Strap yourself in for a Wembley showdown between Manchester City and Arsenal that should be as fascinating on the grass as the sideline where Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta bid to outsmart each other. City’s manager was the Arsenal No 1’s tutor from 2016-19 when Arteta was his coach. This forged a friendship but there may be fireworks between them after Guardiola was incensed by the Spaniard’s claim he had “all the information” on City after they complained about Arsenal’s “dark arts” tactics in the 2–2 draw at the Etihad Stadium last season. Continue reading...

This troubling documentary charts the events leading up to and surrounding Jackson’s 2005 trial for molesting 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo (of which he was found innocent) – and features newly released tapes of Jackson In her 2019 essay Lost Boy, the Pulitzer-winning writer Margo Jefferson considered Michael Jackson’s legacy in the wake of Dan Reed’s Leaving Neverland, the HBO/Channel 4 exposé that starkly and devastatingly laid out the testimonies of two men who alleged that they had been sexually abused as children by the singer. “We’ve long seen how charming and generous [Jackson] could be,” opined Jefferson. “Now we’ve also seen how calculating, selfish and gripped by demons he was.” Leaving Neverland remains the most effective résumé of that apparent duality, and of how – in the case of Wade Robson and James Safechuck – their memories of the singer’s dream-like ranch would take on an infernal quality. Michael Jackson: The Trial isn’t as stylised nor as groundbreaking – many of the people here have been telling their stories for decades, be it in books, podcasts, blogs or otherwise. Yet where Channel 4’s latest series triumphs is in collating these accounts from both sides, and letting you decide what is more plausible, as well as spotlighting details that can’t easily be explained away. And, of course, there are the tapes: recordings of Jackson from 2000 and 2001, many of which have never been heard before. They’re not definitive proof of any wrongdoing, but they’re certainly alarming. In one clip, Jackson declares: “If you told me right now … ‘Michael, you could never see another child’ … I would kill myself.” Continue reading...

Organisers are hoping for a celebration of winter sport at Milano Cortina 2026 but tensions will not be far from the surface A short stroll from where the grandees of the International Olympic Committee are staying in Milan sits the Museum of Illusions – a place devoted to magic and misdirection. Mirrors distort. Perspectives shift. And nothing is quite what it seems. It is an apposite metaphor for these Winter Olympics, which officially open in Italy on Friday. Over the following 16 days, the world will be enraptured by the dazzle and spin of these Games: downhill skiers bombing down mountains at 95mph, snowboarders twirling like gyroscopes, the balletic grace of the world’s best skaters. But in Milano Cortina a fresh cold war is also brewing amid global political chaos. Continue reading...

From a silk sleep mask to a smartphone printer and Dyson hair dryer, take some inspiration from these gifts approved by the women in our lives 24 creative and unexpected Valentine’s Day gifts for him Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things If you have a lucky lady in your life – be it a partner or a family member – you’ve probably racked your brain trying to find her the perfect gift for a birthday, special occasion or holiday like Valentine’s Day. Maybe you’re minutes from giving up and buying that tried-and-true beauty product she already orders on repeat, or you’re eyeing yet another fleece throw to pile on the couch. Don’t do it. Remove from cart. Let us help you find something a little more out of the (gift) box. To shop for your favorite woman, think about what she already uses and what she has mentioned wanting in from time to time. Proving you actually listen will score you some points. Continue reading...

From indestructible wallets to Crocs (yes, Crocs), we rounded up the best guy-approved Valentine’s Day gifts they won’t know how they lived without 26 sentimental and practical US Valentine’s Day gifts for her in 2026 Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things Whether you have been together for years or just made it official, one thing remains certain: he is going to claim he doesn’t need anything. But secretly, he will appreciate a really good Valentine’s Day gift. Many men in our lives default to what they have always used and loved, from threadbare T-shirts to melted spatulas. (And if that’s you too, we won’t judge if you peek at this list for yourself.) When thinking of a present for your go-to guy, prioritize the gift of novelty. Introduce him to a new gadget he hasn’t thought of. Show him that it’s OK to cry with a personalized keepsake commemorating your shared history. Introduce a little color into his life if his year has been a bit bleak. Continue reading...

Two-decade study indicates a diet rich in foods such as olive oil, nuts and vegetables can cut risk of every type of stroke A Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of every type of stroke, in some cases by as much as 25%, a large study conducted over two decades suggests. A diet rich in olive oil, nuts, seafood, whole grains and vegetables has previously been linked to a number of health benefits. However, until now there has been limited evidence of how it might affect the risk of all forms of stroke. Continue reading...

Health secretary to increase pay offer and guarantee working conditions for resident doctors only Wes Streeting is to offer resident doctors a bigger pay rise than other NHS staff as part of a new package of measures to try to end their long-running dispute. The health secretary also plans to guarantee resident doctors in England that hospitals will be fined if they do not give them good working conditions, such as rest areas and access to hot food. Continue reading...

