Archive June 8, 2025

Improvement on the ball next step for O’Neill’s NI

Inpho

In Belfast’s friendly on Tuesday night, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill wants his side to enjoy more of the game.

They fought ferociously for the entire 2-1 defeat by Denmark on Saturday in Copenhagen, but Christian Eriksen’s 67th-minute winner sealed it for them.

After just five minutes, Denmark had the lead thanks to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s own goal, but Gustav Isaksen’s fine effort in stoppage time put the visitors on their way to an equaliser.

While O’Neill’s second spell in charge saw Northern Ireland produce some impressive results when the ball was mostly left unattended, the former Stoke manager thinks increasing possession will be the next step for his side.

After Denmark had more than 70% of the possession on Saturday, O’Neill said, “We were never going to be a dominant possession-based team against any of these teams.”

Players who play football in the top five leagues in Europe must compete with those who play football at a League One or Championship level. The level at which the players play their football differs.

Northern Ireland struggled to hit the target throughout the match despite taking an early lead.

O’Neill continued, “We need to be able to retain the ball a little better when we win it back, maybe find a little more in terms of our level of possession as well,” which will help us carry a bigger threat.

O’Neill has consciously faced a higher level of opposition than his team did when they were promoted from the third tier of the Nations League because they will face Germany in World Cup qualifying in September.

In their previous 14 games, they only won four of their matches on Saturday, which came off a 2-0 win over Denmark in Belfast in November 2023.

Northern Ireland scored five goals in their previous defeats to Spain and Sweden in March, but the game against Iceland will present a different set of challenges.

However, Belfast is boosted by their victory over Scotland on Friday night.

We must play ball more effectively. Therefore, how we approach our work as a team will be slightly different, O’Neill said.

Although they had a very positive result against Scotland at Hampden Park and played very well, the teams are more of a similar level, let’s be honest.

Michael O'NeillInpho

O’Neill claimed he had made other substitutions to “protect” those who had suffered knocks after a long club season, but that the only Northern Ireland change forced at half-time was Conor Hazard.

These issues will be taken into account when selecting the Icelandic team, but the manager stated that there won’t be major adjustments for their final game before the start of the 2026 World Cup qualifying period away from Luxembourg in September.

“We’ll need to make one or two adjustments, but it’s crucial that we also use the game wisely.”

related subjects

  • Men’s football teams from Northern Ireland
  • Northern Ireland is a sport
  • Football

Was Meghan right to share twerking video? Take our poll and have your say

Meghan Markle’s twerking-in-labour video has everyone talking – from royal fans to possibly even King Charles himself. Was it a fun, unfiltered mum moment or a royally awkward overshare? Let us know!

Should Meghan really have shared a video of her twerking? Let us know!(Image: Getty)

To celebrate Princess Lilibet’s 4th birthday, Meghan posted a video that caught pretty much everyone off guard. It showed her, heavily pregnant, in a hospital room with Prince Harry, dancing and twerking to the song Baby Momma by Starrkeisha.

Whether you found it hilarious, relatable, or a bit odd, it definitely got people talking. Some fans loved seeing this personal, human moment – but others weren’t so keen. Royal commentator Jennie Bond called it “utterly bizarre” and says King Charles would’ve been “horrified” by it.

But what do you think? Was Meghan just enjoying the moment and sharing a joyful memory? Or did she cross a line by going so public with something so private – and what is clearly a little unconventional for a duchess? Scroll down to take our poll.

Meghan shared the clip saying: “Four years ago today, this also happened. Both of our children were a week past their due dates… so when spicy food, all that walking, and acupuncture didn’t work – there was only one thing left to do!”

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond was left flabbergasted, telling the Mirror : “The hours before you give birth are some of the most personal, intimate and private in the lives of any couple.

Meghan Markle dancing
Meghan dropped low in the video (Image: Meghan/Instagram)
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“And women are perfectly entitled to do whatever they feel like to get through the waiting, and the pain. Giving birth is a serious business, and anything to lighten the mood is welcome.

“However – to share those scenes with the world is utterly bizarre and, in my view, takes away all the magic of the moment. I cannot imagine why she chose to release it. Maybe show it one day to your nearest and dearest— but to anyone and everyone who wants to click on it?

