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Quick Chair Exercise Routine Revitalizes Leg Strength for Seniors Faster Than Gym Workouts

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Quick Chair Exercise Routine Revitalizes Leg Strength for Seniors Faster Than Gym Workouts

Looking to build stronger legs after hitting 60? There’s a straightforward and effective way to achieve this—by incorporating a simple 10-minute chair routine into your daily regimen.

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A sturdy chair placed firmly against a wall forms the basis of this routine. Here’s a deceptively simple yet powerful move: stand up slowly from the chair. While it may appear mundane, each repetition serves as a testament to the strength of your legs. Rising requires your thighs to take charge, your hips to lend their support, and your feet to remain grounded as you fully stand up.

The beauty of this simplicity is one reason chair exercises are a favorite when working with older adults. A chair not only provides a tangible goal and a reliable support when balance is a concern but also offers a clear metric for gauging progress. As you advance, you can introduce variations by increasing repetitions, holding positions longer, or reducing reliance on your hands.

While gym machines indeed have their place in building leg muscle, this brief chair routine brings a unique advantage: it’s incredibly easy to integrate into everyday life. Consistency in using the chair as a stable base allows your legs to perform the heavy lifting, which is essential for regaining strength required for daily activities.

The workout is timed for practicality—40 seconds of exercise followed by a 20-second pause to reset. This sequence includes five exercises, repeating the circuit a second time for a total duration of 10 minutes. Such a routine ensures you work efficiently, maximizing the benefits within a short span.

How to Do the 10-Minute Chair Routine

Set a timer for 40 seconds of work and 20 seconds of rest. Complete the five exercises below in order, then repeat the circuit for a second round.

  • Chair Sit-to-Stand: 40 seconds.
  • Chair-Supported Reverse Lunge: 20 seconds per side.
  • Seated Knee Extension With Pause: 20 seconds per side.
  • Chair-Supported Hip Hinge: 40 seconds.
  • Chair-Supported Calf Raise: 40 seconds.

Use the 20-second rest period to reset, switch sides when needed, and move into the next exercise. After calf raises, return to chair sit-to-stands and begin round two. Keep the chair against a wall and use a range of motion that stays smooth and controlled throughout the workout.

4 Bed Exercises That Restore Deep Core Strength Faster Than Planks After 60

Sit-to-Stand

The sit-to-stand turns one of the most common daily movements into direct leg-strength work. Your quads and glutes have to create enough force to bring you to standing, while your core keeps your torso steady as you rise. The chair provides a consistent target, making it easy to control your depth and track your progress over time. Keep your feet planted and stand tall at the top of every rep.

Muscles Trained: Quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, core.

How to Do It:

  1. Sit near the front edge of a sturdy chair with your feet flat on the floor.
  2. Set your feet about hip-width apart.
  3. Brace your core and lean your chest slightly forward.
  4. Press through your whole feet to stand tall.
  5. Push your hips back and lower toward the chair with control.
  6. Tap the seat lightly and repeat.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Work for 40 seconds during the circuit.

Best Variations: Higher-chair sit-to-stands, pause sit-to-stands, slow-tempo sit-to-stands.

Form Tip: Keep your knees tracking in the same direction as your toes as you stand.

Chair-Supported Reverse Lunge

Chair-supported reverse lunges build strength one leg at a time while giving you a steady point of contact for balance. The front leg handles most of the work as you lower and stand, making this a useful move for strengthening the thighs and hips through a controlled range of motion. The reverse step also keeps the movement easy to scale. Start with a shorter step and build depth as your confidence improves.

Muscles Trained: Quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, calves, core.

How to Do It:

  1. Stand beside a sturdy chair with one hand resting lightly on the back.
  2. Set your feet about hip-width apart.
  3. Step one foot back into a split stance.
  4. Lower straight down by bending both knees.
  5. Press through your front foot to return to standing.
  6. Complete 20 seconds, then switch sides.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Work for 20 seconds per side during the circuit.

Best Variations: Supported split squats, short-range reverse lunges, slow-tempo reverse lunges.

Form Tip: Let the chair support your balance while your front leg creates the lift.

5 Wall Pilates Moves That Flatten Lower Belly Faster Than Gym Classes After 60

Seated Knee Extension With Pause

Seated knee extensions give the front of your thighs direct work without needing to get down to the floor or use a machine. Straightening the knee with control challenges the quadriceps through a movement that supports walking, climbing stairs, and standing from a chair. The pause at the top keeps tension on the thigh muscles and gives you a clean way to make a light exercise feel more meaningful. Keep your torso tall and avoid swinging the leg.

