Newcastle United centre-back Sven Botman will be out for about eight weeks because of another knee injury, says manager Eddie Howe.
Botman, 25, returned from a 10-month absence in January after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in March 2024, but has now injured his other knee.
The Netherlands international, who has been limited to just five appearances this season, has missed Newcastle’s past five matches with the new knee injury.
The issue requires an operation and will keep Botman out for about two months.
“We have been trying to get him back to full fitness, he was very close to the Brighton game]on 2 March] but the day before he felt something again in his knee”, said Howe.
“This week he has had the same discomfort so it looks like he will have to have an operation.
Botman joins defender Lewis Hall and forward Anthony Gordon on the list of absentees for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on 16 March.
Hall, 20, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a foot injury.
Gordon was sent off in the Magpies ‘ FA Cup fifth-round defeat by Brighton last weekend for raising hands to the face of defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
The former Everton winger will be banned for the final at Wembley after Newcastle decided not to appeal against his dismissal.
” There was no intention from Anthony. He didn’t mean to hurt anybody, “said Howe.
Recently, Georgia Toffolo shocked fans by announcing her and fiance James Watt had secretly eloped and tied the knot in a private ceremony. Georgia, who’s more commonly known by her nickname Toff, and her new husband then quickly headed off on their honeymoon around the Scottish highlands, with Toff giving her Instagram followers a quick peek at her outfit before setting off.
Toff opted for Karen Millen’s Compact Wool Look Milano Knit Round Sleeve Midaxi Dress for the journey, and it was the perfect pick for the occasion. Just the right combination of comfy, cosy and chic, you can get your hands on Toff’s knitted midaxi dress on sale on the Karen Millen website now, where it’s been slashed by 35% from £129 to £83.85.
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There’s even better news for bargain hunters too, because if you use the code EXTRA15 by the end of today (March 7) you’ll be able to snag an extra 15% off the dress. That means it’ll then cost you £71.28, a whopping £60 less than its original price.
The midi dress is made from a soft knitted fabric, and has a relaxed bodice and flared skirt that give you plenty of room to move and relax in. However the wide stretchy waistband panel helps create a flattering silhouette, preventing the dress from being too shapeless.
Toff showed off her cosy knitted midi dress (Georgia Toffolo/Instagram)
Toff’s green knitted midi dress is now on sale (Karen Millen)
Its knitted fabric and high neckline are perfect for helping keep you warm in the cooler weather as we transition into spring, but it could just as easily be worn on those slightly warmer days with a lightweight jacket (or no jacket at all!). You can also effortlessly dress it up or down, with everything from loafers and a blazer for work to strappy heels and a clutch for evenings out or even trainers and a leather jacket during the day.
Toff opted to pair her Milano Knit Round Sleeve Midaxi Dress with a pair of chunky boots, a knitted headscarf and some sunglasses, making it the perfect outfit for this awkward in-between weather we’re currently having. Whilst Toff picked the sage green colourway, you can also pick up the dress in a cobalt blue shade, with sizes XS to large still available in both colours.
You can find a similar silhouette to Toff’s dress with the Love &, Roses Black Chevron Long Sleeve Knitted Midi Dress for £62 at Next. The black knitted dress has the same fit and flare shape, but features a pop of print with leopard print details on the waistband and the skirt’s chevron pleats at the bottom.
Meanwhile if something more figure hugging is what you’re after, H&, M’s Mixed-Knit Dress is down from £32.99 to £28.05 and has a fitted silhouette from top to bottom. It also comes in a similar khaki green shade that’s easy to style.
The Nigerian Senate has suspended a female senator after she accused its presiding officer of sexual harassment.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was barred from office from Thursday and will have her allowances and security withdrawn for six months after she made an accusation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who denied the claims against him.
On Wednesday, the Senate ethics committee rejected Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition about the alleged harassment, citing procedural rule violations. Her subsequent suspension , was justified over an earlier argument that erupted in the Senate about a change in her seating arrangement.
In a TV interview on February 28, Akpoti-Uduaghan – one of only four women in the 109-seat chamber – alleged that Akpabio made unwanted sexual advances towards her in 2023.
“This injustice will not be sustained”, she said on Thursday after she was prevented from speaking in the Senate and escorted out of the chamber by the sergeant-at-arms.
Akpabio has publicly denied any wrongdoing. “Since the 20th of February, I have been inundated with phone calls from various Nigerians. I would like to state that at no time did I sexually harass Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan”, he said, speaking at the start of a plenary session on Wednesday.
*Letter to the Nigerian Senate*
The Petition of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Must Be Independently Investigated and Openly Discussed in a Public Hearing that the Accused Does Not Preside.
