As first reported in The Instances,, exterior Lord Mandelson will substitute Dame Karen Pierce, whose time period in Washington DC is because of finish as Trump enters the White Home in early 2025.

Sir Keir thanked Dame Karen for “her invaluable service for the final 4 years, and specifically the knowledge and steadfast help she has given me personally since July”.

UK ambassadors are usually profession diplomats or civil servants, however Downing Avenue mentioned selecting a number one Labour politician “reveals simply how importantly we see our relationship with the Trump administration”.

Labour Well being Minister Stephen Kinnock mentioned Lord Mandelson would make “a wonderful appointment” as US ambassador.

Kinnock, whose father Neil Kinnock gave Lord Mandelson his first senior function in Labour within the Eighties, pointed to the previous EU Commerce Commissioner’s “actually sturdy expertise in commerce”.

“He is acquired excellent political contacts in Washington DC and I feel his appointment could be a mirrored image of the significance of the US-UK particular relationship and I feel Peter Mandelson could be an excellent individual to take that relationship ahead,” Kinnock added.

However Lord Mandelson has been a divisive figures in British politics over a few years.

He resigned twice as a minister – as soon as for failing to declare a house mortgage from a cupboard colleague, and a second time over accusations of utilizing his place to affect a passport software.

As a staunch critic of Brexit and advocate for world free-trade, he doesn’t look like an apparent match with the incoming Trump administration.

The previous cupboard minister and EU commerce negotiator additionally has monumental political expertise, and Downing Avenue could have judged that sending somebody so near the large political figures within the UK could go down properly on the White Home.

NORFOLK, Va. — Soccer followers within the 757 have vivid recollections of Michael Vick as a participant in Newport Information. Now they will get to see him again in Hampton Roads, this time on the sidelines as a school head coach.

Vick will develop into the following head coach at Norfolk State, sources confirmed to Information 3 on Tuesday night.

The previous quarterback made it official with an announcement on social media shortly thereafter.

Vick was a standout at each Ferguson and Warwick excessive colleges earlier than changing into the star quarterback at Virginia Tech with the Hokies. He led Tech to an undefeated common season in 1999 and an look within the nationwide championship sport.

Watch: Tommy Reamon on Michael Vick’s Norfolk State rent

Michael Vick’s highschool coach on Norfolk State rent

The Newport Information native then declared for the NFL Draft in early 2001 and was chosen by the Atlanta Falcons because the No.1 general decide. He turned the primary quarterback to hurry for 1,000 yards in 2006 and performed the sport in a approach no one had seen earlier than.

Vick’s NFL profession was placed on pause in 2007, when he served 21 months in jail as a consequence of a dogfighting conviction. He returned to the sector with the Eagles in 2009 and was named NFL Comeback Participant of the Yr in 2010. Vick spent 5 seasons with the Eagles earlier than winding down his profession with the Jets and Steelers, formally retiring as a participant in 2017. Since then, he is labored as an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities.

The previous quarterback can be now an animal rights activist. He works with the humane society to assist save animals and has supported animal rights laws and stronger animal cruelty legal guidelines.

Watch associated: Adam Winkler sits down 1-on-1 with Michael Vick

Adam Winkler sits down 1-on-1 with Michael Vick

“I’ve had 11 coaches name me within the final 72 hours. And so they all desire a job and/or, they do not wish to play Norfolk State,” stated Tommy Reamon, who coached Vick in highschool.

Vick might not have any teaching expertise, however there’s a rising pleasure from the neighborhood and people on Norfolk State’s campus.

“I feel he’s going to be doing one thing higher with the folks,” stated NSU fan Donald Coleman.

Watch earlier protection: NSU followers wish to see Vick take over as head coach

NSU followers wish to see Vick take over head soccer coach position

The hope is that Vick’s signing will improve the Spartans’ picture and lift this system’s profile — just like the turnaround Deion Sanders orchestrated at Jackson State College.

Norfolk State has but to challenge an announcement, however is anticipated to formally announce Vick’s hiring as quickly as Wednesday.

