On Thursday, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin engaged Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on the fight against extremist group al-Shabab in the Horn of Africa nation.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Washington DC for this meeting.
Mr Mohamud tweeted that he met Mr Austin at the Pentagon to discuss “our two sides” partnership and commitment to securing our future from international terrorism”.
The US defence secretary said he had “a productive meeting” with Mr Mohamud and reiterated Washington’s “commitment to work closely with our partners to achieve shared defence and security goals”.
The meeting comes four months after President Joe Biden authorised the redeployment of US troops to Somalia to counter al-Shabab, reversing his predecessor Donald Trump’s move to withdraw all American forces from the Horn of Africa nation last year.
It also comes as Somali forces and their allies intensify military operations against al-Shabab in southern and central Somalia in a bid to seize territory held by the al-Qaeda affiliate.
Uganda’s parliament has condemned a resolution by the European Union parliament entreating the country and Tanzania to halt the work of their oil and gas projects in the East African region.
Uganda’s Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa in a session on Thursday, said the resolution was based on misinformation and deliberate misrepresentation of key facts on environment and human rights protection.
According to him, it represents the highest level of neo-colonialism and imperialism against Uganda and Tanzania’s sovereignty.
It comes as Uganda and Tanzania are building the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (Eacop) project, stretching 1,443km (896 miles) from Lake Albert in western Uganda to the Tanzanian port of Tanga on the Indian Ocean.
Once completed, it will be the longest heated oil pipeline in the world.
The EU parliamentresolution passed on Thursday warned of human rights abuses and the social and environmental risk posed by the Eacop project.
The EU parliament advises its member states not to provide any diplomatic or financial support to Uganda’s oil and gas projects.
Environmentalists have opposed the project as it straddles protected areas and sensitive ecosystems.
Tennis giant, Roger Federerhas revealed that he will be exiting the scene after next week’s Laver Cup in London following continued struggles with a long-term knee injury.
The Swiss great, 41, has called time on an extraordinary 24-year career which has seen him win 20 Grand Slam singles titles, behind only Rafael Nadal (22) and Novak Djokovic (21) on the men’s all-time list.
A social media post from him read: “As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form.
“But I also know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear. I am 41 years old. I have played more than 1500 matches over 24 years.
“Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognise when it is time to end my competitive career.
“The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event. I will play more tennis in the future, or course, but just not in Grand Slams or on the tour.”
Kenya’s President William Ruto has surprised the nation by scrapping a subsidy on petrol which has increased the retail price to an all-time high in his first major policy announcement.
This comes at a time when leaders around the world are introducing subsidies to protect people from the rising cost of living.
This has led to something of a backlash on social media, while analysts warn he risks losing support right at the start of his time in office, after narrowly winning last month’s election.
“I stopped driving to work some months back and now I’m worried my commute will become too expensive in case matatus [public service vehicles] hike fares,” Nairobi resident John Maina told the BBC.
President Ruto based his election campaign on a populist “Hustler” narrative – promising to improve the lives of ordinary citizens, create jobs and lower the cost of living, while emphasising his own poor background.
One of his campaign pledges was to remove taxes on fuel to lower its cost and so reduce the cost of basic commodities.
But in his inaugural speech, the president announced the end of the subsidy programme, saying it would cost the country $2.3bn (£2bn) by the end of the current financial year, in June 2023.
“This is equivalent to the entire national government development budget,” he said, adding that the subsidy had failed to achieve the intended purpose of lowering the cost of living.
Economists agree that subsidies are unsustainable for Kenya and are often just an opportunity for people to swindle money but in the short-term, ordinary Kenyans will feel the pain of a 13% increase in the cost of a litre of petrol to $1.49.
But analysts warn that the president could pay a political cost.
“The impact will definitely be felt because the price of everything is bound to increase,” Herman Manyora told the BBC.
He said there was no need to rush such a big decision even before a new government was formed because it made it look like “one man’s decision rather than a well-thought government decision”.
President Ruto is yet to appoint cabinet ministers who will then require parliament’s approval before taking office.
Analyst Javas Bigambo agreed, and said Mr Ruto should have taken more time to explain it to Kenyans first, and also to explain how the money would be used elsewhere, in order to garner public support for the move.
Mr Ruto also said he would not be renewing a subsidy which had halved the cost of the staple food, maize flour, which was introduced just before the elections.
Kenya is currently struggling with record debts and under the terms of a loan with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), it had to remove the subsidies, which describes them as “regressive”.
“The benefits of these subsidies tend to accrue to richer households [more] than poorer households,” said IMF Africa director Abebe Selassie.
President Ruto has maintained a small subsidy on diesel – used mostly by transporters and manufacturers, and kerosene – which is crucial to rural households for cooking and lighting.
And while removing subsidies on fuel and maize flour, he said he would instead reduce the cost of fertilizer, which has also shot up since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Kenya does not produce enough maize to feed itself and he wants to increase national production.
“Our strategy to bring down the cost of living is predicated on empowering producers,” said Mr Ruto, who enjoys huge support among Kenya’s farming community.
The new administration therefore said it would provide 1.4 million 50kg bags of fertiliser at $29, down from the current market price of $54, beginning on Monday.
But if these decisions don’t lower the cost of living in the coming months, Mr Bigambo warned that President Ruto’s popularity could take a big hit.
“It will depend on how many other things he does right. If the decisions will not lower the cost of living within the next six to eight months then the joy of the ordinary citizens will not last long,” he said.
Basketball icon, Michael Jordan, has had one of his jerseys, “Last Dance” sold for a record $10.1m (£8.8m).
This is the exact jersey he wore during the opening game of the 1998 NBA Finals.
According to reports, this is the most a piece of sporting memorabilia has fetched in history.
Auction house Sotheby’s says the item drew “palpable excitement” from sports fans and collectors.
It was reminiscent of a sporting season – chronicled in Netflix documentary The Last Dance – which saw Jordan winning his sixth and final NBA title.
On Thursday, Sotheby’s said Jordan’s Chicago Bulls jersey attracted a total of 20 bids.
Sotheby’s head of streetwear and modern collectables, Brahm Wachter, said bidders were “eager to own a rarefied piece of history”.
“Today’s record-breaking result… solidifies Michael Jordan as the undisputed G.O.A.T, proving his name and incomparable legacy is just as relevant as it was nearly 25 years ago,” Wachter said. G.O.A.T is an acronym for “greatest of all time”.
The jersey outstripped a previous record of $9.28m, paid for a shirt worn by football star Diego Maradona at the 1986 World Cup.
It was auctioned with a June 1998 Sports Illustrated magazine, which features Jordan on the cover.
IMAGE SOURCE,SOTHEBY’S Image caption, The Chicago Bulls trailed Utah Jazz 85-88 in the opening game
Jordan is seen by many as the best player in the history of basketball. He spent most of his career with the Chicago Bulls, became a global icon and helped raise the NBA’s profile around the world.
Although the Chicago Bulls lost the opening game of the NBA Finals against Utah Jazz, it won the next three games. Then Utah Jazz took the next game by two points.
In the sixth game, Jordan put the Bulls up 87-86 with just 5.2 seconds left on the clock, and secured his final NBA title.
The comeback was cheered by basketball fans around the world.
Jordan had abruptly retired from basketball in October 1993, following the murder of his father in North Carolina. The star had won seven scoring titles and led the Chicago Bulls to three straight championships.
“I have always stressed… that when I lose the sense of motivation and the sense to prove something as a basketball player, it’s time to leave,” Jordan said.
Jordan, who is now aged 59, hung up his boots for the final time in 2003.
West Ham secured a 3-2 victory over Silkeborg in Denmark on Thursday evening to continue their perfect start in the Europa Conference League.
Kasper Kusk fired Lukas Engel’s cut-back past Alphonse Areola after just five minutes. This allowed the Danish side to take a surprise lead at JYSK park.
The Hammers responded almost instantly as Manuel Lanzini converted from the spot just eight minutes after the hosts’ opener.
David Moyes’ side then took the lead when summer recruit Gianluca Scamacca powerfully struck from distance on 25 minutes.
And the visitors doubled their advantage via a Craig Dawson header seven minutes before half-time.
The Irons appeared to be cruising in the second half but a goal from Soren Tengstedt in the 75th minute prompted a nervy finish for the English side.
Yet West Ham held on to claim three points in Scandinavia and remain top of Group B.
Hammers captain Declan Rice summed up the hard-fought victory for his side after the game.
He said: “We could’ve been in control but a nervy last 15 minutes. It’s game management, we’ve got to keep the ball and keep it moving.
“We didn’t need to concede that second goal but the main thing is that we won the game. We looked fluid, we really moved the ball well and played between the lines.
“Just disappointing to concede the two goals that we did, I don’t think the manager will be too happy about them. He’ll tell us that and we know as players they’re not good goals to concede.”
Goalscorer Dawson made his first start of the season in the victory and also touched on how tough the test was.
He said: “We obviously made it difficult towards the end. The performance wasn’t great but it’s a difficult pitch to play on.
“At times it was scrappy, a bit sloppy, but we got the three points in the end.
“They’re a good side, they play great football and they know the pitch better than us. At times we were sloppy but we got the job done.”
The Hammers visit Everton in the Premier League next up on Sunday afternoon.
It has been reported that a Chinese government delegation has been banned from attending the lying-in-state of Queen Elizabeth II.
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle refused a request for access to Westminster Hall due to Chinese sanctions against five MPs and two peers, Politico first reported.
Last year, Chinaimposed travel bans and asset freezes on nine Britons – including seven parliamentarians – for accusing Beijing of mistreating Uighur Muslims.
That led to China’s ambassador to the UK being banned from Parliament – a move which has now been extended to a delegation that wanted to pay their respects at Queen Elizabeth’s lying-in-state.
UK-China relations are already strained and this ban is unlikely to help.
However, China’s vice-president is expected to attend Monday’s state funeral which will be held across the road from Parliament at Westminster Abbey.
According to the parliamentary rule book Erskine May, in 1965 Queen Elizabeth II consented that control of Westminster Hall would be shared between the Lord Great Chamberlain – who is appointed by the monarch – and the speakers of both the Commons and the Lords.
There is no specific mention regarding control of access for an occasion such as a lying-in-state, but when it comes to “invitations to foreign dignitaries to address both Houses in Westminster Hall” these are “ordinarily” issued by the agreement of all three.
Last September, Sir Lindsay and Lord’s Speaker Lord McFall told China’s ambassador to the UK he could not come to Parliament because of Beijing’s sanctions.
At the time that ban was criticised by the Chinese government as “despicable and cowardly”.
On Thursday, the group of seven MPs and peers, including former Tory ministers Iain Duncan Smith and Tim Loughton, urged the Foreign Secretary to withdraw an invitation to President Xi of China to attend the Queen’s funeral.
They said it would be “wholly inappropriate” for the Chinese government to be represented, given its human rights record.
Mr Laughton told BBC News: “You cannot have a Golden Age, normal relations, with a country that has now been exposed as committing the sorts of atrocities it has, not least the genocide against the Uighurs, the oppression going on in Tibet for the last 60/70 years, and now what we see going on in Hong Kong as well.”
Several Western countries have imposed sanctions on officials in China following rights abuse allegations against the mostly Muslim Uighur minority group.
China has detained Uighurs at camps in the north-west region of Xinjiang, where allegations of torture, forced labour and sexual abuse have emerged.
It has denied the allegations of abuse, claiming the camps are “re-education” facilities used to combat terrorism.
China’s President Xi Jinping is on the guest list for the state funeral but is not thought likely to attend.
British officials expect the country will instead be represented by Vice President Wang Qishan.
A Downing Street spokesman said it was a convention that countries with which the UK has diplomatic relations should be invited to state funerals.
Queen Elizabeth is set to lie in state there until her funeral on Monday.
Serena Williams, who recently retired from tennis and welcomed her male counterpart, Roger Federer, into retirement.
While welcoming him to the “retirement club”, Serena said the Swiss professional tennis player inspired a lot of people across the globe.
“You inspired countless millions and millions of people – including me – and we will never forget,” said Williams.
“Welcome to the retirement club. And thank you for being you,” she added.
Federer, 41, will end a career that featured 20 Grand Slam singles titles after the Laver Cup, which begins in London on 23 September.
“I have always looked up to you and admired you,” said Williams. “I applaud you and look forward to all that you do in the future.”
Williams and Federer played against each other only once on court, facing off in a mixed doubles match at the Hopman Cup in 2019.
Roger Federer’s first Wimbledon title in 2003 coincided with Serena Williams’ second
Federer and fellow Swiss Belinda Bencic beat Williams and American compatriot Francis Tiafoe in front of a tournament-record 14,000 crowd.
Federer’s decision to retire from the sport after three years blighted by knee injuries has prompted a wave of tributes.
