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WCQ: Fiorentina Striker Drops Out Of Italy Squad

By in News, sport-news

Moise Kean will miss Italy’s key World Cup qualifier against Israel after failing to recover from an ankle injury, the country’s football federation said on Monday.

“Tests carried out this morning showed that the Fiorentina attacker hasn’t fully recovered from the injury suffered to his right ankle during Saturday’s match with Estonia,” the FIGC said.

Kean’s absence is a blow for Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso as the 25-year-old has scored six times in his last four matches for his country, including the opening goal in the 3-1 win over Estonia over the weekend.

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Italy’s forward #11 Moise Kean (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I European qualification football match Estonia vs Italy in Tallinn, Estonia on October 11, 2025. (Photo by RAIGO PAJULA / AFP) / ALTERNATE CROP

Kean netted in the fifth minute of the Group I fixture in Tallinn but had to be replaced by Pio Esposito shortly afterwards due to an awkward fall which caused an ankle sprain.

Italy sit second in the five-team group, six points behind leaders Norway and three ahead of third-placed Israel with a game in hand on both.

A win in Udine on Tuesday will secure Italy at least second place and a spot in the play-offs, with only first giving direct qualification for next year’s finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

However Italy, who have three fixtures left to play, would need Norway to slip up against Estonia next month to have any realistic chance of finishing top, due to the huge gap in goal difference between the Azzurri and Erling Haaland and company.

(FILES) In this file photo taken on April 16, 2019 Juventus’ Italian forward Moise Kean (L) and Juventus’ Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo go for a header during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg football match Juventus vs Ajax Amsterdam on April 16, 2019 at the Juventus stadium in Turin. (Photo by Isabella BONOTTO / AFP)

Italy host Norway in their final group fixture, at the San Siro on November 16.

Tuesday’s match has been overshadowed by the prospect of a pro-Palestinian demonstration, with as many as 10,000 people expected to take part in a march through Udine in protest at the staging of the fixture.

The demonstrations will be in response to Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip, which was sparked by the attack by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, on nearby Israeli communities.

During massive strike action in support of the Palestinians earlier this month, demonstrators went to the Italian national team’s training centre in Florence to demand the match be called off.

‘Inhumane’: 154 freed Palestinian prisoners forced into exile by Israel

By in News, World News

Families of many of the Palestinian prisoners being released by Israel under an exchange deal say their long-awaited freedom is bittersweet after they learned their loved ones would be deported to third countries.

At least 154 Palestinian prisoners being freed on Monday as part of the swap for Israeli captives held in Gaza will be forced into exile by Israel, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office said.

Those to be deported are among a larger group of Palestinians being released by Israel – 250 people held in Israeli prisons along with about 1,700 Palestinians seized from the Gaza Strip during two years of Israel’s war, many of whom were “forcibly disappeared”, according to the United Nations. For its part, Hamas and other Palestinian groups released 20 Israeli captives under a Gaza ceasefire agreement.

There are no details yet about where the freed Palestinians will be sent, but in a previous prisoner release in January, dozens of detainees were deported to countries in the region, including Tunisia, Algeria and Turkiye.

Observers said the forced exile illegally breaches the citizenship rights of the released prisoners and is a demonstration of the double standards surrounding the exchange deals.

“It goes without saying it’s illegal,” Tamer Qarmout, associate professor in public policy at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, told Al Jazeera.

“It is illegal because these are citizens of Palestine. They have no other citizenships. They’re out of a small prison, but they’re sent to a bigger prison, away from their society, to new countries in which they will face major restrictions. It’s inhumane.”

Families shocked by deportations

Speaking to Al Jazeera in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, relatives of Palestinian prisoner Muhammad Imran said they were shocked to learn he was among those Israel had decided to force into exile.

Raed Imran said the family had previously received a call from an Israeli intelligence officer, confirming that his brother, 43, would be released home and asking where he would stay on his release.

But on Monday, the family was dismayed to learn that Muhammad, who was arrested in December 2022 and sentenced to 13 life terms, would be deported.

“Today’s news was a shock, but we are still waiting. Maybe we’ll get to see him somehow,” Imran said. “What matters is that he is released, here or abroad.”

The exile means his family might be unable to travel overseas to meet him due to Israel’s control of the borders.

