Newcastle planning to pip Man Utd to signing of England star in January transfer

Franz Ferdinand have cancelled their upcoming shows in Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine last week.The Scottish band have become the latest act to axe their planned Russian gigs in the wake of the widely condemned Vladimir Putin-ordered military assault, with Yungblud, Green Day and the Russian rapper Oxxxymiron also scrapping shows in recent days.After speaking out in support of the “open and welcoming” people of Kyiv last week, Franz Ferdinand have confirmed this morning (March 1) that their scheduled gigs in St Petersburg and Moscow on June 29 and July 1 will no longer take place.The band said in a statement that “the only reason for this is the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian state”.“We love Russia. This great country has inspired our band through its art and literature and since we first played there 17 years ago, we have built a rich and deep relationship with our Russian fans,” the band said.“Since Thursday morning [February 24], we have spoken to many of our friends in Russia via social media and have encountered unanimous opposition to this violence and solidarity with our Ukrainian friends.

Anthony Joshua has opened up the possibility of a second domestic dust-up against Dillian Whyte, with a rematch against Oleksandr Usyk currently hanging in the balance.The 32-year-old is due to face Usyk for a second time later this year after losing his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts via a unanimous points decision at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September. However, that appears to have been throw into doubt after it emerged Usyk, who is Ukrainian, had enlisted with the Kyiv Territorial Defence in a bid to defend his country against Russia.

Arsenal have earned a reputation for releasing top-of-the-line merchandise since the club agreed a deal with Adidas. But their latest reported collaboration has left fans unimpressed with the final product after images were leaked online.The Gunners announced their lucrative £300million kit deal with the German sportswear giant in 2018 after leaving Puma, with the agreement set to run until the end of the 2023-24 season.The north London outfit have released some eye-catching kit and clothing since linking up with Adidas, although their collaboration with Transport for London proved to be a huge flop with fans.And now, the club have reportedly teamed up with fashion guru Stella McCartney to bring out a new collection which includes t-shirts, hoodies, leggings and trainers.McCartney has worked closely with the sportswear giant since 2004 on a range of collections, including working with Paul Pogba for a special edition of Predator boots last year.This is the first time that the fashion brand has worked directly with a football team to design actual teamwear.

Chelsea supporter tagged Popworld Liverpool while trying to insult Virgil van Dijk - and got a memorable response from the baffled nightclub admin.Popworld shared an image of the Dutchman with a corner flag but with the nightclub's logo photoshopped on.A Blues fan then took to Twitter following his side's Carabao Cup final defeat to Jurgen Klopp's men on penalties, a game in which Van Dijk was named man of the match.It's fair to say the loyal Chelsea supporter did not agree with that assessment, saying that the Netherlands skipper allowed his side several golden chances to score.But Popworld's response got more than 36,000 likes on the social media platform - causing the aggrieved Chelsea fan to delete his initial message.In a now deleted tweet, the Twitter user wrote while tagging Popworld: "You conceded about 100 chances to a bang average Chelsea attack, you only got motm because you're the media's golden boy."You're not a patch on 37 year old Thiago Silva now get back in your box."Popworld Liverpool replied: "We’re a nightclub mate."Was Virgil van Dijk the star performer at Wembley? Give us your thoughts in the comments sectionHaving officially being named as the Carabao Cup Final 2022 Man of the Match, Van Dijk became the latest player to pick up the Alan Hardaker Trophy.He follows Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler, Jerzy Dudek and Stewart Downing in picking up the award as a Liverpool player, having helped keep Chelsea at bay for 120 minutes.The Alan Hardaker Trophy is named after a former EFL secretary who oversaw the launch of the cup in 1960 having conceived the idea.Van Dijk said after scoring his penalty in the 11-10 success from the spot: "Very special.

Liverpool and West Ham defender Rigobert Song is set to be named as the new Cameroon national team manager, under the orders of the country’s president Paul Biya.Sports minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi confirmed on Monday that Biya wanted manager Toni Conceicao replaced by Song.Kombi released a statement saying: “On very high instructions from the President of the Republic, the coach of the men's national football team, Mr Antonio Conceicao, has been replaced by Rigobert Song.“The Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot) is invited to take the necessary measures for a rapid and harmonious implementation of these very high directives."Fecafoot have also confirmed that Conceicao had seen his contract terminated.Their statement read: “This is an opportunity to thank all his staff for the work done without our national selection. The upcoming deadline for our national team requires new orientations and a new breath.

