Archive December 3, 2025

Mbappe shines as Real Madrid beat Athletic to close on Barcelona

Real Madrid won 3-3 at the Athletic Club in Bilbao thanks to Kylian Mbappe’s double, sealing Real Madrid’s title defense.

Los Blancos held on to Barcelona’s lead after their 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, who had temporarily moved four points clear of them at the top with their win. The French forward scored either side of Eduardo Camavinga’s header in both halves of the match on Wednesday.

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Real, who had been reeling from three straight draws, had also been severely beaten by Liverpool in their most recent dry spell, which meant that their fierce rivals had ascended to the top of the league.

Even though rumors were circulating that the former Real midfielder was facing more pressure in his first season in charge at Santiago Bernabeu, where he took the place of Carlos Ancelotti, were unflinching, there was little to be noted about Xavi Alonso’s side.

One of Real’s best performances of the season was at Athletic’s San Mames.

Mbappe put his first La Liga goal together in the opening minute with a nod from Camavinga before the break.

Mbappe’s 16th league goal of the season, scored by Mbappe, sealed Madrid’s victory with a second goal in the second half.

Alexander-Arnold and Camavinga were both substituted in the second half, which was one of the negatives for Los Blancos.

In the fourth minute, Mbappe almost gave Real Madrid the lead, but Unai Simon made a wise save near the post before Vinicius equalized.

In the seventh minute, Mbappe scored a brilliant goal to give Madrid a strong lead.

With a superb long pass, Mbappe scurried fearlessly into the box and delivered a flawless finish to beat Simon.

On one of Athletic’s rare forays forward, Gorka Guruzeta fired over and forced Thibaut Courtois into a good save at the other end.

Nico Williams and Alex Berenguer had the best of both of their chances, and Courtois put together a superb stop to negate this.

Madrid was woken up again, and Vizius, who was effectively collaborating with Mbappe, threatened twice as they took control.

With a low effort from a tight angle, the Brazilian winger attempted to block him off with a low effort from the post.

After Eder Militao had sent him through on goal, Vinicius was saved by the goalkeeper’s excellent save to stop him.

At the conclusion of a good team move, Madrid scored their second before the break when Mbappe nodded Alexander-Arnold’s cross across goal for Camavinga to head home from close range.

Early in the second half, Courtois tipped over Mikel Jauregizar’s fierce effort to prevent Athletic from gaining a foothold in the game.

When Alexander-Arnold pulled up with an apparent muscular injury and was replaced by Raul Asencio, Madrid’s night got worse.

Mbappe put the game beyond question with a second long-range strike that came in near the halfway point. Simon could have improved his efforts to prevent it, perhaps reversing some of his earlier excellent work.

Alonso suffered another potential injury when Camavinga was taken off injured later in a match between his former Real Sociedad teammates in the Basque Country.

Strictly Come Dancing star returns to show with ex for reunion after 7 years offscreen

For a special segment of It Takes Two, the pair appeared on screen together for the first time in seven years, as the company proudly welcomed back two of its renowned professional dancers.

Strictly Come Dancing has welcomed back two of its legendary professional dancers for a special segment on It Takes Two, where they look back on their history on the BBC show. Former couple and professional partners Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone appeared on It Takes Two tonight, where they opened up about their time on the show.

Vincent and Flavia both joined Strictly in 2006 and stayed on the show for six years. They joined Strictly as both romantic and professional partners, however they eventually split in 2007. Vincent later married wife Susan Duddy in 2015 before divorcing three years later, while Flavia has been married to ex-contestant Jimi Mistry since 2013.

The former couple last appeared together on an episode of The Generation Game in 2018, and they recently reconciled on It Takes Two tonight. Vincent apologised to the audience, “Oh my goodness, I haven’t seen Flavia in a while.” It’ll be lovely to see her once more. It will be nice to catch up and reflect on the wonderful memories we had.

The pair looked back at their 2005 television performance, Strictly Dance Fever. They were hired by Strictly to choreograph an Argentine Tango piece that had never before been performed on the stage.

When Bruce first introduced us, Vincent said, “They are my favorite couple,” while Flavia said, “He used to say that about everyone, but I do believe it was his favorite dance.”

The duo continued performing together for nine years after splitting up with Strictly in 2012. Flavia last appeared on It Takes Two back in Choreography Corner in 2021, while Vincent later made a comeback as a choreographer for Argentine Tangos.

On the program, Vincent said, “Me and you left a legacy. Can you send me my dance shoes, Flavia asked?

Prior to winning with gymnast Louis Smith in 2012, Flavia placed second with Matt Di Angelo, whom she dated for three years. Vincent also placed second behind Dani Harmer and Rachel Stevens in the 2008 season, before ending his run on the show in fourth place.

