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Katy Perry Sends Bold Message to Exes Orlando Bloom and John Mayer at Music Festival

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During a performance in Spain on Thursday, Katy Perry appeared to take a playful swipe at her former fiancé, Orlando Bloom.

While headlining the O Son do Camiño festival in Santiago de Compostela, the pop star’s set included an eye-catching moment featuring a giant phone display showing calls from several of her past partners, as seen in a viral video on social media.

As Perry sang her 2020 track “Never Really Over,” the oversized iPhone screen displayed fake incoming calls from various contacts. These included Diplo and initials like “JM,” likely referring to John Mayer, “RB,” presumably for Russell Brand, and “OB,” unmistakably pointing to Bloom.

In a humorous twist, Perry acted as though she was ignoring these calls from her former flames, ultimately answering only one call from “JPJT.” This is an abbreviation for Justin Pierre James Trudeau, her current beau.

The 41-year-old singer and the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star, 49, first ignited romance rumors in 2016 after meeting at a Golden Globes afterparty. They dated until briefly parting ways in 2017.

However, they rekindled their relationship a year later and got engaged on Valentine’s Day in 2019.

The now-exes welcomed their daughter, Daisy Dove, in August 2020.

In June 2025, Page Six reported that they ended things amicably after nearly 10 years together.

Bloom — who also shares 15-year-old son Flynn with his ex-wife Miranda Kerr — and Perry have continued to co-parent their daughter since the split.

Perry was previously married to Brand from 2010 to 2012 and dated Mayer on and off from 2012 to 2015. Last year, Diplo confirmed that he and Perry had once dated as well.

Following her and Bloom’s breakup, the pop star has since moved on to a new relationship with the former Prime Minister of Canada.

She and Trudeau sparked dating rumors in July 2025, and went Instagram-official with photos from a romantic trip to Tokyo in December 2025.

They made their official red carpet debut as a couple earlier this month at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Tragic Ocean Incident: Mother and Child in Critical Condition After Being Swept Away by Sea

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A terrifying incident unfolded when a mother and her child were quickly transported to the hospital after being engulfed by a massive ‘sneaker wave’ along the California coast.

The duo, whose identities remain undisclosed, found themselves swept into the ocean near San Francisco’s Baker Beach on Thursday evening.

Officials explained that the incident involved a sneaker wave, characterized by a sudden, unusually large wave that rushes much farther up the shore than its predecessors.

This alarming event occurred just over a week after another tragic sneaker wave claimed the lives of two college students on the California coast.

On June 10, Harshita Nair, 21, and Mahial Sran, 20, both hailing from Fremont, lost their lives when a ‘rogue wave’ overtook them near Bonny Doon beach in Santa Cruz.

CalFire told the Daily Mail that their deaths marked the fifth water rescue they had responded to along the one-mile stretch of coastline in the past month alone.

Baker Beach, where the mother and child were swept away, is located 80 miles north of this stretch. 

The pair was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The Daily Mail has requested information from the San Francisco Fire Department, who responded to the incident. 

A mother and child have been rushed to hospital after a huge 'sneaker wave' swallowed them into the ocean off Baker Beach on Thursday. A stock image of Baker Beach is shown above

A mother and child have been rushed to hospital after a huge ‘sneaker wave’ swallowed them into the ocean off Baker Beach on Thursday. A stock image of Baker Beach is shown above

The pair, who have not yet been identified, were swept into the sea close to Baker Beach in San Francisco on Thursday evening. Baker Beach is pictured above

The pair, who have not yet been identified, were swept into the sea close to Baker Beach in San Francisco on Thursday evening. Baker Beach is pictured above 

Officials issued a beach hazard statement for coastal areas across Northern California this week. 

It was originally set to expire on Thursday, but was extended through Sunday morning after adverse conditions persisted. 

Forecasters and fire officials warned residents that sneaker waves can close in very quickly and without warning, while advising people to stay away from the shoreline.

According to the National Weather Service, those unsafe conditions were generated by a long period swell, which can prompt strong rip currents. 

Michael Horn, a spokesman for CalFire, explained why this season has been particularly treacherous for beach-goers in California. 

‘For the last week and a half, because of a couple of different large tropical storms in the Pacific, we’ve been experiencing really large waves,’ he told the Daily Mail. 

‘That’s not characteristic for this time of year. That’s not something that anybody would know that’s just a beach visitor a few times a season. 

Harshita Nair, 21, a legal studies major at UC Berkeley, died close to the shore in Santa Cruz

Harshita Nair, 21, a legal studies major at UC Berkeley, died close to the shore in Santa Cruz

Mahial Sran, 20, a public health B.S. at San José State University, also died in the double horror

Mahial Sran, 20, a public health B.S. at San José State University, also died in the double horror

The two friends were believed to be sleeping on Bonny Doon Beach in Santa Cruz, California

The two friends were believed to be sleeping on Bonny Doon Beach in Santa Cruz, California

‘This is not a time of year that you would routinely get huge surf. There are some very large waves recently. 

‘With that sort of storm surge, we’ve also been getting some much higher than normal tides, so that’s been increasing the hazardous conditions on all of our beaches throughout the central coast of California. 

‘It’s just a really good reminder that, no matter how educated you are on the ocean, you should never let your guard down. Never turn your back on the ocean. 

‘Check the tide charts, check what the ocean is doing, and heed the warnings.’ 

Trump’s Ambitious $300B Iran Investment Fund Faces Major Hurdles Amid IRGC Sanctions, Experts Say

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The ambitious $300 billion investment fund for Iran, part of a U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding, is poised to face significant legal hurdles due to existing U.S. sanctions laws. This raises doubts about the feasibility of the plan, even if both nations move towards finalizing an agreement.

Digitally signed on Wednesday by President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the memorandum seeks to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz for trade. The 14-point agenda includes the U.S. lifting sanctions on Iran, boosting Tehran’s oil revenue, and allowing access to global banking systems, among other initiatives.