Dan Wootton has damaged his silence on Mark Dolan’s shock sacking from GB Information. The journalist, who himself was axed from the channel in 2023, stated it was a “horrible factor to do earlier than Christmas”, however could not assist however take a swipe at his former colleague.

Showing on his Outspoken YouTube collection on Thursday (December 19), Dan stated: “What is that this about? Is it to economize? Is it to eliminate presenters who problem the narrative? Or is there one thing else afoot?

“I’m not somebody that likes to bop on another person’s grave… nevertheless it’s solely truthful of me to current each side of the image and persons are saying that that is what occurs once you give in to administration and also you grow to be their b***h and you’re ready to throw your colleagues beneath the bus.”

There has seemingly been unhealthy blood between the pair since Mark changed Dan on his present in 2023. The broadcaster was sacked for failing to oppose actor Laurence Fox’s feedback about feminine political journalist, Ava Evans.

Dan continued: “One of many issues individuals have raised of being problematic about Mark Dolan is whether or not he truly believed or was passionate concerning the issues he was speaking about on GB Information…Some have urged that possibly Mark was placing on what he thought he needed to say to be on GB Information.

“It’s a horrible factor to occur to somebody per week earlier than Christmas… and as I say that is somebody who had been a b***h for the channel and achieved something he was informed to do, even when it was throwing his colleagues beneath the bus.”

Mark introduced on Wednesday night time that he had been “relieved of his duties” at GB Information after becoming a member of the channel shortly after its launch in 2021.

He wrote on Twitter: “STATEMENT GB Information have made the choice to completely relieve me of my duties on the channel. I’ll communicate publicly about this sooner or later.”

Isabel Webster, Breakfast presenter and longtime co-host of Eamonn Holmes, has additionally been sacked and Jacob Rees Mogg has had his hours reduce.

The previous Tory Enterprise Secretary had introduced State of the Nation 4 days per week however will now solely host on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Following Isabel’s departure, Eamonn will co-host the Breakfast present with Ellie Costello and Ben Leo will fill Mark Dolan’s Saturday and Sunday night slots.

In a press release, GB Information stated modifications to the presenting line-up had been a part of “initiatives to construct on success with a renewed focus and ambition”.

Ben Briscoe, Head Of Programming and Expertise, stated: “2024 has been a really implausible yr for us. Not solely are we frequently beating the opposite established information channels, however we’re additionally making inroads in opposition to the large public service broadcaster terrestrial channels.

“Our initiatives will permit us to construct on this success with a renewed focus and ambition.”

Throughout boasts about Russia’s navy achievements in his annual marathon televised information convention, Vladimir Putin says he is able to compromise over Ukraine in doable talks on ending his conflict and has no circumstances for beginning discussions.

The Russian president advised one reporter he was prepared to fulfill Donald Trump, who he mentioned he had not spoken to for years.

The US president-elect has vowed to swiftly finish the Ukraine conflict, with out giving any particulars on how he may obtain that.

Requested what he may have the ability to provide Mr Trump, Mr Putin dismissed an assertion that Russia was in a weak place.

“We’ve at all times mentioned that we’re prepared for negotiations and compromises,” Mr Putin mentioned, after claiming that Russian forces, advancing throughout your entire entrance, have been transferring in direction of reaching their main targets in Ukraine.

“Quickly, these Ukrainians who need to battle will run out, for my part, quickly there will likely be nobody left who desires to battle. We’re prepared, however the different facet must be prepared for each negotiations and compromises.”

Reuters reported final month that Mr Putin was open to discussing a Ukraine ceasefire cope with Mr Trump however dominated out making any main territorial concessions and insisted Kyiv should abandon its ambitions to hitch Nato.

Mr Putin mentioned on Thursday that Russia had no circumstances to begin talks with Ukraine and was prepared to barter with anybody, together with Volodymyr Zelensky.

However he mentioned any deal might solely be signed with Ukraine’s reliable authorities, which for now the Kremlin thought of to solely be the Ukrainian parliament.

Mr Zelensky, whose time period was because of expire earlier this yr however has been prolonged because of martial regulation, would should be re-elected for Moscow to contemplate him a reliable signatory to any deal to make sure it was legally watertight, mentioned Mr Putin.

