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Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s father has been freed, 13 days after was kidnapped by gunmen in Colombia. Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN), the guerrilla group behind the armed capture of Luis Manuel Diaz nearly two weeks ago, have released the Liverpool forward’s father, Colombia’s government confirmed. Local media reported that Diaz Sr was in a good state of health, with no signs of mistreatment. A post from Liverpool on the platform X said: “We are delighted by the news of Luis Diaz’s father’s safe return and we thank all those involved in securing his release.” Diaz Sr was seized at gunpoint by the ELN on 28 October along with his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, who was freed by police within hours. After a major military search, the government said in a statement that it had held peace talks with the ELN and was now celebrating Diaz’s release. A statement from the Colombian Football Federation said: “We appreciate the national government, the military and the national police, as well as all the institutes and individuals which made possible the freedom of Luis Manuel Diaz, father of our footballer Luis Diaz.” Diaz made an emotional appeal for his father’s release after scoring a late equaliser for Liverpool in their 1-1 draw against Luton on Sunday. The 26-year-old marked the goal by revealing a T-shirt bearing a message reading ‘Freedom for Dad’ and then made a statement calling for his “prompt release”. The Colombia international was named in Liverpool’s starting line-up for their Europa League clash against Toulouse on Thursday evening, which kicks off an hour after Diaz’s father’s release was confirmed. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Diaz was “happy” to play. The ELN said they would release Diaz as long as they received security guarantees from the Colombian government, and claimed they informed the Colombian authorities on 2 November of their intention to release Diaz Sr. On Thursday, local media in Colombia showed Diaz’s father at an airstrip in the city of Valledupar after he descended from a helicopter. Reports said Diaz Sr he would undergo a medical examination before being returned to his family. The kidnapping of Diaz’s father disrupted the Colombian government's peace talks with the rebel group ELN, which restarted last year in hopes of ending the group's part in Colombia's 60-year conflict, which has killed at least 450,000 people. The two sides began a six-month ceasefire in August. The government's negotiating delegation at peace talks with ELN said in a statement it celebrated the liberation and that Diaz was safe and sound, but that the kidnapping "should never have happened." "The current process with the ELN has advanced like no other until today. Regardless, our delegation considers that the kidnapping of Luis Manuel Diaz has placed our dialogue in a critical situation and because of it, the time has come to take decisions to eliminate kidnapping," the statement said. The statement added that all people being held by the ELN must be liberated, though it did not give a figure for remaining hostages. Guerrilla groups in Colombia have historically used kidnapping as a fundraising and pressure tactic. The ELN said a week ago it would free Diaz but his liberation was delayed amid a back-and-forth between the group and the government. The rebels said military operations were impeding liberation efforts, which the army denied. Diaz and his wife Cilenis Marulanda were taken by armed men as they were driving in La Guajira province, near their home town of Barrancas. Cilenis Marulanda, was rescued within hours by police who set up roadblocks around the town of 40,000 people, which is near Colombia’s border with Venezuela. The Colombia Football Federation’s statement continued: “Football as a sporting discipline symbolises talent, dedication, teamwork and the intrinsic values of human beings. “In Colombia it must continue to be a benchmark for entertainment, healthy competition, unity and joy. Therefore, we insist on the need to maintain this activity, as well as those who are involved in it, in the sporting and administrative part and their families, outside of any scenario other than sports. “Behind a ball, the dreams and illusions of boys and girls, young people, women, men and adult soccer players, their loved ones and an entire country roll. Football is passion in peace. Let no one ever think of attacking that reality again.” Includes reporting from Reuters Read More What is VAR, how does it work and what are the biggest problems? Jarell Quansah could fill in for Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in Toulouse John Obi Mikel recalls Abramovich offering to ‘send people’ to rescue kidnapped dad Klopp and Diaz share emotional moment as player calls for father’s release Being among team-mates feels like a ‘safe place’ for Luis Diaz – Virgil van Dijk Luis Diaz’s father to be released by guerrilla group if ‘guarantees’ are met

