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- Bayern Munich eye January move for Chelsea player as Blues seek £56m transfer
- Virgil van Dijk provides unexpected reason for error in Bournemouth defeat
- Company Invites Employees to Vote on Layoffs in Squid Game-Inspired Decision
- Parents Support ‘Girl in the Helmet’ Accused of New Year’s Eve Fire in Switzerland
- Storm Ingrid Destroys Historic Pier and Damages Sea Wall Amid 60mph Winds
- Putin’s Drone Strikes Disrupt Peace Talks in Ukraine: Latest News Update
- Urgent Recall of Aptamil Infant Formula Due to Toxic Contaminant Found
- Could This Be the Cause of the Tragic Spain Train Crash That Killed 45?
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Bayern Munich eye January move for Chelsea player as Blues seek £56m transfer
4:05 am
TL:DR – Bayern Munich eye January move for Chelsea player as Blues seek £56m transfer
- Bayern Munich is interested in Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong, despite Chelsea not wanting to sell (see reference: Bayern Munich are considering a move).
- Acheampong has made 17 appearances but isn’t a regular starter under coaches Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior (see reference: highly regarded by Chelsea).
- Crystal Palace is also monitoring him after Marc Guehi’s transfer to Manchester City (see reference: Crystal Palace are also said to be interested).
- Acheampong is under contract until 2029, but regular game time may affect his future (see reference: not get regular minutes).
Bayern Munich consider January bid for Chelsea star as Blues target £56m deal | Football
Bayern Munich are plotting a move for one of Chelsea’s academy graduates (Picture: Getty)
Bayern Munich are considering a move for Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong in the final week of the January transfer window, according to reports.
Acheampong is highly regarded by Chelsea, and the Blues are not looking to sell the defender, who has made 17 appearances in all competitions so far this season.
But regardless, several clubs are monitoring the progress of the 19-year-old, who has not been a regular starter under either Enzo Maresca or new head coach Liam Rosenior.
The Guardian reports that German giants Bayern are interested in a move for Acheampong and have not ruled out the possibility of lodging a bid before the end of the January window.
Crystal Palace are also said to be interested in the young, versatile defender after they sold captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City.
Acheampong is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2029 having signed a five-year deal in December 2024 after speculation over his long-term future at the club.
But that speculation looks set to intensify again, particularly if Acheampong does not get regular minutes under Rosenior.
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Josh Acheampong is being monitored by Bayern Munich (Picture: Getty)
Trevor Chalobah and Wesley Fofana appear to be the first-choice pairing, but Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badisahille have also been preferred to the 19-year-old in recent games against Brentford and Pafos.
And Chelsea’s pursuit of young defender Jeremy Jacquet could see Acheampong slip further down the pecking order.
The Blues have reportedly agreed personal terms with Jacquet but are still yet to come to an agreement with Rennes over a fee, with the French club said to be demanding a club-record £56million.
Jeremy Jacquet is wanted by Chelsea (Picture: AFP)
Asked about the potential departure of Jacquet, Rennes boss Habib Beye said on Friday: ‘There are still a few days left in the transfer window; anything can happen. We need things to be as calm as possible.’
Elsewhere, Chelsea are also looking to bolster their options in midfield, and have reportedly held talks with Juventus over a straight loan deal for Douglas Luiz.
Luiz is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, but has started just two league games since the arrival of Sean Dyche.
Asked about speculation over Luiz’s future at Forest, Dyche said: ‘He is a very good player. I said when we played him in Europe (before Christmas) we probably rushed him back, but because of his experience he has used that wisely to be back.
‘It doesn’t surprise me there is interest from other clubs in good players. That’s the nature of the business.
‘It’s a doubled-edged sword. You sort of want people interested in your players, that means they are doing a good job and are good players, but you don’t because you don’t want them coming knocking on the door.
‘That’s part of modern football.’
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Virgil van Dijk provides unexpected reason for error in Bournemouth defeat
3:48 am
TL:DR – Virgil van Dijk provides unexpected reason for error in Bournemouth defeat
- Virgil van Dijk’s error contributed to Bournemouth’s opening goal in Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat, ending their 13-match unbeaten run (see the match summary).
- Van Dijk attributed his mistake to challenging windy conditions (refer to his post-match comments).
- Liverpool equalised twice but conceded a last-minute goal from Amine Adli (check match highlights).
- The loss extends Liverpool’s winless streak to five Premier League matches (review current standings).
- Fatigue from recent matches may have impacted Liverpool’s performance, as noted by their manager (see tactical analysis).
