Kemi Badenoch has known as on Keir Starmer’s anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq to resign amid ongoing questions over presents she acquired from her aunt’s regime in Bangladesh.

Stress is mounting on the minister who can be accountable for the Metropolis and finance because it emerged that she needed to abandon the journey to China with chancellor Rachel Reeves and is unable to do her job.

Tory chief Kemi Badenoch stated: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.

“He appointed his private buddy as anti-corruption minister and he or she is accused herself of corruption. Now the federal government of Bangladesh is elevating severe considerations about her hyperlinks to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”

The Tory chief stated Ms Siddiq, who’s Sir Keir’s constituency neighbour in North London, had change into “a distraction”, including: “The prime minister tried to make an enormous deal of his dedication to requirements and integrity. His weak management on Siddiq suggests he isn’t as bothered by integrity as he claims.”

Nevertheless, science secretary Peter Kyle has defended Ms Siddiq arguing she has completed the fitting factor by referring herself to the ministerial watchdog.

He advised Trevor Phillips on Sky Information: “I believe she’s completed precisely the fitting factor, she’s referred herself. That enquiry must undergo. I believe that that’s the suitable means ahead. I’m giving it all of the house it must do. I’ll be listening for the result because the prime minister will.”

He identified that when former Tory residence secretary Dame Priti Patel was investigated for bullying in her division she remained in her function and didn’t stop even when she was discovered responsible.

The row got here because the chief of Bangladesh has known as on UK anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq to apologise over allegations that she has lived in London properties linked to the regime of his predecessor.

Sir Keir Starmer confronted contemporary calls from the Tories on Saturday to sack Ms Siddiq as a minister, as Bangladesh’s chief Muhammad Yunus known as for an investigation into the properties to find out whether or not they had been acquired by “plain theft”.

Ms Siddiq – whose aunt Sheikh Hasina led an more and more autocratic regime in Bangladesh for 15 years till its shock fall in August – reported herself to the UK authorities’s ethics watchdog final week after it emerged that she was being investigated by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Fee (ACC).

In her letter to requirements adviser Sir Laurie Magnus, Ms Siddiq stated she was “clear that I’ve completed nothing improper” and alleged that a lot of the current reporting had been inaccurate. Sir Keir later stated Ms Siddiq had “acted completely correctly” in referring herself to Sir Laurie and that he had “confidence in her”.

Her self-referral got here after The Sunday Occasions and Monetary Occasions reported she had lived in properties linked to her aunt’s regime – one in Hampstead allegedly given to her teenage sister, and one other in King’s Cross allegedly given to her by an affiliate of members of Bangladesh’s Awami League celebration.

In an interview with The Sunday Occasions, Mr Yunus – an 84-year-old Nobel Prize-winner who has vowed to face down as soon as elections are known as by mid-2026 – warned that Ms Siddiq’s property ought to “completely” be investigated by the ACC.

Calling on her to apologise, whereas acknowledging that it was not for him to say whether or not she ought to resign, Mr Yunus stated: “She turns into the minister for anti-corruption and defends herself. Possibly you didn’t realise it, however now you realise it.

“You say: ‘Sorry, I didn’t comprehend it [at] that point, I search forgiveness from the people who I did this and I resign.’ She’s not saying that. She’s defending herself.”

open picture in gallery

Referring to a current Bangladeshi report alleging that the elite had funnelled billions of kilos a 12 months overseas, with some funds used to purchase property together with property, Mr Yunus stated: “They identified how cash is stolen, nevertheless it’s not stealing – whenever you steal, you disguise it. It’s a theft.”

Requested whether or not that would apply to properties utilized by members of Sheikh Hasina’s household in London, he stated: “Completely, it’s about plain theft. Nothing else. If a UK parliament member is concerned, undoubtedly it’s an enormous difficulty.”

Requested particularly what ought to occur to the properties used or owned by the Siddiq household, Mr Yunus stated: “Our entire thought and motion and what our pledges, commitments, that we made [is that] we’ll convey them to justice.”

Ms Siddiq’s aunt was deposed in August final 12 months following an rebellion in opposition to her management and fled to India. The previous prime minister is dealing with an investigation by an anti-corruption fee in Bangladesh, with Ms Siddiq reportedly named as a part of the case.

Sheikh Hasina was alleged to have been concerned in brokering a 2013 take care of Russia for a nuclear energy plant in Bangladesh wherein massive sums of money are stated to have been embezzled.

open picture in gallery

Ms Siddiq, who’s reportedly but to be contacted by the ACC, stated in her letter to Sir Laurie: “In current weeks I’ve been the topic of media reporting, a lot of it inaccurate, about my monetary affairs and my household’s hyperlinks to the previous authorities of Bangladesh.

