Blogs

PHIL FODEN’S instant opener threatened a landslide City win which instead turned into a controversial victory.

Foden and Jeremy Doku tucked home from close range at either end of the first half – before City team-mate Rico Lewis picked up a hotly-debated red card late on.

Reuters

Phil Foden hails his a second-minute breakthrough for Man City[/caption]

The Moroccans could easily have netted twice themselves before the break – ahead of a quieter second period until its contentious climax.

Lewis slid in to win the ball cleanly against Samuel Obeng but took his legs on the follow-through.

The England star’s’ punishment stood after a VAR check – leaving City perplexed and furious and Lewis facing a ban.

Pep Guardiola’s men notched the quickest goal of the tournament so far after just two minutes.

Jeremy Doku surged beyond the right of Wydad’s defence for a cross that led to Phil Foden teeing up Savinho.

The Brazilian winger got past his man for another low centre, which the keeper could only parry for Phil Foden to sweep home.

Reuters

Jeremy Doku celebrates doubling City’s lead before the break[/caption]

Yet Wydad had a couple of decent chances in a far more open match than many would have predicted before City bagged a second goal they just about deserved on 42 minutes.

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Foden had a simple task with his early opener[/caption]

Reuters

Doku too prodded in from a gaping position[/caption]

This time the roles were reversed as unmarked Doku stabbed home Foden’s corner.

Erling Haaland’s arrival via triple substitution on the hour livened City up front but they still struggled to create killer opportunities.

But mostly they slowed the game down with their passing to deny Wydad decent possession.

FULL REPORT TO FOLLOW…

BBC bosses think they have found someone who won’t fall victim to the infamous Strictly Come Dancing curse – Paul C Brunson.

The married dating guru has become a big figure in the reality arena as part of Channel 4’s two ratings giants, Married At First Sight and Celebs Go Dating.

Netflix/Instagram

He spread his wings even further this year when he joined Netflix as Amanda Holden’s sidekick on Cheat: Unfinished Business, where eight former couples decide whether to reconcile or stay apart.

But a spot on the BBC dancefloor would give Paul’s career a huge boost.

And the clean-cut American, who has been based in London since 2018, could be just what Strictly needs after two scandal-packed troubled series.

A source said: “Paul would be the ideal tonic to the dark clouds over Strictly as he’s clean-cut, very intelligent and has no scandals to worry about.

“They are now in discussion but he’s met with producers a number of times.

“Everyone is hoping he’ll sign on the dotted line and is keen to make it happen.”

Last month Strictly pro Karen Hauer was a guest on his podcast, We Need To Talk, so is likely well-versed in the show.

He’s welcomed everyone from Katie Price to singer Yungblud on the show, which is part of the reason bosses are so keen to get him on the dancefloor.

The source added: “The crucial 16-34 audience, which execs are desperate to hook, are well aware of Paul because of his podcast and MAFS and Celebs Go Dating are hugely popular with that age group.”

So far names in talks for Strictly include Mo Farah, Georgia Toffolo and Gladiator Nitro.

THANKS to the wonders of Instagram, ‘The Cloud’ and Facebook, I am constantly reminded how wonderful life was back when I had collagen.

And how (relatively) wonderful I looked when I had collagen: banks and banks of the stuff giving my young, happy little face that unmistakable glow of youth.

Lorna Roach

Thanks to two decades of sunbathing (and a few sunbeds), that collagen has depleted quicker than you can say “pigmentation” – which I also had a lot of.

And this despite a recent facelift which, while undoubtedly brilliant at successfully halting the tide of ageing disintegration, did not address the actual texture or quality of my skin.

Enough was enough.

So, like all good millennials, I took to Dr Google… and promptly booked in for a CO2 laser, a treatment popular with celebs including Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow.

In LA, the home of good skincare, facelifts and CO2 facelifts are synonymous – surgeons regularly book their clients for laser treatments as part of the aftercare package, such is the possible transformation.