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk offers unusual excuse for mistake in Bournemouth loss | Football
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk (Picture: Sky Sports)
Virgil van Dijk offered an unusual excuse for his role in Bournemouth’s opening goal as Liverpool suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat to end their 13-game unbeaten run.
Liverpool battled back well from 2-0 down to draw level through Van Dijk’s header from a corner and Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick either side of half-time.
Arne Slot’s side continued to push on for a winner, but were instead condemned to their first defeat since November last year when Amine Adli poked home a winner with the last kick of the game.
The result means Liverpool are now winless in five Premier League matches, having drawn their last four games prior to Sunday’s encounter with Bournemouth.
While getting on the scoresheet before half-time, Van Dijk did not cover himself in glory for Bournemouth’s opening goal, misjudging the flight of a long ball over the top, with his botched clearances falling to Alex Scott, who set up Evanilson to score.
Post-match comments
And speaking after the game, the Dutch centre-back insisted that windy conditions on the south coast were the cause of his crucial mistake, which put Andoni Iraola’s side ahead.
‘The first goal was a difficult one to judge during the circumstances, the wind was very tricky,’ Van Dijk told Sky Sports.
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Virgil van Dijk made a mistake in the build-up to Bournemouth’s first goal (Picture: Getty)
‘I think you saw it when we played long balls on that side it was very difficult to judge. So to concede that wasn’t an issue but it’s not good.
‘To concede two goals in a short period is not good at all. The goal I scored before half-time was really important for momentum in the second-half back and I think we showed that.
‘We worked so hard to get back into the game, we had a free-kick and some great opportunities as well but in the end, that throw in cost us.’
The Reds captain added: ‘I am very disappointed. Last minute of the game is very tough to take, we worked very hard in the second half to get back in the game and to concede that late is disappointing.’
Bournemouth midfielder Scott, who capitalised on Van Dijk’s mistake to set up his side’s opener, said that the windy conditions did make things tricky on the evening.
Amine Adli scored a late winner for Bournemouth (Picture: Getty)
‘The wind made it more difficult for Virgil to deal with it,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘I think the conditions were tough out there today, the first half we were playing into the wind and second half with the wind.
‘It was tough and definitely played a part of that goal. For him, I reckon, it just stopped in the air a little bit, but thankfully I was there to make something of it and obviously happy to get the goal there early on.’
Slot was also not keen to hold his captain fully responsible for the opening goal, saying post-match: ‘I don’t think it’s completely fair to Virgil to blame him for the first goal.
Arne Slot said his side were fatigued in the closing stages (Picture: Getty)
‘I think you could see throughout the game how much impact the wind had.’
Current standings
The Liverpool boss, however, did admit that fatigue played a role in his side slipping to a defeat in added time.
‘We came back to 2-2 and then I thought it was a very open game where both teams had their chances,’ he told Sky Sports.
‘They probably [had] even more than us which shouldn’t come as a complete surprise to me knowing that we’ve played two days before in Marseille and for the last four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10 games we’ve had to play with the same players for the players we had available and then sometimes a few of them could be at the end of the game a bit tired.
‘I think that’s what you could see at the end today as well.’
Liverpool remain in fourth, but could be leapfrogged by as many as four teams if Manchester United, Chelsea, Brentford and Newcastle United all win on Sunday.
Slot’s side return to action in midweek with their final Champions League league phase match at home to Qarabag.
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Company Invites Employees to Vote on Layoffs in Squid Game-Inspired Decision
7:17 pm
TL:DR – “Company Invites Employees to Vote on Layoffs in Squid Game-Inspired Decision”
- An Italian electrical firm, Bluergo, faced backlash for asking staff to select colleagues for layoff in a “Squid Game” style.
- Employees responded to brutal questions about who should be let go, sparking outrage.
- Company boss branded it an internal survey to improve workplace climate, despite union outrage over dignity and psychological pressure.
- Unions condemned the practice, claiming it breeds division and a hostile work environment.
- Workers have called for urgent meetings to address concerns.
Firm asks staff to decide who to sack in Squid Game-style culling | Italian World
An Italian electrical company has come under fire after it asked its staff to choose who they would sack in a Squid Game-style culling (Credits: Netflix)
Squid Game-style Culling in the Workplace
Could you throw one of your colleagues under the bus if push came to shove and you were left to decide amongst yourselves who got the sack? That is what staff at an Italian electrical company were asked to do last month, prompting local media to liken it to something from the dystopian TV series Squid Game.
