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The unique human body part that evolution cannot explain

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The unique human body part that evolution cannot explain

The human body is a machine whose many parts – from the microscopic details of our cells to our limbs, eyes, liver and brain – have been assembled in fits and starts over the four billion years of our history.

But scientists are still puzzling over why we evolved into this particular form. Why do humans uniquely have a chin, for example? And why, relative to body weight, is a human testicle triple the size of a gorilla’s but a fifth of that of a chimpanzee? As I show in my new book, The Tree of Life, we are still searching for the answers to many of these “why” questions. But we are starting to find answers to some of them.

The story of evolution tells us how, starting from simple beginnings, each species was built, when each of the components that make a living creature was added to its blueprint. If we climb the evolutionary tree of life, we can follow a twisting path that visits the increasingly specialised branches that a species belongs to. We humans, for example, were animals before we became vertebrates; mammals before evolving into primates and so on.

The groups of species we share each of these branches with reveal the order our body parts appeared.

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A body and a gut (inventions of the animal branch) must have come before backbone and limbs (vertebrate branch); milk and hair (mammals) came before fingernails (primates).

The story of evolution tells us how, starting from simple beginnings, each species was built
The story of evolution tells us how, starting from simple beginnings, each species was built (Getty/iStock)

There is a way we can study the separate problem of just why we evolved each of these body parts, but it only works if the feature in question has evolved more than once on separate branches of the tree of life. This repeated evolution is called convergence. It can be a source of frustration for biologists because it confuses us as to how species are related. Swallows and swifts, for example, were once classified as sister species. We now know from both DNA and comparisons of their skeletons that swallows are really closer relatives of owls than swifts.

Size matters when it comes to evolution

But convergent evolution becomes something useful when we think of it as a kind of natural experiment. The size of primate testicles gives us a classic example. Abyssinian black and white colobus monkey and bonnet macaque adult males are roughly the same size. But, like chimps, humans and gorillas, these similar monkeys have vastly dissimilar testicles. Colobus testicles weigh just 3 grams. The testicles of the macaques, in contrast, are a whopping 48 grams.

You could come up with several believable explanations for their different testicle sizes. Large testicles might be the equivalent of the peacock’s tail, not useful per se but attractive to females. But perhaps the most plausible explanation relates to the way they mate. A male colobus monkey competes ferociously for access to a harem of females who will mate exclusively with him. Macaques, on the other hand, live in peaceful mixed troops of about 30 monkeys and have a different approach to love where everyone mates with everyone else: males with multiple females (polygamy) and females with multiple males (polyandry).

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The colobus with his harem can get away with producing a bare minimum of sperm – if a droplet is enough to produce a baby, then why make more? For a male macaque, the competition to reproduce happens in a battle between his sperm and the sperm of other males who mated before or after. A male macaque with large testicles should make more sperm, giving him a higher chance of passing on his genes. It’s a sensible explanation for their different testicle sizes, but is it true? This is where convergent evolution helps.

If we look across the whole of the mammal branch of the tree of life, we find there are many groups of mammals that have evolved testicles of all different sizes. In almost all these separate cases, larger testicles are consistently found in promiscuous species and smaller in monogamous.

About the author

Max Telford is a Jodrell Professor of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy at UCL.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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A small-testicled, silverback male gorilla has sole access to a harem. Big-testicled chimps and bonobos are indeed highly promiscuous. Dolphins, meanwhile, may have the biggest mammalian testicles of all, making up as much as 4 per cent of their body weight (equivalent to human testicles weighing roughly 3 kilos). Although wild dolphin sex lives are naturally hard to study, spinner dolphins at least fit our expectations, engaging in mass mating events called wuzzles.

It was thanks to the multiple observations provided by convergent evolution that we were able to discover this consistent correlation between testicle size and sex life right across the mammals. And as for humans, we have testicle size somewhere in the middle, you can make of this what you want!

But what of the human chin?

