At the end of the season, England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he will leave Liverpool, the Premier League champion.
The 26-year-old has been a member of the club since he was six and is on a summer contract.
After 20 years with Liverpool Football Club, Alexander-Arnold announced on social media that he would be leaving at the end of the season.
Justin Bieber has been hit with more concern from his fans after they noticed a very telling detail in his latest post. The pop star, 31, has faced claims about his alleged drug use in recent months as well as fears for his marriage to Hailey Bieber.
He has been frank about his addiction issues in the past and during an episode of Justin Bieber: Seasons, Justin confessed that he started using marijuana when he was only “12 or 13.”
Justin’s drug use grew to “pretty heavy drugs,” with the star also using alcohol as a coping mechanism. He began working on sobriety in 2021, worried that because of his years of problems he was “dieing.”
In recent weeks, Justin has sparked concern again after a series of social media snaps. Back in March, he shared six very similar photos of himself appearing to use a bong to smoke marijuana.
Now, Justin has taken to Instagram again where he shared a photo of Australian singer Eddie Benjamin, who was sat playing an acoustic guitar. The Baby hitmaker could be seen in the background of the snap as he appeared to be using what looked like a glass bong while sat in an open doorway.
Another picture from the same day showed Justin, who shares 10-month old son Jack Blues with Hailey, stood in a red hoodie next to Eddie, with the large glass bong on the floor next to him.
His fans, who have been vocal about their concern for the star, didn’t notice the apparent bong. One person responded, “That’s a huge bong.” “The Bong in the background,” another phrase, was added.
Someone else said, “I can only see a few potheads.” Never believed Justin Bieber to be better than that. Keep it a secret from the general public at least. You are failing to set a good example for your young supporters. Your standards seem low.
A fourth wrote: “The bong bigger than him.” Justin has shared drug content in recent months, rapping about being high and filming himself smoking.
Despite the worrying content, however, Justin’s reps said rumours of him using hard drugs were “absolutely not true,” and that he was “simply in one of the best places in his life”.
Justin’s rep told TMZ that as he ended several close friendships and business relationships that no longer served him, the past year has been “very transformative for him.”
Fans’ concerns about his physical and mental health are “exhausting and pitiful,” they continued, and it shows how committed people are to keeping negative, salacious, and harmful stories alive.
Many have also been concerned for Justin after a string of worrying uploads shared on his social media. He said how he was “hating” himself and struggling with hate for others, writing: “How couldn’t we feel hate from all of the hurt we’ve experienced.”
Hailey and Justin have also faced claims of strains on their marriage amid the concern from fans. In recent months, speculation surrounding their marriage has been rife, with reports suggesting that they are heading for divorce.
Hailey was reportedly unfollowed on Justin’s Instagram account earlier this year, but later it became known that the Somebody To Love hitmaker had been hacked there.
Soon after, Justin resumed his followup of Hailey, saying, “Someone unfollowed my wife on my account.” This is where the s**t is.
The Mirror has contacted Justin’s representatives for comment.
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Another inquest into the lack of British clay-court success opened at last year’s French Open.
For the third time this century, the British singles players suffered a first-round wipeout at Roland Garros and led to many fans questioning – again – why the nation has struggled to produce players who win regularly on the red dirt.
Jack Draper was among the beaten Britons after an error-strewn defeat by Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong.
Fast forward almost a year and Draper is now a clay-court ATP Masters finalist.
The British men’s number one enjoyed a productive run at the Madrid Open before losing an intense three-set battle against two-time French Open runner-up Casper Ruud.
“There isn’t a surface in my mind that Jack can’t play on,” former British number one Tim Henman told BBC Sport last month.
“When you look at his attributes – he’s got a big, lefty serve, he hits his forehand with a lot of spin and power – they work on any surface, certainly on clay.”
Despite his previous lack of success, Draper always felt he could challenge – providing he was primed physically.
More matches in the tank have been key for a player who has often been hampered by fitness issues.
The 23-year-old has gained greater belief in his body after coming through a series of gruelling five-set matches at the Australian Open in January.
Employing physio Shane Annun and fitness trainer Matt Little – who were both long-term members of Andy Murray’s team – has benefitted him.
This was illustrated during Draper’s semi-final against Lorenzo Musetti in Madrid.
The Briton seemed to be fading in the second set and battled to hang on to his serve – then found another gear in a tie-break to increase his intensity and secure victory.
Clay is seen as the most physically demanding surface because its slower speed leads to longer points and more brutal contests.
It’s not the most natural surface for Draper. He has worked hard on his movement and the ability to slide across the dirt.
Being more mobile means he can get in the right positions to execute his most potent weapons.
Draper’s serve – both in terms of power and variety – allows him to start points strongly, but it was his forehand that really caught the eye in Madrid.
The topspin and speed wowed fans at the Caja Magica, even drawing a few comparisons to Rafael Nadal – the recently retired ‘King of Clay’ who won a record 14 French Open titles.
Nobody is suggested Draper will have that level of success, of course, but like Nadal he has been using the pace and bounce of his forehand to trouble opponents.
