I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have been at the helm of the ITV reality show since it first launched in 2002, and over the years they have had their fair share of campmates who have caused them frustration

The next instalment of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (Series 26) is just around the corner, and although ITV is yet to officially announce the full line-up, a number of details about the schedule and strongly rumoured contestants have already emerged.

The series has reportedly been affected by a minor scheduling change this year. While the programme traditionally kicks off on a Sunday evening, ITV’s coverage of the UEFA Nations League clash between England and Spain on Sunday, 15 November has forced a reshuffle. Consequently, the new series is widely expected to launch on Monday, 16 November 2026.

As ever, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will be returning to the Australian jungle to front the main three-week reality show. With Dec celebrating his 51st birthday today (Friday, 25 September), we’ve decided to revisit some of the previous contestants who rubbed hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly up the wrong way.

While Ant and Dec typically maintain a light-hearted and professional approach with contestants on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! , they’ve occasionally revealed some candid opinions about those they deemed troublesome or underwhelming. Though the presenting duo seldom single out individuals as their “worst” on a personal level, certain campmates have left their mark for entirely the wrong reasons.

Katie Hopkins (2007)

Ant branded media personality Katie Hopkins as one of his ‘least favourite’ because she “didn’t really shine” and left minimal impact during her stint on the programme. Katie, 44, gained notoriety on The Apprentice in 2007 before featuring in that year’s series of I’m A Celebrity.

Ant, 43, went on to explain why audiences barely saw her on their screens. He told The Sun: “Katie Hopkins was in I’m A Celebrity but you wouldn’t really remember her doing it, as she didn’t really shine.”

Matt Hancock (2022)

From the second former Health Secretary Matt Hancock was announced, the presenters anticipated “uneasy tensions”. Fans also claimed they showed “favouritism” by being warmer towards other contestants while maintaining a conspicuous distance from Hancock during trials.

The hosting pair also wielded their signature humour to land subtle digs at Hancock throughout the series. During one task, Ant mocked Hancock for being a “typical politician who wouldn’t stop talking” as he provided running commentary on every element of the trial to his partner.

After Hancock performed a few lines of Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect,” Dec joked that the singer would be “gutted” to discover Hancock was a fan.

The duo also displayed genuine annoyance when Hancock allowed the camp’s rice to burn, with Ant noting it had been Hancock’s job to monitor it, stating it would make him “very angry” if he were in the camp. After the programme, Dec revealed to HuffPost UK it was “very, very difficult” to remain impartial, considering everyone nationwide, presenters included, had been affected by Hancock’s decisions throughout the pandemic.

He also acknowledged that critics who questioned whether a serving MP should feature on the show had an argument with “some validity”. Ant disclosed that while they tease everyone on the programme, they made every attempt to handle Hancock like any other contestant once he arrived in the jungle, allowing him the opportunity to share his own narrative.

Dean McCullough (2024)

The relationship between Ant and Dec and radio presenter Dean McCullough throughout the 2024 series of I’m A Celebrity was marked by apparent exasperation that steadily transformed into “tough love” and ultimate commendation.

During the early stages of the series, Ant was visibly annoyed by Dean’s efforts in the Bushtucker Trials, especially after Dean pulled out prematurely from both the “Sinister Sarcophagus” and “Drown in the Dumps” challenges.

The host subsequently confessed on companion show Unpacked that he felt “unprofessional” for letting his frustration become visible on screen, admitting he was “angry” because he thought the trials Dean quit were “doable”.

Ant and Dec eventually gazed straight into the camera to urge viewers to cease voting for Dean, noting it was “good to see other faces” and that witnessing the same contestant repeatedly struggle was becoming “boring”. Ant also playfully stated he would “never” follow Dean on Instagram.

Following Dean’s departure from the jungle, the hosts made it clear their no-nonsense strategy was intended to push him towards better performances.

During his post-exit interview, Ant told Dean: “I was so angry at you for calling ‘I’m A Celebrity’… then that tough love kind of got you through”.

Ant went on to commend Dean’s performance in the “flying challenge,” calling him “brilliant” and expressing pride in how Dean concluded his jungle journey.

Kelly Brook (2025)

Ant and Decare reported to have a long-running “feud” with Kelly Brook dating back to her brief appearance on Britain’s Got Talent. The tension stems from 2009, when Kelly Brook was drafted in as a fourth judge on Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) but was axed after just two days of filming.

In their autobiography Ooh! What a Lovely Pair, Dec recalled trying to reassure a nervous Kelly on her opening day. When he suggested the show would be fun, she allegedly replied, “And what do you do on the show?”

Ant and Dec were reportedly annoyed that Simon Cowell had brought in a fourth judge without consulting them. Dec wrote they couldn’t find a “good reason” why she was on the panel.

The presenters addressed their long-rumoured dispute with Kelly during the 2025 series of I’m A Celeb, chiefly by poking fun at it on the spin-off show Unpacked. While chatting about the campmates’ cooking prowess, Ant quipped that every dish they’d rustled up appeared “rancid”.

When it was pointed out that Kelly Brook and Martin Kemp were handling kitchen duties, Dec cheekily questioned Ant, “What’s your problem with Kelly Brook?”

Ant quickly fired back, “Don’t you start! I don’t have a problem with Kelly Brook, thank you!”

Despite their complicated past, the presenting duo remained thoroughly professional and polite throughout their on-air interactions, including Kelly’s post-elimination chat.

‘Worst’ season

Ant and Dec officially branded the 2022 contestants the “worst ever group” following their woeful performance in trials across the entire run.

The initial 10 famous faces who ventured into the jungle at the series start were singer Boy George, former Lioness Jill Scott MBE, ex-rugby player Mike Tindall MBE, Hollyoaks actor Owen Warner, ITV News’ Charlene White, radio DJ Chris Moyles, comedian Babatúndé Aléshé, Coronation Street actress Sue Cleaver, A Place in the Sun’s Scarlette Douglas and Love Island’s Olivia Attwood.

Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock MP and comedian Seann Walsh subsequently entered as latecomers.

During a live Instagram session called Jungle Club, Ant and Dec didn’t hold back after the stars consistently flopped at Kev’s Deals on Wheels trials.

Dec told followers: “I think they’re officially the worst at the challenges,” while Ant agreed, branding them the “worst ever!” Ant went further still, labelling the 2022 stars a “bunch of idiots” after they botched 7 out of 10 questions. One moment that particularly irked the presenters was when the campmates failed to correctly name how many studio albums Adele has put out.

Ant also criticised their survival abilities early on in the series, calling them “helpless”.

Strikingly, while the presenters grew frustrated with their challenge performances, they’d shown tremendous excitement when the lineup was first announced, with their reaction video showing them shouting “Yes!” and “Oh he’s going to cry!” upon initially seeing the cast list.

What celebs are rumoured to be taking part in I’m A Celebrity this year?

The most prominent celebrities rumoured to be entering the Australian jungle for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! 2026 include former footballer and pundit Wayne Rooney, singer Jesy Nelson, and Kaiser Chiefs star Ricky Wilson.

Other names who have been mentioned include Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page and Love Island’s Chloe Burrows.

Rumours have also circulated that ITV bosses have put Jeremy Clarkson at the top of their dream casting list.

While ITV typically holds off on making official announcements until closer to the November launch date, several high-profile names are reportedly in advanced negotiations.

England lifted successive trophies in 1982 and 1984 but then had to wait 39 years until Carsley’s men won in Georgia and Romania in 2023, beating Spain in the final.

Last summer’s extra-time victory over Germany in Bratislava sealed their title defence, thanks to Jonathan Rowe’s strike.