Some of the results looked mildly terrifying – people with peeling faces, scabs oozing pus and flaking skin.

Unwilling to leave my skin to fate, or the hands of a dentist-turned-Botoxer, I booked in at London’s exclusive Harley Street Injectables.

Clinic boss Alice Henshaw – who actually works with the surgeon who did my face, Dr Paul Tulley in London’s Harley Street – had contacted me previously after reading about my op. (Yep, tweakments aren’t my first rodeo).

She is a highly rated aesthetician to many celebs and a whole raft of influencers, who regularly live Instagram from her clinic.

Walking into the uber-plush clinic – it felt more Soho Farmhouse than an aesthetic practice (although both serve little pricks) – I was greeted by Stevie, an aesthetic nurse, who would be CO2-ing me.

After being numbed for 30 minutes with anaesthetic cream – quite simply, the pain would be intolerable without it – she goes through my skin concerns.

“This is genuinely one of the best treatments out there,” Stevie reassures me.

“It’s amazing for acne scarring, sun damage and for boosting collagen production to give the skin a plumper, more youthful glow. You’re going to really see a difference.

“It’s an ablative laser which causes controlled damage to the upper layers of the skin, stimulating the skin’s natural healing process and helping produce new collagen.

“We’re going to go for quite an aggressive setting today to maximise results.”

Next thing I know I’m horizontal, with a machine blasting a burst of hot pulsing light on my skin. Seconds later, there’s a waft of burning.

Dan Charity

Clemmie, pictured before the treatment, says her recent facelift did not help with the actual texture of her skin[/caption]

“What’s that smell?” I ask, my thoughts briefly turning to what I’ll have for dinner.

“Oh yes, that’s your skin,” Stevie replies, casually, as I inhale a whiff of bacon.

Having never had a laser treatment before, I really don’t know what to expect.

The following day I look like I’ve swallowed a football, and my face is beetroot red

It feels like an elastic band is being pulled taut and then snapped on my face, hard, and repeatedly.

It’s fine on my forehead, but REALLY hurts on my upper lip. My eyes start watering and I’m trying – and failing – to look sanguine as cameraman Ben blithely zooms in on my increasingly red face.

The sensitive neck area also smarts a bit – a solid 7.2/10 for pain (10 being ‘give me a gun now’, 0 being a nice massage at Soho Farmhouse) – but Stevie counts down throughout, reassuring me I’m doing “great”.

(TBH all I’m doing is lying still, but it’s sweet and I am determined not to swear.)

“F***!!!” I promptly scream as she goes in beneath my eyes.

For this, I am given two in-eye lenses to prevent any radiation from getting through. Ben is also given dark glasses to stop any radiation “bounce”, too.

‘Not for the faint-hearted‘

Thankfully, within 20 minutes, it’s all over.

I’m red, but won’t scare small children on the Tube home.

Alice packs me off with a bespoke aftercare kit – an ice pack, her own range of Factor 100 sun cream, 5DHA hyaluronic acid serum, a lux moisturiser and some Skincycles bio-cellulose sheet face masks to help with hydration.

I am told to avoid all sunshine for the next couple of weeks, which comes in handy for the start of the spring heatwave the following day.

I look certifiably insane walking the dog in a polo neck, sunglasses and a Ted Lasso visor – the only hat I could find – in the blazing sunshine.

The following day I look like I’ve swallowed a football, and my face is beetroot red.

I cancel lunch with friends.

Happily, my skin doesn’t blister and there are no signs of pus. (Google Love Island’s Alexandra Crane’s CO2 experience if you’re not eating.)

From here, the redness begins to fade and I am just left with weird-looking ‘grids’ across my face. My skin feels like sandpaper.

Day by day though, I start to see results.

After three weeks, people start complimenting me on my ‘glow’

One week later, my pigmentation is significantly reduced – with the full effects seen in 12 weeks time – and my skin looks so, so much softer, plumper and, well, like it used to in my iPad memories circa 2017.

