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POPE Francis is “stable” but will remain in hospital as medics treat him for a “complex” condition, The Vatican announced.

The pontiff, 88, was hospitalised on February 14, where he has been staying for treatment of a respiratory infection.

AFP

Pope Francis, 88, was hospitalised earlier this week[/caption]

Reuters

He is being kept in hospital after medics found complications with his respiratory infection[/caption]

Details of his illness emerged this afternoon, when The Vatican announced the Pope would be staying in hospital after complications were discovered.

But this evening, Catholics around the world received the welcome news that their leader was stable and without fever.

A statement from the Vatican read: “The Holy Father continues to be afebrile [without fever] and is continuing the prescribed therapy.

“His clinical conditions are stable.

“This morning he received the Eucharist and subsequently dedicated himself to some work activities and reading texts.”

Pope Francis is said to be “touched” by the outpouring of support he has received, which includes messages of affection and drawings.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

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AFP

The Catholic leader is said to be stable and still carrying out work[/caption]

Benfica heads into the second leg of a match with Monaco. It is time to continue our Champions League odds series with a Benfica-Monaco prediction and pick. Monaco heads into this game down one goal on aggregate. They hosted the first leg of this match with Benfica. It was a slow start to the game, […]

The post Benifica vs. Monaco prediction, odds, pick for 2025 Champions League appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Bill Belichick’s net worth in 2025 is $70 million. Belichick is widely considered to be the best coach in the history of the NFL. He was the head coach of the New England Patriots for two decades, and he has been in the industry since 1975 but now is taking on a new challenge as […]

The post Bill Belichick’s net worth in 2025 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Kansas City Royals have awarded their GM a new deal after the team made the playoffs in 2024 for the first time since 2015. J.J. Picollo has received a contract extension that runs through 2030, with a club option for 2024, the Royals announced on Monday. They also picked up manager Matt Quatraro’s club […]

The post Royals hand GM contract extension after 2024 playoff appearance appeared first on ClutchPoints.

While New York Mets star Juan Soto looks to live up to the promises made to the fans and organizations, there is no doubt that the supporters have already shown their excitement to the player. As some MLB insiders question Soto going to the Mets, the expectations for him and the team are through the […]

The post The message Mets’ Juan Soto received from excited fan at spring training appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The New York Mets made the biggest splash of the MLB offseason by signing Juan Soto. But their moves surrounding Soto are what make them a serious contender in the National League. One of those signings, Frankie Montas, has been shut down with an injury just days into Mets’ spring training. New York Post beat […]

The post Mets’ Frankie Montas shut down from throwing amid apparent injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

ONE aspect of football which divides fans like no other is the designs of football shirts.

And the Scotland nation team have unveiled a new away shirt which has already generated plenty of discussion.

Alamy

Scotland women have released a new shirt to mixed reception[/caption]

PA:Press Association

The new top is described as a ‘modern update’ on the 2014/15 away kit, worn here by Ikechi Anya[/caption]

The top combines bright pink and yellow colours which are sure to distract opposition players if nothing else.

The shirt is described as a ‘modern update on a classic design’, in reference to the outlandish shirt worn in 2014/15.

But the national team haven’t been clear whether the new effort is just for the women‘s side, or for the men as well.

Either way, the announcement has certainly divided supporters, with many taking to X, formerly Twitter, to detail their disappointment.

One fan said: “Can’t not see it”, attaching a picture of a Battenberg cake which shares the shirt’s colour scheme.

Another fan also had sweet treats in mind, posting: “Alright if you want to look like a packet of Fruit Salad.”

A third mentioned confectionery too, simply saying: “Sponsored by Hubba Bubba.”

Another supporter commented: “An acquired taste methinks.”

However, some of the fans were more receptive to the daring new look.

An account said: “You’ve got to admit that’s very smart, Adidas kits are far better than the dross Nike keep offering up as the England shirt.”

Another replied: “Stunning, love the Rosebery colours.”

And a third simply said: “Okay, that’s incredible.”

Scotland women missed out on qualification for this summer‘s Euros, leading to manager Pedro Martinez Losa being sacked.

A 2-0 aggregate defeat to Finland put the Scots out of the running for Euro qualification, meaning they didn’t reach any major tournament in Losa’s three years in charge.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

THE Premier League has paid homage to its Barclays roots by releasing a new “Thierry Henry-style” ball.

Inspired by Nike Total 90 footballs of the past, it will make its debut appearance when Aston Villa host Liverpool on Wednesday.

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This is the current ball used in the top-flight[/caption]

The final Nike Prem ball is an updated remake of the T90 Aerow I – used during the 04/05 and 05/06 seasons.

Chelsea fans will be buzzing to see it back, after this ball saw the Blues win their first ever Prem title, and follow up again the following year.

The likes of Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard all scored some beauties with it’s yellow version.

The throwback colourway sees a classic all-white base, paired with some small added details to the classic T90 blue rings.

One fan said: “When I see this ball, I see Thierry Henry of Arsenal.”

It will replace the current Hi-Vis winter ball for the rest of the campaign and bring an end to Nike’s 25-year ball reign in style.

Puma are set to become the official ball supplier of the top flight from the 2025-26 season.

But fans have joked that the Prem should “run it past Mikel Arteta first” after the Arsenal manager’s complaints last month.

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Arteta suggested that the “tricky” Puma ball used by the EFL in the Carabao Cup had been a factor in his side’s shooting woes during a 2-0 semi-final first leg defeat by Newcastle.

The Spaniard said the Puma balls “fly a lot”, admitting “there’s details that we can do better”.

Pressed further, Arsenal‘s boss added: “It’s just different. It’s very different to a Premier League ball.