Two Demands:
1. Swiftly Appoint an Independent Investigator on the Petition of… pic. twitter.com/rdUkDoR7uU
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Nigeria’s north-central Kogi Central district, shared a statement on her Facebook page in reaction to the suspension.
“Against the culture of silence, intimidation and victim-shaming, my unjust suspension from the Nigerian Senate invalidates the principles of natural justice, fairness and equity”, she said.
“The illegal suspension does not withdraw my legitimacy as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I will continue to use my duly elected position to serve my constituents and country to the best of my ability till 2027 and beyond”.
Ethics committee ‘ not fit for purpose’?
Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said Akpoti-Uduaghan should use her suspension to “learn the rules of the Senate”.
“I asked her what she will gain if she tries to pull the Senate president down”, Bamidele said during the consideration of the petition on the Senate floor.
Critics like Chioma Agwuegbo, executive director of the women’s rights organisation TechHerNG, condemned the ethics committee’s handling of the case, alleging bias.
“The ethics committee to which her petition was referred has shown that it is not fit for purpose”, Agwuegbo said.
Many prominent Nigerian figures and groups have called for a transparent investigation. Many women also expressed their anger over the expulsion on social media with some calling it “oppression”.
Two groups of protesters gathered at the National Assembly ground on Wednesday in the capital, Abuja, one in support of Akpabio and the other for Akpoti-Uduaghan, chanting “Akpabio must go”.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a lawsuit against the Senate president, seeking 100 billion naira ($64, 000) in damages.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made a string of bombshell moves since they dramatically quit their royal roles.
But their most explosive came on this day four years ago, when their eye-raising interview with Oprah Winfrey was first aired on TV. The highly anticipated interview saw the couple lift the lid on life behind Palace walls and make several shocking allegations about their family.
One of the biggest talking points that emerged was when they revealed a senior royal questioned the colour of their unborn son’s skin. Harry also confirmed his relationship with brother Prince William had turned sour and that his father King Charles, then Prince of Wales, had stopped taking his calls.
Harry and Meghan’s bombshell chat with Oprah Winfrey was broadcast four years ago today
After a subsequent Netflix series, which also contained damning claims, and Harry’s memoir Spare, the Sussex appear to have turned their backs on launching attacks at the Royal Family.
But despite their new track, royal expert Jennie Bond believes that even four years on, the repercussions are still very much being felt. The former BBC royal correspondent told the Mirror: “The interview was the catalyst for what appears to be an irreversible rift between Harry and William, and a deeply scarred, almost non-existent relationship with his father. It was also a breach of trust that will be impossible to repair.
” The implied suggestion that certain members of the family were racist cut deep and will never be forgotten. The rift the interview caused probably does work against Harry and Meghan with some potential projects. If it comes to staying onside with either Harry or William, the future King, a lot of people are going to choose William, with all the kudos that kind of connection brings. “
Harry and Meghan have appeared to turn their backs on criticising the Royal Family
But even though the interview is still causing huge ramifications, Jennie doesn’t believe that the Sussexes regret doing the chat. She added:” They had a lot to get off their chests and this was a spectacular blood-letting which probably felt good.
“I think, though, that Harry might have regretted the timing of the interview— with his grandfather lying gravely ill in hospital. Now Meghan is making her own way in her celebrity world, and Harry has a number of charitable projects. So I think they’re pretty OK”.
The anniversary of the Oprah chat comes a day after Meghan gave another TV interview – this time on daytime US TV, by appearing on the Drew Barrymore Show. During the chat, she told of her love of being able to “hold and touch and embrace” people after previously revealing her hugging had been ‘ jarring ‘ for the royal family.
Meghan appeared on the show to promote her lifestyle series and brand, and at one point during a baking segment, she was spotted moving a jar of her As Ever jam into the centre of the shot.
Meghan chatted about her “funniest, sweetest, most charming” husband, the Duke of Sussex and told Barrymore their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have “very American accents” but say the word ‘ zebra ‘ with a British pronunciation. She was introduced to the audience by Barrymore as ‘ Meghan Sussex ‘ after having corrected comedian Mindy Kaling during her Netflix show for referring to her surname as Markle.
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Five fans scrambled to purchase tickets for their upcoming reunion tour.
Abz Love, 45, Ritchie Neville, 45, Scott Robinson, 45, Sean Conlon, 43, and Jason ‘ J ‘ Brown, 48, were one of the biggest boybands in the UK before they split back in 2001. The group reunited in various forms times over the years, and had – until now – performing as a trio formed of Ritchie, Sean and Scott.
