9 h. ago From Donald Trump to Benjamin Netanyahu, let 2026 be a year of reckoning | Jonathan Freedland

These malign figures will do anything to avoid paying for the harm they have done, but accountability must eventually come to bothIt’s not quite a new year resolution, and it’s certainly not a prediction. Think of it instead as a hope or even a plea for the next 12 months. May the coming year see those leaders who have done so much damage to their own countries, and far beyond, at last be called to account. Let 2026 be a year of reckoning.Start with the man whose reach is longest, by dint of the mighty power he wields. Such is the nature of the US electoral system that Donald Trump, who returned to power less than a year ago, will face the judgment of voters in 10 months’ time. His name will not be on the ballot but, make no mistake, the midterm elections of 3 November will deliver a verdict on the second Trump presidency.Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian columnistGuardian newsroom: Year One of Trumpism: Is Britain Emulating the US? On Wednesday 21 January 2026, join Jonathan Freedla...

Politics

18 h. ago The Guardian Footballer of the Year Jess Carter: ‘I remember not wanting to go out’

England defender publicly confronted racist abuse at the Euros and ended 2025 a title winner with club and countryThe Guardian Footballer of the Year is an award given to a player who has done something remarkable, whether by overcoming adversity, helping others or setting a sporting example by acting with exceptional honesty.Jess Carter has spent her life grappling with when to hold back and when to speak up; wrestling with being naturally herself, embodying the characteristics her parents instilled in her of being open, honest, vocal and confident, and subduing herself because, while society values those traits, in a black woman they can be viewed negatively. Continue reading...

Politics

50 h. ago Enzo Maresca on brink of Chelsea sack after breakdown of relations

Club set to open new year with emergency talksCryptic comments have led to rapid escalationEnzo Maresca is on the brink of leaving Chelsea after a complete breakdown in his relationship with the club. The situation around the head coach has been unpredictable for weeks and it is highly likely that a parting of the ways is expected to take place on Thursday.Chelsea are set to open the new year by holding emergency talks over Maresca’s position. It is expected that the Italian, who was booed by supporters during the disappointing 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, will not be in charge for Sunday’s trip to Manchester City. Sources have indicated that Maresca wants to leave the club but it is unclear if he is willing to walk away without a payoff. His contract runs until 2029, with an option for an extra year. Continue reading...

Politics

52 h. ago Manchester City welcome Rodri back with Guardiola ‘prouder than ever’ of 2025 efforts

Manager praises his team’s turnaround in past 12 monthsJanuary arrivals also hailed for making a key differencePep Guardiola has praised Manchester City for turning their form around to become the best-performing Premier League team in 2025 and warned rivals they will improve once Rodri returns to full fitness.Despite a rare trophyless season, City go to Sunderland on New Year’s Day with 2025’s best points-per-game ratio, narrowly ahead of Arsenal, who played two more league matches. Continue reading...

Politics

53 h. ago Afcon roundup: Côte d’Ivoire pip Cameroon with dramatic win over Gabon

Holders come from two goals down to win 3-2Burkina Faso beat Sudan as both sides progressCôte d’Ivoire came from two goals down to beat already eliminated Gabon 3-2 in Group F at the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday as the teenager Bazoumana Touré’s headed winner in added time in Marrakech handed them top spot in the pool.The Ivorians finished on seven points from their three games, ahead of Cameroon on goal difference after the latter beat third-placed Mozambique. Continue reading...

Events

54 h. ago Enzo Maresca at risk of Chelsea sack if poor run persists with a dry January

‘Worst 48 hours’ comment and league form are problemsPalmer substitution and Bournemouth result were booedEnzo Maresca will be in danger of losing his job as Chelsea’s head coach if he cannot improve results before the end of January. The Italian, who was booed by home supporters during the disappointing 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, is under mounting pressure after a poor run of form, and a series of self-inflicted wounds have raised doubts over his position.Chelsea have one win from their past seven league games and although Maresca is set to be in charge for Sunday’s trip to Manchester City his position is increasingly uncertain. Concern over the 45-year-old’s decisions during games and away from the pitch have grown in recent weeks and there can be no guarantee that Maresca will survive beyond the end of January if he proves incapable of reversing the slump. Continue reading...