The human chin has been fertile ground for arguments between scientists over its purpose. As with testicles, there are half a dozen plausible ideas to explain the evolution of the human chin. It could have evolved to strengthen the jaw of a battling caveman. Maybe the chin evolved to exaggerate the magnificence of a manly beard. It might even be a by-product of the invention of cooking and the softer food it produced – a functionless facial promontory left behind by the receding tide of a weakening jaw.

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Intriguingly, however, a chin can be found in no other mammal, not even our closest cousins, the Neanderthals. Thanks to the uniqueness of the homo sapiens chin, while we have a rich set of possible explanations for its evolutionary purpose, in the absence of convergent evolution, we have no sensible way of testing them.

Some parts of human nature may be destined to remain a mystery.

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Emma Raducanu withdraws from Madrid Open

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Emma Raducanu

Raducanu had a very promising debut clay court season in 2022 – the year after she won the US Open in New York as a teenager – but hurt her back in Madrid and had to retire from her first match in Rome a week later.

Much of 2023 was lost to the operations she had on her hands and left ankle. In 2024, Raducanu played very promisingly on indoor clay, winning two matches for Great Britain against France in the Billie Jean King Cup before reaching the quarter-finals in Stuttgart.

But that was followed by a heavy first-round defeat by qualifier Maria Lourdes Carle in Madrid.

Raducanu said she was “mentally and emotionally exhausted” and did not play on clay again that year, choosing to skip the French Open to prioritise a training block that she thought would benefit her fitness in the second half of the year.

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She played four clay court events last year, with the highlight a run to the fourth round in Rome, but experienced further back issues in Strasbourg and after competing at Roland Garros.

Her next opportunity to play on clay will be at the Italian Open in Rome from 5 May. There are also two tournaments – in Strasbourg and Rabat – the week before the French Open, which rounds off the clay court swing.

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Meath v Westmeath LIVE score updates from Leinster football championship clash and Louth v Wexford

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Belfast Live

“Those wins over Dublin, Kerry and Galwaybacked up what we were doing on the training field,” Morris said. “They gave us that extra bit of confidence that we can hang with those teams. Donegal probably knocked us down a peg or two but we took a lot from it. It was a big learning experience.”

Getting there (Leinster final) and not winning it was disappointing,” Morris admitted. “But now it’s about taking it one game at a time. There are no easy matches. Westmeath are up first and we know how good they are.”

Read more from Morris here.

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The ‘significant’ lost Roman town hidden near pretty Cambridgeshire village

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Cambridgeshire Live

There are many Roman remains across Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire is steeped in history, especially from Roman times. Across the county, there are many remains that prove Romans once settled here.

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There are roads that still stand today that were created by the Romans, as well as remains of Roman buildings. There are also remains of former Roman towns.

While carrying out survey work for a solar farm, a hidden Roman town was discovered near Great Staughton. The town was located in a field, around 850m south of the village.

It extends across 75 acres, which is around 30 hectares. When it was discovered, archaeologists said the town’s buried features were well preserved.

A spokesperson for Homes England said it had “extensive streets” and “buildings of a highly organised Roman settlement of urban character”. Other features include ditches, pits and post holes, as well as grave surfaces that were used as roads or yard areas.

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A number of artefacts were also discovered, including pottery, animal bone, glass, copper alloy objects, iron objects, coins, and shells. In 2024, the town was named as a scheduled monument.

At the time, Duncan Wilson of Historic England said this was “clearly a significant Roman town”. He added that the town gave a “remarkable insight into Roman life in the east of England”.

Great Staughton itself is a village steeped in other history. In the village, there is a sundial that dates back to 1637. This sundial has E.I carved into it, which is believed to be for Edmund Ibbutt. He was a major landowner in Great Staughton between 1630 and the 1660s.

The White Hart, which still stands today, is a 17th century coaching inn which is an important part of the village’s history. It was visited by Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War.

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2026 World Snooker Championship: Mark Allen recovers to beat Zhang Anda at Crucible

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Mark Allen strikes the white at the snooker table

Former world number one Mark Allen produced a superb potting display as he fought back from 6-4 down to beat China’s Zhang Anda 10-6 in the first round of the World Snooker Championship.

