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LeBron James reveals ‘Second Decision’ – and it’s not retirement

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Michael Short

BBC Sport Senior Journalist
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He is arguably basketball’s greatest ever player.

But before his 23rd season in the NBA, LeBron James heightened speculation about his future with a cryptic post on his social media channels that teased a “Second Decision”.

A video showed him sitting down across from another man on a basketball court, with the caption: “The decision of all decisions. October 7th. 12pm EST.” By Tuesday it had amassed more than 1.3 million ‘likes’ on Instagram.

Was James about to retire?

It appears not – at 15:31 BST on Tuesday he shared with his 158 million Instagram followers a video revealing “the Second Decision” as a promotion for a drinks brand.

The teaser video shared on Monday had echoed what became known as “The Decision” in 2010 – when in a televised announcement, from a gym, James revealed he was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat.

James turns 41 in December and has already made plenty of history in the game.

Last season he became the first player in NBA history to score 50,000 combined points across regular season and play-off games.

In April 2025 his influence beyond sport was shown when he became the first professional male athlete to be honoured as a Ken doll by Barbie makers Mattel.

In the NBA, no other player has made it to a 23rd season.

Since being drafted first overall by hometown team the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, switching to the Heat in 2010 and then joining the Lakers in 2018, James has won four league titles and broken a host of records.

One record came after his son Bronny was drafted by the Lakers in 2024 and they became the first father-son duo to share the court in an NBA game.

Last week the 6ft 9in superstar insisted he was “excited about the opportunity to be able to play the game that I love for another season”.

“The thing still pushing me is the fact that my love for the game is still high,” he added.

Some suspected “The Second Decision” would not be a retirement announcement.

With a string of investments and off-court ventures in tow, many of those engaging with the teaser on Instagram and X predicted James would be making a promotional announcement for one such vehicle.

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    Didier Drogba, wearing a black gap, loose white shirt and black shirts, crouches down as he poses in front of a black powerboat with light blue detailing which has the slogan Team Drogba on its prow. In a marina setting, several other boats, including one very large superyacht, can be seen in the background
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    • 29 June
    LeBron James celebrating during a play-off game against Minnesota Timberwolves in April.

Arsenal consider Wembley move to enable Emirates Stadium expansion

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Alex Howell

Arsenal reporter

Arsenal have held internal discussions about expanding the capacity of Emirates Stadium.

The talks are still at an early stage with no favoured plan on how to move forward decided yet, but the possibility of home matches being played at Wembley Stadium if work was to take place has been discussed.

The Gunners played Champions League matches at the old Wembley Stadium in both the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons.

Rivals Tottenham played Champions League matches at the current Wembley in 2016-17, before playing all of their ‘home’ fixtures at Wembley in 2017-18 and most of 2018-19 while their new stadium was completed.

Next year will mark 20 years since the Gunners moved to the Emirates from Highbury.

It is understood talks have involved the possibility of changing the seating plan in order to add thousands of seats as the Gunners look to keep pace with the largest stadiums in the country.

With a capacity of 60,704, Arsenal have the fifth-largest stadium among English football clubs.

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Italy-Israel World Cup tie faces security concerns amid protests

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Israel’s World Cup qualifying match in Italy next week is expected to attract more pro-Palestinian protesters outside the football stadium in Udine than ticket-holding spectators inside the arena.

Protesters already approached the gates of Italy’s training centre in Florence last week to demand that the match not be played because of the war in Gaza — part of a national strike that saw millions of activists take to the streets.

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“It’s not going to be a calm environment,” Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso acknowledged Tuesday from inside the Coverciano training centre that was targeted. “There will be 10,000 people outside the stadium and 5-6,000 inside the stadium.”

As of Monday, only 4,000 tickets were sold for next Tuesday’s match at Stadio Friuli.

While UEFA had been considering suspending Israel over the war and Udine Mayor Alberto Felice De Toni had called for the game to be postponed, with Italy desperately attempting to avoid failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, the four-time champion team doesn’t plan to risk not playing.

“We have to play this match. Because if we don’t, we’ll lose it 3-0,” Gattuso said, referring to the rule for forfeited matches. “[Italian Football Federation] president [Gabriele] Gravina explained that very well.”