Was Meghan right to share twerking video? Take our poll below. If you can’t see it, click here

“I can hear the voice of the late Queen’s former private secretary, Lord Charteris, repeating the comments he once made about Fergie: ‘Vulgar, vulgar, vulgar’.

Harry joins in with the dancing
Harry joins in with the dancing (Image: Meghan/Instagram)

“If the King has watched it, which I doubt, though he can’t have missed the headlines I’m sure he would be horrified. Royalty has to carry with it some measure of dignity.”

Since sharing the clip many have questioned why she posted it, given the couple’s supposed desire for privacy. And Jennie added: “I’m glad they were so happy before the birth, I’m glad Harry was there to support his wife in every way, I’m delighted to hear that he’s such a great dad. But they really can’t have it both ways.

“They can’t demand privacy and be so coy about sharing images of their children and then show us all these intensely intimate scenes. And she cannot expect to be treated as if she’s royal whilst behaving like a click-hungry social media influencer.

The King at an engagement last week
The King at an engagement earlier this week(Image: PA)

“Having said all that, there’s no doubt that videos like this connect in a very real way to young people. And perhaps that’s what Meghan is trying to do. My own daughter thought the video humanised both Meghan and Harry and was light-hearted and hugely relatable. It reminded her of her own pregnancies and labour and she thought it was rather charming.

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In many ways, I agree with her. I just don’t think it sits happily with trying to cling to the vestiges of being ‘royal’.”

Italy’s citizenship referendum: What’s at stake?

In a two-day referendum that proposes to speed up the process for granting citizenship to foreigners who have been legally en route to Italy, millions of immigrants’ fates are in danger.

In order to improve job protection, the referendum also aims to reverse labor reforms.

Results are anticipated after polls close on Monday at 3 p.m. (13:00 GMT), which polling stations opened on Sunday at 7 a.m. (05:00 GMT).

The measures are intended to change citizenship laws to facilitate integration for second-generation Italians born in the country to non-European Union parents, with the support of opposition parties, labor unions, and social activists.

However, a turnout of more than 50% is necessary for a referendum to be legally binding, which could not result in sufficient voter turnout to be declared valid.

The citizenship issue has attracted a lot of attention in a country where concerns about the volume of immigration helped to bring the anti-immigration coalition under right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to power in late 2022. Under President Donald Trump, immigration has become a pressing issue, particularly in Western Europe and the United States.

What does the referendum suggest, and what does it mean for immigrants whose lives are hampered by the slow process of naturalization in the EU member state?

How many immigrants are awaiting citizenship in Italy, and what are the requirements?

Italians are asked if they support reducing the time to which a person can apply for Italian citizenship by naturalization from ten years to five.

According to an estimate from Idos, an Italian research center, the proposed change would allow nearly 1.5 million foreigners to become citizens right away. Nearly 300,000 minors who would become citizens if their parents did so would be included in that list.

If the vote is approved, about half of Italy’s 5.4 million foreigners might be eligible to apply for citizenship.

The vote comes as Meloni’s citizenship laws are tightened, making it difficult for permanent residents to obtain citizenship.

Immigrants from nations outside the EU can only apply for citizenship in Italy after ten years of unrestricted residence.

Additionally, lawful immigrants’ children are only allowed to apply for passports after turning 18 and after living there permanently since birth.

On the other hand, generous bloodline laws preserved ties with the diaspora and made it possible for people of Italian descent to become citizens, even if they were far away.

For instance, Italy granted citizenship to more than 98,300 people, primarily those who reside in Latin America, between 2016 and 2023, based on their claims to be of Italian ancestry.

Italians’ birthrate is rapidly declining, according to economists, who believe the country needs to entice more foreigners to boost its sluggish economy.

According to Francesco Galietti of the political risk firm Policy Sonar, Meloni was “assaulting” the tightening of such rules, but that she was also being pushed by businesses to open the borders of an older country to foreigners.

There are “cultural identity rhetoric” on the one hand, but there are “potential issues” with paying pensions and a workforce-relying manufacturing industry, Galietti said.

In light of the system of checks and balances created after Benito Mussolini’s fascist rule in the 1940s, Italy’s constitution allows citizens to revoke laws through referendums.