Northern Ireland’s Allen, a two-time Crucible semi-finalist, had not made a single break of 50 in Saturday’s first session but looked a different player on Sunday.

The 40-year-old produced a magnificent clearance of 140 in frame 11 to start his recovery, following that with a break of 109 in frame 12.

His third century in five frames came in frame 15 with an effort of 129 to move one away from victory, which he sealed with a break of 81 in the 16th frame.

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Zhang, who has lost in the first round on all of his six Crucible appearances, scored only 42 points in the last six frames as Allen stormed into the last 16.

Allen will play either 2024 champion Kyren Wilson or 19-year-old Stan Moody in the next round.

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How to watch CM Punk vs Roman Reigns: Live stream for WWE WrestleMania 42 today

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How to watch CM Punk vs Roman Reigns: Live stream for WWE WrestleMania 42 today

By choosing, out of pure hatred for CM Punk, to go after the world heavyweight championship, it means the ‘Original Tribal Chief’ will main event a sixth WrestleMania in a row, taking his record to 11 overall.

Jade Cargill looks to improve her WrestleMania winning streak to 3-0 (2-0 in singles competition) as she defends the women’s championship against 2026 Elimination Chamber winner Rhea Ripley.

Jade Cargill will walk into WrestleMania 42 as champion

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Trick Williams, on his WrestleMania debut, is out to capture the United States title against Sami Zayn. Meanwhile, Penta puts the WWE Intercontinental championship on the line in a six-pack ladder match against rising star Je’Von Evans, Dragon Lee, JD McDonagh, Rusev and Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio.

Speaking of Mysterio, his son Dominik, may have bitten off more than he can chew by summoning the ‘Demon’ Finn Balor as the former stablemates aim to settle a score.

Perhaps the most anticipated match on the entire WrestleMania card sees two giants collide as Oba Femi has accepted Brock Lesnar’s open challenge, seeking revenge after being eliminated by ‘The Beast’ in the Royal Rumble match.

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How to watch Everton vs Liverpool: TV channel and live stream for Premier League today

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How to watch Everton vs Liverpool: TV channel and live stream for Premier League today

Liverpool’s quest for Champions League qualification continues today as they traverse the city to face local rivals Everton.

Arne Slot’s side visit the Hill Dickenson Stadium for the very first time since its opening, and the reigning Premier League champions sit fifth in the table.

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North Yorkshire beach named UK hidden gem to visit in spring

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North Yorkshire beach named UK hidden gem to visit in spring

The beach at Runswick Bay is nestled between Sandsend and Staithes, and has just been highlighted by outdoor experts.

Runswick Bay itself is known as being a “picture postcard” village situated along the North Yorkshire coast near Whitby, with its mile of “secluded bay and gorgeous beach,” and quaint fishermen’s cottages.

It comes as the team at GO Outdoors analysed average spring temperatures, rainfall, sunshine hours, and reviews of beaches with fewer than 500 reviews on Google to reveal the handful of “hidden gem” spring beaches across the UK, which include the likes of Druridge Bay and Bamburgh in Northumberland.



The ‘hidden gem’ North Yorkshire beach you need to visit this spring

Many visitors seem to agree that Runswick Bay is a secret spot in general, as the coastal location has recently been described as the county’s “best hidden coastal village” and one of Yorkshire’s “prettiest little villages” in several videos by travel enthusiasts on TikTok.

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Others have said Runswick Bay is their “happy place” and somewhere they like to go to “prioritise their peace”.

Meanwhile, on Tripadvisor, the village and beach currently have a “very good” 4.5/5 rating based on 431 reviews – 291 of which are rated as “excellent”.

Additionally, over on Google, Runswick Bay only has 56 reviews, but an impressive 4.8/5-star rating.

Someone who is quite the fan of the area shared: “This is the third time visiting this beautiful bay, and once again I leave a piece of me behind!

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“Runswick has become such a special place. It’s not massively busy, has a vast beach that is enveloped by beautiful big cliffs that nestle a few large caves.

“The pretty little cottages are all stacked on top of one another down the left hand side of the cliffs, with beautiful little paths and walkways that allow you to walk around the cottages and high up in to the hillside, offering stunning views down to the bay.

