Archive December 31, 2025

Everton wrongly denied penalty in Arsenal loss – panel

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The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel concluded that Everton should have won a penalty for their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on December 20.

When William Saliba and Everton striker Thierno Barry clashed inside Hill Dickinson Stadium, the Gunners had a 1-0 lead in the 57th minute.

Barry first touched the ball, but the French defender from Arsenal kicked his boot.

The panel decided 3-2 to reject Sam Barrott’s decision to not award a penalty on the field.

Additionally, it was decided 3-2 by video assistant referee Michael Salisbury to have instructed the monitor to request a change of course.

Three panelists thought it was an obvious error when they observed “Saliba carelessly kicks Barry without making contact with the ball.”

Due to “there was not enough impact and a delayed reaction,” two panellists voted against the no-penalty request.

Why other similar incidents had resulted in spot kicks, according to Everton manager David Moyes?

He specifically made reference to a penalty that the on-field referee gave to Fulham against Nottingham Forest two days later. This spot-kick decision was unanimously supported by the panel.

When I saw Fulham’s decision, I was half-choking last night, and ours wasn’t,” Moyes said. “It seems as though some clubs make those decisions while other clubs don’t,” the statement goes.

VAR right over Gordon’s choice against Chelsea

Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United is challenged in the box by Chelsea defender Trevoh ChalobahImages courtesy of Getty
Additionally, the panel determined that VAR Peter Bankes’ recommendation against Newcastle receiving a spot-kick for their 20-December game against Chelsea was accurate.

When Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah pushed Anthony Gordon to the ground, according to head coach Eddie Howe, the Magpies were given a “stonewall” penalty.

At the time, Newcastle had a 2-1 lead, and the game ended tied at 2-2. The club stated that they were “seeking clarification” regarding the choice.

The panel disagreed that a spot-kick (3-2) should have been given, but it didn’t pass the required 3-2 for a VAR intervention.

“Chalobah makes reckless shoulder, hip, and leg contact without a challenge for the ball,” claimed those in favor of a penalty.

Panel backs Simon’s dismissal and Ekiti’s goal

Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool scores his team's second goal whilst under pressure from Cristian Romero Images courtesy of Getty
After his side lost to Liverpool at home on December 20, Thomas Frank was furious.

Xavi Simons was sent off for a challenge on Virgil van Dijk in a VAR review.

Hugo Ekitike’s push on Cristian Romero should have prevented Liverpool’s second goal, according to Frank.

In stoppage-time, Spurs captain Romero was then shown a second yellow card.

The panel unanimously determined that both the Ekiti goal and Simons red card were accurate.

According to the Ekitike incident, “there’s not enough contact for a foul, especially given the high threshold for penalizing contact.”

Romero received a 4-1 support for his second yellow card.

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Narinder Kaur shares health update as she’s hospitalised amid tropical infection

Narinder Kaur, a former Big Brother star and TV panelist, has updated fans about her recovery from a trip to India and the Maldives.

Narinder Kaur has updated her followers after being rushed to the hospital following a trip to India and the Maldives. The Jeremy Vine panellist, 53, had to be taken to a specialist hospital with a suspected tropical infection.

She has now revealed just how unwell she was as she laid praise firmly at the door of the NHS. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, after news of her hospitalisation broke, the former Big Brother star wrote: “Yesterday I was taken to the Hospital for Tropical diseases after falling really poorly suddenly upon returning from India/Maldives.

It was a heartfelt reminder of how crucial the NHS is in the UK that I can’t thank enough the amazing nurses and doctors who quickly and compassionately treated me and all the other patients there. Thank God for the NHS, I saw some very poor people.

READ MORE: Molly-Mae and Tommy Fury’s luxury NYE after year of relationship dramaREAD MORE: Holly Ramsay gifted her bridal party this ‘magic’ moisturiser that instantly plumps the skin

Being a patient is always a reminder of how amazing and consequential the NHS is, she later said in a follower’s response. What would I have done if they hadn’t been there? And, more importantly, the kindness!

She also confirmed that she had praised the NHS official. She revealed that she had “given them a FIRST CLASS review” when she sent a text expressing her appreciation for the organization.

The woman’s health emergency comes just one day after her two-week family vacation in India. Throughout her time away, she had been regularly updating her followers.