There are fewer fine lines around my eyes and I am thrilled.

After three weeks, people start complimenting me on my ‘glow’ and I even get away with not wearing any make-up to work. It’s a joy.

This non-invasive treatment, costing £2,000, isn’t for the faint-hearted. But, well, it works.

• For more information visit https://www.harleystreetinjectables.com/

Lorna Roach

THE FUTURE of an iconic UK festival could be in jeopardy unless the government steps in organisers have warned.

In a leaked letter to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy festival chiefs asked for an urgent handout to keep the world famous event going.

The Mega Agency

The festival has come under fire amid concerns for public safety[/caption]

It comes after a review of the festival identified “critical public safety concerns” that needed more money to address.

Notting Hill Carnival attracts a whopping 2 million revellers a year but has come under fire recently after public safety concerns were raised.

Carnival Chair Ian Comfort said in the letter: “The April 2025 London Assembly report, external highlights the increasing strain placed on the Metropolitan Police during large-scale public events.

“Limited resourcing has restricted the police service’s ability to respond to growing operational pressures.”

He went on to say that without immediate additional funding “risks compromising public safety and jeopardising the future of the carnival.”

The full findings of the safety review have not been made public yet.

A TEENAGER who was convicted of violent disorder during the   steakhouse killing of Tristan Sherry was caught less than six months later burying a gun, ammo and €60,000 of drugs in a park for the Hennessy crime gang, the Special Criminal Court has heard.

The 18-year-old Dubliner, who can not be named because he was a minor when he came before the courts, pleaded guilty to a number of offences at Tolka Valley Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 on May 7/8, 2024.

Among the charges were the possession of one or more controlled drugs valued at €13,000 or more, for the purpose of unlawfully selling or otherwise supplying the drugs to another.

In addition, he was charged with the possession of a side-by-side shotgun and the possession of 15 rounds of 9 x 18mm Makarov calibre Sellier and Bellot made ammunition and ten 12 Gauge ELEY Olympics shotgun cartridges.

At the Special Criminal Court, Garda Daniel Sweeney said that the defendant was engaged in this activity in the context of the Hennessy criminal gang and had been carrying this out at their behest.

The defendant was on bail at the time for violent disorder at the Steakhouse where Tristan Sherry shot and fatally wounded Jason Hennessy snr before being beaten to death.

The defendant was subsequently convicted and is now serving a sentence for that offence of two years and four months, with the final year suspended.

Defence counsel, Padraig Dwyer SC put it to Garda Sweeney that the defendant had a weapon for his protection, as he had reason to be concerned for his own safety.

To this, Garda Sweeney said: “In my opinion, I don’t think he’d have any concerns for his own safety. He was burying guns and drugs for the Hennessys, and that organisation is involved in shootings and drug trafficking.”

Judge Karen O’Connor, presiding, adjourned the matter to July 7 next for sentencing.

Rex Features

THERE’S no doubt about it, schools can be very strict when it comes to uniforms for kids.

From set colours to skirt lengths and shoe options, there’s lots of factors that could get your little one sent home from the classroom.

Alamy

A new addition to Asda’s school uniform range has left parents divided[/caption]

Facebook/Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK

Some people have insisted the top is ‘inappropriate’[/caption]

But major supermarkets always offer school uniforms on a budget that meet the dress code.

Aldi, Tesco and Sainsbury’s are all launching back to school ranges from June 15 with prices starting from £1.50.

And Asda sells school uniform all year round in store and online with more than 500 lines available online.

Shoppers can get backpacks for £16, crew neck tops for £2 and polo shirts from £3, as well as lunchboxes and stationery.

But a recent £8 addition to the supermarket’s summer uniform has left parents divided on social media.

The conversation was sparked after a delighted gran shared her bargain find on Facebook.