Federer’s great rival Rafael Nadal, one of only two men’s players with more Grand Slam singles titles, said it was “a sad da” for sport.
Current world number ones Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz, 21 and 19 respectively, thanked Federer for inspiring them.
“I just want to thank you for everything you’ve done and everything you are for our sport,” Pole Swiatek said.
“It’s been a privilege to witness your career. I wish you all the best.”
Spaniard Alcaraz said: “Roger has been one of my idols and a source of inspiration! Thank you for everything you have done for our sport. I still want to play with you!”
Andy Roddick, who lost to Federer in a five-set Wimbledon final in 2009, joked that Federer’s retirement could prompt him to launch an All England Club.
“Thanks for the shared memories my friend,” the American said.
“It was an honour to share time/experiences on the most hallowed grounds in our sport. Don’t be a stranger.
“Also, seems like a good time to start training for Wimby (Obviously kidding).”
The key numbers in Federer’s career
20 Grand Slam singles titles
310 weeks as world number one
103 ATP titles
28 Masters 1,000 titles
6 ATP Finals victories
31 Grand Slam finals
1 Davis Cup triumph
£114m career prize money
Federer’s appeal extended to legends of other sports.
Argentina and Paris St-Germain forward Lionel Messi described Federer as a “genius”.
“Unique in tennis history and a role model for any sportsman,” said the 35-year-old.
“I wish you the best in your new stage, we will miss seeing you on the court.”
Tendulkar and Federer in conversation at Wimbledon in 2011
Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, a regular in Wimbledon’s Royal Box, said, like many, that the style of Federer’s tennis had captivated him.
“What a career,” he said. “We fell in love with your brand of tennis. Slowly, your tennis became a habit. And habits never retire, they become a part of us.”
Tullow Oil within the first half of 2022 has witnessed a turnaround in its operation as its Profits After Tax reached US$264 million.
In the same period under review in 2021, the company recorded US$93 as Profits After Tax.
This represents about 183 percent increase over what Tullow Oil posted in the first half of 2021.
The company revealed the successes chalked in its half year report published on its website.
The gross profit (not affected by tax) gained by Tullow Oil in the first half of the year stands at US$620 million as against the US$321 million recorded during the first half of last year.
Deducting the Profit After Tax from the Gross Profit indicates that Tullow Oil paid USD$356 million to the government.
Also, the increase in profit goes to imply that the sales record this year also exceeds what was recorded last year.
Sales revenue recorded this year stands at US$846. In the first half of 2021, Tullow’s sales revenue was US$727. This represents a 16% increment in sales revenue.
According to Chief Executive Officer, Tullow Oil plc, Rahul Dhir “the turnaround of Tullow has gained momentum in the first half of 2022, with solid production from our West African portfolio driving stronger financial performance.”
“We added material, unhedged production in Ghana through the pre-emption of the Kosmos-Oxy deal and took over the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) of the Jubilee FPSO to ensure that we can sustain the good operating performance and deliver further operating cost improvements,” he added.
Tullow Oil has announced that its drilling programme which started in April 2021, is ahead of schedule, having completed two previous drilled wells and completed another three wells.
A further six wells are expected to be drilled and two of these completed by year-end.
According to Tullow Oil, it spent about $50 million on each well, adding that “this is 10 percent more than the average cost for these wells that it had worked on in the country’s oil fields.”
On June 1, 2022, Tullow announced that it had reached agreement with Capricorn Energyon the terms of an all-share merger to create a leading African energy company with a material and diversified asset base and a portfolio of investment opportunities delivering visible production growth.
This merger is expected to enable the new company to among other things; develop and implement a new business plan that accelerates the development of new, material opportunities, realise meaningful cost synergies and deliver a combined group with robust cash generation and a resilient balance sheet.
Rahul Dhir has stated that the Board of Tullow remains fully committed to the merger with Capricorn which continues to be recommended by both the Tullow and Capricorn Boards on the current terms.
“We firmly believe that the proposed merger has the potential for material value creation by implementing a combined business plan which accelerates investment in key projects and delivers very significant synergies,” he continued.
Special events and parades are taking place as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland mark the proclamation of King Charles IIIand tributes are paid to the Queen.
This is happening as the Queen’s cortege travels from Balmoral to Holyroodhouse.
The proclamation announcements are right now being read in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast.
Afterwards, 21-gun salutes will take place outside Edinburgh Castle, Cardiff Castle and Hillsborough Castle in Belfast.
Thousands of people have been gathering at all three locations to witness the moment marking the accession of the UK’s new head of state.
Robert Lewandowskicontinued his brilliant start to life in LaLiga to help seal a 4-0 win for Barcelona at lowly Cadiz, though a medical emergency in the crowd marred Saturday’s match.
Introduced by Xavi just after Frenkie de Jong’s first goal of the season had put Barca ahead in Andalusia, Lewandowski slid in to wrap up the points.
It marked Lewandowski’s sixth LaLiga goal in his fifth appearance in the competition, with no player having managed as many goals in their first five games in Spain’s top flight in the 21st century.
Yet a routine win was soured in the closing stages, with play halted and the players taken off the field following a medical emergency in the stands.
When the match eventually resumed after a 40-minute delay, Lewandowski turned provider for Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele scored as Barca saw out a rout that moves them top of LaLiga with four wins from their five games.
Cadiz relied on the woodwork coming to their rescue in the 10th minute, when Raphinha’s low effort hit the right-hand post.
Raphinha blazed over from Barca’s next chance, with Memphis Depay showing a similar lack of composure after connecting with Ronald Araujo’s knockdown.
De Jong tried a cheeky lob early in the second half, but it never came close to testing Jeremias Ledesma. Yet after a warning shot from Fede San Emeterio at the other end, the Barca midfielder was presented with a simple chance.
It was one he took, thumping a first-time finish into a gaping net after Ledesma had parried Gavi’s cutback.
On from the bench, Lewandowski needed just eight minutes to put the game to bed the 34-year-old’s poacher’s instincts on show as he tucked in a loose ball from a yard out.
The match was already over as a contest, but Barca added two more after the restart, with Lewandowski squaring for Fati to tap in before Dembele’s shot squirmed home.
Five people have died in New Zealand after a birdwatching boat capsized, possibly after colliding with a whale.
Eleven people, mostly from the birdwatching group, were onboard when the boat capsized on Saturday in Goose Bay near the town of KaikÅura.
Police declined to speculate on what had caused the accident, merely confirming the collision.
But Craig Mackle, the mayor of KaikÅura, told reporters he believed the boat had hit a surfacing whale.
Mr Mackle said conditions in the bay at the time were “perfect” and that officials assumed the whale had surfaced beneath the vessel, causing it to overturn.
If the boat had hit debris – for example a log – it would have left a large hole in the 8.5-meter (28-foot) boat, he added, which wasn’t apparent.
“This is a tragic event that affects many lives, not least of all families and loved ones,” Mr Mackie said at a news conference.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in the rescue and the recovery. Being able to bring everyone home is the best result in such a terrible circumstance.”
IMAGE SOURCE,REUTERS
Sergeant Matt Boyce declined to comment on the theory, but admitted that the incident was “unprecedented”.
He said survivors of the incident – including the boat’s captain – had all been taken to hospital and later released. One survivor sustained minor injuries.
The vessel’s passengers were part of a bird watching group that is believed to have assembled from all over the country.
Vanessa Chapman told local news site Stuff that she helped with the rescue, and could see a person sitting on the overturned boat waving their arms when she arrived.
She said three helicopters took part in the rescue.
KaikÅura is popular with fans of marine life and a number of local business offer boat trips and helicopter rides to see whales and dolphins.
Mr Mackle told the Associated Press that such accidents are unheard of in the region, but the number of whales in the area in recent days had caused him to worry about a collision.
In 2015, five British tourists were killed in Canada when a whale watching boat was hit by a wave and capsized.
Achraf Hakimi has described as not problematic Lionel Messi’s decision-making at Paris Saint-Germain after the Argentine helped seal victory over Brest.
Messi was on hand to assist Neymar‘s finish for the lone goal of the game, as Christophe Galtier’s side edged to a 1-0 win to return to the summit of Ligue 1.
Having made the move from Barcelona last year, Messi frequently struggled to live up his billing during his first campaign at the Parc des Princes, but has looked back to his best this term, tallying three league goals and seven assists.
In a game decided by closer margins than anticipated, it was his vision to set up the in-form Neymar that trumped a PSG blank elsewhere, with Hakimi happy to defer to the forward’s expertise.
“When I make the call and Leo does not give it, it is because he has seen that there is another player to whom he can pass,” he stated.
“This is not a problem. That’s how today he made the pass to Neymar and we took the three points.”
Messi’s rich club form will be even more of a boon to the Argentina international squad, particularly given his outstanding performances for them did not dip during his first year at PSG.
With the Qatar 2022 World Cup looming, the attacker will want to maintain his level for what is likely to be his final shot at claiming the biggest team prize available in the sport, and the glaring omission in his trophy cabinet.
Many thousands of well-wishers are expected to line the route as the Queen’s coffin is driven from Balmoral to the Scottish capital Edinburgh.
The journey is expected to begin at about 10:00 and take about six hours.
The cortege will make its way through Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, Angus and Tayside before reaching Edinburgh.
The Queen will then lie at rest in The Palace of Holyroodhouse overnight.
The Queen lies in an oak coffin in Balmoral Castle’s ballroom, according to a palace official. It has been covered with the Royal Standard for Scotland and a wreath of flowers has been placed on top.
Members of staff at Balmoral have been able to pay their last respects before the Queen’s coffin is moved at 10:00 BST today. Many of the staff at the castle have spent a good deal of their lives working for the Queen.
“It is a scene of quiet dignity,” the palace official said.
The Queen’s love of her home in Balmoral was well known. She spent most summers at the 50,000-acre country estate in Aberdeenshire, usually with her beloved husband Philip and family by her side.
The coffin will soon be carried by six of Balmoral estate’s gamekeepers to a hearse at the entrance, before departing on its six-hour journey to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
AC Milanwithstood Rafael Leao’s red card early in the second half to beat Sampdoria 2-1 and maintain their unbeaten start to the Serie A season.
Stefano Pioli’s champions were dominant in the first half at Stadio Luigi Ferraris and went in at the break a goal up thanks to Junior Messias’ early strike his first of the season.
However, Leao received a second yellow card two minutes after half-time for a high foot, giving Samp the impetus to level through Filip Djuricic shortly before the hour mark.
Rather than concede again, though, Milan snatched all three points in the 67th minute when Olivier Giroud slammed in from the penalty spot after Gonzalo Villar had handled in the area.
The Rossoneri went ahead in the sixth minute when Messias finished from 12 yards following a flowing move involving Giroud and Leao, although goalkeeper Emil Audero will feel he should have done more.
Djuricic whipped against the crossbar from 20 yards soon after, before Charles de Ketelaere was denied a first Milan goal when his bundled effort was ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR review.
Milan were dealt a blow immediately after the break when Leao received a second booking after he struck Alex Ferrari in the face when attempting an overhead kick.
And Samp capitalised on their numerical advantage in the 57th minute when Djuricic headed home Tommaso Augello’s cross inside the six-yard box.
But Milan had the final word as Giroud hit the roof of the net from 12 yards after the VAR had spotted a handball by Villar, prompting a pitchside review from referee Michael Fabbri.
Samp still came agonisingly close to rescuing a point in a late scramble as Mike Maignan twice denied Manolo Gabbiadini either side of a Fabio Quagliarella effort that struck the post.
Instead, a frustrating defeat ended with coach Marco Giampaolo sent off for remonstrating with Fabbri.
President Volodymyr Zelenskysays his forces have retaken over 2,000 sq km (772 sq miles) in a rapid counter-offensive in eastern Ukraine.
His latest update, if confirmed, means Kyiv’s forces have more than doubled their gains in little over 24 hours.
Ukraine’s rapid advance saw troops enter the key towns of Izyum and Kupiansk on Saturday.
But UK defence officials have warned that fighting has continued outside those towns.
And officials in Kyiv said Ukrainian forces were still fighting to gain control of a number of settlements around Izyum, while adding that more than 30 towns and villages have been retaken in the Kharkiv region.
Russia’s defence ministry confirmed its forces’ retreat from Izyum itself and Kupiansk, which it said would allow its forces “to regroup” in territory held by Moscow-backed separatists.
The Russian ministry also confirmed the withdrawal of troops from a third key town, Balaklyia, in order to “bolster efforts” on the Donetsk front. Ukrainian forces entered the town on Friday.
Meanwhile, the head of the Russia-installed administration in the Kharkiv region recommended that its people evacuate to Russia “to save lives”.
Unverified footage on social media appeared to show long queues of traffic building up at border crossings.
