Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom confirm split

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have been romantically linked since 2016

Pop star Katy Perry and actor Orlando Bloom have officially confirmed they have split, US media outlets say, six years after getting engaged.

The couple have been romantically linked since 2016 and have a four-year-old daughter.

A joint statement said "representatives have confirmed that Orlando and Katy have been shifting their relationship over the past many months to focus on co-parenting," according to outlets including People magazine and USA Today.

"They will continue to be seen together as a family, as their shared priority is - and always will be - raising their daughter with love, stability and mutual respect."

I understand what Trump cares about, says Starmer

35 minutes ago Share Save Sam Francis Political reporter Share Save

Watch: PM says he understands what President Trump cares about

Sir Keir Starmer has said he "understands what anchors" US President Donald Trump, having built a relationship on shared family values. Despite "different political backgrounds" the prime minister said he found common ground with Trump, and that their "good personal relationship" helped land a vital US tariff deal. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Political Thinking programme, Sir Keir revealed Trump reached out to console him after the death of his younger brother Nick Starmer on Boxing Day. "For both of us, we really care about family and there's a point of connection there," he said. "I think I do understand what anchors the president, what he really cares about."

Sir Keir revealed he first spoke to Trump as prime minister after the then-presidential candidate was shot at a rally in July last year. "That was a phone call really to ask him how it was, and in particular I wanted to know how it impacted on his family," he said. He added that Trump later called him after the death of his brother. "We talked about my brother, and he was asking about him," Sir Keir said. Sir Keir denied this week's painful series of U-turns on welfare reforms were because he had been too focused on foreign affairs and "taken his eye off the ball" domestically. On Tuesday, the government avoided defeat on its proposals to overhaul disability benefits by offering late concessions to Labour MPs threatening to rebel. The prime minister said he took responsibility for the episode, admitting it had been a "tough" few days but insisting the government would "come through this stronger" after a period of reflection.

The prime minister said forging close ties with figures such as Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron were "always in the national interest". "Building those relationships with international leaders is hugely important," he said. The prime minister said the personal rapport had helped secure a deal removing UK industries from some of the sweeping tariffs announced by Trump. Before the deal he said he had seen "anxiety writ large" on the faces of British factory workers at Jaguar Land Rover in Solihull. "After the deal, the relief was palpable," he said. Sir Keir said discussions "over a glass of wine" with Macron on a train to Kyiv had also paved the way for a new agreement with the EU, which he claimed would lead to lower food prices in British supermarkets. "That is a good thing for millions of people across the country," he said. Sir Keir is due to meet Macron again next week as the French president comes to the UK for a state visit. Tackling small boat crossings will be a key point of discussion, after Downing Street said last month the situation in the English Channel was "deteriorating". Official figures released this week showed nearly 20,000 people arrived in the UK in the first half of this year by crossing the Channel in small boats - up 48% on the same period last year.

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Russia becomes first state to recognise Afghanistan's Taliban government

26 minutes ago Share Save Tabby Wilson BBC News Digital - World Share Save

Getty Images Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Russia's ambassador on Thursday

Russia has become the first country to formally recognise Taliban rule, with Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi calling it a "courageous" decision. He met Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, in Kabul on Thursday, where Mr Zhirnov officially conveyed his government's decision to recognise the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Muttaqi said it was "a new phase of positive relations, mutual respect, and constructive engagement", and that the shift would serve as "an example" to other countries. The Taliban have sought international recognition and investment since they returned to power in August 2021, despite reports of increasing violations on human rights.

"We believe that the act of official recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries," Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement. It said Russia saw the potential for "commercial and economic" cooperation in "energy, transportation, agriculture and infrastructure", and that it would continue to help Kabul to fight against the threats of terrorism and drug trafficking.

Reuters Members of the Taliban mark the third anniversary of the fall of Kabul in 2024

Russia was one of very few countries that did not close down their embassy in Afghanistan in 2021, and said on Telegram that "expanding the dialogue with Kabul" was critical in terms of regional security and economic development. The country was also the first to sign an international economic deal with the Taliban in 2022, where they agreed to supply oil, gas and wheat to Afghanistan. The Taliban was removed from Russia's list of terrorist organisations in April this year with the intention to pave the way for the establishment of a "full-fledged partnership" with Kabul, according to the Russian foreign ministry. Russian President Vladimir Putin also referred to the Taliban as an "ally" in fighting terrorism in July last year, with representatives travelling to Moscow for talks as early as 2018. The two countries have a complex history, after the Soviet Union invaded the country in 1979 and fought a nine-year war that cost them 15,000 personnel. The decision to install a USSR-backed government in Kabul turned the Soviets into an international pariah, and they eventually withdrew from Afghanistan in February 1989.

At the end of May, 60,000 Liverpool supporters serenaded Diogo Jota at Anfield as he paraded the Premier League trophy in front of the Kop.

With a big, beaming grin, he soaked up the celebrations as they sang about him powering the club "to victory" with his goals.

A little over a month later and fans across the city and beyond have been left stunned and saddened by his death in a road traffic accident in Spain alongside his brother Andre Silva.

As the news spread, fans began to gather outside Anfield, first laying tributes at the club's Hillsborough disaster memorial before moving to congregate facing a single tree on a stretch of grass next to the Main Stand.

Those there, tears drifting down their cheeks, made clear they were paying tribute to a man with whom they felt a deep a connection, as well as an excellent footballer.

"What a great guy," said Dave Williams, an Anfield regular. "I'm devastated by what's gone on.

"He's so young, just got married, got three kids. It's just so sad. All the memories will live on forever.

"His song will be sung with double venom at the start of the season. He gave everything for the club so we'll have to give everything for him and his family."

Let's not get carried away just yet.

On Wednesday, Emma Raducanu produced one of her best performances "in a long time" to beat 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova and move into the Wimbledon third round.

But backing up that victory to reach the last 16 will probably require an even better display from the British number one on Friday.

Standing in her way is Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one and overwhelming favourite for the women's singles title.

Raducanu has made sound progress to climb back into the world's top 40 this season, but the evidence has shown there is still a clear gulf between the 22-year-old and the leading stars.

Both of her Grand Slam appearances this season were ended in ruthless fashion by five-time major champion Iga Swiatek - Raducanu winning only one game at the Australian Open and three at the French Open in a pair of demoralising defeats.

Coco Gauff, who went on to win the Roland Garros title, also proved too much of a step up in class for Raducanu on the Rome clay.

The challenge for Raducanu is discovering how she can test the very best.

"I think I need more weapons. I think I need to be able to hit the ball with better quality more often," Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, told BBC Sport before facing Sabalenka.

"I think I need to serve better. I think I need to hit better on the move. There are a lot of things I need to do better.

"Beating a top player like Marketa, who has won this tournament, was obviously a really positive thing for me and a really good marker.

"But I need to bridge the gap to the very, very top."

England must take it "session by session" if they are to fight back in the second Test against India at Edgbaston, says former batter Ebony Rainford-Brent.

MATCH REPORT: England lose top-order wickets after Gill's 269

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