Great Britain’s Matt Weston kicked off his skeleton World Cup campaign in perfect fashion by winning Friday’s opening race of the season in Cortina.
The 28-year-old finished 0.15 seconds ahead of Austria’s Samuel Maier in Italy after the two runs to earn his 10th World Cup gold medal.
Later on Friday, British pair Tabby Stoecker and Marcus Wyatt triumphed in the team race with a combined time of two minutes 1.23 seconds.
That left them five hundredths of a second clear of Germany’s Jacqueline Pfeifer and Axel Jungk and two tenths ahead of Austria’s Janine Flock and Maier at the venue which will host February’s Olympic Winter Games.
Stoecker, who was fifth in the women’s event just prior to the team competition, was the fastest woman in the race in a time of one minute 1.31 seconds, while Wyatt was just ninth hundredths from the fastest men’s time of the night in 59.92 seconds.
Earlier, Weston’s start times of 4.78 and 4.76 seconds were only 24th and 18th quickest in the pack, leaving him with a struggle to make the podium.
But two-time world champion Weston made up the deficit through the 16-corner track, to win with a time of one minute 53.84 seconds and claim his 21st podium finish in his past 25 races.
A hamstring injury meant Weston missed a pre-season training camp in Norway.
“I’m not able to push at anywhere near my usual pace but I feel like I’ve really clicked with the track and that showed”, said Weston.
“To start 24th and then 18th but still get the win proves that my sliding was on point, even though I’ve missed out on a lot of ice time because of the injury.
” It’s been an incredible two or three weeks here – it’s an amazing venue and a really interesting track – and I’m already looking forward to trying to match today’s result when we come back for the big one, “said Weston.
” I know that this result won’t mean anything come the Olympics but it’s a great way to start the season and it will definitely give me confidence when we come back here in February. “
After its former leader was accused of undermining the 1995 Dayton Peace Accords, the autonomous division of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Republika Srpska is holding a ponzily held presidential election. Alma Milisic from Al Jazeera explains why the results of this tiny region’s vote matter.
Made in Chelsea star Yasmine Zweggers and her new boyfriend, Wimbledon doubles champion Julian Cash, were also present at a London fashion show at which her ex-boyfriend Sam Prince also attended.
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Yasmine almost nearly ran into her ex-boyfriend.
Yasmine Zweggers, a Made in Chelsea actress, and Julian Cash, her new boyfriend, had a difficult relationship with Sam Prince, her ex. The trio had been present at the FW25 Collection launch. The Boundary in Shoreditch hosted the event on Thursday evening in partnership with Altamura Distilleries Vodka.
The 26-year-old reality star, who formally dated the Wimbledon doubles champion last month, looked effortlessly stylish as she showed off her toned midriff in a cropped lace top.
She completed her look with loose black trousers and kept cosy in a bomber jacket from Blauer. Julian, 29, also opted for a chic black ensemble, which he paired with a brown leather jacket from the brand. Sam, who was in a relationship with Yasmine for two years, split from her last November.
He attended the VIP event with his mate and internet personality David Temple, also known as Temps, and they enjoyed a glass of champagne together. Despite only going public with their relationship last month, Yasmine’s Instagram is filled with photos of her and Julian dating back to when she watched his doubles final in the summer.
Yasmine proudly revealed their relationship after winning at the All England Lawn Tennis &, Croquet Club, where he later shared photos of them together. Since then, the couple has taken a number of vacations, most recently taking a 24-hour romantic trip to Vienna.
At the US Open in August, Yasmine and his doubles partner Lloyd Glasspool were unsurprisingly knocked out in the first round. Julian and Lloyd became the first all-British pair to win the men’s doubles title in nearly 90 years after winning it at Wimbledon. They have also made history this summer.
When Pat Hughes and Raymond Tuckey won the trophy in 1936 and Fred Perry was declared Wimbledon champion, the last two Brits to win the title were when. In 83 minutes on Centre Court, the duo won their first Grand Slam title against Australian Rinky Hijikata and Dutchman David Pel 6-2, 7-6.
After a year-long romance, Yasmine split from her ex, Sam, according to the Daily Mail in November. The two people kept friendly relations throughout the separation. After the couple released their podcast All Things Delicious in February, their relationship ended with this breakup.
After Sam’s split from Inga Valentiner, a former cast member, was heartbroken by the betrayal, and eventually left the E4 series, viewers watched him reconnect with Yasmine on Made In Chelsea.
Sam and Yasmine’s romance quickly turned serious, with the couple focusing on their hobbies, including producing podcast episodes and documentaries. The duo also made hints that things were going well and getting serious before the breakup news.
Sam and Yasmine reportedly broke up a month ago, according to a source. They continue to be close friends despite their differences. The couple cherished their relationship even though their initial phase was complicated, and they really value working together and taking breaks. However, they have changed their focus from their All Things Delicious podcast to their individual projects and work.
Before it even started to air on television, Sam gushed about his romance with Yasmine in the spring of the 27th season of Made in Chelsea, even mentioning that he might experience wedding bells in the future.
We frequently discuss marriage and children; it’s not scary anymore; it’s exciting. We were far from those conversations after Corsic. We were far from those conversations, he claimed, even after Sydney.
Less than 24 hours after splitting from Inga, Sam, the owner of Bellr House Plants, engaged in a romantic relationship with Yasmine. Sam quickly moved onto Yasmine during the same holiday after their bitter split was revealed on camera for the reality series in Corsica.