“My forehand’s come into own on all surfaces but this year on the clay it’s really doing a lot of damage,” said Draper.
“I’m trying to base my game around that and my serve, and getting more and more efficient.”
In Madrid, Draper also found the right blend between defence and attack, while using the drop shot at the right time was also an effective tool.
Despite all the positive signs, it is telling that Draper – like all great players who harbour ambitions of winning Grand Slam titles – has an insatiable appetite for further improvement.
In his post-final news conference in Madrid, he highlighted his serve, net play and physicality as the areas he needed to particularly work on.
“I’m nowhere near where I want to be,” Draper said.
Draper has made the most notable move in the ATP rankings, climbing to a new career high of fifth in the world.
He is only the fourth Briton – after Tim Henman, Greg Rusedski and Andy Murray – to break into the men’s top five.
Norway’s Ruud regained his place in the top 10 by winning the Madrid final, with Italy’s Musetti joining him there for the first time in his career.
In the WTA rankings, Sabalenka’s title win helped her open up a whopping 4,345-point gap over Polish world number two Iga Swiatek.
Coco Gauff, who lost to Sabalenka in Saturday’s final, moved back to third spot above American compatriot Jessica Pegula.
Both tours are heading to Rome for another combined ATP and WTA clay-court event played over a fortnight.
The focus of attention will be Jannik Sinner, who returns from his three-month ban for twice failing doping tests.
The Italian world number one will be granted a hero’s welcome by the home fans. But what about in the locker room?
Draper was the only British singles player in Tour-level action at the weekend, with Jacob Fearnley and Cameron Norrie going out of the Madrid last 16 on Tuesday.
Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal – the top three British women – returned to the National Tennis Centre after losing in Madrid last week.
The trio continued to practice on the clay courts before heading out to Rome, where they each have direct entry into the main draw.
With so many professional tennis tournaments taking place across the world, and across so many levels, it can be hard to keep up with everything from one week to the next.
As part of BBC Sport’s commitment to offer more for tennis fans, Second Serve will be your weekly round-up of the biggest stories in the sport.
As well as the main talking point, you can see which ATP and WTA players are making significant progress – or struggling for form, how the British contingent are doing and what the next stops on the calendars are.
It represents “law and order” in its purest form. The notorious Alcatraz prison has been ordered by US President Donald Trump to reopen and expand. Before it closed in 1963, the federal prison housed well-known US criminals on a rocky island in San Francisco Bay, California.
Zoe Ball has shared a tearful tribute to her late boyfriend as she marked eight years since his death. The broadcaster, 53, took time away from her Saturday afternoon radio show when her partner, Billy Yates, died aged 40 in May 2017.
Billy, a former camera man, tragically took his own life after battling depression. Following Billy’s death, Zoe revealed she had been “in shock for two years”. Marking the anniversary, Zoe took to her Instagram page to share a snap of her late boyfriend on a motorbike surrounded by the stunning countryside.
“8 years forever in our hearts Billface #mateswithyates,” she wrote alongside a rose, sparkling lights and a heart emoji. Her post which has been liked over 10,000 times was soon flooded with messages of support for the radio and telly star.
Zoe’s daughter, Nelly, who she shares with Fatboy Slim penned: “Miss him everyday x,” to which Zoe replied: “love you squirrel.” Meanwhile, one of Zoe’s friends commented: “How is it 8 years Zoe, funny I was talking to Max about him this morning. Sending you all the love today.” With the star replying: “Oh Lucy. His love lives on in us all eh. squeezes for you and Max.”
“Sending love to you @zoetheball,” wrote one fan. A second added: “Oh Zoe, where has the time gone… Sending love and a squeeze from Shetland.” “Love and prayers sent to you and his friends and family,” added another.
Last year, Zoe opened up about her loss during an interview with Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, admitting she had watched her partner struggle and urged others in a similar situation to reach out for help.
Zoe told Lauren: “I think it’s so isolating to be trapped in your mind like that, when you doubt yourself, you doubt everything you’ve ever known. You doubt your family love you. You doubt your friends care for you.”
She went on to add that it was “important to share there is hope.” Describing Billy, she explained he “was so full of love and would help anyone in need” and insisted he should be “remembered for his life, not his death.” She later revealed she was dedicating the song Do I Love You by Frank Wilson to Billy.
“This track will always remind me of him,” she explained, adding: “He loved to dance and loved to laugh and he brought so much into my life. I wanted to play a piece of music for him that reflected him as a human.” Two years after Billy’s death, Zoe told listeners that his anniversary would make her “knees wobble.”
Speaking on BBC Radio 2, Zoe said: “Anyone who has lost someone dear to them, be it a friend or a family member, will know that these anniversaries have a tendency to make your knees wobble and your heart hurt. With grief, it’s often an every day feeling not just anniversaries. The longer the time without them, the more you miss their ways and their voice in your life. Even though of course they’ll never leave your heart.
“These anniversaries are good as they give you an excuse to just spend some time with your thoughts about them. I wanted to send some dear love to his family today and all weekend, and all his brilliant friends – mates with Yates, who we love to pieces.” Billy, who worked on shows including Antiques Roadshow and The Xtra Factor was found at his home in south London.