Winning the tournament three times in a row has only ever been done once before, by Italy in the 1990s, although never in the competition’s current guise of 16 teams.

Carsley is aware of the challenge ahead – but also the lasting impact more success could have.

“The older you get, you want to leave a legacy, don’t you?” He said, with England top of Group D and three points clear of Slovakia.

“There would have been an easy move, after the first win, to go and do club management and go and accept a few of the offers.

“But I enjoy the job I’m doing and I enjoy that I’m part of a bigger quest to win a major tournament. I want to be part of the FA when we do that.”

Carsley also says he welcomes the pressure of attempting to do something no Young Lions team has done before.

“I think we have to embrace that,” said the former Everton and Derby midfielder. “They come to play for the under-21s, you’re back-to-back champions. There’s a bullseye that goes with that. We have to be aware of that and go for it.

“The expectancy, we’ll just get through the group and then we’ll win the quarters, we’ll win the semis and then we’ll just win the final… it’s very difficult.

“My priority is definitely qualifying and then that’s something I’ll think about.”

Prime Minister Balendra Shah told the UN that world leaders must act on climate change.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah has appealed for action to combat the rising threat of climate change, calling the flood that devastated his country last month “a warning to the world”.

Shah made the comments during his address to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday night. He told the gathering that the August disaster “was not just a local tragedy”, asking them the question, “Have you really heard that warning?”

Political leaders “have been negligent to translate those warnings in action at the speed and scale that the vulnerable people require,” he said.

At least 1,453 people died when a torrent of mud, rock and water struck northern Nepal and the China-Tibet border on August 26, triggered by a glacial collapse.

According to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 5,500 people were still missing and 13,795 had been rescued.

Researchers from the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group said in a report released last week that the disaster was not caused by a single extreme weather event, but rather a “compound crisis” shaped by long-term warming, glacier retreat, permafrost thaw and geological instability.

Shah said climate change was hurting people not responsible for the crisis but who “are paying a colossal price for it”.

He said Nepal contributed less than one-tenth of 1 percent of the heat-trapping gases behind climate change. About 99 percent of the country’s electricity comes from hydropower, and many workers were trapped in tunnels by the flooding.

“Our glaciers are retreating, our mountain slopes are becoming unstable, our rivers are becoming less predictable, and every major disaster threatens to erase years of development,” Shah said.

Shah urged the international community to help bear the cost of helping Nepal adapt to climate change.

He proposed to create a ‘Himalaya Climate Resilience Mechanism’ which would include Nepal and neighbours India and China, and would allow them to share satellite data and expertise, monitor glacial lakes and strengthen joint early warning systems.

Nepal has asked the UN’s loss and damage fund for $20m in aid, the maximum allowed, but a tiny fraction of what it needs. A preliminary assessment by the government has placed the cost of the disaster at $5bn.

The fund, established in 2022 in the aftermath of catastrophic floods in Pakistan, has yet to make even its first disbursement, and observers see Nepal as a key test of its credibility.

Earlier this week, the United States pledged an additional $31m in new flood recovery support.

Oasis ticket sales kick off this weekend and that means the lucky ones who’ve snapped up their tickets will be making plans. But how much will a trip to see the Britpop band set you back?

Oasis tickets go on sale this weekend ahead of the Britpop band’s 2027 tour. Not only will the Manchester band be touring the UK and heading to Ireland, but they’ll also be doing dates in Europe and the USA, meaning fans from around the world will see them perform hits from Wonderwall to Live Forever.

Ticket sales have been carefully controlled to avoid scalpers turning a profit, and fans have needed to sign up to even get a chance to try to buy a ticket. If you’re not successful bagging a ticket for a UK show, then you may be thinking of heading over to see Oasis in Europe. However, this means booking transport and accommodation.

Here’s a rundown of the costs of seeing Oasis in various cities. Prices are likely to rise closer to the time, especially as hotel rooms near the stadiums are likely to be snapped up.

UK dates and costs

If you’re lucky enough to snag Oasis tickets in the UK, the dates and costs for their UK tour are:

Glasgow – Celtic Park

May, 21, 23, 25, 28 and 29

Seated tickets from £71.50 – standing from £170.50

The tour kicks off in Glasgow at the Celtic Park stadium, which is in the east of the city. It’s well connected by public transport, so you might want to opt to stay in the city centre. The Moxy Glasgow Merchant City has rooms from £337 based on two sharing and is about a mile and a half from the stadium.

Manchester – Ethiad Stadium

June 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25 and 26

Seats from £74.60 and standing from £173.60

Oasis will perform a string of dates in Manchester, and the city will have a huge influx of fans, so if you’re booking a hotel, you’ll need to do it as soon as possible. Hotel prices are already becoming dear. For example, on the June 2027 nights when Oasis are playing, the prices at Copthorne Hotel Manchester Salford Quays have hit £302 a night for two sharing, whereas visitors on nights without a gig pay as little as £92 for a room in this four-star property.

Knebworth – Knebworth House

September 11, 12, 18 and 19

General admission £170.50

Oasis’ return to Knebworth means this area of Hertfordshire will be very booked up. Your best bet is to get a coach bundle, as these will be available through Ticketmaster with routes across the UK. Knebworth House is a remote location, meaning staying in nearby towns with a bus connection may be wise. Hitchin has a Premier Inn, although at £349 on September 11, it’s a pricey option.

European tour dates and prices

Munich, Germany – Allianz Arena

July 2 and 3, 2027

Oasis will have two nights of shows in Munich next July, with seated tickets from €96.25 (£82.51) and standing from €165.25 (£141.68).

There are direct flights to Munich from London, Manchester, Glasgow, and several regional airports. Fly out on July 1 and come back July 4, and you’ll find flights on Lufthansa from London-Heathrow from £113 return.

The stadium is on the edge of Munich in an area called Fröttmaning. As you can imagine, hotel options are limited and already expensive for July dates. But it’s close to a Metro, so look for accommodation elsewhere in Munich that’s close to public transport, such as the ibis Hotel München Garching, which has rooms on July 2 from £218 a night and is just one stop away.

Barcelona, Spain – Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys

July 10 and 11

Tickets to see Oasis in Barcelona start at €85 for seats and €204 for standing (£72.89 and £174.93 respectively). The Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys stadium, where the show takes place, is on the Montjuïc hill overlooking the city, making it a memorable location for major shows. You can even take the Montjuïc Funicular to the top to get to the show, although you’ll need to take a bus back as it stops running at 10pm.

Barcelona is, of course, packed with places to stay and the metro makes it easy to get around, so you don’t necessarily need to book somewhere next to the stadium. Stay at the Radisson Blu 1882 Hotel, Barcelona Sagrada Familia , available from £332 a night for two sharing, and you’ll be close to the major tourist attractions, so you can enjoy a city break too. If you’d rather stay closer, Mambo Tango is about a 20-minute walk away and has double rooms from £284.

Barcelona is served by several regional airports, and weekend flights from London Luton start at £89 return with Wizz Air.

Amsterdam, Netherlands – Johan Cruijff Arena

July 16 and 17

The next stop on the tour is Amsterdam’s Johan Cruijff Arena, where tickets start at €84.15 for seats and €201.96 for standing (£72.15 and £173.16 respectively).

Again, the arena is on the outskirts of the city, and is found in the Zuidoost area. Just a short walk away is the Joy Hotel, which has budget double or twin rooms on the tour dates from £265 . However, the cheapest rooms don’t have a window, so don’t expect lovely views of Amsterdam.