“Other places may boast gift shops, amusements and lots of other establishments that bring out the rowdier crowd, but the fact that the bay itself has but one coffee/gift shop and one pub tells you that the place is pretty tranquil.

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“The pub is lovely, and the cafe sells amazing ice cream.”

They added: “Other than that, young fossil hunters will enjoy themselves here as we found a couple of fossils.

Visitors have said Runswick Bay is ‘pretty tranquil’ (Image: Tripadvisor)

“All in all, a gem of a location, and one which I hope to visit many more times in the near future.”

Another wrote: “We walked here from Staithes, lovely walk with amazing views (steep in places).

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“Well worth the walk! Cafe at Runswick Bay was lovely, great coffee and cakes, lovely place to sit and relax before walking back.

“We had our dog in tow and she was made welcome at the cafe.”

This person commented: “Absolutely stunning! Well worth a walk along the beach and doing a bit of fossil hunting, glass spotting, shell collecting. Lovely ice cream.”

One happy visitor said: “We are here for easter weekend, we visited the lovely modern cafe just on the beachfront, delicious cakes and light bites and beverages.

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“Lovely staff and plenty of seats although we imagine it will get busy.

“Will definitely be back as its [sic] perfectly positioned to sit eat a slice of yummy cakes and a cuppa tea while u admire the views.

“The beach was great so happy to see so many dogs enjoying themselves and not a poo bag in sight as mentioned previously.

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“We found so [sic] lovely fossils so interesting.”

A popular foodie spot in Runswick Bay is The Royal Hotel, which is “a traditional British pub overlooking the stunning bay and cliffs”.

North Yorkshire travel content creator @adventures.in.yorkshire posted as part of a TikTok video: “It’s the kind of place that feels cosy in every season – roaring fires and hearty food in winter, or a cold pint in the beer garden with those incredible sea views in summer.

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“The menu is packed with local favourites, think crispy fish and chips, Whitby scampi, homemade pies, sandwiches and salads, plus a selection of changing specials that make the most of fresh, local ingredients.

“There’s even an extensive children’s menu and locally sourced desserts (definitely worth saving room for!).

“Expect generous portions, great value, and a warm Yorkshire welcome.”

The pub is also dog-friendly and family-friendly before 9pm.

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To help you stay safe when visiting Runswick Bay’s beach this spring. Calum Jones, author and outdoor enthusiast at GO Outdoors advises: “When planning your spring beach trip, keep in mind that British weather can still be unpredictable.

“Bring a waterproof jacket to stay dry in case of sudden showers, choose supportive, waterproof footwear for any slippery sand or rocks, and layer your clothing so you can easily adjust to changing temperatures.”

Are there any other “hidden gem” beaches you want to rave about in North Yorkshire, or do you want to keep them a secret? Let us know in the comments below.

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Kanye West spotted in public for first time as two more concerts cancelled

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Kanye West spotted in public for first time as two more concerts cancelled
Kanye West has been since for the first time publicly since being banned from the UK (Picture: Backgrid)

Kanye West has been spotted looking downcast after being banned from the UK and having four shows cancelled in the past few weeks.

Earlier this month the American rapper, 48, came under the spotlight following backlash to him being announced as the headliner to the Wireless Festival in London.

Although the organisers doubled down on the decision to book the controversial musician – who in recent years has been slammed for making antisemitic, racist, sexist, and homophobic comments – they eventually had to call it off after the Home Office refused to grant West a UK visa.

It said the permission had been denied because his ‘presence would not be conducive to the public good’.

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Within days the rapper announced he was postponing a show in France following calls from him to also be banned from entering the country.

In the past few days, he’s since had two more shows cancelled – in Poland and Switzerland.