MPs say release of papers on Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador could trigger leadership challenge Labour MPs have warned that Keir Starmer’s days as prime minister are numbered after a day of fury over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador despite his friendship with Jeffery Epstein. The government was on the brink of a defeat in the Commons until a mid-debate amendment brokered by Meg Hillier and Angela Rayner to force the release of documents about Mandelson’s appointment and the depth of his relationship with the convicted child sex offender. Continue reading...

Crucible, Sheffield The supernatural is all-encompassing in Oladipo Agboluaje’s reframing of Shakespeare’s power play in 19th-century west Africa Every time the court historian turns up, he has a new list of phenomena to report. Arokin (Toyin Oshinaike) brings news of a flying elephant, a gorilla with a tortoise shell and a woman with vipers for hair. There has been a lot of this since Aderemi (Deyemi Okanlawon) returned from the battlefield and heard his wife’s prophetic dream. Telling her husband she saw a crown placed upon his head, Oyebisi (Kehinde Bankole) sets him on a course from warrior to despot. Continue reading...

If Les Bleus click, the results could be spectacular against a much-altered Ireland with umpteen questions to answer The Six Nations is kicking off on a Thursday this year to avoid a direct clash with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. In at least one key respect, even so, the two events are perfectly aligned: one early stumble for France or Ireland and a potentially painful descent awaits. Despite the possibility of first‑night nerves and some Parisian drizzle it should still make for more intriguing viewing on ITV1 than the alternative of Dragons’ Den and The Apprentice on BBC One. Unless, of course, France are so far out of sight inside 40 minutes that they cannot be caught and the audience are free to switch over in good time to watch Sir Alan Sugar say: “You’re fired!” Continue reading...

The documentary premiered at the Kennedy Center. Three days later, the president announced he was shutting it down This was originally published in This Week in Trumpland; sign up to receive it in your inbox every Wednesday Has anyone seen Melania (the film) yet? I have. I went to watch it on Friday morning. The idea was to interview other people watching the movie: to get a sense of why they wanted to see it, how they felt about Melania, how weird they were, etc. It didn’t really work that well in the end, because most of the crowd at the AMC in midtown Manhattan were journalists trying to do the exact same thing as me. As far as I could tell, three non-reporters attended our showing. Of the two who agreed to talk to me, one was there because he had a monthly movie theater pass, and the other was a man who, without wanting to be too unkind, had a very low bar for compelling drama. (“I think it’s interesting just to kind of see, you know, how her life really is, at least to some extent,” this person told me.) Continue reading...

Talks were scheduled in Turkey with Arab states present, but Iran requests move amid attempts to limit agenda Talks between the US and Iran scheduled for Friday appear to be collapsing after the US rejected Iran’s request to move them from Turkey to Oman without the presence of a group of Arab states. Iran has also vowed that the talks will be confined to its nuclear programme, while other issues the US would like to discuss, such as the range of Tehran’s ballistic missile programme, will be permanently excluded. Continue reading...

Commons committee chair says DWP repeatedly failed to prioritise the vulnerable and was slow to fix errors The government’s most senior welfare official has been accused of presiding over a “culture of complacency” that led to thousands of unpaid carers inadvertently running up huge benefit debts. Debbie Abrahams, the chair of the work and pensions select committee, said the Department for Work and Pensions had repeatedly failed to prioritise vulnerable people, was unwilling to learn from its mistakes, and slow to fix errors. Continue reading...

The American has earned the trust of Luciano Spalletti in Italy, but his role with the USMNT remains an open question Juventus have tried to get rid of Weston McKennie. They even succeeded once, sending him on loan to Leeds United only for the American to return six months later. When he got back to Turin, as US coach Gregg Berhalter told the story at the time, Juve had emptied his locker and given away his parking spot. Despite this, McKennie stuck around. It’s just as well for the Old Lady that he did – McKennie is now in the form of his life. The 27-year-old has scored four times in just eight games since the start of 2026. He has become one of Juve’s most important players and arguably the biggest driving force behind their recent upturn in form. Luciano Spalletti – among the most big-name coaches currently working in Italian football – has used McKennie to mould the team in his own image. Continue reading...

Casey Wasserman has said he regrets 2003 emails with the convicted sex trafficker Several Los Angeles officials have urged Casey Wasserman, the chair of the LA28 Olympics committee, to step down after emails between him and the convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell surfaced. The emails date back to 2003 and appear among more than 3m files related to Jeffrey Epstein released by the justice department last week. Continue reading...

Campaigners say they appreciate attempt to use Cornish but mistake points to need for more access to language Shoppers in Cornwall could have been forgiven for feeling bemused after a supermarket put up bilingual signs – in Welsh. A branch of Tesco in Helston – about 200 miles from south Wales by road – pointed shoppers towards pysgod, which is Welsh, not Cornish, for fish. It also labelled sweet potato as tatws melys – again Welsh instead of Cornish. Continue reading...

British firms could get more opportunities to supply defence equipment to Kyiv if agreement can be reached The UK could reap greater benefits from a €90bn (£78bn) EU loan for Ukraine, if it agrees to help pay the cost of borrowing, after European countries signed off long-awaited financial aid for Kyiv. British firms could have greater opportunities to supply defence equipment to Ukraine funded by the loan, if the government agrees a “fair” contribution towards EU borrowing costs. Continue reading...

