Fast-track deportations to be announced as part of asylum reforms

11 minutes ago Share Save Jennifer McKiernan Political reporter Share Save

PA Media The government has said it wants to reduce the number of migrants coming to the UK on small boats

Plans to fast-track the deportations of illegal migrants as part of a sweeping reforms of the UK's asylum policy are to be announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. In a statement to MPs on Monday she will outline plans to end multiple appeals against removal and for an overhaul of legislation on human rights law. For those granted asylum they will only be given it on a temporary basis and will be returned home if their country is at any time deemed safe. They will have to wait 20 years to apply to settle permanently. Mahmood is also warn the UK will stop granting visas to people from three African countries if their governments do not improve co-operation on removals of illegal migrants.

Mahmood told the BBC on Sunday: "This is a moral mission for me, because I can see illegal migration is tearing our country apart, it is dividing communities." Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said he would go further and deport failed asylum seekers "within a week". The plans have prompted criticism from some Labour MPs, including Rachael Maskell, who said the government was going in "completely the wrong direction" on immigration. The government wants to reduce the number of people arriving to the UK on small boats and the reforms aim to speed up deportations of failed asylum seekers and foreign criminals as well as make it more difficult for successful asylum seekers to remain. Under the plans people will be restricted to arguing their grounds for appeal within a single appeal and if a case fails, they will be deported. The government will follow the Danish model of creating an independent body to fast-track the deportation of foreign criminals and cases with little prospect of success through the appeals system. As part of the reforms, Mahmood wants to overhaul how human rights legislation, including Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) which covers the right to family life, is applied in migration court cases. Only those with immediate family in the UK, such as a parent or child, will be able to use Article 8 as grounds to stay. The UK will join other countries in reforming Article 3 of the ECHR, which is designed to give people protection against inhuman or degrading treatment. The government believes this has been used to support unreasonable claims, including serious criminals having their deportation blocked because their healthcare needs cannot be met. Similarly, the Home Office said the Modern Slavery Act will be tightened up to prevent last-minute claims to block removal.

Illegal migration is 'dividing our country' says Mahmood

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the reforms would stop "endless appeals" to increase the removals of "those with no right to be here". Mahmood said the reforms recognised the "pace and scale" of immigration had destabilised and divided communities and would allow the government to ramp up the removal of those with no right to be in Britain. She continued: "To maintain the generosity that allows us to provide sanctuary, we must restore order and control." Earlier the home secretary told the BBC she would create new safe and legal routes for refugees through work and study routes. Under the new measures there will be tighter restrictions placed on successful asylum seekers, who will have their case reviewed every two and a half years and if their home country is considered safe they will be returned. A refugee will have to have been resident in the UK for 20 years, up from the current five years, in order to apply for permanent residence or indefinite leave to remain. They will not be able to bring family members to join them unless they are immediate relatives, including parents and children, while housing and weekly allowances will also no longer be guaranteed for asylum seekers.

'Years of limbo'

Asylum claims in Britain are at a record high, with around 111,000 applications in the year to June 2025, according to official figures. The appeals system currently has a backlog of more than 50,000 and a waiting time of at least a year. There has also been criticism of the proposed reforms from within Labour, with Maskell saying lots of her fellow MPs were "really concerned". She said it was important to have a robust human rights framework and described "reordering our relationship with the ECHR" as a "step too far". Reform leader Nigel Farage said the home secretary "sounds like a Reform supporter". "It's a shame that the Human Rights Act, ECHR and her own backbenchers mean that this will never happen," he added. Liberal Democrats home affairs spokesperson Max Wilkinson said the government should "focus on processing claims quickly, getting them right first time, and swiftly deporting people with no right to be here". Enver Solomon, chief executive at the Refugee Council, said rather than deter migrants, the 20-year time frame would "leave people in limbo and in tense anxiety for many, many years". As first reported in the Times, the threat of the visa ban for Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo comes after thousands of illegal migrants and criminals from the three nations were said to be in the UK. A Home Office source said the countries were being targeted "for their unacceptably low cooperation and obstructive returns processes".

