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Archive June 5, 2025

McIlroy off pace after Canadian Open first round

Images courtesy of Getty

Rory McIlroy struggled to make it to the first round of the Canadian Open with a one-over-par 71.

In Ontario, the Northern Irishman shot three birdies but four bogeys, ten shots clear of Thorbjorn Olesen, who is now clubhouse leader.

An eagle, eight birdies, and a bogey were all part of Dane Olesen’s nine-under-par round of 61.

McIlroy won the Masters in April to complete his career grand slam, becoming the first major winner.

However, as he geared up for the US Open next week, he struggled to perform after his disappointing performance at the US PGA in May.

Irishman Shane Lowry carded a strong 64 to put the first round to six under, while England’s Danny Willett and defending champion Robert MacIntyre of Scotland and England’s Danny Willett were both a shot back.

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Trump administration sanctions International Criminal Court judges

President Donald Trump’s administration threatened to punish officials at the International Criminal Court (ICC), naming four judges as having committed “illegitimate and baseless conduct” against the United States and its allies.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the announcement on Thursday in a concise statement.

Rubio wrote that the ICC is “politized and falsely claims unfettered discretion to investigate, charge, and prosecute citizens of the United States and our allies.”

The United States and our allies, including Israel, are in violation of this dangerous assertion and abuse of power.

Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin, and Slovenian Beti Hohler are the four sanctioned judges.

The judges will have their US-based property and assets blocked as a result of the sanctions. Additionally, it is against the law for US-based companies to conduct business with them, even through “provision of funds, goods, or services.”

The ICC responded with a quick statement, saying it “deplores” the Trump administration’s decision and stood by its judges.

The statement read, “These measures are a clear attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution that operates under the authority of 125 States Parties from all corners of the globe,” the statement said.

“Targeting those who seek accountability is ineffective for helping civilians who are ensnared in conflict.” It only encourages those who think they can commit crimes with impunity.

The judges are who?

In a fact sheet, the State Department stated that during Trump’s first term as president, Bossa and Ibanez Carranza were fined for launching an investigation into US forces in Afghanistan in 2020.

Prior to this time, the ICC had blocked a request to investigate allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Afghanistan, which the US had been fighting steadily from 2001 to 2021.

The following year, it reversed course, granting a prosecutor’s request to look into US forces and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) personnel for war crimes committed in “secret detention facilities” in Afghanistan and other locations.

The court made the point that Afghanistan was a member of the 125 nations that the ICC has jurisdiction over.

The ICC was described as a “political institution masquerading as a legal body” by the Trump administration at the time, though. The US, which is not a member of the Rome Statute, is argued for a while that the ICC is not competent.

Israel, which has used comparable arguments to reject the ICC’s authority over its actions in Palestine, is another non-member of the Rome Statute.

According to the US State Department, Alapini Gansou and Hohler, the second pair of judges named in Thursday’s sanctions were given criminal penalties for their conduct against Israeli leaders.

Israel’s oldest ally was the US, which recognized the nation in 1948. Since then, it has extended its strong support to Israel, including in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has so far claimed the lives of 54, 607 Palestinians.

As reports of alleged human rights violations continue to surface, experts at the UN and human rights organizations have compared Israel’s military campaign in Gaza to genocide.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have both been accused of war crimes in Gaza, including intentional attacks on civilians, and the ICC issued arrest warrants for them in November 2024 as a result of those accusations.

Hohler and Alapini Gansou reportedly participated in those negotiations.

Has this ever occurred before?

Since Trump took office for a second term on January 20th, the US has placed restrictions on an ICC official for the first time.

Trump issued a broad executive order shortly after taking office that slapped anyone who participated in ICC investigations. Critics warned that broad language like that could obstruct the administration of justice, for instance by barring witnesses from presenting evidence.

Trump argued, however, that such measures were required by the recent arrest warrants for Gallant and Netanyahu.

He added that the ICC’s investigations threatened military members with “harassment, abuse, and possible arrest” and that the US and Israel were “thriving democracies” that “strictly adhere to the laws of war.”

The executive order stated that “this malign behavior in turn threatens to infringe on the United States’ sovereignty and undermines the United States Government’s and our allies’ critical efforts in foreign policy, including Israel.

