Archive July 4, 2025

Russia expanding Ukraine chemical weapons use, allege European spy agencies

Russia has intensified its use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian soldiers in a serious violation of international law, the Dutch and German intelligence agencies have said.

On Friday, they said there was extensive evidence that Moscow’s forces were using banned products, including the choking agent chloropicrin.

Russia denies using the prohibited weapons, as does Ukraine. On Wednesday, Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, claimed that the Federal Security Service found a cache of Ukrainian weapons in the east of the country containing chloropicrin.

“It is normalised and widespread. Chloropicrin is dropped by drones to drive soldiers out of trenches, and then kill them,” Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said in a post on X, referring to Russia’s purported use.

Brekelmans, who is now calling for tougher sanctions against Russia, described the use of chemical weapons as “horrible and unacceptable”.

Peter Reesink, the head of the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD), confirmed that the findings were based on its own investigations. There were “thousands of instances” of chemical weapons use by Russia, he said.

“This isn’t just some ad hoc tinkering at the front line; it is truly part of a large-scale programme. And that is, of course, also concerning because if we don’t clarify and publicise what Russia is doing, it’s highly likely these trends will continue,” Reesink added.

Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency also corroborated the MIVD’s conclusions.

The Russian army was using tear gas as well as “the more dangerous chemical chloropicrin, which can be lethal in high concentrations in enclosed spaces” in Ukraine, the BND said in a statement.

“This represents a more serious violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which prohibits the use of this lung warfare agent under all circumstances,” it noted.

Speaking to Reuters about the Dutch and German intelligence reports, Brekelmans, the Dutch defence minister, said that at least three Ukrainian deaths had been linked to Russian chemical weapons, with more than 2,500 people reporting symptoms related to the banned products.

More needed to be done to deter Russia from deploying such weapons, he suggested.

“We must further increase the pressure. This means looking at more sanctions and specifically not allowing them (Russia) to participate in international bodies like the Executive Council of the OPCW (the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons),” Brekelmans said.

The OPCW said last year that Russian and Ukrainian accusations that the other side was using banned weapons were “insufficiently substantiated”.

The disarmament agency, which is based in The Hague and has 193 member states, has not conducted a full investigation, something which can only happen at the request of member states.

Fighting grinds on

The allegations of increased Russian chemical weapons use came as Ukraine reported the largest ever Russian drone and missile attack on the country.

A Ukrainian air force official told local media it is the biggest of the war so far, with Moscow firing 539 drones and 11 missiles overnight.

The attacks on Kyiv injured at least 23 people, damaging railway infrastructure and setting buildings and cars on fire, authorities said.

A Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Rostov region killed at least one woman and forced the evacuation of dozens of people from their homes, the acting governor said.

In the meantime, on Friday, both countries confirmed that they had carried out their latest prisoner exchange, with neither side giving details about the number of soldiers involved.

The swap followed an agreement made in the Turkish capital, Istanbul, in June.

On the diplomatic front, United States President Donald Trump said he had made no progress, expressing his “disappointment”, during his phone call on Thursday with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, who reportedly reiterated he would stop his invasion only if the conflict’s “root causes” were tackled.

Trump also said he was planning to discuss the conflict with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday. Zelenskyy said he hoped to speak with Trump about the supply of US weapons to Ukraine.

The US said on Tuesday that it was halting some weapons deliveries to Kyiv that were promised under the Biden administration, as Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukraine.

The Biden administration-era pledges, which included various munitions to bolster Ukraine’s defences, are now under review as the Pentagon reassesses current inventory levels. The move could signal a shift in priorities under Trump, who has pressed for a more restrained global military posture.

Missiles for Patriot air defence systems and Hellfire missiles are among weapons being held back, according to US media.

The 12 content creators vying to be BBC’s new football expert

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The BBC’s search to find a new football expert begins on Monday, with 12 content creators competing in Last Pundit Standing to win a role as BBC Sport’s next football content creator.

The first two episodes of the show will be available to watch on iPlayer, as well as BBC Sport’s YouTube channel and TikTok account, from 06:00 BST on Monday, with new episodes every week until 11 August.

Last Pundit Standing will be co-hosted by former Watford captain Troy Deeney and YouTuber and football presenter James Allcott.

Deeney said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to co-host Last Pundit Standing. There’s something really special about the energy that surrounds an exciting new show like this.

“We’re bringing together some amazing creators in incredible locations, with some huge special guests. I can’t wait to dive in and have some fun over the series. “

Star guests include former footballers Alex Scott, Robbie Savage, Chris Sutton and Martin Keown, ex-Everton and Burnley manager Sean Dyche, referee Rebecca Welch and comedian Max Fosh.

The 12 contestants, who were chosen from more than 400 applicants, will be whittled down through a series of tasks staged at iconic football locations as the creators are challenged by some of the biggest names in the game.

The candidates are:

“These are 12 of the brightest football creators out there, the future of the football media industry. Seeing who comes out on top and lands the job should make great viewing,” said BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski.