Marjorie Taylor Greene doubles down on Epstein files amid fallout with Trump

Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks at a press conference alongside alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein at the US Capitol in September

"He called me a traitor, and that is so extremely wrong, and those are the types of words used that can radicalize people against me and put my life in danger," said Greene.

She said Trump's attacks on her are not just perpetuating toxic in-fighting in politics, but also putting her safety at risk.

Speaking to CNN's State of the Union on Sunday, Greene told host Dana Bash that while she still supports the president, she does not agree with his efforts to keep the Epstein files under wraps.

Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is reiterating her calls for the release of all Epstein files, after US President Donald Trump called her a "traitor" and said he no longer supports her.

Greene and Trump's relationship has grown increasingly rocky in the past few weeks after Greene pushed for the Department of Justice to release all files it has on the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The tension escalated on Friday when Trump condemned Greene on Truth Social calling her a "traitor", "wacky", and a "ranting Lunatic".

All she does is "COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN", Trump wrote.

While Trump's post does not mention the Epstein files, Greene told CNN that her fallout with the president has "all come down to the Epstein files".

The House is expected to hold a vote this week on legislation that would force the Justice Department to release the files to the public. The vote could happen as soon as Tuesday, sources told CBS, the BBC's US partner.

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, a co-sponsor of the bill, said in an interview with ABC News on Sunday that as many as 100 GOP members could vote in favour.

Known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the aim of the bill is to make the justice department release all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials linked to Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump and Epstein were friends in the early 2000s. The US president has said a falling out ended the relationship before Epstein's legal troubles began and he has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

Still, he has faced bipartisan criticism over his handling of the case records.

"I believe the country deserves transparency in these files, and I don't believe that rich, powerful people should be protected if they have done anything wrong," Greene told Bash.

Greene questioned why Trump is pushing so hard to keep the files from public view, but added that she believes Epstein's victims who she says have told her that Trump did nothing illegal.

She said she's also focused on ending hate and division in politics, which she said is splitting apart American families, friends and neighbours.

"I think America needs to come together and end all the toxic, dangerous rhetoric and divide, and I'm leading the way with my own example, and I hope that President Trump can do the same," she told Bash.

It's a stark messaging shift for Greene, who has previously been accused of stoking political divisions by promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories and elevating controversial posts on social media. She liked a post that called for the executions of former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former President Barack Obama, and posted a photo of herself holding a gun beside images of three progressive Democratic congresswomen.

When Bash brought up some of these examples, Greene reiterated her past apologies and said a core part of her Christian faith is forgiveness.

Cold snap brings chance of snow for some as flood clear-up continues

26 minutes ago Share Save Jake Lapham and Sarah Keith-Lucas, Lead Weather Presenter Share Save

Eddie T/BBC Weather Watchers

Cold Arctic air is set to sweep across the UK next week as communities in Wales recover from severe flooding that inundated properties and disrupted transport at the weekend. Temperatures are now set to drop, with yellow cold health alerts in place from Monday to Friday in northern and central parts of England. Snow is possible on higher ground in Scotland and northern England by Tuesday. The cold snap comes as Storm Claudia moved away on Sunday after delivering more than a month's worth of rain in parts of England and Wales. People have rallied together to help residents and business owners recover from unprecedented flooding in Monmouth, Wales.

A major incident which had been declared in the area was rescinded on Sunday afternoon. Four severe flood warnings - which warned of a "danger to life" - also ended. The River Monnow reached record levels after the storm, exceeding those recorded during Storm Dennis in 2020 and Storm Bert in 2024. While that low pressure system has been replaced by mostly calm and dry weather, Monday could bring a few wintry showers on exposed eastern coasts. Highs of 5–10°C are expected across much of the UK in the coming days. By Tuesday, low pressure brings rain and sleet, with snow possible in the northern half of the UK, particularly in the mountains. England's yellow cold health alerts, issued by the UK Health Security Agency, warn of the potential for "significant impacts" across health and social care services. They are in place from 08:00 on Monday to 08:00 on Friday.