Karim Khan, a prosecutor for the ICC, was sanctioned by the US in accordance with that order after petitioning the court for the arrest warrants for Gallant and Netanyahu. In response, the investigation into Israel’s actions in Gaza was slowed down, and Khan later resigned because of sexual misconduct allegations.

Trump has a history of opposing the ICC, which dates back to the beginning of his presidency. For instance, Trump announced that his administration would refuse or yank visas for ICC officials involved in the US military’s investigation of Afghan troops in 2019.

In response, he sanctioned Fatou Bensouda, the prosecutor of the ICC, and Phakiso Mochochoko, a court official, for their involvement in the investigation in 2020. Under President Joe Biden, those choices were later reversed.

However, critics warn that Trump’s actions could have long-term detrimental effects for the ICC, which relies on its members to carry out arrest warrants and other orders. The court has requested that the threats be removed.

Beyonce London concert fails to sell out as empty seats visible despite cut-price tickets

With a large number of empty seats visible of the singer, the opening night of Beyonce’s London leg of her tour failed to sell out, giving everyone a chance to see her.

Beyonce held a ceremony in London to launch the UK leg of her tour.

Beyonce’s London takeover hasn’t started as she’d have hoped with the songstress left to sing to patches of empty seats on the first night. Queen Bey kicked off her show in the UK tonight as her Cowboy Carter tour’s six dates in the capital get under way.

The Single Ladies star, however, failed to sell out the opening night due to the enormous interest the concerts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium attracted. And that happens despite numerous offer-a-cheque offers in the run-up to the show.

The 62,000 capacity venue is set to host every date Beyonce has on her UK leg of the tour. She will then move on to Paris before heading back home to the states.

Empty seats were visible on Beyonce's opening night in London
Empty seats were visible on Beyonce’s opening night in London(Image: Daily Mirror)

However, Thursday’s crowd-watchers were shocked to see how many seats were left out for the icon’s first night. Large sections of empty seats were clearly visible in images taken from inside the stadium. The restricted view options are thought to be the main cause of the emptiness.

It was a far cry from her 2023 Renaissance world tour. Two years ago, the UK leg sold out within minutes of going on sale.

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But despite the inability to sell out, the former Destiny’s Child singer put on a memorable performance. One user on Twitter/X gushed: “London crowd took over Irreplaceable and Bey just stood there soaking it in smiling. Beyoncé didn’t even have to lift a mic. y’all gave her flowers with your voices. ICONIC.”

Another added, “Beyoncé is killing it tonight.” Wow. Even in the dreary weather. The best show so far is unquestionably coming to the UK.

Some people began lining up outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at 4am on Wednesday because they were so excited to see their superstar.

Fans were adoring her performance as Blue Ivy and Rumi, Jay-Z’s daughters, took to the stage with her. As her mother sang to her adoring audience, Rumi, age 7, was seen waving to the crowd.

Rumi was seated next to her while Beyonce sang Protector. Before her mother wrapped her in a sweet embrace, she was spotted singing along to the song.

Following a string of dates in the United States where she had performed tracks from her eighth studio album, Beyoncé will now perform on June 7, 10, 12, 14, and 16. Following tonight’s successful show, Beyoncé will then follow.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Beyonce
The stadium holds 62,000 (Image: Daily Mirror)

Everyone who attends the final shows is reminded to adhere to strict rules. One hour before the stadium is finished, the bar will close at 10.30pm, which is the opening time for the stadium. Everyone should be aware of the bag policy, though.

Personal bags must not be larger than A4 in size (21 cm x 30 cm high). A clear carrier bag with a maximum length of 30 cm and height is available to those attending. However, you must not also pack any personal bags that don’t fit the requirements for those bags.

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Yamal, Williams Dazzle As Spain Beat France In Nation’s League Thriller

Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, both stars of Spain, stunned La Roja in a thrilling thriller against France in Stuttgart on Thursday, clinching a Nations League title with Portugal.

As the two wingers cut France’s impromptu defense to ribbons, Yamal scored a brace, Williams added an assist, and Williams added a pair of goals.

The Euro 2024 champions also had Mikel Merino and Pedri on their scoring charts.

Before Les Bleus suddenly woke up as their opponents took their foot off the pedal, Kylian Mbappe scored a second-half penalty, which gave Spain a 5-1 lead.

A Spain own goal and a stoppage-time strike from Randal Kolo Muani, all but enough to give France three late goals, were not enough.

