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Six Nations: Three changes to Scotland for Ireland’s key trip

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Six Nations: Three changes to Scotland for Ireland’s key trip

Max Williamson and Grant Gilchrist make up a new-look second row and Xander Fagerson is back in the starting XV as Scotland chase a win over Ireland that could lead to a first Six Nations title.

Scotland’s sensational 50-40 victory,

Scotland’s sensational 50-40 victory over France at Murrayfield has put them in contention for a first championship since their 1999 victory in the Old Five Nations.

However, Scotland have lost their last 11 matches against Ireland, have not won in Dublin since 2010, and have only won three games in a Six Nations campaign.

They also need defending champions France to catch up to England on home soil.

Head coach Gregor Townsend insisted his team are “fresh” and “love playing together” after an incredible performance against the French but he ignored questions referring to the Dublin clash as a cup final.

“We haven’t talked about it,” he said of various title permutations. “This match is the last opportunity for this group to go out and play.

“It will be a different game than last week. You must adapt, stay united for the full 80 minutes, and give everything you have.

“It’s truly beyond our control. We can only do a certain amount and that’s good in a way, as it allows us to focus on our performance without being overly concerned about the outcome. It’s a game for us to play against an opponent that has dominated us for years.”

“Their record at home is fantastic. It’s a real opportunity, a challenge, but an opportunity for us to perform even better than last week.”

Locks Gregor Brown and Scott Cummings, who started in the wins over England and France, have been ruled out through injury.

Gilchrist would win his 88th cap for his country and become the all-time second-row player for Scotland.

Williamson has been given a second chance after being removed early in the comeback win in Wales.

After coming off the bench at half-time against France, Xander Fagerson reclaimed his place from D’Arcy Rae.

Winger Kyle Steyn, who has scored three tries in the tournament, is fit after suffering a foot injury last weekend.

There have been changes on the bench as back-row Magnus Bradbury, lock Alex Craig and winger/full-back Kyle Rowe make matchday 23s for the first time this campaign.

Winger Duhan van der Merwe is among those dropped, along with backup fly-half Adam Hastings and props Elliott Miller Mills and Nathan McBeth, while Jamie Ritchie and Jamie Dobbie were injured early in the tournament.

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Dubai’s new high-rise building hit by Iranian drone – footage shows hole in building

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Dubai’s new high-rise building hit by Iranian drone – footage shows hole in building

Shocking footage emerged of a fire breaking out at a luxury apartment building in Dubai in the early hours of Thursday morning

Fire breaks out in Dubai after Iranian drone hits tower block

An Iranian drone has targeted another luxury high-rise, as shocking footage shows a skyscraper on fire.

A terrifying video shows the aftermath of another retaliatory attack on Dubai, as the attack left a hole in the glittering block. The fire broke out in a building near the state’s Creek Harbour neighbourhood, about 10 km from the international airport. Emergency services arrived at the scene to control the fire, which broke out in the middle of the night.

Horror pictures and videos show a thick cloud of smoke billowing from the apartment block in the early hours of Thursday morning, while one side glows like an inferno.

Fire breaks out in a luxurious building in Dubai

A drone targeted a luxurious building in Dubai (Image: X)

Read more: The increasing US-Iran tension raises fears of disrupting or cancelling the World Cup. Read more: Kim Jong-un’s former bodyguard says North Korean leader ‘terrified’ of Iran war

Authorities have so far reported no casualties from the latest attack and said all residents are “safe”. The incident comes after Dubai International Airport was attacked again on Wednesday.

Four people – a Ghanaian national, an Indian national and a Bangladeshi national – were injured after an Iranian drone strike on one of the world’s busiest airports. Local officials confirmed the sighting of two drones over the transport hub.

Big hole in building after drone attack

The attack left a big hole in the building (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

In a post on X, Dubai officials wrote, “Authorities have confirmed that two drones fell in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) some time ago, resulting in minor injuries to two Ghanaian nationals and a Bangladeshi national and moderate injuries to an Indian national. Air traffic is operating normally.”

