By JOSHUA HAINING, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 20:56 BST, 31 July 2026 | Updated: 22:25 BST, 31 July 2026

A drought sweeping Europe has uncovered a Second World War Nazi ship in the Danube River.

The German vessel was revealed after water levels in the river, located in Prahovo, Serbia, fell to record lows amid another blistering heatwave.

It is believed the German navy scuttled the boat, located in Europe’s second-largest waterway, as the crew fled the Soviet Army during the last days of the war. 

An estimated 200 ships, including cargo ships and barges, sit at the bottom of the Danube, according to the European Investment Bank.

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Boat wreckages risk blocking commercial ships moving along the river which costs Serbia approximately £4.3million per year to remove debris.

A ‘severe’ weather warning has been issued by The Republic Hydrometeorological Institute of Serbia as temperatures hit 35C (95F) and are expected to rise next week.

This comes as the Danube’s low water levels have forced Hungary’s only nuclear power plant to shut down for the first time ever next week.

The Soviet-era plant in Paks relies on the river’s water for cooling but the suction nozzles can no longer reach it.

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A Second World War German warship has been uncovered in the Danube River due to record-low water levels

It is believed the vessel was scuttled as the crew fled the Soviet Army during the last days of the war

Hungary’s only nuclear power plant in Paks will shut down after it’s suction nozzles can not reach the Danube

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Péter Magyar, Hungary’s Prime Minister, said the ongoing heatwave could cause the nation’s energy supply to become ‘critical’ from Monday.

The plant provides around 40 per cent of Hungary’s annual electricity generation but its operator has said the shutdown is ‘unavoidable’. 

At a press conference at the plant, Mr Magyar said: ‘According to current calculations… this could happen on Tuesday or Wednesday.’

As the Danube River’s levels have fallen to the lowest in three decades, Romania has shut down one of its nuclear reactors and announced it would close a second.

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The shutdowns are just one effect of an already record-breaking spell of hot weather, with several countries taking steps to reduce the risk of fires and ease pressure on water and energy networks.

NEW YORK (AP) — A Turkish man was arrested Friday in the United Kingdom on charges alleging he conspired to funnel money and supplies to Hamas through his senior role in what prosecutors say was a sham global humanitarian organization.

Mohammad Yousef Hasna, 45, of Istanbul, was ordered held pending extradition proceedings that will occur before he can be brought to New York.

U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald in Manhattan said Hasna worked closely with Hamas’ senior leadership to deliver supplies, food and funding to Hamas under the guise of humanitarian aid.

The United States has designated Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization.

It was not immediately known who would represent Hasna in the U.S.

Charges lodged against Hasna include conspiring to provide material support to Hamas, conspiring to finance terrorism and financing terrorism. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

In a release, the U.S. government alleged that Hasna worked closely with senior Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad, a member of Hamas’ governing body, since at least 2023.

By JOSEPH LUKE PALMER

Published: 14:25 BST, 31 July 2026 | Updated: 22:28 BST, 31 July 2026

On the latest episode of the Daily Mail’s Palace Confidential, Rebecca English and Richard Eden discuss the ‘extraordinary’ flood of images Meghan posted to Instagram from the Sussexes’ supposedly private family holiday.

This month Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet travelled across the Atlantic to spend time in Portugal and Britain. Meghan and the children were in the UK for just 24 hours, travelling to Highgrove for a landmark family reunion with King Charles.

The trip appeared to be a private affair, with the location of the couple’s rumoured holiday home in Portugal undisclosed and Buckingham Palace only announcing the family’s visit to Britain after Meghan and the children had departed.

However, last week Meghan posted a flood of photographs to Instagram from the trip, including images from near the couple’s rumoured Portugal hideaway. Most strikingly, one picture appears to show Harry and Archie walking with flowers towards Princess Diana‘s island grave at Althorp, the Spencer family’s ancestral home in Northamptonshire.

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On Palace Confidential , Rebecca English and Richard Eden discuss the ‘extraordinary’ flood of images Meghan posted to Instagram from the Sussexes’ supposedly private family holiday

Last week Meghan posted a flood of photographs to Instagram from the trip, including images from near the couple’s rumoured Portugal hideaway

Royal editor English expressed astonishment at the decision to post the photographs, arguing it was ‘hypocritical’ given Harry’s repeated complaints about privacy and media intrusion

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Royal editor English expressed astonishment at the decision to post the photographs, arguing it was ‘hypocritical’ given Harry’s repeated complaints about privacy and media intrusion.