However, one of the most ambitious elements of the deal—a proposed $300 billion private investment fund for Iran’s reconstruction and development—could clash with U.S. policies that label Iran’s construction sector as being under the influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

This challenge is more than a mere technicality; it questions whether a key economic promise of the Trump-Iran deal can be practically implemented under current U.S. laws. Experts suggest that if the fund relies on investments in areas deemed IRGC-controlled by Washington, the administration might have to issue temporary waivers or new licenses. Such a legal framework could deter long-term investors and complicate the finalization of any agreement.

TOP SENATE REPUBLICAN CRITICIZES TRUMP’S IRAN DEAL, CLAIMING $300 BILLION MAKES OBAMA DEAL SEEM LIKE ‘A PITTANCE’

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A proposed $300 billion investment fund for Iran included in the U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding may face major legal obstacles under existing U.S. sanctions law. (Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)

The State Department formally determined in 2020, and again in May 2025, that Iran’s construction sector was controlled directly or indirectly by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act, known as IFCA, that finding creates sanctions risks for people or companies doing business in the sector.

Miad Maleki, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control executive, told News Media that the legal and sanctions-related problems surrounding the fund are more complicated than simply asking whether Congress would have to approve it.

“I think Congress is unavoidable for a durable version of that investment,” Maleki said. “If we have a final deal and now as part of this commitment, the U.S. government and allies are going to have to go in and help Iran to set up this fund or get access to such a fund.”

Maleki said the president has meaningful unilateral authority to begin easing restrictions. Trump could revoke relevant executive orders, direct the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control to issue general licenses and waive some congressional sanctions laws.

But he said that does not mean the fund would be durable enough to attract serious investors.

“Technically, the fund could be switched on through some kind of an executive action plan alone, but it would be on paper and it would have to be renewed every 180 days,” Maleki said, referring to waivers for mandatory sanctions tied to Iran’s construction sector.

Iranian police officer standing on patrol near a poster depicting Iranian soldiers and U.S. military aircraft in Tehran

An Iranian police officer stands on patrol near a poster depicting Iranian soldiers holding a net shaped like the Strait of Hormuz with U.S. military aircraft ensnared in Tehran, Iran, on May 9, 2026. (Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

“If you’re anyone who is in an investment-type business, it’s hard to find someone who would be investing in construction-type projects that take time,” he added. “These projects are not like 180-day projects.”

The concern, Maleki said, is especially acute in Iran, where investors would face sanctions uncertainty, political risk and an unreliable partner.

“It’s hard to find someone who would be investing … based on something that could not just be renewed if Iran, especially in the context of Iran, where you don’t really have a reliable partner, where things can blow up any minute,” he said.

A woman walking past a billboard showing a military hand holding the Strait of Hormuz in Tehran

A woman walks past a billboard showing a military hand holding the Strait of Hormuz with Farsi text which reads, “In Iran’s hands forever,” “Trump couldn’t do a damn thing,” “The control of Strait of Hormuz will be Iran’s forever,” in Vanak Square, in northern Tehran, Iran, on April 16, 2026. (Vahid Salemi/AP)

That structure raises a broader question about whether negotiators were truly expecting the memorandum to mature into a final, durable agreement.

“The more I’ve been digging into this memorandum of understanding, sanctions paragraphs of this memorandum, the more I have come to this kind of doubt that the negotiators really were counting on a final deal to be reached,” Maleki said.

“If you do get to a final agreement and you’re looking into actually meeting the commitments that you made, this $300 billion investment fund, it’s not something you can really set up,” he added. “I think it would be almost close to impossible to get something that would materialize.”

Iranians burning American flags outside former U.S. embassy in Tehran

Iranians burn American flags during an anti-U.S. demonstration outside the former U.S. embassy headquarters in Tehran, Iran, on May 9, 2018, after President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. (Photographer: Ali Mohammadi/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Maleki said one possible explanation is that the U.S. side may view its role as limited to providing sanctions relief, while leaving Iran and potential investors to sort out whether the fund can actually be built.

“We’re going to give them the waivers that they need. If they can’t find investors to invest in this, that’s their problem,” he said, describing one possible view of the negotiators’ approach.

The Treasury Department and the Iranian mission to the U.N. did not immediately respond to News Media’s request for comment.

The issue could become a congressional flashpoint. Because IFCA waivers are limited to 180 days and require justification to Congress, any long-term investment framework for Iran could force the administration to repeatedly defend why sanctions tied to an IRGC-controlled sector should be suspended.

The legal obstacles also come as critics warn the pact gives Iran major economic benefits while leaving some of the most difficult nuclear and security questions for future negotiations. Maleki said the U.S. had already built significant leverage over Iran through sanctions, military pressure and the blockade, but may now be trading that leverage for the reopening of Hormuz.

“We reached a point that we had leverage that no U.S. president has ever had with Iran,” Maleki said. “Yet we gave that away for this, for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.”

He argued that Iran is likely to use the process to delay rather than rush toward a final agreement.

“Iran is going to go back to its playbook of dragging, buying time with the sanctions relief-type incentives that I’m seeing in this package,” Maleki said. “I do not think that the Iranian regime is going to rush to get to a deal.”

A man painting an anti-US mural on a building wall on Karim Khan Zand Avenue in Tehran

A man applies fresh paint to an anti-U.S. mural on a building wall on Karim Khan Zand Avenue in Tehran on April 8, 2025. The mural features the slogan “Down with the USA” and skulls replacing stars on the U.S. flag. (Atta Kenare/AFP)

John Hannah, a senior fellow at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America and a former national security adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney, warned that any economic windfall from the agreement could help the IRGC rebuild.

“It’s almost certain that the IRGC will use any economic windfall granted by this MOU to reconstitute as much of their conventional military as possible as fast as possible — especially the vast missile and drone arsenal that the IRGC believes proved critical to the strategic successes they achieved during the war,” Hannah told News Media.

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FIFA World Cup 2026: Thrilling June 19 Match Results, In-Depth Analysis & Highlights

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In brief

  • Mexico, Switzerland won their matches on Friday, with Canada claiming its first ever World Cup win.
  • Lionel Messi’s father is experiencing a “health situation”.

In a riveting World Cup match, Mexico triumphed over South Korea with a narrow 1-0 victory, securing their position as Group A champions. This win, propelled by a decisive goal from Luis Romo in the second half, guarantees the hosts a spot in the knockout stage.

