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Archive June 1, 2025

Meghan Markle ‘banned’ from royal meeting over ‘smarter than Harry’ fears

By in Entertainment News, News

The Duchess was cut out of a crucial meeting to decide Prince Harry and Meghan’s future due to concerns that she was “smarter” and would be harder to railroad, according to a new documentary.

The real reason Meghan wasn’t invited to the Sandringham Summit exposed by experts(Image: Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)

After Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex made the shock announcement five years ago that they intended to step back as full-time working royals, the rest of the House of Windsor was left scrambling. Whilst Meghan and Harry had always seemed confident and at ease during their official engagements, and been firm favourites amongst royal fans, behind closed doors things were not working for their young family – and they decided something had to change.

The late Queen Elizabeth called a meeting at her private Norfolk estate, Sandringham, to discuss the next steps, and finalise what Harry and Meghan’s future would look like, and what, if any, ongoing formal ties there would be between them and the monarchy.

The former monarch brought her private secretary, and invited Charles and Prince William – both at the time future Kings – to the meeting, which was dubbed the ‘Sandringham Summit’.

A new documentary on Channel Five – Megxit: Inside the Sandringham Summit – has seen royal experts come together to explain what really happened at the behind-closed-doors sit down with the senior royals, and it includes some shocking claims.

Meghan left the Sandringham Summit to visit Archie, who was then just a baby, after returning to Canada where the Sussex family had been staying for some time.

She had intended to attend the meeting remotely, but this was quickly canceled, so Harry had to go it alone and defend his case solo before his family and the monarchy’s system.

However, a respected royal expert in the documentary claims that Meghan’s “real reason” for not being allowed to attend the meeting was because she was “smarter” than her husband.

According to journalist and expert Emily Andrews, “they all knew Meghan was probably smarter, brighter, had a more linear view of where she and Harry were going and what they wanted, and they probably believed they would achieve a better outcome with just Harry.”

The Duchess of Sussex has made it clear that she didn’t think it was particularly fair that she wasn’t allowed to join the summit that would have such a personal impact on her, saying in the couple’s self-titled Netflix documentary: “Imagine a conversation, a roundtable discussion, about the future of your life, when the stakes are this high, and you as the mom, the wife, and the target in many regards aren’t invited to have a seat at the table.”

In the new documentary for Channel 5, expert Charlotte Griffiths said, “I have to say, I kind of agree with her,” and another royal expert, Jack Royston, echoed these sentiments.

Continue reading the article.

The expert said, “I have a lot of sympathy for Meghan, and I almost had no voice in the room when we watched this all out.”

However, one royal expert, Richard Kay, claimed in the documentary that there was no way to find out who else would have been with Meghan or if someone had been taking notes. They simply couldn’t permit that.

BBC’s Romesh Ranganathan makes major career announcement

By in Entertainment News, News

The comedian, 47, has stated that he is stepping down from his TV career and “being a little more at home.”

Romesh Ranganathan spoke about his career on BBC Radio 4(Image: Lia Toby/Getty Images)

Romesh Ranganathan, a much-loved comedian, has announced that he wants to take a “little bit more time off” from his career to be at home. The 47-year-old stressed the need to slow down and “just live life” for a while while insisting he’s not leaving comedy for good.

“I know that people sort of say I’m busy and I’m always like, trying to work and stuff,” he told Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs. “There is no strategy. There’s no game plan. I have no endgame.

No vision boards or similar devices exist. I’m doing what feels good at it right now. He then stated, “I do feel like I’m sort of settling in, like not winding things up, but I’m taking a step back. “

Rob Beckett, Rob and Romesh Vs., Romesh’s television series, is renowned for its Bafta-winning success. He has also appeared on a number of other television programs, including his own travel series, The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan, which airs on BBC One.

Undated BBC handout photo of comedian and broadcaster Romesh Ranganathan appearing on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs.
Romesh Ranganathan stressed that isn’t retiring(Image: Chris Mills/BBC Radio 4/PA Wire)

The Crawley resident continued, “I want to be a little bit more at home. By the way, this is not a retirement announcement, but I do feel that, given our recent history, it is quite unexpected that we are discussing this because I have just entered a period of thought where I will likely be a little more disciplined in my actions going forward.

“I believe I might make a bigger break between bits,” he said. I’ve already said that I’ve not yet hit the jackpot, but it might not if I don’t go out and just live it.

Romesh also recalled his time teaching math before his current position in the discussion. He even acknowledged that his comedy work was more stressful.

Romesh Ranganathan and Rob BeckettBAFTA Television Awards, Press Room, Royal Festival Hall, London, UK - 12 May 2024
The 47-year-old from Crawley is known for his Bafta-winning TV series with comic Rob Beckett – Rob And Romesh Vs(Image: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)

He continued, “I didn’t feel completely fulfilled on any of those days.” “I was very stressed out. I’ve actually been the most stressed out of my life.