Events

55 h. ago West Ham close in on Gil Vicente’s Pablo after going cold on Jørgen Strand Larsen

Costs for Strand Larsen high, with Wolves wanting £40mGil Vicente’s Pablo has nine goals in Portuguese top flightWest Ham are in advanced talks over a deal for the Gil Vicente forward Pablo after having second thoughts about bidding for the Wolves striker Jørgen Strand Larsen.Nuno Espírito Santo, whose side are at major risk of relegation from the Premier League, wants attacking reinforcements and club sources indicated on Tuesday that an opening offer for Strand Larsen was being prepared. However, there is a scattergun feel to West Ham’s recruitment and they have developed cold feet over the finances around Strand Larsen. Wolves want £40m for the Norwegian, whose wage demands are high. Continue reading...

Politics

59 h. ago Napoli say Rasmus Højlund’s permanent move from Manchester United a ‘formality’

Striker has scored nine goals since joining on loanChampions League qualification brings obligation to buyThe Napoli sporting director, Giovanni Manna, considers Rasmus Højlund’s permanent transfer from Manchester United a “formality”.Højlund joined the Serie A champions on loan last summer and the Denmark striker has scored nine goals in 20 appearances, including a double in Sunday’s 2-0 win at Cremonese. Napoli are third in Serie A, occupying one of Italy’s four Champions League places. Continue reading...

Politics

61 h. ago Slot sees positives as Frimpong and Kerkez adapt to end of a full

Liverpool head coach’s new full-backs have struggledSlot expects improvement as squad and signings settleArne Slot has said Liverpool remain “a work in progress” in both full-back positions but backed Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez to make their mark as his team stabilise.Slot admits Liverpool are still adjusting to the end of the Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson era with injuries and disruption limiting the impact of their designated successors, including Conor Bradley. Frimpong has improved since returning from his second hamstring injury of the season, however, and provided assists for Hugo Ekitiké and Ryan Gravenberch in the recent victories over Tottenham and Wolves. Slot believes the summer signings Frimpong and Kerkez, from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth respectively, will prove valuable assets for Liverpool, with their pace essential for the modern game. Continue reading...

Politics

62 h. ago Dazn ordered to honour €84m Belgian football TV deal after terminating contract

Dazn must resume €6.6m-a-month paymentsIt said agreement was not viable without carriage dealDazn has been ordered to honour the remainder of an €84.2m (£73.5m) TV deal with Belgium’s Pro League this season after the streaming service announced last month it was terminating the contract.In a judgment from Belgium’s centre for arbitration and mediation (Cepani), sent to the clubs on Wednesday morning, Dazn has been told it must continue broadcasting and paying for the Pro League until 30 June, unless Cepani declares otherwise. That would cost it about €53m. Continue reading...

Economics

62 h. ago Martin Ødegaard relocates his missing rhythm to dictate Arsenal’s tempo again

Rejuvenated by his goal on Saturday and free from injuries that have disrupted his season, Arsenal’s captain led their destruction of VillaWhen Arsenal really needed Martin Ødegaard, the captain finally rediscovered his magic touch. Gabriel Magalhães had just opened the scoring against Aston Villa after a first half in which Mikel Arteta’s nervous side were struggling without the influential Declan Rice. Then it happened.Jadon Sancho was waiting to receive a pass from Youri Tielemens inside Villa’s half but, before the forward knew it, Ødegaard had pinched the ball and was haring towards Emiliano Martínez’s goal. A jink back on to his left foot fooled Tielemens and allowed Ødegaard to play through the perfect through ball for Martín Zubimendi to score the crucial second. It was the fifth goal or assist that Zubimendi has contributed to since he joined in the summer – the joint-best return of his club career – and the Spaniard’s impact was rightly hailed by a delighted Arteta. “Credi...

Events

62 h. ago Martin Ødegaard rediscovers his missing rhythm to dictate Arsenal’s tempo again

Rejuvenated by his goal on Saturday and free from injuries that have disrupted his season, Arsenal’s captain led their destruction of VillaWhen Arsenal really needed Martin Ødegaard, the captain finally rediscovered his magic touch. Gabriel Magalhães had just opened the scoring against Aston Villa after a first half in which Mikel Arteta’s nervous side were struggling without the influential Declan Rice. Then it happened.Jadon Sancho was waiting to receive a pass from Youri Tielemans inside Villa’s half but, before the forward knew it, Ødegaard had pinched the ball and was haring towards Emiliano Martínez’s goal. A jink back on to his left foot fooled Tielemans and allowed Ødegaard to play the perfect through ball for Martín Zubimendi to score the crucial second. It was the fifth goal or assist that Zubimendi has contributed since he joined in the summer – the joint-best return of his club career – and the Spaniard’s impact was rightly hailed by a delighted Arteta. “Credit to his te...

