McDonald's and Starbucks boycott Russia but stay open in 'hell on earth' Guantánamo Bay

The Premier League have disqualified Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich as a director of the club, it has been announced.

Vladimir Putin’s "secret girlfriend" is living a life of luxury in a Swiss chalet with locals ordered to keep a lid on her location, an insider has claimed.Alina Kabaeva, an Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast, reportedly travelled to a “very private and very secure” chalet near Lugano with her and Putin’s young children as Russia was invading Ukraine.The 38-year-old was once described as “Russia’s most flexible woman” and is believed to be the mother of Putin’s two sons and a daughter – or possibly two twin daughters.A source in the Swiss city told the Daily Mirror: “Before the coronavirus pandemic there was often gossip about Putin’s mistress being in town.“They are known to have strong connections here, but anyone who knows them has been sworn to secrecy.“While Russia falls apart because of the sanctions, this is the perfect place for Putin to send Alina and their kids.”Claims of Putin’s links to Lugano first surfaced seven years ago, when in February 2015, a local TV station reported that Kabeava had given birth at a private VIP maternity clinic in Sorengo, on the peripheries of the city.They were said to have reserved two rooms at the discreet private maternity hospital Clinic Sant’Anna – a favourite of wealthy Russians.To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.One suite was for the birth, while the second was for family and bodyguards.According to insiders, President Putin was present.The Kremlin dismissed the rumours, as it does any query about Putin’s private life.Kabaeva, one of the most decorated rhythmic gymnasts in history, has never confirmed whether they have one daughter, or twin girls, nor has ever addressed claims they got married in a secret

the band’s Twitter account states.The included works that are set to be leaving Russian and Belarusian streaming platforms are Pink Floyd studio albums “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” (1987), “The Division Bell” (1994) as well as 2014’s “The Endless River.” Gilmour has released four solo studio albums in his career, the most recent being “Rattle That Lock” in 2015. His entire solo discography is also being removed from streamers.Last week, Gilmour tweeted in support of Ukraine, writing, “Russian soldiers, stop killing your brothers.

We may be taking a break from the title race for Scottish Cup weekend but things look set to go right down the wire.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich the ‘green light’ to press ahead with the sale of the Stamford Bridge outfit.Abramovich has been sanctioned due to his ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his assets have been frozen.However, The Athletic have revealed that talks between Raine, who are the US bank in charge of selling the Blues, and the government have been held and the process of selling the club can now resume.They go on to state that the club are confident that they can get a deal over the line within the ‘next four to six weeks’ due to the high levels of interest from potential buyers.Chelsea are currently operating under a ‘special licence’ which means that staff are still being paid and season ticket holders are still able to attend home fixtures.However, the club are not able to sell tickets (home and away), sell merchandise, buy or sell players and they are also unable to negotiate contracts with players already on their books.Thus, some of their star players could now leave at the end of the season as their current deals are coming to a close.Understandably, the sanctions on Abramovich has shaken Chelsea. But Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has continued to be open about the situation and has even confirmed his desire to remain in the Stamford Bridge dugout despite the ongoing saga, says the Telegraph.

STRICTLY’S two Russian dancers have been told by their co-stars: “Condemn the war or don’t come back”. Katya Jones and Luba Mushtuk have stayed silent following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

whose assets were frozen by the British government Thursday over Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, and Mikhail Fridman, the sanctioned co-founder of Alfa Bank.He is also said to have cultivated relationships with Russia’s most important museum, run by a close associate of President Vladimir Putin.With Ukrainian artists and others calling for more sanctions in the cultural sector, such relationships may soon be under scrutiny, analysts say.The Gagosian Gallery in New York did not return The Post’s calls and an email seeking comment this week.Gagosian, who owns several galleries around the world, has long held close ties to Abramovich, the owner of the UK’s Chelsea football club, helping him and ex-wife Dasha Zhukova build up a massive art collection. It includes pieces by artists Francis Bacon and Damien Hirst, whose work has been represented by Gagosian’s galleries.