Posting on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group, which boasts 2.6million members, she said: “My grandaughter is not one for wearing dresses so got her this short set for school for the summer.”

The Gingham Top and Short School Set is available in sizes three to 14 and is available in light blue, navy, red, yellow, lilac, red, yellow and green.

The picture of the summer uniform racked up more than 1,700 comments with the tie-front on the top being the hot topic.

Many slammed the ‘cropped’ look of it as inappropriate and claimed their child’s school wouldn’t allow it.

One fumed: “This isn’t appropriate for any occasion or age let alone a school setting.”

A second wrote: “Would not be letting my child leave the house in a crop top under that age of 11 never mind to school!”

A third echoed: “Not appropriate for school at all. I doubt schools would allow this uniform. My children’s school wouldn’t!”

“My girls head teacher would have a coronary”, a fourth claimed.

A fifth added: “Not a chance would I let my girls 7/5 wear a top like that let alone for school! Why can’t kids be kids!”

Meanwhile, a sixth revealed: “Just a heads up, my daughter’s friend wore this to school and got sent home at they said it wasn’t appropriate uniform.”

Co-ord defence

Others, however, are loving the practicality of the gingham co-ord and insisted the top is school-appropriate.

One insisted: “My daughter has this and it’s definitely not cropped. She’s pretty average height and the knot detail sits exactly where the waist and of the shorts sit.

“If you’re worried put a vest underneath in case it rides up.”

A second sighed: “I can’t believe how many people are complaining that it’s a crop top.. it’s for a CHILD who are significantly smaller than adults.

“It looks smaller as it is designed to fit a children’s body. It’s concerning how quick some people are to sexualise children’s clothing.

“Let’s focus on protecting kids, not projecting adult assumptions onto innocent outfits.“

“I think these are great instead of the dresses and then having to wear shorts under it. Perfect for summer”, chimed in a third.

A fourth wrote: “White vest underneath solves the issues for the Karen’s. My daughter would love this set, looking as we speak.”

A fifth added: “My daughter has this for school, she likes it because it’s more comfortable than a gingham dress (it’s a lot looser around the body and arms) and she doesn’t have to wear cycling shorts underneath so feels cooler.

“And no it’s not cropped, there’s elastic with a bow so that it doesn’t fly up when they are cartwheeling across the field or hanging upside down on the monkey bars! The shorts are also a nice length, they aren’t super short.”

Meanwhile, a sixth pointed out: “It’s just the same as a gingham dress, or gingham playsuit- but easier for the kids to go to the toilet.”

THE Premier League fixtures have been released, with a blockbuster clash between Manchester United and Arsenal set to light up the opening weekend.

Next season will kick off with a bang as under-pressure Ruben Amorim prepares his side to host the Gunners.

AFP

Man Utd are set to host Arsenal on matchday one in August[/caption]

Elsewhere champions Liverpool will begin their title defence with a Friday night Bournemouth clash, before new boys Sunderland return to the Prem following eight years away by hosting West Ham.

Whether bathed in August sunshine, or British summer drizzle, fans can look forward to some memorable clashes right from the word go.

In years gone by there have been some remarkable opening day moments, from incredible goals to late drama.

Upon today’s fixture release, let’s take a walk along memory lane and relive some of the amazing opening days of years gone by.

1996-97 – Beckham’s halfway line goal

Where else to start but with Golden Balls?

Becks was already a star prior to Man Utd’s trip to Selhurst Park to face Wimbledon on Saturday, 16 August 1996.

But his incredible, audacious goal from the halfway line helped to catapult him into a household name all over the country.

At the time, Sir Alex Ferguson gushed: “You have seen the goal of the season already. I have never seen it done before. Pele is the only one who came close to doing the same.”

BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK

Who are we to argue with the most decorated Prem manager of all time?

