Harry Maguire Sets Bold Target: Euro 2024 Victory or Bust

Harry Maguire Sets Bold Target: Euro 2024 Victory or Bust

The England defender reflects on recent triumphs and his belief in the team’s potential to win big.

Harry Maguire has declared that anything less than winning Euro 2024 would be a “failure” for England, emphasising the team’s confidence and growing potential. Reflecting on England’s historic 2-1 victory over Italy – their first win in the country since 1961 – the Manchester United centre-back credited Gareth Southgate for instilling belief and fostering a competitive mindset within the squad.

“We’re in a strong position,” Maguire stated. “We felt good during the World Cup and performed well, but these tournaments come down to fine margins. We were eliminated by a strong French team, but I believe if we faced them 10 times, we’d win more often than we’d lose. However, they’ve consistently found ways to succeed in big moments, and that’s what we’re working to emulate.”

Maguire, now 30, reflected on his career and emphasised the urgency of winning a major tournament. “For me, if we don’t win, it’s a failure. I’ve been to three major tournaments and come close, but I truly believe we have the talent and depth to win.” He also acknowledged the importance of qualifying first, stating, “It’s a tough group, but this win in Italy is a fantastic start.”

When asked about the World Cup quarter-final loss to France, Maguire dismissed any regret, insisting the team’s performance and preparation were strong. “We kept the most clean sheets and scored plenty of goals. It came down to fine margins, and that’s football at this level.”

He also expressed his and the squad’s gratitude for Southgate’s decision to remain as manager. “Gareth has been the driving force behind this team’s progress. He’s given us belief, hope, and the tools to compete at the highest level. We’ve built something special as a group, and his leadership has been crucial.”

Maguire’s comments reflect a determination within the squad to capitalise on their growing success and finally achieve major tournament glory. As England looks ahead to the qualifiers, the team appears united in their pursuit of the Euro 2024 title.

Hailey Bieber Praises Selena Gomez’s Call for Peace Amid Online Controversy

Hailey Bieber Praises Selena Gomez’s Call for Peace Amid Online Controversy

The model acknowledges Gomez’s efforts to combat negativity and emphasises the need for empathy.

Hailey Bieber has publicly expressed gratitude to Selena Gomez for her efforts to diffuse tensions surrounding their alleged feud. Following Gomez’s Instagram post urging fans to stop sending hateful messages, Bieber took to her Instagram Story to share her appreciation and reflect on the situation.

The Rhode Beauty founder revealed that she and Gomez have been in communication over the past few weeks, working to address the ongoing speculation about their relationship. “I want to thank Selena for speaking out,” Bieber wrote, acknowledging the impact of the online discourse. She described the situation as “difficult for everyone involved” and criticised the divisive nature of social media, which she said fosters hate instead of unity.

“While social media is a powerful tool for connection, it often leads to misunderstandings and unnecessary conflict,” Bieber explained, urging everyone, including herself, to be mindful of their words and actions online. She concluded her message with a hopeful note: “In the end, love will always outweigh hate and negativity. There’s always an opportunity to approach each other with empathy and compassion.”

The rumours of animosity between Bieber and Gomez resurfaced last month after fans speculated that Bieber and Kylie Jenner mocked Gomez in response to a TikTok video where Gomez joked about over-laminating her eyebrows. Jenner quickly denied the claims, calling the accusations “silly” and insisting there was no intent to shade Gomez.

Gomez, for her part, addressed the situation earlier in the day, revealing that Bieber had reached out to her about receiving death threats and hateful messages. “This isn’t what I stand for,” Gomez wrote in her Instagram Story. “No one should have to experience hate or bullying.” She reiterated her commitment to kindness and urged her followers to cease the negativity.

The speculation around their dynamic has been ongoing for years, largely tied to Bieber’s marriage to Justin Bieber in 2018, shortly after his long-term relationship with Gomez ended. Both women have repeatedly denied any personal conflict. In a 2022 interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Bieber said, “There’s no drama personally,” and praised Gomez for the mutual respect they share.

Bieber also dismissed rumours of overlapping relationships with her husband and Gomez, clarifying that Justin was not involved with anyone else when their relationship began. “It’s not my character to interfere with someone else’s relationship,” she asserted.

By addressing the rumours and calling for peace, both women have set a tone of maturity and empathy, seeking to move past the speculation and negativity that have surrounded them.

King Expresses Wish to Visit Ukraine During EBRD Headquarters Opening

King Expresses Wish to Visit Ukraine During EBRD Headquarters Opening

Charles praises Ukrainian artwork and highlights support for rebuilding efforts.

