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Promoted Wrexham to start season at Southampton

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Wrexham’s first second-tier match for 43 years will be at Southampton on Saturday, 9 August – a day after Birmingham City open the Championship season by hosting Ipswich Town.

Leicester City’s return to the second tier begins at home against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday, 10 August.

League One play-off final winners Charlton Athletic mark their return to the Championship after a five-year absence with a home game against a Watford side now managed by Uruguayan Paulo Pezzolano.

Sheffield United, who were beaten by Sunderland in the Championship play-off final, start the campaign against the Bristol City side they beat in the semi-finals.

It was only 14 months ago that Leicester claimed the Championship title and promotion back to the Premier League at their first attempt.

But relegation after just one season back in the top flight means they will mark the 10-year anniversary of their Premier League title triumph with a final-day trip to Blackburn on 2 May, 2026.

Southampton, who have gone up and down the two divisions alongside Leicester in the past three seasons, will welcome Hollywood-owned Wrexham to St Mary’s in one of 10 fixtures on Saturday, 9 August.

Championship first-round fixtures in full

Friday, 8 August

Birmingham City v Ipswich Town (20:00)

Saturday, 9 August

Charlton Athletic v Watford (12:30)

Coventry City v Hull City (12:30)

Southampton v Wrexham (12:30)

Middlesbrough v Swansea City (15:00)

Norwich City v Millwall (15:00)

Oxford United v Portsmouth (15:00)

Queens Park Rangers v Preston North End (15:00)

Stoke City v Derby County (15:00)

West Bromwich Albion v Blackburn Rovers (15:00)

Sheffield United v Bristol City 17:30 BST

Sunday, 10 August

Leicester City v Sheffield Wednesday (16:30)

Will Van Nistelrooy be in charge of Leicester?

Jordan Ayew of Leicester City (right) celebrates with team-mate Stephy MavididiGetty Images

Leicester City will be welcoming players back for pre-season in the coming days, but who will be in charge of the Foxes for their opening fixture against the Owls remains uncertain.

Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy has managed to hold on to his job for more than nine weeks since Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed.

There was intense speculation about his future in the final weeks of the campaign, and that has not gone away since the season ended.

Uncertainty about the decorated former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Netherlands striker’s position has dragged on alongside off-field concerns about a potential points penalty for the club.

Leicester were charged in May for allegedly breaching the EFL’s financial rules when they won the Championship title and promotion just over a year ago.

If Van Nistelrooy is replaced, it means the club will have a third different permanent manager in the dugout since Enzo Maresca took them up in that 2023-24 season.

Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna is the only promotion-winning boss from that season to have survived the Premier League campaign.

Birmingham and Wrexham in box office rivalry

Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney chats to Birmingham City shareholder Tom BradyRex Features

A record-breaking campaign by Birmingham City saw them make an immediate return to the Championship by amassing an EFL record 111 points as League One title winners.

Blues chairman Tom Wagner has previously said that going on to reach the Premier League next season “is certainly the goal” of a club that has been transformed by an ownership group that includes seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.

The profile boost the NFL legend has given them also means their rivalry with Wrexham, owned by Hollywood pair Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, will draw huge attention once again.

The Welsh club finished runners-up to Blues in League One last season, but set a record of their own as they became the first team in the top five divisions of English football to earn three consecutive promotions.

Getting Wrexham to the Premier League has been the aim from the outset for Reynolds and McElhenney, who have made the club’s meteoric rise of recent years into a global docuseries hit.

Renewing old rivalries

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The first league meeting between Southampton and Portsmouth for more than 13 years will take place at St Mary’s over the weekend of 13/14 September.

Both South Coast derbies ended in draws when the two sides last played during the 2011-12 Championship campaign and the most recent meeting between them saw Saints thump Pompey 4-0 at Fratton Park in the EFL Cup in 2019.