Muscles Trained: Quadriceps, hip flexors, core.

How to Do It:

  1. Sit tall near the front edge of a sturdy chair.
  2. Keep both feet flat on the floor.
  3. Brace your core and extend your right leg until it is nearly straight.
  4. Pause for one second as you tighten your thigh.
  5. Lower your foot with control.
  6. Continue for 20 seconds, then switch sides.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Work for 20 seconds per side during the circuit.

Best Variations: Alternating knee extensions, banded knee extensions, slow-tempo knee extensions.

Form Tip: Keep your upper body still and let your thigh control the movement.

Chair-Supported Hip Hinge

Chair-supported hip hinges train the glutes and hamstrings, which work alongside the thighs to create stronger legs from the hips down. Reaching your hips back toward the chair gives you a clear target and helps you feel the difference between moving from the hips and folding through the low back. This movement builds useful posterior-chain strength while keeping the setup simple. Use a light touch on the chair as you learn the pattern.

Muscles Trained: Glutes, hamstrings, lower back, core.

How to Do It:

  1. Stand facing away from a chair with your feet hip-width apart.
  2. Position yourself close enough that the chair sits a few inches behind you.
  3. Soften your knees and brace your core.
  4. Push your hips back until your glutes lightly touch the chair.
  5. Drive your hips forward to stand tall.
  6. Repeat with a smooth, controlled tempo.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Work for 40 seconds during the circuit.

Best Variations: Bodyweight good mornings, staggered-stance hip hinges, slow-tempo hip hinges.

Form Tip: Send your hips back first and keep your chest long as you lower.

5 Standing Exercises That Reverse Muscle Loss Faster Than Gym Workouts After 60

Chair-Supported Calf Raise

Chair-supported calf raises strengthen the lower legs by targeting the push-off you use with every step. Your calves help you move forward when you walk and provide your legs with more support on stairs, hills, and uneven ground. Holding the chair lets you focus on a full, controlled rise without worrying about balance. Pause briefly at the top so the calves have time to do their work.

Muscles Trained: Calves, ankles, lower legs.

How to Do It:

  1. Stand facing the back of a sturdy chair with both hands resting lightly on it.
  2. Set your feet hip-width apart.
  3. Press through the balls of your feet to lift your heels.
  4. Pause briefly at the top.
  5. Lower your heels with control.
  6. Repeat for the full interval.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Work for 40 seconds during the circuit.

Best Variations: Seated calf raises, pause calf raises, slow-tempo calf raises.

Form Tip: Lift straight up through both feet, keeping your ankles from rolling outward.

How to Progress This Chair Routine After 60

This circuit works because it gives your legs regular practice without taking much time out of your day. Repeat it two to four times per week and let small improvements guide the next step.

  • Add reps before adding speed: Aim for cleaner movement and more controlled reps within the 40-second window.
  • Use less support over time: Keep one or both hands on the chair as long as it helps your form, then gradually reduce your grip.
  • Build range with control: Lower a little deeper in the reverse lunge or move your hips farther back in the hinge once the current range feels solid.
  • Increase the challenge slowly: Add a light mini band to sit-to-stands or knee extensions after you can complete two rounds with steady form.
  • Stay alert to joint feedback: Muscle fatigue is expected. Sharp pain, swelling, or a sudden increase in joint discomfort calls for a pause and individualized guidance from a qualified clinician.

Ten focused minutes can give your legs a meaningful dose of strength work. Keep the chair close, move with purpose, and let the small improvements stack up from one session to the next.

References

  • Klempel N, Blackburn NE, McMullan IL, Wilson JJ, Smith L, Cunningham C, O’Sullivan R, Caserotti P, Tully MA. The Effect of Chair-Based Exercise on Physical Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb 16;18(4):1902. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18041902. PMID: 33669357; PMCID: PMC7920319.
  • Furtado GE, Letieri RV, Silva-Caldo A, Trombeta JCS, Monteiro C, Rodrigues RN, Vieira-Pedrosa A, Barros MP, Cavaglieri CR, Hogervorst E, Teixeira AM, Ferreira JP. Combined Chair-Based Exercises Improve Functional Fitness, Mental Well-Being, Salivary Steroid Balance, and Anti-microbial Activity in Pre-frail Older Women. Front Psychol. 2021 Mar 25;12:564490. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.564490. PMID: 33841224; PMCID: PMC8026892.