There was also tension on the field between the two squads after the final whistle when Italy edged Israel 5-4 in a nine-goal thriller last month in neutral Hungary — where Israel has been playing its “home” matches during the war.

The protesters in Italy and elsewhere have also been reacting to an international aid mission blocked by Israeli forces.

“It’s upsetting to see what’s happening to innocent people and children,” Gattuso said. “It hurts your heart.”

Italy and Israel are level six points behind group leader Norway, with only the first-place finisher in the group to qualify directly for next year’s tournament in North America.

The second-place finishers progress to a playoff — the stage where Italy was eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia and ruled out of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively.

“Considering that we’re trying to get to the World Cup and we need to give our absolute all, I’m sure you can understand that I would have preferred to play a home game with the enthusiasm that we saw in Bergamo a month ago,” Gattuso said, referring to a 5-0 win over Estonia.

Israel could also face protests during a visit to Norway on Saturday.

The Norwegian soccer federation pledged to give its profits from ticket sales for the game in Oslo to humanitarian work in Gaza by Doctors Without Borders (known by its French acronym, MSF).

Italy played Israel in Udine last October in the Nations League. That game went off without incident amid a heavy police presence and despite a pro-Palestinian demonstration before the game. Italy won 4-1.

Gardeners praise ‘very little effort’ pruners that are ideal for weaker hands

By in Entertainment News, News

We’ve found the perfect pair of secateurs suited to gardeners and green-thumbed enthusiasts who struggle to find the strength needed for certain pruning jobs – and right now, they’re on sale

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With summer well and truly over, it’s time to start thinking about preparing gardens and outdoor spaces for the winter months ahead. A spot of preparation now can save a heap of effort come spring, while helping to protect everything from plants to patio furniture.

One expert suggests that if your outdoor space is compact, you’ll only need a handful of essential items.

Speaking exclusively to the Express.co.uk, Norwegian gardening guru Didrik Dimmen from Auk reveals: “In my experience, starting with a hand trowel and fork is ideal for dividing perennials and planting bulbs, especially in small spaces or containers. For pruning, a sharp pair of secateurs is always invaluable. Making precise cuts helps prepare plants for dormancy through the winter.”

For anyone who finds the strength needed for certain pruning jobs challenging, we’ve discovered these Votrek garden secateurs from Amazon, reports the Express.

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They’re specifically designed for those dealing with stiffness or arthritis in their hands. What’s more, they’re currently slashed from £25.98 to £19.99.

According to the manufacturer, the Votrek arthritis-friendly secateurs, available in green, orange and black, boast an ergonomic design that cuts down on the grip force needed to make cuts. The handles are padded and contoured for comfort, helping to reduce strain. The blade is angled to require less effort, meaning gardeners don’t need to squeeze quite so firmly.

They also feature a ratchet mechanism, enabling users to make cuts in stages – particularly handy for tougher stems. One chuffed customer penned: “The handles are comfortable and easy to squeeze, requiring very little effort compared to standard pruners. The blades are sharp and cut cleanly through stems and small branches without crushing them. They feel sturdy, well-made, and lightweight, making them easy to use for longer gardening sessions.”

Another shopper noted: “Bought these as my hands don’t have the strength to snip off the pruning anymore, and these have allowed me to carry on more easily.”

A third chimed in that the orange hue of this pair was a draw and “make them stand out so they are easier to see when you put them down, and there is a wrist strap already attached if you need it.”

One reviewer mentioned that while they considered them “decent quality,” they questioned the sharpness for the toughest jobs: “The blade isn’t as sharp as it could be…for heavy-duty jobs, I would suggest sharpening it some more.”

According to Didrik, pruning is one of the most vital tasks a thoughtful gardener can undertake. He asserts: “Pruning is essential for keeping plants healthy and encouraging strong growth. It can often be overlooked, but if you prune little and regularly, it can be very low maintenance and make a huge difference.

“Winter is all about tidying and protecting rather than heavy pruning. Start with sharp clean tools and remove anything dead or diseased. It’s important to avoid cutting the top flat and keep the base of the shrub wider so sunlight can reach the lower branches so that you don’t end up with bare, leggy stems.