Bluergo’s Questionable Choices
More than 60 employees of Bluergo, which makes spare parts for washing machines, in Veneto were asked over the Christmas period which colleagues they would lay off in a series of brutal questions. Among them were ‘Who would leave at home? The one without kids?’ and ‘The one who has been employed the shortest time?’, according to local outlet Ansa.it reported.
Staff were asked to choose between volunteers, part-time workers, people with no family responsibilities and younger employees.
Was this a PR stunt or a management blunder?
Bluergo boss, Bruno Scapin, said the questions were part of an internal survey to prevent layoffs (Picture: Google Street View)
Management’s Justification
A further category known as ‘Other’ asked employees to write the full name of the colleagues they thought least deserved to keep their jobs. Only ten surveys were completed and returned to the company. The move has outraged staff and union members who described the exercise as ‘a cruel game’.
However, company boss, Bruno Scapin, backed the questionnaire, insisting it was ‘an internal survey to test the company climate’. He added: ‘The market is in crisis, and our goal is to prevent layoffs.’
Union Outrage and Worker Solidarity
Meanwhile, the Italian metal workers’ union, known as CGIL trade union, said the survey was a ‘reckless move’ and was ‘an attack on workers’ dignity and an unacceptable manipulation of the solidarity that should exist among colleagues’.
In a statement, the union added that asking employees to write the names of their colleagues had ‘[amplified] the psychological pressure on each individual employee’. It also said the exercise had transformed ‘an already tense work environment into a battlefield’.
Manuel Moretto, general secretary of the Treviso branch of the CGIL union, condemned the practice, claiming it undermines workers’ rights. He said: ‘What we are witnessing is not only a lack of respect for workers but an attempt to disintegrate the social fabric of a company.
In a time of difficulty, unity should be the answer, not division. These methods do not even represent democratic consultation. We will not allow workers to be forced to play this humiliating game.’
He added that Bluergo staff have called for an urgent meeting after describing the company’s line of questioning as a ‘dangerous trend’. While we await further developments, we urge all workers to remain united, avoid supporting this unacceptable move, and make their voices heard. Solidarity and cohesion are our best weapons against these unfair and destructive practices.
Parents Support ‘Girl in the Helmet’ Accused of New Year’s Eve Fire in Switzerland
5:40 pm
TL:DR – Parents Support ‘Girl in the Helmet’ Accused of New Year’s Eve Fire in Switzerland
- New Year’s Eve tragedy at La Constellation bar in Crans-Montana resulted in 40 deaths and 116 injuries.
- 24-year-old Cyane Panine, dubbed ‘la Fille au Casque’, died after a fire caused by flammable ceiling foam.
- Investigations reveal safety breaches and lack of fire inspections since 2019.
- Bar owners face manslaughter charges; the venue’s single staircase hindered evacuations.
- Ms Panine’s parents express heartbreak over safety neglect and her tragic role during the incident.
Parents defend ‘girl in the helmet’ blamed for New Year’s Eve Swiss resort fire | News World
Cyane Panine was holding champagne bottles with sparklers while wearing a crash helmet moments before a fire erupted at a bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana (Picture: Instagram)
### Tragic Night at La Constellation
Cyane Panine was one of more than 100 people inside a bar at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana when disaster struck on New Year’s Eve. The 24-year-old waitress quickly became known as ‘la Fille au Casque’ – or The Girl in the Helmet – after pictures circulated of her masked and waving champagne bottles with sparklers. That night, as 2026 dawned, a total of 40 people died, and 116 were injured after spending the evening at La Constellation bar.
### Investigation into the Fire
An investigation found that it was likely that the tragedy unfolded after the bar’s ceiling, clad in acoustic foam, caught fire. However, Ms. Panine’s parents have since spoken out at their devastation that their daughter has become associated with the cause of the incident at the venue, whose owners are now the subject of a criminal investigation. Jerome and Astrid recall their daughter as ‘spontaneous, radiant and full of heart’. Grieving mother Astrid said she would remember Ms. Panine as ‘an elusive butterfly; the kind one longs to catch and immortalise’. The couple told Daily Mail her death was a reminder of ‘all young people who are cut down in their prime’. Cyane, named for the colour of her eyes, accompanied her family on a UNESCO-backed round-the-world sailing adventure to promote water conservation when she was just 11.