Block Party Bedlam: 911 Calls Reveal Neighbors’ Panic Before Police Assaults

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Block Party Bedlam: 911 Calls Reveal Neighbors’ Panic Before Police Assaults

Newly unveiled 911 recordings reveal the palpable fear among North Charleston, South Carolina, residents who reported sightings of armed teenagers and gunfire, with one caller likening the mayhem to a “full-out war.” This chaos unfolded during a Fourth of July block party, which later saw police officers assaulted.

The 911 recordings, obtained by News Media from Charleston County Dispatch, disclose a surge of frantic calls made shortly before 8:30 p.m. As the city-approved Fourth of July celebration in North Charleston’s Chicora-Cherokee neighborhood began spiraling into disorder.

Callers were heard reporting that individuals blatantly carried firearms, gunshots rang repeatedly through the area, and a palpable sense of fear gripped the community. As officers tried in vain to disperse the crowd of hundreds, multiple officers ended up being attacked, leading to six arrests.

Two North Charleston police officers restrain a person on the ground during a Fourth of July block party that later erupted into violence

During the tumultuous Fourth of July event in the Chicora-Cherokee area, two North Charleston police officers apprehend an individual before additional officers were assaulted. (Credit: Mark Brown)

Among the first reports to emergency services was a caller who alerted dispatchers about armed crowds gathering near Calvert Street and North Carolina Avenue. “Everybody got guns,” the caller stressed, urgently requesting police intervention, “We need the police out here bad. They need to come out here.”

The caller also reported hearing gunfire and described seeing a blue Dodge Charger parked near a bus stop with armed people gathered around it.

As officers responded, another resident described the situation rapidly deteriorating after having already contacted authorities.

Firearms, magazines and other evidence recovered by North Charleston police after a July 4 block party where officers were assaulted and gunfire was reported

North Charleston police displayed firearms, magazines and other evidence recovered after a Fourth of July block party where officers were attacked, and multiple arrests were made. (North Charleston Police Department)

“I called 45 minutes ago and asked to have officers come out here to break up a group of kids with firearms, and now there’s like a full-out war going on outside my f—ing front door,” the caller told a dispatcher.

Dispatch logs show officers soon reported more than 500 people at the gathering while requesting every available unit to help disperse the crowd.

The same caller later reported seeing what appeared to be muzzle flashes.

A makeshift spear with a knife blade attached to a wooden handle recovered by North Charleston police after a chaotic July 4 block party in South Carolina

The North Charleston Police Department released a photo of a makeshift spear recovered during its response to a July 4 block party in the Chicora-Cherokee community. Police said the investigation into the incident remains ongoing. (North Charleston Police Department)

“I just watched about six of them that have f—ing muzzle flash,” the caller said. “It looked like they were f—ing shooting at each other and running in opposite directions.”

Another resident in the area told dispatchers that one person in the crowd shouted, “Get the strap,” before the caller heard gunfire moments later.

“I came inside and about 10 seconds later I heard three gunshots,” the caller said. “I need officers over here please.”

Another homeowner reported watching teenagers fire a handgun into the ground from across the street.

“I got a group of like teenage kids across my street… shooting a gun into the… ground,” the caller said, adding the individual tucked the weapon back into his waistband.

A North Charleston police officer struggles with a woman during an arrest at a Fourth of July block party

A North Charleston police officer struggles with a woman while making an arrest during a Fourth of July block party in the Chicora-Cherokee neighborhood. Police said multiple officers were assaulted during the incident. (Credit: Mark Brown)

The recordings also capture the growing fear among residents as gunfire continued.

One caller told dispatchers they had armed themselves while waiting for officers to arrive.

“I have my gun in my hand. If they come on my property, I will kill somebody,” the caller said, noting that he heard 20 to 30 shots. “I have on camera several individuals. We’ve been calling all night about this. We need people posted out here.”

As the response intensified, officers were instructed not to respond alone and to pair up while working the crowd.

Police previously said officers responded around 8:30 p.m. after receiving reports of people firing fireworks toward passing vehicles before learning attendees had begun discharging firearms.

Officers repeatedly ordered the crowd to disperse, but multiple fights broke out, and additional gunfire was reported, prompting officers to leave their patrol vehicles to restore order.