Any talks ought to take as their start line a preliminary settlement – by no means enacted – that was reached between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators at talks in Istanbul within the early weeks of the conflict, he added.

Some Ukrainian politicians regard that draft deal as akin to a capitulation which might have neutered Ukraine’s navy and political ambitions.

Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has left tens of hundreds lifeless, displaced thousands and thousands and triggered the most important disaster in relations between Moscow and the West because the 1962 Cuban Missile Disaster.

Discussing the continued presence of Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk area, Mr Putin mentioned Kyiv’s troops can be compelled out, however declined to say precisely when that may occur.

The conflict has remodeled the Russian financial system and Mr Putin mentioned it was exhibiting indicators of overheating which was stoking worryingly excessive inflation. However he claimed progress was larger than many different economies akin to Britain.

Requested by a BBC reporter if he’d taken care of Russia, one thing that Boris Yeltsin had requested him to do earlier than handing over the presidency on the finish of 1999, Mr Putin mentioned he had.

“We’ve moved again from the sting of the abyss,” Mr Putin mentioned. “I’ve executed every little thing to make sure that Russia is an unbiased and sovereign energy that is ready to make selections in its personal pursuits.”

Mr Putin additionally touted what he mentioned was the invincibility of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile, warning he was able to organise one other launch at Ukraine and see if Western air defence techniques might shoot it down.

In Brussels, Mr Zelensky addressed this throughout a press convention at a European Council assembly, saying: “Do you assume he’s a sane particular person?”

Russia is making regular, if gradual, advances in Ukraine, however has additionally suffered embarrassing setbacks. On Tuesday, Lt Gen Igor Kirillov was killed by a bomb planted outdoors his residence constructing in Moscow – a brazen assassination claimed by Ukraine that introduced the battle as soon as once more to the streets of the Russian capital. Mr Putin described the killing as a “main blunder” by Russia’s safety companies.

Reuters and Related Press contributed to this report

Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick says he has accepted a head teaching place at Norfolk State College in Virginia.

“It is an honor to announce that I will be the brand new head coach of Norfolk State College…trying ahead to coming again dwelling,” he mentioned Tuesday on Fb.

Vick is a local of Newport Information, Virginia, about 30 miles north of Norfolk.

College officers didn’t verify the deal Tuesday night time, however the Virginian-Pilot, a newspaper between Norfolk and Newport Information, reported that a number of sources mentioned an introductory information convention can be held inside every week.

Vick performed school soccer at Virginia Tech, the place as a redshirt freshman he led the varsity to the faculty nationwide title recreation, the place his staff misplaced to Florida State. In 2001, Vick turned the primary Black quarterback to be drafted to the NFL first general, when he was chosen by the Atlanta Falcons.

He spent six seasons there, wherein he was chosen to the Professional Bowl 3 times and led his staff to the NFC Championship recreation in 2004, shedding to the Philadelphia Eagles. His enjoying days had been briefly derailed starting in 2007 when he served practically two years of jail time for dogfighting.

However upon his launch in 2009, he went on to play 5 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, the place in 2010 he achieved a fourth Professional Bowl choice and gained Comeback Participant of the 12 months. He later spent one season every with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Over the course of his NFL profession, he collected about 28,000 whole yards and 169 touchdowns. He retired in 2017, holding the all-time report for quarterback dashing yards, with about 6,100.

He has since develop into an animal activist and an analyst for Fox Sports activities.

A short while in the past, Putin claimed Russia was ready for negotiations with Ukraine. He was requested whether or not he was ready to compromise “in any method” over Ukraine.

Putin replies that “politics is the artwork of compromise” and says Russia has all the time stated it’s ready for compromise and negotiations.

He claims Ukraine has refused to carry negotiations.

He says they achieved an settlement in Istanbul in 2022, which he says Ukraine agreed to, however went again on their place.

Putin says Ukraine pulled out as a result of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson – with the “nice hair” – travelled to Ukraine and stated “they should combat to the final Ukrainian”.

He says that’s what Kyiv is doing now, earlier than including: “I do not suppose there’s any left.”