The match’s turning point came just five minutes into the second half. South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu found himself in a difficult situation after a mishap with a teammate, failing to collect a cross. This error provided Romo with the perfect opportunity to volley the ball into an open net, sealing the lead for Mexico.

Despite the early blunder, Kim demonstrated resilience by blocking a potential goal from Mexico’s Raul Jimenez later in the game. Meanwhile, Mexican goalkeeper Raul Rangel showcased his skills by thwarting a late attempt from South Korea’s Yang Hyun-jun, ensuring a clean sheet for the home team.

With this victory, Mexico concludes the group stage with six points, securing the top position in Group A. They are set to face the Czech Republic at Estadio Azteca on Wednesday. South Korea, finishing with three points, will compete against South Africa in Monterrey.

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Source: SBS News

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First World Cup win

The Canadians have claimed their first-ever World Cup win in style, demolishing Qatar 6-0 in Vancouver.

Canadian Jonathan David bagged a hat-trick and lifted the co-hosts ahead of Switzerland at the top of Group B.

The win came at a price, however, as Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone was carried off the pitch with a suspected broken left leg after a challenge by Assim Madibo early in the second half that earned Madibo a red card and reduced Qatar to nine men.

Cyle Larin pounced on a rebound to open the scoring before David fired home a volley and then converted from close range. Nathan Saliba put the game out of reach when he drilled home a free kick shortly after entering the game for Kone, an own goal from Mohamed Manai made it 5-0 and David completed his treble in stoppage time with a left-foot shot.

Qatar were reduced to 10 men in the 34th minute when Homam Ahmed was sent off for a foul on Tajon Buchanan that originally led to a penalty being awarded until a review determined the challenge was just outside the area.

Canada joined Switzerland on four points through two matches but lead Group B on goal difference. Canada closes out the group stage against Switzerland on 24 June in Vancouver while Qatar face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle.

Second-half surge gives Switzerland a 4-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina

A second-half surge, including a first World Cup goal for substitute Johan Manzambi, has seen Switzerland overwhelm Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 to take control of their group.

Manzambi opened the scoring with an outstanding volley in the 74th minute, followed by another by Tarik Muharemović 10 minutes later after Bosnia was reduced to 10 men when Muharemović was sent off for a dangerous tackle

Manzambi scored again in the 90th on a pass from Vargas, and captain Granit Xhaka converted from the penalty spot with the final kick of the game in stoppage time.

Swiss vs Bosnia.png

Ermin Mahmic scored in the fourth minute of second-half injury time for Bosnia-Herzegovina, who still have a legitimate chance of reaching the knockout stage in only their second World Cup after going toe-to-toe with higher-ranked Switzerland deep into the second half.

Switzerland followed up their disappointing 1-1 draw with Qatar last week by largely dominating play against the momentum-laden Dragons, who were unbeaten in their last nine competitive matches.

But the Swiss couldn’t break through until a moment of brilliance from Manzambi, a 20-year-old Geneva native who plays for German club Freiburg — and then Muharemović’s red card changed the match.

Manzambi scored three minutes after coming on for standout winger Dan Ndoye. Manzambi jumped and connected perfectly on Amar Memic’s attempted clearing header, setting off a wild celebration in the nervous Swiss section of Los Angeles Stadium.

Bosnia-Herzegovina were backed by a raucous cheering section with tens of thousands of fans in the crowd of 70,026, celebrating their nation’s second World Cup appearance.

A late penalty has secured South Africa a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic

A draw has kept South Africa and the Czech Republic’s hopes of qualification from group A alive, thanks to a late penalty by Teboho Mokoena.

After Patrik Schick headed an early chance wide at the far post, the Czechs — showing five changes from the 2-1 defeat to South Korea, including midfielder Tomáš Souček dropped to the bench — took the lead in the sixth minute.

Adam Hložek raced on to a throw-in down the right and cut the ball back to the edge of the box, where Alexandr Sojka fed Michal Sadílek to clip his finish past South Africa keeper Ronwen Williams for the quickest goal of the tournament so far.

South Africa, which had Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane sent off in their opening 2-0 loss to co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, looked for a response as Oswin Appollis’ 25-yard effort was deflected behind.

That came just before the first hydration break, which was again met by a chorus of boos from fans at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where the roof was closed.

The tempo dropped heading towards halftime before South African player Thapelo Maseko was played into the right side of the Czech penalty area, but his angled effort was cut out at the near post.

South Africa sent on Orlando Pirates forward Relebohile Mofokeng for the second half, but it was the Czechs who nearly struck when Vladimír Darida saw his close-range shot blocked before Lukáš Červ’s speculative effort was tipped over.

From the resulting corner, Bayer Leverkusen front man Schick then headed straight at Williams.

South Africa was awarded a penalty with nine minutes left for handball by Czech substitute Pavel Šulc, having been struck at point-blank range from a shot by Maseko.

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Mokoena made no mistake from the spot, slotting the ball to the left and sending Matěj Kovář the wrong way.

Neither side found a late winner, leaving both countries still with some hope of making the last 32.

South Africa coach Hugo Broos felt “very proud” of his team.

“When you see the reaction after our game against Mexico, this is Bafana Bafana,” he said in his pitchside interview, referring to the team’s nickname.

“We play good football, we are aggressive, we had chances, but you need also a little bit of luck.”

“Now we don’t have to count on someone else. We just have to win the game against South Korea, which will be very difficult too, but when we play with the same mentality I think it is possible.”

Czech Republic manager Miroslav Koubek believes his side were closer to victory than South Africa and he rued their missed chances to put the game away.

“We are sorry about the result, because I think that taking a look at the chances, we were nearer to victory,” Koubek told reporters.

“But we were not able to score a second goal. If we scored a second goal, it would probably be the end of the match. Unless you score a second goal, you cannot win in such a match, and we had quite a few chances to score a goal.

“On the other hand, South Africa did not create too many chances. They only had a few shots on goal from distance, I am convinced that we were closer to victory than they were, and we have in the end at least one point.”

The Czech Republic face Mexico at the Azteca in their final group game while South Africa takes on South Korea in Monterrey.

Lionel Messi’s family confirms father’s health-related issue

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi’s father is experiencing a “health situation” that prompted family members to release a statement.