Malina Saval Associate Editor, FeaturesThe theme of fathers and sons runs through the films of Venezuela-born writer-director Lorenzo Vigas, whose 2015 debut drama “From Afar,” which focuses on a troubled middle-aged man and young hustler in Caracas, won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. In Vigas’ latest film “El Caja” (“The Box”), which screened Thursday at the 39th annual Miami Film Festival, this motif continues to resonate — and on a global scale.“El Caja,” which revolves around a young boy in Mexico City longing for a father figure — a desperate search with deadly consequences — could be the prototype of how a dictator such as Vladimir Putin rises to power, Vigas pointed out.“We are always trapped in our obsessions,” Vigas told fest attendees during a Q&A that followed the screening.

Pink Floyd and David Gilmour are removing their music from streaming services in Russia and Belarus to show their support for Ukraine.Ukraine officially severed diplomatic ties with Russia and declared martial law after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an attack on the neighbouring nation on February 24. At the time of writing, the Russian invasion has killed at least 549 citizens, including 41 children.

Chelsea should be stripped of every trophy they won with Roman Abramovich’s cash, according to football pundit Stan Collymore.The former England striker said the UK Government’s decision to freeze the oligarch’s assets over his links to Russian warmonger Vladimir Putin called into question all the club’s achievements during Abramovich’s two-decade ownership.If Chelsea’s success was built on access to "dodgy" money how could the 21 trophies won with Roman’s roubles be allowed to stand, he asked.Collymore, 51, who played for a string of top clubs including Liverpool, Leicester and Aston Villa before becoming a TV and radio pundit, said punishment should be retrospective as it would be for offences such as doping and match-fixing.He said though Abramovich, 55, legally took control of the club he had been sanctioned for his historic support of Putin therefore it was logical to consider retro penalties.It was "the only way for English football to restore sanity", Collymore added.He tweeted: "So the question now needs to be asked if Chelsea's loans, access to 'dodgy' money and sanctions against its primary source of funds for 20 years is now rubber-stamped how can titles won in this period stand?"The British Government only knew Abramovich was a Putin accolyte today? Not the other 20 years? Who's leading the security services? Inspector Clouseau?"When RA bought the club the love of a team had strings attached. An oligarch.

The co-founder of Factory Records, Alan Erasmus, has arrived in the Ukraine to make good on a promise to help in the fight against Vladimir Putin's Russian forces.

Several major supermarkets are removing a number of items from their shelves this week in protest of the invasion of Ukraine.

Russian soldiers are living in fear of being killed if they are sent back home after being captured by Ukrainian soldiers. At a press conference in Kyiv, one of the soldiers spoke of being killed by firing squads when they are returned to Russia following a prisoner exchange.

Mila Kunis shed more light on her feelings about Russia, and the government’s invasion into her home country of Ukraine during a new interview with Maria Shriver. The 38-year-old actress admitted that even as Russian forces attack Ukraine, she doesn’t want people think of Russian people as the “enemy.” While she didn’t name Russian President Vladimir Putin by name, she pointed to those in power as the root of the problem.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp agrees "100 per cent" with the UK Government's sanctions on Roman Abramovich.The Russian oligarch had his assets frozen on Thursday (March 10) which sent Chelsea, who he has owned since 2003, into a state of crisis.The Blues were able to proceed with their Premier League fixture against Norwich but there are serious concerns about matters off the pitch.Klopp has spoken out in support of the decision while also expressing his sympathy for those involved with the club, including his fellow German manager Thomas Tuchel."Thomas and I, we know each other, but we are not that close that we chat," he said."I feel for him and the players and all the employees at Chelsea because it's nothing they are responsible for but what happens around."One man is responsible for that and it's Vladimir Putin in the first place. "I don't know about Roman Abramovich's role in all these kind of things but over the years you could guess that maybe he's pretty close."And I then I think what the British government did is right to be 100 per cent honest but it is still not cool for all the people at Chelsea and all the supporters.What do you make of Klopp's comments? Let us know in the comments section.Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news?Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star football email newsletter!From the latest transfer news to the agenda-setting stories, get it all in your email inbox - don't miss a thing.It only takes a matter of seconds.Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit 'subscribe'.And that's it, job done.