For context, peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have been held in Istanbul in 2022, the place a draft Russia-Ukraine settlement was negotiated. Reviews say the Kremlin demanded Ukraine hand over Crimea and the Donbas area, cut back its navy and finish its plan to enter Nato – unthinkable calls for for many Ukrainians.

Boris Johnson advised the Home of Commons in September 2022 that “any such deal or compromise would ship a sign all over the world that violence does repay… and the good democracies won’t have the abdomen to stay up for freedom”.

However in response to Putin’s claims, Johnson advised the Occasions in September they’re “nothing however complete nonsense and Russian propaganda”.

Unfastened Girls presenter Kaye Adams is contemplating giving up her life in Glasgow to stay within the rural Scottish countryside, and she or he explores the choice in Escape to the Nation with Jules Hudson. However what can we find out about her present metropolis pad together with her husband Ian Campbell and pet cockapoo Bea?

Kaye’s daughters, Charly and Bonnie, used to stay with them however they’re away working and at college respectively. 

The presenter’s profession has required her to work in Manchester, Birmingham and now London, however she’s resisted shifting to London, selecting to remain true to her Scottish roots.

In a chat with The Guardian, Kaye revealed: “I grew up in a small city in central Scotland referred to as Grangemouth”.

Kaye’s Instagram account has given us a couple of glimpses inside her dwelling, at some point Kaye selected to movie a video, and it revealed her trendy dwelling area. The star’s downstairs area is open plan and options an enormous gray couch, a picket eating desk and a number of items of artwork on the partitions.

A glimpse of her backyard was proven as she closed her blinds, revealing she has a sprawling out of doors area with a superbly mowed garden and many timber.

On one other event, the mother-of-two took her telephone into her bed room to file a video, displaying off her plush velvet mattress, blush pink sheets and fluffy rug. What a boudoir!

Empty nest syndrome

© Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

In a candid dialog on Unfastened Girls, Kaye opened up about her dwelling life struggles earlier this yr. She defined: “Bonnie has gone off to Edinburgh College – she will not thank me for saying that Charly is now working so she’s away as properly. Second one out the home is hard, I’ve to say I’m discovering it tough. The place is just too tidy, we have got an excessive amount of milk within the fridge – I do not understand how we’ll cease the milk order.” 

A protracted-distance marriage

Talking about her marriage and spending time other than her husband, she stated: “Ian and I are each away for work so much although and it would not work for everyone however I feel it really works for us. You understand, we have been collectively for 30 years plus… We’re by no means solely positive as a result of it is so lengthy and may’t bear in mind… Nevertheless it’s undoubtedly 30 years plus! 

“We have simply all the time been like that, we have all the time had our personal factor happening and earlier than I had the children and I used to be doing Unfastened Girls I used to be in Manchester from Monday to Friday for a very long time and he works so much in Italy doing tennis stuff so it is simply the best way that we’re. “

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By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Writer-Author

Coaches come and go. Gamers come and go.

However UNLV confirmed everybody Wednesday night in Los Angeles that its soccer program has arrived with a 24-13 win over Cal to tie its college season report for wins at 11. The Rebs completed with an 11-3 mark after pitching a second half shutout on the Artwork of Sport LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. It was UNLV’s first bowl recreation win since 2000. Attendance was introduced at 24,420.

UNLV performed its bowl recreation with out its former head coach, Barry Odom, who left for Purdue after the Rebs misplaced to Boise State within the Mountain West Convention championship recreation.

And even the Rebs’ 37-year-old OC, Brennan “Go-Go Offense” Marion, has left the UNLV soccer program for a possible head teaching job at Sacramento State.

It didn’t matter at a bowl recreation the place Rob Gronkowski strolled the sidelines with the enormous belt that will go to UNLV.

It was a historic season for the UNLV Rebels soccer program, which was mired in mediocrity for many years earlier than Odom confirmed up for the 2023 season.

The previous intense school linebacker and ex-Missouri head coach infused the Rebels crew with a brand new normal and introduced gifted former Arkansas gamers like linebacker Jackson Woodard and defensive again Jalen Catalon to drive UNLV to the Mountain West Convention championship video games in each 2023 and 2024.