There are lots of options for getting to the city and public transport is excellent. There are both a train and a metro station serving the arena. Eurostar offers London to Amsterdam tickets from £39 one-way, although they tend not to run at weekends, so you would need to travel down Friday and come back Monday. There are also lots of flight options from multiple airports, and even the London to Amsterdam overnight FlixBus, which starts at £44 in July. While nearly 12 hours on a coach is an endurance test, it does save you from needing to pay for a hotel that night.

Paris, France – Stade de France

July 23 and 24

Seated tickets for Oasis’ Paris shows start at €84.00 (£72), while standing options start at €199.50 (£171). However, these dates coincide with school summer holidays, so expect higher prices and demand not only from Oasis fans but also holidaying families.

The Paris leg of the tour will take place at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, in the north of the city, and a metro line runs to the area. You can either opt to stay centrally, such as the boutique Chouchou Hotel, which has rooms from £325 a night and explore the city, or simply stay near the stadium. The Ibis Styles Paris Saint Denis La Plaine is about half a mile away, and has basic rooms from £350 a night for these July dates.

Eurostar is an excellent way to get to Paris. It arrives at Paris Gare Du Nord, and tickets currently start at £49 each way. There are also lots of flights to the sprawling Aéroport de Paris-Charles de Gaulle, about 40-minutes from the stadium, from airports across the UK.

Rome, Italy – Stadio Olimpico

July 29 and 30

Rome is another great option for Oasis fans, and the band will be playing in late July. However, it’s worth remembering that these are school holiday dates again, so travel is likely to be expensive and book quickly.

Seated tickets will start at €92.29 (£79.21), while standing will start at a whopping €221.49 (£190.09). There are some cheap flights available, such as Wizz Air, which offer a return from London Luton to Rome for around £131 for late July dates.

Stadio Olimpico is in the north of the city, and it’s served by metro and tram, which is useful as hotel options in the area are thin on the ground and expensive. Sweet Home Parioli is just over a mile away and has rooms from £180 a night based on two sharing, and offers simple accommodation that’s perfect for post-gig sleeps.

Slane Castle – Ireland

September 4 and 5

Before heading to Knebworth, Oasis will play two huge shows at Slane Castle, which is about 45 minutes north of Dublin. There will be a variety of bus services available to take visitors from the city to this rural castle for the gigs.

General admission tickets will be priced at €181.25 (£155.58) – and if you’re coming from the UK, there are lots of inexpensive flights available to Dublin. For example, Ryanair flights from Newcastle to Dublin for those dates are showing for £70 return, although there are often sales where you can buy flights more cheaply.

There will be a few pick-up and drop-off points for coaches across the region, so you might want to stay centrally in Dublin and spend some time exploring the city too. Four-star Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin has rooms from £350 a night for two sharing, or, for £61 each per night, you can opt for a bunk at the Gardiner House Hostel for a budget-friendly stay.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

When the BBC entered the dining hall for the dinner, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was standing over a table and appeared to be telling an entertaining story that had two others nearby barreled over with laughter.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was at another table, with a serious look on his face. His wife is sat beside him, with Jared Kushner and White House chief of staff Monica Crowley nearby.

The White House invited scores of US officials, as well as conservative broadcasters, tech industry bosses, social media CEOs and other corporate executives.

Attendees included members of Trump’s cabinet, as well as family members like his children Ivanka, Eric and Tiffany.

Bosses from the tech industry in attendance included Apple’s Tim Cook, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Google’s Sundar Pichai, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang.

Both Cook and Huang were seated at the same table as Trump and Xi. As was Musk, who previously worked in Trump’s administration leading the effort to shrink government.

Other companies whose leaders were in attendance include General Motors, Visa, Paramount Skydance, ExxonMobil and more.

Social media mogul Mark Zuckerberg also attended, as well as Jeff Yaas, the American billionaire who owns a share of TikTok.

“Everybody wanted to be there,” Trump said ahead of the event. “I would say you have the entire tech world, the entire banking world, and a lot more.”

But one notable absence was Anthropic – one of the biggest and most valuable AI firms in the world. The BBC has asked Anthropic if it was invited, or if they chose not to be there.

BIANCA Censori’s sister Angelina soaked up the sun in a tiny string thong during a Greece getaway.

The Aussie native channeled her sister’s usually super sexy attire and stripped down into skimpy lingerie in new photos.

Angelina, 22, took to Instagram on Thursday to share multiple pictures from her Mediterranean vacation.

Some of those pics captured the model sitting on the pavement, hugging her knees into her chest while sporting a G-string thong.

She paired the bottoms with a black string bra with a vertical chain link connecting the straps.

Angelina kept her back facing the camera, showcasing her thin figure and bare butt as she sat on the ground.

Read More on Bianca Censori

SHEER BEAUTY

Bianca Censori’s sister Angelina goes braless in see-through lace dress

SHOW OFF

Bianca Censori’s sister Angelina wears see-through dress just like older sibling

Her hair was pulled into a tight bun as she gazed at her shadow on the concrete beside her.

“Basking,” Bianca‘s sister wrote in her caption.

Angelina often uses the platform to share sultry photos of herself in revealing attire.

Earlier this month, the brunette posted a series of snapshots of herself wearing a skintight white corset bodysuit.

She also shared a pic of herself in July, flaunting her pin-thin physique in a tiny gold bikini while lounging by the pool in Madrid, Spain.

Angelina blew fans away last November when she shared several photos of herself in a heavily cut-out lace dress.

She modeled the outfit, which showed her underboob with its massive opening at her midsection, in the mirror.

The ensemble also exposed her backside and legs with its sheer fabric, which she showcased in an overhead shot of her lying on a bed.

Bianca, 31, has often drawn attention with her revealing wardrobe after completely switching up her style when she married Kanye West, 49, in December 2022.

The Yeezy architect is usually seen sporting skintight bodysuits that display her curves, and other sexy looks.

She most recently posted several photos of herself in a gold string bikini top and skirt that barely covered her breasts or butt cheeks.

Bianca also underwent a dramatic hair transformation, swapping out her usual brown hairstyle for a platinum blonde wig.

The designer has been accused of “public indecency” numerous times over the years while repeatedly stepping out in public in barely-there attire.

Many have also blamed Kanye for pulling the strings on her fashion choices, after doing the same with his ex-wife Kim Kardashian’s style.

Angelina shut down rumors last year that her family didn’t approve of Bianca and Kanye’s marriage, telling The Herald Sun that they supported the Donda rapper.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS

City Section

Chatsworth 37, Reseda 0

Collins Family 33, Westbrook 0

Foshay 44, Angelou 8

GALA d. Los Angeles Jordan, forfeit

GALA 41, Dymally 0

Garfield 35, Legacy 0

Granada Hills Kennedy 19, Van Nuys 0

Los Angeles Hamilton 52, LACES 0

Los Angeles Roosevelt 26, South Gate 24

Narbonne 21, Los Angeles Marshall 0

Panorama 27, Van Nuys 0

SOCES 39, VAAS 0

South East 14, Sotomayor 6

Stella 13, USC Hybrid 0

Southern Section

Alhambra 33, Rosemead 6

Anaheim 46, Estancia 0

Anaheim Canyon 20, Crean Lutheran 19

Animo Leadership 25, SEED LA 14

Aquinas 14, Ontario Christian 0

Azusa 8, Sierra Vista 0

Baldwin Park 13, Garey 0

Beckman 32, Mission Viejo 27

Bonita 26, Glendora 12

Burbank Burroughs 19, Temple City 0

Cajon 45, Arlington 0

Century 7, Santa Ana Valley 6

Cerritos 27, Paramount 7

Cerritos Valley Christian 46, Whitney 12

Chino 12, Don Lugo 7

Compton 33, Compton Centennial 0

Compton Early College 20, Environmental Charter 0

Covina 33, Northview 0

Downey 27, Bellflower 6

Edison 6, Newport Harbor 0

El Modena 7, Sunny Hills 0

El Rancho 13, South El Monte 12

Fountain Valley 13, Los Alamitos 8

Garden Grove 21, Segerstrom 20

Garden Grove Pacifica 27, Brea Olinda 13

Gahr 42, Mayfair 0

Glenn 25, Pioneer 0

Godinez 7, Tustin 0

Great Oak 40, Desert Hot Springs 0

Huntington Beach 21, Corona del Mar 20

Katella 12, Costa Mesa 6

La Canada 33, South Pasadena 0

Laguna Beach 14, Newport Beach Pacifica Christian 7

Lakewood St. Joseph 21, Bishop Amat 12

La Palma Kennedy 12, Fullerton 6

La Quinta 12, Palm Springs 6

La Serna 19, California 12

La Sierra 6, Miller 0

Lawndale 34, Culver City 6

Loma Linda Academy 33, United Christian Academy 0

Long Beach Cabrillo 41, Dominguez 6

Long Beach Wilson 18, Lakewood 0

Los Amigos 12, Savanna 6

Marina 19, Irvine 7

Mary Star of the Sea 18, Sacred Heart of Jesus 12

Monrovia 20, Gabrielino 6

Montebello 21, Arroyo 0

Mountain View 14, El Monte 0

Nogales 41, Duarte 6

Palm Desert 12, Xavier Prep 6

Placenta Valencia 28, Laguna Hills 6

Pomona 12, Bassett 0

Portola 12, Irvine University 6

Ontario 12, Montclair 0

Redlands East Valley 39, Serrano 0

San Gabriel 15, Bell Gardens 13

San Juan Hills 36, Capistrano Valley 7

San Marino 18, Westridge 13

Santa Ana Foothill 24, Troy 0

Santa Fe 14, Artesia 6

Shadow Hills 31, Indio 6

Sierra Canyon d. Flintridge Sacred Heartt, forfeit

St. Bernard 18, Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary 13

St. Paul 48, St. Monica 12

Vasquez d, Rosamond, forfeit

Village Christian 34, Pasadena Poly 21

Villa Park 21, El Dorado 12

West Covina 20, Hacienda Heights Wilson 0

Westminster La Quinta 13, Saddleback 0

Whittier 21, Norwalk 20

Woodbridge 47, Northwood 0

Intersectional

Long Beach Poly 20, Carson 6

THURSDAY’S RESULTS

City Section

Bell 12, Huntington Park 0

Bernstein 19, Roybal 6

Contreras 14, Mendez 0

Contreras 12, RFK Community 7

Fairfax 6, LACES 0

Foshay 40, Diego Rivera 0

Garfield 20, Legacy 0

Hollywood 26, Bernstein 6

Hollywood 32, Roybal 0

Jefferson 45, West Adams 0

Los Angeles Hamilton 26, Westchester 0

Los Angeles Roosevelt 12, South Gate 0

Manual Arts 19, Santee 14

Maywood CES 6, Marquez 0

RFK Community 12, Mendez 6

Sotomayor 32, Maywood Academy 6

Torres 13, Elizabeth 0

Venice 26, Palisades 13

Southern Section

Agoura 49, Calabasas 0

Antelope Valley 83, Littlerock 0

Burbank Providence 43, SEED LA 0

Camarillo 33, Simi Valley 12

Canyon Country Canyon 31, Valencia 13

Castaic 7, Hart 0

Chaminade 18, Harvard-Westlake 13

Channel Islands 47, Del Sol 6

Dos Pueblos 35, Rio Mesa 0

El Segundo 14, West Torrance 0

El Toro 20, Aliso Niguel 0

Highland 12, Knight 0

Lancaster 6, Eastside 0

Mater Dei 34, Linfield Christian 26

Ontario 22, Chaffey 13

Peninsula 12, North Torrance 0

Quartz Hill 43, Palmdale 0

Redondo Union 20, Palos Verdes 0

Royal 55, Oak Park 14

San Juan Hills 36, Capistrano Valley 7

Santa Barbara 26, Buena 0

Santa Monica 38, Hawthorne 0

Santa Paula 62, Cate 0

Saugus 6, Golden Valley 0

South Torrance 32, Wiseburn-Da Vinci 12

Sunny Hills 45, Oxford Academy 0

Thousand Oaks 19, Newbury Park 7

Torrance 13, Mira Costa 7

Ventura 6, San Marcos 0

Westlake 37, Oaks Christian 13

Woodbridge 46, Santa Margarita 6

Intersectional

JSerra 32, Menlo 12

Eagle Rock d. Los Angeles Wilson, forfeit

Tokyo, Japan – Nearly eight years after moving to Japan for work, Abdul feels more accustomed to life in the East Asian country than in his native Bangladesh.

But as the Japanese government moves to tighten the rules for permanent residency and public sentiment towards immigrants sours, Abdul is reconsidering his future.

“I don’t know what the Japanese government will do in the future, if they’ll make things stricter again,” Abdul, a tech engineer who lives in northern Tokyo with his Bangladeshi wife, told Al Jazeera.

Abdul, who is preparing to apply for both permanent residency and citizenship, is aware of the possibility that he may soon have to leave.

“I have to be prepared if both of my applications are rejected,” said Abdul, who asked not to be identified by his real name.

“Right now, I am starting to look for opportunities outside of Japan.”

Under rules set to come into effect in phases from October 1, applicants for permanent residency will need to show that their annual household income exceeds the Japanese average – a stipulation that will be applied retroactively for applications submitted since April – and demonstrate Japanese-language proficiency.

Applicants will also be required to have a pension pot equivalent to 30 years of payouts.

In an announcement detailing the changes, Japan’s Immigration Services Agency stressed the need for foreigners to “live independently” and have “a stable life without the risk of becoming a burden”.

Sarah Nelkin, an American who has lived in Japan for the last 14 years, is among the many long-term residents who fear they will not qualify under the new rules.

A lover of Japanese animation and video games, Nelkin first moved to Japan as a university student and has since built a career in the country’s bustling entertainment industry.

Like Abdul, Nelkin, who submitted an application for permanent residency shortly before the announcement of the changes, is anxious about what the future holds.

If her application is rejected, she plans to apply to become a Japanese citizen – which would mean giving up her US citizenship, as Japan does not recognise dual nationality.

“I’ve lived my entire adult life in Japan … I would rather not give up my American passport. My mother lives in the US, and I want to retain my citizenship for a lot of reasons, like visiting family,” Nelkin told Al Jazeera.

“But at this point, I might have to give up my American nationality.”

Risa Hagiwara, a professor of economics at Meikai University in Urayasu, Japan, said the changes reflect a shift towards a “selective and conditional” immigration policy that is in tension with Japan’s need for labour amid a shrinking population.

“Japan needs foreign workers because of labour shortages. But if the conditions for long-term settlement become substantially more difficult, this could potentially reduce Japan’s attractiveness to foreign workers who are considering Japan as a place to build their long-term lives,” Hagiwara told Al Jazeera.

Hot-button issue

Immigration has become an increasingly hot-button topic in historically homogenous Japan.

Japan’s foreign resident population remains small compared with developed peers such as the United Kingdom and France, where 10 to 15 percent of residents were born overseas.

But it has been growing fast, hitting a record 4.12 million people, or about 3 percent of the total population, as of the end of 2025, according to government data.

By some estimates, Japan’s foreign-born population could reach the OECD average of 10 percent by 2070.