Action Images - Reuters

David Beckham’s iconic halfway line goal catapulted him to superstardom[/caption]

1994-95 – The Klinsmann dive

Jurgen Klinsmann arrived in England in the summer of 1994 with the reputation of a goalscorer, diver and cheat… and perhaps not in that order.

The German forward had appeared on English TV screens at the previous two World Cups, with a theatrical fall in the 1990 World Cup final to get Pedro Monzon sent off not being forgotten.

Nevertheless, Klinsmann was a huge coup for Spurs, who despite finishing 15th the previous season had managed to lure one of the continent’s most clinical strikers from Monaco to White Hart Lane.

On his debut in a 4-3 win at Sheffield Wednesday on August 20, 1994, Klinsmann scored a sensational header to open his Tottenham account – before poking fun at his reputation by performing a celebratory dive in front of the boo boys in the home end.

With the celebration quickly entering Prem folklore, Klinsmann went on to reveal: “(Teddy) Sheringham had the idea. If you score today, we’ll all dive.’ The wonderful thing was that the rival fans even laughed about it.”

Sportsphoto Ltd

Jurgen Klinsmann poked fun at his diving reputation[/caption]

2016-17 – Mane’s debut delight

Jurgen Klopp’s first full season in charge of Liverpool began with a tricky-looking trip to Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.

And while the Reds didn’t go on win the title that year, Klopp’s men gave a brilliant sign of things to come as they blitzed the Gunners 4-3 on their own turf.

The pick of the bunch was Sadio Mane’s sensational debut goal, with the summer arrival from Southampton burning the Arsenal defence before whacking an unstoppable left-footed shot into the net.

Klopp celebrated the goal wildly, and even went on to admit that his manic response contributed to Arsenal getting back into the game.

On Mane’s impact at Anfield, the German boss reflected in 2022: “One of Liverpool’s greatest ever players is leaving and we must acknowledge how significant this is. He leaves with our gratitude and our love.”

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2014-15 – Dier breaks Hammers hearts

In the summer of 2014, Mauricio Pochettino took over at Tottenham – arriving from a rival Prem club to try and clear up the North Londoners’ mess, sound familiar?

The game got off to a less than ideal start for the Argentine, with Kyle Naughton being sent off for handling in the box on 29 minutes.

Pochettino reshuffled his pack, putting 20-year-old debutant Eric Dier at right-back – and subsequently watched Mark Noble miss his spot kick.

Amazingly the game finished 10v10, with James Collins sent off for the home side. Dier went on to be the unlikely hero, skipping past Adrian to score following Harry Kane’s brilliant through ball.

After the game, Pochettino gushed: “It was a great goal by Eric Dier. He showed, and we showed, that we are ambitious. We played like a team and that is important.”

Action Images - Reuters

2011-22 – Sergio Aguer-woah!

Sergio Aguero did not take long to announce himself to English football.

The Argentine superstar arrived at Manchester City from Atletico Madrid to high expectations in the summer of 2011.

Aguero immediately impressed after being brought on against Swansea with his side leading 1-0.

The livewire forward took just nine minutes to poke home his first of what would go on to be 260 City goals.

And in stoppage time, he blasted home a beauty to cap off a brilliant 4-0 win for Roberto Mancini’s men.

The result went on to be a sign of things to come, with the Billionaire Sky Blues going on to dramatically pinch the title from rivals Man Utd… Aguero scoring the all important last-gasp goal to clinch it on the final day.

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1999-00 – Poyet’s beauty

Uruguayan midfielder Gus Poyet scored an iconic goal for Chelsea on the opening day of the 1999-00 season.

While not scaling the heights that they would in the following decade, the Blues had grown in stature during the 1990s – largely owing to the genius of Gianfranco Zola.

During this 4-0 stomping of Sunderland, Zola was in imperious form.

The tricky Italian produced a sensational assist for his side’s fourth goal, delicately scooping the ball into the penalty area.

Poyet took it from there, finishing with an electrifying scissor kick.

