Spanish Sports Minister Pilar Alegria has said Israeli teams should be banned from sport in the same way that Russian sides broadly were in 2022 after the country invaded Ukraine, highlighting a “double standard”.
The presence of a team named Israel-Premier Tech at the Vuelta a Espana cycling grand tour has led to huge protests in Spain. The Spanish government has described Israel’s offensive in Gaza as “a genocide”.
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Israel-Premier Tech is a private outfit owned by billionaire Israeli-Canadian property developer Sylvan Adams, not a state team, but has been hailed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for refusing to quit the Vuelta despite vehement protests.
“It is difficult to explain and understand that there is a double standard,” Alegria told Spanish radio station Cadena SER.
“Given that there has been such a massacre, a genocide, such an absolutely terrible situation we are living through day-by-day, I would agree that the international federations and committees should take the same decision as in 2022,” she added.
“No team, no club from Russia participated in an international competition, and when the individuals participated, they did it under a neutral flag and without a national anthem.”
Alegria said she would like Vuelta organisers to block Israel-Premier Tech from competing, but accepted that such a decision could only be taken by the cycling world governing body, UCI.
Various stages of the Vuelta have been affected by protests, with stages 11 and 16 shortened during racing, while Thursday’s stage 18 time trial has also been cut short in advance for security reasons.
Alegria said she hopes the race can be completed, with Sunday’s final stage heading into Madrid expected to be targeted by various protests.
“It would not be good news if the race cannot finish,” said Alegria.
“However, what we’re seeing these days with the protests is, in my opinion, logical,” she added.
“[The protests] are a clear representation of what the people feel, sport cannot be distanced from the world that surrounds it.”
Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s left-wing coalition government has taken one of Europe’s strongest pro-Palestinian stances, straining ties with Israel.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive in October 2023 in retaliation for an unprecedented cross-border attack led by the Palestinian group Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of 1,139 people, most of whom were civilians.
Israel’s bombardment has killed at least 64,600 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to figures from the Ministry of Health in Hamas-run Gaza.
“[Israeli forces] have killed more than 60,000 people; children, babies [are] starving to death, hospitals destroyed,” added Alegria.
We headed behind the scenes at the National Television Awards afterparty where celebs from across the small screen let their hair down, but there was one difference about this year’s bash
We headed behind the scenes at the National Television Awards afterparty where celebs from across the small screen let their hair down
A-list award show afterparties have a reputation for being rowdy, but this year’s National Television Awards had celebrities on their best behaviour. As the show – which saw surprising winners such as Gary Lineker and Molly-Mae Hague – wrapped up, I joined the flurry of stars making their way to the exclusive after party.
However, many chose to skip out on the celebrations, including Maura Higgins and Danny Jones, who appear to have sworn off afterparties following their BRIT Awards scandal earlier this year. The awkward pair weren’t the only ones who didn’t turn up, with Molly-Mae, Olivia Attwood, Ben Shepherd, Helen Flanagan, Maya Jama and many others heading home after the show.
For those that did go along, there was a set of strict rules for entry to the notriously private event, with a ticket to the main show not quite cutting it.
The exclusive party is notoriously hard to get a ticket for, and have some strict security checks
Guests are supplied with complimentary drinks throughout the night of the NTAs, including Kylie Wine by Kylie Minogue, Gary Barlow Wine and Heineken beer
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Guests queued up before arriving to the heavily-manned doors, where they traded afterparty tickets for satin wristbands before being allowed entry.
Inside, rows of prosecco, wine and beer were lined up across the several bars, complimentary for the guests to take. No one in the room went hungry either, with waiters first circling the room with canape trays before coming out with fish and chips, chicken burgers, and plenty of boxed food for guests.
The party had a surprisingly tame atmosphere, a contrast to what I’ve seen at previous NTA afterparties – which weren’t short of arguing, drama, and secret rendez vous. Showbiz veterans looked at home at the bash, with soap stars such as Bobby Brazier chatting to guests and mingling.
Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks stuck together near the bar as they politely mingled with fellow guests, but kept it far from rowdy as they lay low on the drinks.
Soap stars such as Bobby Brazier mingled throughout the room as they enjoyed the bash
While Sam Thompson was on top form as he joined best pal Pete Wicks by the bar
Ukraine reclaimed 62sq km (24sq miles) of territory last month, its commander in chief revealed on Monday, contradicting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent claim to be advancing “in all directions”.
“The month in which the occupiers hoped for their breakthroughs and made maximum efforts for this became the month with comparatively the smallest territorial gains by the enemy in recent times,” Oleksandr Syrskii, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, claimed on his Telegram messaging service channel.
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Most of the gains were in Donetsk, Ukraine’s eastern region, where fighting has been intense for most of the war.