She said: ‘We have pictures of Meghan in a swimsuit on a beach with Harry and the children in the water, we have pictures of local restaurants they have eaten at, local shops they’ve used.

‘I find that quite extraordinary given the complaints they have made about their privacy and security issues.

‘What was particularly extraordinary about this was the photograph of Harry and Archie with flowers in their hands, clearly walking to the burial place of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

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‘Look, it’s up to people individually what they choose to share online. I don’t share anything with my family. That’s my choice. But what I find extraordinary about this is that Harry has long complained about the exploitation of his mother’s memory.

‘I think to allow those pictures of such a personal moment to be published like that, I personally found it quite hypocritical. I think people would say that in itself is exploitative.’

Meghan’s post included 12 intimate family photographs, captioned simply: ‘Summer Holiday’.

Diary editor Eden agreed with his co-host, arguing the images were made worse by the fact that Meghan’s Instagram account exists explicitly to promote her lifestyle brand, As Ever.

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‘It’s an entirely commercial venture,’ he claimed. ‘You’re not sharing these photos with friends.

One picture appears to show Harry and Archie walking with flowers towards Princess Diana’s island grave at Althorp, the Spencer family’s ancestral home in Northamptonshire

‘I found them quite strange, the Althorp pictures particularly because it’s a combination of showing the backs of the children – not giving away their full identities – but then you’re revealing they’re going to lay flowers at the grave of their grandmother for the first time.

‘That’s a very intimate, personal moment, isn’t it? Being recorded and shared. Even as you’re going there: someone must have been like, ‘stop, I have got to take a picture.”

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Catch the debate in full by subscribing to Palace Confidential on YouTube.

A major incident has erupted in the town this evening with armed police officers seen at the door of a property.

Armed police have swooped on a home in Ayrshire amid an ongoing incident this evening.

The alarm was raised around 7.30pm when officers were alerted to an incident on Dean Road in Kilmarnock. Emergency services, including Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, raced to the scene.

The fire service sent two appliances and confirmed to the Record they remain in attendance alongside cops. The nature of the incident, as well as how many people are involved, remains unknown.

Footage taken at the scene shows a major emergency response in the street, which has been locked down. The area has been taped off while uniformed officers stand guard.

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Dozens of marked police vans and blue-lit fire engines can be seen on the road. Firefighters in full gear appear to be digging or investigating a hole in the road.

Worried residents and onlookers can be seen gathering in numbers while the scene unfolds. The fire service confirmed their attendance to support police but had no details regarding injuries.

Police Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service have been contacted for comment.

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A 4.7 magnitude earthquake has struck the Naples region, centred on Pozzuoli in the Campi Flegrei volcanic zone

A major earthquake has rocked the Naples area, forcing terrified locals out onto the streets as buildings trembled throughout the Campi Flegrei volcanic region.

The 4.7-magnitude quake, among the strongest to hit the area in 40 years, struck at Pozzuoli, a community well-versed in seismic activity but seldom subjected to tremors of such ferocity.

Footage circulated by residents reveals streets strewn with rubble and chunks of stonework ripped from building fronts, while extensive electricity outages have left numerous districts without power. Authorities confirm at least four people have been injured, with the shaking experienced throughout Naples, Pozzuoli and neighbouring communities, the Express reports.

“I understand the concern and apprehension that can arise in these moments, especially among families. We immediately activated the Municipal Operations Center (COC) to coordinate all monitoring and assistance activities for the population,” said Pozzuoli mayor, Luigi Manzoni.

“We are in constant contact with the Vesuvius Observatory, the Civil Protection Department, and all the competent authorities to follow the evolution of the ongoing seismic swarm minute by minute.”

Further tremors of lesser strength are believed to have been detected. The National Institute of Geology and Volcanology reports that Campi Flegrei, an enormous super volcano situated close to Naples, Italy, has been undergoing an extended phase of instability marked by repeated earthquake clusters and substantial ground elevation, known as bradyseism.

From 2005 to today, a new phase of bradyseism has been underway which in April 2025 produced an uplift of about 144 centimeters, the INGV also said.

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Boy George has broken his silence after pulling out of Jesus Christ Superstar in the West End just days before his stint was about to start amid controversy following the release of his pro-Israel song.

The role of King Herod is being rotated among actors, with the singer having been set to star from August 3 to 15. 