Authorities said multiple officers were assaulted during the response, including two female officers who suffered minor injuries. Viral video from the scene shows one officer being pulled to the ground while attempting to detain a woman before several people began striking her.

Investigators recovered multiple firearms, including what police described as a machine gun, along with a makeshift spear. Six people — including four juveniles — have since been charged in connection with the incident, though police said the investigation remains active and additional arrests are possible.

Secret Chamber Discovered Under Ancient Roman Emperor’s Estate

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Secret Chamber Discovered Under Ancient Roman Emperor’s Estate

A team of archaeologists has recently stumbled upon a concealed chamber beneath an estate linked to one of ancient Rome’s most renowned emperors. This find is believed to possibly represent the oldest structure yet discovered at the location.

The breakthrough was recorded at Hadrian’s Villa located in Tivoli, Italy, and was highlighted in an announcement from Pablo de Olavide University (UPO) situated in Seville, Spain.

This imperial villa once served as the residence of Emperor Hadrian, who governed Rome from 117 to 138 AD.

Emperor Hadrian is renowned for the construction of Hadrian’s Wall in northern Britain and for his extensive travels across the Roman Empire during his rule.

Currently, the vast imperial complex is maintained as a UNESCO-listed site, attracting tourists and archaeologists from all over the world.

At the villa, archaeologists found an underground structure that dates back to the Roman Republic period, which spanned from 509 BC to 27 BC — centuries before Hadrian took power.

The abandoned structure, which officials believe may have been used as a silo or storage facility, was partially filled in with ancient construction debris and ceramic materials.

The find “could prove to be the oldest structure ever identified at Hadrian’s Villa,” officials said.

Much of that earlier complex was destroyed during construction of the emperor’s sprawling villa, leaving archaeologists with few clues about its history.

“The discovery is particularly significant because it is associated with a villa that predated Hadrian’s imperial residence and was later partially incorporated into the construction of the Palazzo,” the statement added.

It was surprising to see that the structure was not completely filled with soil, said Rafael Hidalgo, director of the Palazzo Project at Hadrian’s Villa.

Hidalgo told Fox News Digital that more surprises came when his team began excavating the space’s interior.

They found objects that “provide highly valuable information for understanding the history of Hadrian’s Villa,” he said in an email translated from Spanish to English.

“The recovery of a significant assemblage of archaeological materials from inside the structure … will allow us, once the ongoing study is completed, to propose a date for this archaeological context,” he said.

“That will be of great importance in establishing the chronology of the earlier villa and determining the period during which it was occupied.”

Archaeologists found several ceramic pieces along with architectural terracottas that once lined the roof of a nearby building.

Several of the terracottas featured canine heads, while one depicted a bull’s head.

Hidalgo said the structure is in “excellent condition,” especially its vaulted roof, which is relatively fragile and typically collapses.

The roof “was perfectly preserved,” he said.

“Even on the inner surface of the vault, the impressions left by the wooden centering — the timber framework used during construction — are still clearly visible,” said Hidalgo.

“These supported the opus caementicium [or] Roman concrete, as it was poured to create the vault.”

The archaeologist said the discovery helps fill a longstanding gap in what experts know about the villa that existed before Hadrian’s.

“We have relatively little information about this earlier villa because much of it was destroyed by Emperor Hadrian during the construction of his own complex,” Hidalgo said.

The find adds to a growing list of underground archaeological discoveries that provide insight into ancient Rome.

Earlier this year, Italian officials unveiled the remains of an ancient Roman villa discovered beneath a high school gym near Rome’s Colosseum.

Last summer, excavations for Rome’s Metro Line C led archaeologists to uncover a multi-story apartment building dating back to the first century BC.

Massive Crowds Gather as Slain Iranian Leader’s Body Arrives, Chanting ‘Kill Trump’ at Shia Shrine

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As Iran grieves for its departed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his funeral cortege arrived at the nation’s most sacred shrine for his interment, with the crowd displaying banners that read, “We Will Kill Trump.”

The series of memorial events for Khamenei has reached its zenith. Notably absent from public appearances, Khamenei’s son and designated successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, has stayed out of sight following the February 28th airstrike by the US and Israel that claimed his father’s life, sparking the latest turmoil in the Middle East.