Meanwhile, the number of Japanese nationals fell by more than 900,000 between January 2025 and 2026 amid the country’s rock-bottom birthrate, according to government figures.

Hagiwara said that Japan is at a crossroads as foreign-born residents play an increasingly important role in Japanese society.

“If Japan wants to rely on foreign workers to address labour shortages, it also needs to consider what happens after they come to Japan,” Hagiwara said.

“The question is increasingly not only ‘how many foreign workers does Japan need?’, but also ‘what kind of society does Japan want to build with the people who come here?’” she said.

Japan’s mooted immigration shake-up comes amid a broader rightward shift in the country’s politics.

While campaigning for the leadership of the conservative Liberal Democratic Party last year, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the country should “reconsider, at least for now, policies that allow in people with completely different cultures and backgrounds”.

Takaichi’s subsequent coalition agreement with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party (JIP) pledged a firm stance against foreigners who break the rules, as well as steps to address “potential social friction” from a growing foreign population.

At the same time, the far-right, anti-immigration Sanseito party has gained ground with its “Japan First” messaging, winning a record 15 seats at the most recent lower-house election to become the third-largest opposition party.

Public opinion has also moved against immigrants.

In a recent survey by the Institute of Social Science at the University of Tokyo, 56.3 percent of Japanese people said they opposed accepting more foreigners, up from 35.6 percent in 2024.

Nelkin and Abdul have both felt the change in sentiment.

“Before 2024, I never felt any discrimination against foreigners, but recently there has been a shift … especially online,” Abdul said.

Nelkin said peers have become outspoken in their dislike of foreigners.

“Even seemingly decent people are just saying racist stuff,” she said.

“I’ve worked for this country and specifically avoided breaking any rules, and they’re saying you are never enough,” she added. “That’s really hard.”

Toyah Battersby was briefly recast in Thursday night’s episode of ITV soap Coronation Street as part of a sad twist in Debbie Wester’s long-running dementia storyline

Toyah Battersby was briefly recast in Thursday night’s episode of Coronation Street. The Bistro waitress is normally played by Georgia Taylor, and she made her debut on the programme in 1997 alongside stepsister Leanne Batterbsy (Jane Danson), her stepfather Les and mother Janice (Vicky Entwistle).

But on the latest instalment of the world’s longest-running TV soap, the character was briefly played by another actress for a matter of seconds amid a stylistic twist to portray Debbie Webster’s dementia spiral.

The hotelier (Sue Devaney) is at the centre of a long-running storyline involving vascular dementia and in recent weeks, her condition has worsened. Debbie approached a woman and said: ” Excuse me, which way is the Rovers?”

The woman looked a little bit confused, and said: “It’s just round the corner…Are you OK, Debbie?” But Debbie immediately asked how the woman knew her name, and refused any further help as she stormed off.

It was then that it was revealed that the woman Toyah all along and, wearing the same costume, Georgia Taylor was stood in her place looking very concerned.

In the credits, the character is simply listed as Stranger, and she was played by actress Anya Williams.

Reacting to the scene, one fan wrote on Reddit: “I enjoyed that scene today. It hit hard. My first thought when debbie said how do you know my name. Was why didn’t the woman explain. Then when it panned to it being toyah I was like, wow.”

Taking to X, a second viewer said: “Very heartbreaking #Corrie scene Debbie not recognising Toyah. Dementia is a cruel disease,” and a third wrote: “Powerful scene with Debbie not recognising Toyah and us seeing it from Debbie’s POV.”

In recent years, Coronation Street has favoured the use of numerous storytelling devices like flashbacks, flashforwards, and dream sequences that have rendered it away from the naturalistic approach that made it famous.

Emmerdale has also tried this method before when dementia sufferer Ashley Thomas struggled to recognise Aaron Dingle.

For Debbie, the incident was just the latest in a series of bad turns amid her diagnosis, having recently believed she was back in the 1980s and working as a hairdresser.

It was previously confirmed that actress Sue Devaney will be leaving the soap in 2027 and, Debbie, more than aware of her mortality, recently told sister-in-law Abbie that she wanted to film her own eulogy for her funeral.

Sue previously spoke of the erratic nature of playing Debbie and wanted to make sure she was telling the story with “full impact.”

She said: “I find it really interesting to play and going into that deeper, next journey of the illness.

“It’s that thing of who’s gonna look after her around that time? Some days she’ll be lucid and normal and then other days she will have a bad day.

“That’s how it happens, so it’s been really interesting to play, it’s really moving. I speak to my friend who is a dementia specialist and she tells me the journey I’m going on and if I am doing it correctly.

“You wanna do it right and I don’t want to not tell the full impact that dementia has on somebody.”

Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and is available to stream from 7am on ITV X.

* Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

France will have a new face on the touchline for the first time in 14 years when they face Turkey on Friday.

Zinedine Zidane replaced Didier Deschamps after France’s fourth-place finish at the World Cup, but his appointment had been an open secret long before Les Bleus’ third-place play-off loss to England.

Talks between the former Real Madrid manager and the French football authorities kicked off as early as February 2025 – after Zidane’s former team-mate Deschamps announced a few weeks earlier he would step down following the 2026 World Cup.

When he was unveiled in Paris, Zidane was keen to highlight the time he had spent waiting on the sidelines and preparing for the job.

“I had several offers in the last four or five years, but I turned them all down,” an emotional Zidane said. “The national team is the only thing I wanted.”

While his enthusiasm at taking the job was the overarching theme of his first news conference in the French capital, the midfield legend offered few clues to France fans as to how he would approach the role.

Even a question on Kylian Mbappe’s captaincy was bypassed: “The most important thing for him now is to rest, we’ll have the chance to speak in September.”

Mbappe, speaking to Spanish newspaper AS, has since said having the former Real Madrid star as his national team coach was “like a film”.

When asked about his preferred style of play, Zidane opted against going into tactical detail.

“I can’t explain to you in just a couple of words how we’re going win. I have to arrive, meet with the players, and explain my plans to them. After that, it’ll be up to me to keep this team winning.”

However, Zidane confirmed his intention “to do things differently” and he has called up five uncapped players for this international break.

He went on to signal that there would be a degree of “continuation” from the work of his predecessor, which he made sure to praise.

“I’m going to try do what I know how to, but it won’t be a complete break either.”

So what will Zidane bring to the France dugout?

Gambling on sunshine at Loch Lomond

I love Loch Lomond in autumn. I’d start with a walk around Balmaha village and a stretch of the West Highland Way, pretending I’m there for the scenery rather than earning the right to eat something massive afterwards. Autumn is when it looks best: orange hills, cold air, dramatic clouds and the constant Scottish gamble of whether you’ll get sunshine, sideways rain, or both within 10 minutes. I finish, if I’m not driving, with a wee dram to properly round things off.
Pete

Cornwall’s wild autumn seas

The rough beauty of Cornwall’s sea views appeals to me. A great autumn day involves walking along the staggered cliff edges between Godrevy and Portreath. The isolated nature of the coastal paths makes me feel as if the sea is singing just for me, while below the waves go wild, waiting to be admired. On this walk, you will be rewarded with the most breathtaking views, lone benches and burnt orange sunsets.
Oliwia

A hydro-powered house in Northumberland

When I first visited the National Trust’s Cragside in Northumberland, a staff member at the entrance made the bold claim that it was “the best place in England”. In autumn you can really see their point. The estate’s 1,000 acres are covered with a huge variety of trees that transform the landscape into a mixture of reds, oranges and deep greens, contrasting perfectly with the often misty Northumberland weather. It’s a perfect autumn day trip for woodland walks, possibly stopping for a picnic at one of the many lakes or gardens, and visiting the extraordinary hydro-powered Victorian house with its pioneering gadgets.
Everly