However on Thursday it was revealed the star, 65, had pulled out of the role, with his management confirming that he would no longer be performing.

The news came amid controversy surrounding Boy George’s new pro-Israel song We Will Dance Again. There were fears a backlash from his song would overshadow the performance.

The title We Will Dance Again, has become a phrase used by Israelis to express hope after the October 7 attack.

After pulling out he has now broken his silence saying: ‘Sometimes, I realise that being an air sign I expect the world to understand me without having to explain myself.

‘The suggestion that I feel no compassion for Palestinian’s is both untrue and absurd.

‘I am devastated for the loss of the innocent lives on both sides of this war and I call for peace.

‘I have read members of the press calling me a ‘genocide denier’ yet those who deny the suffering of Israelis are given a free pass.’

In a long statement he added, according to The Sun: ‘My song is pro peace and about the emotions I felt after visiting the Nova Exhibition and talking to Michael and Lisa Marlowe who had their son Jake taken from them. Murdered trying help others.

‘I also spent time talking to May Hayat who survived while her best friend was murdered. We took a picture standing in front all the people who were killed that day.

‘Everyone knows what happened to innocent women, kids, babies, sons and fathers on that day, innocent people who were at a festival celebrating life.

‘The Nova Festival is a mirror of my world as a DJ and I have played many such festivals, including in Israel so it resonated with me and I felt compelled to write something. I could have been there and we know that there were people from more than 40 countries who were. I felt these deep emotions and is wrote this song for them.

‘My personal opinion is that this is sadly a war, but not an attempt to wipe out Palestine. But I respect that everyone has their own opinions and believe we should all be allowed to have that right.

‘Look around and tell me one musician speaking out for the Jewish community, but you can absolutely guarantee they have made their living from working with a Jewish team member.

‘I understand that is uncomfortable to defend your friends when a war like this is raging but the woman who sells me bagels is not to blame, neither is my doctor or publicist, manager, ex boyfriend or my thousands of Jewish friends. This song is for them.

‘I come from a place of peace. I am a jew loving, trans hugging queer hippy and my mother would be proud of me.’

The title We Will Dance Again, has become a phrase used by Israelis to express hope after the October 7 attack and lyrics in the song include: ‘You say genocide, I say war/.

The role of King Herod is being rotated among actors, with the singer having been set to star from August 3 to 15. However on Thursday it was revealed the star, 65, had pulled out of the role (Sam Ryder pictured as Jesus in the show) 

Confirming Boy George would no longer be performing, his manager Paul Kemsley took to Instagram on Thursday

‘When you’re attacked, that’s what the army’s for / Does it get ugly? You bet it does / When I know you wanna kill every last one of us.’

Confirming Boy George would no longer be performing, his manager Paul Kemsley took to Instagram as he wrote on Thursday: ‘After careful consideration, I have decided, in my capacity as Boy George’s manager, that he will no longer be appearing in Jesus Christ Superstar at the London Palladium.

‘The decision has been made with the utmost respect for the producers, the creative team and the entire company. We are grateful for the professionalism and understanding they have shown throughout and sincerely wish everyone involved every success with the production.’

Apologising to the fans who bought tickets specifically to see the star, he continued: ‘We also recognise that many people purchased tickets in the hope of seeing George perform. 

‘To those fans, we offer our sincere apologies for the disappointment this decision may cause, and we are deeply grateful for their continued loyalty and support.’

Addressing his new song, he added: ‘George has never been afraid to stand by his personal convictions, and I have always respected him for that. 

‘Equally, I believe it is my responsibility to make decisions that are in the best interests of my artist while also showing respect to others. 

‘In this instance, I felt it was right to step aside, allowing the production to remain the focus, while ensuring everyone involved can move forward with mutual respect and goodwill.’

The Andrew Lloyd Webber production is currently being performed at the London Palladium, with Sam Ryder taking on the titular religious leader in the rock opera, alongside Tyrone Huntley as Judas and Desmonda Cathabel as Mary Magdalene. 

A number of actors are stepping into the role of King Herod including Richard Armitage, Layton Williams, Julian Clary, Simon Russell Beale and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.  

The show is set to transfer to London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane for a 12-week run in October due to popular demand, with Sam set to remain in the role for a nationwide tour next year.

Elsewhere in Boy George’s new song, he cites the Hamas attack on October 7 as he sings: ‘Young girls raped against trees/ Murdered brutally/ For the crime of dancing.’ 