Jorge Messi is “under medical supervision” as he continues to recover from an undisclosed medical condition. The family statement said he is “progressing favorably”.

Speculation about the star player’s 68-year-old father, Jorge, prompted a terse tone in the family statement.

“In light of the versions, rumors and speculation that have circulated in recent hours, the family wishes to express their profound discomfort at the lack of sensitivity, respect and scruples with which some individuals have treated a strictly private and family matter,” the statement read.

“The family also wishes to clarify that only his closest relatives have real and accurate information regarding Jorge’s condition. Therefore, any version, statement, or information that does not come directly from the family and its official channels should not be considered valid or truthful.”

Jorge Messi reportedly is involved in overseeing his son’s business interests.

In the opener of his record sixth World Cup, Messi was brought to tears over his three-goal performance in a 3-0 victory over Algeria on Tuesday. His first-ever World Cup hat trick gave him 16 goals all-time in the tournament, tying with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the record.

He was asked about wiping away tears in the wake of the performance.

“Why did I cry? It was something completely unrelated to football. I went through some difficult days,” Messi said in Spanish after the game.

You can watch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live, free and exclusive on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.


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Breaking News: Lebanon Ceasefire Secured Amidst US-Iran Negotiation Breakdowns

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On Friday, a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was reached in Lebanon, according to a U.S. official. This development comes after heightened hostilities threatened the prospects for transforming a temporary agreement on the Iran conflict into a sustainable Middle East peace treaty.

Planned discussions between the U.S. and Iran, set to occur in Switzerland on Friday, were called off due to the intensifying conflict in Lebanon. This cancellation has cast doubt on the timeline for pivotal negotiations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping.

A senior U.S. official announced that the ceasefire was set to take effect at approximately 4 p.m. Lebanon time (1300 GMT).

“Following today’s earlier exchanges of fire, we understand that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire,” the official stated, speaking anonymously. The agreement was facilitated by U.S. and Qatari negotiators, with support from Iran.

The recent escalation in Lebanon, which resulted in the deaths of 18 people from airstrikes and four Israeli soldiers at the hands of Hezbollah militants, poses a significant challenge to the broader negotiations. The cessation of hostilities in Lebanon is a crucial condition for the wider U.S.-Iran agreement.

A senior Hezbollah lawmaker said Iran had told the group that talks with the United States could not continue without a comprehensive ceasefire.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson did not mention the talks but said the United States bore direct responsibility for Israeli attacks on Lebanon and that Tehran would take all necessary measures to protect its interests.

Prince George Set to Join Prestigious Eton College

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Prince George is set to join Eton College.

Prince George will attend Eton College

Prince George will attend Eton College

In a move that mirrors the educational path of his father, Prince William, and his uncle, Prince Harry, the eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, who will be celebrating his 13th birthday next month, is gearing up to begin his studies at the renowned all-boys boarding school with the upcoming academic term, according to an announcement from Kensington Palace.

A representative from the royal household stated, “Kensington Palace can confirm that Prince George will commence his education at Eton College starting this September.”

This esteemed institution, situated conveniently near the family’s residence in Windsor, commands an annual tuition of approximately £63,000. Although it operates as a full boarding school, there are arrangements that allow students to return home during weekends.

Like William and Harry, George will board at Manor House, where it is expected rooms will be provided for his protection officers, as was the case for the older princes and their security teams.

George’s younger siblings, Princess Charlotte, 10, and eight-year-old Prince Louis, will remain at Lambrook.

William’s own attendance at Eton broke with royal tradition because his father, King Charles, grandfather Prince Philip and uncles Prince Edward and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor all attended Gordonstoun in Scotland.

He previously spoke of how he used to visit his grandparents at Windsor Castle in his spare time, and enjoyed “the best teas” with his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth.

He said in a recent documentary: “In a recent television documentary, he said of Elizabeth II: “She had the best teas ever. I used to get well fed.

“I’d come around to have a chat with her and see how she was and just sort of check in and see how she was doing.”

Meanwhile, Harry – who is estranged from his father and brother – described Eton in his memoir Spare as both the “finest school in the world” and a “profound shock”.

He added: “It could only be purgatory for one very unbrilliant boy”.

William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, were said to have considered other schools for George, and at one point, it was reported they were keen to send him to Marlborough College in Wiltshire, a prestigious co-ed boarding school attended by the princess between the ages of 14 and 18.

A source told Vanity Fair in January: “While Eton would be the obvious choice because it is on their doorstep and where William went, they are leaning towards other schools. I’m hearing Marlborough is the front-runner.

“I genuinely don’t think they’ve one hundred per cent decided, but there is talk among the Marlborough set that they’ve allocated a house for George and that security has been a big issue.”

There is no official word from the royals at this time.

It’s not the first time it’s been claimed that Catherine was keen for George to attend Marlborough.

A friend of Catherine said it was high up on her list of secondary education establishments to send her boy.

They told the Daily Mail: “Eton hasn’t been ruled out but they have talked at length about Marlborough as an option and the smart money is on George going there instead.

“William and Catherine surprised many with their choice of Thomas’s Battersea for George over more traditional royal schools but picked it because they felt it was the right fit for him.

“They are very keen to allow George to spread his wings as a child and won’t ever do what people expect them to do when it comes to their children.”

George, started school in 2017, and settled in “really easy”.

Speaking about his son’s first few days at school to patients at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool, William said at the time: “It’s been an interesting week.

“George has been really easy. He hasn’t said, ‘Have I got to do this for the rest of my life?’”


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Chelsea’s Transfer Masterplan: Marc Cucurella’s £52m Fee Utilization, Debunking Ethan Nwaneri & Lucas Bergvall Speculations, and the Striker Dilemma

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Chelsea have completed the sale of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid, yet their work in the transfer market is far from over. This summer is pivotal for the club as they strive to secure a spot in the Champions League under the guidance of Xabi Alonso.

The team is focused on executing the right balance of incoming and outgoing transfers. Sources within the club indicate a desire for at least two high-caliber signings who can seamlessly integrate into the starting lineup for the next season.

However, with Chelsea missing out on European football for the 2026-27 season, offloading players is equally important. Our Chelsea correspondent, Kieran Gill, provides the latest updates from Stamford Bridge.