“We might be looking at families who will be seeing their loved ones deported and exiled out of Palestine but have no way of seeing them,” said Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim, who has reported extensively from the occupied West Bank.

‘A win-win for Israel’

According to Qarmout, the deportations are intended to deprive Hamas and other Palestinian groups of being able to claim any symbolic win from the exchange and to remove the deported prisoners from any involvement in political or other activities.

“Exile means the end of their political future,” he said. “In the countries they go to, they will face extreme constraints, so they will not be able to be active in any front related to the conflict.”

He said the deportations amounted to forcible displacement of the released prisoners and collective punishment for their families, who would either be separated from their exiled loved ones or forced to leave their homeland if they were permitted by Israel to travel to join them.

“It’s a win-win for Israel,” he said, contrasting their experiences to those of the released Israeli captives, who will be able to resume their lives in Israel.

“It’s more double standards and hypocrisy,” he said.

Katie Price fans shocked after startling video shows dramatic weight loss

By in Entertainment News, News

Katie Price is looking noticeably slimmer as the former glamour model says she continues to go for hospital check-ups due to not knowing why she is losing weight

Slimline Katie Price flaunted her new frame s fans continue to raise concerns over her dramatic weight loss.

The mum-of-five has been shifting the pounds this year, saying it’s something she really wanted to do. But Katie has raised eyebrows among her followers after showcasing her noticeably leaner appearance on social media, with many expressing worry for her well-being.

She paraded her look on as she linked up with JYY London, the fashion brand are working with the star and she was looking good in their gold button jeans. The move came days after facing a major financial setback in court. The 46-year-old to lose almost half of her monthly income from multiple companies to pay off creditors after a judge said she must reduce her “extravagant pattern of expenditure”.

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Since her transformation, she’s been questioned about whether she’s been using Ozempic injections or similar treatments to achieve her appearance, which she has repeatedly denied. Although some people use Ozempic to aid weight loss, it is not licensed for this and should only be used by people with diabetes to aid their symptoms.

The Pricey, who has admitted she suffers from body dysmorphia, has previously sparked concern among her legion of loyal fans when she rocked up to sing at a Pride event in Portsmouth, sporting a tiny black thong leotard, fishnet tights, ankle boots and a sparkly crown with ‘Pricey’ encrusted on it in pink diamonds as the glamour icon belted out her favourite songs.

Katie spoke candidly about her weight loss last month after fans expressed their concern over her appearance. Admitting that she had lost weight because she wanted to, she said on Rob Moore’s Disruptors podcast: “Yes I’ve lost weight. Yes that what I’ve wanted to do, I’ve wanted to lose weight.”

Explaining why she felt she needed to drop a dress size, she continued: “Because the past three, four years ago when I broke my feet and I was in a wheelchair for 10 months because they said I’d never walk again, and obviously you put weight on being in a wheelchair.

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“And then I did all the IVF stuff, that also puts on weight. So yeah I did put on weight and I hated it, I felt uncomfortable and it wasn’t me. Now I’ve gone back, now the IVF that’s all come out, and I’m more active because I could do more because of my feet, and I’m horse riding again, then naturally, I’m going back athletic again.”

However, some fans aren’t convinced and begged the self-confessed surgery addict to leave herself alone, insisting Katie is ‘naturally beautiful’ and ‘doesn’t need anything’. They urged her too look after herself after a

The former glamour model was first declared bankrupt in 2019 and again last year. Both bankruptcies have since been discharged, but she remains the subject of a court order known as an income payments order (IPO) – meaning she must pay 40 per cent of her monthly income from several companies to the trustee of her bankruptcies until February 2027.

On Thursday, barristers for the trustee asked a specialist bankruptcy court to make a second IPO, which would see a further 10 companies pay 40% of Ms Price’s monthly income to the trustee for three years. The companies include media and entertainment firms, and the partnership which acts as Ms Price’s agent.

Neither the former I’m A Celebrity star nor any of the 10 companies were in attendance or represented at the hearing. But Deputy Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Stephen Baister said Ms Price had “every opportunity to appear and to make representations”.

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Making the second IPO, he said: “The bankrupt’s expenditure seems to have exceeded her income, but that is only because she has adopted an extravagant pattern of expenditure, that of course she is now going to have to trim somewhat.”