What additional recommendations did the referendum make?

Reversing a law passed by a centre-left government ten years ago, the referendum seeks to make it harder to fire employees and increase compensation for those who were laid off by small businesses.

One of the ballot’s questions addresses the urgent issue of workplace security, which restores contractor and subcontractor joint liability for workplace accidents.

The Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL) union claims that the referendum, which will have five questions, four on the labor market and one on citizenship, received more than 4.5 million signatures.

We want to change a culture that places the needs of business preceding those of workers, according to CGIL general secretary Maurizio Landini.

Who and why did the referendum gain support?

A coalition of a few marginal political parties, including More Europe, Possibile, Possibile, the Italian Socialist Party, the Italian Radicals, the Communist Refoundation Party, as well as a number of civil society organizations, supported the referendum.

The center-left Democratic Party, which is battling to get Italian citizenship laws more in line with EU-wide standards, also supports it.

According to research, having citizenship results in advantageous causal effects.

Immigrants who naturalize have lower unemployment rates, higher incomes, and lower levels of job oversea.

In contrast, lengthy naturalization waiting periods detract from these effects.

These findings support the notion that naturalization serves as a significant catalyst for integration as well as a reward.

Italians believe that citizenship speeds up the integration process in particular.

According to the most recent Eurobarometer on immigration, 87 percent of Italians consider citizenship to be a key factor in the successful integration of immigrants into Italy.

However, the reform won’t have an impact on the law many people find to be deeply unfair because children who were born in Italy to foreign parents can’t ask for nationality until they are 18 years old.

Does Prime Minister Meloni support the new citizenship laws?

To challenge Meloni’s right-wing coalition government, opposition left-wing and centrist parties, civil society organizations, and a leading trade union have tapped into labor rights and Italy’s demographic woes.

The left has widely criticized Meloni’s decision to go to the polls but not cast a ballot because it won’t help raise the necessary threshold to get the vote rigged.

The lack of public discussion on the measures has been denounced by activists and opposition parties, accusing the ruling centre-right coalition of trying to stifle interest in pressing issues that directly affect immigrants and workers.

A Demopolis Institute poll last month predicted turnout would be in the region of 31 to 39 percent of Italy’s roughly 50 million electors, which is far below the required threshold.

The vote was opposed by the right-wing leaders of the two governing coalition parties, Matteo Salvini of the League and Antonio Tajani of Forza Italia.

According to Salvini, Italy’s deputy prime minister, the referendum is “dangerous” and would “indiscriminately expand access to citizenship.”

What significance does the referendum have?

Supporters claim that this change will improve long-term resident social integration and bring Italy’s citizenship law into line with many other European nations.

Additionally, it would facilitate easier access to civil and political rights, including the right to vote, employment opportunities for public employees, and freedom of movement within the EU.

Italy is also dealing with one of the most severe demographic crises in Europe.

About a quarter of Italians are over 65 years old, while only 12 percent are 14 or younger. Some of these pressures might be eased by the referendum.

Nick Knowles’ new wife changes into daring second wedding dress for wild reception

Nick Knowles and Katie Dadzie have proved critics of their age-gap relationship wrong, after tying the knot on Saturday in a six-figure celebration at Braxted Park, Essex.

Nick Knowles’ new wife changes out of dress for daring mini as couple enjoy wild dance after wedding(Image: Instagram/elocin_home)

Nick Knowles’ new wife Katie Dadzie swapped her wedding gown for a daring mini dress for the dancefloor, with her new husband whipping off his blazer to join her for a wild dance. The happy couple got married on Saturday at Braxted Park, Essex in a star-studded six-figure celebration, surrounding by their nearest and dearest.

BBC DIY SOS star Nick, 62, opted for a light pink tuxedo jacket, with a black bow tie and trousers. He added a purple boutonnière to give his colourful look a pastel contrast.

Meanwhile, Katie, 34, wowed guests in a non-traditional wedding dress, going for a stunning white bandeaux gown with a blue floral design. She swept her hair back in a bun and went for full glam makeup, accessorising her look with a statement diamond necklace and full-length veil.

And she pulled out all the stops, even including a costume change for the reception. Mum-of-two Katie swapped her demure gown for a tiny white mini dress and sparkly hat, ditching her heels for white trainers and adding in some heart-shaped shades.