And the governor of the Belgorod border region in Russia said mobile catering, heating, and medical assistance would be available to people queuing.
The pace of the counter-attack has not only caught the Russians off guard, but even surprised some Ukrainians.
But Russians still hold around a fifth of the country, and few imagine a swift end to the war.
The Ukrainian advances – if held – would be the most significant frontline changes since Russia withdrew from areas around Kyiv in April.
Kupiansk had served as Russia’s main eastern supply hub and the loss of Izyum – which Moscow spent over a month trying to take at the beginning of the war – would be seen as a major humiliation for President Vladimir Putin.
According to one military expert, the advance marks the first time since World War Two that whole Russian units have been lost.
The gains will also be seen as a sign that Ukraine’s army has the capacity to retake occupied territory – crucial as Kyiv continues to ask hard-pressed Western allies for military support.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said the latest developments showed its forces could end the war faster with more Western weapons.
Journalists have been denied access to the frontlines, and Ukraine is determined to control the information war.
On Saturday, UK defence officials suggested that much of the retaken area was only “lightly held”.
Ukraine launched its counter-offensive in the east earlier this week, while international attention was focused on an anticipated advance near the southern city of Kherson.
Analysts believe Russia redirected some of its most seasoned troops to defend the city.
But as well as gaining ground in the east, Ukraine is also making gains in the south, an official said.
Nataliya Gumenyuk, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian army’s southern command, said they had advanced “between two and several dozens of kilometres” along that front.
But Russian forces fighting on the southern front are said to have dug into defensive positions, and Ukraine’s troops have faced heavy resistance since the offensive began.
And in Kharkiv itself, one person was killed and several homes damaged on Saturday as Russian rocket fire hit the city, according to local officials.
Elsewhere, Ukraine’s energy regulator, Energoatom, says the last reactor at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been shut down, and is not generating electricity.
The reactor had been generating energy for the plant itself for three days – it was shut down when external power was restored.
The Ukrainian operator said that to prevent an emergency, it was essential that shelling of the power lines connecting the station to the national grid be halted.
Headline writers would have been thinking about “Brothers in arms” or maybe “Brothers in grief” for their coverage.
The sight of Princes William and Harry meeting the crowds together will become one of the stand-out and most unexpected images from what have been sombre days.
With their wives, Catherine and Meghan, they greeted people in Windsor, in a way that couldn’t have been predicted last week, when the Sussexes returned to the UK.
The talk then was of feuds and unbridgeable differences between couples. They were said to be staying in houses close together on the Windsor estate, while emotionally many miles apart. The couple hadn’t been seen together in public for more than two years.
That all changed on Thursday. If William and Harry were not planning to see each other, they were brought together in ways that couldn’t have been predicted.
It already seems a long time ago, but as the news worsened about the Queen, and the country was checking for updates on their phones, the two brothers were both making rushed journeys to Balmoral.
Families can fall out when there’s a bereavement. Feelings are running high and are close to the surface. It’s easy for old arguments to be brought back by grief.
IMAGE SOURCE,POOL Image caption, Prince Harry was given flowers by well-wishers
But losing a loved one can also bring unity, putting things into perspective and setting disagreements aside. It can be a time to come together.
Of course, looking in from the outside, no one watching the TV pictures really knows what’s happening. Was this only a show? Had they been told to send out this positive message?
It’s going to be complicated and private between two brothers. And William and Harry have already faced the hard-to-measure sense of loss at an early age, with the death of their mother Diana.
For the waiting public, looking to show their own solidarity with the mourning Royal Family, they clearly warmed to the idea of William and Catherine, Harry and Meghan, appearing together. For a few minutes at least, the royal famous foursome were back. It tuned in to the public mood.
According to royal sources, it was Prince William who had extended the invitation to Prince Harry and Meghan to go on this walkabout.
Even if this is a moment of togetherness, there is no disguising that this is also a moment of great divergence. The brothers are on pathways about to take them in completely different directions.
IMAGE SOURCE,POOL Image caption, William, now Prince of Wales, is now on a different path from his brother
On the death of the Queen, William became heir to the throne. He will be keenly aware of what now lies ahead. He has a new and much more important status than his brother.
William is now the Prince of Wales, the name that they both until yesterday used to call their father – that must seem strange enough in itself.
When the reign of King Charles III was proclaimed at the Accession Council on Saturday, William was standing firmly behind the new monarch.
It’s likely that the King and Camilla, now the Queen Consort, with William and Catherine will be the core group, almost a separate unit, at the heart of the monarchy. It was this foursome that often appeared together when Charles was standing in for his mother.
Prince Harry is on a very different route, living with Meghan and his young family in California, with media ventures, charities and campaigns. They have to invent their own post-royal life, while still part of the Royal Family. They generate huge public interest, not always positive, and seem to live with a media tornado hovering above them.
Even among the most carefully-choreographed steps of public mourning, there are still families and people falling out and making up.
World number one Iga Swiatek capped a dominant season by beating Tunisian fifth seed Ons Jabeur at the US Open to win her second major title of 2022.
Poland’s Swiatek, 21, won 6-2 7-6 (7-5) to secure the season’s final Grand Slam trophy on the New York hard courts.
After a one-sided first set, 28-year-old Jabeur settled midway through the second but it was not enough to stop Swiatek clinching a third major title.
Swiatek’s previous two wins both came on the clay at the French Open.
Jabeur also lost in the Wimbledon final in July and her wait for one of the sport’s four most prestigious titles continues.
The Flushing Meadows final was a meeting between the two leading players on the WTA Tour this year, but Swiatek demonstrated why there is such a big gap between her and the rest with a largely dominant performance.
Swiatek remains the world number one, and would have done even if she had lost, with Jabeur moving up to a joint career-high ranking of second after reaching the final.
Swiatek shows quality and resilience to underline dominance
Following the retirement of Australian world number one Ashleigh Barty in March, Swiatek has seized her opportunity to take over as the tour’s dominant player.
Earlier this year, she put together a 37-match winning streak that enabled her to claim six titles in a row – including the French Open at Roland Garros.
After going through an understandable dip which resulted in the streak ending in the Wimbledon fourth round, Swiatek has slowly reasserted her authority in New York.
Her best performance was saved for the final.
“I wasn’t expecting a lot. Before this tournament it was such a challenging time,” said Swiatek, who admitted her dislike for the lighter balls used by the women at the US Open.
Swiatek had won her nine previous finals without dropping a set – also including her maiden major win at the 2020 French Open – and set the platform for another victory with a confident start.
But she also needed to show resilience at times in the second set.
After being unable to convert either of two break points for a 4-0 lead, Swiatek suddenly found herself level at 4-4 and saved three break points to prevent Jabeur going 5-4 ahead.
Scoreboard pressure started to tell on Jabeur in the 12th game, with the Tunisian falling 30-0 behind and handing over a first championship point with a loose forehand.
Swiatek changed her racquet before sending a backhand long to miss the chance but she regained composure in the tie-break and sealed victory on her second championship point when Jabeur hit a forehand long.
The pair shared a warm embrace in the middle of the court before Swiatek, who is the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to win seven titles in a season, celebrated in front of her team.
Jabeur ‘working hard’ to land first major
By contrast, Jabeur looked emotional as she sat with her head in her hands as she processed a second successive defeat in a Grand Slam final.
Going into the match, Jabeur said she felt she had learned lessons from July’s defeat at Wimbledon to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina.
There, she made a fast start before fading. Here, she paid the price for a slow start.
Jabeur only landed 48% of her first serves in the first set and Swiatek – who has won more returning games than anyone else this year – pounced with relentless returning to clinch the opener after just 30 minutes.
While Jabeur’s serving improved in the second set, the number of unforced errors mounted and she was unable to fully capitalise on Swiatek’s slight dip.
“Iga didn’t make it easy for me. She deserved to win,” said Jabeur, who was the first African woman to reach US Open final in the Open era.
“Winning or losing is part of tennis. I struggled to win my first WTA title. It took me time. So I believe this [winning a major] will take me time.
“The most important thing is accepting it, learning from the finals that I lost.
“Definitely I’m not someone that going to give up. I am sure I’m going to be in the final again. I will try my best to win it.”
— Phobians – #MTNFACupChampionsðŸ…🆠(@HeartsOfOakGH) September 10, 2022
In addition, the Phobians will be pushing to defend the MTN FA Cup while fighting to wrestle the Ghana Premier League trophy from bitterest rivals Asante Kotoko.
The proclamation has been read out by the Accession Council and Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now Charles III.
The Accession Council, a body made up of senior politicians, judges and officials, proclaimed him as the monarch in the State Apartments.
It is the first time the historic ceremony has been televised.
The King himself was not present to begin with, but he attended the second part of the ceremony to hold his first Privy Council meeting.
Clerk of the Privy Council Richard Tilbrook proclaimed Charles “King, head of the Commonwealth, defender of the faith”, before declaring “God Save the King”.
The new King announced the death of his “beloved mother, the Queen”, adding that “The whole world sympathises with me in the irreparable loss we’ve all suffered.”
King Charles III pledged to uphold the constitution with the help of God Almighty just as his mother did.
“My mother’s reign was unequalled in its duration, dedication and devotion. Even as we grieve, we give thanks for this most faithful life.I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty which have now passed to me,” he said.
Charles III then took the oath related to the security of the Church of Scotland and then signed the oath he has just declared in front of the Privy Council.
Witnesses including Prince William – the new Prince of Wales, Camilla, the Queen Consort have added their signatures to the document.
Prime Minister Liz Truss and Archbishop Justin Welby watched on as the signing of the proclamation took place.
Former UK prime ministers – including Gordon Brown, David Cameron Boris Johnson and Theresa May – lined up as the proclamation of the new king is read out.
Councillors lined up in the Throne Room of St James’s Palace for part two of the ceremony to greet the King.
Currently, members are exiting the Throne Room and signing the proclamation.
Also, the new King is about to be proclaimed publicly on the balcony overlooking Friars’ Court.
What were the key factors behind football’s decision?
After the Queen died on Thursday, football’s governing bodies convened on Friday to discuss the best course of action for the upcoming weekend’s fixtures.
The government’s national mourning guidance advised that cancelling games was not obligatory, leaving the decision to individual sports.
The Football Associations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all confirmed on Friday that fixtures would be postponed as a mark of respect.
The Premier League said the decision not to go ahead with its 10 games this weekend was made to honour the Queen’s “extraordinary life and contribution to the nation”.
In a rare example of unity, football’s authorities are understood to feel that – unlike other sports that have already paused events this week, like racing, cricket and golf – football has not yet had a chance to stop, reflect and show its respects.
Many people disagree of course, and feel matches would have provided fans with an opportunity to pay tribute. There is understandable sympathy for those who have spent money on tickets and transport, and now have to change plans at short notice, especially with so many other events in other sports going ahead.
The decision to stop grassroots and school sport is also contentious, especially after so much football was lost during the pandemic, even if it is just for one weekend.
But the FA is known to be mindful of football’s status as the national sport at this historic moment, and the close ties the sport had with the Queen, who was patron of the FA, while Prince William is its president. According to well-placed sources, there has been a provisional plan to pause fixtures in such circumstances for several years now, and it was always likely that those plans would be honoured, despite the inevitable scrutiny.
West Ham’s Europa Conference League game against FCSB went ahead on Thursday
What about next week?
With it being part of this weekend’s round of fixtures, Monday’s Premier League game between Leeds and Nottingham Forest was also called off.
But after that there are Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League and English Football League games taking place in midweek.
European games on Thursday evening went ahead as scheduled, with a minute’s silence observed in matches involving British teams.
Uefa has not yet provided an update on next week’s games involving British sides, but Manchester City’s Champions League game with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday is due to go ahead as planned.
BBC Sport has been told City are able to provide the policing needed, so the game will take place as scheduled at Etihad Stadium.
Rangers, who host Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday, said in a statement they are in discussions with Uefa but “at present, the game is scheduled to take place at the scheduled date and time”.
Manchester United have confirmed their Europa League game with FC Sheriff in Moldova next Thursday will take place as scheduled “following discussions with the relevant governing bodies and in line with guidance issued by the UK government”.
Aston Villa players and staff paid their respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with a minute’s silence on Friday
The EFL has not yet issued an update yet on its round of midweek games.
As for next weekend’s fixtures, they are currently taking place as planned although that could change depending on when details of the Queen’s state funeral are provided.
The funeral is expected to take place at Westminster Abbey in less than two weeks, but the exact day will be confirmed by Buckingham Palace.
If it takes place next weekend then fixtures could again be postponed. Policing games could be a factor in the decision if they are redeployed to London en masse before the Queen’s funeral.
There are currently three matches scheduled to take place in the capital over Saturday and Sunday. The Premier League is understood to be talking to its clubs, while the Metropolitan Police has been asked for a comment.