“I’m clear that I’ve completed nothing improper. Nevertheless, for the avoidance of doubt, I would love you to independently set up the details about these issues. I’ll clearly guarantee you will have all the data you might want to do that.”

Ms Siddiq pulled out of accompanying the chancellor on her journey to China this weekend to be obtainable to assist Sir Laurie together with his investigation.

The primary spherical of the Australian Open males’s and girls’s singles tournaments is underway in Melbourne after storms delayed play on the skin courts.

Aryna Sabalenka took to the opening evening session on Rod Laver Enviornment and defeated Sloane Stephens 6-2 6-3 to start her title defence with a powerful efficiency.

Earlier, there have been wins for final 12 months’s runner-up Qinwen Zheng, Mirra Andreeva and Donna Vekic, whereas Casper Ruud and Arthur Fils additionally progressed.

Kei Nishikori received a five-set thriller to achieve the second spherical on the age of 35, with World No 2 Alexander Zverev beating Lucas Pouille in straight-sets within the evening session.

Observe all the newest motion from Melbourne Park beneath:

Why Andy Murray walked away from retirement to face Novak Djokovic’s tantrums

Loads of eyes can be on the fortunes of one other Brit in Melbourne over the subsequent fortnight, with Andy Murray embarking on his teaching profession with a relatively demanding pupil. Jamie Braidwood explains how the partnership took place, and why it would simply be what Novak Djokovic wants.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 January 2025 15:00

The large query standing between Jack Draper and a pivotal subsequent step in 2025

British No 1 Jack Draper opens his Australian Open tomorrow with a first-round match in opposition to Mariano Navone of Argentina. May this be the 12 months that the teenager takes the subsequent step to turn into a daily grand slam contender? Kieran Jackson explores:

Harry Latham-Coyle12 January 2025 14:30

Sonay Kartal ‘dissatisfied’ after Australian Open debut ends in defeat

Sonay Kartal was dissatisfied along with her efficiency on her Australian Open debut as she fell within the opening spherical to Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

The British No 3 received solely one of many first 10 video games – following an extended rain delay – however mounted a comeback and was near forcing a deciding set earlier than shedding out 6-1 7-6 (5).

Harry Latham-Coyle12 January 2025 14:00

Aryna Sabalenka begins Australian Open defence in fashion with Sloane Stephens win: ‘It appears like house’

Lower than an hour of play was attainable on the skin courts earlier than an enormous thunderstorm hit Melbourne Park, sending spectators operating for canopy and inflicting a delay of greater than six hours.

The matches continued as scheduled on the three lined courts, and Sabalenka opened the evening session on Rod Laver Enviornment with a 6-3 6-2 victory over former US Open champion Sloane Stephens.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 January 2025 13:30

Australian Open outcomes: Ladies’s singles

• Mirra Andreeva (14), Russia, def. Marie Bouzkova, Czechia, 6-3, 6-3
• Zheng Qinwen (5), China, def. Anca Alexia Todoni, Romania, 7-6 (3), 6-1
• Donna Vekic (18), Croatia, def. Diane Parry, France, 6-4, 6-4.
• Tatjana Maria, Germany, def. Bernarda Pera, United States, 7-6 (3), 6-4.
• Paula Badosa (11), Spain, def. Wang Xinyu, China, 6-3, 7-6 (5).
• Suzan Lamens, Netherlands, def. Veronika Erjavec, Slovenia, 7-5, 7-6 (2).
• Leylah Annie Fernandez (30), Canada, def. Yuliia Starodubtseva, Ukraine, 7-5, 6-4.
• Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Spain, def. Sonay Kartal, Britain, 6-1, 7-6 (5).
• Aryna Sabalenka (1), Belarus, def. Sloane Stephens, United States, 6-3, 6-2.
• Clara Tauson, Denmark, def. Linda Noskova (29), Czechia, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
• Cristina Bucsa, Spain, def. Chloe Paquet, France, 6-2, 6-3.