PA:Press Association

Gus Poyet scored a belter of a scissor kick in 1999[/caption]

2004-05 – Mourinho arrives

Five years on from Poyet’s brilliant opening day goal, Chelsea were welcoming new boss Jose Mourinho to Stamford Bridge.

The Portuguese didn’t shy away from the spotlight, to put it mildly, declaring during his opening press conference: “Please don’t call me arrogant, because what I’m saying is true. I’m European champion, and I think I’m a special one.”

Mourinho’s big statement was immediately put to the test, as he began with a tricky home assignment against Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man Utd.

The Blues won the contest 1-0 thanks to Eidur Gudjohnsen’s scrappy 15th minute goal, with Mourinho admitting after the game: “Mr Ferguson pushed me to make changes that normally I don’t do to play a safer match – and in fact the team defended very, very, very well.”

Chelsea’s stingy defence went on to concede just 15 times across the whole season, a record that still stands to this day, with Mourinho’s Blues going on to win their first league title in 50 years.

Getty

Eidur Gudjohnsen scored the winner as Jose Mourinho triumphed in his first game in charge[/caption]

TADHG BEIRNE has joked that he will do his best to help Johnny Sexton settle in as a Munster fan.

And he is convinced that the Lions can start to gel as early as Friday night when they face the Pumas.

Lions and Ireland assistant coach Johnny Sexton quipped earlier this week how he had bought a Munster season ticket.

That was in response to Leinster signing Rieko Ioane – who had taunted Sexton at the end of his last game before retirement, the All Blacks quarter-final defeat of Ireland at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

And Beirne – one of three players, alongside Connacht duo Finlay Bealham and Bundee Aki – is ready to help smooth Sexton’s transition.

Beirne laughed: “I was celebrating with him in the hotel yesterday. I was like, ‘aw brilliant, can’t wait to have you down’ and offered him a bed to sleep in for any of the late games. 

“I’m looking forward to having him in the stands next year.”

The Kildare man was in jovial form as he prepares for his second Lions tour, replying that he had ‘probably gotten slower, put on a bit of weight’ when asked in what way he had changed as a player since 2021.

And he observed that Maro Itoje does not curse much when asked about the Lions skipper’s leadership style.

But he was more serious when asked if the Lions could be cohesive against the Pumas when still trying to adapt to a new system.

He said: “Why wouldn’t they be compatible? You’re talking about world class players here.

“The expectation we would have of each other is that you can adapt to any system you’re given. That’s the challenge of being a Lion.

“Every four years there’s going to be a new system, the coach is going to want to play a certain way and if you want to be a Lion, you’re going to have to adapt or you’ll get left behind.

“I would say if you came in here thinking that you could just play your club system or your country system, then you’re probably already at a loss. 

“If you’re not floating ideas to players in your position, you’re already at a loss as well. We’re in such a privileged position to come into these environments and learn from one another.”

DONALD Trump’s nuclear-hardened “Doomsday Plane” has touched down near to Washington DC as speculation grows over a strike on Iran.

The impervious US Air Force E-4B “Nightwatch” aircraft landed at Joint Base Andrews under the cover of darkness on Tuesday – hours after Trump’s crisis meeting in the White House Situation Room.

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The impervious US Air Force E-4B ‘Nightwatch’ aircraft has touched down near to Washington DC[/caption]

SWNS

An advanced satellite communications system allows for worldwide conversations with global senior leaders[/caption]

Shutterstock Editorial

A fire burns at the Iran State Radio and Television (IRIB) building after it was hit by an Israeli strike[/caption]

Eager aviation followers managed to track the huge Boeing as it went on the move and went on a highly irregular flight path from Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Its movement has sparked fears that it could be a clear indication of Trump and the US joining the war against Iran.

The US government has been urged to join forces with Israel in recent days and bring an end to the Iranian regime in the Middle East.