Tottenham play Leicester on Saturday evening, while Brentford face Arsenal and Chelsea are at home to Liverpool on Sunday 18 September.
When will the postponed games be played?
Finding room in the packed English football calendar for a full round of Premier League fixtures (and possibly two) is going to be complicated.
In a unique season that includes a winter World Cup – and restarts on 20 December with the Carabao Cup fourth round, space is severely limited.
There is no spare midweek from now until the season ends on 3 June that exists without a purpose.
Two, 17 January and 7 February, are for FA Cup third and fourth-round replays. Three more, 4 April, 2 May and 23 May, are for matches that have been postponed on the weekends of the EFL Cup final and the FA Cup sixth round and semi-finals.
Two January midweeks are for the individual legs of the EFL Cup semi-finals. Eight midweeks are reserved for Uefa matches – and the European governing body is resistant to domestic games being played at the same time as its matches. And two midweeks in March form part of the final mid-season international break.
Discussions will start next week about how to resolve the issue. The respective governing bodies are relaxed about the situation given they dealt with similar calendar issues during the 2020-21 Covid-19-affected season.
Then, FA Cup replays were scrapped and the EFL Cup semi-finals were played as one game.
Answers will be similarly difficult now.
What has been the reaction of fans?
Fans observed a minute’s silence at games involving British teams on Thursday evening
The Football Supporters’ Federation accepted there was “no perfect decision” for the football authorities, but added it believed many supporters would have wanted games to go ahead.
It said in a statement: “We believe football is at its finest when bringing people together at times of huge national significance – be those moments of joy or moments of mourning.
“Our view, which we shared with the football authorities, is that most supporters would have liked to go to games this weekend and pay their respects to the Queen alongside their fellow fans.
“Not everyone will agree, so there was no perfect decision for the football authorities, but many supporters will feel this was an opportunity missed for football to pay its own special tributes.”
What’s happening in other sports?
Play will resume in England’s cricket Test against South Africa on Saturday, and the women’s Twenty20 match between England and India will go ahead.
Golf’s PGA Championship will restart on Saturday after play was halted on Thursday.
British horse racing will return on Sunday, with rugby union’s Premiership season beginning on Saturday after two fixtures on Friday were postponed.
Sunday’s Great North Run will go ahead as planned, with organisers saying it is “an opportunity to come together and express our condolences while celebrating the life of our extraordinary Queen”, and that the event would be “more subdued out of respect”.
Boxing’s world title fight between Savannah Marshall and Claressa Shields on Saturday has been postponed, with a provisional date of 15 October set for it to be rescheduled.
All British Boxing Board of Control tournaments have also been postponed for the weekend.
New York’s Governor has declared a state of emergency over evidence that polio is spreading across the state.
Wastewater samples in New York City and four adjacent counties have tested positive for a poliovirus that can cause paralysis.
New York’s state health department said it aims to boost vaccination rates from the current state-wide average of about 79% to above 90%.
“On polio, we simply cannot roll the dice,” Health Commissioner Dr Mary Bassett said in a statement. “If you or your child are unvaccinated or not up to date with vaccinations, the risk of paralytic disease is real.”
Although only one case has so far been confirmed, it was the first in the country in nearly a decade.
Polio was largely eradicated from the US by vaccinations that began in 1955. By 1979, the US was declared polio-free.
But according to New York officials, vaccination rates are too low in parts of the state. Friday’s emergency declaration is aimed at boosting flagging immunisation rates.
There is no cure for polio, but it can be prevented by the vaccine. Mostly affecting children, the virus typically causes muscle weakness and paralysis, and in the most serious cases permanent disability and death.
Dr Mary Bassett added that “for every one case of paralytic polio observed, there may be hundreds of other people infected”.
An inactivated polio vaccine is used in both the US and the UK as part of the routine childhood programme. In the US, about 93% of toddlers have received at least three doses of the polio jab, according to vaccination data from the CDC.
Officials began monitoring wastewater in the state for poliovirus after an unvaccinated man in Rockland County, just north of New York City, contracted the virus in July – the first recorded case since 2013 – and suffered paralysis.
The case was later genetically linked to paralytic polio found in a wastewater sample collected from nearby Nassau County in August.
Wastewater samples in Orange County, Sullivan County and the five boroughs of New York City have also tested positive for paralytic polio.
The emergency order issued on Friday by Governor Kathy Hochul is the state’s third this year, in addition to similar orders issued in response to the coronavirus pandemic and monkeypox.
It empowers emergency medical workers, midwives and pharmacists to join the network of providers who can roll out the polio vaccine.
King Charles IIIÂ made his first address as monarch to the people of England following the demise of Queen Elizabeth II, his mother, who died aged 96 on September 8, 2022.
He paid tribute to his mother Queen Elizabeth II, saying her commitment to service and the people never wavered and “defined her whole life.”
“That was more than a promise. It was a profound personal commitment which defined her whole life,” he said.
He said the Queen made sacrifices and her dedication remained strong “through times of change and progress, but times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss.”
The King said during her life of service, her love of tradition, but also her embrace of progress, made her great.
“The affection, admiration and respect she inspired became the hallmark of her reign,” he said. “And as every member of my family can testify, she combined these qualities with warmth, humor, and an unerring ability always to see the best in people.”
Prior to this, he greeted crowds outside Buckingham Palace on his return to London with Camilla, the new Queen Consort.
Some of the citizens he encountered shouted “God save the King”.
Charles will be officially proclaimed King at the Accession Council at 10:00 on Saturday in a ceremony televised for the first time.
The Accession Council on Saturday will be attended by his son the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge on Saturday.
It is also attended by invited Privy Councillors and current serving government ministers – but that could also include former ministers, prime ministers, and senior clergy.
After the meeting, the Principal Proclamation, announcing Charles as sovereign, will be read at 11:00 from the balcony overlooking Friary Court at St James’s Palace, central London.
Three individuals have lost their lives due to an accident on the Sunyani-Techiman Highwayon September 8, 2022.
They met their demise after a Taxi cab they had boarded collided with a Hyuandai Mini Truck. Both vehicles suffered massive impact damages.Â
The Matiz Taxi with registration number BA 1163 -19 was heading towards Sunyani, whereas the Hyundai Mini Truck with registration number GT 2438 -19 was moving towards Techiman.
The Fire Service arrived the scene after receiving a distress call and managed to rescue three people who were trapped.
Preliminary investigation carried out reveals that the two drivers were trying to dodge potholes, hence the head-on collision.
Meanwhile, the driver of the Matiz Taxi and two others onboard the Hyundai Mini Truck who sustained various degrees of injury have been admitted to the hospital for treatment.
Stefano Piolihinted Divock Origi could make his first Serie A start when AC Milan go to Sampdoria on Saturday, as he emphasised the importance of competition in his Rossoneri squad.
Origi joined Milan in July after leaving Liverpool on a free transfer, but has been a peripheral figure during their promising start to the new campaign.
With the likes of Rafael Leao, Junior Messias and Olivier Giroud preferred by Pioli, Origi has made just three substitute appearances in the league, playing a total of 47 minutes.
But speaking ahead of the trip to Sampdoria, Pioli said the Belgium international is ready to make his full debut.
Asked whether it was time for Origi to feature more heavily, Pioli said: “I think so, because he is better and has had time to pick up the pace.
“We have various solutions. Charles [De Ketelaere] is doing everything I am asking of him, he is inserting himself more and more and better and better, I am happy with his performance.
“Brahim [Diaz] has certain characteristics to give us numerical superiority. It is inevitable that you always ask me about who does not play, but I always choose based on the game.
“We have to play with energy for 95 minutes. At the end of the game we must have no more energy.”
Milan have only been beaten once in Serie A this year, with Spezia prevailing in January). No other team has lost fewer games than the Rossoneri across the top five European leagues in 2022.
Rest, recover, reboot: straight back to work as Samp awaits 💪
The Rossoneri have also averaged 2.29 points per game this calendar year, a figure bettered only by Liverpool (2.4) and Manchester City (2.38) across the continent’s biggest leagues.
Milan enjoyed a busy transfer window after ending their 11-year wait for the Scudetto in May, bringing in the likes of Origi, De Ketelaere and Sergino Dest. Pioli, however, insists a renewal of his squad was not necessary, highlighting the need for competition in every position.
“I don’t like the term turnover. It’s not only the first 11 who are chosen,” he added.
“I know that I have strong players, a very specific identity and I am sure that everyone, when called upon, will give their all.
“Tomorrow I will field what, in my opinion, is the best formation: I go ahead for what I see and for what I feel. It is not that if I rotate, I do it as a bias. I put players on the field to win games.”
Meanwhile, Milan have been forced to recover from a series of slow starts this season; each of Udinese, Atalanta, Inter and Salzburg (the latter in the Champions League) have opened the scoring against the Rossoneri in recent weeks.
But Pioli is impressed with the character the Serie A champions have shown when overcoming those deficits, adding: “As an approach, we only made a mistake with Udinese, but it is clear that it is a fact that we want to reverse.
“Then, however, the great awareness of the team is confirmed. Despite the disadvantage, they continue to believe in themselves to change the game.”
Iga Swiatek will compete against Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur to retain her title as world number one for the US Open women’s singles title.
Both athletes won their semi-finals on Thursday.
Fifth seed Jabeur, 28, reached back-to-back Grand Slam finals by winning 6-1 6-3 against France’s Caroline Garcia.
Poland’s two-time major winner Swiatek, 21, moved into her first US Open final with a 3-6 6-1 6-4 victory over Belarusian sixth seed Aryna Sabalenka.
The final takes place in New York on Saturday (21:00 BST).
Jabeur needed little more than an hour to beat 17th seed Garcia in the first semi-final and is now aiming for her first major title after losing July’s Wimbledon final to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina.
Top seed Swiatek, who has won both of her two Grand Slam titles on the French Open clay, fought back from 4-2 down in the deciding set to beat Sabalenka in the second semi-final.
The final will be a match-up between the two most dominant players on the WTA Tour this year.
Before the first of Thursday’s semi-finals there was a moment’s silence held on Arthur Ashe Stadium in memory of Queen Elizabeth II, who has died aged 96.
All English, Welsh and Northern Irish football and professional Scottish football has been postponed this weekend as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Ten Premier League and six Scottish Premiership fixtures were scheduled.
EFL games were due to take place on Friday and Saturday, with six Women’s Super League fixtures – the first of the season – on Saturday and Sunday.
England’s National League, FA Trophy and grassroots football is also off.
Friday’s play at golf’s PGA Championship was called off, along with all British horse racing and cricket’s Test between England and South Africa.
British horse racing will return on Sunday, with rugby union’s Premiership season beginning on Saturday after two fixtures on Friday were postponed.
British Boxing Board of Control tournaments have been postponed on Friday, with a decision yet to be made on the world boxing title fight between Savannah Marshall and Claressa Shields.
Sunday’s Great North Run will go ahead as planned, with organisers saying it is “an opportunity to come together and express our condolences while celebrating the life of our extraordinary Queen”, and that the event would be “more subdued out of respect”.
Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, died on Thursday aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.
The government’s national mourning guidance advised that cancelling fixtures was not obligatory, leaving the decision to individual sports.
Government guidance for the day of the funeral also advised that cancellation was not obligatory, but suggested events could be rescheduled so that they do not clash with the timings of the service.
Cricket yet to decide
It is unclear whether England’s cricket Test against South Africa will resume and whether Saturday’s play at golf’s PGA Championship will go ahead.
The rugby union Premiership match between Bristol and Bath has been moved from Friday evening to 17:30 BST on Saturday, while Sale v Northampton will not take place on Friday and is yet to be rearranged.
All other Premiership matches on Saturday and Sunday will go ahead as scheduled.
Formula 1 held a minute’s silence with all teams prior to practice on Friday for the Italian Grand Prix, with the race weekend to proceed as planned.
At the tennis US Open in New York, there was a moment of silence before the first women’s semi-final match on Thursday with the first men’s semi-final on Friday.
In rugby league, the Super League play-off between Catalans Dragons and Leeds is on Friday, with Huddersfield and Salford due to play on Sunday. The Championship fixture between Sheffield Eagles and Dewsbury Rams has been postponed.
The British Elite Ice Hockey League said the weekend’s season-opening games would go ahead as planned.
Football pays respect to Queen’s ‘indelible legacy’
The Football Association said fixtures between 9 and 11 September are postponed, adding that as a “long-standing patron” of the FA the Queen “has left a lasting and indelible legacy on our national game”.
The Premier League and EFL have confirmed that all fixtures will be rescheduled.
While policing was not a factor in postponing this weekend’s Premier League games, it is understood it could be a consideration in next weekend’s games depending on state funeral arrangements.