Though Xabi Alonso officially begins his role on July 1, he is already involved behind the scenes. He has toured the Cobham training ground with his assistants, settled in London with his family, and engaged in discussions with several players. Alonso is also actively consulted regarding potential transfers.

A recent report from Spain suggested Alonso learned of Cucurella’s departure to Madrid via social media. Such claims are unfounded, as it is inconceivable that a manager would be left out of the loop on the sale of a senior player.

Chelsea are pleased with the overall outcome of Cucurella’s £51.8m exit given, we are told, the Spaniard had let them know he was interested in returning to his homeland for family reasons. Jorrel Hato’s development last season was a contributing factor in sanctioning the sale, and Valentin Barco is in line to arrive from Strasbourg.

Chelsea say their intention is to reinvest and strengthen.

Chelsea say they will reinvest the £51.8m they have made from the sale of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid

Chelsea say they will reinvest the £51.8m they have made from the sale of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid 

Why aren’t many names being linked with Chelsea?

Cards are being kept close to chests, which is fine, if a little frustrating when covering Chelsea. Scroll social media and you’ll see tons of supposed targets, this name and that, Sandro Tonali, Andrea Cambiaso and so on and so forth.

We hear whispers, too, but have to verify rumours before reporting as fact. I’ll give a little example – and don’t go aggregating this, aggregators, it’s just a small side note – of what can happen when chasing a transfer tale. I had two names of potential interest put to me from outside sources about a week ago: Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal, and Lucas Bergvall of Tottenham. So I did what we’re supposed to do and checked these transfer tips with the relevant contacts inside of Chelsea who would know.

The feedback I received was that they aren’t currently in for either. Neither Nwaneri, nor Bergvall, despite Chelsea liking them in windows of old. So I did not write a story. It’s disappointing in a way, because you want a transfer tip to be backed up so you can break the news, but it happens. On to the next one.

Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri was with England during their pre-World Cup warm-up camp but Chelsea have made no attempt to sign the midfielder

Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri was with England during their pre-World Cup warm-up camp but Chelsea have made no attempt to sign the midfielder 

Do you think Enzo Fernandez will leave?

If I had to make a prediction – I’d be surprised if he’s still a Chelsea player next season.

Clearly, Fernandez is open to moving to Madrid. I’m told personal terms are not seen as an obstacle. Chelsea are aware of interest from Madrid. But from what I’m hearing, it does not sound as if club-to-club talks centred on hashing out a deal for Fernandez have started between Chelsea and Madrid as of yet.

Whatever noise flying around on this transfer is not coming out of Chelsea. They’re staying fairly schtum on it. They’ve set their £120million valuation, and that’s that as far as they’re concerned.

It’s worth noting on top of all of this – Chelsea have said from the start that they would be happy to keep Fernandez if nobody coughs up the cash that it will take to sell him. They think their sale of Cucurella for £51.8m reflects their ability to secure significant value in the transfer market.

Chelsea have put a £120m price tag on Enzo Fernandez but there has been no approach from Real Madrid as yet

Chelsea have put a £120m price tag on Enzo Fernandez but there has been no approach from Real Madrid as yet

Will Chelsea sign a centre back?

It’s considered a priority position for Chelsea this summer.

A while back, I reported Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix and Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke were among the ‘ready-made’ options being looked at. Van Hecke has now signed for Tottenham, who have made a habit of nabbing Chelsea-linked players, having previously got Xavi Simons, Mathys Tel and Marcos Senesi.

Personally, I do wonder if Chelsea would go back in for Dean Huijsen. He had huge admiration inside the club, who were disappointed to miss out on him to Madrid last summer. Could scratch an itch there if Huijsen was willing and Jose Mourinho, who worked with him briefly as a loanee at Roma, did not mind letting him leave. But that’s just me thinking out loud.

Chelsea have a bunch of centre backs on the books – Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Josh Acheampong, Aaron Anselmino, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Mamadou Sarr, am I forgetting anyone? – and they’re looking to sign another one worthy of going straight into their starting line-up. So, obviously, sales and loans are going to be a necessity, especially when there is no European football for spreading minutes around.

Chelsea have an interest in the France and Crystal Palace centre-half Maxence Lacroix

Chelsea have an interest in the France and Crystal Palace centre-half Maxence Lacroix

What type of targets do Chelsea want this summer?

A centre-back as mentioned, and also a versatile tried-and-tested addition to their attack.

I don’t think it’s any secret that they like Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, but, obviously, they aren’t alone in that regard. Tyrique George is likelier to be sold than stay if he returns from Everton, who have not yet triggered their buy option on the Cobham graduate. My understanding is that clause is worth around £25m.

Chelsea like Aston Villa and England’s Morgan Rogers, but, obviously, they aren’t alone in that regard

Chelsea like Aston Villa and England’s Morgan Rogers, but, obviously, they aren’t alone in that regard

Front-of-shirt sponsor update if possible?

Chelsea won’t want to start yet another season without a front-of-shirt sponsor, because, let’s be honest, it’s a tad embarrassing for this to be happening year after year. The deal with IFS expired at the end of the last season.

Every so often, we’ll see claims on social media that they have an agreement in place, then no announcement follows. As of today, Chelsea sources say they are in talks with a number of potential partners, but add there’s nothing they can confirm at this stage.

If the club wanted to name a new front-of-shirt sponsor tomorrow, I’m sure they could, but it all comes down to money – what they want, and what others are willing to give. You can imagine those sponsors in talks will be looking for a cheaper deal given their branding won’t be getting taken abroad next season.

They could announce a partner for their pre-season tour of Australia and Asia in the meantime.

What’s happening in the striker department?

Chelsea will welcome back Nicolas Jackson from his Bayern Munich loan this summer, though it isn’t set in stone that he will stay. They have Jackson, Liam Delap, Emmanuel Emegha and Joao Pedro all as strikers. Too many. At least one should leave, and it will not be Joao Pedro.

We could technically even throw in the versatile Dastan Satpayev as he’s arriving this summer also from Kairat in Kazakhstan, though what happens next with him remains to be seen. He’ll be arriving in London next week and is in line to participate in pre-season training with Alonso.

