West Ham Secure Knockout Stage Spot After Nervy 2-1 Win Over Anderlecht

West Ham Secure Knockout Stage Spot After Nervy 2-1 Win Over Anderlecht

Jarrod Bowen equals club record as Hammers edge closer to Europa Conference League progression

West Ham earned a crucial 2-1 victory over Anderlecht, securing their place in the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League. Despite being without striker Michail Antonio and choosing to rest Gianluca Scamacca, manager David Moyes saw his team control the match, utilising a flexible attack that caused problems for the Belgian side’s defence.

Deploying Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen as split strikers, the pair helped create significant space for playmaker Lucas Paquetá. West Ham’s dominance in the first half was reflected in their early goal when Benrahma curled in a stunning free-kick from distance to give them the lead just after 15 minutes. Bowen doubled their advantage shortly after, scoring his sixth European goal with a powerful finish from inside the box, following a slick drag-back pass from Emerson Palmieri.

In the second half, injury concerns overshadowed the action as Angelo Ogbonna limped off, replaced by Craig Dawson, who too was forced off with an injury after colliding with teammate Flynn Downes. Despite these setbacks, West Ham remained largely in control, although the final moments became tense when Ben Johnson fouled Sebastiano Esposito in the box, allowing the Anderlecht forward to score from the penalty spot.

Though six minutes of added time created a tense finish, West Ham held on for a well-deserved win. The victory not only moved them closer to the knockout rounds but also gave them vital momentum ahead of their Premier League clash against Southampton. With one more win against Silkeborg, they can avoid extra matches in the Conference League after the World Cup break.

This Morning Triumphs at National Television Awards Amid Controversy Over Lying-in-State Scandal

This Morning Triumphs at National Television Awards Amid Controversy Over Lying-in-State Scandal

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield receive daytime award despite recent criticism; star-studded ceremony at London’s OVO Wembley Arena.

The National Television Awards saw This Morning win the Daytime award, a victory that was celebrated by hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. The awards ceremony, which took place at London’s OVO Wembley Arena, was hosted by Joel Dommett. Despite recent backlash regarding claims that Schofield and Willoughby skipped the queue to pay respects to the late Queen Elizabeth during her lying-in-state, the duo remained gracious in their acceptance speech.

Schofield expressed heartfelt thanks to the viewers, stating, “This means so much to us every year, especially this year.” He went on to praise his co-host, “I have the best friend, and we have the best team.” Willoughby also shared her gratitude, saying, “This award means everything because it’s voted by you, and This Morning has a very special relationship with our viewers. You truly make our show.”

The ITV morning programme triumphed over competitors such as Loose Women, The Chase, and The Repair Shop to win the prestigious prize.

Alison Hammond, a fellow This Morning presenter, expressed her surprise at not winning the TV Presenter award, which went to Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly for the 21st consecutive year. Hammond joked, “I ain’t going to lie, but we all know I should have won one of these as well.”

In other categories, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! won the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award, while Kate Garraway secured the Authored Documentary prize for the second year in a row for her moving documentary about her husband’s battle with the long-term effects of Covid-19.

The evening also saw a special recognition award presented to Sir Lenny Henry for his groundbreaking contributions to UK television, and Peaky Blinders won the Returning Drama award, with creator Steven Knight confirming a spin-off movie in the works.

The event was filled with star power, with musical performances by Sam Ryder and Lewis Capaldi, and a heartfelt tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth.

Susannah Constantine Shares Humorous Tale of Princess Margaret’s Unlikely Rescue

Susannah Constantine Shares Humorous Tale of Princess Margaret’s Unlikely Rescue

Fashion Writer Recounts How Princess Margaret Helped in Two Unexpected Bathroom Incidents

Susannah Constantine has shared an amusing and unexpected memory of Princess Margaret coming to her aid on two separate occasions involving bathroom mishaps. The fashion writer and TV personality, who once dated Princess Margaret’s son, David Armstrong-Jones, recounted these moments during an appearance on the How to be 60 with Kaye Adams podcast.

In the conversation, Constantine, 60, revealed that the royal had stepped in to help her when she found herself in particularly embarrassing situations. One of the incidents occurred during a birthday party, where Constantine fainted and found herself in a rather unfortunate predicament. “It’s gross, but it just shows her resourcefulness,” Constantine said. “I fainted and had an accident.”