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A veteran conservative Catalan leader and co-founder of the far-right Vox party was shot on the streets of

In recent times, we’ve become accustomed to the Trump family making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Now, the internet is talking about Ivanka Trump for possibly one of the oddest reasons – the length of her neck. Interest in her lengthy neck occurred as she gave testimony in court at her father Donald Trump’s fraud trial, at which her presence being requested was enough to enrage her father. After her appearance on 8 November, pictures from inside the courtroom began to circulate on social media with people questioning if her neck was always that long. In court, she wore a navy blue suit and a white t-shirt with her blonde hair worn down in a loose curl. On X/Twitter, one user shared a picture of her taken from the court appearance and asked in the caption, “Is it me, or does Ivanka Trump have an extra long neck? Not photoshopped or doctored.” Someone else said, “Now I've seen how long Ivanka Trump’s neck is, I can’t unsee it”. Others turned the length of her neck into a joke, suggesting that, unlike the fictional character Pinocchio, whose nose grows longer when he lies, Ivanka Trump’s neck grows longer instead. Another joked: “Ivanka Trump: also distancing her head from the rest of her body. Because what in the brontosaurus is up with her neck?” In her testimony, Ivanka Trump said she could not “recall” many things she was being questioned about, namely her involvement with the valuation of her father’s assets. Donald Trump, along with his sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr, and other execs from the Trump Organization are being sued for defrauding banks and investors by overvaluing the former president’s net worth and assets – allegations they deny. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

The famous tree dates back to 17th Century Ghana and was reportedly planted by a renowned priest.

Burnley striker Lyle Foster is receiving specialist care for his mental health. Foster has not played since Burnley’s 3-0 Premier League defeat at Brentford on October 21 and missed the Clarets’ last three games. A Burnley statement read: “On behalf of Lyle Foster and his family they have asked us to share with you an update on Lyle’s illness. “Recently, Lyle let us know that he continues to live with issues around his mental wellbeing and has reached out for help. “He is currently in the care of specialists – giving him the support and care he needs to help him back to full health. “With the love and support of his family and everyone at Burnley Football Club we will do all we can to provide everything he needs to get better. “We ask for your understanding and respect Lyle’s privacy around this matter and will not be making any more comment until further notice.” Foster signed a new five-year deal at Turf Moor last month, with boss Vincent Kompany saying the South African will become an “important” Premier League striker. The 23-year-old joined Burnley from Belgian club Westerlo in January and has adapted quickly to the Premier League following the Clarets’ promotion, scoring three goals in seven appearances. Read More Gareth Southgate says Raheem Sterling’s England absence down to football reasons Gareth Southgate ‘not interested in just racking up games’ as England manager Ali Price joins Edinburgh on loan from Glasgow after input from Scotland

NuScale Power Corp., the first company with US approval for a small nuclear reactor design, is canceling plans