There hasn’t been a day in my comedy career that was as stressful as I was as a teacher. I can’t emphasize enough how wonderful it was to work with teachers and to teach.

Continue reading the article.

The comedian also hosts The Weakest Link on television and appears on the BBC One sitcom Avoidance.

He also made an appearance in his family history on BBC Three’s Asian Provocateur. He hosts Romesh Ranganathan: For The Love Of Hip Hop on the same station as Claudia Winkleman does on BBC Radio 2 on Saturday mornings.

Inter want Inzaghi to stay despite record final defeat

By in News, Sports News

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Despite their record Champions League defeat defeat by Paris St-Germain, Inter Milan president Giuseppe Marotta claims that the club is happy with Simone Inzaghi and wants him to stay.

After a humiliating 5-0 defeat in the showpiece final in Munich, the team faced heavy criticism from their fans and the Italian media.

Inzaghi, who was appointed in 2021, has a strong relationship with Saudi club Al-Hilal, but Inter President Marotta says he is content to remain.

Inzaghi’s contract runs out in a year, according to Marotta, who added that “this defeat will not have an impact.”

Inzaghi won the Coppa Italia twice during his four years in charge, as well as one Serie A title.

In the final, Inter had defeated Bayern Munich and Barcelona, but it was Saturday that they lost to Inter in the Champions League final, losing 1-0 to Manchester City in Istanbul in 2023.

After finishing one point behind champions Napoli in Serie A and falling to AC Milan in their Coppa Italia semi-final, PSG’s defeat leaves Inter without a significant trophy.

Former Lazio boss Inzaghi stated to reporters that he would have a “relaxed” meeting with club owners after the Champions League final and that he would not want to discuss his future.

The Inter boss was once more questioned about his future after the final.

He said, “We’ll see with the club in the coming days.”

There is too much disappointment to try to imagine after a final like this, which is the second one lost in three years. There will be time to discuss it calmly with my club, which was present throughout the evening.

Marotta claimed Inter would be “honoured” to continue working with Inzaghi.

Because this club is not used to letting managers enter their final year of contracts, Marotta said, “we are meeting with the coach.”

No revolution is currently occurring, they say. We will meet to hear what he has to say. I repeat, “We are very proud and honored to continue with him.”

Inter will compete in the recently expanded Fifa Club World Cup, which will take place between June 14 and July 13 in the United States.

“Nightmare” – disappointment after crushing defeat

Up to 40 000 Inter fans reportedly traveled to Munich for the final.

The 12th, 20th, 63rd, 73rd, and 86th minutes of PSG dominating from start to finish, with many of the 18, 000 who had a ticket leaving the Allianz Arena well before full-time.

Around 51, 000 people gathered at Inter’s San Siro to watch the final on a large screen.

As a night of celebration turned into a night of soul-searching, the tears and disappointment were obvious to many.

Getty Images

Inter’s Davide Radice was asked why things went horribly wrong at the San Siro.

You must ask Inzaghi and the team about that,” they said. He claimed that “everything failed”.

The embarrassing margin of defeat was also referred to as a “nightmare” by La Gazzetta dello Sport, a reputable daily newspaper in Italy.

“It was the worst match of the year – and of history for Inter,” he said. After losing the Scudetto, Coppa Italia, and Supercoppa, it continued, “in the most significant match of the season.”

After defeating Feyenoord, Inzaghi raised three fingers to indicate the “treble” in March. His fist is all that is left.

“Inter emerged from the defeat against [Manchester] City two years ago with their legs and spirits shattered but their minds stronger,” according to Rome’s Corriere dello Sport.

Inter left the magnificent Allianz Arena in Munich last night on a warm, early summer night in Bavaria in pieces. From every angle.

related subjects

  • Inter Milan
  • UEFA Champions League
  • Football

China warns US not to ‘play with fire’ over Taiwan

By in News, World News

At a high-profile summit in Singapore, China issued a warning to the United States against “playing with fire” over Taiwan in response to Pete Hegseth’s call for the Asian nation to “play with fire.”

Hegseth claimed at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday that China was “credibly preparing” for military action and that Beijing was “rehearsing a potential invasion of Taiwan.”

Taiwan, a separately governed island, is a part of China’s territory, and it has pledged to reunite with it using force if necessary. Beijing’s government rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty, saying that only the people of Taiwan can determine their future.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately criticized Hegseth’s remarks, which warned foreign countries against using Taiwan as leverage and stressed that Taiwan is still a domestic issue. It claimed that US actions in the Asia-Pacific region had “turned the region into a powder keg.”