There is confidence fixture congestion can be solved in the second half of the season and a meeting will be held next week to discuss the calendar with relevant bodies.
The Premier League took the decision to honour the Queen’s “extraordinary life and contribution to the nation” and said updates on future fixtures during the period of mourning “will be provided in due course”.
The league’s chief executive Richard Masters said: “We and our clubs would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty’s long and unwavering service to our country.
“This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her, and we join together with all those in mourning her passing.”
In Scotland, the postponements include the Scottish Professional Football League, Scottish Women’s Premier League and Scottish Highland and Lowland Football Leagues, as well as Women’s Scottish Cup fixtures.
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said it was appropriate to “mark the event with all possible solemnity” and added that there would be a further update “when we have clarity over official arrangements for Her Majesty’s funeral”.
WSL’s record-breaking start on hold
The Women’s Super League was preparing to kick off the 2022-23 season this weekend with clubs enjoying record ticket sales following England’s summer success at Euro 2022.
Tottenham were scheduled to host Manchester United in the larger main stadium used by their male counterparts, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while Chelsea were set to welcome West Ham to Stamford Bridge.
Tickets had sold out for Manchester City’s fixture against Arsenal at the 7,000-capacity Academy Stadium on Sunday.
Reading have five times the amount of season ticket holders compared to last year, while reigning champions Chelsea sold out their 1,500 season tickets for the second season in a row.
Queen’s ‘enduring and unique’ relationship with racing honoured
British racing has been cancelled on Saturday but will resume on Sunday, with the exception of Musselburgh in Scotland.
The world’s oldest Classic race, the St Leger, has been put back 24 hours and will feature in an extended nine-race card at Doncaster.
While Chepstow is also set to go ahead on Sunday, Musselburgh’s meeting has been called off due to the Queen lying in state in Edinburgh.
British Horseracing Authority chief executive BHA chief executive Julie Harrington said the Queen had “an enduring and unique” relationship with the sport.
“The return of racing on Sunday will see the running of the St Leger, one of Britain’s five Classic races and a race which the Queen won with her filly Dunfermline in 1977,” she said.
“This will also provide an opportunity for the sport and its supporters to pay its respects to Her Majesty, for the contribution which she has made to the sport to be marked.”
Sport has paid tribute after Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, died aged 96.
Messages poured in from sporting governing bodies and personalities after her death was announced on Thursday.
A minute’s silence was held at Manchester United, Arsenal, West Ham and Hearts’ European matches.
And in horse racing, the sport closely linked to Her Majesty, she was described as its “greatest supporter”.
Horse racing
Ascot, the racecourse most deeply connected with the Queen, paid tribute to one of the sport’s leading advocates.
The Berkshire venue is famed for its royal meeting and procession from nearby Windsor Castle, with the Queen having enjoyed many high-profile victories at the track – not least when Estimate won the Gold Cup in 2013.
Sir Francis Brooke, Her Majesty’s representative at the track, said: “The nation mourns the loss of a much loved and respected monarch. The world of racing has lost one of its greatest supporters.
“We at Ascot are privileged to have so many memories of Her Majesty, the Queen, at this, her racecourse, including some wonderful victories in the royal colours.”
Nicky Henderson, who trained racehorses for the Queen and Queen Mother, added: “Racing has lost its best friend and greatest patron, the country has lost its Queen – but she was more than a Queen. The country has lost somebody who was its greatest servant. She was absolutely the greatest.
“She knew horses inside out, so it was always a pleasure to be able to talk and discuss horses – and lots of other things as well. Her loss is immeasurable. It is an emotional day and I am very emotional.”
Sir Michael Stoute, trainer of Estimate, said:Â “It was an honour and also a great pleasure to train for the Queen because she had such a formidable knowledge of the horse.”
AP McCoy, the 20-time champion jump jockey and knighted in 2016, said the Queen had an “irreplaceable presence” while fellow jockey Frankie Dettori described it as the “honour of a lifetime” to ride for the Queen and “a greater honour to have known such a remarkable person.”
Football
Manchester United and Real Sociedad players observe a minute’s silence prior to the Europa League group E match
All Premier League clubs posted individual messages paying their respect to the Queen and the Premier League said it was “deeply saddened” by her death.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with the Royal Family and everyone around the world mourning the loss of Her Majesty,” the league said.
English Football League chair Rick Parry added: “On behalf of the league and its clubs, we join the rest of the nation and people across the world in mourning the passing of our Queen, Elizabeth II.”
West Ham United fans sang ‘God Save The Queen’ at the end of a minute’s silence at London Stadium before their Europa Conference League win against Romanian side FCSB.
England men’s and women’s captains Harry Kane and Leah Williamson described the Queen as an “amazing inspiration” and “a light so bright, she gave us hope when there seemed to be none”.
Former England captain David Beckham said the Queen “served her country with dignity and grace”.
Brazil legend Pele said:Â “I have been a great admirer of Queen Elizabeth II since the first time I saw her in person, in 1968, when she came to Brazil to witness our love for football and experienced the magic of a packed Maracana. Her deeds have marked generations.”
Motorsport
Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton said the Queen was an “inspiring and iconic” leader.
“Since the sad news yesterday, I’ve been reflecting on her incredible life. She was a symbol of hope for so many and she served her country with dignity, dedication and kindness,” he said.
“She was truly like no other and I’m grateful to have lived during her time. Her legacy will be long-lasting and her passing deeply felt.”
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said:Â “The Queen was undoubtedly one of the most respected heads of state ever to have lived, and I send my condolences, and those of the entire FIA community, to the Royal Family and all of the citizens of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
“Motorsport, and especially Formula 1, has its heart in the United Kingdom, and the Royal Family has, over the years, given great support and patronage to the sport.
“For this we thank them, and those events taking place around the world this weekend will undoubtedly be undertaken in honour of Her Majesty.”
Cricket
The England and Wales Cricket Board said it was “deeply saddened at the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II”.
ECB chair Richard Thompson said: “I’m sure I speak for everyone in the game when I say how truly sad I am to hear of the Queen’s passing. Her Majesty has been such a great supporter of the game and was always so vocal of her and her late husband’s enjoyment around the sport.
“Her dedication to her country will never be forgotten. For her service and her selflessness over her extraordinary reign, we owe her a debt that can never be repaid.”
Golf
Flags were flown at half-mast at Wentworth on day one of the BMW PGA Championship, with play also suspended
Royal and Ancient Golf Club captain Peter Forster said:Â “Although not a golfer, Her late Majesty’s 70-year patronage of the Club was a great honour for its Members.
“We hold His Majesty The King and all The Royal Family in our thoughts at this time of mourning.”
The 2018 European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn, of Denmark, said:”Living most of my adult life in England I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. An inspiration to so many all over the world. Rest in peace, Your Majesty.”
US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick tweeted his sympathies and fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood added: “Rest in Peace Your Majesty, you will be forever in our hearts.”
Olympics
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said the world had lost “a great supporter of sport and the Olympic movement”.
“Her Majesty was the only head of state to declare open two editions of the Olympic Games and was already present at the Olympic Games London 1948,” he said.
“As patron of the British Olympic Association, she provided invaluable advice and help to the Olympic community.”
Rugby League
Rugby Football League chair Simon Johnson said the governing body was grateful to the Queen for her support of the game.
“On behalf of the RFL and the whole Rugby League family, I express our deepest and most sincere condolences on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The whole sport is in deep mourning at this extremely sad news,” he added in a statement.
“Rugby League was honoured to have her as our patron until 2016, and throughout her long reign, Her Majesty’s sense of duty and commitment, her spirit and wisdom has been an example to all of us.
“We give grateful thanks for Her Majesty’s constant and positive influence on our communities over many generations.
“We send our deepest sympathy and most sincere condolences to the Royal Family including the RFL patron, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge. Our clubs and players at all levels will display their respect to Her Majesty wherever rugby league is played in the coming days.”
Rugby Union
Dominic McKay, chairman of European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR)Â – which oversees the Heineken Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup competitions – paid tribute on behalf of the organisation.
“It is with great sadness that all of us at EPCR have learned of the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II. We stand with our leagues, unions, clubs and beyond to honour Her Majesty and her inspirational life.
“Queen Elizabeth II was a monarch who embodied steadfastness, dignity and faithful public service and was greatly admired, respected and loved by people around the world.”
England Rugby said:Â “On behalf of the rugby union community in England, all at the Rugby Football Union are very saddened to hear of the death of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II and offer our condolences to the whole Royal Family at this time.”
Scottish Rugby said it was “deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen and offered its condolences to the whole Royal Family”, while the Welsh Rugby Union added: “We send the sincere and heartfelt condolences of Welsh rugby to the Royal Family after the passing of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II.
“Our Royal Patron for over 50 years graced our national stadium many times. We thank The Queen for years of service on this profoundly sad day.”
Irish Rugby added: “The IRFU express our condolences to the Royal Family on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Our sympathies are with our friends in the Home Unions and their supporters.”
Tennis
Swiss legend Roger Federer said her “elegance, grace and loyalty to her duty will live on in history” while another icon of the sport, Rafael Nadal, expressed his “deepest condolences”.
Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Scott Lloyd said in a statement: “Her Majesty dedicated her life to public service throughout her 70-year reign. She was universally admired and respected throughout the country and supported many charities and organisations unstintingly.
“She graciously gave up her time to open our own National Tennis Centre at Roehampton and meet our British players in 2007. Her loss will be felt across the country and throughout the Commonwealth.
“Our sport joins the rest of the country in sending our sincere condolences to the Royal Family.”
Athletics
Four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah led the tributes from athletics, writing: “The Queen was loved all over the world and meant so much to so many.
“Meeting her was one of the greatest honours of my life. We will remember her for her warmth and dedication to the British people throughout her reign.”
Former Olympic and world 100m champion Linford Christie said “Thank you for always showing me kindness”, while current British sprinter Adam Gemili added “I really didn’t think I’d feel this sad. Rest in Peace Queen Elizabeth II. Thank you for all you did”.
British women’s long-distance great Paula Radcliffe posted her own tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on Instagram
Cycling
British Cycling and a number of prominent teams and riders also paid their respects, with six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy writing: “I share the sadness and sorrow of all Britons and many others around the world in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
Hoy, who was knighted in 2009, added: “I had the pleasure of meeting Her Majesty on a number of occasions and always admired her tremendous dedication and absolute commitment to her role, as well as the generosity and compassion she offered to all those she met.
“Her Majesty the Queen devoted her life to our country, guiding us through so many historically significant moments with great leadership.”
Boxing
British heavyweight boxers Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua issued brief statements on their respective social media accounts.
Fury posted a picture with the words “Thoughts & prayers with my Queen tonight, may God be with you”, while Joshua wrote simply: “Rest in peace”.
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has warned Graham Potter he can expect a “different pressure” at Chelsea but believes it is a “fantastic move”.
Potter has been named as Thomas Tuchel’s successor at Stamford Bridge, following the axing of the Champions League-winning boss on Wednesday.
New Blues owner Todd Boehly has been extremely active since taking over from Roman Abramovich, splashing vast amounts of money in the transfer market, and has now made his first managerial appointment.
Chelsea received permission from Brighton to speak to Potter on Wednesday and confirmation of his appointment followed today.
Rodgers, who has experience in high-pressure clubs following his time with Liverpool, has told Potter he will encounter different challenges than his time at Brighton but feels it is the right move.
“It’s a different pressure,” Rodgers said in the press conference ahead of Saturday’s clash with Aston Villa.
“He’s done fantastic at Brighton, they’ve really developed. They’re strategically well run behind the scenes.
“It’s that next step and it will be a fantastic move for him.”
Chelsea Football Club is delighted to welcome Graham Potter as our new Head Coach! ðŸ¤
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl echoed Rodgers’ sentiment, backing Potter to succeed after impressing with Brighton.
“I must congratulate them for a very good choice. For me, [Potter] is the manager in the last two years with the biggest impact in a club with all the limits they had,” he said.
“With all the transfers they gave away to other clubs and they’re still competing at the highest level. It shows how good this group is.
“I was speaking with Pascal Gross who plays there and we were speaking very often about the development of the club.
“I think [Potter] did a fantastic job with this group. He has all the experience I think to step into a bigger club and show there that he can perform at the highest level.
“It’s a clear signal that there are good English managers out there that can work at the highest level. He wasn’t always working in England either, he also went to foreign countries to get experience.
“He was not too much full of ego and only staying here, he was looking for other options to learn and to develop his knowledge. This is a very good way of doing it and way of developing your knowledge in football.”
Chelsea were to unveil their new head coach Graham Potter, but this has been postponed owing to the demise of Queen Elizabeth II.
Potter was to face the media for the first time at 1.30pm BST at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground.
That was announced before the Queen’s death on Thursday and Chelsea moved to cancel the planned session on Friday morning.