Jamie Braidwood12 January 2025 13:15

Australian Open outcomes: Males’s singles

• Arthur Fils (20), France, def. Otto Virtanen, Finland, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-4.
• Kei Nishikori, Japan, def. Thiago Monteiro, Brazil, 4-6, 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3
• Casper Ruud (6), Norway, def. Jaume Munar, Spain, 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1.
• Hugo Gaston, France, def. Omar Jasika, Australia, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
• Hady Habib, Lebanon, def. Yunchaokete Bu, China, 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (6).
• Pedro Martinez, Spain, def. Luciano Darderi, Italy, 6-3, 4-1, ret.
• Jiri Lehecka (24), Czechia, def. Li Tu, Australia, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (1).
• Tomas Machac (26), Czechia, def. Sumit Nagal, India, 6-3, 6-1, 7-5.
• Ugo Humbert (14), France, def. Matteo Gigante, Italy, 7-6 (5), 7-5, 6-4.
• Alexander Zverev (2), Germany, def. Lucas Pouille, France, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

Jamie Braidwood12 January 2025 12:45

Australian Open outcomes: Zverev beats Pouille

An excellent begin for World No 2 Alexander Zverev in Melbourne as he thunders an ace out broad to beat Lucas Pouille 6-4 6-4 6-4 on the opening evening.

Such a powerful efficiency behind serve from the German, who can be an actual menace this month if he retains that up. The Frenchman had a take a look at simply two break-points, with Zverev saving each.

The World No 2 fired 18 aces to simply two double faults. He had 18 break level probabilities and wanted only one per set to win in straight-sets. Job performed.

Jamie Braidwood12 January 2025 12:14

Australian Open newest scores: Zverev vs Pouille

The very last thing Lucas Pouille might afford to do after shedding the primary set in opposition to Alexander Zverev was dropping his serve within the opening recreation.

However he did and from there Zverev serves it out to take a giant step nearer to the second spherical. It’s 6-4 6-4 to the World No 2 and second seed.

Elsewhere, Lebanese qualifier Hady Habib broke new floor for the strife-torn nation on Sunday as he beat China’s Bu Yunchaokete 7-6(4) 6-4 7-6(6) to achieve the second spherical of the Australian Open.

The world quantity 219 turned his nation’s first participant to win a males’s singles primary draw match at a Grand Slam within the skilled period and soaked up wild cheers from a rowdy crowd packing the small terraces on Melbourne Park’s Courtroom 13.

With followers chanting his identify, the Texas-born 26-year-old raised his racket on the crowd and held up a Lebanese flag after claiming the decisive tiebreak.

Jamie Braidwood12 January 2025 11:47

Australian Open newest scores: Zverev vs Pouille

Alexander Zverev, so sturdy behind his serve when it’s firing, takes the opening set 6-4 againt France’s Lucas Pouille on Rod Laver Enviornment.

The Wold No 2 needed to combat for that. Pouille put up some resistance late within the first set and saved 4 set factors, however the huge German discovered his serve to recover from the road.

A defeated semi-finalist right here final 12 months, Zverev expects to be in competition once more this month. He’s racing in opposition to the clock tonight, as he takes the primary set at 9:30pm Melbourne time.

Jamie Braidwood12 January 2025 10:38

Aryna Sabalenka on ‘robust’ opening match in opposition to Sloane Stephens

Aryna Sabalenka after beating Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-2:

“It was a tricky match. They’re at all times robust matches in opposition to her. I don’t really feel like I performed my finest in all probability however I’m glad that I managed to shut this match in straight units.

“I’m tremendous completely satisfied to be again. I like this place and now we have a full stadium, I imply I couldn’t dream for extra. Thanks a lot for coming and supporting us. I actually get pleasure from enjoying in entrance of you each time.”

Jamie Braidwood12 January 2025 10:00

This story has been up to date in a brand new location: Ahead progress of Kenneth hearth close to West Hills stopped at 1,000 acres

A brand new wildfire erupted close to West Hills and quickly moved into Ventura County on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 9, however evacuation orders and warnings in each counties later had been lifted.

By Friday morning, Jan. 10, containment had risen to 35%; that’s the share of the blaze’s perimeter that officers forecast is not going to broaden.

On Thursday evening, the Kenneth hearth was being investigated as a attainable arson, and an individual of curiosity was detained, officers stated.

The hearth grew shortly to engulf 960 acres close to Victory Boulevard west of Gilmore Road and was headed south in the direction of Hidden Hills, hearth officers stated early Thursday night.

An replace on KCAL round 6:15 p.m. confirmed that firefighters had been making progress on the blaze in an space between the Hidden Hills and Mountain View communities, although the winds had been anticipated to select up in a single day.

“This new hearth exhibits we completely should not out of this excessive climate occasion,” LA Hearth Chief Kristin Crowley stated, referring to this week’s historic windstorm at a night information convention.

The Los Angeles County Hearth Division later downgraded obligatory evacuation orders for the Kenneth hearth to evacuation warnings. As of 5:30 p.m., the hearth was totally throughout the jurisdiction of the Ventura County Hearth Division.