However, lovers of the band were excited when the original five of them announced they’re back together again for a new tour. The 12-date Five KEEP ON MOVIN ‘ 2025 Tour kicks off in Brighton on Friday October 31 2025, before they head to Bournemouth, Cardiff, Nottingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, Aberdeen and Glasgow, as well as London’s The O2.
Tickets went on sale at 10am on Friday morning, meaning fans had to rush to ensure they purchased tickets to the show. One admitted there was a lot of crying involved when they bought tickets. They said on social media: “After a lot of tears and even more cursing we managed to get 2 tickets for London WITH soundcheck”.
Five are back together for a new tour (Manchester Evening News)
“Has anyone actually managed to get @itsfiveofficial tickets this morning?! Think Ticketmaster has now crashed..”. one questioned fellow fans. Another hit out at ticket scalpers, posting: “@TicketmasterUK set of f**king w*nkers. First Oasis then Coldplay now fucking 5ive. How many of these tickets was bought by f**king ticket touts”.
One was surprised at the reasonably priced tickets and wrote: “Fair play to 5ive, selling our arenas with reasonably priced tickets, I was 400th in the queue and assumed no one wanted them, and the whole place is sold out on 2 nights. the demand for nostalgia at a reasonable price is clearly high”.
They will be supported on the tour by British DJ and producerNaughty Boy. The group announced the reunion news on social media last week, writing to fans: “It’s true, the five of us are reuniting for a tour across the UK! This has been a long time coming and it really does feel right for all of us now – 25 years on and we’re so ready for it.
” We really can’t wait to get back on stage together and see you all in person, it’s gonna go OFF!! Let’s goooooo! “
Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
What: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final When: Sunday at 1pm (09:00 GMT) Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
After 14 matches and 18 days, the elite one-day international (ODI) men’s competition comprising the world’s top eight teams has whittled down to a battle between the top two contenders.
India and New Zealand meet in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai on Sunday.
Here’s everything you need to know about the big showdown:
Why is Dubai hosting the Champions Trophy final?
In the months preceding the Champions Trophy, the ICC found itself in the middle of a deadlock between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The BCCI said it wouldn’t send a team to Pakistan, and while the reasons were never publicly shared, the political tension between both countries was understood to be the cause. Meanwhile, the PCB was adamant about hosting all games in Pakistan.
With less than two months to go, both sides met halfway, and it was decided that in all ICC tournaments until 2031 that were hosted by either country, the neighbouring country’s team would play its matches at a neutral venue.
Pakistan opted to host India’s matches, including the final, in Dubai.
What was India’s route to the final?
Six-wicket win over Bangladesh in Dubai
Six-wicket win over Pakistan in Dubai
44-run win over New Zealand in Dubai
Four-wicket win over Australia in Dubai
What was New Zealand’s route to the final?
60-run win over Pakistan in Karachi
Five-wicket win over Bangladesh in Rawalpindi
44-run loss to India in Dubai
50-run win over South Africa in Lahore
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Who are the players to watch in the final?
Virat Kohli (India): The Indian batting great, arguably the best in ODI history, has rediscovered his run-scoring form in the tournament. In addition to his peerless record in run chases, Kohli has a healthy average when playing against New Zealand in ODIs. His 32 matches against the Blackcaps have yielded him six centuries and nine half-centuries at an average of 57.1. Although Kohli only managed 11 runs in the Group A meeting between the two sides, the 36-year-old is known to save his best for the biggest games.
Shubman Gill (India): The world’s top-rated ODI batter began the tournament with a match-winning century over Bangladesh, and although Gill only added 57 runs in the next three games, the opener will be key to India’s innings in the final. His average of 74 and two centuries in 11 games against New Zealand make him a player to watch in the final.
Varun Chakravarthy (India): The leg-break bowler’s return to the Indian side has left opposition batters in a fix. Chakravarthy made his Champions Trophy debut in the group game against New Zealand, in which he took five wickets to earn the player of the match award. The spinner’s variation will suit India’s needs perfectly on a relatively slow Dubai pitch.
Kane Williamson (New Zealand): Williamson is regarded as one of modern cricket’s batting greats, and his never-diminishing hunger for runs in big tournaments makes him stand out in every competition. The former Kiwi captain was his side’s top scorer in the group match against India, and his teammates will hope that on Sunday he can add to his one century and 11 fifties against India.
Matt Henry (New Zealand): The pacer is the tournament’s leading wicket taker, but his participation in the final hangs in the balance after an injury he sustained while fielding in the semifinal. Henry was India’s tormentor-in-chief in the group match, and should he play in the final, he will be the Blackcaps ‘ main threat with the ball once again.