In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said: “The UAE Air Defence is currently responding to missile and drone threats coming from Iran. The MOD claims that the sounds heard are the result of air defence systems intercepting missiles and drones. The public is requested to follow the safety and security instructions issued.”

workers inspecting the damage

Employees taking stock of the damage on Thursday (Image: AP)

A passenger inside the airport at the time, speaking to the BBC, said people inside were told to move away from the glass windows and seek shelter in a more secure area.

The incident comes after a British tourist reportedly filmed a missile flying over the popular emirate state while on holiday and faces jail. A 60-year-old man from London was charged with breaking the UAE’s strict laws against filming or uploading social media posts of the conflict, according to a legal advocacy group detained in Dubai.

The Briton was reportedly arrested on Monday and is one of 21 people facing the same fate and up to 2 years in prison.

“Those charged include a British man who says he immediately deleted the video when questioned and that he meant no harm, but he is still among those facing charges,” said Radha Stirling, director of the London-based Detained in Dubai organisation.

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British fragrance entrepreneur faces legal action over use of her name

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British fragrance entrepreneur faces legal action over use of her name

British fragrance entrepreneur Jo Malone is facing legal action over the use of her name by cosmetics giant Estée Lauder Companies.

Ms Malone established her own eponymous Jo Malone perfume brand before selling the firm in 1999. In 2011, she launched a new fragrance label called Jo Loves.

High Court records show an intellectual property claim was filed on Wednesday by Estée Lauder Europe and Jo Malone Ltd against Ms Malone, Jo Loves and ITX Ltd, which trades as Zara.

The company is suing the parties for breach of contract, trademark infringement and “skimming” – the practice of making consumers think that goods or services are from another company.

Photo: iStock/Moussa81
image:
Photo: iStock/Moussa81

The company said that the use of “Jo Malone” on the packaging of the “Joe Loves” fragrance sold by Zara formed the basis of the lawsuit.

An Estée Lauder Co. spokesman said the ban on using the Jo Malone name in certain commercial settings was a condition of Ms Malone’s 1999 sale of the brand.

The spokesperson added, “She was compensated as part of this agreement, and for many years, she followed its terms.

“The use of the name ‘Jo Malone’ by Ms Malone in connection with recent business ventures goes beyond that legal agreement and dilutes the unique brand equity of Jo Malone London.”

The company said it would “protect the brand we have invested in and built over decades.”

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It’s not clear exactly what time period or which products or packaging the case relates to.

A selection of the collab “Joe Loves” Zara perfumes is still available at Zara’s online shop. Part of the product description for the range reads, “Created by Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves.”

Joe Loves and Zara’s UK parent, Inditex, were not immediately available for comment.

Sky News was unable to reach Ms Malone.

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An investigation is underway into sexual abuse at Britain’s most dangerous boarding school. UK | news

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An investigation is underway into sexual abuse at Britain’s most dangerous boarding school. UK | news

School being investigated for historical abuse allegations (Image: Google Maps)

Police are investigating Britain’s strangest boarding school over allegations of historical sexual abuse.

After one alleged victim reported harrowing abuse claims — and after several ignored reports — dozens of others spoke out about St Christopher’s School.

where students have to eat a vegetarian diet, wear their clothes, and call teachers by their first names.

Historical allegations include rape and sexual harassment of both teachers and students.

staff impregnating students, and students performing abortions.

He also said that students fainted from hunger due to allegations of bullying, assault and neglect. woman at the center of a telegraph inquiry

The girl, who attended Letchworth School in Hertfordshire during the 1980s and 1990s, claimed she told staff decades ago about alleged sexual abuse she suffered when she was aged under 12 but was ignored.

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She said, “Nobody listened, nobody reported it; it seemed nobody believed me.” The victim reported this to the police in 2024 and was confident that nothing would come of it and has now reactivated her case.

Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed it has “reopened a case into historical abuse” at the school, which describes itself as “progressive” and has its origins in Theosophy, a mystical philosophy founded in the late 1800s.

The alleged victim claimed that the same culprit attacked her again years later. However, after feeling bad the first time she reported it, she believed there was “no point” in speaking out again.

When it became “apparent” that they had moved on to other alleged victims, the woman said she twice complained to others about the abuse but was silenced.

The alleged victim said it took “a lot of bravery” to speak out and that it was a travesty that she had to consider it again so many years later. He also urged other victims to step forward, confident that they would receive belief and protection.