Yamal, who is only 17 years old, claimed Spain “deserved to win.”

The game was excellent, he continued, “We played very well even though it was a little too close at the end.”

Spain and Portugal will face off in Munich on Sunday in an all-Iberian Nations League final, while France will face hosts Germany in Stuttgart earlier in the day for the bronze medal.

Merino, a gleeful goalscorer, once admitted: “It was a crazy game. Nobody wants to concede so many goals, so it’s not the best game for the coaches; the fans will enjoy it.

We’ll be thinking about this for a very long time.

Despite their late exit, Spain appear to be a more complete team than they were a year ago when they won the European Championship in a dominant manner.

Read more about Chelsea beating Chelsea at Everton and signing Ipswich striker Delap.

Spain is effective, France is dangerous.

The 5-4 goal was scored by France’s forward No. 12 Randal Kolo Muani (C) on June 5, 2025, in Stuttgart, Germany, in the UEFA Nations League semi-final game between Spain and France. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)

In the first half, Didier Deschamps chose to use Ousmane Dembele as his weapon over Mbappe, who was more dangerous.

Dembele, who is returning from Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League triumph, wasted a chance by passing pass instead of shooting in a one-on-one situation with the ‘keeper.

Spain regrouped just as Theo Hernandez’s long-range effort erased the top of the crossbar with a moment’s notice.

Spain immediately paid for the pair of goalscorers from La Roja’s Euro 2024 final, Williams and Oyarzabal, who had already scored 22 minutes later.

Yamal threw his shot into the top of the net after a tear down the right, holding off three defenders with his back to goal before finding Williams.

When Oyarzabal dinked the French defense, allowing Merino to collect and hammer past an off-balance Maignan, Spain had a three-minute lead.

Later in the half, France had better chances as Dembele blocked a grateful Unai Simon with a straight shot after finding space in the box three times.

Spain was stripped of what would have been an incredible third just before half-time by the narrowest of offsides.

Martin Zubimendi cut it back for Huijsen in a blatantly practiced free-kick play.

France missed two important chances in the second half before Spain once more doubled in a hurry.

With 54 minutes left, Yamal won and won a penalty, taking Williams’ hand and hurriedly heading home.

Williams set up Pedri for a fourth time just one minute later, but France was reeling.

With just over 20 minutes left, Mbappe won and scored a penalty, but Yamal stepped up again to stifle French hopes of a likely comeback.

France scored two late consolation goals thanks to four changes made by Spain as their thoughts turned to Sunday.

Through Daniel Vivian, Spain forced to concede an own goal after substitute Cherki scored a long-range effort.

In stoppage time, Kolo Muani scored in the fourth minute to reduce the deficit, but Spain held on as France made a late comeback.

Michelle Keegan reveals Palma’s nickname as she shares adorable first holiday snaps

Fans have been shown photos from Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright’s recent trip to Spain this week after seeing them take a trip there this week.

Michelle Keegan has shared photos from baby Palma’s first holiday(Image: michkeegan/Instagram)

Fans have been given a glimpse into Michelle Keegan’s first holiday abroad with Mark Wright and their daughter Palma this week. The actor shared photos from the trip earlier as she revealed a nickname that she has given her baby.

Michelle and Mark, both 38, headed to Spain with two-month-old Palma for the vacation recently. The family spent a week on the Costa del Sol and the trip marked their first holiday abroad together, after the couple took their daughter on a “little break away” in the UK earlier this year.

Brassic star Michelle – who celebrated her birthday on Tuesday whilst on the holiday – shared photos from the experience on Instagram this evening. She tagged SO/ Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort Hotel in her post today.

One photo showed Michelle cradling Palma whilst sat at a table. Another showed them shaded from the sun in an outdoor area, with the former Coronation Street cast member covering her daughter with a blanket in it.

Michelle Keegan, in a black outfit, cradling baby Palma, covered by a pink blanket, whilst sat by a pool.
Michelle Keegan has shared photos from her recent family holiday to Spain(Image: michkeegan/Instagram)

Michelle was also seen photographing her daughter while she was traveling. One of her beside a pushchair, along with others from the accommodations and some beverages, were included in the photo collection.

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Michelle confirmed to her followers that Palma was their first holiday by confirming that she had been given the nickname Princess P in addition to the photos. The phrase “Princess P’s first family holiday” was written in the post’s title.