The fashion writer explained how supermodel Jerry Hall discovered her and, with Princess Margaret’s help, the two women cleaned her up. “Princess Margaret arrived, and together they helped me, gave me a quick clean-up, and then sent me back into the party,” Constantine recalled.

The second instance involved a more humorous and equally awkward scenario. Constantine was attending an event at the Greenwich Naval College when she was delayed in the bathroom. Margaret, apparently concerned about her long absence, came searching for her. “I was taking too long, and she thought I was being incredibly rude,” Constantine laughed. “She came to find me, and I heard her voice, ‘Susannah!’ I replied, ‘Yes, ma’am,’ and then she barged in.”

In the lavatory, Constantine was sitting with her trousers down, unable to flush the toilet. She recalled telling Princess Margaret, “Ma’am, it won’t go down.” In response, Margaret, ever resourceful, suggested she fetch a knife. Constantine quickly returned with an ivory-handled cake slicer, which Margaret used to break up the blockage and finally flush the toilet.

Constantine revealed that she still keeps the cake slicer as a memento of the unexpected moment. “She chopped the blockage up, flushed it, and handed the knife back to me. I still have it to this day,” Constantine shared.

The conversation also touched on the bond Constantine shared with Margaret, even after her relationship with Viscount Linley came to an end. Constantine fondly recalled how, years later, when she became engaged to her current husband, Princess Margaret reached out with a heartfelt invitation to celebrate. “It was incredible – she was so generous and loyal. Not many would do that, especially after not having seen you for years,” Constantine said.

The Independent has reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment on the story.

Government Proposes New Rules to Curb Profits of Wind Farms Amid Energy Crisis

Government Proposes New Rules to Curb Profits of Wind Farms Amid Energy Crisis

Ministers Aim to Limit Revenue from Renewable and Nuclear Energy Providers Linked to High Gas Prices

The UK Government has unveiled a plan to cap the revenues of renewable energy producers, including wind and solar farms, as part of efforts to address soaring energy prices. This new proposal seeks to decouple the high electricity prices, driven by skyrocketing gas costs, from the profits made by electricity producers, particularly those in the renewable and nuclear sectors.

Energy and Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg stated that the price of gas has been the primary determinant of electricity prices, leading to substantial profits for UK wind farms, despite their operational costs remaining relatively stable. As a result, the Government intends to introduce a “cost-plus revenue limit” for energy producers, although details on its implementation are yet to be fully disclosed.

The policy would primarily affect England and Wales, with consultations ongoing about extending it to Scotland and Northern Ireland. A key question remains whether gas-fired power plants and coal generators, who have also benefited from the current market dynamics, will face similar constraints.

The proposal follows the Government’s earlier actions to cap household energy bills, limiting the cost of electricity to 34p per unit and gas to 10.3p per unit. Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng remarked that these measures would prevent long-term economic harm caused by soaring energy prices, largely triggered by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Opponents of the proposal, including Labour’s Ed Miliband, argue that the Government has reluctantly accepted the need for a windfall tax on energy profits, something they previously opposed. Meanwhile, some renewable energy providers, such as wind farms operating under the Contracts for Difference scheme, already return excess profits to consumers when prices surge.

Industry leaders, however, have expressed concern that the cap could deter future investments in low-carbon energy. Dhara Vyas of Energy UK called the cap “much-needed support” for households and businesses, but warned that it should not undermine long-term investment in renewable energy. Dan McGrail from RenewableUK cautioned that such a cap could favour fossil fuel investments, exacerbating the very energy crisis the policy seeks to resolve.

Keith Anderson from Scottish Power also criticised the proposed policy, calling it “strange” to cap low-carbon energy profits while leaving the gas sector unaffected. He noted that renewable energy providers have been selling power at pre-war prices, thus shielding consumers from some of the cost increases associated with the current crisis.

The introduction of these new rules is part of a broader set of interventions by the Government, which has also been considering restrictions on the construction of solar farms on agricultural land. However, the lack of clarity around the proposed revenue cap has created uncertainty within the energy sector.