The school is vegetarian only and uniform-free (Image: Google Maps).

Following the investigation, dozens of others have come forward, including several other alleged victims of severe sexual assault and rape.

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary said, “Following recent contact with the constabulary, we can confirm that we have reopened the case of historical abuse at St Christopher’s School, Letchworth.

We understand how incredibly difficult it can be for victims and survivors to come forward, especially after a long time has passed, but we have specialist officers on hand to provide support every step of the way.

“If you wish to report any information that may assist our investigation, please contact us via 101 or online at herts.police.uk/report.”

A St Chris’ spokesperson said, “Anyone with concerns about the school’s past culture should contact Hertfordshire Police or the school’s safeguarding team, where they will be listened to and supported.

We will, of course, co-operate fully with any police enquiries and would also like to reassure former pupils that anyone coming to us will be taken seriously and treated with care and sensitivity.”

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Iran’s supreme leader gave his first statement amid rising oil prices and falling markets.

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Iran’s supreme leader gave his first statement amid rising oil prices and falling markets.

Iran is making efforts to disrupt supplies in the Middle East.

Oil prices rose above $100 on Thursday and stocks sank as Iran’s efforts to disrupt supplies in the Middle East and bring down the global economy prompted a record release of strategic crude stockpiles by the International Energy Agency.

Stock markets in Asia closed lower on Thursday and European markets opened lower as investors saw few signs that the US-Israel war with Iran would soon end, despite repeated assurances from President Trump.

US Energy Secretary Christopher Wright announced on Wednesday the US would release 172 million barrels of oil from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve, while the International Energy Agency – which has 32 member states, including the US – announced it will release 400 million barrels from its reserves.

U.S. benchmark Brent crude, the international standard, was trading 5.3% higher at around $97 a barrel on Thursday after hitting $100.50 on Wednesday.

In stocks, futures for the S&P 500 fell 0.4%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.5%. Germany’s DAX fell 0.4% to 23,533.60 on Thursday, while the CAC 40 in Paris fell 0.7% to 7,982.64. Britain’s FTSE 100 fell 0.7% to 10,285.91.

In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 1% to 54,452.96, South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.5% to 5,583.25, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.7% to 25,716.76. The Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.1% to 4,129.10, while the S&P/ASX 200 in Australia fell 1.3% to 8,629.00.

CBS/AFP

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First annual bonus in four years at John Lewis Partnership

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First annual bonus in four years at John Lewis Partnership



John Lewis Partnership (JLP) has announced its first annual bonus since 2022 following further progress in its post-pandemic transformation.

The employee-owned retailer, which includes not only the department store chain but also Waitrose supermarkets, revealed that its staff, known as partners, will receive an award of 2% of pay for their last financial year until the end of January.

This was driven by a 6% increase in trading profits to £134 million and a 5% increase in partnership sales to £13.4 billion.

Iran latest: Oil prices rise again as tankers burn

But it reported an overall loss before tax of £21 million.

The amount reflects an extraordinary charge of £120 million, mostly related to non-cash write-downs in the value of legacy technology, JLP said.

The company has closed underperforming department stores and cut thousands of jobs recently as part of efforts to restore profitability.

It decided not to reward partners for 2024/25 despite a strong increase in earnings, saving cash to invest in its client offering as the economic backdrop remains “challenging”.

Like other major employers, it has had to grapple with the impact of higher government-imposed costs, including rises in employer national insurance contributions.

Jason Terry, Chairman of JLP, said: “Our multi-year plan to invest in customers and our brands for the long term is working; we have grown customer numbers and achieved record satisfaction.

“Despite the slow market, challenging headwinds in a significant peak period and increased taxes, we decided to continue investing in the business and have delivered cash and profit growth.

“There is still a lot to do, but our growing cash generation and strong balance sheet enable us to invest more in our brands and our partners to improve our customer experience.

“I am really grateful for the commitment and passion of our partners and with our continued investment in partner pay, we are delighted to be in a position to offer a 2% partnership bonus. We are on track to make further progress this year.”



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UK weather: Met Office wind warning as effective as rain and snow forecast

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UK weather: Met Office wind warning as effective as rain and snow forecast

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind.

