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No Writer
Feb 11
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank sacked

The Dane left after Tuesday's 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle. Tottenham sit 16th in the Premier League, five points above the relegation zone. Frank, who was appointed last summer after consistently over-performing as Brentford boss, has the worst Premier League home win percentage of any Spurs manager since 2008. He won just 13 of his 38 games in charge. Sky News sports correspondent Rob Harris said it has been an "incredible season of contrast" for Spurs, as they have struggled domestically but performed strongly in Europe, progressing to the Champions League round of 16. "It has been a quite fractious time between Thomas Frank, the Danish manager, and the fans. He's been a source of quite a bit of friction. It's been quite a poor atmosphere around the club as well," Harris added. Tottenham said they had been determined to give Frank "the time and support needed to build for the future together" since he was appointed head coach in June 2025. "However, results and performances have led the board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary," the club said in a statement, announcing that Frank will leave on Wednesday and thanking him for his "unwavering commitment, giving everything in his efforts to move the club forward". Tottenham will now be looking for their sixth permanent manager in seven years since Mauricio Pochettino's departure in 2019. There is no obvious interim manager who can step in, Harris said, questioning why the decision to sack Frank was made now. Read more from Sky News:Cold weather health alert issued for EnglandCounter-terror police investigating school stabbing "They're already out of the FA Cup, there's no match this weekend - so they're not playing for a week and a half. But what a first match the interim manager will have: the north London derby against Arsenal," he said, adding this was a "wider reflection of just how brutal the managerial business can be". Potential candidates to replace Frank as head coach include former Spurs boss Pochettino, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner, former Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi, and Barcelona great Xavi.

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Gemma Peplow, culture and entertainment reporter
Feb 11
Sky to bring Disney+, Netflix, Hayu and HBO Max together under one subscription

Viewers will soon be able to watch Disney+, Netflix, Hayu and HBO Max alongside Sky's own original shows and exclusives as part of a new entertainment offering. The deal, which Sky says is the best value in the market, means the platforms will be available together as part of the broadcaster's Ultimate TV package from £24 a month. HBO Max, coming to the UK and Ireland in March, will air the upcoming and much-anticipated Harry Potter series when it is released, and will also be the new streaming home for Friends. It also brings medical drama The Pitt - long awaited outside the US following Emmy and Golden Globe wins - to the UK and Ireland for the first time. Hayu, billed as "the home of reality TV", offers The Real Housewives back catalogue as well as British shows such as Made In Chelsea and The Only Way Is Essex. The two streamers join Disney+, which includes film franchises such as Star Wars and Marvel, and the hit series Rivals, as well as Netflix - home to shows including Stranger Things, Black Mirror and Adolescence - in being offered as part of a Sky subscription. The service will begin in March, with Hayu available from July. Sky, the owner of Sky News, is home to shows including Brassic and A League Of Their Own, and is also due to launch the first UK version of hit US comedy show Saturday Night Live in March. With viewers preferring to access their favourite shows and films in one place, the announcement gives Sky an appealing offering amid increasing competition from streamers. Bosses say the deal marks "a new era" for the broadcaster and its own streaming service, NOW. "In a world-first, we're bringing together Sky, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max and Hayu into a single Sky TV subscription," said Sophia Ahmad, Sky's chief consumer officer. "Nowhere else offers this breadth of incredible entertainment in a fully integrated experience, with everything customers love watching side by side so viewers can jump from show to show with ease." Millions of existing customers with Sky Q, Sky Stream or Sky Glass subscriptions will get "easy access" to the new line-up as standard, she added. "We're proud to continue Sky's legacy of innovation, making it easier than ever for people to enjoy the very best entertainment and best experience, all in one place." Sky plus the HBO Max Basic subscription with adverts, Disney+ Standard with adverts, Hayu, and Netflix Standard with adverts will be available together for new customers as part of Sky Ultimate TV from £24 a month, Sky has said, while existing customers will get access as part of their Sky TV subscription.

