Could Canada become the state of the nation in the state of 51? Bob Rae, Canada’s ambassador to the UN, speaks with Redi Tlhabi.
After Donald Trump suggested that Canada could become the 51st state of the United States, the country’s relationship with the US is once more in the spotlight. On both sides of the border, the comment has sparked political unrest and tension.
Is the threat of annexation therefore plausible?
Eni Aluko, a former England striker, has apologized to Ian Wright for suggesting that he was concerned that he might prevent female journalists from pursuing broadcasting opportunities.
Aluko stated in an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour that Wright needs to take note of how hard he works in women’s football and that there are only “afinite amounts of opportunities” for women.
The 38-year-old former Chelsea player’s comments have since been subject to scrutiny.
In a statement on Instagram, she wrote, “Ian Wright is a brilliant broadcaster and role model whose support for the women’s game has been significant.”
Former Arsenal and England striker Wright has regularly worked as a pundit for women’s football, with a particular focus on Lionesses games.
In my interview with Woman’s Hour this week, Aluko said, “I was trying to make a broader point about the lack of opportunities for women in football, whether that’s in coaching, broadcasting, or commercial spaces.
“But I sincerely apologize for the fact that Ian’s name was raised in that conversation.” I’ve known and worked with Ian for many years, but all I can say is “love and respect him””.
Aluko, who has worked as a pundit alongside Wright, claimed in her Woman’s Hour interview that he is a “brilliant broadcaster” but that he “should be aware of how much he’s doing in the women’s game.”
When asked if Wright should cover women’s football, Aluko responded, “I don’t know about it being wrong, but I think we need to be conscious and make sure that women aren’t being prevented from having a pathway into broadcasting in the women’s game.
During the Trump immigration crackdown, Redi Tlhabi speaks with experts about concerns about human rights violations.
With hundreds detained in mega-prisons like those in El Salvador, the widespread concern over human rights violations and the erosion of due process has been caused by US President Donald Trump’s repeated deportations of immigrants.
Could deportations and human rights violations worsen as Trump ties up with El Salvador’s president Nayib Bukele, whose administration has been subject to widespread criticism for its authoritarian policies?
Paknejad stated earlier on Friday on state television that the agreement aims to work with Russian companies to develop seven Iranian oilfields.
Tehran and Moscow have forged closer ties since the start of the Ukrainian military conflict, signing a strategic partnership treaty in January, ranging from military cooperation to energy, banking, and agriculture.
The pair’s effort to break down barriers in all areas of cooperation is reflected in Friday’s agreement.
Iran’s efforts to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States come as a result of consultations with its allies in Moscow and Beijing earlier this week.
Putin’s top envoy for OPEC relations, Alexander Novak, met with Paknejad on Thursday in a meeting with the Russian deputy prime minister.
The group, which includes OPEC and its allies led by Russia, suggested that the group increase oil output for the second month in a row at the time of the meeting.
The proposed increase highlights a member dispute over whether to comply with production quotas.
It comes in response to US President Donald Trump’s calls for OPEC to lower oil prices and his return to a “maximum pressure” policy on Iran, whose oil exports Washington wants to reduce to zero.
Additionally, the two nations announced on Friday that Moscow may offer Tehran 1.8 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas this year at an undetermined price.
Paknejad claimed the agreement was still pending, but that Gazprom, a Russian company, was in charge of implementation, was working with the countries to reach an agreement as soon as possible.
Qatar and Turkmenistan have long been interested in establishing a similar hub in Iran.
Russia has long cooperated with Iran in the fields of energy production and supply, and it supported Iran’s construction of its first nuclear reactor in Bushehr, which is located in Iran’s southern region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian met in the Kremlin in January to discuss the potential supply of up to 55 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas to Iran, starting with smaller volumes of up to 2 bcm.
A 55 bcm increase in flow would be comparable to the Nord Stream 1 undersea pipelines to Europe, which lost all of their gas in the Ukraine war in 2022 after being blown up by explosions in 2022.
While we all love a bit of good telly, it doesn’t come without a fair share of complaints from viewers. From heated spats to physical fights, reality TV shows in particular are always sure to be packed with drama, and now the most complained about shows of 2025 have been revealed.
Celebrity Big Brother housemate Mickey Rourke left fans gobsmacked with his outlandish comments on the show, primarily to US singer Jojo Siwa when he made homophobic digs. But his slurs didn’t land CBB on the top spot when it comes to Ofcom complaints.