UNLV performed a 6-6 Cal crew, which used to play within the Pac-12 however is now a member of the ACC.

After hiring former Florida and Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen to be the top man at UNLV, Athletics Director Erick Harper named receivers coach Del Alexander to be the interim coach for the LA Bowl.

Mullen joined the ESPN TV crew within the third quarter to debate becoming a member of UNLV. “We’re proper the doorstep of changing into a constant powerhouse,” Mullen mentioned. He famous UNLV was just one win away from taking part in in school soccer’s inaugural 12-team playoff championship.

It was an entertaining first half a UNLV led Cal, 14-13, on landing passes from quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams to Kayden McGee (49 yards) and Jacob DeJesus (9 yards).

UNLV scored  the sport’s solely second half factors on a 23-yard TD run by Kylin James within the third quarter and a 49-yard subject objective by gifted freshman placekicker Caden Chittenden.

Last: UNLV 24 Cal 13

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Title deciders don’t normally are available in December however this actually had the air of 1. Paris Saint-Germain’s attracts in opposition to Nantes after which Auxerre had opened the door to challengers however it was slammed shut on an eerie night in Monaco.

Initially scheduled to happen in early January, this match was introduced ahead because of an addition to the calendar – the Trophée des Champions. The French equal of the Group Protect, pitting the winners of Ligue 1 in opposition to that of the Coupe de France (or the second-placed workforce in Ligue 1 within the occasion of a home double, a feat PSG achieved final season), it was set to happen in China earlier than the beginning of the season. Nevertheless, Chinese language authorities pulled out of internet hosting the occasion on the final minute.

Similar to final 12 months, it can as an alternative happen in January. Final 12 months’s version, which PSG gained, was performed on the Parc des Princes. This 12 months the newly named Go to Qatar Trophée des Champions will happen in Doha. In protest in opposition to the Ligue de Soccer Professionnel (LFP), accused of pandering to PSG’s pursuits, Monaco’s ultras boycotted the beginning of the top-of-the-table match, making for an eerie ambiance unbefitting of the occasion – a possible title decider even earlier than the midway level of the season.

“The query of the title can be tough [if we lose],” stated Maghnes Akliouche earlier than the match. PSG have been seeking to go 10 factors clear on the high with a win on the Stade Louis II, a stadium the place that they had not gained in almost 5 years.

Les Parisiens’ respiration room on the high was afforded by Monaco’s dip in type. The Principality membership had registered two wins of their earlier six video games. Accidents to key gamers, notably Denis Zakaria, their captain, and Folarin Balogun, out for 4 months after present process a shoulder operation on Tuesday, had performed a component within the drop off.

Balogun’s absence particularly is dangerous. Breel Embolo, who has solely three targets this season and is massively underperforming his xG (three targets to 7.12 xG), and 18-year-old George Ilenikhena, whose progress is “stalling”, in keeping with the supervisor, Adi Hütter, have didn’t fill the void. On the latter, Hütter added: “He has proven that he generally is a goalscorer and there’s no doubt that he’s a promise for the longer term.” That’s at all times the problem at Monaco, treading the effective line between growing the following technology and sustaining the excessive ranges of efficiency anticipated.

Their drop-off, coupled with Marseille’s poor type at house, with solely two wins on the Vélodrome all season, have eased the stress that was mounting on PSG. A lot of that stress has come from their poor performances within the Champions League, nonetheless the final word goal for the proprietor, Qatar Sports activities Investments (QSI), though back-to-back attracts did give the chasing pack a scent of alternative, particularly given these attracts got here earlier than matches in opposition to Lyon and Monaco.

However PSG brushed apart Lyon within the first quarter-hour on Sunday after which instantly acquired on the entrance foot in opposition to Monaco, with Achraf Hakimi hanging the publish inside the primary 5 minutes earlier than Bradley Barcola, one-on-one, examined Philipp Köhn moments later.

Then got here the picture of the match: Gianluigi Donnarumma’s face bloodied, bruised, after which stapled after a collision with Wilfried Singo. It got here because the Ivorian, put by means of on objective, tried to chip the goalkeeper, failed, after which caught him flush within the face together with his comply with by means of. Singo was already on a yellow card and didn’t obtain a second, nor a straight crimson, with the referee, François Letexier, deeming the foul “imprudent” quite than “reckless”.

