Archive November 1, 2025

Amanda Owen threatens ‘I’m putting you up for adoption’ after snub from daughter

A famous farmer and host of Channel 5’s Our Yorkshire Farm, Amanda Owen, recently shared a funny anecdote about her daughter Annas.

Amanda Owen has revealed how she jokingly threatened her daughter with “adoption” after being snubbed over one of her literary projects. Amanda, a celebrity farmer best known for her appearances on shows such as Channel 5’s Our Yorkshire Farm, resides at the remote 2,000-acre Ravenseat Farm in Swaledale, Yorkshire.

Amanda, whose popular @yorkshireshepherdess Instagram account boasts an impressive following of more than 500,000 people, is also a mum of nine children, Raven, Reuben, Miles, Edith, Violet, Sidney, Annas, Clementine, and Nancy with ex-husband Clive.

Speaking to James Fisher on the Country Life podcast, Amanda recently opened up about her writing career, which includes The Yorkshire Shepherdess trilogy and her recent foray into children’s books, Christmas Tales from the Farm.

It prompted her to share an anecdote about her daughter, Annas, and her amusing response when asked whether she’d read her mum’s book, but it seems that’s how Amanda wants “it to be”.

Amanda responded, “Well, your kids must love the fact that you’ve written a book.” Have you read the book, Annas, I asked you to say that yesterday. ‘, and she went, ‘ Nah’.

“And I said, “Why?” She said, “Well, I’m in it, I kinda know it,” and she went. And that’s how I want it to be, too. I simply stated that I would adopt you if you didn’t pass any of the questions on the back of the quiz.

In related news, Amanda admitted back in August that she worries about her children as she shared details about a certain “extreme” activity they enjoy at their sprawling rural home.

She revealed that some of them had engaged in “extreme hide and seek” as per their description. She went on to say that their home has “even got a cave,” and that there are places to climb as well.

Amanda remarked that their family is “blessed” because they have so much space to enjoy, but she still worries about them, saying it’s “absolutely joy” to be able to give her children that freedom.

She told the Darlington and Stockton Times: “Yeah, course I do. You want to keep your child safe, of course. But danger comes in many forms, whether it’s vehicles, fast-flowing rivers, things with teeth and hooves, or even through a small screen.

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“I wouldn’t teach or support it, but you can’t live your life being risk-averse, but who knows where the danger is coming from?” Simply put, you must understand how to live your life and also understand how to live it.

We must be “fearless” in life, Amanda continued, saying that we must be someone who “steps forward” rather than “shies away”.

Tess Daly’s ‘real reason’ for quitting Strictly Come Dancing – ‘it’s been hard’

Tess Daly is focused on restoring her marriage when she leaves Strictly Come Dancing after learning that her husband, Vernon Kay, has never seen her.

She shocked the nation when she dropped the bombshell that she will be quitting Strictly Come Dancing after 21 years on the show. Tess Daly’s surprise decision came just eight weeks after her husband of 22 years Vernon Kay said he never misses a Strictly episode – so that he knows Tess is OK.

The BBC Radio 2 presenter explained that he has the dance show playing wherever he is, even if he is working. Vernon, 51, revealed, “I rarely go out when Strictly’s on because I want to make sure everything’s alright. If I’m working, I have it on at the side of the stage.”

But sources say Tess – who shares daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16, with Vernon – is now looking forward to having more time to see her family. A source says, “Strictly is a real whirlwind – it is chaotic and they don’t have much time together.

READ MORE: Zoe Ball addresses rumours of replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on StrictlyREAD MORE: Strictly’s new hosts ‘revealed’ by BBC legend as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman quit

Vernon has understood and is aware of this. Tess has been a member of Strictly for a long time, but it has been heartbreaking for her to miss out on family time because it’s so difficult for her to balance work and family.

“They’re seeing her taking time away from work briefly as their fresh start – a chance for her and Vernon to have some space for their relationship. Once Strictly has stopped, she can have so much more family time, more holidays, more special time with the kids and for work opportunities. It’s going to be very positive for them as a couple.”

Tess, 56, and Vernon, 51, have enjoyed one of the strongest marriages in showbiz, having first set eyes on each other at a BBC Christmas party in 2001. They had plenty in common as they both moved from modelling careers into TV presenting.

Vernon eventually went on one knee a year later, despite Tess’ earlier admission that the initial spark was immediate and intense. While visiting Tess’ parents’ Stockport home on Christmas Day, he asked her out.

In Horwich, Bolton, where Vernon was born, he and his wife were married in 2003 at Vernon’s neighborhood church, St Mary’s. While Vernon went for a white suit and pink shirt to go with a strapless A-line gown, Tess chose a white suit.