Strictly star’s partner urges fans to be ‘respectful’ after curse rumours grow

By in Entertainment News, News

One Strictly Come Dancing star’s partner has fought back against fans’ claims about the BBC show’s infamous ‘curse’ as many praise the bond between a pro-dancer and celeb

Fans have been praising the bond between Strictly Come Dancing’s Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin. But as fans start to mention the infamous ‘Strictly curse’, Nikita’s girlfriend Lauren Jaine has fought back and urged fans to “be respectful”.

Amber, 29, who joined the show late after Dani Dyer was forced to quit, has grown very close to Nikita. Fans noticed their tight bond after the musical theatre actress posted a video of Nikita bringing her flowers and a balloon to celebrate her birthday.

When fans started to wonder if Amber’s already close friendship with Nikita would lead to something more, Lauren posted a video to TikTok where she defended the couple and begged fans to be more respectful.

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In the video, Lauren films herself swiping across the screen with the words “me watching all the cute tiktoks of all the strictly couples” written over it. She then frowns as the words change to “comments saying ‘I hope they get the strictly curse'”. In the caption, she wrote: “Please be respectful to the real-life partners and let them have a good experience of the show too.”

Amber hopped in the comments to say she was happy to be partnered with Nikita because it meant she met Lauren. “Genuinely so happy I got paired with Nikita because I met YOUUUU,” she wrote.

She also told The Sun: “I’ve met Nikita’s girlfriend. I love her, she’s so supportive, so easy-going. She met Ben [Joyce, her boyfriend] and my sister too. It was lovely.”

Nikita and Lauren have been dating for two years. Meanwhile, Amber has been dating her boyfriend Ben Joyce since 2022, when they were both cast in Back To The Future: The Musical.

Amber’s musical theatre training has caused some fans to criticise her place on the show. Some wondered if it was “fair” for somneone with extensive experience with shows that require dance to compete alongside absolute beginners. Speaking on This Morning, Amber defended herself by saying she’s never done ballroom before.

“The ballroom and Latin community know that musical theatre is worlds apart [from ballroom dancing],” she said. Later, she added: “I do understand where they come from, because I can perform.

“But, there’s a great example. Yesterday we were doing our American Smooth, and even just walking left right, left right, brought me to tears. It’s so much more complicated than you can imagine.”

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A source told The Sun that how hard Amber has to work on the show has become her primary focus, but that even if it wasn’t, the Strictly curse would not be an issue as she and Ben are “madly in love”.

“She’s told friends she’s not getting ahead of herself and is taking it one week at a time. She’s madly in love with Ben and he’s totally behind her. They’re both performers and know how to shut out the noise.”

Vernon Kay sparks shock as he shares ‘stolen’ item he keeps at home with Tess Daly

By in Entertainment News, News

BBC Radio 2 host Vernon Kay said the unusual item is proudly displayed at the family home he shares with his wife, Strictly Come Dancing’s Tess Daly

Vernon Kay has left his BBC Radio 2 colleague Scott Mills stunned after admitting to “stealing” a rather special trophy. During a chat about awards on Monday, the 51-year-old couldn’t help but reveal an amusing anecdote from his T4 presenting days.

Looking back on that era, he said live on the airwaves: “June Sarpong and I, back in the day on T4, hosted many awards. If it was a case of ‘Unfortunately [an] artist can’t be with us that night, but we’ve got a video’, June and I would sometimes walk off with the award, which would end up in our dressing room – and now some of them are on a shelf at home.”

Intrigued to discover which gongs he’d acquired, Scott pushed him to name the artists, but Vernon remained tight-lipped at first. “I can’t say… there’s a few,” he confessed. Keen for more information however, Scott persisted: “Is there? Like a T4 on the Beach award?”

Vernon then disclosed: “No, I’ve got a World Music Hall of Fame award.” In response, Scott exclaimed: “No way!”

Shedding more light on who he was referring to, Vernon mimicked Michael Jackson’s iconic “hee-hee” sound. Stunned, went on to ask if the trophy resided in his house, to which he confirmed: “Yes! Yeah, I’ve got quite a few.”

Quizzed further about whether his wife, Strictly Come Dancing host Tess Daly, was aware of the collection, he continued to confirm that they were on full display.