Kanye West
The American rapper was set to headline Wireless Festival before his visa was denied (Picture: Jordan Strauss/ Invision/ AP)
BGUK_3552960 - *PREMIUM-EXCLUSIVE* Los Angeles, CA MUST CALL FOR PRICING BEFORE USAGE - Kanye West was spotted publicly for the first time since being banned from entering the UK and Poland, keeping a low profile as cameras caught him out. Following his two-night run at SoFi Stadium, West was dropped from Wireless Festival and a planned concert in Poland. Authorities in both countries enforced the restrictions amid strict rules on hate speech and incitement, after his past antisemitic remarks were widely criticized as crossing those lines. He was seen Friday afternoon at a dentist???s office with a noticeably swollen right cheek, drawing attention given his history of a broken jaw and his very public custom grill work as he kept a low profile since his LA shows. Pictured: Kanye West BACKGRID UK 17 APRIL 2026 UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com *Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
He was spotted in Los Angles attending a dentist’s appointment this weekend (Picture: Backgrid)
BGUK_3552960 - *PREMIUM-EXCLUSIVE* Los Angeles, CA MUST CALL FOR PRICING BEFORE USAGE - Kanye West was spotted publicly for the first time since being banned from entering the UK and Poland, keeping a low profile as cameras caught him out. Following his two-night run at SoFi Stadium, West was dropped from Wireless Festival and a planned concert in Poland. Authorities in both countries enforced the restrictions amid strict rules on hate speech and incitement, after his past antisemitic remarks were widely criticized as crossing those lines. He was seen Friday afternoon at a dentist???s office with a noticeably swollen right cheek, drawing attention given his history of a broken jaw and his very public custom grill work as he kept a low profile since his LA shows. Pictured: Kanye West BACKGRID UK 17 APRIL 2026 UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com *Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
He did his best to shield himself from waiting photographers (Picture: Backgrid)

West – who recently dropped his latest album Bully – had been due to play at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów on June 19, his first performance in Poland in 15 years.

However, this weekend the venue announced it would no longer take place ‘due to formal and legal reasons’.

That cancellation came after the country’s culture and heritage minister Marta Cienkowska described the decision to book West as ‘unacceptable’.

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‘We are talking about an artist who has publicly made antisemitic views, downplayed crimes and profited from selling swastika T-shirts. These are not “controversies”. This is a deliberate crossing of boundaries and the normalisation of hatred,’ she posted on X.

Since then, Swiss soccer club FC Basel has also pulled the plug on an upcoming concert as it was not ‘in accordance with our values to provide a platform ‌for ⁠the artist in question within this context’.

BGUK_3552960 - *PREMIUM-EXCLUSIVE* Los Angeles, CA MUST CALL FOR PRICING BEFORE USAGE - Kanye West was spotted publicly for the first time since being banned from entering the UK and Poland, keeping a low profile as cameras caught him out. Following his two-night run at SoFi Stadium, West was dropped from Wireless Festival and a planned concert in Poland. Authorities in both countries enforced the restrictions amid strict rules on hate speech and incitement, after his past antisemitic remarks were widely criticized as crossing those lines. He was seen Friday afternoon at a dentist???s office with a noticeably swollen right cheek, drawing attention given his history of a broken jaw and his very public custom grill work as he kept a low profile since his LA shows. Pictured: Kanye West BACKGRID UK 17 APRIL 2026 UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com *Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
Since Wireless was cancelled, he’s also had three more concerts canned (Picture: Backgrid)
BGUK_3552960 - *PREMIUM-EXCLUSIVE* Los Angeles, CA MUST CALL FOR PRICING BEFORE USAGE - Kanye West was spotted publicly for the first time since being banned from entering the UK and Poland, keeping a low profile as cameras caught him out. Following his two-night run at SoFi Stadium, West was dropped from Wireless Festival and a planned concert in Poland. Authorities in both countries enforced the restrictions amid strict rules on hate speech and incitement, after his past antisemitic remarks were widely criticized as crossing those lines. He was seen Friday afternoon at a dentist???s office with a noticeably swollen right cheek, drawing attention given his history of a broken jaw and his very public custom grill work as he kept a low profile since his LA shows. Pictured: Kanye West BACKGRID UK 17 APRIL 2026 UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com *Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
The rapper appeared downcast (Picture: Backgrid)
BGUK_3552960 - *PREMIUM-EXCLUSIVE* Los Angeles, CA MUST CALL FOR PRICING BEFORE USAGE - Kanye West was spotted publicly for the first time since being banned from entering the UK and Poland, keeping a low profile as cameras caught him out. Following his two-night run at SoFi Stadium, West was dropped from Wireless Festival and a planned concert in Poland. Authorities in both countries enforced the restrictions amid strict rules on hate speech and incitement, after his past antisemitic remarks were widely criticized as crossing those lines. He was seen Friday afternoon at a dentist???s office with a noticeably swollen right cheek, drawing attention given his history of a broken jaw and his very public custom grill work as he kept a low profile since his LA shows. Pictured: Kanye West BACKGRID UK 17 APRIL 2026 UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com *Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
He previously released a statement in which he detailed wanting to bring ‘peace, unity and love’ with his shows (Picture: Backgrid)

