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National News

Sunak softens China stance

Rishi Sunak has defended his policy of continuing to engage with China despite believing that Xi Jinping’s “increasingly authoritarian” administration poses an “epoch-defining challenge” to the global order. The Prime Minister, who claimed during the Tory leadership contest last year that China represented the “biggest long-term threat to Britain”, appears to have softened his stance but insisted he remained acutely aware of the challenges posed by Beijing. The Government will on Monday publish an update to its foreign and securityRead More

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National News

Arteta hails Trossard as he tees up all three in Fulham win

Mikel Arteta hailed Leandro Trossard’s “football intelligence” after he set up all three goals as Arsenal restored their five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 win at Fulham. The 28-year-old joined Arsenal in January from Brighton and has shone for the Gunners, helping to compensate for the injuries to forward’s Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah. Trossard’s delivery at Craven Cottage was exceptional, with his first assist coming in the 21st minute as picked out GabrielRead More

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National News

Sunak flies to US for talks with Biden and Albanese on Australian submarine deal

Rishi Sunak is flying to the United States for meetings with President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to flesh out a major defence deal. The Prime Minister will arrive in San Diego on Sunday night to discuss Australia’s procurement of nuclear-powered submarines under the Aukus pact. Mr Albanese is expected to announce a plan for a British-designed fleet, with US boats being purchased as a stop-gap measure. While on the US west coast on Monday, Mr SunakRead More

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National News

Rangers see off Raith Rovers in Scottish Cup quarter finals

Rangers eventually wore down a resolute Raith Rovers side to run out comfortable 3-0 winners in a mostly low-key Scottish Cup quarter-final tie at Ibrox. The Championship side defended from the first whistle and nullified the Gers threat until the 42nd minute when defender Connor Goldson headed in from a Borna Barisic corner. Rovers defender Ryan Nolan scored an own goal in the 58th minute to effectively end any chance of a shock before substitute Scott Arfield added a thirdRead More

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National News

BBC urged to get a grip as Match of the Day 2 set to air without presenters

The BBC has been urged to get a “grip” of the impartiality row over Gary Lineker as its sports coverage faced disruption for a second consecutive day. Match of the Day aired for only 20 minutes on Saturday, without accompanying commentary or analysis from pundits, following a boycott in “solidarity” with former England striker Lineker. And Sunday’s Match of the Day 2 will follow a similar reduced format to Saturday night’s programme, commentator Guy Mowbray confirmed. Uncertainty over Match ofRead More

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National News

Klopp backs Lineker in BBC row

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he could not understand the BBC’s decision to stand down Gary Lineker from presenting Match of the Day, insisting it should be possible for people to express their opinions. Lineker was taken off air for a tweet which compared the language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy with 1930s Germany. But the BBC has been left apologising for broadcasting only “limited sport programming” this weekend after several presenters, pundits, commentators andRead More

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National News

City pile pressure on Arsenal with Palace win

Manchester City cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to two points with a hard-fought win at Crystal Palace. Erling Haaland’s second-half penalty secured a 1-0 success, the Norwegian striker’s 28th goal in the top flight this season. City were frustrated until Michael Olise brought down Ilkay Gundogan 13 minutes from time. Haaland coolly sent Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita the wrong way as City kept up the pressure on Arsenal, who play their game in hand atRead More

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National News

BBC Director General says he wont resign

The BBC director-general has apologised for the disruption caused to the broadcaster’s sports programming, but confirmed he will not resign over the backlash to Gary Lineker being told to step back from Match Of The Day. Speaking to BBC News on Saturday, Tim Davie praised Linker as “the best in the business” and that he feels everyone wants to see a “reasonable solution” to the impartiality row. Lineker was taken off air for a tweet which compared the language usedRead More

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