Michelle just recently updated, who had earlier suggested that the holiday had come to an end. The best week ever waking up to this is what she wrote in a post on her Instagram account that featured the view from her room.

Michelle Keegan, in a black dress with white dots, holding up baby Palma, in a white dress.
It included photos of the actor with her baby Palma on their first trip abroad together(Image: michkeegan/Instagram)

In another post, which showcased one of her outfits from the trip, she wrote to her followers: “Wore my latest [Very] collection every night on holiday. Which was perfect because my holiday packing was already done months ago.”

Michelle sharing the nickname for her daughter comes after Mark spoke about the decision over Palma’s name just weeks on from her birth. Whilst on This Morning in April, he discussed the choice of name for the newborn after Siân Welby suggested there was a “lovely sort of meaning” behind it.

Michelle Keegan, in a blue outfit, cradling baby Palma, in a pink dress, whilst at a table.
Michelle, who was joined by husband Mark Wright on the trip, has been posting about it on Instagram(Image: michkeegan/Instagram)

Mark, addressing speculation that Palma was named after the resort on Majorca, responded to the host: “Well, that’s what the papers say.” He went on to share in the interview on the ITV morning show: “We just love the name.”

We “love the name Palmer with an er,” he continued, “and then we just liked putting an a’ on the end and we just liked the way it read.” He then concluded, “So, yeah, we just love the name, really, really, on the show.”

This story, do you like? Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads for more latest news and gossip.

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Real reason David Beckham waited so long to become ‘Sir’ as star finally awarded knighthood

After a slew of snubs for more than ten years, David Beckham will receive the knighthood next week. Here’s why he waited so long.

David Beckham to finally be awarded knighthood NEXT WEEK(Image: PA)

Football legend David Beckham was repeatedly denied a knighthood by the late Queen, which has since sparked much rumors over the years despite his significant charitable work.

Now, amid the family feud with Brooklyn Beckham, David will finally be awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours list next week. His wife Victoria will be known as Lady Beckham. But why was he snubbed for so long?

Year after year, Beckham, now 50 and retired from professional football, had been notably absent from the honours list. In 2013, it seemed his chances were dashed when explosive emails were leaked where he reportedly lashed out at the Honours Committee for not including him on the list, referring to them as “unappreciative c***s.”

At the time, Beckham, who is paired with fashion icon Victoria Beckham, maintained the email was bogus. Compounding his frustrations, it came to light that he was particularly incensed by opera singer Katherine Jenkins receiving an honour, allegedly retorting: “Katherine Jenkins OBE for what? Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops. F****** joke.”

David Beckham and Queen
David Beckham is set to finally be awarded knighthood(Image: PA)

Now, however, David Beckham’s prospects of being knighted have been fulfilled after the monarch dropped a hint last month when Beckham greeted Charles and Queen Camilla at the Chelsea Flower Show.

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Charles responded, “You got it, didn’t you?” Beckham responded, “Thank you, it was incredible. It was very kind.

However, just last year, ex-royal butler Paul Burrell said David Beckham shouldn’t hold his breath for a knighthood citing three key reasons.

Speaking on behalf of Slingo, Paul explained: “We haven’t seen [David Beckham knighted] yet because A, he’s not old enough and B, he hasn’t earned his stripes yet and C, he’s still in a very commercial world.

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(Image: PA)

“David Beckham is everywhere. He is independently funding and marketing. Evidently, his career is about to end. And once this is over, he returns to charitable work because you saw him with William and the King.

He continued, “He’s obviously been fast tracked for a knighthood, but not just yet, and they’re keeping him dangling for a while.” Because, you’re aware, they’re anticipating what transpires. He is a wonderful ambassador for both our country and charitable foundations, in my opinion. He has demonstrated his worth, and I’m anticipating it. It will undoubtedly occur. When is the question?

The King will eventually decide when David should be knighted, Paul Paul continued. Before that honor is granted, I believe he needs to devote some more money to the King’s Trust, and I believe he’ll have to spend time with the King and William as well.

He is, however, persuaded that David only needed a little more time. He continued, “He only needs to be more patient because it’s a much sought after honour, it’s one that has eluded him, but it will come his way.” It is moving in that direction. Although it is not yet in the mail, it is. His name appears on the desk of the King!

Now that it has been revealed that Paul was entirely correct, more time was all that was required.

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