⚽ Carabao Cup updates,, 8pm GMT kick-off (first leg: 2-0) ⚽ Live scoreboard | Follow us on Bluesky | And mail Scott Manchester City: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Ake, Ait-Nouri, Gonzalez, Reijnders, O’Reilly, Semenyo, Foden, Marmoush. Subs: Donnarumma, Dias, Haaland, Cherki, Rodri, Nypan, McAidoo, Alleyne, Lewis. Newcastle United: Ramsdale, Trippier, Botman, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Willock, Ramsey, Gordon, Woltemade. Subs: Pope, Wissa, Barnes, Osula, Elanga, J Murphy, A Murphy, Shahar, Neave. Continue reading...

Polish national Roksana Lecka, sentenced to eight years in prison for child cruelty, will be deported on Thursday The father of a toddler who was abused by a nursery worker in a “sadistic” campaign of cruelty says he is “upset and frustrated” that the worker is to be deported to Poland on Thursday, less than five months into an eight-year sentence. Roksana Lecka, a Polish national, was convicted last June of 21 counts of child cruelty, after a jury at Kingston upon Thames crown court in London found she had smacked, punched, pinched and kicked children aged between 18 months and two years while working at two London nurseries in 2023 and 2024. Continue reading...

No 10’s misjudgement over Mandelson has left Labour MPs increasingly aware of the fallibility of the PM and his team UK politics live – latest updates The debacle of last summer, when Keir Starmer caved in over welfare reforms after promised concessions failed to convince his mutinous backbenchers, was viewed as a low point for his government. Now, amazingly, it has happened all over again. If the repetition of history was not already enough, with the ructions over releasing government documents about Peter Mandelson, once again Starmer has a certain Angela Rayner to thank, in part, for digging him out of a political hole. Continue reading...

Ex-Trump adviser claims undocumented people vote in large numbers in elections, leading to Democratic victories Steve Bannon, the former White House strategist and rightwing podcast host, said he wants to see immigration agents at the polls in November, a proposal that election officials have feared. Bannon has no formal power, but is an influential figure on the far right and is closely tied with the Trump administration. Continue reading...

Marius Borg Høiby, 29, on trial accused of 38 crimes, broke down in tears as he claimed press had harassed him for years The son of Norway’s crown princess, Marius Borg Høiby, has told a court he does not remember taking pictures and videos found on his phone that police say show him sexually assaulting a woman at a royal residence. Hoiby, Mette-Marit’s son from a relationship before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, is on trial accused of 38 crimes, including four rapes and assaults. Continue reading...

As the wheels of justice begin to turn in Britain, a spotlight should also shine on the financier’s wealthy enablers in the US “The more Epstein documents get released, the more we see how he had so many powerful friends, and that’s ultimately what helped him,” commented the US lawyer Lisa Bloom in an interview with the Guardian this week. As Ms Bloom, who represents 11 of Jeffrey Epstein’s dogged and brave victims, drily notes: “That’s not the way the justice system is supposed to work.” From the outset, the Epstein affair has offered a textbook example of the ability of the influential and well-connected to avoid scrutiny and intimidate those who would exert it. A ruthless pursuit of transparency, both institutional and personal, is the only way to combat such tactics and hold power to account. In the extraordinary days following the release of further Epstein files last week, the wheels of justice in Britain are belatedly beginning to turn on that basis. Continue reading...

As the Six Nations Championship kicks off, a nation that bestrode the game in the 1960s and 70s is struggling to compete Welsh rugby fans usually look forward to the start of the men’s Six Nations Championship, which kicks off on Thursday, with excitement, but this time the feeling will be one of trepidation. The Welsh men’s recent record has been abysmal. They have won twice in their past 22 matches – both narrow victories against Japan. Wales’s most recent defeat was a 73-0 hammering at home to South Africa in November. For a proud rugby nation, one that has in many ways articulated its identity through rugby, this was embarrassing, intolerable even. On Saturday, Wales face England. If Wales manage to lose in London by fewer than 25 points, they will have exceeded expectations. The gap between the teams saps the fixture’s appeal. Wales’s vertiginous decline over the past five years – they were Six Nations champions as recently as 2021 – is undermining international rugby in the UK. Formerly bitter rivals now feel sorry for Wales, and pity is the most painful reaction of all. Why has this sudden decline occurred? Some attribute it to infighting in Welsh rugby. The game is in a parlous financial state in Wales and the Welsh rugby union wants to cut one of the four regional teams – Cardiff, Scarlets, Ospreys or Dragons. The Ospreys, based in Swansea, look the most likely fall guys, a move that, not surprisingly, is being fiercely resisted in west Wales. Continue reading...

Reform UK leader who received two guest passes from Iranian-born billionaire declares attendance at event on register of MPs’ interests Nigel Farage’s two-day trip to Davos cost more than £50,000 after he was given two guest passes by an Iranian-born billionaire, documents show. The Reform UK leader officially declared his attendance at the conference on the register of MPs’ interests, after giving speeches at the Switzerland summit in which he pledged to “put the global elites on notice”. Continue reading...