Meanwhile, Ipswich’s return to the Championship means the East Anglian derby – also known as the Old Farm derby – against Norwich City is back on the schedule at Portman Road in early October and mid-April at Carrow Road.

And with Derby County avoiding relegation on the final day last term, they face East Midlands rivals Leicester City in the league for the first time in 11 years when they meet in early December at Pride Park before they face one another again three weeks later at the King Power Stadium.

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  • Sheffield Wednesday
  • Southampton
  • Leicester City
  • Hull City
  • Oxford United
  • Middlesbrough
  • Birmingham City
  • Charlton Athletic
  • Millwall
  • Portsmouth
  • West Bromwich Albion
  • Queens Park Rangers
  • Wrexham
  • Sheffield United
  • Watford
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Shaughna Phillips’ jailed beau’s crimes laid bare – from £360k drug empire to ‘party supplies’

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Love Island star Shaughna Phillips saw her happy personal life fall apart in 2023 when her boyfriend, Billy Webb, was arrested and jailed for illegal drugs crimes

Love Island’s Shaughna Phillips with daughter Lucia – who’s father, Billy Webb, is in jail(Image: Instagram/shaughnaphillips)

Love Island star Shaughna Phillips has declared she is “very happy” after reviving her relationship with the father of her child – who is in jail. The 31-year-old reality star found fame on ITV’s long-running dating show in 2020 when she was a contestant on season six.

While in the villa, the Londoner embarked on a romance with fellow contestant Callum Jones – but she was ultimately dumped from the Island after more than a month of being on the show. While romance failed on TV, Shaughna had better luck back in the real world.

Since 2020, she has had an on-off relationship with real estate agent Billy Webb. All appeared to be going well for the couple in 2022 when the reality star fell pregnant with their first child.

But things took a dramatic turn in January 2023 when Billy was arrested while Shaughna was 30 weeks pregnant. After dumping Billy and welcoming their daughter, Lucia, Shaughna recently revealed that she had reunited with her ex – who has been able to enjoy home day privileges while serving time.

But why is Love Island star Shaughna Phillips’s boyfriend Billy Webb in Jail? Here are the details of his dramatic arrest and sentencing.

billy web
Billy Webb was jailed in 2023 after pleading guilty to drug offences(Image: Met Police)
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Who is Billy Webb and why is he in jail?

Billy Webb is a former estate agent who was jailed in November 2023 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply 4.5kg of cocaine worth at least £360,000. He was arrested following a Met Police drugs raid in January that year – when Shaughna was 30 weeks pregnant with their first child.

After standing trial at Southwark Crown Court, Webb was sentenced to nine years behind bars for seven drug offences – including dealing. At the time Southwark Crown Court heard Webb, of London, ran a “relatively successful” drug operation called Barry’s Party Supplies offering cocaine, MDMA and ketamine, with special discounts before major football matches. Webb was arrested in January 2023 after being stopped and searched by police, who later found scales and bundles of cash.

He was also linked to criminals’ secret messaging service Encrochat, the court was told. Mitigating, Webb’s lawyer Nichola Cafferkey said: “He knows it’s through his own actions he’s separated from [his loved ones] and he should be assisting the upbringing of his young family.” Shaughna denied knowing about Webb’s criminal activities.

Last Christmas, Shaughna sparked surprise when she revealed she was spending time with Webb during the festive season, with it being suggested at the time he had been released from jail.

Reports have since revealed that the convicted criminal has been permitted to leave his prison on day release – with the former estate agent seemingly given the privileges after serving 12 months behind bars.

Love Island star Shaughna Phillips is pregnant
Shaughna is currently pregnant with her second child with Webb(Image: shaughnaphillips/Instagram)

When did Shaughna Phillips and Billy Webb get back together?

When Webb was arrested in January 2023, Shaughna saw her world fall apart – and two months later, she gave birth to their daughter, Lucia. During Webb’s trial, the Love Island star penned a letter on behalf of their daughter to be read out in court.