Following the cancellation of four of his concerts in the past two weeks, West was seen publicly for the first time this weekend.

Doing his best to keep a low profile wearing a hoodie and keeping his head down while being snapped attending a dentist appointment in Los Angeles, the rapper was seen wearing a brown tracksuit set and did his best to avert his eyes from waiting photographers.

Earlier this month West performed two sold-out concerts at LA’s SoFi Stadium, but soon after the furore over his Wireless Festival booking erupted.

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Last year West released a song titled Heil Hitler, also wearing selling a T-shirt with a swastika on it after declaring himself a Nazi.

However, in January this year he took a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal, in which he issued an apology and said he was ‘deeply mortified’ by his past behaviour.

Attributing his actions to bipolar disorder, West declared he was ‘not a Nazi or an antisemite’ and that he ‘loves Jewish people’.

He had previously launched into online rants praising Hitler, opposing abortion and gay marriage, supporting gun rights, and endorsing US President Donald Trump.

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When defending the decision to book him as the only headliner for Wireless Festival, organisers addressed the backlash and shared a statement which read: ‘Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had. As YE said today, he acknowledges that words alone are not enough, and in spite of this, still hopes to be given the opportunity to begin a conversation with the Jewish community in the UK.’

Before the shows were cancelled, West issued a brief statement in which he said his ‘only goal’ was to ‘come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music’.

‘I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person, to listen.

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 23: Kanye West attends the Marni fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 on February 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images)
West has come under fire in recent years for his antisemitic, racist, sexist and homophobic remarks and actions (Picture: Arnold Jerocki/ Getty Images)

‘I know words aren’t enough – I’ll have to show change through my actions. If you’re open, I’m here. With love, Ye.’

His three headlining shows were due to take place at the Finsbury Park festival in July, with the appearance estimated to have earnt him well over an estimated £1million per night.

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However major sponsors including Pepsi, Rockstar Energy, PayPal and Diageo, which owns Captain Morgan rum and Johnnie Walker whisky, then all dropped out and announced they would remove all branding and support.

West is next due to play in New Delhi, India, on May 23. Subsequent shows are set to be held in Istanbul, Arnhem, Reggio Emilia, Madrid and in the Algarve.

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Keir Starmer ‘appalled’ after another arson attack at London synagogue

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Keir Starmer ‘appalled’ after another arson attack at London synagogue

A spokesperson for the CST, the charity which monitors antisemitism and provides protection for Jewish communities in the UK, said: “We are aware of another attempted arson, this time targeting a synagogue in north London, following similar recent incidents targeting the Jewish community in Finchley, Golders Green and Hendon.

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Everton v Liverpool LIVE: Team news as Alexander Isak starts for injured Hugo Ekitike in historic Merseyside derby

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Everton v Liverpool LIVE: Team news as Alexander Isak starts for injured Hugo Ekitike in historic Merseyside derby

Everton v Liverpool team news

It’s certainly an attacking line-up from Arne Slot today! Alexander Isak starts up tip but Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz are all in the team as well.

It looks like Dominik Szoboszlai will be the fill-in right-back once more (although feasibly, Curtis Jones could slot in there) and Alisson is still not fit enough to return, so Giorgi Mamardashvili continues between the sticks.

Everton line up pretty much as expected, with Dwight McNeil, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye providing the creative ingenuity behind Beto.