However, the couple encountered a scandal that threatened to break their marriage seven years later, with two children. Rhian Sugden, a glamour model, and Vernon were the only women to discover that he had been sending risqué messages to.

Tess and Vernon survived the scandal, but it came back five years later because it was claimed that Rhian and the presenter had allegedly exchanged emails. Vernon claimed he had told Tess everything and that there had never been anything “inappropriate” in their exchanges.

Thankfully, the pair successfully rekindled their relationship by renewing their secret vows. Tess remained silent at the time about the reports, but later admitted in 2017 that marriages are still “work in progress.”

The source claims, “They work hard on their marriage and they’ve got to because it’s tough. It’s tough being with someone in the showbiz world. It’s tough having that spotlight on you all the time. They need a little downtime without the cameras on.

She has learned to trust him once more, and it has been difficult for them to do so. He has tried to earn his trust, and it has been earned. However, they are currently strong, and after Strictly, they will spend a lot more time together.

The source concludes, “It is in some ways a new beginning. She’s been on the show for so long, so it’s going to be different for them. It can only be a good thing because they have more time to grow as a couple and spend together.

Although both Tess and Vernon have successful careers in the spotlight, there are costs to doing so. Tess revealed earlier this year that she works every day and even on vacation.

As a film student, Amber decides her next steps while Phoebe, her oldest child, has already flown the nest and is currently deciding between London and Dubai. And sources claim that once Tess leaves Strictly, they’ll have less to juggle, so they’ll have more time together.

Tess, who co-owns Naia Beach’s high-end swimwear line, made an apparent display of her strong work ethic in March when she stated, “Recently, I took the girls to Dubai. I was constantly improving the brand. When there is work to be done, I’m the type of person who feels a little let down lying on a sunbed.

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She continued, “We are busy trying to put all those hats on, because that’s what we do,” adding that it’s all part of the juggle. Since becoming a mother, I’ve been working hard for that ideal balance throughout my entire career. It’s challenging. Every mother I’ve met has a “Wonder Woman” because of how diligently they work.

Tess loves her job, the sources claim, but “I think this is going to be good for her and Vernon and they’re going to have more time together.”

READ MORE: Vet warning to pet owners to do one thing this winter to avoid ‘dangerous’ risk

Can you name the line-ups from Aston Villa 7-2 Liverpool?

Aston Villa travel to Anfield on Saturday, with the Reds currently on a four-game losing streak in the Premier League, while Villa has won six of their previous seven games overall.

Could Villa win another significant victory, similar to Villa Park’s 7-2 victory in 2020?

For the Saturday starting line-ups quiz this week, we’ve chosen that match.

What data are gathered from this quiz?

more tests are available.

    • seven days ago
    • Earlier, 4 days ago
    • October 21
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Cuba charges former economy minister Gil of espionage, financial crimes

FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025: What to know about the tournament

When the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 debuts in Qatar on Monday, the next generation of football stars will showcase their talent on the biggest stage.

The tournament is set to produce a spectacle unlike any other thanks to an expanded field of 48 teams.

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Everything you need to know about the showpiece event is provided in this article:

What dates are crucial?

Kicking off the FIFA U-17 World Cup will be two matches between South Africa and Bolivia, and Costa Rica and the United Arab Emirates, both of which will take place in Qatar on November 3.

The 104-match tournament will come to an end on November 27th, when the final match will be played.

    Stages 3 through 11 November

  • Round of 32: November 14 and 15
  • November 18th round of 16.
  • November 21 in the quarterfinals
  • November 24 in the semi-finals
  • Playoff for third place on November 27
  • Final date: November 27

Where is the location of the competition?

Starting this year, Qatar will host five more U-17 World Cups.

At the Aspire Zone complex in Al Rayyan, which is located about 9 kilometers (5,6 miles) from the capital Doha, all matches will take place until the final, which will be played over eight pitches.

The 45-meter-capacity Khalifa International Stadium, the home of six matches during the men’s FIFA 2022 World Cup, will host the final match. One of Qatar’s oldest stadiums, it was constructed in 1976.

Egypt hosted the U-17 World Cup in 1997 and the United Arab Emirates hosted the U-17 World Cup in 2013; this is the third time the event has taken place in the Arab world.

Qatar’s national football team plays at the Khalifa International Stadium. It will now host the Under-17 World Cup final [Lintao Zhang/Getty Images], having hosted major events like the Qatar 2022 World Cup and the AFC Asian Cup.

How many teams are participating?