In the city of Mashhad, northeastern Iran, Khamenei’s body was slowly paraded through packed streets on a truck. The procession moved towards the golden domes and minarets of the Shrine of Imam Reza, accompanied by clerics in white turbans. Mourners dressed in black jostled closely behind, waving Iranian flags and holding aloft images of the late leader alongside red placards carrying revolutionary messages.

As the truck couldn’t navigate through the immense throngs, a helicopter completed the journey carrying the coffin for one last short leg. Upon landing, it was placed on a carpet as clerics gathered to offer prayers.

This week, despite an existing truce, tensions with the United States have rekindled. Iran maintains control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz while declaring triumph over enduring a months-long campaign from its formidable adversaries, Israel and the United States.

Iranian authorities are presenting Khamenei’s burial and the huge crowds attending his funeral as evidence of the popularity of their theocratic state and its lasting ideological fire, nearly half a century after the 1979 Islamic revolution.

‘Kill Trump’

The whereabouts of Mojtaba Khamenei, proclaimed supreme leader by a clerical assembly in early March, a week after his father’s death, has remained a mystery to Iranians.

He has not appeared in public since the US and Israel started the war with the strike that killed Ali Khamenei. While he has issued written statements, no image, video or voice recording of him has been issued.

Senior sources in Tehran have said he was injured in the strike and is recovering, but he has not yet been well enough to make public appearances. State security services are also trying to limit his exposure in the event of further attacks from the United States.

A massive crowd seen from a drone.

As crowds jostled in Mashhad awaiting Khamenei’s funeral cortege, the crowd chanted slogans demanding revenge on US President Donald Trump for his killing.

“I swear by the blood of the supreme leader, Trump, we will kill you!” they shouted, with women holding up placards reading “Kill Trump”.

The shrine’s courtyard was a sea of mourners as dusk fell, their defiant chants of “Death to America” ringing out above the lyrical funeral laments and sorrowful string music broadcast by loudspeakers.

Senior ayatollahs sat waiting on a raised dais, under the intricate blue tiling of an arched recess.

Imam Reza was one of Shi’ite Islam’s holiest figures and the shrine complex in Mashhad, Khamenei’s hometown, is a centre for pilgrimage with its golden dome and another azure domed mosque among Iran’s most recognisable buildings.

As the crowds awaited the coffins of Khamenei and his family in the sweltering July heat, hoses pumped water high into the air to spray across the mourners and keep them cool.

Khamenei’s remains, along with those of four family members, including his 14-month-old granddaugther, killed alongside him, have already been paraded through Tehran, the Shia Muslim clerical centre of Qom and the Iraqi shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala.

Crowds surround a coffin.

At each event, huge crowds have thronged the streets to the mournful accompaniment of sung Shia laments and chanted revolutionary slogans.

Martyrdom holds a central place in the Shia branch of Islam, and Khamenei’s death at the hands of foreign enemies has played into a religious and political tradition that runs deep through the Islamic Republic.

Renewed attacks

Meanwhile, Iranian ‌armed forces have launched attacks on US military infrastructure in Gulf states following US strikes on Iran’s southern coastal and eastern provinces, putting further strain on a three-week-old ceasefire agreement.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy said the US attacks and intervention in redirecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz were disrupting the waterway’s gradual reopening.

The Guards said the number of vessels transiting the strait under Iranian supervision had recovered to about 50 per cent of pre-war levels over the past two weeks, adding that permission was being granted only to ships using routes designated by Iran.

Any further US intervention will draw a “crushing response”, the Guards said.

The US military said on Wednesday that its latest strikes were aimed at keeping the Strait open after it said Iranian forces had struck three tankers in the area.

The assault came hours after ‌US President Donald Trump said ‌he believed the interim ceasefire with Iran ⁠to be “over”.

While Iran has not claimed responsibility for the ship attacks, analysts say Iran uses such actions to gain leverage in negotiations.

Oil prices, which had spiked amid concerns over the effect of the renewed attacks on shipping and global supplies, fell back on Thursday as investors weighed whether the flare-up was tactical and temporary or might augur a complete collapse in the ceasefire.

Iranian officials said the US attacks had killed 14 people and injured 78 across five provinces on 8 and 9 July.

The Fars news agency said one US strike had hit a rail bridge used for trade with Russia and China.

Several explosions were heard on Thursday morning in Iran’s Bushehr province and in Bandar Abbas, a port city on Iran’s south coast, the Mehr news agency reported.