She previously said of the note: “’There was absolutely no discussion of leniency. Billy pled guilty to something that he’d done, and there was no denying that fact that’s done.”

She added: “I described how Billy is as a person and it was from Lucia’s point of view, and included things like, ‘I’m looking forward to being with my dad when he’s home.’ I had a duty to do that for her as her Mummy. The fact I wrote the letter was then spun up into a story in the papers, saying we were back together. That couldn’t be further from the truth.”

While fans were convinced Webb’s conviction would be the end of the relationship, they were surprised when Shaughna revealed they were spending Christmas together last year. In a social media post, the ITV star revealed: “If you had told me this time last year, that me and Billy would be taking Lucia to see Santa next Christmas, I probably wouldn’t have let myself believe you. The best couple of days, this Christmas is going to be so special.”

She also told fans via social media that she would not consider appearing on Love Island: All Stars as she was not “single”. And this month, Shaughna revealed she is pregnant with her second child with Webb having been able to spend time with him while he continues to serve his time.

She exclusively told the Mirror: “We’re so happy to announce we are adding to our little family. Lucia is going to be the best big sister and is really excited to have a new baby brother or sister arrive later this year.”

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Reality TV stars and criminal lovers – from Shaugna Phillips pregnancy to Dani Dyer’s fraudster ex

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Numerous UK reality stars have found themselves engaging in romantic relationships with criminals with dark pasts, including drug trafficking and acid attack crimes.

Ferne McCann and Dani Dyer found themselves dating criminals(Image: Getty Images)

From TOWIE to Love Island, some of our favourite UK reality stars have fallen for partners with the darkest of criminal pasts.

Behind the seemingly glamorous lives of some of these reality TV stars, lies relationships that have turned sour over the years after horrifying crimes and dodgy pasts came to light. On Monday, it was revealed that Ferne McCann’s ex-boyfriend and the father of her daughter Sunday, seven, has struck up a romance with ex-Love Islander Amelia Peters.

After launching an acid attack on 16 people in a nightclub, the thug is serving 20 years in jail and has left them with chemical burns. We examine some of the reality TV stars who have been caught dating criminals in this article.

READ MORE: Ferne McCann’s acid attacker ex Arthur Collins ‘dating Love Island star from behind bars’

Ferne McCann

Ferne McCann with ex Arthur Collins
Ferne McCann’s ex-boyfriend was involved in an acid attack at a nightclub(Image: Internet Unknown)

Former TOWIE star Ferne McCann, 34, was left devastated when her partner Arthur Collins, 32, went on the run from police after launching an acid attack in a nightclub while she was pregnant in 2017.

After being apprehended by police in Northamptonshire where he fled the horrific assault, he was given a sentence of 20 years in prison. The couple had a daughter on Sunday of Frene’s pregnancy the same year.

Continue reading the article.

When he threw corrosive material into the Mangle E8 nightclub, he caused injuries to 22 people. 16 people had severe burns, according to him, and he claimed he at the time believed it to be a date rape drug.

Now, former Love Islander Amelia Peters has struck up a romance with the criminal behind bars. It’s claimed Collins contacted Amelia last October when checking out her Instagram profile.

According to reports, he sent her bouquets and that she frequently visits him while incarcerated.

They talk constantly, even though he’s in jail, according to a source. He has spoken to her on a phone and has frequently sent her flowers.

Shaughna Phillips

Shaughna Phillips
Shaughna Phillips announced she was pregnant with Billy Webb who is serving time in an open prison(Image: ITV)

Love Island star Shaughna Phillips recently announced her pregnancy to fans. The star is expecting her second child with Billy Webb, who is still serving time in an open prison.

Billy, who is also the mother of Lucia’s first child, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply 4.5 kilograms of cocaine worth at least £360, 000. He remained for 12 months.

TV personality Shaughna has spent the last seven months enjoying family days out with Billy because he received day release from an open prison. The 30-year-old actress only recently made her pregnancy announcement via her social media channels on Sunday morning.