Entertainment experts at OLBG analysed Ofcom data to reveal the TV shows that have received the most complaints in 2025 and there’s a surprising entry in the top spot. We’re just four months in, but a certain episode of Love Island: All Stars received the highest number of complaints – putting Mickey Rourke and CBB in second place.
READ MORE: Celebrity Big Brother hit with more Ofcom complaints over Chris Hughes’ vile act
The All Stars episode which aired on February 12 saw a pretty heated row between Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Elma Pazar. The explosive argument saw Ofcom receive 1,347 complaints. Viewers slammed Elma for bullying Ekin after the heart rate challenge and Elma storming off.
Throughout the whole Love Island All Star’s series, there were over 2,300 complaints to Ofcom due to bullying and excessive drama allegations. Grace Jackson also raised concerns from fans over her language used towards Luca Bish.
But it may come as a surprise, as Celebrity Big Brother has already had it’s fair share of bust ups in the house. So much so that since starting on April 7, it’s already racked up 1,200 complaints so far. On April 9, 1,110 complaints were made in relation to Mickey Rourke’s comments and behaviour towards Jojo Siwa – which later saw him removed from the house and axed from the show.
The 21-year-old YouTuber and singer, who is attracted to women and has a partner who is not a woman, was asked by the Hollywood actor if she “likes girls or boys” during the altercation. He responded, “If I stay for longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.”
In third place was an episode of GB News’ Headliners on January 22 which saw presenter Josh Howie discussing a sermon given by a US bishop, and appeared to suggest the LGBT community included paedophiles. Howie has since said his programme is a comedy show and his comment was intended as a ‘joke about paedophilia in the church’, as reported by Daily Mail.
Chris Hughes’ disgusting act has recently generated even more Ofcom complaints at CBB.
The broadcasting regulator received 125 complaints for its episode on Friday, April 18 for Chris urinating into cat litter as part of a task on the ITV show, whilst its Late and Live sister show on April 16 received a total of 55 complaints for comments made by Tiffany Pollard about Jack Shephard and an audience member.
Chris chose to wear a cat-themed cat-themed wee in a cat litter tray on Friday’s episode. AJ could be heard saying, “Disgusting,” when the clip was broadcast on Late and Live! Can you block the door, Chris asked JoJo to stand in front of the door. before repeating, “Don’t tell anyone I’ve weeded though.”
One viewer wrote, “Chris needs to get a backdoor eviction for that piddling,” and another wrote, “Watchers were horrified by the act.” He even washed his hands afterward. Another claimed that Chris’ only justification is that he was intoxicated. That is not sober behavior, “” A third shared, “Didn’t Chris grow up on a farm or something?” I vouch for his memory when I was in Love Island.
The ITV show is ending this Friday with a glittering finale – as six stars fight to be crowned champion after a triple eviction.
Do you have a tale to tell? Message niamh . kirk@reachplc.com
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Despite ranking 14th in the Premier League, Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is adamant that the club will remain attractive to potential transfer targets.
The Portuguese, who took over in November, claims to have “an idea” of how his squad should look next.
It seems certain that he is planning major surgery given that United are on the verge of their worst performance since the 1973-1974 relegation campaign.
United are interested in Matheus Cunha, a Brazilian forward, and have also been linked with Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, who has a £30m release clause that will make him appealing to a number of clubs.
Since English clubs were permitted back in 1990 following the Heysel tragedy, United is at risk of only playing in the Europa League once more to qualify for the Champions League.
Amorim doesn’t doubt that United are attractive in any way despite that.
He claimed that it was Manchester United. Every player wants to represent Manchester United.
It appears to be a little bit of a problem if you take a look at our current club, which has all the problems, including changing coaches.
However, the player can explain to them the most clearly that we have an idea.
Cunha, who has a £62.5 million release clause and is thought to be switchable to Old Trafford, was not confirmed by Amorim.
Casemiro, a veteran midfielder, is an example of a player who has changed his mind about their long-term future at the club, according to the former Sporting boss.
The 33-year-old Brazilian international has a year left on his contract and has previously stated that he wants to stay at Old Trafford.
Amorim added that United’s squad plans are beginning to develop.
Things can change, he said, and the conversation should be ended at the end of the season.