loving brother, and the leader of the family in spirit, not in appearance. He was cheerful, chivalrous, pure of heart, quick to give, and passionate about others.

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“Over time, he became the family’s charisma, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy in every gathering. He was his father’s support, his familiar companion, and the assistant to his uncles and maternal uncles.

“He was the most compassionate person to ever visit a mother’s heart and the closest to his sisters’ embrace.” Mohammed, from Saudi Arabia, was on a 10-week placement to study English in the city.

On the night of his death, Corrigan stabbed Mohammed with a kitchen knife. Mohammed ran from the scene, but he collapsed, and a member of the public called an ambulance.

Three off-duty doctors and paramedics found Mohammed bleeding heavily on the pavement, and despite their best efforts to save him, his injury to his neck was so severe that he was pronounced dead at 12.19am.

The incident was captured on CCTV, which was shown to jurors in court. Throughout the trial, Corrigan, of Holbrook Road, Cambridge, accepted he was the man in the CCTV footage and had been carrying a knife to scare off any attackers, but claimed he had no intention of using it.

He said he didn’t intend to cause harm but aimed to wave the knife between himself and the victim. Corrigan is due to be sentenced at a later date.

Detective Inspector Dale Mepstead, who led the investigation from the major crime unit, said: “This was a senseless and devastating attack on a young man with his whole life ahead of him. Corrigan armed himself with a knife and chose to carry it onto the streets of Cambridge — a decision that had tragic consequences.

“I want to thank the members of the public who came forward, as well as the medical professionals who tried desperately to save Mohammed’s life. Our thoughts remain with his family, who have shown incredible strength throughout this investigation.”

Former Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City players are among the ex-footballers joining big name celebrities at Soccer Aid in 2026

Premier League legends from clubs including Arsenal and Manchester United will be among the big sporting names joined by Champions League winner Jordi Alba in the 2026 edition of charity fixture Soccer Aid.

Former Barcelona star Alba, who retired in 2025, is one of nine debutants set to feature this year. He is also one of two European Championships winners, with iconic Italy centre-back Leonardo Bonucci returning after catching the eye last year.

A number of well-known celebrities are also set to take part, including Adolescence actor Owen Cooper – the youngest participant in either squad at only 16 years of age – and Gladiators star and ex-Team GB Olympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, more commonly known as Nitro.

Alba is one of three footballers set for a first appearance in the charity game, which will take place at the London Stadium in May. United States women’s international Ali Krieger and former Arsenal and Scotland women’s star Jen Beattie are the others set to feature in the mixed-gender fixture.

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Since its first edition back in 2006, Soccer Aid has generated an impressive £121million for Unicef. The 20th anniversary edition sees the match return to London after taking place at Old Trafford in Manchester last year, with former England internationals Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott and Joe Hart among the others signed up for the game.

Nine newcomers will be making their Soccer Aid debuts, with ex-pros Alba, Beattie and Krieger – joined by celebrities in GK Barry, Owen Cooper, Damson Idris, Joe Marler, Nitro and Jordan North. Dermot O’Leary and Alex Scott will present the match, which will also include an extended half-time show to mark Soccer Aid’s 20th anniversary.

The classic England XI versus World XI format continues, with the World XI having clinched a dramatic 5-4 victory in 2025. England’s most recent win came in 2024, with Walcott and Jermain Defoe scoring that night and chasing more goals this time around.

Soccer Aid co-founder Robbie Williams will manage the England team from the touchline. Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt, who scored in the 2023 edition as a player, will be on managerial duty for the World XI.

“It’s an absolute dream come true for me to be playing in Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026,” Gladiators star Nitro said. “I’m a massive football fan and a big kid at heart. I’ve never stopped playing, whether that’s been on the playground, the athletics track, the Gladiator arena — and now the football pitch. I’ve watched Soccer Aid for years and now I get to share the experience of being involved with my daughter, who’s even more excited than I am!

“Fellow Gladiator Diamond, who played last year, told me it’s one of the best things she’s ever done. Childhood should be all about play, imagination and fun but for so many children around the world that freedom is taken away by things completely outside their control, like conflict, disease and disasters.

“That’s why being part of this incredible match, playing alongside legends of the game and supporting UNICEF’s life-changing work, means so much to me. I’m proud to be involved and I hope we can raise even more than last year. Please come and support us on Sunday May 31.”

Footballers confirmed for Soccer Aid 2026: Jordi Alba, Jen Beattie, Ali Krieger, Leonardo Bonucci, Jermain Defoe, Toni Duggan, Joe Hart, Steph Houghton, Wayne Rooney, Edwin van der Sar, Jill Scott, Theo Walcott.

Celebrities confirmed for Soccer Aid 2026: GK Barry, Owen Cooper, Damson Idris, Joe Marler, Nitro, Jordan North, Maisie Adam, Usain Bolt, Alex Brooker, Richard Gadd, Angry Ginge, Tom Grennan, Tom Hiddleston, Paddy McGuinness, Olly Murs, Sam Thompson, Robbie Williams, Big Zuu.

The twentieth anniversary of Soccer Aid for UNICEF takes place on Sunday 31^st May at the London Stadium. Tickets are on sale now at socceraid.org.uk/tickets

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Actor James Cartwright has shared what Theo Silverton’s next move will be and it’s not looking good for Todd Grimshaw and his loved ones

Coronation Street star James Cartwright has said that Theo Silverton is ‘so dangerous’ as his next plan is seemingly uncovered in spoilers for next week’s episodes of the long-running show.