Boom Cymru TV Ltd & JLA Productions

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Nico Williams signs new contract with Athletic Bilbao until 2035

In response to reports of interest from La Liga champions Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao announced that coveted Spain forward Nico Williams had extended his contract to 2035 with an increased release clause.

The club said in a statement on Friday that the deal, which extends the contract by eight years and increases the release clause by 50%, is “a resounding success” when dealing with the 22-year-old’s “dizzy offers”

The heart is what really matters to me when you have to make decisions. Williams was quoted as saying in the statement, “This is my home, where I want to be, with my people.”

Nico started out in the youth ranks of the Basque national team as a star player, scoring 31 goals in his five seasons with the first team.

His inventive wing movement helped the club win the 2024 Copa del Rey and advance to the 2025/26 Champions League, ending a 40-year drought in the sport.

With reports linking him to Barcelona and Arsenal, Williams had attracted the attention of major European players.

Williams has also become a regular Spanish player and won the match MVP when La Roja defeated England to reach the Euro 2024 final.

[File: Juan Medina/Reuters] Williams has scored 31 goals in 167 appearances for Athletic Bilbao.

Wages unpaid and club ‘held hostage’ – what’s going on at Sheffield Wednesday?

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With wages going unpaid, the local MP saying the club is being “held hostage” by the owner and now some fans calling for boycotts, it has been a summer of turmoil for Sheffield Wednesday.

How has it come to this?

Sheffield Wednesday, who are run by owner Dejphon Chansiri, have had cashflow issues for some time.

There has been no official explanation by Chansiri on what has led to the problem but things have escalated recently.

The club has gone from delayed payments to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in 2023 and 2024 to players, coaches and staff now not being paid on time in both May and June.

They are now under three English Football League (EFL) embargoes, one relating to unpaid players, one to a further issue with HMRC and, on Thursday, a third one for failure to pay transfer fees.

They are under a registration embargo preventing them from signing anyone, even free transfers, until the outstanding wages are paid in full and can not make any transfers or loans which involve a fee for this summer’s window and the two in 2026.

No official explanation has been offered by Chansiri on what has led to the current crisis and there is no obvious solution to the problem under the current owner.

The situation at the club has been described as “shocking” and “not tolerable” by Maheta Molango, the head of the Professional Footballers’ Association.

Meanwhile, Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts has urged Chansiri to sell the club, accusing him of holding it “hostage”.

Who is Dejphon Chansiri?

Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri pictured watching a match from the stands.Getty Images

The Thai businessman, whose family controls the Thai Union Group, the world’s largest producer of canned tuna, bought Sheffield Wednesday for a reported £37.5m in 2015 from former chairman Milan Mandaric.

The Owls, who have not played in the Premier League since 2000, reached the Championship play-offs in each of his first two seasons in charge but in recent years the 57-year-old has frequently clashed with supporters during a series of lengthy fans’ forums and public statements.

In 2023 he told supporters “you have no right to ask me to leave” amid calls to sell. In an interview with the Sheffield Star in the same year, he asked fans to raise £2m to help the club pay an outstanding debt to HMRC and cover wages, before resolving the issue shortly after.

What’s the latest?

Owls players were not paid on time for March, before the issue was resolved a few days later. Since then, the same thing has happened for May and June.

Some players still haven’t been paid for May. It is believed some players have now handed in their notice, as is permitted when a player receives delayed wages in two consecutive months.

Coaches have also been affected and are now out of contract, meaning a skeleton staff is left to try to piece together a pre-season.

Highly-rated manager Danny Rohl is set to leave the club, with talks ongoing over his departure.

Non-playing staff have also suffered late payment of wages. Last month an emergency fund helped some employees.

We believe some staff have been paid £700 of their June salaries. There is no current clarity on when salaries will be paid in full.

What issues do potential bidders for the club face?

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Chansiri has not publicly revealed what kind of offer he would be willing to accept for the club.

He did reveal in a statement that he had rejected an offer of £40m plus “limited future Premier League promotion payments” from a consortium.

The owner has spent a considerable amount during his 10-and-a-half years at Hillsborough and appears determined to ask for a bid that is well beyond what many consider to be market value.

Unless his price demand comes down, it’s hard to imagine anyone buying the club.

Mandaric briefly suggested he would be interested in a return but subsequently decided against getting involved, while John Flanagan, a member of a US-based consortium, told BBC Radio Sheffield that they had had two offers for the club rejected with no counter-offer.

At the moment, it seems like a bidder would have to be prepared to overpay or come up with a package that would interest Chansiri.

An individual who is part of a bidding consortium has described negotiations with the Thai as “the most unique” he had experienced in his business career.

What’s going on with the players and boss Danny Rohl?

Due to work on the training ground being incomplete, players are currently working away from the club and doing what they can to prepare for the new season.

Some players have been training at Sheffield Hallam University’s athletics stadium at Woodbourn Road, which is based next to a facility where many fans have probably played five-a-side.

It’s a shambolic situation and a far cry from the numerous clubs going through warm-weather camps or working at their own facilities.

As noted, some of the players have handed their notice in due to delayed payment of wages or simply signalled their intention to leave.

It’s unclear at this stage what kind of squad Wednesday will have to start the season, especially given their current embargoes.