The chorus follows: ‘There will be no war / But if you’re ever confused / I stand with the Jews / I don’t feel brave, I just need to behave like a human.’

Meanwhile back in April Boy George hit back at anti-Israel campaigners who criticised him for taking part in Eurovision after the song competition bosses refused to ban the country from competing.

Eurovision has been at the centre of controversy amid growing calls to prevent Israel from performing but bosses ruled in December that the country could compete.

And Boy George, who represented San Marino in this year’s competition, hit back at critics as he said: ‘I have many, many Jewish friends that I’ve had since I was 15 or 16 years old.

‘Are people asking me as a principled human being to turn my back on my Jewish friends? It’s not going to happen, it’s never going to happen.

‘From the beginning of my career I wore a Jewish star. Go back and look at pictures of Culture Club. I am so affiliated with Jewish people. I am not necessarily affiliated with Israel. I don’t really have an opinion on that.

‘But the job of music is to unite people.’

Gianni Infantino’s divisive plan to sell stakes in the World Cup appears to be dead after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joined UEFA and CONCACAF in opposing the plot – while two senior FIFA figures turned against him.

Carlos Cordeiro, a retired American investment banker and senior adviser to Infantino, has resigned from his role at FIFA – becoming the first internal figure to do so.

It comes after UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC all opposed FIFA’s plans to generate £3.1billion in private investment in FIFA tournaments.

135 FIFA members are now publicly opposed to the FIFA Forward Enterprise, bringing the dissidents above the required 106 threshold to block the plans with dignitaries now joining the calls for Infantino to scrap his plans. 

Releasing a statement, Cordeiro – who served on the White House task force for the 2026 World Cup – distanced himself from Infantino’s plans and ripped into the proposals.

Cordeiro urged his now former FIFA colleagues to follow suit and speak out against the plans, which he describes as a bad deal for football. Infantino had promised member associations a £30million incentive to force the deal through. 

‘As a Senior Advisor to the FIFA President, a former banker, and a lifelong football fan, I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup,’ Cordeiro said.

‘Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally. It is a bad deal for FIFA’s Member Associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game.

‘It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve FIFA for more than five years and to work alongside dedicated, principled people who care deeply about the game. I hope they, too, will speak up, because decisions of this magnitude should be made in the interests of football, not those who stand to profit from it.’ 

FIFA’s chief operating officer Kevin Lamour responded to Cordeiro’s call to action and publicly turned against Infantino. 

While Lamour stopped short of resigning as chief operating officer, a post he has held for two years, the Frenchman has put his job at risk by speaking out against FIFA’s chief.

In a statement to the Associated Press, Lamour said: ‘It is the project of one person. Not only must this project not go ahead, but the time has now come for football political leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions.

‘If that means I lose my job, then so be it. I will understand and respect that decision. At least I’ll sleep well tonight.’

Overnight, FIFA issued a statement, doubling down on plans to sell £3.1 billion in shares for FIFA tournaments after UEFA announced a boycott of competitions and CONCACAF – the North, Central, American and Caribbean federation – opposed the plans.

But the AFC has now chosen to stand with their intercontinental counterparts, leaving Infantino’s project – and potentially his FIFA presidency – facing a terminal threat.

In a statement, the AFC said: ‘The AFC stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF in expressing serious concerns over FIFA’s proposal to introduce private investment into FIFA’s flagship competitions and the decision-making process around FFE. 

‘The fact that the situation has reached the point where the real possibility of a FIFA World Cup boycott has entered public discourse should concern everyone who cares about the future of our game. Football should never have been placed in such a position.

Infantino’s senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro (right) has also now resigned in protest at the plans

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‘Against this backdrop, and in light of the clear positions expressed by UEFA and CONCACAF, as well as the unprecedented divisions that have emerged across the football world, the AFC believes that the proposed FFE cannot realistically achieve the necessary broad consensus and unity required to move forward. 

‘The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of global football and derives its strength from the participation of all Confederations and the world’s leading football nations. 

‘Any proposal that risks undermining the unity and universal character of the competition must be reconsidered.

‘While the immediate debate centres on FFE, the AFC considers this issue extends far beyond a single proposal. 

‘Rather, it has exposed fundamental weaknesses in FIFA’s consultation and decision-making processes that must now be addressed. 

‘While the AFC notes FIFA’s latest clarification on the proposal, the central concerns surrounding governance, institutional process and meaningful consultation remain unanswered.