We’re thrilled to announce that we are adding to our small family, she exclusively told the Mirror. Lucia is looking forward to having a new baby brother or sister later this year because she will be the best big sister.

Lauren Goodger

Lauren Goodger
Lauren Goodger dated a burglar in 2017(Image: Instagram)

Joey Morrison, 38, was serving a 16-year prison sentence at the time he started dating TOWIE original Lauren in 2017.

After being discovered with £60, 000 of cocaine and a £90, 000 Land Rover, Morrison, 38, was jailed in 2010 for dressing as a postman to burgle properties.

Lauren dumped him in 2018, accusing him of sending explicit snaps from his rotty jail cell to “fans.”

Gemma Collins

Stephen Mortimer and Gemma Collins
Stephen Mortimer, the ex of Gemma Collins, was imprisoned for theft.

Gemma Collins, 44, first dated Stephen Mortimer in 2016. Stephen was jailed for two years in October 2016 for stealing jewellery in a home raid, just months after he had split from the reality TV favourite.

He has had a fair few brushes with the law and was famously sent back to jail while Gemma was in Celebrity Big Brother. Stephen had allegedly breached licence terms by moving in with the CBB star at the time.

Prior to that, he had spent two years behind bars for grievous bodily harm (GBH).

Childs, Amy

Childs, Amy and Bradley Wright
Childs, Amy welcomed her first child with convict Bradley Wright(Image: GC Images)

Another TOWIE favourite Childs, Amy, 35, welcomed her first child Polly, eight, with convict Bradley Wright in 2017. Wright is a builder who has a criminal record and has served two stints in jail and time in a Young Offender Institution.

He and Amy first started dating in 2013, but they ended their relationship in 2015. In March 2016, they rekindled their romance.

For handling stolen goods in 2014, Wright was given an 18-month prison sentence. He already had a criminal record after serving a 16-month sentence for three theft counts in Basildon Crown Court, Essex, in 2013.

He was incarcerated for 19 months in a youth offender facility for burglary, handling stolen goods, and driving offenses in 2010. When he was in jail at the time, Amy revealed that she had a breakdown.

Dani Dyer

Dani Dyer and Sammy Kimmence
Dani Dyer claimed Sammy Kimmence lied to her about his crimes.

Dani Dyer famously dated Sammy Kimmence before her appearance on Love Island, and rekindled their relationship in 2020. The couple have a son together, who was born in 2021.

Dani, 28, was left devastated when the former stockbroker was imprisoned for defrauding two pensioners of £34,000. He claimed he would invest the money by placing horse-racing bets on the two men, who were 81 and 91 years old.

Instead, he was found to have spent the money on both financing his lifestyle and paying off his own debts. In 2021, he received a three-and-a-half-year jail term.

Dani and the conman eventually broke up after she claimed he had told her a lie about his crimes.

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‘I’ve always wanted to reach F1. Now it’s a step closer’

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“I said to myself at the start of the year, ‘what if I never get to drive a Formula 1 car?’.”

Alex Dunne didn’t need to worry.

After stepping into Formula 2 this year – the category below F1 – the 19-year-old McLaren development driver has impressed with his speed and leads the standings with two victories to his name.

That form led to a first Formula 1 outing in a private event at Zandvoort in the Netherlands in May.

And now he will become the first Irish driver to participate on a Formula 1 weekend in 22 years when he deputises for Lando Norris in the opening practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix.

“When me and my dad got told we would be able to drive a F1 car this year, my dad got a little bit emotional and I laughed at him,” joked Dunne.

“Nah, I got emotional as well. It’s a big thing.

Driving a Formula 1 car at any time is a big deal, and doing it on a Grand Prix weekend in a championship-leading car is a huge opportunity.

McLaren says it is not only a reward for his form, but a development opportunity for the teenager.

