The Philadelphia Eagles will host NFC East rivals the Dallas Cowboys in the 2025 NFL season opener on Thursday 4 September, the league has announced.
It will mark the first time the two teams have faced off in the opening game of a campaign since 2000.
The Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 at Super Bowl 59 in February and will begin the defence of their title against their biggest rivals.
Since 2004, some 20 defending Super Bowl champions have played in the season opener and have gone 15-5 in those games, including the Chiefs’ 27-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens in 2024.
The Cowboys, under the leadership of new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, will be looking to avoid becoming victims of that trend.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer promises to “finally take back control” of the United Kingdom’s borders as his Labour government unveils policies designed to reduce legal immigration and fend off rising support for the hard right.
“Every area of the immigration system, including work, family and study, will be tightened up so we have more control,” he told reporters at a Downing Street news conference on Monday.
Starmer announced he was ending an “experiment in open borders” that saw net migration rise to nearly one million people under the previous Conservative government, which lost last year’s general election.
Labour has been traditionally more sympathetic to immigration than the Conservative Party. Starmer, a former human rights lawyer who voted for the UK to remain part of the European Union, is under renewed pressure to tackle the issue after the anti-immigration Reform UK party’s gains in recent local elections.
However, Starmer’s shift to the right on immigration risks alienating Labour’s large base of left-of-centre supporters and losing their votes to the Liberal Democrats and the Greens.
The government’s Immigration White Paper policy document includes plans to cut overseas care workers and increase from five to 10 years the length of time people will have to live in the UK before qualifying for settlement and citizenship.
English-language rules would also be strengthened with all adult dependants required to demonstrate a basic understanding while the length of time students may stay in the UK after completing their studies would be reduced.
The white paper also proposes new powers to deport foreigners who commit offences in the country. Currently, the government is only informed of foreign nationals who receive prison sentences while under the new arrangements all foreign nationals convicted of offences would be flagged for the government.
The document also proposes new visa controls requiring foreign skilled workers to have a university degree to secure a job in the UK.
The prime minister acknowledged that migrants “make a massive contribution” to Britain but alleged the country risks becoming an “island of strangers” without more controls. He added that he wants net migration to fall “significantly” by the next election, likely in 2029, but refused to say by how much.
Labour promised in its general election manifesto last year to significantly reduce net migration, which stood at 728,000 in the 12 months to June. It had peaked at 906,000 in 2023 after averaging 200,000 a year for most of the 2010s.
Arch-eurosceptic Nigel Farage’s Reform party won more than 670 local council seats this month as well as its first two mayoral posts. It is also riding high in national polls while Labour is struggling after its 2024 landslide general election victory.
Great Britain’s Olympic champion and captain Hollie Pearne-Webb has announced her retirement from hockey.
Pearne-Webb scored Team GB’s winning goal in a shootout against the Netherlands at the Rio 2016 Games to secure a first Olympic title for the women’s team.
The 34-year-old, who made her senior debut in 2013, also captained the side to Olympic bronze at Tokyo 2020.
“It’s hard to put into words just how much this sport has given me,” Pearne-Webb said.
“What started as a dream when I was just eight years old – to one day play for my country at the Olympics – became a journey that’s been greater than anything I could have imagined.
“One of the greatest honours has been leading England and Great Britain over the past six years. Captaining this team at two Olympic Games and a home Commonwealth Games has been an immense privilege.
“Walking the team out last summer in Paris, in front of friends and family, was a truly special moment and one I’ll never forget.”
Pearne-Webb amassed 274 combined caps, including appearances at three Olympic Games.
Five years after scoring the gold medal-winning goal in Rio, Pearne-Webb captained GB to another Olympic podium when they beat India 4-3 to win bronze in Tokyo.
One year later she led England’s women to a first Commonwealth Games gold, beating Australia in the final in Birmingham.
Great Britain reached the quarter-finals at the Paris Games last year, losing to eventual champions the Netherlands.
“I’ll always be proud to have worn the shirt, and I’ll always be a supporter of the incredible players coming through,” said Pearne-Webb.
“Hockey has shown me that anything is possible – and I’ll forever be thankful for that.
United States President Donald Trump will undertake a three-day tour of the Gulf for his first state visit since retaking office in January.
The trip begins in Saudi Arabia, followed by Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
It marks Trump’s second foreign visit as president after he attended Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome in April.
Here is what to know about the trip and what is on the agenda:
When and where is Trump visiting?
Trump will fly out of the US on Monday and start his trip in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Tuesday.
He is expected to attend a Gulf summit in the city on Wednesday, visit Qatar later that day and conclude his visit in the UAE on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia was the first country Trump visited during his first term as well, breaking the tradition of US presidents starting with the United Kingdom, Canada or Mexico.
(Al Jazeera)
What is on Trump’s agenda?
His objectives are securing major economic deals and making diplomatic progress on issues that impact the region, including a Gaza ceasefire and stalled Saudi-Israel normalisation talks.
The focus on economic deals comes as the US recorded a drop in its economic output in the first quarter, its first in three years.
On Wednesday, Trump said he will also decide during his trip how the US refers to the “Persian Gulf”.
US media reported that he may decide to refer to the body of water as the Arabian Gulf or the Gulf of Arabia.
Saudi Arabia: Normalisation, business deals and weapons
Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said the president wants to expand the Abraham Accords, under which the UAE and Bahrain recognised Israel during Trump’s first term, to include Saudi Arabia.
Talks were reportedly under way on Saudi Arabia joining the accords, but after Israel began its war on Gaza in October 2023, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) paused those discussions.
Saudi officials have said they won’t move forward unless there is real progress towards a two-state solution for Palestine, leading to speculation that Trump may propose a US-backed framework to end the war and revive normalisation efforts during this visit.