“The record company aren’t bothered, do you know what I mean? They’re like, ‘Yeah, whatever, it’s been made at Trophy’s Direct anyway, so no big deal,” he added. Vernon went on to ask if Scott remembered a shop that was known for replicating “smash hit” trophies.

“I do, you got some of them? Newcomer 1998,” Scott quipped. “They’re all legitimate awards, but I’ll be honest, not many,” Vernon admitted.

Scott then introduced his co-star with a playful jab: “And now on Radio 2, the man who nicked one of Michael Jackson’s awards… it’s Vernon Kay.”

Vernon chuckled: “I borrowed it! If the estate wants it back, they’re more than welcome.”

This light-hearted exchange comes after Vernon recently confessed to causing DIY disasters at his family home.

The former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star, who shares two daughters with Tess, revealed that his botched attempts at home improvements had cost them “a fortune” to fix.

His confession came during another on-air chat with Scott, who jokingly asked if Vernon could sort out a couple of shelves for him.

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“Oh, you do not want me around your place, trust me,” he responded. “Strictly Come Dancing’s Tess Daly spent a fortune repairing what I’ve damaged.”

When Scott suggested Vernon could host his own renovation show, he humorously suggested the perfect title: “I wreck it, you fix it.”

What is lucrative Six Kings Slam & who is playing?

By in News, Sports News

Five of the world’s top 10 men’s players will compete at a lucrative exhibition event in Saudi Arabia this week.

There is a reported $4.5m (£3.4m) in prize money on offer at the Six Kings Slam, with some players also likely to have been paid seven-figure sums to appear.

Reports say the winner could take home up to $6m (£4.5m).

For context, the US Open men’s singles champion won $5m (£3.8m), with £3.5m on offer at the Australian Open, £3m at Wimbledon and 2.5m euros (£2.2m) at the French Open.

The world’s top two players – Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner – are competing, alongside third-ranked Alexander Zverev, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, world number four Taylor Fritz and two-time major finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Britain’s Jack Draper was due to play but ended his season early because of an arm injury.

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How does the event work?

Jannik Sinner holds the Six Kings Slam trophy after his victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 finalGetty Images

The event is held over three days, over a three-set format, and will be streamed live on Netflix – having been shown on DAZN last year.

It begins at the quarter-final stage, with four-time Grand Slam champion Sinner playing Tsitsipas and Zverev facing Fritz. Djokovic and six-time major champion Alcaraz have been given byes through to the semi-finals.

As it is an exhibition, there are no ATP ranking points on offer. Results also do not count towards official head-to-head records.

Matches will take place on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday as, under ATP rules, players cannot compete on three consecutive days at exhibitions.

Why do players play at exhibitions?

The stadium in Cape Town where Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal played an exhibition match in 2020Getty Images

Exhibitions are meant to promote the sport and take it to new audiences. Organisers want the best players in the world to feature because they will sell more tickets.

Roger Federer played Rafael Nadal in Cape Town in 2020 in front of 51,954 fans – a reported record for a tennis crowd at the time, albeit not an official match.

Alcaraz – a gifted, highly entertaining shot-maker – plays a lot of exhibitions.

He faced Americans Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe in New York and North Carolina respectively at the start of the year

Alcaraz and Tiafoe also took part in an event in Puerto Rico, and are scheduled to play alongside Emma Raducanu and Amanda Anisimova in New Jersey in December.

The Spaniard has also been vocal about the strain of the increasingly packed calendar, saying in 2024 they are “going to kill us in some way”.

When asked last year about playing so many exhibitions, Alcaraz said: “I have seen that many people talk about my calendar because I have put many exhibitions [in].

“But you have to separate the calendar and the exhibitions – they are different things.”

    • 21 October 2024

Concerns have also been raised about Saudi Arabia using its wealth to invest in sports in a bid to improve its image – known as ‘sportswashing’.

World number 12 Casper Ruud said last year he had turned down offers to play in the Kingdom.

He also spoke about human rights issues in other countries, such as China.

“You can definitely discuss China and human rights in China, but we go there every year,” he told Danish outlet SpilXperten.

“If you want to put Saudi Arabia as a controversial country, there should be other countries as well that should be mentioned, and we don’t mention those.”

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