Russian forces there have been gunning for the towns of Dobropillia and Pokrovsk, but lost ground in both directions.
Towards Dobropillia, Russia captured 13.5sq km (5.21sq miles), but lost 25.5sq km (10sq miles), said Syrskii. “In the Pokrovsk direction, their gain was 5sq km (1.9sq miles), while our troops regained control over 26sq km (10sq miles),” Syrskii said.
He added that Ukrainian troops gained another 4sq km (1.5sq miles) on other sectors of the front.
(Al Jazeera)
Across the entire front, Russia made estimated gains of 499sq km (190sq miles) in August, said the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, but its losses contradict Putin’s recent claim in Beijing that all Russian troops in Ukraine were “advancing successfully, at different speeds”.
“Despite spreading propaganda … the Russians suffered blows,” said Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation.
Dnipro Group of forces spokesman Oleksiy Belskyi, whose unit is defending Pokrovsk, said on Saturday that Russia was concentrating armoured vehicles and drones, and redeploying experienced units in preparation for a new offensive.
Although Russian advances have picked up some speed since the spring, last week Russia claimed to have captured only one village, Novoselivka in Dnipropetrovsk.
It also claimed to have “neutralised” a Ukrainian attempt to land reconnaissance troops on an island in the Dnipro River Delta.
Russian assaults have come at great cost.
Syrskii estimated Russian casualties since the beginning of the year at 299,210.
He described Ukrainian tactics as “containing the enemy and inflicting the maximum possible losses on them”.
Russia escalates drone attacks
Unable to win the war with ground assaults, Russia has sought to break Ukraine’s morale with long-range drone attacks on its rear cities. During the week of September 4-10, it unleashed a total of 1,811 drones and 63 missiles. Ukraine said it downed 87 percent of the drones and half the missiles.
Russia escalated this tactic overnight on Sunday with the largest such attack of the war, when 810 drones and decoys targeted Kyiv, along with 13 missiles.
Ukrainian Premier Yulia Svyrydenko said the cabinet offices had been struck for the first time, and photographed herself in front of the smouldering ruin.
“For the first time, the government building – its roof and upper floors – has been damaged due to a hostile attack,” she wrote on Telegram.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed to have targeted its biggest ever drone attack against drone manufacturing sites in and around Kyiv, “where long-range drones had been manufactured, assembled, repaired, stocked, and launched”, as well as “airbases in the central, southern, and eastern parts of Ukraine”.
Russia denies targeting civilians and claims to be aiming at military targets, even if those are sometimes nestled in urban spaces.
One of its attacks on Tuesday killed 24 retirees who were queueing up to collect their monthly pensions in the town of Yarova in Donetsk.
A new air defence ‘format’
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday told Ukrainians that nearly half the drones in the Kyiv strike were decoys sent “to complicate the situation” in air defence, and called the shooting down of several ballistic missiles “a significant achievement”.
Ukraine’s military intelligence has estimated for some time now that the Russian drone production – already at 90 a day – aims to deliver strike packages of more than 1,000 drones and missiles to overwhelm Ukrainian defences, and has been strategising on how to counter the threat.
On September 4, Zelenskyy referred cryptically to “a certain format” of air defence that he and French President Emmanuel Macron had discussed for the first time.
“If we receive a positive signal from the United States, since technically much in this format of air defence depends on them – if we receive that positive signal, we will be glad to share this information,” Zelenkyy said.
A Ukrainian think tank, Price of Freedom, has proposed an air defence plan whereby 120 European aircraft would patrol Ukraine’s western skies, allowing its air force to focus more effectively on defensive and offensive operations in the contested eastern airspace. It was unclear if Zelenskyy was referring to this plan.
(Al Jazeera)
That same day, Syrskii said, “We are creating a layered system to counter enemy ‘Shaheds’ and ‘Gerans’,” referring to Russia’s kamikaze and decoy drones, respectively. “Our joint task is to form more such crews, train more fighter operators, and provide them with more effective means of destruction and radars.”
That new air defence “format” received renewed importance on Wednesday, when an estimated 19 drones crossed over into Polish airspace, forcing NATO to mobilise Polish F-16s, Dutch F-35s and Italian airborne early warning and control (AWACS) planes for the first time to shoot them down.
For the first time, also, NATO’s Article 4 was invoked in the context of the Ukraine war by Polish Premier Donald Tusk. The article says “Parties will consult together, whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened.”
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said the airspace violation was “an act of aggression that created a real threat to the security of our citizens”, and called it “unprecedented”.
Russian opposition newspaper Verstka recorded six occasions when a drone strayed into Polish airspace during the war. “It is unlikely that such a number of drones could have all entered into Polish airspace by accident or as a result of a technical or operator error,” said the ISW.