Donald Trump after he claimed he strengthened NATO during his time in charge.Taking to Twitter, the Monty Python comedian called these statements “delusional” in view of his 5.7 million followers.Cleese, who has been a vocal critic of Trump in the past, reacted to his statement overnight.He wrote: “Trump's delusional statements about how he strengthened NATO are competely demolished by Steve Benen's piece on MSNBC.” (sic)This follows a speech from Trump on Monday where he claimed he was behind improving NATO.In a statement he had said he had made “delinquent NATO members” start paying.1570998 1572029 1572918He also claimed he sent Ukraine “Javelins” while other states sent “blankets”.The full statement reads: "I hope everyone is able to remember that it was me, as President of the United States, that got delinquent NATO members to start paying their dues, which amounted to hundreds of billions of dollars."Also, it was me that got Ukraine the very effective anti-tank busters (Javelins) when the previous Administration was sending blankets."Let History so note!"However, many have taken issue with Trump’s claims.During his time as president, he wavered on his commitment to Article 5 of the NATO charter.This states that one member state attack symbolises an attack on all member states.His decisions on this caused ties with Europe to become strained.Steve Benen, an MSNBC writer, shared his thoughts on this in an article yesterday.He penned: “Even by Trump standards, the claim-to-lie ratio on this one is amazing.

Twitter an article that showed new photos of her smiling and “putting a brave face”.Fans appeared delighted to see the singer doing well as they commented on the pictures.Linda was hailed as “an inspiration” to other people facing adversities.LoveforLindax said: “She looks so good though it’s so nice to see her smiling and enjoying herself.”HelenRe38536426 added: “@LindaNolan_ is an inspiration to everyone but i do not doubt for one minute how vulnerable she feels in the face of her diagnosis BUT how she feels with it and how she battles and presents herself with it is amazing and helps everyone with cancer. Go Linda! X”PaulaDefriez typed: “Linda is an inspiration in my battle against incurable cancer.”PAK1 wrote: “Linda you look beautiful!“You are an inspiration to everyone.“Even people not suffering from cancer but anyone who is ill or is feeling down or depressed! God bless you all!”Redfernjess1 chimed in: “You're so brave Lin my beautiful.“Smiling through it all you've done marvellously well xxxxxxxxxxx”Linda has recently supported a fellow celebrity who was also diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer.She reached out to comedian Janey Godley, 61, after she was told in November last year about her diagnosis.Janey had uploaded a picture to Twitter showing her getting her hair cut by her husband.Linda replied to the post, saying: “He did an amazing job and so are you…“Took me a few G&T’s before I could go through with the cut!”Linda said in August last year that the hair loss she suffered after receiving cancer treatment had left her “traumatised”.She explained during an appearance on BBC Breakfast: “I’ve got certain side effects from the chemo.

Denise Van Outen has caused quite a stir amongst fans with her latest Instagram post.MORE: Denise Van Outen's ex Eddie Boxshall hits back at rumours with defiant postThe 47-year-old took to social media to reveal to fans that she has finally been able to return to the golf course. But it was her risqué first photo on the carousel that got followers talking.WATCH: At home with Denise Van OutenDenise can be seen wearing a pair of lingerie-style shorts and a matching top. She has partially covered up with a green blazer with her long blonde extensions styled into bouncy curls.

Susanna Reid could not withhold her emotion as she updated on the situation in Ukraine as Russia carry out further attacks in Kharkiv.

Emmerdale 's serial killer Meena Jutla is still unable to convince anyone that she is completely innocent and currently remains behind bars. But Emmerdale spoilers can now reveal that the murderer will try her best to manipulate her sister Manpreet Sharma and possibly bring her down with her.

Holly Willoughby has revealed she once dated a cowboy - but she no longer speaks to any of her exes.This Morning star Holly, 41, is smitten with her husband Dan Baldwin, and they share three beautiful children - Harry, Belle and Chester.However, the mum-of-three has made a number of revelations about her dating life before she met Dan - as well as racy admissions about her sex life with her husband.Holly recently admitted she doesn't speak to any of her exes during a chat with her This Morning co-star Alison Hammond.Talking on her Wylde Moon podcast, Holly said: "I don’t think I’ve spoken to a single one of my exes, ever", jokingly adding: "I needed to leave more of a lasting impression – clearly I didn’t!"In 2012, the glamorous Dancing on Ice host also told the tale about how she dated a cowboy, and it seems she wasn't impressed with his gear as she thought about making a dash.Holly revealed: "I’d met him on a plane when he was wearing normal clothes and looked gorgeous,"She went on: "When we met later at a restaurant he was wearing all the gear. I thought about turning round and doing a runner, but I have good manners.