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No Writer
Feb 11
Starmer's ex-comms chief should lose peerage over links to paedophile, says Labour chair

Anna Turley MP told Sky News "there's no place [...] in the Lords" for people like Matthew Doyle, who she suggested hadn't been truthful before being elevated to parliament's upper chamber earlier this year. Lord Doyle apologised and was suspended from Labour on Tuesday for his links to Sean Morton, who he campaigned for in 2017 after he had been charged over indecent images of children. The peer said he had believed Morton's initial assertions of innocence at the time, before he later pled guilty. Downing Street 10 was not aware Lord Doyle had campaigned for Morton at the time of his appointment, it is understood, and Ms Turley said "what we'd been told was not the truth when that decision was made". Asked if he should remain a peer, she told Sky News: "No, I don't think he should. That's my personal view." "There's no place for them in the Lords" for people who "have not been clear and transparent", she added. Politics Hub: Follow the latest Lord Doyle has apologised "unreservedly" for supporting Morton, who was a councillor in Moray, Scotland. He first appeared in court in connection with indecent child images in late 2016, and was suspended by Labour. He was running as an independent when Lord Doyle campaigned for him in May 2017. He didn't plead guilty until November that year. Lord Doyle said he had "extremely limited" contact with him after his conviction, and described his offences as "vile". "My thoughts are with the victims and all those impacted by these crimes," he added. He continued: "At the point of my campaigning support, Morton repeatedly asserted to all those who knew him his innocence, including initially in court. "He later changed his plea in court to guilty. "To have not ceased support ahead of a judicial conclusion was a clear error of judgment for which I apologise unreservedly. Those of us who took him at his word were clearly mistaken." Read more from Sky News:Double stabbing at schoolOlympian admits cheating on girlfriend Lord Doyle only took his place in the upper chamber last month. The SNP had opposed his peerage. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on the prime minister to publish "vetting advice and due diligence" reports provided before the peer's appointment. A Labour spokesman said Lord Doyle had lost the party whip while an investigation is carried out, and added: "All complaints are assessed thoroughly in line with our rules and procedures."

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Nick Wright, Adam Smith and Sam Blitz
Feb 11
Thomas Frank sacked by Spurs after eight months in charge: What went wrong for the former Brentford boss?

Tuesday night's 2-1 loss at home to Newcastle, who were winless in their previous five matches, ended up being the final straw. Spurs remain without a Premier League victory in this calendar year. Spurs were booed off by their own supporters at both half-time and full-time of the loss to the Magpies, with chants of 'sacked in the morning' and 'we want Frank out' aimed at the head coach. Frank arrived in the summer as the popular Ange Postecoglou's replacement following a successful seven-year spell in charge of Brentford. Why did it not work out for him at Spurs? Tottenham sack head coach Thomas Frank after eight monthsTransfer Centre LIVE! | Tottenham news & transfers⚪Spurs fixtures & scores | FREE highlights▶️Got Sky? Watch Tottenham games LIVE on your phone📱No Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺Fans reject playing style Tottenham's playing style became a major bone of contention under Frank. His predecessor Postecoglou's high-intensity, attacking ethos may have been flawed, but it did at least give supporters something to get behind. 'Angeball' entertained. The same cannot be said of Frank's approach. The Dane insisted his ultimate aim was for Spurs to play free-flowing football, but fans saw little evidence on the pitch. Their numbers for possession, passing sequences and build-up attacks all plummeted. Instead of pressing opponents and forcing high turnovers, Spurs under Frank seemed happier to sit back and absorb pressure. It all felt reactive rather than proactive. Stylistically, Spurs profiled similarly to Frank's Brentford as he put more emphasis on long passes and aerials. He prioritised defensive solidity, with little success, and their attack suffered. In their November defeats to rivals Chelsea and Arsenal, Spurs generated a meagre combined total of just 0.17 expected goals. Frank succeeded in transforming their set-piece threat. Spurs have already scored more goals from dead balls than in the whole of last season. But the apparent lack of intent from open play was difficult for fans to stomach given the club's attacking traditions. Frank pointed to availability issues, with