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Everton XI: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner; McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye, Beto

Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak

Luke Baker19 April 2026 13:03

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Everton team news

And here’s how Everton will line up. Beto leading the line for them

Luke Baker19 April 2026 12:52

Liverpool team news

Here’s the Liverpool team for this afternoon. We’ll have full analysis shortly but Alexander Isak starts up top in place of Hugo Ekitike

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Luke Baker19 April 2026 12:50

Team news incoming

We’re a couple of minutes away from today’s team news. The big question of course is who will start up top for Liverpool in place of the injured Hugo Ekitike.

After a season-ending achilles injury to Ekitike, Arne Slot must now weigh up the risk of starting Alexander Isak, who is not ready to play 90 minutes, or use Cody Gakpo from the outset.

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Hugo Ekitike has been ruled out for the long-term after suffering an Achilles injury (Reuters)

Luke Baker19 April 2026 12:43

Atmosphere building ahead of Merseyside derby

It should be a cracking atmosphere for the first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium today.

Fans are flooding the streets around the ground already and anticipation is rising

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(Reuters)
(Getty)
(Getty)
(Reuters)

Luke Baker19 April 2026 12:34

Key battle: James Garner vs Dominic Szoboszlai

One of the more intriguing contests today could be the middle of the pitch, with in-form James Garner up against Dominic Szoboszlai.

Liverpool will hope to win in this key area to act as the platform for a derby victory.

Both men have great engines, but its their passing that could also prove decisive.

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The Hungary international is third in the league on 2.0 key passes per game, whike Garner has 1.4 per game.

While the England international has 3.0 tackles per game on average, putting him joint-second.

(Reuters)

Jack Rathborn19 April 2026 12:22

Could Everton launch late bid for Champions League football?

With all the talk about Liverpool and qualifying for the Champions League again after their quarter-final exit midweek against PSG, could Everton suddenly find themselves in the hunt?

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A win today against the Reds takes them within two points of their rivals in fifth. Here’s how their run-in looks:

  • Liverpool (H)
  • West Ham (A)
  • Man City (H)
  • Crystal Palace (A)
  • Sunderland (H)
  • Tottenham (A)

Jack Rathborn19 April 2026 12:10

Liverpool’s run-in to secure top five and Champions League football

With a four-point gap to Chelsea in sixth, Liverpool only need 12 points to guarantee Champions League football next season.

And with six games remaining, four wins will be enough, though they do play Chelsea at Anfield, meaning they could only need two more wins outside that contest.

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  • Everton (A)
  • Crystal Palace (H)
  • Man United (A)
  • Chelsea (H)
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Jack Rathborn19 April 2026 12:00

Pundits claim Liverpool are now ‘underdogs’ for Merseyside derby

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has claimed that Liverpool could be underdogs for this weekend’s Merseyside derby against Everton after the Reds were dumped out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain.

Slot’s men have six games left of the domestic season and the first one comes this weekend in a Merseyside derby, though Fowler and former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney think that the champions could be “underdogs” heading into that game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

“Obviously the form in the last month, I know the Galatasaray [win was] a great result but I don’t think Galatasaray are great, so they’ve been turned over by Brighton, beat by Man City. I think Liverpool go into this game as probably underdogs,” said Fowler on Amazon Prime Video after the full-time whistle at Anfield.

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“It’s the first time in a long time I’ve spoke to so of many friends who are Liverpool fans and they’re a little bit worried about the Merseyside derby,” explained Rooney.

“We’ve seen this Liverpool team all season not give as much as they can, I believe. And I think this derby game has come at the wrong time for Liverpool,” he added.

(PA)

Jack Rathborn19 April 2026 11:47

Could Beto be the danger man for Everton against Liverpool?

Beto is in fine form for the Toffees, with a surge of goals in 2026.

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After a lean period to start the season, scoring just once in 19 games, the Brazilian has six goals in 13 games in 2026.

He’s now at an impressive 83 minutes per goal, up from 782 from August to December 2025.

(PA)

Jack Rathborn19 April 2026 11:35

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