The decision was taken amid uncertainty over whether the weekend’s English football programme would go ahead as planned. It was announced at 11.30am BST that Premier League games would be postponed.
Chelsea Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We join those mourning in the UK and across the world.
We would like to send our condolences to the Royal Family and everyone affected by this very sad news. pic.twitter.com/FUysCESRt4
Potter left Brighton to take over at Chelsea following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel.
German boss Tuchel was surprisingly dismissed on Wednesday, just a day on from a 1-0 defeat at Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.
That result followed an indifferent start to the Premier League season, during which Chelsea have taken 10 points from a possible 18 after a bold spending spree under new owner Todd Boehly.
Boehly said of Potter’s appointment: “We are thrilled to bring Graham to Chelsea. He is a proven coach and an innovator in the Premier League who fits our vision for the club.”
Several football stars have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II following her death on Thursday, September 8, 2022.
David Beckhamhas joined the likes of Pele, Jose Mourinho and Roger Federer.
Since Buckingham Palace announced that the UK’s longest reigning monarch had passed away, tributes have subsequently poured in from around the world, while some of the biggest names in sport have taken to social media to pay their own respects.
Former England men’s football captain Beckham posted on Instagram: “I’m truly saddened by the death of Her Majesty, The Queen. What an outpouring of love and respect we saw for the Platinum Jubilee for her life of service.
“How devastated we all feel today shows what she has meant to people in this country and around the world. How much she inspired us with her leadership. How she comforted us when times were tough.
“Until her last days, she served her country with dignity and grace. This year, she would have known how loved she was. My thoughts and prayers are with our Royal Family.”
Meanwhile, footballing legend Pele added on Twitter:Â “I have been a great admirer of Queen Elizabeth II since the first time I saw her in person, in 1968, when she came to Brazil to witness our love for football and experienced the magic of a packed Maracana.
“Her deeds have marked generations. This legacy will last forever.”
Speaking after Roma’s Europa League clash with Ludogorets, head coach Mourinho said: “I’m so sorry. I have lived in England for many years, my family is there. I don’t think there’s anyone who doesn’t appreciate this great woman.”
Current Three Lions skipper Harry Kane described the Queen as “an amazing inspiration,” while team-mate Marcus Rashford also paid tribute to the late monarch.
Eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer tweeted: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Royal Majesty. Her elegance, grace and loyalty to her duty will live on in history.
“I would like to send my thoughts and condolences to the entire Royal Family and Great Britain.”
“We all knew the end was near but to me, our Queen was like a member of our family,” former boxing world champion Frank Bruno posted.
“I was lucky and blessed to meet her a few times. She was the Matriarch, mother of our nation. My thoughts are with the Royal Family – sad, sad day.”
Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah added:Â “My condolences to the Royal Family at this very sad time. The Queen was loved all over the world and meant so much to so many.
“Meeting her was one of the greatest honours of my life. We will remember her for her warmth and dedication to the British people throughout her reign.”
Kenya’s Parliament has reconvened for the first time since the disputed general elections last month.
Members of the two Houses of Parliament – the National Assembly and Senate – are being sworn in and will elect new speakers and deputy speakers.
It comes just days after the Kenyan Supreme Court upheld William Ruto’snarrow victory in the presidential poll, after the result was challenged by his rival Raila Odinga.
The Kenya Kwanza coalition led by Mr Ruto is vying for control of parliament against the One Kenya movement, led by outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghiretains the club’s backing despite a poor run of form, chief executive Giuseppe Marotta has said.
The Italian press reported Inter held an emergency meeting on Thursday as they look to respond to their underwhelming run, but Marotta still has faith in the Nerazzurri coach.Â
“The mood is that of a healthy realism, every defeat brings with it a more careful analysis of the problems,” he said.
“We have a very united staff both at managerial and technical level. From a confrontation, something positive always comes out for the future.
“Inzaghi has a quality squad that he must use in the best possible way, based on the indications of the opponents and the training sessions.
“I think he is doing it in the best way, even if unfortunately the last two games coincided with two defeats.
“But god forbid, he is doing a great job, he knows how to coach and manage the team very well.”
The Nerazzurri have lost two of their past three Serie A matches, falling to defeats against Lazio and Milan, and began their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 reverse against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Should Inter suffer another defeat against Torino on Saturday, they will have recorded three defeats from their opening six matches of a league season for just the fourth time in their history, after doing so in 2011-12 (four), 2000-01 and 1983-84 (both three).
However, Marotta did apologise to the Nerazzurri’s supporters for recent performances, adding: “We are Inter, and if we want to say one important thing, everyone is more careful, from the management to the technical area and the players.
“When you wear this shirt, you must be honoured, I’m sorry for yesterday’s 60,000 and for the 70,000 of other occasions.
In a report, UNESCO revealed that sub-Saharan Africa is the only region in the world where the number of children and young people who are out of school is growing.
The out-of-school population in the continent has increased by 20 million since 2009.
The region with the second highest out-of-school population is Central and Southern Asia, with 85 million.
The three countries with the most children and young people excluded from education are India, Nigeria and Pakistan.
Nigeria has an estimated 20 million children and young out of school, Ethiopia 10.5 million, the Democratic Republic of Congo 5.9 million and Kenya 1.8 million.
Unesco said that school closures and disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic have probably increased learning losses and drop-outs, especially amongst vulnerable populations.
“We must step up our support for those who are being deprived of their opportunities, keeping a watchful eye on those who have struggled on their return after COVID-related school closures,†said Manos Antoninis, Director of the Global Education Monitoring Report.
Equatorial Guinea will head to the polls this November to elect its President.
The country’s Parliament has approved the move from 2023 to this year.
This means that political parties have less than four months to prepare.
It follows the Congress’ authorisation for the government to merge the presidential election with legislative and municipal elections.
Congress said this was needed in a context of significant economic constraints.
The 80-year-old President Teodoro Mbatsogo has ruled the country since 1979 and is constitutionally allowed to run for a sixth term, although he is yet to declare his candidacy.
Political opposition is barely tolerated and severely hampered by the lack of a free press, as all broadcast media is either owned outright by the government or controlled by its allies.
The Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR) in Egypt has called out streaming platforms to abide by certain regulations in a bid to make them adhere to “societal values and traditions”.
Egypt’s media regulatory body said it would also require Netflix, Disney+ and other streaming platforms to apply for licences to be able to operate in the country.
“Necessary measures” would be taken against platforms that stream content which does not align with the society’s values, SCMR said.
The statement noted that subscriptions to streaming platforms in Egypt had witnessed “unprecedented and huge increases”, without providing specific figures.
The statement follows similar moves by media bodies in Gulf countries, urging Netflix to remove content they said contradicted Islamic values and traditions, including material “aimed for children”, in a seeming reference to LGBTQ+ content.
Graham Potter will replace Thomas Tuchelas the new manager of Chelsea.
Chelsea announced his appointment on Thursday, September 8, 2022.
Potter has left Brighton to take up the new role. Chelsea and Potter have signed a five-year deal.
According to the 47-year-old, he is “incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea”.
Potter’s first game in charge will be an away derby with fellow west London club Fulham on Saturday at 12:30 BST.
His assistant Billy Reid, first-team coaches Bjorn Hamberg and Bruno, goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts and assistant head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay will join him at the Chelsea, who have paid Brighton in excess of £21m in compensation.
“We are thrilled to bring Graham to Chelsea,” said the Stamford Bridge club’s chairman Todd Boehly.
“He is a proven coach and an innovator in the Premier League who fits our vision for the club.
“Not only is he extremely talented on the pitch, he has skills and capabilities that extend beyond the pitch which will make Chelsea a more successful club.
“He has had a major impact at his previous clubs and we look forward to his positive impact at Chelsea.
“We look forward to supporting him, his coaching team and the squad in realising their full potential in the coming months and years.”
Chelsea Football Club is delighted to welcome Graham Potter as our new Head Coach! ðŸ¤
Former Ostersunds FK and Swansea City manager Potter led Brighton to a ninth-place finish last season, the club’s highest ever top-flight finish.
He has guided them to fourth in the table this season after winning four, drawing one and losing one of their six Premier League games.
Chelsea decided to sack Tuchel, who won three trophies in 20 months at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues sixth in the top flight following a summer in which they spent £255.3m in the summer transfer window.
“I am very excited to partner with Chelsea’s new ownership group and look forward to meeting and working with the exciting group of players and to develop a team and culture that our amazing fans can be proud of,” said Potter.
He also offered a “sincere thanks” to Brighton, including chairman Tony Bloom, for their support during his spell of just more than three-years at the club.
Brighton Under-21 coach Andrew Crofts has taken over as Brighton’s interim head coach, while attacking midfielder Adam Lallana will be part of his coaching set up.
“I am very disappointed that Graham will be leaving us,” said Bloom.
“He has done exceptionally well over the past three-and-a-bit seasons, he is an exceptional head coach and an exceptional person. He will be hugely missed at our football club.
“He leaves an excellent legacy for his successor with the club in its highest ever position, and on the back of leading us to our highest finish in the club’s history last season.
“I would like to thank Graham, Billy, Bjorn, Bruno, Ben and Kyle for their work here, and wish them all the very best for the future.
“While our attention is now on appointing Graham’s successor as head coach our immediate focus, of course, is on Saturday’s game at Bournemouth and supporting Andrew Crofts as interim head coach.”
Brighton under Potter in the Premier League
Games
Wins
Draws
Defeats
Goals for
Goals against
Win %
Points per game
Position
2019-20
38
9
14
15
39
54
24%
1.08
15
2020-21
38
9
14
15
40
46
24%
1.08
16
2021-22
38
12
15
11
42
44
32%
1.34
9
2022-23
6
4
1
1
11
5
67%
2.17
4
A former full-back in the Football League with Stoke, West Brom and York, Potter began his managerial career with Ostersunds FK in 2010, guiding them from the fourth tier of Swedish football to the first, winning the 2017 Swedish Cup and reaching the knockout stages of the Europa League.
He then took charge of Swansea City in June 2018, spending one season with the Championship side before joining Brighton in May 2019 following Chris Hughton’s dismissal.
Potter went on to guide the club to 15th, 16th as well as the ninth-place finish in his three full seasons in charge.
A law has been passed in North Korea, declaring the country a nuclear weapons state.
State news agency KCNA has revealed that leader Kim Jong-un called the decision “irreversible” and ruled out the possibility of any talks on denuclearisation.
North Korea now has the right to use a pre-emptive nuclear strike to protect itself, per the law.
Despite crippling sanctions, Pyongyang has conducted six nuclear tests between 2006 and 2017.
It has continued to advance its military capability – in breach of United Nations Security Council resolutions – to threaten its neighbours and potentially even bring the US mainland within striking range.
Mr Kim carried long-range launches and nuclear tests in 2019 following two headline-grabbing but inconclusive summits with then US president Donald Trump.
But talks between the countries have since stalled. Although the Biden administration has indicated it’s willing to talk to Pyongyang, it hasn’t said whether President Joe Biden would meet Mr Kim.
The White House also said its attempts to contact Pyongyang and overtures of help over its Covid outbreak had gone unanswered so far.
The US reviewed its North Korea policy last year and reiterated that “complete denuclearisation” of the Korean peninsula was the goal. Mr Biden said he would pursue it with a mix of diplomacy and “stern deterrence”. Mr Kim responded by saying his country must prepare for both “dialogue and confrontation”.
Meanwhile, tensions on the Korean peninsula have spiked this year with Pyongyang firing a record number of ballistic missiles.
South Korea and the US have responded with a volley of missiles and the largest joint military exercises on the peninsula in years.
Tributes have been pouring from world leaders and dignitaries as they mourn Queen Elizabeth II, who died at the age of 96.
The late Queen’s deep sense of duty and resilience was shone bright.
France’s Emmanuel Macron who led the tributes remembered “a kind-hearted queen” who was also “a friend of France”.
US President Joe Biden who first met Her Majesty40 years ago and described her as “more than a monarch – she defined an era”.
Remembering his visit to the UK in 2021 as president, Mr Biden said “she charmed us with her wit, moved us with her kindness, and generously shared with us her wisdom”.
“Queen Elizabeth II was a stateswoman of unmatched dignity constancy who deepened the bedrock of the Alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States. She helped make our relationship special,” Mr Biden added.
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES Image caption, US President Biden, watched by his wife Dr Jill Biden and UK Ambassador Karen Pierce, signs the condolence book at the British Embassy in Washington DC
Chinese President Xi Jinping offered “sincere sympathies to the British government and people” following the Queen’s death, adding: “Her passing is a great loss to the British people.”
Canada – where Queen Elizabeth was head of state – has seen 12 prime ministers during her reign.