During the inauguration of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (EBRD) new headquarters in London, King Charles expressed a heartfelt desire to visit Ukraine. His remarks followed the presentation of a painting depicting Ukraine’s golden fields and blue sky, created by 16-year-old Ukrainian artist Sofia Franchuk.

The artwork is part of the Kids and Art for Ukraine initiative, which supports humanitarian and educational projects for Ukrainian children. Several of these paintings were displayed during the King’s visit. Speaking with Olga Evans, a portfolio manager at the EBRD and co-founder of the initiative with Stanislav Suprunenko, Charles shared his appreciation for the project. Evans later revealed, “He mentioned wanting to thank the young artist and expressed his wish to visit Ukraine before it’s too late.”

Sofia, who resides in Tarashcha, a historic town 100 miles south of Kyiv, painted the summer-inspired scene in January despite the wintry weather.

The King received a warm welcome from EBRD staff and was briefed on current issues, including the aftermath of the recent earthquakes in Turkey and the bank’s continued support for Ukraine. The EBRD, established in 1991 after the Cold War to foster open markets and private enterprise in former communist regions, has played a significant role in Ukraine’s rebuilding efforts.

Charles has a longstanding connection with the institution, having opened its former headquarters in London nearly three decades ago as Prince of Wales. Since its inception, the EBRD has expanded its reach to 36 economies across three continents, with investments exceeding €180 billion.

Through his engagement, the King underscored his commitment to supporting global recovery and fostering resilience in regions facing adversity.

Depeche Mode’s ‘Memento Mori’: A Dark Reflection on Mortality and Reinvention

Depeche Mode’s ‘Memento Mori’: A Dark Reflection on Mortality and Reinvention

A sombre, slow-paced album that channels loss into celestial soundscapes.

Depeche Mode’s latest album, Memento Mori—Latin for “remember that you die”—arrives as an evocative meditation on mortality and reinvention. Though such a title suits the band’s brooding synth-rock ethos at any time, it takes on added poignancy in light of recent events. Conceived during the pandemic, with themes of loss already permeating its creation, the album gained further depth after the sudden death of founding member Andy “Fletch” Fletcher at age 60 from an aortic dissection last year.

Fletcher’s absence, akin to Charlie Watts leaving The Rolling Stones or John Entwistle departing The Who, has reshaped the band’s dynamic. Surviving members Martin Gore and Dave Gahan worked more closely than ever, enlisting collaborators like James Ford, who previously produced for Arctic Monkeys, experimental Italian producer Marta Salogni, and Richard Butler of Psychedelic Furs fame, who co-wrote four tracks.

The album opens with My Cosmos is Mine, setting the tone with industrial beats, minimalist melodies, and Gahan’s deep, deliberate delivery: “No rain, no clouds, no pain, no shrouds / No final breaths, no senseless deaths.” Throughout, guitars are scarce, with synths taking centre stage. Tracks like Never Let Me Go inject rare raw riffs, but others, like People Are Good, lean into vintage electronic motifs, evoking Kraftwerk. The moody Wagging Tongue could easily have come from their 1980s catalogue.

Despite its slow pace and sombre tone, the album’s emotional weight crescendos in Ghosts Again, a single whose grandiose sound contrasts with its introspective lyrics. The beatless finale, Speak to Me, reaches a celestial climax, embodying the album’s serious yet expansive spirit.

For Depeche Mode, now a duo, Memento Mori is more than a collection of songs; it’s a testament to resilience and renewal. Always a serious band, they make it clear with this album—they still have something profound to say.

King Charles Expresses Desire to Visit Ukraine During EBRD Headquarters Opening

King Charles Expresses Desire to Visit Ukraine During EBRD Headquarters Opening

The monarch admires artwork from young Ukrainian artists and reflects on a potential visit to Ukraine.

At the opening of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) headquarters in London, King Charles shared his wish to visit Ukraine after receiving a poignant painting from a young Ukrainian artist. The artwork, by 16-year-old Sofia Franchuk, depicts the country’s golden fields and blue skies, capturing the essence of Ukraine.

During his visit, Charles viewed the artwork from the Kids and Art for Ukraine initiative, a project that provides humanitarian and educational support to Ukrainian children. The project, founded by Olga Evans and Stanislav Suprunenko, features paintings from young Ukrainians, including Sofia, who created the painting despite the harsh winter.