“You have to adapt to that because it flies different.

“When you touch it, the grip is very different as well, so you adapt to that.”

And fans have used the news of a new Nike ball to poke fun at Arteta.

One joked on X: “Someone give it to Arteta and Arsenal to make sure it flies correctly.”

A second said: “Please tell me Arteta has checked it first.”

While another added: “Anyone run this past Arteta?”

The Prem has used Nike balls since 2000 but a contract dispute saw the decision to switch to Puma from next season in what was described as a “lucrative” deal.

SunSport understands that an exact version of the Carabao Cup ball has already been developed and agreed as the new Prem model – despite the complaints by some managers about it this season.

A GLOBAL superbrand has shut one of its enormous UK outlets in a massive blow to high street shoppers.

Rumours had circulated in January that the store could close due to a failure of the company to secure a new lease agreement with its landlords.

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The Nike store at Craigleith Retail Park in Edinburgh, Scotland, has closed[/caption]

Now, we can confirm the Nike store at Craigleith Retail Park in Edinburgh, Scotland, has closed for good.

The storefront at the busy retail park in Scotland’s second largest city was seen painted over in black.

It had been previously understood that the Nike store would shut its doors on January 26.

In a document to staff, shared with Edinburgh Live, Nike had confirmed there could be “proposed redundancies”.

The sportswear retailer indicated that the job losses would come as a result of the failure to secure a new lease agreement at the site.

Its letter to staff read: “Based on results and on Nike being unable to agree a new lease agreement with the landlords, Nike is proposing the closure of Edinburgh Craigleith with an anticipated last trading date of 26th January 2025 resulting in a proposed redundancy situation.”

Shoppers have been mourning the “sad” loss of the store, with one saying: “That’s a shame.

“Have bought a lot of things in it for birthdays/xmas at good prices.

“I’ll miss it.”

Another added: “That’s sad.

“It’s what happens when everyone shops online.

“Shops are closing almost every week now”.

Some were frustrated by the loss of the “very popular” store, calling its closure “pretty annoying”, while others felt “gutted” by the situation.

Another highlighted the recent losses of other stores in the same retail park.

They said: “Ooo no Craigleith has lost Clarks few years ago now Nike.

“Less and less decent shops there.”

A Nike spokesperson had previously said: “We constantly evaluate our store locations to give us the best opportunity to personally connect with consumers through premium products, experiences, and services.

“As part of this retail strategy, the Nike Craigleith Store will close per January 26.”

This comes as one of Britain’s oldest department stores launched a closing down sale just months before its last remaining shop shuts for good.

Beales, which was founded in Bournemouth in 1881, will close its branch in Poole’s Dolphin Centre on May 31.

Starting today, the sale will clear all the remaining stock in the store before it closes its doors for good.

Items including furniture, fashion, gifts and cosmetics are being sold for up to 70 per cent off.

Beales chief executive Tony Brown blamed the “devastating impact” of the rise in national insurance contributions and the higher minimum wage for the shop shutting.

When the closure was announced, he said the business had become “unviable” as it prepared to take on further cost increases which were announced in the October Budget.

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It had been reported the Nike store in Edinburgh was unable to secure a new lease at Craigleith Retail Park[/caption]

ARSENAL posted a new angle of Mikel Merino’s celebrations.

But supporters were more interested in what was going on in the Leicester end.

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Mikel Merino scored twice for Arsenal as they beat Leicester on Saturday[/caption]

X @Arsenal

Fans were distracted by chaotic scenes in the home end after the goal[/caption]

Merino came off the bench at the King Power to answer Mikel Arteta’s striker SOS call following injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.

The Spanish midfielder went up front for the first time in his career.

And it worked a treat for the Gunners as he broke the deadlock with a header on 81 minutes.

He then showed great composure at the back post to turn in a second and secure an important three points.

Arsenal took to X the day after the game to post a new angle of the opener from behind the Leicester goal.

The video showed Ethan Nwaneri’s cross, Merino’s header and the wild celebrations in front of the travelling fans in the corner of the stadium.

However, the 56-second clip was overshadowed by scenes among the home Leicester fans.

As Merino’s team-mates embraced the matchwinner, chaos unfolded in the background.

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An individual in grey can be seen tussling with someone before launching something down the stand as their foe walks away.

The person in grey then chases after them down the staircase and proceeds to swing several punches as a fight broke out.

It appears they caught them in the head before the victim stumbled down the stand towards the stairwell, where they can be seen clutching their face.

Others nearby seemed to check on their wellbeing before the camera pans away to follow the Arsenal stars walking back towards the halfway line.

It is unclear what prompted the scrap and who was involved.

Although both were in the home Leicester end, there were suggestions the incident may have been between a Leicester fan and an Arsenal fan who had managed to get a ticket in the Leicester seats and celebrated the crucial goal.

And the incident was spotted by several social media users.

One said: “Leicester fans fighting in the background lol.”

Another replied: “Casually scrapping in the Leicester end in the background lol.”

A third added: “Can see the Leicester fans have caught an Arsenal fan in the home end 0:20 in…”

And a final user commented: “Massive punchup in the stands!”

It is not the first time fans have been filmed fighting at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester supporters clashed with one another in May 2023 as the Foxes were relegated from the Premier League.

There were also ugly scenes a year earlier in Italy when travelling Leicester fans fought riot police with batons and shields during the Europa Conference League semi-final defeat to Roma.

X @Arsenal

Two supporters can be seen fighting and swinging punches[/caption]

Getty

Merino headed over towards the away fans after his header[/caption]

Reuters

He was congratulated by his team-mates[/caption]

AP

Tensions boiled over in the Leicester end[/caption]