some justification. But the lack of incision was alarming, with Frank frequently preferring a workmanlike midfield pairing of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur, much to the frustration of the club's fans. Damningly, he departs with Spurs having attempted fewer through balls than any other Premier League side this season. Home discomforts It all started so well for Frank at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The 3-0 win over Burnley in his first Premier League game in charge in August came after a spirited showing in the European Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain. It offered early encouragement about what was to come under the new head coach. Fast forward six months, though, and Spurs have only added one further Premier League victory from a total of 13 games in front of their own fans. Their home record is the third-worst in the division. Frank tried to avoid the R-word, but it is relegation form. Their struggles at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where fans outwardly turned on Frank on numerous occasions, made it impossible for him to build a connection with those in the stands and ultimately paved the way for his departure. Spurs' home form actually ranked as the worst in the Premier League relative to their away form, with Spurs taking 0.69 points per game fewer when playing in front of their fans than they did on the road. Injury issues Frank was not helped by certain factors beyond his control. Spurs have been dogged by injuries, especially offensively. Frank was not able to call on James Maddison or Dejan Kulusevski once during his brief tenure. Dominic Solanke also missed a large chunk of the campaign. And when the striker finally returned to action, Spurs lost Richarlison and Mohammed Kudus. Wilson Odobert became the latest player to fall when he had to be withdrawn in Tuesday's defeat to Newcastle. Their current absentee list stretches into double figures and features the suspended Cristian Romero as well as the injured Pedro Porro, Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, Djed Spence, Kevin Danso and Ben Davies, in addition to the names already mentioned. The numbers are striking. Spurs have suffered the third-most injuries in the Premier League this season, their total of 43 putting them behind only Chelsea and Arsenal. They are top, though, when it comes to the number of days lost. Spurs players have missed a cumulative total of 1,302 days of action this season. It all added up to make Frank's task tougher. That Arsenal cup Did getting pictured holding an Arsenal cup have any bearing on whether Frank lost his job or not? No. It was a simple mistake. But it did not help his chances of building a relationship with Spurs supporters. The Spurs boss drinking from a cup branded with the badge of his biggest rivals, who were flying high at the top of the league while his team struggled, was an embarrassing mishap at a sensitive time. Coupled with the fact Spurs went on to lose that game against Bournemouth, it created an unnecessary hurdle for Frank to climb. Of course, it was an unfortunate accident. But it added to the noise around his position and gave his detractors more ammunition. Romero's discipline When you have a player who knows they are walking into your starting line-up, it can sometimes cause more harm than good. For Frank, that sums up the story of Tottenham captain Romero. So often the Argentine produced huge moments. Game-saving and perhaps, at times, job-saving moments. A crucial double against Newcastle and an equaliser against Burnley added to why he was indispensable at both ends of the pitch. But for every time Frank had him to thank, he also had a headache to deal with. Romero wears his heart on his sleeve, but too often did that cause the Dane a problem. On multiple occasions, Frank publicly backed his skipper despite question marks over his future and whether or not he had the right mentality to wear the armband. Any issues were dealt with in-house. What cannot be argued is that Frank protected the player. How was he repaid? In his final couple of weeks in charge, he had to respond to comments Romero made on social media where he described the state of a 'stretched' Tottenham squad plagued with injuries as disgraceful. Again, he defended the player. Refused to strip him of his captaincy. That was followed by a reckless sending off against Manchester United days later, ruling him out for the remainder of Frank's tenure. A leader not standing up alongside his team-mates. Instead, leaving them to fight without him. Perhaps it's the case that Romero's words and actions were the reflection of how Spurs players felt across the squad. In that case, it was always going to be difficult for Frank to turn it around. But, to have your main point of leadership cause you more harm than good is an issue every manager would rather avoid.