Ukraine’s deep strikes
Ukraine has been developing long-range strike capabilities as a means of leverage to bring Russia to the negotiating table.
On Friday, Ukrainian drones hit the Ryazan refinery, one of Russia’s four largest, putting its primary processing unit out of action. The same refinery was struck on August 2 and August 28.
Ukraine also claimed to have struck two S-300 air defence vehicles in the Kaluga region.
On Sunday, drones struck an oil pumping station in Russia’s Bryansk region, near Naitopovichi. “The facility is of strategic importance for transporting oil products from Belarusian refineries to the Russian Federation,” said Robert “Magyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces.
On the same day, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SSO) said they had struck the Ilsky refinery on the Russian border territory of Krasnodar Krai and destroyed its primary oil-refining complex.
Residents hide in a shelter during a Russian drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on September 7, 2025 [Thomas Peter/Reuters]
Brovdi said drones also struck and severely damaged Transneft’s Vtorovo oil pumping station in Penkino, in the Vladimir region.
Two days later, Ukraine’s military intelligence said two oil and two gas pipelines had been damaged, also in the Penkino area.
Ukraine has been conducting many of these strikes with domestically built drones, which carry small payloads of less than 100kg (220lb).
Last month, it unveiled mass production of the Flamingo, a 3,000km- (1,900-mile-)range cruise missile carrying a warhead of more than a tonne, and may have begun testing it on the battlefield.
On September 4, the Flamingo’s manufacturer, Fire Point, also revealed two ballistic missiles under development – the FP-7 with a 200km (124-mile) range and 150kg warhead, and the FP-9 with a 855km (1,860-mile) range and 800kg payload.
Ukraine’s allies have already entered into joint production of drones.
On September 3, Denmark said Fire Point would build a rocket fuel plant for the Flamingo near the Danish Air Force base at Skrydstrup.
On Tuesday, UK Defence Secretary John Healy said he would fund the production of “thousands of long-range drones” in the UK for Ukraine, and German defence minister Boris Pistorius said he was allocating $350m to launch a new deep strike initiative by purchasing long-range drones from Ukrainian companies and giving them to Ukraine’s armed forces – a model of assistance pioneered by Denmark.
Twenty-six of Ukraine’s allies on September 4 committed military resources to a peacekeeping force that would operate behind Ukrainian front lines after a ceasefire.
Zelenskyy described it as a “security system”.
“We are preparing strength – on the ground, in the air, and at sea,” he said.
Steve McFadden has played Phil Mitchell in the BBC soap since 1990, but away from the cameras, the father of five enjoys a more private life in Cornwall’s coastal town
Steve McFadden has played Phil Mitchell in the BBC soap since 1990(Image: Getty Images)
EastEnders icon Steve McFadden has been famous for his portrayal of Phil Mitchell since 1990, and while his on screen character is well known to many up and down the country, he doesn’t share much on his private life.
Before finding fame on the screen, Steve held a variety of jobs including labourer, carrot picker, plumber, and builder’s merchant and now lives a quiet life in a Cornwall coastal town.
Over the decades, his character Phil has been embroiled in numerous headline-grabbing storylines, such as his rocky relationship with brother Grant and the unforgettable ‘Who Shot Phil?’ plot over twenty years ago.
As part of his role on our screens, Steve has been highly-awarded for his acting. During his time on the show, he has won Best Soap Actor at the Inside Soap Awards as well as the Outstanding Achievement Award at The British Soap Awards in 2016.
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Over the decades, his character Phil has been embroiled in numerous headline-grabbing storylines(Image: Dave Hogan, Getty Images)
Away from the drama of Albert Square, McFadden splits his life in three places, London, Majorca and Falmouth, Cornwall where he has owned a property since the 90s. In a 2017 interview with CornwallLive, Steve referred to Falmouth as his “second home”, stating that if it weren’t for his EastEnders commitments, he would choose to live there full-time.
He expressed his admiration for the area’s fishing opportunities, food, ale, and friendly locals, saying: “I get down as often as I can. It’s my second home, if it wasn’t for EastEnders it would be my first choice of residence, but because of the show I have to be in London more.”
But when asked if he’d move to the area following his stint in the BBC One show, he added: “I don’t see myself living in one place. My son lives in Majorca – I’ll go there, spend a bit of time in London and a bit of time in Cornwall. Everything you want is there – the metropolis of London, the sunshine of Majorca and the feelgood factor of Cornwall.”
Away from Albert Square, Steve was previously in a relationship with EastEnders co-star Lucy Benjamin, who also happened to play his on-screen wife Lisa. The pair began dating in 1999, though sadly called time on their relationship just a few years later in 2003.