Common Vegetable Found to Significantly Lower Blood Sugar Levels, Study Reveals

Common Vegetable Found to Significantly Lower Blood Sugar Levels, Study Reveals

Onion Extract Shown to Reduce Blood Sugar by 50% When Combined with Metformin in Rats

A commonly available vegetable has shown promising results in lowering blood sugar levels by as much as 50% when used alongside a widely prescribed diabetes drug, according to a study. This discovery could have significant implications for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, a condition that currently affects one in ten people over the age of 40 in the UK.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly regulate blood sugar, leading to dangerously high levels. However, findings presented at The Endocrine Society’s 97th annual meeting in San Diego in 2015 suggest that onion extract may have a beneficial effect on both blood sugar and cholesterol levels when used in conjunction with metformin, a common antidiabetic drug.

The study, led by Anthony Ojieh from Delta State University in Nigeria, tested the effects of onion extract on rats with diabetes. Three groups of diabetic rats were given varying doses of the extract—200mg, 400mg, and 600mg per kilogram of body weight—along with metformin. The results were striking, with the rats receiving the higher doses of onion extract (400mg and 600mg) experiencing a reduction in blood sugar levels by 50% and 35% respectively, compared to the baseline. Additionally, the extract was shown to lower total cholesterol levels in the diabetic rats.

While the extract had positive effects on the diabetic rats, it also led to weight gain in non-diabetic rats, suggesting a potential increase in metabolic rate. However, no weight gain was observed in the diabetic rats, prompting researchers to further explore the mechanism behind the blood glucose reduction.

Ojieh highlighted that onion is an inexpensive and accessible food source, making it a potentially valuable addition to diabetes treatment plans. He stated, “Onion is cheap and available and has been used as a nutritional supplement. It has the potential for use in treating patients with diabetes.”

This research underscores the ongoing exploration of natural ingredients in the management of diabetes, offering a hopeful outlook for supplementary treatments in conjunction with traditional medications like metformin.

Celebrating Black History Month: Creatives to Follow for Inspiration and Empowerment

Celebrating Black History Month: Creatives to Follow for Inspiration and Empowerment

Discover Influential Black Creators Whose Work Shines Beyond October

October marks Black History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black individuals across the world. Shannon Walker, the founder of the creative agency Social Disruption, highlights the importance of creativity within the Black community and the growing influence of content creators on social media platforms.

“For decades, creativity has been a powerful tool for liberation and celebration in the Black community,” says Walker. “It helps express heritage, foster unity, and amplify diverse voices, especially in today’s digital age.” She further notes that platforms like Instagram have allowed content creators to share their stories, talents, and experiences, contributing to a positive cultural shift and better representation.

In recognition of Black History Month, Walker has compiled a list of inspiring accounts that not only deserve attention this month but should be supported year-round. These individuals span a range of fields, from body positivity and fashion to gaming, culinary arts, and comedy, each bringing something unique and empowering to the table.

Follow for: Body Positivity and Style Inspiration
David Fadd is a plus-size model advocating for body positivity and self-love. His Instagram journey encourages men to embrace their bodies with confidence and pride, gaining a dedicated following of 75,000 on social media.

Follow for: Deaf Awareness and Dream Living
Hermon and Heroda, the Black twin sisters behind “Being Her,” offer a glimpse into their world as Black, female, deaf creators. They use their platform to raise awareness about the deaf community and share their love for travel, content creation, and BSL education.

Follow for: Ageing Gracefully and Body Positivity
Mia, a Gen X model and body positivity advocate, is challenging the youth-centric beauty industry. Through her pro-ageing content, she creates a silver space for all generations, inspiring people to embrace their natural selves.

Follow for: Relatable Dad Content and Discussions
Dope Black Dads, founded by Marvyn New Harrison, creates a digital space for Black fathers to discuss their experiences with parenting and masculinity. Their Instagram content and podcast are both humorous and thought-provoking.

Follow for: Bold Conversations and Stunning Style
Candice Brathwaite, an author, journalist, and TV presenter, is also the founder of Make Motherhood Diverse, an initiative aimed at diversifying motherhood representation online. Her engaging style and candid conversations tackle both beauty and important social issues.

Follow for: Gaming and Diversity Advocacy
Jay-Ann, CEO of Black Girl Gamers, works to increase visibility for Black women in gaming. She also co-founded Curlture, a platform celebrating natural hair and self-love. Follow her to learn more about diversity in gaming and beyond.