I liked what I saw from Jackson against France in Senegal’s World Cup opener despite their defeat. A couple weeks back, I was told his club want to give him his chance in pre-season. That’s still the case as far as I’m aware. It helps his cause that he could also be used on the left wing if required. Personally, I’d keep Jackson and move on Delap.

Nicolas Jackson (right) was impressive against France in Senegal’s World Cup opener despite their defeat

Nicolas Jackson (right) was impressive against France in Senegal’s World Cup opener despite their defeat

Will Mike Penders stay?

That’s the suggestion, though Chelsea have yet to confirm their concrete plans for the goalkeeper position. 

Penders would return from his loan with Strasbourg to compete with Robert Sanchez next season, with Filip Jorgensen having been told he is free to explore his options. 

It just hasn’t worked the way Jorgensen wanted and unfortunately we’ll always have Paris to remember him by.

Jelly Roll’s Divorce from Bunnie XO Leaves Impact on Other Women in Their Lives

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The Nashville music scene was taken aback this week with the news of country star Jelly Roll’s decision to part ways with his wife of nearly a decade, Bunnie XO. The couple’s impending divorce has resonated deeply, particularly within their complex blended family, which includes Jelly Roll’s teenage daughter and young son from prior relationships.

Insiders reveal that a significant point of contention in the divorce proceedings was Bunnie’s connection with her stepdaughter, 18-year-old Bailee Ann DeFord. According to a source close to the family, Bunnie shares a profound bond with Bailee, which greatly influenced her approach to the separation from Jelly Roll.

Bunnie’s commitment to Bailee’s well-being was evident as she navigated the divorce process. She was particularly concerned about ensuring that her stepdaughter’s life would not face further disruption. “She feels a spiritual connection to Bailee,” the source shared, emphasizing Bunnie’s dedication to seeing Bailee graduate from high school and transition smoothly into college life.

Bunnie feels ‘spiritually tied’ to Bailee, the source said, so when it came time to accept the split from Jelly Roll, she wanted to make sure her stepdaughter’s life wouldn’t be uprooted once again.

‘[Bunnie] is spiritually tied to his daughter,’ the source said. ‘She waited to graduate [Bailee] from high school and get her off to college.’

It was revealed Monday that Jelly Roll, real name Jason DeFord, had filed for divorce from former escort Bunnie XO, née Alisa DeFord, last month in Tennessee, according to court documents obtained by the Daily Mail.

Jelly Roll, 41, has filed for divorce from wife Bunnie XO, 46, after nearly ten years of marriage (pictured in February 2026)

Jelly Roll, 41, has filed for divorce from wife Bunnie XO, 46, after nearly ten years of marriage (pictured in February 2026)

The country music star is a father to two children: daughter Bailee Ann DeFord, 18, and son Noah Buddy DeFord, nine

The country music star is a father to two children: daughter Bailee Ann DeFord, 18, and son Noah Buddy DeFord, nine

The news caught fans and industry insiders by surprise, and not least because the couple had endured just about every obstacle in their marriage. 

From battling various drug addictions, to infidelity and a custody battle over Jelly Roll’s daughter, Bunnie had been by her husband’s side as he grew from broke and sleeping in his van to winning three Grammy Awards. 

The OnlyFans star turned podcaster, who once made her living as a ‘high-class’ escort in Las Vegas, even took on the role of mother figure to Bailee, and stepped up for his nine-year-old son, Noah, too.

And despite their divorce, Bunnie has said she still plans on having a baby with her estranged husband, calling him her ‘best friend’ in a podcast episode released after the split.

Bailee broke her silence on Tuesday, sharing how ‘disgusted’ she was by all the attention her parents’ divorce has received, and that the split was ‘very clearly a private matter’, though she thanked fans for ‘showing me so much love and kindness through everything’.

‘At the end of the day, no matter what, we are all humans with feelings and that is worthy of compassion,’ Bailee added.

Ever since Jelly Roll and Bunnie were married in August 2016, the former sex worker has played an active role in Bailee’s life.

Jelly Roll's daughter Bailee has a close relationship with her stepmother, Bunnie XO (real name Alisa DeFord)

Jelly Roll’s daughter Bailee has a close relationship with her stepmother, Bunnie XO (real name Alisa DeFord)

Following news of their divorce, Bailee shared a message on TikTok Stories thanking fans for their 'kind messages' and 'words of support'

Following news of their divorce, Bailee shared a message on TikTok Stories thanking fans for their ‘kind messages’ and ‘words of support’

Jelly Roll first learned he was a father inside a Tennessee jail after he was convicted of dealing drugs in 2008. He had previously met his daughter’s mother, Felicia Beckwith, at a mutual friend’s party and she became pregnant.

From that point on, Jelly Roll professed that his daughter had ‘changed [his] life’ and he was dedicated to becoming a better person for her.

But he didn’t meet Bailee until she was two years old.

At the time, she was living with her mother in Tennessee and Jelly Roll was struggling to make a real impact in the music industry. He was also on probation and sleeping in the back of his touring van.

In the 2023 documentary ‘Jelly Roll: Save Me,’ the rapper-turned-country artist described himself as a ‘less than present father’ during the first few years of Bailee’s life. He said that Beckwith initially ‘made it hard on me’ because she ‘made me go to court’ to even see their daughter.

But as Bailee grew older, her biological mother’s issues with addiction worsened. 

Jelly Roll explained in the documentary that Beckwith suffered from fibromyalgia and had been taking pills to deal with the pain. He said she soon became addicted to pills, which led to a heroin addiction.

By the time Bailee was seven, Jelly Roll said her mother ‘started really going downhill’ and he made it his mission to gain full custody of his daughter, with the help of his wife Bunnie.

Bunnie, who had been working as an escort making upwards of $100,000 a night, helped Jelly Roll rent a condo for his daughter. She also helped him obtain a lawyer, and he was awarded primary custody of Bailee in 2016.

Pictured in April 2024: Jelly Roll obtained primary custody of his daughter Bailee in 2016 with the help of his wife Bunnie

Pictured in April 2024: Jelly Roll obtained primary custody of his daughter Bailee in 2016 with the help of his wife Bunnie

Felicia and Jelly Roll welcomed Bailee in May 2008

Jelly Roll didn't meet his daughter until she was two years old

Felicia Beckwith lost custody of Bailee in 2016 amid her battle with substance abuse and addiction

Still, certain biting comments on social media have hinted at a rocky relationship between Jelly Roll and his daughter’s biological mother.