Instagram users shared photos of the Taj Mahal and the Golden Temple in addition to updates on her holiday. She later admitted that once she returned to the UK, she began to feel “seriously unwell.”

She reportedly had symptoms that included severe chills, a severe flu-like illness, and chronic fatigue. This led to an urgent medical evaluation, exactly. After being concerned about having malaria, dengue fever, or another serious tropical illness, Narinder had several tests.

It is unknown what has caused the illness. A source told The Sun: “It all happened very quickly. Everyone saw what a great time she was having in India.

She then began to feel seriously unwell when she returned to the United Kingdom, where she was advised to immediately go to the hospital. She’s in expert hands despite the frightening circumstances.

Tropical illnesses can sometimes progress within days or weeks after exposure. Travelers who travel in these circumstances could encounter infection risks, such as mosquito bites, untreated water, or barefoot in temples and religious sites.

Continue reading the article.

In 2001, Narinder first gained notoriety by appearing on Big Brother. Since then, she has appeared on a number of television programs to discuss current issues and social issues. She has appeared on a number of well-known TV programs, including Jeremy Vine, Good Morning Britain, and GB News.

Narinder Kaur shares health update as she’s hospitalised amid tropical infection

Narinder Kaur, a former Big Brother star and TV panelist, has updated fans about her recovery from a trip to India and the Maldives.

Narinder Kaur has updated her followers after being rushed to the hospital following a trip to India and the Maldives. The Jeremy Vine panellist, 53, had to be taken to a specialist hospital with a suspected tropical infection.

She has now revealed just how unwell she was as she laid praise firmly at the door of the NHS. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, after news of her hospitalisation broke, the former Big Brother star wrote: “Yesterday I was taken to the Hospital for Tropical diseases after falling really poorly suddenly upon returning from India/Maldives.

It was a heartfelt reminder of how crucial the NHS is in the UK that I can’t thank enough the amazing nurses and doctors who quickly and compassionately treated me and all the other patients there. Thank God for the NHS, I saw some very poor people.

READ MORE: Molly-Mae and Tommy Fury’s luxury NYE after year of relationship dramaREAD MORE: Holly Ramsay gifted her bridal party this ‘magic’ moisturiser that instantly plumps the skin

Being a patient is always a reminder of how amazing and consequential the NHS is, she later said in a follower’s response. What would I have done if they hadn’t been there? And, more importantly, the kindness!

She also confirmed that she had praised the NHS official. She revealed that she had “given them a FIRST CLASS review” when she sent a text expressing her appreciation for the organization.

The woman’s health emergency comes just one day after her two-week family vacation in India. Throughout her time away, she had been regularly updating her followers.

Instagram users shared photos of the Taj Mahal and the Golden Temple in addition to updates on her holiday. She later admitted that once she returned to the UK, she began to feel “seriously unwell.”

She reportedly had symptoms that included severe chills, a severe flu-like illness, and chronic fatigue. This led to an urgent medical evaluation, exactly. After being concerned about having malaria, dengue fever, or another serious tropical illness, Narinder had several tests.

It is unknown what has caused the illness. A source told The Sun: “It all happened very quickly. Everyone saw what a great time she was having in India.

She then began to feel seriously unwell when she returned to the United Kingdom, where she was advised to immediately go to the hospital. She’s in expert hands despite the frightening circumstances.

Tropical illnesses can sometimes progress within days or weeks after exposure. Travelers who travel in these circumstances could encounter infection risks, such as mosquito bites, untreated water, or barefoot in temples and religious sites.

Continue reading the article.

In 2001, Narinder first gained notoriety by appearing on Big Brother. Since then, she has appeared on a number of television programs to discuss current issues and social issues. She has appeared on a number of well-known TV programs, including Jeremy Vine, Good Morning Britain, and GB News.

How is the Premier League doing in the race for five Champions League places?

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The competition for a spot in the Champions League is no longer as straightforward as a top-four match between Premier League clubs.

Fifth place can be promoted to the Champions League with the availability of European Performance Spots (EPS), as Newcastle discovered last year.

What is the process for European Performance Spots?

For the following season, two nations will each receive an EPS.

Uefa takes into account the overall performance of clubs in the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League to determine which countries are successful.

By dividing the total score by the number of clubs each league has in the European competition, it creates an average.