‘A proposal of such significance, with the potential to affect the commercial, sporting and strategic future of world football, must not emerge through processes that leave Confederations, Member Associations (MAs) and even FIFA’s own governing bodies, including the FIFA Council, feeling sidelined. 

‘The primary objective for world football must be to ensure that decisions of such magnitude are being developed through processes that are anchored on transparency and command the confidence of the football community.

‘This is not the first occasion where major stakeholders have been confronted with significant initiatives after the direction of travel appears to have already been determined. 

‘Such an approach undermines confidence in FIFA’s governance framework and diminishes the authority of its statutory bodies. 

FIFA issued a late-night response to furious backlash over the controversial plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors by blaming the media for the uproar

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‘No subsequent consultation process, however well-intentioned, can replace early engagement with the appropriate FIFA bodies and the football family.

‘The AFC believes this moment must become a catalyst for strengthening institutional reform. While every FIFA MA must have the opportunity to consider and determine proposals affecting the future of world football, meaningful democracy is not measured solely by the opportunity to vote. 

‘It begins with transparent governance, timely consultation, informed deliberation and genuine participation throughout the decision-making process.

‘Accordingly, the AFC calls upon FIFA to undertake an urgent review of its governance and decision-making framework to ensure that proposals of global significance are developed through proper consultation, meaningful engagement and appropriate oversight by FIFA’s statutory bodies.

‘The FIFA World Cup, and the game itself, belong to the entire global football family. Their future must always be shaped collectively, through institutions that reflect the voices of all Confederations and MAs.’

The AFC’s statement criticises FIFA’s clarification of their proposals released on Friday morning, where they blamed the media for misconstruing their plans and made a dig at UEFA for holding FIFA to account.

FIFA said: ‘We have heard the feedback provided by the respective confederations in relation to the proposed establishment of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) and would like to address the issues that have surfaced since the initial media reporting on Tuesday.

‘We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation.

⁠’Our planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports. We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each MA has the ability to express its vote based on facts.

‘FFE has been proposed solely to ensure that all FIFA Member Associations (MAs) have the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of the commercial opportunity of football in their respective countries, and that this does not come at the cost of either the spirit or the governance of FIFA or football itself.

Infantino has been widely criticised for his decision to put the World Cup ‘up for sale’

The core investor would be a New York investment firm created by Joshua Kushner (pictured earliere this month in California), the brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner

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‘Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever entertain. 

‘Everyone has the right to express their opposition and to seek further clarification but no single entity can claim to represent all 211 MAs around the world. Each MA should be allowed to review the proposal and have a say in shaping their own future. These are the democratic principles of FIFA.’

They continued by outlining the plans, subject to consultation with member nations.

There is frustration across the international football landscape, however, that such proposals have been unilaterally developed – with proposed investors already lined up – in complete secrecy despite an eventual ‘consultation’. 

UEFA nations are boycotting all FIFA competitions so long as the proposals remain on the table. All 55 UEFA nations met virtually on Thursday, with more than 40 federations providing testimony.

Daily Mail Sport were told associations expressed ‘outrage’ on the call with ‘total unanimity’ against the proposal, before deciding to abstain from FIFA competitions.

Daily Mail Sport also understands there is growing opposition to Infantino’s presidency, with CONCACAF nations losing – or having already lost – confidence in the Swiss football administrator. 

UEFA and their member associations are yet to be drawn on that matter. Infantino is seeking a fourth term as FIFA president next year.

One international football insider told Daily Mail Sport: ‘UEFA’s response is at the nuclear button end of the spectrum, which is impressive. We thought Infantino would survive the Trump refereeing intervention – but he has overreached this time.’ 

In a statement, UEFA said: ‘UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.

‘The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.

‘It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with stewarding the game. This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football.

‘National associations around the world are now presented with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible capture of football’s greatest competitions or bear the consequences. This is not a ‘democratic decision’, but governance by intimidation – an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with the stewardship of the global game.

‘But our opposition goes far beyond process.

‘The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. Investor expectations become a daily pressure. From that moment onwards, every decision on the international calendar, every decision on competition formats and every decision shaping the future of football is no longer driven by what best serves the game, but by what best serves shareholders.

‘This model has no place in world football. Football’s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return. Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain.

‘Europe’s position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation.

‘As a result of today’s discussion, no UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership.

‘Nobody should be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination.