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No Writer
Feb 11
Butcher who cut her girlfriend in half and buried her in their Derby garden jailed for life

Anna Podedworna, from Poland, killed Izabela Zablocka with a horse figurine before wrapping her remains in bin bags in a "filthy, makeshift grave" in Normanton, Derby. Ms Zablocka, 30, was reported missing after losing contact with family in 2010, Derby Crown Court heard. Podedworna denied knowing where she was. But prosecutors said she finally "cracked" last year and emailed police when a Polish journalist flew to the UK to interview her. The mother-of-one's remains were found in June, under concrete in the garden of the house the couple had shared after moving from Poland together. Jurors were told "considerable force" would have been needed to cut Ms Zablocka's body in half and that electrical tape had been used to bind her legs together "like a chicken". At the time, Podedworna worked as a butcher at a factory in Scropton, Derbyshire, where she skinned, deboned and cut up turkey. She had taken two weeks off after Ms Zablocka last made contact with her family. Prosecutor Gordon Aspden KC said she used this for a series of "deliberate, calculated, gruesome and time-consuming acts" meant to cover up her crimes. The court heard that the victim presented as a man but could not afford gender reassignment surgery, which caused tension with her killer. Podedworna told the court that she had killed her partner in self-defence. The 40-year-old said: "I was just terrified, I felt fear. I thought I will bury her. I took the decision I would bury her in the garden." "I wanted to pick her up whole. I just did not have the strength to pick her up. I had an idea to cut her down. It seemed the only way… to cut her into two." The jury yesterday found her guilty of murder, preventing a lawful burial, and perverting the course of justice after a three-week trial. The victim's daughter, Katarzyna Zablocka, who was just a child when her mother moved to the UK, said she had spent her entire adult life "looking for answers" about what happened In an impact statement read to the court, Katarzyna, also known as Kasia, said: "As a young child I was incredibly close to my mother. "She was my whole world so the fact she suddenly vanished from my life without a single word of explanation was a horrific experience for me. "This sudden void left a deep wound in my psyche that has stayed with me to this day. "In my heart I always felt that my mother did not leave me on purpose. I remembered how much she loved me when I was little. "It was this certainty - that I mattered to her - that gave me the strength to spend my entire adult life looking for answers - what really happened that caused our contact to break off so suddenly?" Sentencing Podedworna, who has two young children of her own, the judge told her: "Your crimes and Izabela's gruesome fate only came to light in 2025. "As a result of your violent, manipulative and cruel actions, Katarzyna grew up not knowing what happened to her beloved mother. "Your actions caused untold misery and trauma to Izabela's family who were left with no idea where she was or what had befallen her." Read more:Killer gets lethal injection as 'frantic' execution spree continues'Suffolk Strangler' told he'll die in prison She added: "I am sure you killed her in anger and frustration rather than when you were attacked by her." Detective Inspector Kane Martin, from Derbyshire Police, said: "This investigation has been particularly challenging and distressing from the outset. "Izabela's family have had to learn about the unimaginable horrors Anna Podedworna inflicted upon her in a very public manner, so many years after she was taken away. "After being killed in her own home in August of 2010, Izabela was brutally and horrifically dismembered by the woman she loved - Anna Podedworna, a highly skilled butcher. "Izabela was a much-loved mother, daughter and granddaughter - nothing can bring her back but it is my hope that today's sentencing allows her family to lay her memory to rest."

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No Writer
Feb 11
Prince William's first tour of Saudi Arabia ends with nature reserve visit

The future king toured the Sharaan Nature Reserve in the east of the country to hear about ongoing conservation initiatives aimed at protecting and reintroducing native species such as gazelles and the Arabian oryx. He was also told about a flagship programme to bring back the critically endangered Arabian leopard. The prince planted an acacia tree at the reserve as he was given details about ongoing efforts to protect its natural wildlife and landscape. William is also spending part of the day visiting the old town of AlUla, which features more than 900 mud‑brick houses and a historic citadel. The town has a network of narrow alleyways that formed a thriving settlement on the ancient incense road, the trade route that carried spices, textiles and aromatics across Arabia for centuries. The prince is also meeting local farmers during a tour of AlUla's Oasis and EcoGardening farm. The farmers were giving details to the prince about their belief in sustainable farming and on efforts to preserve their region's agricultural history. The trip has been overshadowed by the allegations surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew denies any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. The Prince and Princess of Wales attempted to make their position clear on the scandal on Monday when they issued their first public statement about it. A Kensington Palace spokesperson said they were "deeply concerned by the continued revelations", and "their thoughts remain focused on the victims".

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No Writer
Feb 11
Starmer insists he'll lead Labour into next election as he attempts to move on from leadership crisis

The prime minister told broadcasters on Tuesday: "I had a five-year mandate to deliver the change. I intend to get on with what I was elected to do." Asked whether he would lead his party into the next election, scheduled for 2029, he said: "Yes, I will." Politics latest: What are the next challenges for Starmer? Despite his strong words, with his cabinet and Labour MPs having rallied round him, Sky's political editor Beth Rigby said the prime minister remains in a "weak position". There have been growing doubts since last week about whether Sir Keir would stay in post - and for how long. He faced the biggest challenge to his leadership yet on Monday as Labour's leader in Scotland, Anas Sarwar, called for him to resign following the scandal over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as his US ambassador. In Sir Keir's first remarks since, he joked at an event in Hertfordshire on Tuesday: "It's been a busy week." He then largely repeated the message he gave his own MPs on Monday evening, saying he "will never walk away from the people that I'm charged with fighting for". "And I will never walk away from the country that I love," Sir Keir added. Addressing Labour infighting, he said his party needs to focus on improving living standards and public services, as well as battling what he described as Reform UK's politics of "grievance". But Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch told Sky News that Labour MPs had given Sir Keir a "stay of execution, because they are terrified of losing their own jobs". Labour MPs 'stepped back from the precipice' The PM's comments came after he chaired a cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning, having received its unanimous backing to remain in his post. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband told Sky News that Labour MPs had "looked over the precipice yesterday and thought, we need to step back. We need to back our leader. We need to back the man who was elected only 18 months ago as prime minister." He said that Monday had been a "very difficult day" for the government, admitting that it had made "mistakes" and needed to change course. Challenged that Downing Street was briefing that Health Secretary Wes Streeting - often seen as a potential leadership challenger - told Mr Sarwar to make his statement, Ed Miliband said: "MoveOn.org. I mean, let's just move past all this, honestly." Meanwhile, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham also gave his backing to Sir Keir, as did Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan. Mr Burnham - who Sir Keir blocked from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election - called for "stability" and "greater unity".