Mitchell Santner (New Zealand): New Zealand’s captain is among the world’s top all-rounders in ODIs, and his left-arm spin will be crucial on the spin-friendly tracks in Dubai. Santner is a capable batter in the lower order and has the ability to hit big shots when the need arises.
Virat Kohli is India’s leading run scorer in the Champions Trophy]File: Altaf Qadri/AP]
What are the key player match-ups for the final?
Gill vs Henry: The world’s leading batter vs the tournament’s leading bowler. Henry was responsible for trapping Gill early in the group match with an in-dipping delivery and can cause further problems in the final if he dismisses Gill cheaply once again.
Kohli vs Santner: Kohli has rarely thrown his wicket away after settling at the top of the order, but India’s leading century maker in ODIs can be susceptible to left-arm spin bowling. Santner’s wily bowling and Kohli’s patient batting could prove an enthralling battle in the final.
Williamson vs Mohammed Shami: The Indian pacer’s return after a prolonged injury layoff has unfolded almost perfectly as he has taken eight wickets in four matches. India will rely on Shami’s experience to undo Williamson, who rarely offers any weaknesses in big games.
Rachin Ravindra vs Hardik Pandya: The rising star of world cricket with Indian roots has averaged 75 in the tournament, and although he was dismissed cheaply in the group match, Ravindra continues to pose a threat, one that India will hope Pandya’s experienced pace and bounce will counter – as he did in the group match.
Rachin Ravindra has a knack for scoring big runs in ICC events]File: Aamir Qureshi/AFP]
What’s the weather forecast for the final in Dubai?
The final will be played on a bright and sunny day with no chance of rain and a light breeze forecast in Dubai on Sunday.
Temperatures will be the highest when the match gets under way at about 34 degrees Celsius (93.2 degrees Fahrenheit) and are forecast to drop to 28C (82.4F) in the evening.
How will the Dubai pitch play during the final?
The hosting of all India matches in Dubai while the other teams travelled between Dubai and Pakistan has been a key talking point in the tournament. The difference in the pitches is something New Zealand have had to cope with while India have played all their games on similar pitches in Dubai.
The final is expected to be played on a new pitch. However, given the past outcomes, it is expected to be yet another slower one.
The pitch in Dubai is expected to aid slower bowlers]File: Satish Kumar/Reuters]
What’s the prize money for the Champions Trophy final?
The tournament’s total prize money is $6.9m, a 53 percent increase since the last edition in 2017.
The champions will walk away with $2.24m while the runners-up will get $1.12m.
What’s the India vs New Zealand head-to-head record?
There have been 119 matches played between the finalists since 1975. India hold an upper hand with 61 wins as opposed to New Zealand’s 50.
Seven matches ended in a no result while one match was tied.
India are on a six-match ODI winning streak against the Blackcaps since January 2023.
What’s India’s and New Zealand’s record in the Champions Trophy?
New Zealand won the second edition of the tournament in 2000, and it remains their only ICC men’s title. Meanwhile, India have won it twice – in 2002 and 2013.
India won their second Champions Trophy title in 2013]File: Paul Childs/Action Images via Reuters]
Form guide: India
Being the only unbeaten team in the tournament, India enter the final on the back of four wins.
Before the Champions Trophy, India swept a three-match series against England at home.
Last five ODIs (latest first): W W W W W
Form guide: New Zealand
The champions of the 2000 edition come into the final in a rich vein of form, having won all their group games in the tournament.
Shortly before the Champions Trophy, New Zealand won a tri-nation series in Pakistan, which also involved their semifinal opponents, South Africa.
Their last home ODI series saw them beat Sri Lanka 2-1.
Last five ODIs (latest first): W L W W W
What’s the early India team news?
It’s difficult to see India changing a playing XI that brought them a 44-run win against New Zealand as well as a four-wicket win over Australia in their semifinal.
The introduction of Chakravarthy has paid off with seven wickets in two games, which means he will keep his place, and Harshit Rana will sit out the final.
New Zealand had a slight scare during their semifinal when Henry seemingly injured his shoulder while diving in the field. The New Zealand camp are hopeful that the key fast bowler will be declared fit for the final. If Henry is cleared to play, the Blackcaps are expected to remain unchanged as well.
Squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wicketkeeper), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young
How to follow and stream the Champions Trophy final?
Follow Al Jazeera Sport’s live text and photo commentary stream from 04: 00 GMT.
The final will be televised and streamed globally on the ICC’s approved tournament broadcasters.
Where and how can I buy tickets for the Champions Trophy final?
Tickets for the final went on sale on Tuesday evening once India’s qualification was confirmed but quickly sold out on the official ICC ticketing platform.