Trump has even directly threatened Tehran’s Supreme Leader this week, saying “we know where you’re hiding”.

US officials have stressed no official decision has been made yet about their intervention.

But the Nightwatch being moved to just outside of the capital has raised many eyebrows around why it is now so close to the president.

The craft took off from Bossier City and traveled along the coast before landing at the airbase in Maryland at 10:01pm.

The flight lasted for over four hours with never-before-seen call signs also being noticed by online trackers of ORDER01 instead of the typical ORDER6. 

The militarized Boeing 747-200 is only used by the White House’s top staff and defence forces in case of a major emergency or global crisis.

The aircraft has only been called into action once before – on September 11, 2001 during the attack on the Twin Towers.

This is due to it being specially designed to keep the US’s most powerful figures safe even in the most deadly conditions.

It is designed to withstand electromagnetic pulses and even nuclear and thermal blasts – hence the “Doomsday Plane” nickname.

They have been in operation since the 1970s and were long considered the best chance for a Cold War president to survive a nuke.

The massive 231ft jet can hold up to 111 crew and passengers on board and features six main areas from a relaxing lounge to a command work area and briefing room.

Another key safety feature is that the plane has four engines and is capable of refueling mid flight allowing for over 35 hours in the air.

Elsewhere, an advanced satellite communications system allows for worldwide conversations with global senior leaders.

An engine can produce 52,500 pounds of thrust from the planes and they can carry up to 800,000 pounds.

This weight can be easily distributed across the massive 231ft long craft that also boasts a 195ft wingspan.

Reuters

Smoke rises in the direction of Khojir complex as the Israel-Iran air war continues[/caption]

Alamy

A USAF C-17 Globemaster cargo transport plane lands at Prestwick airport as one of many US military aircraft deployed from the US towards Europe and the Middle East[/caption]

truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump

Trump has already sent threats to Iran and their Supreme Leader in recent days[/caption]

Each individual plane is believed to have cost a whopping $223million to make.

While it is still unclear why the plane was moved overnight, the aircraft is operational 24/7 to make sure it is always available when needed.

Regular training flights are often done throughout the year as well.

It follows a week of signs that the US is preparing to blitz Iran with the most notable being a huge US air armada made up of dozens of military jets landing in Europe this week.

At least 30 large air-to-air refuellers swooped across the Atlantic followed by at least a dozen F-22 Raptors and F-35 Lightning jets.

Experts said the F-22s and F-35s would most likely be used to bolster Israel’s air defence amid fears Tel Aviv cold run low in its Iron Dome and interceptor missiles.

But there are fears the fighter bombers could also be used to strike targets inside Iran.

The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier was also seen steaming towards the Gulf to reinforce the carrier USS Carl Vinson.

The US President has already warned the “full strength and might” of the military would be used if America was attacked.

Dozens of USAF KC-135 Stratotanker refuelers and KC-46 Pegasus tankers swooped into bases in Prestwick, Scotland, Ramstein, Germany, Moron in Spain and Chania in Crete.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said he had ordered “the deployment of additional capabilities” to the Middle East amid spiralling fears of World War Three.

But he insisted their role was “defensive”.

AFP

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is also heading for the Middle East[/caption]

Reuters

Smoke and fire rise at an impacted facility site following missile attack from Iran on Israel[/caption]

CHRIS WILDER has been given the boot by Sheffield United AGAIN.

The Blades recorded with a club-record 92 points in the Championship this season – though two of these were docked for breaching EFL regulations.

Shutterstock Editorial

Chris Wilder has been sacked for a second time by Sheffield United[/caption]

They settled for third behind champions Leeds United and Burnley, before cruising past Bristol City in the play-off semis.

Yet a late Sunderland comeback at Wembley meant to failed to gain promotion through the play-offs for a staggering NINTH time.

Former Hull City boss Ruben Selles is set to replace him in the Bramall Lane dugout, having been sacked by the Tigers last month.

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