Chelsea are in for a tumultuous future following the UK government’s sanctions against the club and owner Roman Abramovich.The billionaire oligarch previously announced his plans to sell Chelsea given his alleged relationship with Russian president Vladimir Putin, but was dealt a huge blow on Thursday after heavy restrictions were placed on the club.Sale of the west London side may still be permitted if certain criteria are met, but the Blues face huge uncertainty following a ban on offering players contract extensions.That means a whopping 10 Chelsea players could end up leaving at the end of this season if the restrictions remain in place.Daily Star Sport looks at how Thomas Tuchel’s side may shape up ahead of an uncertain campaign next season.Chelsea are not likely to be impacted too severely when it comes to the goalkeeper position.Primary shot-stopper Edouard Mendy is under contract until 2025.Meanwhile, recent Carabao Cup villain Kepa Arrizabalaga also has another three years left on his contract, while third-choice Marcus Bettinelli will be with the Blues until 2023.Do you think Chelsea will finish in the top four next season with their current restrictions? Let us know in the comments section.Defence is undoubtedly the area where Chelsea will suffer the most if the restrictions remain in place.Long-time servant and captain Cesar Azpilicueta will walk away for free at the end of this season, along with stalwart centre-backs Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger.All three have been regulars under Tuchel this campaign but will leave under the current measures after the club failed to make them commit to new contracts.That would mean youngsters Trevor Chalobah and Malang Sarr having to step up to cover for their

Lay & Wheeler’s South Africa buyer.The benefits of buying SA wine do not only extend to the drinker. Elizabeth Kelly MW, who moved from M&S to Majestic, where she has been expanding the South African range, says one of the joys of working with Cape producers is that so many have a strong environmental focus and/or are working to support their local communities.

sanctions against Russian oligarchs yesterday.Most notable was the news that Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned. As he has had his UK assets seized, this has a direct impact on the club, who cannot purchase or sell players, nor sell new tickets.Chelsea players will still be paid their wages but the club cannot gain any income from ticket sales and only season ticket-holders can attend the rest of the season's home games.

Russian spy who trained on the same military program as Vladimir Putin has warned that the Russian President 'will go to the end' in Ukraine. Aliia Roza now lives in a £15million California mansion running a multi-million-dollar fashion PR business, but previously had a drastically different lifestyle.

Russia would face a “dramatic increased response” from the West if Vladimir Putin uses chemical weapons in Ukraine, a Tory minister warned.

Ukraine officials have accused Russia of "nuclear terrorism" after their troops repeatedly bombed a reactor site in Kharkiv.Vladimir Putin's troops allegedly launched a new attack on the city's Institute of Physics and Technology as footage from the scene shows huge flames in the building and a nearby hostel.The fire is said to have broken out at around 8.20pm yesterday (Thursday, March 10), following sounds of "explosions and volleys of artillery."Ukraine's Centre for Strategic Communications and Information Security tweeted: "In Kharkiv, eyewitnesses report a fire in the building of Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology."The building contains equipment which, if damaged, can lead to radioactive pollution of the environment."The fire was later put out by firefighters and thankfully, there have been no changes to radiation levels in the area.However, experts fear attacks like this could result in a catastrophe and several warnings have gone ignored by the Russian military leading to the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine accusing Russia of committing "an act of nuclear terrorism."The news comes after Ukraine's deputy minister for foreign affairs, Emine Dzheppar, warned Putin against bombing the site last week.