Bushehr is home to a Russian-built nuclear power plant and a local official later told state media that a US projectile had hit the ⁠perimeter area of the facility.

The perimeter had already been hit several times before an 8 April ceasefire.

Iran’s army said in a statement released by state media that it had launched attacks at US Patriot systems in Kuwait, an early-warning site in Qatar and a US army fuel depot in Bahrain.

Kuwait said its armed forces had engaged with a cruise missile, three ballistic missiles and ‌10 drones in its airspace, and that one person had been injured from falling shrapnel.

Sirens also sounded in Jordan after missiles launched from Iran were detected, the state news agency reported.

Eight were intercepted, with no injuries or damage reported.

The Revolutionary Guards later said Iran had fired 10 ballistic missiles at Jordan’s Azraq military base, which is used by US forces, and also a US military control centre in the Middle East, without elaborating.

Qatar, which hosts the largest US base in the region and has often mediated between the US and its adversaries including Iran, condemned attacks on commercial shipping but also called for a return to diplomacy.

The foreign ministers of Türkiye and Oman also stressed the need to avoid further military escalation in separate calls with their Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.

In a call with the army chief of Pakistan, which has also mediated in the conflict, Araghchi condemned the United States’ “warmongering ‌policies”.

Controversial World Cup Final Referee Selection: Insiders Reveal FIFA’s Shocking Choice

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Controversial World Cup Final Referee Selection: Insiders Reveal FIFA’s Shocking Choice

In the most recent episode of the Daily Mail’s Whistleblowers podcast, Mark Clattenburg expressed his belief that an Italian referee is set to oversee the World Cup Final.

The sole Italian official at this year’s tournament is 44-year-old Maurizio Mariani from Rome. Mariani has already officiated in key matches, including Saudi Arabia’s draw against Uruguay, Colombia’s win over DR Congo, and Brazil’s triumph over Japan in the round of 32.

Clattenburg, without revealing specific names, noted that selecting an Italian for this prestigious role could cause a stir, as it would mark the fourth instance since 1978 that Italy has provided the referee for the sport’s most significant match.

On the latest episode of the Daily Mail's Whistleblowers podcast, Mark Clattenburg claims an Italian referee will likely officiate the World Cup Final

In a recent episode of the Daily Mail’s Whistleblowers podcast, Mark Clattenburg suggests an Italian referee is expected to referee the World Cup Final.

The only Italian referee at the tournament is Maurizio Mariani (pictured), who took charge of Saudi Arabia's draw with Uruguay and Brazil's victory over Japan in the round of 32

Maurizio Mariani, the only Italian referee in attendance, has officiated games such as Saudi Arabia’s tie with Uruguay and Brazil’s win over Japan in the round of 32.

It comes with FIFA already facing accusations of preferential treatment after the governing body suspended the automatic ban handed to USA striker Folarin Balogun

It comes with FIFA already facing accusations of preferential treatment after the governing body suspended the automatic ban handed to USA striker Folarin Balogun

It comes with FIFA already facing accusations of preferential treatment after the governing body suspended the automatic ban handed to USA striker Folarin Balogun, a decision taken after President Trump raised the red card personally with Gianni Infantino, prompting calls for FIFA’s President to resign.

‘I am hearing again that it could be an Italian referee,’ Clattenburg said on the podcast, which he hosts alongside Gordon Smart and the Daily Mail’s Football Editor Ian Ladyman.

‘Infantino’s Italian, Collina’s Italian. Most of the power in the refereeing and wider football world is Italian.

‘FIFA needs to keep everybody happy, all of the six confederations, and if you look at it, in 2010 the referee was English, in 2014 Italian, in 2018 Argentinian and in 2022 Polish. If we go Italian again, are we saying there’s no other referees but Italian?

‘If this year an Italian referee gets the chance again, bearing in mind what’s happened with FIFA at this tournament, it would be a big shock to me.’

Infantino was in fact born in Switzerland to Italian parents. Clattenburg made clear his criticism was not of Mariani’s competency to referee the biggest game in football, but an issue of fairness.

The World Cup Final will take place on Sunday 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, just outside New York, with the match officials expected to be announced after the semi-finals, likely on Thursday.

With France, England and Argentina all still in the tournament, leading officials including Clement Turpin, Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor can only come into contention for the final if their nations are knocked out.