Follow for: Uplifting Comedy
Ehiz, a top TikTok star, is known for his hilarious comedy sketches, drama reactions, and dance videos. With over 13 million followers, his lighthearted content is sure to keep you entertained.

Follow for: Beauty and Skin Care Tips
Gboyega is a professional makeup artist whose educational approach to skincare and makeup has attracted a loyal following. Her Instagram tutorials focus on achieving flawless, skin-first beauty.

Follow for: Travel Inspiration
Abena, a Gen Z travel creator, shares her adventures across Instagram and TikTok, encouraging young travellers to embrace affordable adventures. Her beautifully curated feed offers travel tips and honest insights into her journeys.

Follow for: Caribbean Cuisine and Culinary Creativity
Keshia Sakarah, the founder of Caribe, celebrates Caribbean food and culture with her Instagram and YouTube tutorials. Her content showcases vibrant dishes and highlights the nuances of Caribbean culinary traditions, with an upcoming cookbook in the works.

These creators offer a blend of creativity, inspiration, and empowerment, and are just a few examples of the incredible talent in the Black community that deserves ongoing support.

William and Kate Host Special BBC Radio Show for World Mental Health Day

William and Kate Host Special BBC Radio Show for World Mental Health Day

The Royal Couple Discusses the Importance of Mental Wellbeing with Experts on Newsbeat

The Prince and Princess of Wales have recorded a unique programme for BBC Radio One’s Newsbeat in honour of World Mental Health Day. The royal couple, in a surprise announcement, revealed they would take over the show to lead a discussion on the significance of mental health, airing on Tuesday at 12:45 pm.

Speaking on Monday evening’s Newsbeat, William and Kate explained that they would engage with mental health experts and advocates, focusing particularly on the challenges young people face. The special programme, which they recorded at the Newsbeat studio, aims to highlight the importance of providing mental health resources and coping strategies.

Kate, speaking to BBC Radio One listeners, shared that the broadcast would have a slightly different format, while William added: “As part of World Mental Health Day, Katherine and I have recorded a special programme to discuss mental health and its importance.”

During the show, they talked about mental health toolboxes—resources designed to help individuals manage anxiety and depression. William explained, “You could be living one life one minute and then something huge changes, and you realise you don’t have the tools or experience to cope with it.”

Kate also expressed her interest in hearing how listeners care for their mental health, inviting a guest to share his own approach. “There’s no right or wrong,” she noted, “Different things work for different people.”

The couple spoke with various experts, including Newsbeat presenter Pria Rai, child psychologist Dr Abigail Miranda, mental health activist Antonio Ferreira, music therapist Ben Cowley, and youth officer Emma Hardwell. Together, they explored ways to tackle mental health stigma and the importance of creating open conversations.

Aled Haydn Jones, head of BBC Radio One, remarked, “What was discussed today will resonate with so many of our listeners. It’s incredible to collaborate on addressing the stigma around mental health.”

Danielle Dwyer, editor of Newsbeat, praised the royal couple’s participation, saying, “Talking about mental wellbeing without stigma is crucial, and it’s fantastic to have the Prince and Princess of Wales join us for such an important conversation.”

The special programme will be broadcast at 12:45 pm on BBC Radio One, BBC Radio One Extra, and the Asian Network. It will be rebroadcast at 5:45 pm and made available on BBC Sounds from 2 pm on Tuesday.

Trump Associates Flynn and Gingrich May Be Forced to Testify in Election Investigation

Trump Associates Flynn and Gingrich May Be Forced to Testify in Election Investigation

Georgia Prosecutor Seeks Grand Jury Testimony from High-Profile Allies of Former President

Two prominent allies of former President Donald Trump, Michael Flynn and Newt Gingrich, could be compelled to testify in an ongoing investigation into the 2020 election, led by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

On Friday, Willis filed petitions requesting that both Flynn and Gingrich, along with former White House lawyer Eric Herschmann, appear before a grand jury in the coming month as part of the probe. The investigation, initially focused on Trump’s January 2021 phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, which urged him to “find” votes to overturn the state’s results, has since expanded to include other issues, such as the fake electors plot and threats against election workers.

