Riot police used tear gas and water cannons to break up pro-Palestinian protests at Israel’s World Cup qualifier against Italy. Defeat for Israel in the match effectively ended the team’s hopes of automatic qualification.
Meghan Markle claims she and Prince Harry had “no plan” when they first quit their royal roles – apart from one thing.
Since they sensationally stepped back from royal life, the Sussexes have signed big money deals with the likes of Netflix, while Meghan has launched her As Ever brand, fronted a podcast and had her own lifestyle show. But speaking at the Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington DC, the Duchess of Sussex said five years ago, which ties in with her and Harry’s move to the US, “it was a very different situation” – and in what could be seen as a jab at her former life, she added her only plans were to “nest and heal”.
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She told Fortune editor-in-chief Alyson Shontell: “You know, Archie was so little, and I had just got pregnant with Lili around that same time, so we were nesting – nesting and healing.
“And also, I don’t know, I had the bandwidth at that time to think about what the big picture dream was. There was no plan.
“It was just, let’s get through these next couple of years, create community, which was always so important to both of us in our new environment.”
She described how she would spend time “in Birkenstocks and sweats” and make a lot of jam. Speaking about the founding of her As Ever business, Meghan said people assumed she would venture into fashion or beauty, and added: “But those five years at home, I wasn’t running around wearing beautiful outfits.
“I was probably in Birkenstocks and sweats like the rest of us, especially during Covid, or just barefoot at home, but I was making a lot of jam, so it ended up becoming the thing that really was my passion project.”
Meghan’s appearance at the summit yesterday came at a busy time for the Duchess. She travelled solo to Paris for the Balenciaga show on October 4, ahead of a string of appearances last week with the Duke of Sussex in New York.
And Meghan also admitted that she flew home to California from Europe for just one day before heading to New York, because she needed to see her “babies”.
Meghan said she made a 6,000-mile dash home for a brief reunion with Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, instead of heading straight to the Big Apple.
Ms Shontell said to the duchess: “You’ve been to Europe. You were just in New York, which, congratulations, you just won a humanitarian award for your work with online safety for parents and children, and you made it home for one day to see your kids.”
Meghan laughed and replied: “Because I had to. We were talking about that because everyone said ‘Oh you must have gone from Paris straight to New York’. I said ‘No, I need to see my babies’. So I went back to California for a day and then continued on.”
The latest series of Strictly Come Dancing premiered a few weeks ago, and fans already can’t get enough of the amazing style moments (both on and off the stage). We’re talking about Claudia Winkleman, Tess Daly, and, of course, the pro dancers and celebrity contestants.One Strictly that has caught our eye for her off-stage looks is Amy Dowden. Unfortunately, Amy was the first professional to leave the show after being voted off with her partner, Thomas Skinner. However, she’s still heavily involved in the group dances so we get to have her on our screen every weekend.
And her recent Instagram post caught our attention thanks to the chic faux fur-trim coat she was wearing. In a series of Instagram stories, Amy was posted wearing a faux suede cropped jacket with cosy faux fur detailing, and after a little detective work, we’ve found exactly where to shop it.
Hailing from Michelle Keegan’s latest Very collection, the exact jacket is the Faux Mongolian Trim Cuff Coat, priced at £75. Similar to fur trim coats from Charlotte Simone and Kitri, this Very number gives designer vibes for a fraction of the price.
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With its faux suede outer and faux fur lapels and cuffs, this coat is the perfect cosy addition to your winter wardrobe. Team with everything from jeans and knitwear to midi skirts and dresses.
Very and Michelle launched her 50-piece Autumn/Winter 2025 range just last month, marking her return to the online retailer. This season’s theme is ‘City Muse’, blending the bold, contemporary spirit of capital cities. Shot on the streets of Paris, the snaps have the street-style look of a glossy designer campaign, but the pricing of the pieces is anything but high.
Another one of our favourites from the collection is the Knitted Asymmetric Hem Dress in Burgundy, priced £55. Made from a soft, finely ribbed knit, the dress features a high neckline and long sleeves that give it a sophisticated, autumnal feel. It also features a semi-sheer asymmetric skirt panel that gives the piece a modern twist.
British number three Katie Boulter was beaten 6-3 6-1 by Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in the second round of the Japan Open.
World number 59 Boulter, who shocked world number 17 Linda Noskova in the first round, lost in one hour nine minutes in Osaka.
There were three breaks of serve in the opening four games as Cirstea, ranked 51 in the world, went 3-1 ahead before wrapping up the first set.
She broke Boulter three times on the way to a 5-0 lead in the second.
Japan’s Naomi Osaka had a medical timeout in her 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 6-2 win over defending champion Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands.
Osaka was 5-0 up in the final set when she was treated, returning with strapping around her left thigh before securing a quarter-final meeting with Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian on Friday.
“It was definitely really difficult,” said Osaka. “I’m kind of sorry for my attitude but I’m really glad to have won.”