Cold Arctic air is sweeping across the UK this week, bringing lower temperatures and the risk of snow in some areas

Midweek stays cold with brisk northerly winds, and sleet and snow showers are likely, mainly along northern and eastern coasts, as well as Northern Ireland, west Wales, and possibly the moors of south-west England. The significant drop in temperature is due to a change in wind direction. Since the start of this month, there has generally been a southerly wind bringing a very mild, but cloudy, tropical maritime airmass all the way from the Canary Islands. This pattern will change. After being on the warmer side of the jet stream, the UK will be on the colder side of it.

Monmouth town centre in Wales flooded after Storm Claudia

Luke Littler celebrated becoming world number one for the first time by beating Luke Humphries, the man he has surpassed, to win the Grand Slam of Darts with a 16-11 victory in Wolverhampton.

The world champion's 16-9 victory over the Netherlands' Danny Noppert in the semi-final meant he would overtake Humphries to top the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) world rankings regardless of the result of Sunday evening's final.

But Littler emphasised his ascension to the world darts summit as he surged to victory by winning 10 of the last 13 legs against his great rival to retain the title - and stay unbeaten in the Grand Slam.

At just 18, Littler is the youngest PDC world number one, surpassing Michael van Gerwen, who achieved the feat aged 24 in 2014.

"I am the best in the world, I can finally say it," Littler said after the final.

"World number one, you are the best in the world. To top it off by going back-to-back here makes it even more special.

"Now I'm number one, I'm hungry to stay there. I want to be there for the next few years.

"There's going to be a target on my back from Luke and all the other players. It's made me more hungry."

The final ebbed and flowed, with Littler quickly going 2-0 up before Humphries won four on the spin to lead 4-2.

Humphries retained the edge until a brilliant 167 checkout saw 'The Nuke' break back for 8-8.

The decisive moment came with Littler leading 10-9 when Humphries, well in control of the leg, chose to go for a 170 out, missed and then fluffed his set-up on his next visit.

That gave Littler a glimmer of hope with a 160 finish. He made no mistake to go 11-9 up and never looked back.

Littler's earnings over the two-year period that determine the Order of Merit totalled £1,770,500 after making the final, with his victory taking it up to £1,850,000.

As Humphries was defending the money he won from triumphing in this tournament in 2023, even if had he lifted the trophy again, he would have earned £1,769,000 - just short of his fellow Englishman.

Sky Sports axes 'sexist' TikTok channel Halo after three days

However, many on social media criticised the "little sister" account, which talked about "hot girl walks" and matcha in its content.

The channel, which was only announced on Thursday, was described by the broadcaster as an "inclusive, dedicated platform for women to enjoy and explore content from all sports, while amplifying female voices and perspectives."

In a statement posted on social media on Saturday night, the broadcaster said it "didn't get it right" and that it would be "stopping all activity" on the account.

Sky Sports has scrapped its new female-focused TikTok channel, Halo, after it faced a backlash online with its posts described as "patronising" and "sexist".

At its inception, Sky said Halo's aim was "to build a welcoming community for female fans, whether casual or committed, through fun, trend-led, and relatable content".

One post saw a clip of Manchester City players Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland combining for the latter to score against Bournemouth, given the caption "How the matcha + hot girl walk combo hits".

Viewers argued the posts were "infantilising" and undermined the work done over the past few years to put women's sport in the spotlight.

Among those criticising the channel was Emily Trees, 23, who told BBC Newsbeat that she thought Halo calling themselves the "little sister" of Sky Sports was a "really damaging" thing to say.

"We've spent the last 50 years trying to come away from the stereotypes around women's sport, and trying to make women's sport seen as an entity in itself rather than just as an extension of what men can do. We deserve our own space, something that's ours. We don't need to be the 'little sister' to anyone," she said.

GirlsontheBall, a prominent platform covering women's football, voiced its frustrations saying on X they could not "imagine this is what women sports fans want".

"Have many thoughts which I will get to when not under a mountain of writing but all I can ask is why? The branding (one day can we please be past the pink/peach stage?!), the premise, the copy…"

Sports fan Millie Jones, 27, told BBC Newsbeat that she did not think women needed a separate space for content, rather, she says, they need to be equally represented in the content Sky Sports already put out.

"As a sports fan, I've consumed generic Sky Sports media for the entirety of the time that I've been into sport. I don't need a pink, glittery sidepiece to the normal content," she said.