Rudy Giuliani, a former lawyer for Trump, already testified in August and has been informed that he may face criminal charges related to the investigation. Meanwhile, US Senator Lindsey Graham is still challenging a subpoena to testify, with his case currently awaiting a decision from a federal appeals court.

Willis has indicated that she intends to pause the investigation in the lead-up to the November midterm elections, resuming it after the polls. The petitions filed by her office specify that the testimony of the witnesses would take place after the elections.

Zelensky Warns of Russia’s Nuclear Threat and Urges Public Uprising

Zelensky Warns of Russia’s Nuclear Threat and Urges Public Uprising

Ukrainian President Sounds Alarm Over Moscow’s Preparations for Nuclear Warfare

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia is preparing its citizens for the potential use of nuclear weapons in areas of Ukraine it has annexed. Zelensky described the situation as “very dangerous,” citing recent moves by Moscow to signal the possible deployment of such weapons.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Zelensky explained that Russian authorities were not yet ready to use nuclear weapons but were already communicating their readiness to do so. “It’s dangerous to even talk about it,” he added, underlining the potential risks posed by these discussions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to employ “all the means at our disposal” to protect what he claims as Russian territory, which now includes four regions of Ukraine. Despite these threats, Zelensky expressed concern over the rhetoric surrounding nuclear weapons, stating that the situation could escalate further.

In the same interview, Zelensky clarified that he had not advocated for direct attacks on Russia, attributing a previous comment of his to a mistranslation. He had, instead, called for “preventive measures,” referring to sanctions, rather than military action.

Putin has mentioned the use of nuclear weapons in the context of defending Russian territory, drawing parallels to the US use of atomic bombs against Japan during World War II. Although some Russian officials have suggested the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons, Western leaders have expressed scepticism, stating there is no evidence that Moscow is currently preparing such an action.

Zelensky’s comments were met with criticism from the Kremlin, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov accusing him of calling for the start of a world war. The Ukrainian president responded, defending his position and stating that Ukraine was not a threat to Russian citizens but was instead focused on defending its own territory and sovereignty. “We are not terrorists. We do not fight on foreign soil,” he stated.

Zelensky emphasised that Russia’s threats posed a global risk, calling for more severe international sanctions to force Russia to withdraw from Ukraine’s Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. He also appealed to Russian citizens, urging them to “fight for your body, rights, and soul,” warning that those mobilised to fight were often sent to the front lines without proper equipment, becoming little more than “cannon fodder.”

He continued, “What Putin fears most is not a nuclear strike, but his own people. Only they can remove him from power.”

Zelensky’s comments come amidst continued conflict and the anniversary of Russia’s controversial annexation of four Ukrainian regions, which Moscow celebrated last week, claiming that the regions were returning to “the motherland.”

Mila Kunis Opens Up About Lying to Land Role on That ’70s Show

Mila Kunis Opens Up About Lying to Land Role on That ’70s Show

Actress Confirms She Falsified Her Age to Secure the Iconic Role of Jackie Burkhart

Mila Kunis has confirmed a long-standing rumour regarding how she landed her famous role as Jackie Burkhart on the hit American sitcom That ’70s Show. The actress, now 39, was just 14 when she first portrayed the spoiled teenager on the show, which ran for eight seasons.

However, as the casting directors were only looking for older teen actors, Kunis admitted that she falsely told them she was 18 in order to be considered for the part. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Kunis finally addressed the rumour.

“There’s been a rumour that I might have lied about my age,” she said. “I want to be very clear that, yes, I did lie,” she confessed, before quickly adding a clarification.

“When I went to the network audition, they required me to sign a contract, and it stated that I would need to have a ‘studio teacher’ listed. They asked me why, and I said, ‘Oh, by the way, I’m actually 14.’” She went on, “But by that point, the creators were already so fond of me, they didn’t care.”

Kunis’ character, Jackie, was romantically involved with Michael Kelso, played by her now-husband Ashton Kutcher. The couple will reprise their roles in the upcoming That ’90s Show spinoff.

In a previous interview, Kunis shared how strange it was to act alongside Kutcher again, joking that Jackie ends up with the wrong person in the new series. Kunis and Kutcher originally met on the set of the show in the late 1990s but only began dating years later in 2012. The couple married in 2015 and has two children, Wyatt, 7, and Dimitri, 5.

A release date for That ’90s Show is still to be announced.