Dunne has a bigger picture to focus on too. When he pulls back into the garage, he will swap the McLaren MCL39 for his Formula 2 car and it’s back to the day job as he tries to win the championship.

He currently leads the standings after six rounds, largely thanks two victories in Bahrain and Imola, a pole position in Monaco and an impressive recovery drive from 19th to second in Barcelona.

Dunne may only be 19, but he recognised the bigger picture in front of him.

“It’s important not to focus too much on F1, it’s important to focus on F2 and trying to do as well as I can.

“If I get too wrapped up in it I can quickly forget about what I need to do this year.

“The whole point of focusing on F2 and making sure I have good results this year, is so hopefully then at the end of the year there is an opportunity to be a F1 driver.

‘It was amazing’

Alex Dunne wins a Formula 2 race at ImolaGetty Images

Wednesday, 7 May is a day that Dunne will never forget as he stepped into a Formula 1 car for the first time at Zandvoort.

After watching the team’s regular drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who are first and second in the F1 standings, it was Dunne’s turn to hit the circuit.

“To have that opportunity was pretty amazing.

“McLaren have made it pretty clear that they believe in me to do well and they have been really pushing me and supporting me.

“I got to watch Lando and Oscar drive and speak to them in detail to see what I could learn.

“There’s a lot to learn from both of them and I can take that forward with me.”

Dunne accepts “there’s no guarantee I’ll make it to F1” despite his upwards career trajectory.

“It was slightly easier to adapt to than I expected. The car was unbelievable. The grip, the brakes, everything,” Dunne said on his Zandvoort experience.

“Even in a straight line it feels fast. When you are racing in F2 or F3, it doesn’t necessarily feel that quick when you put your foot down.

“But when I put my foot down in the F1 car, I was like ‘wow, this is pretty quick’.

“Even the G-forces you pull through the corners, at the end of the day my neck was a little bit sore.

‘Wow, this is actually going to happen’

Dunne’s racing CV is impressive. He dominated the British F4 championship in 2022 and in the same year he finished second in Italian F4, finishing second to Mercedes F1 driver Kimi Antonelli.

He then finished second in the British GB3 championship in his rookie year, and impressed on his debut at the Macau Grand Prix before he stepped up to the F1 support series in 2024 with MP Motorsport in Formula 3.

He claimed two podiums, including one at the final round in Monza, but was 14th in the standings in an up-and-down campaign.

“It’s nice this year to be back to where I think I should be. I think it proves what was happening last year wasn’t because of me.”

At only the second round in Bahrain, Dunne dominated the feature race to become the first Irish driver to win in Formula 2. It was normal service resumed.

“I always expected it to be good, I maybe didn’t expect it to be this good.

“It was over the last couple of laps where it was like, ‘this is actually going to happen pretty early’.

“When I pulled in at the end of the race and seen the team, my dad, Zak Brown [McLaren CEO] and all of McLaren standing there, it was very nice.

Noel Dunne hugs Alex Dunne after a victory at ImolaGetty Images

Another impressive victory followed at Imola, as Dunne carved his way through the order to win his second race of the year.

At the following round, Dunne set a stunning lap to take pole position around the famous streets of Monaco. However, he was penalised for a first-lap collision and handed a 10-place grid penalty for the next race in Barcelona.

Starting in 19th, Dunne capitalised on a late pit stop for fresh tyres to finish second and regain the championship lead he lost in Monaco.

In Dunne’s words, that type of recovery shows the “mental resilience” required to fight for the title – both as a driver and his Rodin Motorsport team.

“That’s something I can be proud of, each time we have had something difficult or go wrong, we have come back and done something pretty special.

“The fact we are able to forget about the little things that have happened and bounce back straight away is a very good quality to have.”

Dunne acknowledges he is in a good place in both his career and the Formula 2 standings, “but it’s important that it’s after 14 rounds and not six”.