• Additionally see: This map exhibits the place the Kenneth hearth is burning close to West Hills

All evacuation warnings in Ventura County had been lifted as of seven p.m.

The LAFD beforehand referred to as the blaze the Kennith hearth.

Pink flag warnings of essential hearth hazard can be in place for a lot of the L.A. space by means of 6 p.m. Friday. Probably the most severe gusts of this week’s windstorm had been recorded Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. However forecasters stated the winds will once more acquire energy.

“Whereas winds had diminished some final evening, they’re rising and changing into extra widespread immediately (Thursday) and can proceed into Friday morning,” in keeping with the Nationwide Climate Service.

“The strongest winds immediately into Friday morning can be throughout the mountains (together with the Santa Susanas and Santa Monicas) and Santa Clarita Valley, the place damaging wind gusts as much as 65 mph might be anticipated, besides remoted gusts to 75 mph within the San Gabriels, western Santa Monicas, and Santa Susana mountains,” the NWS stated.

Metropolis Information Service contributed to this report.

Initially Printed: January 9, 2025 at 3:40 PM PST

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka prolonged her Australian Open profitable streak to fifteen matches on a rain-soaked opening day at Melbourne Park.

Lower than an hour of play was attainable on the surface courts earlier than an enormous thunderstorm hit Melbourne Park, sending spectators operating for canopy and inflicting a delay of greater than six hours.

The matches continued as scheduled on the three lined courts, and Sabalenka opened the night time session on Rod Laver Enviornment with a 6-3 6-2 victory over former US Open champion Sloane Stephens.

Whereas it was a troublesome draw on paper, Stephens has slipped to 81 within the rankings and, barring a mini revival from the American when she received three video games in a row after shedding the primary 4, this was clean crusing for Sabalenka, who received her first main championship at Melbourne Park in 2023, then added one other final January, earlier than elevating her complete to 3 Slam trophies on the US Open in September.

The final girl to win the Australian Open three years in a row was Martina Hingis from 1997 to 1999.

“I’m tremendous pleased to be again,” Sabalenka mentioned. “I really like this place.”

She added: “It was a troublesome match, at all times robust matches in opposition to her. Not that I performed my greatest in all probability however I used to be glad I used to be in a position to shut this match in straight units.”

The participant Sabalenka beat within the remaining final 12 months, fifth seed Qinwen Zheng, additionally safely reached spherical two.

The 22-year-old from China, who went on to win Olympic gold in Paris, didn’t have issues all her personal method in opposition to Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni however battled to a 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 victory.

Zheng seemed in full management serving for the set at 5-4 and main 40-0 just for Todoni to win 5 factors in a row.

The Romanian then held three set factors with Zheng serving at 5-6 however couldn’t take any of them and issues have been comfy for the fifth seed thereafter.

“The primary match is at all times not straightforward,” mentioned Zheng in her on-court interview. “She’s enjoying actually good however I used to be doing a bit silly errors at 5-4 40-0, I do not know what occurred there.”

Teenager Mirra Andreeva may very well be an element come the latter levels of the event and he or she started strongly with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Marie Bouzkova.

However twenty ninth seed Linda Noskova, who upset Iga Swiatek on her approach to the quarter-finals final 12 months, fell to a 5-7 6-3 6-4 loss in opposition to gifted Dane Clara Tauson.

Brit Kartal falls quick on Australian Open debut

Sonay Kartal’s comeback fell quick as her Melbourne debut resulted in defeat to Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

British No 3 Kartal rose quickly up the rankings through the second half of final season, profitable a primary WTA Tour title in Tunisia and breaking into the highest 100.

That earned her a spot in the principle attract Melbourne, and he or she was the one British participant in motion on a rain-soaked opening day, with the competition lastly getting beneath method three and a half hours after its scheduled slot.

Kartal was blown away within the opening set however recovered from 3-0 down within the second set to pressure a tie-break earlier than shedding out 6-1 7-6 (7-5).

Within the second recreation, each gamers thought a Bouzas Maneiro serve had been referred to as out, solely to ultimately realise that the decision had come from a neighbouring court docket.

With line calls now automated and no line judges on the court docket, it may be tough for gamers to find out the place the decision has come from.

“All of them sound the identical,” mentioned Kartal. “I used to be like, ‘God’. I feel on ours the sound of his voice was male, so I used to be simply listening out for the male voice as a substitute of the feminine voice.”

She added: “I will bounce again from this. I’ve acquired loads extra probabilities and good matches which can be arising fairly quickly.”