An emotional Justin Trudeau – who has known the Queen for decades, first meeting her as a child when his father was prime minister – said she had “an obvious deep and abiding love for Canadians”.
“In a complicated world, her steady grace and resolve brought comfort to us all,” the prime minister said, adding that he would miss their “chats” where she was “thoughtful, wise, curious, helpful, funny and so much more”.
“She was one of my favourite people in the world, and I will miss her so,” he said, holding back tears.
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES Image caption, Her Majesty met Canada’s Justin Trudeau several times, including earlier this year at Windsor
‘An extraordinary personality’
Flags have been lowered to half-mast around the world – including at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the Queen’s “empathy and ability to connect with every passing generation, while remaining rooted in the tradition that truly mattered to her, was an example of true leadership”.
King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands – who is Queen Elizabeth’s fifth cousin – said he and Queen Maxima remembered the “steadfast and wise” monarch with “deep respect and great affection”.
Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf, also a distant relative to Her Majesty, said: “She has always been dear to my family and a precious link in our shared family history.”
And Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde said she was “an extraordinary personality… who, throughout her reign, showed dignity, courage and devotion”.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz paid tribute to the Queen’s “wonderful humour” and said in a statement that “her commitment to German-British reconciliation after the horrors of World War Two will remain unforgotten”.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled his “memorable meetings” with the monarch during two UK visits.
“I will never forget her warmth and kindness,” he tweeted. “During one of the meetings, she showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gifted her on her wedding. I will always cherish that gesture.”
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent their condolences, with the king describing her as “a role model for leadership that will be immortalised in history”.
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES Image caption, Queen Elizabeth II and India’s Narendra Modi at Buckingham Palace in 2015
‘A reassuring presence’
As monarch for seven decades, Queen Elizabeth lived through times of extraordinary change, and this was reflected in several tributes.
Mr Macron observed that she “embodied the British nation’s continuity and unity for over 70 years” and former US President Barack Obama observed that she lived “through periods of prosperity and stagnation – from the Moon landing to the fall of the Berlin Wall”.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his “deep sorrow”. “The death of the queen, who led Britain through turbulent times in the world, is a great loss not only for the British people but also the international community,” he told reporters.
Irish President Michael D Higgins honoured the Queen’s “extraordinary sense of duty”, which he said would “hold a unique place in British history”.
“Her reign of 70 years encompassed periods of enormous change, during which she represented a remarkable source of reassurance to the British people,” he said in a lengthy statement.
Ireland’s Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, spoke of her reign as one of “historic duration” and described the Queen’s passing as “the end of an era”.
“Her dedication to duty and public service were self-evident and her wisdom and experience truly unique,” Mr Martin said in a statement. He also recalled her “many gracious gestures and warm remarks” during a state visit to Ireland in 2011.
António Guterres, the UN’s secretary-general, said Queen Elizabeth was “a reassuring presence throughout decades of sweeping change, including the decolonisation of Africa and Asia and the evolution of the Commonwealth”.
In a statement, he paid tribute to “her unwavering, lifelong dedication to serving her people. The world will long remember her devotion and leadership”.
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES Image caption, Queen Elizabeth visited Australia 16 times – here she greets excited crowds in Sydney in 1970
Queen Elizabeth visited Australia – another Commonwealth nation where she was head of state – 16 times, the only reigning monarch to head down under.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted that many had never known a world without her.
“Though the noise and tumult of the years, she embodied and exhibited a timeless decency and an enduring calm,” he said in a statement.
“She celebrated our good times, she stood with us in the bad. Happy and glorious, but steadfast too.”
New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, said she was woken to the news of the monarch’s death by a police officer shining a torch into her bedroom at 04:50 to wake her up.
“She was extraordinary… The last days of the Queen’s life captures who she was in so many ways, working to the very end on behalf of the people she loved,” Ms Ardern said.
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES Image caption, Queen Elizabeth with New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, in 2018
‘She lived history, she made history’
Queen Elizabeth II met 13 US presidents – beginning with Dwight D Eisenhower- during her reign.
Barack Obama said the Queen had “captivated the world” with a “reign defined by grace, elegance and a tireless work ethic”.
“Time and again, we were struck by her warmth, the way she put people at ease, and how she brought her considerable humour and charm to moments of great pomp and circumstance,” Mr Obama, who met the Queen on several occasions, said in a statement.
Donald Trump said he would “never forget Her Majesty’s generous friendship, great wisdom, and wonderful sense of humour”.
And another former president, George W Bush, reflected fondly on the time he spent having tea with Her Majesty and her corgis, describing her “great intellect, charm and wit”.
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES Image caption, Queen Elizabeth with Laura Bush, Prince Philip and George W Bush at the White House in 2007
Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog, also acknowledged the enormous change the Queen saw throughout her reign, but said that throughout this, she “remained an icon of stable, responsible leadership and a beacon of morality, humanity and patriotism”.
While the Queen did not visit Israel, Princes Charles, Edward, William and the late Prince Philip – whose mother is buried in Jerusalem – did.
“Queen Elizabeth was a historic figure: she lived history, she made history, and with her passing, she leaves a magnificent, inspirational legacy,” President Herzog wrote.
King Abdullah II of Jordan said his country “mourns the passing of an iconic leader”. He said the Queen, who visited Jordan in 1984, was “a beacon of wisdom and principled leadership… a partner for Jordan and a dear family friend”.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted that it was with “deep sadness” that he learned of “this irreparable loss”.
And Russian leader Vladimir Putin who met the Queen several times and once reportedly kept her waiting for 14 minutes, sent his “deepest condolences” to King Charles III.
“The most important events in the recent history of the United Kingdom are inextricably linked with the name of Her Majesty,” Mr Putin wrote in a statement. “
For many decades, Elizabeth II rightfully enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects, as well as authority on the world stage.”
Russia currently has heavy economic sanctions imposed on it by Western nations, including the UK, because of its invasion of Ukraine.
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES Image caption, Prince Philip, followed by the Queen, and Jordan’s King Hussein and Queen Noor visiting the Petra archaeological site in 1984
African leaders also shared tributes for Queen Elizabeth – who knew many of them well and, as the head of the Commonwealth, was sympathetic to their cause.
Kenyan President-elect William Ruto praised her “historic legacy” and said Kenyans would “miss the cordial ties she enjoyed” with the country.
Kenya, a former British colony that became independent in 1963, was a very special place for the monarch. For a start, it was where she became Queen. The young princess, then just 25 years old, was on holiday there when her father, King George VI, died in his sleep in 1952.
President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon, which is one of the newest nations to join the Commonwealth, said: “The Queen was a great friend of Africa and Africa showed her affection in return.”
And Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo tweeted that his country had fond memories of the two visits the Queen made, remarking on “her friendliness, elegance, style and sheer joy she brought to the performance of her duties”.
Her first trip to Ghana, also a former British colony, was controversial and there were concerns for the monarch’s safety. Five days earlier, bombs had gone off in the capital, Accra, but the Queen was not deterred, in part because she had already cancelled a previous visit when she became pregnant with Prince Andrew.
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES Image caption, Kenya was always a special place for Queen Elizabeth – shown here alongside President Daniel arap Moi during a state visit in 1983
A horse racing competition expected to have occurred on Thursday was called off due to the demise of Queen Elizabeth II.
Today’s Test match between England and South Africa has also been called off.
Per reports, all of Friday’s race meetings in Britain have also been cancelled, along with the same day’s Rachael Heyhoe Flint cricket fixtures.
The second day of the PGA Championship on Friday will also not take place.
The English Football League has also postponed its two games on Friday.
“A determination regarding the remainder of this weekend’s scheduled fixtures will be made following a review of the official mourning guidance, in addition to further consultation with DCMS and other sports on Friday morning,” said an EFL statement. 
Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, died aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.
Following the announcement, the Southwell horse racing meeting was halted after the second race, and Chelmsford after the fourth race.
The British Horseracing Authority is likely to take a decision on when horse racing will resume on Friday.
Play was also abandoned at the PGA Championship at Wentworth.
“Out of respect for Her Majesty and the Royal Family, play has been suspended at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club for the remainder of Thursday and flags at Wentworth Club will be lowered to half-mast,” said a European Tour Group statement.
“Furthermore, no play will take place at the BMW PGA Championship on Friday and the golf course and practice facilities will be closed.
“Further updates on the resumption of play will be provided in due course.
“Our deepest sympathies and condolences are with the Royal Family at this time.”
In football, Manchester United said their game against Real Sociedad in the Europa League went ahead “following direction from the Football Association and Uefa”.
West Ham’s game against FCSB in the Europa Conference League was also played.
The Scottish Championship game on Friday between Cove Rangers and Dundee has been postponed.
The Tour of Britain called off Friday’s sixth stage before also cancelling the weekend’s remaining stages.
“Further to the earlier statement in relation to the cancellation of stage six as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, the organisers of the Tour of Britain can additionally confirm that stages seven (Dorset) and eight (Isle of Wight) will not take place,” said a statement.
“This decision has been taken in consultation with stakeholders and partners in light of operational circumstances, including the understandable reassignment of police resource at this time.
“The Tour of Britain organisation, alongside the teams, riders and officials involved in the event, send their deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time.”
In rugby union, Northampton abandoned their Premiership Rugby Cup clash against Saracens scheduled for Thursday evening.
Scotland women’s Test international against Spain on Sunday has been called off and Scottish Rugby has also postponed all domestic competitive games this weekend as a mark of respect.
Formula 1 is planning a minute’s silence with all teams prior to practice on Friday for the Italian Grand Prix, with the race weekend to proceed as planned.
At the US Open tennis in New York, organisers said “to commemorate the passing of Queen Elizabeth II” there would be “a moment of silence prior to the start of the first women’s semi-final match between Ons Jabeur and Caroline Garcia”.
President Akufo-Addo has paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away today, September 8, 2022.
The longest-serving monarch in UK passed on peacefully at Balmoral, according to the Burkingham Palace.
In a Twitter post, President Akufo-Addo described the late monarch as one with elegance, style and sheer joy.
“We shall miss her inspiring presence, her calm, her steadiness, and, above all, her great love and belief in the higher purpose of the Commonwealth of Nations, and in its capacity to be a force for good in our world.”
“She was a cherished and revered monarch of the British people, the longest-serving in their history, who will be sorely missed. We are saddened by her departure,” he added.
On behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, the President extended his deepest condolences to the new British monarch, King Charles III, the Royal family, the Prime Minister, and the Government and people of Great Britain.
Queen Elizabeth II is UK’s longest-serving monarch
To mourn with England, President Akufo-Addo has directed that all official flags in the nation fly at half-mast for seven days, as from tomorrow, Friday, 9th September.
“May God bless her soul and give her peaceful rest in His Bosom until the Last Day of the Resurrection when we shall all meet again,” he stated.
Queen Elizabeth IIborn Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, in Mayfair, London, on 21 April 1926 came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change.
Queen Elizabeth II’s tenure as head of state spanned post-war austerity, the transition from empire to Commonwealth, the end of the Cold War and the UK’s entry into – and withdrawal from – the European Union.
Her reign spanned 15 prime ministers starting with Winston Churchill, born in 1874, and including Liz Truss, born 101 years later in 1975, and appointed by the Queen earlier this week.
She held weekly audiences with her prime minister throughout her reign.
With her death, her eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will lead the country in mourning as the new King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms.
On behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, I extend deepest condolences to the new British monarch, King Charles III, the @RoyalFamily, the Prime Minister, and the Government and people of Great Britain on the death, today, of HM Queen Elizabeth II 1/7 pic.twitter.com/Y7fFKxwCR4
Kenya’s Devolution Ministry has warned newly elected governors against using public resources to pay for congratulatory messages in newspaper adverts.
The ministry argued that the said money for the “expensive†congratulatory messages to the president-elect William Ruto and deputy president-elect could be used to provide essential services.
“In line with advice from the president-elect, these congratulatory adverts are hereby discouraged with immediate effect,†said Julius Korir, while encouraging counties to use cheaper alternative such as social media.
“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to direct that all counties immediately desist from procuring the extravagant congratulatory advertisements,†he said.
The ministry cited public finance management regulations in the Kenyan law stipulating that “public money shall be used in a prudent in and responsible wayâ€.
Public entities traditionally pay for space in the media to publish adverts congratulating newly elected leaders.
Kenyavoted in a general elections on 9 August, and President-elect William Ruto is due to be sworn into office next Tuesday.
Seven thousand donkeypenises being exported to Hong Kong have been intercepted by Nigeria’s customs service at an airport in the commercial hub, Lagos.
The animal parts were packed in 16 sacks found in the animal export section, said Sambo Dangaladima, the customs controller at Murtala Muhammed airport.
The stench from the sacks aroused suspicion of the authorities.