Events

63 h. ago African football hit by fresh allegations over general secretary’s Caf conduct

Gabonese FA president was voted on to Caf exco in 2023Caf chief allegedly failed to act on reports of sexual abuseThe general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), Veron Mosengo-Omba, ignored a recommendation that Pierre-Alain Mounguengui was ineligible for election to its powerful executive committee because he had been accused of covering up widespread sexual abuse in Gabonese football, it can be revealed.Mounguengui, the president of the Gabonese football federation (Fegafoot), has been accused of failing to act on reports of sexual abuse and rape of young footballers in a series of stories that were first published by the Guardian in 2021. He has denied the allegations and there is no suggestion Mounguengui has been accused of sexual abuse himself. Although he has not yet been formally charged, Mounguengui spent six months in custody awaiting a decision from the authorities in Gabon and was visited by the Caf president, Patrice Motsepe, with a final ruling on...

Events

65 h. ago Bellen d'Or 2025 nominees as Alexander Isak, Jake Paul and Eni Aluko fight for prat award

The fifth annual Bellen d'Or awards sees 13 candidates fight it out for Daily Star Sport's 2025 prize idiot award as we nominates the sportsmen and women who made fools of themselves this year

Events

66 h. ago January transfer window 2026: what every Premier League club needs

Aston Villa have a decision to make about Harvey Elliott, Brentford have money to spend and Burnley and Everton need goalscorersA busy summer with the arrival of more than £250m in reinforcements has proved to be invaluable given the number of injuries that have hit Arsenal, particularly in defence. But that also makes any more expensive incomings unlikely in January, especially after the timely return of the influential Gabriel Magalhães this week. A loan signing or two could be on the cards, however, with Arsenal not having filled either slot so far after bringing in Neto from Bournemouth and Raheem Sterling from Chelsea last season. Mikel Arteta could do with more cover at right-back and must also decide whether to allow Ethan Nwaneri to go on loan with the 18-year-old having made only three starts in all competitions. Ed Aarons Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Rampant Arsenal make a strong title statement and bury the Emery bogey | John Brewin

The fluent football of autumn returned against an Aston Villa team who have often caused Arteta’s side problemsShould Arsenal lift the Premier League trophy in May, the thrill of the chase will be remembered fondly, difficult forks in the road glorified. Here was a statement win to show that the pain and agony can be worth it. A champion team must often suffer to arrive at beautiful moments. Those scratchy wins over Wolves, Everton and Brighton can now be celebrated alongside a champagne evening to sign off 2025.The club’s familiarity with chasing the title as the league turns for home has bred an unavoidable anxiety. April and May have previously proved the cruellest months but December has been full of worries. In pre-match, “north London forever” was sung tremulously, fans seeking a collective warmth to ward off individual doubts about the dream. For 45 minutes, fans, players and manager alike were left alone with their private agonies, only for the second half where Arsenal play...

Politics

3 d. ago Krejci grabs point for Wolves as Manchester United continue to flounder

Manchester United missed eight frontline players so Wolves, who arrived as the bottom team with only two points, seemed ideal opponents. Yet Ruben Amorim’s side struggled – badly – and while Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire headed those unavailable, the display provokes questions regarding United’s cohesion.In the contest’s closing phase they were potent only sporadically – as throughout. Their opening-half goal was a fortunate one for Joshua Zirkzee, rebounding in off Ladislav Krejci, and after the Czech’s equaliser just before the interval, Wolves might have recorded a first – and famous – victory of the season. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Enzo Maresca jeered by Chelsea fans amid wild draw with Bournemouth

Enzo Maresca has been talking up his relationship with Chelsea’s supporters but the love was not returned during this 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. There was open dissent from the Stamford Bridge crowd when Cole Palmer, who is still feeling his way back from a groin injury, went off midway through the second half and there was more grumbling when a wild game was over.This was another bad night for Chelsea. Maresca’s erratic side defended poorly, have one win in their past seven top-flight games and remain incapable of capitalising on dominant spells. They have now dropped 13 points from winning positions at home – more than any other side in the Premier League – after being held by Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth, who ended grateful to Antoine Semenyo giving his all in what might be his final appearance for the club before a likely move to Manchester City. Continue reading...

Sport

3 d. ago Premier League LIVE: Latest score and updates on bumper night of action as Man United lead Wolves and Chelsea held by Bournemouth

Follow Daily Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Manchester United host Wolves at Old Trafford in the Premier League plus Chelsea vs Bournemouth.

Sport

3 d. ago Premier League LIVE: Latest score, team news and updates on bumper night of action as Chelsea and Bournemouth play out thriller before Man United vs Wolves

Follow Daily Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Manchester United host Wolves at Old Trafford in the Premier League plus Chelsea vs Bournemouth.

Sport