With nine Premier League clubs in Europe, England’s average for the EPS table is 13.486, with a coefficient score of 121.375.

Regardless of the competition, each win is worth two coefficient points, with each draw worth one.

The difference between bonus points awarded based on clubs’ top league positions and knockout rounds is significant because they are more competitive in the Champions League.

Is the Premier League in a favorable position?

The table will look significantly different in a month, but it is currently in a pretty good position.

The Champions League and Europa League final two games will determine a lot.

Poland leads the Conference League, but one of its four teams, which included one eliminated, all four of them, are in the top four. Poland will lose all of its points in January and fall back in the table once the league phase of that competition has finished.

It is highly unlikely that a league outside of the traditional top five will take one of the EPS spots because of the number of bonus points offered by the Champions League.

Germany leads by 1.201 points, with England currently sitting second. That’s four victories and a draw for Bundesliga clubs in actuality.

Each win is therefore less than its average score because England has nine more teams in Europe than Germany, which is seven.

England must maintain as many clubs as possible in order for other leagues to compete with its record.

Eight English clubs have a good chance of staying in the Champions League and Europa League and earning substantial bonus points as a result. Crystal Palace have already advanced to the Conference League knockout play-off round.

The Champions League’s elimination of Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt would strengthen England’s position.

With only three remaining active clubs, Cyprus isn’t a likely contender, and Pafos could lose out to the Champions League.

Germany and another nation would need to take the Premier League overtaking, and there is a significant gap, as two leagues are given the extra Champions League spots.

Italy has eight victories ahead of England. It’s nine wins and one draw for Spain.

Juventus and Napoli have struggled in the Champions League for Italy, but they should help send a line-up together.

Villarreal will almost certainly miss out on the Champions League for Spain, which has eight teams in Europe. The status of Celta Vigo’s performance in the Europa League and Athletic Club’s may also change, respectively.

However, it is not over. If English clubs were to suffer poor results in the knockout play-off round and last 16, that could open the door. Soon, results from other leagues would start to add up.

What does the Champions League competition look like in the Premier League?

In the top three spots, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Aston Villa have opened a respectable gap.

On January 1st, City travel to Sunderland, who are five points clear. The Blues are separated by Villa, who are now seven points ahead of Liverpool, with another reason.

If they defeat Leeds on January 1st, the Reds will attempt to close a five-point lead to fifth place, but there is a lot of competition for spots behind them.

related subjects

  • Premier League
  • UEFA Champions League
  • Football
    • 17 October
    A graphic of Premier League players from every team in the division in 2025-26 season, with the Premier League trophy in front of them.
  • Quiz logo

More on this story.

How is Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill changing US taxes and healthcare in 2026?

Beginning in 2026, residents of the United States will be affected significantly by the country’s tax code, healthcare system, and government benefits.

That’s because, on Thursday, certain provisions of President Donald Trump’s signature tax and spending package are scheduled to take effect.

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Known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the package was signed into law in July, amid bipartisan pushback.

Fiscal conservatives feared it would increase the nation’s deficit, while left-leaning critics feared that millions of Americans would be without food or health insurance as a result of the changes.

Notably, the OBBBA did not grant any extensions to the COVID-era healthcare subsidies, which are scheduled to expire on Thursday.

Democrats have warned that, without those subsidies, health insurance premiums purchased under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are set to skyrocket.

What and how will these changes affect Americans going forward in 2026? We break down the new year’s resolutions.

What is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act?

Before Trump ran for re-election in January 2025, he had suggested drafting a comprehensive bill that would cover all of his platform’s components.

He wrote on January 5 that “Members of Congress are getting to work on one powerful Bill that will bring our Country back and make it greater than ever before.”

That idea became the foundation for the OBBBA, which Trump signed into law on July 4, the Independence Day holiday.

It contains dozens of provisions, ranging from Trump’s 2017 tax cuts to policies that encourage fossil fuel production.

Democrats gathered outside the US Capitol earlier this year to protest the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s passage.

What changes are coming to the price of healthcare?

The Affordable Care Act’s marketplace, an online exchange that assists consumers and small businesses in connecting insurance plans, is expected to increase in prices for US citizens.

Under then-President Joe Biden, the ACA healthcare subsidies that were put in place as part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act were not extended by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Those subsidies expire on December 31.