It’s approaching a year since the character was first seen in Weatherfield, and he has quickly found himself involved in a hard-hitting, coercively controlling, and abusive relationship with Todd Grimshaw, played by Gareth Pierce since 2020.

When they randomly met on the cobbles, with Theo working as a scaffolder on a local site, there was an instant spark between the pair. But Theo’s true self has slowly come to light and Todd is struggling to cope in their abusive relationship.

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However, as fans know, Todd had finally decided to leave Theo after Billy Mayhew discovered the full extent of what his friend and former partner had been going through.

But Billy’s plan to help Todd leave Theo was dramatically torn apart as when they prepared to head back to Weatherfield from Debbie Webster and Ronnie Bailey’s wedding in Yorkshire in the minibus, Theo arrived, making for an uncomfortable journey.

And as viewers are aware, the minibus ended up being one of the vehicles caught up in a horror multi-vehicle pile-up which was at the centre of the dramatic crossover between Corrie and fellow ITV soap Emmerdale, dubbed Corriedale. While most of the passengers managed to escape, but Billy was trapped by his seatbelt.

Despite him seemingly freeing himself, when an evil Theo returned to see who was still trapped inside the minibus, he appeared to clip Billy back into his seat as he read his last rites, before leaving him to burn alive as the vehicle exploded with him still inside.

And while Theo has appeared guilty for what happened with Billy, it hasn’t stopped his cruelty towards Todd, trying to make him feel guilty for Billy’s death, while also turned to financial abuse, cutting up Todd’s cards and giving him access to limited amounts of cash to control him further.

Spoilers for next week have revealed that as Todd and Summer Spellman sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Theo Silverton, he unwraps his presents and he’s clearly underwhelmed.

Later, in the Bistro, Theo invites Gary and Maria Windass to join him for his birthday lunch as Todd is running late at work and when he eventually rushes in, Theo shoots him daggers. With lunch over, Theo hands Todd the bill and insists they treat Gary and Maria, but Todd sheepishly tells Nick Tilsley that he’s only got £80.

Back at home, Theo accuses Todd of ruining his birthday and orders him to get a bottle of wine. When Todd suggests coffee instead, Theo loses it.

Speaking about the violence that unfolds, James admits: “It’s like any violence; you become conditioned to it. It takes on a life of its own and becomes more extreme every time it goes unchallenged. Violence is an awful, awful thing; in a relationship, it’s just unthinkable. And it becomes another tool of control for Theo. Theo’s just trying to absolutely give him the consequences of not doing his will.

“It’s just abhorrent. And the more Todd bites back, the more Theo is trying to knock that out of him and impose himself physically. There’s a big size difference there. Theo’s this larger, bigger muscular scaffolder; and to impose his physicality on him is a tool that he’s now using. It’s something that he’s using to his advantage to make sure he gets what he wants.”

The following day, as Todd tidies up the broken crockery from last night’s fight, he tells George Shuttlewroth he won’t be coming into work. Meanwhile, Gary clocks Theo waking up in his van and Tho makes out that Todd’s worried about money and they had an argument.

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At the flat, Todd makes some soup but when he can’t get the blender to work, he loses his temper and throws it. Soon after, Gary arrives to pick up some clothes for Theo and surveys the mess. Upset, Todd tells Gary that he wants to patch things up. Later, having been summoned by Gary, Theo calls at the flat to talk.

As the week progresses, alone in the flat, Todd worries that Theo could return at any time. Meanwhile, at the undertakers, an agitated George receives another funeral cancellation.

In the Rovers, George, Christina Boyd, Sarah Platt and James Bailey rally round Todd in a bid to cheer him up, but when Todd spots Theo, he’s overcome with emotion and leaves. Theo follows and suggests they need to talk but soon, as James guides a drunken Todd home, Theo watches from the shadows.

Things only get worse when later, Theo overhears Summer telling George how James stayed the night on the sofa. In Speed Daal, Theo clocks Adam Barlow with a client, when Gary reveals it’s Annie, the woman accusing George of fraud, With a new plan forming, Theo sidles over.

Explaning Theo’s decision, James commented: “Theo’s trying to isolate Todd because he doesn’t want anyone else’s opinions getting into his head. And so, the last person who really has Todd’s ear is George; he’s his closest ally. Seeing this opportunity to get George out of the picture is too good to miss. So he sees it, and he thinks, ‘Do you know what, with a little bit of Machiavellian manoeuvring, I might be able to get George out the picture, which is the right thing to do because then me and Todd can be together, and George is an old fusspot anyway, we’ll be happy then.’

“So when he sees this woman accusing George of something, he goes over to her and he makes up a complete lie that George did the funeral for his ex-wife’s mother and tried to fleece them and that he’s got it coming, which just isn’t the case. It’s a complete lie, but he’s doing what he thinks is necessary to get George out of the picture.”

Asked what viewers will see from Theo in the coming weeks, James added: “He’ll do some things that you expect and some things that you don’t. As ever with Theo, he’s a ball of unpredictability, and that’s what makes him so dangerous, it also makes him so thrilling to watch. You just never know.”