A yellow warning for wind for northern Wales, northern England, and southern and eastern areas of Scotland came into force at 05:00 GMT on Thursday and will remain valid until 20:00. The warning issued for Northern Ireland is valid from 06:00 to 12:00 GMT.

The strongest winds will be in Scotland and Northern Ireland in the morning. Winds will reach gusts of 50-60mph and there may be some gusty winds in the Hebrides for short periods. Some delays or cancellations appear to be possible on Scottish ferries, with passengers advised to check journey updates before embarking on their journey.

In northern England, the northern Midlands and northern Wales, winds will be strong in the morning but will not peak until the afternoon. Winds will widely reach 50-60 mph, with some gusts possibly exceeding 70 mph for brief periods.

The strongest winds will not be confined to the coasts and hilltops, extending as far east as the Pennines and Cheviot Hills.

Some transport disruption is possible. Woodhead Pass over the Pennines is currently closed to high-direction vehicles due to wind. The northern stretches of the M6, A68 and A1 can have some of the most challenging driving conditions, particularly during adverse weather events such as high winds or heavy rain, which can lead to reduced visibility and increased risk of accidents.

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Eight Arab and Islamic countries condemn Israel’s closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Israel-Palestine conflict news

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Eight Arab and Islamic countries condemn Israel’s closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Israel-Palestine conflict news

For the past 12 days, Israel has closed the Al-Aqsa Mosque and restricted movement in Jerusalem’s Old City.

Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have condemned Israel’s closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque for the 12th consecutive day during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement published on Wednesday, the foreign ministers of eight Arab and Islamic countries said Israeli restrictions on Palestinian access to the Old City of Jerusalem and its places of worship are “a gross violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, the historical and legal status quo, and the principle of unrestricted access to places of worship”.

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“The ministers reaffirmed their full rejection and condemnation of this illegal and unjustified measure, as well as Israel’s continued provocative actions against Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif and worshippers. They stressed that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites,” the statement said.

The statement said the entire area of ​​the Al-Aqsa Mosque was “exclusively” for Muslims and that the Jerusalem Endowment and the Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is a “legal entity with special jurisdiction”.

immediately stop closing the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque,

“The ministers called on Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately stop closing the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, lift access restrictions to the Old City of Jerusalem, and refrain from obstructing Muslim worshippers’ access to the mosque,” the statement said.

Citing “security” measures as a result of the ongoing war against Iran, Israeli forces have imposed strict restrictions on worshippers and access to the Old City.

But the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that the continued closure emphasised policies that were a “gross violation of Palestinian rights”, Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

Hamas has also condemned the ongoing shutdown, saying on Tuesday it sets a “dangerous historical precedent” and a “gross violation” of freedom of worship.

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Tottenham manager: ‘Wrong man at the wrong time’ – but if not Tudor, then who?

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Tottenham manager: ‘Wrong man at the wrong time’ – but if not Tudor, then who?

Spurs may choose to look further – but their current options within the search parameters, as they were a month ago, appear limited.

In addition to a track record of making an immediate impact, Spurs looked for someone with top-level managerial experience who plays attacking football.

Edin Terzic, the former manager of Borussia Dortmund, was also a candidate.

When Spurs initially began their search to replace Frank, himself sacked after less than eight months in charge, former Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi, former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic and ex-Red Bull Leipzig boss Marco Rose were among other potential short-term options.

Ex-Brighton boss De Zerbi left his role as Marseille manager by mutual consent after less than two years in charge, three days before Spurs confirmed Tudor’s appointment.

Terzic has been out of work since asking Dortmund to “terminate his contract with immediate effect” after leading the club to the Champions League final in June 2024.

Rose was sacked by RB Leipzig in March 2025, having won 72 of his 127 matches and winning the German Cup in 2023.

Within the Premier League, Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva are among the names who will be available this summer – but would anyone be willing to leave their respective clubs first to help Spurs?

FA Cup-winning manager Glasner has confirmed that he will leave Crystal Palace this summer, but his immediate future was in doubt in February due to a poor run of results.

