4 h. ago Reflagged by Russia, spied on by UK, seized by US: why so much interest in a rusty tanker in the Atlantic?

Ship has long been part of shadow fleet used to dodge western sanctions. It had no oil onboard – but was it carrying Russian weapons?A massive, rusty crude oil tanker floating north through the Atlantic has become the centre of global interest after it was followed for days and eventually seized by US forces while Russia’s military rushed towards it.Despite not carrying any oil, the 300-metre-long ship is clearly of value. Theories for why range from speculation that high-value Russian weapons are hidden in the hull, to the ship’s potential to become a symbolic trophy in a transatlantic power struggle between Washington and Moscow. Continue reading...

Events

30 h. ago Enzo Maresca makes MAJOR omission in his Chelsea exit statement as boss breaks his silence after being branded 'unprofessional and disrespectful'

The Italian, 45, left the club following an explosive row with the west London club's owners, with a power struggle at the heart of his departure.

Economics

31 h. ago Enzo Maresca breaks his silence after acrimonious Chelsea exit

The Italian, 45, left the club following an explosive row with the west London club's owners, with a power struggle at the heart of his departure.

Politics

34 h. ago David Squires on Amorim and Maresca being thrown overboard in power struggles

Our cartoonist on a typically sedate start to 2026 at two of the Premier League’s biggest football ‘projects’David’s favourite cartoons of 2025 | Buy one hereAnd his latest book, Chaos in the Box: get it now Continue reading...

Politics

48 h. ago Manchester United undecided on next managerial move after sacking Ruben Amorim

Head coach goes after outburst at Leeds gameGlasner and Iraola among long-term candidates Ruben Amorim was sacked by Manchester United on Monday morning after 14 months as their head coach. He departs after a power struggle with the hierarchy over transfer policy, with Amorim demanding his ­colleagues in the recruitment department “do their job” following Sunday’s draw at Leeds.His immediate replacement is Darren Fletcher, who takes charge as interim head coach. The Scot, a former United midfielder and the ­current under-18s coach, will lead the side at Burnley on Wednesday and could remain in charge for Sunday’s FA Cup tie with Brighton. Continue reading...

Politics

53 h. ago Ruben Amorim is gone, but Manchester United’s forever crisis rolls on

The head coach (or manager?) fired cryptic shots at his bosses, then was fired himself. Amorim sacked after power struggle over transfersLatest updates and reactionDiscontent at Manchester United these days is only ever deferred. Ruben Amorim’s departure from the club on Monday was long anticipated and came, in the end, with a weary sigh. He had made a half-hearted protest about the recruitment structure after Sunday’s draw at Leeds, but it felt even at the time like barely more than a gesture. And so another manager, the seventh since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013, falls victim to the United meat-grinder.Everybody at United, fundamentally, is unhappy. And not unhappy in the sense that Alex Ferguson used to be unhappy, when the club was essentially fuelled by his volcanic rages, but enervated, frustrated by the realisation that this is not how things used to be, that this was once the biggest football club in the country and now they keep failing to get the win they need to lift th...

Events

53 h. ago Ruben Amorim is gone, but Manchester United’s forever crisis rolls on | Jonathan Wilson

The head coach (or manager?) fired cryptic shots at his bosses, then was fired himself. Amorim sacked after power struggle over transfersLatest updates and reactionDiscontent at Manchester United these days is only ever deferred. Ruben Amorim’s departure from the club on Monday was long anticipated and came, in the end, with a weary sigh. He had made a half-hearted protest about the recruitment structure after Sunday’s draw at Leeds, but it felt even at the time like barely more than a gesture. And so another manager, the seventh since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013, falls victim to the United meat-grinder.Everybody at United, fundamentally, is unhappy. And not unhappy in the sense that Alex Ferguson used to be unhappy, when the club was essentially fuelled by his volcanic rages, but enervated, frustrated by the realisation that this is not how things used to be, that this was once the biggest football club in the country and now they keep failing to get the win they need to lift th...