In a Facebook post from October 2017, Beckwith reposted a throwback photo of a two-year-old Bailee, writing above the image: ‘MY SWEET BABYGIRL!!! MOMMY LOVES U SO MUCH BAILEE ANN!!! WISH U COULDVE STAYED THIS LITTLE FOREVER LOL!!!’

But in the comments section, it appeared that Jelly Roll had taken over his wife’s Facebook account and left a scathing comment under the photo.

‘You sure don’t act like someone who misses her maybe we should post the screen shot of the 30 unanswered messages under this post, this s*** is a f***ing joke please stop before you dig the hole any deeper. Wow – this is J by the way,’ the comment read.

Over the next three years, however, it seemed the co-parents had put in considerable work to better their relationship.

Just two days shy of Bailee’s 12th birthday, her mother – who was now sober, released from jail and living in recovery housing – reached out in May 2020. They rekindled their relationship, Bailee later revealed, with her father’s full support.

Two months later, Jelly Roll posted a Facebook photo of himself alongside Bunnie, Bailee and Beckwith, all standing in front of oversized balloons that spelled out his daughter’s name.

In the caption, he revealed that Beckwith was 16 months sober after quitting pills and drugs following her recent arrest. He said that it ‘feels good to have her back to the normal Felicia we all know and love,’ and praised his wife for inviting Bailee’s biological mother to be a guest on her podcast.

A Facebook comment from 2017 shows Jelly Roll blasting Bailee's biological mother

A Facebook comment from 2017 shows Jelly Roll blasting Bailee’s biological mother

In 2020, Beckwith celebrated 16 months of sobriety and rekindled her relationship with Bailee. She later relapsed in 2024

In 2020, Beckwith celebrated 16 months of sobriety and rekindled her relationship with Bailee. She later relapsed in 2024 

‘Bunnie is a special person who has a beautiful soul. I am a blessed man,’ he said.

Unfortunately, Beckwith’s sobriety didn’t last long. While speaking to lawmakers in Washington, DC, in 2024 about his experience with the fentanyl crisis, Jelly Roll implied in his speech that Beckwith had relapsed.

‘Every single day I have to wonder, me and my wife, if today will be the day I have to tell my daughter that her mother became a part of the national statistic,’ he said.

As for Bailee, she shared the dark details of her mother’s relapse during an appearance on Bunnie’s Dumb Blonde podcast that same year. 

Back in 2022, a then-14-year-old Bailee had gone to spend the summer with her mother. While Beckwith wasn’t partaking in her typical drug use, Bailee explained that her mom had been drinking alcohol on occasion. 

And that summer, Beckwith provided her underage daughter with alcohol and marijuana and actively encouraged Bailee to participate in both.

Even worse, Bailee said that her mother ‘manipulated me and convinced me to do’ an unnamed drug with her at an ’empty Dollar General parking lot’ after a Fourth of July party.

Over the next few months, Bailee said she was ‘never sober’ and was consistently drinking, vaping, ‘or snorting Valiums or Xanax,’ without Jelly Roll or Bunnie’s knowledge. 

Jelly Roll and Bunnie helped their teen daughter get sober after she returned home from a summer with her biological mom, where she said she was 'never sober'

Jelly Roll and Bunnie helped their teen daughter get sober after she returned home from a summer with her biological mom, where she said she was ‘never sober’

It wasn’t until she returned to their Nashville home that her parents realized something was wrong, and helped their teen daughter get sober. 

She also cut off all contact with her biological mother during this time.

Last year, Beckwith was one of three people arrested on drug charges after police found methamphetamine and fentanyl during a traffic stop in Johnson City, Tennessee.

On Wednesday this week, she was sentenced to 30 days in jail and three years supervised probation, a Washington County court clerk told the Daily Mail.

But despite Bailee’s rocky relationship with her birth mother, she found stability in Bunnie.

Their close relationship is evidenced on TikTok, where Bailee has shared several amusing videos of the pair dancing in their living room and making videos in the kitchen.

On Instagram, Bailee has called the retired OnlyFans star her ‘best friend’ and ‘the most gorgeous woman I know,’ and declared how her ‘life changed forever, for the better’ when her father and stepmother gained primary custody. 

‘Mom, I love you more than anything in this life and ever will,’ Bailee once wrote in a gushing birthday tribute. ‘Thank you for being everything I ever needed. Thank you for everything. Happy birthday mama, Iove you so much.’

But Bunnie isn’t the only maternal figure that Jelly Roll’s daughter has had in her life.

Bailee has praised Bunnie on social media as her 'best friend' and 'the most gorgeous woman I know'

Bailee has praised Bunnie on social media as her ‘best friend’ and ‘the most gorgeous woman I know’

Although Bailee no longer lives with her biological mother, she did develop a close friendship with Cheyenne Murphy, Beckwith’s ex-girlfriend of several years.

According to posts on social media, Murphy, who also lives in Tennessee, was on and off with Bailee’s mother for many years and had a part in raising Bailee since she was a small child.

Their relationship is seen on Instagram and Facebook, where Murphy posts birthday tributes and selfies with Jelly Roll’s daughter. Other videos have shown Bailee and Murphy attending Jelly Roll’s concerts together, and celebrating milestones such as Bailee’s prom night.

A video posted by Bunnie in December 2025 also appeared to show Murphy helping out on the family’s farm by wrangling cows in their front yard, though she is listed on her Facebook account as working at Pioneer Coach & Production Transport in Nashville.

Following news of their divorce, however, Murphy made a point to tell her Facebook followers that she had no insight to share about Jelly Roll and Bunnie’s relationship.

‘Don’t ask I don’t have answers, and if I did it’s NOT my place to speak on! BE RESPECTFUL PEOPLE!!!’ the post read.

While Jelly Roll’s daughter has been in the public eye throughout his rise to country music fame, his younger son Noah has been kept far from the spotlight.