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No Writer
Feb 11
Arne Slot: Liverpool boss says there's no guarantee he stays after this season if they miss out on Champions League football

Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher says Slot will not have a leg to stand on if Liverpool go from Premier League champions to finishing outside of the top-five after £450m was spent last summer - despite the Dutchman delivering the title last term. After Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Man City at Anfield on Sunday, Carragher claimed it is unlikely that Liverpool will finish in the top-five next season due to the form of the Reds' rivals. Liverpool began this midweek round of fixtures four points behind fifth-placed Chelsea - ahead of a trip to Sunderland on Wednesday. Liverpool news | Sunderland vs LiverpoolLive Premier League table | Watch FREE PL highlightsGot Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺 "That is again a difficult question for me to answer because I do not decide my future," Slot said on whether his future is dependent on Champions League football. However, Slot then mentioned how Liverpool stood by Klopp at the end of the 2022-23 season, when the Reds finished fifth - behind Erik ten Hag's Manchester United - and missed out on the Champions League football, hinting that it could be a good omen for him. "The only thing I do know is that it happened before, and recently, and it didn't affect the future of that manager," Slot said, referring to that season under Klopp. "But that doesn't guarantee anything of course." Slot: This is my toughest season by a mile Slot admits he is enduring by far the most challenging season of his managerial career as he attempts to secure a Champions League spot with Liverpool. "By a mile," the Dutchman said, when asked if it was his most difficult campaign. "Because all the other seasons I've managed there were only positives. I don't think I've ever lost two games in a row [before]. "It's an exception this season for me, as it is for the players. The players are not used to losing a lot or having a lot of draws. "It is different with the season we're having now than all the other seasons I've managed where we always did something special - and there's still the possibility that we can do something special this season as well." 'A long way back' - Carra expects Liverpool to miss out on CL spots On Sunday, Carragher revealed he expects Liverpool to miss out on Champions League qualification through the Premier League. The Sky Sports pundit said it is now "a long way back" for Arne Slot's side to finish in the top five, following their 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester City on Super Sunday. When asked if he reckons Liverpool will make the Premier League's qualifying places for the Champions League - which is set to be expanded from four positions to five again this season - Carragher replied on Sunday: "No. Right now, I don't. "They would have to have a huge upturn in form. And the ones above them are in great form. When you look at the league for Liverpool, it looks like a long road ahead to get into the top five Champions League positions. There's a gap now. You can make that up, but Liverpool will have to do well in the two cup competitions to save the season. "The manager has another decision to make on the front four," Carragher added. "If Liverpool continue the way they are, with a front four and the games end to end, I just don't see how they can make the Champions League positions. "But no matter what Arne Slot does, the make-up of this squad and team isn't right. It never looks stable, they are never in control. "There is a long road ahead for Liverpool to make the Champions League places." Neville: Win at Sunderland and Liverpool back on bike Carragher's fellow Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was more positive on Liverpool's top-five prospects - but said they must show mental resilience to bounce back from the defeat to City. "They're now four points behind the top five," he said on The Gary Neville Podcast. "That's not a big gap at all, and there's a long way to go, and they'll have to play most of the teams above them, so they've still got loads of opportunities. Listen to The Gary Neville Podcast "But there's a question mark over Liverpool. There is a question mark as to whether they will finish in the Champions League places. "I still think they will, but what they have to do is box that [defeat to City] up very quickly, and chuck it in a corner, and forget about it. "There'll be some who say it's happening far too often, conceding goals late on. There'll be those who say something's wrong, something's fundamentally wrong, structurally wrong. But I think they just need to try and compose themselves if they can. They need to pull themselves together. "They've got a lot of experience with Alisson, Alexis Mac Allister, Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah and Ryan Gravenberch. They've got lots of players who know what to do. "Can they hold it together? Can they get back on the bike? "They go to Sunderland next. That is awkward. Go and win there if you really want to tell everybody that you're still going to be in the Champions League. Go and win at Sunderland, which will be a tough place to go. "Win there emphatically, be professional, keep a clean sheet, and that's where everyone needs to look now for Liverpool."

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