Chelsea have stepped up their interest in Jules Kounde and are ‘keeping a close eye’ on the defender ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports in Spain.

Kounde has established himself as a regular in Hansi Flick’s starting XI and Barcelona’s hierarchy have no active plans to bring in an upgrade at right-back for next season.

And while Kounde’s level of consistency has dropped off a little from last term, when he scored the decisive goal against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, he still has plenty of admirers in Catalonia.

There had been some positive signs of Kounde returning to his best over the winter, only for the full-back to go down with a muscle injury a month ago, meaning he has missed Barca’s last five matches in all competitions.

The France international was recently linked with Liverpool, who are in the market for a more defensive-minded right-back after capturing Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Kounde has since appeared on the radar of several other top European clubs – and Barca could consider the player’s departure should they receive a suitable offer.

The Spanish champions are well aware that Kounde has a number of potential suitors keeping tabs on the situation, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all said to be circling.

City are known to be long-term admirers of Kounde, while concrete interest from both Liverpool and Chelsea in a newer development. It’s claimed all three Premier League giants are ‘keeping a close eye’ on the versatile defender.

Kounde’s current deal at the Camp Nou runs through to June 2030.

After Kounde put pen to paper on a contract extension last August, Barca’s sporting director Deco confirmed that Manchester City had made an approach for the 27-year-old.

‘There wasn’t an offer as such, but City called to ask if he was available,’ Deco explained at the time.

‘Since we told them no, there was no offer.’

While Barca ideally wish to keep Kounde ‘to avoid a potential problem’, the possibility of a sale cannot be completely ruled out, especially if the player is no longer satisfied with the salary increase he received last summer and agitates for a move.

Eric Garcia, Xavi Espart and Ronald Araujo are all capable of providing cover at right-back. Barca are also exploring a deal with Al Hilal to extend a loan for Joao Cancelo, who can operate on both flanks.

The report adds that Barca would ‘find it difficult’ to walk away from a deal for Kounde should they receive a bid in the region of €80million for the former Sevilla and Bordeaux man.

The La Liga leaders are determined to bring in an elite level striker this summer and a big-money agreement for Kounde would raise some much-needed funds for a player such as Julian Alvarez, who has emerged as their primary target up front.

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The application by housing developer Persimonn Homes on land near Cross Lane, Sacriston, was approved by Durham County Council’s planning committee. 

A mix of bungalow and two, three, and four-bedroom homes will be built at the site, which the developer said would improve opportunities for locals to get onto the housing ladder. 

Of the 104 homes, 16 properties will be marketed to potential buyers as ‘affordable’. 

How the new estate could look. (Image: Persimmon Homes)

Tim Robson, county councillor for Sacriston and Witton Gilbert, said residents have “deep concerns” about the amount of new homes being built in the area, but said the council is at the mercy of government-imposed housing targets. 

He told the committee: “I grew up looking out over corn fields and I understand the concerns residents have. It is quite disconcerting for those living in the area. 

“I believe in protecting green belt and farmland, however, this is a central government mandate we cannot stop.”

Local parish councillors also warned about the impact the new houses would have on healthcare and education facilities. 

Kimblesworth and Plawsworth Parish Council said: “Many local people struggle to access GP appointments. While it is acknowledged there is a formula for money to follow additional patients, it would seem most likely that additional patients will make the situation even worse. 

“Opportunities for patients to register with existing NHS dentists are very rare. A similar concern was raised in relation to local school places.”

But Persimmon said it will contribute financially to local education, open space and healthcare services. 

Homes will be arranged along tree-lined streets and overlook open spaces. 

Praising the plans, Cllr James Stephenson, Reform member for Shildon and Dene Valley, said: “It’s a shame to lose the farmland but it’s a pretty good project. 

“There’s plenty of open space, it is well-related to Sacriston, and it has good access to Durham and Chester-le-Street. It’s a really good proposal.”

Work is expected to start on the site later this year. 

Olly Thompson, land director at Persimmon Durham, said: “We’re delighted to have these plans for new homes in Sacriston approved.

“This development will provide high-quality homes for first-time buyers, families and local residents alike.

“We look forward to engaging with residents and the Council to bring these exciting plans to fruition.

More than 100 new homes will be built despite concerns over a lack of local facilities. 