As international donors turn away from humanitarian aid, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will drastically reduce its operations in 2026, cutting almost one-fifth of its annual budget and causing 2,900 jobs.
In a statement released on Friday, ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric said, “We are facing a dangerous convergence of escalating armed conflicts, significant cuts to aid funding, and a systemic tolerance for grave violations of international humanitarian law.”
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The organization acknowledged that its spending will decrease by $2.2 billion and that a “financial crisis of unprecedented proportions” is roiling the aid industry.
The United States is still the ICRC’s largest donor, a spokesperson said, reflecting funding declines from other traditional backers like the United Kingdom and Germany, but the organization has decreased its contributions this year.
Spoljaric reaffirmed that “the ICRC is still committed to working on the front lines of conflict where few others can operate,” but that “the financial reality is compelled to make difficult decisions to ensure we can continue to provide essential humanitarian assistance to those who need it most.”
As conflict, displacement, and need continue to rise, humanitarian organizations are forced to use their budgets to fund defense and security.
America First
Under President Donald Trump, whose “America First” agenda has changed spending priorities, Washington has recently changed its approach to foreign aid.
The Geneva-based organization underwent one of its most significant restructurings in decades as a result of the combined cuts. The ICRC was established in Geneva in 1863, where the job losses totaled roughly 15% of its 18,500-strong workforce.
To keep its main objective in mind, the organization announced the merger of departments, simplified management, and concentrated on front-line conflict operations. The ICRC vowed to keep operating in Sudan, Ukraine, Israel, Palestinian territory occupied by Israel, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in spite of the reduced budget.
Around a third of staffing reductions are due to voluntary departures or unfilled positions.
After speaking with US Vice President JD Vance, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine agreed to work with the US and Europe to create a peace plan with Russia. Prior to this, he told the nation that a US proposal that offers significant concessions to Russia is in its most difficult phase.
A friend said that Adam Peaty has a broken relationship with his family but is still “very close” to his sister Bethany, who is Holly Ramsay’s bridesmaid in the couple’s upcoming wedding.
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Adam Peaty has fallen out with his family(Image: Getty Images)
Adam Peaty has admitted he feels “hurt” by the ongoing drama with his family following news that his mother is no longer invited to his wedding with Holly Ramsay this Christmas.
The Olympic swimmer, 30, and Gordon Ramsay’s daughter, 25, are set to tie the knot in just over a month – and after being at the centre of speculation for weeks, Adam issued a statement this week, urging people to keep in mind that “there are always two sides to every story.”
His sister Bethany, who is also one of Holly’s bridesmaids, is the only other family member who is currently expected to attend his upcoming nuptials. According to a friend close to the family, Bethany is “really taken with the celebrity lifestyle,” the two siblings are “very close.”
“She’s had her head turned by all the glitz and glamour,” the pal told The Sun. “She was over the moon to be at the hen party, hanging out with Victoria Beckham and couldn’t wait to tell all her friends about it.”
The unnamed friend added that Bethany “really fits in with the glam world” and that she “got on with Holly straight away.” According to the newspaper, Bethany and Adam have also bonded over the common experience of being parents.
Bethany is a young mother, and Adam and his ex-girlfriend Eiri Munro have a five-year-old son. According to the insider, this “has brought them closer than ever.”
Additionally, it has been claimed that Adam was once “close to his brothers,” especially James Peaty, but “something happened a number of years ago” and “sparked the first fallout.” The family friend continued, “This time feels different than it has been in the family in the past, despite there having been fallouts in the family.”
Adam issued a statement on behalf of himself, his sister, and his soon-to-be wife this week breaking his silence on the rift in the family. He accused his family of “encouraging” false allegations about him and his fiancee in the statement.
He wrote, “Over the past few days, many reports and comments have been made about Holly and I’s private lives,” he continued. Bethany, my sister, has also been targeted. This has been largely unilateral and intrusive in many cases.
Reading it has been deeply unsettling and upsetting, especially given the false foundation we have been targeted on. Members of my family have encouraged it, which makes it worse.
Given the ongoing police investigation into serious matters that emerged before recent events, he continued, “Bethany, Holly, and I cannot go into detail.” For those of you who have met me personally, you are aware of how diligently I work to develop my abilities in order to improve the world.
Even in these trying times, I am continuing to learn about myself and how to become the man I want to be: a respectable partner, father, businessman, friend, and athlete. We don’t ask for sympathy; instead, Bethany, Holly, and I will get through this. Simply put, we need people to realize that every story has a different storyline.
Thank you to those of you who have shown kindness and understanding. It is greatly appreciated. Holly also shared the post with her 400,000 followers on social media.
Only 14 days prior to the family feud, Louise Williams, Holly’s aunt, criticised him for refusing to invite his mother to her hen do. Caroline eventually came out and stated that she had been struggling, but that she would never forgive her son.
She said, “I know it’s the end,” in a direct message to Adam. However, I ask that regardless of what happens in the future, Adam know that I love you, that your father loves you, and that we can talk to each other whenever we want to.
“I wouldn’t forgive you for anything you’ve done,” he said. I’m so in love with you. I sincerely hope you and your spouse are happy. You and Holly should have a long and happy marriage, and I don’t want anyone to hurt you. I want everything to end, so I’m speaking out.
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Caroline claimed that her son is “in Gordon’s clutches” and that the Ramsays were very “insular” in the same interview. She continued, “I can’t help but feel like they are pulling him away from me.” Their culture is very closed off.