The newly-weds made the most of their reception
The newly-weds made the most of their reception(Image: Instagram/elocin_home)

The newly-weds entertained their guests with a live band, plus a carnival dancer who took to the floor in a feather-adorned outfit. A video re-shared to Nick’s story shows them downing shots together and partying into the early hours with their beaming guests.

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TV star Nick and lingerie business owner Katie started dating in 2021 after their children made friends and the pair met at a kids’ play centre in 2019. Nick got down on one knee in 2023, with them finally tying the knot after four years together.

Katie’s business sells lingerie and sex toys, but she also owns another company, Boobbix. Her second enterprise sells ‘lactation products for breastfeeding mums’.

Despite their strong relationship, the pair have had to deal with their fair share of trolling from disapproving fans. The couple met back in 2019 but raised eyebrows due to their 27-year age-gap relationship.

Katie stunned her guests in a non-traditional blue and white gown
Katie stunned her guests in a non-traditional blue and white gown(Image: Instagram/elocin_home)

After they got together, trolls mocked one of Katie’s posts after she shared a photo while working on a photoshoot for her lingerie company. Nick was seen behind her, adjusting her suspenders.

Vicious followers called Katie ‘desperate’ and ‘cringe’ for the post, forcing Nick to hit back at the haters. He wrote on X: “[She] has degrees in two subjects, runs three businesses, is a mother of two, is wealthier and more successful than me and is intelligent and independent unlike the abusive trolls attacking her.”

Later, in an interview with The Sun, Nick said that he usually ignores trolls but has taken the bait and hit back when people have been ‘judgmental’. He explained: “I chose to be on telly so I kind of expect it for me, but for people I care about they shouldn’t have to deal with it. I’m protective of Katie, because people make assumptions about her without knowing anything about her, so that’s why I spoke.”

Despite some fans judging them because of the age-gap, sources have said the couple are ‘so in love’ and ‘absolutely adore each other’. “Katie is over the moon that Nick popped the question,” they added.

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READ MORE: Susanna Reid stuns in colourful summer dress from Boden that’s now 30% off

‘Real reason’ for Freddy Brazier ‘moving in’ with gran with dad Jeff ‘livid

As it has been reported that Freddy Brazier is living with his grandmother Jackiey Budden, a source has revealed the real reason for the alleged family feud as dad Jeff is ‘livid’.

A source has revealed the real reason for the alleged family feud between Freddy Brazier and his dad Jeff(Image: BBC)

Freddy Brazier is said to have felt as though he’s ‘fallen into the background’ of his actor brother Bobby’s success, says a source.

The aspiring model is thought to have been living with his grandmother, Jackeiy, over the last week before he revealed he was checking himself into a rehab centre on Friday.

Freddy was pictured with her maternal grandmother amid reports of a rift between the 20-year-old and his dad Jeff, with Freddy allegedly smoking a joint during the outing. And revealing that the relationship has left Jeff ‘livid’, a source told Mirror, “Jeff is livid over the whole thing. He feels that he has brought the kids up single-handedly and Jackiey is a bad influence. Drugs are not something Jeff wants the boys around and he’s not happy with the whole situation.”

Jeff has had a long-standing feud with Jade’s mum. Previously he said that during his sons’ childhoods, Jackiey would spoil them with “unsuitable” gifts, claiming she once bought Freddy a hamster without checking with him, and supplied the boys with mobile phones during a visit. “I just wish we could work together a little better,” he said in 2012.

Jeff Brazier with sons Bobby and Freddy and wife Kate
Despite a seemingly close family bond, Freddy is thought to have been spending more time away from his dad and brother(Image: Instagram/jeffbrazier)

However, the relationship later broke down completely and Jackiey didn’t see her grandsons for a period of time, before regular visits began again. “As she settled in herself, the boys kept a lot of contact with her and at the moment she’s very helpful and very prominent in their lives,” said Jeff in 2014.

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Revealing the alleged reason for Freddy’s increased time with Jackiey, the source says that his brother Bobby’s soaring success on TV hasn’t been easy.

“It’s difficult for Bobby and for Freddy as brothers, especially considering Bobby’s success in recent years with Strictly and EastEnders – Freddy feels like he’s fallen into the background.