Flavia is now married to Jimi Mistry, with the pair living on a seven-acre farm in Devon. They now sell fresh produce from their farm and run a bakery.

After moving to Lorraine, she said, “I just needed a break. I never retired.

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When Vincent and I started touring, we would play seven or eight shows each week in each venue. “I toured for eight years. I stopped doing that eight years ago because I was exhausted.

On BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two will air starting at 6 30pm tomorrow.

Family of man slain in a US boat strike in the Caribbean lodges complaint

An intergovernmental organization tasked with monitoring human rights has lodged a complaint against a Colombian man who was killed in a US military attack on a alleged drug smuggler in the Caribbean Sea.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) received the complaint a day prior, according to the AFP news agency on Wednesday.

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When President Donald Trump bombed a boat on September 15th, it claimed that the US violated Alejandro Carranza’s right to life and the rule of law.

Carranza’s family claims that he was killed by the explosion while aboard that ship.

The complaint claimed that “we know that Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of Defense, was in charge of the bombing of boats like those of Alejandro Carranza Medina and the murder of all those on them.”

Hegseth, according to the report, gave the order to strike “despite the fact that he had no idea who the targets of these bombings and extrajudicial killings were.”

Carranza’s family has said he is a fisherman, but Carranza’s family denies that the US military struck his boat with drugs.

Trump himself “has ratified Secretary Hegseth’s conduct,” according to the complaint.

Carranza’s case has sparked a wave of opposition to the US bombing campaign in his native Colombia.

Since September 2, there have been 21 known military strikes the US has carried out on alleged drug smuggling vessels, totaling over 83 fatalities.

Even Gustavo Petro, the president of Colombia, has cited the case in official statements to denounce the bombings as extrajudicial killings.

On October 18, Petro wrote that “US government officials have murdered and violated our territorial waters.”

“The fisherman, Alejandro Carranza, did not have any ties to drug trafficking; he only went fishing every day.” The Colombian boat’s engine was inoperable, and it was adrift. The US government is still waiting for an explanation.

The Trump administration and Hegseth in particular are under increased scrutiny as a result of the family’s complaint.

According to rights groups, strikes are likely prohibited by both domestic and international law, which largely forbids attacks on civilians.

Self-defence laws do not apply because drug trafficking is not regarded as a form of combat under international law.

Following a so-called double-tap strike during the first known bombing on September 2, US media has reported on a heightened level of scrutiny in recent days. A second missile was dropped on the boat in response to reports that the US military’s initial attack appeared to leave two passengers alive.

According to legal experts, hitting on unarmed adversaries is likely to be a war crime. According to the Pentagon’s own manual, firing “upon the shipwreckd” is also prohibited by the laws of armed conflict.

Trump and Hegseth have since said the follow-up strike was ordered by Navy Vice Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley, but they have since distanced themselves from the attack. According to the White House, the order was “given within his authority and the law.”

The administration has also stated that the strikes will continue. It has argued that the attacks are necessary to stop ‘narco-terrorists’ from importing drugs into the US.

The president of Colombia, Petro, has been a vocal critic of the strikes and has pledged to support Carranza’s family’s fight for justice.

Katerine Hernandez, Carranza’s widow, described her husband as a “good man” in an interview with the AFP in October.

She claimed that “he had no ties to drug trafficking, and his only daily pastime was fishing.”

Trump threatens possible land attacks on Venezuela as the US militaries its forces in the Caribbean increase.

Nicolas Maduro, the leader of Venezuela, claims that Trump is trying to change the Caracasi regime under the pretext of drug trafficking.

Senate Summons Finance, Education Ministers Over Collapse Of $30m Safe School Initiative

Wale Edun, the minister of finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, will be appearing before the Senate on Tuesday of next week through its adhoc committee to investigate the failure of the Safe School Initiative.

Following the adoption of its work plan at today’s maiden meeting, the ad-hoc committee, led by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), summoned the Minister of Finance for an appearance.

The CDS, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense, Dr. Mohammed Abubakar Audi, and representatives of school owners are other important parties involved in the collapsed initiatives that are scheduled for summoning.

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Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, who was briefed journalists at the inaugural session on Wednesday, vowed that the Senate would resolve all issues relating to the initiative’s implementation and establish full accountability.

He cited the abduction of over 1, 680 schoolchildren and the attack of 180 educational facilities as unacceptable for a country that is committed to child safety and educational development.

Kalu argued that it is unacceptable that our schools continue to be kidnapped and targeted by terrorists.

We will keep track of every naira and dollar spent on the Safe School Initiative, some of which were funded by the federal government’s most recent N144 billion, aside from the $30 million raised by the initiative between 2014 and 2021.

Nigerians should be aware that our schools remain unsafe despite significant investment and international support. Federal ministries, state governments, security organizations, and civil society partners will be the focus of the committee’s comprehensive financial and operational audit.