One user said that Sky Sports Halo was one of the worst concepts he had ever seen.

"So condescending. Creating a dumbed down sports channel for women is unbelievably sexist. Incredible that it was approved and that it's still live," they said.

Some social media users have also created spoof posts of the channel's content which have been widely shared.

While the channel was aimed at women many of the sports stars featured in its posts were men.

Andy Gill, head of social media and audience development at Sky Sports, wrote on LinkedIn that he "couldn't be prouder and more excited about [Halo's] launch", but by Saturday night the broadcaster was forced to rethink.

All but two posts have been deleted from the Halo account, one of which is a brief statement from Sky which reads: "Our intention for Halo was to create a space alongside our existing channel for new, young, female fans.

"We've listened. We didn't get it right. As a result we're stopping all activity on this account. We're learning and remain as committed as ever to creating spaces where fans feel included and inspired."

The BBC contacted Sky for comment but it had nothing further to add.

Correction 16 November: An earlier version of this story incorrectly referred to one post as having been published by Halo but it was a mock-up not produced by the channel.

Parents arrested for WhatsApps say police have paid £20k damages

1 hour ago Share Save Callum May Share Save

The couple said six police officers turned up at the home in January

A couple who were arrested after making complaints about their daughter's primary school, which included comments made on WhatsApp, say police have paid them £20,000 in damages. Rosalind Levine and Maxie Allen told the Times in March they were held for 11 hours on suspicion of harassment, malicious communications and causing a nuisance on school property. Hertfordshire Police previously said the arrests "were necessary to fully investigate the allegations". Ms Levine, from Borehamwood, told the BBC police had accepted liability for unlawful arrest and paid damages of £20,000, plus costs. BBC News has asked Hertfordshire Police to comment.

Ms Levine added she was "very pleased" with the outcome. "We can now begin to put this whole episode behind us," she said.

Supplied The couple were arrested in January but, two months later, the force said no further action would be taken

According to the Times, the couple said they were banned from entering Cowley Hill Primary School in Borehamwood after questioning the recruitment process for a head teacher and criticising the leadership in a parents' WhatsApp group. The parents said they emailed the school "regularly" following the ban to address issues relating to the needs of their daughter, who has epilepsy, is neurodivergent, and is registered disabled. The school said it sought advice from police after a "high volume of direct correspondence and public social media posts" that it said was upsetting for staff, parents and governors. An officer issued a warning to the family in December, telling them to take their daughter out of school, which they did the next month. But a week after that, on 29 January, Mr Allen said six police officers turned up at his home. Mr Allen, who is a Times Radio producer, denied using abusive or threatening language, "even in private". The force revealed it was reviewing the investigation, and Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire Jonathan Ash-Edwards said: "There has clearly been a fundamental breakdown in relationships between a school and parents that shouldn't have become a police matter."

Google Cowley Hill Primary School contacted police after claiming the parents' private and public communications had caused upset

Ms Levine said earlier that she still had concerns about "how and why our arrests were signed off by an inspector". "That decision severely impacted both our children. Our three-year-old had to witness her parents being taken away by a swarm of police officers, and my 80-year-old mother became physically ill over it later that day," she said. "I hope that our case will highlight failings within the constabulary and the chief constable will ensure that this never happens again."

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More on this story Police review couple's arrest in school WhatsApp row

Leader of notorious Ecuador drugs gang captured in Spain

1 hour ago Share Save Ione Wells South America correspondent Share Save

JohnReimberg/X Ecuador's interior minister shared this picture following news of Chavarria's capture

The leader of one of Ecuador's biggest drug-trafficking gangs has been captured in an operation involving Spanish police, Ecuador's president Daniel Noboa has said. Wilmer "Pipo" Chavarria, the head of Los Lobos, was detained in the city of Malaga, according to Spain's National Police. President Noboa said Chavarria had faked his own death, changed his identity and hidden in Europe while continuing to control criminal operations in Ecuador, including illegal mining and ordering murders. His family had claimed in 2021 that he had died from a heart attack due to Covid. Both Ecuador and the US have designated Los Lobos (The Wolves) as a terrorist organisation.