At the time, police said they were called to an address in Putney alongside the ambulance service. Billy was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. He had been dating Radio 2 DJ Zoe for several months and was credited with helping give her “a new lease of life” after her split and divorce from husband Norman Cook – better known as the superstar DJ Fatboy Slim.
Billy had battled depression and alcohol abuse for years, quitting drinking in August 2016.
If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
The political and military leaders of Israel have approved plans to expand the Gaza offensive and oversee aid deliveries to the enslaved and famined region.
The Israeli military will provide food and other essential supplies to the 2.3 million people who are living in the Palestinian territory as a result of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Security Cabinet’s unanimous approval of plans to recruit reservists.
Unnamed Israeli officials, according to newswires, suggested that the plans would include the “conquest” and complete occupation of the Gaza Strip.
According to Reuters news agency, the expanded offensive “could even threaten to seize the entire enclave.”
The plan will include, among other things, moving the Gaza population south for their protection and the conquest of the Gaza Strip, according to a source.
The source added that Netanyahu “continues to support” Palestinians’ voluntary withdrawal from the enclave under President Donald Trump’s plan.
Additionally, the plan envisages that Israel might overtake Gaza’s humanitarian aid distribution.
Despite having blocked all supplies on March 2 – 16 days before it resumed its war against Hamas, the Israeli government has refuted claims made by aid organizations that famine is roiling the area.
The plan, according to an unnamed Israeli official, would involve “international organizations and private security contractors] handing out boxes of food to families in Gaza,” according to The Times of Israel, citing an unnamed Israeli official.
According to the outlet, Israeli soldiers would “provide the private contractors and international organizations providing the assistance.”
Sources earlier claimed that the plan would include the occupation of Gaza, according to a citation from The Times of Israel and The Israel Hayom newspaper.
Significant tension has been erupting within Israel as a result of the revelations.
Netanyahu once more asserted that the goal was to “defeat” Hamas and release several dozen of its prisoners.
However, an Israeli campaign group called the Hostages and Missing Families Forum claimed in a statement on Monday that the plan is “sacrificing” those who are still detained in the Palestinian territory.
During the cabinet meeting between the political and military echelons, heated disagreements reportedly broke out.
Eyal Zamir, the army chief, reportedly warned that if Israel launched a full-fledged military offensive against Gaza, it might “lose” the captives there.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, the head of far-right national security, claimed that Gaza should continue to be starved of all aid, including food, water, medicine, fuel, and other supplies, as it has done in the past two months.
He also advocated for “bombing food warehouses and generators” to prevent electricity from being completely disconnected and supplies are no longer being supplied.
Zamir warned that this would “endanger” Israel as it would raise additional accusations of international law infringement.
You are saying, “You don’t get what you’re saying. You are putting everyone at risk. We are committed to the international law that exists. Your statements are dangerous, Samir said, according to Israel’s national broadcaster, Kan.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid questioned Netanyahu’s decision to mobilize tens of thousands of reservists in an interview with Israeli Army Radio, claiming that the prime minister was calling up troops and extending their service without setting a mission statement.
Yair Golan, a member of the opposition, claimed that Netanyahu was only trying to stop the collapse of his government because the release of the hostages is “not possible with the release of the hostages.”
Ben-Gvir reportedly fought the plan for Israel to bypass existing aid routes because he was the only Security Cabinet official to oppose it.
Israel reportedly intends to encircle Gaza with US security personnel.
The plan is not anticipated to become effective right away, though Israeli officials anticipate that Gaza will already have enough food to support Palestinians who are already starving to death.
In southern Gaza, Israel’s plans also include the creation of a new “humanitarian zone” that would serve as a humanitarian hub.
UN organizations included in the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), which announced on Sunday that Israeli officials were requesting permission to send aid through what it called “Israeli hubs under conditions set by the Israeli military, once the government agrees to re-open crossings.”
The HCT claimed in a statement that such a plan “contravened fundamental humanitarian principles and appears to be designed to strengthen control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic as part of a military strategy.”
The UN, according to the coalition, won’t participate in this arrangement because it conflicts with the UN’s global human rights principles of impartiality, impartiality, and neutrality.
The humanitarian organizations stated that their teams are “remain in Gaza, ready to scale up the delivery of crucial supplies and services: food, water, health, nutrition, protection, and more.”
They demanded that world leaders exert their influence to lift the border’s “significant stocks” so that they could be distributed.
In what has become known as the “flour massacre,” more than 100 Palestinians were killed in the “flour massacre” in February 2024 when Israeli soldiers opened fire on desperate Palestinians waiting for food trucks.
Instead of the UN or other humanitarian aid organizations with experience delivering food aid safely, the Israeli military acknowledged that it had coordinated the convoy with private contractors.
As an alternative method of providing aid to Gaza, the US military attempted to construct a $ 30 million floating pier in May of 2024. However, months later, the trouble-free structure was shut down after only bringing in about one day’s worth of pre-war food deliveries.