“It’s important to stay consistent, not try and do anything crazy, have good qualifying and score good points in the sprint race and the feature.

“If I keep doing what I’m doing, and keep chipping away at it, then hopefully the opportunities will come.”

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Israel-Iran conflict exposed China’s ‘limited leverage’, say analysts

In the midst of a tense regional crisis, China quickly asserted itself as a potential mediator and voice of reason during the recent Israel-Iran conflict.

Beijing reached out to both sides the day after Israel launched an unprovoked attack on Iran on June 13 while Wang Yi, the country’s top diplomat, criticized Israel’s actions as a violation of international law.

China immediately reaffirmed its commitment to de-escalation, and in response, China joined Russia and Pakistan in calling for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” at the UN Security Council.

Beijing was also quick to express its opposition when Iran threatened to block China’s strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil flows.

Instead, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the “international community to intensify efforts to de-escalate conflicts and stop regional unrest from having a greater impact on global economic development.”

Beijing has remained committed to its long-standing non-interference policy toward foreign hostilities throughout the conflict. However, according to experts, it exposed the limitations of its influence in the region and failed to support its efforts to become a powerful player there.

Before a meeting on March 14, 2025 in Beijing, China, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, center, greets Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, center, and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.

Why did China worry?

China typically approaches foreign policy “through a lens of strategic pragmatism rather than ideological solidarity,” according to Evangeline Cheng, a research associate at the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute.

According to Cheng, this strategy leaves China with a focus on preserving its economic interests, which it has a lot in the Middle East.

China has investments in Israel’s expanding tech sector, and its Belt and Road infrastructure project covers Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.

Critically, China imports Iranian oil from the Middle East for more than half of its crude oil, and it is the largest importer of Iranian oil. Iranian blockade of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran’s parliament threatened during the conflict, would have slowed down its oil supplies.

Alam Saleh, a senior lecturer in Iranian studies at the Australian National University, said that “war and security instability not only undermines Chinese investment, trade, and business, but also the general security of oil prices and energy.”

China seeks stability, and it opposes and disagrees with any kind of military solution to any kind of conflict or conflict, he said.

According to John Gong, an economics professor at Beijing’s University, the main concern with the conflict was avoiding “skyrocketing oil prices,” which would threaten China’s energy security.

flexing diplomatic muscles, preserving economic might

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanded that Beijing keep Iran from severing the Strait of Hormuz as ceasefire negotiations drew to a close this week in light of China’s friendly relations with Iran and Beijing’s economic worries.

Beijing’s influence was briefly acknowledged, but experts claim that China’s overall diplomatic influence is still subdued.

China’s offer to mediate highlights its desire to be seen as a responsible global player, Cheng said. However, its actual influence is still limitless. China’s role is always constrained because it lacks military might or significant political influence in the region and because Israel is wary of Beijing’s ties to Iran.

Beijing has undoubtedly demonstrated its ability to broker significant diplomatic agreements in the area. It facilitated the normalization of Saudi Arabian and Iranian relations in 2023. Although Beijing is regarded as a significant diplomatic success, experts claim Oman and Iraq, two of its mediators, contributed a large portion to its success. After Israel’s ongoing conflict with the enclave, China also mediated a deal reached between Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, in July 2024.

However, according to William Yang, a senior analyst for Northeast Asia at the Brussels-based International Crisis Group, Israel’s stance toward Iran has been a factor in the recent conflict.

Iran is a key player in the Belt and Road project, and China and Iran signed a 25-year “strategic partnership” in 2021. Iran has also partnered with China’s Shanghai Cooperation Organization and participated in “Maritime Security Belt” naval exercises this year.

In contrast to Israel’s close ties to the US, Yang said, Iran’s “resolute opposition to American hegemony” also aligns well with China’s diplomatic interests in general.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang shake hands during a meeting in Beijing, China, April 6, 2023. Iran's Foreign Ministry/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Iranians’ late Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, left, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, right, and then-foreign minister Qin Gang at a meeting in Beijing, China, in April 2023 [Handout/Iran’s Foreign Ministry/West Asia News Agency via Reuters]

China’s plight: a dilemma

He claimed that the situation has the potential to be repeated in the future.