Kartal was the one British participant in motion on the opening day, with Jack Draper, Jacob Fearnley and Jodie Burrage all resulting from start their campaigns on Monday.

Habib places Lebanon on the map

Lebanese qualifier Hady Habib broke new floor for the strife-torn nation as he beat China’s Bu Yunchaokete 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 7-6 (8-6).

The world No 219 turned his nation’s first participant to win a males’s singles most important draw match at a Grand Slam within the skilled period and soaked up wild cheers from a rowdy crowd packing the small terraces on Melbourne Park’s Courtroom 13.

With followers chanting his title, the Texas-born 26-year-old raised his racket on the crowd and held up a Lebanese flag after claiming the decisive tie-break.

Greater than one million individuals in Lebanon have been displaced following Israel’s invasion of the nation in October after simmering hostilities for a 12 months ignited by the struggle in Gaza. A ceasefire was agreed in late November however the future stays unsure.

“That is in all probability top-of-the-line days of my profession, truthfully. It is such an unbelievable feeling to get this win – not just for myself however for Lebanon and Lebanese tennis,” mentioned Habib. “It is an enormous win, particularly what we have been going by means of as a rustic. It is simply good to get this win for Lebanon and for the individuals.”

“I simply needed to symbolize the nation that I’ve lived in, and been part of the tennis tradition. It is a choice I made at a younger age,” he mentioned. “Simply offers me the motivation to maintain going. To play for a small nation is one thing particular for me.”

He represented Lebanon on the Paris Olympics and have become the nation’s first participant to win an occasion on the second-tier ATP Challenger Tour in Chile final 12 months.

Habib will tackle 14th seed Ugo Humbert within the second spherical on Wednesday.

Ruud survives scare

Within the males’s singles, sixth seed Casper Ruud survived a significant scare to keep away from a primary opening-round loss at a Grand Slam since Wimbledon 4 years in the past.

The Norwegian was twice pegged again by Spaniard Jaume Munar however proved too robust within the deciding set to assert a 6-3 1-6 7-5 2-6 6-1 victory.

Ruud introduced his engagement to Maria Galligani in November and his fiancee was watching on.

When the Norwegian was requested if he was extra nervous whereas enjoying Rafael Nadal within the French Open remaining or asking his girlfriend to marry him, he visibly tensed up, stuttering in his on-court interview at Rod Laver Enviornment.

“The heartbeat acquired up there while you’re about to go down in your knees, it was an amazing second. I am nervous now while you ask me about it,” a smiling Ruud mentioned.

“I will always remember enjoying Rafa in a Slam remaining, however for positive I will additionally always remember taking place on my knee to Maria. It was a good looking second, I feel it was a much bigger second.

“There’s a number of different younger guys [in the locker room] which have been in relationships for a very long time, so I am sort of teasing them. I hope for his or her girlfriends that they step up sooner or later!”

Additionally prevailing in a fifth was Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori, who got here from two units all the way down to beat Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro 4-6 6-7 (7-4) 7-5 6-2 6-3 for simply his second Grand Slam victory since 2021.

The 35-year-old former US Open finalist has been dogged by accidents lately however, after saving two match factors within the third, he prolonged his five-set document to an excellent 29 wins from 37 matches, coming by means of in 4 hours and 6 minutes.

Nishikori has fairly the popularity for profitable in matches that go the gap, and he mentioned: “Even after the match, all people, a few gamers, was joking to me, ‘one other 5 units’.

“It is good to have that document as a result of I at all times have good confidence, and gamers know that I’ve a very good document. It is good stress for them if I’ve that.”

Second seed Alexander Zverev barely wanted to get out of third gear because the German cruised previous Frenchman Lucas Pouille 6-4 6-4 6-4.

Zverev claimed his twenty sixth win, equalling Tommy Haas (26) for the second-most of any German on the occasion within the Open Period, behind solely Boris Becker (29).

What’s arising on Sky Sports activities Tennis?

• ABN AMRO Open Rotterdam (ATP 500) – 3-9 February
• Dallas Open (ATP 500) – 3-9 February
• Delray Seashore Open (ATP 250) – 10-16 February
• IEB+ Argentina Open (ATP 250) – 10-16 February
• Open 13 Provence (ATP 250) – 10-16 February
• Transylvania Open (WTA 250) – 3-9 February
• Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open (WTA 500) – 3-8 February
• Qatar TotalEnergies Open (WTA 1000) – 9-15 February
• Dubai Obligation Free Tennis Championships (WTA 1000) – 16-22 February

Watch the ATP and WTA Excursions, in addition to the US Open in New York, dwell on Sky Sports activities in 2025 or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities prospects entry to over 50 per cent extra dwell sport this 12 months at no additional value. Discover out extra right here.