– back sections make it manageable without losing the drama.
Bonita Philp

Deep in the forest in the Scottish Borders

Glentress Forest in the Scottish Borders is hard to beat on a crisp autumn day. Start with a walk or mountain-bike ride through the forest, when the trails are surrounded by copper, red and gold, and climb high enough for brilliant views across the Tweed valley. Afterwards, warm up with coffee and something sweet at the cafe before heading into nearby Peebles for a wander along the river and around its independent shops. It feels properly remote despite being less than an hour from Edinburgh. And, whether you’re cycling or walking, autumn is when the forest is at its most spectacular.
Remi Lapeyre

Birmingham’s secret oasis

Winterbourne House and Garden at Birmingham University is a wonderful little oasis in Edgbaston, just outside the city centre. A beautiful Arts and Crafts style house, set in stunning gardens, it is a lovely place for a wander and is especially beautiful on a sunny day in early autumn when everything is golden. See herons at the reservoir, talk to friendly robins by the walled garden and browse the bookshop. Have coffee there and then head into nearby Harborne for lunch or dinner.
Rachel

Rivers and ruins in a Lancashire valley

Rocky Brook is the name given by locals to the River Roddlesworth, which flows through a wonderful wooded valley at the edge of the West Pennine Moors. The woodland, planted by Liverpool Corporation Waterworks, provides plenty of autumn colour. A network of paths allows exploration of the woods and the ruins of Hollinshead Hall and well house. There’s a public car park, cafe and pub (the Royal Arms) at Ryal Fold, and for those who walk north-west through the woods there’s also the Hare & Hounds at Abbey Village. Four buses a day run from Blackburn to the Royal.
Graham Dean

Twisted oaks and fungi in the Peak District

The Longshaw estate in the Peak District is perfect for an autumn stroll. Both Oaks Wood and Bolehill Quarry have a huge variety of fungi in their hidden depths. The twisted oak trees in Padley Gorge look at their most spectacular on early autumn misty mornings. It’s easy to explore pathways on the estate with the friendly free social walk every Wednesday. Finish a wonderful day with a treat in the cafe.
Katharine

A lime tree avenue in Nottinghamshire

Clumber Park is a must-visit at this time of year. The National Trust property features peaceful woodlands with golden leaf carpets, crisp lakeside views and an ornamental bridge. You’ll want to keep your camera handy as you enter a double tree avenue of 1,296 limes stretching three miles (one of the longest in Europe), which provides a gorgeous golden canopy. The walled kitchen garden is a favourite with its massive apple collection and seasonal displays. The apple juice I’ve tried here is some of the best I’ve tasted.
Asma

A Roman autumn at Hadrian’s Wall

My perfect autumn day is walking Hadrian’s Wall from Steel Rigg, when the moorland turns copper and gold and every climb rewards you with another enormous Northumberland view. Pack a flask, sturdy boots and something waterproof – the weather changes its mind even faster than I do. You only pay for parking, and shorter out- and

Winning tip: Steaming through north Wales

My perfect autumn day out is a trip on the Llangollen Railway in north Wales. There’s something magical about travelling through the Dee valley on a steam train when the leaves have turned orange and gold. We start in Llangollen, grab something warm to drink, then climb aboard for the journey alongside the River Dee, watching the autumn scenery through the window. Afterwards, we wander around Llangollen, exploring the little shops. It’s simple, nostalgic and feels like autumn properly arriving – especially when you hear the steam train whistle through the valley.
Chelsea

Big Brother was also forced to issue a warning to the housemate

Big Brother housemates were forced to intervene after a huge row broke out once again and “threats of violence”.

There has been plenty of chaos in the Big Brother house in just over a week since the show returned to screens. Already, viewers have witnessed heated clashes and a live evictions as personalities continue to clash.

Last night’s instalment (September 23), saw the housemates nominate for the first time this series as they told Big Brother who they wished to face eviction this week. After receiving the highest number of votes, Pauline will once again face this week’s eviction alongside fellow housemate Chelsey.

Viewers are being asked to choose who should leave as one housemate will be forced to say their goodbyes in tomorrow’s live eviction (September 25).

But before that, the drama continued in tonight’s instalment with more explosive rows and rule breaks forcing Big Brother to dish out the punishments.

For this week’s shopping task, Big Brother has transformed the House into Noah’s Ark. Each housemate was assigned an animal persona and must take part in a range of different challenges, with Philip and Charlotte in charge as Noah and his wife.

Samuel and Johanne were lions; Pauline and Omar were elephants; Yasmin and Harry were sharks; Chelsey and Frankie were crows; Lynx and Rhianna were rabbits and Rob and Rochelle were bugs.

It didn’t take long before things turned sour as tensions started to rise. When tasked with cooking, Rochelle appeared to struggle with her and Rob required to cook for the whole house.

Getting increasingly stressed, Rochelle could be heard saying: “This isn’t my thing” as she fought back tears. But when served their food, the housemates noticed things were not quite as it seemed.

Concerns were raised over whether the chicken was cooked properly, meaning Johanne wanted to cook her own chicken – however this was against the rules.

Convinced the chicken was uncooked, Johanne said she was going to put the chicken in the airfryer for a while longer – which was against the rules.

Rochelle fumed: “I don’t think you’re allowed to… the chicken is cooked.” However, Yasmin hit back that people would not eat raw chicken.

Stating she wanted to cook her own chicken, Rochelle hit back she was not allowed to, but Johanne fumed: “Who are you talking to? I’m not eating it. I’m not eating it. Now what?”

She added: “Sit your a** down. Who the hell are you talking to? I want to cook my chicken longer – I can do that. Who are you talking to? Your craziness needs to really calm down.”

Fuming that Rochelle was “unstable”, Johanne then fumed: “It’s not my fault you didn’t take cooking classes….You started screaming like a crazy woman. I’m not your child.”

Rochelle replied: “The minute you walked in, you were going to say it was sh*t.” Johanne commented: “You need to learn how to cook.”

After a heated exchange, Johanne said: “You’re a self-entitled 80-year-old woman. I’m not the one. Get your old a** together. You old hag!”

The back and fourth continued to become heated as Philip was forced to intervene, telling his co-stars to “calm down”. The other housemates were stunned by what they witnessed as Rochelle was soon called to the Diary Room. Big Brother then warned Rochelle against threats of violence which was deemed unacceptable.

Big Brother continues tomorrow at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX

Wales earned plaudits but Craig Bellamy wants more from his side, after admitting they were forced to suffer in their narrow 1-0 defeat in Portugal.

Joao Felix’s deflected strike proved enough to earn victory in Lisbon for the hosts, who also saw Cristiano Ronaldo’s effort ruled out by VAR.

It was a winning start to the Nations League title defence for Portugal and for new manager Jorge Jesus.

Despite being under pressure for long spells in Lisbon, Bellamy’s injury-hit side ended strongly as Brennan Johnson and Lewis Koumas both went close to snatching a draw.

“It was a difficult game for us. We had to suffer a lot,” said Bellamy.

“I think that’s the longest we’ve been in a game without the ball.

“We could have done more with the ball but I’m beyond proud as well.

“We have a lot of players who weren’t here. That’s OK, we can handle it.

“A lot of players who don’t play, week-in, week-out. So for them to use the energy they were able to, we’ve got to have a big heart to be able to do that. They’ve always shown that and they showed that again.”

Pakistani security forces report ongoing cross-border fire in latest escalation in fighting between the neighbours.