EastEnders legend Tony Caunter died over a week after his wife of 63 years died. Tributes poured in for the 88-year-old actor after his family announced the heartbreaking news in a statement, revealing he “died peacefully” this week as they thanked the NHS for their “incredible care”.
He was best known for his portrayal of the character Roy Evans between 1994 and 2003, with the car dealer brought in as a romantic interest for Pat Butcher, played by Pam St Clement, before the pair tied the knot in the soap. During his time playing Roy, one of the headline-making EastEnders storylines involved Pat’s affair with her ex, Frank Butcher, played by Mike Reid.
In the announcement for his death, his family revealed he died eight days after his wife, Frances Wallace, with whom he married in 1962. The two had four children together.
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He was taken care of by the staff at Eastbourne District General Hospital during his final hours and spent his final two months at the Eastbourne Gardens nursing home.
His family said in a statement to the PA news agency: “It is with enormous sadness that we bring the curtain down on our wonderful and hugely loved father, Tony Caunter, who died peacefully yesterday evening, just eight days after his beloved wife of 63 years, Fran, also passed away. Dad was 88 years old.
“After a long and fulfilling life on and off screen and stage, Tony leaves a daughter and three sons, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He will be missed by all.”
The family continued: “We would like to thank the NHS staff at Eastbourne District General Hospital for their incredible care during his final hours, and to everyone at Eastbourne Gardens nursing home for the care and compassion they have given dad over the past two months.”
They concluded their statement requesting privacy “at this extremely difficult time”.
EastEnders bosses also shared a statement, writing: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Tony Caunter.
“Tony will forever be loved and respected by everyone at EastEnders for his warmth, kindness and humour as well as being greatly remembered by all those at home who instantly took Roy to their hearts.
“Roy will always be remembered for his great love of Pat, despite him famously declaring his distaste in her choice of earrings, which gave us all one of Walford’s greatest love affairs.
“Tony will never be forgotten by all those who worked alongside him for many years and everyone at EastEnders sends their love and condolences to Tony’s family and friends,” the poignant statement concluded.
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Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga, a key figure in African politics, has died at the age of 80 during a trip to India for medical treatment, according to local police and hospital officials.
The former prime minister, who as opposition leader had waged five unsuccessful presidential campaigns between 1997 and 2022, had suffered a heart attack, the Devamatha Hospital in the southern Indian state of Kerala confirmed to The Associated Press news agency on Wednesday.
Odinga was a dominant force in Kenyan politics, and his death will leave a significant leadership vacuum within the country’s political opposition ahead of elections in 2027.
An Indian police official told the AFP news agency that Odinga had been on a morning walk, accompanied by his sister, daughter, a personal doctor, and Indian and Kenyan security officers, when he collapsed.
“He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, but was declared dead,” said Krishnan M, additional superintendent of police in Ernakulam, Kerala.
Unnamed officials in Odinga’s office also confirmed the death to news agencies.
Indian newspaper Mathrubhumi had earlier reported the death, adding that Odinga had been undergoing medical treatment in the state’s Kochi city.
Born on January 7, 1945, Odinga was the son of the country’s first vice president after independence in 1963.
A member of the Luo tribe, he spent most of his adult life in politics, including time in exile and eight years in prison as a pro-democracy campaigner – but never achieved his goal of becoming Kenya’s president.
Odinga first entered parliament in 1992, and ran unsuccessful presidential campaigns in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2022.
He claimed to have been cheated of victory in the last four elections, and led protests after the disputed 2007 election that led to Kenya’s most serious bout of political violence since independence.
About 1,300 people were killed and hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes in the battles. Large-scale protests also broke out during the 2017 election, in which the Supreme Court annulled the results of an initial poll, and Odinga withdrew from the follow-up, saying it would not be free and fair.
Odinga’s pro-democracy activism over the years helped drive two of the country’s most significant political reforms: multiparty democracy in 1991 and a new constitution in 2010.
In March, he signed a pact with Kenyan President William Ruto that saw his opposition Azimio la Umoja party involved in critical policymaking and its members appointed to the cabinet.
Kenya’s former chief justice and presidential hopeful, David Maraga, said he was “shocked” by news of Odinga’s death.
Odinga was “a patriot, a pan-Africanist, a democrat and a leader who made significant contributions to democracy in Kenya and in Africa”, Maraga wrote on X.
“Kenya has lost one of its most formidable leaders who shaped the trajectory of our beloved country. Africa has lost a leading voice in pushing for peace, security and development. The world has lost a great leader,” he added.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was among the first to react, posting on X: “On behalf of the Government of Ethiopia, I extend my sincere condolences on the passing of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. May he Rest In Peace.”
I am shocked to learn of the demise of former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, a patriot, a pan-Africanist, a democrat and a leader who made significant contributions to democracy in Kenya and in Africa.
Kenya has lost one of its most formidable leaders who shaped… pic.twitter.com/md6vfXyt9f