The application by housing developer Persimonn Homes on land near Cross Lane, Sacriston, was approved by Durham County Council’s planning committee. 

A mix of bungalow and two, three, and four-bedroom homes will be built at the site, which the developer said would improve opportunities for locals to get onto the housing ladder. 

Of the 104 homes, 16 properties will be marketed to potential buyers as ‘affordable’. 

Tim Robson, county councillor for Sacriston and Witton Gilbert, said residents have “deep concerns” about the amount of new homes being built in the area, but said the council is at the mercy of government-imposed housing targets. 

He told the committee: “I grew up looking out over corn fields and I understand the concerns residents have. It is quite disconcerting for those living in the area. 

“I believe in protecting green belt and farmland, however, this is a central government mandate we cannot stop.”

Local parish councillors also warned about the impact the new houses would have on healthcare and education facilities. 

Kimblesworth and Plawsworth Parish Council said: “Many local people struggle to access GP appointments. While it is acknowledged there is a formula for money to follow additional patients, it would seem most likely that additional patients will make the situation even worse. 

“Opportunities for patients to register with existing NHS dentists are very rare. A similar concern was raised in relation to local school places.”

But Persimmon said it will contribute financially to local education, open space and healthcare services. 

Homes will be arranged along tree-lined streets and overlook open spaces. 

Praising the plans, Cllr James Stephenson, Reform member for Shildon and Dene Valley, said: “It’s a shame to lose the farmland but it’s a pretty good project. 

“There’s plenty of open space, it is well-related to Sacriston, and it has good access to Durham and Chester-le-Street. It’s a really good proposal.”

Work is expected to start on the site later this year. 

Olly Thompson, land director at Persimmon Durham, said: “We’re delighted to have these plans for new homes in Sacriston approved.

“This development will provide high-quality homes for first-time buyers, families and residents alike.

“We look forward to engaging with residents and the council to bring these exciting plans to fruition.

The Artemis 2 mission will soon send four astronauts farther into space than anyone has ever been as humanity returns to the Moon for the first time in decades

The Artemis 2 mission – NASA’s first manned mission to the Moon in 54 years – is about to launch.

The four Artemis astronauts have said their goodbyes and entered the Orion capsule on NASA‘s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The launch is scheduled for 11.24pm UK time tonight, weather permitting.

The crew will travel 685,000 miles inside the tiny Orion space capsule, going roughly 4,500 miles beyond the Moon – farther from Earth than anyone has ever been before.

Commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch from NASA, and Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency, are the lucky four who get to take part in the mission that will pave the way for Artemis 3. Artemis 3 aims to land a crew on the Moon’s south pole as early as 2028.

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The rocket will launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. For those who live in and around the US state, they will be able to catch a glimpse of Artemis 2 as it launches through the sky and into space.

Sadly, those of us in the UK will not be able to see it launch with the naked eye. You can however watch the launch live here. The graphic below from NASA shows where it will be visible, Manchester Evening News reports.

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READ MORE: Artemis 2 launch: Crew’s life inside ‘shed-sized’ capsule from tortillas to toilet ruleREAD MORE: Artemis 2 launch weather update as NASA lift-off could be postponed at any time

NASA may be forced to delay the launch if weather conditions aren’t favourable, but the space agency said in its latest update that there’s still an 80 per cent chance the weather will be good enough.

The US space agency has been targeting a launch window that starts tonight on April 1. Speaking at a press conference, Ms Blackwell-Thompson added: “Our team has worked extremely hard to get us to this moment and I am so very proud of the work that they have done.”

The mission was originally planned for February but after problems during testing, the launch has been pushed back to a six-day launch window in April. The launch will mark the first time since 1972 that astronauts have flown to the Moon.

Timing is crucial for the mission to work properly, the space agency said. “The trajectory for a given day must ensure Orion is not in darkness for more than 90 minutes at a time so that the solar array wings can receive and convert sunlight to electricity, and the spacecraft can maintain an optimal temperature range.”

Israel’s security has been a political mantra for Benjamin Netanyahu during his decades in office. In the early days of the war in Iran, he said Israel had already changed the Middle East, and its own power within it, but more than a month into the campaign the regime in Tehran is still in power, still firing missiles at Israel, and still in possession of its stockpile of highly-enriched uranium – enough, experts say, to make around a dozen nuclear bombs if further refined.