He argued that the committee owes Nigerian parents the duty to ensure that their children can pursue education without fear, just as he emphasized that the investigation does not target any one person or institution but rather seeks to improve accountability and transparency.

According to him, areas of investigation include: (i) Using the funds that have been allocated since 2014; (ii) Using and utilizing security personnel; (iii) Using early warning and emergency response systems; (iv) Investing in Infrastructure in Prey Areas; and (v) Working with international donors and private sector contributors.

I’m A Celeb star Aitch in huge boost as beloved sister Gracie flies into Australia

Aitch, the star of I’m A Celeb, and his dear sister Gracie, who was spotted today at the celebrity hotel where she was filmed by ITV meeting the most recent victee Kelly Brook, will be reunited.

I’m a Celeb star Aitch ’s beloved sister has secretly flown to Australia for an emotional reunion. The rapper’s family has arrived Down Under in the last 24 hours in a boost to the star, whose manager was the only person isupporting him so far in person.

And Gracie was seen today at the celebrity hotel as ITV filmed the arrival of Kelly Brook after she became the fourth person to be evicted from the jungle. She was filmed chatting to Kelly, who told her: “I have heard so much about you…can I have a hug.”

We recently heard your song, she continued. It was fantastic. Your brother is truly in your heart. You must have a crush on him, I bet you. Aitch has a close relationship with his two twin sisters, Gracie and Hattie, both of whom are 16 years his junior, and Gracie, who has Down’s Syndrome, in particular, has a significant influence on his life.

He has dedicated his hit track My G to Gracie, with all the funds generated from the donated to the Down’s Syndrome Association. On Tuesday night’s show he sang the song – sparking fans to say he should win.

A fan wrote on X that “Aitch must win.” One commentator called him “such a lovely man” and “bet Aitch’s sisters are so proud of him right now.” A third person expressed her love for Aitch so much. The song touched Aitch’s campmates, who were listening. In particular, Ruby Wax acknowledged that her emotional state had been affected by the performance.

Aitch has opened up in camp to Eddie about the close bond he has with his sisters, particularly Gracie. Talking about how Gracie was born with Down Syndrome, he explained how she loved watching Ellie Goldstein on Strictly Come Dancing, telling him when Ellie came on screen: “She’s one of God’s special children like me.”

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Aitch made it known prior to his show appearance that he would be traveling to the Australian jungle to raise awareness of those with Down syndrome. He continued, “I’m doing it for people all over as well as for people with Down syndrome.” If someone discovers that someone in the family has Down syndrome, I don’t want anyone to feel upset or upset. It is a blessing.

As long as you spend it with that person, you’re going to have the most enjoyable time of your life. Really and truly, my main concern is that I don’t want Down syndrome to be perceived as a negative trait. I don’t want anyone to go through the same stages as my sister or my child, who both have Down syndrome.

FIA election to go ahead despite legal challenge

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Although legal proceedings could overturn the results in February, the FIA’s presidential election is scheduled to take place next week.

No other candidate can challenge Mohammed Ben Sulayem as the incumbent candidate in a tidbit of the motorsport’s governing body’s election rules on December 12.

Laura Villars, a Swiss racing driver, had filed a lawsuit against the FIA in October to challenge its election process.

The election will take place as planned in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with Ben Sulayem expected to serve a second four-year term after her lawyer requested an emergency judgment from a Paris court.

Villars stated in a press release that the judge “must be examined regarding the irregularities raised regarding the presidential election” despite the court’s absence of a decision.

We will therefore continue this case against the FIA before the merits judges, according to Villars’ attorney, Robin Binsard. The 16 February 2026 hearing is scheduled for the first time.

The French Court’s decision, according to a FIA spokesperson, was made on December 3rd, confirming that the FIA General Assembly’s election will take place on December 12th.

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In a press release, it was stated that the election’s “validity” could be reviewed, challenged, or canceled “at that hearing, when issues raised by Villars” would be first addressed before the court.”

For comment, the FIA has received inquiries.

Villars made her announcement in September, but she was unable to compile the necessary list of potential vice-presidents from an official list of 29 by the deadline of October 24.

Only one South American is listed on the official list, and Brazilian Fabiana Ecclestone, the wife of former F1 boss Bernie, is already a member of Ben Sulayem’s team.

No one else can enter the election because of that, which prohibits any other candidate from naming a potential vice-president from South America.

The “impossibility of presenting an alternative list” and the “unprecedented situation of a single eligible candidate in South America” are among the issues raised by Villars, as well as the failure to adhere to the FIA’s stated principles of governance, democracy, and integrity.

When fellow candidate Mayer announced his intention to withdraw from his campaign for president in October, he accused the FIA of “lacking transparency” and creating the illusion of democracy.

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