Mackenzie Dern avenged her 2019 loss to Amanda Ribas with an armbar submission with 4 seconds remaining within the third spherical.

Here’s a take a look at the spectacular and extremely technical end.

Should you love blended martial arts, UFC Apex 101 had somewhat little bit of every thing. The primary occasion was for the grappling fans as Dern outgrappled Ribas en path to victory.

After she took the primary spherical with a well-timed takedown, Dern misplaced the second body when Ribas turned the tables, acquired her down, and maintained management.

Within the third spherical, Ribas once more acquired the takedown, however Dern confirmed her superiority on the bottom, working from her again to arrange an armbar she completed within the waning seconds of the third spherical.

The win gave Dern, the No. 6 fighter within the girls’s strawweight division, two wins in a row. She additionally earned one of many Efficiency of the Evening bonuses. The loss in all probability received’t drop Ribas beneath No. 8, however she is now on a two-fight dropping streak.

Former UFC champions , Henry Cejudo and Conor McGregor sang the cardboard’s praises.

Here’s a take a look at the outcomes from the primary UFC occasion in 2025 and the bonus winners:

• Mackenzie Dern def. Amanda Ribas through third-round submission (armbar)
• Santiago Ponzinibbio def. Carlston Harris through third-round TKO

Within the co-main occasion, Ponzinibbio needed to dig deep, bounce again from knockdowns within the first spherical, and take in extra onerous photographs within the second body to earn the third-round TKO victory.

Ponzinibbio wanted the victory, and he acquired it with an entertaining and spectacular end.

• Cesar Almeida def. Abdul Razak Alhassan through first-round KO

Wow!

It’s the primary occasion of the yr, however we might not see one other KO like this for the remainder of 2025. Almeida was dropped early within the first spherical, however he acquired to his ft and countered a wild punch from Alhassan with a titanic left hook that put the latter out chilly. Almeida earned a efficiency bonus for the end.

• Roman Kopylov def. Chris Curtis through third-round TKO

What an awesome struggle. Kopylov and Curtis battled for almost quarter-hour, buying and selling photographs and standing toe-to-toe within the course of. The struggle ended with some controversy as referee Mark Smith waved it off with one second remaining.

Kopylov nailed Curtis with a head kick that scored a knockdown. Curtis was harm however not out. Smith made the choice to cease the struggle, inflicting a direct offended response from Curtis.

Fortunately, Kopylov was virtually definitely on his method to a call victory, so Smith’s stoppage didn’t value Curtis a win. The 2 warriors nonetheless earned the Struggle of the Evening bonus.

• Christian Rodriguez def. Austin Bashi through unanimous determination (29-28 x3)
• Punahele Soriano def. Uros Medic through first-round TKO

• Felipe Bunes def. Jose Johnson through first-round submission (armbar)

• Marco Tulio def. Ihor Potieria through first-round KO

• Thiago Moises def. Trey Ogden through unanimous determination (29-28×3)
• Jacobe Smith def. Preston Parsons through first-round KO

Smith turned in one of the best efficiency of all of the Contender Sequence fighters making their principal roster debut. Smith’s explosiveness and punching energy will marry properly along with his world-class wrestling.

• Ernesta Kareckaite def. Nicolle Caliari through cut up determination (29-28×2, 28-29)
• Bruno Lopes def. Magomed Gadzhiyasulov through unanimous determination (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Fatima Kline def. Viktoriia Dudakova through second-round TKO

• Nurullo Aliev def. Joe Solecki through unanimous determination (30-27, 29-28×2)

LOS ANGELES − Residents throughout Los Angeles County obtained an faulty evacuation warning as fires proceed to blaze throughout Southern California.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn mentioned in a submit on X that the warning was supposed to be for areas impacted by the Kenneth Hearth that sparked within the western San Fernando Valley Thursday afternoon.

Hahn known as the wrong warning a “technical error.”

The Los Angeles Metropolis Emergency Administration Division confirmed the error in a submit on X and mentioned evacuation orders haven’t modified.

A correction was issued at 4:19 p.m. PST.

The warning frayed nerves of residents who’ve seen three days of blazes after an enormous windstorm Tuesday.

Get climate and fireplace alerts through textual content:Signal as much as get present wildfire updates by location

Present Kenneth Hearth evacuation orders

Evacuation orders in place for the Kenneth Hearth as of 4:30 p.m. PST stretch from simply east of Paolo Comado Canyon Street on the west to Hidden Hills, based on Cal Hearth.