In a post on X, Ecuador's interior minister John Reimberg, who said he was in Spain with police, said the capture of Chavarria was a "historic day" for his country. Los Lobos is estimated to have 8,000 members and is one of the most powerful criminal organisations in Ecuador. In June 2024, the US Treasury sanctioned the gang and described it as a group with "thousands of members" that had significantly contributed to the increase in violence in Ecuador. Violence and murders have soared in Ecuador in recent years as it has become a major cocaine trafficking hub and rival gangs compete for control. It does not produce the drug, but sits next to major drug-producing countries such as Peru and Colombia.

President Noboa has defined his presidency through a tough military crackdown on criminal gangs. The high-profile arrest coincides with a referendum in Ecuador on whether to change the constitution to allow foreign military bases in the country again. The US held one on Ecuador's Pacific coast until 2009, when the left-wing president at the time Rafael Correa did not renew it and banned them constitutionally. US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has recently toured military facilities in Ecuador. President Noboa told the BBC earlier this year that he wanted US and European armies to join his "war" against what he called "narco-terrorists." The US is expanding military operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. It has deployed troops and a naval strike force centred around the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier to the region. Additionally, it has carried out at least 20 strikes on alleged narco-trafficking vessels in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean, killing at least 80 people. It has not yet provided evidence about those on board and some lawyers have argued the strikes could breach international law.

Iran begins cloud seeding to induce rain amid historic drought

Water levels in Tehran's Amirkabir dam are at 8% of capacity, officials say

Authorities in Iran have sprayed clouds with chemicals to induce rain, in an attempt to combat the country's worst drought in decades.

Known as cloud-seeding, the process was conducted over the Urmia lake basin on Saturday, Iran's official news agency Irna reported.

Urmia is Iran's largest lake, but has largely dried out leaving a vast salt bed. Further operations will be carried out in east and west Azerbaijan, the agency said.

Rainfall is at record lows and reservoirs are nearly empty. Last week President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that if there is not enough rainfall soon, Tehran's water supply could be rationed and people may be evacuated from the capital.

Protest over plan to house 600 asylum seekers in town

6 hours ago Share Save Daniel Sexton South East Share Save

Eddie Mitchell No arrests were made, police say

A protest has taken place in an East Sussex town over government plans to house 600 asylum seekers in a military site. The government announced plans in October for the asylum seekers to be housed in an army training camp on the outskirts of Crowborough. Sussex Police confirmed that a planned peaceful protest had taken place on Sunday morning in the town, and no arrests were made. A Home Office spokesperson told the BBC it was "furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels in this country".

Eddie Mitchell The Home Office apologised for the handling of the plans to house asylum seekers in Crowborough

Moving asylum seekers to military sites, including the site in Crowborough, is part of the government's attempt to end the controversial use of hotels – something it has pledged to do before the next election. The Home Office spokesperson said: "It is why work is under way to move asylum seekers into more suitable accommodation such as military bases, to ease pressure on communities across the country. "Public safety remains our first priority. "We are working closely with local authorities, property partners and the local community as we transition away from using hotels."

Eddie Mitchell The government announced plans in October for the asylum seekers to be housed in a now disused army training camp

The Home Office has apologised over its handling of the plans to house asylum seekers at the Crowborough military site. Wealden District Council had criticised the Home Office over an "information vacuum" around the plans, which it said had fuelled community tensions and threats against councillors.

Eddie Mitchell Protests have taken place in Crowborough since the Home Office announcement

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Search for missing Royal Navy crew member stood down

7 hours ago Share Save Share Save

Getty Images The boat was near Tory Island, County Donegal

The search for a missing Royal Navy crew member off the north-west coast of the Republic of Ireland has ended and they have not been found, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Tidesurge crew member was last seen at about 22:30 (local time) on Friday. A large-scale multi-agency search has been taking place in the sea off the north-west coast between Tory Island, County Donegal, and Eagle Island, County Mayo. No further details have been released about the crew member and their family has been informed.

On Sunday Defence Secretary John Healey said: "After an extensive search, it is with deep sadness that we confirm the missing crew member of RFA Tidesurge has not been found. "My thoughts are with their family during this tragic time, as well as their fellow crew members. "I am hugely grateful to the Irish authorities, the RNLI, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy who have responded rapidly to this incident and have worked tirelessly on the search."