Events

56 h. ago Ruben Amorim sacked by Manchester United and Darren Fletcher takes interim role – live

Amorim sacked after losing power struggle over transfersDarren Fletcher to take charge for game at BurnleyHave any thoughts? Send them to Dom via email1. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (2018-2021) – 54% win rateThe Norwegian started off as a caretaker and his impact was so great that United granted him the full-time job. Undoubtedly the best football of the post-Ferguson era was played under Solskjaer, who preferred his side to counter-attack at speed and enjoyed a sensational record against Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, beating them three times at the Etihad. Came second in the league in 2020-201 but was denied an elusive trophy by the agonising 2021 Europa League final defeat to Villarreal on penalties. Continue reading...

Politics

56 h. ago Ruben Amorim 'said too much' and 'ran out of patience' with Man Utd power struggle

Ruben Amorim's outburst left the Elland Road press room stunned - and he's now fallen on his own sword after Manchester United sacked the 40-year-old on Monday

Politics

58 h. ago Why Manchester United have sacked Ruben Amorim after power struggle claim and new demands

Ruben Amorim has been sacked as Man Utd manager just a day after launching an attack on club bosses after a draw with Leeds.

Politics

59 h. ago Ruben Amorim sacked by Manchester United after losing power struggle over transfers

Head coach goes after outburst at Leeds gameHe oversaw worst Premier League finish of 15thRuben Amorim has been sacked by Manchester United after 14 months as their head coach. The Portuguese departs after a power struggle with the hierarchy over transfer policy, with Amorim demanding his colleagues in the recruitment department “do their job” after Sunday’s draw at Leeds.Amorim believed United were prepared to back him in the January window should a major signing become available but then said last Friday: “We have no conversation to have any change in the squad.” Continue reading...

Sport

60 h. ago Omar Berrada picks sides in Man Utd power struggle after Ruben Amorim ultimatum

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim fired several digs at the club's bosses on Sunday, hinting at issues with sporting director Jason Wilcox, with the CEO having to take sides

Politics

3 d. ago I was at Ruben Amorim’s press conference and he has dared Manchester United to sack him

A POWER struggle is now underway at Manchester United. If Ruben Amorim hinted at issues behind the scenes on Friday, he practically confirmed them on Sunday. United chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox must have thought the most incendiary comments at Elland Road would come from the terraces. But Amorim’s extraordinary...

Politics

3 d. ago Angry Amorim tells Manchester United: ‘I’m here to be manager, not coach’

Amorim casts doubt on long-term future at clubOutburst came after Cunha earned draw at LeedsRuben Amorim has insisted he is Manchester United’s manager, not just the coach, and said that he may “move on” after the remaining 18 months of his contract at Old Trafford amid an apparent power struggle over transfer policy at the club.In an impassioned press conference after Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Leeds at Elland Road, the Portuguese also pointedly told the scouting department and sporting director “to do their job”. Continue reading...

Sport

3 d. ago Man United power struggle EXPLODES: Furious Ruben Amorim insists he did NOT join club to be a 'head coach' in as row with Old Trafford hierarchy over transfer window stance intensifies

Ruben Amorim has insisted he is the 'manager' of Manchester United, not the 'head coach' as the club's power struggle intensified on Sunday afternoon.

Sport

4 d. ago Berlin power outage hits 45,000 homes after suspected arson attack

Damage to cables means tens of thousands will be without electricity until Thursday amid freezing temperaturesTens of thousands of homes in Berlin will be without electricity until Thursday as authorities struggle to repair power cables seriously damaged in a suspected arson attack, officials have said.Some households may also be without heating as the outage has affected local systems at a time when the German capital is blanketed in snow and temperatures are hovering around freezing. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Cruz Beckham furiously defends parents in Brooklyn rift after 'power struggles'

Cruz Beckham has spoken out on the ongoing family rift with his brother Brooklyn and sister-in-law Nicola Peltz Beckham, claiming his parents were blocked rather than unfollowing

Politics

2 w. ago This Week in History: Blizzards, hijackings and the loss of a princess

From power struggles to global crises, explore how major events between 22 and 28 December were captured on The Independent’s front pages

Politics

3 w. ago This Week in History: A royal divorce, a $50bn fraud, and tragedy on Christmas Island

From power struggles to global crises, explore how major events between 15 and 21 December were captured on The Independent’s front pages

Politics

3 w. ago Helmut Marko's explosive Christian Horner claims with media games and power struggle

Helmut Marko pulled no punches in an explosive interview after his Red Bull departure, calling out the team's former boss, Christian Horner, and giving his side to the power struggle story

Events