In a shift from past US policy, the Trump administration has uncoupled discussions on a Saudi nuclear agreement and normalisation with Israel, which US President Joe Biden’s administration had held as a condition for nuclear cooperation.
Riyadh wants US help building a civilian nuclear programme, which Israel has raised concerns about and had wanted it tied to normalisation.
Trump’s main focus will be economic partnerships as he meets with MBS and attends a Saudi-US investment forum. He wants to secure a $1 trillion Saudi investment in US industries, expanding on a $600bn pledge made by the crown prince earlier this year.
Saudi Arabia is also expected to announce more than $100bn in US arms purchases, including missiles, radar systems and transport aircraft.
Other key issues include reviving a scaled-down US-Saudi defence pact.
Trump meets MBS during his first term as US President [File: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters]
UAE: Investment in the US and cooperation on tech goals
In the UAE, Trump is to meet with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss investment opportunities in sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, energy and manufacturing.
In March, the UAE announced a $1.4 trillion investment plan for those sectors in the US over the next decade.
Meanwhile, Trump is expected to lift Biden-era export restrictions on advanced technology as the UAE seeks US microchips and artificial intelligence technology to support its goal of becoming a global AI leader by 2031.
Qatar: Military cooperation, regional security and Syria
In Qatar, where the largest US military base in the Middle East is located, Trump’s agenda includes meetings with the emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to discuss military cooperation and regional security.
Doha, which has close ties with Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, may also seek Trump’s support in easing sanctions on Syria.
As a key partner in regional mediation, Qatar is also expected to discuss Gaza ceasefire efforts with Trump.
Trump meets Qatar’s Emir at the White House in 2019 [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]
Why is Israel not on the itinerary?
Trump’s decision to skip Israel during this tour comes amid heightened tensions in Gaza, where Israel’s military has intensified its operations after breaking a ceasefire on March 18.
“Nothing good can come out of a visit to Israel at the moment,” a US official told the Axios news website.
Since it broke the ceasefire, Israel has continued extensive air strikes on Gaza while voicing concerns over what it sees as a decline in US support.
Recent reports from US and Israeli media also suggest growing tensions between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the Trump administration signals it may act independently on Middle East policy without waiting for the Israeli leader.
Israeli political commentator Ori Goldberg told Al Jazeera: “At the moment, Israel is at odds with [Trump’s] overall goal, promising continuous fire.
“I think the mistrust between Trump and Netanyahu has been quite extensive for some time.”
How are countries responding to this visit?
In the lead-up to Trump’s visit, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE pledged significant investments in the US, signalling an interest in deepening economic ties.
However, Trump’s trip also follows resistance in the region over his proposal for the US to redevelop Gaza and relocate its residents to other Arab countries.
EXCLUSIVE: Kerry Katona is currently in Ibiza filming for the new series of Celebs Go Dating and has been staying in a hotel owned by her former Atomic Kitten bandmate
Kerry is currently filming the new series of Celebs Go Dating(Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Kerry Katona is risking reigniting a feud with her former band member Jenny Frost as she films the new series of Celebs Go Dating.
The mum of five is currently in Ibizia filming for the new series alongside Love Island ’s Olivia Hawkins, The Chase star Mark Labbett, and Made In Chelsea’s Sam Prince.
Speaking in her column for New, Kerry opened up about staying in the hotel that Jenny owns.
“It’s been a full-on few days,” she says. “I went on a date with Jon Lee, which was a laugh, but I can’t tell you too much – you’ll need to watch the show. Filming in Ibiza was only last week but it feels like so long ago”
Jenny Frost became Kerry Katona’s replacement after she left the band in 2001(Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“We had fun, but I can’t say I’ve got any desire to go back – it’s not my scene. We did stay at The Beach Star Ibiza hotel, which is owned by Jenny Frost. It’s gorgeous and she’s done so well for herself. I’ve been missing the kids while I’ve been so busy, but they’re all fine. Heidi and I are spending a day at the races this weekend, so we’ll get some quality time then. I can’t wait.”
Article continues below
Kerry quit Atomic Kitten in 2001 after falling pregnant with husband Brian McFadden. Her departure came just days after the release of the band’s single, Whole Again, which ended up going to number one with a new video featuring her replacement, Jenny Frost.
Their dislike for each other was palpable, with Jenny once declaring she would ‘rather eat her own kidney with a spoon’ than work with Kerry.
And when the band talked about getting back together for ITV’s Big Reunion in 2013, Jenny made it clear there was no place for her rival.
“I don’t want to be derogatory about Kerry, but there shouldn’t be four of us in Atomic Kitten,” she said.
Kerry, however, had other ideas and blasted Jenny in her column for OK! Magazine, in 2021.
“The thing is, I was the founding member of the band,” she argued. “I’m not going to get into a slanging match over the Kittens but Jenny got the opportunity of a lifetime when she took over from me. They were number one when she joined the band but it was my voice on the record.”
In the end, it was Kerry who was chosen to complete the line-up, sparking a permanent fall out between Jenny and the rest of the band.
Kerry starred in the band alongside Natasha Hamilton and Liz McLarnon(Image: Getty Images)
Jenny told Closer magazine at the time: “I’m not in contact with them any more, which I think is a real shame. But I didn’t like how things were handled with the reunion and Kerry replacing me.
“I won’t say too much, but I think it could have been managed better.”
Meanwhile, Kerry, Natasha and Liz continued to perform sporadically, but the proverbial once again hit the fan when Kerry allegedly organised a gig in India without her bandmates and branded Natasha a ‘toxic c***’ during a nightclub performance in 2018.
Soon after, she announced that she’d been kicked out of the group – a claim both Liz and Natasha disputed, arguing that they hadn’t even spoken to Kerry.