Instead of the previous biennial 24-team competitions, the 2025 U-17 World Cup will be played in a 48-team format.

The participating countries, which come from six confederations, are divided into the following 12 groups:

Group A: Qatar, Italy, South Africa, Bolivia
Group B: Portugal, Morocco, New Caledonia, and Japan
Senegal, Croatia, Costa Rica, and the United Arab Emirates are all in Group C.
Group D includes Argentina, Belgium, Tunisia, Fiji, and Groupe D:
Group E includes England, Venezuela, Haiti, and Egypt.
Group F includes Mexico, South Korea, the Ivory Coast, and Switzerland.
Group G includes Germany, Colombia, North Korea, El Salvador, and Group G.
Brazil, Honduras, Indonesia, and Zambia are included in Group H.
US, Burkinabe, Tajikistan, Czechia, and Group I
Group J: Paraguay, Uzbekistan, Panama, Republic of Ireland, Group J:
Group K includes France, Chile, Canada, and Uganda.
Group L: Mali, New Zealand, Austria, Saudi Arabia

What kind of tournaments are there?

The round of 32 will feature the top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams.

The tournament will then follow a knockout format, with the round of 16 quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.

What is the significance of the U-17 World Cup?

Youth World Cups are fascinating to watch because they provide a glimpse into the future of football and showcase young talent before making their mark on the biggest professional stages.

The U-17 World Cup is of particular significance because it frequently serves as a launch pad for tomorrow’s stars.

Former and current players like Cesc Fabregas, Toni Kroos, and Phil Foden, who later won the tournament’s Golden Ball award for the best player, first attracted attention from the world as they won the trophy for it.

England's Philip Foden poses with the Golden Ball award during the presentation ceremony for FIFA U-17 World Cup in Kolkata, India, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
At the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India, which England won by beating Spain in the final [Anupam Nath/AP], Phil Foden, who currently plays for English Premier League side Manchester City, was awarded the Golden Ball award for the best player.

Who will win the lottery, odds are?

The front-runners in Qatar will be Brazil, who wants to win the fifth U-17 World Cup record-equalling title. Brazil, who are the reigning South American champions, are undoubtedly the best team in the region, having won the title 14 times in a row.

The Brazilians are the most successful team at the 2025 edition because Nigeria did not earn the necessary qualification for this competition.

Portugal and France, who frequently have a strong run at major tournaments, are other potential contenders for the title. They won their third U-17 Euro title in June.

Expectations are low for Germany this year because they failed to advance past the Euros group stage despite the fact that they are the defending champions of the 2023 World Cup.

Mexico, which has won the World Cup twice, is also the title favorite as they reach the finals for the eighth time in a row, while Uzbekistan, who has won the Asian title, and Saudi Arabia could be the dark horses.

Who should you watch for the most players?

Samuele Inacio, Italy’s top scorer in the Euros finals with five goals, is a must-see at the tournament. Inacio, a player for the Borussia Dortmund youth academy, is a constant threat to the goals thanks to his incredible creativity in the forward line.

Djylian N’Guessan, a forward from France and who scored nine times in the Euro qualifying and finals, is a key player in the area known for his excellent technique, calm finishing, and link-up play. N’Guessan, age 17, also represented his country at the recent U-20 World Cup in Chile.

TIRANA, ALBANIA - MAY 29: ⁠Samuele Inacio of Italy makes a pass during the UEFA European Under-17 Championship 2024/25 semifinal match between Italy and Portugal at Arena Kombetare on May 29, 2025 in Tirana, Albania. (Photo by Ben McShane - Sportsfile/UEFA via Getty Images)
Italy’s Samuele Inacio scored five goals for the U-17 team in Albania this year. [Ben McShane – Sportsfile/UEFA via Getty Images]


Thomas de Martis, a striker for the South American U-17 Championship, was the top scorer with six goals despite Argentina’s failure to advance to the semifinals. De Martis is excellent at finishing and being incredibly talented in the box.

Along with Morocco’s midfielder Abdellah Ouazane, the player of the tournament during their first U-17 Africa Cup of Nations title run, Sadriddin Khasanov was named the most valuable player (MVP) in Uzbekistan’s U-17 Asian Cup triumph for his goal-scoring abilities and impressive skills.

Where can I purchase tournament tickets?

General sale tickets for the U-17 World Cup can be found on FIFA’s official website. A day pass, a dedicated ticket for all of Qatar’s matches, and a standalone final ticket are all available.

The price of a day pass, which includes access to six selected pitches, is about $5.50, while final start tickets start at about $4.

There have been broadcast announcements for specific nations, including Brazil, Italy, the UK, and the US.