Cheyenne Murphy (left) has also played an active role in Bailee's life

Cheyenne Murphy (left) has also played an active role in Bailee’s life 

Murphy, who lives in Tennessee, was on and off with Bailee's mother for many years and had a part in raising Bailee since she was a small child

Murphy, who lives in Tennessee, was on and off with Bailee’s mother for many years and had a part in raising Bailee since she was a small child

In August 2016, the same month he tied the knot with Bunnie, the country star welcomed a baby boy with his on-again, off-again girlfriend of ten years, Melisa Cowell.

Although Jelly Roll had recently gained primary custody of his daughter when Noah was born, court documents obtained by the Daily Mail revealed that he and Cowell share custody of their son.

Following his birth, Cowell was automatically given full legal and physical custody of Noah per Tennessee law.

In October 2016, Jelly Roll was ordered by the court to pay temporary child support of $1,250 per month. A parenting plan dated March 2017 showed that Cowell is responsible for their son 282 days of the year, while Jelly Roll has Noah 83 days of the year. In that same document, Jelly Roll’s child support was increased to $1,354 per month.

However, it is unclear whether the exes’ custody arrangement has changed since Jelly Roll’s rise to fame, considering no documents have been made public since 2022.

Unlike Bailee’s biological mother, Cowell plays an active role in Noah’s life such that any social media post featuring her son must be approved by her first.

That includes a sweet TikTok video shared by Bunnie in July 2023, in which Noah was asked by his stepmother to list some of his favorite things.

Jelly Roll revealed that he tries ‘not to get in the way of what [Cowell] is building over there’ because he wants to ‘just respect that boundary,’ though he was most recently seen sitting courtside with his son at a college basketball game in December.

In August 2016, Jelly Roll welcomed his son Noah Buddy with on-and-off girlfriend Melisa Cowell. She has kept a low-profile on social media

In August 2016, Jelly Roll welcomed his son Noah Buddy with on-and-off girlfriend Melisa Cowell. She has kept a low-profile on social media 

In 2023, Bunnie praised 'beautiful' Cowell as 'one stand up chick' and thanked her for '[holding] it down for baby Noah' and the rest of their family

In 2023, Bunnie praised ‘beautiful’ Cowell as ‘one stand up chick’ and thanked her for ‘[holding] it down for baby Noah’ and the rest of their family

As for Bunnie’s relationship with Cowell, she has publicly praised her as ‘one stand up chick’ and they ‘couldn’t imagine our lives without her.’

‘It takes a village to raise these babies & luckily we have her as a part of the family,’ Bunnie said. ‘Love you girl!’

Despite the active maternal role Bunnie has played in the lives of Jelly Roll’s children, the former sex worker has long desired biological children of her own. Before he filed for divorce, the estranged couple were even working towards welcoming twins via a surrogate.

Bunnie told fans in 2019 that they had been undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) after discovering that her fallopian tubes are blocked. As recently as February, she revealed in her memoir that they had found a surrogate to carry their future baby.

Now, it seems Bunnie’s dream to welcome children with Jelly Roll may be coming true after all.

In her first Dumb Blonde podcast episode since the divorce bombshell, Bunnie revealed they are ‘still having a baby together’ and acknowledged that their relationship is ‘unconventional.’

‘We’re going to co-parent together. J is my best friend. Like, this isn’t what you guys think this is. Nobody cheated on the other person. It’s literally just we served our purpose for each other,’ she said in the episode released Thursday evening.

She also detailed their tumultuous IVF journey, telling fans they lost four embryos and the experience ‘wrecked me emotionally, spiritually, physically.’

Still, Bunnie revealed that she and Jelly Roll will co-parent their future baby and ‘raise little Nugget as one big happy family.’

3-Year-Old Critically Injured in Crocodile Enclosure Incident at UK Zoo: Suspect Arrested

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Authorities have apprehended a man on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy was discovered in a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in eastern England. The child sustained severe injuries, as confirmed by local police.

The alarming event took place on Thursday afternoon at the Johnsons of Old Hurst, a family-owned farm and zoo situated in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, according to police reports.

The young boy somehow found himself inside the crocodile enclosure and was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital. As of the latest update, he remains in a critical but stable condition, Cambridgeshire police reported.

A 30-year-old man, who appears to have no prior connection to the child, has been taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder in relation to this incident, the police stated.

Detective Inspector Verity McCann expressed, “We are currently interviewing individuals who were present at the zoo during this distressing incident to gather more information about what transpired. At this point, we believe the arrested man and the child do not know each other.”

The incident remains under investigation.  

Huntingdon Member of Parliament Ben Obese-Jecty said his “thoughts are with the young victim and his family during a hugely traumatic and difficult time.”

“This is now a live criminal investigation and I would ask people to refrain from speculation online,” he said in a statement on social media.

Johnsons of Old Hurst said its tropical house, which is home to multiple species of crocodiles and other reptiles, will remain closed until further notice “out of respect to the family.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family following the incident that occurred today,” Johnsons of Old Hurst said in a statement on social media Thursday. 

Copyright © 2026 ABC News Internet Ventures.

Unlocking the Secret of Snail Mucin: Benefits, Risks, and the COSRX Verdict

Understanding the importance of essence in skincare is crucial, leading to the next question: how can you maximize its beauty benefits? Dr. Farhang shares her preferred method for application, backed by scientific insight.

Snail mucin essence, a popular choice, contains hyaluronic acid among other components. Dr. Farhang explains, “We recommend applying it on a slightly damp face, followed by a moisturizer to enhance its hydrating effects,” since hyaluronic acid works by attracting moisture.

She further notes, “In dry skin and arid climates like Arizona, it might draw moisture away from your skin instead if there’s not enough humidity in the air. That’s why it’s crucial to apply it to a damp—not wet—face.”

In fact, Dr. Farhang discourages applying the essence to a wet face, likening it to the incompatibility of oil and water. Instead, after cleansing, gently pat your face to keep it damp before applying the snail mucin and other skincare products.

And there’s more! If you love using facial tools, the COSRX snail mucin serves as an excellent medium, allowing tools to glide smoothly without pulling on the skin. Dr. Farhang suggests using it with a gua sha, jade roller, or the popular Solwave skincare wand, which she particularly appreciates.