As the King admired the painting, he expressed his desire to visit Ukraine, telling Evans, “Before I’m too old, I want to come and visit your country.” Evans, who manages the initiative, shared this conversation with the King after their chat.

Charles’s visit to the EBRD, headquartered in Canary Wharf, marked a significant moment as he was warmly received by the staff. During his time there, he received briefings from executives, including updates on the recent earthquakes in Turkey and the ongoing situation in Ukraine. The EBRD, founded in 1991, has invested over 180 billion euros, with a focus on building open-market economies in the former Communist regions of Eastern Europe.

This visit comes almost 30 years after Charles first opened the bank’s previous headquarters in the City of London.

Rashford, Mount, and Pope Withdraw from England Squad; Forster Called Up

Rashford, Mount, and Pope Withdraw from England Squad; Forster Called Up

England faces Euro 2024 qualifiers without key players, as Tottenham’s Fraser Forster replaces Nick Pope.

England has been dealt a blow ahead of their Euro 2024 qualifiers, with three key players – Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount, and Nick Pope – withdrawing from the squad due to injury. Tottenham’s Fraser Forster has been called up to take Pope’s place, but no replacements will be made for Rashford and Mount.

Rashford, who was injured during Manchester United’s 3-1 FA Cup victory over Fulham on Sunday, joins Chelsea’s Mason Mount, whose fitness had already raised concerns. Mount’s selection had been questioned by Chelsea manager Graham Potter in the lead-up to the qualifiers.

Forster, who has not played for England since a 2-1 win over Australia in May 2016, returns to the squad in the hope of adding to his six international caps.

England will travel to Naples this week to face Italy on Thursday, before returning home for a match against Ukraine on Sunday. North Macedonia and Malta round off the teams in Group C for the Euro 2024 qualifiers.

SNP Leadership Contest to Proceed Amidst Controversy, With Candidates and Sturgeon Confident in Process

SNP Leadership Contest to Proceed Amidst Controversy, With Candidates and Sturgeon Confident in Process

Nicola Sturgeon and frontrunners Kate Forbes and Humza Yousaf express trust in ongoing leadership election, despite recent turmoil.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) leadership race will continue as planned, with both frontrunners and outgoing First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confident that the process remains intact, despite calls for it to be re-started following the resignation of Peter Murrell, the party’s former chief executive.

At a recent event in London, Sturgeon addressed the ongoing leadership contest and expressed confidence in the election process. When asked if she should remain in office longer to allow for a restart of the process, she humorously dismissed the idea, affirming her faith in the system.

The two main contenders for her position, Kate Forbes and Humza Yousaf, echoed Sturgeon’s sentiments, expressing trust in the integrity of the election. Yousaf stated that all candidates had faith in the process and would accept the results, while Forbes also reinforced her confidence in concluding the contest as scheduled.

While the contest moves forward, Ash Regan, another candidate, has requested that SNP members be allowed to modify or update their votes if already cast, citing concerns from party members. Regan’s call came after a weekend of turbulence for the party, which saw the resignation of Murrell and communications chief Murray Foote following controversy surrounding membership figures.

Regan’s proposal for allowing votes to be changed was met with resistance from acting chief executive Mike Russell, who warned against the potential confusion and security risks of altering ballots mid-election. He dismissed Regan’s comparison to previous selection contests as irrelevant, and upheld the integrity of the current system.

Sturgeon, who has refrained from endorsing any candidate, offered her perspective on the balance required by her successor. She cautioned against drastic changes, stressing the importance of protecting the core strengths of the SNP while pushing for the necessary reforms.

Despite the internal issues and controversy surrounding the membership numbers, Sturgeon remains optimistic that the SNP will emerge stronger after the leadership election concludes, highlighting the challenges posed by modern media and social media’s influence on political debate.

Security Concerns Prompt England to Arrange Special Transport for Supporters Ahead of Italy Match in Naples

Security Concerns Prompt England to Arrange Special Transport for Supporters Ahead of Italy Match in Naples

With heightened risks of violence and intimidation, England works to ensure the safety of travelling fans for the Italy clash at the Maradona Stadium.

England is in the process of coordinating special transport arrangements for its supporters travelling to Naples for their upcoming match against Italy, following growing security concerns. The fixture, set to take place at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, home of Napoli, has seen the Football Association (FA) take precautionary measures due to threats of violence.

Free coach services have been organised to take fans directly to the stadium, with further discussions taking place regarding transport options for those leaving the ground after the match. Supporters who do not have access to the provided coaches have been strongly advised by the FA to arrange private transport and avoid public transport due to safety risks.