The World Cup Final will take place on Sunday 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, just outside New York

The World Cup Final will take place on Sunday 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, just outside New York

Turpin takes charge of England’s quarter-final against Norway on Saturday, with Oliver appointed to Spain’s meeting with Belgium.

‘It would upset a lot of people if we had another Italian referee,’ Clattenburg, who refereed the Euro 2016 final, said.

‘I am not saying an Italian doesn’t deserve it, but there’s an awful lot of talented referees that could referee that match.’

Listen to the full episode, where the hosts analyse Morocco’s exit to France, by searching for Whistleblowers wherever you get your podcasts.

BBC Pay Disparity Sparks Outrage: Late Actress Patricia Greene’s Shockingly Low Salary Revealed

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BBC Pay Disparity Sparks Outrage: Late Actress Patricia Greene’s Shockingly Low Salary Revealed

Patricia Greene on Radio 4

Patricia Greene, celebrated as Britain’s longest-serving soap opera actress (Image: BBC)

At the age of 94, Patricia Greene has passed away, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. She earned widespread acclaim for her portrayal of the Archer family matriarch in the renowned BBC radio soap, The Archers. Her journey as Jill Archer began in 1957, and she remained a beloved figure in British broadcasting as the longest-tenured soap star until her passing. The BBC’s Today programme broke the news of her death, stating: “Patricia Greene, who played Jill Archer in The Archers since 1956, has died.”

Even with her impressive achievements in radio drama, Patricia once disclosed in an unexpected interview with The Times that her earnings did not match her success. In 2017, she received just £16,000 for her role. Yet, she accepted this pay modestly, telling the media outlet, “That’s what we get. We don’t talk money much, we talk content.” Her reaction to the salaries of some of the BBC’s top earners, which highlighted a significant gender pay disparity, was one of surprise and concern.

The Archers' George Hart and Patricia Greene

Patricia took on the role of Jill in 1957 (Image: Getty)

During a 2025 conversation, Patricia was astonished to learn that Chris Evans was earning upwards of £2 million per year at the BBC, exclaiming, “It’s obscene. You don’t earn that kind of money just sitting at a microphone, do you? It’s just ridiculous.”

While she wasn’t concerned about pocketing more cash, the star admitted that it would be nice to see some of that sum going towards The Archers’ budget.

She explained: “It always makes me laugh that we can only now have six characters per episode because of money, sometimes five, sometimes seven [according to the BBC, the quota is actually 39 voices per week].

“And [sometimes] we have to do [sound effects] that we would have gone and got off a gramophone record or tape but now we have to do it ourselves, it’s ridiculous.”

Patricia Greene in a wheelchair

Patricia Greene moved into an assisted living facility in 2023 (Image: averyhealthcare.co.uk)

When Patricia joined the cast of BBC Radio 4 in 1957, it was already well established and attracting up to nine million listeners; as a result, the Jill star was not convinced she would ever land a permanent role.

She recalled: “Because I only had one line, I had a drink at lunchtime. The line was, ‘Doesn’t she look lovely?’ but it came out ‘Dubbent debook bubbly?’ So they kept me there for an hour, repeating it. Since then, I’ve never had a drink and then worked.”

Patricia’s dedication to her craft earned her the loving nickname “the nation’s grandmother” from loyal listeners who continued to tune in to the 13-minute episodes.

At the time of her death, the BBC star was living in an assisted living facility, which she moved into in August 2023, but continued to record for the programme.

The Archers editor Jeremy Howe led tributes as he told Digital Spy: “Paddy was utterly singular, a fabulous and raucously funny raconteur. Like the best actors when on mic you were never quite sure how she would play a scene, but you knew she would play it brilliantly.”

He added: “Her portrayal of Jill was formidable, but also wonderfully warm, loving and enormous fun. It was an incredible privilege to work with her.”

Tyler Robinson’s Attorney Faces Backlash for Controversial Courtroom Comments

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Tyler Robinson’s Attorney Faces Backlash for Controversial Courtroom Comments

On Thursday, the courtroom was riveted as prosecutors unveiled previously unseen video footage from a police interview. The footage featured Lance Twiggs, the one-time roommate and lover of Tyler Robinson. This 23-year-old witness had come under scrutiny in the wake of the high-profile assassination of Charlie Kirk, which shook Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.

The interview in question took place in April 2026, conducted by investigators determined to uncover the truth behind this chilling event. As Twiggs recounted his story to law enforcement, he delved into his personal history with Robinson, noting that their paths first crossed in 2023. Initially just cohabitating as roommates, their relationship quickly deepened to a romantic level within a couple of months.