“If VAR is there, it’s a must to inform him [the referee]. You must shield gamers,” stated Marquinhos afterwards. Gonçalo Ramos was equally baffled. “All of us noticed his face. I don’t know the way it isn’t a crimson card. Tonight, Donnarumma wasn’t protected.” Singo apologised to the PSG keeper after the match after which did so once more on social media on Thursday morning. Within the meantime, the Ivory Coast worldwide had been sufferer of a swathe of racial abuse on-line, since condemned by the Principality membership.

It was within the rapid aftermath of that incident that PSG took the lead. With Christian Mawissa injured, the extra defensive-minded Vanderson was switched from his standard right-back berth to left-back. Nevertheless, the Brazilian might do little to cease Hakimi galloping down the wing, reducing inside and pulling again for Désiré Doué, who slotted house first-time to register his first Ligue 1 objective for PSG.

Köhn, in for the injured Radoslaw Majecki, was pressured right into a string of saves earlier than the break to maintain Les Monégasques within the recreation, and Hütter’s facet made probably the most of their reprieve. Akliouche burst into the field together with his deflected cross catching the arm of Marquinhos. One other Monaco academy product, Eliesse Ben Seghir, tucked house the penalty.

Seven minutes later, on the hour-mark, Monaco took the lead. As soon as once more it was Akliouche, impressing in entrance of the onlooking Didier Deschamps, who was on the coronary heart, placing the ball on a plate for Embolo to clip house on the entrance publish.

However the lead didn’t final lengthy with Ousmane Dembélé the primary to pounce on a Köhn parry. The substitute Ramos then emphatically headed in Lee Kang-in’s nook to offer PSG a late lead earlier than Dembélé added a late fourth with a composed chip. PSG, due to this fact, stay unbeaten in Ligue 1 and are actually unbeaten of their previous 32 away league video games.

Popping out to play, Monaco in some ways performed into PSG’s palms. There’s a purpose why the champions have crushed all the high 5 however have needed to accept attracts in opposition to low-blocking sides comparable to Nantes, Auxerre and Reims. “To win, we’d like an ideal day and an ideal recreation, in each instructions,” stated Hütter, whose option to press PSG excessive, an unequivocal precept of this Monaco facet, afforded the room for his opponents’ gifted people to thrive.

“I don’t know if the [title race] is over. I’m taking good care of my workforce. We’re 10 factors away however now we have our personal goals,” stated Hütter. Luis Enrique was additionally inconclusive: “The Ligue 1 [title race] remains to be very open. 5 days in the past, we solely had a five-point lead,” he identified.

Donnarumma’s bloodied face will for ever be the picture related to this recreation however even at this early juncture it may very well be seen because the day during which the Ligue 1 title was determined, come Might.

Monaco have condemned the “unacceptable” racist abused directed at Wilfried Singo after the defender triggered a facial harm to Paris St-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of their French League 1 match on Wednesday.

The goalkeeper required 10 staples to shut a reduce in his face after being caught by Singo’s boot when the defender tried to leap over the on-rushing Italy worldwide whereas by on aim throughout Monaco’s 4-2 residence defeat by PSG.

Singo, who had been booked earlier within the sport, was not punished for the incident, which noticed the keeper to have to go away the pitch.

Singo apologised to Donnarumma, saying: “My gesture was clearly not intentional however I used to be in a position to see afterwards that he had a major harm to his face.”

The 23-year-old Ivory Coast worldwide, who joined Monaco from Italian membership Torino in 2023, was racially abused on social media after the match.

Monaco say the membership “firmly condemns the unacceptable racist feedback” and that “such behaviour has no place in sport, both on or off the pitch”.

The Ligue 1 membership added they might offer their “full assist” to the defender.

Singo and Donnarumma spoke after the match, and the Italian was in a position to journey again to Paris together with his team-mates.

PSG stated Donnarumma would have “medical examinations” on Thursday and can “need to relaxation for a number of days”.