The Los Angeles Hearth Division has a compulsory evacuation warning for the realm between Saticoy Avenue and Burbank Boulevard between County Lane Street on the west and E Valley Circle Boulevard to the east.

Evacuation warnings are in place for Bell Canyon, jap Agoura Hills and areas of Calabasas south of Freeway 101.

The fireplace has burned practically 800 acres, based on CalFire. An interactive map of the evacuation warnings is offered on the CalFire web site.

David Moyes has agreed a deal to return to Everton as supervisor following the departure of Sean Dyche.

Dyche was sacked on Thursday – simply three hours earlier than the Toffees’ FA Cup third-round win over Peterborough – after profitable simply one among his final 11 video games with Everton, leaving them only one level above the Premier League relegation zone.

Moyes, 61, is now set to make his return to administration after leaving West Ham on the finish of the final season, as he takes cost of Everton for a second time, 11-and-a-half years after leaving for Manchester United.

Evaluation: Moyes the most secure selection for Everton

Sky Sports activities Information’ Alan Myers:

“David Moyes is the most secure selection. Altering managers on this place is excessive threat. To have somebody who is aware of the membership inside out and might hit the bottom working is a giant plus.

“Everton want the membership to get secure, I feel he can try this. The preliminary goal and goal is to make sure Everton retain their Premier League standing forward of their transfer to the brand new stadium.

“The panorama has modified since Moyes was final at Everton. He’ll be working beneath what could also be perceived from the surface as ruthless homeowners now. It is not fairly the steadiness he had when Invoice Kenwright was the chairman.”

WATCH: Relive one of the best of Moyes’ first stint at Everton

Is bringing Moyes again the appropriate transfer for Everton?

Sky Sports activities’ Ben Grounds:

They are saying in soccer there isn’t any room for sentiment.

Dyche had been on borrowed time for some time, nevertheless, and the membership Moyes is in line to return to could be very completely different to the one he left again in 2013.

Will probably be seen as an emotional return, nevertheless it can’t be a sentimental one. The sight of Seamus Coleman telling Leighton Baines, team-mates throughout Moyes’ first spell, to “clap” after their names have been learn out over the tannoy earlier than kick-off towards Peterborough pulled on the heartstrings.

Following a chaotic day, it was a second to savour for 2 Everton greats who will turn into important sounding boards for Moyes, particularly within the early weeks again at Finch Farm.

Moyes will recognise a number of faces on the coaching floor, and among the many catering employees, however little or no else past the febrile fanbase bears a resemblance to the material he etched throughout 11 years over a decade in the past.

From Offended Birds, to Bernard. From parting firm with eight everlasting managers to 777 Companions. From Ronald Koeman’s three No 10s in a single summer time to Farhad Moshiri’s litany of wasted tens of millions, Everton followers have been by way of the wringer because the man who coined the ‘Individuals’s Membership’ departed because the ‘Chosen One’ to interchange Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

Evaluating the Everton facet he inherited in March 2002 to the one he’s primed to tackle now, the 61-year-old could be assured of proving his doubters incorrect as soon as extra. He might not be the perceived ‘mission supervisor’ that’s readily recognized as a long-term association, however Moyes is value excess of a six-month romantic rekindling.

‘He is Received Gray Hair, However We Do not Care…’

Eight everlasting managers have tried and in the end didn’t emulate Moyes’ achievements at Everton. In a recreation working out of sentiment, the person himself deserves the chance to information them away from bother.

Learn the function in full right here.

An emergency alert issuing an evacuation warning for all of Los Angeles County was despatched out by chance, in keeping with officers.  

“I’ve been knowledgeable the evacuation warning that many people simply acquired on our telephones was mistakenly issued countywide as a consequence of a technical error,” County Supervisor Janice Hahn wrote on X. “A correction will likely be issued shortly.”

One other assertion from Hahn acknowledged that the alert was solely purported to go to residents impacted by the Kenneth Fireplace in West Hills.

Metropolis officers from Santa Monica, Lengthy Seaside and different areas took to social media to reiterate that the message was despatched in error.

BBC Sport’s Chief Soccer Author Phil McNulty:

When David Moyes left Everton to make an ill-fated transfer to Manchester United in 2013, he left behind a membership that was the mannequin of stability.

Moyes had spent 11 years at Goodison Park, taking Everton from Premier League strugglers to European regulars, even reaching the Champions League qualifying stage in 2005.

The Scot successfully had full management of soccer affairs, supported by a boss Invoice Kenwright who was grateful to have Moyes attaining what he did as supervisor with restricted funds.