The National Economic Council’s former deputy director, Daniel Hornung, said, “The healthcare issue is a big one because people typically have their health insurance premium taken out of their account on the first, second, or third of the month.”

In response, “we’re likely to see people’s health insurance premiums double in the coming days.”

Why hasn’t Congress extended the healthcare subsidies?

The decision to extend the ACA subsidies has caused a jiggle in Congress.

Before Congress extended the healthcare subsidies, Democrats resisted passing budget legislation in September. But Republican leaders said they would only vote on the subsidies after the budget legislation was signed.

The longest government shutdown in US history was 43 days due to this impasse.

A few Democrats joined their political party members to defeat the budget legislation, with the agreement that the subsidies would be extended in December.

But rival proposals from Democrats and Republicans to address the subsidies both failed earlier this month.

On January 1st, the expiration will go into effect, but Congress won’t go back to work until January 5.

How many people will be affected by the expiration of the subsidies?

Approximately 2.2 million Americans are projected to lose healthcare coverage because of the increased cost, according to analysis from the Congressional Budget Office.

Former Biden administration official Hornung claimed that many more people are susceptible to higher healthcare costs.

“We’re talking about about 20 million or so Americans who are either on the state exchanges or the national exchanges, so that’s a significant issue,” Hornung said.

A food bank in Texas, with a picture of a Campbell soup can on the wall
Critics fear changes in 2026 will reduce accessibility to programmes like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food to low-income households]File: Kaylee Greenlee/Reuters]

What new work requirements does the federal food assistance program have?

There are new work requirements under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that help low-income households pay for groceries under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 64 must now work or participate in school or a training programme for at least 80 hours per month to remain eligible.

Beginning January 1, the policy applies to both new and renewal applicants.

Implementation dates for current SNAP recipients vary by state. Some states have already notified existing beneficiaries of the pending changes, while others will begin enforcement later. For instance, the new regulations are not anticipated to go into effect until March 2026 in New York.

The new regulations may put additional pressure on service-industry workers, many of whom have irregular schedules that prevent them from putting in 80 hours a month, according to Al Jazeera’s report.

How will inheritances be affected?

An expanded estate tax exemption is one of the changes. Individuals who inherit an estate less than $15 million are exempt from the federal estate tax under the new policy. For couples, that threshold is $30m.

Prior to the 2017 law, the maximum amount for untaxed estate heirs was $ 5.5 million ($7.2 million in 2025, inflation-adjusted) for individuals and $ 11 million ($14 million for couples).

Critics claim that significant generational wealth transfers are tax-free because of the higher thresholds. As a result of the new provision, fewer than 1 percent of taxpayers ever face the estate tax.

What changes will there be regarding deductions going forward?

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was passed during Trump’s first term, will become permanent on January 1. Many of these provisions benefit higher-income households.

Some businesses are able to deduct 20% of their qualifying income from federal taxes under one of the new 2017 provisions.

Additionally, the SALT deduction cap has been changed.

Typically, the federal government allows taxpayers to pay less in federal taxes if they can show they are paying a certain amount in income, sales and property taxes on the state and local levels.

However, there is a cap on how much of that reduction is. The SALT deduction cap increased from $10, 000 to $40, 000 after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed.

That cap will increase by 1 percent to $40, 400 for the 2026 tax year, with additional 1 percent increases through 2029.

Residents in high-taxing states like New York and California, according to opponents, will disproportionately benefit from those cap increases.

The OBBBA will increase the taxpayers’ standard deductions for 2026.

The standard deduction will increase by $350 for single filers, $700 for joint filers, and $525 for heads of households over the 2025 rates.

In comparison to last year, the deduction will increase modestly by $50 for those over 65.

Donald Trump rallies in front of a sign that reads,
On August 23, 2024, the then-presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks in Las Vegas, Nevada, using the slogan “No tax on tips.”

Are there any benefits for childcare?

Trump made reducing childcare costs a key campaign objective during his re-election bid for the year 2024.

Trump stated to the Economic Club of New York in 2024, “Childcare is childcare.” “It’s something you have to have in this country. You must possess it.

The child tax credit is anticipated to slightly increase as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

In 2026, parents can receive tax credits for up to 50 percent of their eligible childcare expenses.

However, one child’s qualifying expenses are set at $3, 000 and two or more at $6, 000. This is an increase from the current maximum of $2,200 per child for 2025.