The US shouldn’t play with fire, it said, “nor should it make up its mind that the Taiwan problem is a bargaining chip to contain China.”

Hegseth had warned of the “real and potentially imminent” threat from China to allies in the Asia-Pacific region, including important security ally Australia, to spend more on defense.

Beijing accused Washington of using offensive force in the South China Sea and escalating regional tensions, calling the US a “true destabilizing” force in the Asia Pacific.

Hegseth was accused of “vilifying China with defamatory allegations” and “promoting a “Cold War mentality” in Beijing.

The ministry claimed that Hegseth purposefully defied the countries’ calls for peace and development, instead promoting the Cold War mentality for bloc confrontation, defaming China with defamatory accusations, and making up a threat to China. It also stated that it had lodged a formal protest with the US over what it termed “inflammatory rhetoric.”

As their coastguards battle it out for control of some islands and atolls in the South China Sea, China and the Philippines vie for control of some of those islands and atolls.

Beijing also refuted US claims that China has threatened maritime navigation, stating that it has consistently promoted dialogue to resolve regional disputes and exercised its territorial rights within international law’s parameters.

The statement read, “The US is the biggest factor preventing peace and stability in the South China Sea.”

Beijing sent a delegation of lower-ranking representatives in place of China’s defense minister, Dong Jun, who had previously skipped the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s top security forum.

China has not sent its defense minister to the high-level dialogue on regional defense for the first time since 2019, aside from when the event was postponed in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bouanga, LAFC qualify for FIFA Club World Cup with win over Club America

By in News, World News

Los Angeles FC (LAFC) defeated Mexican side Club America 2-1 in a play-in match to claim the title in the FIFA Club World Cup. Denis Bouanga scored the winning goal late in extra time.

Igor Jesus scored his first goal for his new club in the 89th minute of Saturday night’s game, sliding through traffic and turning in a header.

In the 115th minute, Bouanga leaps into the action and fires a deflected shot from the top of the penalty area, sparking a wild celebration at BMO Stadium and FA Cup of Nations.

When group play begins in the southern United States in two weeks, LAFC will team up with Chelsea, Flamengo, and Tunisian ES Tunis.

The Major League Soccer (MLS) power guarantees at least $9.55 million in prize money for winning the tournament. LAFC’s victory is incredibly lucrative for the Major League Soccer (MLS) power. The team also has a chance to win nearly $100 million in prize money from FIFA’s nearly $1 billion pool.

In front of a crowd of tens of thousands of supporters, Las Aguilas fell short as a penalty kick was converted by Brian Rodriguez to give Club America a lead midway through the second half.

Because FIFA forbade Mexico’s side Leon from competing in a 32-team Club World Cup, which prohibited other teams from competing against one another. The same organization holds the shares of Leon and Pachuca, and Leon lost its appeal four weeks ago after attempting to change its ownership structure.

In the 115th minute of a game-winning goal against Club America, Bouanga (#99) celebrates scoring [Frederic J. Brown/AFP]

Second-half thriller

LAFC and Club America were cautious in the first half, only scoring one shot each while watching both teams in a stadium full of raucous fans.

In the 64th minute, Rodriguez capitalized on a penalty awarded in the wake of a video review of Mark Delgado’s risky, spikes-up challenge on Erick Sanchez.

Rodriguez spent four seasons with LAFC from 2019 to 2022 before the Uruguayan winger moved to America for a sizable transfer fee. He started as a half-time substitute after recovering from an injury recently.

Olivier Giroud’s substitution for the second-half gave LAFC a first-half offensive boost. Luis Malagon stopped the French star from nearly netting a pass in the 81st minute. After Bouanga and Giroud, LAFC added more pressure to their late pressure.

The 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder Jesus fought it out for Malagon in the end with a header in the box.

Just before Bouanga’s winner, Lloris blocked Javairo Dilrosun’s point-blank chance in the second-half of extra time.

Tickets for the game were distributed equally among the teams’ supporters, and Club America has a sizable fan base in Los Angeles, where Mexican players and players are greeted with ferocious support whenever they travel. 90 minutes before kickoff, LAFC’s renowned North End crowd was thronging the south of the stadium while Club America fans swarm the South.

After kickoff, both sections set off smoke bombs and fireworks, highlighting the remarkable atmosphere and showcasing what’s to come in June and July.

As a precursor to the FIFA World Cup’s resumption in North America in 2026, the US’s largest Club World Cup will be held across the country. Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders have already qualified for Liga MX, while Pachuca and Monterrey have also qualified.