Gareth Southgate insists Raheem Sterling and Ben White have been left out of another England squad purely due to football reasons, but claimed the door is not closed on either. Southgate named a 25-man group on Thursday for this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers with Malta and North Macedonia. John Stones was left out after he suffered an injury in Manchester City’s midweek win over Young Boys and Eddie Nketiah was also absent with an ankle knock, but Southgate declined the chance to recall 82-capped Sterling or Arsenal’s versatile defender White. Both players have failed to feature in an England squad since the World Cup, where White headed home early after the group stage and Sterling briefly left the camp after his family home had been burgled. Southgate said: “The door is 100 per cent open not only for Raheem but for other players. There’s no doubt about that. “We don’t need to know about his quality, his personality. He is a crucial part of why we’ve had the journey we’ve had over the last few years. “I can only repeat what I’ve said in the last few squad selection meetings. The team are playing really well. “We had an exceptional win against Italy last time around. Who do we leave out to put him in? It is as simple as that really. “He wasn’t available in March or June and the team started on a good run. We won in Italy for the first time in 60 years, the two performances in June were excellent, so we stuck with that group. “There is no question Raheem is looking dangerous for his club, he looks invigorated since the start of the season. I was hoping to call up Reece James, but he doesn't feel he is quite ready and I understand that Gareth Southgate “(But) that is an area of the pitch where we’ve probably got as much competition for places as anywhere. “You look and Jarrod Bowen has got seven goals this season already, Anthony Gordon is playing very well at Newcastle, Cole Palmer is starting to play well. It is just a change in landscape there.” White has played four times for England since his debut in 2021, but Southgate again pointed to the quality of personnel in the right-back area as a reason behind his continued absence. “I assume so,” Southgate replied when asked if White was available for selection. “Ben’s been very solid for Arsenal. He is a different profile of full-back. “He is a centre-back playing full-back really and obviously he’s doing a good job for his club, but he’s behind others. “We’ve got Kyle (Walker), Kieran (Trippier), we’ve got Trent (Alexander-Arnold), Reece James, so it is a position where we’ve got strength. “There are a couple of good young ones coming through and again we’re on a good run. The defence are playing well, so that’s where we’re at.” Chelsea captain James is fit again after a hamstring injury, but requested to be left out of the squad after it had been expected he would replace Stones. Southgate added: “I was hoping to call up Reece James, but he doesn’t feel he is quite ready and I understand that. “He’s had a long path back from a number of injuries and he’s cautious in that respect. I can understand why. “I am really disappointed for John. The quality of his play is outstanding. He’s having a difficult time injury-wise at the moment, so that’ a shame to see him out. “As you say, it gives other people an opportunity and we do need to know a little bit more about some of the players in that area of the pitch.” Meanwhile, Southgate paid tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton, who died last month and will be honoured in England’s home fixture with Malta next week. “I think he is respected around the world and clearly our greatest ever player when you think of not only the World Cup, but also winning the European Cup and everything he did at club level,” he reflected. “Very sad. We were fortunate to have met him a few times and incredibly humble, so yes our condolences with all his family but hopefully we get the chance to honour him at Wembley and it will be a celebration of life because he absolutely deserves that.” Read More Burnley’s Lyle Foster receiving specialist help for his mental wellbeing Gareth Southgate ‘not interested in just racking up games’ as England manager Ali Price joins Edinburgh on loan from Glasgow after input from Scotland How Manchester United managers have fared since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement England head to Indonesia inspired by Under-17 World Cup winner Phil Foden Los Angeles Angels appoint veteran former Texas Rangers boss Ron Washington

By Nancy Lapid Surgeons in New York have performed the first-ever whole-eye transplant in a human, they announced

The grandad who became an instant meme after eating paint believing it was yoghurt had died at the age of 91. Bobby found himself at the centre of internet attention in 2019 after his granddaughter Alex posted a photo of him on X/Twitter with paint around his mouth and a tub of paint with a spoon sticking out of it. She explained he accidentally ate it thinking it was yoghurt. He quickly became known as the "paint-eating grandpa" with the photo becoming a popular internet meme and videos of his antics being shared across social media. Writing on Instagram, his granddaughter shared the news that Bobby has died at the age of 91. She shared: “Today would’ve been Bobby’s 92nd birthday. For those who don’t know, he passed away peacefully in his sleep this June. And though he’s missed tremendously, he really did live a long, happy, healthy & fulfilling life as a doctor, musician, father, and grandfather.” She continued: “He loved nothing more than to make people laugh, so having the internet as his audience truly meant the world to him. Huge thanks to everyone who’s supported Bobby boy over the years — I’m confident you guys will keep his legend alive.” In the comments, people remembered Bobby fondly and spoke about how seeing his pictures and videos online was a big part of their online childhood. One person said: “Happy birthday and rest in peace. I remember how much my sister and I laughed together years ago with the yoghurt paint accident bless his soul!!” Another added: “RIP Bobby the goat. Core memory of my teen years was watching the videos of him being posted, always made me laugh and smile.” How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

The regulator’s letter was scathing, a laundry list of failings ranging from insufficient controls to flawed risk management

By Marc Jones LONDON The bulls remained in charge on Thursday as bets that major central banks are