The Metropolitan Police have vowed to crack down on disorder in Clapham, south London, said to be fuelled by an online trend, which has seen teenagers storm the local high street twice in recent days.

Officers responded to reports of antisocial behaviour involving a group of several hundred young people in Clapham High Street and Clapham Common, from around 5pm on Tuesday, according to the Met.

Young people were reported to be attempting to access shops and a restaurant on Clapham High Street as well as lighting fires and setting off fireworks on Clapham Common, the force said. Similar behaviour took place in the same area on Saturday night, with videos shared widely on social media on Monday.

Footage circulating on social media appeared to show large crowds of young people, many wearing masks, gathering on Clapham High Street on Tuesday evening, as several supermarkets closed their doors.

In one TikTok video, smoke could be seen billowing from Clapham Common while a number of police officers attended the scene. A caption on the video read: “Do NOT attend Clapham Courts linkups.”

A dispersal order was put in place on Tuesday night, while around 100 officers were involved in the police response.

Five people were assaulted, including four police officers. One officer was taken to hospital as a precaution after suffering an injury to his arm while making an arrest.

Three girls, including a 17-year-old and two aged 13, were arrested on Tuesday night on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker. The 17-year-old has been charged and bailed to appear at court later this month. The two 13-year-olds have been granted bail.

The Met said more arrests would follow in the coming days, adding that officers are also working to identify those who played a leading or organising role.

Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Bond, who leads policing in the area, said: “We have a clear plan in place should any further disorder take place in the coming days, and are in close contact with our partners and businesses in the area.

“Our officers will continue to maintain a strong, visible presence around Clapham, and we will respond robustly to any reports of disorder, thefts or planned meet-ups.

“I’d urge those young people who think this is just a bit of fun to carefully consider the consequences. Events like this, fuelled by online trends and viral content on platforms such as TikTok, can quickly escalate and lead to serious outcomes.

“If you join in or cause further disorder, you should expect to be arrested and risk a criminal record, which can have long-lasting consequences for your future, including employment opportunities and potentially your ability to travel.

“There is widespread CCTV coverage on streets and in businesses in the area, and we’re already reviewing that footage, as well as officers’ body-worn video cameras, to identify those who committed offences on Saturday and last night.

“The parents/guardians of those involved in last night’s disorder also have a role to play. I’d appeal to them to take responsibility – to be proactive in knowing where their children are and who they’re with, and to take steps to make sure they’re not involved in this sort of unacceptable antisocial behaviour.”

Elaine Canning, store manager at Tapi Carpets and Floors on Clapham High Street, said a pregnant woman was among those who sheltered inside her store while the chaos took hold on Tuesday.

Ms Canning told The Independent on Wednesday: “On Saturday there were some people that came and stood in the shop, just people walking by that came in for cover.

“Last night, as well, there was a pregnant lady and her husband, they came in for about 10 to 15 minutes.”

She added: “She would be [panicked], being pregnant, you would be worried about being knocked over. But I don’t think [the young people] were physically threatening towards members of the public, to be fair.”

The store manager described the scenes that unfolded as “scary”, but said that those who gathered were mainly targeting food shops.

Ms Canning said she had been told by other people who worked on the road to be vigilant on Tuesday afternoon, as they had heard of another planned gathering that appeared to have been advertised on social media.

During more than two hours of arguments, U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer sought to convince the justices that the 14th Amendment – which establishes birthright citizenship and was extended to formerly enslaved people – and subsequent court rulings and laws passed by Congress all mistakenly expanded birthright citizenship.

The State Pension age is set to start rising from 66 to 67 this month, with the increase due to be completed for all men and women across the UK by 2028

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The State Pension age is set to begin increasing from 66 to 67 this month, with the transition due to be finalised for all men and women throughout the UK by 2028. The scheduled adjustment to the official retirement age has been enshrined in legislation since 2014, with a subsequent rise from 67 to 68 expected to take effect during the mid-2040s.

The Pensions Act 2014 brought forward the State Pension age increase from 66 to 67 by eight years. The UK Government also modified how the rise in State Pension age is phased, meaning rather than reaching State Pension age on a particular date, individuals born between March 6, 1961 and April 5, 1977 will become eligible for the New State Pension on their 67th birthday.