Amid his recollections, Twiggs described the eerie events of the fateful day Kirk was killed. He narrated that Robinson had left their residence early that morning, mentioning he was scheduled for a long shift at work. However, it wasn’t until the clock neared 11 PM that Twiggs heard from Robinson again, receiving a mysterious instruction to check beneath his keyboard.

What Twiggs found there was a handwritten note that would become central to the case. As outlined in court documents, the note chillingly stated: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.” This message seemed to connect Robinson directly to the tragic event that unfolded at the university.

Twiggs went on to recall the subsequent hours, noting that Robinson returned the following morning. His behavior was erratic, marked by incessant pacing and a conspicuous reluctance to discuss any details related to the assassination. This left Twiggs—and now observers in the courtroom—profoundly unsettled by the implications of Robinson’s actions.

Twiggs claimed Robinson eventually admitted to the assassination, began crying and told Twiggs ‘he wishes he hadn’t done it.’

Robinson said he was going to go to his parents or turn himself in, Twiggs added.

Lance Twiggs - Tyler Robinson hearing july 9 2026

Prince Harry warmly welcomed by hospital staff during visit with young patients

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Prince Harry warmly welcomed by hospital staff during visit with young patients

During a heartfelt visit to a children’s hospital in Birmingham, England, Prince Harry was warmly received by a group of enthusiastic nurses.

Prince Harry is on a tour of the UK

Prince Harry is currently on a UK tour

The Duke of Sussex, who resides in California with his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and their two children, is on a solo tour in the United Kingdom. On Thursday, 9th July 2026, he made a special stop at Birmingham Children’s Hospital to commemorate the 20th anniversary of a specialized nursing program offered by the charity WellChild.

Sky News reports Harry was “mobbed by nurses” as he entered the building with staff “encircling” him in the hospital corridors and the royal showed his appreciation by talking to the group, hugging them and posing for pictures.

During his visit, Harry met with some ill children on the wards including Alec Hill, 12, with Harry telling the youngster he shares a hobby with his seven-year-old son Prince Archie.

Margaret Qualley Reveals True Reason Behind Split from Jack Antonoff: Report

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Margaret Qualley Reveals True Reason Behind Split from Jack Antonoff: Report

Margaret Qualley has reportedly decided to end her relationship with Jack Antonoff after experiencing difficulties over the past few years.

Sources informed Us Weekly on Thursday that the couple’s hectic careers and the physical distance between them contributed to their issues, along with significant trust concerns within the marriage.

The insider mentioned that despite their efforts to resolve their marital problems a few months ago, it became apparent that things were not improving. Eventually, Qualley realized the reality of their situation and felt the need to take a step back.

The source further explained that mutual trust issues made maintaining their relationship challenging.

Additionally, Jack Antonoff reportedly confided in friends about the difficulty of marriage, acknowledging that there were significant struggles in their relationship.

However, the estranged pair “don’t have divorce plans yet,” per the source.

Page Six has reached out to reps for Qualley and Antonoff for comment.

On Wednesday, Page Six confirmed that Qualley, 31, and Antonoff, 42, called it quits after nearly three years of marriage.

An insider exclusively told us that “communication was definitely a challenge” between the pair throughout their marriage.

“Jack could be very particular about how he liked things,” our source explained. “He’d often prefer for things to be done the way he thought was best, and Margaret didn’t always feel like her perspective was being heard or given the same weight.”

The songwriter and the actress — who tied the knot in August 2023 — first sparked split rumors when Antonoff attended Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding without her on July 3.

Antonoff was spotted attending the couple’s rehearsal dinner on July 2 with his sister, Rachel. She also accompanied him to the star-studded nuptials the following day.

At the time, Page Six obtained photos of him entering the wedding festivities with his hands in his pockets, so it was unclear whether he was wearing his wedding band. 

However, Antonoff was seen on Wednesday, at the same time news of their split broke, still wearing his ring.

Eagle-eyed fans also noticed that the “Substance” star had deleted their wedding photos from her Instagram account and that Antonoff had removed the song “Margaret” from their “Bleachers Forever” tour setlist.

The song, notably, was inspired by Qualley and was reportedly last played at their June 13 show.

Antonoff and Qualley made their last public appearance together at the Grammys in February.
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