The consignment is estimated to be worth 200 million Naira ($478,000; £416,000)
A suspect linked to the package is said to have escaped. Nigerian law forbids export of donkey parts.
Donkey parts are sought after in China where they are used to make traditional medicine.
Decades of progress in terms of life expectancy, education and economic prosperity have begun showing a decline since the pandemic, a new UN report says.
Covid-19, the war in Ukraine and the impact of climate change are blamed for putting global development in reverse.
The Human Development Index was launched in 1990 in an effort to look beyond GDP as a measure of well-being.
Switzerland sits at the top of the index this year with a life expectancy of 84 years, an average of 16.5 years spent in education and median salary of $66,000.
At the other end of the scale is South Sudan where life expectancy is 55, people spend just 5.5 years in school on average and earn $768 a year.
In the US, for example, life expectancy at birth has dropped by more than two years since 2019. In other countries the decline is much higher.
Over the years since the index was introduced, many countries have faced crises and slid backwards, but the global trend consistently moved upwards. Last year was the first time the index declined overall since calculations began and this year’s results solidified that downward trend.
The impact has been uneven though. Two-thirds of rich countries rebounded last year while most others continued to decline.
This year’s index is based on data from 2021. “But the outlook for 2022 is grim,” says Achim Steiner, one of its authors, who points out that more than 80 countries are facing problems paying off their national debt.
“Eighty countries being one step away from facing that kind of crisis is a very serious prospect,” he says.
“We are seeing deep disruptions, the tail end of which will play out over a number of years.”
Scientists at the University of Oxford have developed a malaria vaccine with “world-changing” potential.
The vaccine is expected to be rolled out next year after trials showed up to 80% protection against the deadly disease.
Per reports, the vaccine is affordable and there is a deal to manufacture more than 100 million doses a year.
The charity Malaria No More said recent progress meant children dying from malaria could end “in our lifetimes”.
It has taken more than a century to develop effective vaccines as the malaria parasite, which is spread by mosquitoes, is spectacularly complex and elusive. It is a constantly moving target, shifting forms inside the body, which make it hard to immunise against.
Last year, the World Health Organization gave the historic go-ahead for the first vaccine – developed by pharmaceutical giant GSK – to be used in Africa.
However, the Oxford team claim their approach is more effective and can be manufactured on a far greater scale.
Trial results from 409 children in Nanoro, Burkina Faso, have been published in the Lacet Infectious Diseases. It shows three initial doses followed by a booster a year later gives up to 80% protection.
“We think these data are the best data yet in the field with any malaria vaccine,” said Prof Adrian Hill, director of the Jenner Institute at the university.
The team will start the process of getting their vaccine approved in the next few weeks, but a final decision will hinge on the results of a larger trial of 4,800 children due before the end of the year.
The world’s largest vaccine manufacturer – the Serum Institute of India – is already lined up to make more than 100 million doses a year.
Prof Hill said the vaccine – called R21 – could be made for “a few dollars” and “we really could be looking at a very substantial reduction in that horrendous burden of malaria”.
He added: “We hope that this will be deployed and available and saving lives, certainly by the end of next year.”
Malaria has been one of the biggest scourges on humanity for millennia and mostly kills babies and infants. The disease still kills more than 400,000 people a year even after dramatic progress with bed nets, insecticides and drugs.
This malaria vaccine is the 14th that Prof Katie Ewer has worked on at Oxford as “this is not like Covid where we have seven vaccines straight away that will work… it’s much, much harder”.
She told the BBC it was “incredibly gratifying” to get this far and “the potential achievement that this vaccine could have if it’s rolled out could be really world-changing”.
Why so effective?
The currently approved vaccine – made by GSK – shares similarities with the one developed in Oxford.
Both target the first stage of the parasite’s lifecycle by intercepting it before it gets to the liver and establishes a foothold in the body.
The vaccines are built using a combination of proteins from the malaria parasite and the hepatitis B virus, but Oxford’s version has a higher proportion of malaria proteins. The team think this helps the immune system to focus on malaria rather than the hepatitis.
The success of the GSK vaccine has partly paved the way for Oxford to be optimistic of having their vaccine out next year – such as by assessing how feasible a vaccination programme in Africa would be.
It is hard to give a direct comparison of the two vaccines. GSK’s has gone through large real world trials whereas Oxford’s data may appear more effective due to being given just ahead of the peak malaria season in Burkina Faso.
Prof Azra Ghani, chair in infectious disease epidemiology at Imperial College London, said the trial results were “very welcome”, but warned it would take money to get vaccines in arms.
“Without this investment, we risk losing the gains that have been made over the last decades and witnessing a rising tide of malaria resurgence,” Prof Ghani said.
Gareth Jenkins, from the charity Malaria No More UK said: “Today’s R21 vaccine results from Oxford’s renowned Jenner Institute are another encouraging signal that, with the right support, the world could end child deaths from malaria in our lifetimes.”
Liverpool lost in their opener on Wednesday against Napoli and according to Jurgen Klopp, this indicates that the club must reinvent themselves.
An abject showing in Naples, coupled with just two wins in six Premier League games, left manager Klopp questioning whether Liverpool need to reshape to tackle a challenging start.
“Really tough to take, it’s not that difficult to explain when you watched the game. To start with the two penalties, okay first of all Napoli played a really good game, we didn’t, that is the first explanation for the defeat,” the German told BT Sport.
“They scored one penalty and missed another but the next two goals we served on a plate, that’s not cool and we should defend better. Then 3-0 down having chances but never really in the game. We were not compact defensively or offensively. Until Thiago [Alcantara] entered the pitch I cannot remember one counter-pressing situation, we were too wide,” Klopp added.
“Everything is obvious but why it happened is now the question, I cannot answer now, let me think about it. It is a really tough cookie to take, but I have to take it.
“We played bad first halves, unfortunately, usually we don’t concede three, though with Alisson in the goal you have to be really bad to do it. We did the same here when we lost 2-0 [in 2019-20].
“It looks like we have to reinvent ourselves, there’s a lot of things lacking not in all games but the fun part is we have do that in the middle of a Premier League season and Champions League campaign,” he said.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool lost by 4:1 at the end of the game in the Champions League.
Liverpool trailed by three goals at half-time for just the fourth time in their Champions League history after strikes from Piotr Zielinski, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Giovanni Simeone on Wednesday.
Victor Osimhen also missed a first-half penalty after another slow start from Liverpool, who have conceded first in five games this season in all competitions, the joint-most of any Premier League side.
Zielinski added a second strike after the interval, with Luis Diaz scoring a consolation goal as Liverpool fell to their joint-heaviest defeat in the Champions League.
Wolves are next up for Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, and Klopp suggested Bruno Lage’s side will be relishing playing the Reds amid a poor run of form.
“In three days we play against Wolves, if they saw the game tonight they cannot stop laughing probably, I would say it is the perfect moment [to play us],” he added.
“We have to find a setup to be much better in everything. You could see it on the pitch, we were not working as a team, nothing to do with personal stuff, but we didn’t play good enough it is obvious and clear.
“We play in the strongest league in the world and have a tough Champions League group, but it is my responsibility and I need time to think about.
“There a few things that are obvious but it is my job to find out more to reset and go.”
Former Manchester City winger Sane showed great control before rounding keeper Andre Onana and slotting home to open the scoring midway through the first half.
Bayern made sure of the points with an own goal by Danilo D’Ambrosio, following a clever one-two involving Sane and Kingsley Coman.
It was just the start Bayern were looking for in a group which also contains Barcelona – who they entertain next Tuesday – and who thrashed Viktoria Plzen 5-1.
Bayern were impressive throughout and had 21 attempts on goal, including 11 on target.
They might have won by a more handsome margin, but Onana did well to keep out Bayern’s former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane.
Inter will look to bounce back when they travel to the Czech Republic to face Viktoria Plzen next Tuesday.
Ukraine’s President Zelenskysaid he has “good news”, claiming the recapture of several settlements from Russia.
Rumours have swirled for days about a possible breakthrough in the eastern Kharkiv region, but with no word from Ukrainian officials.
Mr Zelensky declined to name which places had been retaken, saying that “now is not the time to name” them.
Separately, US officials said Ukraine was making “slow but meaningful progress” against Russian forces.
Speaking in his nightly video address to Ukrainians, President Zelensky said there was “good news” about the rumoured success of Ukrainian troops.
“I think every citizen feels proud of our soldiers,” he said, naming specific military units and applauding their bravery in combat.
But he said: “Now is not the time to name the settlements to which the Ukrainian flag returns.”
Ukraine has tightened its operational security in recent weeks, sharing few details about a widely expected counter-offensive in the east and south.
Ukrainian soldiers have launched an offensive south-east of Kharkiv, towards the eastern region of Donetsk, over which Russia has maintained substantial military control since the war began six months ago.
Some reports suggest Ukrainian forces may be a few dozen kilometres from the city of Izyum, an important link in Russia’s military supply chain.
Speaking at an event in the United States, Colin Kahl – the Under-Secretary of Defense for Policy – suggested that Ukrainian forces were performing better than Russian troops in some areas.
“It is early days. I think the Ukrainians are making slow but meaningful progress. And we’ll see how things pan out,” he was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
“But I certainly think things are going better on the Ukrainian side right now in the south than is true on the Russian side.”
The situation, however, remains fraught.
In its nightly update, the Ukrainian General Staff said on Wednesday that it had “repelled all Russian attacks” in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions – but that both sides continued to exchange artillery and air strikes, damaging a dozen different places.
President Zelensky also said on Wednesday that Ukraine’s national budget next year would be that of a country at war – with more than a trillion hryvnia ($27bn; £23.5bn) spent on defence.
But he promised key social provisions such as pensions would be maintained.
However, “it is necessary to reduce as much as possible all non-critical expenses”, he warned – “all that does not help defence, does not help the economic development of the country, social and cultural provision of our people”.
Separately, US and UN observers raised concerns over the fate of civilians in Ukraine as the war continues.
A senior UN human rights official said the organisation was concerned about the displacement of people in Ukraine – and particularly the fate of children.
“There have been credible allegations of forced transfers of unaccompanied children to Russian-occupied territory, or to the Russian Federation itself,” warned Ilze Brands Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights.
Her agency is concerned that Russia has created “a simplified procedure” to provide those children with Russian citizenship, and potentially have them adopted into Russian families, she said.
Such moves would breach the Geneva Convention, she added.
The US, also on Wednesday, said it was concerned about a similar forced movement of Ukrainians – but of adults.
The State Department accused the Kremlin of having lists of Ukrainians to be forced into areas of the country under Russian control as part of what it calls “filtration operations”.
“Filtration is a dehumanising word, describing a massive campaign that the Kremlin has launched to imprison, to forcibly deport or disappear those Ukrainian citizens Moscow decides could be a potential threat,” spokesman Vedant Patel said.
“Victims of filtration are given no choice but to submit or face dire consequences.”
He described the system as a large-scale and advanced operation involving technology such as facial recognition and phone tracking – and said the US had evidence linking Kremlin officials to the project.
However, Russia’s UN Ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, said Ukrainians travelling to Russia merely went through a registration procedure.
Robert Lewandowskion Wednesday scored a magnificent hat-trick in Barcelona’s crushing Champions League win over Viktoria Plzen.
This is to help him warm up for next week’s meeting with former club Bayern Munich.
The 34-year-old Poland forward demonstrated his value by making it eight goals in five games since leaving Bayern in July.
Lewandowskimarked his first Champions League appearance for Barca with a clinical finish which doubled the lead after Franck Kessie had headed the hosts ahead.
He then made it 3-1 on the stroke of half-time with a header after Ousmane Dembele did well to win back possession before producing a fine cross.
Viktoria Plzen had briefly given their travelling fans from the Czech Republic something to cheer when Jan Sykora headed past Marc-Andre ter Stegen, but Barca – and Lewandowski – proved far too strong.
Lewandowski completed his hat-trick after 67 minutes following an assist by former Manchester City forward Ferran Torres, who added the fifth.
“Lewandowski showed his class tonight. He is rightly considered one of the best forwards in the world,” said Viktoria Plzen boss Michal Bilek.
Robert Lewandowski was handed the match ball at the end after his 33-minute hat-trick
Lewandowski is the first player to score a Champions League hat-trick for three different teams – Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
He has now scored 32 goals in his last 20 Champions League group stage matches.
This result was the perfect start to Group C for Barcelona, who face Bayern - 2-0 winners at Inter Milan – next Tuesday (20:00 BST).
Lewandowski joined Bayern on a free transfer in 2014 after his departure from Borussia Dortmund and scored 50 goals in 46 games last season as he helped Bayern win a 10th straight Bundesliga title.
He scored 344 times in 374 games for Bayern and is their second-highest scorer of all time behind Gerd Muller.
He also helped Bayern win the competition in 2019-2020.