China’s situation is underscored by this case, which also highlights the difficulty it faces: while it tries to be seen as a great power capable of bringing up major global conflicts, Beijing’s ability to play a key role is diminished, according to Yang.

Beijing will continue to rely on the US as a security guarantor in the area, he said.

“China will continue to emphasize expanding its economic ties with Middle Eastern nations while profiting from the region’s US presence, which continues to be the region’s primary security guarantee,” Yang said.

Kim Kardashian arrives for Jeff Bezos wedding in tiny crop top alongside gothic Kris Jenner

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Jeff Bezos and bride-to-be Lauren Sanchez have arrived in Venice ahead of their hugely anticipated A-lister wedding

The three have arrived in Venice(Image: Matteo Chinellato/ipa-agency.net/Shutterstock)

Kim and Khloe Kardashian and Kris Jenner have arrived ahead of Jeff Bezos wedding this week. The A-list pair have touched down in Venice before their celeb friends tie the knot over the next few days.

The two of them have been spotted looking as glamourous as ever. Kris wore a long black gown with ruffle details along with slim black sunglasses.

She went for a full glam makeup look and stuck with her iconic bob haircut. Meanwhile, mum-of-four Kim went for a black midi skirt with a matching crop top and covered up with a coordinated hoodie.

READ MORE: Natalya Wright looks ‘unreal’ in a ‘gorgeous’ black midi that’s perfect for wedding season

Kris and Kim went for glam looks
Kris and Kim went for glam looks(Image: GC Images)

She slicked her brunette hair back into a neat bun and covered up her face with chunky grey sunglasses. Khloe looked gorgeous as she went for an all-leopard print look for the occasion.

The TV star wore an eye-catching jumpsuit with black sunglasses and styled her brunette locks into loose waves. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez have also arrived in Venice, Italy as a helicopter picked them up from his superyacht Koru’s support ship, the Albeona.

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Khloe wore a leopard-print jumpsuit
Khloe wore a leopard-print jumpsuit(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Celebrations will begin on Thursday evening as a casual welcome dinner will be held at the 14th Century Madonna dell’Orto church. The ceremony was expected to take place at the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, an historic 16th-century building in the city centre.

However, the No Space for Bezos campaign group claim the couple scrambled to change their plans, after activists threatened to block the canals with inflatable crocodiles to stop their guests from attending.

The three arrived for the A-list wedding
The three arrived for the A-list wedding(Image: GC Images)

A new plan have now been put in place as it has been moved to Arsenale which is a shipyard complex which will be near-impossible for protestors to get to.

Tension is growing on mainland Venice which is where most of the A-listers are reported to be staying. Campaigners Everyone Hates Elon (EHE) and Greenpeace protesters laid out a huge 20x20m banner near to where the Amazon founder will marry his partner.

Set out in the city’s famous St Mark’s Square, the message reads: “IF YOU CAN RENT VENICE FOR YOUR WEDDING YOU CAN PAY MORE TAX.” The groups are critical of Mr Bezos, who is the second-richest man in the world, as he is reported to pay a 1.1% true tax rate.

The wedding is due to take place this week
The wedding is due to take place this week(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

A spokesperson from EHE explained: “As governments talk about hard choices and struggle to fund public services, Jeff Bezos can afford to shut down half a city for days on end just to get married. Just weeks ago, he spent millions on an 11-minute space trip. If there was ever a sign billionaires like Bezos should pay wealth taxes, it’s this.

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“While ordinary people struggle to pay the bills, there are more billionaires than ever before. These two things are obviously connected – they’re getting richer at our expense. It’s not rocket science: tax billionaires like Jeff Bezos now.”