Get all the biggest Lifestyle news straight to your inbox. Sign up for the free Daily Star Hot Topics newsletter The 34-year-old often flaunts her figure online to her 872,000 fans – but says plenty of people bombard her with negativity.She commented: “Some people are really judging me for being too hot."They have a problem with me being up to standard and having a nice body.

Emmerdale viewers will be introduced to Rhona Goskirk's mum Mary in upcoming scenes.The village vet has always had a strained relationship with her mother and is left gobsmacked when she arrives in the village just as she proposes to Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock)Mary actress Louise Jameson has opened up about joining the cast of the ITV soap and opened up about her close bond with her on-screen daughter away from the village.She said: "Zoe Henry, who plays Rhona, comes from the exactly same place as me in Essex."We have a lot in common with each other which is a wonderful coincidence so we can really identify as mother and daughter."We've both played in the same parks and same forest growing up."I think she's fantastic on and off screen and I feel blessed to be paired up with her really."Emmerdale have a buddy scheme and she's my buddy so I feel like I've struck gold."Louise went on to tease what fans can expect from the Emmerdale village newcomer.She said "Mary is very much a push-pull character."I think she probably suffers from narcissistic personality disorder as most of her sentences start with "I"."Mary is going to get her fingers in as many pies as possible."She's got an opinion on everything that should be happening in the village rather than what could be happening in the village."Mary and Rhona push each other's buttons a lot of the time like a lot of mothers and daughters. However, when push comes to shove they've got each others backs."I hope that will be what becomes very apparent to our audience.

EastEnders villain, looked utterly glamorous as she wore a purple dress with an extreme collar and a tie-up waist. She matched the look with a black clutch and a pair of earrings to complement it.Annette also had her hair coloured ice-white as she opted for a dark hue on her eyelids and a stunning swipe of pink lippy as she celebrated her success.Although she only attended the awards virtually, she certainly made sure she dressed to impress, and as she - and the cast of Ted Lasso - won an award, it was all worth it.The actress' success on the new series comes five years after she left EastEnders after three years of causing trouble on Albert Square.Aunt Babe was famously an evil character on the soap, with baby farming, encouraging Abi Branning to fake a pregnancy and blackmailing Les Coker all on her resume.While she has left her character of Aunt Babe locked away during her stint on Ted Lasso, it was only last year that she teased a comeback could be well overdue.It was just last year that a fan said they hope a return for Aunt Babe is "imminent", prompting Annette to respond to the fan adding: "Be careful what you wish for." However, playing Aunt Babe came with some gruelling consequences, with the actress confessing that she was hit with multiple death threats over the years.She previously told the Distinct Nostalgia podcast that she had to go to the police after being inundated with death threats.Annette said: "Towards the end I did have death threats.

BBC Breakfast anchor Dan Walker was forced to reveal some frightening news to viewers after Russia reportedly bombed a state administration building in Ukraine.The BBC presenter, 44, told viewers that a state building in Central Kharkiv, Ukraine, had been bombed by what was thought to be a Russian strike on Tuesday morning (February).Dan and co-star Sally were able to show BBC viewers a clip of the horrifying moment the missile hit the government building and resulted in a devastating blast.Watching the video, gobsmacked Dan branded it "awful" and Sally called it "shocking".Breaking the news to viewers, Dan said: "We are trying to bring you the very latest from what's happening in Ukraine this morning, and we have some developments to bring you, and some pictures to show you from Cenntral Kharkiv, which has been hit by what we believe to be a Russian."This morning that appeared to target some government offices in a place called Freedom Square, which is in the city centre."Sally began: "We're going to show the pictures now.

Arsenal star Ben White went public with his relationship with Instagram beauty Milly Adams on Sunday night.The Gunners defender and Adams both took to the social media site to post identical pictures of themselves hand in hand on their respective Instagram accounts.White has a range of distinctive tattoos, including one of the year 1959 and a Libra star-sign, which confirmed it was Arsenal’s very own defensive stalwart in the picture.And it is reported that the 24-year-old England international has impressed his new flame by showing her off on social media, having also previously liked a number of Adams’ snaps on Instagram.The Mail claim a source said on the relationship: “"Ben and Milly are totally smitten with each other."It's the first time Ben has gone public with a girlfriend on his Instagram.

An SNP MSP has apologised after she was accused of comparing Ukraine's battle to repel Russian troops from its borders to the campaign for Scottish independence.

Manchester United have reportedly joined the pursuit to sign highly-rated Hungarian attacker Dominik Szoboszlai.

Kieran Trippier 'still likes idea' of joining Manchester United from Atletico Madrid.

Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has admitted to awarding a penalty in a Champions League final to give “balance back” after an earlier decision. The 46-year-old was the man in the middle for the 2016 clash between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at the San Siro.