Rohl, who led the side to a 12th-placed finish last season, is set to depart although, contrary to reports connecting him to other jobs, it’s believed his exit is not specifically tied to another club.

The talented German boss hinted strongly at the end of last season that he saw his future away from Hillsborough and is understandably keen to draw a line and move on, as, seemingly, some of the players are.

What are fans saying and doing?

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Many are distraught and desperate for an end to Chansiri’s reign.

A plea from the Supporters’ Trust for fans to boycott merchandise and retail was seemingly well backed online this week and many insist they will not return to Hillsborough until a new owner is in place.

We have seen a lot of support for the players, with fans also telling staff they would be backed if they decided to walk out over the wage issue.

Wednesday fans are not typically protestors but the action at the end of last season was the most significant seen at Hillsborough.

When the club plays its next game — although no pre-season fixtures are currently arranged — there are likely to be protests.

We are also waiting for the outcome of a recent Safety Advisory Group meeting where the safety of Hillsborough’s North Stand was discussed, amid rumours that it could be closed.

Some fans have already purchased season tickets in the stand. No clarity was provided on the matter by the club when contacted by BBC Radio Sheffield.

“Enough is enough” is the call on social media and for Sheffield Wednesday fans, they have reached the end of their tether. It’s fair to say Owls supporters want a new owner and fast.

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Noel Gallagher’s ex Meg Matthews reaches out to Oasis star hours before Cardiff gig

Meg Matthews, Noel Gallagher’s ex-wife, has confirmed that she will be attending Oasis’ concert in London while posting a number of retro-coup photos.

Meg Matthews is still reaching out to her ex, Noel Gallagher just hours ahead of Oasis’ epic comeback gig(Image: Meg Mathews/Instagram)

Meg Matthews is still reaching out to her ex, Noel Gallagher just hours ahead of Oasis’ epic comeback gig. Fans can’t wait for the Don’t Look Back In Anger stars to take to the stage in Cardiff tonight when Liam and Noel will perform on stage together for the first time in 16 years.

Every day this week, Meg, 59, has been posting throwback snaps of her and Noel, 58, on Instagram amid reports the pair, who split up in 2001 after four years of marriage, may be giving things another go. Meg has denied the rumours, however, she did confirm she would be going to Oasis’ gig in London while interacting with the band’s fans.

READ MORE: Oasis fans say Liam and Noel feud not over as they spot heartbreaking detail in new photo

Noel Gallagher, Meg Matthews
Noel Gallagher’s ex-wife, Meg Matthews, has confirmed she will be going to Oasis’s reunion gig in London(Image: Instagram/Meg Mathews)

She posted a slew of old photos of her and Noel larking around in a club on Instagram today, saying, “Today IS THE DAY 4th July 2025 Finally here… Britpop, or OASIS REUNION TOUR, was a British musical and cultural movement that reached its peak in the mid-1990s, dominating American grunge and British guitar pop.

Celebrating British identity, working-class roots, and daily life, it was not just a genre, but a reactionary and patriotic cultural response.

“To everyone who walks on the stage at 8:15 pm will be a piece of history,” said one audience member.

Continue reading the article.

READ MORE: Oasis have released new tickets for UK tour – how to buy yours if you missed out

She continued, “That night was a lot of fun, I can’t recall what after party gig it was, but there was always one that I was in charge of organizing through @creationrecords money and there was no limit to fun back then.”

A fan asked Meg if she would be at her first London date, and she responded with “Yes” when she responded to one of her most recent throwback posts.

In the week leading up to Oasis’ long-awaited tour, which starts tonight in Wales, Meg has been sharing fond memories of her romantic relationship with Noel.

 Anais Gallagher (L) and Meg Matthews
Meg shares daughter Anais with Noel(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

She shared sweet snaps of her and Noel from the early 1990s and early 2000s on Thursday to start the countdown to the kick-off.

She gushed, “DAY 2 COUNT DOWN,” in a caption. What song will serve as the opening act? What do you think of the comments below?

Continue reading the article.

Noel and Meg tied the knot in Las Vegas in June 1997, and they welcomed their daughter Anais, who is reportedly attending tonight’s Cardiff show.

Noel later wed Sara McDonald, who he is currently also divorcing, after only four years of dating.

READ MORE: Kickers’ ‘durable’ Back to School shoe range that ‘last all year’

Rashford to return to Man Utd training on Monday

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Marcus Rashford intends to start pre-season training at Manchester United on Monday.

Ruben Amorim, a manager for England, exiled the 27-year-old in December, and he went on loan at Aston Villa for the remainder of the season.

Rashford is valued at £40 million by United, who has not yet received any offers.

Amorim claimed in February that he could not “get Marcus to play football the way you’re supposed to and to train the way I see it.”

Rashford stated last month that he wants to play for Barcelona alongside forward Lamine Yamal.

On Monday, Rashford’s pre-season training with United will begin, and sources close to him have said he would be okay going back.

Before heading to the US for the Premier League Summer Series friendlies, the club will play Leeds in its first pre-season friendly on July 19 in Stockholm.

Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 senior games for United over the course of his 20 years there.

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