Pakistan has foiled an “attempted Afghan aggression” on the Pakistan-Afghan border.

Pakistani security sources said several Afghan members of the Taliban were killed in an intermittent exchange of fire in the Gulistan area of the border on Friday and that fighting was ongoing.

There has been no official confirmation from either country involved.

The Afghan government said on Thursday that it would deliver an “appropriate response” to Pakistani air attacks on 10 locations in Afghanistan earlier in the day.

The strikes were in response to a “deliberate and unlawful incursion into Pakistan by drones” on Wednesday, Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Thursday.

Tarar said in a post on his X account that Pakistan’s aerial and drone attacks hit “terrorist hideouts and support infrastructure including drone launching and storage sites”.

He also posted a video said to show the military strikes on the Afghan sites.

Afghanistan’s government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the air strikes targeted Kandahar, Paktia and Khost provinces.

Taliban officials denied that their government launched drones against Pakistan on Wednesday.

The air raids on Thursday were carried out amid growing tensions between the former allies over attacks by armed groups in Pakistan, which triggered their worst fighting in years in February.

Islamabad accuses Kabul of harbouring fighters who stage cross-border attacks, but Afghanistan’s government denies harbouring anti-Pakistani armed groups and says the attacks are Pakistan’s internal problem.

The escalation threatens mediation efforts by China, Turkiye, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to broker a lasting peace between the two neighbours.

France is sending military assistance to Saudi Arabia to protect the Yanbu oil facilities as the Kingdom battles the Iran-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen. The move comes amid growing concerns about the remaining flow of oil from the region, which France, as well as the rest of Europe, relies upon heavily.

In a live television interview Thursday night Paris time, French President Emmanuel Macron said he was sending an unspecified number of troops and equipment to the Saudi Arabia to protect the Yanbu energy hub, located on the Red Sea.

“This is the agreement we have finalized ​with ⁠the Saudis,” Macron explained. “We are going to send ⁠military resources, that is to ​say, soldiers, radar systems and defense ⁠systems, to protect this site — ⁠not ​to get us involved in any conflicts, but to ⁠protect this site.”

The French leader did not elaborate on the exact equipment he would send, how many troops, or when they would arrive. Nor did he address what would happen if French personnel were killed or injured or equipment damaged or destroyed. We have reached out to the French Embassy for further details. Based on his mention of radars and seeing that the threat to Saudi oil infrastructure is almost entirely from aerial attacks from drones and missiles, these will likely be air defense forces.

The decision was prompted by repeated Houthi missile and drone attacks as well as suspected strikes from Iranian-backed militias in Iraq on Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure. Yanbu in particular is a key installation. As we have explained in the past, Saudi Arabia has diverted millions of barrels of oil per day through pipelines to its Yanbu port on the Red Sea in an effort to minimize the energy shortages due to the hostilities around the Persian Gulf.

Before Macron’s announcement on Thursday, the Houthis claimed they had carried out two more waves of attacks on Saudi targets, including one on the Saudi Aramco facility in Yanbu, “using a number of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones.”

In addition, the Houthis claimed they struck Riyadh.

There was no immediate Saudi confirmation of an attack on the Saudi capital. Saudi civil defense did not issue an emergency alert for Riyadh on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, the Houthis said they struck “enemy command and control centers, operations rooms, weapon depots, missile launch platforms, and military sites belonging to Saudi-led enemy formations in Jizan,” a Red Sea port city.

“The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen said on Thursday that it had shot down six ballistic missiles fired by the Iran-backed Houthi militia, in what appeared to be one of the largest cross-border attacks by the group since its conflict with Saudi Arabia [flared back up],” The New York Times reported.

The missiles were aimed at the Saudi cities of Taif and Yanbu, Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki, a spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, claimed on X. “Escalations and violations by the terrorist Houthi militia will be dealt with firmly,” he stated, without specifying where the missiles were intercepted.

TWZ cannot independently verify any of these claims.

Today’s attacks are the latest in the escalating conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, the Houthis imposed a blockade on the Bab al-Mandab Strait (BAM) and began striking Saudi ships in the southern part of the Red Sea as well as critical energy terminals on that body of water and Saudi refineries. Iranian proxies have also struck the vital East-West pipeline that carries oil to the Red Sea to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran vastly curtailed shipping after the launch of Operation Epic Fury. The East-West pipeline reportedly reopened after being shut down following a long-range drone attack.

The stark reality facing Macron is that if Saudi oil infrastructure and transport nodes near the Red Sea are destroyed or the pipeline that feeds it is shut down for months the last major oil lifeline from the region — and especially to Europe — will be closed off, sparking a deeper energy crisis.

Iran has already severely curtailed the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S. and Israel attacked it on Feb. 28. The movement of oil has been further impeded by a U.S. blockade on Iranian ports. However, transits have been increasing as of late, thanks in large measure to U.S. military escorts that U.S. Central Command claims have allowed more than a billion barrels of crude to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Still, the traffic is far below what it was before the war broke out.

Having both the Strait of Hormuz largely closed and energy exports out of the Red Sea shut down simultaneously is a nightmare scenario. By Thursday evening Eastern time, the per-barrel price of Brent crude oil shot up to nearly $107, according to OilPrice.com. It had fallen below $100 per barrel just two days earlier.

Given all this, the French president sought to offer reassurance about oil supplies, according to France 24.

“He said he had carried out ‘intense diplomatic activity,’ meeting in recent weeks with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Nigeria, all hydrocarbon suppliers, to ensure France keeps receiving the same volumes,” the publication noted.

“We have replenished gas stocks and also oil stocks” for the months ahead, the French president also said.

Macron’s decision follows one by the U.K.’s  Royal Air Force (RAF) on Tuesday to deploy one of its Voyager aerial refueling jets to help Saudi Arabia defend against Houthi attacks. As with the French move, it is a response to concerns about the flow of oil.

“Escalating tensions in the Gulf could have negative consequences here in the UK—such as rising prices, disruptions to energy supplies, and increased costs for British businesses,” the U.K. Defense Ministry (MoD) explained in announcing the deployment. “The Houthis pose a threat to stability in the Middle East; therefore, it is in the UK’s national interest—economically and in terms of security—that they do not succeed in their aims.”

“We unequivocally condemn Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, and our position is clear: both Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government have the right to self-defense,” the ministry added. 

The jet will operate from a U.K. air base in Cyprus and will begin air-to-air refueling operations in the coming days, the BBC reported.

The French and British deployments contrast decisions by the U.S. and other nations not to get involved with the Saudi-Houthi fight.

Last week, Trump turned down a direct plea from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom’s de facto leader, to attack the Houthis. Meanwhile, Pakistan and Turkey, which signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia, have yet to provide any direct military aid. The pact holds that an attack on one is considered an attack on all; however, it doesn’t stipulate exactly what actions should be taken.

The security situation in Yemen has drastically deteriorated since the launch of Epic Fury after the Houthis joined the U.S.-Iran conflict on the side of their major supporter.

The Houthis have been directly attacking Saudi Arabia over claims that the kingdom has imposed a blockade on them. Beyond that, the mostly dormant civil war between the Houthis and internationally recognized Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, reignited in the wake of operation Epic Fury. The Houthis have made large territorial gains in the renewed conflict, including capturing the port city of Mokha and two key islands in the Red Sea. This has strengthened the Houthi hold on the BAM. You can read more about that in our story here.