‘There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are prepared to accept, but by what they refuse to compromise. This is one of those moments.

‘Some things are simply too important to sell. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.’

An FA spokeswoman added: ‘We stand shoulder to shoulder with our European colleagues and fully support the collective view. We oppose FIFA’s plans – the FIFA World Cup belongs to football and always will.’

Concacaf later added: ‘Concacaf is a confederation united by the love of our game, where football comes first. Guided by this philosophy over the past ten years we have built, from the ground up, an organisation founded on service, transparent governance, and the long-term stewardship of football.

‘History has shown FIFA and the football family what happens when the custodians of the game lose sight of these values.

‘With this in mind, Concacaf today convened a meeting of the presidents of its 41 Member Associations, together with its President, Council members, and its FIFA Council members, to discuss a proposal developed and presented by the FIFA President to establish ‘FIFA Forward Enterprise’ and sell interests in the FIFA World Cup to private investors.

‘During the meeting, the membership expressed deep concerns about the lack of due process surrounding the proposal, the artificially short deadline imposed, and the absence of any review or approval by the relevant FIFA governance bodies. In addition, the need for private equity investment to fund new and existing FIFA Forward programs following the most profitable FIFA World Cup in history was questioned.

‘The discussion reinforced the need for greater transparency and proper governance.

‘For these reasons, Concacaf and its 41 Member Associations have: Rejected the proposal; Tasked their FIFA Council Members with engaging FIFA to determine how existing FIFA reserves could be used to increase FIFA Forward funding for football development across our region; and Tasked their FIFA Council Members with instructing the FIFA President to ensure that any matter follows the proper governance processes via staff and FIFA Council, in accordance with the FIFA Statutes.

‘Through these actions, Concacaf reaffirms that football’s future – and its greatest asset – must remain in the hands of our football family.’

Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president before Infantino, took to social media to renew his attacks on his successor by writing on Friday evening: ‘The FIFA is not a private equity fund. It is an association with statutes, regulations, and a fiduciary responsibility to protect the global game. If you sell football’s crown jewels to private investors, you also sell part of the game – especially its soul. Money matters, but it must never become everything.’ 

And Prime Minister Andy Burnham added his voice to those condemning Infantino, telling GiveMeSport: ‘It’s a feeling I’ve had for a while and it’s clearly not a sustainable situation. When UEFA and CONCACAF can’t have confidence, that is a large chunk of world football saying that this is not acceptable.

‘I had some concerns about the 2022 World Cup, on the pitch and all the rest of it. It didn’t feel right. It hasn’t felt right. And after everything that FIFA have been through before, I was prepared to give his [Infantino’s] era the benefit of the doubt, and I did give it the benefit of the doubt until this point.’

“Iran has every reason to believe that either Trump or Israel or both will attack again in the future. Control of the strait, at least as long as it remains a vital waterway, remains Iran’s best deterrent.”

– Robert Kagan, State Department official during the Reagan administration

Ariana Grande has continued to raise eyebrows with her shrinking frame following the release of her new music video, ‘Petal’.

The singer, 33, looks incredibly gaunt in the video, which was directed by Christian Breslauer.

In the bizarre clip, Grande plays the character of Pepper, an aspiring starlet who attends multiple auditions in a bid to become famous.

A group of studio bigwigs brand her ‘unmarketable’, ‘unattractive’, and ‘inauthentic,’ before accusing her of having a personality disorder.

‘We miss the old you,’ one tells her. ‘Maybe you could go out and find her and come back and give it another shot?’ 

Grande leaves, only to return moments later with a chainsaw, which she uses to violently dismember the men. 

The singer, 33, looks incredibly gaunt in the video, which was directed by Christian Breslauer

‘I am actually so over us normalizing this and acting like this is okay,’ wrote one fan

Now drenched in blood, she returns to the waiting room, only to receive a round of rapturous applause from the other female auditionees.

Despite the clever social commentary in the video, many fans were more distracted by Grande’s weight than anything else. 

‘This is like looking at Karen Carpenter and everyone was like [shrug],’ wrote one fan.

‘I am actually so over us normalizing this and acting like this is okay,’ wrote a second.

‘Shocking and heartbreaking,’ wrote a third, while a fourth added, ‘For the love of God, please eat something.’

Another wrote, ‘Her bones are literally popping out.’ 

Despite the concerned comments, other fans defended the singer and said that it was inappropriate to comment on her physical appearance. 