“It’s a case of him rebelling against it all. But they are really close as siblings and Bobby wants more than anything for his brother to come home and for the family to be back together again. He hates seeing his dad so anxious.”

Freddy and Bobby Brazier
The source claims that Freddy feels ‘in the background’ of his brother Bobby’s success(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Percival)

While Bobby has carved out a successful TV career, Freddy’s profile is also on the rise. He describes himself as a “model and TV personality” and appeared on Celebrity Race Across The World alongside Jeff.

Last Friday, days after he was spotted smoking what appeared to be a joint with Jackiey, Freddy revealed he was checking into rehab. He wrote in his Instagram Stories that he was going to be “cutting down” as he headed to a rehab centre in Marbella.

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“I’ve been smoking from the age of 12 and it’s time to stop,” he wrote. “It was a bad coping mechanism that turned into an addiction – something I relied on and something that made me feel sane and somewhat OK.“

Continuing that he had found a rehab centre where he could heal, Freddy added, “I want to be clean so I can live life happily and have healthy relationships with people and be there for all of my family rather than feeling like I’m in the middle and have to choose a side. I haven’t been able to feel love properly as I have never loved myself and it starts now. I want to play football and take up boxing. I want to be happy and be in a healthy relationship and have a healthy relationship with my Nana and my father.”

Hewett criticises late court changes at French Open

Rex Features

Alfie Hewett says he is “extremely disappointed” with French Open organisers after his wheelchair singles final was moved to a different court less than an hour before the start “without really consulting the players”.

The Norfolk player’s match against Tokito Oda on Saturday, which he lost 6-4 7-6 (8-6), was switched from Court 14 to being straight after the women’s wheelchair final on Suzanne Lenglen.

They were only given about 35 minutes to prepare after being informed of the change at just past midday.

“I understand the reasoning behind it because of the changeable weather this week but I think they could have communicated that the night before – like given us a heads-up and said ‘if this quads match goes on longer than the women’s final then you boys will be on Lenglen, if it doesn’t happen then you will stay on Court 14’,” he said.

“None of that communication was had the night before, or even in the morning.”

As the wheelchair draw progressed there was a lot of discussion around the scheduling and last-minute changes, with different courts offering varied conditions for the players.

“It’s a completely different environment,” said Hewett, who won his sixth consecutive Roland Garros doubles title with partner and fellow Brit Gordon Reid, and who – by also finishing with runners-up honours in the singles – improved on his 2024 performance at Roland Garros.

“Gordy [Gordon Reid] was saying it when we were playing doubles. The ball was slower, the balls pick up more clay because there is more clay on those courts.

“On the outdoor courts it’s slightly livelier, it’s slightly bouncier, there’s shorter back runs. It completely changes the tactical game of the match and usually you know that you’re going to be playing on a show court, so you practice on that court beforehand.”

As elite-level athletes who are competing for the top prizes in tennis, a lot of thought goes into pre-match preparations for the wheelchair players – not just at the Grand Slams but every week they compete on tour.

“I’m not one to come out here and criticise tournaments often because I know we are as players, and I am, incredibly grateful to be at events like this, to be celebrating wheelchair tennis and showcasing it on a big stage but what happened today was unacceptable,” said Hewett.

“There are standards I believe that have got to be set and you know as players we weren’t listened to, we weren’t heard.

“We tried to ask for the court to be pushed back, but unfortunately the priority was for fans to watch the women’s final on a screen rather than giving the wheelchair players more time to warm-up and prepare for a Grand Slam singles final.

“This isn’t me making excuses for my performance, Tokito was in exactly the same boat as me. I’m very happy with the way I performed actually.

“This is more about the players and our welfare, and actually treating us like professionals, because I can guarantee there’s no way Jannik Sinner or [Novak] Djokovic would get told ‘sorry you can’t have a proper practice, you’ve got to go on court in 30 minutes’.”

He added: “You put everything on the line for these matches. It’s not the reason why I lost the singles final – Tokito was the better player in the bigger moments – but these are the things that people higher up have got to take into consideration – and which I know they are taking into consideration with the other players.

Related topics

  • Tennis
  • Disability Sport