Denis Bouanga reacts.
[Frederic J. Brown/AFP] After guiding his team to the FIFA Club World Cup, which will begin on June 14, Bouanga celebrates with spectators.

In Canada, a daughter’s fight to bring her murdered mother home

By in News, World News

With her slight frame perched on the edge of her chair, Donna Bartlett is seated at a wooden kitchen table. The unique support facility for families affected by violent crime in downtown Winnipeg, Candace House, is a far cry from the cold, sterile court two blocks away, with its warm lighting and walls full of artwork by indigenous artists.

During Skibicki’s six-week trial last summer, the 67-year-old spent countless hours here. The murdered women’s families would gather around this table during those trying weeks, occasionally sitting in stunned silence and occasionally sharing stories about their loved ones over tea.

Donna says, “We would come back from court and just collapse,” “looking around the kitchen as if seeing the ghosts of those difficult days.” Without this place, “none of us could have survived.” Some days, we were unable to even discuss what we’d discovered. We used to talk so much.

Donna is the grandmother of Marcedes Myran. She is speaking on Marcedes’ 29th birthday, which she would have celebrated. A chocolate cake, Marcedes’ favorite, has been purchased by Candace House staff. Donna describes how “She loved chocolate everything,” placing her hand carefully on the white cake box. She will bring the cake to Marcedes’ children.

A photo of her granddaughter Marcedes [Ian Willms/Panos Pictures/Al Jazeera] is displayed by Donna Bartlett.

Donna recalls her granddaughter as mischievous and full of life, always pulling pranks on her Kookum in Candace House, which is quiet.

She smiles softly as she recalls, “She loved to hide my shoes.” She would say, “But Kokum, you can’t leave without your shoes! ” as I was getting ready to leave. Then she would giggle so loudly that she would blow herself up.

And she would always run out and scare me by hiding behind furniture or doors. Even when I was certain she would… She would laugh at my big laugh, and I would still jump and scream.

But Marcedes’ younger self-absorbed was something more important than pulling jokes on her grandmother. She was inspired by a teacher who introduced her to the poetry of the Mi’kmaq poet Rita Joe from the age of 12.

“Donna says, “The day she returned home with that poetry book, something just clicked for her.” She began to write about everything, including our family history, our feelings, and the seasons.

Marcedes would write in notebooks about her future plans, her observations of the environment, and later, as a teenager, about the difficulties of being Indigenous in a frequently misunderstood society.

Donna would find scattered house scraps of paper with her poems strewn all over, tucked under cushions, and arranged in books. She reflects, “she wrote like she couldn’t get the words out quickly enough.”

Donna is now fond of those poems, taking them home to read, and contemplating what the future might hold for her granddaughter without Skibicki.

She believed in people, she said. You would think she would have faith in them when she spoke to and assisted them. That is what caused her harm. As she shakes her head, Donna explains her trusting nature.

Donna adopted Marcedes and her three siblings when they were just three years old. Donna’s oldest daughter, who was aware that her mother would look after her children, was struggling with addiction. Their mother would visit them whenever she could, staying for weeks while she was well and then disappearing for months while she relapsed.

Donna says, “I raised them as best I could,” her voice almost squeaking. sometimes had two jobs.

However, Marcedes was faced with the horrifying loss of her two children to the child welfare system as a young mother herself. When the authorities discovered insufficient food in their apartment, the children were initially taken during a wellness check. As Marcedes battled housing instability and the requirements for reunification, what was meant as a temporary measure quickly turned into a permanent one.

“Letting those babies break something in her,” Donna claims. She had been such a good mother, making sure they received what they needed every night.

Marcedes used drugs to numb the sadness she experienced after losing her children. She spent two years switching between devastating relapses and periods of determination to regain custody.

She was then given a bed at a living-in treatment facility. Donna recalls her granddaughter’s excitement when she called to share the news. Kokum, this is it, she said. I’m going to get my babies back, clean up, and be proud of you. “

Their final exchange was that moment.

A set of swings in a park with a wooden fence behind and some trees
[Ian Willms/Panos Pictures/Al Jazeera] The park where Donna would play Marcedes as a child.

The Winnipeg police called Donna on December 1, 2022. They called Donna to gather the family at her home after months of searching for and awaiting news about Marcedes. The worst day of Donna’s life occurred.

She claims that “that day changed us all.”

The police “told us everything,” including that she was murdered and where she was. Because there is enough evidence to convict him, they told us that the perpetrator was already in jail and that they weren’t going to dig the landfill. Simply put, we were like, “Why?”

Donna claims that after that, the days melted into one another. Without any discernible reason, the sun rose and set. She would find herself standing in rooms without any memory of entering them and finding half-drunk cups of tea that she had no memory of making. But she had to unite herself to care for her great-grandchildren.