‘If y’all actually cared are her you wouldn’t be publicly making comments about her body,’ argued one.

Fans were shocked by the star’s appearance, with many comparing her to the late singer Karen Carpenter 

Grande murders a group of businessmen with a chainsaw in the disturbing video

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‘The irony of all the girls over 200 pounds saying she’s “unhealthy”. You think being 200 pounds is healthy? Good lord, the jealousy is screaming from you guys!’ wrote another. 

Daily Mail has reached out to Grande’s management for comment. 

Grande released her eighth studio album, Petal, on Friday. 

The project was preceded be the lead single ‘Hate That I Made You Love Me’, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

The singer has addressed her weight multiples times over the years and has insisted that she’s healthy, despite the continued speculation around her shrinking frame. 

‘There’s a comfortability that people have commenting on that that I think is really dangerous,’ she told YouTuber Sally in a 2024 interview. 

‘I’ve been kind of doing this in front of the public and kind of been a specimen in a petri dish really since I was 16 or 17, so I have heard it all,’ she continued. 

‘I’ve heard every version of it — of what’s wrong with me. And then you fix it, and then it’s wrong for different reasons. But that’s everything from — even just the simplest thing — your appearance, you know?’ 

She added, ‘I think in today’s society, there is a comfortability that we shouldn’t have at all — commenting on others’ looks, appearance, what they think is going on behind the scenes or health or how they present themselves.’

Grande is pictured in 2018, which she claims was an ‘unhealthy’ time for her 

The Wicked star is pictured in 2020 (left) and in her Petal music video (right)

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In a 2023 TikTok, Grande directly addressed concerns about her weight and explained that older photos of herself, where she wasn’t as thin, were actually taken during an unhealthy period in her life.

‘I was on a lot of antidepressants and drinking on them and eating poorly and at the lowest point of my life when I looked the way you consider my healthy, but that in fact wasn’t my healthy,’ she explained.

‘I know I shouldn’t have to explain that, but I do feel like having an openness and some sort of vulnerability here will [mean] something good might come from it. Healthy can look different.’

Last December, conservative commentator Megyn Kelly shockingly accused Grande of being ‘anorexic’.

‘Take a look at Ariana Grande right now, of the music industry and now also as an actress starring in Wicked. Let’s check in on how Ariana, who was raised on television, on Nickelodeon… is doing,’ Kelly began.

‘She is very clearly anorexic. If she’s 90 pounds, it’s a lot. She looks like you could snap her in two with your fingers.’

North Yorkshire Police said there has been “no evidence uncovered” to suggest the alleged firing of the rifle in Bull Lane during the early hours of Thursday (July 30) was “motivated by anything ideological” or “hate-related”.

The force said there was also no evidence to suggest the alleged incident was “specifically targeted against the Muslim community in York”.

Police said a 44-year-old York man arrested in connection with the investigation has been charged with possessing a loaded air weapon, a .22 air rifle, in a public place.

He has been bailed with conditions, including to keep away from York Mosque, and is due to appear at York Magistrates’ Court on September 21, police said.

No one was injured during the alleged incident and the mosque has since resumed its daily prayers.

York Mosque in Bull Lane (Image: Dylan Connell)

Superintendent Ed Haywood-Noble, senior operational commander for York and Selby, said it had been a “worrying time for everyone connected to York Mosque”, but the police investigation “has not identified an intention to cause injuries or distress to people”.

He said high-visibility police patrols will continue around the mosque in the coming days “as life begins to return to normal in the area” to “provide added reassurance for everyone in the city”.

“I again thank York Mosque for their understanding and patience during this time, and also our community partners and residents who have given so much support to the intensive police investigation,” Supt Haywood-Noble said.

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York Mosque’s president, Mohamad Douba, said the mosque has been “overwhelmed by the many messages of support we have received” after the alleged incident. “Once again, York has shown that our community stands together with kindness, resilience and unity,” he said.

Mr Douba said he did “not believe there is any further risk to those attending the mosque”, adding: “We remain hopeful that this will prove to be an isolated incident.

“York has always been a city built on mutual respect, friendship and understanding and we remain confident in the strength of our community to continue supporting one another.

“We would like to thank everyone for their patience, understanding and prayers, as well as North Yorkshire Police for their swift response and ongoing support.”

Police urge witnesses or anyone with information about the alleged incident to phone 101.

Information can be passed anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference number 12260145924 when providing information to police or to Crimestoppers.