The match, already surrounded by tension, has seen the cancellation of a planned friendly between the two national teams’ supporters, following an anonymous threatening email from a group of alleged ultras. The message warned that England fans would be targeted. This threat is being taken seriously, with the FA’s head of security liaising with both UK police and Italian authorities to ensure a coordinated response.

Additional concerns stem from past incidents, including violent clashes between away supporters and Napoli fans, which have further heightened fears of unrest. The match will take place at the fourth-largest stadium in Italy, though its capacity has been reduced to just under 49,000 for the game, which will likely result in long waits for supporters arriving at the venue.

While hardcore Napoli ultras are not expected to attend, security experts are concerned about the potential presence of troublemakers who may exploit the high-profile match to stir violence. The FA and local authorities are keen to ensure the safety of all involved and will continue to monitor the situation closely ahead of Thursday’s game.

UN-Backed Inquiry Finds Russia Responsible for Widespread War Crimes in Ukraine

UN-Backed Inquiry Finds Russia Responsible for Widespread War Crimes in Ukraine

The findings, based on extensive interviews and evidence, accuse Russia of systematic torture, unlawful deportations, and attacks on civilians, amounting to potential crimes against humanity.

A UN-backed inquiry has concluded that Russia’s actions in Ukraine constitute widespread war crimes, including systematic torture, killings, and other violations of international law. The report, released on the anniversary of a deadly Russian airstrike on a Mariupol theatre, condemns these acts as potential crimes against humanity. The findings highlight Russia’s role in committing atrocities that include attacks on civilians, the destruction of infrastructure, and the forced deportation of children.

The investigation, which includes over 500 interviews, satellite images, and visits to detention sites and mass graves, found that the Russian military’s conduct in Ukraine has led to horrific consequences for the civilian population. These crimes encompass torture and ill-treatment in occupied territories, with numerous reports of civilians being subjected to electric shock torture. The inquiry also described the appalling conditions faced by Ukrainian children who have been unlawfully deported, with some separated from their families and prevented from returning.

In addition to war crimes in Ukraine, the report details violations against Ukrainians in Russian-held territories, including “filtration” systems aimed at targeting individuals for detention, as well as inhumane detention conditions. Some detainees were reportedly forced to witness violent acts against their families, while others were held alongside deceased bodies.

The findings of the inquiry carry significant weight, as it was conducted by independent human rights experts supported by the UN Human Rights Council. The inquiry’s report comes after multiple accusations against Russia for war crimes, but this one bears the authority of the international community. Despite these revelations, Russia continues to deny any wrongdoing, insisting that its actions are justified.

Erik Mose, the lead investigator and former judge, remarked that there is evidence suggesting that the Russian government may have committed torture as a crime against humanity. He added that a list of individuals responsible for these violations has been compiled and will be submitted to relevant authorities. This list may eventually aid efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions in Ukraine, either through international courts or national prosecution efforts.

Mounted Police Pursue Driver Caught Using Phone Behind the Wheel

Mounted Police Pursue Driver Caught Using Phone Behind the Wheel

Avon and Somerset Police officers are seen chasing a driver in a viral video during a nationwide operation to tackle phone use while driving.

In a bold operation to combat the dangers of mobile phone use while driving, mounted officers from Avon and Somerset Police were seen chasing down a motorist caught using his phone at the wheel. This action is part of a broader enforcement initiative launched by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) aimed at reducing the number of drivers distracted by mobile devices.

The operation, which spans three weeks, involves coordinated efforts from police forces nationwide to tackle the growing issue of drivers using mobile phones or similar devices while on the road. Avon and Somerset Police reported that over 4,500 accidents involving fatalities or injuries have occurred on the region’s roads since 2021, underlining the urgency of addressing distracted driving.

A video shared by the Avon and Somerset Roads Policing Unit (RPU) shows two officers on horseback chasing a vehicle after observing the driver using his phone. The incident occurred on March 7 in East Reach, Taunton. Upon stopping the vehicle, one officer told the driver, “You know you shouldn’t be using your phone.” The driver, who claimed he had a problem and wasn’t using the phone for music, was confronted with the fact that a phone call was ongoing.

The video also reminded viewers that using a mobile phone while driving could result in a £200 fine and 6 penalty points on the driver’s licence. The video went viral, highlighting the ongoing efforts by the police to combat mobile phone distractions behind the wheel.

It is unclear whether any further action was taken against the driver.