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“Tender plants such as fuchsias, pelargoniums or salvias shouldn’t be pruned too much now as fresh growth can be vulnerable to frost. It’s best to leave them with some top growth for protection and do the harder prune in spring.”

German mayor-elect gravely wounded in stabbing attack

By in News, World News

Published On 7 Oct 2025

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A newly elected mayor in western Germany has been critically injured in a stabbing attack, according to German media reports.

Iris Stalzer, the 57-year-old mayor-elect of the North Rhine-Westphalia town of Herdecke, was stabbed in front of her home about noon (10:00 GMT) on Tuesday, leaving her with life-threatening injuries, Germany’s WDR broadcaster reported, quoting local police.

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Prosecutors and police said in a joint statement their inquiry was looking into every possibility.

“Close family involvement cannot be ruled out at the present time,” they said.

DPA news agency reported that her son and daughter, aged 15 and 17, had been taken in for questioning. Stalzer was airlifted to hospital and was still in intensive care, the authorities’ statement said.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the “heinous attack” and called for a swift investigation.

“We fear for the life of the designated mayor, Iris Stalzer, and hope for her full recovery,” he wrote in a post on X.

Stalzer’s teenage son told authorities his mother had been attacked by several men, Germany’s Bild newspaper reported.

The police and prosecution statement did not address the content of the media reports.

Stalzer, a member of the centre-left Social Democratic Party, was elected mayor of the town of 22,000 people in the eastern Ruhr area on September 28.

The attack came after a regionwide campaign that politicians in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s largest state, described as unusually hostile.

A recent study found 60 percent of politicians in Germany had experienced violence at least once, with one in five saying it had made them more reluctant to appear in public.

In 2019, a conservative district government president in the state of Hesse, Walter Luebcke, a supporter of then-Chancellor Angela Merkel’s refugee policy, was shot dead by a far-right activist on his home terrace.

Strictly’s Pete Wicks addresses ‘hardest thing’ as he plots ‘disappearance’ away from TV

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Pete Wicks, best known for his performances on Strictly Come Dancing after rising to fame on The Only Way Is Essex, shared the revelation while opening up about his love of dogs

Pete Wicks has shared his ultimate “goal in life” to “disappear into nothingness”. This revelation came during a recent interview promoting the second series of his U&W show, Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake, where he collaborates with the dedicated staff from the national dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust.

Throughout the course of the show, Pete met numerous adorable dogs, each one capturing his heart. When asked how he resists the urge to take these pooches home, the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant revealed his life goal.

Opening up to TV Times, Pete (who recently spoke out about a question he’s often asked that annoys him) confessed: “It’s the hardest thing, and my goal in life is to buy land and just disappear into nothingness surrounded by dogs. I prefer dogs to people!”.

He went on to say: “But I already have my two rescues (French bulldogs Eric and Peggy) who’ve both had traumatic experiences and are getting on, so it wouldn’t be right to bring in another dog, as much as I want to.”

He also mentioned that some members of their film crew are adopting dogs again in this series.

Filmed at the charity’s rehoming centre in Basildon, the show is set to return for two more series and a Christmas special following the success of its initial run earlier this year.

In May, Pete shared an update with fans about the show, saying he was in the “thick of it filming”, adding that he “couldn’t be happier” and that it had been “full of tears and laughter”.

Fast forward to October, Pete excitedly announced “We are BACK!” giving fans a “one week warning” for the show’s return on Monday, October 13.

He added: “On a personal note, I am so proud and so excited for you all to see what I have been doing for the past 6 months working with @dogstrust and all the amazing staff there, this show is more than work, it’s my passion so your support would mean everything! So go follow @petewicksfordogssake and tell me what you think!”.

Pete’s former Strictly dance partner, Jowita Przystal, also showed her support for his project (she’s reportedly been doing work for the charity too), urging fans to follow him and expressing her excitement for the new series.

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This follows Pete’s recent revelation about his on-stage kiss with Jowita at London’s O2 Arena during a live version of his and close mate Sam Thompson’s Staying Relevant podcast.

Reacting to a fan’s description of the kiss as “aggressive”, Sam clarified: “It wasn’t an aggressive kiss, though. I feel like it was quite like a… choreo…by the way, it was choreography, that kiss. I think we should put that out there right now.”