The Irish Coast Guard received a distress call from a Royal Navy support vessel before 09:00 on Saturday. A search and rescue operation was launched immediately after the person was declared missing. A MoD spokesman said: "After an extensive search for a missing crew member of a Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ship's company, the individual has not been found, and the search has now ended. "The individual's family have been informed, and an investigation is now under way into the incident. "No other individuals have been harmed or reported missing."

The accomplished manner in which Rogers has taken to the England stage has given Tuchel a wonderful conundrum, while the searing heat at next summer's World Cup means he is likely to deploy "starters" and "finishers", Bellingham and Rogers can do both.

Rogers has an avid admirer in Tuchel. He has made 10 appearances under him, starting six games and playing for a total of 531 minutes. Bellingham has started four, playing 374 minutes in total.

Tuchel will not duck big decisions. He will not indulge in star systems or simply pack his team with the biggest names.

So who will start?

For all Rogers' impressive work, Bellingham has proved he can deliver game-changing moments at the highest level, his status also confirmed when Albania's Kristjan Asllani asked him to swap shirts at half-time rather than risk leaving it until the end.

Phil Foden will be in Tuchel's thinking, with the German saying he does not see the Manchester City forward as a winger, and instead "as a mix between a nine and a 10".

Chelsea's Cole Palmer also has the ability and class to force his way into the squad if he can recover from his groin injury.

In reality, however, it looks like a choice between Bellingham and Rogers.

Bellingham's greater experience of the rarefied air of major competitions will surely just give him the edge when Tuchel names his team for England's first World Cup game.

Argentina looked a pale imitation of the side that walloped Wales in record-breaking fashion in Cardiff, and Scotland were in complete control for the first 50 minutes.

They constructed three excellent tries, two from Ewan Ashman and one from Jack Dempsey.

At 21-0 up, they were camped on the Argentina line, looking to go for the jugular. But, as has been the case far too many times, rather than landing the killer blow, Scotland extended a hand to help their opponents off the canvas.

Finn Russell's unnecessary long looping pass was picked off, the Pumas broke downfield, Blair Kinghorn was sent to the bin for illegally halting the attack, and Julian Montoya went over to breathe new life into what had seemed a moribund contest.

The great teams, the best teams in the world, manage these moments. They take the sting out the game. Scotland are not built like that. They lack the nous, the game understanding, the mentality to squeeze the life out of a match that should be firmly in their grasp.

It was reminiscent of Cardiff and the 2024 Six Nations, when Scotland raced into a 27-0 lead and looked for all the world like they were on course for a romp to victory until the slightest hint of resistance spread panic throughout the entire team.

On that day, they managed to pull themselves back from the edge of the cliff to win by a point, but the Pumas were in no mood to let them off the hook here.

After Damien McKenzie climbed off the bench to break Scottish hearts against the All Blacks last week, another substitute entered the fray in the second half to steal the show.

Santiago Carreras was like a man possessed, popping up in every attack, finding gaps in a tiring Scottish defence and inspiring his team to move through the gears.

Montoya's try was the first of four in an astonishing 18-minute spell in which the Scots completely capitulated. Russell's penalty briefly stemmed the flow to make it 24-12, but the wind was at Argentina's backs and Scotland looked powerless to wrestle back the momentum.

A year which belonged to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz had to finish this way.

Another pulsating contest between the preeminent pair on the men's tour - this time with the season-ending ATP Finals trophy at stake - was a fitting conclusion.

For the victorious Sinner, the win perhaps meant that little bit more. The way the mild-mannered Italian collapsed on his back in celebration after championship point seemed to indicate it did.

"I am very happy. It was a tough match, but it means a lot to me ending the season like this," said 24-year-old Sinner.

Not only did the four-time major champion defend the prestigious trophy in front of passionate home support in Turin, concluding a tumultuous season where he won the Australian Open and Wimbledon but spent three months on the sidelines after being banned for failing two doping tests.

But the triumph also ensured Sinner kept Alcaraz on a leash.

While the rivals have equally shared the four Grand Slam trophies this season, there was a feeling that Alcaraz had started to gain a slight upper hand in a rivalry which has illuminated the sport.