It’s crucial to be mindful of these alterations now, particularly if you have a retirement strategy in place. Everyone impacted by modifications to their State Pension age will receive correspondence from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) well beforehand. Under the Pensions Act 2007 the State Pension age for men and women will rise from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046.

The Pensions Act 2014 provides for a regular review of the State Pension age, at least once every five years. The review will be based around the idea people should be able to spend a certain proportion of their adult life drawing a State Pension. The UK Government has recently established a new Pension Commission to examine ways of increasing pension saving, with its conclusions set to be released in 2027. Key areas under consideration will encompass auto-enrolment saving rates, improving savings amongst groups such as the self-employed, and a review of the State Pension age, reports the Daily Record.

Dr Suzy Morrissey will report on factors the UK Government should consider relating to State Pension age and the Government Actuary’s Department will prepare a report on the proportion of adult life in retirement. The State Pension age review will factor in life expectancy alongside a variety of other relevant considerations when determining the appropriate State Pension age.

Once the review has concluded, the UK Government may opt to put forward amendments to the State Pension age. Nevertheless, any such proposals would need to pass through Parliament before being enshrined in law.

Your State Pension age is the earliest point at which you can begin claiming your State Pension, and may differ from the age at which you can access a workplace or personal pension. Anyone, regardless of age, can utilise the online tool at GOV.UK to check their State Pension age, which can prove invaluable when planning for retirement.

The fire service were called to the blaze at 7am on Wednesday

A person was airlifted to hospital as over 100 firefighters dealt with a “dust explosion” fire in Omagh.

The fire service were called to the blaze in the Bankmore Road area of Omagh, after receiving a call around 7am on Wednesday morning. Over 100 firefighters and 15 appliances were sent to the scene with it taking nearly 12 hours to deal with fire.

One person was taken to hospital by the air ambulance due to injuries they sustained in the incident.

A NIAS spokesperson said: “The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 07:21 on Wednesday, April 1, following reports of an incident in the Bankmore Road area, Omagh.

“NIAS dispatched one Emergency Ambulance and the Charity Air Ambulance with HEMS on board, to the scene.Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, 1 person was taken to Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.”

Firefighters remained at the scene into the evening with the fire being dealt with at 6.13pm.

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Western Area Commander David Doherty said: “The large fire at a commercial premises at Doogary West Industrial Estate, Bankmore Road, Omagh has now ended. The initial call was received at 7.19am this morning, Wednesday 1 April 2026.

“Firefighters worked tirelessly throughout the duration of the incident to bring the fire under control and prevent further spread.

“At the height of the incident over 100 Firefighters and personnel were involved in the operational response with Appliances from Omagh, Fintona, Newtownstewart, Strabane, Dromore, Irvinestown, Clogher, Castlederg, Enniskillen, Northland, Maghera, Magherafelt, Dungannon, Cookstown and Central Fire Stations, including 2 Aerial Appliances from Northland and Knock Fire Stations, 2 Water Tankers from Pomeroy and Belleek Fire Stations, 1 High-Volume Pump from Northland Fire Station, Specialist Rescue Teams from Central Fire Station and a Command Support Unit from Strabane Fire Station.

“We would like to thank the public for their patience whilst we dealt with this incident.

“The cause of the fire is believed at this stage to be accidental ignition due a dust explosion from a hopper and the incident was dealt with by 18:13pm on Wednesday 1 April 2026.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

A fire on Wednesday caused the evacuation of a historic building owned by Wayne State University in Detroit.

Video from TV stations showed thick rolling clouds of black smoke near the top of the 14-story Maccabees Building, a nearly century-old building designed by Albert Kahn, along Woodward Avenue, just north of downtown.

The fire on the 11th floor was contained, Wayne State said on social media, and no injuries were reported. Authorities said it likely began in the heating and cooling system.

Wayne State has owned the building for more than 20 years and has offices there, including the Computer Science Department and African American Studies. But it is not generally known as a place for classes.

The Maccabees was the home of early radio and TV studios, including radio broadcasts of “The Lone Ranger,” starting in the 1930s, and “The Green Hornet.”