To say Moyes is returning to a special Everton, ought to he safe a deal to succeed sacked Sean Dyche, is a masterpiece of under-statement.

Since Moyes left for Outdated Trafford, Everton have had eight everlasting managers with seven sackings. The steadiness and continuity he knew is a factor of the previous, soccer’s managerial panorama altering in that interval.

Everton are nonetheless struggling close to the foot of the desk, as they had been when he took over from Walter Smith in 2002, however he might be working with new American house owners in The Friedkin Group who’ve already proven themselves to be ruthless by dismissing Dyche after solely three weeks in management.

There may be unlikely to be any of the endurance proven by Kenwright through the occasional robust instances in Moyes’ first spell, whereas he might be working below a director of soccer in Kevin Thelwell, not a scenario he encountered when he dominated Everton earlier than, taking choices on shopping for and promoting himself, the choice maker on all soccer technique.

Everton’s league place could not have modified, however the Everton Moyes knew earlier than has. How he adapts to these altering circumstances will form his and the membership’s fast future.

Former British prime minister Liz Truss has employed a pro-Israel legislation agency whose largest workplace is in Tel Aviv and which referred to as Labour “antisemitic” in 2020 to ship a stop and desist letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The letter accuses Starmer of creating “false and deceptive” feedback in the course of the 2024 normal election marketing campaign that Truss “crashed the economic system”, saying the claims are defamatory.

Truss’s mini-Finances in September 2o22 introduced £45bn of unfunded tax cuts, sending monetary markets right into a panic. Lower than two weeks later, Truss resigned from the premiership.

She then misplaced her seat as an MP within the July 2024 election.

The stop and desist letter, first reported on Thursday, was despatched by legislation agency Assersson, which referred to as Labour underneath former chief Jeremy Corbyn “a hotbed for racism”.

Based by British Jerusalem-based lawyer Trevor Assersson, the agency has its headquarters in London however its largest workplace in Tel Aviv.

Trevor Assersson, the agency’s senior accomplice, has taken up numerous pro-Israel causes within the UK over the previous few years.

In 2024 Assersson produced a extremely publicised report attacking the BBC’s protection of Israel’s conflict on Gaza, accusing it of anti-Israel bias.

The examine discovered that the BBC was 14 instances extra more likely to accuse Israel of genocide than Hamas, alleging a “deeply worrying sample of bias”.

The BBC’s worldwide editor, Jeremy Bowen, dismissed the findings as “deeply flawed”.

Labelling Labour antisemitic

Assersson beforehand represented the pro-Israel group Marketing campaign In opposition to Antisemitism (CAA) in its criticism towards the Labour Celebration underneath Jeremy Corbyn’s management.

CAA, which the Charity Fee is presently investigating, referred Labour to the Equality and Human Rights Fee (EHRC) over alleged antisemitism. 

In November 2020, when Keir Starmer had turn into chief, the agency labelled Labour “antisemitic” in an article printed on its web site.

It quoted Trevor Assersson saying: “The Labour Celebration grew to become a hotbed for racism underneath Corbyn’s ‘management’, directed at members of the UK’s Jewish inhabitants.”

He added: “It’s to be hoped that the Labour Celebration can discover the power to throw off its institutional racism, and return to being a celebration of the individuals.”

The article itself stated: “Starmer should be sure that antisemitism within the Labour Celebration, along with those that allowed it to develop, are excised from the get together.”

In November it emerged that Britain’s charity regulator, the Charity Fee, was investigating CAA for calling the Labour govenrment’s partial arms ban on Israel “obscene” in September 2024.

Assersson has an extra historical past of taking pro-Israel circumstances.

In 2021 the legislation agency introduced proceedings towards David Miller, a professor at Bristol College, accusing him of antisemitism.

Miller was fired by the college for expressing anti-Zionist views.

“We commend each the scholars, our shoppers, for taking the motion, and the Marketing campaign In opposition to Antisemitism for supporting them,” Assersson stated on the time.

In 2024, nonetheless, a decide dominated that Miller was unfairly dismissed and subjected to discrimination – a big loss for Assersson. 

Starmer strikes again

Now the agency is concentrating on Prime Minister Starmer, who has hit again.

On Thursday afternoon, his official spokesperson stated: “You have bought the prime minister’s language which he completely stands by in relation to the earlier authorities’s [economic] file, and you do not have to take it from the prime minister.

“I believe you’ll be able to ask individuals up and down the nation what the impression of earlier financial administration was on their mortgages, on inflation, and I believe you may get related solutions.”

Truss has maintained that she is a sufferer of a conspiracy.