3. The Houthis have reportedly attempted to seize ROYG-controlled islands in the Red Sea from which Houthi fighters could launch attacks on international shipping. Houthi forces reportedly landed on the Hanish Islands in the southern Red Sea on the morning of September 10 after… pic.twitter.com/tiFPgNDOHZ

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) September 11, 2026

The civil war in Yemen erupted in 2014 and expanded a year later when a Saudi-led coalition joined forces with the government ousted by the Houthis. The fighting between Saudi-led forces and the Houthis largely abated after a tenuous ceasefire took hold in 2022. The Saudis held off on getting involved in the recent Red Sea conflict, which saw the U.S. and coalition warships duking it out with the Houthis and eventually led to a U.S.-led air campaign over Yemen. The United Kingdom was another significant player in that air campaign.

Meanwhile, exacerbating concerns about the flow of oil from the Red Sea, “a senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader warned Thursday that Iranian forces and their Houthi allies in Yemen could respond to any new U.S. attacks by opening ‘a new front’ in its war with the U.S. by targeting energy supplies in the Red Sea,” CBS News reported.

The statements came after U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday once again threatened Iran.

“Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before?” Trump asked rhetorically. “Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?”

Trump added that he believed he would make a peace deal with Iran after the upcoming U.S. midterm elections, which will decide the control of Congress.

As we noted yesterday, with gasoline and diesel price increases damaging the economy, the war and Trump’s handling of it have been unpopular with voters.

The fact that France is sending forces to Saudi Arabia is an ominous development and another indication that the current spate of unrest that began with Epic Fury does not appear to show any signs of ending anytime soon.

Contact the author: howard@twz.com 

Sept. 24, 2026 3:39 PM PT

Naked Eyes lead singer Peter Byrne died in Los Angeles on Sept. 14, according to the group’s website.

Byrne, who co-founded the synth-pop band with Rob Fisher in 1982, died “peacefully … after a brief illness,” the statement reads.

Naked Eyes’ Pete Byrne performs onstage in Los Angeles in 2019.

(Scott Dudelson / Getty Images)

Naked Eyes, a high note for the MTV generation, scored ’80s hits with their synth-pop version of Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “Always Something There to Remind Me” and their original song “Promises, Promises,” with the former hitting No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983 and the latter reaching No. 11 that same year. “When the Lights Go Out” and “(What) in the Name of Love” also reached the Hot 100’s Top 40, hitting No. 37 in 1983 and No. 39 in 1984, respectively.

Byrne was born in Islington, North London, and began his music career in the mid-’70s. From 1979 to 1982, he was a member of the band Neon, which included Fisher and future Tears for Fears founders Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal. Byrne and Fisher released their debut album as Naked Eyes in 1983, according to the group’s website.

After Fisher died in 1999, Byrne released his 2001 solo album “The Real Illusion” and Naked Eyes albums “Fumbling With the Covers” in 2007 and “Disguise the Limit” in 2021. A remastered version of their self-titled debut album was released in 2025.

Byrne is survived by his siblings Eileen, Sandy, Carol and Steve; his three children, Merlin, Dylan and Chloe; and his ex-wife, Elena.

A Northern California community college wrestling star slipped and fell to his death Sunday at Yosemite National Park, officials confirmed.

Santa Rosa Junior College sophomore Ryan George died in an apparent accident, his college coach, Fred Duerr, posted in a statement Tuesday.

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat broke the news Tuesday, saying the 19-year-old “was hiking with friends near Illilouette Falls in Yosemite when he reportedly slipped and fell to his death.”

“Details are limited right now, and it’s been a really hard time for us all trying to process everything,” Duerr said in the statement. “If you knew Ryan, you know he was one of the most genuine, positive people you could ever meet. He had this way of lighting up a room, making you feel welcome, and bringing out the best in everyone around him.”

Yosemite National Park officials did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

George is listed as a Santa Rosa native in the school’s media guide and graduated from Montgomery High School in that city.

Last season, he enjoyed a strong run through the state championship in the 197-pound division. He entered sixth-ranked and finished with five victories, including two falls, en route to third place.

His finish was impressive considering he lost in the second round of the double-elimination tournament.

George rallied with perhaps his best effort of championships, defeating No. 5-ranked Dominic Sanders Jr. with a pin in 2 minutes, 38 seconds, in elimination bracket action.

He picked up the bronze in that tournament by defeating teammate Joe Ellis via a 6-2 decision.

“He was an amazing leader and wrestler, but more than that, he was an amazing human — kind, loyal, funny, and the kind of friend everyone wishes they had in their life,” Duerr said. “We love you and we will miss you so much, Ryan. Thank you for everything you gave us all.”

A GoFundMe was established to aid George’s sister, Jaida.

The pact stipulates that an attack on one of the three countries is considered an attack on all of them.

Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan have announced they are planning an urgent meeting of their chiefs of staff to discuss ways to support the kingdom under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.

The announcement followed a meeting on Thursday in New York between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The statement did not say when the military chiefs would meet or what form of support could be considered.

Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement on August 7 to strengthen collective deterrence and expand defence cooperation.

The pact stipulates that an attack on one of the three countries is considered an attack on them all.

The three countries have since begun setting up mechanisms under the pact. Their foreign and defence ministers and military chiefs met in Istanbul on August 31 for the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee, agreeing to establish a secretariat in Saudi Arabia and to deepen military cooperation.

Thursday’s foreign ministers’ meeting also condemned attacks targeting Mecca as well as civilian and economic facilities in Saudi Arabia, and it affirmed the kingdom’s right to defend itself under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

The diplomatic moves came as Saudi Arabia reported a fresh wave of attacks from Yemen.

Saudi Arabia said its air defences shot down six ballistic missiles launched towards Taif and Yanbu on Thursday.

Major-General Turki al-Malki, the coalition spokesman, said further Houthi escalation would be “dealt with firmly”. Saudi Civil Defence authorities had issued alerts in several areas before later saying the danger had passed.

The Houthis separately claimed missile and drone attacks on a “sensitive target” in Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu.

France has also offered to provide defensive support to Saudi Arabia. President Emmanuel Macron said Paris would send military assets to help protect Yanbu.

“We are going to send military assets, meaning soldiers, radars and defence systems to protect this site,” Macron said in an interview with TF1 on Thursday.

Yemen clashes drive rising casualties and displacement

The cross-border attacks have coincided with some of the heaviest fighting inside Yemen since hostilities escalated again.

Fighting across several fronts in Yemen killed at least 150 Houthi fighters and members of government-aligned forces in the 24 hours leading into Friday, according to an AFP news agency tally.

The toll compiled by AFP included 98 fighters on the government side and 52 from the Houthis, with clashes reported around the Kahboub Mountains and areas between Lahj and Taiz overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb strait.

The Houthis have also expanded their presence along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including by taking the port city of Mocha and strategic islands. The gains have strengthened the group’s position around Bab al-Mandeb, one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors. About 12 percent of global trade normally passes through the waterway, according to AP.

Yemen’s internationally recognised government has urged greater international involvement, warning at the UN General Assembly that Houthi control around the strait poses a wider economic risk.

Vice President Abdullah Abdulkader Al Alimi-Bawzer accused the Houthis of using freedom of navigation as leverage, saying their actions were “taking hostage the entire global economy”.

The renewed fighting has forced more than 230,000 people from their homes since the beginning of September, according to UNHCR, as clashes spread across multiple front lines. The agency said the latest displacement has added to about 5.2 million people already internally displaced across Yemen.

UNHCR said families have been uprooted across governorates, including Hodeidah, Taiz, Lahj, Aden, Abyan, Marib, al-Dhalea and Shabwah, with many fleeing at short notice and leaving with few belongings.

Shelter, food, clean water, healthcare and protection services are among the most urgent needs, while host communities and displacement sites are becoming increasingly overstretched.