Ms. Panine was one of 40 people who died at La Constellation on New Year’s Eve (Picture: AP)
### Owners Face Legal Consequences
She was considered a ‘stepdaughter’ by La Constellation co-owner Jacques Moretti, who acquired the bar with his wife Jessica in 2015. Mr. Moretti is currently in pre-trial detention because of his previous criminal record. The French couple is facing charges of manslaughter as well as bodily harm and arson, all by negligence, for which they could serve up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
### Lack of Safety Measures
Ms. Panine’s lawyer has since suggested that the waitress did not receive safety training on her job, for which she did not even have an employment contract. The 24-year-old was also allegedly forced to work long hours, leaving her both mentally and physically exhausted. Because of her lack of safety training, she was unaware that the ceiling’s acoustic foam was highly flammable and potentially lethal if set alight. Despite laws requiring annual fire safety checks, it transpired the bar had not been inspected since 2019.
### Chaotic Atmosphere on New Year’s Eve
To add to questions, Ms. Panine was instructed by Mr. Moretti to get the ‘atmosphere going’ on the night horror broke out. This specifically meant wearing a crash helmet, supplied by Champagne giant Dom Perignon, while holding several bottles of bubbly topped with sparklers. The gimmicked mask meant that Ms. Panine would not see the disaster unfolding around her as the nightclub was set ablaze.
Bar owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti are facing charges of manslaughter by negligence following evidence of safety breaches at La Constellation (Picture: Reuters)
### Locked Exits and Tragic Outcomes
A now infamous picture shows the young woman being held up by barman Matthieu Aubrun, 27, who himself was wearing a mask. Of those that died, around 85 percent are estimated to have been trapped in the bar’s basement after struggling to evacuate up the venue’s single staircase. A second ‘service door’ which could have been an escape route was locked, according to the owners, to stop people from entering the bar without paying. However, Ms. Panine’s parents believe it further exacerbated the tragic events of New Year’s Eve. “If the door had been open, maybe there wouldn’t have been deaths,” Jerome said.
Storm Ingrid Destroys Historic Pier and Damages Sea Wall Amid 60mph Winds
3:00 pm
TL:DR – Storm Ingrid Destroys Historic Pier and Damages Sea Wall Amid 60mph Winds
- Storm Ingrid has severely damaged the historic Grand Pier in Teignmouth, Devon, washing away part of its structure.
- Heavy rains and winds, with gusts up to 60mph, have prompted yellow weather warnings across Devon, Cornwall, and parts of Wales.
- The railway line between Exeter and Plymouth has been suspended due to a collapsed sea wall in Dawlish.
- Flooding risks are forecasted across Scotland and Northern Ireland, affecting homes and transport services.
Storm Ingrid washes away historic pier and crumbles sea wall after 60mph winds hit UK | News UK
This is the moment strong winds and heavy rain brought on by Storm Ingrid ripped away a historic pier on the South West coast.
A video showing huge waves crashing against the pier and the coastal road reveals a large gap where the historic site once stood.
Part of a pier, built between 1865 and 1867, was washed away as Storm Ingrid battered parts of Devon and Cornwall.
Huge waves crashed onto the 160-year-old Grand Pier in Teignmouth, Devon, destroying part of the historic site.
Railway services between Exeter St Davids and Plymouth have been suspended after a sea wall protecting the railway line at nearby Dawlish collapsed.
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Storm Ingrid hits Teignmouth as high waves crash onto the railway line at Dawlish (Picture: Phil Mingo/PPAUK/Shutterstock)
Teignmouth mayor, Cate Williams, said the pier previously survived many weather conditions, but added that the old pier’s ‘age and wear and tear has taken its toll’, the BBC reported.
She said: ‘It has lost part of the pier structure itself, that has dissolved and gone away into the sea.’
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings as rain continues into the rest of the weekend.
Some residents have called for a ‘state of emergency’ after the forecaster warned some areas could see 60mph gusts and up to 1.6 inches of rain.
Parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales could face flooding in certain areas, causing travel disruption and impacting power supplies.
Where are there Met Office weather warnings this weekend?
Storm Ingrid looks set to cause travel disruption and flooding risks across the UK.
The Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for parts of the South West covering all of Devon and Cornwall, and parts of Wales.
The warning started at 2am on Friday and will remain in place until 10pm tonight.
While there are no alerts in place on Sunday for the South West, the forecaster has issued a yellow rain alert for 6pm on Monday until 2pm on Tuesday.
Met Office weather warnings for Saturday and Sunday (Picture: Metro)
North-east Scotland, covering Aberdeen and Perth, and Northern Ireland are under a yellow weather warning for rain.
Both areas are expected to remain under the yellow alert into over Sunday and into Monday morning.
Scotland has already experienced three days of very wet weather, with some places having seen in excess of 100 mm of rain, the Met Office said.
It added that the region could see a further 20-30mm of rain, with some places seeing up to 50mm.