The 22-year-old Spaniard had already clinched the year-end world ranking going into Sunday's final, while a dominant performance in the US Open's showpiece match gave him a 10-5 lead over Sinner in their head-to-head record.

After losing in New York, Sinner made a revealing remark when he conceded he needed to leave his "comfort zone" in order to truly test Alcaraz.

And, just like he did by beating Alcaraz to the Wimbledon title shortly after defeat in their epic French Open final, Sinner showed his remarkable ability to bounce back mentally from tough defeats.

Even his opponent can see it.

"After every loss - you don't have many - you come back stronger," said Alcaraz in his on-court runners-up speech.

"You've had a great year and I hope you will get some rest and be ready for next year - because I will be ready."

Having etched his name into Republic of Ireland folklore, Troy Parrott let the tears flow.

At the end of a whirlwind 72 hours, the striker's raw emotion was understandable. On Thursday, Parrott upstaged Cristiano Ronaldo with two goals to sink Portugal and take the Republic of Ireland's play-off push into the final game.

Carrying a nation's hopes on his back in Budapest, the 23-year-old Dubliner rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion.

Against Hungary, his penalty brought the Irish level after they fell behind to an early Daniel Lukacs header. Then, after Barnabas Varga's stunning strike, he equalised again with a deft finish 10 minutes from time.

The Republic of Ireland needed a win to make the play-offs, and after substitute Johnny Kenny was denied, Parrott seized the match-winning moment when he latched on to Liam Scales' header, poked the ball into the Hungary net and wheeled away in ecstasy in a heart-stopping finale at Puskas Arena.

"I'm really, really emotional. They're tears of joy. Ah, what a night, what a night," the AZ Alkmaar striker, who led the line in Evan Ferguson's absence, told RTE.

"This is why we love football, because things like this can happen. Look, I love where I'm from, so this means the world to me. My family is here.

"It's the first time I've cried in years as well, I really, really can't believe it. Everyone is crying.

"I said against Portugal that this is what dreams are made of, but this tonight, I don't think I'll ever have a better night in my whole life.

"That is really a fairy tale. You can't even dream about something like that. Honestly, I have no words to describe my emotions right now."

Bellingham was one of seven changes made by Tuchel for England's final qualifier and he showed signs of his brilliant best in both attack and defence.

His final act was celebrating Harry Kane's second goal, before his number was raised by the fourth official, leading to what former England defender Stephen Warnock described as a "furious" reaction from the Real Madrid man.

When asked about it in his post-match press conference Tuchel added: "I have to review it. I saw he was not happy, I don't want to make it bigger at the moment than it is.

"My words stand, we are about standards, level and commitment to each other and respect to each other. We will not change or decision just because someone waves their arms."

Tuchel has previously referred to Bellingham's on-field behaviour as "repulsive", something the German later apologised for.

Despite Bellingham's disappointment, he applauded fans as he went off and did the "right thing" according to Warnock by shaking Tuchel's hand on the touchline before taking his seat on the bench.

"There was an element where he was thinking 'how do I handle this'?," Warnock added on 5 Live.

"There were probably words said to him as he left the pitch. Dan Burn walked over to him, Phil Foden walked over to him as well because they could see how annoyed and disappointed he was. 'Don't do anything stupid' – that is probably what was said to him. The big word from Tuchel was respect.

"If you are going to win a World Cup you are going to have to play bit-part at times. You might not play every minute that you want to play, you have to do what is for the good of the team. The game has changed.

"Bellingham is going to have to take it on the chin and just say 'ok, I'm going to have to change a little bit to fit in'."

Conor Coady was in the England squad alongside Bellingham at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and said deep down Bellingham will know Tuchel made the correct decision.

"When the dust settles Jude will know it was the right decision to bring him off. What it is with Jude, he thinks at the minute he is playing catch-up," Coady told 5 Live.

"He missed the last camp, he knows Morgan Rogers has done really well. He wants to play every minute he possibly can to show the manager he can be the main man for England.

"We have seen it tonight with the balls he was losing, he was losing simple balls and trying to be too adventurous at times in his own half. I think he feels he is playing catch-up. Rogers is in a great position."