Despite their romance not working out, the two actors have maintained a strong friendship. Lucy previously shared on ITV’s Loose Women how much she enjoyed working with Steve after she made a return to Albert Square in 2017.
She said: “There is so much stuff between Lisa and Phil. It was easy to play that. It was strange really, but lovely to be working with Steve, Tish and Natalie Cassidy again.” She added: “It was strange really but within 10 minutes it was like I’d never been away. It felt like reuniting with old friends and I knew they would take good care of me upon my return.”
Away from the drama of Albert Square, McFadden leads a quiet life away from the world of showbiz(Image: ITV)
Steve now lives with his partner Karen Cairns who he shares daughter Frankie with. Steve also has his hands full as a dad-of-five as he is also a father to son Matt and daughters Teona, Mollie Jane, Amelie Tinkerbell. He shares his eldest with Sue Marshall, and daughters Teona and Mollie Jane to Angela Bostock.
Speaking of the joys of fatherhood, Steve previously told The Observer: “When I was a kid, if I was unhappy, I’d stroke my dog. I was into bringing injured birds into the house, RSPCA activities.
“And the relationship that you have with animals, you can get that from your children: that unquestioning love and adoration and equal need. However the world judges you, if you do your kid two slices of toast for breakfast, you’ve achieved what you are on the planet to do.”
Former Premier League referee David Coote pleaded not guilty to making an indecent image of a child at a court hearing on Thursday.
The 43-year-old appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court charged over allegations relating to a video recovered by police in February.
Coote, who wore a navy suit, sat at the back of the court and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth and to enter his plea during the 18-minute hearing.
The charge of making an indecent image of a child refers to activities such as downloading, sharing, or saving abuse photos or videos.
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The former referee was granted conditional bail by District Judge Gillian Young and was told to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on October 9.
Coote was sacked from his officiating role in December after a video showing him making derogatory remarks about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in 2020 came to light.
He was also banned from officiating by European governing body UEFA until June 2026 after a different video emerged of him snorting a white powder through a bank note while in Germany for Euro 2024.
In a January interview, Coote came out as gay and said his struggle to hide his sexuality had contributed to bad choices.
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chille Igbawua, has described the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s recognition of David Mark’s leadership as a “vindication for the rule of law.”
He said this during an interview on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme.
“It is a vindication for the law, a vindication for the rule of law. Of course, INEC has done what the law requires it to do.
“It’s a great milestone because, even though we knew internally it was just a procedural matter, other camps tried to make political capital out of it as if it were something serious.
“The ADC has met INEC’s requirements, and INEC has now put its stamp of recognition on the National Working Committee and NEC as constituted in the last meeting,” Igbawua said.
He argued that the decision stabilises the opposition and might not please President Bola Tinubu.
“We are happy INEC chose legality over impunity in this matter,” he added.
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ADC’s Chille Igbawua on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme.
Asked about the fate of party founder Ralph Nwosu, Igbawua said Nwosu had accepted being an ordinary member.
According to him, the ADC founder supported the rebranding of the party and remained satisfied with its growth.
On Wednesday, INEC officially recognised the leadership of the ADC led by David Mark.
It displayed the confirmation on its website after the party’s internal restructuring and appointment of new national officers.
Mark, a former Senate President, emerged as interim chairman. Former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola was named National Secretary.
Other principal officers include ex-Edo governor Oserheimen Osunbor as Legal Adviser, Ibrahim Mani as Treasurer, and Akibu Dalhatu as Financial Secretary.
ADC’s ‘Priority’
The coalition has several top politicians as members. X@ADCNig.
Meanwhile, Igbawua says that ADC’s priority is not unseating President Tinubu but addressing mismanagement in governance.
“People overhype the idea of removing Tinubu. The coalition focuses on how the country is being run,” he said on the morning show.
The ADC chieftain believes Nigerians expect the opposition to provide credible alternatives to poor governance.
Igbawua also highlighted the need for transparency in the 2027 elections.
He said Nigerians are still concerned about electoral flaws that marred the 2023 general polls.
Coalition
Coalition leaders gathered at the venue of the meeting on Wednesday, July 2, 2027
The ADC formally adopted the opposition coalition’s platform on 2 July 2025.
At the unveiling, Mark said the coalition’s mission was to “rescue and rebuild Nigeria” and return power to the people.
The former senate president accused the APC-led government of hijacking democratic institutions and pushing Nigeria towards “civilian dictatorship.”
Mark warned that infiltrators are targeting opposition parties to pave the way for a one-party state.
Senator Mark and Nwosu
The coalition includes Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and several other prominent political figures.
Nwosu formally handed over the party to Mark and Aregbesola at the unveiling.
Following the development, ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, rejected the coalition, calling its members “enemies of Nigeria.”
Kachikwu accused them of recycling failed leaders and dragging the nation backward.