The forecaster warned of flooding risks to homes and businesses, while some bus and rail services could face delays.
Where is there a flood risk?
The Met Office has warned of potential flooding in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, which could impact homes, businesses and bus or rail services.
Some parts of Northern Ireland could be at risk of interrupted power supplies.
On Saturday, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) had 11 flood warnings and four flood alerts active.
Residents in the affected area have been told to take appropriate precautions and urged to check if their home is at risk of flooding.
Those in affected areas could face risks of flooding (Picture: Hugh R Hastings/Getty Images Europe)
A Met Office spokesman said: ‘Following a three-day spell of very wet weather across this region, with some places having seen in excess of 100mm, a further day of fairly persistent and at times heavy rain is expected, before easing during Saturday night.
‘Many places are likely to see a further 20-30mm of rain, and a few spots could see 50mm.
‘Above 400-500 metres, however, a lot of this will fall as snow, with rain confined to areas of ground below this level.’
Heavy rain and strong winds brought on by Storm Ingrid have resulted in speed restrictions for ScotRail train services between Aberdeen and Inverness.
Putin’s Drone Strikes Disrupt Peace Talks in Ukraine: Latest News Update
1:58 pm
TL:DR – Putin’s Drone Strikes Disrupt Peace Talks in Ukraine: Latest News Update
- Fresh drone strikes by Russia disrupted US, Russia, and Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending the invasion.
- Attacks in Kyiv and Kharkiv resulted in one fatality and numerous injuries, damaging key infrastructures.
- President Zelensky reported over 370 drones and missiles targeted various Ukrainian regions.
- Peace discussions will focus on a revised 20-point plan amidst ongoing territorial disputes and security concerns.
- Talks were deemed productive by the White House following global leaders’ meetings at Davos.
Putin sours peace talks with overnight drone strikes in Ukraine | News World
Vladimir Putin’s army has disrupted the trilateral peace talks between the US, Russia, and Ukraine after fresh drone strikes in Kyiv.
Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the US are set to meet in Abu Dhabi today to continue the thorny talks to find an end to the four-year invasion of Ukraine.
However, Russia has cast a shadow over the much-awaited negotiations after deadly bombardments in Kyiv last night.
At least one person was killed in Kyiv, while 19 people were wounded in attacks in the country’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, where a maternity hospital was damaged.
A Ukrainian rescuer extinguished a burning petrol truck after an air attack in Kyiv last night (Picture: AFP/Ukrainian emergency service)
Volodomyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, accused Russia of launching more than 370 drones and 21 missiles last night, targeting Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions.
He said on X: ‘In Kharkiv, a maternity hospital, a dormitory housing displaced persons, a medical college, and residential buildings have been damaged. As of now, dozens of people have been reported injured, including a child.
‘In the capital and the surrounding region, the Russians’ main targets were energy facilities. Tragically, this attack has claimed the life of one person.’
One person was killed in the airstrikes on Friday night (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)
Part of the Roshen Confectionery Factory in Kyiv was damaged in the overnight strikes (Picture: EPA)
Kyiv residents are already reeling from previous attacks since the New Year when Russian air strikes took out power and heating infrastructure in the height of winter.
Russia unleashed a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile on Ukraine two weeks ago, reportedly only the second time it has been deployed, wreaking havoc in Lviv near NATO member Poland’s border.
What will the peace talks focus on?
This is the known instance that officials from the Trump administration have sat down with both countries in a bid to push for peace in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which started in February 2022.
The resuming talks will focus on the revised 20-point peace plan drafted by Kyiv and Washington.
Donald Trump (R) during their meeting on the sidelines of the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, 22 January 2026. The 2026 summit” loading=”lazy” decoding=”async”/>
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky and US president Donald Trump met at the Davos forum on Thursday (Picture: EPA)
Some of the sticking points are giving up territory to Russia, which Donald Trump believes is necessary for peace, while Ukraine and Europe oppose this.
Ukraine is also keen for security guarantees as it fears Russia could start another aggression even if peace is reached.
News of the fresh attacks emerged just as the envoys were prepared to meet in the United Arab Emirates as part of the US-brokered talks.
Putin, pictured holding a meeting at the Kremlin on Thursday, has not traveled to attend Davos in person for years (Picture: EPA)
The UAE’s foreign ministry said the talks are part of efforts to ‘promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis.’
The White House described the first day of talks on Friday as productive.
The peace negotiations come after world leaders gathered in Davos for the World Economic Forum.
Trump has angered his allies after claiming that NATO forces, including British troops, avoided the frontline in Afghanistan.
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