What about Trump’s campaign promise, ‘ No tax on tips or overtime’?

There are already provisions in the tax code, including the repeal of both overtime and no federal income taxes, both of which are retroactive for income earned after January 1, 2025.

Taxes paid on eligible 2025 income will not be refunded on annual tax returns earned after 2026 and beyond.

Workers can deduct up to $25, 000 in cash tips, including those paid via credit and debit transactions.

Some tipped workers may benefit, but many on the lower income scale, especially those who work in the food service, will not benefit significantly.

The sector’s roughly two-thirds of its employees don’t make enough money per year to meet the $1,750 threshold for filing federal income taxes in 2026. The new law would ultimately not benefit them.

Workers are able to deduct up to $12,500 in overtime income from the company’s no-tax-on-overtime policy, though.

According to Saru Jayaraman, the founder of One Fair Wage, a nonprofit advocacy organization, “policies like “no tax on tips” or “no tax on overtime” do not address the main issue that millions of workers across the nation face, which is that wages are simply too low to begin with.

“A policy that keeps base wages low and unstable while offering tax relief many workers will never see does not solve the affordability crisis”.

If Congress doesn’t extend these tax exemptions, they will end in 2028, Trump’s final year in office, and they are not permanent.

Rob and Michele Reiner’s kids relying on ‘strong bond’ amid brutal murders

Jake and Romy, the last of Rob and Michele Reiner’s children, are said to be finding comfort in one another as they grieve their parents’ passing and their brother’s murder trial.

Rob and Michele Reiner’s children, Jake and Romy, are relying on their “strong bond” to help navigate their way through the brutal murders of their parents, according to pals. Rob and Michele were allegedly murdered by their son Nick following an evening out among friends.

Just hours prior to the fatal stabbing, Nick and Rob reportedly had a fight at the party, which Conan O’Brien, a host of chat show, hosted. According to American media reports, the frantic attack cut people’s throats.

Nick, who has a history of substance abuse over the years and has both been in and out of rehab, was present at the event because his parents reportedly feared what might happen if he was left alone. Their son is awaiting trial and has been charged with their murder.

Following the discovery of their beloved parents earlier this month in their LA mansion, Jake, 34, and Romy, 28, are said to be leaning on one another while grieving. Romy and Jake are still having their nightmares, according to a source.

After allegedly attending the property after a masseuse who was scheduled for an appointment said there was no answer at the door, Romy claims to have discovered her parents’ bodies. Romy is said to have “raised the alarm” with police.

The source continued to tell PEOPLE magazine: “There is a lot more to be done, but they’ve been surrounded by loved ones and support in all forms, and that will continue. Romy and Jake have been close since they were young. That strong bond has really helped them in the last two weeks.”

The couple have been attempting to inject a certain amount of “normalcy” in an effort to avoid suffering from depression, according to the family friend. So the siblings have been running errands and going for walks, but they are all still finding it difficult.

Nick is currently being held in Los Angeles’ Twin Towers Correctional Facility. He is reportedly receiving schizophrenia treatment. According to the couple’s official cause of death, “multiple sharp force injuries” were the result of “multiple sharp force injuries” brought on by the use of a knife.

And it was recognized as a murder when their death was finalized. The siblings’ joint statement, which was released shortly after their parents’ passing, stated that words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are going through each day.

No one should ever go through the gruesome and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, according to the statement. They were our closest friends, not just our parents. We are appreciative of the kindness, condolences, and support that our loved ones and friends have extended to us across the globe.

We now ask for respect and privacy, tolerance for speculation, and the reverence of our parents for the extraordinary lives they led and the love they shared, as Jake and Romy put it.

Billy Crystal, an actor who played the lead role in Rob’s 1989 film When Harry Met Sally, and Rob and Michele were well-known in Hollywood. Jake and Romy’s representatives also stated in a statement that “remained appreciative of the outpouring of love and support they have received.”

They continued, “They will inform me of a later information sharing about a memorial service in their parents.” Nick’s addiction battle reportedly involved at least 18 visits to rehab.

Alan Jackson, Nick’s defense attorney, stated to TMZ that “every inmate must be medically cleared before they can be taken to court.” He has not received medical clearance; it is merely a procedural problem.

Continue reading the article.