Bournemouth are reportedly set toopen external contract talks with Ireola in an attempt to fend off interest from Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Fulham chief Tony Khan said he is confident external Silva will stay at the club for a “long time”.



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The Middle East war enters its 12th day as the US and Israel launch ‘heaviest attacks’ on Iran while Tehran refuses a ceasefire.

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The Middle East war enters its 12th day as the US and Israel launch ‘heaviest attacks’ on Iran while Tehran refuses a ceasefire.

Middle East war enters 12th day as US, Israel launch 'heaviest attacks' on Iran while Tehran refuses ceasefire.

The war between the United States, Israel and Iran entered its 12th day on Wednesday and shows no signs of slowing down, as US and Israeli forces launched the most intense attacks yet on Iranian targets as the conflict spread across the region. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday would see the largest wave of US strikes since the war began, with more aircraft, bombers and intelligence-directed strikes deployed against Iranian military infrastructure. Iran has vowed to keep fighting, despite suffering from several days of bombing that have hit its military capabilities. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf rejected the possibility of a ceasefire and said Tehran intended to punish Washington and Tel Aviv’s aggression. Another senior Iranian figure, Ali Larijani, issued a warning to US President Donald Trump on social media, saying that Iran is not afraid of US threats. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, said the broader aim of the war was to weaken Iran’s leadership to the point where popular forces could overthrow the government. Netanyahu stated that the ongoing campaign is causing significant damage.

Strikes are expanding across the region

The fighting has spread beyond Iran’s borders, with new attacks reported in Lebanon and Iraq. Israeli strikes early Wednesday killed at least seven people in southern Lebanon, including five in the city of Qana, Lebanon’s health ministry said. Additional air strikes in the Tyre and Bint Jbeil districts also caused casualties. Israeli forces also attacked Hezbollah-linked infrastructure in Beirut’s southern suburbs after issuing a warning to evacuate the densely populated area. Elsewhere, drones targeted military installations at Baghdad International Airport in Baghdad late Tuesday, according to Iraqi security officials. The drones landed near facilities used by US-led coalition forces, including the US-run Victoria Base, although no casualties were reported.

Heavy bombing in Tehran

Residents of Tehran reported some of the “heaviest bombardment” of the war overnight, with powerful explosions shaking neighbourhoods and knocking out power in parts of the capital. Eyewitnesses reported that the strikes persisted for an extended period around midnight, impacting residential buildings as well. Many businesses in Tehran closed early amid fears of further attacks, the AP reported. Thousands of civilians have reportedly fled major cities to seek refuge in rural areas.

US targets Iranian naval assets

The US military said it has destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, amid fears that Tehran may attempt to block the vital shipping lane. The waterway has become a focal point of conflict, with about a fifth of the world’s oil supply passing through it. President Trump warned that if Iran deploys naval mines in the strait, they must be immediately removed or face serious military consequences. “If Iran has placed any mines in the Strait of Hormuz, and we have had no reports of it doing so, we want them removed immediately! If mines were placed for any reason, and they are not immediately removed, the military consequences for Iran would be at a level never seen before. If they remove what’s been put up, that would be a big step forward! Additionally, we are using the same technology and missile capabilities deployed against drug smugglers to permanently destroy any boat or ship attempting to mine in the Strait of Hormuz. They will be dealt with swiftly and violently. Be careful!” he said.

140 US service members injured

The Pentagon reported that approximately 140 US service members have sustained injuries since the onset of the conflict, with the majority being minor. Reports indicate that eight soldiers have sustained serious injuries, while many have already resumed their duties. Civilian and military casualties have also increased across the region. Officials in Lebanon report that the latest round of fighting has resulted in hundreds of deaths and over a thousand injuries.

Markets and global concerns

Despite the escalating conflict, financial markets showed relative stability on Tuesday after several days of volatility due to uncertainty about how long the war will last. The S&P 500 slipped slightly, while oil prices fell from nearly $120 a barrel at the start of the week to steady around $90. Global leaders are closely monitoring the economic consequences of the conflict. Leaders of the Group of Seven are expected to hold emergency talks on energy security and possible measures to stabilise oil markets. With both sides rejecting calls for talks and stepping up military operations, fears are growing that the conflict could further destabilise the Middle East and disrupt global energy supplies.

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